Gathering Ground

In the season finale of “Gathering Ground,” host Mary Morten sits down with Teresa C. Younger, outgoing president and CEO of the Ms. Foundation for Women, for a candid reflection on 13 years of leading a legacy institution through fundamental transformation. Teresa talks about what it took to center women and girls of color at a second-wave feminist foundation, the listening tour that covered 50,0...

Summary What does it mean to do research that refuses to look away and to protect that work when the political climate demands retreat? In this episode of “Gathering Ground,” host Mary Morten sits down with Dr. Amanda Lewis, current director of the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy at the University of Illinois Chicago, and Dr. Beth Richie, the institute's former director, to mark 2...

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten sits down with Chase Glenn, Executive Director of the GenderCool Project, and GenderCool champions Chazzie Grosshandler and Ashton Mota to explore how storytelling, joy, and visibility are reshaping the conversation around trans and non-binary youth. At a time when legislation like Kansas's retroactive ID restrictions are making headlines, Ge...

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary sits down with Scheherazade Tillet, founder and executive director of A Long Walk Home, and Kaethe Morris Hoffer, executive director of CAASE (Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation), for a searching conversation about art, accountability, and what it means to keep doing this work when the political ground keeps shifting beneath you. Together,...

What does it mean to lead a movement when the movement itself is under pressure? In this episode of "Gathering Ground," Mary sits down with Darlene Nipper, CEO of Rockwood Leadership Institute, and Russell Roybal, Board Chair of Rockwood and Executive Vice President at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, to mark Rockwood’s 25th anniversary and explore what it truly means to lead fr...

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," Mary speaks with Sharon Bush, President of Grand Victoria Foundation, and Sol Anderson, President and CEO of Evanston Community Foundation, about how philanthropy can move closer to the communities it seeks to serve. Drawing from their distinct place-based work across Illinois and in Evanston, they discuss trust-based grantmaking, community-led decision makin...

This episode of "Gathering Ground" brings together two sector-shifting leaders: Bina Patel , CEO of Saathi Impact Consulting, and Vu Le , writer of the blog Nonprofit AF. With honesty and clarity, they join Mary to examine how the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors perpetuate inequality, reward compliance, and resist transformation. Together, they explore how movements are being co-opted, how "to...

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," Mary sits down with three powerhouse advocates — Dr. Latonya Penny, Cathy Renna, and Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy — for a timely conversation about what LGBTQ+ rights look like across the U.S. From legislative battles to grassroots resistance, the episode traces the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hope fueling this moment. Guests reflect on the real-life...

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten sits down with four brilliant artists and activists to explore the intersection of art and social change. Amanda Williams, Tonika Lewis Johnson, Lisa Yun Lee, and Shannon Downey share how their personal histories, creative practices, and collaborations fuel powerful movements for justice, community, and joy. Together, they reflect on how art...

This special "Gathering Ground" episode looks back at the most powerful conversations from 2025. Join Producer Vince Pagán-Hill as he revisits memorable moments that reveal how people create meaning, challenge injustice, and build collective power, from journalism and philanthropy to the arts, climate justice, and healthcare.

Summary In this episode of “Gathering Ground,” host Mary Morten sits down with three dynamic guests (Anna DeShawn, Victor Salvo, and Haven Crawley) for a powerful conversation about queer joy, representation, and the enduring fight for LGBTQ+ equity. From grassroots media to public art, the stories shared in this episode remind us that history, creativity, and visibility are all tools for liberati...

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," Mary leads a powerful conversation marking the 50th anniversary of Howard Brown Health, one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ health organizations. With guests Staci Bush, Ron Nunziato, Jessica Halem, and current CEO Dr. Travis Gayles, the discussion traces Howard Brown’s past, present, and future. Together, they reflect on the organization’s early days, the HIV...

This episode of "Gathering Ground" brings together four visionary media leaders—Jhmira Alexander, Silvia Rivera, Susy Schultz, and Tracy Baim—for a candid conversation about the state and future of journalism. They explore the collapse of legacy news models, the spread of misinformation, and why community-centered, equity-driven journalism is not just a goal, but a necessity. Episode Highlights -...

Summary In this episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten welcomes Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and Joel Brammeier, CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, for a powerful conversation on environmental justice, water equity, and community voice in the Great Lakes region. They discuss the legacy of environmental racism, the role of policy a...

In this annual fireside chat episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten is joined once again by friends, leaders, and truth-tellers Tracie Hall and Angelique Power. Together in Chicago, they reflect on a year marked by grief, resistance, clarity, and community. From the normalization of cruelty and censorship to the beauty of collective care and intergenerational strength, this conversation i...

Welcome to Season 8 of “Gathering Ground”! We’re kicking things off with a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW). Host Mary Morten is joined by Christine Grumm, Alicia Bailey, and Keenya Lambert for a powerful conversation on philanthropy, collective giving, and building community from the ground up. Together, they reflect on the evolution of CFW, the South Side...

In this live edition of “Gathering Ground,” host Mary Morten welcomes longtime friend and Chicago media icon Tracy Baim to discuss her latest book, “Liberating Healthcare: 50 Years of Resistance, Resilience, and Healing at Howard Brown Health.” From the early days of LGBTQ+ organizing to the modern fight for inclusive, affirming healthcare, Tracy unpacks why she felt this history needed to be docu...

Mary is joined by Kelly Thompson, Daisy Moran (Quad Cities Community Foundation), and Evette Cardona (Polk Bros. Foundation) for a powerful conversation on the philosophies and practices of philanthropy. They reflect on their personal paths into the sector, the shift from charity to solidarity, and what it means to fund with equity, trust, and imagination. This episode is a must-listen for anyone...

In this special live episode of “Gathering Ground,” Mary sits down with journalist Natalie Moore to talk about her new podcast, “Making: Stories Without End.” The series explores the cultural and political power of soap operas—yes, soap operas—and why they deserve a second look. Episode Highlights: - The untold history of Erna Phillips and the women behind soap opera innovation - How soaps pioneer...

In this episode of “Gathering Ground,” host Mary Morten speaks with Juan Pablo Torres-Meza and Shirlonda Brooks from Elevate. In this third and final episode in our series with Elevate, the three discuss how equity and sustainability intersect in workforce development. This conversation dives into how Elevate is equipping individuals and small businesses with the tools, training, and long-term sup...

In this episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten sits down with two influential figures in the arts: Esther Grimm, Executive Advisor and former Executive Director of 3Arts, and Avery R. Young, Chicago’s Poet Laureate. Together, they discuss the power of mentorship, the evolving role of social media in the arts, and the lasting impact of creative expression in shaping our world. Esther refle...

Visit ignitepromise.org to learn more about Ignite’s upcoming Ignite and Shine Gala on April 5th, which plays a crucial role in sustaining their vital work! In this episode of “Gathering Ground,” host Mary Morten sits down with Stephanie Piccirilli, CEO of Ignite, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to supporting housing-insecure youth. They discuss Ignite’s holistic approach to youth services,...

In this episode of Gathering Ground, host Mary Morten is joined by two powerhouse journalists, Natalie Moore and Tracy Baim , to explore the shifting landscape of media, the critical role of local journalism, and how storytelling continues to shape public discourse. Together, they discuss the urgency of supporting independent journalism, the power of community-driven storytelling, and how media ca...

In this special bonus episode of "Gathering Ground," we take a look back at some of our favorite conversations from 2024. Join us as we revisit the stories that moved us, the insights that challenged us, and the ideas that inspired us. Visit the "Gathering Ground" show page:  gatheringgroundpodcast.com .

In this special year-end episode of "Gathering Ground," host Mary Morten is joined by longtime friends of the podcast Angelique Power and Tracie Hall for the fifth annual Fireside Chat. Together, they reflect on the challenges, resilience, and triumphs of Black women in leadership, sharing insights into their lived experiences navigating systemic inequities, fostering self-care, and building commu...