Episodes

  • Small & Gutsy Features EverWalk, the Key to Health is Walking

    Small & Gutsy Features EverWalk, the Key to Health is Walking
    Feb 3 2026

    EverWalk is the brainchild of Diana Nyad and Bonnie Stoll, created to help all of us live longer, better, and healthier lives.

    Their mission and vision are to build community by walking side by side, leaving differences behind, and discovering the freedom that comes from striding together, instead of sitting hunched over a screen.

    EverWalk invites you to make the commitment to become your best self.

    Step outside. Look up at the magnificent sky, the strength of the trees, the beauty of the world around you, feel the rhythm of your own footsteps, and feel YOUR movement under YOUR own power, then you remember what's possible - you feel stronger, lighter, and more alive.
    And in that moment — with every step forward — you're one step closer to becoming the person you've always imagined yourself to be. These two amazing women literally walk the talk.

    Over the years, EverWalk has grown from a spark of an idea into a national movement, founded in 2016.

    They've hosted four seven-day, 135-mile Epic EverWalks, countless First Saturday EverWalks in Los Angeles, and community Service Walks in Key West with Habitat for Humanity.

    They've also led two EverWalk Journeys, and in 2024 and 2025, EverWalk partnered with a number of charities — including Walk with a Doc, the Plastic Pollution Coalition, Second Cut, and the Emergency Relief Fund of Humane World for Animals, combining the power of walking with the purpose of giving back.

    Every event is built on one idea:
    When we walk together, we leave our differences behind — and move toward something bigger than ourselves.

    EverWalk gathers the most cutting-edge articles about the benefits of walking. Scroll through their library to find out everything you want to know about why WALKING IS THE ANSWER.

    Website: www.everwalk.com

    For more podcast episodes: www.smallandgutsy.org
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Small & Gutsy Features Indigo Arts Alliance

    Small & Gutsy Features Indigo Arts Alliance
    Jan 20 2026

    Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff reflects on the power of Indigo Arts Alliance's approach to artist development. She emphasizes that the organization understands a fundamental truth: the creative mind is a creative mind. By setting the right place, environment, and tone, Indigo Arts Alliance enables artists to engage with each other, explore materials, work through processes, and grow together. She notes that this kind of mentorship and ongoing relationship-building is rare, even in other industries. Through their residency programs and network-building efforts, Indigo Arts Alliance is creating a model that fosters long-term connections and collective growth among artists of color.

    The magic of Indigo Arts Alliance isn't just in the individual artist residencies—it's in the relationships. Jordia Benjamin shares how alumni from 2019 to present continue to collaborate, exchange ideas, and lean on each other's expertise. The result is a vibrant, ever-expanding network of artists of color supporting one another's creative journeys.

    At Indigo Arts Alliance, the connections matter just as much as the creation. Executive Director Jordia Benjamin describes how the organization builds long-lasting relationships and conversations among artists in their cohorts. From mentorships to collaborative projects, the artists in their residency programs continue supporting each other year after year, creating a vibrant, branching network that keeps growing and evolving.

    Check out their website: www.indigoartsalliance.me
    Watch the entire episode on the Small & Gutsy YouTube Channel or listen at SmallAndGusty.org
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • Small & Gutsy Features Attorneys in Motion Foundation; A Beautiful Rags to RIches to Giving Back Story!

    Small & Gutsy Features Attorneys in Motion Foundation; A Beautiful Rags to RIches to Giving Back Story!
    Jan 13 2026
    Michelle Etchebarren shares an inspiring journey from struggling single mother of four to founder of Attorneys in Motion, a groundbreaking legal tech company that transformed how law firms handle court appearances. But her story doesn't end there. At the ten-year mark of her company's success, Michelle founded the Attorneys in Motion Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and empowering women-owned law firms and businesses. The episode opens with a striking reality: women make up just 39.51% of the 1.3 million lawyers in the US, and only 27% of women who graduate from law school go on to own their own law firm or become partners. The gender pay gap persists at every income level. Michelle speaks candidly about being the only female founder in her specific business space and how the legal industry remains firmly male-dominated. Michelle's origin story is one of resilience. Starting as a single mother with no resources, poor credit, and limited financial literacy, she worked in a law firm during the 2008 mortgage crisis. There, she inspired a young attorney fresh out of law school to start her own bankruptcy law firm focused on helping people recover from financial hardship rather than making false promises. Together, they built that firm from nothing—using creative, low-cost marketing strategies like county fairs and phone book ads—before Michelle eventually pivoted to build something for herself and her children. The breakthrough came when Michelle recognized a problem in the legal services industry: court appearance attorneys were still using outdated technology like faxes. Inspired by the Uber model, she envisioned an app-based solution where attorneys could instantly request coverage for court appearances. It took about a year to develop with web developers, but Attorneys in Motion became the first company to use technology in this way, eventually growing into a nationwide business generating millions in revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic hit hard. When courts shut down completely, the business lost millions of dollars. But this crisis forced Michelle into deep personal development work. She realized that while she had achieved financial success, she wasn't fulfilled. Her original "why"—providing for her four children—had evolved, and she needed a new, more powerful purpose. This realization, combined with her study of Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich," Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning," and Tony Robbins' Business Mastery program, led her to a transformative insight: "The secret to living is giving. When you're working for a higher purpose outside of yourself, you're living purposefully." At the ten-year mark of her company, Michelle reflected on her journey and the isolation she had experienced. She didn't have mentors or even know what mentorship was. She remembered times she "cried herself to sleep" wondering if she would end up homeless. She didn't want other women to experience that same struggle alone. This became the genesis of the Attorneys in Motion Foundation, with a mission to help women succeed at a level above her own. The foundation addresses a critical gap in legal education: law schools teach lawyers how to practice law, but they don't teach business acumen. When attorneys are overwhelmed by business management—accounting, marketing, systems, delegation—they can't focus on quality legal work. They fall into scarcity mindset and cut corners, which is detrimental to clients and their own integrity. Michelle emphasizes that while psychology and business mechanics are both important, success is 80% psychology and 20% mechanics. The foundation's unique approach pairs financial grants with mandatory twelve-month coaching programs. Money alone doesn't create sustainable success; women need strategic guidance, accountability, systems, and connections to resources. The foundation conducts a two-month trial period to assess commitment, requires weekly coaching check-ins, and connects recipients with pro-bono services from sponsors. The goal is to set women up for real, lasting success. Michelle also addresses the internalized biases that even women carry about other women. She admits to her own automatic biases—like assuming a sports car driver is male—and recognizes that these thought patterns have been "bred into us" since childhood. Changing this narrative requires conscious effort and intentional retraining of our first instincts. On practical matters, Michelle shares advice for entrepreneurs on a budget: build community relationships instead of spending on expensive Google ads, find your niche and become the "go-to" expert for a specific community, and think creatively about marketing. She emphasizes the importance of self-grace, especially for working mothers, and the need for financial literacy when starting a business. The foundation is still in its infancy, currently working with a few grant recipients, but Michelle's vision is to help ...
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Small & Gutsy Features Two-Bit Circus: A True STEAM Carnival

    Small & Gutsy Features Two-Bit Circus: A True STEAM Carnival
    Jan 6 2026

    Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff welcomes Dr. Leah Hanes, CEO of Two-Bit Circus Foundation, to discuss how hands-on, experiential learning is transforming education for students across Los Angeles and beyond. After 13 years leading the organization, Dr. Hanes shares her personal journey from a student labeled a "slow learner" due to undiagnosed dyslexia to becoming a passionate advocate for reimagining how we teach creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. The conversation explores the Foundation's innovative programs—STEAM Labs, Makerspaces, STEAM Carnivals, and immersive learning experiences—all designed to make education engaging and accessible regardless of economic background.

    A core theme throughout the episode is the failure of traditional, lecture-based education to engage modern learners. Dr. Hanes emphasizes that students retain only 10% of what they read after two weeks, while learning skyrockets when knowledge is applied to real projects. She advocates for "doing, not sitting"—flipping classrooms to spend 40 minutes making and 10 minutes talking, rather than the reverse. The episode also tackles timely issues like AI in education (which Dr. Hanes sees as an assistive technology when used ethically), the $25 billion annual cost of standardized testing with minimal educational value, and the power of collaborative group work to build empathy and real-world readiness.

    Dr. Hanes shares compelling stories, including a young artist who discovered she could become an engineer through a STEAM project and went on to UC Berkeley on a full scholarship—the first in her family to attend university. She also discusses the Foundation's "Trash for Teaching" initiative, which has diverted over 900 tons of manufacturers' clean waste from landfills, giving schools free creative materials while providing companies tax benefits. The Foundation recently opened a 13,000 sq. ft. warehouse and is planning to expand its teacher training programs, partner with local universities, and scale the Trash for Teaching model globally.

    Key Takeaways

    * Education should prioritize doing over sitting. Hands-on, project-based learning dramatically improves retention and student engagement.
    * Collaboration builds empathy and strength. Group work mirrors real-world environments and allows students to discover their unique strengths.
    * Creative materials (not kits) foster invention. Open-ended "trash" encourages students to become designers and engineers, not 'instruction-followers'.
    * Teachers need to experience joyful learning themselves. Professional development that models creativity and fun transforms how teachers approach their classrooms.
    * Scaling innovation requires partnership. Two-Bit Circus Foundation's umbrella model brings together complementary nonprofits to reach more students sustainably.


    ---

    Resources & Links

    Small & Gutsy Podcast
    https://www.smallandgutsy.org

    Two-Bit Circus Foundation
    https://twobitcircus.org
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Small & Gutsy Features Home Again, LA - Supportive Home Search and Much More

    Small & Gutsy Features Home Again, LA - Supportive Home Search and Much More
    Dec 16 2025
    One of the biggest travesties in our country is the number of unhoused individuals and families. Home Again LA is changing the narrative around homelessness by recognizing it as a situational crisis, not a personal failure. Through innovative partnerships with faith-based organizations, corporations, and community agencies, HALA has helped over 600 families transition from homelessness to permanent, stable housing while building resilience and hope. Albert Hernandez, CEO of Home Again LA, shares his personal journey from a family on the brink of homelessness to leading one of the most impactful nonprofits serving unhoused families in Los Angeles County. Albert's Personal Story One of 11 siblings raised in Koreatown, Los AngelesFather passed away when Albert was 14; mother worked two jobs to support the familyStarted working at Boys and Girls Club at age 14 with a 4.0 GPAEvery paycheck went to help his mother with rent, food, and family necessitiesWorked in the nonprofit sector for 20+ years before joining Home Again LA as CEO in July 2015 The Homelessness Crisis Most Angelenos are one paycheck away from homelessnessPost-pandemic cost of living increases: Food costs have doubled1-bedroom rent: $1,800 → $2,400–$2,500/month Families have deep roots in Los Angeles County and often cannot simply "move elsewhere"The unhoused community is vastly misunderstood Home Again LA's Core Programs 1. Emergency Shelter (Core Program) 90-day program for families with children experiencing homelessnessOperates like a "boot camp"—fast-paced, goal-orientedAverage turnaround: 54 days to permanent housingCongregations provide overnight housing (6 PM–7 AM)Day center offers showers, laundry, job training, case management, Wi-FiKey requirement: Children must be enrolled in school and attending regularlyServes families fleeing domestic violence and those experiencing job loss/income disruption 2. Rapid Rehousing Program 6-month program (launched 2017)Our organization pays a portion of the security deposit and rent Month 1: 90% of rentMonth 2: 80% of rentGradually decreases so family takes over 100% by end of program Results: 471 families served; all but 2 successfully took over their leases12-month follow-up support to ensure housing stability 3. Eviction Prevention Program Started during the pandemicProvides financial assistance for families with rental arrearsIncludes employment support and financial stability planningImpact (2020–2021): Leveraged over $2 million in federal, state, and county fundingContinues today as cost-of-living crisis persists 4. Financial Education/Outreach Program Classes on credit vs. debit, building emergency savings, understanding interest ratesPartnership with Operation Hope for homeownership certification classesSuccess story: 3 families who were living in their cars are now homeowners 5. After-School Care Partnership Partnership with local Boys and Girls ClubScholarships for all families' childrenAllows parents to work full 8-hour shifts (pickup as late as 5–7 PM)Critical for parental employment stability THE FAITH-BASED PARTNERSHIP MODEL Origins: Founded in 2008 by faith-based community members who recognized the fastest-growing unhoused population was families with childrenNo dedicated shelter facility — congregations provide evening beds (6 PM–7 AM)Parishioner involvement: Provide meals, homework tutoring, mock interviews, emotional supportCorporate partnerships: Walt Disney Company, Logix Federal Credit Union, National Charity League (mothers & daughters volunteer group)Not a faith-based organization — rather, a secular nonprofit that works alongside faith communitiesImpact: 90% of graduating families report that "being treated like any other community member" was the most impactful part of the program AHA MOMENTS The Estrada Family Story Single mother and teenage son fleeing domestic violenceMother had zero credit history — no credit card, apartment, or vehicle in her nameShe was "invisible" to the housing systemRequired 116 days in shelter (vs. typical 90 days)Successfully housed; son is now in college and volunteers for program participantsLesson: No credit history is worse than bad credit; flexibility and advocacy are essential BEST PRACTICES HIGHLIGHTED Quality over Quantity: Focus on compassionate, individualized care rather than serving maximum numbersTreat the nonprofit like a business: Sustainable fundraising, financial reserves, and operational planning are non-negotiableCollaboration is essential: Leverage partnerships with Boys and Girls Club, financial institutions, corporations, and faith organizationsIt takes a village: No single entity can solve homelessness; success requires community infrastructureFlexibility within structure: Accountability (school attendance, job seeking) balanced with compassion for unique circumstances12-month follow-up: Maintain relationships post-housing to ensure long-term stabilityTreat people with dignity: ...
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Small & Gutsy Features The Farm Dog Rescue: Open Your Heart, Rescue A Dog!

    Small & Gutsy Features The Farm Dog Rescue: Open Your Heart, Rescue A Dog!
    Dec 8 2025
    In this episode of Small & Gutsy, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Keri Burgess, founder of The Farm Dog Rescue, and Nancy Zare, a dedicated volunteer foster parent, to discuss the critical work of dog rescue, rehabilitation, and responsible adoption in Martin County, Florida. The Farm Dog Rescue is a no-kill dog rescue organization that has made it a mission to rescue and adopt dogs, educate the community, and help animals in need. Beyond individual rescues, the organization is focused on addressing the larger issue of pet overpopulation through spay and neuter programs and policy advocacy. Throughout the conversation, Keri and Nancy share powerful stories of transformation—from chained and malnourished dogs finding forever homes, to the importance of careful vetting and placement, to the unique "Seniors Helping Seniors" program that pairs older dogs with older adopters. They discuss the realities of rescue work, the emotional rewards of fostering, and why focusing on the present rather than a dog's traumatic past is so important. Key topics include: Owner surrenders, and why 95% of Farm Dog Rescue's dogs come from families who can no longer care for themThe critical role of foster families in rehabilitation and placementHow legislation and spay/neuter policy are needed to reduce pet overpopulation, particularly in the southern statesThe importance of pet trusts for senior pet ownersNancy's journey from volunteer to experienced foster parent and the confidence it buildsWhy quality placement matters more than quantity of rescuesThe "Seniors Helping Seniors" program: pairing senior dogs with senior adoptersHow to focus on a dog's potential future rather than its traumatic pastThe systemic issue: "You cannot kill your way out of pet over-population" Guest Bios Keri Burgess – Founder, The Farm Dog Rescue Keri Burgess is a passionate animal advocate and rescuer with over 20 years of experience in animal welfare. As the founder and president of The Farm Dog Rescue, she has devoted her life to saving and rehabilitating dogs in need. Her journey in rescue began as a foster, and over the years, she has volunteered for numerous shelters and organizations, gaining invaluable experience. In addition to her rescue work, Keri is a full-time realtor and owner of a real estate coaching company, where she helps professionals grow and succeed in their businesses. Her business acumen lends itself to both running The Farm Dog Rescue as a sustainable nonprofit and selling real estate—balancing compassion with strategy to ensure success in both fields. Nancy Zare – Volunteer Foster Parent, The Farm Dog Rescue Nancy Zare is known as the "LinkedIn Whisperer" and is the creator of the Likability Sales System. She is a renowned business consultant who shows professional business owners how to generate warm, organic leads on LinkedIn and turn them into clients. She has authored seven books, including an Amazon International Best Seller. As a volunteer foster parent for The Farm Dog Rescue, Nancy has fostered 38 dogs in just a few years. Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff – Host, Small & Gutsy Dr. Laura is the host and founder of Small & Gutsy, a podcast and 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to spotlighting smaller nonprofits and social enterprises under $10 million. Her mission is to raise visibility for these organizations and connect them with volunteers, donors, investors, and job seekers. Key Takeaways Owner Surrenders Are the Primary Need: The Farm Dog Rescue receives 10-15 owner surrender calls per day, with 95% of their dogs coming from families who can no longer care for them—not from shelters.Quality Over Quantity: Farm Dog Rescue prioritizes careful vetting, behavioral assessment, and thoughtful placement over rescuing the most dogs possible. Their average hold time is 12 days, with some dogs placed in as little as one hour and others taking up to a year.Fostering Is Transformational: Foster families like Nancy don't just help dogs—they help themselves. Fostering builds confidence, teaches new skills, and provides deep personal rewards.Policy Change Is Essential: The real solution to pet overpopulation is not no-kill shelters—it's spay/neuter legislation and responsible breeding policies, which have already reduced overpopulation in northern states.Pet Trusts Matter: Many seniors assume their family will care for their pets if something happens, but this often doesn't happen. Pet trusts ensure dogs go to appropriate rescues and forever homes.Seniors Helping Seniors Works: Pairing senior dogs with senior adopters creates perfect matches—older dogs need laps and love, and older people want exactly that.Focus on the Present: Dogs live in the moment. While their past trauma matters for understanding behavior, the focus should be on creating a joyful, safe present and future.Rescue Is a Business: Even nonprofits must operate like businesses with financial stability, clear processes, and strategic...
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • Small & Gutsy Features Film2Future, the Next Gen Filmakers

    Small & Gutsy Features Film2Future, the Next Gen Filmakers
    Nov 18 2025

    Rachel Miller, founder of Film2Future, joins Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff to discuss how her nonprofit is revolutionizing access to the entertainment industry for underserved LA youth. Rachel shares her personal journey, from discovering filmmaking at 16, to creating a comprehensive, completely free program that removes barriers to entry for talented teenagers from low-income backgrounds. The episode explores Film2Future's innovative hybrid model, industry partnerships, and the transformative impact on students' careers and lives.

    Key Topics Discussed

    Rachel's Background & Inspiration

    • Discovered filmmaking by chance at age 16 during a community service event
    • Interned for legendary producer Deborah Hill
    • Taught public school in Manhattan and witnessed firsthand the economic divide affecting students' opportunities
    • Founded Film2Future in 2016 to address systemic barriers to entry in Hollywood

    The Problem Film2Future Solves

    • Film school costs $80,000+ annually, with additional expenses for equipment, portfolios, and tutoring
    • Industry leaders struggle to find "qualified, diverse candidates" ready to work
    • The real issue: lack of accessible pathways for underserved youth, not lack of talent
    • Solution: Start in high school so students are career-ready by 18

    The Film2Future Model

    • Completely free program providing computers, Wi-Fi, headphones, backpacks, supplies, food, and transportation
    • Hybrid approach: remote learning + in-person days at partner companies (Disney, Sony, etc.)
    • 25-30 student cohorts recruited from across LA County's most underserved schools
    • No portfolio required for application; focus on creativity and point of view

    Four Core Programs

    • Animation
    • Live Action Filmmaking
    • Emerging Technologies (VR, podcasting, gaming)
    • Advertising

    Life Skills Integration

    • Financial literacy
    • Resume writing and LinkedIn development
    • Professional communication and email etiquette
    • Networking and pitching skills
    • Interview preparation

    Success & Impact

    • 140+ paid internships and production assistant roles
    • 225+ students served since 2016
    • $2+ million in college scholarships earned
    • Alumni hiring other alumni, creating sustainable career pipeline
    • Notable success: Student with physical disabilities received a full-ride to NYU Tisch after creating the award-winning short

    COVID-19 Innovation

    • First production up and running during the pandemic
    • Created proprietary tech pods and safety protocols
    • Shot five shorts with zero infections
    • Demonstrated organizational resilience and adaptability
    Key Takeaways
    • Diversity in entertainment isn't just about goodness—it's better for business and creativity
    • Removing barriers at the pipeline level (high school) is more effective than trying to hire diversity later
    • Life skills training is as important as technical skills in the entertainment industry
    • Building community among students creates sustainable mentorship networks
    • Multiple ways to get involved with nonprofits beyond monetary donations
    Resources & Contact

    Website: Film2Future.org

    YouTube: Film2Future Channel (to view student shorts)

    Instagram: @Film2Future

    Contact: Available through website

    Guest Bio

    Rachel Miller is the founder of Film2Future and, founding partner of Haven Entertainment, a production and management company. She's also an executive producer on Netflix's "Devil in Ohio" and has sold 28+ manuscripts to publishers. She speaks regularly at UCLA, NYU, AFI, and international film festivals about diversity in entertainment.

    For more great Small & Gutsy Episodes: www.smallandgutsy.org/episodes
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • Small & Gutsy Features Burbank Arts & Education Foundation, bringing enrichment to Burbank

    Small & Gutsy Features Burbank Arts & Education Foundation, bringing enrichment to Burbank
    Nov 11 2025

    Join host Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff as she explores the vital role of arts education with Gavin Cho, discussing how the Burbank Arts & Education Foundation is working to ensure every student has access to quality education and enrichment programs.

    Key Takeaways:

    • The merger of two long-standing educational foundations in Burbank created a stronger, unified approach to supporting students
    • Twice-yearly grant programs provide crucial funding for innovative educational projects
    • Student advocacy plays a central role in the foundation's success
    • The foundation is expanding to offer college essay workshops and summer enrichment programs
    • Community partnerships, from major studios to local businesses, help sustain educational initiatives

    Notable Quotes:
    "Everything that we do as a foundation at the end of the day needs to answer the question, what does this do for students?" - Gavin Cho

    Impact Highlights:

    • Awarded over $1.4 million in grants
    • Supporting arts integration across all grade levels
    • Creating equitable access to educational enrichment
    • Building community partnerships for sustainable support

    Vision for the Future:
    The foundation aims to make Burbank schools synonymous with educational excellence in California, focusing on accessibility, equity, and comprehensive student development.

    Get Involved:
    Visit the Burbank Arts and Education Foundation website (https://burbankartsanded.org/) to learn about volunteer opportunities, donation options, and ways to support their mission of enriching education in Burbank.

    About the Guest:
    Gavin Cho brings his experience in public policy, strategic planning, and development to his role as Director of Development, combining his passion for education with practical solutions for community engagement.

    For more podcast episodes, please visit: www.smallandgutsy.org
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins