Good Nonsense

Building Empathy Muscle — with Michael Le

Attorney-turned-nonprofiteer Michael Le is a delightful human. The kind you simply enjoy getting to know. The kind who believes in building “empathy muscle” by planting himself in the mission work… whether or not that work appears on his job description, which we talked about, and more.
Along the way we dive into —
Taking big swings in our nonprofit work
Smashing nonprofit complacency by dreaming
The power of executives checking in on one another
And one wish Michael 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:
Social Impact Staff Retention projectPDS Health Foundation’s InstagramMichael’s LinkedInThe ProImpact Project (connecting executive directors)

Strategy, Change, and Teal Pumpkins — with Veronica LaFemina

Ever since Tasha and Evan learned about Veronica LaFemina’s concept of a one-page strategic plan, they were hooked. Years later, it’s been exciting following along as she advises nonprofits on addressing vacancies, siloes, and collective success. On this episode we talked about all of it.
Along the way we dive into —
Being a teenage peer mediator
Making Halloween accessible for more kids
The practical power of “I” instead of “we” statements
Vacancy rates and how they can tank your org’s mission
And one wish Veronica 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:
The Teal Pumpkin ProjectTether for really great nonprofit resourcesVeronica’s thoughts on nonprofit vacancy rates

Going Beyond Elections to Reimagine Democracy — with Sam Reusch

Nonprofiteers may not think of “democracy work” as nonprofit work, but it absolutely is. On this episode, Apathy is Boring’s executive director Sam Reusch talks about how democracy is an ongoing conversation—one that helps us decide what type of country, province, or community we want.
Along the way we dive into —
Redefining democracy beyond elections
Why apathy isn’t indifference, it’s disconnection
How nontraditional work can create nonprofit leaders
And one wish Sam 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:
Apathy is BoringSam’s LinkedIn

A totally and completely serious nonprofit meditation—with Evan Wildstein

Nonprofiteers, as we enter the fun of year-end mishegoss, we know you need a moment to pause, reflect, and smell the bagels. Join us for this brief, five-minute meditation to find your center.
With love,Tasha & Evan

Being Curious, Empathetic, Affirming, and Helpful — with Tim Parsons

We were delighted to be Tim Parsons’ first-ever podcast, and what a deep conversation it was. From Dungeons & Dragons to empathy to disorienting dilemmas and beyond, Tim showed us why having different people in the room allows us to do big things.
Along the way we dived into —
Why our work requires idealists, realists, AND practical-ists
Moving people along the journey of transformative volunteering
Putting people outside their comfort zones to build real connection
One wish Tim 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:
Idealist.orgRealized WorthSocial Impact Supper Club (New York)

Doing Big Things as an Introverted Leader — with Kimberly Lewis

Kimberly Lewis is a wonderfully warm nonprofit leader who pairs grit with grace. From saving an agency from bankruptcy to walking the floor at Goodwill, this conversation with Kimberly shows what true leadership is: presence and heart. 
Along the way we dive into — 
Balancing introversion with public leadership
Succession planning and preparing the next generation of leaders
Why seeing your people, and having them see you, is a wildly underrated flex
And one wish Kimberly would make to improve the whole of 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!

Building a Future We May Never See Ourselves — with Matthew Ratz

“What is is not what will always be.” If Matthew Ratz had a family crest, this might be the phrase it dons. A nonprofiteer for 15+ years, Matthew weaves that spirit into his social sector work, and beyond—and we spoke about it openly in this episode.
Along the way we dive into — 
Inspiring care through stories, not persuasion
Creating transformative experiences for those we serve
Getting boards to dream beyond their day-to-day responsibilities
One wish Matthew would make to magically improve 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:
Matthew’s reluctant presence on LinkedInThe CIA’s 20th century method to sabotage business productivityCorporatization of nonprofits is the death knell of nonprofits (The Nonprofit Hive)

Getting Nonprofit Loud — with Maia Iva

Whether she’s saving Ukrainian animals in need or building scalable nonprofit infrastructure, Maia Iva is an expert in getting loud. And Maia’s work isn’t simply compelling—it’s strategic, resilient, and steeped in values.
On this episode we dived into — 
Thinking openly about risk and experimentation
Donor archetyping as a great utility for small(er) organizations
User experience (UX) as a method for getting to know stakeholders
And one wish Maia would make to magically improve 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:
DonorVoice’s work on personality matchingMaya’s work getting aid to Ukrainian animals in needTransforming Animal Welfare in Ukraine (The Nonprofit Hive)

Nonprofit Punk Rock Possibilities — with Aleda Gagarin

In this episode, we’re joined by Aleda Gagarin, a nonprofiteer who rocks AND rolls. As VP of Influence, Aleda leads big work at Candid… when she’s not stirring up the sector in literal (and figurative) mosh pits.
Along the way, we dive into —
Candid’s sector-supporting data and research
The need to increase transparency and collaboration
Why you (and everyone) should really care about nonprofits
One wish Aleda 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:
The Go for Gold programIntroduction to grantwriting course (free!)State of Diversity in the nonprofit sector (report)Candid’s research on potential nonprofit closures

Social Impact Staff Retention — with Michelle Flores Vryn

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 surveySISR data and findings for 2024 and 2025Economic Policy Institute's family budget calculator