Celebrate: Financial Wellness with Alex Borgardts and How to Teach Kids to Give Back with Amber Ogle | Season 9 Ep. 363

Dr. Robin

Speaking of celebrating, joining me for a thoughtful conversation on ways to use a lump sum of money like a tax refund is Alex Bogardts. A few interesting things about Alex – Alex is a wealth advisor with Wealth Management by Community America. He helps his clients to understand the why behind their goals and aspirations. His goal is to make the financial planning process seamless so that the path to a meaningful life full of freedom, comfort, and peace is clearer and more attainable. Alex is an officer in the Army Reserve and is proud to serve our country. In his spare time, Alex enjoys going to the Lake and barbecuing with his spouse. Alex, welcome to Small Changes Big Shifts.

Alex

Thank you for having me. I appreciate being here.

Dr. Robin

Alex, why is it so important to really give thought to how you want to use your tax refund or any lump sum of money for that matter?

Alex

I think it’s important to be intentional with a lump sum of money. So, whether it’s from a tax refund or another life event that causes an influx of money, you really need to take a second to pause and think, okay, how does this impact my long-term and my short-term goals?

It’s easy to get caught up in the retail therapy type of thing and go spend some money and be a little impulsive with it. But I think if we take a second to pause and say, all right, what can I do with these funds, and how will this impact my long-term objectives? That can really help you align your short-term decisions to your larger plan.

Dr. Robin

So, tell me your suggestions of using a lump sum of money, whether it’s $500 or $5,000 or $50,000, what are some of your suggestions?

Alex

Well, first and foremost, I think an important part of financial planning is making sure that you have the groundwork played and you’ve got some security. So, an emergency fund or paying off high-interest debt, that’s going to be my number one recommendation.

And that looks a little bit different for each person. But if you have high-interest credit cards or student loans and there’s an opportunity with it, whether it’s a tax refund or financial windfall, to pay down some of those items and position yourself in a stronger financial position for the future, that’s something that you should consider.

Dr. Robin

Great. What are some other ways to be really smart with this money and thoughtful?

Alex

Well, it depends on each person’s situation, but maybe you’re looking at your children’s future. So if you’ve got a newborn child or a young adult that’s about to attend College, those are some considerations that we could look at.

There’s something called a five to nine account, which is a state sponsored education account that has some long-term tax advantages. If it’s used for education expenses, there are other account types, which are not for education but can be used to grow funds for the benefit of a child. One of them is called a UTMA.

And lastly, for our investors that are small business owners, if you employ a child or you have a young adult that has earned income, you could look at what’s called the Custodial Roth IRA.

If the objective is to really help grow your children’s fund and create some generational wealth, there, that’s a good starting point. And you can use your tax refund to really kick that off.

Dr. Robin

Great. So you mentioned being thoughtful about a lump of money. I think so many times people get money and they just kind of go out and kind of spend retail therapy?

Alex

Yeah, absolutely.

Dr. Robin

So, when you think about other smart ways, talk to me a little bit about like, emergency funds. Do people need emergency funds?

Alex

Absolutely. I would say everyone needs an emergency fund. And what that looks like is a little bit different for everybody. But as a baseline to start, I would recommend three months of what we call nondiscretionary expenses. So the things that we have to pay. So rent or mortgages, auto payments, utilities, fuel, food, daycare expenses for some.

At a minimum, we want to have three months of expenses. And then from there we really have to look at the individual situation and my family’s situation. My spouse and I both work for the same company. So, there’s a little bit of risk there.

If you’re a small business owner, you may have more risk to your personal finances, or maybe you’re a single-income household. If that’s the case, that might necessitate having a bit longer of emergency savings. Sometimes that can be closer to six months.

And then you really have to look at some of the unique factors of the individual situation. For example, if you have a high deductible health insurance plan in addition to your three months of nondiscretionary expenses, it might make sense to also keep the amount of your deductible on hand. So, if you do have an unplanned health event, you have access to cash to address that in the short term.

Dr. Robin

So. you’ve talked about emergency fund, talked about paying off high-interest debt, you’ve talked about investing in your child’s future. Any other things that people might want to consider? Let’s say they have their child’s, what did you call it? 529?

Alex

Yes, the 529.

Dr. Robin

529 is funded. They have no credit card debt. They have an emergency fund. And what type of vehicle should they be having that money in? Do they have cash in the mattress or should they put it into some type of account?

Alex

Well, generally these are investment accounts, and it does depend on the person, but we have to kind of balance for emergency savings. The short-term need usually those are on deposits. And then when we look at five to nine or savings for children, that is more long term focused. If we have ten or 15 years before we expect those funds to be used, that’s where we can look at the investment world.

And I think the last item that I’d point to is investing in yourself. So, if you have all those financial planning goals, both short and near term in place, you might consider ways that you can add a return on investment in your career or your life in other ways.

And it’s not always monetary, but maybe that’s a professional certification and that’ll increase new job prospects, or it’s a college class or learning a new language. Those can be areas where if you invest in yourself, there’s definitely a potential for return on that investment in the long run that you’ll be able to reap the benefits of down the road.

Dr. Robin

Alex, I’m a bit older than you, and I’m at that age where I’m thinking about life insurance and long-term insurance. How do I know that? How can someone decide that’s a good investment for them? Or how do you recommend people begin the process?

Alex

Well, it’s a complicated space, but there are several resources online that can help break down the types of insurance and the types of long-term care. Ultimately, when we think about wellness, we do think about protection and security and comfort and the freedom and flexibility to control your path as things inevitably shift in life.

 And I think that’s the purpose of life insurance or long term care insurance. There’s a ton of different things out there. There’s a ton of resources online. I’d recommend doing some research and then reaching out to an advisor, someone that can talk through your personal situation. There is no one answer for everybody, and it’s definitely an important decision that should be part of your larger financial plan.

Dr. Robin

Alex, how do you feel that being smart with your money decisions can affect your overall wellness?

Alex

Well, one thing that I talk with my clients about is when we’re setting a goal, I like to visualize the outcome of that goal or the insight of that goal. So, what does that feel like when you reach a goal? And when you think about goal setting in that sense, it really helps you align your short-term actions to that long-term goal because you want that feeling of achievement and success.

And when it comes to spending money, I think if you can hold on to that visualization of success and achievement and then spend funds in a way that help move you towards that goal, that will keep you on the right path as you make your shorter-term financial decisions.

Dr. Robin

 Well, one of the things that rings true in my mind that I heard about 20 years ago is invest as you go. Your body sends you a big bill later. And I think that’s true with health as well as wealth. And I loved when you think about the word pause and how can you be more intentional about your financial freedom. Some people may not feel they’d have the resources to have a financial advisor like you. Can you talk to me about what type of people would access somebody as a wealth adviser or wealth management person?

Alex

It’s really all over the spectrum. We have our members at Community America and our clients as wealth advisors are in different phases of life. Our objective is to make sure that we’re with you at all the different phases. So, I have young adults that are right out of high school. I have middle-aged clients that are raising families or building careers or working on businesses. And I have pre-retirees and retirees.

So, I think the stereotype is that you already have to have built your wealth. But really, this is a relationship oriented world. I want to understand your family, your goals, your objectives, and what matters to you. And that really helps when we start that relationship at a younger age. And I can grow with you throughout your life and your career.

I’d recommend reaching out to a financial advisor and maybe do some thinking about the age of the adviser that you wish to work with and find someone that you believe aligns to your stage of life and your objectives.

And I think, I think you’ll find a lifelong relationship that will be mutually beneficial for everyone.

Dr. Robin

Well, I’m in this process of celebrating 30 years in 30 days. And so that’s why I mentioned that we’re celebrating this whole theme of that. And I think celebrating long-term relations, I call it LTRs, lifetime relationships. Absolutely. So I’m glad you brought that up to think about somebody to grow with you through the different phases of life, you know, as we start to wrap up. Thanks so much for joining me today and sharing with me.

Alex

Yes, thanks for having me.

Dr. Robin

And Alex, what’s the best way people can reach out and learn more about you and the wealth management at Community America.

Alex

Community America’s website has a tab. So if you go to Community America.com, there’s a tab for our wealth advisors and you can see the listings of each of the advisors, our backgrounds, and our specialties. And I’d encourage you to reach out. There’s a tool on the website to directly contact us, and then our phone numbers and emails are also listed there.

Dr. Robin

That’s awesome. Alex, I always like to end the show with something a little bit more personal. And is there a quote, a song or a book that’s inspiring you right now?

Alex

Well, I’ve got a quote that I picked up from an ethics manual when I was in college a long time ago, and it’s kind of a long-winded one. But, “integrity can accommodate the inadvertent error or common difference of opinion. It cannot accommodate the seed or subordinate nation of principle.” And really what’s resonated with me for years is essentially it’s doing what’s right when no one’s looking.

And I think I’ve seen it adopted in different types in the financial world. But maintaining your integrity and focusing on doing what’s right ultimately will serve you well in life.

Dr. Robin

Well, that’s exactly why I love teaming up with Community America to bring you this podcast. I hope you’re all enjoying this special month of celebrate. And my quote for the day is saved as “a penny saved is a penny earned” by Benjamin Franklin.

And as I’m in this different season of life than Alex, I really realized that I wish I would have maybe had that pause and held on those impulse purchases because a lot of times you accumulate stuff and you start to get rid of stuff. So once again, Alex, thanks for joining me on small changes, big shifts. 

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Dr. Robin

Welcome back to Small Changes, big shifts. I hope that you’re enjoying our special series this month around celebrate. We are celebrating 30 years of your wellness connection. And we’re doing a campaign over 30 days. We’re raising 30,000 for the Big Shifts Foundation for the kids.

And I couldn’t think of a better guest than my friend Amber. We met the week before the Pandemic. So, we have a two-year anniversary. Happy anniversary. Happy anniversary. Yeah. I met Amber through our friend Chris Wittenberg. And you can’t see us because you’re listening to us, but we’re both in our be good to people swag. And our friend Chris Wingberg started that company.

So, Amber, what’s your story? Tell our audience about kind of where you grew up, where you live now.

Amber

My story, where I grew up. Well, I was born in Mexico, Oregon, and then I moved. My mom and I, we moved most of my life have been in Washington. And I lived in Washington since I guess since I was about eight years old. And I grew up in Washington. I love it over here. And now I’m in Olympia, Washington, with my husband.

Dr. Robin

Your husband and seven kids from age 18 to one.

Amber

Yeah, seven kids. So great.

Dr. Robin

Well, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your mother, Marilyn, as well. What a lovely family. And I want to dive into that story. But I was thinking about celebrating. And to be totally transparent, I was writing my 30 B’s of kind of lessons I’ve learned the last 30 years being in private practice. And it was be kind, be generous. And I was scrolling because I actually kind of stalk you on Facebook because you’re always up to good.

And we’re in this crisis, this global crisis right now with Ukraine. And I just saw that. And how do you even think of the ideas?

Tell me what you did a few weeks ago around this wellness, the Krispy Kreme and Ukraine.

Amber

Well, we’ve been watching the news and we’ve been seeing what’s going on. And I have a neighbor that lives just a few houses down. And I see what I see on TV and I hear what the things I hear. But then I have my neighbor that’s down the street and she has her families in the heart of what’s going on.

Like for instance, a couple of days ago, she was on the call with her parents. And then they’ve already left one spot where they’re brain bombed. And now they’re hiding in a really small community where the troops are walking around and she couldn’t hear her mom very well because the bombs are going off. And just to see the pain in her face and just you can see it. You can just see the pain.

You can see people crying and stuff like that. But it’s a whole different ballgame. When I was just looking in her eyes and she feels almost guilty for being here. She’s been in the United States for a year and a half and just the stories I’ve been hearing. So I wanted to do something. I was like, I have to do something.

I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I’m going to do something. And I thought of Donuts. We did a little fundraiser with Donuts.

Dr. Robin

First of all, once again, this is first hand. This is not the news. This is a neighbor a couple doors down, his parents over there. So we’re sending out our heartfelt love to her and but also you for taking and doing something. So tell me about your event.

Amber

So my event was I just thought, well, what if we just sit in the corner of our street, my family, my children and I, and we’ll just sell some Donuts? And so I’m like, okay, well, I’m going to put a post on my Facebook Lake page because we live on Lake St. Clair and I’m going to put it on my own page. And I don’t know what the response is going to be, but I put something out and then people like, I need a dozen Donuts. Get me a dozen Donuts. And I got it to like 20 people wanting dozen Donuts.

I’m like, so I called Kristy Kreme, who gave us a very good deal because they knew we were doing this to raise money for Ukraine. And we end up getting 52 dozen Donuts sold in the corner of our street. And we sold out within 55 minutes. And we raised $2,527 just by Donuts.

People were lined up, traffic was stopped. They just wanted to give so much. And Anna was there. Anna is the one who lives down the street. And she was talking to people and thanking them.

And just real quick a little bit about Anna. She started a nonprofit, I Support Ukraine. And right away she started that. So all this money is going to be going to her and she knows where it’s going to go. Obviously what is needed and only from her family telling what is needed.

But she’s also connected with other networks and say, okay, we need this in Ukraine because her whole entire family is there. And then she has a group called Meesque and they’re in Federal Way, Washington, and they’re the ones that flying out all of this stuff.

So we raise all this money. When I brought it to her, it’s probably one of the greatest gifts because the look on her face too, it would turn pain to shock, to joy and almost hope like you saw hope.

And I think hope is a vitamin in our life that we need to just keep moving forward. And I feel like these Donuts turn to these donations turned to just great joy and hope. And maybe her family is going to be able to get through this.

Dr. Robin

Well, interesting, of my 30 BS, I did not put hope. I’m going to have over 30. I think be hopeful, be a bringer of hope, which is what you did that day with her and continue to do well, your family, as I’ve been watching you the last two years, and it just touches my heart when I see what you’re doing and how you’re raising your kids.

Tell me about who taught you about being a go-giver. That is one of my B’S. By the way, talk about being a go-giver.

Amber

It would have to be started very young. My mom and my sister and I went through a hard period and our neighbor pretty much saved our lives. And so from there, I just learned very young that one person can actually give someone the hope to change their life. So I think that’s where it started. And then at a very young age, I just remember being the new girl , because I moved and I got teased.

And so when I saw other kids being teased, I would hold them back in class. And like this girl that I remember specifically this one little story, she didn’t have nice clothes and her hair. I don’t know what was going on. Her hair was always matted and stuff.

So I got some clothes and makeup and hairstyle. And I was in the fourth grade and I kept her back in class and we put on matching outfits and I did her hair. And then we started playing volleyball all together and became really good friends. And everybody wanted to be her friend the following year because she learned how to braid her hair in really cool ways.

And girls started coming to her, asking her to braid their hair the way her hair was when the year prior, they were making fun of her. And I think that story in my mind stuck so big that it just keeps growing my thoughts and how we can help people. And I want to put that into my children because it changed my life by helping her, but in her life as well.

Dr. Robin

Sounds like your neighbor started a ripple and our family has shifted that. I know your mother is a big go giver as well. Tell me about the fun things you’ve done with your kids, because I believe your kids have kind of their own, not for profits, is that correct?

Amber

Yes. For the most part, most of them have their own little charities. We kind of start around well, it seems like it’s around fourth grade. It’s just when I kind of see a passion spark in their brains, I kind of start talking about it and I wait for them to kind of have an idea in a way to help.

For instance, it started with my oldest, her name is Lila. She’s 18. And we were talking about birthdays and her birthday coming up. And somehow we got the topic how some children don’t get birthday presents, first as birthday parties and then birthday presents.

And then she says, well, what if there was a closet, like downtown at the family support center. And then kids can come and pick out a toy. I’m like, well, let’s see. So we called the family support center, gave them her idea, and now it’s been, I guess eight, nine years.

Every year, all of our online children, we have one birthday party for all of our children. People bring gifts for the birthday closet, and we’re able to supply gifts for all children in our community. Whoever can’t afford a gift, they go to the Oval birthday closet and they pick out a gift.

So it just starts out with a spark, an idea. The next child was Daisy, and she wants to our daughter, our dog is being put down, and she saw that there wasn’t a blanket underneath our dog. They didn’t have any at the time.

So she developed something called Sweet Dreams Blankets, and she makes them and delivers them to veterinary. So that way when they’re sick or going to heaven, they have something soft and cozy to lay on.

So that’s kind of how it works. Each one of them have their own little thing. And my second youngest, he is five. He’s the next one probably to come up with something, but all the others have one of their own.

Dr. Robin

I love that. This month we’re using the word celebrate and that word. If you listen to the podcast last week, you heard me talk Tess Masters and Tess as the Queen of celebrating people and learning how to celebrate.

And I really didn’t learn how to celebrate as a kid, like birthday parties and holidays and things like that. And it’s not just about that. It’s about celebrating people doing great things and creating a ripple and giving hope like you’re doing.

When you think about the journey, tell me a story about a moment just like you told me about the Ogle birthday closet. Can you remember a time when you saw a child go through that? Or maybe when your daughter took a blanket to somebody who maybe had to release their pet to the next phase? Can you give me a story that sits on your heart that keeps you going because you have seven kids and you’re young? If I remember right, you may be just 40. Are you 39 or 40?

Amber

Oh, no, I’m 45. 45. Yeah.

Dr. Robin

So tell me, can you think of another story that will give our listeners some hope in some of these dark moments,

Amber

A story that I remember of someone that we have helped? I can give you one of those. And then, well, a story here, actually, it was recent. But what I find that really sticks out is when we do something called Thanksgiving in a basket. It’s just a family charity that we do our first year. About eight, nine years ago, we fed seven families. This year we fed 177 families where we throw a party, people come, bring all the staples for Thanksgiving. And we make these huge baskets, everything in a Turkey. And every year we’ve been bringing the family support center or we hand them out in our Yum community.

But there was a time there was a mom, and she was standing next to the truck or handing out all of these baskets. And she had a teenage boy. I’m like, oh, Hi, do you need a basket? She said, no, I want to talk to you when you get a second. I was like, oh, no, I need to help her.

So I just paused, and I went over, talked to her, and she’s kind of shaking a little bit. And then just a flood of tears. She just started bawling. And her son, who was a little bit taller than her at the time, grabbed her hand and she said, I heard you’re going to be in the Yum community.

And I wanted to tell you that about four or five years ago, I was living in a tent with my son, who was standing next to her, and we benefit from your baskets. And then the following year, the family support center got us some temporary housing. And again, we got one of your baskets.

And then the following year, I finally got my job, and we were in a shelter, and then we were able to move out. And then this year is the first year that I’m on my feet, have a job. And my son and I wanted to say thank you for all these years providing Thanksgiving for us because we didn’t have it otherwise.

And all my kids kind of were hearing this. I think all of us kind of just stop for a second. Like, this isn’t just a party to give gifts and give like Thanksgiving. This has really changed lives. And to see it firsthand in her face and how she’s holding her son’s hand and how her son was, like reaching out to hug us, that’s a big story.

I think it just sticks in our brain is knowing that this is bigger than we had thought that was going to be. It’s much more than food. We’re delivering just hope in a basket, more than the nutrients that’s in it. But I guess that is the essential vitamins, hope.

So I think that story sticks out most to me as far as the charity goes. And just to see the powerful impact that we’ve had on people, which is the best gift in the world. If you ask me, giving is the best gift in the world.

Dr. Robin

I totally agree. I would say one of my top values is generosity. Absolutely. I enjoy following you and watching how you’re using your gifts of creativity and imagination and community to help shift. So do parents come to you and say, Amber, how can our kids get involved? How is it impacting not just your family, but the community around you?

Amber

I get that a lot. I get that often. A lot of my friends want to help. Let’s say when we were just recently we were doing the Donuts for Ukraine, I had friends come and they wanted their children to be there to watch, to see people giving, and then their children get involved in handing the Donuts.

My neighborhood children have helped with things going to Basket last couple of years. Whether it is when people pull up to give us food and they’re rushing it into the coolers or what have you or when we’re putting all the baskets together.

My friends love to get involved in helping, but then at the same time I’ve had people reach out to me. I have two people that have started their own Thanksgiving in a Basket with their own family, and they’re helping their own communities, which I think is amazing.

I also have someone that is doing gosh, I want to say Kansas, but it’s not anyways, they’re doing another birthday closet. They set a closet for their whole community. I think it also makes people just say, hey, how did your kids get these ideas? And they sit down with them and find their own ideas and then they make their own charities. I just think they see that.

It’s just I think with children, you have their idea, but it’s up to us to bring it to a whole different level. And once your children see what their idea can really become, the fire is lit and they just won’t stop.

Dr. Robin

I’m thinking about the values your kids are learning. So, as you think about launching your 18 year old, what values do you see her possessing because of your curiosity, your desire, your go-giver attitude or creating a ripple? What I hear you doing is you’re paying for it. Someone helps you. And I’m sure there’s more than that. One incident when you were younger, over and over, what type of values are you witnessing in your children?

Amber

I think they say the other side of I don’t want to say the world, but the other side of maybe beliefs. In a sense, they are very empathetic. Sometimes when I’m mad and I’m just like, well, I don’t know why they would do that. And they almost pause. They say mom, what if they’re just having a bad day? They always turn it around on me. The things I say to them. Sometimes I don’t hold to myself. Sometimes I fly off the handle. And what I see in them is they’re picking up exactly what I’m saying and what I’m trying to teach them. And when I’m acting out and acting like just crazy, they call me out on it so I know that they’re listening.

So I feel like that it is making an impact on them. And then for my children, I tell them, you need to find a career. That something you’re passionate about. So every day isn’t dreaded. And so my daughter wants to be a teacher, but she wants not only be a teacher to help children, but she wants to bring the philanthropy inside of the classroom and for the classroom to find an idea.

And for that year, they’re going to find a way that they can impact each child. They may be small, but they can bring a whole lot of love to something they’re passionate about. So she wants to bring that into her classroom, something that she can do with the children so maybe they can get started on their own thing for that year and then move forward in their lives to do the same.

Dr. Robin

Well, you just never know where a ripple will go. We don’t know where the money you raise from selling 52 boxes of Crispy Kreme Donuts for over $2,500. And that money is going to go to Ukraine to help. Who knows? Who knows? Touching stories. Amber, do you have a book or a website? How can people follow you? Or how can they plug into the magic you’re creating? Because it is magic.

Amber

I appreciate that. Thank you. It certainly feels magical in my heart. I have a Facebook page right now. It’s called Elgo E-L-G-O. Everyday Love, Giving with the Ogles. And actually very big news. In about two weeks, we have our what’s the numbers? Yes, that’s it. That’s it right there. So that’s going to be we’re finalizing that. So I’m really excited about that so we can get bigger and broader. And I am trying to find someone to help me with my website. So that’s where we’re at right now. We’re just on Facebook. Elgo E-L-G-O.

Dr. Robin

Well, I want to tell you a story as we start to wrap up. When I was in college, I was part of something called Circle K. Not Circle K, the convenience stores, but there’s a group called Kawanas. Have you heard of Kawanas? So Kiwanis has something in high school called Key Club. And in colleges back then, they had Circle K. And I was part of Circle K. Surprise, surprise. And the President.

And I remember one time we took food to a family and somebody donated this big unicorn, one of those things we used to have one of those things. Carnival fair. Yeah, Carnival fair. And they’d won that. And I remember taking that up. And actually, my brother with me, my brother Mike, and I remember taking we took the food in that.

And that child saw the big old eyes. And it’s priceless when you hold on that’s. I’ve been to practice 30 years. This is like 35 years ago. Wow.

I can still place myself outside of that home in Parsons, Kansas, with that family in that home, it looks like plant seeds inside your soul that you want more of that. It’s better than any high you can ever get. I believe it’s a high of giving.

Amber

Absolutely. Yeah. There’s nothing like it. My mom always said to me when I was young to plant trees that you’ll never sit under, do for others without expecting anything in return, because that’s just who you are. And that stuck with me as a child.

So I guess that’s my life’s work. It just feels good. That’s how I want to live the rest of my life. But I want my children to have this kind of feeling in their hearts, and I think they’re getting it.

Dr. Robin

Well, maybe there’s some way we can now I’m just kind of going rogue thinking about possibly ways we could partner together. So, we have a foundation that we’re raising money for right now from 30 years, 30 days, 30,000 for the kids. And our foundation is called Big Shift Foundation. Our foundation is called Big Shift Foundation. And our goal is to make generational change five to 30 year olds through whole person health.

And so kids have a chance to get the health care that they should get, whether they should have access to, whether it’s mental health or the right blood work or chiropractic care or acupuncture or medical care, traditional care is there. We value that. But also the other stuff that maybe they don’t have access to.

We’re raising money so that we can continue our scholarship program. That’s incredible. I invite our listeners, if you’ve not seen our video or go to Big shift. org and catch out our first cohort of young women. Actually, it’s mentor, but young women who signed up for our first cohort of the scholarship.

And then when I watched the video, it just brings me to tears. Because when you talk about your life’s work, I know without a doubt, it’s emotional for me. Without a doubt, my job is to make a difference in kids’ lives so that they could go out and create. And when you pour into kids like somebody poured into me, this belief of holistic medicine, and I just want to give it away as much as I can to whoever will listen.

So hopefully the loving yourself overrides any hate in the world. So you love yourself. It’s hard to bully somebody else. It’s hard to hurt somebody else because you have so much self love. And I don’t mean a narcissistic way. I know what you’re talking about, but I’m so proud of you. And I’m celebrating you as we’re celebrating our 30th year, we’re celebrating people that are doing great work, that are in inspiration to me.

So I’m going to give a shout out to our friend Chris Wittenberg with Be good to People for introducing me to you and your mother.

Amber

Thank you so much. And you are such a gift. You are a gift in my life. And you inspire me more than you will ever know. So I read my little cards almost every day. I just pull one out and I think of you because you gave them to me. And thank you for those. And I am grateful that I met you. And thank you, Chris, for bringing us together and thank you for having me. This is an honor.

Dr. Robin

Well, keep shining. Keep doing what you’re doing. One of my b’s is be the light and you’re definitely a light. I knew at the minute I saw you and I love following the story so I invite everybody to give us that Facebook they can follow right now until you get your website up, how can they follow what goodness you’re doing and maybe get some inspiration of what they can do in their own communities?

Amber

Well, it’s Elgo, Elgo and it’s everyday love giving with the ogals and I think what we can do if you have small children or just in general, just think of something small, ask them what their passion is. Okay, so you really like the ocean? Well, why don’t we get your friends together and let’s go to the ocean and we’ll tell them we’re going to have bags and gloves and we’re going to pick up and clean up the ocean.

At the end we’re going to have cookies and hot chocolate and you’ll be surprised at how many kids will end up showing up because not only are they doing something good but they want the hot cookie and the chocolate but at the end you can see what a huge impact you had on just a small idea.

It doesn’t need to be big. Just start with an idea of something you’re passionate about and turn it into something else that you can give it back. You want to help it take something small and make it big with your community. So listen.

Dr. Robin

Yeah, I think passion can be a tricky word. So watch when your kids are really present. When kids are really present, that’s kind of their joy, which is compassion. That’s something stirring in their soul. I love that. Yes, well, you definitely have my soul stirring. Thanks for all you’re doing. I invite you to follow and it’ll be in the show notes of how you can find them. Also, you’ll be able to see it on our Facebook page. I invite all of you to join me.

I’m going live daily and you’ll be able to see some of the b’s, some of the lessons I’ve been learning and hopefully it will inspire you and your own life to continue to have hope and to also share your magic and your gifts of the world and your joy. Blessings to all of you. Have a wonderful day, Amber, thanks for joining me.

Amber

Thank you for having me.

Dr. Robin

Bye guys.