Summary
Overview
Matt Damon and Gary White discuss their innovative partnership through Water.org, which has reached 85 million people with clean water access using a microfinance model. They explore how their collaboration combines Hollywood influence with social entrepreneurship, the challenges of making water scarcity relatable to developed world audiences, and their unique approach of providing small loans that enable people to install their own water systems. The conversation reveals how treating water access as a bankable investment rather than pure charity has revolutionized their impact, with 98% loan repayment rates and costs reduced to just $5 per person reached.
The Worst Career Advice: Trust Your Father on Iconic Lines
In the opening lightning round question, Matt shares a humorous story about his father reading the Good Will Hunting script and advising him to cut the line 'How do you like them apples?' - which became one of the film's most iconic moments. After the movie's success, his father told Matt to never give him a script to read again, demonstrating a perfect moment of rethinking and self-awareness.
- Matt's father advised him to remove 'How do you like them apples?' from the Good Will Hunting script
- After the movie's success, his father recognized his mistake and asked Matt to never seek his script feedback again
" I do love telling the story about my father reading the script of Good Will Hunting and telling me that the line, how do you like them apples, would never work. He told me to take it out of the script. "
The Power of Partnership Selection
Matt Damon reflects on how his creative collaboration with Ben Affleck taught him the importance of partner selection, leading him to Gary White. Gary shares what attracted him to Matt beyond celebrity status - his genuine curiosity, passion for water issues, and humble approach. Their partnership merged Matt's H2O Africa with Gary's Water Partners to create Water.org, combining boldness with humility as their organizational ethos.
- Matt considers partner selection his greatest strength, with all meaningful achievements in his life coming through long-term partnerships spanning 30+ years
- Gary was impressed by Matt's curiosity and deep questioning about their approach, which showed genuine engagement beyond celebrity involvement
- They merged organizations and rebranded as Water.org using a domain Gary had reserved for $7.95
- Their shared ethos is 'boldness with humility' - recognizing there's always more to learn
" Well, the preeminent expert in the field. And when they wouldn't take my call, I wound up with Gary. "
" It's humility. I'm great at humility. "
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