Through the Noise

Latest Episodes:

#90 Volunteer Alexandria - Marion Brunken Jul 31, 2015

Show notes

On Through the Noise, we talk to many nonprofits that depend on the goodwill of the community to donate their time and skills in order to thrive. Volunteer Alexandria is the go-to organization to match your experience, availability, and goals with a nonprofit in Alexandria that would greatly benefit from your assistance. Volunteering is not only a wonderful way to meet like-minded people, it's an excellent team-builder for organizations and businesses of all sizes looking to give back to the community.

Marion, a native of Germany and a social worker by trade, has been the Executive Director, at Volunteer Alexandria since 2012 and she has been involved in the Washington, D.C. non-profit arena for over 17 years, working with communities, nonprofit and government agencies, and volunteers. Previously, she served for eight years as the Employee Engagement Manager at Freddie Mac.

Volunteer Alexandria, a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization since 1980, serves as a link between individual and group volunteers and area nonprofit organizations. They work in partnership with businesses, associations, other nonprofits, and local government to inspire people to volunteer, and to engage volunteers, six years and older, in activities that strengthen our community. Their vision is that all Alexandrians are engaged to make a difference in our community and their mission is to build a better community by inspiring and mobilizing people to volunteer.

#89 Carpenter's Shelter - Shannon Steene Jul 30, 2015

Show notes

Today we sit down with Shannon Steene of Carpenter's Shelter and discuss causes of and solutions to homelessness and the concept of "powered by community." Like many organizations servicing those on the edge of poverty or homeless, Carpenter's Shelter relies heavily on a vast network of volunteers which fill a number of essential roles including security and cooking and serving three meals a day, 365 days a year. The organization works to end the "band-aid" phase by empowering people with the skills necessary to return to permanent housing and a firm place in the community.

Shannon Steene is the Executive Director of Carpenter's Shelter in the City of Alexandria, Virginia. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to his role, having worked at local, regional and national nonprofits.

The Carpenter's Shelter offers Alexandria's homeless the shelter and support to stabilize and transition back into independent living in the community.

#88 Bread for the City - George Jones Jul 27, 2015

Show notes

Continuing our conversation on poverty eradication efforts from episode #87*, this week we sat down with George Jones, CEO of Bread for the City. During Mr. Jones' 20-year tenure at the helm of Bread for the City, the organization's budget has increased fivefold, as demand for its services continues to grow. BFC employs a ground-up approach to research and outreach by empowering a number of their clients to serve on their board -- enabling them to use their real life experience to help others. Though Bread for the City has a staff of 100, it also relies on the generous donations of time and money from individuals and businesses around the region. George A. Jones has been Chief Executive Officer of Bread for the City since January 2, 1996. He is responsible for managing all administrative, financial, and programmatic aspects of the organization and its 100 full time staff. Mr. Jones has led Bread for the City's growth from a $1.2 million operation in 1996 to a $10.6 million operation in 2014. In 2015, Georgetown University recognized Mr. Jones as a local leader working to solve some of the city's most pressing challenges and honored him with the John Thompson, Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award. The mission of Bread for the City is to provide vulnerable residents of Washington, DC with comprehensive services, including food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services, in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. *Don't miss Episode #87 when we talked with Amy Kurz of Martha's Table, an organization that partners with Bread for the City in the fight against hunger in our nation's capital.

#87 Martha's Table - Amy Kurz Jul 10, 2015

Show notes

Eating healthy is difficult enough for most. But for some, they need help. Whether it be financial or education, there is a solution.

Amy Kurz is the COO of Martha's Table, where she leads administrative and business functions for the organization. Previously, Amy held a variety of positions at the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington. She is the board chair of Young Playwrights' Theater and lives in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of DC.

For 35 years, Martha's Table has worked to build a better future for children, their families and neighbors in the District of Columbia by increasing access to healthy starts, healthy eating and healthy connections.

#86 Center for Social Impact Communication at Georgetown - John Trybus Jul 05, 2015

Show notes

John Trybus, APR is the director of Georgetown University's Center for Social Impact Communication (CSIC), the nation's leading educational resource on the role communication plays in advancing social change. His social impact experience spans organizations, industries and sectors having worked for chimpanzee expert Dr. Jane Goodall, the British Embassy and Waggener Edstrom Worldwide on behalf of clients like Tiffany & Co., L'Oreal Paris, Coca-Cola, Women for Women International, CARE and others.

The Center for Social Impact Communication (CSIC) at Georgetown University is the nation's leading educational resource on the role of communication in fostering social change; it shares its research and custom workshops and consulting offering with both master's level students and practitioners in the social impact space.

#85 Whistle Stop Digital - Bryan Fratkin Jul 04, 2015

Show notes

Bryan is founder and Managing Partner of Whistle Stop Digital (WSD), leading a team in devising and implementing digital strategy for issue advocacy and PAC campaigns. The goal is always the same; Using a mix of both traditional and innovative tactics, the team works to bolster online communities, build trust in the campaign's efforts and empower stakeholders into action.

Whistle Stop Digital is a digital strategy and software firm founded on the idea that issue advocacy, politics and marketing are all converging. WSD's software platform gives organizations the tools they need to address this changing landscape, allowing them to quickly and easily identify influencers, empower stakeholders, reach decision makers and affect change.

#84 Counterpart International - Joan Parker Jul 03, 2015

Show notes

Joan Parker is a true believer in the power of communities to create solutions to even their most vexing challenges. She joined Counterpart International as CEO in 2010 and hasn't looked back: across 27 countries, the team is coaching 3,500 organizations and transforming as many communities in terms of health, nutrition, education, good governance, and more.

The Counterpart Network partners with social investors who strengthen local communities' leaders and organizations – solution creators who build inclusive and durable futures in which their people thrive.

#83 LiveSafe - Shy Pahlevani (The Chain #79) Jul 02, 2015

Show notes

Dan Handerson from CIT Gap Funds introduced us to Shy Pahlevani in Episode #78, as part of our new segment called The Chain. CIT Gap Funds awarded Shy's company with an investment grant to continue growing this two-way communicaton mobile app used by universities to maintain campus safety and help students report suspicious activity.

A victim of crime himself, Shy Pahlevani understands the magnitude of an emergency situation and the need for technology that prevents crime and ensures safety. As Founder of LiveSafe, Shy executes the company's day-to-day affairs and ensures the success and reliability of the company's products.

LiveSafe technology empowers effective safety-related communication via a campus safety app linked to a cloud-based command dashboard.

#82 Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance - Lisa Moss Jun 16, 2015

Show notes

Over a million people worldwide have Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. This alliance of organizations is looking to eradicate this disease.

Lisa joined the TS Alliance in 2012 but her original introduction to the organization was in 2006 when her son was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). In her current role at the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance she works closely with both private and corporate donors and she maintains her focus on helping the TSC community she is very much a part of by raising the funds to support research and programs for families and individuals with TSC.

The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance is dedicated to finding a cure for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) while improving the lives of those affected. TSC is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in vital organs and is the leading known genetic cause for both epilepsy and autism."

#81 Gerris Digital - Chris Abraham Jun 03, 2015

Show notes

How do you seperate yourself when you are competing with everyone around the world? And how do you navigate yourself through all the "research" that's available online? How can you seperate the real scientists from all the rest?

Chris Abraham is a leading expert in digital: online reputation management (ORM), Internet privacy, social media marketing, and digital PR with a focus on blogger outreach, blogger engagement, and Internet crisis response. After growing up in Hawaii, Chris moved to the DC area almost 27-years ago, though he has detoured through the UK, Berlin, and Portland before returning to his home in Washington. Chris has been volunteering with local homeless kitchen, Miriam's Kitchen, for over five years.

Gerris is a virtual digital agency, bringing together some of the best global partners in online engagement, influencer marketing, blogger outreach, social media marketing, search engine marketing, online reputation management, content marketing, digital PR, training, and strategy. Our low overhead allows us to gladly serve startups, publishing, nonprofits, and associations.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected