Good Nonsense – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we’re joined by fellow rabble-rouser Ariel Glassman. Ariel’s helped organizations (on four continents!) raise tens of millions of dollars through a collective approach, which she leads with her firm, Common Great.

Along the way, we dive into —

• Uncovering the real problems of toxic leadership
• How “run it like a business” is nearly impossible in the current nonprofit reality
• Why diversifying revenue is a vertical—not horizontal—strategy
• The need for strong strategy and operations, and not just passion
• One wish Ariel would make to magically improve the social sector

It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at hello@goodnonsense.org!

Mentioned on this episode:

Ariel’s LinkedIn Common Great How Nonprofits Get Really Big (SSIR)

In this very first episode of Good Nonsense, we’re starting strong with a conversation that hits at the heart of what’s wrong (and what’s possible) in the nonprofit world.

We’re joined by Melinda English—a nonprofit HR/talent pro turned for-profit leader—to talk about what’s missing in nonprofit leadership, why the sector struggles with professional development, and that all-too-common excuse, “we just don’t have the resources.” (Spoiler: the call is coming from inside the house.)

Along the way, we dive into —

• Why the nonprofit sector needs to look beyond itself for ideas and partnerships
• How leaders sabotage retention without realizing it
• The difference between onboarding and actually setting people up for success
• Why “we’ve always done it this way” is a dangerous mindset
• One wish Melinda would make to magically improve the social sector

It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at hello@goodnonsense.org!

Mentioned on this episode:

• Melinda's LinkedIn
• Social Impact Staff Retention Project
• Stay interviews (SHRM)

In this episode, we’re joined by Erica Keswin, the three-time (!) Wall Street Journal bestselling author on all-things-great human leadership. While not a nonprofiteer, herself, Erica brings the realness on what the social sector can be doing better for its people. (Spoiler alert: much of it doesn’t cost one penny.)

Along the way, we dive into —

• The need for human leadership in a tech-driven world
• How great human leaders connect people to purpose, connect people to each other, and connect people to themselves
• Why soft skills (really) are the new hard skills
• How "the absence of intentionality is a recipe for resentment"
• One wish Erica would make to boost all organizations everywhere

It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at hello@goodnonsense.org!

Mentioned on this episode:

Erica’s website and LinkedIn Chief Decent Human Behavior Officers (The Nonprofit Hive) The Peter Principle

In this episode, we’re joined by Brieanna Quinn, a 25-year fundraising veteran who’s been refreshingly open and honest with the world about her nonprofit job search.

Along the way, we dive into —

• Everything currently keeping nonprofiteers unfocused and burnt out
• Why we need empathy and unity over modern day divisiveness
• How being open about your struggles can be remarkably powerful
• Why you need to listen to your gut on the job search (even if only a little bit)
• Evan’s rendition of a classic 1990's Christina Aguilera tune

It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at hello@goodnonsense.org!

Mentioned on this episode:

Brieanne’s LinkedIn The post that launched Brieanna’s journey VIA (Values character strength assessment)

In this episode, we’re joined by the one and only Michelle Flores Vryn. With serious chops as a practitioner and partner in marketing, communications, fundraising, and strategy, Michelle makes the social sector more equitable, more collaborative, and more spirited.

Along the way, we dive into —

• What’s necessary to be truly creative
• How 9/11 inspired her nonprofit journey
• How to set realistic expectations for our teams
• The 10 principles of Community-Centric Fundraising
• One wish Michelle would make to boost the nonprofit sector

It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at hello@goodnonsense.org!

Mentioned on this episode:

Michelle’s LinkedIn and website Community-Centric Fundraising principles Gallup’s Global Leadership Report uplifting “hope” Social Impact Staff Retention project

On this episode we’re joined by Jonah Nigh—part fundraiser, part stand up comic (yes, seriously), part TV star (yes, again, seriously), and more. Having been at the helm of many organizations’ philanthropy programs, Jonah gets real about things that make most nonprofiteers uncomfortable.

Along the way we dive into —

• The life of a fundraiser of color
• Real boundaries… and setting them
• Fundraising as a profession, not a function
• What to do when a donor wants to touch your hair
• One wish Jonah would make to improve the social sector

It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at hello@goodnonsense.org!

Mentioned on this episode:

Jonah’s LinkedIn and website Meeting cost calculator (HBR) Forum for BIPOC fundraising professionals Social Impact Staff Retention project

On this episode, Tasha and Evan give a happy, little recap of the soulful, practical, and often hilarious conversations they had during Season One. The trip down memory lane went a bit further, with a long-overdue introduction to their own nonprofit journeys.

Along the way we dive into the big themes from Season One —

• The big notion that nonprofiteers are humans first
• Progress takes time—not everything is a radical overhaul
• Practical, low-cost ideas for making nonprofit workplaces healthier
• Change is hard and uncomfortable, and tension is necessary for growth
• Great orgs and great bosses do exist, even if they’re not always easy to find
• Honest, heartfelt conversations with lesser-known (but impactful) nonprofit pros

As always, it was practical, honest, and there was definitely good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at hello@goodnonsense.org!

On this episode we’re joined by Samira Moosavi, a nonprofiteer who makes it her task to support people navigating life’s great challenges. Her work is no small feat—being on a reparative journey with children, teens, and families experiencing grief.

Along the way we dive into —

• How stories build personal strength
• The types of loss (primary & secondary)
• The different ways grief shows up in our bodies
• How peer connections can make grief less isolating
• One wish Samira would make to improve the social sector

It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at hello@goodnonsense.org!

Mentioned on this episode:

Samira’s LinkedIn Experience Camps and Grief Sucks Grief Accrues Faster Than Sick Days (Article)

On this episode we’re joined by Maryann Kerr, a nonprofit rockstar who has graced the field with her awesomeness for more than 40 years. Part sage, part truthsayer, part rabblerouser, Maryann brings her decades of experience and wisdom to a warm conversation about little victories, self-leadership, and legacy.

Along the way we dive into —

• Leadership, governance, and culture
• The legacy we leave behind through our work
• Self-development as the gift that keeps on giving
• Why promotions can feed egos and rot organizations
• One wish Maryann would make to improve the social sector

It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at hello@goodnonsense.org!

Mentioned on this episode:

Maryann’s LinkedIn Social Value Canada Gallup’s Global Leadership Report uplifting “hope”

On this special summer episode, we're showcasing a LinkedIn Live event we hosted with our friend, Michelle Flores Vryn. During the conversation, we spoke with Michelle about the annual Social Impact Staff Retention (SISR) data project, which she co-pilots with Evan.

Along the way we dived into —

• SISR's history since starting in 2023
• What the data tell us about staff retention
• The possible different futures for nonprofit work
• ... and much more

It’s practical, it’s honest, and (as always) there’s good nonsense along the way. If you know a nonprofiteer we should invite on the show, let us know at hello@goodnonsense.org!

Mentioned on this episode:

VIA character strengths survey SISR data and findings for 2024 and 2025 Economic Policy Institute's family budget calculator