Leave the Pile Higher
"My job is to leave the pile higher for you and your sister."
That was my father's philosophy long before I understood it—and decades before I ever thought about launching a podcast. He never used the word legacy.
He simply lived it.
In 1983, faced with financial sacrifices and difficult choices, my father made a decision that changed the trajectory of my life. Rather than take the easier path, he chose to invest in my future. At the time, I didn't fully appreciate what that sacrifice meant. It wasn't until after his passing in 2018 that I truly understood the depth of his commitment and the legacy he was building.
On what would have been my father's 75th birthday, I launched Leave the Pile Higher as a way to honor his legacy and explore a question we all face:
What are we leaving behind for those who come after us?
Through honest conversations with guests from all walks of life, we explore leadership, faith, family, resilience, service, personal growth, and purpose.
While this podcast often speaks directly to Black men navigating fatherhood, leadership, purpose, and life's responsibilities with intention, the lessons shared here are universal. Legacy belongs to all of us.
Whether through guest interviews, Legacy Notes, or Legacy Blueprint panel discussions, every episode is designed to challenge, encourage, and inspire you to think differently about the impact you're making right now.
Because legacy isn't something you leave someday.
It's something you build every day.
One decision.
One sacrifice.
One conversation.
One rep at a time.
Let's Build.
Leave the Pile Higher
Healing the Fatherless and Amplifying Voices: Charvette Shirk Pitt’s Mission for Change
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What does it really mean to heal from the legacy of broken relationships? Is healing a passive process, something that happens to us over time, or is it an intentional, active choice we make—one that requires courage, resilience, and faith?
In this transformative episode, Charvette Shirk Pitt—founder of M.E.N. (Men Embracing Non-Violence) and author of Healing the Fatherless: Valuing and Validating the Daughter You Have Always Been—shares her deeply personal journey as a fatherless daughter, inviting us to confront our past, break free from generational cycles, and embrace a future of healing and empowerment.
Her book has been praised for its transformative approach, introducing the HEALED framework—Honesty, Eagle-eyed, Adjustability, Limitlessness, Endurance, and Digging through the layers—a step-by-step guide to overcoming trauma and reclaiming self-worth.
But her mission doesn’t stop there. Through her work with M.E.N., Charvette creates safe spaces for male survivors of domestic violence, amplifying voices often left unheard. She is breaking barriers, advocating for healing, and empowering others to reclaim their lives.
Whether you’re seeking healing for yourself, supporting someone you love, or striving to leave a better world for future generations, this episode offers valuable insights, practical tools, and hope. Charvette’s story reminds us that healing isn’t just about moving on—it’s about moving forward with purpose, power, and grace.
Show Notes:
Domestic Violence Resources:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA):
- Website: www.thehotline.org
- Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text: Text "START" to 88788
- NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence):
- Website: www.ncadv.org
- Men’s Advocacy Resources for Domestic Violence:
- Male Survivor: www.malesurvivor.org
- Men’s Support Line (UK-Based): www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Connect with Charvette Shirk Pitt: LinkedIn
Learn more about Charvette’s journey and her HEALED framework in her book, Healing the Fatherless: Valuing and Validating the Daughter You Have Always Been, available on Amazon.
Looking to protect what you've built, strengthen your foundation, or create a plan for the future?
Whether you're a family focused on protecting what matters most or a business owner building something bigger than yourself, Savage Family Office can help you think through the risks, opportunities, and strategies that support your long-term goals.
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute Legacy Snapshot and let's explore ways to help you protect, build, and preserve the legacy you're creating for yourself, your family, your business, and future generations.
Book your Legacy Snapshot today and take another step toward leaving the pile higher.
Interested in being a guest on Leave the Pile Higher?
I'm always looking for individuals who are building, serving, leading, overcoming challenges, and making a difference in the lives of others.
If you have a story of faith, resilience, leadership, personal growth, entrepreneurship, or legacy-building, I'd welcome the opportunity to learn more about your journey and consider the possibility of featuring you on the podcast. Your story may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
To be considered as a guest—or to ask a question about an episode—email: leavethepilehigher@gmail.com
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