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A technology podcast for the people powering charities

Meaningful discussions with artists, academics, business people, your charity peers, and more to help shift our sector’s mindset about what it means to be a digitally enabled organization.

Digital Comfort Zone Podcast - cloud-130x48-1

Conversations About the
Human Side of Tech

This is Digital Comfort Zone: a super not scary technology podcast. Hosted by Aine McGlynn and Lizz Bryce who have worked at the intersection of technology and the people who make charities work for more than two decades. In each episode, they’ll help calm your fears, validate your frustrations and answer your questions when it comes to leveraging tech for good – and ultimately make your life easier.



Episodes

9. Building Resilience with Silken Laumann

Hosts Aine McGlynn and Lizz Bryce engage in a deep conversation with Canadian Olympian, author, and charity founder, Silken Laumann.

In this episode, we explore resilience, mental health, and the transformative impact of technology. Silken shares her personal journey of overcoming a severe injury to win a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics, emphasizing the importance of physical intelligence and stress management. The episode delves into the pressures faced by leaders of charitable organizations, the significance of digital enablement, and the evolution of personal motivation and self-belief.

Additionally, the conversation highlights the necessity of embracing multifaceted identities, especially in women, and discusses the role of technology in fostering human connections and delivering mental health support, particularly in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Silken also talks about her podcast, Inflection Time, and the potential of storytelling platforms like Unsinkable.

00:00 Introduction and Content Note
00:47 Introducing Silken Laumann
02:50 Silken’s Story of Resilience
06:45 The Athlete’s Mindset
08:33 Stress and Mental Health
11:50 Personal Growth and Motivation
21:53 The Power of Vulnerability and Storytelling
23:54 The Birth of Unsinkable
25:06 Connecting Storytellers and Mental Health
26:08 Embracing Technology for Good
27:35 Hopeful and Helpful Stories
29:59 Navigating Technology and Social Media
37:42 Digital Skills in the Nonprofit Sector
39:48 Introducing Inflection Time Podcast

Listen to Silken’s new podcast: Inflection Time

Learn more about the charity she founded: Unsinkable

Show Transcript


8. Learning About Failure with Ashley Good

Hosts Aine McGlynn and Lizz Bryce discuss the complexities of failure within nonprofit organizations, particularly in the context of technology. Guest Ashley Good, founder of Fail Forward, centers the conversation on the inevitability of failure and how it can be a powerful learning tool.

Ashley shares personal anecdotes, professional insights, and practical exercises for nonprofits to practice healthy reactions to failure and cultivate a supportive organizational culture. Key topics include reframing failure as learning, practicing debriefs on successes, and the importance of compassion in overcoming failure’s emotional impact.
00:30 Getting Vulnerable: Personal Failures

03:33 Transforming Failure into Learning
05:37 Introducing Ashley Good: The Failure Expert
06:28 What is a Failure Consultancy?
08:31 Ashley Good’s Journey to Embracing Failure
10:32 A Powerful Story of Redemption
14:24 The Emotional Weight of Failure
20:51 Practicing Failure in Organizations
27:26 Tackling Challenges Head-On
27:44 Balancing Easy and Hard Tasks
28:51 Individual vs. Organizational Failures
32:01 The Role of Compassion in Failure
34:59 Practical Techniques for Embracing Failure
36:25 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Show Transcript


7. Where do I get the money for this? Talking to a funder about investing in tech

In this episode, Aine McGlynn and Lizz Bryce are joined by Victor Cordon, Director of Social Impact at Okta. They discuss the challenges nonprofits face in securing ongoing funding for technology, the importance of technology governance, and the role of trust-based philanthropy in addressing these challenges.

Victor emphasizes that technology is not just an administrative cost but essential to mission delivery while offering practical advice on how nonprofits can better articulate their tech needs to funders. The episode concludes with strategies on how to align tech investments with organizational goals and mission impact, making it a compelling discussion for anyone in the nonprofit sector looking to embrace digital transformation.

00:33 Challenges in Funding Digital Transformation
03:03 Introducing Victor Cordon from Okta
03:51 Okta’s Approach to Philanthropy and Technology
06:24 Successful Tech Funding Strategies
09:15 The Importance of Technology in Nonprofits
15:36 Trust-Based Philanthropy and Technology
22:10 Encouraging Open Conversations About Tech Needs
26:05 Practical Tips for Nonprofits Seeking Tech Funding

Show Transcript


6. What Rock Climbing Can Teach Us About Digital Transformation and Leadership

In this episode, the tables are turned and host Lizz Bryce interviews co-host Aine McGlynn about how her experience as a rock climbing guide can provide valuable insights into digital transformation. 

Aine shares her experiences as a climbing instructor, highlighting the importance of creating safe conditions, effective communication, and encouraging calculated risks. The episode emphasizes the role of leaders in setting up for their teams for success, drawing parallels between guiding climbers and navigating digital change in nonprofit organizations.

00:51 The Importance of Leadership in Digital Transformation
03:16 Connecting Leadership and Rock Climbing
05:15 Lessons from Climbing: Overcoming Fear
11:02 Guiding Teams Through Digital Transformation
18:00 The Role of Trust and Communication
25:22 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Show Transcript


5. Cultivating Possibility Thinking with Alisa Simon of Kids Help Phone

In this episode of ‘Digital Comfort Zone,’ we’re joined by Alisa Simon, Executive Vice President E-Mental Health Transformation & Chief Youth Officer at Kids Help Phone to discuss how KHP adopted a mindset of possibility to radically shift how they support youth in crisis.

We delve into distinguishing between invention and innovation, the effective use of digital tools and AI, and the necessity of a change-ready culture. The importance of leveraging data, involving the right leaders, and maintaining core mission values while exploring new technological avenues is also discussed.

Show Transcript

Case Study: Organizational Change & Innovation


4. In it for the long term: how to trigger action for long-term gain with Chi Nguyen and Amanda Munday

In this episode of ‘Digital Comfort Zone,’ we discuss how small technological changes can significantly impact small charities and nonprofits. They are joined by Chi Nguyen from Equal Voice and Amanda Munday from New Majority, who share insights on improving youth civic engagement and gender diversity in politics.

This episode has two big takeaways:

  • How it’s important to form sustainable habits in both political participation and digital transformation and;
  • Small actions can lead to substantial future benefits

Show transcript


3. Does anyone know what they are doing? Cultivating a learning mindset with Professor Nick Mount

In this episode of ‘Digital Comfort Zone,’ we discuss the importance of maintaining a learning mindset in the age of digital transformation.

Special guest Professor Nick Mount from the University of Toronto shares insights on fostering a learning culture, handling resistance to change, and the importance of new experiences in unlocking innovative thinking.

Show transcript


2. The Art of Persuasion: Getting Buy-In for your Digital Transformation

In this episode of ‘Digital Comfort Zone’, hosts Aine McGlynn and Lizz Bryce dive deep into the art of persuasion and obtaining buy-in with Philip Haid, CEO of Public Inc.
Key insights include:
  • The role of emotions, trust, and authenticity in persuasion
  • Emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are
  • And building trust slowly

Show transcript


1. Starting Complex Projects with Filmmaker Molly McGlynn

In this inaugural episode of Digital Comfort Zone, hosts Aine McGlynn and Lizz Bryce talk about how to overcome digital inertia within organizations.

To better understand how to do that, they call on award-winning filmmaker Molly McGlynn to speak about how to manage complex projects, how to break down overwhelming tasks, the importance of planning and logistics, and the necessity of starting anywhere to gain momentum.
Show transcript


Introducing Digital Comfort Zone

This is Digital Comfort Zone: a super not scary technology podcast. It’s hosted by Aine McGlynn and Lizz Bryce, the two minds behind Charity Growth Academy, who have worked at the intersection of technology and the people who make charities work for more than two decades.

Every episode, Aine and Lizz will help calm your fears, validate your frustrations and answer your questions when it comes to leveraging tech for good – and ultimately make your life easier

You will come away with specific ways that you can improve how you and your organization use technology. And our advice will always better than that random cousin’s who interned at a start-up in the 90’s.

And, because Lizz and Aine aren’t techies either, you will never be patronized or made to feel dumb.


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