Gooder Stories

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Rachel Nadler, a communication advisor at the Centre for Sexuality. They discuss the challenges and strategies of nonprofit communications, particularly in the context of sexual health education. Rachel shares insights on the importance of clarity in messaging, the need for parents to engage in conversations about sexual health with their children, and the balancing act of managing multiple responsibilities in a small team. The conversation highlights the impact of effective communication on community trust and the personal journey of transitioning from corporate to nonprofit work.LEARN MORE:https://www.centreforsexuality.ca/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelnadler/Powered by Gooder Creative Studio (https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/)—----End music credit: Borough

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Sierra Love, a community builder from Calgary, about her journey into community work and the impactful initiatives of the Arusha Center. They discuss the importance of community engagement, how the organization measures success in grassroots projects, and strategies for small teams to create meaningful change. Sierra shares insights on the Calgary Dollars program, the Repair Exchange, the significance of fostering ongoing relationships within communities, and effectively communicating concepts like the circular economy. The conversation emphasizes the value of understanding community needs and adapting messages for diverse audiences and offers advice for grassroots organizers looking to make a difference in their communities.LEARN MORE:https://www.arusha.org/https://www.calgarydollars.ca/Powered by Gooder Creative Studio (https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/)—----End music credit: Borough

Gooder Stories is a podcast where strategy meets heart. Hosted by Gail Hataitham, the show features honest conversations with nonprofit leaders, marketers, and changemakers from across Canada.Each episode explores how thoughtful marketing and storytelling can move missions forward—especially when teams are small and resources are limited. Gooder Stories is for nonprofit leaders and purpose-driven creatives who want to share their work with more clarity, creativity, and confidence.SUMMARYIn this episode of Gooder Stories, Gail Hataitham speaks with Calgary community builder and nonprofit founder Alice Lam about leadership, volunteer engagement, and building sustainable impact. Alice shares her journey into community service, the realities of balancing nonprofit work with a full-time career, and why trust, collaboration, and wellbeing matter in creating lasting change. She also discusses her hopes for future initiatives in Calgary.LEARN MORE:https://alicelam.org/https://www.instagram.com/goodneighbouryychttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-lam-71796238/Powered by Gooder Creative Studio

Gooder Stories is a podcast where strategy meets heart. Hosted by Gail Hataitham, the show features honest conversations with nonprofit leaders, marketers, and changemakers from across Canada.Each episode explores how thoughtful marketing and storytelling can move missions forward—especially when teams are small and resources are limited. Gooder Stories is for nonprofit leaders and purpose-driven creatives who want to share their work with more clarity, creativity, and confidence.SUMMARYThis episode features Jennifer Koole, Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta. They discuss the journey of rethinking waste as a valuable resource, the importance of collaboration in small teams, and effective communication strategies for nonprofits. Jennifer shares her personal journey in environmental science, impactful moments from her work, insights into the circular economy, and her leadership role in a nonprofit. The conversation emphasizes the need for relatable storytelling, the power of networking, and the significance of celebrating small wins in the nonprofit sector.LEARN MORE:https://recycle.ab.ca/linkedin.com/company/recycling-council-of-alberta/Powered by Gooder Creative Studio (https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/)

In the final episode of season one of Gooder Stories, the host, Gail Hataitham, looks back on what inspired her to start the podcast and what she’s learned from conversations with nine changemakers in the nonprofit sector. She highlights recurring themes of authenticity, trust, and storytelling in nonprofit communication, along with the challenges organizations face and the potential of AI as a tool. Gail also shares her gratitude and personal takeaways from creating the first season.Connect with Gail: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-hataitham-10b44558/Learn more about Gooder Creative Studio: https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Louise Bwandinga, a fundraising and communication professional at Green Calgary. Louise shares insights into her dual role, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and feedback in shaping their initiatives. The conversation also touches on balancing priorities in nonprofit work, honoring the legacy of Green Calgary, and understanding authentic inclusion.Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbwandinga/Learn more about Green Calgary: https://www.greencalgary.org/

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Ella Jean Haggis, an organizing manager at an environmental nonprofit. They discuss Ella's unique journey from linguistics to environmental advocacy, the challenges of communicating complex climate policies, and the importance of personal stories in engaging the public. Ella shares insights on training volunteers, overcoming communication barriers, and balancing emotional and factual messaging. The conversation concludes with practical advice for nonprofit leaders and the influence of Ella's musical background on her advocacy work.CONNECT WITH ELLA:https://www.instagram.com/ellaoftheplanet

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Amanda Schutz, creative director and founder of Curio Studio, about how design and storytelling can transform nonprofit marketing. Amanda shares her journey from a one-woman operation to running a thriving boutique studio, highlighting the role of custom illustration, ethical design, and strong partnerships in amplifying nonprofit missions. She also offers practical tips for creating impactful visuals on a budget and reflects on her experiences founding Canadian Women in Design and supporting purpose-driven organizations with creativity and intention.Learn More:Curio Studio: curiostudio.caAmanda's Personal Work: amandaschutz.comCanadian Women in Design: womenindesign.ca

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Amanda Bishop, founder of The Mindful Appetite, a Calgary-based nonprofit focused on food waste and food insecurity. They discuss the journey of starting a nonprofit, the importance of education in food waste management, and the need for collaboration among organizations. Amanda shares her experiences, challenges, and the community's support that has been crucial to her mission. The conversation emphasizes the significance of adapting communication strategies for different audiences and the impact of grassroots efforts in tackling complex social issues.ABOUT THE MINDFUL APPETITE:The Mindful Appetite is a Calgary-based nonprofit organization that addresses the interconnected challenges of food waste and food insecurity in the community. The organization focuses on education as a key strategy for changing behaviors around food waste, while simultaneously working to ensure that surplus food reaches those who need it most. Through grassroots efforts and community collaboration, The Mindful Appetite emphasizes that every contribution matters in creating meaningful change. The organization has built its success on strong community support and partnerships, demonstrating how local initiatives can make a significant impact on complex social and environmental issues.Learn more about The Mindful Appetite: https://themindfulappetite.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558675109890 https://www.instagram.com/themindfulappetiteyyc/ https://x.com/mindfulappetite https://www.tiktok.com/@mindfulappetite?lang=en

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham sits down with Sarah Reid, Communications Manager at Clean Prosperity, to explore the art of effective climate communication. Sarah breaks down how to translate complex climate policies into compelling messages for diverse audiences, why positive messaging beats doom-and-gloom narratives, and how to measure success through real policy changes rather than just engagement metrics. The conversation covers Sarah’s insights on tailoring communication to different stakeholders, standing out in a crowded climate space, and reveals exciting projects that demonstrate how pragmatic climate solutions can inspire action and drive meaningful change.ABOUT CLEAN PROSPERITY:Clean Prosperity is a Canadian climate policy organization that advocates for pragmatic solutions to grow the low-carbon economy. They work on market-oriented policies that incentivize private enterprise to compete, innovate, and invest in low-carbon technologies, focusing on carbon markets, conservative climate ambition, low-carbon growth, and net-zero planning. Clean Prosperity is independent, non-partisan, and non-profit, funded entirely by Canadian sources and takes an evidence-driven approach through research, stakeholder collaboration, and engagement with business and government leaders.Learn more about Clean Prosperity: https://cleanprosperity.ca/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-prosperity/posts/?feedView=all https://x.com/CleanProsperity

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Michelle Wagner, a Prosci-certified change manager, about the critical role of effective communication in navigating change initiatives, particularly in the nonprofit sector. They discuss the differences in communication strategies between nonprofit and corporate environments, the importance of identifying change champions, and the challenges posed by hybrid work settings. Michelle emphasizes the need for strategic communication tailored to various stakeholders and the significance of self-care and resilience for leaders during times of change. The conversation concludes with insights into future communication trends and tools that can aid nonprofits in managing change more effectively.CONNECT WITH MICHELLE WAGNER:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellewagner1/

In this episode, host Gail Hataitham interviews Ashlee Mohn, Director of Engagement at Trellis Society, who shares how her organization successfully navigated a major merger while maintaining trust through transparent communication and person-centered storytelling that focuses on the communities they serve rather than the organization itself. Ashlee discusses creating a unified brand voice across diverse mental health, housing, and community development services, leveraging strategic partnerships to maximize limited resources, and turning staff into communication ambassadors to amplify impact. She highlights innovative campaigns like Winter Breaker that exceeded fundraising goals through digital-first strategies, explains how to measure communication effectiveness beyond basic metrics, and reflects on how parenthood has enhanced her leadership approach and deepened her understanding of the communities Trellis Society supports.ABOUT TRELLIS SOCIETY:Trellis Society is a Calgary-based social services agency serving over 9,000 people annually through more than 30 programs. CalgaryfoundationUcalgary Trellis took root by bringing the best of two organizations together with a vision of providing more services that support people to grow and flourish in all areas of their lives. Through strengthening economic stability, well-being, mental health and belonging, thousands of people each year are supported to exit poverty, navigate out of crisis, and move from isolation into community. Their services include operating Calgary's only youth emergency shelter, various housing options, employment training, and comprehensive family support programs.Learn more about Trellis Society: https://www.growwithtrellis.ca/Donate: https://www.growwithtrellis.ca/get-involved/ways-to-give/donateFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrellisYYC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trellisyyc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzb4NkUfGdVkQV6RCVI4wrA

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with environmental communicator Katrine Claassens about the importance of effective communication strategies for nonprofits. They discuss common mistakes organizations make, such as failing to identify their target audience and the need for clear messaging. Katrine shares insights on how to make complex topics engaging, the significance of measuring communication impact, and the challenges of standing out in a competitive space. They also explore the role of authenticity in branding, the necessity of rebranding, and the implications of AI in communications.KATRINE’S RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:Yale Program on Climate Change Communication: The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) conducts research on public understanding and perceptions of climate change to improve communication strategies. Based at the Yale School of the Environment, it supports governments, media, and organizations through data-driven insights and public engagement initiatives like the Yale Climate Opinion Maps and the “Climate Connections” radio program. https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/Centre for Climate Psychology: The Centre for Climate Psychology is dedicated to transforming deep-seated cultural, emotional, and relational patterns contributing to the climate crisis. It offers online learning experiences that integrate psychological and systemic wisdom, aiming to equip individuals and organizations with the competencies needed to navigate complex systems during times of upheaval. https://www.climatepsychologyandchange.com/

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Andrea Stordy, Creative Director at YW Calgary, about the organization's mission to support women and families in need. They discuss the unique approach to marketing in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and connection over traditional sales tactics. Andie shares insights on the challenges of ethical storytelling, the balance of creativity with budget constraints, and the significance of community engagement. The conversation also touches on the tools and platforms that have been effective for YW Calgary, as well as lessons for other nonprofits in marketing. The episode concludes with a look at the future plans for YW Calgary and the impact they aim to achieve in the community.ABOUT YW CALGARY YW Calgary is the largest and longest serving women’s organization in Calgary. Through its more than 108 year history, the organization has touched tens of thousands of lives and evolved its programs to meet the changing needs of women in the community. YW offers a continuum of programs and services for women and their families who are struggling with poverty, homelessness, family violence, and isolation.Learn more about YW Calgary programs at: https://www.ywcalgary.ca/Donate: https://www.ywcalgary.ca/onetimegiftFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/YWcalgaryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ywcalgary/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ywcalgary/