Philanthropisms
Philanthropisms is the podcast that puts philanthropy in context. Through conversations with expert guests and deep dives into topics, host Rhodri Davies explores giving throughout history, the key trends shaping generosity around the world today and what the future might hold for philanthropy. Contact: rhodri@whyphilanthropymatters.com.
Episodes
109 episodes
Renata Minerbo: taking a holistic approach to philanthropy
On this episode we hear from Renata Minerbo, co-founder and Head of Philanthropy at Be The Earth Foundation, a family foundation focussed on the environment and social justice. Including:How did Be The Earth come about?How ...
Dr Xanthe Scharff: Mackenzie Scott gifts, collaborative funding & combatting modern slavery
On this episode we are joined by Dr Xanthe Scharff, Managing Director for External Affairs and Editor-at-Large at the Freedom Fund, to discuss their work combatting modern slavery and what it is like to receive not one but two major gifts from ...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #13
In the thirteenth edition of our podcast partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we talk to more academics whose work is featured in the latest batch of short, practitioner-focused...
Craig Newmark on philanthropy
On this episode we are joined by Craig Newmark - founder of Craigslist, philanthropist and recent Giving Pledge signatory - to discuss his thoughts on the importance of philanthropy and how he approaches it. Including:What was it th...
Myths of Philanthropy #3: Individualism and Scarcity, with Zaineb Mohammed & Devi Leiper O'Malley
In the third and final episode of our "Myths of Philanthropy" series, Rhodri and Chiara are joined by Zaineb Mohammed (Kataly Fund) and Devi Leiper O'Malley (Closer Than You Think) to discuss individualism and scarcity. Including:Wh...
Myths of Philanthropy #2: Presumed Expertise, with élysse marcellin & Tesmerelna Atsbeha
For the second episode in our "Myths of Philanthropy" series, we are joined by élysse marcellin (Whose Knowledge?) and Tesmeralna Atsbeha (philanthropic strategist & advisor, formerly Wellspring Philanthropic Fund) to discuss presumed knowl...
Myths of Philanthropy #1: Legacy, with Lisa Cowan and Dimple Abichandani
In the first episode of our mini-series on "Myths of Philanthropy", Rhodri and Chiara are joined by Lisa Cowan (Director of The Haven Fund, previously Vice President of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation) and Dimple Abichandani (author of
Myths of Philanthropy: Introduction, with Mandy van Deven & Chiara Cattaneo
Rhodri is joined by Mandy van Deven and Chiara Cattaneo from Elemental, to introduce a new 3-part collaborative series on "Myths of Philanthropy". Including:Why curate a series about the myths of philanthropy? Ho...
David Campbell & Lindsey McDougle: Can You Teach Philanthropy?
In our 100th episode we talk to David Campbell (Binghamton University, State University of New York) and Lindsey McDougle (Rutgers University - Newark) about their work on "Experiential Philanthropy" (EP) and using giving as a teaching tool. In...
Jonathan Heawood: Philanthropy and Public Interest Journalism
In this episode we talk to Jonathan Heawood, Executive Director of the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF), about the role philanthropy can play in funding public interest journalism, and some of the opportunities and challenges this might b...
Ann Mei Chang: Data and Civil Society
In this episode we talk to Ann Mei Chang, CEO of Candid, about the opportunities and challenges when it comes to collecting and publishing data on the nonprofit sector. Including:How does Candid decide what data to collect beyond wh...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #12
In the twelfth edition of our podcast partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we talk to more academics whose work is featured in the latest batch of short, practitioner-focused ER...
What Next? 2026 Trends and Predictions for Philanthropy & Civil Society
In this episode we offer thoughts on the trends and topics that are going to shape philanthropy and civil society in 2026. Including:Philanthropy & CharitiesOngoing political challenges for US philanthropy (more at...
Philippa Charles: Foundations and Grantmaking
On this episode of the Philanthropisms podcast we speak to Philippa Charles OBE, Chief Executive of the DFN Foundation, about the role of foundations and what it means to be a good grantmaker. Including: What is required to mak...
Rachael Jarosh & Suzanne Ehlers: Women-led philanthropy in support of refugees
In this episode we talk to Rachael Jarosh and Suzanne Ehlers, Chair and CEO respectively of USA for UNHCR, the US-based support organisation for the United Nations refugee agency, about their new women-led philanthropy project Building Better F...
Asha Curran: Radical generosity & the power of everyday giving
In this episode we talk to Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday, about the evolution of Giving Tuesday from its origins as a US-based giving day to its current incarnation as a global generosity movement operating in over 100 countries worldwide; ...
Sonal Sachdev Patel: Reflections of a Philanthropist in Residence
In this episode we talk to Sonal Sachdev Patel, CEO of GMSP Foundation, inaugural Philanthropist In Residence at the Marshall Institute at the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) and executive coach working with philanthrop...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #11
In the eleventh edition of our podcast partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we talk to more academics whose work is featured in the latest batch of short, practitioner-focused E...
Oli French & Sally Vivyan: Why and how do foundations spend down?
In this episode we talk to Oli French (freelance consultant) and Sally Vivyan (Co-Director of Gower Street and Grants Advisor/Trustee to the Sir Ernest Cassel Education Trust) about why and how foundations choose to spend themselves down. Inclu...
Philanthropy in an Era of Populist Politics
In this episode we consider the rise of political populism across the world, the impact this is having on philanthropy and civil society, and what the response might be. Including:What are the key features of populist politics?...
Liv Egholm & Pia Gerber: Philanthropy & Democracy in Europe
In this episode we talk to Liv Egholm, Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School, and Pia Gerber, Director of Freudenberg Stiftung, about philanthropy and democracy in Europe. Including:What is the core role of philanthropy ...
Alisha Fernandez Miranda: Writing fiction about philanthropy
On this episode of the Philanthropisms podcast we talk to Alisha Fernandez Miranda, author of Someone's Gotta Give (out 5th August), a comic novel about the struggles of an American former fundraiser to balance motherhood, life in the ...
ERNOP: Connecting Philanthropy Academia & Practice #10
In the tenth edition of our podcast partnership with the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP), we talk to more academics whose work is featured in the latest batch of short, practitioner-focused ERNO...
Róisín Wood: Philanthropy & Civil Society in Northern Ireland
In this episode of the Philanthropisms podcast we talk to Róisín Wood, CEO of the Community Foundation Northern Ireland (CFNI), about the landscape for philanthropy and civil society in Northern Ireland. Including:How and why was CF...
The Gates Foundation and timescales for philanthropy
In this episode we take a look at the recent announcement by Bill Gates that he now plans to give away 99% of his wealth and spend down his foundation over the next 20 years. Including:Should we be excited about this news?W...