Presented by Fierce Philanthropy, the Impact Innovations Podcast is your go-to space for gathering insights from leading voices in the social impact space. Each episode features conversations with social entrepreneurs, philanthropy experts, and impact investors who are redefining what it means to give effectively.
Explore emerging trends in philanthropy, and discover vetted opportunities in both impact investing and high-impact grantmaking.
Learn more here: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/podcast/
A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.
Episode 11: Solving Chronic Homelessness with The Other Side Village
Presented by Fierce Philanthropy - Solving chronic homelessness requires more than just housing. In this episode, Todd Manwaring sits down with Tim Stay and Preston Cochrane of The Other Side Foundation (https://www.theothersideacademy.com/) and The Other Side Village (https://theothersidevillage.com/) to explore a bold, community-driven model that’s helping people move from chronic homelessness to lasting stability.
Using a unique “human first” approach to peer-led accountability and purpose-driven work, they unpack how The Other Side Village is transforming lives—not just by providing homes, but by rebuilding identity, relationships, and hope. This is a powerful look at what real, sustainable change can look like.
In this episode you will learn:
Why traditional approaches to chronic homelessness often fall short—and what’s missing
How a peer-led, “human first” model creates accountability, dignity, and lasting change
What it takes to move from short-term solutions to truly sustainable outcomes
A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.
Links from this episode:
Learn more about The Other Side Village (https://theothersidevillage.com/): https://theothersidevillage.com/
Find other effective social impact organizations here (http://fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/): http://fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/
3 Feb 2026
Episode 10: From Wells to Water Systems with Water Access Rwanda
Presented by Fierce Philanthropy - What if you supported a clean water initiative—raised the funds, celebrated the impact—only to discover later that the water wasn’t actually safe to drink? This happens more than you might think.
What if, instead, you could support an organization that doesn’t just drill wells—but treats, tests, maintains, and delivers safe water directly into people’s homes, just like the system you rely on every day?
In this episode, Christelle Kwizera, founder and CEO of Water Access Rwanda (https://www.warwanda.com/), joins host Todd Manwaring to share how her team is bringing safe, affordable, tap-like water access to rural communities across Rwanda. Christelle explains why “clean” isn’t the same as “safe,” how Water Access Rwanda’s Inuma mini-grid model delivers treated water through pipelines with ongoing maintenance and testing, and what it takes to keep systems working years after the ribbon-cutting.
You'll also learn:
Why water projects fail when no one owns maintenance, monitoring, and accountability
How time savings from near-home water access can translate into income, dignity, and shifting gender roles
What the data says about health outcomes—and how Water Access Rwanda tracks active users instead of inflated totals
A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.
Links from this episode:
Learn more about Water Access Rwanda (https://www.warwanda.com/): https://www.warwanda.com/
Check out more stories of clean water access (https://www.youtube.com/@wateraccessrwanda9821): https://www.youtube.com/@wateraccessrwanda9821
Find other effective social impact organizations here (http://fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/): http://fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/
2 Dec 2025
Episode 9: The Future of Mental Health in Kenya with Shamiri
Tom Osborn discusses Shamiri's innovative approach to transforming mental healthcare in Kenya by training near-peer counselors for school-based sessions with Todd Manwaring in this interview.
16 Oct 2025
Episode 8: Malnutrition, from Seed to Solution with Semilla Nueva
Executive Director Curt Bowen of Semilla Nueva discusses with Todd Manwaring how biofortification of corn addresses chronic malnutrition by enhancing nutrient content without altering existing dietary habits in this interview.
9 Sept 2025
Episode 7: From Charity to Change with Aaron Miller
Professor Aaron Miller and host Todd Manwaring discuss how donors can move beyond good intentions to achieve measurable, lasting change through strategic generosity.
1 Aug 2025
Episode 6: Pet Care that Unleashes Human Potential with Pawsperity
Natasha Herdman, CEO of Pawsperity, discusses how her organization uses dog grooming to provide job training, mental health support, and case management to individuals overcoming poverty, addiction, and incarceration in this interview.
1 Jul 2025
Episode 5: Rethinking Poverty with Martin Burt
Dr. Martín Burt discusses how his Poverty Stoplight tool empowers families to self-diagnose and overcome poverty by focusing on strengths, in an interview on the Impact Innovations Podcast.
1 Jun 2025
Episode 4: Saving Lives by Changing Behavior with The Other Side Academy
Co-founders Joseph Grenny and Tim Stay discuss The Other Side Academy's innovative rehabilitation program with hosts Tanner Mills, Jaxson Thomas, and Todd Manwaring in this interview, highlighting peer accountability and vocational training to transform lives.
1 May 2025
Episode 3: Investing in Latin American Social Enterprises
In this episode, Todd Manwaring sits down with Ted Levinson, founder of Beneficial Returns, and Maria Luisa Chavez, Managing Director for Latin America, to discuss how social entrepreneurs are solving some of the world’s most urgent challenges—particularly in Latin America. Beneficial Returns provides long-term, affordable loans to mission-driven businesses that reduce poverty and protect the environment.
Ted and Maria Luisa explain why their model prioritizes entrepreneurs, indigenous people, and why debt—rather than equity—can be the best tool to help these social businesses grow. They also share how philanthropic capital, especially from donor-advised funds and foundations, can be mobilized to support impact-first investing in ways that traditional finance can’t.
8 Apr 2025
Episode 2: Impact Investing in African Agriculture with Luni Libes
Luni shares his journey from tech entrepreneurship to impact investing, the creation of the global impact accelerator Fledge, and the unique “Berkshire Hathaway” approach behind Africa Eats. The conversation highlights how Africa Eats supports African entrepreneurs in scaling food and agriculture businesses that uplift smallholder farmers and reduce food waste—while maintaining profitability.
Learn more about Luni Libes and what he is up to at lunarmobiscuit.com
8 Apr 2025
Episode 1: The Why Behind Impact Innovation Group with Todd Manwaring
In our very first episode, we take you behind the scenes of the Impact Innovation Group to uncover the story behind its mission and the people who brought it to life. Host Todd Manwaring shares the inspiration, challenges, and bold vision that shaped IIG into a community dedicated to more intentional, effective philanthropy.
Who has been a guest on Impact Innovations Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Tom Osborn
Curt Bowen
Aaron Miller
Natasha Herdman
Dr Martín Burt
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 11 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
10
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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