We were lucky to catch up with Meghan Calhoun recently and have shared our conversation below.

Meghan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Our journey with Give River started with a moment of inspiration and a deep sense of purpose. In February 2021, on the anniversary of his mother’s death, my partner was out for a run by the ocean. It was there, amidst the waves and the stillness, that he had a flash of inspiration—a vision that felt like a gift from heaven. He was driven by a desire to address the youth mental health crisis exacerbated by the pandemic and question whether social media was the best we could offer our kids.

With our children only 6 and 4 at the time, the idea of creating a positive impact became even more personal. We launched a social media network centered around random acts of kindness and raising money for charities, aiming to give young people a voice and an opportunity to make a difference. We were brimming with hope and excitement, convinced of the potential of our ideas.

However, the reality of social media proved challenging. As a self-funded venture, we explored various verticals to find a solid business model that would genuinely help people. We eventually pivoted to focus on an employee experience platform in the wellness space, recognizing that adults also face significant challenges. Many struggle with regulating their nervous systems, and some managers lack the skills to lead effectively. Since we spend so much of our lives at work, it’s crucial that our work environments foster health and well-being, both personally and organizationally.

So, Give River evolved from a passionate idea into a mission to create healthier, more fulfilling workplaces.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

After a decade in advertising sales, I was recruited to sell final resting places at a cemetery, which gave me purpose but was emotionally challenging, especially balancing sales goals with the sensitive emotions of grieving families. At home, with a one- and three-year-old, I was heading straight for burnout, trying to do everything perfectly.

When I was laid off at the start of the pandemic, it became a blessing. I spent the next two years reconnecting with my kids and myself, diving into books and podcasts on self-trust, boundaries, and nervous system regulation. This led me to start my podcast, *Don’t Just Manifest, Megafest*, helping moms avoid burnout and embrace the joy of motherhood. Inspired by the life-changing program, Positive Intelligence, I’m working toward certification in 2024.

During this time, my partner launched Give River, and in 2024 it evolved into an employee fulfillment platform. It felt like the perfect fit for me to combine my B2B sales experience and Joyologist insights to help bring Give River to employees and companies around the world.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

This question in particular is dear to my heart because over the last few years, I have made an effort to educate myself. For two years in a row, I listened to one personal or professional development book each month. I consumed podcasts. I joined groups and programs.

I have public speaking skills. I have the “winning others over” quality. I have a decade of B2B sales experience with a Fortune 100 company. But I needed to learn how to deal with my inner critic, my self-sabotage, and my self-worth. These are some resources that made the most difference in my entrepreneur “inner-game” journey.

Abundant Ever After Podcast by Cathy Heller (formerly Don’t Keep Your Day Job)
Cathy Heller’s podcast shows that you don’t have to settle for unfulfilling jobs—instead, you can create work that aligns with your true passions. It offers practical advice, inspiration, and tools for building a business and nurturing creativity, all while emphasizing mindset shifts, overcoming self-doubt, and the importance of persistence. The podcast is all about empowering listeners to pursue what they love and break free from conventional career paths, which has been crucial in helping me align my work with my passions.

Trusting Yourself by MJ Ryan has been a game-changer for my entrepreneurial journey. It’s boosted my self-confidence and resilience, helping me tackle the ups and downs of running a business with more assurance. The book taught me how to quiet my inner critic, manage uncertainty, and set boundaries effectively. This has been crucial in staying balanced and focused. Plus, embracing self-compassion has really improved my mindset, making me a more confident and purposeful leader at Give River. Overall, these insights have sharpened my decision-making and helped me trust my instincts, leading to a more supportive and dynamic work environment.

The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer taught me to detach from limiting thoughts and emotions, helping me silence my inner critic and overcome fears. By letting go of rigid outcomes and expectations, I feel freer to take risks and make bold decisions without fear of failure. As a leader, the book’s focus on openness and acceptance has helped me stay calm and centered through the roller coaster of growing Give River. It’s reinforced my commitment to creating a workplace focused on fulfillment, not just success. Trusting the process and releasing control has brought more ease and flow to my work, benefiting both me and the team.

Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine was pivotal for my entrepreneurial journey. It taught me about the “Saboteurs”—those negative thought patterns that can really hold us back—and the “Sage,” which represents a calm, positive mindset that helps us handle challenges with ease. By focusing on mental fitness and shifting to my Sage, I’ve been able to approach obstacles as opportunities, stay grounded during tough times, and make decisions with greater clarity and confidence. This mindset shift aligns perfectly with Give River’s mission to promote personal growth and emotional intelligence, both for myself and our clients.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that illustrates my resilience involves working with my very passionate, but very intense partner. Even a casual conversation together can cause me to take on his stress. It triggers my inner critic and self-doubt and leaves me deflated. It might sound silly, but in order to protect my peace, I created the helpful technique of imagining I’m breathing out an invisible force field. As I’m listening to him, I simply breathe out through my nose and imagine a circular barrier between us. It helps me respond, not react while staying curious and empathetic, finding opportunities in every challenge. Using this technique strengthened our partnership and helped us build a solid foundation for Give River, all while practicing what we preach: empathy, calm, and gratitude.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.giveriver.com
• Instagram: @megs.malloy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-garvey-calhoun/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@megsmalloy3255