Podcasts for Charity Leaders in Canada

Staying current about our sector is quite challenging for the incredibly busy people who serve in management or board roles on Canadian charities, or provide them with leadership services. So, I hope my short list of the podcasts I find most useful is helpful to you.

As far as I know. these are available through Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcast subscriptions.

1. Let’s Imagine, Imagine Canada

From the website: From policy priorities to decent work practices or the next wave of fundraising trends, in each episode we speak with a guest who shares their own unique perspectives with us. Listen in as we explore a diverse range of topics such as social finance, the rise of trust-based philanthropy and more. Join us, and together, Let’s Imagine our sector!

2. Charity Village Connects, Charity Village

From the website: The hummingbird is Charity Village’s logo because we strive, like the industrious hummingbird, to make connections across the nonprofit sector and help make positive change. Over this series of podcasts, we’ll explore topics that are vital to the nonprofit sector in Canada, such as diversity, equity and inclusion, mental health in the workplace, the gap in female representation in leadership, and many other subjects crucial to the sector. We’ll offer insight that will help you make sense of your life as a nonprofit professional, make connections to help navigate challenges, and support your organization to deliver on its mission.

Charity Village Hummingbird

3. Digging In, Ontario Nonprofit Network

This one is sadly inactive; I hope it resumes.  Past episodes are available, with an emphasis on decent work.

From the website: Digging in with ONN is a podcast that focuses on the issues that matter to the nonprofit sector in Ontario. With a public policy lens, we will discuss the realities faced by individuals and organizations in our sector.

4. Further Together, The Small Nonprofit

Primarily for fundraisers but useful if you work with or oversee fundraising too.

From the website: A podcast for us to reimagine a better sector, tackle systemic issues, and yes—raise some cash. Join the listeners of The Small Nonprofit for tips, strategies, and resources to launch, grow, and maximize your fundraising.

5. Sound-Up Governance, Ground-Up Governance

Corporate but it’s good to keep up with a sector many board members come from, and this one is fairly light.

From the website: Interviews with real-world experts who share their perspectives on corporate governance and how it really works.

6. The Conversation Piece, The Walrus

Not specific to the charity sector but a progressive look at some of the key issues the sector is dealing with in Canada.

From the website: A podcast that challenges the way you see everything. For the past 11 years, we’ve hosted some of the most engaging thought leaders in Canada

7. Don’t Call Me Resilient, The Conversation

Not specific to the charity sector; an anti-racism lens on some of the key issues the sector is dealing with in Canada.

8. Ten Indigenous podcasts for you to check out

I need to listen to more of each of these to know which are most relevant to charity leaders, and it may vary depending on where you are in your learning journey. I am certain we are all aware of the need to learn more, listen more, understand better and change how we operate to better include and reflect Indigenous peoples and values. 

I found several older Canadian podcasts that have been discontinued, apparently forever, such as http://charitychat.ca/. 

There are several non-Canadian podcasts on charity and nonprofit leadership that are very worthwhile, but that’s a subject for a later post. 

Meanwhile, what did I miss? There are probably Canadian podcasts coming from outside Ontario that I’ve never heard of, and didn’t find in an Internet search. Please use the Comments to educate me!

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