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Audible In this episode, Mike and Scott sit down with Jeremy Beer for a wide-ranging conversation on philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and the deeper motivations that drive people to give, build, and belong.
Jeremy shares his unexpected journey from aspiring academic to co-founding a successful philanthropic consulting firm, offering a candid look at how unplanned paths often lead to the most meaningful work.
The conversation explores the psychology of giving, challenging the idea that philanthropy is driven purely by data and efficiency. Instead, Jeremy explains how identity, belonging, and emotional connection play a far greater role in motivating donors than spreadsheets ever could.
They also dive into the real challenges of entrepreneurship, including hiring well, sustaining company culture, and navigating the tension between mission and growth. Jeremy offers a thoughtful critique of the effective altruism movement, arguing that while logic matters, human emotion is often the true catalyst for generosity.
Jeremy opens up about his writing process, balancing collaborative business projects with deeply personal academic work, and addresses common myths in the nonprofit sector, including the overemphasis on low overhead ratios.
The episode wraps with reflections on community engagement, civil society, podcasting, and Jeremy’s upcoming book focused on a bold philanthropic bet—plus a fun look at his passion for traveling and visiting minor league baseball stadiums across the country.
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Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, AmPhil
Jeremy Beer is co-founder and executive chairman of AmPhil (American Philanthropic) and chairman of the American Ideas Institute, which publishes The American Conservative.
He is from Milford, Indiana. He earned a B.A. at Indiana University and a Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. From 2000 to 2008 he was vice president of publications and editor-in-chief of ISI Books in Wilmington, Delaware, and co-edited American Conservatism: An Encyclopedia (2006).
He and Jeff Cain founded AmPhil in 2009. The firm grew to roughly 172 employees, $15 million in annual revenue, and offices in five U.S. cities, advising nonprofits on strategy, boards, major gifts, direct mail, and digital fundraising. He hosts the podcast Givers, Doers, and Thinkers, serves on the T.W. Lewis Foundation board, and is a partner and co-founder of Arcadia Education. He lives in Phoenix.
He is the author or editor of eight books, including The Philanthropic Revolution (2015), The Forgotten Foundations of Fundraising (2019), Oscar Charleston (2019), which won the SABR Seymour Medal and the CASEY Award, The Quest for Belonging (2024), and Beyond the Devil's Road (2024).