Good Nonsense

Good Nonsense

By Evan WildsteinBusinessNon-Profit
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Good Nonsense episodes

  • Nonprofit Punk Rock Possibilities — with Aleda Gagarin

    In this episode, we’re joined by Aleda Gagarin, a nonprofiteer who rocks AND rolls. As VP of Influence, Aleda leads big work at Candid… when she’s not stirring up the sector in literal (and figurative) mosh pits.

    Along the way, we dive into —

    • Candid’s sector-supporting data and research
    • The need to increase transparency and collaboration
    • Why you (and everyone) should really care about nonprofits
    • One wish Aleda would make to magically improve the social sector

      • It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at [email protected]!

      Mentioned on this episode:

      The Go for Gold program

      Introduction to grantwriting course (free!)
      State of Diversity in the nonprofit sector (report)
      Candid’s research on potential nonprofit closures

      29 min
    • Social Impact Staff Retention — with Michelle Flores Vryn

      On this special summer episode, we're showcasing a LinkedIn Live event we hosted with our friend, Michelle Flores Vryn. During the conversation, we spoke with Michelle about the annual Social Impact Staff Retention (SISR) data project, which she co-pilots with Evan.

      Along the way we dived into —

      • SISR's history since starting in 2023
      • What the data tell us about staff retention
      • The possible different futures for nonprofit work
      • ... and much more

        • It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at [email protected]!

        Mentioned on this episode:

        VIA character strengths survey

        SISR data and findings for 2024 and 2025
        Economic Policy Institute's family budget calculator

         

        35 min
      • A fabulous first season — with Tasha and Evan

        On this episode, Tasha and Evan give a happy, little recap of the soulful, practical, and often hilarious conversations they had during Season One. The trip down memory lane went a bit further, with a long-overdue introduction to their own nonprofit journeys.

        Along the way we dive into the big themes from Season One —

        • The big notion that nonprofiteers are humans first
        • Progress takes time—not everything is a radical overhaul
        • Practical, low-cost ideas for making nonprofit workplaces healthier
        • Change is hard and uncomfortable, and tension is necessary for growth
        • Great orgs and great bosses do exist, even if they’re not always easy to find
        • Honest, heartfelt conversations with lesser-known (but impactful) nonprofit pros

          • As always, it was practical, honest, and there was definitely good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at [email protected]!

          26 min
        • Good grief — with Samira Moosavi

          On this episode we’re joined by Samira Moosavi, a nonprofiteer who makes it her task to support people navigating life’s great challenges. Her work is no small feat—being on a reparative journey with children, teens, and families experiencing grief.

          Along the way we dive into —

          • How stories build personal strength
          • The types of loss (primary & secondary)
          • The different ways grief shows up in our bodies
          • How peer connections can make grief less isolating
          • One wish Samira would make to improve the social sector

            • It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at [email protected]!

            Mentioned on this episode:

            Samira’s LinkedIn

            Experience Camps and Grief Sucks
            Grief Accrues Faster Than Sick Days (Article)

            33 min
          • Being seen, heard, and valued — with Maryann Kerr

            On this episode we’re joined by Maryann Kerr, a nonprofit rockstar who has graced the field with her awesomeness for more than 40 years. Part sage, part truthsayer, part rabblerouser, Maryann brings her decades of experience and wisdom to a warm conversation about little victories, self-leadership, and legacy.

            Along the way we dive into —

            • Leadership, governance, and culture
            • The legacy we leave behind through our work
            • Self-development as the gift that keeps on giving
            • Why promotions can feed egos and rot organizations
            • One wish Maryann would make to improve the social sector

              • It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at [email protected]!

              Mentioned on this episode:

              Maryann’s LinkedIn

              Social Value Canada
              Gallup’s Global Leadership Report uplifting “hope”

              29 min
            • Race, age & boundaries — with Jonah Nigh

              On this episode we’re joined by Jonah Nigh—part fundraiser, part stand up comic (yes, seriously), part TV star (yes, again, seriously), and more. Having been at the helm of many organizations’ philanthropy programs, Jonah gets real about things that make most nonprofiteers uncomfortable.

              Along the way we dive into —

              • The life of a fundraiser of color
              • Real boundaries… and setting them
              • Fundraising as a profession, not a function
              • What to do when a donor wants to touch your hair
              • One wish Jonah would make to improve the social sector

                • It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at [email protected]!

                Mentioned on this episode:

                Jonah’s LinkedIn and website

                Meeting cost calculator (HBR)
                Forum for BIPOC fundraising professionals
                Social Impact Staff Retention project

                34 min
              • Nonprofit systems... and how we change them — with Michelle Flores Vryn

                In this episode, we’re joined by the one and only Michelle Flores Vryn. With serious chops as a practitioner and partner in marketing, communications, fundraising, and strategy, Michelle makes the social sector more equitable, more collaborative, and more spirited.

                Along the way, we dive into —

                • What’s necessary to be truly creative
                • How 9/11 inspired her nonprofit journey
                • How to set realistic expectations for our teams
                • The 10 principles of Community-Centric Fundraising
                • One wish Michelle would make to boost the nonprofit sector

                  • It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at [email protected]!

                  Mentioned on this episode:

                  Michelle’s LinkedIn and website

                  Community-Centric Fundraising principles
                  Gallup’s Global Leadership Report uplifting “hope”
                  Social Impact Staff Retention project

                  31 min
                • The nonprofit job hunt — with Brieanna Quinn

                  In this episode, we’re joined by Brieanna Quinn, a 25-year fundraising veteran who’s been refreshingly open and honest with the world about her nonprofit job search.

                  Along the way, we dive into —

                  • Everything currently keeping nonprofiteers unfocused and burnt out
                  • Why we need empathy and unity over modern day divisiveness
                  • How being open about your struggles can be remarkably powerful
                  • Why you need to listen to your gut on the job search (even if only a little bit)
                  • Evan’s rendition of a classic 1990's Christina Aguilera tune

                    • It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at [email protected]!

                    Mentioned on this episode:

                    Brieanne’s LinkedIn

                    The post that launched Brieanna’s journey
                    VIA (Values character strength assessment)

                    33 min
                  • The nonprofit retention revolution — with Erica Keswin

                    In this episode, we’re joined by Erica Keswin, the three-time (!) Wall Street Journal bestselling author on all-things-great human leadership. While not a nonprofiteer, herself, Erica brings the realness on what the social sector can be doing better for its people. (Spoiler alert: much of it doesn’t cost one penny.)

                    Along the way, we dive into —

                    • The need for human leadership in a tech-driven world
                    • How great human leaders connect people to purpose, connect people to each other, and connect people to themselves
                    • Why soft skills (really) are the new hard skills
                    • How "the absence of intentionality is a recipe for resentment"
                    • One wish Erica would make to boost all organizations everywhere

                      • It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at [email protected]!

                      Mentioned on this episode:

                      Erica’s website and LinkedIn

                      Chief Decent Human Behavior Officers (The Nonprofit Hive)
                      The Peter Principle

                      33 min
                    • The "run nonprofits like a business" fallacy — with Ariel Glassman

                      In this episode, we’re joined by fellow rabble-rouser Ariel Glassman. Ariel’s helped organizations (on four continents!) raise tens of millions of dollars through a collective approach, which she leads with her firm, Common Great.

                      Along the way, we dive into —

                      • Uncovering the real problems of toxic leadership
                      • How “run it like a business” is nearly impossible in the current nonprofit reality
                      • Why diversifying revenue is a vertical—not horizontal—strategy
                      • The need for strong strategy and operations, and not just passion
                      • One wish Ariel would make to magically improve the social sector

                        • It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at [email protected]!

                        Mentioned on this episode:

                        Ariel’s LinkedIn

                        Common Great
                        How Nonprofits Get Really Big (SSIR)

                        33 min

                      About Good Nonsense

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                      Big topics, small talks. Welcome to Good Nonsense, an honest, occasional show about life in the nonprofit sector. Visit