We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

Latest Episodes:

Gather At The Well: The Human-Centered Audit—Where Are You Now? - Lindsey Fuller May 21, 2025

Show notes

What if policies could actually feel like care? 💛

In this episode of Gather at the Well, Lindsey Fuller invites us to rethink how we show up for our teams. Through the policies we write and live by. Drawing from her own experience, Lindsey unpacks the evolution of her organization’s “corrective progression” policy, showing how even the trickiest processes can be reimagined as tools for growth, not punishment.

With heart and practicality, she introduces a simple but powerful framework that places every policy into one of three buckets: care, conditions, and corrections. You’ll hear why listening deeply, surveying your team, and designing policies rooted in trust can shift your culture from reactive to restorative.

Come for the insights, stay for the breathwork 🧘—this episode is a reminder that policies don’t have to be dusty documents. They can be living, breathing reflections of the kind of workplace we’re all trying to build.

Episode Highlights

Understanding Corrective Progression (01:21)
The Importance of Structure in Organizations (04:37)
Implementing Corrective Progression Policies (10:01)
Building Resilient Organizations (15:05)
The Cost of Human-Centered Policies (20:57)
Categories of Human-Centered Policies: Care, Conditions, and Corrections (25:05)
Engaging Staff in Policy Development (31:36)

Affirmations:

"One step at a time is enough for me."
"I am worthy of healing centered policies."
"We deserve policies that help not harm."
"I am brilliant."
"I can lead this effort."

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

//
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

621. Hold Fast: Storytelling That Grounds, Heals + Connects - Obiekwe Okolo May 19, 2025

Show notes

Meet Obiekwe “Obi” Okolo, storyteller, creative director + culture alchemist. 🤝

In this episode of Hold Fast, we’re slowing down to explore the deep, healing power of story with Obi Okolo—visionary creative and founder of Bittersweet Creative. Born in Lagos, raised in Texas, and rooted in purpose, Obi invites us into a conversation about crafting stories that don’t just meet metrics—but move hearts.

From launching his own coffee brand to championing narratives that center identity, belonging, and truth, Obi reminds us that storytelling isn’t just a strategy. It’s soul work. It’s how we make meaning, deepen connection, and imagine new futures.

Your story isn’t a marketing tool—it’s an invitation to be seen, to feel, and to dream bigger.

🎧 Tune in and join us for one of the most heart-expanding conversations of the season.

You'll hear:

Storytelling helps nonprofits meet goals and expand community.
Storytelling should be approached as a practice of reconnection and belonging.
Nonprofits often struggle with their identity and message during crises.
Creating for everyone often results in creating for no one.
Silence can be a powerful form of protest and connection.
Listening to the wisdom of elders can guide our storytelling journey.

Episode Highlights

The Importance of Relationships in Storytelling (08:58)
The Role of Nonprofits in Storytelling (11:50)
The Process of Ethical Storytelling (15:06)
The Impact of Community in Storytelling (23:55)
Understanding Audience and Authenticity (36:02)
Practical Exercises for Better Storytelling (39:30)
Listening and Learning from Elders (50:10)
Obi’s One Good Thing “"Look back and borrow strength from the elders." (50:27)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/621

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.

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

620. 100% For Purpose Model: The Legacy and Future of Newman’s Own Foundation - Alex Amouyel May 14, 2025

Show notes

Meet Alex, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. 🤝 100% of profits from Newman’s Own products go toward helping children facing adversity. With over $600 million donated to date, the Foundation continues Paul Newman’s bold vision of business as a force for good. Alex is also the author of The Answer Is You, a guide to living with impact.

In this episode, Alex shares how the 100% for Purpose model is reshaping philanthropy through community-led giving, tackling child food insecurity, and uplifting young changemakers.

Tune in to hear powerful stories of impact and learn how small actions can create real change. It’s a reminder that generosity starts wherever you are—and that we all have a part to play.

Episode Highlights:

The Legacy of Paul Newman and Newman’s Own (06:09)
The Business Model of Giving 100% Away (09:05)
The Future of Philanthropy and Community Engagement (11:50)
Child Nutrition and Food Justice Initiatives (14:54)
Decentralizing Philanthropy and Inclusive Giving (18:05)
Alex’s One Good Thing: Create your own rainbows (31:00)

Resources:

Episode with FRAC
Alex’s TED Talk
newmansown.org
100forpurpose.org

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/620

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

619. Hold Fast: The Heart of Generosity: Trust, Belonging, and Community - Hali Lee May 12, 2025

Show notes

How do you fund what matters when everything feels urgent—and uncertain? In this episode of our Hold Fast series, we sit down with Hali Lee—philanthropy innovator, author of The Big We, and founding partner of Radiant Strategies—for a candid conversation on funding with heart, courage, and community at the center.

Hali shares hard-earned wisdom from building collective giving movements like the Asian Women Giving Circle and Donors of Color Network, reminding us that generosity flows through relationships, not just resources. Together, we explore how nonprofits can build trust-based funding relationships, embrace smart shifts toward diversification, and create spaces of belonging that inspire action. ❤️

If you’ve been craving practical strategies and soulful encouragement for navigating power imbalances, donor shifts, and fundraising burnout—this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and root deeper.

You'll hear:

Why now is the moment for individuals—and for belonging
Building trust without losing yourself
Small teams, smart shifts: diversifying without burning out
Collective giving models for grassroots growth

Episode Highlights:

The Importance of Relationships in Philanthropy (02:55)
Navigating Urgency and Trust in Nonprofits (05:59)
The Future of Philanthropy: Inclusivity and Collaboration (09:01)
Collective Generosity vs Big Philanthropy (12:11)
Connecting Through Shared Experiences (22:39)
The Power of Community and Belonging (24:06)
Grassroots Movement for Collective Action (26:03)
Finding Joy in Connection (30:43)
Empowering Individuals to Create Change (32:37)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/619

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: How to Create Human-Centered Systems + Policies - Lindsey Fuller and Marisol Pineda Conde May 07, 2025

Show notes

Policies aren’t just paperwork—they’re culture in action.

In this episode of Gather at the Well, Lindsey Fuller and Marisol Pineda Conde invite us to rethink how policies are created—and more importantly, who they’re really for.

Together, they pull back the curtain on their own journey from outdated handbooks to building intentional, people-first policies rooted in trust, care, and collaboration. With warmth, wisdom, and a whole lot of heart, they break down a five-step process that transforms policy-making from a check-the-box task into a powerful tool for psychological safety and team well-being.

You’ll hear stories, real talk, and tangible steps to design policies that reflect your values, center lived experience, and actually support the humans behind the work. Whether you're growing a startup, leading a nonprofit, or shaping culture in your school, this convo will leave you equipped—and inspired—to build better, together.

You’ll walk away with:

A five-step process for policy creation
How to balance organizational needs with human needs
Actionable strategies for policy implementation

Episode Highlights:

Defining Human-Centered Policies (02:18)
The Importance of Policies in Organizations (03:44)
Identifying Policy Gaps and Needs (06:08)
Feedback Mechanisms for Policy Development (10:06)
Challenges in Implementing Policies (13:45)
Opportunities for Policy Improvement (16:19)
Accountability and Leadership in Policy (19:31)
Roadmap to Human-Centered Policy Creation (25:51)

✨ Affirmations:

I am an attuned listener and a responsive leader.
When we know better, we do better.
Even if I feel overwhelmed to tackle policy creation, I can take the first step by noticing what's needed and asking for help.
I'm not alone. I don't have to do this on my own.
I honor that feeling. I know it will pass.
I honor my overwhelm. This moment can pass.
I honor my self-doubt. This feeling will pass.

👉 Explore the Full Episode Shownotes

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

618. Hold Fast: Finding Clarity + Measuring Impact in a Changing World - Ori Carmel May 05, 2025

Show notes

When strategy feels like a moving target, how do you hold fast to what really matters?

In today’s episode, Ori Carmel shares how to hold fast to your true mission when everything feels uncertain, and how our quick decisions might be holding us back. 👀

Tune in to hear:

🤔 Understanding decision-making systems

📈 How to connect data to meaningful narrative

📍 Defining your unique organizational "why"

This episode is a game-changing eight-step framework for measuring what REALLY matters. We're talking beyond vanity metrics, cutting through the noise, and getting crystal clear on your organization's unique purpose. 🎧

Episode Highlights

Finding Your True North (04:10)
Visioning for Nonprofits (06:34)
Understanding Decision-Making Systems (09:00)
Navigating Complexity in Nonprofit Decisions (12:40)
Navigating Crisis in Philanthropy (20:53)
Metrics that Matter: Impact vs. Activity (24:46)
Framework for Impact Measurement (26:57)
The Importance of Organizational Reflection (30:56)
Resources for Social Impact Success (39:02)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/618

Resources Mentioned:

"Man's Search for Meaning" by Victor Frankl
“Thinking Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman"
"Higher Ground" by Allison Taylor (2024)
Sowen’s Social Impact Report

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

617. Centering Community and Justice: GreenLight Fund’s Model for Localized Impact - Ali Knight Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

Meet Ali, the CEO of GreenLight Fund and former leader of Fresh Lifelines for Youth. He joins us to share how his lived experience fuels his commitment to equity-driven leadership and community transformation. 🩵

In this conversation, Ali unpacks GreenLight Fund’s unique model for scaling evidence-based nonprofits into new cities—and what it means to center community voice in every step. He speaks candidly about navigating leadership transitions, anchoring in values like justice and generosity, and why listening to those closest to the challenges is key to building lasting solutions. You'll hear timely insights for leading through change and striving for deeper, more sustainable impact. 🎧

Episode Highlights

Ali Knight’s Journey and Lived Experience (04:39)
Understanding the Greenlight Fund Model (06:21)
Hyper-Local Solutions to Community Needs (08:42)
Navigating Local Contexts for Impact (11:23)
Empowerment Through the Selection Advisory Council (14:00)
Real-World Impact: Success Stories from Greenlight (20:22)
Values that Anchor Leadership in Turbulent Times (25:29)
Moments of Philanthropy and Community Trust (28:58)
Ali’s One Good Thing: Listening to the Community (32:01)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/617

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

Hold Fast: Creating Space for Trust and Alignment in Funding - Iara Peng, JustFund Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of our Hold Fast series, we’re leaning into what it really means to lead with purpose—especially when the weight of funding pressures feels unrelenting. Iara Peng joins us for a heart-opening conversation that invites nonprofit leaders to breathe a little deeper and reimagine funding as a partnership, not just a transaction.

With compassion and clarity, Iara offers a vision for building trust-based relationships rooted in alignment and shared purpose. You’ll walk away with practical ways to pause the hustle, reclaim time for strategic thinking, prioritize fewer but better-aligned funders, and lean into storytelling as a spacious, powerful tool. It’s the reminder we all need: you are already enough. Your work matters. And there’s a more intentional, more human way forward. 💛

Homework:

What originally called me to this work?
Where do I feel most alive and aligned in my work right now?
What does it look like for me to lead with trust and not fear this week?
Bonus: at your next team or board meeting, bring one of those questions and invite reflection.

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/616

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 Art of Multi-Leader Calibration - Lindsey Fuller and Marisol Pineda Conde Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

Sustainable leadership is not about being identical—it’s about being aligned.

In this episode of Gather At The Well, co-leaders Lindsey and Marisol pull back the curtain on the real work of co-leadership—what it takes to align, recalibrate, and lead with intention. They share how they’ve built a leadership model rooted in alignment, trust, and professional authenticity at The Teaching Well.

From weekly syncs and systems audits to somatic check-ins and tough conversations, they offer practical tools and honest reflections on what it takes to lead together with intention. You'll hear how they navigate misalignment, build psychological safety, and stay grounded in shared values without sacrificing individuality.

This is a masterclass in shared leadership, psychological safety, and critical hope—rooted in love, truth, and a belief that we are stronger when we lead together.

Tune in to hear:
🤝 How co-leaders (and leadership teams) can align their values, decision-making styles, and leadership approaches
📆 Practical tools and rituals for co-leadership alignment, like weekly syncs and systems audits
❤️ How to navigate misalignment with curiosity, care, and honest conversation
Episode Overview

Tone-Setting (1:00)
Building a co-leadership relationship: creating unified vision, establishing psychological safety, and discussing values alignment (6:00)
Alignment and calibration practices + weekly meeting structures (12:00)
Dots and Squeezes Somatic Practice (16:00)
Lindsey and Marisol’s six core co-leadership values (23:00)
Homework + Critical Hope (32:00)

Explore the Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/theartofmulticalibration

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

615. Hold Fast: How To Strengthen Your Operational Core - Scott Curran Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode of our Hold Fast series, we’re bringing you a replay from our March members-only meetup featuring nonprofit legal and operational powerhouse, Scott Curran.

As the former Chief General Counsel for the Clinton Foundation, Scott has navigated massive change and complexity — and he joined us to help you do the same. In this timely conversation, Scott walks us through the essential operational steps every nonprofit should be taking to prepare for a period of federal upheaval and uncertainty.

We cover everything from accounting and legal, to HR, leadership development, and board structure — with actionable takeaways you can put into practice right away. It’s grounding, insightful, and exactly the kind of clear-headed guidance we all need right now.

✨ Want to be part of conversations like this in real time? Join our membership for just $30/month and never miss a member meetup again.

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