An Inspired Chat with Amanda Anschutz of Stark County

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Amanda Anschutz. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Many people carry quiet battles they rarely voice, often because they fear being judged, misunderstood, or seen as weak. Some of the most common “silent struggles” I’ve noticed include:

Feeling like they’re not enough — even people who seem confident sometimes fight constant self-doubt.

Loneliness — being surrounded by people but still feeling unseen or disconnected.

Money worries — financial stress can hide behind smiles, nice clothes, and curated social media posts.

Comparison and envy — wondering why their life doesn’t look like “everyone else’s” highlight reel.

Burnout — being tired not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

Fear of failure — especially when others think they “have it all together.”

Grief that lingers — loss of loved ones, relationships, or even dreams, carried quietly for years.

Health concerns — chronic pain, illness, or mental health struggles, they don’t want to burden others with.

Shame over past mistakes — replaying moments they wish they could undo.

Imposter syndrome — feeling like they’re one slip away from being “found out.”

It’s surprising how often the people we think are “doing great” are the very ones who are barely hanging on.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Amanda Anschutz, and I have the honor of serving as the Co-Founder & CEO of Compassion Delivered, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free, high-quality nutritional meals to people coping with life-threatening or terminal diseases. Our mission is simple but deeply personal: to nourish not just bodies, but hearts, during some of life’s most challenging moments.

What makes us unique is that every meal we deliver is a reminder that someone cares — that our recipients are seen, valued, and loved. My journey with this work began from a deep desire to connect people with hope and dignity when they need it most.

Right now, we’re expanding our programs to reach even more families and individuals in need and exploring new ways to connect our community with the cause — from special fundraising events to volunteer opportunities that truly make an impact. Every day, I’m reminded that the smallest act of kindness can change someone’s world.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Bonds between people often break when trust, respect, or shared understanding erodes — but the causes are usually more subtle than they seem. Some of the biggest quiet bond-breakers include:

Unspoken hurts — pain that isn’t addressed festers into resentment.

Assumptions — deciding what someone meant or felt without actually asking.

Neglect — not making time or space for the relationship to breathe and grow.

Pride — valuing being “right” over being connected.

Fear of vulnerability — hiding true feelings until the emotional distance becomes too great.

What restores bonds often requires courage and humility:

Honest conversation — speaking truth with kindness, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Listening to understand — not just to respond or defend.

Owning mistakes — without excuses, just genuine accountability.

Choosing grace — allowing someone to be human and imperfect.

Shared experiences — creating new, positive memories together.

In short: bonds break when people stop truly seeing each other, and they’re restored when people make the choice to see — and be seen — again.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes — there are seasons in life when the weight of what you’re carrying makes it feel easier to stop than to keep going.
For me, it wasn’t one dramatic moment but a slow build: exhaustion stacking on disappointment, and uncertainty whispering that maybe I wasn’t enough to make it work.

What kept me from quitting was remembering why I started — and realizing that someone else’s hope might depend on me holding on a little longer. Sometimes the difference between giving up and breaking through is just one more step, one more day, one more conversation with someone who believes in you.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I look at it like this: a fad is a wave, and a foundational shift is a tide.

A fad rises quickly, gets everyone talking, then fades once the excitement wears off or the novelty is gone. You can spot it by asking: Would this still matter if no one was watching?

A foundational shift moves more slowly but changes the landscape permanently. It reshapes how people think, work, or live — even when the buzz dies down. You can tell it’s real when:

It solves a deep, ongoing need.

Multiple industries or communities adopt it.

It quietly becomes “the new normal” without anyone having to hype it.

In short, fads are about attention; foundational shifts are about transformation.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes — but it takes a mindset shift.

If your effort is fueled only by praise, it will run out the moment recognition does. But if it’s driven by purpose, values, or the quiet satisfaction of knowing you honored your standards, you can keep giving your best even in silence.

It’s like planting seeds in a field you may never walk through again — the harvest might feed people you’ll never meet, but the act of planting was still worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.compassiondelivered.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CompassionDelivered
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/CompassionDelivered
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CompassionDelivered
• Other: Podcast – The Compassion Delivered Podcast