The Well Endowed Podcast

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225

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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EN-CA

About the show

The Well-Endowed Podcast is a production of Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF). If you live in Edmonton, chances are you’ve been touched by the work facilitated by the support ECF provides to the city’s shakers, movers and doers. As a bridge between donors and charitable causes, ECF helps donors create endowment funds that will continue giving for generations. With that kind of support, those movers and doers can do a lot! On the Well Endowed Podcast, you will hear stories about donors, and what inspires their generosity. And you will hear about the people who use our support to build and sustain social initiatives, empower youth, strengthen arts and culture, and so much more. Edmonton is full of passionate people dedicated to building a vibrant community. The Well Endowed Podcast explores the impact that these municipal champions are having on our city.

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60 recent

September 2, 202621 min

Episode 213: Hidden Gems

Some hidden gems make it into thrift stores and eventually into homes. But what about the hidden gems in our communities who are still waiting to be recognized in the workplace? Approximately 30% of Canadians over the age of 15 live with a disability, yet many remain outside the workforce. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, barriers to employment can mean their talents and interests go unrecognized, limiting opportunities to build independence. That’s where Goodwill Industries of Alberta’s Career Connections program comes in. Through employment navigators, participants can explore their interests, build employment skills and find a workplace that understands your strengths. This work is supported by Edmonton Community Foundation’s Social Enterprise Fund, which provided Goodwill with three low-interest loans totaling $2.7 million to support its operations and expand employment opportunities for Albertans with disabilities. In this episode, we explore how finding the right opportunity can help people build meaningful careers and why recognizing the potential of people with disabilities can strengthen workplaces. Show Notes Our guests were Adam O’Donnell and Tracy Rickert Read the accompanying article “A Job Well Done” by Caitlin Hart, which appeared in the Fall issue of the Thrive Magazine, produced by Edmonton Community Foundation. Look into Goodwill’s Career Connections Program Learn more about ECF’s Social Enterprise Fund (SEF) Sign up for updates on all things ECF. Explore all Youth Grants and deadlines here Explore all student awards and deadlines here Learn about Community Grants and upcoming information sessions Look into Wills Week 2026 Schedule Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own. Want to explore different ways of giving? Check out amazing endowments by our donors for inspiration. The Well-Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation. Photo by: Cooper & O’Hara The post Episode 213: Hidden Gems appeared first on Edmonton Community Foundation .

August 19, 202621 min

Episode 212: Where it Begins

What if many of the challenges communities face today could be addressed by investing in where it all begins? Research in Alberta has found fewer than 46% of children enter kindergarten ready for school in all five areas of development. Meaning many children begin school already facing barriers in cognitive, language, social-emotional, physical, and motor skills, that educators consider essential for success. But this is about more than the health of children, it offers a glimpse into the future of our communities. That’s why Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) has made early childhood development a strategic priority investing $2.5 million through 59 grants to organizations working with children and their families. But creating this future takes more than funding. It takes the whole community. From parents and caregivers to social programs, educators and everyday Edmontonians — recognizing the importance of those early years, when 90% of brain development takes place. In this episode, Angel Dahiya sits down with Doug McNally, former CEO of ECF and founder of the McNally Fund for Children, alongside Allan Undheim, ECF’s Vice President of Community Impact. Together they explore how investing in children and families, even small acts like reading a book, can create a big impact on the future of our little ones. Show Notes: Our guests were Doug McNally and Allan Undheim. Look into ECF’s Early Childhood Development work Learn more about Community University Partnership work at the UofA Want to support Doug’s fund? Learn more about McNally Fund for Children ECF Happenings: Explore KidsFringe — a space for little fringers Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own. Want to make a difference? Lear more about ECF Early Childhood development fund and be part of the change. Want to explore different ways of giving? Check out amazing endowments by our donors for inspiration. The Well-Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation. The post Episode 212: Where it Begins appeared first on Edmonton Community Foundation .

August 4, 202625 min

EPISODE 211: A Bird in the Hand

What can Alberta’s migratory bird population teach us about our environment? Alberta’s declining bird populations are an important indicator of growing pressures on the natural systems that sustain all life. At the heart of understanding those changes is Beaverhill Bird Observatory (BBO), one of Canada’s longest-running migration monitoring stations, where every observation contributes to the long-term data that drives conservation action. In this episode of The Well-Endowed Podcast , Andrew Paul travels to the Beaverhill Natural Area, where he joins Assistant Biologist John Van Arragon and his crew during one of the final bird-monitoring nights of the season. Together, they explore how scientific research, community education, and Edmonton Community Foundation’s Environmental Operating Grants are helping protect Alberta’s migratory birds and build the capacity to continue this vital work for generations to come. Show Notes: Our guests today were John Van Aragon, Assistant Biologist and Geoff Hilroyd, Board Chair at Beaverhill Bird Observatory Read the companion article, “ Birds of a Feather” in the Spring 2026 edition of Thrive Magazine. Read BBO’s story of achieving sustainability through partnership in the 2025 Impact Report Learn more about BeaverHill Bird Observatory (BBO) Learn more about the Beaverhill Bird Observatory Endowment Fund. ECF Happenings: Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own. Learn more about ECF’s Environmental Operating Grants . Register today for Fall 2026 Community Grants informal sessions and explore funding ideas ahead of applying. Check out some of the amazing endowment funds our donors have established. Upcoming Student Awards: Al Maurer Awards Charmaine Letourneau Scholarships Click here to find details for all of our student awards! The Well-Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation. The post EPISODE 211: A Bird in the Hand appeared first on Edmonton Community Foundation .

July 22, 202620 min

EPISODE 210: Clearing the Air

Could one of the greatest risks to your lung health be the one you can’t see, smell, or taste? Even more surprising, it might be hiding inside your homes. Canadians spend nearly 90% of their time indoors, where hidden risks such as radon, a naturally occurring gas that is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, can build up inside homes and buildings. Along with poor ventilation, mould, and everyday air pollutants, these risks can affect long term lung health. The good news? There are practical steps you can take to create healthier indoor spaces. In this episode of The Well-Endowed Podcast , Ben Freeland sits down with Jamie Happy from Alberta Lung to explore indoor air quality, radon awareness, and how education and resources can help Albertans make informed decisions about their lung health. With support from Edmonton Community Foundation’s Community Grants program, Alberta Lung is expanding access to radon awareness resources and workshops. Show Notes: Our guest today was Jamie Happy, Health Promotions Coordinator from Alberta Lung Read the companion article, “ Breathe Easier ,” in the Spring 2026 edition of Thrive Magazine. Learn more about Alberta Lung Learn more about mitigating Radon ensuring Health Canada guidelines ECF Happenings: Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own. Learn about Community grants and how they can help support your organizational needs Check out some of the amazing funds our donors have created . Read 2025 Impact Report Upcoming Student Awards: Al Maurer Awards Charmaine Letournea Scholarships Click here to find details for all of our student awards! Ben Freeland’s interview with Jamey Happy was produced by Odvod Media. The Well-Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation. The post EPISODE 210: Clearing the Air appeared first on Edmonton Community Foundation .

June 15, 202626 min

EPISODE 209: Built to Give

How do you turn a successful business into a generous one? Bill Knight started out selling vacuum cleaners door to door, knowing, in his own words, nothing about business. Decades later, he and his family run Mosaic Home Services , a home-services company that now spans the country, with giving built into the way it operates. In this episode, Trudy Callaghan from Odvod Media sits down with Bill and his son and business partner, Steven, to talk about Mosaic’s monthly Charity Day, the funds they’ve created with ECF, and why generosity has been part of the family business from the start. It’s a conversation about what it really takes to build a company that gives back, and how everyday business decisions can grow into lasting community impact. Show Notes: Our guests were Bill Knight and Steven Knight of the Mosaic Home Services. Read Caitlin Hart’s companion article, “ Built to Give ,” in the Spring 2026 edition of Thrive Magazine. See the Knights’ story featured in ECF’s 2025 Impact Report . Learn about EPL’s Children’s Enrichment Fund. ECF Happenings: Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own. Read the latest issue of Thrive. Read the latest on our blog. Check out some of the amazing funds our donors have created . ECF Youth Grants: Youth Grants Upcoming Student Awards: Al Maurer Awards Click here to find details for all of our student awards! ECF Community Champions: Trudy Callaghan’s interview with Bill Knight and Steven Knight was produced by Odvod Media. The Well-Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation. The post EPISODE 209: Built to Give appeared first on Edmonton Community Foundation .

June 1, 202637 min

EPISODE 208: Forging Ahead

What does it take to build a career in a field that wasn’t built with you in mind? Women Building Futures has been helping women enter the trades and transportation since 1998 — not just with job training, but with the wraparound supports that make it possible to actually get there: childcare plans, housing support, fitness training, and a food pantry. Since the beginning, more than 3,000 women have come through their programs. Their work is supported in part by the JudyLynn Archer Fund , an endowment held at Edmonton Community Foundation. In this episode, we hear from WBF CEO Carla Madra and Red Seal welder Natalie Bak — a graduate who went from a nineteen-year-old with no experience to a welder who’s worked across Western Canada and up into the Northwest Territories. Show Notes: Our guests today were Carla Madra, CEO of Women Building Futures, and Natalie Bak, WBF graduate and Red Seal welder. Read the companion article, “ Forging Ahead ,” in the Spring 2026 edition of Thrive Magazine. Learn more about Women Building Futures Learn more about the JudyLynn Archer Fund ECF Happenings: Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own. Read the latest issue of Thrive. Read the latest on our blog. Check out some of the amazing funds our donors have created . ECF Youth Grants: Youth Grants Upcoming Student Awards: Al Maurer Awards Click here to find details for all of our student awards! Alyssa Noel’s interview with Carla Madra and Natalie Bak was produced by Odvod Media. The Well-Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation. The post EPISODE 208: Forging Ahead appeared first on Edmonton Community Foundation .

May 15, 202617 min

EPISODE 207: Independence Through Cooking

What does it mean to truly live independently? For AiLA — the Autism Independent Living Association — independence isn’t just about having a place to live. It’s about having the skills, confidence, and support to navigate daily life on your own terms. In this episode, we hear about AiLA’s new cooking program: a series of hands-on workshops teaching autistic adults to prepare nutritious meals, manage a grocery budget, and build real kitchen confidence. The program runs out of The Kitchen at the Stanley A. Milner Library, and was made possible through a $15,000 Community Grant from Edmonton Community Foundation. Show Notes: Our guest is Leanne Carr, President of AiLA . Read Justin Bell’s companion article, “Independence Through Cooking” in the Spring 2026 edition of Thrive Magazine. Learn more about AiLA. Read ECF’s full $20 million affordable housing announcement . ECF Happenings: Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own. Read the latest issue of Thrive. Read the latest on our blog. Check out some of the amazing funds our donors have created . ECF Youth Grants: Youth Grants Upcoming Student Awards: H illtop Awards & Bursaries Winspear Fund Scholarships for Advanced Classical Music Click here to find details for all of our student awards! Justin Bell’s interview with Leanne Carr was produced by Odvod Media. The Well-Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation. The post EPISODE 207: Independence Through Cooking appeared first on Edmonton Community Foundation .

May 4, 202637 min

EPISODE 206: A Space to Grow

What happens to the artists who fall through the gap between school and a professional career? In this episode of The Well-Endowed Podcast , we catch up with alumni of Pro Coro Canada ‘s Emerging Artist Program — a free, professional-level training program for singers, conductors, and composers that’s been quietly building something in Edmonton for over a decade. This episode features Michael Zaugg, Artistic Director & Principal Conductor of Pro Coro Canada , Maddy Douglas and Taylor McDonough of Sóley Singers , and Noel Fanaeian, also known as hundredmillionthousand . Together, they explore what it looks like to come up through a program like this — and where it can take you. From launching a youth-led nonprofit choir to collaborating on a live performance that fuses choral sound, electronics, and audio-visuals, this conversation is a window into the ecosystem Pro Coro has been building for the next generation of choral artists in Edmonton. Show Notes: Our guests today were Michael Zaugg, Artistic Director of Pro Coro Canada , Maddy Douglas and Taylor McDonough of Sóley Singers , and Noel Fanaeian ( hundredmillionthousand ). Learn more about Pro Coro Canada’s Emerging Artist Program. Explore Sóley Singers’ upcoming season. Follow Noelle / hundredmillionthousand for updates on upcoming performances. ECF Happenings: Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own. Read the latest issue of Thrive. Read the latest on our blog. Check out some of the amazing funds our donors have created . ECF Youth Grants: Youth Grants Upcoming Student Awards: H illtop Awards & Bursaries Winspear Fund Scholarships for Advanced Classical Music Click here to find details for all of our student awards! The Well-Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation. The post EPISODE 206: A Space to Grow appeared first on Edmonton Community Foundation .

April 22, 202632 min

EPISODE 205: Protecting Life on Land

What does it really take to protect the land beneath our feet — and the wildlife that depends on it — as our city continues to grow? In this episode of The Well Endowed Podcast , we explore how volunteers are shaping a more sustainable future right here in Edmonton, in recognition of the United Nations’ International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development . Ramy Abdel-Keriem and co-host Scott Lundell from ECVO are joined by Sheila Campbell from Edmonton and Area Land Trust and Dale Gino from Wild North . Together, they unpack what environmental volunteerism really looks like — beyond the stereotypes — and how meaningful, long-term contributions are helping protect ecosystems, care for injured wildlife, and strengthen our connection to the natural world. From stewarding conservation lands to rehabilitating thousands of animals each year, this conversation highlights the critical role volunteers play in balancing growth with sustainability — and why that work is more urgent than ever. Show Notes: Our guests today were Sheila Campbell, Executive Director of Edmonton and Area Land Trust , and Dale Gino, Executive Director of Wild North , in conversation with Ramy Abdel-Keriem and Scott Lundell from Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (ECVO) . Learn more about volunteering with Edmonton and Area Land Trust. Explore volunteer opportunities with Wild North. Find your next volunteer opportunity at ECVO’s Edmonton Volunteer Fair 2026 on April, 25th. ECF Happenings: Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own. Read the latest issue of Thrive. Read the latest on our blog. Check out some of the amazing funds our donors have created . ECF Youth Grants: Youth Grants Upcoming Student Awards: H illtop Awards & Bursaries Winspear Fund Scholarships for Advanced Classical Music Click here to find details for all of our student awards! The Well-Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation. The post EPISODE 205: Protecting Life on Land appeared first on Edmonton Community Foundation .

April 1, 202640 min

EPISODE 204: Improving the Odds

What happens when the odds of survival depend on something as simple — and as complex — as who’s in the system? In this episode of The Well Endowed Podcast, we explore the story of Ezra Marfo — and how one family’s search for a stem cell match has grown into a national movement to increase diversity in donor registries. Jacob Marfo, Ezra’s father and founder of the Ezra Marfo Cancer Foundation , shares the journey of navigating his son’s leukemia diagnosis, the urgent search for a donor, and the reality that for many patients, a match may never come. We also hear from filmmaker Sandro Silva, whose documentary The Perfect Match brings this story to life and is helping raise awareness about the need for more diverse donors. Together, their work is creating change to encourage more people to register, break down barriers, and build a future where more lives can be saved. Show Notes: Our guests today were Jacob Marfo, founder of the Ezra Marfo Cancer Foundation, and filmmaker Sandro Silva, in conversation with Renato Pagnani from Odvod Media. Learn more about blood and stem cell donation Watch The Perfect Match , premiering at Northwest Fest on April 11 Learn more about the Ezra Marfo Cancer Foundation ECF Happenings: Find out how to create an Endowment Fund of your own. Read the latest issue of Thrive. Read the latest on our blog. Check out some of the amazing funds our donors have created . ECF Youth Grants: Youth Grants Upcoming Student Awards: H illtop Awards & Bursaries Winspear Fund Scholarships for Advanced Classical Music Click here to find details for all of our student awards! The Well-Endowed Podcast is produced by Edmonton Community Foundation. The post EPISODE 204: Improving the Odds appeared first on Edmonton Community Foundation .