Season Two – Episode 2: The Journey to Vulnerability with Melissa Arnot Reid

Melissa Arnot is probably best known as the first American woman to summit and descend Everest without supplemental oxygen (she’s summited six times in total). In 2012, the death of a fellow mountain guide and friend revealed a problem to her: the loss of a Himalayan high-altitude worker often means the loss of the main source of income for that person’s family. This realization inspired her and David Morton to found The Juniper Fund, which has now provided cost of living grants, vocational training, and small business grants to 48 families. On this episode, she teaches us about creating valuable change, accepting visceral uncomfortability, and fighting against the ‘American view’ of philanthropy.