The Philanthropic Podcast: Episode 2 – Matt’s Story

In this heart-opening episode, Talmage reconnects with Matt — a BYU fan he met while living on the streets of Provo — to talk about perspective, humility, and how one small act can change a life.

Matt shares what it feels like to be seen again, why judgment doesn’t help, and what kind of support truly makes a difference. This conversation reminds us that philanthropy and helping others isn’t about money — it’s about showing up.

They discuss:
◼️ What people get wrong about homelessness
◼️ Why listening matters more than assumptions
◼️ How small gestures create hope
◼️ The difference between awareness and action
◼️ Why everyone can be a philanthropist

Timestamps:
00:00 - Everyone has a story
02:10 - What people misunderstand about homelessness
05:15 - Meeting Matt in Provo, Utah
08:40 - Matt’s first reaction to being approached
11:25 - Why simple kindness makes the biggest difference
14:00 - Finding purpose through connection
17:30 - What real help looks like
20:10 - “Everyone’s a philanthropist”
22:30 - Closing thoughts and gratitude

🎥 Filmed & Edited by Brennik Eltagonde — @hybridshootz
💙 Sponsored by 5 Star Legacy Foundation

📲 Follow our other channels for more real stories and impact:
Instagram: @thephilanthropicpodcast
YouTube: @philanthropic.studios
Instagram: @philanthropic.studios
TikTok: @philanthropic.studios

Just weeks after going viral for being taken to a BYU football game, Matt joins The Philanthropic Podcast to share his full story.

In Part 1 of 2, Matt opens up about his life before homelessness — from a stable career in computer engineering to how mental illness, COVID, and loss completely changed everything. He shares what it’s like living in a storage unit, how mental health plays into homelessness, and why so many people fall through the cracks of the system.

This conversation is raw and honest — a real look at how fast life can change, what addiction and recovery actually look like, and why empathy matters now more than ever.

🎧 You’ve seen the viral video — now hear the full story.

🕒 Timestamps

0:00 — Welcome to The Philanthropic Podcast
2:01 — Matt’s early life and career in tech
3:04 — How schizophrenia and COVID changed everything
4:32 — Moving to Washington to care for someone in need
5:50 — Eviction during lockdown and the collapse that followed
7:47 — Grieving loss and mental health spiraling
9:14 — Returning to Utah and family struggles
11:21 — Living in a storage unit to survive
14:26 — Addiction, medication, and the truth about mental illness
16:03 — Why most homelessness starts with untreated mental health
20:09 — The system’s failure for single men in Utah
21:31 — What daily life as a homeless person really looks like
26:03 — Matt’s message on how to actually help

After losing everything to addiction — his family, his home, and nearly his life — David Kendall spent 10 years homeless.
Now, five years clean, he’s helping others find the same hope that saved him.

In this raw and redemptive episode of The Philanthropic Podcast, David shares his fall, his fight to rebuild, and the moments that reminded him life was still worth living.
A story of pain, faith, and second chances — and a reminder that everyone can help someone.

(0:00) – Intro: Meet David Kendall
(1:16) – Growing up in Provo, Utah
(2:15) – Early success and the secret addiction
(4:00) – Losing family and falling into homelessness
(6:18) – Ten years on the streets
(8:18) – The Christmas moment that changed everything
(10:14) – Finding faith and hope through his sons
(12:54) – Jail, relapse, and the turning point
(17:45) – The miracle of drug court
(19:55) – Rebuilding: work, recovery, and purpose
(21:00) – Reuniting with family and finding peace
(22:18) – Giving back through recovery work
(25:14) – His message to the world
(29:00) – Closing reflections: small acts that change lives