Advertise on podcast: Gooder Stories

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Kendra Horosko, Senior Communications Advisor at Calgary Health Foundation. They discuss Kendra's journey from studying history and traveling the world to a career in nonprofit communications and how storytelling helps connect donors to the impact of healthcare philanthropy. Kendra shares her approach to telling sensitive stories with empathy and authenticity, the importance of translating complex ideas into clear, human-centered messages, and how strategic communications can inspire generosity and strengthen community connections. LEARN MORE Calgary Health Foundation - https://calgaryhealthfoundation.ca LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendra-horosko-00276833/ Powered by Gooder Creative Studio (https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/) —---- End music credit: Dawning Sprite

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Joanna Tschudy, the urban food systems coordinator at the Alex Community Food Centre in Calgary. They discuss Joanna's journey into community engagement, her roles in food access programming, and the importance of dignified access to food. Joanna shares insights on the Fresh & Fare Community Market, highlighting its impact on the community and the relationships built with local growers. In this conversation, Joanna Tschudy discusses the importance of aligning funding with community needs, the significance of listening, and the role of engagement in community programming. She emphasizes the resilience of the communities served, the importance of honoring cultural traditions in food, and creating inclusive spaces for all. The discussion also touches on the slow growth of community engagement, the moments that matter in community work, and encouraging community involvement and advocacy.   LEARN MORE The Alex Community Food Centre: https://thealexcfc.ca/ The Alex Community Health Centre: https://www.thealex.ca/ Powered by Gooder Creative Studio (https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/) —---- End music credit: Borough

In this episode of Gooder Stories, Gail Hataitham speaks with Bethel and Sayson, co-founders of the Alcove Centre for the Arts, about their journey of building accessible creative spaces that foster community, confidence, and social change. They share how Alcove grew from a grassroots initiative into a thriving arts hub in Calgary, discussing the importance of reducing barriers to participation, listening to community feedback, and creating welcoming spaces where people can connect through creativity. The conversation explores community engagement, sustainable growth, effective communication, and marketing for small organizations while highlighting powerful stories of personal transformation and the role arts initiatives can play in strengthening belonging and creating positive change. LEARN MORE Alcove Center for the Arts - https://alcovecalgary.ca Raw Voices - https://rawvoices.ca Powered by Gooder Creative Studio (https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/) —---- End music credit: Borough

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Robert John Bailot, or R.J., co-founder of the Canadian Animal Task Force. They discuss R.J.'s journey into animal welfare, the unique approach of the Canadian Animal Task Force in addressing pet overpopulation through community-driven solutions, and the importance of building trust and collaboration with First Nations and rural communities. The conversation highlights the challenges of volunteerism, the complexity of animal welfare issues, the significance of positive communication in fostering community engagement, and how large-scale clinics, collaboration, and patience are transforming animal and community well-being across Canada. LEARN MORE: Canadian Animal Task Force - https://canadiananimaltaskforce.ca Connect with R.J. - https://linkedin.com/in/rj Powered by Gooder Creative Studio (https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/) —---- End music credit: Borough

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Rachel Nadler, a communication advisor at the Centre for Sexuality. They discuss the challenges and strategies of nonprofit communications, particularly in the context of sexual health education. Rachel shares insights on the importance of clarity in messaging, the need for parents to engage in conversations about sexual health with their children, and the balancing act of managing multiple responsibilities in a small team. The conversation highlights the impact of effective communication on community trust and the personal journey of transitioning from corporate to nonprofit work. LEARN MORE: https://www.centreforsexuality.ca/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelnadler/ Powered by Gooder Creative Studio (https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/) —---- End music credit: Borough

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Sierra Love, a community builder from Calgary, about her journey into community work and the impactful initiatives of the Arusha Center. They discuss the importance of community engagement, how the organization measures success in grassroots projects, and strategies for small teams to create meaningful change. Sierra shares insights on the Calgary Dollars program, the Repair Exchange, the significance of fostering ongoing relationships within communities, and effectively communicating concepts like the circular economy. The conversation emphasizes the value of understanding community needs and adapting messages for diverse audiences and offers advice for grassroots organizers looking to make a difference in their communities. LEARN MORE: https://www.arusha.org/ https://www.calgarydollars.ca/ Powered by Gooder Creative Studio (https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/) —---- End music credit: Borough

Gooder Stories is a podcast where strategy meets heart. Hosted by Gail Hataitham, the show features honest conversations with nonprofit leaders, marketers, and changemakers from across Canada. Each episode explores how thoughtful marketing and storytelling can move missions forward—especially when teams are small and resources are limited. Gooder Stories is for nonprofit leaders and purpose-driven creatives who want to share their work with more clarity, creativity, and confidence. SUMMARY In this episode of Gooder Stories, Gail Hataitham speaks with Calgary community builder and nonprofit founder Alice Lam about leadership, volunteer engagement, and building sustainable impact. Alice shares her journey into community service, the realities of balancing nonprofit work with a full-time career, and why trust, collaboration, and wellbeing matter in creating lasting change. She also discusses her hopes for future initiatives in Calgary. LEARN MORE: https://alicelam.org/ https://www.instagram.com/goodneighbouryyc https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-lam-71796238/ Powered by Gooder Creative Studio

Gooder Stories is a podcast where strategy meets heart. Hosted by Gail Hataitham, the show features honest conversations with nonprofit leaders, marketers, and changemakers from across Canada. Each episode explores how thoughtful marketing and storytelling can move missions forward—especially when teams are small and resources are limited. Gooder Stories is for nonprofit leaders and purpose-driven creatives who want to share their work with more clarity, creativity, and confidence. SUMMARY This episode features Jennifer Koole, Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta. They discuss the journey of rethinking waste as a valuable resource, the importance of collaboration in small teams, and effective communication strategies for nonprofits. Jennifer shares her personal journey in environmental science, impactful moments from her work, insights into the circular economy, and her leadership role in a nonprofit. The conversation emphasizes the need for relatable storytelling, the power of networking, and the significance of celebrating small wins in the nonprofit sector. LEARN MORE: https://recycle.ab.ca/ linkedin.com/company/recycling-council-of-alberta/ Powered by Gooder Creative Studio (https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/)

In the final episode of season one of Gooder Stories, the host, Gail Hataitham, looks back on what inspired her to start the podcast and what she’s learned from conversations with nine changemakers in the nonprofit sector. She highlights recurring themes of authenticity, trust, and storytelling in nonprofit communication, along with the challenges organizations face and the potential of AI as a tool. Gail also shares her gratitude and personal takeaways from creating the first season. Connect with Gail: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-hataitham-10b44558/ Learn more about Gooder Creative Studio: https://www.goodercreativestudio.com/

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Louise Bwandinga, a fundraising and communication professional at Green Calgary. Louise shares insights into her dual role, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and feedback in shaping their initiatives. The conversation also touches on balancing priorities in nonprofit work, honoring the legacy of Green Calgary, and understanding authentic inclusion. Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbwandinga/ Learn more about Green Calgary: https://www.greencalgary.org/

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Ella Jean Haggis, an organizing manager at an environmental nonprofit. They discuss Ella's unique journey from linguistics to environmental advocacy, the challenges of communicating complex climate policies, and the importance of personal stories in engaging the public. Ella shares insights on training volunteers, overcoming communication barriers, and balancing emotional and factual messaging. The conversation concludes with practical advice for nonprofit leaders and the influence of Ella's musical background on her advocacy work. CONNECT WITH ELLA: https://www.instagram.com/ellaoftheplanet

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Amanda Schutz, creative director and founder of Curio Studio, about how design and storytelling can transform nonprofit marketing. Amanda shares her journey from a one-woman operation to running a thriving boutique studio, highlighting the role of custom illustration, ethical design, and strong partnerships in amplifying nonprofit missions. She also offers practical tips for creating impactful visuals on a budget and reflects on her experiences founding Canadian Women in Design and supporting purpose-driven organizations with creativity and intention. Learn More: Curio Studio: curiostudio.ca Amanda's Personal Work: amandaschutz.com Canadian Women in Design: womenindesign.ca

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Amanda Bishop, founder of The Mindful Appetite, a Calgary-based nonprofit focused on food waste and food insecurity. They discuss the journey of starting a nonprofit, the importance of education in food waste management, and the need for collaboration among organizations. Amanda shares her experiences, challenges, and the community's support that has been crucial to her mission. The conversation emphasizes the significance of adapting communication strategies for different audiences and the impact of grassroots efforts in tackling complex social issues. ABOUT THE MINDFUL APPETITE: The Mindful Appetite is a Calgary-based nonprofit organization that addresses the interconnected challenges of food waste and food insecurity in the community. The organization focuses on education as a key strategy for changing behaviors around food waste, while simultaneously working to ensure that surplus food reaches those who need it most. Through grassroots efforts and community collaboration, The Mindful Appetite emphasizes that every contribution matters in creating meaningful change. The organization has built its success on strong community support and partnerships, demonstrating how local initiatives can make a significant impact on complex social and environmental issues. Learn more about The Mindful Appetite: https://themindfulappetite.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558675109890 https://www.instagram.com/themindfulappetiteyyc/ https://x.com/mindfulappetite https://www.tiktok.com/@mindfulappetite?lang=en

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham sits down with Sarah Reid, Communications Manager at Clean Prosperity, to explore the art of effective climate communication. Sarah breaks down how to translate complex climate policies into compelling messages for diverse audiences, why positive messaging beats doom-and-gloom narratives, and how to measure success through real policy changes rather than just engagement metrics. The conversation covers Sarah’s insights on tailoring communication to different stakeholders, standing out in a crowded climate space, and reveals exciting projects that demonstrate how pragmatic climate solutions can inspire action and drive meaningful change. ABOUT CLEAN PROSPERITY: Clean Prosperity is a Canadian climate policy organization that advocates for pragmatic solutions to grow the low-carbon economy. They work on market-oriented policies that incentivize private enterprise to compete, innovate, and invest in low-carbon technologies, focusing on carbon markets, conservative climate ambition, low-carbon growth, and net-zero planning. Clean Prosperity is independent, non-partisan, and non-profit, funded entirely by Canadian sources and takes an evidence-driven approach through research, stakeholder collaboration, and engagement with business and government leaders. Learn more about Clean Prosperity: https://cleanprosperity.ca/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-prosperity/posts/?feedView=all https://x.com/CleanProsperity

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Michelle Wagner, a Prosci-certified change manager, about the critical role of effective communication in navigating change initiatives, particularly in the nonprofit sector. They discuss the differences in communication strategies between nonprofit and corporate environments, the importance of identifying change champions, and the challenges posed by hybrid work settings. Michelle emphasizes the need for strategic communication tailored to various stakeholders and the significance of self-care and resilience for leaders during times of change. The conversation concludes with insights into future communication trends and tools that can aid nonprofits in managing change more effectively. CONNECT WITH MICHELLE WAGNER: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellewagner1/