You Are What You Give is a weekly conversation about generosity and the transformational ways it shapes who we become. Host Avi Zimmerman sits down with people whose giving changed lives — public figures, community leaders, philanthropists, and everyday heroes — to explore the moments that formed their purpose.
Each episode goes beyond biography. These are honest, human conversations about choices, values, faith, leadership, and what it really means to lead a life worth living.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your purpose, sharpen your giving approach, or simply connect with stories that matter, this show brings you into the rooms where those conversations happen.
New episodes every week.
Join a community learning to give more meaningfully, mindfully and measurably.
You Are What You Give is a weekly conversation about generosity and the transformational ways it shapes who we become. Host Avi Zimmerman sits down with people whose giving changed lives — public figures, community leaders, philanthropists, and everyday heroes — to explore the moments that formed their purpose.
Each episode goes beyond biography. These are honest, human conversations about choices, values, faith, leadership, and what it really means to lead a life worth living.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your purpose, sharpen your giving approach, or simply connect with stories that matter, this show brings you into the rooms where those conversations happen.
New episodes every week.
Join a community learning to give more meaningfully, mindfully and measurably.
Episode 1: Rob Adams — From Hunger to Heroism: A Thanksgiving Promise Kept
In this inaugural episode of 'You Are What You Give', host Avi Zimmerman engages with Rob Adams, founder of Thanksgiving Heroes, to explore the profound impact of generosity and community service. Rob shares his personal journey from experiencing food insecurity as a child to creating a nonprofit that delivers holiday meals to families in need. The conversation delves into the importance of keeping promises, the ripple effect of giving, and how acts of kindness can foster connection and purpose in our lives. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own giving experiences and consider how they can contribute to their communities.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 The Spirit of Thanksgiving and Generosity
02:53 Rob Adams: A Journey from Need to Giving
06:07 The Promise of Generosity
08:37 Creating a Culture of Giving
11:40 The Ripple Effect of Generosity
14:37 The True Meaning of Wealth
17:44 The Power of Service and Connection
20:41 Awakening to Purpose
23:46 Building Bridges Across Communities
30:03 The Journey to Life Purpose
33:48 Purpose in Business and Nonprofit
36:33 Motivating Volunteers
41:07 The Role of Community in Giving
45:03 Engagement and Responsibility in Giving
48:48 Thanksgiving Heroes: A Local Impact
49:47 Thanksgiving Traditions and Family
52:32 Future Aspirations in Giving
Get involved with Thanksgiving’s Heroes:
Visit thanksgivingheroes.org to nominate a family, volunteer, or donate. Chapters operate in multiple states, and the model is local by design: local volunteers serving local families.
This week’s Giving Challenge – Make a Thanksgiving Promise:
Turn your gratitude into a specific promise about your giving for the year ahead. Decide one way you will “level up” your giving between this Thanksgiving and next – whether in time, attention, or resources. Write it down and put a reminder in your calendar for next Thanksgiving to check in with yourself: How has your giving grown?
If this conversation resonates, please subscribe to You Are What You Give. It's a simple way to build a community that values what we give more than what we take.
Keywords
Thanksgiving, generosity, community, giving, nonprofit, Rob Adams, Thanksgiving Heroes, gratitude, purpose, volunteerism