In this episode of Leadership for the Common Good, leadership strategist and renowned organizer Arnie Graf joins Jennifer McDowell for a powerful conversation on how we identify, nurture, and sustain leadership within our communities.

Drawing from decades of experience, Arnie shares lessons from mentoring emerging leaders, organizing for social change, and navigating complex political environments—including how to strategically organize against figures like Donald Trump. Together, they explore the distinction between problems and issues, the power of relationship-based organizing, and the importance of reflection and self-care in sustaining the work.

Whether you're a nonprofit leader, community organizer, or leadership coach, this episode offers grounded strategies to help you grow and support the next generation of values-driven leadership.

Visit Common Good Coaching to learn more and stay connected: https://www.commongoodcoaching.com

Keywords: leadership development, community organizing, political strategy, self-care, hidden leaders, mentorship, Trump resistance, grassroots leadership, organizing tools, nonprofit leadership

In this conversation, Mairin Strigley shares her transformative journey from nonprofit manager to mezzo-soprano. She highlights the challenges of performance anxiety and the importance of self-care. Mairin discusses the necessity of building a support system and recognizing one’s self-worth beyond professional achievements. She emphasizes the joy of performing and the mindset shift that allows her to connect authentically with her audience.Jennifer and Mairin explore various themes, including performance anxiety, self-compassion, emotional skills, and leadership dynamics. They share personal stories and insights on navigating challenges in both personal and professional contexts. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, the value of community, and the need to focus on strengths rather than weaknesses. Finally, they reflect on the common good and discuss ways individuals can contribute positively to their communities.

Visit Common Good Coaching to learn more and stay connected : https://www.commongoodcoaching.com

In this week’s Leadership for the Common Good episode, host Jennifer McDowell sits down with Ruth Farfel, a Baltimore-based coach, facilitator, and solopreneur, for an honest and deeply resonant conversation about curiosity, creativity, and collective well-being.

Together, Jennifer and Ruth explore moving from feeling stuck to stepping into purpose—slowly, intentionally, and with care. Ruth reflects on her journey toward solopreneurship, the impact of societal pressures on curiosity, and the radical act of asking good questions. They discuss how survival mode suppresses exploration, why perfectionism is a threat in the do-good space, and how leadership can and should model vulnerability.

This episode is a heartfelt call to embrace experimentation, redefine self-care, and build a community rooted in authenticity. It invites listeners to reflect on their values, lean on others, and imagine a version of leadership that makes space for the messy, beautiful work of collective growth.

Key Themes:

• The power of small steps in creative processes

• Burnout, perfectionism, and the self-care industrial complex

• Leadership is honest modeling, not having all the answers

• Why curiosity is critical to thriving communities

• Building a culture of support in a world of individual pressure