Podcast · Business

Five Good Ideas Podcast

by Maytree Foundation · English · Business

The Five Good Ideas podcast airs some of the best sessions of Maytree’s popular lunch-and-learn program. For each session of Five Good Ideas, an expert from the non-profit or corporate sector shares five practical ideas on a key management issue facing non-profit organizations today. You find

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 49 min
Latest: 6 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026 · 51 min

Five Good Ideas on how to manage the modern workforce

We can all agree that the world has changed in the last few years – and so have workplaces. Today, managers are facing a workforce shaped by changing demographics, shifting expectations, and growing pressures outside the workplace. In this Five Good Ideas session, Dave McKechnie, Toronto Office Managing Partner of McMillan LLP and an expert in all areas of employment and labour relations law, offers practical strategies for managers who want to lead effectively in this new environment. Session handout Five Good Ideas 1. Introspection. What are your strengths and blind spots as a manager?…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S23 · E7 · 30 Jun 2026 · 49 min
Five Good Ideas on how to become a collaborative organization
Collaboration with other organizations can build your organizational capacity, amplify your impact, and help you serve more people – but only if you get it right. Successful collaboration starts at home – with your board and senior leaders building the right internal culture, competencies, and systems before you approach potential partners. Liz Weaver, former Co-CEO of the Tamarack Institute, and Linda Mollenhauer, Chair of Ignite NPS, joined Elizabeth McIsaac, president of Maytree, as they shared practical stories and ideas to help you choose the right collaborations, show up as a strong…
S23 · E6 · 14 May 2026 · 51 min
Five Good Ideas on how to think responsibly about generative AI
Jake Hirsch-Allen, head of Partnerships at The Dais, a public policy and leadership think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University, joined Elizabeth McIsaac, president of Maytree, for the latest Five Good Ideas session to share his five ideas on how to adopt generative AI responsibly and effectively. Drawing from the Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact (RAISE) program – a national initiative through which Jake has trained over 500 non-profit professionals across Canada – Jake explored when and how to use AI, the risks you need to understand, and why your organization’s data matters more…
S23 · E5 · 15 Apr 2026 · 51 min
Five Good Ideas to attract and keep volunteers
Dr. Megan Conway, President and CEO of Volunteer Canada, joined Elizabeth McIsaac, President of Maytree, for the latest Five Good Ideas session to share her five ideas on how to re-engage your volunteer community and attract new supporters. Megan talked about how to meet the changing needs and motivations of today’s volunteers, remove barriers that keep people from participating, and reconnect with those who have volunteered with you in the past. Megan’s five good ideas: 1. Design volunteering for belonging, not just help 2. Treat access to volunteering as a design and equity issue 3.…
S23 · E4 · 9 Mar 2026 · 47 min
Five Good Ideas for building fearless organizations
In the face of changing government policies, deepening inequality, and community crises, charities must act forcefully to respond to their clients’ needs. They need to be fearless and use all of their tools to advocate and manage risk. The Neighbourhood Group Community Services and Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre experienced a trial by fire in 2025 that tested their resolve – they faced both the threat of closure and the actual closure of their supervised consumption services, resulting in a legal charter challenge to protect health care in their community. Two leaders came…
S23 · E3 · 6 Feb 2026 · 51 min
Five Good Ideas on surviving succession: How to guide a founder-led non-profit into its next chapter
In this Five Good Ideas session, Annie Kidder, co-founder and recently retired executive director of People for Education, shares her personal experience of what it's like to hand off your organization to the next generation. What really happens during succession – what works, what hurts, what do you need to let go of, and how does a founder-led organization steer into a future where it can continue to thrive? Her five good ideas: 1. Get a therapist 2. Identify foundational organizational values and beliefs and then build a new path forward 3. Determine where the founder adds value and where…
S23 · E2 · 11 Dec 2025 · 48 min
Five Good Ideas on what great non-profit boards get right
In this Five Good Ideas session, Aleem Punja, Executive Director, Future Ready Initiative, Aga Khan Council for Canada, shared lessons from leading and advising boards across sectors. How can leading with head, heart, and homework transform governance from functional to exceptional? His five good ideas: 1. Start with purpose, not paper 2. Govern, do not manage 3. Centre equity and pluralism in every decision 4. Build a strong, trust-based relationship with the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer 5. Commit to learning, preparation, and self-reflection For Aleem's full bio and…
S23 · E1 · 12 Nov 2025 · 52 min
Five Good Ideas on surviving and thriving in social policy
In this Five Good Ideas session, Sherri Torjman shares lessons from her 25 years at the Caledon Institute of Social Policy. In a field as complex and challenging as social policy, how do we stay the course and make an impact? Her five good ideas: 1. Find your North Star 2. Do your homework 3. Dream big - and small 4. Create the pathways 5. Tell your story For Sherri's full bio and resources, visit the session page.
S22 · E7 · 3 Jun 2025 · 46 min
Five Good Ideas for building a human-centred workplace in the AI era
In this session, Zabeen Hirji, former Chief HR Officer at RBC and now in her Purposeful Third Act, explored how AI is reshaping the nature of work. As AI changes the relationship between employers and workers, why should people choose to work for your organization? How can organizations help their people thrive in this new era? Her five good ideas: 1. Help every employee understand their purpose 2. Start small, learn together, and stay curious 3. Build AI fluency, not technical mastery 4. Focus on change management 5. Invest in human skills For Zabeen's full bio and resources, vist the…
S22 · E6 · 6 May 2025 · 50 min
Five Good Ideas for making organizational change work
In this session, non-profit consultant Claire Forster discussed how to make meaningful and sustainable change in your organization. How do you integrate a new function or program into your current structure? How do you communicate with your teams to ensure that the change is not disruptive or disengaging? What implications are there for the existing teams and culture and how do you manage that? What issues do you need to anticipate and account for? Her five good ideas: Start with the end in mind Communicate what it isn’t Understand that employees and stakeholders have the answers Be…
S22 · E5 · 23 Apr 2025 · 48 min
Five Good Ideas on supporting caregivers at the workplace
Liv Mendelsohn and Christa Haanstra joined Five Good Ideas to discuss how to build a culture that recognizes and values caregiving. Their conversation with Elizabeth McIsaac highlighted that creating a caregiver-friendly workplace is compassionate and strategic. Organizations that recognize this gain a competitive edge through improved retention, productivity, and workplace culture. Liv and Christa's Five Good Ideas: Understand your workforce Provide equitable support Prioritize flexible work arrangements Recognize the value of caregiving skills inthe workplace Build a caregiver-supportive…
S22 · E4 · 7 Mar 2025 · 51 min
Five Good Ideas on positive change in uncertain times
Mohammed Hashim, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, joined Five Good Ideas to share practical strategies to bridge divides and foster positive change in challenging times. His conversation with Elizabeth McIsaac highlights the power of genuine dialogue, community resilience, and grassroots action in creating a more connected future. Mohammed's Five Good Ideas: Embrace difficult conversations Get offline and re-ignite in-person connection Online life is a reality: Trust humans, fact-check content Replenish your dopamine (and your feed)…
S22 · E3 · 10 Feb 2025 · 50 min
Five Good Ideas on working with youth to bridge the democratic deficit
Sharif Mahdy and Kwaku Agyemang, from the Students Commission of Canada, joined Five Good Ideas to share how organizations can engage youth to participate in systems change. “The deficit that we’re trying to address is this,” explained Sharif. “First, young people don’t get engaged and involved on these issues. Second, the process for engaging in our democracy is eroding. And the process for being able to engage in healthy discourse is being challenged for all sorts of reasons. What we’re offering here through these five good ideas is an approach that we’ve tried over time that could be…
S22 · E2 · 4 Nov 2024 · 48 min
Five Good Ideas on how to use persuasive messaging for advocacy
Sarada Peri, founder of Peri Communications and former Senior Speechwriter to President Barack Obama, joined Five Good Ideas to share how to create messages that are sharp, compelling, and persuasive. “What are some questions that I can ask myself to get to the one thing, the one thing I want to say? ‘What is my purpose?’” asked Sarada. “In everything you do, you should start with ‘What is my purpose?’” Sarada’s five good ideas: 1. Say one thing 2. Know your audience 3. Speak from their values, not yours 4. Tell a story 5. Write and speak like a human Subscribe to the Five Good Ideas…
S22 · E1 · 7 Oct 2024 · 50 min
Five Good Ideas to foster IDEAL principles at your workplace
Ingrid Palmer the Principal IDEAL Advocate at Realize, joined Five Good Ideas to discuss the benefits of applying IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Leading to belonging) principles in the workplace. "Belonging is a necessary component of our humanity and no one should be denied that fact," said Ingrid. Ingrid's five good ideas: 1. Level up from IDEA to IDEAL. 2. Expand your understanding of disability to include episodic disability. 3. Be aware of the nuances of intersectional barriers to employment. 4. Accommodations benefit both the employer and the employee. 5. There is…
S21 · E8 · 8 Jul 2024 · 46 min
Five Good Ideas for being inclusive of Indigenous Peoples
Bob Goulais, founder of Nbissing Consulting Inc., joined Five Good Ideas to discuss some wise practices to be more inclusive of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. “Most of all,” said Bob, “consider integrating Indigenous values and ways of being.” Bob’s five good ideas: Be values-based in everything you do Involve First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in co-development, collaboration, and partnerships Consider developing a Reconciliation Action Plan Take cultural competency or cultural safety training Consider personal, sustained action as an ally to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit You can download…
S21 · E7 · 31 May 2024 · 47 min
Five Good Ideas on how to help yourself to help others
Farzana Doctor is an activist, community organizer, social worker, and author. In this session, Elizabeth McIsaac talks to Farzana about about how you can practice self-care and community-care around your work. You can find Farzana's good ideas, resources, and full bio here.
S21 · E6 · 9 Apr 2024 · 51 min
Five Good Ideas on advocating for change from the frontline
Diana Chan McNally is a frontline worker and advocate for homeless people. In this session, Elizabeth McIsaac talks to Diana about what she's learned in combining both roles. You can find Diana's good ideas, resources, and full bio here.
S21 · E5 · 17 Mar 2024 · 47 min
Five Good Ideas on working with Ombudsman Toronto for positive change
Ombudsman Toronto is an independent and internal office that holds the City accountable to its residents. It makes recommendations to the City to improve its service and ensure they're fair. In this session, Elizabeth McIsaac talks to Toronto Ombudsman Kwame Addo about how individuals and residents can get the most out of working with his office for positive change. You can read the transcript and Kwame's full bio here: Five Good Ideas on working with Ombudsman Toronto for positive change - Maytree
S21 · E4 · 20 Feb 2024 · 47 min
Five Good Ideas for disrupting ableism in the workplace
In this session, Sree Nallamothu and Fran Odette joined Elizabeth McIsaac to discuss how to create an accessible workplace. They explain how to be proactive, to move beyond niceties, the power of language, embracing intersectionality, and putting accessibility in the budget. You can find the transcript, and Sree and Fran's full bios here: Five Good Ideas for disrupting ableism in the workplace - Maytree
S21 · E3 · 5 Dec 2023 · 49 min
Five Good Ideas for successful succession planning
In this session, Joan Garry, founder of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, emphasizes the need for proactive and ongoing succession planning, reframing it as part of organizational readiness, and the critical role of the board in driving this process forward. She highlights the risks of inadequate succession planning, such as difficulties in recruiting a competent replacement, staff dissatisfaction, and donor anxiety. For Joan's full bio, resources, and the session transcript, visit the Five Good Ideas website.
S21 · E2 · 15 Nov 2023 · 49 min
Five Good Ideas for aspiring board directors
This session provides a guide to participating in nonprofit boards, drawing on the expert knowledge of Rick Powers, a governance and board leadership specialist at Rotman School of Management. Topics include the importance of understanding fiduciary duty and duty of care, addressing the "information chasm" between board members and management, the significance of financial literacy, CEO succession planning, board memberships and recruiting, and dealing with conflicts of interest. Rick places emphasis on the necessity for passion about the cause, as well as clarity of role expectations for…
S21 · E1 · 26 Oct 2023 · 34 min
Five Good Ideas for getting journalists to call you back
Your non-profit organization does good work and has an important story to tell. Media coverage can be a great way to establish credibility, build cachet, and reach a larger audience. But journalists are not necessarily short on stories or sources. So what are the Five Good Ideas for getting a journalist to call you back? Denise Balkissoon, Ontario bureau chief of The Narwhal, joins Maytree president Elizabeth McIsaac to explain how she identifies stories and sources. For Denise's ideas, resources, and full bio, visit the Five Good Ideas session page.
S20 · E7 · 1 Jun 2023 · 51 min
Five Good Ideas for building a sustainable and resilient collaboration
It can be hard sustaining a collaboration because tackling community issues together creates challenges to partnership and momentum. But you can set up a collaboration for success. Focus on four areas—people, resources, process, and impact—and the factors that determine their quality, like leadership, funding, community engagement, and the ability to influence policy and systems that lead to collective change. When things do get hard (and they will), the collaboration’s resilience will be proven by its overall health and well-being, as well as its ability to adapt, shift, and change. In this…
S20 · E6 · 2 May 2023 · 56 min
Five Good Ideas to create a sense of community and belonging at your workplace
Silence around questions of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace has started to sound more like complicity. Now people can’t talk enough about EDI. But how do you put all you’ve read and learned into action? In this session, recorded live on March 31, 2023, Dr. Tanya (Toni) De Mello, Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, Toronto Metropolitan University, shared the ways in which feeling like you belong, knowing you’ll be included, and seeing your work community as “your” community matters. She provided some advice on how you can achieve this sense of community and…
S20 · E5 · 16 Mar 2023 · 50 min
Five Good Ideas for building effective relationships between community organizations, governments, and businesses
“We couldn’t do it without you!” “Without strong partners, this couldn’t be done.” We use these phrases because they are at the heart of how we work for social change. Social change does not happen in a vacuum. In this session, recorded live on February 23, Agapi Gessesse, Executive Director, CEE Centre for Black Young Professionals, shared her five good ideas on how community organizations, governments, and corporations can create ecosystems where everyone benefits from each other’s work, and advances the social change that we all want to see. [3:58] 1. Build relationships (strategically)…
S20 · E4 · 21 Feb 2023 · 52 min
Five Good Ideas for values-driven digital transformation
How can you advance your non-profit’s values through the use of technology? In this session, recorded live on January 23, Amy Sample Ward, CEO of NTEN and author of The Tech That Comes Next¸ and Katie Gibson, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience, presented their answers to this question. [5:38] 1. Never put technology ahead of people. [10:23] 2. Create diverse tech committees to support decisions, testing, and feedback. [15:01] 3. Only collect data you can protect. And give it back to its owner. [19:52] 4. Make your values the foundation for technology…
S20 · E3 · 9 Dec 2022 · 49 min
Five Good Ideas for non-profits to manage their office space
When searching for a new office space, it’s all about the lease. In this session, recorded live on November 25, George Georghiades, Principal and CEO of Lexington Park Real Estate Incorporated, presents his advice on who to hire for help, what to look out for, and how to minimize risk in what is often an organization’s second largest expense. These are his five suggested steps for a non-profit’s leasing process. [6:03] 1. Define your space needs [11:56] 2. Align your internal team [15:51] 3. Hire the right external specialists [21:04] 4. Be mindful as you negotiate your lease and prepare for…
S20 · E2 · 15 Nov 2022 · 49 min
Five Good Ideas on bringing your financial story to the board
If the well-being of a non-profit organization depends on its financial health, then the quality of the relationship between senior, or finance, staff and the board of directors is key. In this session, recorded live on October 24, Michael Herrera, Chief Financial Officer at George Brown College, shares lessons from his wealth of experience as a staff member and a director. These are his five good ideas on bringing your financial story to the board. [3:12] 1. Set up your new board members for success [4:52] 2. Write brief and useful meeting packets [6:18] 3. Design a clear, concise, and…
S20 · E1 · 20 Oct 2022 · 48 min
Five Good Ideas for evolving your non-profit's impact in periods of transformation
The charitable sector has navigated many new challenges in the past few years. How do we now quantify our impact, respond to the future of work, and relate and respond to social movements? In this Five Good Ideas session, recorded live on September 28, Sabreena Delhon, executive director of the Samara Centre for Democracy, discussed how to break out of default binary non-profit work processes to find exploratory, creative, and substantive approaches to making meaningful change. [5:18] 1. Measure the obvious [8:17] 2. Challenge the production formula “PDF, Tweet, repeat” [13:17] 3. Maximize…

About Five Good Ideas Podcast

Five Good Ideas Podcast is a English business podcast from Maytree Foundation. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Maytree Foundation
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 49 min
Latest episode: 6 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1483253899

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