Nonprofits & NGOs!
Added 2021-11-29 10:00:00 +0000 UTC
It's November bonus episode time!
In our Marianne Williamson episode we touched on some classic (terrible) nonprofit dynamics and we got a flood of requests to talk about our experiences in the NGO world. So this month, we're talking about grassroots lobbying, corporate social responsibility and how to give and advocate more effectively for the causes you care about.
Let us know in the comments if there's other things we've mentioned on the show that would make good bonus episodes or if you'd like us to add other themes to our Mike and Aubrey Go On a First Date repertoire.
You can play today's episode directly through Patreon or you can use our RSS feed to add it to your podcast app so new episodes will pop up there just like our non-Patreon episodes. Here are the instructions from Patreon.
See you next month,
A&M
I grew up in the world of mental disability advocacy - and the thing I'll add to "pick your one thing," is celebrate the small wins. I saw so many well intentioned people get burned out and the peace out because progress wasnt happening fast enough and it left them dispirited - and folks like my family who had personal skin in the game didn't have that option.
Celebrate the small wins. They still are meaningful, and come after hard work. And it makes it possible to keep going over the long run.
A. List
2025-07-17 05:26:16 +0000 UTC
This was so inspiring and helpful. I don’t want to be that white woman of which you speak. I loved the advice of “find one thing”, I am going to work harder to find what that is. ❤️
Beth Rossano
2025-06-28 15:20:08 +0000 UTC
I work for a nonprofit with no marketing staff and hardly any marketing budget. It’s rough already and the DNC is sucking up all the money 😟
ryoknits (Rhiannon)
2024-09-22 16:36:35 +0000 UTC
The gays and guns comment has me screaming. Did you meet my dad? 🤣
Story
2024-09-17 12:59:18 +0000 UTC
Working for the HRC as a canvasser is what has turned me against NGOs.
Sarah W.
2024-03-30 06:40:03 +0000 UTC
I'm still catching up, but the line "I'm not allowed to like gays and guns?" has me rolling on the ground
Lexi
2024-01-15 23:25:04 +0000 UTC
Favorite episode thus far! I worked for an lgbtq+ nonprofit and they embezzled my salary. Telling me only after I collected confidential information for the grant project I was hired to complete 🙃
Kathatestheweb
2023-03-02 08:10:56 +0000 UTC
Oh how I wish I had found your podcast sooner. 😄 I used to work for two non profits. When Aubrey said she doesn't donate to organizations who are focused on owning a fancy headquarters it reminded me of Special Olympics Texas's capital campaign. When I worked there, the campaign was just getting started. Well before the campaign they had a third party conduct a survey to see if their stakeholders wanted them to build a new office, the results were no, nobody really wanted that. But the CEO decided she wanted a new building anyway, so they did it (she used to loudly bitch that she didn't have a private bathroom, ugh). They were in the new building a few years but then ended up having to sell it. The CEO retired a few years ago (my understanding is she was forced out).
Leah Wiseman
2023-02-11 22:50:10 +0000 UTC
I second this!
Madeline Voss
2023-01-08 13:18:26 +0000 UTC
Aubrey, you can just say Human Rights Campaign.
ES
2022-11-29 05:28:23 +0000 UTC
I can have trrtr feeffe
Tatum Pryor
2022-10-23 19:38:59 +0000 UTC
Tatum Pryor
2022-10-23 19:38:59 +0000 UTC
I need to know who it is
Meredith Wemhoff
2022-09-18 16:31:55 +0000 UTC
the pointed subtweeting of a particular organization is sending me right now 😂 thank you.
Candice Evers
2022-08-31 19:52:03 +0000 UTC
As a viewer from Hillsborough, NC, I felt very called out for my bad voting participation when Aubrey mentioned Hillsborough. I promise I’ll vote next time!! 😅
Carter
2022-08-03 17:49:56 +0000 UTC
I felt this way after listening as well...I'm planning on talking to my friends more about the voting organization efforts especially. Folks ask you to do that sort of thing (contacting your representatives, especially) all the time but it really never seems like it works or moves the needle every time I've done it, so I would honestly love to hear Aubrey talk even more about it.
Paige
2022-07-31 00:24:22 +0000 UTC
I don’t know if it is possible to post this on your regular feed, but this episode has so much important and helpful info. I keep finding myself wanting to share the info about how to prioritize donations etc. After the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe, I think people would benefit from this perspective.
Cora Leighton
2022-06-25 12:42:11 +0000 UTC
Man, this episode is just superb. I LOVED hearing you guys talk about this stuff, and it gave me a lot of clarity on how this shit works lol. This is like the third time I have listened to this. Aubrey you truly never fail to remind me that our participation really is worth it. It's inevitable to feel burnt-out by the endless list of other things to confront. This episode totally says to me that if you can just pick a spot to sort of camp out and clean up what you can, your time and energy are in the right place.
Kaylee Pitman
2022-05-22 18:06:23 +0000 UTC
I just left my philanthropy job after 3 years to go back to school for social work. I worked for billionaires who only other employee was the executive director and sitting in countless webinars about mental health initiatives was so exhausting just because A) the base problem is there aren't enough therapists (what I'm going to school for) and B) the organizations "combatting" these issues create these issues. I only had 10 days off per year, made enough to pay my bills but not enough to go on a badly needed vacation, and worked the job of three people. But it was better for me and my feelings of guilt to quit for school than it was to quit because I couldn't take the stress and hypocrisy anymore. Kind of nuts when I type it but it's unfortunate that this experience is so common.
Emily
2022-04-21 22:06:08 +0000 UTC
20+ year nonprofit vet. Everything from field canvassing to sustainability and issues from the environment to educational equity. I laughed outloud when Aubrey mentioned the nonprofit that owns a building on the river in DC. I think it's the same one I was thinking of (I used to work for a local affiliate). Loved this episode and would really enjoy a Part 2.
Melissa Elgersma
2022-04-20 20:16:29 +0000 UTC
aka please read it and make a follow up episode I would really like to hear both of your thoughts
Sophie
2022-04-18 20:21:36 +0000 UTC
I strongly recommend reading The Revolution Will Not Be Funded!
Sophie
2022-04-18 20:20:24 +0000 UTC
Opening joke was perfect, I took it as you parodying those dreadful, patronizing commercials (you know the ones) and not making fun of an actual person or population.
Melissa Lobo
2022-04-06 21:48:43 +0000 UTC
As someone who left D.C. during corona because my nonprofit let me go, this was sooo cathartic to me.
Taylor
2022-03-12 18:28:58 +0000 UTC
I really hope that a version of this conversation is top of the list for general release when y'all need a week off. The stuff about on the ground organizing and contacting legislators is essential political education that your broader audience would totally benefit from. I'm going to do some door knocking in a couple weeks, and as a socially anxious person I am dreading it but also really humbled to get to do this kind of direct action. Thank you for the amazing work!
Linds
2022-03-03 16:41:29 +0000 UTC
I’m dying to know if you’re the filmmaker jackson Katz
Kerry Worley
2022-02-25 03:35:25 +0000 UTC
this episode really resonated with me, thank you for recording it!
Marie-France Boisvert
2022-02-21 17:37:26 +0000 UTC
As a former nonprofit worker, I come back to this episode all the time just to groan in solidarity. 😅 Also, on the off chance you guys see this, please know that I love listening to your voices! Audrey especially sounds like somebody you want to sit next to at a cool dinner party; her laugh makes me want to pour another glass of wine and stay up way too late. 🍷
EJ
2022-02-11 19:12:30 +0000 UTC
I sooo appreciated this insight into the NGO/non-profit/activist world! I would cast my vote to have a second part if there's ever an appetite for that. Perhaps some on self-care and different kinds of activism/service work, or on the different lines of work (like you said direct-service, systems change, education, etc). This was brilliant.
Marina Antillon
2022-01-20 23:25:46 +0000 UTC
I was in some social media group that did a huge post about buying ethical clothes. The poster listed like 8 stores - none of them offered sizes beyond 14.
When I pointed this out the poster responded not by rethinking or even by making excuses for their list, but by telling me where I, personally, could go to buy plus size clothes. Other women on the thread then chimed in with suggestions for me.
Um, I think they missed the point?
Vikki Tikkitavi
2022-01-12 00:32:28 +0000 UTC
Aubrey thank you for mentioning the dilemma of trying to shop ethically while fat! Especially as a fat person whose size changes frequently it is so difficult. The worst is when people tell you you should be shopping in second hand stores or participate in clothes trading parties. People don’t realize that difficulty in finding *any* clothes (let alone affordable clothes, let alone ethically made clothes) starts at a pretty low size and just gets incrementally harder. I’ve been every size from 10 to 24 as an adult, and i would say it was “easy” to shop at size 12, a little more difficult at 14, a big jump in difficulty at 16 or 16p, and then another big after size 18.
CLC
2022-01-06 18:52:44 +0000 UTC
Are you me???
Catherine Lea
2022-01-01 23:09:59 +0000 UTC
Weird when I hear the town I live in referenced
Shelby Olvera
2022-01-01 20:39:22 +0000 UTC
I somehow slept on this episode. As someone who has worked in nonprofits for ten years, this was the MOST relatable content.
I used to work at a food security NGO that was founded by a thin, well off white man who was a big proponent of soda taxes (because Jamie Oliver told him they were good). One day at lunch, I looked around the table at my coworkers and realized that only one other person on the staff of 20 had experience with food insecurity. Everyone else was there to tell fat kids to put down cookies and pick up a salad. No one knew what it was like to grow up hungry. It was fucked.
Róisín West
2021-12-23 18:06:03 +0000 UTC
As a sustainability professional this provided some great extra context! Also cathartic
Gwen Miller
2021-12-21 23:36:38 +0000 UTC
When I heard “we are not going to shop our way to a better world” my first thought was “ooh, I want a shirt that says that”. Ouch!
Emily Seymour
2021-12-18 18:26:07 +0000 UTC
That's so good :)
Kym Byars
2021-12-16 11:04:12 +0000 UTC
I would be very interested in hearing more of this stuff from both of you!
Love you <3
Sarah Love
2021-12-16 06:53:34 +0000 UTC
Also a worker bee in lots of non profits. The way staff are treated is in and of itself oppressive a lot of times. Total perpetuation of the very things they are trying to eradicate in their mission statements. Thank you for hitting on this point. I feel like non profit work trauma is it’s own thing and needs so many support groups.
Jackson
2021-12-14 19:55:31 +0000 UTC
Award for best laugh for sure.
Emily Adams
2021-12-12 17:42:09 +0000 UTC
I love hearing you guys just chat in a more casual way. Also Aubrey's laugh is seriously contagious
Emily Riebeek
2021-12-11 02:38:09 +0000 UTC
Could be a main ep on surgery and a bonus ep on My 600lb Life or something.
Sebastian Constable
2021-12-10 23:33:08 +0000 UTC
Your segue about ~ethical consumption was SO GOOD! Thank you for that
Eleanor
2021-12-09 21:32:48 +0000 UTC
I really want an episode or bonus episode discussing the harms of weight loss surgeries and that people don’t talk about. You’ve mention or hinted at it in past episodes and now I’m super curious! Love everything you do.
Carol Mata
2021-12-09 19:08:34 +0000 UTC
For real? Now I'm so mad, I told so many people about that damn book.
Lindsay Betzel
2021-12-08 17:05:06 +0000 UTC
I used to live in Tigard, I’m in Arkansas now. I love hearing you name cities I am very familiar with!
Janene
2021-12-07 20:45:50 +0000 UTC
This is unrelated to the episode but have you seen this debunking of Why We Sleep? It’s fascinating and could make a really good episode! https://guzey.com/books/why-we-sleep/#appendix-fatal-familial-insomnia
G Young
2021-12-07 09:13:21 +0000 UTC
This is unrelated but my partner and I adopted a 10 year old chihuahua and I named him Marshall Gordon Hobbes. Because teeny dogs should have long names.
Hope Maze
2021-12-07 06:01:20 +0000 UTC
I had no idea until I heard another podcast talking about it [https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/christy-harrison-401] how pressure on women to be thin arose from pressure to look less 'black' or 'irish'. I would be interested to hear you explore this at some point - maybe speaking to the same interviewee
Robin Hall
2021-12-03 15:37:46 +0000 UTC
Hi, I love your podcast and this episode. Thank you for your critical analyses of the health and wellness industry and some of the systems we live in. One thing I feel sad and disappointed about is that at the end of this episode when y’all were talking about ways to get involved (or not), you didn’t bring up that it’s crucial to consider our intersectional identities and levels of privilege vs. oppression. For example, I think that saying “Don’t worry about getting involved in politics, organizations etc.” to a cis straight white man is basically approving his complicity in systems that benefit him at the expense of others’ suffering. That’s very different than saying the same thing to a queer fat Black woman who is trying to survive day to day in these systems and for her, existence IS resistance. If you do a Part 2 I really hope you talk about this.
Andina Aste-Nieto
2021-12-02 23:48:04 +0000 UTC
I currently work in the for-profit energy industry after 15 years in NGOs (international development!). I experienced far more sexism and harassment in NGOs than I do in energy. And more gender discrimination from my American and European NGO managers/coworkers.
Leslie S.
2021-12-02 19:33:47 +0000 UTC
This episode was giving me lots of feels as a political organizer (volunteer!), former reporter, and current corporate social responsibility person.
Maggie Large
2021-12-02 19:21:52 +0000 UTC
Aw, man, don’t rag on Bono… 🤣😉
Lisa Johnson
2021-12-02 11:43:09 +0000 UTC
I work for a philanthropic foundation- love to hear these episodes! Let me know if you have any questions from the donor side …
Christi Craig
2021-12-01 23:31:41 +0000 UTC
This episode was so great, thank you! I wanted to say I really like the way Aubrey talks - she seems very carefully neutral on a lot of things, and I giggle when she steers the ship back from some generalization Mike made :-)
I was curious what kind of "media training" or similar you two have gone through? How did you learn to be patient and calm when faced with a human personification of bad takes? Especially in anticipation of canvassing - I want a deeper dive!
capydat
2021-12-01 23:05:42 +0000 UTC
Freakin DR OZ IS RUNNING FOR SENATE YALL IM SCREAMING
Donna Warfield
2021-12-01 14:37:48 +0000 UTC
Tfw you are emptying the dishwasher for your boyfriend while listening to this episode and getting called out for never emptying the dishwasher 😂
Ingrid Boring
2021-12-01 11:55:49 +0000 UTC
Amazing:D
Anne Hruska
2021-12-01 02:09:01 +0000 UTC
I enjoyed listening to this episode!
Allison
2021-12-01 01:38:23 +0000 UTC
Fantastic episode ❤️
Elizabeth Thomas
2021-12-01 00:13:31 +0000 UTC
Oh my godddd KONY 2012!
I never thought I'd comment on a bonus ep but here we are.
COVER THE NIGHT!!!
Hannah Jennings-Voykovich
2021-12-01 00:00:56 +0000 UTC
Me too! (She also sounds exactly like my grandmother lol)
Silas Hansen
2021-11-30 23:34:38 +0000 UTC
Yes, a dear friend of mine worked for them for a while, was one of the only BIPOC staff members, and she saw some really gnarly stuff. And not that you have to ask, but it was not a very inclusive workplace, either.
JKS
2021-11-30 22:27:59 +0000 UTC
Tbh an ep on the ACLU would be welcome because honestly they've supported some uhhh not great stuff? Like opposing the efforts to have a federal minimum age for marriage in order to prevent child marriages (and fun fact, if you marry at 16 you can't divorce until 18 as you can't sign the legal contracts as a minor!).
Sebastian Constable
2021-11-30 22:13:34 +0000 UTC
I want to be friends with June
Brianne Polito
2021-11-30 22:13:09 +0000 UTC
Hello fellow Michigander 👋🏻
Grace
2021-11-30 21:52:50 +0000 UTC
I think this is a great one because there are so many aspects to it. Honestly multiple ep worthy.
Sharon Fain
2021-11-30 21:23:29 +0000 UTC
I'm in advertising school & we are always looking for cool Non-profits to do work for portfolio pieces. If anyone needs help with this i'd love to create a database I can share with other students.
Dani Morales
2021-11-30 20:00:57 +0000 UTC
Thank you for all you do!! That is so great!!
Carol S
2021-11-30 17:32:29 +0000 UTC
I think it's just like, try your best but don't feel bad when you can't be perfect. Nihilism isn't the only way (though I too am frustrated when people do it)
Veronica T
2021-11-30 16:33:54 +0000 UTC
i know this would potentially be a controversial topic but i would love an episode about ~veganism~
Lori Lootens
2021-11-30 15:12:45 +0000 UTC
Ohhh.. yeah. And episode on anthroposophy would be so interesting! Plus there's a whole anti-vaccine thing with Waldorf schools in the USA and the idea of anthroposophic (sp?) medicine... there's some rich stuff. I had no idea it was embedded into the German health system.
Rachel Cohen
2021-11-30 08:00:46 +0000 UTC
Once while canvassing for a local state rep candidate I thought a resident said “door’s open!” Through the door. (Had happened before with residents with low mobility who maybe couldn’t get to the door so I wasn’t concerned) only to learn that the guy had NOT said that and I got a very understandably angry dude at me as I ran away apologizing profusely. Never canvassing again 💀
Hannah Miller
2021-11-30 04:18:23 +0000 UTC
I get that ethical consumption under capitalism is nigh impossible, but like, if there are two options and one is less shitty for the workers, why wouldn't I go for that one? Yes it's not going to fix the global supply chain, but it's making my individual impact slightly less (and yes I know it is a privileged position to be in to even be able to consider this). I guess my question is, with all of these very valid criticisms, what should people do instead? I feel like sometimes with the dismissal of ethical consumption that means people then give up and don't do anything.
Kate McDonell
2021-11-30 03:54:40 +0000 UTC
If you’re June’s niece in Santa Rosa: I’m in Santa Rosa, California… hey… 🤣
Ky Cronin
2021-11-30 03:47:03 +0000 UTC
Totally agree with Katie! A nice long 4 hour rant by Mike re: Elon Musk is something I would buy tickets for!
jenny cooper
2021-11-30 02:54:56 +0000 UTC
I have a couple different requests, maybe you'll do them someday! 1) Bariatric Surgery & 2) In the "Obesity Epidemic" episode of YWA, Mike mentioned "50+ types of obesity" and that always struck me as very fascinating and would be very interested if you went into more depth on that topic
Vivian
2021-11-30 02:22:14 +0000 UTC
Just wanted to say thank you for your podcast and for the bonus episodes! I love listening to you two and hope you keep it up forever. I never could find a podcast that I was excited about until Maintenance Phase came out. Thank you!
Paige Furniss
2021-11-30 02:06:57 +0000 UTC
Loved this episode so much!! Would happily listen to more on NGOs and effective activism.
Jessie Wittekind
2021-11-30 01:14:44 +0000 UTC
What a terrific episode. The 2016 election pushed me to do what I can do. Now I’m on the school board in a small Midwestern city. I try to stay chill while people yell at me about CRT and I have to make sure that LGBTQ people are not erased from curricula. But these are things I can do! Resisting the siren song of “conscious consumption” is a whole other situation. We cannot buy our way out of capitalism. I still want to buy things.
Jessica Jernigan
2021-11-30 00:53:22 +0000 UTC
ANYTHING related to #Kony2012 gets me. 😮💨😂😂😂😂
ScorpioSG 4
2021-11-30 00:47:56 +0000 UTC
Might have been a joke, but I think in the first bonus episode there was a mention of doing an episode where Mike rants about Elon Musk and that sounds like it would be fun.
Katie
2021-11-30 00:47:55 +0000 UTC
I appreciate the contemplation about engagement & NGOs, and the mention of wages. I wish more people were involved in local politics too. I think unless you have been a political activist/monster for years it can be intimidating, and sometimes counterintuitive about what is actually "helping". It is hard to get started. I like the advice given here. I'd also say having mentors of older local activists is also good for starting. They can give you the background on local conflicts, and there are a million political back-stories in any town.
Sam Murphy
2021-11-29 23:11:32 +0000 UTC
As a former Portlander of many years I am LOVING all the local references. Like “Oh, shit! Aubrey just name-dropped Tigard AND Hillsboro.”
Kat Heagberg
2021-11-29 22:44:23 +0000 UTC
I did not expect that the words “field organizer” would make my throat tighten so dramatically! I vote for a breastfeeding episode. I remember crying on my floor because I was scared for my son’s health when I couldn’t breastfeed him. It didn’t seem like breast was best; it seemed like the only option based on my prenatal education.
Sara Sullivan
2021-11-29 22:17:50 +0000 UTC
One thing I will say as someone who has done a lot of nonprofit work is some of the places have the worst labor abuses of all…poverty wages, the expectation of spending your own money and working unpaid
Natalie Harwood
2021-11-29 21:16:48 +0000 UTC
Omg me too
Natalie Harwood
2021-11-29 21:13:06 +0000 UTC
Oh my god I’m so happy for this episode. I spent ten years in nonprofits and I have become so incredibly drained and jaded…most of all the rampant labor abuse because you care so much and the tap dancing performance for rich people.
Natalie Harwood
2021-11-29 21:12:29 +0000 UTC
Fantastic episode, thanks Aubrey & Mike. I recently moved to a new community for work and listening to this podcast reminded me of why getting involved in local politics and community organizing is so crucial to systems change.
webb12
2021-11-29 20:36:03 +0000 UTC
If I had to guess I would say Human Rights Campaign??? Anyone else have info?
Amanda M
2021-11-29 20:30:16 +0000 UTC
yhat family is such a touchstone for like every social issue ever.
Sophie Milne
2021-11-29 20:29:51 +0000 UTC
Great episode, as usual! Especially the ending in terms of what your individual capacity is - I do agree that we all have a responsibility to engage in 'making the world a better place' kind of stuff, but we can't all do it all the time. When I was a broke in my 20s I did volunteering, when I got older I attended a couple protests, now I work in a field where I must not appear politically partisan so I don't engage with issues or politics in a public capacity, but I earn more so I give more to charities that work in fields I am most passionate about.
Sophie Milne
2021-11-29 20:27:51 +0000 UTC
This is not MP related, just Mike related. I don't do Twitter, so this is my only way of "talking" to you.
I miss you on You're wrong about. Soooo bad. It's not the same without you. You are the Thelma to Sarah's Louise the Peanut butter to her Jam (jelly, I'm Australian) the Ethal to her Lucy. I'm so sad. Mum and Dad have broken up, and your children are on the edge of a life of crime and conspiracy theories.
WE MISS YOU!!! 😭😭😭 PLEASE COME BACK!!!
Carly Brindley
2021-11-29 18:42:20 +0000 UTC
In re the political donations, I think people get rules for NGOs confused with the rules for churches.
Tami Anderson
2021-11-29 18:16:08 +0000 UTC
Haven't listened to the episode yet, but I wanted to comment a future bonus episode idea before I forgot!
I'd love an episode where we learn more about the research process for MP, how you choose subjects, how you find reliable sources for each episode, how you analyze studies, etc.
Based on how much we all love the methodology queen merch I'm optimistic I'm not the only one who would find your process interesting!
Wren Bredeson
2021-11-29 17:47:02 +0000 UTC
My best friend and I have HORROR stories from our time in nonprofits (she's now doing a PhD in public administration, I blame the trauma 😉) and I think telling her about this bonus episode is the thing that will get her to subscribe to the patreon.
Rachel Goldfarb
2021-11-29 17:42:58 +0000 UTC
Also re: merch and headquarters... I completely agree with the point Aubrey makes, but would add this grain of salt. Some of the community-founded and based orgs I support do have headquarters and merch, and frankly, their merch actually really helps with their outreach, awareness, and funds!
I used to do marketing for a smaller nonprofit and the merch sales made up a crucial 25% of our annual income, which was necessary for us to keep the lights on. I'd say if a nonprofit is mailing you catalogs each year of their merch, then that's an extravagant nonprofit.
JKS
2021-11-29 17:17:30 +0000 UTC
As a fellow political community organizer (still doing field work here in Michigan!!), it’s warming the little cockles of my heart to hear Aubrey talking about canvassing! 🥰🥰🥰
Christy McGillivray
2021-11-29 16:58:13 +0000 UTC
June 😭
Freja Hoskins
2021-11-29 16:11:00 +0000 UTC
I love this episode because I work as a fundraiser, and have worked in nonprofits from startup phase to established, and now am at a large public university. This is probably the most removed I have felt from areas I feel have the most need (besides giving more access to more people for a transformational education), but guess why I ended up here? I needed a living wage!
Side note, and this was touched on a bit, but philanthropy is and has been extremely problematic; philanthropy has historically upheld racist systems, white supremacy, and poverty at the expense of the people or causes the nonprofits and NGOs are meant to serve. Fundraising staff is impacted by this, too: you can only really afford to work for a smaller nonprofit if you're already wealthy, are married to someone wealthy, or if you're willing to sacrifice other areas of your life. I'm beginning to see more leaders willing to change this, but it's a long way to go. Vu Le's Nonprofit AF is a great blog on this topic, and Edgar Villanueva's book "Decolonizing Wealth" is amazing.
After previous work experiences, I only support the community-founded, community-centric organizations, and try to keep it to general funds so they can use those dollars to their discretion. These are the orgs that are the least likely to have major, wealthy donors, and they can deliver funding and services in the way that is most needed, not what is deemed important by the wealthy donors.
JKS
2021-11-29 15:59:09 +0000 UTC
hi, aubrey and mike! i was just coming on to suggest you release this episode to the regular feed and it looks like i’m not alone in my sentiment. it was SO informative and approachable. i’m canadian so not everything was directly applicable, but i feel so inspired to get involved and (hopefully) affect change in new ways. thanks so much for being such great company and such fantastic, informative, hilarious hosts.
Afra
2021-11-29 15:48:52 +0000 UTC
There's entanglement with politicians, misappropriated funds, shell companies, real estate, gross colonial stuff. It's really fascinating. The podcast white saviors gives a really good overview.
Olivia Watkin-McClurg
2021-11-29 15:31:32 +0000 UTC
I want to second the suggestion this be released as a bonus episode to the regular feed! Such important reminders that local politics matters and we can have influence and that our representative have a job to represent us and that that’s how change happens. Gosh, I love this pod!
Rebecca Johnston
2021-11-29 15:31:20 +0000 UTC
This is kind of niche, but I'm Canadian and the WE organization has imploded in scandal over the past year and especially since Mike worked in international development, I'd love to hear what y'all have to say about that! It seems like the issues at hand are wider issues in the ngo sector generally.
Olivia Watkin-McClurg
2021-11-29 15:30:22 +0000 UTC
You have won top pod priority over Dan Savage, Bill Maher, Ira Glass and Terry Gross! Keep it up forever.
Clara Nipper
2021-11-29 14:50:15 +0000 UTC
I’m listening right now. Love listening to you guys! You have filled me in on so much and changed my perspective in important ways. I would love to donate to some organizations that you guys like as a thank you. Could you let me know dome organizations that you want to support? Thanks!!!!
Jill Gluck
2021-11-29 14:42:35 +0000 UTC
I do understand her point about extravagance in non profits. Homeless shelters, dv shelters, and needle exchange programs are really good examples of counter points to Audrey's rule of thumb for donating to non profits who have a headquarters.
Brittany
2021-11-29 14:00:31 +0000 UTC
Aubrey I'm begging you to drop the name of the org with the DC HQ
Veronica T
2021-11-29 13:57:27 +0000 UTC
so accurate omg
Veronica T
2021-11-29 13:56:58 +0000 UTC
Also it's so frustrating when human rights get caught up in politics (they always do) because believing people have the right to live their lives how they choose is really not political at all
Julian Colas
2021-11-29 13:41:50 +0000 UTC
Why are LGBTQ+ rights easier to advocate for than voting rights and undocumented people? White people can be part of the LGBTQ+ community and white people are NOT as commonly part of the disenfranchised groups. Literally THE only thing Chappelle got right in The Closer. (I'm trans, I watched it.) I'm not in non profit work, but I advocate for LGBTQ+ rights at my corporate job and there is a lack of understanding of the intersection of color and queerness and how much worse it can be for LGBTQ+ POC. Colonialism and westernization are a hell of a thing...
Julian Colas
2021-11-29 13:39:28 +0000 UTC
Basically I’m saying I love you guys lol
Corwin Petersen-Snyder
2021-11-29 13:38:19 +0000 UTC
While you were talking about using financials to evaluate non profits to give to I was basically chanting your final answer to myself. “Gap between CEO pay and average pay. Gap. Gap.”
Corwin Petersen-Snyder
2021-11-29 13:38:07 +0000 UTC
I think an episode about how fat folks get hated on for shopping fast fashion when it's the only option for many people due to budget or just accessibility would be an interesting episode.
Katie Rasmussen
2021-11-29 13:19:09 +0000 UTC
If Nancy Grace is Sarah's shadow self, Rachel Hollis is Michael's.
Hope Maze
2021-11-29 13:12:59 +0000 UTC
Can you please do an episode about accessibility of non-fast fashion brands for fat folks? Finding inclusive and ethically made clothing as a fat person is so hard! Most ethical clothing places go up to a size large. 🙄 Also doing an episode about torrid would be super interesting too! They recently had beef with a tiktoker named Hannah who critiqued their outdated fashion styles.
Katie Rasmussen
2021-11-29 13:12:40 +0000 UTC
I keep forgetting that Aubrey is from the Portland area so it was fun to hear familiar town names lol.
danceswithpugs1980
2021-11-29 13:01:18 +0000 UTC
Thank you ! This content and episode is so rich and important … you really should put this out to the public. Your approach to important topics is so authentic & motivating.
There is an desperate push needed at this time. Voices like yours are necessary. Really great & important work in an uncertain time.
Kathleen Fee
2021-11-29 12:27:49 +0000 UTC
This was super interesting. I also think the most ethical thing is just to buy and use less and def smarter, to avoid throwing away things! as you said, it is soooo difficult to control all the impact your purchase may have on different stages on production. If you can, try to buy from more ethical brands, but don’t think that that is not having a negative impact somewhere…
Little Anina
2021-11-29 12:06:08 +0000 UTC
Would love a bonus episode about Khloe Kardashian’s dance with weight loss/body acceptance and her weird show “Revenge Body”! The whole Kardashian Klan are great podcast fodder.
Carol S
2021-11-29 11:53:36 +0000 UTC
I cannot wait to listen! I worked as a fundraiser for 15 years and my soul was so drained by the end.
Jennie Leichtling
2021-11-29 11:45:42 +0000 UTC
German listener here begging for an episode on Rudolf Steiner and anthroposophy... maybe especially as it is embedded in the German health system, or in general... it is a rich subject.
Grace
2021-11-29 11:38:44 +0000 UTC
I’m ready to leave the nonprofit sector after 6 years. I’ve become so jaded about change. Good luck on your new career! I’m trying to figure out my next path in the private sector
Megan
2021-11-29 11:37:54 +0000 UTC
This was SO GOOD! I’ve worked in the arts and philanthropy sector and so much of this episode resonated. I don’t think people understand how challenging and nuanced the nonprofit sector is if they don’t engage with it regularly. I loved all the points y’all brought up! Y’all could easily do a part 2. I’m really interested in about they money aspect since I have worked in development and fundraising mainly.
Megan
2021-11-29 11:35:54 +0000 UTC
I am so excited about this episode. I have a job at a Berlin based environmental NGO and am also involved in a local campaign for affordable rents an public housing in Berlin (Deutsche Wohnen und Co Enteignen). In summer we did a lot of campagining around the elections and I already applied a lot of the knowledege Audrey in other epsiodes. :) And of course I want to know about Michaels experience in the NGO-world in Germany. The epsiode on protein was *chef's kiss*. I am giving a lecture on developmental politics this december and will use it as an example.
Carla
2021-11-29 11:29:04 +0000 UTC
This sounds like exactly the episode I need to hear right now…I left my nonprofits career about 5 months ago and this is the time of year I used to feel good about my work and happy I was making a difference (despite the toll the work often took on me and how terribly underpaid I was).
Ashley Maready
2021-11-29 11:04:42 +0000 UTC
I'm only halfway through, but super interesting conversation about the opaque nature of supply chains.
It reminded me of this article https://anatomyof.ai/
These researchers did their best to illustrate/map the Amazon echo supply chain and is great for visualizing what Mike says about companies not knowing where elements of their products come from. Highly recommend it. Also, it has this gem of a quote: "your smart-phone runs on the tears and breast milk of a volcano. This landscape is connected to everywhere on the planet via the phones in our pockets; linked to each of us by invisible threads of commerce, science, politics and power."
Betsy Willett
2021-11-29 10:56:30 +0000 UTC
I would love to hear an episode about mama Cass; especially about the (mis)information about her cause of death; the urban legend that she choked on a ham sandwich, and the speculation that years of dieting caused her heart failure that was actually the cause of death.
Charlotte Hakkers
2021-11-29 10:52:19 +0000 UTC
Omg I never knew about the RSS feed options, THANK YOU SO MUCH for including that in the post!! 😭 my precious audio speed and rewind buttons how I missed yooou 💖💕💗💕💖
Snow Diana Judith
2021-11-29 10:22:12 +0000 UTC
Haven’t even listened and already love it!
Holly Marino
2021-11-29 10:06:23 +0000 UTC
Hoo boy; listening to this might be the boost I need to finally put away my laundry pile
MutinyontheBeagle
2021-11-29 10:02:03 +0000 UTC