Fantastic podcast, Shane. It's a message we all could stand to hear. I've done a lot of the heartfelt Christmas giving in recent years, and it matters so much more than another stupid toy they don't even want. Keep it up!

Thanks Ben. I have taken time to think about presents over the last couple of years and it always turns out to be a better idea. I made my dad a video for fathers day and my mom a calendar for her birthday. Both whom are on this strand so... :)

Thanks again and look forward to connecting more.

Your gift this year was the best gift I have ever recieved. I love you, Mom.

Hope you are writing in the blank thing... Love ya!

Shane - you have a gift for podcasts! Super engaging. Waiting for video next :)

Really, really loved the message here - so true that connection, gratitude and empowering others are the best gifts we can give. Better than any material gift indeed.

Just added The Squab to my blogroll - looking forward to catching up soon!

Hey Jenny,

Thank you. It was my first ever :). I have many more to come and I hope that they will get better... Glad you enjoyed. I reached out to you since you mentioned something about the gifts over the holidays. We should do a skype on a topic soon as kind of a "guest post" I guess you would say!

Look forward to talking on tuesday, have a good weekend.

Great Podcast

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Your start of this way of Giving this year hopefully will catch on to many people. The things that you can't buy are the most rewarding! Being able to help other people is what it really is all about. Great Podcast.

Thanks dad! Glad you stopped by.

Best line hands down:

"If you have an answer to someone's question, all walls are down"

What a perfect way to summarize the level playing field we are all on now. Great message, great story. I look forward to following along.

Well done Shane.

Thanks man. It was a humbling holiday for sure. We passed $1000 on Christmas for @charitywater here http://www.mycharitywater.org/... and gave the $250 I almost spent on books to St. Jude. Been all inspired lately but whatever, it's all good. Thanks for your comment.

Shane,

I'll save my snarky podcast comments for an email when I get back home.

Thanks though for sharing your story. It seems to me that the world can stand to gain when we all focus on helping people a little bit more and "the way things are supposed to be" a little less.

The way we act online creates a reputation (a brand?) that far transcends the number of followers on Twitter or blog readers. I'd rather have the reputation of being a "that guy who's always there to help" than "that guy who has 10,000 followers" any day.

I think that as people are more connected with Twitter, they're going to see through empty follower counts to people who can back up what they say with solid action.

I guess that means reality is more important than perception, even online.

And you friend, lived it for real this year.

-Andrew

Can't wait for your snark... Some of us have to give the feel good point of view snarky. :) Look forward to talking.