The Shared Brain Podcast

Where do people go to feel connected, inspired, and part of a community?

In this episode of The SharedBrain Podcast, we explore the growing importance of “third places”—the spaces beyond home and work where people gather, build relationships, exchange ideas, learn, and develop a sense of belonging.

From libraries, parks, theatres, museums, and galleries to community gardens and cultural centres, third places can play a powerful role in strengthening communities and supporting individual and collective well-being.

But what does this have to do with philanthropy?

Our hosts explore how third places are evolving, why they matter in a time of increasing disconnection, and how philanthropy can help protect, strengthen, and reimagine these vital community spaces.

The conversation also explores:

• Why libraries and cultural organizations are much more than the services they traditionally provide
• How third places can support connection, learning, mental well-being, and intergenerational knowledge sharing
• The importance of preserving and reimagining existing community infrastructure
• How philanthropy can help address critical infrastructure gaps
• Why organizations should look beyond their traditional audiences when identifying potential supporters
• How partnerships can create new opportunities for fundraising and community impact
• Why organizations need to move beyond a scarcity mindset
• The importance of knowing your people and building meaningful relationships
• How curiosity, bold thinking, storytelling, and collaboration can strengthen fundraising
• Why organizations should start where they are, use what they have, and do what they can

At the heart of this conversation is a powerful question:

What can we do to strengthen the places that bring us together?

Meet the Hosts

John McCabe, Senior Consultant
With more than 35 years of experience across arts and culture, healthcare, faith-based organizations, and community services in Atlantic Canada, John has raised more than $75 million throughout his career. His consulting expertise includes major gifts, campaigns, board development, fund development planning, sponsorship, and donor relations.

Jeff Sodowsky, MBA, MA, CFRE — Vice President, Pacific & Senior Consultant
Jeff brings more than 30 years of experience across arts and culture, post-secondary education, healthcare, and community organizations. His work spans strategic planning, major gifts, campaigns, board development, communications, and data-informed fundraising.

Corrie Fortner, CFRE — Vice President, Prairies & Territories & Senior Consultant
With more than three decades of experience, Corrie works with leaders, Boards, and development teams to strengthen organizational capacity and long-term sustainability through strategic, ethical, donor-centred fundraising.

Stacey Scott-Nykolyshyn, CEC, PCC — Vice President, Atlantic & Senior Consultant
Stacey brings more than 30 years of experience in community and social services, healthcare, hospice and palliative care, and post-secondary education. A bilingual, professionally certified coach, she combines leadership, governance, organizational advancement, and fund development expertise.

Connect with Global Philanthropic Canada

Looking to strengthen your organization's fundraising strategy, build capacity, or develop deeper relationships with your community?

Book a free 30-minute consultation with our team:

John McCabe — https://globalphilanthropic.ca/experts/john-mccabe/
Jeff Sodowsky — https://globalphilanthropic.ca/experts/jeff-sodowsky/
Corrie Fortner — https://globalphilanthropic.ca/experts/corrie-fortner/
Stacey Scott-Nykolyshyn — https://globalphilanthropic.ca/experts/stacey-scott-nykolyshyn/

Learn more about Global Philanthropic Canada:
https://globalphilanthropic.ca/

🎧 Listen to Episode 16 of The SharedBrain Podcast and discover how third places, philanthropy, and stronger communities are deeply connected.

Watch our story unfold here! 

Global's Website
Global's LinkedIn Page
Global's Facebook Page
Global's BlueSky
Global's YouTube

Is Your Organization Ready to Raise More?

What does it really take to grow a nonprofit fundraising program?

In this episode of The Shared Brain Podcast, François Lanthier sits down with Adrienne Nolan, CFRE, Senior Consultant at Global Philanthropic Canada, for an insightful conversation about fundraising readiness, organizational capacity, and sustainable growth.

Adrienne draws on more than 35 years of experience in healthcare and post-secondary fundraising, including leadership roles with organizations such as the University of British Columbia, SickKids Hospital Foundation, University of Regina, and Royal University Hospital Foundation. She has also worked on major campaigns totaling $1.9 billion.

Together, François and Adrienne explore why an organization's need for funding and its ability to raise that funding are two very different things.

They discuss how nonprofits can assess whether they are ready to grow, including:

• Aligning fundraising goals with organizational capacity
• Building a culture where fundraising is everyone's responsibility
• Engaging boards and leadership in meaningful ways
• Developing a strong and realistic donor pipeline
• Strengthening donor stewardship and relationships
• Investing in the right people, systems, technology, and processes
• Using CRM and centralized information to support sustainable growth
• Avoiding burnout and protecting organizational momentum
• Preparing small and grassroots organizations to expand their fundraising capacity
• Understanding how donor expectations and fundraising have changed over time

Adrienne also shares why fundraising is a team sport and why simply hiring a fundraiser isn't enough to build a successful program.

Book a free consultation with Adrienne Nolan, CFRE and explore where your organization can build capacity, strengthen fundraising, and unlock new opportunities.

👉 Connect with Adrienne and book your free call:
Book a Free Consultation with Adrienne Nolan

Whether you're a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, board member, development professional, or part of a grassroots organization, this episode offers practical insights to help you take an honest look at where you are today—and identify what needs to change before you pursue your next big fundraising goal.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of The Shared Brain Podcast and discover what fundraising readiness really looks like.

Learn more about Global Philanthropic Canada and connect with our team for support in strengthening your organization's fundraising strategy and capacity.

Watch our story unfold here! 

Global's Website
Global's LinkedIn Page
Global's Facebook Page
Global's BlueSky
Global's YouTube

What does it take to build a workplace where people don't just stay—but truly thrive?

In this episode of the Shared Brain Podcast, host Corrie Fortner, Vice President at Global Philanthropic Canada, sits down with Lauren Wheeler, Strategic Services Director at the Alberta Museums Association, for an insightful conversation about creating human-centred nonprofit organizations.

Together, they explore the leadership practices that strengthen workplace culture, improve staff retention, prevent burnout, and prepare the next generation of leaders. From innovative ideas like Focus Fridays to investing in professional development, succession planning, and flexible HR policies, Lauren shares practical strategies that have helped foster a resilient and people-first organizational culture.

Whether you're leading a nonprofit, serving on a board, managing a team, or shaping organizational strategy, this episode offers actionable insights to help you build healthier workplaces where both people and missions can flourish.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why leadership can—and should—be developed at every level of an organization
• Practical ways to prevent burnout and support employee wellbeing
• How workplace culture influences staff engagement and retention
• Why succession planning starts long before leadership transitions
• The role of professional development in building resilient organizations
• How people-first HR policies create stronger teams and long-term organizational sustainability

If you're ready to move beyond policies and build a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

Listen now and discover how investing in people creates stronger organizations—and greater impact.

Watch our story unfold here! 

Global's Website
Global's LinkedIn Page
Global's Facebook Page
Global's BlueSky
Global's YouTube

Passion is one of the nonprofit sector’s greatest strengths. It fuels missions, inspires change, and drives people to make a difference every day. But what happens when that same passion becomes the very thing putting people at risk?

In this episode of The Shared Brain Podcast, Theresa Bolton, Founder of Customized Recruitment, and Derek Rolstone, CEO & Founder of Stone HR Strategies, take an honest look at burnout in the nonprofit sector and why it has become one of the most pressing challenges facing organizations today.

Together, they explore the realities behind the statistics, the warning signs leaders often miss, and why burnout is frequently mistaken for performance issues, disengagement, or lack of commitment. From emotional exhaustion and decision fatigue to quiet quitting, absenteeism, and presenteeism, this conversation uncovers how burnout affects both individuals and organizations.

Theresa and Derek also share practical strategies nonprofit leaders can implement to create healthier workplaces, support employee well-being, encourage healthy boundaries, and build sustainable organizational cultures where people can thrive without sacrificing themselves for the mission.

Whether you're a nonprofit executive, fundraiser, HR professional, board member, manager, or frontline team member, this episode offers valuable insights to help you recognize burnout early and protect the people behind the cause.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why burnout is so prevalent in the nonprofit sector
• The difference between passion and overwork
• Key emotional, physical, and workplace signs of burnout
• How leaders can identify burnout in themselves and their teams
• Why vacations, boundaries, and recovery matter more than ever
• Practical ways to create a healthier workplace culture
• How Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and external support can help

One of the most powerful reminders from this conversation:

"Healthy organizations are built by healthy people."

Tune in for an insightful discussion filled with practical advice, real-world experience, and actionable takeaways for anyone committed to creating a sustainable future for nonprofit work.

Watch our story unfold here! 

Global's Website
Global's LinkedIn Page
Global's Facebook Page
Global's BlueSky
Global's YouTube

Are donor-advised funds holding money hostage — or are they one of the most powerful tools in the charitable sector? In Part 2 of our DAF series, Senior Consultants Jill Nelson and Peter McKinley tackle the real concerns and common misconceptions surrounding how donor-advised funds operate.

From disbursement quotas and endowment comparisons to anonymity, stewardship barriers, and complex gift vehicles, Jill and Peter bring clarity, nuance, and a healthy dose of optimism to a topic that is reshaping charitable giving in Canada.

In this episode, they explore:

• What the disbursement quota is and why it matters to DAF giving
• Whether money in DAFs is really "languishing" — and what the data shows
• How charities can still steward DAF donors, even when anonymity is involved
• Why DAFs are not the enemy — and how charities and DAFs can collaborate
• How DAFs may be growing the pie of charitable giving, not just redirecting it
• What's coming next in the Global Philanthropic Canada DAF podcast series

Stay tuned — colleagues Amy Lindenberger and Derek Fraser will be joining future episodes to share case studies and practical strategies your organization can put to work.

Watch our story unfold here! 

Global's Website
Global's LinkedIn Page
Global's Facebook Page
Global's BlueSky
Global's YouTube

What if there were billions of dollars already earmarked for charitable giving — just waiting for your organization to tap in? That's the reality of donor-advised funds, and in this episode of the Shared Brain Podcast, we're breaking down everything you need to know.

Hosts Peter McKinley and Jill Nelson, both Senior Consultants with Global Philanthropic Canada, sit down for an in-depth conversation on one of the fastest-growing sources of charitable revenue in Canada. From a real-life story of a couple who saved hundreds of thousands in taxes while making a $2 million community gift, to the surprising role DAFs played in sustaining charitable giving during COVID-19 — this episode is packed with eye-opening insights.

Together, Peter and Jill cover:

• What a donor-advised fund (DAF) is and how it works
• How DAFs differ from private foundations — and why that matters
• Key stats from CRA data: over 180,000 DAFs in Canada, giving $1.9 billion to charities last year
• Why DAF holders are among the most valuable donor prospects your organization can identify
• How DAFs may be reshaping the giving landscape even as the number of individual receipted donors declines

Whether you're a fundraising professional, a nonprofit leader, or someone exploring smarter ways to give, this episode will change how you think about charitable dollars — and how to connect with them.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Peter and Jill continue the conversation.

Subscribe, like, and share to stay up to date with new episodes. Learn more about Global Philanthropic Canada's expert consulting services at globalphilanthropic.ca or book a complimentary 30-minute consultation with one of our award-winning senior consultants. Let's elevate mission together.

Watch our story unfold here! 

Global's Website
Global's LinkedIn Page
Global's Facebook Page
Global's BlueSky
Global's YouTube

Watch our story unfold here! 

Global's Website
Global's LinkedIn Page
Global's Facebook Page
Global's BlueSky
Global's YouTube

In this episode, two expert Senior Consultants with Global Philanthropic Canada, Corinne Rusch-Drutz, PhD, and Jason Muscant, MA, discuss political resilience within Canada's charitable sector, emphasizing the importance of understanding the impact of crises, maintaining a clear mission, and developing effective communication strategies. They explore how organizations can navigate the political landscape, build relationships with political partners, and advocate for their causes while remaining focused on their core mission. You will hear practical advice to enhance your organization's resilience and adapt to changing circumstances.

To book your 30-minute complimentary session with either of these Senior Consultants, click their name above and get started!

To download the free report on political resilience for Canadian non-profits , click here. Also available in French.

Watch our story unfold here! 

Global's Website
Global's LinkedIn Page
Global's Facebook Page
Global's BlueSky
Global's YouTube

This episode celebrates Mitch Thomson and his team at Red Deer Food Bank Society's innovative, inspiring approach to fundraising. 

• What can your organization do DIFFERENTLY to move the needle on your important mission?
• How can you integrate an entrepreneurial mindset into your daily initiatives to drive funding and engagement? 
• How can you connect with donors, volunteers and your Board meaningfully and authentically? 

Myles Peake, Global Senior Consultant in Red Deer, Alberta, sits down with Mitch Thomson, Executive Director of Red Deer Food Bank Society, to discuss ways to break out of the daily humdrum of fundraising and integrate new ideas to drive maximum reach for your organization. 

To help the Red Deer Food Bank Society reach their fundraising goals, click here!

Watch our story unfold here! 

Global's Website
Global's LinkedIn Page
Global's Facebook Page
Global's BlueSky
Global's YouTube

HOORAY for the next generation of philanthropists!! This episode takes us to New Brunswick, where we connect with two inspiring individuals who make the wheels turn for the "Youth in Philanthropy" (YiP) program. This program is designed to inspire, engage and teach youth about the impacts and benefits of being involved with philanthropy through various activities where they learn about the work of non-profits in their communities. The youth leave the program inspired to become young adults who continue to give back to their communities as they venture into adulthood.

This episode is hosted by Global Philanthropic Canada's own Stacey Scott Nykolyshyn. Stacey is Vice President, Atlantic and Senior Consultant. This episode features two special guests: Anthony Enman, Board Director with the Association of Fundraising Professionals of New Brunswick, as well as Officer with the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation and Krista Turnbull, Community Schools Coordinator at Seaside Park Elementary School.

Learn more about the AFP New Brunswick.

Watch our story unfold here! 

Global's Website
Global's LinkedIn Page
Global's Facebook Page
Global's BlueSky
Global's YouTube