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“Take courage, friends. The way is often hard, the path is never clear, and the stakes are very high. Take courage. For deep down, there is another truth: you are not alone.”— Wayne B. Arnason In this joint episode of the Social Change Leaders Podcast and Spark Good Podcast, longtime collaborators and friends Stephanie Malon-Rufi and Traci Warnberg-Lemm reunite to name the moment we’re living in — and talk honestly about how we need to keep showing up. This podcast discusses what it’s actually been like living and working in Minnesota during recent ICE activity and community disruption — from the perspective of two people embedded in civic life, small business, and community leadership — and how this moment is reshaping their work in 2026. This episode is a conversation about: What daily life has felt like in the Twin Cities in recent weeks Stories from schools, neighborhoods, restaurants, and small businesses that aren’t making headlines The collective fear, grief, and anxiety many communities are carrying The powerful local networks forming across Minnesota — urban and rural Why this moment feels like an end to the “casual citizen” era How meaningful work, leadership, and community care are deeply connected How Stephanie and Traci are showing up in their work in 2026 Both hosts also share how their thinking has evolved since last year — and why they believe new civic muscles, leadership capacities, business practices, and connections are essential for this moment and into the future. About Traci’s Work — Social MotionDrawing on 20+ years in government, coaching, training, and civic engagement, Traci is focusing her 2026 work through Social Motion on: Monthly podcast conversations on social change leadership, democracy, race, resistance, and systems change Monthly “Civic Chats” — part civic education, part community, part re-imagining what building up democracy means now and into the future Coaching for individuals, teams, and organizations inside public systems (education, health, government, nonprofits) Coaching skills training to build leadership capacity, trust, and momentum across systems 🔗 Social Motion About Stephanie’s Work — Spark GoodThrough Spark Good Consulting & Coaching, Stephanie works primarily with small business owners who want to build sustainable businesses that positively impact their communities. In 2026, she is focusing on: Consistent podcasting and weekly communication to support business owners High-touch 1:1 coaching to help owners build financially and emotionally sustainable businesses Supporting leaders to move from reactive to proactive leadership Focus + Flow — a virtual community for accountability, strategy, and sustainable CEO habits 🔗 Spark Good

The Social Change Leaders Podcast is back! Host Traci Warnberg-Lemm returns with fresh insights on the intersection of leadership, civic engagement, and coaching. In this episode, she explores how coaching skills can enhance civic dialogue, and what practical tools leaders can use to strengthen their impact. Plus, Traci shares reflections from listeners on how their passions contribute to social change and provides free resources to help leaders navigate complex times with resilience and clarity. 🎧 Tune in to: ✅ Hear listener insights on skills they have that contribute to solving our biggest challenges ✅ Explore self-care, joy and nervous system regulation needed for resilient leadership ✅ Learn why leadership and civic engagement need a coaching approach ✅ Discover how deep listening and meaningful questions can bridge differences, foster collaboration and transform all types of conversations ✅ Gain practical coaching tools to engage more effectively in civic life ✅Hear how practicing better communication and inquiry can improve personal and professional relationships. Resources & Links: 👉 Grab your FREE download, Civic Action without the Burnout - HERE 👉 Quiz: Should You Consider Hiring a Coach – Link to 5 minute quiz HERE 👉 1:1 Coaching with Traci - Link HERE for more information 👉Learn more about Civic Remix Conversations (in March 2025) – HERE 🌎 Connect with Traci Warnberg-Lemm → www.socialmotion.co

📢 “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” – Gandhi Episode Summary: The Social Change Leaders Podcast is back! After a hiatus, host Traci Warnberg-Lemm returns with renewed purpose, fresh insights, and a deep commitment to supporting social impact leaders like you. In this episode, Traci shares personal and professional updates, reflects on the challenges shaping our world today, and offers a powerful coaching question to help you clarify your impact. Plus, she extends an invitation to build a thriving community of change makers as we navigate 2025 together. 🎧 Tune in to:✅ Discover the evolution of the Social Change Leaders Podcast over the past five years and its exciting future✅ Gain insights from Traci’s personal and professional journey—stories of loss, travel, and transformation✅ Understand the biggest leadership and social impact challenges emerging today✅ Explore how a strong community of equipped, empowered change leaders can shape the future✅ Reflect on a powerful coaching question designed to help you refine your purpose and contribution✅ Learn how to get involved in a growing network of like-minded leaders ready to make a difference 🔥 Ready to step into your full potential as a leader in social change? This episode is for you. Resources & Links: 🌎 Connect with Traci Warnberg-Lemm → www.socialmotion.coListen to the Spark Good Podcast by Stephanie Malon-Rufi → www.sparkgood.net

You can't see the whole picture when you're stuck in the middle of it. - Anonymous   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  The Social Change Leaders Podcast is back after a 6 month break! In this episode, Stephanie and Traci share reflections, lessons and reminders during the ‘pauses’ in their lives.   They discuss what has helped them sustain their efforts and expand their vision. In their conversation, they discuss: What Stephanie and Traci have been up to the last 6 months What Traci and Stephanie have discovered /  re-discovered for themselves What is next for Traci, Stephanie and the Social Change Leaders Podcast   Mentioned in today’s conversation: Social Change Leaders Quiz Traci, Social Motion Stephanie, Spark Good  

We are weaving the future on the loom of today  - Grace Dawson Do you see and think about the different systems impacting your social change efforts?  With the current challenges we face now as we emerge from a global pandemic, social change can feel even more out of reach.  It is important to understand the integration of systems when addressing our biggest community challenges.  Co-host Traci Warnberg-Lemm shares some observations about the emerging landscape of system change and how to maximize your impact as we move into 2023.   In this episode you will:  Learn what ESG is and how social change leaders can have more impact  Consider how to deepen your personal equity learning and practices and more effectively push for systemic change Hear how social innovators and social change leaders can better map and change systems to have more impact Hear about new research from the University of Maine that suggests that social change may depend on the relationship between beneficial behaviors and policies. Understand why looking deeper at systems helps us better address our own biases and limited understanding   In this episode we reference: Spark Good, Stephanie - Spark Good Social Motion, Traci - Social Motion  Article: New research shows what it takes to make society change for the better    

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net As a social entrepreneur, do you find sales challenging?  Does setting prices and then talking about them make you cringe?  Take a listen to this episode where co-host, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, has a conversation with Kat Luckock, founder of Share Impact,  about her work with social entrepreneurs specifically in the area of sales.  Through the conversation with Kat you will: Learn about how Kat first started working in the social enterprise field Understand why sales can be so challenging for social entrepreneurs and the work Kat does to work through the mindset blocks Listen to the importance of messaging in the sales process Hear about Kat’s focus on revenue generation, especially sales, which has led to the development of her aligned sales strategy. Learn about how Kat approaches working with her clients on pricing More about Kat Luckock:  Kat Luckock, Founder of Share Entrepreneur Coach, is passionate about helping social enterprise Founders & Leaders achieve their vision for social + environmental change with sustainable income streams, confident sales and a clear strategy. She is expert at helping you communicate your purpose and social impact in a way that attracts ready-to-buy customers, clients and partners. She provides coaching, mentoring and training to help women generate revenue and sales in a fully aligned way to who they are and build their business with a strategy that works for them and the way they want to live their life (which is often not “conventional”). She hosts the Creating Social Impact podcast.   Kat Luckock, Share Impact  

“What really draws me to this business is the power we have as women to change the world.”   - Casey Gromer     More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net As you continue to grow your business, do you struggle with how to grow your team?  Do you know how to use team members the most effectively? How can you build an effective team even for a small business?  We get into all of these topics and more on this episode with C-Suite Boutique Founder and CEO, Casey Gromer.  Co-host, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, has a conversation with Casey about her work building a business catering to women CEOs by offering a custom business blueprint, strategic growth planning and fractional integrator services.  Through our conversation with Casey you will: Learn about what a fractional integrator does and how it may benefit your business Understand the difference between a visionary leader versus a fractional integrator style leader Hear Casey’s unique approach to delegating, something many entrepreneurs often get wrong Learn tips for making you first hire(s) and how to set them up for success in your business Listen to best way to use your team even if you are a start-up business Understand how part-time expert help can be invaluable as you grow your business Hear Casey’s passion to changing the way we ‘do business’ recognizing that many of the systems supporting business growth are broken and don’t support  the additional responsibilities many women have within their households and communities    More about Casey Gromer:  Casey is host of Female Founders Breaking Boundaries podcast where she encourages women to ditch traditional, male-dominated business advice in favor of more realistic, workable ways of running their business while still achieving success. As founder of C-Suite Boutique, Casey and her team currently serve women entrepreneurs as Fractional Integrators.  Casey Gromer, C-Suite Boutique Casey Gromer on LinkedIn

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Do you experience entrepreneurial burnout? Are you constantly running around wearing all the hats and putting out fires? This episode is a replay of a workshop that co-hosts Stephanie Malon-Rufi and Traci Warnberg-Lemm presented as part of Twin Cities Start-up Week.  In this episode, they  walk you through an assessment tool that will help you identify: areas in your business that need better systems in place the types of support you need to keep the business on the right track good time management skills that work and how to maintain good boundaries if you are properly managing your health and well-being In this episode we reference: Free download: Building a Business That Doesn’t Burn You Out Spark Good, Stephanie - Spark Good Social Motion, Traci - Social Motion

“The number-one thing that you will have to sacrifice to be great, to achieve what you are capable of, and to execute your plans, is your comfort.” -Brian P. Moran & Michael Lenningston, 12 Week Year More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net    Have you started to think about planning your 2023?   Now is the time to decide when you will be doing this important part of getting ready for the new year.   In this episode, co-host Stephanie Malon-Rufi goes solo and talks about the annual planning process she does for herself and with her clients. In this episode, you will: Understand why reflection is a powerful planning tool Learn about the importance of reconnecting and refining your vision Hear about the book 12-Week Year and some of the key takeaways Stephanie recommends implementing in your planning and execution process Understand the necessity of setting goals along with a detail action plan Hear key tips to stay on track with your action plan and how to measure your progress Learn about the personalized annual planning package Stephanie is offering to listeners this year! In this episode we reference: 2023 Annual Planning Package with Spark Good Spark Good, Stephanie - Spark Good

“Start every morning with deliberate thinking and thanks giving!!!” -Invajy   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Have you fallen out of practice with your gratitude routines and habits? This is the time of year when we take time to connect with loved ones, get ready for the holiday season, and reflect on the things we have gratitude for.  Sometimes in life, we have to ‘dig a bit deeper to final gratitude.  If you have traditionally had a gratitude practice you may have fallen out of practice with it. In this episode we discuss a few ways to spread gratitude to others which puts us in the mindset of appreciation and can help us feel more grateful as well.  In this episode, we reference:  Episode #062: Being Grateful Because of 2020 Episode #011: The Importance of Building a Practice of Gratitude Traci Warnberg-Lemm, Social Motion Stepahnie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good Is Your Business Impacting Social Change? Quiz

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  The Social Change Leaders Podcast is 3 years old!  To celebrate, some of our former podcast guests are back giving social change leaders updates, lessons learned and some inspiration. In this episode, we will hear from Nancy Meyer, Elaine Rasmussen, Brenden Kumasari and Ann Price to share updates on their work in the social change landscape and ecosystem to effectively do social change, fund it, communicate the value, and evaluate community efforts.  In this episode we referenced: Episode #024: Moving the Money: Connecting Investors and Underestimated Entrepreneurs Episode #070: Better Communication to Scale Your Idea and Have More Impact: Expert Tips from Brenden Kumarasami Episode #116: Engaging Communities to Evaluate Social Change   Episode #120: ‘INTRA’preneurship - Leading Organizational Change from Within Community Possibilities Podcast: Understanding the Why and How of Social Change with Traci Warnberg Lemm Stephanie Malon-Rufi: Social Enterprise as a strategy for social change Traci Warnberg-Lemm, Social Motion Stepahnie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good Is Your Business Impacting Social Change? Quiz  

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  The Social Change Leaders Podcast is 3 years old!  To celebrate, some of our former podcast guests are back giving social change leaders updates, lessons learned and some inspiration. In this episode, we will hear from Carl Young, Bukata Hayes and Stacy Wells who all share updates on the work they are doing in the community around racial equity and how the equity leadership space has evolved. In this episode we referenced: Episode #5: A Community Based Approach to Mental Wellness Episode #8: Increasing a Community's Consciousness and Capacity to Address Race Episode #40: Thoughts from Minneapolis: How did we get here? Where do we go from here? Traci Warnberg-Lemm, Social Motion Stepahnie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good Is Your Business Impacting Social Change? Quiz  

The Social Change Leaders Podcast is 3 years old!  To celebrate, some of our former podcast guests are back giving social change leaders updates, lessons learned and some inspiration. In this episode, we will hear from Felicia Boone, Sarah Turino and Jory Mickelson who all shared updates on how they are integrating wellness, self improvement and continuous learning while doing social impact work.     In this episode we referenced: Episode #30:  Wellness + Self Care Series: Finding your Body-Mind-Spirit Connection Episode #32:  Wellness + Self Care Series: Writing as Self Care Episode #78:  Tilling the Soil for Equity Leadership Jory Mickelson Poem/Song Traci Warnberg-Lemm, Social Motion Stepahnie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good Is Your Business Impacting Social Change? Quiz

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net    Awaken your spirit to adventure; Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk; Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, For your soul senses the world that awaits you.                                       John O’Donahue   How do you renew yourself and your life? How do you deal with new rhythms in your personal & professional life? Co-host Traci Warnberg-Lemm shares some of her thoughts about an article she stumbled across about self-renewal and shares some important questions social change leaders should ask themselves when new rhythms show up in life.  In this episode you will: Hear how all leaders have times in life where they are in need of self-renewal, clarity or re-inventing Listen to Traci discuss an article by Jordan Kassalow about the power of self-renewal   Consider how renewal for social change leaders and social entrepreneurs might require different lenses and questions  Ask yourself a few questions that may trigger some new thinking, ideas to help you refresh and renew your role as social change leader In this episode:  Social Motion, Traci - Social Motion  Article, The Power of Self Renewal

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish.  They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry.”   Bill Drayton   Is your business impacting social change?  Did you know that it can?  In this episode, co-host Stephanie Malon-Rufi talks about how a social impact business is a growing model becoming more widely used.  However, not all know how to integrate this model into their own business.  In this episode you will: Understand what a social impact business is Learn about how a traditional business model differs from a social impact one Hear how growing consumer trends make a social enterprise a financially good move Learn three actions you can take immediately to create more social impact in your business Take Stephanie’s New Quiz - Is Your Business Impacting Social Change In this episode we referenced: Stepahnie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good Is Your Business Impacting Social Change? Quiz 5 C's For Successfully Building a Social Change Business: https://www.socialchangeleaders.net/episode/126 https://www.socialchangeleaders.net/episode/127 https://www.socialchangeleaders.net/episode/128