Have you ever created a training, only to realize it didn’t have the impact you had hoped? In this episode of the Learning for Good podcast, we explore why training alone often fails to drive lasting behavior change. My guest Julie Dirksen, author of "Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change," discusses the limitations of training when systemic and external factors are barriers to change. Julie emphasizes the importance of understanding behavior at an individual level. We talk about how asking good questions can help identify where learners are and how to meet their needs, w ..read more

We all know the powerful role that mindset plays not only in our personal lives but also in our work. In this episode of the Learning for Good podcast, I explore five essential mindset shifts nonprofit L&D professionals should adopt to uplevel their leadership development strategy. By redefining how you approach your roles and the potential of your work, nonprofits can better support evolving workforces and create meaningful impact through training and leadership development. ▶️ 5 Mindset Shifts to Uplevel Your Leadership Development Strategy ▶️ Key Points: 01:41 How joining a Crossfit ..read more

Effective teams are essential to your nonprofit. I’ve been a part of teams that worked so well together, everything ran smoothly, and there were no major issues. But I’ve also been a part of teams that were the opposite. So how do we create effective teams? That’s what we’re exploring on today’s episode with Beth Napleton, an executive leadership coach and consultant who helps senior leaders lead through layers. ▶️ You Might Be Killing Your Team if You Aren't Doing This with Beth Napleton ▶️ Key Points:02:26 Beth’s background: Helping senior leaders lead through layers 08:17 The biggest ki ..read more

What makes nonprofit training unique to corporate training or government training? While there are a number of things that are different, one thing that I thought would be fun to focus on is the three unique audiences that nonprofits create training for. These unique audiences come with their own challenges and I’m giving you some tips to overcome those challenges. ▶️ 3 Audiences Unique to Nonprofit Training ▶️ Key Points: 03:00 The three audiences unique to nonprofit training 07:19 Challenges these unique audiences present and how instructional design teams can overcome them Resources from ..read more

We made it! Today is the 50th episode of the Learning for Good podcast and we’re taking a behind-the-scenes look at Skill Masters Market, my consulting business that powers this podcast and helps nonprofits all over the country achieve their staff development and training goals. I’m also giving you a sneak peek into my plans for the future! ▶️ Behind the Scenes at Skill Masters Market: Helping Nonprofits Achieve Their Staff Development & Training Goals ▶️ Key Points:03:30 Why I do what I do 06:30 The Learning for Good Podcast 09:09 The top 5 podcast episodes 10:56 Plans for the future R ..read more

We need a training. You've probably been approached by someone in your nonprofit telling you this. They didn't come saying we have a problem, or can you help us? They said, “we need a training.” But we all know that training isn't always the answer. And while we can set up processes to help mitigate how often this happens, it still happens. And this is one reason it's helpful to proactively identify skill development opportunities in your nonprofit. That's what we're talking about today. ▶️ Why You Should Proactively Identify Skill Development Opportunities ▶️ Key Points: 03:36 Building Cr ..read more

Why do we let our kids watch cartoons like Cocomelon or Bluey? Because they are teaching our kids valuable lessons through animation. We can do the exact same thing in our nonprofit training. We can use animation to impart valuable lessons to our learners. That’s why I’ve invited Calvin Dantley to join me and share his experience with animation and training. Calvin is a nonprofit L&D leader and an experienced animator, and he has so much good stuff to share with us today. ▶️ Getting Started: Three Ways to Use Animation in Your Training with Calvin Dantley ▶️ Key Points:03:10 Get to know ..read more

Good training has a real impact on those who receive it. It can shift mindsets. It can build skills. It can change the way your organization works. And that's what I want to share with you today. Nonprofit leader, Lauren Wiley, shares how one training at her nonprofit impacted the midwives and doulas they train and ultimately the pregnant and postpartum women they serve. ▶️ How One Nonprofit's Training Saved a Postpartum Woman's Life with Lauren Wiley ▶️ Key Points: 03:44 Lauren’s journey from a finance major to a nonprofit leader 15:11 The training and technical assistance that Start Early ..read more

In this episode, I've invited self-proclaimed frustrated changemaker Heather Hiscox to talk about how she uses data to overcome the status quo and boost workforce development. Heather, the founder and CEO of Pause for Change,  is on a mission to change the way we change the world. I'm so excited to talk with her more about data and what L&D can start to do differently to create a greater impact in training. ▶️ Workforce Development: Using Data to Move from Status Quo to Training Impact ▶️ Key Points: 03:00 Heather’s frustration working in social impact and how it compares to L& ..read more

Today’s episode is all about humor. I’m not talking about corny jokes or puns, but rather the lightheartedness and energy that you need in your nonprofit to get things done and to help teams work together.   My guest, Gita Kulkarni, explains why we need to care about humor and how to use humor as nonprofit Learning and Development leaders. Gita is a humor coach who helps people find and express their sense of humor to be more productive and effective in work and life. ▶️ Using Humor to Promote Change Management, Leadership Development & Workforce Development with Gita Kulkarni ▶️ Ke ..read more