The Ramsey Show
Episode: The Annual Giving Show: A Celebration of Radical Generosity
Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Dave Ramsey, George Kamel
Podcast Network: Ramsey Network
Episode Overview
This special annual edition of The Ramsey Show is dedicated to radical generosity. Host Dave Ramsey and co-host George Kamel invite listeners to call in and share stories of giving and receiving that have transformed lives. The episode's core message is that the most fulfilling use of money isn't accumulating it, but giving it generously—directly impacting others and, in the process, transforming your own heart.
Throughout the vibrant, story-driven show, callers from around the world recount powerful, emotional moments where generosity changed their lives or inspired them to help others. The hosts then reflect on these stories, drawing out key lessons and encouraging everyone to look up, be present, and find ways to give—reminding listeners that giving is for everyone, at every stage of financial progress.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Heart of Generosity
- Giving transforms you: Regular giving changes your attitude, moving you from “selfish to selfless.” (00:34)
- Notable quote:
- “Generosity is possibly one of the most important financial principles that you can bring into your life.” — Dave Ramsey (00:21)
- Notable quote:
- Giving is at the center of human and spiritual design: The show references Christian teachings, saying giving is built into our DNA and ignoring it leaves us unfulfilled. (03:37)
2. The Power and Ripple Effect of Giving
- Giving is contagious and inspiring: Listeners share stories where receiving prompted them to become givers; others describe movements that start with a single act. (04:57, 28:44)
- Notable quote:
- “Do for one what you wish you could do for many. Scale the unscalable.” — George Kamel (08:23)
- Notable quote:
- Impact goes beyond money: Acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or even giving away a car can change a person’s trajectory. (69:41, 80:24, 94:05)
- Generosity breaks cycles of shame or despair: Several callers recount being at their lowest and being surprised by kindness, which reset their hope and got them back on their feet. (13:24, 50:29, 95:00)
3. Stories that Inspire
Outrageous Giving and Creative Kindness
- A Food Pantry Encounter (05:36-08:03):
- A single mom receives $200 in cash from a church volunteer after being denied food pantry assistance due to ‘too much’ income. She goes on to turn her life around and continues the giving cycle.
- Aunt Louise’s Rescue (12:53-16:37):
- A Canadian family loses everything to a scam; his single aunt quietly covers business loan payments, brings meals, and attends family events—offering ongoing support with “no judgment.”
- The Miata Promise (22:28-24:32):
- A woman fulfills a decades-old promise to her mother by gifting her a dream car, orchestrated with a creative reveal.
- Secret Santa Movement (87:03-89:32):
- Retelling the legacy of Larry Stewart, a “Secret Santa” who distributed over $2 million over decades, inspired by a single act of kindness when he was homeless.
Generosity in Hard Times
- Hospital and NICU Support (75:23-78:40):
- During months-long NICU stays with extremely premature children, a couple is overwhelmed with gifts, cash, and meals—reminding them of tangible, practical support when hope was thin.
- Refurnishing After Loss (95:00-96:34):
- After her husband leaves and her house is emptied during a health crisis, a caller comes home to find friends have fully refurnished her home as she recovers.
Giving from Little
- Young Giver’s Sacrifice (17:03-19:09):
- At 19, a woman is moved to spend nearly all she has to buy winter clothes and gifts for a struggling family—others in the store add money, increasing her impact.
Passing It Forward
- Scholarship Chain (55:36-58:24):
- Inspired by receiving education money, a woman starts her own “Rose Scholarship,” gifting $1,000 annually to family members going to college, creating ongoing ripples of blessing.
4. Practical Outlets for Generosity
- CarePortal (26:12-29:26):
- One caller discovers a vetted, hyper-local donation site where needs submitted by agency workers for families in crisis can be directly met—keeping families together via practical gifts like beds or diapers.
- Company and Community Giving (52:37-54:16):
- Businesses and employee teams pool resources to give holidays, cars, or other big needs for families in crisis—combining workplace culture with community impact.
5. Generosity Knows No Size
- Generosity ranges from $40 to $4,000, from giving a used car to paying for a hot meal, to covering a child’s lunch debt or utility bills.
- Quote:
- “It was never the amount...Give a little until you can give a lot.” — George Kamel (82:49)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “The most fun I’ve ever had with money is when we did a gift in person and you make someone cry because it blows their freaking mind.” — Dave Ramsey (03:51)
- “When you start giving, you’re more passionate, you’re more creative, your marriage is better. You’re a better dad and a better mom.” — Dave Ramsey (03:13)
- “[About anonymous tire-gifting] ‘Two weeks later, I come back and there were four brand new tires on the vehicle. Thankfully, I wanted that to be anonymous, and it was.’” — Tim from Syracuse (33:45)
- “Sometimes kids are the best example of pure generosity.” — George Kamel (41:15)
- “I’m glad you said that, because every year I like to pay forward his generosity, and I’ll go and tip some hardworking waitress $200 on Christmas, all in 50s. You know, there’s something about a 50 bill.” — Paradox (07:42)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Time | Segment Description | |-----------|------------------------------------------| | 00:00-05:00 | Opening: The case for everyday generosity and its power to change lives | | 05:31-08:03 | Paradox’s story: Receiving grocery money, paying it forward with annual $200 waitress tips | | 12:53-16:42 | John (Canada): Single aunt covers massive scam-loss, quiet, ongoing support | | 17:03-19:09 | Zoe: Young worker spends all she has for a family—community response multiplies giving | | 22:28-24:32 | Angela: Fulfiling a lifelong promise by gifting her mother a Miata | | 26:12-29:26 | Savannah: Discovers CarePortal to connect to families in local crisis | | 33:45-35:54 | Tim: Secretly gifts new tires to a teacher, receives unexpected work bonus | | 41:04-41:15 | Amy: Child prompts entire family to become “elves,” gives $6,000 to local families | | 50:29-51:10 | Stephanie: NICU and church community generosity following the loss of a child | | 52:37-54:16 | Kevin: Workplace and church unite to deliver “everything” to a struggling mom and child | | 55:36-58:24 | Vanessa: Creating a multigenerational “Rose Scholarship” from family giving | | 75:23-78:40 | Abby: NICU journeys, bills covered by a stranger's cash gift | | 80:24-81:32 | Robin: Gave away two cars, later receives Christmas “adoption” from church| | 95:00-96:34 | Rose: After divorce and surgery, a friend completely refurnishes her emptied house |
The Hosts' Reflections & Advice
- Giving starts with awareness: You must look up from your own troubles to see and meet needs.
- Put generosity in your budget: Make it a recurring line item, not an afterthought.
- Giving isn't just financial: Time, words, encouragement—these also have profound impact.
- The best stories of giving often follow hardship: Once you’re out of crisis, you’re positioned to give in ways that echo your own journey.
Resources Mentioned
- CarePortal.org — For connecting to the real needs of vetted families in your region
- GoFundMe — Used judiciously; hosts prefer direct giving and notes the value of vetting
- Jimmy Darts (YouTube) — For ongoing inspiration around generosity
- EveryDollar budgeting app — To help budget for giving and maintain financial discipline
Closing Thoughts
The Ramsey Show’s Annual Giving episode is about much more than money. It’s a showcase of how giving—large or small, creative or simple—can transform both the receiver and the giver. The episode is at once a celebration and a challenge: be present, be ready, and look for the God-given (or life-given) assignment to bless others.
“If you live like no one else, later you can live and give like no one else.” — Dave Ramsey (02:39)