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Welcome to Community Possibilities ®! This In this podcast, I will be joined by community leaders, doing the hard work of social change. We will talk about root causes and dig deep to understand social and health inequities. Let’s imagine all of the possibilities if we learn how to talk to each other, not at each other.
81 Episodes
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Send us a text What if we could bridge the generational divide while preserving the rich stories of our elders? This question drives Ariel Galinsky, founder of The Legacy Project, a nonprofit that pairs college students with older adults. Ariel's journey began with personal loss - her grandfather's passing when she was just ten, leaving stories uncaptured. While working in a senior community where her grandmother lived, she recognized a universal gap in intergenerational connection. This spa...
Send us a text Courtney Teasley takes us behind the curtain to expose how arrests and charges require only "probable cause" – essentially, that someone probably committed a crime. This low standard follows individuals through most of their journey until trial, but with 97% of defendants accepting plea deals before reaching that point, most convictions occur without ever meeting the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard. The consequences are devastating, particularly for what Teasley calls "DA...
Send us a text What if the secret to lasting health change isn't in your next program, but in how you invite communities to lead the work itself? Drawing from my experiences with over 50 coalitions, this episode unpacks why so many well-intentioned organizations struggle with community engagement and offers a practical roadmap for building authentic partnerships. We explore the uncomfortable truth about traditional coalition meetings—how they often become information-sharing sessions that wa...
Send us a text The tension between creative expression and rigid reporting requirements creates a disconnect that undermines both funders and grantees. What if there's a better way forward? Kelly Feltault and Hannah Jacobson Blumenfeld join us to unpack how traditional accountability frameworks often miss the mark when applied to arts organizations. Drawing from their work with Creative Forces—an innovative collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Department of Defense, and...
Send us a text Dr. Emia Oppenheim shares the powerful impact of Farm to Early Care and Education programs that connect young children with local food systems through gardening, hands-on learning, and fresh local foods. • Public health nutrition focuses on population-level changes rather than individual interventions • Children's food preferences often develop before age three, making early exposure to fruits and vegetables critical • Farm to ECE uses three core strategies: buying local foods...
Send us a text Nonprofit leaders feeling the weight of challenging times need more than grit to thrive—they need resilient organizations built on sustainable systems and supportive networks. Brooke Ritchie-Babbage shares her S.T.R.O.N.G. framework for building nonprofit stability while growing impact. • Strategic clarity keeps everyone focused on the "cathedral" they're building beyond daily brick-laying work • Well-designed tools and systems create the interstitial tissue connecting teams w...
Send us a text Amanda Klein-Cox joins me to talk about KinCarolina, a comprehensive support program for caregivers raising children with disabilities or special health care needs. The program combines peer support, training, financial assistance, and community-building to improve caregiver wellbeing and ultimately benefit the children in their care. • Kinship care occurs when relatives or close family friends raise children whose parents cannot care for them • For every child in formal foste...
Send us a text Dr. Dominique Johnson's passion for community transformation isn't just theoretical—it's deeply personal and remarkably effective. From his roots in East Macon, Georgia to founding the Urban Community Empowerment Organization (Urban CEO), Johnson has developed a powerful framework for community-led change that's producing measurable results. The Urban CEO focuses on five strategic pillars: education, economic empowerment, leadership development, civic engagement, and wellness—e...
Send us a text Dr. Nina Sabarre, founder and CEO of Intention to Impact, takes us deep into the urgent challenges philanthropy faces in our current political climate. With federal programs under attack and DEI initiatives being dismantled, foundations stand at a pivotal crossroads – will they retreat or boldly step forward? Dr. Sabarre reveals how foundations aren't responding uniformly to these challenges. While some double down on equity commitments, others conduct closed-door strategy ses...
Send us a text When tragedy struck at age 15, Jesse Kohler found himself surrounded by a supportive community that helped him navigate grief and eventually discover post-traumatic growth. This formative experience set Jesse on a path toward becoming a passionate advocate for trauma-informed systems change. As Executive Director of the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP), Jesse brings a unique perspective to our conversation. While many organizations focus on direct traum...
Send us a text Dr. Jimmy Smith Jr., a dynamic leader in public health, reveals the transformative journey from family medicine to becoming the Director of the Macon-Bibb County Health Department. Dr. Smith shares his passion for influencing communities on a large scale, highlighting his mentorship at Mercer University and as the president of the Georgia Public Health Association. His inspiring story is packed with insights about the challenges and triumphs of public health, painting a vivid p...
Send us a text Darice Oppong's joins me today to share her journey working in community leadership and trauma-informed practices. We explore the vital role of collaboration in fostering resilient communities and the importance of celebrating small victories as coalition members work together to address societal challenges. • Darice’s background in community service and leadership • The significance of trauma-informed care in supporting individuals • Strategies for building and sustaining ...
Send us a text Preventative legal advocacy is reshaping the future of child welfare, and Emily Cook is at the forefront. As a Senior Staff Attorney at the Barton Child Law and Policy Center, Emilie Cook shares her journey from traditional legal practice to becoming a champion for systemic change. This episode explores how neglect, often rooted in poverty, not abuse, constitutes a significant issue within the child welfare system. We unpack the racial disparities faced by marginalized communit...
Send us a text Dr. Donna Beegle's remarkable journey from the depths of generational poverty to achieving a doctorate in educational leadership offers a powerful narrative of resilience and hope. Through her story, we unravel the systemic barriers that perpetuate poverty and the transformative power of education and community support. Dr. Beegle's insights challenge us to rethink our approach to poverty, highlighting the critical need for poverty-informed communities and improved communicatio...
Send us a text Dr. Dawn X. Henderson makes research accessible for marginalized communities. From her beginnings as a middle school science teacher, to founding We Claim Research, Dawn's journey is filled with inspiring stories and groundbreaking work. Dawn’s commitment to amplifying the voices of racially and ethnically marginalized groups offers a fresh perspective on fostering environments where all narratives are valued. We share our identities as community psychologists, spotlighting sy...
Send us a text Karie Terhark joins us in an enlightening conversation on community empowerment, revealing how her journey as a Technology of Participation (TOP) facilitator has transformed her approach to inclusivity and stakeholder engagement. Her experiences in youth development and working with drug-free communities have shaped her passion for creating spaces where every voice is heard. Karie transitioned from a directive leader to a facilitative one, using ToP methods to turn convention...
Send us a text What if health was a guaranteed right, accessible to everyone regardless of race or background? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Brandon Wilson from Community Catalyst as we unpack the concept of health equity. Dr. Wilson's journey from Louisiana's Cancer Alley to being a leading advocate for equitable vaccine access is nothing short of inspiring. His personal experiences, including his HIV diagnosis at 17, have fueled his unwavering commitment to public health...
Send us a text Dr. Nicole Bowman joins me to talk about the rich tapestry of traditional knowledge and Indigenous ways of knowing. Nicky, known as the "Blue Collar Scholar," shares her transformative journey as an advocate for culturally responsive and Indigenous research, policy, and evaluation. We dive deep into the necessity of challenging norms and advocating for marginalized communities and the critical need for Indigenous representation and diversity within editorial boards and thought ...
Send us a text Sarah Winograd Babayeuski is a relentless advocate for families involved in the foster care system. Sarah joins me for the second time on the show to update us on the latest transformation of the nonprofit she founded. Together With Families (TWF) harnesses grassroots efforts and community resources to prevent family separations due to poverty. Sarah's shares the evolution of Together With Families, emphasizing the importance of equity, justice, and active family participatio...
Send us a text Emily Ann Ball and Audrey Itikata of Resilient Georgia join us to talk about their work with the organization marking its fifth year of dedication to trauma-informed approaches, child wellness and early brain development. Resilient Georgia combats mental health stigma and supports trauma-informed practices through partnerships with 16 regional coalitions spanning 120 counties. We discuss the varied mental health challenges across urban and rural areas, emphasizing innovative s...
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