Unified Purpose

Penji
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Unified Purpose is the perfect place to look for advice on how to grow your non-profit or if you’re just looking for a wholesome story to brighten up your day. Brought to you by Penji, every episode follows non-profit leaders through their struggles, hopes, and vision for a better future for the population they serve. Tune in to explore the ins-and-outs of running a non-profit organization and helpful tips on how to manage things to make sure that those that need care the most aren’t being forgotten.

  1. 11/11/2025

    How Bold Ideas Build Trust in Science with Brooke Grindlinger

    Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: Why long-term trust and patience are essential in the scientific process — how breakthroughs often take decades of unseen work, persistence, and faith in discovery. How philanthropic partnerships fill critical gaps in research funding — enabling bold, high-risk ideas to move forward when traditional grants fall short. The importance of inspiring and supporting young scientists at every stage — from childhood curiosity to global impact — and how mentorship, education, and opportunity shape the next generation of innovators. About Brooke Grindlinger and NYAS:  - Website: https://nyas.org/  - Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookegrindlinger/   Penji's WebsiteSubscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

    42 min

  2. 11/06/2025

    Building Compassion Beyond Walls with Terence Lester

    Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How Dr. Terence Lester started Love Beyond Walls from scratch — and the lessons learned from turning compassion into a movement. → Hear how Dr. Lester began with nothing but passion and a cell phone, living on the streets to raise awareness and spark a community of empathy and action. Why storytelling and visibility are powerful tools in humanizing those experiencing homelessness. → Discover how sharing real stories breaks stigma, builds understanding, and reminds us that every person has worth and dignity. How balancing immediate relief with long-term empowerment creates sustainable community impact. → Learn how Love Beyond Walls meets urgent needs like food and shelter while helping people rebuild confidence, regain IDs, and find lasting stability. About Terence Lester and Love Beyond Walls:  - Website: http://lovebeyondwalls.org/  - Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imterencelester/ Penji's WebsiteSubscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

    30 min

  3. 11/04/2025

    Ronald McDonald House's Global Mission with Joanna Sabato

    Three Things You’ll Learn From This Episode: Why “a sick child is a sick family” drives everything RMHC does Discover how RMHC helps families stay together through free housing, meals, school services, and emotional support—because healing works better when it happens together. How Ronald McDonald House is modernizing its global mission Learn about RMHC’s ambitious plans to expand into underserved areas, reach more families, and reintroduce its mission through a new visual identity and brand story. What you didn’t know about RMHC’s global impact From early pediatric cancer detection programs in Brazil to family rooms inside NICUs, hear how RMHC is adapting locally to meet global healthcare challenges. Penji's WebsiteSubscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

    32 min

  4. 10/23/2025

    Inspiring Conservation and Education with Patricia Steinmeyer

    Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How Brookfield Zoo’s Teaching Safari program empowers teachers to connect students with wildlife and conservation science. Patricia explains how this free program, supported by foundations and grants, offers teachers graduate credit or professional development hours. By giving educators tools, resources, and strategies, the zoo helps them engage hundreds—sometimes thousands—of students in classrooms with conservation-focused lessons. Why joyful, hands-on learning experiences with animals can inspire lifelong care and curiosity for nature. From feeding giraffes and goats to observing polar bears and pangolins, Patricia shares how firsthand animal encounters spark questions, wonder, and empathy. These experiences build connections that can lead children to value wildlife, care about conservation, and even pursue careers protecting animals. The innovative ways Brookfield Zoo is shaping the future of animal welfare, education, and global conservation partnerships. Patricia highlights the zoo’s century plan, new exhibits like the Bramsen Tropical Forest habitat for primates, and global projects such as pangolin conservation, Mexican wolf recovery, and Humboldt penguin protection. These initiatives show how Brookfield Zoo is expanding its role as both a classroom and a conservation leader worldwide. About Patsy Steinmeyer and Brookfield Zoo Chicago:  - Website: https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/ :https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/EducatorPrograms :https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/LearningResources - Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psteinmeyer/ Penji's WebsiteSubscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

    32 min

  5. 10/21/2025

    The Power of Community in Ending Homelessness with Ted Taylor

    Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How Family Promise grew from serving 30 families a year to over 400 through community partnerships. Ted shares how Family Promise started with just two staff members, no funding, and a looming $80,000 balloon payment — and grew into a $3 million organization with five sites and 21 staff members. He explains how the model thrives by partnering with faith communities that provide food and shelter, making it one of the most cost-effective approaches to homelessness in the U.S. Why container housing villages and shared housing models could be the future of affordable housing. When the original plan to build a dome shelter was disrupted by COVID, Family Promise pivoted to creating Legacy Village, an innovative community built from repurposed shipping containers. Ted details how these secure, cost-effective units can house multiple families and why shared housing may be the key to making long-term housing affordable for more people. The importance of welcoming pets in shelters — and how a chance call from PetSmart changed everything. Ted tells the story of how families would often decline shelter if it meant leaving their pets behind, putting them at even greater risk. A surprising call from PetSmart led to the nation’s first in-shelter pet sanctuary in 2012, eventually expanding nationwide. He also shares some of the challenges (puppies, barking, insurance issues) and the unexpected joy that comes from ensuring pets can stay with their families. About Ted Taylor and Family Promise of Greater Phoenix:  - Website: https://familypromiseaz.org/  - Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-taylor-a9991a12/ Penji's WebsiteSubscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

    29 min

  6. 10/16/2025

    Building Youth-Led Policy and Advocacy with Nia West-Bey

    Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How the TIP Collaborative empowers young people to shape policies, from guaranteed income to foster care reform. Nia shares how the collaborative creates real opportunities for youth—especially those who’ve been historically excluded—to co-design and advocate for programs that directly impact their lives. From guaranteed income pilots to changes in foster care systems, she explains how putting young people at the table leads to more relevant, impactful policies. Why centering marginalized youth voices creates better outcomes for all communities. The conversation highlights that when solutions are built with the insights of those most affected, everyone benefits. Nia gives examples of how youth-driven initiatives not only improve equity but also strengthen whole communities by making systems more inclusive, responsive, and effective. What it means for older leaders to step back, listen, and build intergenerational movements for long-term change. Nia reflects on the importance of humility and shared leadership. She discusses how older generations can support emerging leaders by listening deeply, providing resources, and creating space rather than control. This intergenerational collaboration ensures the sustainability of movements for justice and equity. About Nia West-Bey and National Collaborative for Transformative Youth Policy:  - Website: https://www.typcollaborative.org/  - Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nia-west-bey-7b6a605b/ Penji's WebsiteSubscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

    31 min

  7. 10/14/2025

    When Life Gives You Lemons with Corrine Ellsworth Beaumont

    Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: How a simple carton of lemons became one of the world’s most recognized tools for breast cancer education. Corrine shares the story of how she used everyday lemons as a metaphor to represent the symptoms of breast cancer, creating a visual language that made a complex medical topic accessible and less intimidating. What started as a graduate project turned into an international campaign that has educated millions across 75+ countries. Why focusing on collaboration over competition helps nonprofits make a greater impact. Instead of competing for attention or resources, Corrine emphasizes the importance of partnerships—whether with local organizations, healthcare providers, or designers. By working together, nonprofits can reach more communities and create sustainable, meaningful change. Practical ways design and humor can be used to address sensitive health topics and inspire action. Talking about cancer is never easy, but Corrine explains how creative design and a touch of humor can help people engage with tough subjects. From playful visuals to approachable messaging, she shows how thoughtful communication can reduce fear, build awareness, and ultimately save lives. About Corrine Ellsworth Beaumont & Know Your Lemons:  Website: https://www.knowyourlemons.org/  Social: Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corrinebeaumont/ Penji's WebsiteSubscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

    39 min

  8. 10/09/2025

    Building a Climate Movement Through Work with Eugene Kirpichov

    Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode: Why your professional skills—not just personal habits—can make a massive difference in solving climate change. Eugene explains that climate solutions are built by people in every industry, from software and manufacturing to healthcare and energy. While recycling and calling representatives are helpful, real systemic change comes when professionals apply their expertise directly to building solutions. How Work on Climate helps people shift careers, build community, and step into climate leadership. Through programs like expert office hours, peer mentorship, and workplace climate leadership initiatives, Work on Climate guides professionals to see where their skills fit, connect with others, and gain the confidence to lead change within their companies and industries. The vision for scaling bottom-up, industry-wide transformations over the next five years. Eugene shares the organization’s long-term goal: creating a distributed movement of professionals who can coordinate across cities and industries. By empowering people to work together—such as tackling food waste across an entire supply chain—Work on Climate hopes to spark systemic shifts that no single company or policy could achieve alone. About Eugene Kirpichov & Work on Climate:  Website: https://workonclimate.org/  Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenekirpichov/ Penji's WebsiteSubscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel

    30 min
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About

Unified Purpose is the perfect place to look for advice on how to grow your non-profit or if you’re just looking for a wholesome story to brighten up your day. Brought to you by Penji, every episode follows non-profit leaders through their struggles, hopes, and vision for a better future for the population they serve. Tune in to explore the ins-and-outs of running a non-profit organization and helpful tips on how to manage things to make sure that those that need care the most aren’t being forgotten.

Information

  • Creator
    Penji
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Unified Purpose