Brave & Creative matt goodwin

Ben is a previous director for a non-profit that advocates for foster children in Oklahoma and has in recent years been part of the team that brought Common Place Books to life....An indie bookstore that is also a kitchen, community gathering space, and so much more. 

Currently, Ben is teaming up with friends to bring relief to local restaurants and honor frontline workers. 

Waytable is a local non-profit whose original mission (a  501 (c) 3 nonprofit restaurant that plans to employ, train and mentor at-risk young men and women while offering our supporters a transformative dining experience) had been delayed earlier this year. But when the Covid-19 pandemic hit this group seized the opportunity to serve the common good. Their goal to feed local workers who are fighting on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis and support local restaurants that are struggling to stay open is inspiring and fascinating.  

During this conversation you will learn: 


How partnership can be born out of friendship,
the life giving importance of self-awareness,
and how Culture in our organizations begins by what we want FOR our teams, not what we want From our teams. 



But this is not an episode that can be broken down in 3 easy steps. Ben's transparency and candor make him a joy to converse with and he has such a unique way of wording things. He talks and lives in such a way as to remind us that words...still...matter. 

For full show notes, episode highlights, links, and contact information: visit BraveandCreative.com

You can now subscribe to Brave and Creative in Apple Podcasts. Please leave a review as we continue to grow this community around conversations embracing nonprofit leaders as Artists, Activators, and Disruptors.


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This is the second part of Episode 2: 405maskmakers.com

Regina Banks is a social impact entrepreneur, small business owner, actress,  marketing expert, mother, and lover of all things community. She founded the Vanguart in 2019 with a mission to create and promote more opportunities for African-American artists. 

Her most recent project, with a team of other amazing volunteers, 405maskmakers.com have provided well over 10,000 masks to the Homeless Alliance and frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

She gives timely examples of key lessons in communication during a crisis, and shares how great healing can come when you begin to be transparent with your story. 

Visit www.braveandcreative.com for full show notes, links, and more episode highlights. 

You can now subscribe to Brave and Creative in Apple Podcasts. Please leave a review as we continue to grow this community around conversations embracing nonprofit leaders as Artists, Activators, and Disruptors. 


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Brave & Creative is about the Artists, Activators, and Disruptors among us, regardless if they are a 20 year old organization or a 1 month old co-hort of do-gooders...putting their sewing machines to the best use since the citizens of Santo Poco stood up and defeated the "infamous" El Guapo. (sorry, we still have to laugh a little bit, right?)

There is a Herculean effort in Oklahoma City to rapidly get masks to some of our most vulnerable citizens. They mobilized and organized in an incredible fashion, and we want to let you know how you can get involved. One of their volunteer team members is here to answer questions on how you can get involved, and how this amazing effort came to be. 

Here is a bit more directly from their website, 405maskmakers.com

Care providers in medical and social services do not have the protective equipment they need. As our community rapidly responds to COVID 19, we can support them by making cloth masks while manufactured equipment is in short supply.

Our First Goal - 1,500 Masks for the Homeless Alliance
The Homeless Alliance of Oklahoma City has an urgent need - they represent a network of agencies serving our most vulnerable citizens, and they are out of disposable masks. Serving a vulnerable population, many of whom are sheltered in close quarters, these front line care providers have asked us to help them. These washable cloth masks will be used by health care providers, as well as distributed to symptomatic members of the community.

We don’t just need sewers! Some of you may be more comfortable helping us locate supplies. Some of you can pick up and deliver completed masks. We also will need pattern cutters and supply kit assemblers. We are not currently soliciting monetary donations, as we are not a 501(C)(3) organization - but we are trying to determine how to accept financial assistance. If you are comfortable either purchasing supplies for the group or making a monetary donation, feel free to contact us at our email at 405MASKMAKERS@GMAIL.COM.

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Don't forget to check out the next episode, the continuation with our interview with Regina Banks. Entrepreneur and one of the team members behind the 405maskmakers.com initiative. 

To get the complete show notes, and to subscribe in your favorite podcast player, please visit www.braveandcreative.com

And as we get this movement started, any follow on social media is a great help. 

Fb.com/braveandcreative

Instagram.com/brave_and_creative




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The late Jimmie Alford, (one of the most influential voices in the non profit world for over 30 years) talked about disruptive forces, as in an unexpected, significant change that defies previous patterns. It can be a situation or circumstance that creates dynamic change, transforming existing industries or creating new ones. It also can be what Alford called a revolutionary force as opposed to an evolutionary progression.

With Covid-19, we are experiencing a disruptive force that will drastically alter how non-profits function in the days and years ahead. 

The Nonprofit Marketing Guide (in a 2015 study) found that of all the challenges non-profits face, Participating nonprofits ranked a lack of time to produce quality content as the biggest challenge faced, followed closely by a lack of funds for direct expenses and an inability to measure effectiveness.  (H/t the Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business)

Today's interview was recorded nearly two months ago, before we knew much of anything about Covid-19, but nows seems quite serendipitous. Organizations can connect with their volunteers and supporters through so many channels, and finding a way to make consistent content is key in garnering support for the organizations you serve. 

Gregory "Heady" Coleman believes sharing stories creates opportunity for others to learn, to be inspired and connect with others which leads to community.” He says "When people are living out their greatest story, we have better communities - a better world."

In this episode we talk about growing up navigating 1 bathroom shared by 9 people, His Go Win Philosophy, the mentors that helped shape him on his journey, Guthrie America, and why storytelling matters to a non-profit, and every other business. (ps: its worth listening to just for the Go Win section alone)

Find more info at www.headycoleman.com 




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