The Discovery Pod – Détails, épisodes et analyse

As Season 8 of the Discovery Pod draws to a close, join us for a reflective wrap-up with your host Douglas Nelson and special guest Alex Wilson, Director of Communications and Producer of the Discovery Pod. In this finale, we dive into the heart of the social profit sector, exploring the top challenges leaders face today and the strategic insights from our most inspiring guests. From staff retention to the critical role of board engagement, we cover it all. Get ready for a deep dive into the lessons learned and what leaders should prioritize as they prepare for a dynamic fall. Tune in and let's take stock of our sector's pulse together.

In this episode, Douglas Nelson, host, sits down with Jim Hayhurst, a former CEO, social profit founder, philanthropist, community leader, and advisor to discuss the importance of activating capital for social impact and the need for innovative approaches to philanthropy. Drawing from his experience in both the social profit and tech sectors, Jim highlights the value of embracing failure and normalizing risk when pursuing meaningful change. Jim’s passion for catalyzing positive change shines through, offering inspiration and practical wisdom for us to make a difference in our communities.

The Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley was born from a personal experience and a community need. Founded ten years ago, it aimed to build a local hospice facility after a resident faced long travel distances for end-of-life care. Now, the Society has grown from a volunteer-run to a fundraising campaign to build the hospice, expanding palliative care services across the Bow Valley community. Joining us today to tell us more about the Palliative Care Society is Theresa Radwell, the CEO. Theresa also opens up about a unique opportunity to be part of the organization, a pivotal role in making a real difference in the lives of those facing end-of-life challenges.

The Pacific Salmon Foundation is a nonprofit that focuses on rebuilding and improving the ecosystems for salmon. Running a massive organization with such a unique structure as this charity has is a one-in-a-kind challenge. We get taken into the ins-and-outs of the Pacific Salmon Foundation by Allison Colina, Vice President of Development, Marketing, and Communications. In this episode, she talks us through her journey from healthcare to becoming a social profit leader. She also gives insights on how the community and government policy play a part in the charity’s conservation efforts. 

The Calgary John Howard Society (CJHS) is a charity that has been reducing crime and making Calgary communities safer since 1949 by helping youth and adults make positive changes and move away from criminal behavior. They do this by addressing the root causes of crime through education, employment programs, housing, and support so individuals have alternatives to breaking the law. Joining Douglas Nelson today to share what the charity is all about is Leslie McMechan, the Executive Director at CJHS. She also gives some insight into the great work that they do. 

Tension in the workplace can be counterproductive, but do you know that leaders can use healthy tension to enhance alignment in the effectiveness of their boards? In this special episode, Douglas Nelson is joined by two of his colleagues at the Discovery Group, Margaret McNeil and Karen Gilmore, in a discussion about the role of healthy tension and how that tension plays out in board relationships across the sector. This conversation is a preview of an event they are holding at the Terminal City Club in Vancouver on June 2nd, 2022. To learn more about the event, visit our website at TheDiscoveryGroup.ca.

The definition of a leader today is different from before. Douglas Nelson welcomes Roberto Erario, a Business and Leadership Coach. Roberto talks about how a leader before was someone who had a lot of knowledge. But today, a leader is someone who surrounds themselves with people who have the expertise to help them accomplish something greater than they can by themselves. One of the challenges they face is making decisions. How do you know when to gather more information and when to act? Join the conversation to find out the answer and learn more. 

Raising money, for whatever purpose, is an inspirational act anyone can and should be proud of. Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation CEO Jeff Norris has dedicated his life to enhancing hospital care and improving its fundraising strategies. Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is a provincial and regional independent charitable foundation that raises millions of dollars annually to help fund priority healthcare needs. In this episode, Jeff sits with Douglas Nelson to share his mission as a leader in the health philanthropy sector. Listen in as Jeff takes us on a little walk through his career journey towards thriving in the social-profit sector.

Around 20% of society has a mental illness, whereas everyone has mental health. Just like your physical health, this is something you need to take care of. Join Douglas Nelson as he talks to Michael Anhorn about how he runs his organization as a leader. Michael is the CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Michael believes in creating an inclusive society where no one is left behind. Listen in to understand how he takes on the responsibilities of a new business leader. Learn how the not-for-profit sector operates. And know the difference between mental health and mental illness. Start taking care of your health today!

What are the elements of success for fundraisers to transition from raising money door-to-door to building programs and a culture of philanthropy? Douglas Nelson welcomes Ana-Maria Hobrough, the Vice President for Advancement at Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation. The first step is to identify your natural strength and skillset. Then figure out where you want to go with your project. It’s not about the scale but nailing the end game. Stay true to where you want to go. Bring people along and engage them in the mission. If developing a culture of philanthropy is your passion, this episode’s for you.