615. Hold Fast: Strengthen Your Operational Core (Scott Curran)
In this special episode of our Hold Fast series, we’re bringing you a replay from our March members-only meetup featuring nonprofit legal and operational powerhouse, Scott Curran.
As the former Chief General Counsel for the Clinton Foundation, Scott has navigated massive change and complexity — and he joined us to help you do the same. In this timely conversation, Scott walks us through the essential operational steps every nonprofit should be taking to prepare for a period of federal upheaval and uncertainty.
We cover everything from accounting and legal, to HR, leadership development, and board structure — with actionable takeaways you can put into practice right away. It’s grounding, insightful, and exactly the kind of clear-headed guidance we all need right now.
614. Hold Fast: Your Blueprint for Building a Resilient Organization (Brooke Richie-Babbage)
The world is changing—fast. As a nonprofit leader, how do you hold fast to your mission when everything feels uncertain? In this episode of our new Hold Fast series, we’re joined by Brooke Richie Babbage, founder of Bending Arc Consulting and host of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast, to break down what real resilience looks like in practice.
Brooke introduces her powerful framework for building a resilient organization—one that doesn’t just survive uncertainty but thrives through it. She shares the three core elements of resilience (Strategic Clarity, Capacity, and Capital) and walks us through her 4-step process for designing organizations that are strong, adaptable, and built to last.
If you’re leading a small team with limited capacity, feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty, or struggling to scale your impact, this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with practical, actionable steps to stabilize and grow your organization.
Plus, Brooke’s “One Good Thing” will change the way you think about resilience in your daily work.
Tune in to learn:
✅ What resilience really means for nonprofit organizations
✅ How to build clarity, capacity, and capital—even with a small team
✅ A step-by-step approach to designing a resilient, high-impact nonprofit
✅ How to move from feeling stuck to executing with confidence
Let’s build something that lasts. Listen now. 🎧✨
613. A Community-Centric Approach to Philanthropy - Rachel D'Souza
What does it mean to truly center community in philanthropy?
Meet Rachel D’Souza, Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of Gladiator Consulting. 🤝 A leading voice in the Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) movement, Rachel shares her perspective on systems change in resource development, balancing donor expectations with equity, and how to drive long-term systems change over short-term solutions.
In this moment of unprecedented challenge for nonprofits, Rachel offers a roadmap for survival, collaboration, and meaningful change. Nonprofit leaders need a new approach—one that centers community, embraces vulnerability, and dismantles outdated systems.
Listen in for bold insights, real talk, and a call to action for the future of fundraising.
🎧 Key Takeaways:
✔ What Community-Centric Fundraising is and why it matters
✔ How nonprofits can own their narrative in donor conversations
✔ Creative approaches to self-funding and collaboration in the sector
612. 5 Steps to Better Meetings + Events (Tes Cohen)
Meet Maggie 🤝—CNN Hero of the Year in 2015, humanitarian, activist, CEO and co-founder of the BlinkNow Foundation.
In this heart-opening conversation, Maggie takes us on a journey of purpose and possibility—from the humble beginnings of BlinkNow to a movement that now includes over 175 team members serving thousands of children, women, and community members in Nepal. You’ll hear stories of redefining family, lifting up the most vulnerable, and recognizing the sacred wisdom our children carry. ✨
This episode is equal parts grounding and inspiring—and a beautiful reminder that change begins when we choose to care deeply and act boldly. Tune in today 🎧
611. The BlinkNow Foundation's Journey of Love and Community + Sustainable Community Development (Maggie Doyne)
Meet Maggie 🤝—CNN Hero of the Year in 2015, humanitarian, activist, CEO and co-founder of the BlinkNow Foundation.
In this heart-opening conversation, Maggie takes us on a journey of purpose and possibility—from the humble beginnings of BlinkNow to a movement that now includes over 175 team members serving thousands of children, women, and community members in Nepal. You’ll hear stories of redefining family, lifting up the most vulnerable, and recognizing the sacred wisdom our children carry. ✨
This episode is equal parts grounding and inspiring—and a beautiful reminder that change begins when we choose to care deeply and act boldly. Tune in today 🎧
610. How to Reframe Your Engagement + Activate Supporters (Beth Saunders)
Meet Beth, Founder of Beth Saunders Associates and creator of MapMoveMeasure—a practical framework that helps nonprofits build stronger, lasting relationships with supporters. 🤝
In this episode, Beth shares her journey from corporate banking to the nonprofit world and explores how a mindset shift can transform our work. She highlights the power of focusing on potential and abundance, rather than scarcity or limitations. 💛 Beth also dives into the human side of giving—how to move beyond data points and see the person behind the donation to build more meaningful connections. 🎧 Listen now!
609. People, Place, Practice, Policy: RestoreOKC's Community-Led Model (Caylee Dodson)
Meet Caylee, Co-Founder and Executive Director of RestoreOKC. Caylee joins us to share how she and her team have taken a radically different, community-led approach to addressing complex, systemic issues in their city. It's a powerful case study on how data can be a helpful tool (but not the driver), how grassroots programs are transforming access to education, jobs, and housing, and how meaningful partnerships are key to lasting change. 🤝
Their work has sparked sustainable, community-led development that’s been recognized with state and national awards—including Caylee being named USA Today’s Oklahoma Woman of the Year. ⭐ This one is a must-listen for anyone passionate about driving systemic change and building more just, thriving communities. 🎧 Live now!
608. A Convo with Bellamy Young: Storytelling Hope + Empowerment with CARE
Meet Bellamy. 🤝 She’s known for her roles in hit shows like Scandal, Prodigal Son, and Promised Land, but Bellamy's passion extends far beyond the screen - she is also a dedicated ambassador for international humanitarian organization CARE. 🧡
Tune in to hear more about CARE’s holistic, community-driven approach to sustainable development, and a glimpse into Bellamy’s new limited podcast series, She Leads with CARE. 🎧
From Vietnam to Ukraine to Tanzania, community leaders join Bellamy to share their life experiences to show how local empowerment programs are changing lives.Listen to our full conversation with Bellamy at the links in the comments. And be sure to listen + subscribe to She Leads with CARE, launching tomorrow. ✨
607. The Big We: The Future of Giving is Collective (Hali Lee)
Meet Hali, the Founding Partner of Radical Strategies, Donors of Color Network and Philanthropy Together. 🤝 Named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Impact in 2021, Hali Lee is reshaping philanthropy for the twenty-first century. In this episode, she shares her journey—from growing up as the child of Korean immigrants to the lasting influence of her freedom fighter grandfather—while championing the power of collective giving.
Tune in to start rethinking traditional philanthropy and embrace community-driven change. 🎧
P.S Hali Lee’s newest book, The Big We, drops tomorrow! ✨ Packed with powerful stories of everyday Americans taking action together, it shows how small efforts can spark big civic change.
606. (Recap): Navigating Uncertainty, Embracing Change + Unlocking Your Impact (Jon + Becky)
Today, we’re wrapping up our Social Impact Trends That Matter series on the podcast. But our hope is that what starts here ripples. Through conversations with incredible change-makers in this series, we've uncovered insights that have truly shaken us—in the best way possible.
From the power of community as a multiplier to owning your authentic narrative to the rise of the change-leader, these ideas have the potential to breathe new life into you and your mission.
We know the world feels heavy, but as our friend Sixto Cancel reminded us, "If you're struggling, you already know the answer." The solutions lie within you and your community. You have the light the world needs. 🫂
So we’re inviting you to lean in, get inspired, and take action. Don’t just listen—try these trends on, test them out, and see what unlocks for you this year. And reach out to let us know what you’re seeing and how you're putting these ideas into practice too. 💙
Tune into this episode today. 🎧
605. 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter: Advocacy is Non-Negotiable (Sixto Cancel)
Meet Sixto, a nationally recognized leader and founder of Think of Us. 🤝 He’s driving systems change in child welfare using tech, research, and policy to transform outcomes for youth and families. 🫂
In this episode, Sixto breaks down why advocacy is essential for creating lasting change. He explains that vulnerable communities need advocates who bring lived experiences to the table, using data and stories to drive decisions. Advocacy isn’t just about making noise—it’s about harnessing these experiences to influence policymakers and push for real, systemic transformation. 🗣️
Join us for this inspiring episode today! 🎧
604. 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter: Fuel Young Generosity (Manuela Testolini)
Meet Manuela, the Founder and President of In A Perfect World. 🤝 She’s dedicated her life to empowering and activating the next generation of youth leaders and philanthropists. 🌎
In this episode, Manuela shares how to fuel young generosity by tapping into kids’ natural empathy and kindness, and how to partner with them to create their own "north star" for creating change within your mission. 🙌 After 20 years of work in this space, she shares her playbook for how to co-create programs and tailor your messaging to speak to their unique passions.
Manuela also shares practical tools, like their Everyday Kindness series and Youth Ambassador program, to help young people take action and create change today. 💫
Tune in for the playbook today. 🎧
603. 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter: We Need Your Light (Jeff Shuck)
Welcome back to the 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter Series! 🥳
Meet Jeff, the Principal of Plenty Consulting. 🤝 He’s an inspiring leader dedicated to helping others shine, even in the toughest times. ✨
In this episode, Jeff shares his heartfelt wisdom on finding your light and leading with purpose, no matter what challenges come your way. As an expert in conscious leadership and social impact strategy, he’s spent his career helping people and organizations discover their inner strength.
Join us for a warm and inspiring conversation as Jeff talks about navigating the “crisis of consciousness” we’re all feeling in the world today. Let’s explore how we can shine together.
602. 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter: The Rise of the Change-Leader (Lindsey Fuller)
Welcome back to the 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter Series! 🥳
Meet Lindsey, the Executive Director of The Teaching Well. 🤝 She’s all about turning ideas into action and creating real, lasting change.
The world needs more change leaders. 💡 Join us as Lindsey walks us through some hallmarks of change leaders, the barriers that can hold organizations back from creating real systems-level change, and actionable advice for how to start transitioning to a change leadership approach.
If you're ready to move beyond just generating ideas and start driving tangible change, this is a must-listen episode. 👏
601. 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter: Redefine Impact Measurement (Ori Carmel)
Meet Ori, the Founder and CEO of Sowen . He's on a mission to help organizations rethink how they measure their social impact, moving beyond just tracking activities and inputs to truly understanding the outcomes they're driving.
In this episode, we dive into why we need to rethink impact measurement and how to do it effectively. Ori shares a framework for aligning measurement to your organization's purpose, combining data and storytelling, and focusing on what matters most - the change you’re creating in the world.
Tune in to hear Ori share his wealth of insights and practical strategies to help you redefine impact measurement in your own organization. It’s a must-listen episode.
600. 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter: Own Your Narrative (Dr. Tim Lampkin)
Welcome back to the 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter series! 🥳
Meet Adam🤝 . He’s the VP of Marketing at iDonate, a Podcast Host, and a passionate Mental Health Advocate. In this episode we explore the power of "simple shifts on repeat" to drive sustainable growth this year. 📈
The reality is who’s giving is changing, how they’re giving is changing, and why they’re giving is changing. Adam walks us through specific tactics and pilots you can test on your marketing, copywriting, fundraising and technology this year to meet this moment. He even shares a powerful case study of an organization that raised $750,000 on GivingTuesday by optimizing their donor experience and leveraging A/B testing. You don’t want to miss it 🎧