Social Change Leaders Podcast

#176: Minnesota in This Moment: Hope, Fear, and Showing Up

“Take courage, friends. The way is often hard, the path is never clear, and the stakes are very high. Take courage. For deep down, there is another truth: you are not alone.”— Wayne B. Arnason In this joint episode of the Social Change Leaders Podcast and Spark Good Podcast, longtime collaborators and friends Stephanie Malon-Rufi and Traci Warnberg-Lemm reunite to name the moment we’re living in — and talk honestly about how we need to keep showing up. This podcast discusses what it’s actually been like living and working in Minnesota during recent ICE activity and community disruption — from the perspective of two people embedded in civic life, small business, and community leadership — and how this moment is reshaping their work in 2026. This episode is a conversation about: What daily life has felt like in the Twin Cities in recent weeks Stories from schools, neighborhoods, restaurants, and small businesses that aren’t making headlines The collective fear, grief, and anxiety many communities are carrying The powerful local networks forming across Minnesota — urban and rural Why this moment feels like an end to the “casual citizen” era How meaningful work, leadership, and community care are deeply connected How Stephanie and Traci are showing up in their work in 2026 Both hosts also share how their thinking has evolved since last year — and why they believe new civic muscles, leadership capacities, business practices, and connections are essential for this moment and into the future. About Traci’s Work — Social MotionDrawing on 20+ years in government, coaching, training, and civic engagement, Traci is focusing her 2026 work through Social Motion on: Monthly podcast conversations on social change leadership, democracy, race, resistance, and systems change Monthly “Civic Chats” — part civic education, part community, part re-imagining what building up democracy means now and into the future Coaching for individuals, teams, and organizations inside public systems (education, health, government, nonprofits) Coaching skills training to build leadership capacity, trust, and momentum across systems 🔗 Social Motion About Stephanie’s Work — Spark GoodThrough Spark Good Consulting & Coaching, Stephanie works primarily with small business owners who want to build sustainable businesses that positively impact their communities. In 2026, she is focusing on: Consistent podcasting and weekly communication to support business owners High-touch 1:1 coaching to help owners build financially and emotionally sustainable businesses Supporting leaders to move from reactive to proactive leadership Focus + Flow — a virtual community for accountability, strategy, and sustainable CEO habits 🔗 Spark Good

#175 Strengthening Civic Life with Simple Coaching Skills

The Social Change Leaders Podcast is back! Host Traci Warnberg-Lemm returns with fresh insights on the intersection of leadership, civic engagement, and coaching. In this episode, she explores how coaching skills can enhance civic dialogue, and what practical tools leaders can use to strengthen their impact. Plus, Traci shares reflections from listeners on how their passions contribute to social change and provides free resources to help leaders navigate complex times with resilience and clarity. 🎧 Tune in to: ✅ Hear listener insights on skills they have that contribute to solving our biggest challenges ✅ Explore self-care, joy and nervous system regulation needed for resilient leadership ✅ Learn why leadership and civic engagement need a coaching approach ✅ Discover how deep listening and meaningful questions can bridge differences, foster collaboration and transform all types of conversations ✅ Gain practical coaching tools to engage more effectively in civic life ✅Hear how practicing better communication and inquiry can improve personal and professional relationships. Resources & Links: 👉 Grab your FREE download, Civic Action without the Burnout - HERE 👉 Quiz: Should You Consider Hiring a Coach – Link to 5 minute quiz HERE 👉 1:1 Coaching with Traci - Link HERE for more information 👉Learn more about Civic Remix Conversations (in March 2025) – HERE 🌎 Connect with Traci Warnberg-Lemm → www.socialmotion.co

#174 - RECONNECTING - Why We Need Our Community Working Together in 2025

📢 “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” – Gandhi Episode Summary: The Social Change Leaders Podcast is back! After a hiatus, host Traci Warnberg-Lemm returns with renewed purpose, fresh insights, and a deep commitment to supporting social impact leaders like you. In this episode, Traci shares personal and professional updates, reflects on the challenges shaping our world today, and offers a powerful coaching question to help you clarify your impact. Plus, she extends an invitation to build a thriving community of change makers as we navigate 2025 together. 🎧 Tune in to:✅ Discover the evolution of the Social Change Leaders Podcast over the past five years and its exciting future✅ Gain insights from Traci’s personal and professional journey—stories of loss, travel, and transformation✅ Understand the biggest leadership and social impact challenges emerging today✅ Explore how a strong community of equipped, empowered change leaders can shape the future✅ Reflect on a powerful coaching question designed to help you refine your purpose and contribution✅ Learn how to get involved in a growing network of like-minded leaders ready to make a difference 🔥 Ready to step into your full potential as a leader in social change? This episode is for you. Resources & Links: 🌎 Connect with Traci Warnberg-Lemm → www.socialmotion.coListen to the Spark Good Podcast by Stephanie Malon-Rufi → www.sparkgood.net

Reflections and Learnings from our Podcasting Pause

You can't see the whole picture when you're stuck in the middle of it. - Anonymous More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net The Social Change Leaders Podcast is back after a 6 month break! In this episode, Stephanie and Traci share reflections, lessons and reminders during the ‘pauses’ in their lives. They discuss what has helped them sustain their efforts and expand their vision. In their conversation, they discuss: What Stephanie and Traci have been up to the last 6 months What Traci and Stephanie have discovered / re-discovered for themselves What is next for Traci, Stephanie and the Social Change Leaders Podcast Mentioned in today’s conversation: Social Change Leaders Quiz Traci, Social Motion Stephanie, Spark Good

The Evolving Landscape of Systems Change for Social Change Leaders

We are weaving the future on the loom of today - Grace Dawson Do you see and think about the different systems impacting your social change efforts? With the current challenges we face now as we emerge from a global pandemic, social change can feel even more out of reach. It is important to understand the integration of systems when addressing our biggest community challenges. Co-host Traci Warnberg-Lemm shares some observations about the emerging landscape of system change and how to maximize your impact as we move into 2023. In this episode you will: Learn what ESG is and how social change leaders can have more impact Consider how to deepen your personal equity learning and practices and more effectively push for systemic change Hear how social innovators and social change leaders can better map and change systems to have more impact Hear about new research from the University of Maine that suggests that social change may depend on the relationship between beneficial behaviors and policies. Understand why looking deeper at systems helps us better address our own biases and limited understanding In this episode we reference: Spark Good, Stephanie - Spark Good Social Motion, Traci - Social Motion Article: New research shows what it takes to make society change for the better