Impact Project: People creating positive change

This episode of Impact Project is a heartfelt letter to charity leaders, nonprofit founders, and social impact professionals who struggle with imposter syndrome. Host Rhonda Harper addresses the quiet terror of feeling like a fraud when running an organization dedicated to positive change. If you often feel that your team or donors will discover you are 'winging it,' this episode validates those fears while offering a compassionate...

Discover how intergenerational mentorship programs can transform your community and help you find deep personal purpose. In this episode of the Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper shares a heartfelt story about her grandmother knitting with a neighbor’s teenager, illustrating that true mentorship is not about grand gestures or professional titles, but about weaving lives together through quiet, daily exchanges of humanity. Thi...

In this episode of the Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores the profound human impact of teaching digital skills to seniors in rural villages. This is not a technical tutorial on coding or cybersecurity; rather, it is a heartfelt exploration of how bridging the digital divide restores dignity, combats loneliness, and fosters intergenerational connection for elderly populations who often feel invisible in a rapidly modernizin...

In this episode of Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores the critical disconnect between well-intentioned outsiders and the communities they aim to help. The central theme addresses why neighbors often distrust external aid workers, philanthropists, and volunteers who arrive with pre-packaged solutions rather than genuine connection. This episode is essential listening for nonprofit leaders, social impact professionals, commu...

In this episode of Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores the profound social impact of community fridges, framing them not merely as food distribution hubs but as radical acts of trust and mutual aid. This narrative is designed for listeners interested in philanthropy, social justice, and grassroots activism who seek to understand how small-scale local initiatives can dismantle systemic barriers to dignity. The episode argues...

In this episode of the Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores how underfunded public libraries are transforming into vital hubs for community resilience through skill-sharing workshops. This narrative moves beyond the traditional view of libraries as quiet repositories of books, reframing them as dynamic 'living rooms' where neighbors exchange practical knowledge—from digital literacy and home repair to budgeting and gar...

In this episode of the Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper challenges the traditional, narrow definition of leadership that prioritizes extroversion, authority, and solitary heroism. This conversation is essential for anyone who feels excluded from leadership roles because they don't fit the 'suit-and-podium' stereotype, including introverts, neurodivergent individuals, quiet organizers, and those who lead through empathy rather tha...

In this powerful episode of The Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper dismantles the myth that arts education is a luxury, arguing instead that it is a critical lifeline for children in under-resourced schools. This episode explores the profound emotional and cognitive benefits of arts funding, illustrating how music, visual arts, and theater provide essential outlets for self-expression, emotional regulation, and dignity when words f...

In this episode of Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores the profound practice of 'holding space' for survivors of human trafficking and those experiencing homelessness. This conversation moves beyond traditional charity models to examine how dignity, presence, and empathy create lasting positive change. It is essential listening for philanthropists, social workers, volunteers, and anyone interested in trauma-informed care, e...

In this episode of the Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores how micro-volunteering can transform corporate engagement and workplace culture by shifting the focus from large, performative events to small, meaningful acts of presence. This guide is designed for HR professionals, nonprofit leaders, and employees seeking to improve company morale without burning out. We discuss why traditional philanthropy often feels heavy or d...

In this episode of Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores the profound meaning behind local talent showcases and community events. This conversation is designed for volunteers, grassroots organizers, social impact leaders, and anyone who has ever felt exhausted by the unseen labor of bringing people together. Rhonda challenges the cultural obsession with grand gestures and polished productions, arguing instead that true purpos...

In this episode of the Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores practical strategies for engaging in difficult political conversations without escalating conflict or losing your composure. This guide is essential for anyone feeling exhausted by the current polarized landscape, offering a compassionate framework to bridge divides with neighbors, family members, and colleagues who hold opposing views. The discussion moves beyond s...

In this heartfelt episode of the Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores how we can find grace and connection when we disagree. If you have ever felt the tension rise during a political discussion with family or friends, this episode offers a compassionate guide to bridging the divide. Rhonda shares personal stories, including a difficult conversation with her sister and experiences facilitating dialogue in Ohio, to illustrate ...

In this episode of Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper addresses the emotional and logistical paralysis many feel when trying to provide international disaster relief. If you have ever wanted to help during a global crisis but felt overwhelmed by bureaucracy, confusing donation processes, or fear that your contribution might do more harm than good, this episode is designed for you. It validates the confusion you feel not as a failur...

In this episode of Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores the profound emotional and social dimensions of disaster recovery, moving beyond the physical act of construction to examine what it truly means to rebuild a home. This conversation is essential for anyone interested in philanthropy, social impact, community resilience, and housing justice. We often see the debris after a storm, but we rarely hear the stories of dignity...

In this episode of the Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores the critical and often overlooked role of legal aid in supporting survivors of domestic violence. This conversation moves beyond the physical signs of abuse to examine 'bureaucratic violence'—the systemic barriers that trap victims in cycles of fear and financial exhaustion. The episode is designed for anyone interested in social justice, philanthropy, human r...

In this episode of Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores the critical importance of funding arts education in under-resourced public schools. This discussion moves beyond the traditional view of arts as mere extracurricular enrichment or 'dessert' after core subjects like math and science. Instead, it positions the arts as a vital lifeline for emotional regulation, creativity, and joy—essential survival tools for childr...

In this episode of Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores the profound intersection of legal aid for immigrant families and the concept of radical neighborly love. This conversation moves beyond traditional charity models to examine how philanthropy can serve as a tool for restoring human dignity and social cohesion. The episode is essential listening for advocates, donors, community organizers, and anyone interested in unders...

In this episode of Impact Project, host Rhonda Harper explores the profound human stories behind fair trade and indigenous artisans, moving beyond abstract economic policies to highlight dignity, partnership, and cultural preservation. This conversation is designed for conscious consumers, ethical shoppers, and anyone interested in social impact who wants to understand how their purchasing power can directly support global communit...