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PODCAST

Gathering Ground

Join consultant, filmmaker and activist Mary F. Morten as she delves into what it’s like to operate within and outside of the nonprofit landscape. Along with her special guests, Mary answers questions from listeners and covers topics including racial and gender equity, and the experiences of people of color in leadership development and the nonprofit workforce.

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All Episodes

1:02:41

Episode 86: The Power of Survivors: Art, Advocacy and...

Gathering Ground ·

2026/04/23

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, they trace their paths into this fight, reflect on what the Epstein revelations expose about power and

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01:04:09

Episode 85: Leading from the Inside Out: Rockwood...

Gathering Ground ·

2026/03/26

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 from the inside out.Episode Highlights- Darlene Nipper on Rockwood’s evolution — from environmental

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01:18:29

Episode 84: Funding Justice: Community Power and the...

Gathering Ground ·

2026/03/12

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 making, and the responsibilities funders hold in advancing racial justice.Sharon and Sol reflect on how

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01:09:22

Episode 83: Burn It Down or Build It Better?...

Gathering Ground ·

2026/02/20

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 "toxic intellectualizing" replaces real action, and why we must stop maintaining systems we claim to be

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01:00:24

Episode 82: State by State: The Ongoing Fight for...

Gathering Ground ·

2026/01/29

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 impact of policy wins and setbacks, the resilience of LGBTQ+ communities in the South, and the growing

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01:10:08

Episode 81: Who Gets to Stay: Land, Memory, and...

Gathering Ground ·

2026/01/14

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 can illuminate systemic inequities, bring people together across differences, and create the conditions

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01:21:06

Episode 80: Best of 2025: Stories of Care,...

Gathering Ground ·

2025/12/22

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.

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00:58:00

Episode 79: Living Out Loud: Queer Visibility in Action

Gathering Ground ·

2025/12/04

SummaryIn 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 liberation.Episode Highlights- Anna DeShawn on building a Black queer media ecosystem through E3 Radio and Queer

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Episode 78: 50 Years of Care: Howard Brown Health,...

Gathering Ground ·

2025/11/13

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/AIDS crisis, the fight for culturally competent care, and the political realities shaping LGBTQ+ health

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01:04:14

Episode 77: News at the Crossroads

Gathering Ground ·

2025/10/31

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- Jhmira Alexander on building trust and centering community through storytelling at Public Narrative-

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00:43:19

Episode 76: Environmental Justice and Community Power

Gathering Ground ·

2025/10/15

SummaryIn 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 and federal investment, and how community-centered solutions, from permeable playgrounds to local volunteer

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01:33:56

Episode 75: Fireside Chat with Tracie and Angelique

Gathering Ground ·

2025/10/01

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 is a raw, reflective, and strategic look at what it takes to keep fighting - and keep feeling - in a world

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00:47:54

Episode 74: 40 Years of Collective Power: Chicago...

Gathering Ground ·

2025/09/11

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 Giving Circle, and the broader women’s funding movement, from personal pathways into philanthropy to the

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00:29:00

Episode 73: Tracy Baim on 50 Years of LGBTQ+ Health...

Gathering Ground ·

2025/07/27

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 documented now. Together, they explore journalism, movement building, and the urgent need to preserve

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00:54:00

Episode 72: The Future of Philanthropy: Shifting...

Gathering Ground ·

2025/05/27

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 navigating, challenging, or reimagining the philanthropic space.Episode Highlights:- How Kelly, Daisy,

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00:30:19

Episode 71: Live with Natalie Moore on Stories That...

Gathering Ground ·

2025/05/08

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 pioneered social issue storytelling through shows like “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light”- Natalie’s

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Episode 70: Workforce, Wealth & the Clean Energy Economy

Gathering Ground ·

2025/04/17

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 support to thrive in the clean energy economy—especially those from communities historically excluded from

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01:04:07

Gathering Ground Episode 69: The Future of the Arts:...

Gathering Ground ·

2025/03/13

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 reflects on her two decades at 3Arts, advocating for underrepresented artists and transitioning into a new

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00:37:26

Episode 68: Ignite and Shine with Stephanie Piccirilli

Gathering Ground ·

2025/02/27

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, the importance of unrestricted funding, and the organization's mission to empower young people toward

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00:57:27

Episode 67: Journalism, Community, and the Future of...

Gathering Ground ·

2025/02/13

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 can evolve in the face of growing misinformation and disinvestment.Episode Highlights:- Tracy’s journey in

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86 results

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