by Denver Frederick | Jun 28, 2025 | Guest Interview
What does it mean to live—and lead—with clarity, restraint, and purpose? Robert Rosenkranz, a renowned investor, philanthropist, and author of The Stoic Capitalist, believes that ancient wisdom offers modern guidance—especially in how we respond to emotion.
From founding a private equity firm by risking his entire net worth, to backing civil discourse through Open to Debate, to championing breakthroughs in healthspan science and immersive art, Robert offers a masterclass in rational decision-making and values-driven leadership. You’ll hear why he rejects the idea of “giving back,” how he navigates risk, and why—when it comes to building a life of impact—being busy is no substitute for being thoughtful.
by Denver Frederick | Jun 24, 2025 | Guest Interview
There are few issues more urgent—or more misunderstood—than poverty in America. And even fewer solutions as bold as simply giving people cash. Jeff Atwood, the tech entrepreneur behind Stack Overflow, and his partner Betsy Burton, a trained scientist with a deep commitment to equity, are working to change that. Together, they’ve launched a $50 million guaranteed minimum income initiative across some of the poorest rural counties in the country—places that mirror their own family roots.
In this episode, Jeff and Betsy share a story that is as personal as it is political. From the hills of West Virginia to their home in Alameda, California, they speak candidly about wealth, dignity, hope, and the American Dream. We’ll explore how their own childhoods and their children have shaped their philanthropy, how storytelling is challenging tired myths about the poor, and why 2025 is the moment to rewrite the social contract in America.
This is not your typical conversation about poverty—and it’s not your typical couple trying to solve it. Here is Jeff Atwood and Betsy Burton on The Business of Giving
by Denver Frederick | Jun 23, 2025 | Guest Interview
My guest today leads an organization with one of the simplest and most powerful models in philanthropy. It’s called 1% for the Planet, and the premise is this: businesses commit 1% of their annual revenue to environmental causes—and 1% for the Planet ensures those funds are directed with purpose and impact.
With over 5,000 members in 60 countries and more than $750 million certified in giving, it’s a movement built on clarity, trust, and community. And Kate, who found her leadership voice on a snowy mountain pass at age 18, has carried that spirit of joy, grit, and teamwork into everything she does.
She joins us now to talk about movement-building, climate leadership, and the power of collective action.
by Denver Frederick | Jun 20, 2025 | Guest Interview
This week on The Business of Giving, the focus is on one of the most distressing — and solvable — crises in America today: medical debt. Each year, millions of families are forced to choose between paying their bills and getting the care they need. But what if there were a way to erase that debt — not just for a few, but for thousands at a time? That’s exactly what Undue Medical Debt does. Led by CEO Allison Sesso, the organization buys medical debt the way a for-profit company would — but instead of collecting it, they forgive it. The return on investment? For every $1 donated, $100 of medical debt is wiped away.
Allison also shares how a nurse working during the pandemic found herself in medical debt at the very hospital where she worked — a stark example of how broken the system is, and why it must change. Here is my conversation with Allison Sesso, CEO of Undue Medical Debt.
by Denver Frederick | May 21, 2025 | Guest Interview
My guest today believes that the greatest barrier to nonprofit fundraising success isn’t money—it’s clarity. Kevin L. Brown is the co-founder of Mighty Ally and the author of Fundable & Findable: The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising. In this conversation, Kevin explains why most organizations are stuck in a donor-chasing cycle and what it takes to become truly fundable and findable.
If your organization has ever struggled to articulate why you exist or raise the resources you need, this episode may just shift your entire approach.
by Denver Frederick | May 12, 2025 | Guest Interview
What if your supporters could step inside your story—feel it, not just hear it?
In this episode of The Business of Giving, I speak with Chip Giller, co-founder of Agog, a groundbreaking philanthropic initiative helping nonprofits explore immersive storytelling through XR, or extended reality. From Human Rights Watch to Harlem youth programs, Chip’s work is proving that the future of nonprofit communication isn’t just visual—it’s emotional, embodied, and unforgettable.
If you’re rethinking how your organization moves hearts and drives action, this is a conversation you can’t miss.
