Thinking CAAP

In this episode of Thinking CAAP, Heather Holloway flips the script and interviews host Beck Moore, CEO of the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania, for a behind-the-scenes conversation about what CAAP does, how membership works, and what it means to support a statewide network of Community Action Agencies. Beck shares how CAAP supports Pennsylvania's 42 Community Action Agencies through t...

In this episode of Thinking CAAP, Beck Moore and Heather Holloway welcome Amanda Shelton, CEO and Executive Director of the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies (TACAA), for a conversation about Community Action, state association leadership, storytelling, advocacy, and the evolving needs of local agencies. Amanda shares her journey from working at a local Community Action Agency in Harr...

In this episode of Thinking CAAP, Beck Moore and Heather Holloway welcome Marie Connelly for a conversation about leadership, workplace culture, empathy, health advocacy, and what it means to live a "point-worthy" life. Marie shares how her nonlinear career path shaped her work as an HR anthropologist, giving her the opportunity to observe workplace dynamics across campaigns, nonprofits, higher ed...

In this episode of Thinking CAAP, host Beck Moore is joined by Hattie McCarter and Ellen Min for a deeply honest conversation about friendship, leadership, boundaries, celebration, insecurity, and what it means to grow without comparison. Together, they reflect on how their relationship began through CAAP spaces, speaking opportunities, shared values, and honest check-ins that became something muc...

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workplace, one question remains at the center of it all: how do we stay human? In this episode of Thinking CAAP, Beck Moore sits down with keynote speaker Smiley Poswolsky to explore the intersection of technology, culture, and connection and why human relationships are more important now than ever. Smiley shares insights from over a decade of wo...

In this episode of Thinking CAAP, Beck Moore is joined by Tanoa Fagan of FindHelp and Maria Welch of Geisinger for a deeper look at the systems, partnerships, and people behind PA Navigate. Tanoa shares how FindHelp's technology is designed to connect people to free and reduced-cost services with dignity and ease, and explains why social care must be treated as part of holistic care. Maria offers...

What does it really mean to serve on a Community Action board? In this episode of Thinking CAAP, Beck Moore explores that question through two separate conversations with board members who bring very different experiences and a shared commitment to community. In the first half of the episode, Beck talks with Aron Carter, who reflects on his journey from being a Head Start graduate to serving on th...

How do we create conversations that truly elevate community voices? In this episode of Thinking CAAP, Beck Moore sits down with Michael Emmart to explore empathy mapping, a design-thinking tool that helps communities better understand each other's perspectives. Originally used in product design, empathy mapping is now helping organizations reduce hierarchy in discussions, strengthen collaboration,...

What if the most powerful tool in community action isn't funding, policy, or programming — but conversation? In this episode of Thinking CAAP, Beck Moore is joined by Kelly Stewart and Michael Emmart to explore how strategic dialogue shapes organizational culture, strengthens families, and prevents unnecessary system involvement. From the PACE framework to Appreciative Inquiry, the conversation di...

Artificial intelligence is already showing up in human services, whether organizations are ready for it or not. In this episode of Thinking CAAP, host Beck Moore is joined by Amanda Hoprich and Ryan Peasley from WIPFLI to unpack what AI actually means for human services organizations, including Community Action agencies. Together, they explore common fears, compliance concerns, and misconceptions...

In this episode of Thinking CAAP, Beck Moore and Heather Holloway are joined by relational health expert and former U.S. Marine Becca Spahr for a powerful conversation about social connection—and why it may be one of the most overlooked drivers of individual, organizational, and community wellbeing. Together, they explore social health as the "third pillar" alongside physical and mental health, dr...

In this episode of Thinking CAAP, Beck Moore is joined by PA Navigate's lead champions, Kat Royer and Matt Moser, for a deep dive into how community-based organizations (CBOs) and healthcare providers are working together to address social determinants of health across Pennsylvania. Through stories, real-time data, and practical insights, they unpack the promise of PA Navigate—a shared platform tr...

When people think of fundraising, they often picture high-powered galas or million-dollar checks, but for Joe Cuozzo, it all comes back to relationships. In this episode, Beck Moore and Heather Holloway sit down with the Director of Development at Bucks County Opportunity Council to talk about what fundraising looks like when it's rooted in community, trust, and real conversation. With more than t...

In this special end-of-year episode, Beck Moore pauses to reflect on the journey of the Thinking CAAP Podcast so far. Instead of a new guest conversation, Beck offers a personal recap of the episodes that have shaped him most as a CEO, colleague, and advocate for community action. From lessons in leadership and vulnerability to moments of growth and unscripted connection, this episode is a heartfe...

What happens when you bring together hundreds of mission-driven professionals, leaders, and changemakers in one room? In this special episode of ThinkingCAAP, host Beck Moore and previous co-host Amanda Hoprich, now with WIPFLI, reunite to reflect on the highlights, heart, and hard truths of the CAAP Annual Conference from keynote moments to behind-the-scenes planning to the emotional impact of th...

In this deeply human conversation, Beck Moore and Heather Holloway sit down with Hattie B. McCarter, Founder and Culture Strategist at MEND Solutions, to talk about the real emotional weight of leadership. From anxiety and burnout to boundary setting and grace, Hattie opens up about what it means to lead when your tank is running low and why true leadership starts with honesty about your capacity....

In this powerful episode, co-hosts Beck Moore and Heather Holloway sit down with Vanessa Philbert and Kristy Aurand from Community Action Partnership of Lancaster to explore how language shapes access, dignity, and inclusion. From developing an intentional lexicon to navigating real-world communication challenges, Vanessa and Kristy share how their organization is putting language justice into pra...

Beck Moore and Heather Holloway sit down with Dr. Vanessa Shannon, a certified mental performance consultant who's coached everyone from college athletes to MLB players. Together, they unpack the psychology behind imposter syndrome…why even high performers doubt themselves, and how to master that doubt instead of running from it. Vanessa shares science-backed strategies for grounding, confidence,...

What if solving the childcare crisis required rethinking not just funding, but the entire workforce model? In this episode of the Thinking CAAP podcast, Beck Moore and Heather Holloway are joined by Rachelle Abbott, President & CEO of STEP, Inc., and Meghann McBryan, Special Projects Coordinator, to unpack how one Community Action agency turned a regional staffing crisis into a sustainable, scalab...

In this heartfelt episode of the Thinking CAAP podcast, co-hosts Beck Moore and Heather Holloway sit down with Ellen Min, educator, DEI leader, and passionate community-builder, for an honest, empowering conversation about what it means to lead with humanity. Ellen shares stories from her journey as a second-generation Korean American, reflecting on the early language barriers, classroom experienc...

In this energizing episode of the Thinking CAAP podcast, co-hosts Beck Moore and Heather Holloway welcome Bree Groff, author of Today Was Fun and workplace culture expert, for a fresh take on what it really means to enjoy your work. Together, they explore how joy, authenticity, and psychological safety aren't luxuries, but essentials for engaged and effective teams. Bree shares insights from her b...

In this episode of the ThinkingCAAP podcast, host Beck Moore is joined by Ashley Bulley (Executive Director of ECHOS) and Amanda Hoprich (Growth Marketing Manager at WIPFLI) for a powerful conversation on leadership, team dynamics, and the human side of mission-driven work. Together, they explore what it takes to build strong, collaborative teams in the nonprofit and Community Action world—sharing...

Leadership consultant, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author Brenda Reynolds joins Beck Moore and Heather Holloway to explore how leaders can delegate more effectively—without burning out. Brenda introduces the concept of "monkey management" and unpacks why so many leaders feel overwhelmed. Together, they discuss practical strategies for building trust, setting clear expectations, and creating trau...

What does it really mean to "manage up"—and why is it so vital for healthy, mission-driven teams? In this episode of the Thinking CAAP podcast, Beck Moore and Heather Holloway from Holloway Media Services sit down with CAAP's own Erika Carpin and Georgia Del Freo for an honest, practical conversation about managing up, building trust, and creating a culture where communication flows both ways. Fro...

In this special episode of Thinking CAAP, Heather Holloway flips the script and interviews CAAP President & CEO Beck Moore about the heart behind the mission. From his powerful personal story—including experiencing homelessness—to his bold vision for the future of Community Action, Beck gets real about what it means to lead with empathy, authenticity, and intention. Together, Heather and Beck dive...