We Are For Good

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Channel • 3 Shows

Non-Profit

Non-Profit

Updated Semiweekly
Non-Profit

Non-Profit

Updated 08/11/2023
Non-Profit

Non-Profit

Updated Weekly

2D AGO

690. A Case Study in Building Trust and Authentic Partnerships - jacob adams, Inner Spark

In today's episode, Jon and Becky sit down with jacob adams, founder of Inner Spark Learning Lab, to talk about what it looks like to challenge the nonprofit status quo. Instead of chasing scale and perfect metrics, Jacob is focused on something different: authentic partnerships, radical transparency, and building trust. Together, they explore why nonprofits can’t always control outcomes—but we can own the learning, tell the truth about what’s working (and what isn’t), and how to build stronger relationships with funders and partners along the way. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why going deep instead of wide can lead to more meaningful impactHow jacob builds trust with fundersWhat authentic partnerships really look like in practice at Inner SparkAnd why focusing on learning, not just outcomes, can transform the way we leadIf you’re a nonprofit leader navigating pressure to scale, prove impact, and get everything “right,” this conversation will feel both grounding and energizing. 🩵 Episode Highlights: jacob’s Origin Story + Questioning the System (02:49) Why Kids Don’t Want to Be in School (04:35) Why Depth Beats Scale in Nonprofit Impact (06:24) How Inner Spark’s Learning Labs Center Student Voice (07:08) Why Radical Transparency Builds Trust in Fundraising (12:08) How Feedback Loops Replace Rigid Outcomes (17:33) jacob’s One Good Thing: Own the Learnings (26:45)Resources: Tune into Inner Sparks Podcast: innersparklab.org/podcast jacob adams LI Post: We Didn't Hit Our EOY Campaign Goal Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/690 // Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free. Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋 LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

2d ago

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30 min
MAR 2

687. The Path Forward: Leading With Purpose in 2026 - Seth Godin

This one is a grounding exhale. Today, we’re bringing you a powerful conversation from the We Are For Good Summit with our friend Seth Godin — it's for anyone carrying the weight of leadership in uncertain times. Because here’s the truth: uncertainty isn’t a season anymore. It’s the environment. And if you’re feeling the pressure, the risk, the emotional toll of caring deeply about work that matters… you are not alone. Seth challenges us to rethink what risk really is (hint: it’s the feeling of risk that trips us up), why attachment fuels burnout, and how trust is built — and burned — through small, consistent actions. We talk about belonging and leadership, and about the courage it takes to stay in the arena when the outcomes aren’t guaranteed. We also dig into: How to innovate when nothing feels stableRebuilding trust through behavior, not brandingUsing AI as a tool (without losing our humanity)Communicating experimentation and risk to donorsLetting go of entanglements that keep us stuckAnd why agency — not compliance — is the futureSeth reminds us that we didn’t sign up for perfect — we signed up to keep moving toward better. To feel the fear and move forward anyway, tell the truth, bring people together, and stay responsible to the work we care about. If you’re tired but still called, questioning but still committed, this conversation is for you. 🩵 Episode Highlights: Tribes & belonging: organizing the table you wish existed (4:42)Burnout, attachment & the cost of caring (7:25)Risk vs. the feeling of risk in nonprofit leadership (14:43)AI, automation & why decisions—not tasks—are the real work (23:42)Telling the truth inside your organization (32:30)Communicating experimentation & risk to donors (33:50)Agency in the age of AI: undoing indoctrination (37:21)The lifeguard story: courage isn’t about credentials (27:59)Seth’s One Good Thing: “Find the others. This is the point.” (39:30)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/687 // Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free. Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋 LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Mar 2

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41 min
4D AGO

689. No Human Is Illegal: Reclaiming the Immigration Narrative - Carmen Patlan, Center for Immigrant Progress

In today's episode, Jon and Becky sit down with Carmen Patlan, Executive Director of the Center for Immigrant Progress (CIP), to highlight how her organization is supporting immigrant families through a comprehensive, community-centered model. CIP is advancing immigrant rights by connecting legal protection, health equity, civic engagement, and advocacy to help families live with dignity, safety, and opportunity. In this episode, Carmen shares her own story of immigrating to the United States at seven years old—and how that lived experience now shapes the way CIP serves immigrant communities. You’ll hear how the organization is: Providing pro bono immigration assessments and legal guidanceHelping families create emergency preparedness plansOffering mental health and wellness support for families experiencing traumaEmpowering immigrant leaders through civic engagement and leadership developmentFor nonprofit leaders, this conversation highlights what it truly looks like to build with community—not just for it—and reminds us that meaningful change often starts with something simple: listening, learning, and getting to know our neighbors. Episode Highlights: Carmen’s Immigration Story: Crossing the Border at Age Seven (02:51) Why the U.S. Immigration System Is So Complex (07:23) Building the Center for Immigrant Progress (13:27) Living While Prepared, Not Living in Fear (16:05) Why Immigrants Must Tell Their Own Stories (22:22) What Real Allyship Looks Like in Immigrant Communities (25:03) Carmen’s One Good Thing: Standing Shoulder to Shoulder (31:07)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/689 // Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free. Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋 LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

4d ago

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35 min
MAR 4

688. Who Gets to Design Change? Power, Agency & Creating Sustainable Orgs - Chidi Asoluka, NewComm

Today we're sitting down with Chidi Asoluka — founder and CEO of NewComm — to ask a question every nonprofit leader should be wrestling with: who actually gets to design change? At NewComm, high school students manage real budgets, design real projects, and build networks most people don't access until much later in life. The lessons Chidi has learned building it are for every leader in this space. He got out of his own head and into the heads of the people he was trying to impact. What he found there reshaped everything — his program, his systems, and his understanding of what it means to lead. We dig into: Why proximity beats expertise in designing real changeWhat funders get wrong when success has to look neat and linearWhy real authority — not just a seat at the table — changes everythingPlus the remarkable true story that drives everything Chidi does, and his simple mantra for leading with clarity in a noisy world.Some conversations change how you see the work. This is one of them. 🩵 Episode Highlights: Chidi’s origin story: from Newark to Georgetown (2:35) The $10,000 idea that sparked Newcom’s model (7:18) The Net Gala: building social capital differently (12:57) From consumers to builders: shifting student identity (14:45) Killing your darlings: founder humility in action (17:36) Proximity over white papers: rethinking philanthropy (20:15) The hidden entrepreneurship of Gen Z (22:15) Designing frictionless systems for access and growth (24:57) A life-changing act of generosity (31:59) One Good Thing: Do the next best thing (41:45)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/688 // Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free. Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋 LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Mar 4

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45 min
FEB 18

684. The Courage to Disappoint: Trust-Based Leadership for Nonprofits - Glennda Testone

What does it really take to lead with courage in the nonprofit sector—especially when growth, complexity, and crisis collide? In this powerful conversation, Jon and Becky sit down with Glennda Testone, CEO of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab and co-host of Nonprofits Are Messy, to explore what it means to lead with integrity, accountability, and heart. With more than 14 years as Executive Director of New York City’s LGBT Community Center—where she tripled the budget, led a $9M capital campaign, and guided the organization through transformational change—Glennda brings lived experience and hard-earned wisdom to the mic. Together, they unpack: How trust is built through transparency, vulnerability, and doing what you say you’ll doWhy accountability isn’t about fear management—but about strengthening mission and relationshipsThe mindset shift from “trying not to disappoint anyone” to deciding who you’re willing to disappointPractical tools for prioritizing when everything feels urgentThe power of community—and why going it alone is a leadership trapIf you’re navigating growth, wrestling with hard decisions, or feeling the weight of leadership, this episode is a reminder: you don’t have to do this alone. Trust is the work. Community is everything. And sometimes the most meaningful wins come from getting it right according to the right people. Episode Highlights: Glennda’s origin story and path to nonprofit leadership (2:41)Leading through growth, complexity, and making mistakes (6:27)Building trust and centering justice and connection (10:59)Reframing accountability to build trust (16:58)How to prioritize when everything feels urgent (21:23)Learning to say no and let go of people-pleasing (25:47)A powerful moment of philanthropy in Glennda's career (28:15)Playing the long game in fundraising relationships (32:31)One Good Thing: Don’t go it alone in leadership (34:43)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/684 // Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free. Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋 LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Feb 18

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38 min
FEB 9

681. Shift 11 — Story as Infrastructure: How Narrative Shapes Culture + Drives Impact - Carolina García Jayaram

Today’s episode continues our 12-part series: 12 Shifts in 2026 for Social Impact. Over twelve episodes, we’re unpacking the mindset + strategy shifts shaping the future of fundraising, leadership, and doing good in 2026. Explore the series at weareforgood.com/12shifts Shift 11 / Story as Infrastructure In today’s episode, Jon and Becky welcome Carolina Garcia Jayaram, CEO of the Elevate Prize Foundation, for a reflective and forward-looking conversation on why story is no longer a communications tool — it’s essential infrastructure for mission and culture. As attention fragments, trust erodes, and technology reshapes how people connect, Carolina invites nonprofit leaders to rethink storytelling as a relational practice rooted in humanity, proximity, and long-term investment. Together, they explore how centering people over issues, building trust-based relationships, and intentionally distributing stories can expand influence without sacrificing integrity. Carolina shares insights from Elevate’s work at the intersection of philanthropy, media, and culture — from scaling visibility for proximate leaders to embracing AI in ways that deepen creativity rather than replace it. This episode is both a mindset shift and a practical invitation for leaders ready to treat story as something to protect, resource, and evolve from the inside out. Episode Highlights: People Over Issues: What Actually Moves Audiences to Action (03:45)Trust → Relationship-Based Philanthropy (05:10)Distribution as Strategy: Reaching Beyond the Choir (07:20)Owning Platforms & Visibility (YouTube, Creators, Times Square) (08:45)Case Study: Scaling Impact Through Story — Hannah Freed & Democracy Defenders (11:00)Scaffolding Stories: Why Nothing Should Be One-and-Done (14:50)Building Story Systems: Briefs, Libraries, and Iteration (16:30)Low-Fi Tools That Make High-Impact Stories Possible (18:40)Visibility = Fundraising: What the Data Shows (20:30)AI, Creativity & Neurodiversity: Scaling Without Losing Humanity (23:35)Carolina’s One Good Thing (25:50)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/681 // Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free. Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋 LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Feb 9

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34 min
FEB 23

685. Begin Again: Reclaiming the Nonprofit Sector as Essential, Not Supplemental - Analía Weber, La Familia

Today, Jon and Becky sit down with Analía Weber, Development Director at The Family Center / La Familia, to explore a bold paradigm shift for the nonprofit sector. One that begins with how we speak about ourselves. Analia’s journey into fundraising didn’t follow a traditional path. A lifelong dancer and arts leader, she pivoted careers at 39 and stepped into nonprofit development with heart, courage, and a willingness to begin again. Now, less than four years later, she’s not only the Director of Development for a thriving, holistic family support organization — she’s chairing a regional nonprofit sector partnership and advocating for a 10-year movement to reposition nonprofits as trusted experts and essential community leaders. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why the language we use about “donors,” “nonprofits,” and “doing more with less” shapes power dynamicsHow nonprofits can shift from being seen as supplemental to being recognized as experts at the decision-making tableThe mindset of begin again — and why failure is part of the workHow La Familia funds the whole family through holistic, community-centered designA dance-inspired framework for leadership: show up, pay attention, tell the truth, and don’t get attached to the resultsIf you’re a nonprofit leader navigating uncertainty, funding shifts, or systemic barriers, this episode is your reminder: you don’t have to have it all figured out. You get to begin again. And the sector’s transformation starts with us. Episode Highlights: From dancer to development leader (2:46)Finding La Familia and community (4:05)Inside La Familia’s holistic mission (7:49)Funding the whole family (10:15)Fundraising with dignity and new language (12:20)A 10-year paradigm shift for the sector (16:01)“Begin again” as a leadership mindset (19:25)Analia’s Story of Philanthropy (26:00)Analia’s One Good Thing: Compositional improvisation for everyday choices (26:34)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/685 // Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free. Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋 LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Feb 23

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34 min
FEB 25

686. Learn, Serve, Explore: How Students of Service Is Shaping the Next Generation of Global Leaders - Amir Samandi

Meet Amir Samandi 🌎, founder of Students of Service (SOS) in San Antonio. In this episode, Amir shares how one study abroad experience sparked a bold vision: to equip young people to become global citizens through service and international learning. What started as a leap of faith is now a thriving nonprofit shaping the next generation of empathetic, purpose-driven leaders. This conversation is especially for founders and nonprofit leaders navigating growth, doubt, and sustainability. You’ll hear: Why courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s acting despite itThe two-question filter that guides every decision at SOSHow service and global learning are shaping Gen Z into purpose-driven changemakersA reminder to trust the process, do the work, and surround yourself with people who believe in the missionEpisode Highlights: Courage and community: moving forward despite fear (0:00)Amir Samandi’s journey: multicultural roots and life-changing study abroad (2:42)From State Department to classroom teaching: the spark for Students of Service (5:49)Launching SOS: creating a nonprofit from scratch with community support (8:35)Alumni impact and volunteer-driven growth (9:55)Guiding principles for SOS: “Is it good for kids? Is it sustainable?” (17:28)Preparing the next generation of leaders: empathy, agency, and hope (13:44)Moments of philanthropy: students taking action to help others (20:19)Amir’s One Good Thing: “Elevate the people around you to be their best selves; it makes the world a better place.” (22:54)Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/686 Resources: LinkedIn / Website /IG / Facebook // Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free. Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋 LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Feb 25

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24 min
JAN 19

675. Shift 5 — Beyond the Prompt: AI Fluency is the New Digital Literacy for Nonprofits - Woodrow Rosenbaum, GivingTuesday + Elizabeth Kelly, Anthropic

Today's episode continues our 12-part series: 12 Shifts in 2026 for Social Impact. Over twelve episodes, we’re unpacking mindset + strategy shifts shaping the future of fundraising, leadership, and doing good in 2026. Explore the series at weareforgood.com/12shifts. Shift 5 / Beyond the Prompt: AI Fluency is the New Digital Literacy for Nonprofits AI is everywhere right now and for a lot of nonprofit leaders, it feels equal parts exciting and overwhelming. In this episode, Woodrow Rosenbaum Chief Data Officer, GivingTuesday) and Elizabeth Kelly (Head of Beneficial Deployments, Anthropic) bring in a refreshing, human-first conversation about what it actually means to build AI fluency in the nonprofit sector. This isn’t about becoming a prompt expert or chasing the latest tool. It’s about learning when AI can help, when it can’t, and how to use it responsibly in ways that strengthen trust, decision-making, and mission impact. Together, they unpack why AI fluency is quickly becoming the new digital literacy and how nonprofits can move forward without fear, hype, or burnout. You’ll walk away with practical insights on how to: Shift from “should we use AI?” to “how do we use it responsibly and well?”Build AI fluency as an organizational muscle, not a one-time trainingStart small with AI by improving one painful workflow at a timePut guardrails in place around privacy, bias, and human reviewAvoid using AI just to do the same work faster and instead focus on better outcomesCreate shared learning and trust so teams experiment without fearIf you’ve been waiting for permission to go slow, ask better questions, and lead with intention, this one’s for you. Episode Highlights: Understanding AI Fluency and Its Importance (02:17)The Role of Data in Nonprofit AI Adoption (05:10)Real-World Applications of AI in Nonprofits (07:40)Launching Claude for Nonprofits (10:38)Building Trust and Responsible AI Use (13:24)Governance and Oversight in AI Implementation (16:27)Elizabeth + Woodrow One Good Thing (22:54)Dive Deeper: AI Fluency Course (Anthropic) Fundraising.ai Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/675 // Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free. Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋 LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Jan 19

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27 min
JAN 21

676. Shift 6 — The Modern Donor Journey: Modernize Individual Giving for Today’s Donor - Mike Duerksen & Dana Snyder

Today's episode continues our 12-part series: 12 Shifts in 2026 for Social Impact. Over twelve episodes, we’re unpacking mindset + strategy shifts shaping the future of fundraising, leadership, and doing good in 2026. Explore the series at weareforgood.com/12shifts. Shift 6 / Modernize Individual Giving for Today’s Donor In today's episode, Jon and Becky welcome back Dana Snyder (Positive Equation) and Mike Duerksen (BuildGood) — for a practical, honest conversation about what’s changing in donor behavior and what to do about it in 2026. Together, they unpack why the donor journey is no longer linear, why friction in your systems is more expensive than ever, and how monthly giving becomes a risk-mitigation strategy for stability. You’ll hear how the first 90 days create “memory structure” for donors, what Mike calls the “forgotten copy” that can make or break trust, and why making generosity visible again can help restore it as a social norm — at home and in your community. If you’re ready to remove friction, build trust faster, and create an individual giving strategy that fits how donors actually live and decide in 2026, this one’s for you. Episode Highlights: Today's Shifts in Donor Behavior (3:00)Designing a Donor Journey (10:30)Auditing Individual Giving: First 90 Days, Donor Needs & Team Focus (17:30)Case Studies (23:50)Mike and Dana's Playbooks + How to Activate Today (28:20)Dive Deeper: The Monthly Giving Summit (Feb 25, 1:00PM - Feb 26, 4:00PM EST) The Store Homeboy Industries Build Good Fundraising Podcast Episode Shownotes: weareforgood.com/episode/676 // Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free. Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi 👋 LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Jan 21

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35 min

We Are for Good is a media company with an aim to revolutionize the social impact sector through profound compassion, best-in-class education + training, authentic storytelling and crazy good marketing. Our vision is to cultivate an Impact Uprising - inspiring and activating more people to get involved with philanthropy and collective good.

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We Are For Good

Top Shows

690. A Case Study in Building Trust and Authentic Partnerships - jacob adams, Inner Spark

687. The Path Forward: Leading With Purpose in 2026 - Seth Godin

689. No Human Is Illegal: Reclaiming the Immigration Narrative - Carmen Patlan, Center for Immigrant Progress

688. Who Gets to Design Change? Power, Agency & Creating Sustainable Orgs - Chidi Asoluka, NewComm

684. The Courage to Disappoint: Trust-Based Leadership for Nonprofits - Glennda Testone

681. Shift 11 — Story as Infrastructure: How Narrative Shapes Culture + Drives Impact - Carolina García Jayaram

685. Begin Again: Reclaiming the Nonprofit Sector as Essential, Not Supplemental - Analía Weber, La Familia

686. Learn, Serve, Explore: How Students of Service Is Shaping the Next Generation of Global Leaders - Amir Samandi

675. Shift 5 — Beyond the Prompt: AI Fluency is the New Digital Literacy for Nonprofits - Woodrow Rosenbaum, GivingTuesday + Elizabeth Kelly, Anthropic

676. Shift 6 — The Modern Donor Journey: Modernize Individual Giving for Today’s Donor - Mike Duerksen & Dana Snyder

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