Escape Into a Cause

Talking to people who do good stuff—so you might want to, too.

A New Escape Every Thursday

Kick off each episode with fun and thought-provoking takes on philanthropy and community, then hear amazing nonprofits share their stories and impact. New episodes drop every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.

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Escape Into a Cause is powered by Nightlight, a local agency that believes giving back should be part of doing business.

At Nightlight, everything we do comes back to three core pillars:

Expertise – You deserve real answers from real experts.
Customer Service – Talk to a fellow Texan, not a robot.
Giving Back – We don’t just work in this community—we invest in it.

That’s why we cover all podcast production costs and donate $1,000 each week to a featured nonprofit guest—so that every sponsorship dollar and listener spotlight can go exactly where it’s needed.

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Live a life worth bragging about. Every story of service is worth celebrating and inspires others to act.

At Austin Baptist Chapel—also known as “Angel House” Soup Kitchen—Cindy Smith and Pastor Mark Smith live out the mission of serving others with dignity, love, and compassion—no strings attached. Every day, they open their doors to hundreds of people in need of a hot meal, a warm shower, and a reminder that they matter.

It’s not just about food—it’s about offering connection, encouragement, and a safe space for anyone who walks through their doors. Whether someone is experiencing homelessness, job loss, or just a tough season, they’re met with kindness, not questions.

🌟 Be sure to tune in on Spotify or Apple Podcasts when the episode drops later today!

#EscapeIntoACause #AngelHouseSoupKitchen #AustinBaptistChapel #Volunteer #Austin

Which causes have the most heart in Austin? ❤️ In this episode, we start by looking at national and general giving trends, then zoom in on what Central Texans care about most by digging into the Amplify Austin Day leaderboard. From animals and the arts to basic needs and education, we explore which categories topped the charts, what it says about our community, and why these causes matter to us personally.

Full episode drops soon on Spotify and Apple Podcasts—don’t miss it!

#EscapeIntoACause #TopicsThatMatter #AmplifyAustin #GivingBack #AustinLife #NonprofitTalk #CausesThatMatter

With 90% of their campers coming from low-income families—and many in foster care— @austinsunshinecamps is making sure every kid, no matter their background, gets the chance to make memories, build resilience, and just be a kid at camp. David Roberts, Chief Development Officer, shares how Austin Sunshine Camps removes financial barriers to create a place where kids can truly be themselves and experience the magic of summer camp! ⛺

#EscapeIntoACause #Austin #AustinSunshineCamps

“Donate to my foundation.”

Cool… but is that really the best way to make a difference?

This week on Escape Into a Cause, we’re pulling back the curtain on celebrity-run foundations. We’re talking structure (or lack thereof), transparency, and whether these orgs are driving real impact—or just redirecting support away from nonprofits already doing the work.

💡 Fact: Not all celebrity foundations are created equal.

💡 Fact: Some have no clear record of where the money goes.

💡 Fact: You should ask questions before you give, because they may look the same on the surface.

Are you a celebrity? 👀 In a time when the nonprofit world is stretched thin, maybe it’s time to consolidate—not create more vanity projects.

Take notes from the actress Kristen Bell. She didn’t start a foundation—instead she shines a spotlight on nonprofits doing great work and helps them reach more people. That’s impact.

New episode drops soon on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

🎧 Don’t miss it.

✨ Do your research.

#EscapeIntoACause #CelebrityFoundations #TransparencyMatters #GiveSmarter #TopicsThatMatter #Hollywood
#NonprofitRealTalk #DoTheHomework

Volunteering abroad can feel like a powerful way to give back—especially when your heart’s in the right place. But what if good intentions sometimes do more harm than good?

In this episode, we unpack the complex world of voluntourism—where short-term trips often center the volunteer’s experience more than the real needs of local communities.

From buildings being dismantled just so they can be rebuilt again, to orphanages maintaining poor conditions to attract donations, some programs raise tough ethical questions.

Volunteering should be about creating meaningful, lasting change. If you want to feel connected to your impact—if you want to give and see the difference—start close to home!
#GiveWithPurpose #EscapeIntoACause #TopicsThatMatter #Austin

Mark your calendars, Austin!

🏃‍♂️April 5th: Central Texas Track & Field Competition with @specialolympicstx
Cheer on incredible athletes as they compete and showcase their skills in Leander!

🐿 April 12th: Squirrel Fest with @peasepark
The biggest event of the year – and it’s FREE! Enjoy live music, nature activities, and watch Wild Robot at Pease Park.

🚍April 26th: Urban Quest with @atxkidsclub
A fun, family-friendly scavenger hunt through Austin via CapMetro – adventure awaits!

👫 April 26th: Friendship Walk with @bestbuddiestx
Support inclusion and friendship at this inspiring walk at Westlake High School!

#EscapeIntoACause #AustinEvents #CommunityFun #GiveBack

We’ve hit 🔟 🎉

10 nonprofits. 10 convos. 10 reasons to believe humans are actually pretty amazing.

It’s not about being perfect or doing the most. It’s about learning what’s out there, having real conversations, and finding small, meaningful ways to help—together.

Every Thursday, we talk with someone making a difference right here in our community. It’s honest, inspiring, fun, and always a good reminder that small actions add up!

Catch up on our first 10 episodes—and tag someone you’d want to volunteer with or explore a cause together.

Thanks to these 10 incredible orgs for our first round of conversations: @sagestudioatx @thejuniorleagueofaustin @peasepark @txstarshockey @addicuslegacydogrescue @specialolympicstx13 @atxkidsclub @generationserve @bestbuddiestx @carryinghope

#EscapeIntoACause #GoodBrag #CentralTexas #ATX #Austin #Community #Nonprofit #ThankYou

Through Peasecology field trips, Allison Johnson and the team at Pease Park Conservancy help kids step out of the classroom and into nature! Kids explore the park, connect their science lessons to the real world, and take part in a service-learning project to keep this green space thriving. 🌎💚
#PeasePark #PeaseParkConservancy #EscapeIntoACause #ATX

Nonprofits need more volunteers, but participation is still 2% lower than pre-pandemic levels, with only 28% of people volunteering. Interestingly, 18% of these volunteers are now fully online—a shift in how people are giving back.

So, how do we turn this around? We believe making volunteering more approachable is key.
#EscapeIntoACause #Volunteer #MakeAnImpact #ATX

When social media tells us happiness is spending money on the best 🏠 , 👗 , 🚘 … but @adamgrant says the real way to feel good is giving.

Want to feel good and make a difference? Follow & listen to Escape into a Cause to learn how to give back to Central Texas nonprofits making a difference.

#EscapeintoaCause #ATX #FeelGood

@texasstars captain Curtis McKenzie isn’t just leading on the ice—he’s making an impact off of it too. Two years ago, he started Captain’s Kids, a program that brings kids facing adversity to Stars games, giving them a chance to experience the game up close, meet players, and just be kids for a night. 🏒 💚

Listen to the whole interview at Escape into a Cause on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

People talk about tithing—giving 10% of their income to charity or religion—but what about businesses?

Some companies pledge 1% of their profit to giving back. Is that...

Let us know what you think in the poll.
#1PercentPledge #CorporateSocialResponsibility #GivingBack #ATX #TopicsThatMatter

💙 Inclusion Through Sports 💙

Special Olympics changes lives—just ask Coach Bruce Williams of the San Marcos Wolverines. His son, Nick, first got involved in Special Olympics through his school, but like many programs, resources were limited.

That’s where the community steps in. By volunteering, donating, or simply showing up to cheer, you help give athletes with special needs the opportunities they deserve.

📢 Want to get involved? Connect on Facebook @sanmarcoswolverines

#SpecialOlympicsTexas #InclusionThroughSports #WolverinesPowerlifting #CoachingMatters #EscapeIntoACause #ATX #CommunityImpact

🏅 5x State Champion!

Meet Nick Williams—a five-time Special Olympics Texas powerlifting champ! His success comes from dedication, hard work, and the unwavering support of his parents. Way to go Nick 👏

#SpecialOlympicsTexas #PowerliftingChampion #InclusionThroughSports #EscapeIntoACause #ATX

🎉 What a night! A huge thank you to @thejuniorleagueofaustin for an unforgettable #AustinEntertains! 👏✨

Sweet, savory, cocktails, wine, cigars—Austin brought the flavor last night! We had a blast celebrating the incredible women shaking up the culinary, bartending, and wine industries while indulging in some of the best bites and sips in town. 🍽️🍷🍸

Special shoutout to Escape into a Cause co-host & @jla_president Courtney Dickey for leading the way in supporting women in this industry, and congrats to all of last night’s winners! 🏆

Because let’s be real—food and drinks always taste better when they’re supporting a great cause. Here’s to uplifting and championing women in the industry—we’ll cheers to that! 🥂💫

#AustinEntertains #EscapeIntoACause #WomenInCulinary #SipAndSavor #AustinEats #JuniorLeagueAustin #ATX #Fundraiser #WomensHistoryMonth

Every year, over 85,000 dogs are euthanized in Texas shelters—but together, we can change that. 🐶❤️

As Amy Stanton, Director of @addicuslegacydogrescue , reminds us, there are incredible dogs—purebreds, lovable mutts, and one-of-a-kind companions—all waiting for a good home. The best way to help? Adopt, foster, or support spay/neuter programs.

Thinking about adding a furry friend to your family? Check out @addicuslegacydogrescue—you might just meet your perfect match! No room for a new pup? Follow them and share the dogs that need a home. It only takes one family to change a dog’s life. 🐾✨

#DogRescue #FosterDogs #AddicusLegacyDogRescue #EscapeIntoACause #ATX #Dogs #SaveTexasDogs

The future of nonprofits is shifting. @jla_president highlights the growing need for organizations to diversify their funding sources and adapt to an uncertain political climate. With government funding in flux, nonprofits are relying more than ever on private support.

That's where Amplify Austin comes in. Organized by I Live Here, I Give Here, this community-wide giving event makes it easy to support the causes that matter most to you. Give where it counts-right here at home.

Help them reach their $10M goal by donating at AmplifyATX.org.💡💰

#nonprofitleadership #fundraising #deib #socialimapct #communitysupport #amplifyaustinday #ilivehereigivehere #topicsthatmatter
#escapeintoacause #austin #atx

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Escape Into a Cause

A New Escape Every Thursday

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