Beyond The Blog

The Patterson Foundation
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The Patterson Foundation drives meaningful change through strategic philanthropy by building relationships, fostering collaboration, and sharing knowledge. Moving beyond its weekly blog posts, the Foundation offers Beyond The Blog podcasts to inform and engage listeners while sharing compelling stories of people, organizations, and communities strengthened by its initiatives. Listen to Beyond The Blog podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio.

  1. Aug 31

    Finding Purpose at Any Age: A Conversation with Mrs. Norma Kennedy on Community and Service

    Growing Together: North River highlights the people, partnerships, and possibilities shaping the future of North River Manatee County. Each episode shares real stories and local insights that reveal what matters most to residents and how communities grow stronger by listening and working together. In this episode of Growing Together: North River, host Alicia Chalmers talks with Norma Kennedy, a lifelong resident and community leader, and octogenarian who rediscovered her purpose after a season of deep personal grief.  Norma shares her dedication and servant leadership to North River Manatee County, and how it is fueled by her desire to preserve what makes the community special while helping it evolve to meet the needs of future generations. She sees her service as a way to honor her roots, support her neighbors, and contribute to a shared vision for a stronger, more connected North River. Whether you live, work, or play in North River, this podcast invites you into meaningful conversations about where we are and how we can grow together. Timestamps  0:00 – Introduction1:17 – What Is North River Manatee County?3:45 – What Inspired Norma to Join a New Civic Path Book Circle?4:32 – Finding Purpose Through Community Action8:30 – How the Harwood Institute Helps Communities Create Change9:14 – Listening to the Community: Growing Together in North River Manatee County10:10 – Harwood Labs: Learning to Lead Community Change11:40 – Shifting Your Mindset to Put People First12:43 – Turning Outward: Putting People and Communities First14:36 – Honoring Norma's Leadership and Community ImpactLinks to Learn More North River Manatee County Initiative DescriptionNorth River Manatee County Harwood ReportWant to hear more? Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or visit us Beyond The Blog. Join The Journey

  2. Aug 20

    School Attendance Matters: Susan Flores and Donna Puhalovich Share How Engaging Families and Communities Helps Children Reach Success

    In this episode of Connecting Communities, host Leah Verier-Dunn is joined by Donna Puhalovich from the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (SCGLR) and Susan Flores, Coordinator of Social Work and Mental Health Services with Charlotte County Public Schools, to talk about one of SCGLR’s core pillars, attendance! Together, they discuss two different initiatives: the Attendance Awareness Poster Contest and Motivating Improved Attendance. Each guest shares their insight on the impact of these initiatives and how both have strengthened efforts to improve attendance across the Suncoast region.  Timestamps 00:47 - Introduction to Donna Puhalovich01:07 - What is the Attendance Awareness Poster Contest?02:05 - Why attendance is a big deal07:27 - What students do after receiving a poster template15:06 - How schools can participate in the Attendance Awareness Poster Contest15:58 - Donna’s final thoughts: Consistent attendance creates a strong student.19:19 - Introduction to Susan Flores - How social work relates to attendance20:26 - How the pandemic shifted concerns about attendance and in-person learning21:09 - Chronic absenteeism. What is it and why is it a big deal?28:43 - Criteria and purpose of Motivating Improved Attendance (MIA) Program33:00 - Successful community messaging: the March Madness competition of attendance40:20 - Susan’s final thoughts: Attendance is primary and foundationalLinks to Learn More  Donna PuhalovichSusan FloresSuncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading | Attendance Attendance Awareness Poster ContestMotivating Improved AttendanceConnect Beyond The Blog Donna Puhalovich Susan Flores Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or visit us Beyond The Blog! Join The Journey

  3. Aug 18

    Taking Fundraising to the Next Level with Fueling Dynamic Fundraising and Rebekah Prieto

    What happens after you complete Fueling Dynamic Fundraising? Rebekah Prieto, Director of Development and Marketing at Parenting Matters, joins the Nonprofit Thrivability Podcast to share how the program helped her organization strengthen its fundraising infrastructure and put new strategies into action. Rebekah discusses what she learned through Fueling Dynamic Fundraising, from donor stewardship and board engagement to annual planning and building a case for support. She also shares how the program’s ongoing education and one-on-one consulting helped Parenting Matters develop a major donor program, strengthen donor relationships, and create a more intentional approach to fundraising. Hear how Parenting Matters turned the lessons from Fueling Dynamic Fundraising into systems and strategies that continue to shape the organization more than a year later.  Timestamps  00:39 What is Fueling Dynamic Fundraising?01:27 Why Rebekah chose to participate02:42 What an experienced fundraiser relearned03:51 Helping board members engage in fundraising08:54 The value of one-on-one fundraising consulting11:58 Donor stewardship, case for support, and annual planning13:47 Building an intentional fundraising calendar18:09 Creating a culture of philanthropy across the organization20:28 Rebekah’s biggest accomplishments since the program21:32 How Parenting Matters’ fundraising has changedConnect Beyond The Blog Rebekah Prieto on LinkedIn Links to learn more Blog: Building the Foundation for Stronger Fundraising Fueling Dynamic Fundraising Initiative Webpage Indiana Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Website Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or visit us Beyond The Blog! Join The Journey

  4. Aug 10

    Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: Beth Duda on A Walk to Respect

    On this episode of Civic Sparks, Leah Verier-Dunn and Beth Duda, Director of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading and playwright, talked about the acclaimed one-act play,Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: A Walk to Respect.  A staged reading and powerful theatrical experience, Beth and Leah discuss the impact of this opportunity to look back at our country’s history through an artistic lens that provides space to take a deeper dive.  Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass had opposing views and lived very different lives, but through deep listening and consideration, they found themselves at the meeting place of respect. This effort led to an unsuspecting friendship, and Beth’s discovery of this friendship inspired the crafting of A Walk to Respect. Timestamps  00:00 Introduction00:44 How A Walk to Respect Began05:12 Lincoln and Douglass: Different Views, Mutual Respect09:36 What Makes the Play Unique10:49 The Post-Show Discussion Experience13:11 How Audiences Have Responded16:29 Creating Conversation Without Blame18:09 Where the Play Goes Next20:38 What Lincoln and Douglass Can Teach Us TodayLinks to Learn More Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: A Walk to Respect Voter Education Initiative Ticket Information for A Walk To Respect Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or visit us Beyond The Blog! Join The Journey

  5. Aug 5

    Shaping A Shared Future: Cheri Coryea on Growing Together in North River Manatee County

    Growing Together: North River Manatee County highlights the people, partnerships, and possibilities shaping the future of North River. Each episode shares real stories and local insights that reveal what matters most to residents and how communities grow stronger by listening and working together. In this episode of Growing Together: North River Manatee County, host Alicia Chalmers talks with Cheri Coryea, initiative lead for the Aspirations to Actions initiative at The Patterson Foundation. Together, they discuss Cheri’s deep roots in North River and her public‑service leadership. We offer a thoughtful look at community growth, collaboration, and trust. We explore the history and rapid expansion of North River and the multi‑year partnership among the Bishop Parker Foundation, The Patterson Foundation, and The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation a long‑term effort to strengthen civic culture and support residents in shaping a shared future. Whether you live, work, or play in North River, this podcast invites you into meaningful conversations about where we are and how we can grow together. Timestamps 00:55 – About North River and Its Growth3:07 – Investing in North River with The Harwood Institute and the Bishop Parker Foundation 10:31 – Lessons from the Growing Together in North River Manatee County Report16:25 – Why Meaningful Community Change Takes Time18:07 – How You Can Get Involved and Help Shape the FutureLinks to Learn More  North River Manatee County Initiative Description North River Manatee County Harwood Report Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or visit us Beyond The Blog! Join The Journey

  6. Jul 7

    Partnerships Rooted in People, Purpose, and Possibility with Rich Harwood

    In a recent Beyond The Blog podcast, Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation, speaks with Rich Harwood, President and Founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, a nonprofit advancing positive community action by inspiring people and communities to turn outward.  Working with Rich Harwood and The Harwood Institute for more than a decade, The Patterson Foundation has provided the community with an additional tool for changing how it approaches challenges and developing innovative, collaborative partnerships that might not otherwise form. Through its Aspirations to Actions work in DeSoto County and North River Manatee County, as well as its book circles series, the Foundation has helped introduce new ways of thinking and working together. Most interestingly, Debra and Rich pull back the curtains and share how the alignment of leadership, willingness, readiness, capacity, and culture amongst their two organizations has been critical to a successful and evolving partnership.  What You'll Learn in This Conversation: Why people-centered approaches help communities move from identifying challenges to taking meaningful action together.How alignment in leadership, culture, readiness, and shared values has sustained a successful partnership between The Patterson Foundation and The Harwood Institute for more than a decade.The meaningful impact and ripple effects that can emerge when organizations invest in community-driven relationships, collaboration, and public innovation.Timestamps  2:03 – Why TPF and Harwood Have Worked Together for More Than a Decade3:36 – The Harwood Approach Explained6:52 – What Communities Across the Country Have in Common: Lessons from DeSoto, Alamance, Reading, and Beyond 9:18 – How Harwood Practices Took Root in DeSoto and North River10:35 – Shifting from Problems to Possibilities19:20 – Why We Created Book Circles Instead of Book Clubs23:11 – How Debra Jacobs and Rich Harwood Met25:19 – A Real-World Example of Partnership in Action27:25 – The Truth About Long-Term Partnerships: Highs, Lows, and GrowthLinks to Learn More  The Harwood InstituteDeSoto County Coming Together: Unleashing the Community’s Potential (2024)Growing Together in North River Manatee County: Shaping a Shared FutureBlog: The Power of Partnerships To Create Meaningful ImpactConnect Beyond The Blog Rich Harwood The Harwood Institute Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or visit us Beyond The Blog! Join The Journey

  7. Jun 22

    Engaging Young Readers: From Summer Slide to Summer Success with Ben Tollefson

    On this episode of Connecting Communities, host Leah Verier-Dunn sat with Ben Tollefson, consultant with The Patterson Foundation, to discuss the Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading’s THIS BOOK IS COOL! program.  The summer slide is a real concern, particularly for our asset-limited families. Research spanning more than a century has shown that students can experience academic learning loss over the summer when they are not engaged in educational activities. These losses can widen existing achievement gaps, making it even more difficult for students to stay on track academically. Without intervention, students may fall further behind year after year. SCGLR creates opportunities to prevent the “summer slide” and help close the achievement gap. Timestamps  00:30 – Meet THIS BOOK IS COOL! 01:28 – How a Simple Idea Became THIS BOOK IS COOL! 04:09 – Combating the Summer Slide Through Reading 06:59 – Who the Program Serves and Why It Matters 09:36 – What’s Inside a THIS BOOK IS COOL! Backpack 16:48 – Getting Started: Ben’s Tips for Families Links to Learn More  Season of Sharing (Community Foundation of Sarasota) THIS BOOK IS COOL! Webisode Library Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading (SCGLR) Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or visit us Beyond The Blog! Join The Journey

  8. Jun 18

    Voter Education and Civic Responsibility: Why The Patterson Foundation Cares

    In this episode of Civic Sparks, host Leah Verier-Dunn talks with Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation, about why TPF cares about investing in civic responsibility. Together, they discuss the history of The Patterson Foundation and its continued commitment to knowledge sharing and widespread participation.  Identifying that voting is perhaps the most important place to encourage widespread participation.  Listeners will hear about: TPF’s voter education effortsVoting resourcesWhy TPF caresThis conversation addresses the need to remove barriers, make resources accessible, and demystify the voting process to encourage more turnout at the polls.  Timestamps  00:00 Introduction to Civic Sparks and voter education00:43 The Patterson family history and connection to civic responsibility04:46 How census work led to the voter education initiative08:42 How civic responsibility strengthens people and communities11:37 Encouraging widespread participation in voting13:54 Why every vote matters15:13 Voting resources and making election information easier to understand17:19 Removing the chaos from election season18:43 You do not have to vote on every item to participate meaningfully20:16 Sharing voter education resources through community partners22:20 Voting as a way to build the society we want23:52 Multilingual voter education resources and county-specific information24:20 Voting matters at every age25:36 Closing thoughts and call to learn moreLinks to Learn More  The Patterson Foundation’s Voter Education Initiative The League of Women Voters Vote411.org Flyer in English Flyer in Spanish Blog: Engaging Voters: Why The Patterson Foundation Promotes Civic Responsibility Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or visit us Beyond The Blog! Join The Journey

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About

The Patterson Foundation drives meaningful change through strategic philanthropy by building relationships, fostering collaboration, and sharing knowledge. Moving beyond its weekly blog posts, the Foundation offers Beyond The Blog podcasts to inform and engage listeners while sharing compelling stories of people, organizations, and communities strengthened by its initiatives. Listen to Beyond The Blog podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio.

Information

  • Creator
    The Patterson Foundation
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    117
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond The Blog
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Blog