Society & Culture Episodes

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Homelessness is often misunderstood. For many women and families, it begins with a single crisis—domestic violence, a medical emergency, or simply the inability to afford housing while raising children. In this episode, I speak with Lisa Culp, founder of Women’s Empowerment, and Robin Kelly-Dunton, a graduate of the program who now serves as chair of its board. Together they share the story of an organization that ha...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What happens when a community decides the arts aren’t a luxury — they’re essential? In this episode, I sit down with Allison Cagley, Executive Director and the driving force behind Friends of Sacramento Arts, an organization leading the charge to restore arts and music education in public schools across our region. We talk about what was lost after Prop 13, what’s possible through Prop 28, and why this moment is a on...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Impact 100 Greater Sacramento is now accepting nonprofit grant applications —and this is not just another funding opportunity. In this Newspod, I sit down with Sarina Paulsen, President of Impact 100 Greater Sacramento, to talk about how their collective giving model turns 100 women donating $1,000 into transformational $100,000 grants. Last year alone, more than $450,000 was awarded across Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... American River Parkway Foundation – Protecting 23 Miles of Sacramento’s Backyard I’m on the American River Parkway multiple times a week. Cycling. Running. Watching the fog rise off the river. And like many of you, I’ve probably taken it for granted. But what if I told you only about 10% of Sacramento County residents recognize the Parkway as a connected 23-mile resource? In this episode, I sit down with Diana Pogget...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What happens once the flames are out? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Joe Pick, Executive Director of the Firefighters Burn Institute and a 30-year veteran of the fire service, to explore what recovery really looks like for burn survivors and their families. Born from tragedy following a devastating 1972 plane crash in Sacramento, the Firefighters Burn Institute was created to ensure our region would never ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What does it take to build something that lasts 30 years? In this episode, I sit down with Donald Kendrick, founder and artistic force behind the Sacramento Choral Society, to reflect on three decades of music, leadership, and cultural impact in our region. Founded in 1996, the Sacramento Choral Society has presented more than 180 performances, toured internationally, recorded professionally mastered albums, and — in...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... In this update episode, I welcome Debbie Gabelich back to the Nonprofit Podcast Network, the third time for the organization — and a lot has changed since our last conversation in early 2024. Kids First has always been known as a trusted place for families in crisis, but Debbie explains how the need has deepened: cases are more complex, trauma is more severe, and stability can hinge on something as small as a dead ca...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Family businesses sit at the heart of our economy — and at the heart of our families. In this episode, I’m joined by Maggie Bender and Justin Horner from the Capital Region Family Business Center for a thoughtful, honest conversation about what it really takes to sustain a family enterprise across generations. This episode is especially meaningful because it marks a leadership transition. After four years as presiden...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if you could directly impact the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) while fostering a more inclusive society? They could be autism, Down's Syndrome, FragileX and other not so visible disabilities that none the less, create challenging lifestyles for those experiencing them as well as the families who support those with these conditions. Join me, Jeff Holden, for an inspiring...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Join me, Jeff Holden, for an enlightening conversation with Amanda McCarthy, Executive Director of River City Food Bank, as we explore the vital role food banks play in our communities. Amanda breaks down the differences between regional and local food banks, shedding light on how River City Food Bank directly supports nearly 30,000 people each month. Discover the organization's incredible adaptability in the face of ri...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if you could help create a world where people with disabilities thrive in fulfilling careers? We're going to discuss just that. Join me as I sit down with Jeff Dern, President and CEO of PRIDE Industries to uncover the inspiring journey of the organization, a pioneering nonprofit with a mission to foster employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. From their modest beginnings at St. Luke's Church in...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if nearly half the youth in your community felt hopeless? Join me, Jeff Holden, as I sit down with Staci Anderson, President and CEO of Pro Youth and Families to explore how this remarkable organization has transformed over the past forty years to meet the evolving needs of young people. From its beginnings tackling drug and alcohol issues, Pro Youth and Families has expanded to offer resilience-building, leadershi...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if the solution to combating domestic violence, elder abuse, and human trafficking lies in the power of community collaboration? Join me as I sit down with the inspiring Faith Whitmore, a United Methodist pastor turned political figure, who now leads the Family Justice Center in Sacramento. Faith's journey is nothing short of remarkable, and she credits her diverse background for preparing her to champion a cause t...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What critical role do vernal pools play in our ecosystem, and why should their preservation be a priority? Join me, Jeff Holden, as I uncover these questions with Mackenzie Wieser, CEO off Sacramento Splash. Mackenzie offers an in-depth look into these unique habitats, discussing the diverse species they host and their importance in maintaining biodiversity. Highlighting the lifecycle of creatures like tadpole shrimp, M...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if navigating the healthcare system could be a seamless journey rather than a daunting challenge? Greg Stone, CEO of Peach Tree Health joins me to shed light on the fascinating evolution of Peach Tree Health, from its humble beginnings as a county-controlled clinic in Yuba County to a pioneering independent nonprofit and federally qualified health center. Together, we unpack the collaborative efforts with hospital ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Join me for a fascinating exploration of Sacramento's significant historical evolution with our passionate guests, Walter White, President of the Sacramento Historical Society, Delta Pick Mello, Vice President and Gregg Lukenbill, Vice President. Listen in as Gregg passionately outlines Sacramento's monumental contributions from the Civil War, the Gold Rush, and the construction of the transcontinental railroad to the e...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What does it take to help newly arriving refugees, immigrants, and survivors of trafficking find stability and a sense of belonging in a new country? On this episode, I welcome Jessie Mabry, CEO of Opening Doors, a nonprofit organization that has been making a significant impact in Northern California since 1993. Jessie takes us through the inspiring journey of how a modest church outreach grew into a robust 501c3 nonpr...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What can a school garden teach us about community health and education? On this episode of the Nonprofit Podcast Network, I am thrilled to welcome Salvador Ramirez, the inspiring Executive Director of Yolo Farm to Fork. Salvador's journey from an agricultural family background tied to the Bracero Program, through an enriching Peace Corps service in Kazakhstan, to his current leadership role, is nothing short of remarkab...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... How does a small organization tackling hypertension grow into a community health powerhouse? Join me for an inspiring conversation with Deborah Oto-Kent , the visionary founder of the Health Education Council, as she shares nearly four decades of experience transforming community health. Deborah takes us through the humble beginnings of her organization, initially focused on hypertension in diverse, low-income communiti...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Can humor save lives? Join me, Jeff Holden, for an extraordinary episode where we'll uncover the potent mix of comedy and mental health with our special guests Brad and Victoria Bonar, and local comedian, DJ Sandhu. These amazing individuals share their raw and real experiences, including Brad's brave recounting of his 5150 hold and his journey to openly discussing his struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide. ...

Love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Send a text... Learn how one parent with twins born with hearing loss was introduced to an effective support program for children as we share the compelling story of Licia Green, the Development Director for CCHAT (Children's Choice for Hearing and Talking) program. Experience the emotional highs and lows of her journey as a parent of deaf twin daughters, from the shock of their diagnosis to the profound relief and optimism found through the nurturing ...

What happens when theater arts meet social-emotional learning and conflict resolution? Join me, Jeff Holden, in this thought-provoking episode as we shed light on the extraordinary work of the NorCal School of the Arts. We'll explore how this organization seamlessly integrates music, theater, dance, and visual arts into educational settings and communities, benefiting everyone from pre-kindergarten students to adults. Michael, a former fourth-grade teacher turned program manager, shares his uniq...

Can horses really sense human emotions? Join me, Jeff Holden, as I uncover the profound mental health benefits of equine assisted therapy with Donna Eckwortzel, Founder and Executive Director of Hearts Landing Ranch. Donna’s unique program at Hearts Landing Ranch allows participants to bond with rescued horses without ever riding them, harnessing the horses' natural instincts as prey animals to create a therapeutic environment ripe for emotional healing. Hear how being present with these empathe...

What if nonprofits could thrive with the same professionalism and efficiency as for-profit businesses? Join me as I sit down with Kim Tucker from The Impact Foundry to dissect the evolving landscape of nonprofit business models and capacity building. Kim unpacks the shift from donation-based funding to earned revenue and why nonprofits must invest in robust internal systems and talent. Discover the misconceptions that hold nonprofits back and the critical distinction between ego-driven and missi...