We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

Latest Episodes:

655. We Are For Good + Givebutter: Locking Arms for Impact - Jon McCoy, Becky Endicott, and Max Friedman Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

Special Episode: PART TWO

If you caught our Monday episode, you knew something big was coming—and today’s the day we finally get to share it. We Are For Good is joining the Givebutter family! 🩵 💛

We're joined by Givebutter’s Co-founder & CEO, Max Friedman, to unpack the heart, the why, and the how behind this partnership. This community has always been about democratizing access—to ideas, tools, and connection—and now, together with Givebutter, we’re taking that mission to new heights. You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes story, the moments that made us believe this was meant to be, and how together, we’re building the world’s most loved and trusted home for changemakers—a place where the best nonprofit software, content, and community are accessible to all 🌍

We’ve always said this movement isn’t about us—it’s about you. So come celebrate, dream with us, and get ready for what’s next. Because friends, this is only the beginning ✨

Episode Highlights:

We Are For Good Announcement (00:52)
Introducing Givebutter Co-Founder & CEO, Max Friedman (01:22)
Givebutter’s Origin Story and Shared Values (03:30)
How Our Teams Connected & the Vision for Accessible Tech (05:00)
The Essential Role of Community and Fun in Nonprofit Work (07:59)
Mental Health, Wellbeing, and the Evolving Theory of Change (10:29)
The Journey and Impetus for This Major Partnership (13:47)
Our Vision for the Community’s Future and Impact (17:43)
Highlighting the Power of Individual Community Members (26:05)
Max’s One Good Thing: Purpose for Future Generations (35:07)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/655

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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

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654. Five Years of We Are For Good: Lessons from the Journey - Jon, Becky and Julie Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

Special Episode: PART ONE

Something big is coming. Today's episode is the conversation before the conversation. Join Jon, Becky + Julie - live in studio together - as we're celebrating five years of the We Are For Good journey and stepping behind the scenes of launching the Impact Uprising.

Join us for a deeply heartfelt conversation as we reflect on the journey: how this movement began, what's kept it growing, and why the We Are For Good community has always been the undeniable heartbeat behind every episode, story, and gathering.

This special anniversary episode is a love letter to the people who show up every day to do good. To the nonprofit pros, the storytellers, the fundraisers, the dreamers, and the believers who transformed a podcast into a movement.

If you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or are a brand-new listener: This one is for you. Thank you for being here 🫶

Teaser of What's Coming (1:00)
The Power of Community (03:00)
The Growth of We Are For Good (09:00)
Challenges, Growth, and Creating the Team (13:37)
Resilience and Growth (15:00)
Launching the Podcast (19:39)
From Podcast to Community - Innovation and Impact Up (25:20)
Global Community Building and Impact (29:47)
The Power of Belief & Core Values (32:31)
One Good Thing (40:15)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/654

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Gather At The Well: How to Plan Your Pause - Frameworks + Practices for Stepping Away - Lindsey Fuller Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

The pause only works if you plan for it. Here’s how to get ready to truly rest.

Whether you’re heading into a sabbatical, PTO, or just a long weekend, this episode helps you actually get ready to rest. Lindsey shares three readiness reflections — Finance, People, and Program — to gauge if your org (and you) can sustain time away.
You’ll learn how to design an “only-call-me-if” checklist that protects your peace and keeps operations smooth—so you can step away without second-guessing.

Then, run a Start–Stop–Continue to help your team prioritize what truly matters, pause what can wait, and sustain the rhythms that make your culture healthy. These simple tools turn time off from something stressful into something strategic.

Part of the Power of the Pause series, this conversation reminds nonprofit pros, educators, and helpers everywhere that rest isn’t a reward — it’s a leadership practice.

Episode Highlights

Preparing for a Powerful Pause: The Need for Rest (01:00)
Extended Breaks & Sabbaticals: Overcoming Resistance (03:00)
Readiness Reflections: Finance, People, Program (04:54)
The Role of a Co-Leader & Timing Your Leave (08:46)
Somatic Practice: Breathe and Bloom (feat. Marisol Pineda Conde) (10:51)
Emergency Checklist: Planning for Critical Issues (13:48)
Start, Stop, Continue: Transitioning Responsibility (17:58)
Somatic Exercise with Marisol Pineda Conde (21:30)
Visualization for Restoration & Setting Intentions (23:50)
Affirmations and Reflective Questions for Readiness (27:58)

www.weareforgood.com/episode/planforapause

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653. Nonprofit Mergers Aren’t a Last Resort—They’re a Strategic First Choice - Christina Lowery, Kate Kiama, Nidhi Shukla + Tammy Tibbetts, She's The First and Girl Rising Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Get ready for a warm and inspiring episode, friend, as we welcome the visionary leaders behind a truly groundbreaking moment: the phenomenal merger of Girl Rising and She's The First. We sit down with Christina Lowery, Nidhi Shukla, Kate Kiama, and Tammy Tibbetts, the women fearlessly charting this new course 💖

For years, these two powerhouses have been dedicated to transforming girls' education and leadership. Now, they've united their missions to create one mighty, global force for change 🤝

Tune in to learn how they’re innovating for empowerment, with a sneak peek at powerful new programs that are helping girls build unshakeable confidence and chase their dreams. You’ll walk away with valuable, real-world takeaways on navigating the complexities of partnership, and how these leaders keep everyone focused on a shared, unwavering belief in a future where every single girl can learn, lead, and thrive 🌱

Ready to be inspired by the true power of partnership? Let's dive deep👇

Episode Highlights

Meet the Visionary Leaders (00:53)
Girl Rising’s Origin Story (02:37)
She’s the First’s Journey (06:57)
The Urgency of the Merger (11:27)
Global Education Crisis Statistics (13:41)
Big Dreams for a Unified Future (17:25)
Challenging Nonprofit Merger Norms (19:24)
Scaling Up for Systemic Change (26:16)
Joining Forces as a Community (33:53)
Everyone’s “One Good Thing" for the Future (34:37)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/653

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

We Are For Good is joining forces with GB to host in-person hackathon meetups on Friday, Oct. 2, in New York, Seattle, LA, Denver, and Indianapolis, so you can build alongside other nonprofits in the community.

Learn more and save your free spot today.

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652. Nonprofit Marketecture: Building Connected Systems to Scale Personalization - Maria Shanley and Charles Lehosit Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

Meet Maria (Director of Marketing + Data Management, Second Harvest Food Bank) and Charles (Senior Vice President at RKD)🤝. In this episode, dive into their inspiring journey of digital transformation at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Together, they share how embracing innovation helped build a connected ecosystem that fuels smarter decisions and deepens donor relationships💡

Feel the impact when mission-driven purpose blends seamlessly with thoughtful technology, unlocking personalized connections that bring generosity and kindness to the forefront. Through heartfelt stories and inspiring insights, Maria and Charles show how innovation can truly fuel the soul of philanthropy.

From practical tips to uplifting stories, this episode offers valuable lessons for anyone passionate about making a positive impact — whether you’re in the nonprofit world or simply curious about the role technology plays in social good 🌍

Episode Highlights:

Digital Transformation Journey (03:00)
Aligning Mission and Technology (09:00)
Building Donor Relationships (15:00)
Challenges and Successes (21:00)
Future of Nonprofit Engagement (27:00)
Charles Lehosit One Good Thing (29:45)
Maria One Good Thing (30:21)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/652

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

Learn more and save your free spot today.

Say hi 👋
LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

651. The Art of Sustainable Fundraising + Building Resilient Nonprofits - Christina Martin Kenny Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Meet Christina Martin Kenny 🤝, founder of Guava Tree Strategies. In this episode, Christina shines a light on sustainable fundraising and why keeping passionate staff is so important in nonprofits. She shares her inspiring journey into social impact, blending personal stories with her professional experience.

Christina busts common fundraising myths like the pressure to bring in money instantly and instead champions building genuine, lasting relationships with donors. She also opens up about fundraiser burnout and the weight of unrealistic expectations, reminding us to honor the people behind the work ✨

Tune in for a heartfelt reminder that philanthropy is about people and the love we pour into our causes.

Episode Highlights:

Christina's Journey into Social Impact (02:29)
Understanding Sustainable Fundraising (09:14)
Tactical Steps for Fundraising Success (18:46)
The Importance of Retention in Fundraising (18:46)
Supporting Fundraisers for Long-Term Success (28:14)
Avoiding Burnout During Year-End Fundraising (38:16)
Misconceptions About Fundraising Goals (40:20)
Christina’s One Good Thing (42:22)

Episode Shownotes: www.wearforgood.com/episode/651

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

Learn more and save your free spot today.

Say hi 👋
LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

Gather At The Well: The Power of the Pause - 3 R’s of Recovery - Lindsey Fuller Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever wondered how pausing life for a moment can truly transform your well-being? 💫

Welcoming you back to the series, we begin with Lindsey sharing her heartfelt journey through a recent micro-sabbatical and how intentional breaks can be a powerful tool for recovery and wellness. She introduces the transformative “three Rs” of recovery: Rest, Restoration, and Right-Sizing the Mental Load 🌿

Lindsey reminds us that caring for our whole selves—mind and body—is essential. By opening up about her own struggles with burnout and the breakthroughs she’s experienced, she offers practical tips anyone can use to create better balance between work and life. This episode warmly invites you to pause, prioritize self-care, and start your own path toward lasting harmony and joy.

Tune in to learn how you can take those first steps to a healthier, more balanced you 💛

Key Takeaways:

Micro-sabbaticals can be as effective as longer breaks
Intentionality in breaks leads to better recovery outcomes
Burnout may not be solved by a sabbatical alone
Rest, restoration, and right-sizing the mental load are crucial for recovery
Mental health days are not always sufficient for true recovery
Planning and organization can alleviate mental load stress
Support from others can enhance personal recovery efforts
Creating a balanced work-life integration is key to wellness

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/3recovery

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A Mindful Pause + Meditation for Changemakers - Sonya Perez-Lauterbach Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode, join Sonya Perez-Lauterbach as she warmly guides us through a truly transformative meditation designed to nurture your mental, emotional, and physical well-being 🌿

This gentle session invites you to pause, take a deep breath, and reconnect with your inner resilience—creating a peaceful oasis amid daily chaos 🌬️

Embrace this beautiful opportunity to release your burdens and open yourself to clarity, focus, and joy right here, right now. Let’s take this moment together to restore balance and renew your spirit 🙏

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/sonyameditation

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650. Human-Centered Major Gifts: How to Build Your Pipeline - Tammy Zonker Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

Meet Tammy 🤝, the President + Founder of Fundraising Transformed and the Author of ‘Calling All Heroes’.

With over 30 years of experience in fundraising, Tammy Zonker shares personal insights that have shaped her human-centered approach. She emphasizes empathy and trust as the foundation for genuine donor relationships, creating real, lasting connections. Tammy offers practical strategies to inspire donors to become lifelong advocates and build authentic, impactful partnerships that truly resonate.

This episode is for anyone who believes in the power of thoughtful, compassionate giving to change lives ✨

Episode Highlights:

Tammy Zonker's Journey and Empathy in Fundraising (02:20)
Reclaiming the Concept of Heroes in Fundraising (05:19)
The Five Pillars of Human-Centered Fundraising (08:12)
Building Trust and Authentic Partnerships (11:18)
Navigating Power Dynamics in Fundraising (14:19)
Transparency and True Partnership with Donors (17:18)
The Courage to Release Donors (19:42)
Understanding Mid-Level Donors (22:03)
Listening as a Strategy for Small Shops (27:21)
The Power of Open-Ended Questions (31:34)
A Story of Generosity and Community (35:07)
Tammy’s One Good Thing (40:00)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/650

Join us at The Spread!

Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛

Learn more and save your free spot today.

Say hi 👋
LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter

649. Retention Is a Love Language: Using AI to Communicate With More Care (Not Just More Often) - Crystal Clark, Amina Mohamed + Michael Mitchell Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Retention is about relationships. But most donor communications either feel too rushed or too robotic. This session is about doing things differently with the power of AI, done responsibly.

We’re sitting down with three organizations that are using AI to help them show up better for their donors: writing magnetic messaging, personalizing with care + actually deepen connection. We’ll talk about how they’re saving time, scaling touchpoints, and staying true to their voice along the way.

You’ll hear the tools they’re using, the prompts that are working, and where they’ve drawn the line on what not to automate. It’s real talk on using AI to build trust… not just create more output.

Episode Highlights