Gooder Stories

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...

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 highlig...

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...

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, t...

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 t...

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 t...

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 grat...

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.

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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 emo...

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...

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...

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...

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 se...

In this episode, host Gail Hataitham interviews Ashlee Mohn, Director of Engagement at Trellis Society, who shares how her organization successfully navigated a major merger while maintaining trust through transparent communication and person-centered storytelling that focuses on the communities they serve rather than the organization itself. Ashlee discusses creating a unified brand voice across diverse mental health, housing, and...

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with environmental communicator Katrine Claassens about the importance of effective communication strategies for nonprofits. They discuss common mistakes organizations make, such as failing to identify their target audience and the need for clear messaging. Katrine shares insights on how to make complex topics engaging, the significance of measuring communication impact,...

In this episode of Gooder Stories, host Gail Hataitham speaks with Andrea Stordy, Creative Director at YW Calgary, about the organization's mission to support women and families in need. They discuss the unique approach to marketing in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and connection over traditional sales tactics. Andie shares insights on the challenges of ethical storytelling, the balance of creativ...