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Good Nonsense: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Evan Wildstein & Tasha Van Vlack
Big topics, small talks. Welcome to Good Nonsense, an honest, occasional show about life in the nonprofit sector.
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- 1 weeks ago11 min
AI Philanthropy (probably) Isn’t Coming — with Jonah Nigh
Repeat guest and longtime friend Jonah Nigh is back. We shared an office at a small nonprofit in New York City decades ago, and we’ve been trading fundraising wisdom (and bad-idea responses) ever since. On this episode we tackle “that AI philanthropy article” everyone in fundraising keeps forwarding. Along the way we dive into — Why the “AI money is about to rain down” argument may be more breathless than brilliant What the dot-com boom, “Asian philanthropy,” and Craigslist can teach us about big capital and generosity Why the number two, three, and four leaders at a company may be your better prospects Kind, cheeky ways to redirect a board member’s “just ask Oprah” idea It’s practical, 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 hello@goodnonsense.org! Mentioned on this episode: Jonah’s work Jonah's first Good Nonsense episode “The Third Wave of American Philanthropy” (article) The Everywhere Millionaire (book)
- 2 weeks ago14 min
The World's Longest Nonprofit Mail Merge — with Aparna Rae
Fellow rabble-rouser Aparna Rae joins this conversation for a topic near and dear to a nonprofiteer’s heart: the lack of intellectual rigor (curiosity) in the sector. The kind of rigor that shows up when organizations actually invest in their people, whether or not they have budget funds for it. Along the way we dive into: The game of overhead chicken between nonprofits and funders Why “this is how it’s always been done” keeps us stuck on Encyclopedia Britannica in a world of Google, AI, and more Who the villains really are (hint: there’s more than one, and philanthropy is on the list) What to do when your professional development budget is really zero A cautionary tale about the sector’s longest mail merge It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way—including a heartfelt tribute to Clippy. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at hello@goodnonsense.org! Mentioned on this episode: Aparna’s LinkedIn Coursera The Nonprofit Hive We Are For Good: ImpactUp
- Nov 5, 202527 min
Building Empathy Muscle — with Michael Le
Attorney-turned-nonprofiteer Michael Le is a delightful human. The kind you enjoy getting to know. The kind who believes in building “empathy muscle” by planting himself in the mission work… whether or not that work appears on his job description, which we talked about, and more. Along the way we dive into — Taking big swings in our nonprofit work Smashing nonprofit complacency by dreaming The power of executives checking in on one another And one wish Michael 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 hello@goodnonsense.org! Mentioned on this episode: Social Impact Staff Retention project PDS Health Foundation’s Instagram Michael’s LinkedIn The ProImpact Project (connecting executive directors)
- Oct 29, 202533 min
Strategy, Change, and Teal Pumpkins — with Veronica LaFemina
Ever since Tasha and Evan learned about Veronica LaFemina’s concept of a one-page strategic plan, they were hooked. Years later, it’s been exciting following along as she advises nonprofits on addressing vacancies, siloes, and collective success. On this episode we talked about all of it. Along the way we dive into — Being a teenage peer mediator Making Halloween accessible for more kids The practical power of “I” instead of “we” statements Vacancy rates and how they can tank your org’s mission And one wish Veronica 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 hello@goodnonsense.org! Mentioned on this episode: The Teal Pumpkin Project Tether for really great nonprofit resources Veronica’s thoughts on nonprofit vacancy rates
- Oct 21, 202527 min
Going Beyond Elections to Reimagine Democracy — with Sam Reusch
Nonprofiteers may not think of “democracy work” as nonprofit work, but it absolutely is. On this episode, Apathy is Boring’s executive director Sam Reusch talks about how democracy is an ongoing conversation—one that helps us decide what type of country, province, or community we want. Along the way we dive into — Redefining democracy beyond elections Why apathy isn’t indifference, it’s disconnection How nontraditional work can create nonprofit leaders And one wish Sam 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 hello@goodnonsense.org! Mentioned on this episode: Apathy is Boring Sam’s LinkedIn
- Oct 9, 20255 min
A totally and completely serious nonprofit meditation—with Evan Wildstein
Nonprofiteers, as we enter the fun of year-end mishegoss, we know you need a moment to pause, reflect, and smell the bagels. Join us for this brief, five-minute meditation to find your center. With love, Tasha & Evan
- Oct 1, 202535 min
Being Curious, Empathetic, Affirming, and Helpful — with Tim Parsons
We were delighted to be Tim Parsons’ first-ever podcast, and what a deep conversation it was. From Dungeons & Dragons to empathy to disorienting dilemmas and beyond, Tim showed us why having different people in the room allows us to do big things. Along the way we dived into — Why our work requires idealists, realists, AND practical-ists Moving people along the journey of transformative volunteering Putting people outside their comfort zones to build real connection One wish Tim 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 hello@goodnonsense.org! Mentioned on this episode: Idealist.org Realized Worth Social Impact Supper Club (New York)
- Sep 24, 202534 min
Doing Big Things as an Introverted Leader — with Kimberly Lewis
Kimberly Lewis is a wonderfully warm nonprofit leader who pairs grit with grace. From saving an agency from bankruptcy to walking the floor at Goodwill, this conversation with Kimberly shows what true leadership is: presence and heart. Along the way we dive into — Balancing introversion with public leadership Succession planning and preparing the next generation of leaders Why seeing your people, and having them see you, is a wildly underrated flex And one wish Kimberly would make to improve the whole of 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 hello@goodnonsense.org!
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Big topics, small talks. Welcome to Good Nonsense, an honest, occasional show about life in the nonprofit sector.
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