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The Sector

The Sector

By: Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS)
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The Sector is a new podcast where we demystify what is happening in the Community Impact (Nonprofit) Sector. In conversation with sector leaders and changemakers, we'll talk the good, the bad, and the ugly of what it's like to work in nonprofits. Your host, Lydia Phillip, discusses the potential of the sector to drive transformative change in Nova Scotia. In each episode, Lydia and the guests, begin to bust some existing myths, address real workplace issues, and challenges existing narratives. The Sector Podcast invites you to join the conversation, explore the possibilites, and contribute to a more inclusive sector. This podcast is brought to you by the Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS). IONS contributes to a just and equitable society by empowering people in the Community Impact Sector to be leaders of transformative change. IONS’ activities focus on workforce research and advocacy, building organizational leadership and community capacity, as well as bringing people together to connect, share ideas, and transform their work. IONS helps organizations collaborate, experiment with new initiatives to demonstrate the possibilities, and supports workplaces in implementing equitable practices. Enjoy the show!© 2025 Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS) Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Modern Monday, you don’t have to wish it were Sunday
    Mar 31 2025

    Workin' 9-5? Dolly walked so we could run! This conversation explores the implementation of a four-day work week.

    Some members of Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS), including your host Lydia Phillip, and Teamwork Corporative discuss their experience. Alexandra describes the benefits of having Fridays off, allowing for personal errands and relaxation. Nina from Teamwork shares their experience with a "modern work week," where staff have an admin day on either Monday or Friday, maintaining 37.5 hours while offering flexibility. Challenges included funding constraints and maintaining office coverage.

    Both organizations faced initial resistance but found that the new schedule improved work-life balance and staff morale. The discussion emphasizes the importance of timing and flexibility in implementing such changes.

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    33 mins
  • Communes and Collective Leadership?
    Mar 31 2025

    What do communes and collective leadership have in common? In this episode, we discuss the rise of communal living and what we can learn from co-housing models to reimagine traditional, hierarchal management structures - specifically around the challenges and potential solutions for leadership in the nonprofit sector!

    Focus on reducing burnout and increasing equity, IONS' Lydia Phillip, Teri Brezner, and Kristen Faulkner discuss the additional mental load EDs take on and how stereotypical leadership isn't accessible for most people. Kristen shares her journey from entry-level roles to organizational development while highlighting the impact of different leadership styles on staff well-being. Drawing on her experience with co-housing, Teri emphasizes the benefits of collaborative models and the importance of strength-based leadership. The conversation explores the need for transparency, clear decision-making processes, and valuing diverse contributions to foster more sustainable and inclusive leadership models.

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    36 mins
  • To ED or not to ED, that is the question
    Mar 31 2025

    Being a leader might not be all it's cracked up to be. We're being tasked to do more with even less. In our first episode, we discuss the challenges in the nonprofit sector, including recruitment and retention issues, burnout amongst Executive Directors, and the need for radical reform.

    Bradley Day and Joelle Badman join your hosts Lydia Phillip and Kristen Faulkner to highlight the importance of equitable recruitment processes and the real-life affects of current funding models on leaders and staff. They emphasize the need for shared leadership, sustainable funding, and human-centred approaches to address these problems. The conversation also touches on the importance of flexibility, joy, and authentic leadership.

    Notable metrics include 23 interviews with executive directors revealing that wages and compensation are major concerns, with many feeling morally conflicted about their roles due to funding constraints.

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    38 mins

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