Big topics, small talks. Welcome to Good Nonsense, an honest, occasional show about life in the social sector. Visit GoodNonsense.org (https://goodnonsense.org/) for more fun.
Michael Le discusses building empathy in nonprofit work by taking initiative beyond one's job description, which leads to executives supporting each other and improving the social sector; this is an interview.
29 Oct 2025
Strategy, Change, and Teal Pumpkins — with Veronica LaFemina
Veronica LaFemina discusses strategic planning for nonprofits, addressing organizational challenges like vacancies and silos, and promoting collective success, in an interview with Tasha and Evan.
21 Oct 2025
Going Beyond Elections to Reimagine Democracy — with Sam Reusch
Sam Reusch, Executive Director at Apathy is Boring, discusses redefining democracy beyond elections and addressing disconnection to cultivate nonprofit leaders in an interview.
9 Oct 2025
A totally and completely serious nonprofit meditation -- with Evan Wildstein
Evan Wildstein leads a five-minute meditation for nonprofit professionals to pause and reflect during the busy year-end season in this interview with Tasha.
1 Oct 2025
Being Curious, Empathetic, Affirming, and Helpful — with Tim Parsons
Tim Parsons shares with the hosts of Good Nonsense how curiosity and empathy enable transformative volunteering and build connections, in this interview episode.
24 Sept 2025
Doing Big Things as an Introverted Leader — with Kimberly Lewis
Kimberly Lewis shares her experiences as an introverted leader in the nonprofit sector, discussing succession planning and the importance of presence and empathy in leadership, in an interview on the podcast.
16 Sept 2025
Building a Future We May Never See Ourselves — with Matthew Ritz
Matthew Ritz shares his experience as a nonprofiteer and discusses inspiring care through storytelling, creating transformative experiences, and encouraging boards to think big in this interview episode.
9 Sept 2025
Getting Nonprofit Loud — with Maia Iva
Host Alex Chunn interviews nonprofit strategist Maia Iva about embracing risk, donor archetyping, and user experience to amplify impact.
2 Sept 2025
Nonprofit Punk Rock Possibilities — with Aleda Gagarin
Host [Host Name] interviews Aleda Gagarin, VP of Influence at Candid, exploring nonprofit sector transparency, collaboration, and data to inspire greater engagement.
29 Jul 2025
Social Impact Staff Retention — with Michelle Flores Vryn
Michelle Flores Vryn discusses the Social Impact Staff Retention data project, exploring staff retention trends and potential futures for nonprofit work in an interview about retaining talent.
25 Apr 2025
A fabulous first season — with Tasha and Evan
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!
15 Apr 2025
Good grief — with Samira Moosavi
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 LinkedInExperience Camps and Grief SucksGrief Accrues Faster Than Sick Days (Article)
9 Apr 2025
Being seen, heard, and valued — with Maryann Kerr
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 LinkedInSocial Value CanadaGallup’s Global Leadership Report uplifting “hope”
28 Mar 2025
Race, age & boundaries — with Jonah Nigh
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 websiteMeeting cost calculator (HBR)Forum for BIPOC fundraising professionalsSocial Impact Staff Retention project
20 Mar 2025
Nonprofit systems... and how we change them — with Michelle Flores Vryn
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 websiteCommunity-Centric Fundraising principlesGallup’s Global Leadership Report uplifting “hope”Social Impact Staff Retention project
13 Mar 2025
The nonprofit job hunt — with Brieanna Quinn
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 LinkedInThe post that launched Brieanna’s journeyVIA (Values character strength assessment)
6 Mar 2025
The nonprofit retention revolution — with Erica Keswin
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 LinkedInChief Decent Human Behavior Officers (The Nonprofit Hive)The Peter Principle
27 Feb 2025
The "run nonprofits like a business" fallacy — with Ariel Glassman
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 LinkedInCommon GreatHow Nonprofits Get Really Big (SSIR)
23 Feb 2025
Getting out of the house — with Melinda English
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)
Who has been a guest on Good Nonsense
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Michael Le
Veronica LaFemina
Sam Reusch
Evan Wildstein
Tim Parsons
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
56
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
Contact Good Nonsense
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Good Nonsense
Who hosts Good Nonsense?
Tasha host the show. Published by Evan Wildstein & Tasha Van Vlack.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Good Nonsense take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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