This is what EAs talk about at afterparties. Or rather, afterparties of afterparties. Tax deductibility is not the sexiest topic I could find an interviewee for, but if you want to take a stand for your favourite effective charities, why would you be a sucker and pay as much taxes as the one who did their due diligence? SK is one of those soft-spoken and impossibly practical people you may never get the chance to meet. I learn a lot. Most importantly, how to hack the buffet line when...

I loved hearing how James’s experience in the aid sector has influenced his views on effectiveness and optimization. Having worked with refugees, aid organizations, and advocates for children, James brings valuable field experience into his advocacy work. After seeing how major aid organizations operate, now, for him, “Okay is not good enough.” This is the 2nd in a set of 3 episodes focused on effective giving, and the 1st of two recorded at the EA Canada Retreat at the Center for Social...

If you donate some of your money to charity, you’re doing something good, right? Odds are, you could be doing better. Welcome to the conversation about effective giving. Aman is a financial advisor who has been doing more good for humanity through donating money than most people typically accomplish in their whole lives. That’s because he, along with others in the effective giving community, hold their donation dollars to the highest standard they can find. Aman is a Canada-based financial...

I was pretty inspired to hear Allison’s story of walking her beliefs for so many years, and what she’s learned. Everyone you have ever met touches the food system, in which Allison’s centered her advocacy efforts. Protecting human health, preventing climate change, preserving habitats, effecting farmed animal welfare, and improving the economy. While Alison’s work has focused on the Canadian system, I suspect that similar changes can apply to many places. Allison Penner is the Executive...

We had the pleasure of speaking with Mario Gibney, who decided years ago that he couldn’t just wait for someone else to take action on AI safety. In 2022, Mario co-founded AI Governance and Safety (AIGS) Canada to push the national conversation forward. Through movement and policy advocacy, AIGS is helping Canada become a leader in AI governance and safety. I recommend reading their concise white papers to get a summary of the issues. We learn how Mario got into this line of work, what...

Philanthropy operates on a slower gear than the private sector. It is constrained by systems and culture that block its potential to effect massive positive social uplift. It doesn't have to be this way. The Profit For Good Initiative advocates for charities to drive profit-seeking businesses. If the 'for purpose' sector were in charge--and if effective charities in particular held majority positions--the trillions of dollars in the consumer economy could go towards visions for a better...

The Effecting Our Altruism Podcast is a portal into the lived experience of people committed to doing their best to serve others. Whether inspired by effective altruism or not, our guests confront immense problems with an effectiveness mindset.  The core question of effective altruism isn't owned by anyone. It's an ongoing conversation that may last lifetimes. And the answers do not lie with one person; I believe they will come from collective experiences. My hope is that listeners from all...