The Spring Forward Podcast

Send us Fan Mail We unpack the critical business side of nonprofits with Karria Lawrence, founder of Pretty Girls Pray and Archetype & Co, exploring how strategic planning and organizational structure enable mission fulfillment. Here are some key takeaways: • Strategic planning serves as the foundation for nonprofit success by creating clarity, preventing mission drift, and identifying what mo...

Send us Fan Mail Join host Spring Richardson Perry and Althea Lewis as they discuss the ethics of grant writing and the controversial practice of contingency-based compensation.  Here are some key takeaways • Grant writers should never be paid on a contingency basis or only if a grant is awarded • Ethical concerns center around integrity, trust, and being good stewards of funder money • Pay-on-suc...

Send us Fan Mail Wellness expert Serena Sabala shares powerful strategies for preventing burnout in the nonprofit sector, explaining why self-care isn't optional but mandatory for effective leadership and service. Here are some key takeaways: • Self-care is not optional but mandatory - you cannot give from an empty cup • Health is easier to maintain than regain once lost, as illustrated by Se...

Send us Fan Mail Financial storytelling might be the missing piece in your nonprofit's fundraising strategy. Join host Spring Richardson Perry as she and guest Neil Shah explore how financial story telling can help organizations make strategic decisions aligned with their mission. Neil brings two decades of nonprofit financial expertise to the discussion.  Here are some of the key takeaways f...

Send us Fan Mail The relationship between nonprofit boards and executive directors can make or break an organization's effectiveness. In this illuminating conversation, governance consultant Nicole Gagliardi unpacks the often challenging dynamics that arise when boards and EDs try to navigate their roles and responsibilities. Here are some key takeaways:  • Boards hold ultimate accountability...

Send us Fan Mail Finding and keeping exceptional nonprofit talent requires both competitive compensation and a winning organizational mindset that values staff wellbeing as much as client outcomes. Dan Leal joins Spring Richardson Perry to share wisdom from his 20+ years of nonprofit leadership experience. • Nonprofit compensation packages must include competitive salaries, quality health benefits...

Send us Fan Mail When it comes to nonprofit fundraising, relationships truly make the world go round. In this candid conversation with Dan Leal, CEO of Seedling Foundation, we dive deep into the art of balancing immediate funding needs with long-term donor cultivation in today's fast-paced, often disconnected world. Dan shares how the pandemic revealed weaknesses in many organizations' d...

Send us Fan Mail Understanding the realities of nonprofits is crucial for current and future leaders in the sector. In this episode, Spring Richardson Perry and Shawntinique Shepherd discuss key distinctions between non-profit and for-profit organizations. They tackle misconceptions about ownership and emphasize the importance of compliance and financial transparency.  Key Takeaways:  • Difference...

Send us Fan Mail This episode discusses the pervasive issue of burnout, especially in the nonprofit sector, focusing on its symptoms, impact, and practical strategies for recovery. Spring Richardson Perry and guest Shandelynn Hilliard, licensed professional counselor, share personal experiences and insights on recognizing burnout in oneself and others, emphasizing the importance of self-care and c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Michelle Cummings, CEO of Hedge Security Solutions and former military personnel, emphasizes the critical importance of situational awareness. Drawing from her personal experiences with near-miss mass shootings, Michelle illustrates how everyday distractions can pose significant risks. We explore real-life scenarios, from an avoided incident at a private school to...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt like there just aren't enough hours in the day? Breanna and I share the keys to mastering your schedule and setting boundaries that empower. We discuss the game-changer that is having no-meeting days and allocating specific times for creative endeavors, ensuring that you're not just busy, but productive. Our conversation is peppered with personal stories that d...

Send us Fan Mail Join host Spring Richardson Perry and guest Jean-Luc Boissoneault as they discuss the importance of time management for business owners. Jean-Luc is a business coaching wizard whose journey from fitness coach to entrepreneurial success epitomizes the power of disciplined scheduling. No more chaotic to-do lists or multitasking mayhem; this episode promises to steer you towards a fu...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how an Amazon selling side hustle could evolve into a full-time career? That's exactly the trajectory Leslie Hensel, Amazon maven and founder of Riverbend Consulting, took—and you won't want to miss the wisdom she imparts in our latest episode. Leslie opens the door to her personal life, sharing the heartwarming reason she started selling on Amazon and how...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to shatter stereotypes and understand what truly drives the younger workforce? Dr. Jason Wiggins, an authority on multi-generational dynamics, joins us to reveal the surprising truths behind millennial and Gen Z professionals. Far from the lazy, tech-obsessed caricatures often presented, these generations are reshaping the landscape of productivity and work-life balance. As...

Send us Fan Mail Crystal Coats is the founder of Legacy Consulting Group where she focuses on creating sustainable impact through strategy, training, and advising. We dig deep into #DEI and where it is going in this current political climate. Join us as we talk about the impact equity has on the community. 

Send us Fan Mail Rick DellaRatta is now considered by many to be one of the finest Singer/Pianists performing today and one of only a handful of Jazz Artists who can make a successful musical presentation to a large audience without having to abandon the true art form of Jazz. Through his life long endeavor to help advance people to their highest potential through the understanding of Jazz as well...

Send us Fan Mail Bri Smith is a CPA and wealth strategist. She helps families achieve financial freedom through effective financial planning. With over 6 years of experience managing finances for high earners, Bri inspires parents to build legacies, achieve dream goals, and end generational poverty. Her mission is to help millions of families become wealthy and able to leave an inheritance for mul...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Portia Basham is an ambitious mompreneur, a confident brand and business strategist, and a dynamic leader in entrepreneurship and hospitality. Join Dr. Basham and host Spring Richardson Perry in this 3rd and final part of the Sister Leaders Conference series. They discuss how to balance business and home life, along with ministry, mentorship, and so much more. 

Send us Fan Mail Lori Mihalich-Levin, JD, is a healthcare lawyer in private practice and believes in empowering working parents.  She is the founder and CEO of Mindful Return, author of Back to Work After Baby: How to Plan and Navigate a Mindful Return from Maternity Leave , and co-host of the Parents at Work Podcast.  She is also the Co-Chair of the inaugural DC Chapter of Postpartum Support Inte...

Send us Fan Mail Manisha Dhawan is an executive coach, consultant, facilitator, author, and speaker. In her book, The Digital Agile Leader, she shares stories and strategies on how to navigate change in the workplace and beyond. She has over 2 decades of experience working in multiple roles and industries. In this episode, host Spring Richardson Perry and Manisha Dhawan discuss their roles as care...

Send us Fan Mail Sharon Baker is a recognized coach for businesses and entrepreneurs, a mentor, corporate trainer, speaker, author, and business proprietor. She is the visionary and chief executive officer of Embracing Abundance Life Coaching, LLC, where she mentors ambitious entrepreneurs and emerging leaders to develop transformative mindsets that enable them to build prosperous businesses, care...

Send us Fan Mail Today we have a remarkable guest joining us. Please welcome Kevin A Dunlap, founder and lead trainer at Optimal Performance Academy. In this insightful episode, we explore the world of problem-solving and transformation through Kevin's multifaceted approach of creating online courses, group and private coaching, and dynamic public speaking engagements. Kevin shares his expert...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Joining us is Sardor Akhmedov, a serial tech entrepreneur and a captivating public speaker. In this inspiring conversation, we dive deep into the topic of overcoming self-doubt on the path to success. Sardor shares his insights on how conquering self-doubt can impact an entrepreneur's decision-making p...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Spring Forward podcast, host Spring Richardson Perry and guest Shara Ruffin explore the concept of work-life fusion and strategies for balancing work and family life. They discuss the challenges of working from home and offer tips for setting boundaries between work and personal life. The conversation also highlights the importance of self-care and the impac...

Send us Fan Mail Today we have an insightful episode lined up for you. Joining us is Elizabeth Goueti, a former Employment Litigator and an advocate for organizations improving their marketplace properties through culture and organizational strategy. In this episode, we delve into the vital topic of conflict resolution in the workplace. Elizabeth brings her expertise to the table as we explore eff...