We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

632. Making a Movement: How Movements Begin - Spark, Belief + Generosity - Seth Godin

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Jul 14, 2025

Bestselling author Seth Godin, a renowned movement maker, shares insights on igniting meaningful change. He emphasizes the importance of starting conversations and building movements through empathy and creativity. Godin highlights that engaging the smallest viable audience can spark greater impact, while embracing imperfection can alleviate the chokehold of fear and perfectionism. Nonprofits are urged to innovate beyond traditional methods and recognize that even small, grassroots movements can drive significant transformation through connection and collaboration.

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INSIGHT

Strategy Requires Deeper Conversation

Building movements requires a "conversation before the conversation" to rethink assumptions and go beyond just copying tactics.
Strategy emerges from values and a deeper understanding, not from blindly following familiar practices.

INSIGHT

Nonprofits Haven't Solved Problems Yet

Nonprofits face unsolved problems that require new approaches rather than repeating the past.
Doing what worked yesterday in a changed world ensures no progress forward.

ADVICE

Limit Strategy Participants

Strategy discussions should involve only a few key people ready to challenge the status quo.
Exclude those defending old ways to foster openness to change and innovation.

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Meet Seth. 🤝

Bestselling author and movement maker Seth Godin joins us to share what it really takes to create meaningful change. From Purple Cow to The Song of Significance, Seth’s work has inspired generations to lead with heart, strategy, + courage.

In this powerful conversation, he unpacks how to build movements through empathy, creativity, + bold action. You’ll learn why the smallest viable audience matters, how to navigate fear and perfectionism, and why doing work that might not work is exactly where the magic happens.

This episode is a rallying cry for nonprofit leaders and changemakers to stop settling—and start leading with intention.

Get ready to think bigger, dig deeper, and reimagine your impact. 💡

Learn:

Building a movement requires a conversation before the conversation.
Strategy is not about tactics; it’s about understanding your values.
Defaulting to familiar practices can hinder progress.
Nonprofits must acknowledge that their problems are not solved yet.
Fear and perfectionism can choke momentum; embrace imperfection.
Empathy is crucial component of effective leadership.
Every movement starts with a few committed individuals.

Episode Highlights

The Importance of Strategy in Nonprofits (02:06)
Understanding Motion and Change (05:07)
Creating Conditions for Generative Work (08:00)
Embracing Tension and Imperfection (10:45)
The Role of Leadership in Nonprofits (13:59)
The Power of Small Movements (16:55)
Empathy and Connection in Action (19:46)
Seth’s One Good Thing (34:52)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/632

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