After devoting years to researching the science of generosity, Keith Jennings, a community impact executive at Jackson Healthcare – a healthcare staffing company committed to the belief that serving others is foundational to business success – noticed two common threads:
In its debut season, the podcast “Generosity at Work” breaks down the overarching concept of generosity and how it’s at work in organizations and the world. Hosted by Jennings, it’s driven by a belief that businesses, particularly small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), have a unique capacity to integrate generosity into their operations. While larger corporations often dominate the conversation on corporate social responsibility, SMBs are the true heart of communities, deeply embedded in the local fabric.
The podcast aims to:
The “Generosity at Work” podcast emerged from a deeply personal journey fueled by a passion for exploring the science of generosity and its practical applications in the business world. As creator and host, Keith Jennings drew from his personal experience delivering numerous speeches on the topic of generosity and learning from some the world’s leading practitioners. Witnessing firsthand the impact of sharing generosity insights with audiences, he sought to cultivate a similar experience through “Generosity at Work.”
Recognizing the time constraints of busy individuals and executives, podcasting was selected as the preferred medium for this exploration of the art and science of generosity early on in its planning stages, providing a flexible and convenient modality for people interested. By taking listeners on a journey of exploration and discovery, it seeks to evoke new thinking and even shift perspectives—from viewing “giving back” as a future aspiration to embracing generosity as a present-day practice.
What distinguishes “Generosity at Work” is its narrative-based format, which moves beyond traditional interview-style podcasts. Each episode serves as a catalyst for reflection and action, presenting a collection of data-driven research, meaningful insights and experiences woven together into a compelling narrative. Anchored by five core practices – Be Responsible, Be Consistent, Be Purposeful, Be Holistic and Be Strategic – the podcast offers real-life examples, core lessons and tangible steps for integrating generosity practices into listeners’ personal and professional lives.
In addition, special care was taken in the creation of the series to ensure it remained true to its purpose of providing value to others. Eschewing self-promotion, the podcast prioritizes sharing the most valuable and impactful information with the audience.
Produced by Jackson Healthcare, “Generosity at Work” leverages only the company’s in-house resources. From Jennings’ perspective, developing the podcast was a labor of love that required years of research, self-study and experimentation. While deeply passionate about the topic, he juggled the demands of his executive role as Jackson Healthcare’s vice president of community impact, as well as personal commitments, often working on the podcast after hours.
Once completed, “Generosity at Work” was shared with Jackson Healthcare associates in September 2023 before being distributed to a broader external audience, leveraging major podcasting platforms, media pitching and targeted outreach, as well as organic social media promotion.
The success of “Generosity at Work” is evident in the tangible connections made, awareness broadened, and behaviors changed within workplaces and communities. Since its inception, the podcast has sparked interest in generosity practices within Georgia's business community. Notably, it has earned promotion from local and regional business outlets and garnered a steady stream of requests for presentations from local chambers, civic and professional groups, and area nonprofits.
Keith Jennings has actively engaged with local business leaders, offering guidance on implementing or scaling meaningful generosity programs and initiatives. These interactions demonstrate the podcast’s impact in advising and inspiring business leaders to integrate generosity into their operations for the betterment of their communities.
The podcast also has garnered positive feedback with listeners expressing that they’ve changed their perceptions and approaches to generosity. One testimonial that captures this sentiment states: “I have listened to each of them multiple times. Rich with information and definitely motivating. Can't wait for more.”
The success of Season 1 of “Generosity at Work” has paved the way for Season 2, currently in development and slated to launch in late 2024 or early 2025. The feedback and questions received from the podcast’s debut season have been instrumental in shaping the content of Season 2, helping ensure that “Generosity at Work” is responsive to the needs and interests of its listeners and the broader community.
