How did Scott Harrison's mother get sick?

His mother collapsed on New Year's Day 1980 due to a faulty heat exchanger leaking carbon monoxide into their home. Blood tests later confirmed dangerously high levels in her bloodstream, leading to a permanent decline in her health.

What was Scott Harrison's 'dark side'?

He identifies his 'dark side' as anger and a deep discontent with the way things are, coupled with a willingness to fight for change. He has learned to harness this energy constructively over the years.

How did Scott Harrison get into nightlife promotion?

After his band failed to gain traction, he realized promoters were making money while musicians weren't. He befriended a promoter and apprenticed under him, entering the nightlife business at 19.

What significant health scare prompted Scott Harrison's life change?

Around age 26, he experienced half his body going numb, leading to extensive medical tests. This health scare made him question if he would be happy with his life if he died, realizing he had done nothing for others.

What was Scott Harrison's initial plan for giving back?

He felt he owed a debt for the years wasted in nightlife and decided to 'tithe his time' by dedicating one year to service for people in need, applying to humanitarian organizations.

Why was Charity: Water founded with a 100% donation model?

Scott Harrison observed that many people distrusted charities and questioned where the money truly goes. He created a model with separate bank accounts for public donations (100% to water projects) and overhead costs (funded by philanthropists) to build trust and transparency.

How did Charity: Water overcome near bankruptcy in its early days?

Facing a payroll crisis and unable to secure overhead funding, Scott Harrison was considering shutting down. An entrepreneur named Michael Birch, impressed by the mission, wired $1 million to cover overhead costs, saving the organization.

What is the biggest challenge Charity: Water still faces?

Despite incredible success, Charity: Water acknowledges that 10% of the world (771 million people) still lacks access to clean water. They view their current impact as being in the 'second inning' of the movement, aiming to accelerate progress.

What does Scott Harrison believe is the key to a fulfilled life?

Harrison emphasizes service and generosity as the recipe for fulfillment. He believes that contributing to the well-being of others, rather than focusing on material wealth, provides true purpose and joy.

How can people support Charity: Water?

Individuals can support Charity: Water by joining 'The Spring,' a community of monthly donors where 100% of contributions go to clean water projects. Information is available on their website, charitywater.org.

Key Moments

How I Raised $700 Million: Charity: Water Founder: Scott Harrison | E153

The Diary Of A CEO

People & Blogs3 min read77 min video

Jun 20, 2022|47,800 views|1,201|153

The Diary Of A CEO podcast life lessons CEO steven bartlett drug abuse saving millions of lives charity water volunteering in africa Work-life balance faith humanitarian work

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Scott Harrison's journey from nightlife promoter to Charity: Water founder, emphasizing transparency and impact.

Key Insights

Childhood trauma and a mother's severe environmental sensitivities profoundly shaped Scott Harrison's perspective on suffering and the need for change.

A decade in the destructive nightlife industry led to a personal crisis, prompting a radical life transformation and a search for purpose.

Charity: Water's core model of 100% donation transparency was a radical innovation addressing public distrust in charities.

The initial, near-bankruptcy financial crisis was averted by a pivotal $1 million investment, enabling Charity: Water to grow.

A shift in environment and community from the decadent nightlife to humanitarian work was crucial for sustained personal change and mission focus.

Fulfillment is found not in material wealth but in service, generosity, and making a tangible positive impact on the lives of others.

A CHILDHOOD MARKED BY ADVERSITY

Scott Harrison's early life was significantly impacted by his mother's severe chemical sensitivities, stemming from a carbon monoxide leak. This led to a reclusive lifestyle for her, creating distance and a sense of otherness in his childhood. He grappled with understanding and believing in her condition, further complicated by the perceived restrictions it placed on his own life. This background instilled an early awareness of suffering and a disconnect from conventional experiences, planting seeds for his later humanitarian work.

THE DECADENCE AND DESPAIR OF NIGHTLIFE

Seeking validation and escaping personal emptiness, Harrison dove into the glamorous but destructive world of nightlife promotion. This decade-long career involved excessive drug use, gambling, and a pursuit of fleeting pleasures. He describes this period as emotionally and spiritually bankrupt, reaching a crisis point after experiencing unexplained numbness and a profound realization that his life lacked meaning and contribution. This nadir became the catalyst for a drastic change, forcing him to confront his destructive lifestyle and the possibility of dying unfulfilled.

A RADICAL PIVOT TO SERVICE

Following his existential crisis, Harrison embarked on a journey of self-discovery and service. He committed to a year of humanitarian work, initially applying to various aid organizations. After facing rejections, he joined Mercy Ships, a hospital ship providing free medical care. This experience exposed him to extreme suffering in Africa, particularly the lack of clean water. Witnessing preventable diseases and the profound impact clean water could have, he felt a calling to dedicate his life to solving this global crisis, shifting his focus from personal indulgence to altruistic action.

FOUNDING CHARITY:WATER ON TRANSPARENCY

Upon returning to New York, Harrison founded Charity: Water with a groundbreaking business model: 100% of public donations would go directly to water projects, while operational costs would be funded separately by a small group of business leaders. This radical transparency was designed to combat widespread distrust in charities and appeal to a cynical public. Despite initial skepticism about its sustainability, this model differentiated Charity: Water and became a cornerstone of its success, building immense trust with donors and enabling substantial growth.

OVERCOMING FINANCIAL CRISIS AND SCALING IMPACT

The early years of Charity: Water were fraught with financial challenges, particularly securing funding for overhead costs. At one point, the organization was on the brink of bankruptcy, with a significant amount of money raised for water projects but insufficient funds to cover salaries and operational expenses. A pivotal moment arrived when entrepreneur Michael Birch invested $1 million in the overhead account, saving the organization and providing the necessary runway for growth. This intervention allowed Charity: Water to scale its operations and significantly expand its reach.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF SERVICE AND GENEROSITY

Harrison advocates for a life centered on service and generosity, rejecting the idea of 'giving back' as implying prior wrongdoing. He emphasizes that true fulfillment comes from contributing to the well-being of others, whether through time, talent, or resources. His extensive travels and encounters with both extreme poverty and immense wealth have reinforced his belief that purpose lies not in material accumulation but in alleviating suffering and making a positive impact. He encourages a culture of continuous giving, viewing it as a privilege and a joy rather than an obligation.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Supplements

●Products

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●People Referenced

Building a Life of Purpose: Key Takeaways

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Transform 'dark side' traits like anger and discontent into constructive action.

Embrace service and generosity as core components of a fulfilled life.

Seek environments that align with your values and mission.

Be willing to shed old identities and habits to embrace new paths.

Focus on the positive impact of giving, not just the act of 'giving back'.

Maintain integrity, especially regarding financial promises.

View challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.

Avoid This

Don't get trapped in destructive cycles of addiction and unhealthy pursuits.

Don't let past failures define your potential.

Don't rely on external validation from attention-seeking behaviors.

Don't overlook the importance of fundamental needs like clean water.

Don't compromise core promises and integrity for short-term gains.

Don't measure fulfillment by material wealth or status.

Don't fear taking significant risks for a meaningful cause.

Common Questions

Scott Harrison's childhood was significantly impacted by a carbon monoxide leak in his home, which led to his mother developing severe, world-altering chemical sensitivities. This created a challenging family dynamic and limited his own childhood experiences.

Topics

Entrepreneurship Health & Longevity Human Performance Mindset & Self-Improvement Personal Transformation Social Enterprise Overcoming Adversity Clean Water Access Making An Impact

Mentioned in this video

Organizations

New York University

Scott Harrison attended part-time to earn a communications degree for his father.

Vodafone Business

A sponsor of the podcast, offering business advice through their 'v-hub' service for small business owners.

New York Times

Mentioned as the publisher of Scott Harrison's bestseller book, highlighting his recognition and platform.

World Vision

A Christian humanitarian organization that Scott Harrison applied to volunteer with.

Save the Children

One of the major humanitarian aid organizations Scott Harrison applied to for volunteer work after his crisis of conscience.

Doctors Without Borders

A humanitarian medical aid organization that Scott Harrison applied to volunteer with, but was initially rejected.

Red Cross

A global humanitarian organization that Scott Harrison applied to for volunteer work.

Mercy Ships

A global charity that operates hospital ships, where Scott Harrison volunteered as a photographer after being rejected by other organizations. He later returned for a second tour.

Charity: Water

A non-profit organization founded by Scott Harrison that provides clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. Their model promises that 100% of public donations go directly to water projects, with overhead covered by private donors.

People

Gary Parker

A long-serving doctor with Mercy Ships who became a mentor to Scott Harrison and challenged him to address the global water crisis.

Scott Harrison

Founder and CEO of Charity: Water, sharing his redemption story from a nightlife promoter to a humanitarian leader focused on providing clean water.

Kobe Bryant

Referenced by a previous guest who coached him, in a discussion about the concept of a 'dark side' shaping individuals.

Charles Taylor

Former president of Liberia, whose brutal civil war significantly impacted the country's infrastructure and population, a backdrop to Scott Harrison's work there.

Daniel Ek

Co-founder of Spotify, quoted by Scott Harrison regarding the 'second inning' of Charity: Water's impact and growth.

Michael Birch

A British internet entrepreneur who invested $1 million in Charity: Water's overhead account, saving the organization from bankruptcy and becoming a key supporter and friend.

Software & Apps

WordPress

Mentioned as one of the companies whose founders contribute to Charity: Water's overhead expenses.

Bebo

A social media network at the time, to which Scott Harrison initially sent a cold email to an entrepreneur seeking exposure, unrelated to funding.

Locations

Germany

Where Scott Harrison traveled to meet representatives of Mercy Ships after receiving an unexpected acceptance.

Ukraine

Mentioned as a current example of destruction from war, used to illustrate the impact of prolonged conflict on infrastructure.

Liberia

A West African country where Scott Harrison served on the Mercy Ships hospital vessel, witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of war and lack of basic necessities like clean water.

Uganda

The country where Charity: Water built its first water well using funds raised from Scott Harrison's birthday event.

Products

Voss Water

A brand of bottled water that Scott Harrison used to promote and sell for a high price in nightclubs, contrasting sharply with the lack of clean water availability in Africa.

N95 Mask

A type of mask Scott Harrison's mother wore throughout her life due to her severe chemical sensitivities, obscuring her face.

Supplements

Carbon Monoxide

A dangerous gas responsible for a severe health crisis in Scott Harrison's childhood home, rendering his mother permanently ill.

Companies

Spotify

Mentioned as one of the successful companies whose founders are among Charity: Water's overhead patrons.

Shopify

A company whose founder is part of the group of entrepreneurs who fund Charity: Water's overhead costs.

myenergy

A sponsor of the podcast promoting sustainable energy solutions and products like the 'Zappy' smart EV charger.

Heal

A protein shake recommended by the host, noted for its nutritional completeness, low calories, and good taste, especially the salted caramel flavor.

A professional networking platform whose founder is among the entrepreneurs supporting Charity: Water's operational costs.

Books

Bible

Scott Harrison reread the Bible during his period of seeking change, finding the book's message about purity and innocence to be a stark contrast to his life.