Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) and his father Luis, and singer Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio, were the first and second guests on the brand-new podcast Broadway Gives Back.
Hosted by Jan Svendsen, the former head of marketing for the Tony Awards, the podcast’s goal is to “raise the curtain on philanthropy” by “spotlighting Broadway actors, shows and organizations in their pursuit of social responsibility and impact.”
During the Mirandas’ episode, which launched the podcast last week, Luis explained that when he chooses an organization or charity to help with their cause, “you give as much as you get.” He refers to the effort spent as “sweat equity.”
“You may be helping this particular institution to get better at what they do [and] to expand their horizons, but as you’re doing that, you know you’re making that possible by your sweat equity or the dollars that you’re putting in,” he says. “If I’m going to give money, I need to be invested in the success of that issue.”
Lin-Manuel also joined the podcast later to answer recorded questions about his role as an “everyday philanthropist.”
“The only thing you really need to engage in philanthropy is one of three things: money, passion or time,” Lin-Manuel says. “If you have one of those three things, you can get to work in the causes you believe in.”
During the Estefans’ episode, Gloria explained that although she has had an incredible career as a musician, it’s her service to others that makes her feel the “most fulfilled.” “We don’t need to look at ourselves and say, ‘I can’t make a difference,’” Gloria says. “All you need to make a difference is one other human being. If everybody does that, people are going to be taken care of.”
Broadway Gives Back can be heard on the Broadway Podcast Network or wherever you hear your favorite podcasts.
