The Relational Podcast Gratitude Lists Unlock Community Power—Inside Ese Emerhi’s Niger-Delta Experiment
Jul 15, 2025
26:00
In this episode of the Relationality Podcast, host Sonja Betschart converses with Ese Emerhi, the Global Network Weaver for the Global Fund for Community Foundations, about the importance of relational networking and community-driven approaches in development. Ese shares personal anecdotes about the challenges of adjusting to a new work environment in Nigeria, emphasizing the significance of gratitude and community over financial resources. They discuss the need for trust-building and flexibility in networks, contrasting it with rigid, top-down donor structures.
The conversation highlights the current crisis in traditional development models and the emerging value of community philanthropy as a solution that prioritizes relationships and localized problem-solving over external expertise and control.
03:04 Personal Journey and Challenges in Nigeria
04:01 The Importance of Gratitude in Building Relationships
07:29 The Freedom and Trust in Network-Based Approaches
09:35 Community Philanthropy: An Emerging Practice
20:58 Creating Spaces for Informal Connections
A big shout-out to the Wasan community for bringing us together - especially Meg Busse, Rachel Sinha, Christine Lai and Melanie Kahl, facilitators of the “Making the Case for Relationality” huddle.
By sharing this episode and letting others know what inspired you, you help expand the community of co-creators building a more compassionate world. Dive deeper into our work at efectocolibri.com and join us in sparking the collective change we all envision. We value your voice—together, we can empower social innovation.
Conceived and co-created during a Wasan Network small group in partnership with Huddlecraft. Wasan is a global network of social impact and philanthropy practitioners who believe that relationships sit at the center of social change. Learn more: https://www.wasan-network.org/
Production by Efecto Colibrí: Efecto Colibrí blends storytelling, social innovation, and the power of relationships to produce and distribute original and partner podcasts that bridge communities and sectors, shift mindsets, and spark action toward a more just, diverse, and regenerative future. Learn more https://efectocolibri.com/en/
Artwork by Anjali Chandrashekar. https://anjalic.com/About
The conversation highlights the current crisis in traditional development models and the emerging value of community philanthropy as a solution that prioritizes relationships and localized problem-solving over external expertise and control.
03:04 Personal Journey and Challenges in Nigeria
04:01 The Importance of Gratitude in Building Relationships
07:29 The Freedom and Trust in Network-Based Approaches
09:35 Community Philanthropy: An Emerging Practice
20:58 Creating Spaces for Informal Connections
A big shout-out to the Wasan community for bringing us together - especially Meg Busse, Rachel Sinha, Christine Lai and Melanie Kahl, facilitators of the “Making the Case for Relationality” huddle.
By sharing this episode and letting others know what inspired you, you help expand the community of co-creators building a more compassionate world. Dive deeper into our work at efectocolibri.com and join us in sparking the collective change we all envision. We value your voice—together, we can empower social innovation.
Conceived and co-created during a Wasan Network small group in partnership with Huddlecraft. Wasan is a global network of social impact and philanthropy practitioners who believe that relationships sit at the center of social change. Learn more: https://www.wasan-network.org/
Production by Efecto Colibrí: Efecto Colibrí blends storytelling, social innovation, and the power of relationships to produce and distribute original and partner podcasts that bridge communities and sectors, shift mindsets, and spark action toward a more just, diverse, and regenerative future. Learn more https://efectocolibri.com/en/
Artwork by Anjali Chandrashekar. https://anjalic.com/About