Episodes

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Join me as I converse with David Sobon, Founder and CEO of Wide Open Walls, a most unique nonprofit. We discuss the impactful mural movement that has transformed Sacramento into a vibrant city-wide canvas, celebrating diversity, creativity, equity, and civic pride. David shares insights about the genesis of Wide Open Walls, the involvement of local and international artists, and the role of public art in connecting c...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Can a personal tragedy ignite a movement to reshape our healthcare system? Doug Carson joins us to reveal the poignant story behind Albie Aware, a foundation born from the heartache of losing his wife, Albie, to breast cancer. Doug recounts the painful journey that led to the foundation's inception, fueled by the anger and determination to prevent others from facing overlooked diagnostic tests due to insurance constr...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Can a tragic loss transform into a legacy of life? Join us for an emotional journey with Brad Barroso, Founder of Trevor's 2nd Chance, as he recounts the story of his son Trevor, whose selfless decision to become an organ donor saved three lives after he succumbed to an asthma attack in 2018. Through Brad's heartfelt narrative, we uncover the emotional hurdles his family faced and the significant role Sierra Donor Se...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Growing up in a household fraught with challenges, including a mother battling addiction, Paul Somerhausen's relationship with Christmas was anything but typical. Despite these hurdles, Paul turned his early life experiences into a mission of kindness, generating hope for those in need through his involvement with Christmas Promise. After moving to the United States and rekindling his passion for giving during the ho...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if a nonprofit could not only sustain itself but thrive in an ever-changing financial landscape? Doug Bergman, President and CEO from the innovative organization known as United Cerebral Palsy or UCP, shares how they've accomplished just that. Starting from their roots in 1955 focused on children with cerebral palsy, Doug takes us through their dynamic journey to becoming a primary supporter for a broad range of...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What would you do if your mind remained sharp, but your body slowly ceased to respond? Join me as I explore the harrowing reality of ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that traps individuals in their own bodies while leaving their cognitive functions intact. With no cure in sight and a life expectancy of just a few years post-diagnosis, we unravel the unpredictable progression of this disease through real-life stories ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... How do we truly support those navigating the turbulent waters of grief and loss? How do we even define the nature of what grief or loss may be? Gather insightful perspectives from my guests, Elizabeth Cantu and Suzanne Austen, as they shed light on the profound work of the Bereavement Network Resources of Sacramento. This episode traces the organization's roots from a grassroots initiative by grieving parents, evolvi...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if we could give a voice to those who struggle to express themselves verbally? Join me as I explore this powerful question with my guest, Program Manager, Stephanie Maki from CTEC. Stephanie walks us through the visionary work at the Communication Technology Education Center (CTEC), where speech-language pathologists are transforming lives by crafting personalized communication solutions. From observing client...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if education could be the key to breaking the cycle of generational poverty? Join me as I explore this concept with our insightful guests, Macey Amissah McKinney and Josefina Avena Garcia from City Year. We uncover how City Year strategically places young adults as Student Success Coaches in Sacramento's under-resourced schools, where they serve as full-time tutors and mentors. Josefina, who has risen from an Am...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What transformative power can philanthropy hold in addressing community health challenges? Explore this fascinating question as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Sierra Health Foundation with President & CEO, Chet Hewitt. From its origins as a pioneering health conversion foundation to its role as a national model for over 350 similar organizations, Sierra Health Foundation has redefined community support ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Join me as I welcome Rachel Prettyman, newly announced Executive Director and Emily Calanchini, Community Outreach Manager, to the Nonprofit Podcast Network for an inspiring discussion about Project R.I.D.E, an amazing equine therapy program. Discover how this incredible initiative uses horseback riding to support individuals with disabilities, enhancing their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills through...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... As a high school freshman, Katie Escajeda's passion for community service was ignited when she joined Kiwanis. Katie, Divison leader and President of the Citrus Heights Kiwanis, along with fellow guest and board member, Louise Brown, joins me to explore the shifting landscape of service organizations like Kiwanis, Rotary, and Elks clubs. As time constraints and outdated traditions challenge these clubs, Katie and Louis...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... This episode highlights a significant leadership transition at My Sister's House. Christine Nguyen steps into the role of CEO, while Yen Marshall moves back on to the board of directors after a well-deserved break. This change marks a new chapter for the organization, which has been committed to serving the Southeast Asian communities for 24 years. Christine shares a personal story that underscores the profound impac...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Continuing our theme of organizations serving mother's and children in the month of May, Single Mom Strong brings us yet another perspective on how properly addressing a need can really change lives for the better. Ever wondered how a single mother's personal journey could transform into a life-changing support network for others like her? Tara Taylor, founder and Executive Director of Single Mom Strong, is here to s...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What role do endowments and foundations play in ensuring the financial health of nonprofits? Scott Thomas, Principal and Financial Advisor at CapTrust Sacramento, joins us to share. Drawing from the 2024 CapTrust report, Scott sheds light on the current trends shaping the nonprofit sector, including inflation concerns and the strategic involvement of outsourced chief investment officers. He explains how these trends ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Genelle Smith, Executive Director of Wellspring Women's Center joins me to share the inspiring journey of an organization that started with a simple act of kindness and blossomed into a vital community sanctuary. Founded over 38 years ago by two sisters with a passion for service, Wellspring began in the 1980s with just donuts and coffee. Today, it stands as as an icon of love for mothers, children, and seniors in Sa...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if you found yourself on the brink of losing everything, only to rise stronger than ever before? Join me in conversation with Scott Richards, CEO of Saint John's Program for Real Change and Monica, a resilient alum of the organization, who shares her remarkable journey from homelessness to a fulfilling career at UC Davis Medical Center. In a candid conversation, Monica reveals how the program helped her brea...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Maria Medrano joins me this episode to share her inspiring journey from humble beginnings to becoming a trailblazer in educational technology. Her dedication to breaking the cycles of generational poverty led to the creation of Inspirame, a tech company that empowers students transitioning from community college to a four-year institution. Maria's personal story and her parents' unwavering support highlight the power of...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Ready to transform your understanding of nonprofit sustainability? Join me in conversation with Niva Flor, Chief Impact Officer at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. Together, we unravel the complexities of what sustainability truly means for nonprofits—beyond just surviving, it's about thriving. Discover how the Foundation's Big Day of Giving is a game-changer, emphasizing the power of unrestricted gifts and t...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Michael Lynch, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT), brings his compelling insights on bridging education and health equity for young men of color. We explore how IYT provides robust support from seventh grade through college to close the college opportunity gap. Michael shares inspiring stories like that of Oscar, a former student turned board member, showcasing IYT's transformational impact ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if everyone had the chance to unlock their musical potential, regardless of their background or financial situation? Meet Buddy Hale, the visionary behind Musiclandria, who turned his challenging foster system childhood into a driving force for change. Buddy's personal experience with music as a lifeline inspired him to create Musiclandria, a groundbreaking nonprofit that's now the largest free music instrument len...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Sal Ramirez, Executive Director of Yolo Farm to Fork, joins me on this newspod as he shares his dedication to promoting health equity in child development. Listen as Sal unpacks the vital work being done to ensure that every child, regardless of their socioeconomic background, has access to fresh, healthy food. He passionately discusses the challenges faced by children in lower-income communities, where food insecurity ...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... What if the secret to a thriving nonprofit sector lies in the power of trust and flexibility? Join me as we uncover the potential of unrestricted funds and trust-based philanthropy with insights from Carrie Wood, CEO of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation and their Big Day of Giving event. We explore the shifting dynamics of giving, especially in a post-COVID world, where younger donors are stepping up through gi...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text... Can you imagine a world where reaching the age of 100 is not just a milestone but a joyful norm? This latest episode uncovers the secrets of aging well as shared by Sheri Peifer, President and CEO of Eskaton. Gain insights into how community and connections are vital in promoting a longer, richer life. Sheri reveals how Eskaton, a leading nonprofit in Northern California, is redefining senior living through personalized...