In this powerful conversation, Abby Baldwin and Jennifer McDowell share their experiences as AmeriCorps Vistas and community organizers in Baltimore, exploring what it truly means to create lasting change from the ground up.

The Art of Community Listening: Abby and Jennifer discuss how genuine community engagement begins with vulnerability and deep listening to understand what communities truly need, rather than imposing outside solutions.

Storytelling as Social Change: How personal narratives and shared experiences become powerful tools for building connections and fostering understanding across diverse communities.

Lessons from Baltimore: Real stories from their organizing work, including both the challenges of professional organizing and the victories that come from persistent, purpose-driven effort.

Cultural Celebrations Matter: The significance of honoring cultural traditions and community celebrations as essential elements of building stronger, more connected neighborhoods.

Legacy and the Common Good: Reflecting on those who paved the way before them and how their work contributes to a larger vision of collective progress and social justice.

The Power of Persistence: Why curiosity, vulnerability, and commitment to the common good are essential qualities for anyone working to create positive change in their community.

This episode offers an honest, inspiring look at community organizing through the eyes of two practitioners who understand that meaningful change happens through authentic relationships and shared commitment to something greater than ourselves. Whether you're involved in community work or simply interested in how positive change occurs, Abby and Jennifer's insights will leave you thinking about your role in building stronger communities.

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In this episode of Leadership for the Common Good, leadership strategist and renowned organizer Arnie Graf joins Jennifer McDowell for a powerful conversation on how we identify, nurture, and sustain leadership within our communities.

Drawing from decades of experience, Arnie shares lessons from mentoring emerging leaders, organizing for social change, and navigating complex political environments—including how to strategically organize against figures like Donald Trump. Together, they explore the distinction between problems and issues, the power of relationship-based organizing, and the importance of reflection and self-care in sustaining the work.

Whether you're a nonprofit leader, community organizer, or leadership coach, this episode offers grounded strategies to help you grow and support the next generation of values-driven leadership.

Visit Common Good Coaching to learn more and stay connected: https://www.commongoodcoaching.com

Keywords: leadership development, community organizing, political strategy, self-care, hidden leaders, mentorship, Trump resistance, grassroots leadership, organizing tools, nonprofit leadership

In this conversation, Mairin Strigley shares her transformative journey from nonprofit manager to mezzo-soprano. She highlights the challenges of performance anxiety and the importance of self-care. Mairin discusses the necessity of building a support system and recognizing one’s self-worth beyond professional achievements. She emphasizes the joy of performing and the mindset shift that allows her to connect authentically with her audience.Jennifer and Mairin explore various themes, including performance anxiety, self-compassion, emotional skills, and leadership dynamics. They share personal stories and insights on navigating challenges in both personal and professional contexts. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, the value of community, and the need to focus on strengths rather than weaknesses. Finally, they reflect on the common good and discuss ways individuals can contribute positively to their communities.

Visit Common Good Coaching to learn more and stay connected : https://www.commongoodcoaching.com

In this week’s Leadership for the Common Good episode, host Jennifer McDowell sits down with Ruth Farfel, a Baltimore-based coach, facilitator, and solopreneur, for an honest and deeply resonant conversation about curiosity, creativity, and collective well-being.

Together, Jennifer and Ruth explore moving from feeling stuck to stepping into purpose—slowly, intentionally, and with care. Ruth reflects on her journey toward solopreneurship, the impact of societal pressures on curiosity, and the radical act of asking good questions. They discuss how survival mode suppresses exploration, why perfectionism is a threat in the do-good space, and how leadership can and should model vulnerability.

This episode is a heartfelt call to embrace experimentation, redefine self-care, and build a community rooted in authenticity. It invites listeners to reflect on their values, lean on others, and imagine a version of leadership that makes space for the messy, beautiful work of collective growth.

Key Themes:

• The power of small steps in creative processes

• Burnout, perfectionism, and the self-care industrial complex

• Leadership is honest modeling, not having all the answers

• Why curiosity is critical to thriving communities

• Building a culture of support in a world of individual pressure

In this powerful new episode of Leadership For the Common Good, host Jennifer McDowell sits down with longtime nonprofit leader Carol Reckling for an honest and deeply reflective conversation about the meaning of leadership across time.

Together, they explore:

• What leadership really looks like in action

• How change unfolds across generations

• The emotional and professional journey of leaders who helped build movements and institutions

• And the important question: What does it mean to be remembered?

Carol shares hard-won wisdom from her decades of service, offering a grounded perspective on impact, growth, and what it feels like to step back and reflect on a career devoted to social good.

Whether you're an emerging leader or someone reflecting on your own legacy, this episode will leave you inspired to lead with intention — and to honor those who paved the way.

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