We All Do Better

(Heads up, there's some swearing in this episode. And it wasn't Jimmy!) By taking jobs like this, are we martyrs? Are we sacrificing money we could be earning elsewhere? Tracy Hitchcock, the CEO of Create Common Good, breaks down the work of Create Common Good. And challenges us to change the way we think about leading nonprofits - pay better, be unafraid of learning from business colleagues, and do better! Also, next month, Tracy is moving on to other opportunities. We wish her well! She left a great legacy at Create Common Good and as a leader in the nonprofit community. Thank you for all you've done and all you will do, Tracy. Learn more about Create Common Good at their website here, on Facebook here, or on Instagram here. Talk with Jimmy and Wyatt on Facebook and keep this conversation going. Tell us all about how you're working to not be a martyr for the cause. 

"Build a narrative around the child." Sarah Shinn, CEO of Make A Wish Idaho, wants to turn their ears to the community to tell their story better. Is having an organization that's so well known a barrier to uncover the assumptions behind people's view of a child's health? A wish isn't a novelty. It can be a key part of a child's treatment plan. Studies have shown that a wish is impactful.  Learn more about Sarah and Make-A-Wish by checking out their website, following them out on Facebook or on Twitter. Chat with them about your wish.  Talk with Jimmy and Wyatt on Facebook and keep this conversation going. Tell us all about your wish.     

It takes a bit of vulnerability. A dash of trust. And a willingness to explore all that privilege that we were gifted. Bryan Lyda sits down with Jimmy and Wyatt and explores how sexism and racism impacts leadership in the nonprofit sector. As two white male leaders, what responsibility do we have? Learn more about the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence at their website. Be sure to send them a click on Facebook here.  Talk with Jimmy and Wyatt on Facebook and keep this conversation going. 

How do you build a healthy culture at a nonprofit? The YMCA is an institution, a lasting legacy. Because of that, what is it like to manage hundreds of staff? How do you stay healthy when your organization is pushed to be all things to all people. David Duro, the CEO of the Treasure Valley YMCA, unpacks building a culture and foundational goals.  Learn more about David and the YMCA by strolling over to their website here. Click the 'like' button at their Facebook page here.  Talk with Jimmy and Wyatt on Facebook and keep this conversation going. What kind of culture do you want around your social justice work?   

What do you do if you have an idea that you are convinced is compelling? How many years would you pursue it? Kenton Lee went to Africa and saw how powerful it would be if there was a shoe that grew as a child grows. But it took 6 years and countless rejection for his innovation to come to life. Hear Kenton detail the winding path that his practical compassion, his evolving storytelling, and his cultural ethos that has now impacted so many lives for the better. Be one of the thousands that has engaged in their work. Follow The Shoe That Grows on Facebook by clicking here. Learn more at their website by clicking here. Talk with Jimmy and Wyatt on Facebook and keep this conversation going. Tell us about an idea that you've had and how your patience has paid off. As it turns out, social justice is hard. It takes more than a podcast. 

Does your role as a nonprofit leader or a social justice warrior change after an election like 2016 happens? Wyatt and Jimmy take that question to a live taping of We All Do Better. We sit down with Holli Woodings, City of Boise Councilwoman and Board President of the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage. Holli breaks down the role of women leaders, how Girl Scouts manages its politics, and our role as concerned citizens.  Learn more about the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage by clicking here. Follow them on Facebook here.  Talk with We All Do Better on Facebook and keep this conversation going. We want to hear from you. How has political elections like the one we just had impacted your work? How does it shape your storytelling?

We've missed you. We've missed telling you stories about nonprofit leadership, the struggles and joys of leading social justice movements, the vulnerable moments that shape who we are as a community. We are back with Season Two. The first two episodes drop on Thursday, November 15th. Stay tuned for more! We're excited to bring you an episode a week for the rest of the year. Talk with us on Facebook and keep this conversation going. 

It's the finale of Season One! We did it, everyone. Thank you for being amazing listeners and for joining us for this ride. And now, the (can we call it grand?) finale! Part 1 - Bill Manny, Engagement Editor of Idaho Statesman, interviews Jimmy and Wyatt on why they created We All Do Better and how nonprofit professionals can support each other. Part 2 - Interviewees from Season 1 check back in and answer the questions: what has happened with your company since we last talked and what is inspiring you right now? Part 3 - Jimmy and Wyatt reflect on the lessons they learned from these interviews and how it's impacting their companies. And share what's in store for Season Two. 

"They appreciate that authentic conversation. There's a hunger for that kind of conversation." What does it look like if we take the shouting and the elbowing out of the dialogue and actually listen to each other? What would the news look like then? Bill Manny, the Engagement Editor of the Idaho Statesman, is trying to figure that out. He's sick of the lack of civility. Jimmy and I changed up the format: the three of us sat down for a deep conversation on storytelling and how the nonprofit sector interacts with the media.  Help Bill in his new role as the Engagement Editor of the Idaho Statesman. Throw him a follow on Twitter (@whmanny). Read his article where he announces how he wants to connect with you in this new role (click here for the article).  What stories do you have to tell? Have you lived in that tension that Bill describes, trying to push your social justice solutions but only get covered on the sensational? Tell us about it on Facebook at We All Do Better.    

"She opened up the fridge and there was a hot dog. A green hot dog. We need to get you on Meals on Wheels." Every mealtime, think about opening up your fridge and not being sure what you're going to eat. That's the reality that faces Grant Jones every day as he shows to work as the Executive Director of Metro Meals on Wheels. He talks with Jimmy about serving seniors in need, how the federal budgeting impacts his sleep, and the ultimate solution to hunger. After the interview, Jimmy and Wyatt get political.  Be sure to follow all the great work of Metro Meals on Wheels on Facebook or on their website (http://www.metromealsonwheels.net/). Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook or at our website (wealldobetter.org) If you follow us on Facebook, Jimmy will 'like' your comments. All of them. 

Calling all hand raisers! Nora Carpenter of United Way of Treasure Valley breaks down why we struggle to collaborate as a social sector, but why we need to. As we've become more industrialized, we've become more specialized. That's created silos that we need to break down. Nora believes that we are smarter together than we ever will be apart.  "The only way to succeed is to show up." United Way is considered a leader of collaboration for a reason. Find out why by following them on Facebook or on Twitter. While you're at it, throw a follow for We All Do Better on Facebook too.  After the interview, Jimmy admits a secret. Wyatt confesses to feely lonely. And they proposed how you should spend 20% of your time. 

When have you had to be fearless to instigate change? Neva Geisler of One Stone asks and is asked questions like this all the time. As the Opportunity Wrangler for One Stone, she inspires students to ask the tough questions of their community. One Stone is known for being a student-led and directed nonprofit that created the One Stone School, an education that fosters a culture of creativity for its students. It's an interesting story, a compelling thing that is constantly re-invented by the students. Jimmy and Wyatt wish they had gone to a school like this.  Learn more about One Stone at their website (onestone.org) and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to like We All Do Better on Facebook and answer this One Stone question: what piece of advice would you have for your high-school self? 

"I want to live in a world where I know that kids, especially teens, are given the ability to pursue and find their passions." Ryan Peck of Boise Rock School plays many instruments and wears many hats. Whether it's launching an organization dedicated to helping kids find their creative passions through music with Boise Rock School, or finding an all ages concert hall in Boise through the Boise All-Ages Movement Project, Ryan wants to unlock the inherent creative expression of our teenagers. Oh yeah, and he teaches biology at Boise State University.  Jimmy sits down with Ryan to talk about the role music plays in enhancing a city's culture and inspiring the heck out of our teenagers. "If the kids are all right, the future's all right."  Also, after the interview, Jimmy and Wyatt dissect who is cooler and what a city would be without music. Check out Boise Rock School on their website here or on Facebook and on Twitter. Follow the Boise All-Ages Movement Project on Facebook. Be sure to like We All Do Better on Facebook and tell us which instrument you want to play in the We All Do Better House Band.  

Phillip is as Idaho as Idaho gets. We sit down to hear about the founding of the Idaho Black History Museum and its role in the community. Jimmy and I learned a lot about our role as nonprofit professionals in ending racism. There's a moment in time right now, an awakening. Phillip challenges us on how we think and talk about "privilege."   Follow Idaho Black History Museum on their website (http://www.ibhm.org/) or on Facebook.  Make sure to keep the conversation going and following We All Do Better on Facebook. Comment on this episode. What did you learn? How are you going to help end racism?

Finally, a guest that isn't also a co-host! Wyatt sits down with Jaime Hansen, Executive Director of Family Adovcates. Jaime works to strengthen families and keep kids safe. But what was it like for her on day one of her job? And why is she pushing so hard for nonprofits to collaborate and 'find your tribe'? Stick around after the interview to hear Jimmy and Wyatt reflect about what Jaime taught them. Yes, Wyatt and Jimmy have plenty to learn about how to be an Executive Director and how to make an impact on the world. Be sure to learn more about Family Advocates at their website (strongandsafe.org). And follow them on Facebook and on Twitter (@FamilyAdvct).