We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits
The We Are For Good Podcast brings nonprofit professionals + everyday changemakers into conversations with the most innovative, heartwired leaders in social impact. Hosted by Jon McCoy + Becky Endicott, each episode unpacks fresh mindsets, practical skills + inspiring stories designed to help you work smarter, build healthier cultures + accelerate our collective impact.
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About We Are For Good
We Are For Good is a storytelling, learning + activating community built for nonprofit professionals + everyday changemakers. Through our podcasts + media, purpose-driven activations + global gatherings, we equip for-good leaders with the connection, skills + inspiration to grow their impact. Because we believe community is everything—and together, we can create an Impact Uprising.
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We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits
686. Learn, Serve, Explore: How Students of Service Is Shaping the Next Generation of Global Leaders - Amir Samandi
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Meet Amir Samandi 🌎, founder of Students of Service (SOS) in San Antonio.
In this episode, Amir shares how one study abroad experience sparked a bold vision: to equip young people to become global citizens through service and international learning. What started as a leap of faith is now a thriving nonprofit shaping the next generation of empathetic, purpose-driven leaders.
This conversation is especially for founders and nonprofit leaders navigating growth, doubt, and sustainability.
You’ll hear:
- Why courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s acting despite it
- The two-question filter that guides every decision at SOS
- How service and global learning are shaping Gen Z into purpose-driven changemakers
- A reminder to trust the process, do the work, and surround yourself with people who believe in the mission
Episode Highlights:
- Courage and community: moving forward despite fear (0:00)
- Amir Samandi’s journey: multicultural roots and life-changing study abroad (2:42)
- From State Department to classroom teaching: the spark for Students of Service (5:49)
- Launching SOS: creating a nonprofit from scratch with community support (8:35)
- Alumni impact and volunteer-driven growth (9:55)
- Guiding principles for SOS: “Is it good for kids? Is it sustainable?” (17:28)
- Preparing the next generation of leaders: empathy, agency, and hope (13:44)
- Moments of philanthropy: students taking action to help others (20:19)
- Amir’s One Good Thing: “Elevate the people around you to be their best selves; it makes the world a better place.” (22:54)
Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/686
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