#437 Leadership in Crisis: Innovating Aid & Healing in Myanmar with Melody Crisp, Founder of THR5ve

In this soul-stirring episode of The Rise & Flow Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Melody Crisp, co-founder of THR5VE, a grassroots humanitarian charity supporting community-led healing in Myanmar and beyond.

Together, we dive into what it really means to lead in crisis—from military coups and natural disasters to deep-rooted trauma and systemic injustice. Melody shares how THR5VE is shifting the narrative around aid with an ethically grounded, holistic approach that centres dignity, community empowerment, and sustainable development.

This is more than an interview—it’s a call-in to reimagine the way we serve, support, and stand in solidarity with the global collective, with a particular focus on Myanmar—a nation navigating heartbreak with resilience, often far from the headlines.

If you feel moved, we’re also raising funds to support direct earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar and long term projects through trusted grassroots channels.

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Get Involved & Make a Donation

Donate to Myanmar Earthquake Relief Efforts on GoFund Me here

Donate to Thr5ve Charity projects here

Become a Charity Partner or Contact Melody here

Key Takeaways

• Melody Crisp's journey into humanitarian work began with a gap year in Iraq.
• Thr5ve was founded out of a need for holistic community support.
• The importance of community-led initiatives in humanitarian aid and what is really happening in Myanmar.
• Innovative projects like Jungle Birth Kits are crucial for survival in Myanmar.
• Ethical storytelling is essential in the aid sector to respect dignity.
• Sustainable leadership practices are necessary to avoid burnout.
• Community engagement amplifies the impact of aid efforts.
• Small actions can lead to significant change over time.
• Collaboration is key to effective humanitarian work.
• Everyone is worthy of love and can contribute to positive change.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Melody Crisp and Thr5ve

02:45 Melody's Journey and the Birth of Thr5ve

05:13 Innovative Aid and Holistic Approaches in Myanmar

07:48 Challenges and Opportunities in Crisis Leadership

09:30 Community Involvement and the Gift Economy

11:09 Relief Efforts and Sustainable Solutions

13:41 The Current Situation in Myanmar

16:20 Navigating Aid Challenges and Community Needs

18:52 Innovating Change in Humanitarian Aid

21:18 Long-term Planning and Community-led Initiatives

25:37 Inviting Community Engagement

27:03 The Power of Action and Community

29:06 Raising Awareness vs. Donations

31:21 Desensitization and Global Awareness

33:55 Ethical Storytelling in Aid Work

39:28 Sustainable Leadership and Self-Care