In this episode of Epic Begins With One Step Forward, host Zander Sprague sits down with philanthropist and global changemaker Morgan DeNicola. From running her family’s foundation to serving as Vice Chair of an NGO that partners with the United Nations, Morgan’s work spans humanitarian awards, global health, cultural diplomacy, and conservation. She shares transformative stories from her travels, including an unforgettable moment being kicked by a gorilla in Rwanda while exploring the power of discomfort, curiosity, and connection across cultures. Morgan also opens up about overcoming dyslexia and anxiety to become a global voice for change, offering inspiring insights on pushing beyond comfort zones. This is a conversation about courage, purpose, and the epic growth that comes from saying “yes” to the unknown.
Apply to be a Guest on My TV show
#EPICBeginswith1StepForward, #ZanderSprague #Cultural Diplomacy #SpecialEducation #AfricanCulture
—
Watch the episode here
Listen to the podcast here
From Gorillas To Global Good: Morgan DeNicola’s Epic Journey
Morgan’s Humanitarian Awards And NGO Work
Welcome back to another exciting episode of EPIC Begins with 1 Step Forward. I’m your host, Zander Sprague. I am honored to be joined by Morgan DeNicola. Morgan, tell us who you are and what you do.
I am a philanthropist. I run my family foundation, the DeNicola Family Foundation. I run a lot of the global programs that we do, but I also sit on the board of a zoo called the Elmwood Park Zoo. I’m also the Vice Chair of an NGO that works with the United Nations, US-based embassies around the world, and members of Congress and the Senate.
I don’t think you’re doing enough, Morgan.
Never enough.
Let’s just take a minute and talk about your family foundation. What do you support? What does the foundation do?
We have four passions. First, we have humanitarian recognition. We give out a humanitarian award at the host city, wherever the Super Bowl is. We team up with Lee Steinberg at his Super Bowl party. We give it to front staff, NFL players, and staffers. We recognize what it is that they’re doing in their community to give back. We also focus on global health. We’ve done things with hospitals around the world, the American Thoracic Society, and anything that you can think of that comes to mind when you think of global health, which includes mental health and nutrition.
We have cultural diplomacy, which is near and dear to my heart. We try to expose people all around the world to all different types of cultures and ways of thinking, and try to get people to have these really in-depth conversations with one another. We have conservation. That’s why I do my work with the zoo. We’ve also dug clean water wells in Africa because that ties in, in our minds, to global health. If you don’t have a healthy environment, it’s very hard for your health. Those are our four passions that we like to stick to, but always, there’s something that comes along that we’re like, “That sounds interesting, that we’ll want to be a part of.”
My family has a charitable gift fund through Fidelity Investments in memory of my sister. I get it. We understand some of the core stuff, but then you’re like, “We’d like to support that. That’s cool.” I get that. The NGO is very interesting.
We do all kinds of programs with the different embassies, but we also do different culture programs. We’ve done art, where we brought different art exhibits from across the seas into the United Nations. We’ve done film. We’ve also done journalism and food. We’ve done food programs, where we’ve brought different types of food to different places. We do a lot of that, as well as the different embassies, depending on where they’re based, will request for us to bring members of Congress to discuss very specific things that impact that embassy.
It’s to keep those relations going and to have these positive conversations where members of government can learn what’s going on in different places and how we can either incorporate it or how we can help with whatever situation, any advice that we might have. The most recent one I did was actually in Rwanda for the Tutsi genocide. I brought members of Congress to learn about what happened in the ’90s in Rwanda and to also continue that conversation on how they continue to mend from what happened. That way, we learn from their experience.
Did you come up with the NGO? Did your family come up with the NGO?
My dad met some really interesting people that were working with that group. He knew how I felt. I was very passionate about charity work. I’d love to travel the world. I’d love to just dive into any place that I go. He said, “I think that you’ll find this interesting. Start coming with me to some of these programs.” It just came naturally for me. It was just something I got incredibly passionate about. I felt like it continued to test your ability as a human being. Anytime they had a program, “Are you interested in going?” If I could get away from work, I was like, “Yes, I want to go.” Over the years of just learning and being a part of it, they asked me, “Do you want to be on our board?” I jumped at the opportunity.
Once I was on the board for a few years, they, out of nowhere, did a vote for me to be Vice Chair. It was the funniest moment because they said, “We’d like to nominate Morgan.” I was like, “We have a new Morgan. Wait, no. Me?” It just became something that I love to split my time with, because if you’re in philanthropy, you should also have a knowledge of global philanthropy and diplomacy. I like to merge all the worlds and do the best that I can.
Studying Special Education
What did you study in college? This is truly an epic journey that you’ve been on, but I’m always fascinated to understand some of the background of how people got to where they are.
I studied special education.
Good for you.
I myself am dyslexic, and I had a hard time in school. I always felt like I wasn’t smart enough and would go into panic if I had to read out loud or do any type of presentation. I thought my way to give back to the world was to be a special education teacher and help those kids who felt very similar to me, as well as I studied sociology. I just loved the study of people because I think we are wild. We are just a wild species to try to figure out.
It was sociology and special education. I didn’t know. I realized I don’t know if I want to work in a school. I ended up doing marketing for my parents, who had all different kinds of companies. I was just like, “This isn’t right either.” One of my first trips, being invited with the NGO to Africa, completely changed my life. I came back and said, “I’m not doing marketing anymore.” The education I use constantly. Everything I learned about sociology and how to teach people, I say that I’m still a teacher, and I’m still a student. It comes into play constantly.
I’m not dyslexic, but my girlfriend is. Funny enough, she’s in special ed also. She does early intervention for extensive needs kids. I knew about dyslexia, but getting to talk with someone who’s living with it, I have to say, an advantage that children and people have today is that there’s a lot more understanding, but also tools available that I know she didn’t have. I’m going to guess you didn’t have. If there were any tools, they were few and far between to help you along. It’s good that there’s stuff like audiobooks if you’re having a hard time reading. Computers have helped a lot with that. Although sometimes, if you’re dyslexic, the computer is not much more of a help. My understanding is that because I have a problem reading, whether it’s on a page or a screen, doesn’t matter.
There are a lot more tools. Even when I continue to try to do my education, I love those online masterclasses where it’s done more like a documentary. I can watch, listen, and absorb it that way. I’ll put subtitles on with everything, though, to continue to try to help my brain and read. You are never cured of it. It still, if I’m handed a document, takes me a little longer to absorb it all because I spend so much time concentrating on how to read it rather than absorbing it.
The Welcoming And Familiar Culture Of Africa
That’s my understanding. I’ve been fortunate to travel to Africa. I do have to say that it sounds to me that Africa is in your heart.
With everybody that I’ve been able to talk to that has been there, it’s weird when you go there. You do, in a sense, feel at home. I’ve been to a few different places in Africa. The culture is so rich. The people are so inviting and welcoming that it’s hard not to go there and feel empowered and changed and be a part of something that is so much bigger than you are.
The culture in Africa is rich, inviting, and welcoming. When you go there, you feel you are part of something so much bigger than you are.
I have that same feeling. I’ve been able to travel to South Africa, down more in the Southern part of South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. It is funny. I get back there. It sounds weird and stuff to say, “I’m home,” because I’m a white man, but there is something grounding, and yes, the people are so fascinating. I honestly feel like I don’t have enough time to learn.
It’s everything. It’s the food. It’s the music. I like to say that I think the birthplace of man was Africa.
Anthropologists tell us that. It’s like, “I’d like to go.” It makes sense because we all started here, according to anthropology, or at least what I believe to be the anthropological thinking.
I don’t know, but that’s what I was told as well. That was where it started, and then it all broke apart. I feel the same way. I’m the same way when I go there, a white girl who does not fare very well in the sun for an extended period of time, but I still somehow feel at home, loved, and a part of it. I recommend it to every human being to just go and spend some time in Africa.
If you can go, go. It changes you. I was fortunate to be able to bring my daughters when they were young. They, too, are like, “Africa is great.” What you get to see, the people that you get to meet, and getting exposed to different cultures are so important. It broadens your whole horizon. It changes the way you see your own life.
I think entirely that is really accurate because until you’re continuing to expose yourself to everything and everyone, how can you say you know who you are, what you like, and what you don’t like? The more I’m exposed to different ways of thinking and different ways of doing things, I am like, “I love this.” You learn more about yourself, and you learn more about everything that makes us us. I am always saying, “Expose yourself constantly. Don’t get too comfortable.” The most growth occurs when you’re uncomfortable. Try that new food. Listen to that new music. Talk to somebody that you wouldn’t normally talk to.
Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Oftentimes, we think about that epic first step. We think, “It’s so hard,” yet when we do it, we’re like, “That wasn’t too hard.” You’re right. All of us, change happens, and change isn’t comfortable. As a mental health provider, I look at it all the time, that we like comfort. We like what we know, but when we push ourselves a little step outside of our comfort zone and push our boundaries, oftentimes, we find a whole bright, beautiful world out there that we had no idea existed.
At that moment, everything that you do for the first time is scary. You don’t know what you’re capable of because if I stayed in, I would struggle hard with anxiety. I go into full-fledged panic attacks. Sometimes, even in my sleep, I have bad panic attacks, and I have really bad depression. I think all the time, if I had just stayed where I was comfortable, I wouldn’t public speak. I’m terrified of airplanes. I wouldn’t have gotten on an airplane and continued to travel the world. I’m the worst to be on an airplane with. I turn white. I’m sweating. It’s horrible until I land, but I will still do it because in those moments of being uncomfortable, you’re able to then do something epic. Like you talk about it, you have to do those things that you’re scared to do to know what you’re capable of and to see what you can do.
You have to do things you are scared to do to discover what you are capable of doing.
For the audience, both Morgan and I are experienced travelers. We both love it. It is hard to put yourself in a completely different culture, no matter where it is in the world, where you’re like, “I don’t understand. What am I supposed to do? What is it okay to say or do?” What’s great is, first of all, we have the internet, so you can find out some dos and don’ts for whatever country you may be going to. More importantly, be curious. Curiosity is an awesome thing because people want to share what they know. We all have knowledge, and we want to share it. If someone gets curious about who you are and what you do, I find most people are like, “I’d love to tell you about my home, about this food, or about this dance.”
We’re so good at the technology. I’ve gone places where I don’t speak the language. We are lucky enough to have translation on our phones. Like you said, it is to do your research ahead of time. Approach anything from that place of genuine curiosity, even if you stumble. I probably stumble every time I’m some place new. It just comes with the territory. I do something silly, and people will look at me. I’ll be like, “Wait, what did I do?” If you’re humbled and saying, “I didn’t mean to do that. I didn’t know that was a thing,” people just tend to educate you, and then you move on. It’s not a whole thing, but the internet can be the best and worst. I feel like it’s great, but some people might be like, “This place is awful.” Take all that with a grain of salt, but know your do’s and don’ts for certain places.
Sadly, what happens when we go and we’re reading about something is we read a review about a restaurant, a city, or something. The people that tend to be talking to us are the ones who had a bad experience and are out there. You don’t often get people going, “Prague was awesome. You got to go here.” You do get those, but you do have to wait through it. Like anything, understand that information, take it in, but make your own decision about where you’re going, what you’re seeing, and what you want to do. In a new place, take a city tour. It’s amazing. The people who run city tours are passionate and knowledgeable. It gives you a bearing of what’s around you.
They point out the really good restaurants that you might not know of. I like to do that. I love museums.
Museums are great.
I love art museums overseas, if I can see them. Even when I was in Africa, I loved just going into the different places where they were making different things. It was incredible. You just get so sucked in and learn about the past.
Morgan’s Most Epic Travel Destinations
Sometimes, they invite you to try whatever they’re making, a basket, a mask, or whatever. “Come here. Sit down.” You’re like, “This is so fun.” I’d love to ask my guests who have traveled top two epic destinations that you would recommend. I know that’s going to be hard for you.
I love Rwanda. I loved it there. They have so many different types of businesses. Their rapid growth is insane, but you’re also really close to the volcano chains. We did a gorilla trek around there.
I was going to ask you if you saw the gorillas.
Yes. I got kicked by a gorilla.
Good for you.
It was a very wild experience to have a gorilla kick me. I had this weird footprint on it, but I wasn’t looking. I was looking at the baby. The mom got peeved at the people next to me and charged them. I’m like, “Baby.” She just kicked me as she was headed towards the baby. “What am I supposed to do?” They were like, “Relax.” I was like, “I’m relaxed. I just don’t know what to do moving forward.” I text messaged my brother, and I was like, “Don’t tell Dad.” It’s fun being an adult and starting a text message that way. “I was just kicked by a gorilla.”
Things never change, Morgan.
“Don’t tell Dad. I was kicked by a gorilla.” My brother was like, “This is the weirdest text message I’ve gotten yet from you.” I love Rwanda. I will always find an excuse to go back there. My father and his grandfather, going back, are all from Italy. Can’t you tell? I love going back to Italy. It never gets old for me. I did Sicily for the first time, and it was unreal. We did a lot of the Greek ruins in Sicily, which I found fascinating. The food was just to die for. I like to say that everywhere in Italy, and Rwanda are probably my top two.
Have you ever been to Malta?
No. I need to get it on the list.
Yes, you do. Honestly, I got to go to Malta years ago. I majored in history and psychology. The history is fascinating. It’s not that big an island country, and yet there’s an insane amount of unbelievably cool museums, churches, and historical sites. There are sun temples that were built out of limestone, something like 500 years before the Egyptians started to build the pyramids. It’s lined up for the solstice and stuff. The Island of Gozo is supposedly where the sirens were. There are Roman salt ponds that were built by the Romans. They still use it. The seawater comes in, and they make the sea salt. On Gozo, there are Roman catacombs.
I love doing the catacombs. Everybody’s always like, “That’s weird.”
My girls did not like the catacombs. They’re like, “Get us out of here. I kept waiting for a hand to reach out.” I get it. There’s so much history that you’d be, honestly, mind-blown every day. I was like, “Look at that.”
I’m going to have to do it because whenever I go somewhere new, I do all of the history. I’m still trying to get to Herculaneum. I’ve done Pompeii twice, but I want to see Herculaneum. History, I go crazy for all of that.
Wherever you go, try to learn all about the history of that place.
A funny thing, traveling with my daughters through Europe, we were in Amsterdam. We were traveling around. We were in Paris and Malta. We had set up all these tours and stuff, and we’re about halfway through. My girl said, “All of this is fascinating, but is the way we’re going to see Europe through museums and churches?”
Yes.
I laughed because I was like, “That is how Americans see Europe. We go to museums, and we go to churches.” They are all beautiful, but there is a lot more to the Netherlands and France than just museums and stuff. You got to go to the Louvre and all of that.
My nieces said the same thing when we were in Italy. They’re Jewish. We were taking them on the Duomo tours. My niece looked at me, and she was just like, “You just keep taking us to these churches. Do they not like the Jewish people?” I was like, “No. They’re really old, and they’re beautiful. You’re getting the wrong idea here.” I did the same thing, and they asked a very similar question. “Is this all we’re going to do?” It’s like, “No. Never mind. Let’s go get you guys some pizza.”
Morgan’s Not Yet’s In Life
I thought that was a great opportunity because when I’ve gone to Europe, that’s how I’ve seen Europe. It is fascinating. Don’t get me wrong. I also get that the fifteenth church, no matter how beautiful it is, you’re like, “They’re different. They’re spectacular,” but you’re like, “Another fresco up on the ceiling. It is awesome and beautiful. What else is there?” That’s cool. Before our time runs out, I would love to ask my guests. In my book, I talk about the concept of not yet, the things that we haven’t done yet that we want to, that are on our bucket list or whatever. What’s one or two of your not-yets, Morgan?
There are a few not-yets.
You can. I’m trying to make it easy and say one or two.
I would like to eventually start my podcast, but not yet. My plate is very full, so it would be hard for me to do that. I really would like to have my podcast one day. I’m working on my Italian citizenship, but it’s a little difficult, so not yet. I would like to spend a lot more time back and forth in Italy. Maybe eventually go back to school for a doctorate. I just don’t know when and how to continue my education, but again, not yet.
Those are excellent not-yets. I would say the podcast is not as difficult as you might think. It’s your podcast. You could say once a month, I have an episode. Once a week, I have an episode. I know you didn’t ask for my advice, but I’m going to give it anyway. If you’re like, “I know that I have this travel coming up,” you could do multiple podcasts in a day and say, “I’m coming out once a week.” You’re consistent. You’ve already got ten in the can, so you don’t worry about, “I’m in Rwanda. I somehow have to interview Zander from Rwanda and find a thing.” There are many ways to do it successfully.
I’m interested. I’ve been asked to do that. I’ve had a few other people ask me to do a TED talk. My anxiety builds when I hear, “You should do a TED talk.” I’m like, “I prefer a conversation.” I don’t know who would want to listen to me talk for half an hour straight.
Good thing most TED talks are eighteen minutes.
You know.
I do know. I’d love to do a TED talk. I’m trying to do a TED talk.
I was about to say that you should.
The TEDx talks are everywhere, but they are hard to get into. I have to say.
You’ll get there.
Get In Touch With Morgan
It’s just not yet. I am working on it. I just haven’t gotten my invitation yet. Morgan, thank you so much for coming. What a great conversation.
Thank you so much for having me. This was a lot of fun.
If people are interested in learning more about you and what you do, how can they find you?
I’m on all social media platforms. You can find me on Facebook @MorganSliker-DeNicola, my married name. I hyphenated them. You can find me on Instagram and Facebook. You can also get in contact with me directly on the DeNicola Family Foundation website. There’s a Contact Us page. That goes directly to me because I like to hear from people. Go there and reach out.
Thank you so much for joining me. The information is great. I love the work that you’re doing. Please keep it up. I want to remind everyone that if you’re ready to begin your epic journey, go to EpicBegins.com. As always, epic choices lead to the epic life that you want.
Important Links
- Morgan DeNicola on LinkedIn
- DeNicola Family Foundation
- Elmwood Park Zoo
- Morgan DeNicola on Facebook
- Morgan DeNicola on Instagram
- Zander Sprague’s Website
About Morgan DeNicola
Her role as Executive Director of the DeNicola Family Foundation has allowed her to focus on her four passions of Cultural Diplomacy, World Health, Humanitarian Recognition, and Conservation.
As Vice Chairman of the Humpty Dumpty Institute (NGO) in New York, she has traveled globally to inform and foster dialogues among critical stakeholders on key global issues.
Working closely with the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations, and International Embassies, she engages people, to support cultural diplomacy and humanitarian programs.