The Common Good Data Podcast

In this special year-end episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, I share 12 evaluation reflections for the new year, inspired by The 12 Days of Christmas. As we wrap up the year, I wanted to slow things down and reflect on what I’ve been learning and what I hope to carry into my data and evaluation work in 2026.

Throughout the episode, I talk about why it’s so important to rediscover your “why”, listen before measuring, and simplify your data practices so they actually support your mission instead of overwhelming your team. I also reflect on the balance between stories and statistics, and why meaningful evaluation always needs both to truly communicate impact.

I share thoughts on prioritizing data use over data collection, approaching evaluation as a learner rather than a prover, and re-centering equity by sharing power in how we define success. Along the way, I emphasize building relationships around data, celebrating small wins, and investing in your team’s capacity so evaluation becomes a source of learning and growth — not frustration.

I close the episode with a reminder to lead with hope. Even in a challenging year, evaluation can help us make sense of change, stay grounded in purpose, and imagine what’s possible as we move into the year ahead.

How do you build real, lasting relationships with funders — the kind that go beyond the grant cycle?In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, hosts Drew Reynolds and Roger Suclupe sit down with Bill Crouch, President of BrightDot Fundraising Advisors, to talk about the human side of fundraising. Bill shares why fundraising is not just about money — it’s about meaning, trust, and impact.Together, they unpack what it looks like to connect authentically with funders, align your mission with donor purpose, and communicate the difference your work truly makes. You’ll also hear practical advice on how to approach funder conversations, sustain relationships, and bridge the gap between impact and investment.What you’ll learn in this episode: • How to move from transactional to transformational fundraising. • The mindset that helps funders become partners. • The connection between impact storytelling and donor trust. • Why data and relationships must work hand-in-hand. • Practical tips to strengthen long-term funder relationships.Learn more about using data for impact:Take Drew’s online course at CommonGoodData.com/courses.

On this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Drew Reynolds and Roger Suclupe sit down with Dr. Victor Amaya, President and Executive Director of Data You Can Use in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Amaya shares how his organization flips the traditional research model on its head by starting with communities first. Instead of merely extracting data, his team listens, co-creates with residents, and keeps data in the hands of the people who know their neighborhoods best.

Together, they explore what it means to truly democratize data—turning raw statistics into clarity, trust, and actionable change. The conversation highlights practical tools like neighborhood dashboards and indicators, and digs into big initiatives such as addressing life expectancy gaps and developing a localized wealth index. Dr. Amaya emphasizes that data isn’t about proving, it’s about improving, and that lasting impact comes from relationships, accessibility, and genuine community voice.

In this episode, we’ll discuss:

• How trust and relationships transform research into community-driven impact.

• Practical tools like neighborhood dashboards and indicators that make data accessible.

• Tackling big challenges such as life expectancy gaps and wealth disparities with data.

• The power of co-creation: moving from numbers to narratives to action.

Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, social sector professional, or simply passionate about equitable community outcomes, this episode offers fresh insights on how to use data to build stronger, healthier, and more connected neighborhoods.

In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Roger and Drew are joined by Sydney Idzikowski, Associate Director of the Charlotte Regional Data Trust, for a deep dive into how integrated data systems can “move at the speed of trust.”

Together, they unpack what administrative data is, why it so often remains siloed across agencies, and how the Data Trust works to securely connect information from sectors like housing, education, and public health.

Sydney shares how building trust—amid privacy concerns and data surveillance fears—is central to effective data sharing, and explains the governance, legal, and technical frameworks that make it possible.

Sydney has been at the helm of turning fragmented agency data into a single, trusted resource for research, planning, and evaluation. From linking school records to shelter stays, to mapping out the pathways of people who’ve experienced homelessness – she’ll share real‑world stories that show how data can drive policy changes that actually help people.

In this episode we’ll cover:

• The biggest challenges with administrative data at the local level

• How a “data trust” works and why it matters for privacy, ethics, and impact

• Success metrics for an integrated data system (think 35 % of a county’s population!)

• A compelling case study on homelessness services that led to a full‑time social worker in a shelter

• Practical tips for researchers, practitioners, and anyone curious about using linked data responsibly

Check out the Charlotte Regional Data Trust and Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy.

In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, we’re joined by Carolyn Allison, CEO of Charlotte Community Health Clinic, to explore what it really means to care for the health of a community. Together with co-host Roger Suclupe, we discuss:

Mastering Focus Groups and Interviews with Expert Evaluator Melissa Siegel Barrios -

In this episode, we dive deep into the intricacies of conducting effective focus groups and interviews with Melissa Siegel Barrios of MSB Consulting.

As an expert evaluator with extensive experience in violence prevention and collaboration with various organizations, Melissa shares actionable insights on crafting compelling interview questions, creating a welcoming space, and dealing with unexpected dynamics during focus groups.

We also explore best practices for analyzing qualitative data to inform strategy and program design.

Additionally, Melissa offers valuable advice on building trust within communities, ensuring accessibility, and the importance of genuine representation.

00:00 Introduction & Best Practices for Conducting Focus Groups

01:24 Real-Life Examples and Challenges in Focus Groups

03:40 Key Recommendations for Quality Interviews

08:43 Differences Between Interviews and Focus Groups

14:20 Analyzing Qualitative Data: Coding and Themes

18:14 Ensuring Inclusivity and Accessibility in Research

24:53 Conclusion and Contact Information

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P.S. Enjoying the podcast? I’d greatly appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review. Your support helps me reach more nonprofit and social sector leaders like you who are working to make a difference. Don’t forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of The Common Good Data Podcast, we continue our three-part series exploring the “The Storyteller” as leader. Listen in to learn why storytelling isn’t just a communications strategy — it’s a leadership practice.

Every nonprofit and prevention organization is full of powerful stories. But too often, those stories live in hallway conversations, side comments, or moments that never get shared. Great leaders know how to create a culture where stories are noticed, collected, and told well.

We’ll break down three core practices of a storytelling leader:

• Listening for stories and finding meaning in everyday moments

• Building simple systems for gathering them

• Sharing stories with integrity, respect, and care

Plus, we’ll talk about how stories and data work best together — creating a fuller, more human picture of your impact.

If you want to build the storytelling muscle of your organization — not just for marketing, but for learning, trust, and connection — this episode is for you.

Think back to when you were young.

Can you remember a moment when an adult truly listened to you, took your opinion seriously, and made you feel like your voice mattered?

Many of us don’t have those memories—at least, not until much later in life. But for a child who hears, “You are an expert in your own life. Your voice matters,” the impact can be profound.

That’s exactly what UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Cities Initiative is working toward. And just recently, Decatur, GA, became one of the first cities in the U.S. to receive this designation.

But what does it actually mean for a city to be ‘child-friendly’?

And how do we ensure that youth participation isn’t just symbolic, but truly embedded in governance, policy, and community life?

Today, we’re joined by  Danielle Goldberg, Managing Director of the Community Alliance for Child Rights, and Anne Day, who is the Senior Director of Research, Evaluation, and Research Partnerships at UNICEF USA.

Skip Ahead:

(01:31) Why children’s voices are often missing in governance, and how this impacts policymaking and funding decisions.

(7:56) How the “Child-Friendly Cities Initiative” helps local governments adopt child-centered governance strategies.

(13:10) How are cities selected.

(15:25) How did Decatur, GA achieve Child-Friendly City status, and what unique steps did they take to become more child-friendly?

(18:19) What are the challenges in evaluating large-scale, systems-level initiatives like CFCI, and what indicators define success?

Connect with Danielle and Anne and learn more about the Child Friendly Cities Initiative.

Read the full show notes HERE.

P.S. Enjoying the podcast? I’d greatly appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review. Your support helps me reach more nonprofit and social sector leaders like you who are working to make a difference. Don’t forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening!

In the nonprofit and social sector, data is everywhere—whether it’s survey responses, attendance records, financial data, or program outcomes.

But numbers alone don’t drive change.

It’s how you interpret and apply them that makes the difference.

As part of a three-part series, we previously discussed the strategist, and now we’re focusing on the analyst—the person who turns data into clear insights that inform decisions.

While many people take on this role in an organization, it’s not always just the “data person.”

Anyone who interacts with data needs to embody the characteristics of an analyst to become a strong, data-driven leader.

Skip Ahead:

(02:06) Why it is worth analyzing your data well.

(03:47) Effective analysis always starts with this.

(04:59) How to understand key metrics and trends with a high school math background.

(06:38) Methods for those who’ve taken a statistics course.

(07:43) Communicate your findings effectively.

(11:18) Balance accuracy with action and avoid ‘analysis paralysis.’

P.S. Enjoying the podcast? I’d greatly appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review. Your support helps me reach more nonprofit and social sector leaders like you who are working to make a difference. Don’t forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening!

We often focus on addressing problems after they’ve occurred in the nonprofit and social sector, but what if we could intervene earlier?

After 30 years of research in prevention science, the evidence is clear: many behavioral health issues and related challenges can be prevented.

I’m joined by Mitchell Moore, an advanced certified prevention specialist, to discuss the power of early intervention in preventing behavioral health problems—specifically in the context of youth and families.

(01:02) Why Mitchell believes funding should shift from reactive solutions like treatment and incarceration to proactive prevention.

Skip Ahead:

(04:44)  The role of data in helping Prevention Training Services reach out and train so many people.

(07:57) What a 9-month community assessment revealed and how it shifted their prevention strategy.

(16:45) How media literacy, a key aspect of prevention work, has made him hyper-aware of product placement in movies and commercials.

Connect with Mitchell Moore and learn more about Prevention Training Services.

Read the full show notes HERE.