Learning for Good | L&D Solutions and Leadership Development for Nonprofits

Hosted by Heather Burright, Learning and Development Leader, Leadership Development Consultant, Instructional Designer.

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Jun 2026

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As nonprofit learning and development leaders, we want a seat at the table. We want to be viewed as true business partners who can help solve problems. We want to create meaningful learning solutions that fit in the flow of work and yield real results for the organization and for the staff. That's why in this podcast, we will not only explore instructional design and leadership development best practices, but we will also explore change management, belonging, and influence - helping you build the case for the solutions your organization needs so you can show up confidently in conversations with other senior leaders, subject matter experts, staff, and partners. If we haven't met yet, I'm Heather, and I’ve been in your shoes. I'm a learning and development consultant and the founder and principal consultant at Skill Masters Market. Before starting Skill Masters Market, I worked for a large national nonprofit where I led learning and development leadership initiatives. I know what it’s like to need to develop your staff quickly and effectively, and to build the relationships and cut through the organizational layers to be successful. With an eye for the larger strategy and the creative design process, I've created hundreds of learning experiences - in-person, self-paced, and virtual classroom - and have worked with dozens of leaders and their staff to help them achieve their organization’s professional development goals. So if you're ready to bust through the barriers and start creating behavior change in your nonprofit, this podcast is for you. Let's dive in. It's Learning for Good. Nonprofit Management | Leadership Training | Leadership Development | Staff Management | Change Management | Instructional Design | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Learn more: www.skillmastersmarket.com Connect with me: www.linkedin.com/in/heather-burright Schedule a call: https://bit.ly/3GQT6Yg

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June 15, 2026Episode 19015 min

Why Your Nonprofit Training Isn't Working: 5 Factors Preventing Workplace Behavior Change

You invested time and resources into staff training and development, but your team still isn't applying what they learned. Why? Many nonprofit leaders focus heavily on what employees need to learn and how they should learn it. While those elements are essential, they're only part of the equation.In this episode of Learning for Good, I’m exploring why even well-designed training programs often fail to create lasting behavior change. True success happens when training translates into consistent action on the job. I’m sharing five overlooked factors that determine whether learning becomes performance improvement or simply another forgotten workshop.▶️ Why Your Nonprofit Training Isn't Working: 5 Factors Preventing Workplace Behavior Change▶️ Key Points:00:00:00 Why Great Training Doesn't Always Lead to Action00:05:07 5 Factors Preventing Behavior Change00:14:12 Designing Training That Drives Lasting Behavior ChangeResources from this episode:Join the Learning for Good Summit in July: https://collective.skillmastersmarket.com/invitation?code=9A6625 Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveConnect with HeatherLinkedIn: Heather BurrightWebsite: skillmastersmarket.comBook an interest call with Heather here.⭐Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!🔗Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends.Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!Produced by Ideablossoms

June 8, 2026Episode 18943 min

Learning and Growth for Learning Leaders with Dr. Luke Hobson

What does it really take to grow as a learning leader? In this episode of Learning for Good, I sit down with instructional design expert Dr. Luke Hobson to explore how learning professionals can build confidence, strengthen influence, and develop a clear leadership voice. We reflect on our own career journeys into learning and development and discuss how intentional growth, networking, and relationship-building shape effective leaders.From instructional design for nonprofits to relationship-building and professional growth, this conversation is packed with practical insights for nonprofit learning and development professionals who want to create meaningful organizational impact. Whether you’re leading training initiatives, managing change, or trying to grow your confidence as a leader, this episode offers actionable ideas you can immediately apply.▶️ Learning and Growth for Learning Leaders with Dr. Luke Hobson▶️ Key Points:00:00:00 Dr. Luke Hobson’s Journey into Instructional Design00:05:39 Heather’s Path into Learning and Development00:08:38 Moving Beyond Content Creation into Organizational Influence00:14:47 The Value of Partnering with Your Stakeholders00:19:35 How Learning Leaders Invest in Their Own Growth00:27:35 Building Confidence and Finding Your Leadership Voice00:34:49 Advice for Nonprofit Learning Professionals Who Want to Grow Their InfluenceResources from this episode:Join the Learning for Good Summit in July: https://collective.skillmastersmarket.com/invitation?code=9A6625 Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveConnect with LukeLinkedIn: Luke Hobson, EdDWebsite: drlukehobson.com Connect with HeatherLinkedIn: Heather BurrightWebsite: skillmastersmarket.comBook an interest call with Heather here.⭐Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!🔗Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends.Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!Produced by Ideablossoms

June 1, 2026Episode 18815 min

What Proof of Impact Really Looks Like in Training

What does proof of impact really look like in nonprofit learning and development? In this episode of Learning for Good, I break down how nonprofit leaders can measure staff training and development in a way that actually connects learning to organizational performance and mission impact.Many nonprofit organizations focus only on participation numbers or satisfaction surveys when evaluating training. Others jump straight to behavior change and impact without worrying about knowledge transfer. I explain why effective learning and development strategies require a complete measurement chain, one where every “domino” matters.▶️ What Proof of Impact Really Looks Like in Training▶️ Key Points:00:00:00 The Five Dominoes of Measuring Training Impact00:05:50 Why Each Domino Matters in Nonprofit Staff Training and Development00:13:30 Connecting Learning to Organizational ImpactResources from this episode:More episodes on measuring training:How to Measure Behavior Change and Impact from TrainingHow to Measure the Impact of Your Training and DevelopmentJoin us at our next networking event for the Nonprofit L&D Collective on June 17: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/join-the-nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveConnect with HeatherLinkedIn: Heather BurrightWebsite: skillmastersmarket.comBook an interest call with Heather here.⭐Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!🔗Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends.Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!Produced by Ideablossoms

May 25, 2026Episode 18732 min

A Look at Career Mapping: Who, What, When, and How with Nonprofit Leader Melanie Gonzalez

What does it take to build high-performing nonprofit teams that stay engaged, grow their skills, and strengthen organizational impact? In this episode, I sit down with Melanie Gonzalez, Chief People Officer at the Behavioral Science Research Institute (BSRI), to explore how intentional career pathing supports nonprofit leadership development, staff training and development, and employee retention.From aligning compensation philosophy with career progression to building customized learning and development strategies, this conversation offers practical guidance for nonprofit leaders who want to invest in their people while navigating limited resources and flat organizational structures.▶️ A Look at Career Mapping: Who, What, When, and How with Nonprofit Leader Melanie Gonzalez▶️ Key Points:00:00:00 Career Paths Matter for Nonprofit Growth and Performance00:03:46 Melanie’s HR Leadership Journey00:09:34 Career Pathing and Compensation at BSRI00:17:34 Nonprofit Career Growth Beyond Promotions00:21:03 Aligning Career Pathing with L&D Strategies00:24:21 The Impact of Investing in Nonprofit Staff Development00:27:24 Advice for Nonprofits Creating Career PathsResources from this episode:Join us at our next networking event for the Nonprofit L&D Collective on June 17: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/join-the-nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveConnect with MelanieLinkedIn: Melanie GonzalezWebsite: bsrinstitute.org Connect with HeatherLinkedIn: Heather BurrightWebsite: skillmastersmarket.comBook an interest call with Heather here.⭐Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!🔗Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends.Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!Produced by Ideablossoms

May 18, 2026Episode 18612 min

The Mindset that Separates Strategic L&D Leaders from Order Takers

If you want to elevate your learning and development role from an order taker to a strategic partner, it starts with something many leaders overlook: mindset. In this episode, I explore how the way you think about your role in learning and development directly impacts your influence, credibility, and results inside your organization.Too often, nonprofit learning professionals feel stuck reacting to requests instead of shaping strategy. But shifting from an order taker to a strategic partner isn’t about changing your job title. It’s about changing how you show up. I break down how your internal beliefs shape your external behaviors, and ultimately determine whether you're invited to the decision-making table.▶️ The Mindset that Separates Strategic L&D Leaders from Order Takers▶️ Key Points:00:00:00 How Mindset Shapes Your Daily Experiences00:03:50 Strategic L&D Partner vs Order Taker00:08:58 Reinforcing Cycles: Beliefs and OutcomesResources from this episode:The Psychology of Winning by Denis Waitley: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Winning-Qualities-Nightingale-Publication/dp/1640956441 The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Your-Subconscious-Mind/dp/160459201X Self-Coaching 101 by Brooke Castillo: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Coaching-101-Brooke-Castillo/dp/0977853993 Join us at our next networking event for the Nonprofit L&D Collective on May 20: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/join-the-nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveConnect with HeatherLinkedIn: Heather BurrightWebsite: skillmastersmarket.comBook an interest call with Heather here.⭐Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!🔗Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends.Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!Produced by Ideablossoms

May 11, 2026Episode 18535 min

Mentorship Programs for Nonprofits: How to Develop the Next Generation of Leaders with Larcy Douglas

Mentorship is a powerful yet underutilized tool in nonprofits, and in this episode, we’re diving into how to operationalize it for real organizational impact. I sit down with Larcy Douglas, director at Common Power, to explore how mentorship can transform both individuals and organizations. From designing collaborative mentor-mentee relationships to embedding mentorship into broader learning and development strategies, Larcy shares how her team built a program that not only develops leaders but also strengthens retention, engagement, and long-term impact.If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond informal mentoring into a structured, scalable program, this conversation will give you a practical roadmap.▶️ Mentorship Programs for Nonprofits: How to Develop the Next Generation of Leaders with Larcy Douglas▶️ Key Points:00:00:00 Why Mentorship is a Missed Opportunity in Nonprofits00:03:04 The Role of Intergenerational Mentorship00:07:59 Inside Common Power’s Mission and Programs00:10:48 Building a Scalable Mentorship Model00:19:39 Evolving Programs Using Data and Participant Feedback00:24:57 Measuring Mentorship Impact in Nonprofit Organizations00:29:21 Advice for Launching a Mentorship ProgramResources from this episode:Data on mentoring: https://mentorloop.com/blog/mentoring-statistics/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinecomaford/2019/07/03/new-study-76-of-people-think-mentors-are-important-but-only-37-have-one/ Join us at our next networking event for the Nonprofit L&D Collective on May 20: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/join-the-nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveConnect with LarcyLinkedIn: Larcy DouglasWebsite: commonpower.org Connect with HeatherLinkedIn: Heather BurrightWebsite: skillmastersmarket.comBook an interest call with Heather here.⭐Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!🔗Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends.Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!Produced by Ideablossoms

May 4, 2026Episode 18410 min

Why Good Training Takes Time

Good training takes time, and in a world where AI can generate content in seconds, that truth is more important than ever. In this episode, we unpack why effective learning and development strategies in nonprofits can’t be rushed, even when tools promise speed and efficiency. Because training isn’t just about content creation. It’s about behavior change and performance improvement. We break down where your time actually goes, from building trust with stakeholders to understanding your audience and testing what works, so you can design training that leads to real results, not just completion.If you’ve ever felt pressure to produce training quickly or wondered why your programs aren’t driving real change, this episode will shift your perspective.▶️ Why Good Training Takes Time▶️ Key Points:0:00:00 Why it takes time to create a good training0:05:57 Where AI can speed up training design00:07:18 The importance of testing and iterationResources from this episode: Join us at our next networking event for the Nonprofit L&D Collective on May 20: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/join-the-nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveConnect with HeatherLinkedIn: Heather BurrightWebsite: skillmastersmarket.comBook an interest call with Heather here.⭐Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!🔗Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends.Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!Produced by Ideablossoms

April 27, 2026Episode 18326 min

How One Nonprofit Trains Its Volunteer Workforce with Jim Farmer

Training volunteers is one of the most complex and overlooked areas of nonprofit training and development. In this episode, I had the privilege of talking with the VP of Training at For the Children, Jim Farmer, to unpack how organizations can design training experiences that actually prepare volunteers to succeed without overwhelming them or driving them away. Jim shares how his organization has reimagined volunteer training through trauma-informed care, relational learning experiences, and intentional design choices that meet volunteers where they are.▶️ How One Nonprofit Trains Its Volunteer Workforce with Jim Farmer▶️ Key Points:0:00:00 From corporate L&D to nonprofit leadership0:12:38 Training employees vs. volunteers0:15:30 Common challenges in volunteer training0:17:32 Trauma-informed care in training0:21:33 Building volunteer training programsResources from this episode: Join us at our next networking event for the Nonprofit L&D Collective on May 20: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/join-the-nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveConnect with JimLinkedIn: Jim FarmerWebsite: forthechildren.org Connect with HeatherLinkedIn: Heather BurrightWebsite: skillmastersmarket.comBook an interest call with Heather here.⭐Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!🔗Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends.Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!Produced by Ideablossoms

April 20, 2026Episode 18215 min

5 Common Concerns About Training (and How to Address Them)

If you’ve ever struggled to gain buy-in for nonprofit leadership development, you’re not alone. Many nonprofit leaders hesitate to invest in training, not because they don’t care, but because they have real concerns about time, cost, and impact.In this episode, we break down the most common objections to staff training and development and show you how to address them in a way that builds trust, credibility, and support. You’ll learn how to shift mindsets and help leaders see training as a solution, not a distraction.▶️ 5 Common Concerns About Training (and How to Address Them)▶️ Key Points:0:00:00 Why training often lacks leadership support0:03:28 “Skeptic vs. believer” leadership mindset0:05:34 Common objections to nonprofit training0:11:35 Shifting from objections to visionResources from this episode:Join our upcoming virtual conference, Leading Learning That Sticks, a week-long virtual experience for nonprofit and association training professionals who are ready to move beyond reactive training delivery and step into strategic learning leadership: https://collective.skillmastersmarket.com/invitation?code=E3DC2BJoin the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveConnect with HeatherLinkedIn: Heather BurrightWebsite: skillmastersmarket.comBook an interest call with Heather here.⭐Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!🔗Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends.Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!Produced by Ideablossoms

April 13, 2026Episode 18131 min

Custom AI Agents for Learning? A Look at One Nonprofit's Innovative Approach with Jorge Perez

AI is rapidly reshaping nonprofit leadership development, and organizations that embrace it now will be better positioned to build stronger teams, scale impact, and drive consistent performance. In this episode, I sit down with the president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, Jorge Perez, to explore how AI is transforming learning and development strategies and what that means for nonprofit leaders today. Jorge shares how his organization is already using AI to enhance staff training and development, streamline workflows, and support leadership growth in real time.▶️ Custom AI Agents for Learning? A Look at One Nonprofit's Innovative Approach with Jorge Perez▶️ Key Points:0:00:00 Jorge’s nonprofit leadership journey insights0:07:48 AI is changing how nonprofits operate0:18:52 AI opportunities for learning leaders0:21:26 AI concerns: ethics, security, and quality0:25:48 Start experimenting with AI todayResources from this episode:Join our upcoming virtual conference, Leading Learning That Sticks, a week-long virtual experience for nonprofit and association training professionals who are ready to move beyond reactive training delivery and step into strategic learning leadership: https://collective.skillmastersmarket.com/invitation?code=E3DC2B Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveConnect with JorgeLinkedIn: Jorge PerezWebsite: ymca.org/locations/ymca-greater-cincinnati Connect with HeatherLinkedIn: Heather BurrightWebsite: skillmastersmarket.comBook an interest call with Heather here.⭐Was this episode helpful? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!🔗Know anyone who would benefit from this episode? SHARE this with your friends.Learning for Good is the podcast for nonprofit leaders seeking practical L&D solutions. Hosted by Heather, an experienced consultant, we dive into leadership development, instructional design, change management, and staff management strategies tailored to nonprofit organizations.Discover how to implement impactful learning solutions, foster belonging, and influence senior leaders. Each episode provides the tools you need to confidently navigate high-level conversations and drive meaningful change within your organization. Let’s create lasting impact through innovative L&D solutions!Produced by Ideablossoms