We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

624. Hold Fast: How ImpactUp Hosts Are Fostering Community IRL - Crystal Clark, Lisa Gareau, Bart Lillie and Keicy Cabrera

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We’re leaning into the theme Hold Fast—and exploring how community becomes our anchor in the midst of change. 💛

In this heart-filled episode, we’re joined by four of our Impact Up meetup hosts who are building something special in their corners of the world—from Denver to DC, Calgary to Caracas. Together, they’re proving that authentic connection and intentional gatherings can create real, lasting impact.

Through their stories, we explore what it means to lead with love, embrace vulnerability, and foster trust in community spaces. These leaders remind us that gatherings aren’t about numbers—they’re about creating safe, brave spaces where quality conversations can unfold.

You’ll hear from:
Crystal Clark (Washington, DC), on showing up with love, even when the mission is heavy.

Lisa Gareau (Calgary), on designing experiences that invite vulnerability, creativity, and courage.

Bart Lillie (Denver), on how simple acts—like remembering a name—can deepen trust and belonging.

Keicy Cabrera (Caracas), on building global community through WhatsApp and heart-led leadership.

Together, they unpack what it means to hold fast to one another, create intentional gatherings, and fuel a global movement grounded in authenticity and care.

If you’ve ever wondered how real change begins—it starts with community. And this episode is proof. ✨


Episode Highlights

  • The Power of Authentic Connections (06:28)
  • Embracing Vulnerability in Community (12:45)
  • Building Meaningful Relationships (18:09)
  • Taking Risks and Finding Safety (30:24)
  • One Good Thing: Reflections and Takeaways (34:10)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/624

Join us at ImpactUp: Movement on July 10th!

It’s a free, one-day virtual event for changemakers who are ready to move their mission forward. You’ll walk away with real, practical tools—like how to use your data to spark action, how to craft a clear and compelling elevator pitch, and how to create messaging that actually moves people.

Grab your free spot at weareforgood.com/impactup 🥳


Thank you to our partners 🩵

Big gratitude to Givebutter, RKD Group, DonorDock, Feathr, Whiteboard and Sowen for their partnership in growing the Impact Uprising. If you’re searching for a new CRM, tech tool, brand partner, direct mail partner, or impact strategist— we’d love for you to start with our trusted recs. We’ve vetted them so you don’t have to. Head to weareforgood.com/recs to learn more.

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Speaker 1:

Hey, I'm John.

Speaker 2:

And I'm Becky.

Speaker 1:

And this is the we Are For Good podcast.

Speaker 2:

Nonprofits are faced with more challenges to accomplish their missions and the growing pressure to do more, raise more and be more for the causes that improve our world.

Speaker 1:

We're here to learn with you from some of the best in the industry, bringing the most innovative ideas, inspirational stories, all to create an impact uprising.

Speaker 2:

So welcome to the good community. We're nonprofit professionals, philanthropists, world changers and rabid fans who are striving to bring a little more goodness into the world.

Speaker 1:

So let's get started. Hey Becky, what's happening?

Speaker 2:

I'm grinning from ear to ear because our community is in the house and I'm really happy about it.

Speaker 1:

I know, like from the beginning of starting this podcast, how have we never re-recorded our intro?

Speaker 1:

It was like us, before we could even podcast, we recorded that song that plays when it starts and from the beginning we were always like to create an impact uprising. It's been there from episode zero until today and we are just marking a year of impact up gatherings. So this idea of what starts here ripples, and the idea that we're so much better and stronger in community. We just have this idea of what if we ask our community to get together quarterly and have a bigger conversation and not let it end, but let it ripple, and let's find new friends and push things around and support each other and be kind to each other and open our hands and grow the table. In a time when everything is changing, the greatest heartbeat is community and to pull in together. Community was the answer. And so to sit across from some of our incredible local hosts that not only held space but also poured into this movement and grew and made the conversation so much richer, it just means the world.

Speaker 2:

And they didn't just host one time. They continued to just keep raising their hands, and so I got to kick it off by introducing someone who's about to become my neighbor somewhat, bart Lilly. He's been one of the reoccurring hosts for their Denver meetup. He's a VP of partner engagement at Synergy and, if you know Bart, he is always the kindest person in the room. He brings energy, heart and this commitment to real human connection and he's known for creating authentic donor experiences through storytelling, through innovation, through honest engagement. He's an incredible strategist and my gosh so deeply honored and humbled to call him friend and one of our local hosts. So, bart, welcome to the podcast.

Speaker 3:

Thank you, super excited to be here.

Speaker 1:

And we couldn't do a conversation like this without Casey Cabrera. She makes home in Caracas, Venezuela. She is an international consultant for social projects. She helps changemakers translate chaos into clarity.

Speaker 1:

Hello, all of that that we need, but her global experience. She's worked with incredible organizations like Save the Children, her work in Meal specifically for fundraising strategy. She brings both systems thinking and human-centered support to the social impact space. And I met Casey several months ago and what started as like a LinkedIn DM turned into oh my gosh, we have to meet. And then, the second that I met you, I was like how fast could you meet Becky and Julie, because I want them to have your kinship in this world, casey, and the way that you've gathered people and you have empowered all of Latin America to get behind Impact Up is nothing short of incredible. So welcome to the podcast. We're just a little excited to have you here today.

Speaker 2:

Total fangirling over you, Casey.

Speaker 1:

I'm your fan also oh my gosh, I could spend all day just introducing y'all because I'm so excited y'all are all here. It's my joy to introduce back to the podcast Crystal Clark. She has been just a fervent supporter in the DC metro area but she is the senior director of national donor engagement over at one of our favorite organizations, stop Soldier Suicide. She is a seasoned fundraiser leader. She builds meaningful donor relationships. But here's the thing that we love about her she is so passionate, she's strategic, she is deeply connected through the mission, through her personal ties as well.

Speaker 1:

And, let me just say, because Becky and I had the gift of getting to be in DC at the latest, local meetup and to be in the presence of Crystal Clark and to feel the warmth of just how she radiates, how she sees everybody in the space. What a gift to have you as a host and to have you on the podcast today, my friend.

Speaker 2:

She fits so neatly right underneath my arm too. I was hugging her, it was perfect.

Speaker 6:

So yes, it's always a surprise when someone gets to meet me in person. How short.

Speaker 2:

I am. I'm the opposite. I'm very tall. We are so glad that you're here, my friend, and last but certainly not least, we have Lisa Garrow. She's from Calgary, alberta, y'all. Lisa, I want to thank you from the depths of my heart, because we're watching what you are building in Calgary and it is nothing short of amazing and heart-centered. Lisa is the founder and president of Candy Event Consulting and she helps organizations plan purpose-driven events that build again that real human connection. She's got more than 40 years in event strategy, but I can tell you her skin looks as good as mine. So you're doing it well, with great balance, and she leads with joy and creativity and a deep belief in the power of intentional gathering. So, lisa, we're so excited that you're here.

Speaker 5:

Thank you so much. What a joy to be here. It's always so much fun to be talking to others that you just feel like the heart is there, even though we haven't met in person. It's just such an incredible experience to be part of this community, so thanks so much for having me today.

Speaker 1:

I mean friends. I'm just beaming seeing you all here, and it's been a couple of weeks since the Hold Fast gathering, but it seemed like a theme that definitely resonated with the community and I know in person. It kept coming back to that of like man. It is a time to really dig into the things that matter and be so grateful that we're in this together in this moment. I'm curious for each of y'all when you think about that phrase, what does it come to mean to you, whether personally or professionally, for this season? Lisa, I'll start with you.

Speaker 5:

It's interesting that you say in this season, because I have been doing the work that I'm doing for so many years and I was visiting with somebody yesterday over breakfast and she was having this conversation about being in her business, doing the work that she's really called to do the last two years and she's like, oh, when does it get easier? When can I get over that sort of the hump of feeling like I'm new at everything? And it really got me thinking the last couple of days and I said it never really gets easier. My line, or I'm sure it came from somewhere. But we just get stronger.

Speaker 5:

And the idea of holding fast to me is more so about knowing that I have what it takes to show up and keep showing up and allowing myself time and space and breath to be like I, they say, in yoga on my mat, and just allowing myself to be there and find the strength for today. I don't need tomorrow's strength, I need today's strength. So holding fast has been such a beautiful thing and seeing how the community has opened up to allow me to find new skills and new ways of doing that practically every day. But that's what wakes me up in the morning, knowing that I don't need to know about tomorrow. I can know about today and hold fast today. And that's what wakes me up in the morning knowing that I don't need to know about tomorrow, I can know about today and hold fast today. And that's always possible, because there's people like you in the world that we can reach out to and be part of something bigger than ourselves.

Speaker 1:

Oh my gosh. So good, Casey. What do you think about that?

Speaker 4:

Hold fast for me was a theme that was needed because for me it means anchoring myself to my purpose and especially when things feel uncertain and overwhelming. And I think that the session, both in Nicaragua and the rest of the country, it meant that people, they understood that they were not alone, understood that they were not alone. And hold fast meant, first, that you're not alone, that you're not in a lonely island when you're the only one feeling all of the emotions with everything that's happening in your country or in the world, and also that you can have the tools to continue to hold fast in the context. But that also, the circumstances do not mean that you have to stop. You can continue and you can continue in community and aligned with your values.

Speaker 4:

And how did that come up during the sessions? Well, people saying, hey, these spaces are needed, we need to be seen, we need to talk, we need to talk about the issues we're encountering because others can have the solution, or one connection that you make there can give you the opportunity of a lifetime, or you can find the resources, or you can find funding for your organization, because we had funders and also NGOs there, and not only NGO representatives but people that worked within NGOs, and not only NGO representatives, but people that worked within NGOs. So people at all levels were able to say, yeah, these are difficult circumstances, but together and listening to ourselves and reflecting on everything that's happened will help us hold fast. But also, yeah, together.

Speaker 1:

Gosh, that's beautiful.

Speaker 2:

I feel like Casey got it better than we did.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, crystal, what's it? I feel like Casey got it better than we did.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 6:

Crystal. What's it bubbling up for you? Actually, John, I think something you said that day reminded me of my mission, which is about sailors, and you know they're going through rough seas and they're holding on to. You know what's happening, but they know that there is brightness on the other side and I think when it comes down to is, you know, believing in your core values, either as your organization and for yourself, and keep on moving forward, because you know that's part of the ebb and flow of life. And you know, if we continue, I'm a half glass full kind of woman. I can't help it. It's just who I am Of course you are.

Speaker 6:

At the end of the day, we all have missions that are meaningful to us and if we can keep that at top of mind, that is going to be something that's going to help you to keep marching forward in the direction that you need to go.

Speaker 1:

Bart, what you got.

Speaker 3:

I think the thing that I'm holding fast to is community. I know this is a big part of the Impact Up space, but for me, community is greater than content, and I mentioned that at one point, and I think that we can always go back and listen to the recording or we can read the book at any time, but when a community gathers, that happens in real time. That's like live, and you can't go back and do that again. And so I think that you know we go to these sessions and especially like a conference, or you know our organizations are sending us to learn. I get that. That matters, that's important.

Speaker 3:

We can't replace content with community. You have to have both. But I think that the community side gets. It gets overlooked or maybe pushed down because I and this is my personal thinking it's harder, it's riskier, it's messier, and so we think, okay, I don't want to mess with the people, I don't want to deal with the difficulty, and so we take a safer road. But when we do that, we miss out on the destination, which also has blessing and beauty and success, because you get that when you get community.

Speaker 2:

Okay, all of you all are the community and impact up. Whispers Like that was so profoundly grounding and on multiple levels. And, and, bart, I like want to stick with you with this notion that you have about just showing up, because it's very easy to sit at home in our yoga pants, which is what I'm wearing right now. It is very easy to order in or to say I've had enough of people today, but I think when you choose to show up for community, you're showing up for yourself too. I want you to know that you're showing up for your mission. You're showing up for something that is much deeper than any one of us could have alone.

Speaker 2:

I know Casey was talking about that, and so I want to know, through the Denver lens, because Denver has had one of our consistently big meetups that has happened over the course of the last year. And, bart, you just have this thread in throughlining your personality, where you are always going to show up and bring your authentic self. You're going to bring innovation to the way that you connect with humans, whether it's through a donor engagement, through a strategy, a fundraising strategy, or just like getting to know someone. So how did you, like take those innate qualities that are just your, bartness, and how did they help you shape? And I and I'm and I want to give Chris Barlow a shout out you know who's also been helping host Denver Lauren Atherton's come along. Zach Hynek We've had such great Denver hosts in here but, like, how are those qualities shaping the way you approach hosting your local meetup? Tell us about Denver.

Speaker 3:

It's great that you dropped the friends who have made Denver happen, because we're all different in that space and that's the thing that I think. When it comes to the word authenticity, if I like circle that a couple of times it's like we need to be who we are and we're all kind of made different. You know, we're all built different and so for simplicity and this is way over simplifying it there's, if I do, three kinds of people, maybe four kinds of people. You know we're all built different and so for simplicity and this is way over simplifying it there's, if I do, three kinds of people, maybe four kinds of people. You know there's some who are like they plant the flag and they say we are circling up, we are creating something right here in this space. And if that's who you are, if you're a plant, a flag kind of person, great, we need you to create an invitational space.

Speaker 3:

And like a second group might be the like, ah, we're the early adopters and we'll show up when, when we see a flag planted, you know. And if that's you, great, because we need you to bring the momentum of like a gathering and saying, yeah, I'm going to, I'm, I'm a part of this too. And then that third group is kind of like we're the spectators. We're wondering, and if that's you, great, because we need you who see things and are watching, and we need your eyes and ears to kind of speak into that space to make it better, because there's a whole nother group, that nobody, even they aren't even aware of us.

Speaker 3:

And those are the people we want to invite, whether it's to a mission, to a cause, to an impact, up whatever it is. We want to say hey, you're on the outside, look at what so-and-so, the flag they planted, or look at the momentum that's being gathered, look at how it's improving. So I think authenticity is just being who we are. I am a flag planter, granted. Like I do it, I've got so many circles of men and communities that I've helped plant flags, for it's just kind of that's just, that's who.

Speaker 2:

That's my Bartness. If I could drop Becky's phrase there.

Speaker 1:

So, yeah, I mean I just we started talking about what starts here ripples. It's like that's the ripples, like you can see it, and you can kind of see it in the room too. So much of what we are for good is comes out of probably our own trauma and harm in different experiences.

Speaker 1:

I'm not going to lie, but I just remember walking into professional development places, especially in my early career, where it's like I don't feel like I belong here, or I would even turn my badge around because during certain phases, because I just didn't feel like I deserved to be in the space of the room. And it's like when we remove those barriers, how can we reach out to where everyone feels like they're vital and they're part of the conversation. Thinking of someone who does that, I'm looking at you, crystal, like you're so gifted in what you do from a donor engagement standpoint and you've you've shared your case study on the podcast, which we're going to have to link up.

Speaker 1:

I'm just like what it looks like in terms of how you can build a movement with these kinds of principles but storytelling too. I'm just curious how those kinds of frameworks, as beliefs about those things, have maybe been reinforced or challenged through this experience of turning it into an IRL meetup in DC that's growing and rippling.

Speaker 6:

Yeah, I think and again, you know Bart and Becky and John already talked about like it takes a village in order for it to work, and every time that we have come together in DC it's been incredible humans that have come together in different, different sectors, like it's not just the nonprofit fundraisers. What's really cool about DC, too, is it's an eclectic group of humans that come together, that are coming with different voices and different experiences whether it is someone who's just starting their career all the way through, someone who's had lots of different experiences that they come with a wealth of knowledge, and I think what has been really helpful is everybody coming together and having a safe space where they can share all of their experiences together, and we've just built this really nice community that, I think, is not only engaging but it's fun.

Speaker 2:

It is fun.

Speaker 6:

It's a lot of fun and it has energy. Dc's been an interesting space but we still have this really nice synergy and energy that we've been able to build together. And I see folks who might be going through job loss and they been able to build together. And I see you know folks who might be going through job loss and they're able to connect with others to help them to get to the places that they need to be. And it's just been a really nice energy.

Speaker 6:

And with that donor engagement piece, I think I think it goes back Bart, you said the word correctly it's being authentic, like you come and sometimes you're in that space at you know our meetups and you're not in a good place, but if you can be vulnerable and say, hey, this is what I need, we're able to connect. Like I got lost in a parking garage with one of the friends when we were leaving, this actually happened. This actually happened and she was also going through a situation where she was looking for a job. Like it. Just all these natural things start vibing together.

Speaker 6:

Like you know, stacey Houston from Six Degrees, and you know, we've connected and we've been able to do some things together. I just feel like there's a lot of beauty that has come out of these, that I don't know what your all's vision is but, like I think, as someone who has had the opportunity to gather the people, beautiful things have come out of it that you can't even. It's not a KPI or a you know a total hard fact, but there's been a lot of really beautiful things that have manifested, and I think that's how donor engagement is too. You know, one cookie crumble leads to the next and those meaningful engagements. You know you're always kind of going to that next thing one step at a time.

Speaker 2:

You know you're going to have my heart, crystal, when you start talking about measuring things differently, because it's not about how many people show up. That's something that I've learned about each of the local meetups. It's about the quality of the conversations that happen, and I thank you for just sort of putting some color around the DC meetup, because I was shocked how many people drove more than two hours to get to that meetup. I was shocked by the amount of people who didn't have a job but came there to network and got incredible connections from other people. We had people from CSR in there. We had people who do a very specific kind of AI in impact. We had journalists there. We had people from the media. It was just such an eclectic group.

Speaker 2:

But when you're all centered around the same thing, it makes it so much easier to show up and be present as yourself, and I'm so glad that everyone feels that sense of belonging, because that is what Impact Up was about in terms of what we originally thought. I can tell you've already blown that out of the water, so we're just enjoying the ride at this point. But I want to ask you something, lisa, because I just feel like you have understood the art of gathering for decades. In your work, you have built these incredible, impact-wired events that have not only just the incredible story but the heart and the connection to them, and so I want you to kind of like, lead us, as the expert, through this act of gathering, how it can be scaffolding for movements and for connections. How do you really leverage gathering as a way to build a stronger foundation for people's ideas and dreams?

Speaker 5:

It's a big question, super big question. It's a big question and it gives me pause because I do feel like, in so many ways, I am a conduit of other things that are happening and I happen to, in the showing up, I happen to be in the space where I can bring people together, I can see the bigger picture and I can encourage others to see a bigger picture in what they're creating, and I have been in this space a long time. I actually call events connection points and we need multiple connection points over time. I'm an entrepreneur. I grew up in community work and have cut my teeth. I was writing something the other day, but it's like I've cut my teeth on on what does it mean to build community?

Speaker 5:

But I'm still learning now because we're in a different space of community since, particularly since the global pandemic changed us. And when we talk about gathering together, I hate to say that it was a positive thing, but there's always, I guess, the silver lining. When we go through challenges and we go through dark times, we start to see what really matters and that is the beauty that I'm seeing right now in gathering is people are so willing, like Bart was saying, and Crystal's reinforcing and reinforcing. But we're coming to gatherings with, I think, a stronger willingness to be ourselves and to be showing up as ourselves, and it changes how the gatherings not just are planned and executed but how they're being received by the people in the room. There's much more of an openness to. There's a curiosity about what I'm going to find here.

Speaker 5:

Typically now I shouldn't say typical, but the smaller events are sometimes the ones that people are leaving and feeling like there's a bigger impact because they got to see people look someone in the eye. You know, rub shoulders, share challenges, but great joys too, like a lot of us have found ourselves, and what a beautiful space for people to see, not just that we can stay in this bubble where we're feeling great, but what I've found through the impact up here in Canada, in Calgary, is that people are looking for more, and so it is that opportunity to be that jumping off point. To now I'm feeling like not just being inspired, but I feel like I'm seeing people live it out, and so, in that living it out, it also gives us the courage to say, well, what for me can I start living out in my own life that will make a difference for myself how I show up and then how other people are responding to the things in their lives that they need to keep moving forward with or want to keep moving forward with. Gatherings really at the heart for me are all about connection and that's why I have loved from the beginning what you've created, because it made so much for me, so much sense at the time to just say I just want to be soaking in that it's so important to me to do that.

Speaker 5:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Zafra to help, helped out and poured in, but the power of you just holding space and, I think, the rhythm of it just saying we're going to come back next quarter, there's been this like beautiful thing unfolding of people finding that rhythm and being part of that rhythm. So just thank you all. Casey, you really captivated us by the way that you were working on growing community over the last few years, because you're part of a WhatsApp messaging group and I know, tell us a little bit of context, because I think it's so fascinating how you were able to stay connected with hundreds of other changemakers in a time when all of us are looking for what's the right next step.

Speaker 4:

Perfect Thanks, john. That WhatsApp group you're talking about is co-humanity, but how did it come to be? My experience within an international NGO, which was Save the Children, and then as a consultant, and with the work I've started out doing as an independent consultant with local NGOs, has shown to me that in Latin America there's this amazing work that's being done. People are working daily to address the needs in the region and in countries such as Venezuela, as Colombia, and sometimes I feel as if the world is not getting to know the amazing work that these people are doing, that I get to interview them, to work with them, to talk about their daily experiences, and that's why Co-Humanity came to be came to be. You know, co-humanity is a community that is built specifically in WhatsApp. It's a WhatsApp community where we have different subgroups and actually right now we're meeting like the max number of participants, so we're thinking about how to transition to another platform. But co-humanity is very aligned with the mission of we Are For Good and Impact Up in terms of we want to connect, grow together and to be able to show to the world what's being done at a social level in Latin America. So right now there are more than 1,500 people in this WhatsApp group and through Impact Up.

Speaker 4:

We started out in Caracas, venezuela, in October, but we've hosted these gatherings in October in out in Caracas, venezuela, in October, but we've hosted these gatherings in October in person in Caracas In Jan. We did it online due to the context, but we have like more than 50 people joining across Venezuela and then in April we had meetings in different parts of Venezuela that Caracas, valencia, barinas, maracaibo, barcelona and also in Panama. So a shout out to Florandi Natsuya, julio Jose, shailene Nauribet that they carried out that and they are part of co-humanity. So I think that ImpactUp connects with the essence of the community. That is, to carry out trainings, carry out networking and provide tools to people to be able to hold fast, as was the theme that we had for the first session. Right now, as I told you, it's a WhatsApp group and we are looking to have people facilitate their own sessions, grow, connect and be able to see co-humanity as this platform and activities such as Impact Up, where they can be seen and can connect to be able to grow.

Speaker 1:

So beautiful. It sticks out to me that there's a lot of intentionality in the way that you gathered, and I think you baked that in with your fellow host. How did you structure your time together and what did you see come out of that?

Speaker 4:

as a result of this intentionality, so, when we organized it, we had, like these different meetups online and I told, for example, the other host it was just me explaining to them my experience Okay, when I first organized this, these are the types of activities we carry out, like the logistics, but also knowing that this is, for example, an event that is free, that we organize it by ourselves, to establish some mechanisms for people to feel incentivized to go to the activity. You know, because sometimes people can register but not end up going. So there we talked about, okay, what types of activities can we carry out? Let's send reminders, let's send messages or let's structure it in a way that people feel invited. But how? For example, how did it work in Caracas? So we had, like the small table with a registration where they had, like this, their name tag, but we gave them also a post-it where they put a message. They can put a message and they put it on like a paper and they had to put like that message, a motivating message that anyone else, when they leave the room, when they leave the activity, they were going to take the message from the other person. So that was part of like how we structured that and, for example, I have the message around there. But the message that I took was hey, you're doing okay, You're doing awesome, continue with the work that you're doing, please do not give up. So that's the first thing that we did.

Speaker 4:

And then we had like a quick part where we presented we Are For Good, the community, co-humanity and some tips and tricks on what they could do as organizations and as individuals to hold fast. And after that we had like small focus groups. They were approximately 40 people, so we had small focus groups where they discussed around those questions on okay, how are you holding fast today, what's the most difficult thing that you've encountered and what you've done? And we thought that that activity was going to be like 20 minutes, but it ended up being 40 minutes because people needed to be seen, they needed to talk and get everything out of their system, you know.

Speaker 4:

And lastly, we did this small, quick networking activity where people had two minutes to talk and say who you are, who I am, who are you and what can we do together. So we thought it was going to be an hour and a half. It ended up being two hour and a half and ended up being two hours and a half. So this type of structure is what we brought to the other cities also. We but establishing activities that are human centered, but also those mechanisms beforehand where, hey, here's how you can get to the place. I did like a recording getting to the hotel and sent it to them. Sent the record, the reminders, to what's a WhatsApp group and then, through email, for them to know hey, I'm, we're here for you. We want to make this experience the easiest as possible for you to be able to join and show up as yourself Also.

Speaker 2:

I just think about in life how many times somebody has made you feel that welcome, that they really want you there, and when somebody takes the presence of mind to communicate so well, to think of every single angle, to ask you what you think. I just think that those are the little things that matter in life, that create the connective tissue to where we want to be, in those safe spaces of belonging.

Speaker 1:

I love it. That's so good, friends. I want to you know you've listened to the podcast before we have to ask a one good thing Is there something that's either lifted for you through this conversation or something that you'd want to share? That's really a one good thing that you would take away today. Bart, I'll let you go first.

Speaker 3:

Okay, so this is. It's super funny that, um, I think names are important and that's what I was thinking about beforehand and uh, I think that it's ironic maybe not coincidental or whatever, but you know, I got the message and, uh, my last name was little Bart Little's going to be on the, on the whatever, and I'm kind of like I get that. I've had that dozens of times, you know. And, lisa, we had some fun with your name earlier and it matters Like, like, if people's names are their identities and so, uh, you know, none of us are expert or like the professional relationship people. It's still hard. And when you show up in Denver, most of the time I'm kind of like I know your face and I don't remember your name, and so the name tags are helpful. But I think it's important and I try to do this as best I can If I don't know your name. I think it's important and I try to do this as best I can If I don't know your name.

Speaker 2:

I don't want to fake it and I don't want to say, bro, or hey, sis, or whatever, bruh Got it yeah.

Speaker 3:

Very big in our house right now, like, who are you in that sense? And I think names are important because it may take one or two, but that's an authentic conversation. Like Lisa you were saying, you have these moments that you stack on top of each other and it builds a relationship. And, uh, so I'm going to shout a couple of people from the Denver community Rob Purper was, you know, he's come a couple of times and then I'm in Seattle at AFP icon and I see him across the room and I'm like and that relationship went there. And then, uh, I'm in Chicago at the classy sorry, go fund me pro collaborative and I see Kimberly Spicker and she's speaking there. And it's like this, these people from your community as you have, these authentic, real like more than in a, in a meaningful relationship, is like getting your name right, that is a and and calling people by their name, that is a way to. I think I say, lift the relationship and you do that. You, over time, you build the relationships. That builds a community.

Speaker 1:

So there you go, man the relationships. That builds a community, so there you go man. Welcome to the TED talk of Bart Lilly right there. That's so good, crystal. What's a one good thing for you?

Speaker 6:

So I'm in searching for colleges with my daughter mode right now, and actually we were at University of Denver when we were out there recently and one of the spots they had, like you know what, are some words of kindness and I think the thing that it says it says lead with love and that is like I've put it in my pocket and kept it there because I think when you know whether you're a leader of, you know gathering people together that are coming for a common ground, or you're the leader of a team, or you're a mom or a dad or an uncle or an aunt, you know you're, when you lead with love, like people feel that and I think that that is again going back to that simple word of authenticity. I think that that is felt. So my one good thing is going to be lead with love and I think when you have that in your heart and you set that intention, that a lot of people feel that. I just mentioned before we started my grandmother just recently passed away and it was during the time that we were gathering people and I still came and it felt right because you need to be in spaces and even now it's's hard but like my team has given me love, like you know, it's just been this place, because I think when you exude that, it also there's that feeling comes back to, because again you're authentic and you show up as your real self, and I think that that is something that I'll always kind of live by, because I think it just it matters to people and and for by because I think it just it matters to people and for yourself.

Speaker 6:

I think it's important.

Speaker 2:

Amen Casey, what's bubbling up for you?

Speaker 4:

First, one good thing for me is getting to know people like John, Becky, Julie I know I'm going to say two, but that's the first one that I wanted to say, but one good thing apart from that for me right now is really seeing people believe in themselves. Again, like every workshop or space, it's a moment where people realize they're not alone, that they can lead change and that the ripple effect that you've always mentioned is everything that's lifting me lately, despite the situation in the world and around the region and everywhere is seeing that confidence in people like, oh, I can do this with new tools, and that connection grow. For me, it's the one good thing that I take with me every single day.

Speaker 1:

Gosh, love you people so much. Lisa what you got.

Speaker 5:

I'm going to lean into some research I'm doing this week Excellent. I've got a talk on Friday and it's about risk-taking, it's about the next best step, and I have been doing a lot of percolating about what needs to be true for us to risk and I have gone back to my old I used to. This is sort of a little sort of you don't know this about me, but I used to be a preschool teacher years, years and years and years ago.

Speaker 5:

It was so much fun and I'm sure the parents were like what, what are they learning? Anyways, we had fun. But the idea of risk-taking, it kind of goes all the way back to what helps us feel safe. And with kids, if they are feeling that they are nurtured and they're safe and they're in a space where they can go back to safety or they can find safety in their world or in their environment, they're more likely to reach out and take a risk or explore something new or to learn something new, knowing that there's this. It's not sort of holding tight as far as safe, but it's saying I'm here with you, I've got your back, if you have questions, come ask.

Speaker 5:

And so this research has been really so uplifting for me this week because I feel like we're all out there taking risks and we're all trying to in some ways do.

Speaker 5:

I feel like we're all out there taking risks and we're all trying to in some ways do it ourselves, because we're so busy and we get really wrapped up in the production of it or the doing of something and we forget that there is a community of safety that we are surrounded by, but we may not allow ourselves to take that step back and find them or have a conversation with somebody.

Speaker 5:

And so I think the one good thing for me is really allowing space for myself to know what does safety look like for me, but not to stay there. But how is it going to support me in moving forward? And then, with the impact up that we're doing here in Calgary in particular, I just feel like people are coming and they're unsure. Right, times are changing and things feel really upside down. And here in Canada, you know, obviously it's a little bit different than the US, but I do feel like they're looking for a place of safety to have a conversation. But then what I'm seeing once they leave or they're engaging with other things in the city, people are changing the game, they're making big changes or they're trying something new for themselves, and it's that exploration that is so for me, that's such a motivator to keep going, because I know that change is happening but it has to be both and that exploration and the risk-taking comes from that place of feeling safe.

Speaker 2:

I feel like all of these one good things somehow sort of stack together, because independently it's hard to show up with kindness and love if you're feeling alone. You know it's hard to take a risk if you're feeling like you're alone. And I just have to say I think all of us can empathize with feeling scared to screw up in this work. How many times have we all hit the mail, merge the wrong time on the invitation list and sent it to everyone wrong, and the level of fear that comes from? I just mailed out 2,500 wrong invitations. Or Mrs Bottom Tooth, our favorite donor, you know, didn't get the vegan platter. I mean, we mess up all the time.

Speaker 2:

But I think that there is such comfort in this moment because things are changing and you can look at change as this thing that we're going to have to trudge through. Or you can be Crystal Clark and you can look at it as a glass half full and say we're going to build and we're going to shape the new future that we want to not only work but live and play in. And I know that it's all the more comforting when we do it together, and so I just look at all of you. I have such a heart of gratitude. I mean you literally are representing communities across continents and countries of people who want to just connect, and I thank you for raising your hand. People are going to want to connect with each of you in your organization. So we've gathered up all the links and they're listed in this episode's description and on the show notes page, so everybody please go check those out.

Speaker 1:

Friends means the world to look at each of you and just to bask in what has been created, be in the power of community. So thank you for being you, thank you for showing up so authentically and y'all, if you're looking to gather community locally in your corner, we would love for you to reach out. We connect every quarter at impact up, so we would love to have you there head over to we're for goodcom. Slash impact up and you can sign up to host. You can attend the virtual event and just connect with other change makers. Follow the link in this episode's description, y'all. Community is truly everything and we are so grateful that you're here with us.

Speaker 5:

Thank you, thank you so much, thanks, thank you guys, you guys rock.