In this episode of "Nonprofit Experts," host Mary Gladstone-Highland delves into the often-misunderstood world of nonprofit lobbying with a true advocate for change, Nick Lutton from Family Voices of California. Together, they explore the transformative journey from hesitation to legislation, revealing the untapped potential nonprofits hold in shaping policy and driving their mission forward. ? Key Takeaways: Demystifying Lobbying: Nick shares insights on dispelling common fears surrounding lobbying, emphasizing the strategic aspects that can elevate a nonprofit's impact. Advocacy Success ..read more

In this episode of the Nonprofit Experts podcast, titled "Leadership in Times of Crisis," we tackle the common struggles of nonprofit leaders who often grapple with feelings of scarcity, whether it's not enough time, donations, or staff. Our expert shares three essential assets that you already possess to bolster your nonprofit work, and they recount an inspiring story of overcoming exceptional circumstances with unwavering resilience. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for an interactive poll where you can share your thoughts on this critical topic ..read more

Join host Mary Gladstone-Highland in a compelling conversation with Dorothy Norris-Tirrell, Interim Executive Director at the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, on the Nonprofit Experts podcast. Discover intentionality's pivotal role in hiring, the dangers of hasty recruitment, and the valuable insights offered by interim leadership during times of transition. In this episode, explore: Intentional Hiring: Uncover why rushed hires can lead to pitfalls. Interim Leadership Insights: Learn the often-underestimated advantages of interim leaders in stabilizing organizations, facilitating transitions ..read more

In this episode, Mary Gladstone-Highland, Christina Wichert, and Katy Stokes share insights from their upcoming book titled Calm: How to End Destructive Conflict in Your Church. The book focuses on providing practical guidance and strategies for addressing conflict within a faith-based organization, although many of the principles can be applied to any kind of organization. During the discussion, the authors provide a behind-the-scenes look at the process of developing their book. They talk about the personal experiences they drew upon, and the collaborative effort it took to create a comprehe ..read more

Whose voice really matters when you develop a new program? What kind of insight does it take to develop a successful program? On the other hand, is there a first step that really leads toward a program disaster ... and can it be avoided? A game changer for how nonprofits can approach their work with clients is taking a trauma-informed approach, looking holistically at the different and varied experiences of individuals rather than just their symptoms. In the latest episode of The Nonprofit Expert podcast, macro-level social work expert Benita Robinson explains more about this approach. Listen ..read more

Welcome to "The Nonprofit Experts," a podcast where we discuss important topics for nonprofit professionals. In this episode, we explore: The power of an asset-based approach The importance of flexibility Making deep investments in our community Navigating the complexities of multiple partners Strategies for collective decision-making Advice for launching new programs Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical advice to enhance your nonprofit work and make a meaningful impact ..read more

The second episode of our podcast: ’The Nonprofit Experts’ is live! Listen as Mary Gladstone-Highland talks with Tim Paré, founding artistic director and CEO of Michigan Stage, on Building Community Connections to Fast-Track Sustainable Growth. Hear how this great organization was able to quickly scale, as well as Tim’s secrets for networking and finding partners. You can also read more about Michigan Stage, and buy your tickets for their upcoming event, Broadway in the Burbs, here: www.michiganstage.org Below are some highlights you don't want to miss! 03:30 Introducing Michigan Stage 11:00 ..read more

You've heard the buzz. Everyone is talking about ChatGPT. But how can it support your work? In this episode, host Mary Gladstone-Highland is joined again by her friend and co-owner of Spark Group Consulting, Christina Wichert. The two discuss cutting-edge technology that's transforming the nonprofit sector. Whether you are a ChatGPT savant or brand new to the movement, this episode is for you. Here is a taste of what you will hear in this episode: What ChatGPT is and why nonprofits should pay attention Examples of the practical uses for ChatGPT in nonprofit organizations What using ChatGPT fre ..read more

Starting as a new Executive Director of an organization is nerve-wracking – especially if you're new to the role! New EDs may be wondering: What decisions need to be prioritized? How will I interact with the board? How can I optimize my relationship with the staff? In this episode, you will hear from Kristina Schmidgall, LMSW, the Executive Director of the Lansing Area Aids Network. Kristina shares her journey to the role of an E.D., how she prepared for the job, what she did to make her first two years a success, and how you can adapt her guidance to your career path. Here are some parts of ..read more

You are the expert of your nonprofit organization. You work hard, know your organization inside and out, and seek thought partners to think through challenging moments and exciting new strategies. This show is a chance to have conversations with nonprofit leaders like yourself.  In each episode, you'll hear from everyday, exceptional leaders of the nonprofit sector as they chat with host Mary Gladstone-Highland, CEO of Spark Group Consulting, about the critical issues that impact nonprofits and how they use their assets to provide creative solutions to complex problems.  Join our fir ..read more