Food, Family, & Philanthropy

Most of us never think twice about turning on the tap. But what if the water we rely on every day contains far more than we realize? Michael Nathanson sits down with Frank Ramos, Founder and CEO of Save the Water, to discuss the growing challenges surrounding water quality, contamination, and public awareness. Frank shares his remarkable journey from immigrating to the United States from Cuba to becoming a chemical engineer, environmental advocate, and founder of a nonprofit dedicated to iden...

Michael sits down with Jane Richardson, executive director of Friends of Foster Children, for a heart first conversation about building stability and joy for kids in Palm Beach County. Jane shares her path into nonprofit leadership and the programs that meet families where they are, including kinship navigators for relatives who step in overnight, a fatherhood program for dads learning to parent, and navigating adulthood support for youth aging out of care. They talk about the recent Impact 1...

Michael sits down with Monica Hadvigerova, founder of Military Recreational Divers, Inc., to explore how ocean therapy and scuba bring healing, resilience, and community to veterans living with PTSD and other invisible wounds. We trace Monica’s journey from pro tennis to combat sports to service, hear the story of her husband’s path from Desert Storm to recovery through the water, and learn how monthly dive charters create connection that lasts well beyond the boat. We also talk family, food ...

When Diana Sierra first walked into what would become Boca School for Autism, she planned to volunteer. What happened next? A two-minute tour turned into a two-hour conversation that completely changed her life—and the lives of dozens of families. In this episode, we go beyond the classroom to explore how Diana created a school rooted in empowerment, inclusion, and hands-on learning that’s reshaping what education can look like for students on the spectrum. You’ll hear everything from food fa...

In this heartwarming and eye-opening episode of Food, Family, and Philanthropy, we sit down with John Sawdon, Outreach Coordinator at The Volen Center, a powerhouse nonprofit supporting seniors across South Florida. From dementia care and adult day programs to intergenerational playdates and 6,000 monthly meals, John gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how one organization is redefining elder care with compassion, connection, and community. You'll hear touching stories, laugh over a shared l...

In this heartfelt and high-energy episode of Food, Family, and Philanthropy, host Michael welcomes real estate visionary and humanitarian Frank McKinney for a powerful conversation about passion, perseverance, and purpose. From building multi-million-dollar oceanfront estates to creating self-sustaining villages in Haiti, Frank shares how his unconventional journey—from juvenile detention to ultra-marathon finishes—shaped his mission to uplift others. Frank dives into what it means to be a “p...

What if losing your sight didn’t mean losing your independence? In this must-listen episode of Food, Family, and Philanthropy, we sit down with Lisa Stella, Executive Director of Lighthouse for the Blind, to uncover how cutting-edge technology and community programs are empowering the visually impaired to thrive. From AI-powered glasses to culinary training for blind chefs, Lisa shares the incredible ways her organization is changing lives—one innovation at a time. But that’s not all! Lisa sp...