Episodes

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if one of the most effective ways to protect California’s quality of life—for generations to come—starts with something as simple as native plants? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jun Bando, Executive Director of the California Native Plant Society to explore why native plants may be one of the most practical—and overlooked—investments in California’s future. CNPS operates at the intersection of science, community engagem...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... As the year comes to a close, I’m pressing pause on our regular programming to reflect — and to say thank you. In this brief holiday message, I share what this past year has revealed about the power of storytelling, the strength of our nonprofit community, and the quiet, human work that truly builds impact. The stories we’ve had the privilege to hear — and help be heard — remind me that community isn’t built by headl...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... This episode, I sit down with Cherian Koshy, author of Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making — a book that achieved something almost unheard of in the nonprofit sector by landing on the USA Today Bestseller List just one day after release. But this conversation isn’t about accolades. It’s about understanding what’s really happening in a donor’s brain — and why so many “best practices” in fundraising work ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What does it really take to move a region forward—without picking a side, without chasing headlines, and without sacrificing equity or the environment for “growth”? I had the privilege of sitting down with Evan Schmidt, CEO of Valley Vision, to unpack the organization’s unique role in the Sacramento region: a values-driven convener that brings people together, turns research into action, and helps align partners arou...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... In this episode, I bring together four community foundation leaders from across our region for a candid, timely conversation about what nonprofits are facing right now — and what’s coming next. As needs rise and resources feel tighter, community foundations are sitting at a critical intersection: listening to nonprofits, working with donors, and helping communities adapt in real time. We talk openly about uncertainty...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... If a child in our community had nowhere safe to go tonight, where would they sleep? I'm speaking with Glynis Butler-Stone, CEO of the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento, and Amber Robbins, a nonprofit leader whose own childhood was spent navigating violence, foster care, and multiple stays at the Receiving Home. Together, we explore an 80-year legacy that has quietly supported tens of thousands of kids in their ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if a hospital could transform a child's life in ways you never imagined? Join me on a heartfelt exploration of Shriners Children's Hospital in Sacramento as I uncover the inspiring stories of resilience and hope. I sit down with the Senior Director of Philanthropy, Alan Anderson, who passionately shares how donations fuel life-changing healthcare and research that turns children's struggles into triumphs. Lindse...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... This News Pod, I had the privilege of sitting down with James McCormick, CEO of the Sacramento Choral Society, to share a truly special announcement. Each year, the Choral Society presents its beloved Home for the Holidays concert — but this December marks an extraordinary milestone: the 30th anniversary of this Sacramento tradition! James walks us through the history, the heart, and the magic behind this performance...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... In this episode of the Nonprofit Podcast Network, I sit down with Bryan Wagner, President/CEO of Goodwill Industries serving the Greater Sacramento region, and Gabriel Noriega, workforce development coordinator and former Goodwill program participant. Most people know Goodwill for its familiar stores and donation drop-offs—but in our region, Goodwill is a $100 million nonprofit powering one of the largest workforce d...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... In this special NewsPod episode, we spotlight the 10th Annual Fast Pitch, Sacramento Venture Philanthropy’s flagship capacity-building program that helps nonprofits sharpen their storytelling and amplify impact. CEO Brad Squires and COO Drew Hayes join me to break down what made this milestone year record-setting — from a sold-out venue at The Sofia to a groundbreaking new technology platform that transformed live gi...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What happens when a small church ministry evolves into a vital community resource amidst a global pandemic? Join me as I uncover the unimaginable journey of the Rancho Cordova Community Food Hub, led by its first Executive Director, Carrie Johnson. You'll learn how Carrie tackled the daunting challenge of professionalizing a grassroots organization, enhancing its financial health, expanding leadership, and upgrading ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if you could transform your community by making affordable housing both sustainable and equitable? Join me as I embark on a thought-provoking journey with Craig Adelman, CEO Mutual Housing California. With over 30 years of experience, Craig offers a deep dive into the organization's innovative approach rooted in the mutual housing movement of the 50s and 60s. Discover how they structure developments to ensure lo...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... When a board member's family faced the uncertainty of a loved one’s hospital stay, they realized the true value of proximity and support. This episode, I'm joined by Stacey Hodge, Sr. Director of Community Relations and former board member Jerry Alestra, to explore the invaluable role the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Sacramento plays in similar scenarios. Stacey takes us on a journey through her evolution from ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What happens when a historic theater undergoes a dramatic transformation...through a pandemic and over multiple years? Find out as we chat with Sid Garcia-Heberger, Performing Arts Center and Memorial Auditorium Manager, Megan Van Voorhis, Director of the City's Convention and Cultural Services and Allison Yee-Garcia, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for SAFE Credit Union, as they share the behin...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if you could follow a serendipitous path leading to your dream job in a completely different state? Join me as I sit down with Jeremy Ganter, Executive Director of the Mondavi Center, who shares his extraordinary journey from upstate New York to becoming a cornerstone of Northern California's vibrant arts scene. With 25 years of deep-rooted experiences at the Mondavi Center, Jeremy shares insights into the cente...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... I sit down with Michael Stevenson, Artistic Director, to explore how Capital Stage delivers bold, conversation-starting theater in one of Sacramento’s most intimate professional venues—just 127 seats, no microphones, and acting so close you can feel the breath. We talk origin stories (from a 99-seat space on the Delta King to today’s J Street home), the company’s appetite for risk, why emotionally engaging audiences ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... The Hispanic Economic Report: Cathy Rodriguez Aguirre, President and CEO of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, joins me to talk about the Hispanic Economic Report. This report, first produced in 2021, provides essential data on the growth, contributions, and economic impact of Hispanic-owned businesses in the Sacramento region. Cathy discusses the importance of localized data, the progress observed since th...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Join me as I speak with Amber Shaver, Center Manager of the Harris Center for the Performing Arts at Folsom Lake College. We take listeners behind the scenes of one of the Sacramento region’s most dynamic performing arts venues — home to three unique stages, hundreds of annual events, and a mission that blends education, entertainment, and community. Amber shares the story of the Harris Center’s founding and vision, ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Curious about how a regional theater can thrive in a mid-sized city? Join me for a conversation with Executive Artistic Director and CEO, Lyndsay Burch from B Street Theatre as we explore the remarkable journey of this Sacramento staple. From its origins as Fantasy Theater for Children to its status today as a beloved cultural institution, Lyndsay shares insights on how nurturing young audiences and expanding theater...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... How do organizations like the American Cancer Society (ACS) orchestrate a national fight against cancer while making a difference on a local level? Join me as I unravel this complex puzzle with Alexis Padilla, Executive Director of the ACS Sacramento region, who sheds light on ACS's strategic framework rooted in research, patient support, and policy advocacy. Discover how the ACS has supported over 50 Nobel Prize win...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What happens when three visionary grad students decide to tackle food instability in under-resourced communities? Join us as we ask Sam Greenlee, CEO and Shannin Stein, Director of Advancement from Alchemist CDC about their transformative work in community development through food access. They share how their organization is redefining the local food system with innovative programs like farmers' markets, community ga...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... I went into this thinking I knew the American Red Cross—fires and floods, they're there. Disasters? Yep. All over it. What I didn't know is what you're going to hear in this episode and that is what happens the rest of the time. This legacy organization has its mark on our communities in ways I never thought. Jacquelyn Clites, who leads the 26-county Gold Country region, opened my eyes to how local and round-the-cloc...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Growing up in a single-parent household, Michael Lynch found his way to higher education through football. A tragic loss to gun violence transformed his perspective, driving him to uplift his community. Set against the backdrop of financial struggles, Alejandro Galicia Cervantes' journey from street vending to academic passion began with an encounter with Michael and the IYT program, sparking a love for education. Th...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Join me, Jeff Holden, as I speak with Peter Pemberton and Christina Kitchen as they discuss the vast range of services provided by the Salvation Army. Peter, recently promoted to Major and transferred to Sacramento, shares the organization's commitment to evolving and meeting modern needs while retaining its core religious and social mission. Christina, who has been with the organization for nearly 18 years, starting...