The Common Good Data Podcast

Hosted by Common Good Data

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Episodes

105

Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The podcast for nonprofit and government leaders looking to use data and evaluation strategies to build effective and sustainable programs in the areas of prevention, mental health, human services, and education. On the Common Good Data Podcast, learn how the best organizations build a culture of data that impresses funders, wins competitive grants, and changes the lives of the individuals and communities they serve. Episodes include interviews with social sector leaders and insights from the world of program evaluation. Hosted by Drew Reynolds and Roger Suclupe.

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60 recent

May 18, 2026Episode 5622 min

Economic Mobility Through Guaranteed Income with Dr. Michelle Carrera Morales

In this episode, we explore one of the most pressing challenges facing the social sector today: economic mobility. While the idea of the “American Dream” suggests that upward mobility is widely available, the data tells a more complicated story. Only about 64% of Americans believe those opportunities exist, and research shows that a significant portion of income advantage is passed from one generation to the next.To dig deeper into this issue, I’m joined by Dr. Michelle Carrera-Morales of Xiente, an organization working directly with families to build pathways from poverty to the middle class.In this conversation, we cover:How economic mobility is defined and experienced at the community levelStructural barriers like housing, employment, childcare, and the “benefits cliff”What guaranteed income is—and how it works in practiceHow Xiente is implementing a pilot program combining cash transfers with holistic supportsThe role of data and research in understanding impact, including partnerships with the University of PennsylvaniaWhat early signals suggest about financial stability, decision-making, and long-term outcomesOne of the most compelling themes in this episode is the idea that stability creates possibility. When families are no longer operating in constant survival mode, it opens the door to longer-term thinking, planning, and opportunity.This episode is for anyone working in human services, public health, behavioral health, or economic development who is thinking about how to move from short-term stabilization to long-term mobility.Learn more at www.commongooddata.com/podcast

April 27, 2026Episode 5521 min

Why Your Funding Strategy Feels Broken: The Incomplete Bridge Problem

What does it really take to build a sustainable nonprofit or social sector organization?In this solo episode, I share a simple but powerful metaphor that’s been sticking with me: most organizations are trying to cross a bridge that is only half built. You have the mission. You have the programs. You’re doing meaningful work. But something is missing between that work and the consistent funding needed to sustain it.I walk through the Clarity–Impact–Funding (CIF) Model, a practical framework I use to understand why so many organizations struggle with sustainability, and what to do about it.In this episode, I cover:Why “working harder” is not the solution to funding challengesThe difference between outputs and outcomes, and why it mattersHow to define clear, focused outcomes that align with your programsWhat strong evidence of impact actually looks like (beyond a few stories)Why funding should not be treated as separate from your program workHow to connect your impact to what funders are actually looking forThe real goal behind all of this work: building trustAt the core of this episode is a shift in mindset. When funders ask for data or reports, they are not just asking for information. They are asking whether they can trust your organization to deliver meaningful results.I also share a practical next step: a free CIF Scorecard to help you diagnose where your organization may have gaps across clarity, impact, and funding, and where to focus first.🔗 Access the scorecard: https://commongooddata.scoreapp.com🔗 Learn more or get support: https://www.commongooddata.com/consultIf you’re a nonprofit leader, evaluator, or social sector professional trying to connect your mission to sustainable funding, this episode offers a clear place to start.

March 31, 202631 min

Turning Data into Compelling Stories that Drive Funding with Candice Jordan

You don’t need more data. You need a better story.In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Drew Reynolds and Roger Suclupe sit down with Candice Jordan, Chief Development Officer at Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, to explore how nonprofits can turn data into compelling stories that actually drive funding.Many organizations collect data. But the real challenge is knowing how to use it strategically.Candice shares how the most effective organizations take a backwards design approach starting with a deep understanding of their funders, and then shaping their data, stories, and visuals to align with what those funders care about most.This conversation explores:Why more data does not automatically lead to more fundingHow prospect research helps you understand what funders actually valueWhat it means to “reverse engineer” your story around your audienceHow to combine quantitative data, qualitative stories, and visuals for maximum impactWhy participant voice is often your most powerful source of insightThe difference between outputs and outcomes and how it affects your funding successOne of the most important takeaways from this episode is the idea of intentional storytelling using data not as the starting point, but as a tool shaped by your strategy, your audience, and your message.If you are involved in fundraising, development, nonprofit leadership, or communications, this episode will help you rethink how you position your work and connect with funders in a more compelling way.Learn more about Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, explore our free course, Break the Starvation Cycle, and take the Nonprofit Clarity + Impact + Funding Resilience Scorecard.

March 16, 2026Episode 5715 min

5 Challenges Facing Behavioral Health Leaders

Why do strong behavioral health programs still struggle to demonstrate their impact?Many of the organizations I work with are doing incredibly important work. You are supporting prevention initiatives, expanding access to treatment, helping families navigate mental health challenges, and strengthening communities.But when it comes time to demonstrate impact and secure funding, many leaders feel less confident than they should.In this episode, I walk through five common challenges I regularly see across behavioral health organizations and explain why these issues are rarely about lack of commitment or effort. More often, they come down to systems, strategy, and alignment.In this episode I discuss:• Why fragmented reporting systems make impact difficult to track• What happens when no one clearly owns data and evaluation• The difference between measuring outputs and demonstrating outcomes• Why many organizations have the data but struggle to tell a compelling story• How leaders often become the bottleneck in reporting and evaluation systemsI also introduce a framework I use with clients to think about alignment across clarity, impact, and funding, and share a short diagnostic tool designed specifically for behavioral health leaders.You can take the Clarity, Impact, and Funding Resilience Scorecard here:👉 https://commongooddata.scoreapp.comThe assessment takes about 5–10 minutes and provides a personalized report that can help you identify where your organization may need stronger systems to demonstrate impact and secure sustainable funding.If you work in behavioral health, nonprofit leadership, prevention, or public health, I hope this episode helps you think more strategically about how your organization measures impact and communicates its value.Subscribe for more conversations about data, evaluation, and strategy in the social sector.

March 2, 2026Episode 5336 min

Data + Story: Mixed-Methods Evaluation in Rural Communities

Are numbers enough to tell the full story of your impact? In this episode of the Common Good Data podcast, Drew Reynolds sits down with Cheralynn Corsack, founder of Local Insight Studio, to explore how mixed methods evaluation can produce deeper, more actionable insight, especially in rural communities.Evaluation conversations often center on numbers. Outputs. Outcomes. KPIs. But data alone rarely captures the nuance of lived experience. Cheralynn explains how pairing quantitative data with qualitative insight, including interviews, focus groups, and participatory analysis, reveals dimensions of impact that surveys alone cannot surface.The conversation explores:• What mixed methods evaluation actually means in practice• Why participatory approaches are especially powerful in rural communities• How qualitative insight can reshape and deepen quantitative findings• The challenges of data access and representation in rural contexts• Moving from deficit based narratives to asset based framing• Translating evaluation findings into language communities can understand and useCheralynn also discusses the importance of relationship building, trust, and co-creation in evaluation work, and why sharing findings back to communities is not optional but essential.If you work in nonprofits, philanthropy, or community initiatives and want your evaluation work to be rigorous, human centered, and useful, this episode offers practical insight you can apply immediately.Learn more about Cheralynn and Local Insight Studio at localinsightstudio.comExplore Common Good Data’s free course, Break the Starvation Cycle, at commongooddata.com/coursesSubscribe for more conversations on evaluation, strategy, and data for social impact.

February 16, 2026Episode 5216 min

What Nonprofits Should Learn from the $2B SAMHSA Cuts

In early 2026, I watched nearly $2 billion in proposed cuts to SAMHSA funding send shockwaves through the mental health and substance use field. Organizations lost grants. Staff lost jobs. Longstanding programs appeared to end overnight. Then, within 24 hours, the funding was reinstated.In this episode, I reflect on how nonprofit and social sector leaders can learn from that moment and use nonpartisan strategies for advocacy. I share three core lessons that I believe every organization needs to internalize in the current funding environment.Key Lessons:First, funding is more fragile than many of us would like to admit. Even longstanding, mission critical grants can be reduced or eliminated abruptly. Longevity and mission alignment alone are not protection.Second, impact must be clear before it is needed. Legislators and decision makers are asking practical questions about outcomes in their communities. If we cannot clearly articulate what changed because our program exists, we are vulnerable.Third, advocacy cannot begin during a crisis. The reinstatement of SAMHSA funding did not happen in a vacuum. It reflected years of organizations documenting their impact and building relationships with policymakers. Those relationships must be developed consistently, not only when funding is threatened.I also address a common hesitation among nonprofits around advocacy and lobbying. I clarify what 501c3 organizations are permitted to do and why engaging elected officials is both lawful and essential to a healthy democratic society.If you lead a nonprofit, manage grants, or rely on federal or state funding, this episode is designed to help you think strategically about resilience in 2026 and beyond. I challenge you to consider how your organization can strengthen its impact narrative, deepen its public presence, and position itself as credible and indispensable in the communities you serve.For more episodes on data, evaluation, strategy, and leadership in the social sector, visit www.commongooddata.com/podcast.

February 2, 202634 min

Data-Driven Animal Welfare with Michelle Dunivan

What does it look like to use data not just to report, but to change outcomes at a national scale?In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Roger and I are joined by Michelle Dunivan, Senior Director of Insights and Analytics at Best Friends Animal Society. Michelle shares how Best Friends uses data, partnerships, and trust-building to advance its bold mission of making the entire United States a no-kill nation.We talk about the realities of animal welfare as an under-resourced social sector, the lack of standardized data across communities, and how Best Friends has built one of the most comprehensive animal welfare data systems in the country. Michelle explains how data can help shift policy, guide local practice, and “myth-bust” the idea that things are only getting worse, even in challenging times.This conversation is also about something bigger than animal welfare. It’s about how nonprofits can use data ethically, transparently, and collaboratively to improve outcomes, build trust, and create collective impact across an entire field.In this episode, we discuss:- Why animal welfare data is uniquely challenging and deeply local- How Best Friends collects and uses data across thousands of shelters- The role of trust, transparency, and relationships in data sharing- How data can support continuous improvement - What nonprofits in any sector can learn from this approachIf you’re interested in evaluation, data strategy, collective impact, or using information to drive real change, this episode offers powerful lessons that extend far beyond animal welfare.

January 13, 2026Episode 5012 min

3 Things Nonprofits and Social Sector Leaders Need to Do in 2026

What does it actually take to lead well in 2026—especially when resources are tight, expectations are high, and the work is complex?In this solo episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, I share three practical, leadership-level moves nonprofit and social sector leaders can make this year to strengthen impact and make data work for you (instead of becoming another burden).You’ll hear a clear framework you can apply immediately—whether you’re leading a team, reporting to funders, or trying to get out from under data overload.In this episode, I cover:Clarity: getting laser-focused on mission, priorities, and what success actually looks likeImpact: choosing measures that matter (and pairing them with stories so your work is understood)Funding: connecting your impact evidence to stronger fundraising and funder relationshipsIf you’re heading into 2026 thinking, “We need a simpler, stronger way to explain what we do and why it matters,” this episode is for you.

December 9, 2025Episode 4918 min

What This Year Taught Me About Evaluation

In this special year-end episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, I share 12 evaluation reflections for the new year, inspired by The 12 Days of Christmas. As we wrap up the year, I wanted to slow things down and reflect on what I’ve been learning and what I hope to carry into my data and evaluation work in 2026.Throughout the episode, I talk about why it’s so important to rediscover your “why”, listen before measuring, and simplify your data practices so they actually support your mission instead of overwhelming your team. I also reflect on the balance between stories and statistics, and why meaningful evaluation always needs both to truly communicate impact.I share thoughts on prioritizing data use over data collection, approaching evaluation as a learner rather than a prover, and re-centering equity by sharing power in how we define success. Along the way, I emphasize building relationships around data, celebrating small wins, and investing in your team’s capacity so evaluation becomes a source of learning and growth — not frustration.I close the episode with a reminder to lead with hope. Even in a challenging year, evaluation can help us make sense of change, stay grounded in purpose, and imagine what’s possible as we move into the year ahead.

November 10, 2025Episode 4841 min

Building Relationships with Funders with Bill Crouch

How do you build real, lasting relationships with funders — the kind that go beyond the grant cycle?In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, hosts Drew Reynolds and Roger Suclupe sit down with Bill Crouch, President of BrightDot Fundraising Advisors, to talk about the human side of fundraising. Bill shares why fundraising is not just about money — it’s about meaning, trust, and impact.Together, they unpack what it looks like to connect authentically with funders, align your mission with donor purpose, and communicate the difference your work truly makes. You’ll also hear practical advice on how to approach funder conversations, sustain relationships, and bridge the gap between impact and investment.What you’ll learn in this episode: • How to move from transactional to transformational fundraising. • The mindset that helps funders become partners. • The connection between impact storytelling and donor trust. • Why data and relationships must work hand-in-hand. • Practical tips to strengthen long-term funder relationships.Learn more about using data for impact:Take Drew’s online course at CommonGoodData.com/courses.