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When we talk about preventing youth substance use, it is easy for the conversation to focus on what is going wrong. But what if most young people are already making healthy choices, and part of our prevention strategy is making sure they know that? In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Roger Suclupe and I talk with Libby Ray about positive social norms campaigns and their potential role in preventing youth alcohol use and vaping. Positive social norms campaigns address an important challenge: young people and adults can significantly overestimate how common substance use actually is. When “everybody is doing it” becomes the perceived norm, that perception can influence expectations and behavior. A positive social norms approach uses credible local data to correct those misperceptions and reinforce the healthy choices that most young people are already making. Our conversation covers: Current concerns around youth vaping and alcohol useWhat a positive social norms campaign is and how it differs from traditional prevention messagingWhy perceptions about peer behavior matterThe importance of using credible local data to develop campaign messagesHow focus groups helped bring youth voice into the campaignWhat young people taught the team about imagery, messaging, and authenticityHow the campaign is reaching youth through digital advertising, schools, community partners, posters, banners, and even stickersWhat Libby and her team are hearing now that the campaign is underwayOne of my favorite ideas from the conversation is that hope and concern can live side by side. We can acknowledge serious concerns about youth substance use while also recognizing that the vast majority of young people are making healthy choices. And, because we are talking about campaigns and messaging, we finish with a trip back to some memorable advertising from the 1980s and 1990s. If you work in substance use prevention, public health, youth development, or community-based prevention, this conversation offers a practical example of how data, youth voice, and thoughtful messaging can come together in a real-world campaign. The Common Good Data Podcast explores how data, strategy, and evaluation can help social sector organizations improve outcomes and strengthen their impact. Learn more at www.commongooddata.com/podcast

Summer has a way of shifting the rhythm of work. For many the break from school-year programming opens up calendars and provides a lighter pace feel in the office. Casual Fridays, anyone? Summer creates a natural break that is easy to overlook but incredibly valuable if used well. In this solo episode, I explore why this time of year offers a rare opportunity to step back from execution and focus on strategy. Instead of moving directly from one program cycle into the next, this is a moment to reflect, realign, and plan intentionally for the year ahead.In this episode, I cover:- Why summer is one of the best times to revisit strategy and priorities- How to use retreats or planning sessions without overcomplicating the process- A simple but powerful question to guide reflection: What actually changed for the people we serve this year?- How to move from activities to clearly defined outcomes- Why many organizations struggle to articulate impact, even when doing strong work- How a data and impact plan can connect your strategy, measurement, and communicationAt the center of this conversation is a practical shift: start with the change you want to create, and then design your programs, data, and decisions around that.As you listen, consider:- What changed this past year in the lives of those you serve?- What change do you want to see next year?- How will you know if you are making progress?🔗 Read more about Data & Impact Plans:https://www.commongooddata.com/blog/what-is-a-data-and-impact-plan-and-do-you-need-oneListen to this episode and more at www.commongooddata.com/podcast

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 level Structural barriers like housing, employment, childcare, and the “benefits cliff” What guaranteed income is—and how it works in practice How Xiente is implementing a pilot program combining cash transfers with holistic supports The role of data and research in understanding impact, including partnerships with the University of Pennsylvania What early signals suggest about financial stability, decision-making, and long-term outcomes One 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

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.

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 funding How prospect research helps you understand what funders actually value What it means to “reverse engineer” your story around your audience How to combine quantitative data, qualitative stories, and visuals for maximum impact Why participant voice is often your most powerful source of insight The difference between outputs and outcomes and how it affects your funding success One 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.

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 systems I 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.com The 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 like Impact: choosing measures that matter (and pairing them with stories so your work is understood) Funding: connecting your impact evidence to stronger fundraising and funder relationships If 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.

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.

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.

On this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Drew Reynolds and Roger Suclupe sit down with Dr. Victor Amaya, President and Executive Director of Data You Can Use in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Amaya shares how his organization flips the traditional research model on its head by starting with communities first. Instead of merely extracting data, his team listens, co-creates with residents, and keeps data in the hands of the people who know their neighborhoods best. Together, they explore what it means to truly democratize data—turning raw statistics into clarity, trust, and actionable change. The conversation highlights practical tools like neighborhood dashboards and indicators, and digs into big initiatives such as addressing life expectancy gaps and developing a localized wealth index. Dr. Amaya emphasizes that data isn’t about proving, it’s about improving, and that lasting impact comes from relationships, accessibility, and genuine community voice. In this episode, we’ll discuss: Why democratizing data starts with listening to neighborhoods and residents.How trust and relationships transform research into community-driven impact. Practical tools like neighborhood dashboards and indicators that make data accessible. Tackling big challenges such as life expectancy gaps and wealth disparities with data. The power of co-creation: moving from numbers to narratives to action. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, social sector professional, or simply passionate about equitable community outcomes, this episode offers fresh insights on how to use data to build stronger, healthier, and more connected neighborhoods.

In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Roger and Drew are joined by Sydney Idzikowski, Associate Director of the Charlotte Regional Data Trust, for a deep dive into how integrated data systems can “move at the speed of trust.” Together, they unpack what administrative data is, why it so often remains siloed across agencies, and how the Data Trust works to securely connect information from sectors like housing, education, and public health. Sydney shares how building trust—amid privacy concerns and data surveillance fears—is central to effective data sharing, and explains the governance, legal, and technical frameworks that make it possible. Sydney has been at the helm of turning fragmented agency data into a single, trusted resource for research, planning, and evaluation. From linking school records to shelter stays, to mapping out the pathways of people who’ve experienced homelessness – she’ll share real‑world stories that show how data can drive policy changes that actually help people. In this episode we’ll cover: The biggest challenges with administrative data at the local level How a “data trust” works and why it matters for privacy, ethics, and impact Success metrics for an integrated data system (think 35 % of a county’s population!) A compelling case study on homelessness services that led to a full‑time social worker in a shelter Practical tips for researchers, practitioners, and anyone curious about using linked data responsibly Check out the Charlotte Regional Data Trust and Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy.

In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, we’re joined by Carolyn Allison, CEO of Charlotte Community Health Clinic, to explore what it really means to care for the health of a community. Together with co-host Roger Suclupe, we discuss: How more than 100,000 Mecklenburg County adults live without health insuranceThe innovative ways Charlotte Community Health Clinic expands access to care, including integrated behavioral health, dental services, and partnerships with reentry programs and immigrant-serving organizationsHow data and needs assessments guide service expansion and decision-makingThe vital role of community health workers and health literacy in advancing equityA moving story about how dental care changed one patient’s confidence and future Whether you work in healthcare, the nonprofit sector, or simply care about building healthier communities, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.