We Are For Good Podcast - Episode 626: Building a Renewed Narrative with Community

Release Date: June 16, 2025
Hosts: Jon McCoy, CFRE and Becky Endicott, CFRE

Introduction

In Episode 626 of the We Are For Good Podcast, hosts Jon McCoy and Becky Endicott engage in a compelling discussion with a panel of distinguished nonprofit leaders: Stacy Houston of SixDegrees.org and Entertain Change, Rebecca Bernard of The Teaching Well, Vivian Borja, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Food for the Poor, and Dr. Tim Lampkin of Higher Purpose Hub. The conversation centers on building a renewed narrative with community, breaking old story myths, and using storytelling as a catalyst for systemic change.

Rewriting Sector Narratives

Jon McCoy sets the stage by introducing the panel and posing a pivotal question: "If you could rewrite just one story being told right now in the sector, what would that story be, and what's the truth or vision that you'd replace it with?"

Rebecca Bernard addresses the prevalent narrative that portrays communities as passive recipients of aid.

"The story I would like to replace is the one that says communities are passive because the communities are really capable. They're ready to rise, and they just need a partner who will believe in them enough to walk alongside them, not forever, but long enough to help them take the lead." ([03:08])

Dr. Tim Lampkin emphasizes shifting away from a deficit mindset to one that recognizes the inherent value and agency of nonprofit work.

"We push against this narrative that we are underserved because we think that that type of reframing and pushing against this old and unwanted actually narrative allows us to really take back our power and agency." ([03:43])

Challenging Persistent Storytelling Myths

The discussion transitions to identifying and debunking persistent and harmful storytelling myths within the nonprofit sector.

Dr. Tim Lampkin highlights the myth surrounding the capacity of nonprofits to effect change, advocating for collaboration as a means to enhance capacity.

"We find strength in numbers, and we are able to really lean into all of the kind of the attributes that make our organization special, while also lifting up the great work of our partners and collaborators..." ([11:52])

Rebecca Bernard tackles the misconception that educators leave their professions due to a lack of commitment, instead pointing to systemic failures in support and resources.

"We're pushing back against the idea that solving poverty is only about the physical things or the physical need... Poverty also leaves a lot of emotional and spiritual wounds." ([15:00])

Stacy Houston adds to the conversation by addressing the tendency to blame individuals or groups, stressing the importance of collective responsibility.

"The more that we otherize and don't take some collective responsibility and our shared reality right now as a sector, we won't be able to build those bridges that are going to be needed to get to the other side." ([09:42])

Co-Creating Stories with Community

A significant portion of the episode delves into the art of co-creating narratives with the communities served, ensuring that their voices are authentically represented.

Rebecca Bernard shares her organization's approach to ethical storytelling, emphasizing the importance of honoring the lived experiences of educators.

"We've really prioritized telling the stories from the mouths of our clients... how our work is human centered, human focused..." ([21:17])

Dr. Tim Lampkin discusses the essential role of active listening in crafting meaningful stories that resonate and empower communities.

"There is so much trust built in just listening and understanding... we can craft very powerful stories that transcend." ([25:28])

Stacy Houston advises nonprofits to involve individuals with lived experiences in the creative process, advocating for the formation of advisory boards to ensure stories are told with dignity and accuracy.

"Create an advisory board where they're not on your board of directors, but they're just people that you can turn to with specific storytelling pieces..." ([28:43])

Vivian Borja echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the shift from a one-sided narrative to a mosaic of community voices.

"Listening and culture and figure out a way to allow our community's words to come forward, to allow their emotions to come forward..." ([28:35])

Tangible Takeaways and Conclusion

As the panel wraps up, each member shares actionable insights to inspire listeners:

• Rebecca Bernard urges nonprofits to ensure that the voices of the communities they serve are central to their storytelling efforts.

  "Have we made space for their voice, and are they the ones telling it right? That's how I would like to end." ([30:30])

• Dr. Tim Lampkin emphasizes the dual accountability to both organizational stakeholders and the communities served, promoting continuous engagement and resource sharing.

  "Make sure that the accountability that we're bringing back what we're learning, that we're bringing back resources, that we're deepening our understanding..." ([31:07])

• Stacy Houston highlights the importance of empathy and walking alongside communities, rather than standing apart or imposing solutions.

  "Don't stand on issues. Walk with people... conversation reveals community with one another." ([32:45])

• Vivian Borja reinforces the need for finding common ground to foster genuine connections and effective collaboration.

  "Bringing it back to common ground once again. I think that's it." ([33:46])

The episode concludes with a resounding call to action for nonprofits to listen deeply, collaborate authentically, and share the richness of community stories to drive meaningful and sustainable change.

Key Insights

1. Shift the Narrative: Move away from deficit-based narratives to those that recognize and amplify community strengths and agency.
2. Debunk Myths: Challenge and dismantle persistent myths that undermine the capacity and commitment of nonprofit organizations and their leaders.
3. Co-Create with Community: Ensure that storytelling processes are inclusive, ethical, and centered around the voices of those being served.
4. Empower Through Storytelling: Use storytelling as a tool for empowerment, enabling communities to own and narrate their own experiences and transformations.
5. Foster Accountability and Connection: Maintain accountability not just to internal stakeholders but also to the communities, ensuring ongoing engagement and support.

Notable Quotes

• Rebecca Bernard ([03:08]): "The communities are really capable. They're ready to rise, and they just need a partner who will believe in them enough to walk alongside them..."

• Dr. Tim Lampkin ([03:43]): "...reframe some of the conversation around... underserved... taking back our power and agency."

• Rebecca Bernard ([15:00]): "Poverty also leaves a lot of emotional and spiritual wounds... communities we serve are not only beneficiaries, but... architects of their own future."

• Stacy Houston ([09:42]): "You can be right and still lose... they need us to figure out a shared path forward."

• Rebecca Bernard ([30:30]): "Have we made space for their voice, and are they the ones telling it right?"

• Stacy Houston ([32:45]): "Don't stand on issues. Walk with people... conversation reveals community with one another."

Conclusion

Episode 626 of the We Are For Good Podcast offers profound insights into the power of storytelling in the nonprofit sector. By redefining narratives, challenging entrenched myths, and collaborating authentically with communities, nonprofit leaders can drive systemic change and foster environments where both organizations and the communities they serve can thrive. This episode serves as an invaluable resource for anyone looking to deepen their impact and cultivate more meaningful connections through the stories they share.