Best Nonprofit Renaissance Podcasts (2025)

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When The Most Educated Group Gets Laid Off, What Does That Say About America 17:46

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3h ago17:46

17:46

Send us a text The numbers don’t add up—or do they? We break down why black women, the most educated segment among black Americans and a cornerstone of the middle class, are experiencing historic job losses across government, healthcare, manufacturing, and construction. With unemployment touching a post-2020 high and roughly 300,000 black women exi…

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From Haiti To Healing 51:03

1d ago51:03

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Send us a text A teenage diary named Nancy. A snowstorm walk after a father’s refusal. A boot camp commander who sees what no one else did. Yasmin Charles joins us for a fearless conversation that traces a path from Port-au-Prince to Brooklyn to the Navy—and into the kitchen where healing meets hunger. We open with the shock of migration and the ac…

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From Classroom To Canvas: Jessica Chevon On Art, Censorship, And A Modern Renaissance 39:49

8d ago39:49

39:49

Send us a text A decorated high school art teacher walks away from the system—and finds a bigger canvas. Jessica Chivon joins us to share how she traded classroom constraints for a studio-first life, why students are hungry for handwriting and analog craft, and how sketchbooks can quietly reveal anxiety, resilience, and hope. Her story threads pers…

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The Evolving Engineering Of Green Infrastructure

9d ago

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Green infrastructure is reshaping how communities manage stormwater by blending natural processes with modern engineering to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and fit into increasingly dense urban spaces. In this episode, Christian Hennessy of Oldcastle Infrastructure breaks down what makes a system truly “green,” from mimicking pre-developme…

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Protecting The Waters That Flow In Our National Parks

19d ago

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Water is at the heart of America’s national parks, yet many of these rivers, lakes, coasts, and wetlands are under growing stress from pollution, climate impacts, and decisions made outside park boundaries. In this episode from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Ed Stierli of the National Parks Conservation Association explains how his organ…

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Keeping the Motor Running: Inside Wastewater’s Hidden Powertrain

24d ago

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Wastewater treatment plants rely on nonstop mechanical power to keep water moving, oxygen flowing, and critical equipment turning—and the systems behind that power are the focus of this episode. Dave Zimmerman of Dodge Industrial breaks down how gearboxes, bearings, motors, and couplings form the “powertrain” that drives nearly every major process …

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Community at Center of Central Coast Recycling | The Golden State of Reuse

26d ago

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California’s Central Coast is turning recycled water into a lifeline for rivers, golf courses, farms, and coastal communities—showing how reuse can work far beyond the big cities. In this episode, Nick Becker of Pebble Beach Community Services District, Alison Imamura of Monterey One Water, and Melanie Mow Schumacher of Soquel Creek Water District …

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How Writing Turned Loss Into A Life Rebuilt By The Ocean 43:01

29d ago43:01

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Send us a text Some stories aren’t meant to be told once; they’re meant to be lived, spoken, and reshaped until the truth inside them finally lands. That’s where we go with poet Tony B, whose book Runaway Home charts a fierce, tender path through grief, reinvention, and the power of choosing your own voice. We start with the line that won’t leave h…

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Sewer Corrosion Explained: The Problem Eating Infrastructure Alive

1M ago

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Hydrogen sulfide is the invisible gas quietly eating away at sewer systems—driving odor complaints aboveground and concrete failure below. In this episode of Inside Infrastructure, Kerry Koressel of IPEX explains how H₂S forms inside collection systems, why splashing and drops inside manholes turn it into a corrosive, dangerous gas, and how it can …

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Mobilizing People Power For Great Lakes Parks

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Communities across the Midwest are navigating a complex mix of water challenges—from affordability to agricultural pollution to protecting iconic national parks—and the policies shaping those outcomes. In this episode, Crystal Davis, Senior Midwest Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, discusses how regional advocacy, c…

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How One Nonprofit Uses Dance, Language, And Story To Heal And Educate 51:32

1M ago51:32

51:32

Send us a text What happens when culture becomes the bridge instead of the barrier? We sit with Rita Addico Cohen, executive director of the Tidewater African Cultural Alliance, to explore a life that stretched from Accra to Hampton Roads and a mission that now spans classrooms, libraries, and community stages. Rita shares how TACA’s African Cultur…

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Ending Sewer Odors: A New Era Of Solutions

1M ago

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Odor control and overflow prevention are critical yet often overlooked challenges for wastewater utilities — especially as urban areas expand and climate impacts intensify. In this episode of Inside Infrastructure, Ryan Powers of the Wager Company explains how a family company that started in marine ventilation is now helping communities solve comp…

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Perspectives of Professionals on California's Recycling Renaissance | The Golden State of Reuse

1M ago

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California’s water recycling movement has evolved from experiments to expansion—driven by progressive regulations, proven technology, and positive public trust. In this episode, Traci Minamide, Greg Wetterau, and Roshanak Aflaki of CDM Smith share expert insights from decades of experience advancing reuse across the Golden State. They reflect on th…

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Why Washington Must Do More For Water

2M ago

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Water’s future depends on sustainable funding, bipartisan policy, and stronger public communication. In this conversation from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Adam Krantz of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) explains how federal investments and advocacy are shaping the next chapter for America’s water infrastructure…

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How Fashion, Music, And Community Power Hampton Roads 28:51

1M ago28:51

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Send us a text Fashion doesn’t just live in New York or Paris. It thrives wherever creators take the risk to build a stage. We sit down with Ann Ward Lester and Jennifer Lester of Splash Entertainment Group to trace how a model management experiment became Virginia Fashion Week, why they aligned this year’s showcase with Timbaland Way, and what it …

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Lost in Red Tape: How STEPP Could Fix America’s Stormwater Rules

2M ago

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Across the U.S., stormwater regulations form a confusing patchwork that slows innovation and complicates compliance for communities and companies alike. In this episode from WEFTEC, Jay Holtz of Oldcastle Infrastructure explains how this fragmented system has evolved — and why it’s time for change. He outlines the challenges posed by thousands of d…

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How Activated Carbon Cleans Water

2M ago

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Activated carbon is a frontline solution in the fight against PFAS and other contaminants in water. In this episode, Brandon Hamilton of Norit explains how activated carbon works like a “rigid sponge” —using its complex pore structures to trap everything from volatile organics to microscopic chemicals. He breaks down why utilities are increasingly …

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Where Music Becomes A Universal Language For Confidence, Culture, And Connection 29:25

2M ago29:25

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Send us a text What if a music program could flip the switch from shy to fearless in a single season? We sit down with Jake Smalls, music director at School of Rock Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, to unpack how performance-based training builds skill, confidence, and community faster than traditional lessons. With three themed seasons a year—think B…

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How Los Angeles Is Building a Drought-Proof Future | The Golden State of Reuse

2M ago

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Los Angeles is turning recycled water into real-world resilience—protecting aquifers from seawater intrusion, powering industry, gaining public support, and building a next-generation supply that reduces dependence on imported sources. At Terminal Island, Dean Taylor explains how this pioneering facility evolved from discharging into the harbor to …

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How Utilities Can Adapt To Ever-Changing Water Quality

2M ago

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Utilities across the country are facing shifting water quality challenges — from changing influent chemistry to tightening discharge limits. This demands smarter monitoring and faster response. In this episode, Carlos Williams of Hach shares how utilities are adapting to this evolving landscape through advanced analysis and real-time data. He expla…

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AI Goes Underground To Inspect Our Sewers

2M ago

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Artificial intelligence is transforming how cities understand and manage their underground water infrastructure. In this episode, Eric Sullivan of SewerAI explains how computer vision and the cloud are revolutionizing the inspection and maintenance of wastewater systems. Technology automatically detects and classifies defects in sewer pipes using A…

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The Ways Orange County Leads The Water World | The Golden State of Reuse

2M ago

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Orange County shows how water recycling moves from idea to impact—linking history, science, and workforce to make reuse mainstream. At Irvine Ranch Water District, Paul Cook explains how a simple visual breakthrough—the now-iconic purple pipe—was created in the 1980s to clearly mark recycled water and build public trust, a standard that spread acro…

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From Curiosity To Solution: A Student's Journey In Water Science

2M ago

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Annabelle Rayson’s journey into water science began on the shores of Lake Huron and has grown into an award-winning pursuit of global impact. A student at Harvard University and winner of the 2022 Stockholm Junior Water Prize, Annabelle shares how her childhood curiosity about the Great Lakes evolved into groundbreaking research and real-world prob…

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How SUEZ Is Importing Innovation To North America

2M ago

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SUEZ is aiming to ignite innovation in North America by bringing its 160 years of global water expertise and thousands of patented treatment technologies to utilities across the continent. In this conversation from WEFTEC, Joshua Cantone and Abigail Antolovich of SUEZ share how the company is focused on empowering utilities with advanced tools and …

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From Hampton Roads to Hollywood: A Comic’s 17-Year Grind, Hecklers, and Heart 43:30

2M ago43:30

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Send us a text We sit down with Tim Loulies, a Hampton Roads comic and teacher, to trace his 17-year journey from sticky-note premises to packed clubs, from the Comedy Store’s unforgiving OR to the Apollo’s infamous boo, and into the wild psychology of being a heel in professional wrestling. Tim opens up about stage fright, why you literally lose y…

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The State Of Research On PFAS

3M ago

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PFAS remains one of water’s toughest and most urgent challenges — a class of thousands of persistent compounds still only partly understood but deeply embedded in modern life and the environment. In this episode, Peter Grevatt, CEO of The Water Research Foundation, discusses the state of PFAS research, including how science is closing critical know…

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Virginia Beach Voices: Small Business, Big Community 29:11

3M ago29:11

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Send us a text Local stories can change the fate of a city when they’re told with care. Tony B sits down with Al Neely of Neely Media and Councilman Cash Green to chart a people-first media plan that lifts small businesses, reduces stigma, and builds real civic momentum across Virginia Beach. What starts as an origin story—an online inquiry, a comm…

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How San Diego Is Building a Recycled Water Future | The Golden State of Reuse

3M ago

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San Diego is proving that the future of water is recycled. This episode visits Santee Lakes—one of California’s earliest examples of water reuse—with Kyle Swanson of Padre Dam Municipal Water District, who explains how a 1960s experiment turned wastewater into a beloved community asset and a model for the world. The story then moves to the North Ci…

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Meet the Hydro20: Wavemakers for Water Sustainability

3M ago

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Introducing the Hydro20, a group of twenty individuals celebrated for driving change, disrupting norms, and doing good for water sustainability across the United States. The Hydro20 is an initiative of waterloop, a nonprofit news outlet, and was announced during Climate Week NYC at the Rethinking Water conference hosted by Columbia University. The …

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Democracy in Action: The 10-1 System and Fair Representation in Virginia Beach 40:54

3M ago40:54

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Send us a text What happens when a decorated Air Force pilot turns his attention to local democracy? Sean Monterio, chairperson for the Virginia Beach Democratic Party Committee and retired Air Force colonel who flew the fearsome A-10 Warthog "tank killer," brings the same precision and purpose to his fight for fair representation in Virginia Beach…

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Laughing Through Life's Chaos 32:22

4M ago32:22

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Send us a text Comedy isn't just about making people laugh – it's about processing life's challenges and speaking truths others can't. That's what local comedian Steve Wills discovered after stepping onto the stage for the first time nearly two years ago. In this revealing conversation with Al Neely, Steve shares how comedy transformed from a simpl…

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Inside Infrastructure: How Valves Check The Flow

4M ago

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Inside infrastructure, there’s a simple device called check valves quietly protecting water systems from chaos, stopping dirty water from flowing backward, and keeping everything running smoothly amid bigger storms, tighter regulations, and growing cities. In this episode, Cal Hayes from Proco Products explains the vital role of check valves. He ex…

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The Greater Men Foundation: Youth Mentorship Beyond the Barber Chair 45:07

4M ago45:07

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Send us a text What happens when your barber becomes more than someone who cuts your hair? For many young men in College Park, Virginia, the chair at Dreams Barbershop has become a confessional, a counselor's office, and ultimately, a lifeline. Brothers Derek and Dwayne are transforming their neighborhood through an unexpected hub of mentorship and…

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Youth in Crisis: How New Vision is Rebuilding Lives 55:05

4M ago55:05

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Send us a text What happens when a youth in foster care turns 21? Far too often, the answer is devastatingly simple: they receive a garbage bag with their belongings and face immediate homelessness. Without family support or a safety net, these young adults find themselves in crisis with nowhere to turn. Meet Clara Wilson and Sean Tull from New Vis…

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Pittsburgh’s Playbook for Replacing All Lead Pipes

4M ago

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Pittsburgh is writing a playbook on lead pipe replacement, aiming to eliminate all toxic lines by 2027. In this episode, Will Pickering, CEO of Pittsburgh Water, and Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis of Women for a Healthy Environment reveal the strategy behind this national model. With over $200 million in federal grants and low-interest loans, the city …

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From Family Values to Fighting Crime: Suzanne Richmond's Journey 50:16

4M ago50:16

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Send us a text Suzanne Richmond's doesn't just understand Virginia Beach—she embodies its spirit. As a native daughter who was raised in the heart of Kempsville, Suzanne brings a unique perspective to her candidacy for Commonwealth Attorney, one shaped by deep community roots and professional expertise. The daughter of a federal prosecutor, Suzanne…

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Can Southern California Avoid A Day Zero Water Crisis?

4M ago

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As Southern California wonders if water scarcity could ever spiral into a “Day Zero” crisis, the region stands at a crossroads for securing its water future. In this episode of In The Newsroom, Ian James, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, dives into the critical decisions shaping the region’s water portfolio. With half its supply imported from …

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Election Conversations with Tim Anderson 37:08

5M ago37:08

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Send us a text Virginia's housing crisis, education challenges, and tax burdens are crushing everyday families, and Tim Anderson has a plan to tackle them all. Running for delegate in the 97th District, Anderson draws from his previous experience in the General Assembly where he learned that effective governance demands reaching across the aisle. D…

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The Rebirth of Bayou City: Centering Water in Houston

5M ago

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Houston is known as the energy capital—but it’s also the Bayou City, where water flows not just through the environment, but through culture, memory, justice, and resilience. In this episode from the Color of Water series, Ayanna Jolivet Mccloud, Executive Director of Bayou City Waterkeeper, shares how her background in art and advocacy fuels bold …

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Why Nobody Wants to Wait in Line Anymore 45:06

5M ago45:06

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Send us a text The invisible aftermath of the pandemic lingers in our collective psyche, manifesting as road rage, workplace tensions, and an unprecedented reluctance to wait in line for anything. Patricia Heard, with three decades of clinical social work experience, unpacks these phenomena through the lens of unresolved trauma and adaptation. Patr…

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Why Our Children's Education Demands More Than Just Schools 48:39

5M ago48:39

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Send us a text Dr. Karen Underwood opens a window into education's past, present, and uncertain future in this thought-provoking conversation. Drawing from three decades of teaching experience across multiple states, she offers rare and valuable insights into how our educational systems function—or dysfunction—across different cultural and geograph…

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Texas Bets $20 Billion On Its Water Future

5M ago

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Texas is tackling its booming population’s water demands with a bold $20 billion investment plan to secure sustainable supplies and infrastructure by 2050. In this episode of In The Newsroom, Todd Votteler, a veteran water expert and editor of the Texas Water Journal, joins the podcast to discuss the state’s dynamic water landscape. With Texas expe…

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From Hardship to Hope: A Nonprofit's Remarkable Journey 1:01:49

5M ago1:01:49

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Send us a text Behind every successful community support system stands someone who understands what it means to need help. For Sabrina Davis, founder of Reset Inc, this understanding comes from personal experience. As a child, she once attempted to steal a Lunchable because she wanted what other kids had—not because she was starving, but because he…

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Ways AI Is Reshaping Environmental Communications

5M ago

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AI isn’t coming—it’s already here, and it’s reshaping how communications and marketing get done. In this episode, Shama Hyder, a leading voice in digital transformation, explains why this moment demands strategic urgency and how organizations must adapt or risk falling behind. She shares how AI is disrupting knowledge work, changing workflows, and …

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Human Trafficking: The Hidden Crisis in Virginia 35:28

5M ago35:28

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Send us a text Patrick McKenna pulls back the curtain on America's hidden human trafficking epidemic, revealing how this modern form of slavery operates within our own communities. As an attorney with over 35 years of experience and the Director of the Virginian Coalition Against Human Trafficking, McKenna provides eye-opening insights into why Vir…

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How WWF Restores Rivers For Resilience

6M ago

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Healthy rivers are essential for thriving communities, and smart, nature-based solutions are proving crucial to turning things around in a changing climate. In this episode, Derek Vollmer, Director of Waterscapes for the World Wildlife Fund, shares how their program uses innovative, place-based strategies to restore rivers and build resilience worl…

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The Classroom to Capitol Journey: Cheryl Smith's Run for Virginia Delegate 33:00

6M ago33:00

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Send us a text Cheryl Smith brings a refreshing perspective to politics after dedicating 38 years to educating Virginia's children. In this candid conversation, she shares what compelled her to run for Virginia's 98th District Delegate seat after decades in the classroom. Growing up in a military family during the Vietnam War shaped Smith's worldvi…

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From Military to Microphone: Kells Morton Comedic Journey 34:37

6M ago34:37

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Send us a text Comedian Kells Morton steps away from her 25-year military career to pursue her original dream of entertainment in this fascinating conversation about second acts and finding your voice. As she prepares for retirement, Kells reveals how she's transforming decades of leadership experience into comedy gold on stages across the country.…

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In The Newsroom With Camille Von Kaenel: California's Delta Tunnel Decision

6M ago

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California's water future could be shaped by a $20 billion gamble with the controversial Delta Tunnel. This episode dives deep into the high-stakes project with Camille von Kaenel, California Environment Reporter for Politico. She unravels the complex plan to transport water from Northern to Southern California, detailing its immense cost, the deca…

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What Happens When Leaders Fall in Love with Money Instead of People? 41:39

6M ago41:39

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Send us a text When politicians fall in love with money instead of people, what happens to the dreams and aspirations of ordinary citizens? Merle Rutledge Jr., a Norfolk State University graduate and former gubernatorial candidate for Virginia, joins us to share his vision for a political system that prioritizes people over partisanship. Rutledge d…