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, and Evette each found their way into philanthropy and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
- The growing call for philanthropy to move beyond charity toward solidarity, trust, and systems change.
- What gives each guest hope for the future of the sector, from young leaders to activist-informed grantmaking.

Links and Resources:
- Polk Bros. Foundation – www.polkbrosfdn.org
- Quad Cities Community Foundation – www.qccommunityfoundation.org

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 behind-the-scenes experience at “Days of Our Lives” and her journey creating this podcast passion project

Links and Resources:
- Making: Stories Without End – www.wbez.org/making-stories-without-end
- WBEZ – www.wbez.org
- Natalie Moore – www.natalieymoore.com

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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 these opportunities.

Episode Highlights:
- How Elevate provides mentorship, skills training, and access to capital for workforce and business development
- Shirlonda’s insights on flexible program design and holistic support for reskilling and upskilling
- Juan Pablo’s breakdown of the Clean Energy Business Accelerator and how it removes barriers for small contractors

Links and Resources:
- Elevate –www.elevatenp.org
- Clean Energy Workforce Development –www.elevatenp.org/workforce