Mickey Z is a writer, speaker, activist, and the founder of Cheerful Giver NYC, a grassroots effort supporting people experiencing homelessness throughout New York City. A prolific author and longtime advocate, Mickey joins us to share how his upbringing, personal losses, spirituality, and years of direct service shaped a mission centered on helping others with humility rather than assumptions.
We explore what Mickey has learned from nearly a decade of working closely with homeless and recently housed New Yorkers. His experience challenges many common beliefs about homelessness, from assumptions about addiction and employment to the idea that we know what someone else needs. Mickey explains why meaningful help begins by asking, listening, and respecting each person’s dignity, choices, and individual circumstances.
His work is also a reminder that we do not need special credentials or enormous resources to make an impact. By paying closer attention to the people within our reach, we can learn to become more compassionate, effective helpers.
The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway
Attention is a form of love. Listen closely, remain open to learning, and remember that making a meaningful difference in even one person’s life can be life-changing for them.
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Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.
Resources:
- The Cheerful Giver NYC
- Mickey Z’s Instagram
Produced by NOVA
There is incredible potential that lies within each and every one of us to create positive change in our lives (and the lives of others) while achieving our dreams.
This is the Power of You!
