We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

Latest Episodes:

638. Leading Through Organizational Change: Practical Lessons for Nonprofit Leaders - Jesse Sanchez, The Neurodiversity Alliance Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

Meet Jesse 🤝 – the dynamic president of The Neurodiversity Alliance and a true champion for seeing the brilliance in every mind.

From navigating ADHD and learning differences to finding his voice at UC Berkeley and leading with purpose in the tech world, Jesse’s story is one of resilience, passion, and possibility. He opens up about the mentors who lit the way, the power of belonging, and the movement that’s now reaching over 630 schools to uplift neurodivergent students across the nation.

This conversation is equal parts heart and hope. You’ll walk away inspired by Jesse’s vision of a world where every person’s unique abilities are celebrated, and reminded that community is the place where potential turns into transformation.

Whether you identify as neurodivergent, love someone who does, or simply want to be part of building more inclusive spaces—you’ll find encouragement, joy, and a renewed belief that together, we rise. 💙

Episode Highlights:

Jesse’s Journey: From ADHD to National Advocacy (10:15)
How to Build Inclusive, Empowering Networks (18:30)
Recognizing and Leveraging Your Unique Strengths (25:45)
The Highs and Lows of Leading for Neurodiversity (35:00)
Jesse’s One Good Thing (50:20)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/638

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.

//
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

637. Building Movements, Not Campaigns: Agency, Belief + Community for Nonprofits - Eric Brown, Whiteboard Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Meet Eric 🤝, Co-Founder of Whiteboard and a creative visionary helping purpose-driven brands change the world. From growing up in a log house in Georgia to partnering with changemakers worldwide, Eric’s story is rooted in belief, values, and community. His work spans digital branding, platform development, activation campaigns, and team training for clients like Purposity, Praxis Labs, Q Ideas, and Last Mile Health—earning recognition from The Webby Awards, Entrepreneur, AWWWARDS, Net Magazine, and SiteInspire.

In this episode, Jon + Becky dive into a story-filled conversation about what it takes to build real movements—not just run campaigns. You’ll learn why community should be your co-creator (not just your audience), how to navigate the tension between self, others, and mission, and why choosing belief over cynicism can transform the way you lead.

Eric’s sharing behind-the-scenes moments, fresh perspective, and one simple, actionable step you can take this week to move your mission forward. It’s uplifting, practical, and a powerful reminder that the best change happens when we lead together.

Learn:

The difference between running a campaign and building a movement—and why movements spark deeper, lasting impact.
How to invite your community to be true co-creators of your mission.
Simple ways to balance self, others, mission, and mastery to avoid burnout and lead well.
The power of storytelling and creative assets to inspire donors and rally supporters.
Why choosing belief over cynicism can transform your leadership and your impact.

Episode Highlights:

Eric Brown’s Early Life and Influences (05:30)
Founding Whiteboard and the Visionary (12:00)
Community as a Carrier of Mission (18:45)
The Power of Storytelling in Philanthropy (25:15)
Navigating Tension and Agency in Leadership (32:00)
Building Movements with Visionary Organizations (38:30)
Eric’s One Good Thing (45:00)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/637

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

636. Making a Movement: Empowering Action - Jon and Becky Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

We’ve reached the final chapter of our Making a Movement series, and we’re leaning all in on what it truly means to empower action.

This episode is a celebration of the heartbeat behind every movement: community. You’ll hear the inspiring story of Hannah Lowe, a fearless mom on a mission who rallied her village to raise $2 million for her son’s life-changing treatment. It’s a powerful reminder that when a call to action is clear and authentic, it has the power to ignite a movement.

We’re also featuring insights from previous episodes with Celeste Flores, who pulls back the curtain on the global generosity of Giving Tuesday and the community-powered magic that drives it. Plus, Amanda Liaw shares why going deep, not just broad, is the key to building engagement that lasts. Together, we’ll explore how to make participation joyful, how to sustain momentum, and why prioritizing your own well-being is essential for staying in the work.

If you’re ready to activate your community and believe in the ripple effect of good, this conversation is for you. Let’s keep building this movement together.

Episode Highlights:

Empowering Action: making movements (02:15)
Hannah Lowe’s Story: Clear Messaging Mobilizes a Community (08:40)
Giving Tuesday: Building Community Beyond Fundraising (15:30)
Secret Sauce: Go Deep, Not Broad (22:05)
Personalization at Scale: Partnerships and Human Stories (28:50)
Gratitude First: Transforming Board Buy-In (34:10)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/536

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

635. Making a Movement: Voice + Vision - Jon and Becky Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

Every movement starts with a message—but how do you make yours truly stick?

In this reflective episode of Making a Movement: Voice + Vision, Jon and Becky revisit some of the most powerful voices from past conversations to explore the heart of messaging that moves people. It’s not just about what you say—it’s how you say it, who hears it, and whether it invites people to see themselves as part of something bigger.

Featuring powerful moments and lessons from:

✨Rick Shadyac, former President and CEO of ALSAC / St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, on earning trust through clear, consistent messaging
🎙️ Stephen Hackett, podcaster and proud St. Jude dad, whose personal story shows how vulnerability can unite a community
🌍 Dr. Bertrhude Albert, co-founder of P4H Global, on leading with dignity and crafting messages that honor people’s lived experience
🎤 Gloria Umanah, founder of Hope Booth, on using creativity and authenticity to spark hope

This episode is a field guide for anyone trying to bring their mission to life through message. Whether you’re just starting to shape your story or refining a message you’ve been carrying for years, you’ll find inspiration, encouragement, and next steps you can take today.

Tune in and learn how to bring your voice and vision together in a way that inspires action—and builds something that lasts.

Episode Highlights:

The Power of Clear Messaging (02:01)
St. Jude’s Impact and Vision with Rick Shadyac (05:31)
Stephen Hackett’s Story (10:01)
Dr. Bertrude Albert and P4H Global (15:01)
The Role of Community in Movement Building (20:01)
Gloria Umanah and the Hope Booth Initiative (22:30)
Empowering Through Education (24:00)
Conclusion and Call to Action (25:01)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/635

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

634. Making a Movement: Organize + Optimize - Jon and Becky Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Movements don’t just happen—they’re built with intention, structure, and a whole lot of heart.

In this episode of Making a Movement, Becky Endicott and Jon McCoy dive deep into what it really takes to turn mission into momentum. From designing systems that fuel impact to creating space for people to show up and thrive, this conversation is all about building movements that matter.

You’ll hear the powerful stories of:

Adam Garone, who helped launch Movember into a $1.5B global force for men’s health
Katelynn Whitaker, the brilliant mind behind the community toolkit that helped scale Movember
Nancy Brinker, whose promise to her sister ignited the Susan G. Komen movement
Kelly Lyndgaard, founder of Unshattered, creating jobs and dignity for women in recovery

We’re breaking down the barriers that hold people back and unpacking how to build systems that invite more people in—without losing the soul of your mission.

Whether you’re launching something new or leveling up your impact, this episode will leave you fired up, filled up, and ready to lead the kind of movement that changes everything. 💥

Episode Highlights

Organizing Principle: “An Uprising is Organized” (01:27)
Movember: From Mustaches to a Global Health Movement (02:56)
Movember's Toolkit: Branding, Community, and Storytelling (06:52)
Susan G. Komen: A Sister’s Promise Turned Global Force (09:56)
Unshattered: Empowering Women Through Recovery and Work (16:20)
Optimization Through Pattern Recognition (20:30)
Leaning Into Friction: Why Tension Drives Growth (23:31)
Tactical Tips: Organizing and Optimizing for Impact (26:14)
Next Up: Voice, Vision, and the Power of Storytelling (27:29)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/634

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

633. Making a Movement: Mobilize with Purpose - Jon and Becky Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

What turns a good idea into a movement? In this episode, Jon and Becky explore how purpose—when it’s clear, actionable, and rooted in emotion—becomes the driving force behind real change.

You’ll hear how Scott Harrison rebuilt trust in giving through Charity: Water, how Sara Cunningham sparked a nationwide movement with Free Mom Hugs, and how Aidan Reilly and Ben Collier launched The Farmlink Project by picking up the phone.

Through these stories, Jon and Becky share how to clarify your “why,” invite others in, and take that first meaningful step. Because movements don’t need perfection—they need purpose that moves people.

Tune in for a practical, heartfelt roadmap to turning belief into bold, inclusive action.

Learn:

How to transform personal passion into collective action
How to remove barriers preventing people from participating
Strategies for decentralizing decision-making
Embracing creativity in addressing social challenges
Using personal experiences to inspire collective action
Understand how to build trust and transparency
Gaining confidence in taking initial steps towards creating change
Recognizing the power of community-driven initiatives.

Episode Highlights

Defining Movement Fundamentals (03:44)
How to Build Community Engagement (05:45)
Learning to Overcome Trust Barriers (12:36)
Personal Storytelling as Motivation (17:19)
Innovative Problem-Solving (20:11)
Practical Movement-Building Strategies (24:11)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/633

Episodes Mentioned:

Scott Harrison: https://www.weareforgood.com/episode/369

Sara Cunningham: https://www.weareforgood.com/episode/8

Aidan and Ben Collier: https://www.weareforgood.com/episode/300

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

632. Making a Movement: How Movements Begin - Spark, Belief + Generosity - Seth Godin Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Meet Seth. 🤝

Bestselling author and movement maker Seth Godin joins us to share what it really takes to create meaningful change. From Purple Cow to The Song of Significance, Seth’s work has inspired generations to lead with heart, strategy, + courage.

In this powerful conversation, he unpacks how to build movements through empathy, creativity, + bold action. You’ll learn why the smallest viable audience matters, how to navigate fear and perfectionism, and why doing work that might not work is exactly where the magic happens.

This episode is a rallying cry for nonprofit leaders and changemakers to stop settling—and start leading with intention.

Get ready to think bigger, dig deeper, and reimagine your impact. 💡

Learn:

Building a movement requires a conversation before the conversation.
Strategy is not about tactics; it’s about understanding your values.
Defaulting to familiar practices can hinder progress.
Nonprofits must acknowledge that their problems are not solved yet.
Fear and perfectionism can choke momentum; embrace imperfection.
Empathy is crucial component of effective leadership.
Every movement starts with a few committed individuals.

Episode Highlights

The Importance of Strategy in Nonprofits (02:06)
Understanding Motion and Change (05:07)
Creating Conditions for Generative Work (08:00)
Embracing Tension and Imperfection (10:45)
The Role of Leadership in Nonprofits (13:59)
The Power of Small Movements (16:55)
Empathy and Connection in Action (19:46)
Seth’s One Good Thing (34:52)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/632

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

631. Change Leadership, Critical Hope + Building Cultures We Don’t Have to Heal From - Lindsey Fuller, Jon McCoy and Becky Endicott Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

We’re closing out this series with a powerful conversation that redefines what leadership can look like. Lindsay Fuller of The Teaching Well joins us to explore how leading with courage starts right where you are—not with a title, but with intention.

We unpack big ideas: hope as a daily practice, resilience as a rhythm, and policies that reflect lived experience—not just words on a page.

Lindsay challenges us to rethink what tools truly sustain leadership—like rest, offboarding, and sabbaticals—and why they’re not extras, but essentials. We also name the often-unspoken reality of compassion fatigue and offer a vision of shared leadership grounded in alignment, not replication.

If you're ready to build a culture that centers humanity, care, and courage—this episode is your invitation to begin.

Learn:

Learn why human-centered leadership means choosing courage over comfort
Discover how critical hope is a practice—not a personality trait
Understand why change leadership begins right where you are—even without the title
Explore what it means for policies to be living, responsive, and rooted in lived experience
See how resilience is built through consistent, intentional rhythms
Unpack why rest, offboarding, and sabbaticals are essential leadership tools—not perks
Learn how shared leadership depends on calibration, not cloning
Recognize why compassion fatigue is a real occupational hazard—and what to do about it

Episode Highlights:

The Importance of Critical Hope (05:00)
Policies as Culture in Action (08:55)
Reframing Policies for Human-Centered Organizations (09:01)
5-Part Framework and Where People Get Stuck (15:00)
Challenges in Implementing Human-Centered Policies (14:53)
Human-Centered Leadership (25:00)
The Role of Feedback in Leadership (27:51)
Becoming the Change Leader in Your Team (30:00)
The Journey of Rest and Leadership (32:11)
Reflections from the Well (33:00)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/631

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

630. From One Wish to a Movement: Disney & Make-A-Wish’s 45-Year Journey - Jamie Sandys + Tajiana Ancora-Brown Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Meet Jamie & Tajiana. 🤝

What happens when Disney and Make-A-Wish team up? Pure magic. For 45 years, this powerhouse partnership has granted over 150,000 wishes—bringing joy, healing, and unforgettable moments to kids and families when they need it most. Enter Tajiana Ancora-Brown from Disney and Jamie Sandys from Make-A-Wish: two hearts leading with purpose and proof that dreams really can change lives.

In this episode, we're talking about the wish that can’t be prescribed, the impact of 9,000 families visiting Walt Disney World each year, and how collaboration rooted in heart creates ripple effects of hope. From Bigfoot sightings to custom princess gowns, this conversation will make you laugh, tear up, and believe even deeper in the power of doing good—together.

You don’t want to miss this one. ✨

Learn:

Why mission alignment and trust unlock transformational collaboration
How Make-A-Wish measures impact beyond numbers and into healing
Why personalized wishes create powerful moments of joy and dignity
How purpose-driven partnerships thrive on trust, respect, and shared values
Why a single wish can spark lifelong generosity and collective hope

Episode Highlights

Personal Journeys into Philanthropy (03:29)
Memorable Wish Stories (07:48)
Creating Unique Experiences for Wish Kids (10:57)
The Evolution of Historic Partnership (15:16)
Once Upon a Wish Party: A Celebration of Dreams (19:32)
The Secret Sauce of Collaboration (25:03)
Jamie and Tajiana’s One Good Thing (32:25)

Resources:

Connect through: wish.org/disney

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/630

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: Leaving Well - Rest, Sabbaticals + Human-Centered Transitions - Lindsey Fuller and Naomi Hattaway Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

In this soul-nourishing conversation, Lindsey Fuller is joined by strategist, storyteller, and founder of the Leaving Well framework, Naomi Hattaway. Together, they unpack what it means to lead with intention, especially when it comes to rest, sabbaticals, and workplace transitions that truly center people.

From micro-sabbaticals to full-scale cultural shifts, Naomi shares wisdom for how organizations can operationalize rest as a core value—not just a perk. You'll hear powerful insights on how to care for your team through change, reimagine wellness in the workplace, and create brave space for transitions that honor the past and make room for what’s next.

This episode is a reminder that we don’t have to choose between humanity and productivity—we can hold both. And it starts with rest.

Affirmations:

You deserve a workplace that values your humanity as deeply as your contributions.
Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s leadership.
Every transition is an invitation to honor what was and imagine what’s possible.

Episode Highlights