1.4K
Downloads
34
Episodes
The Not 4 Prophets Podcast is the place where two seasoned, Black non-profit professionals spill the tea on what really goes on behind closed doors in the nonprofit industry and how it impacts Black leaders and leaders of color. We’ll share our personal experience, industry trends and tools and strategies for navigating the world of non-profit leadership as Black professionals.
Episodes
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Episode Description
In this thought-provoking episode of "Not 4 Prophets," hosts Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn dive deep into the complex intersection of personal financial aspirations and the pursuit of racial justice within the nonprofit industry. They candidly explore the challenges and paradoxes faced by Black professionals in the nonprofit sector as they grapple with their own desires for financial security, personal success, and societal change.
Trenia and David reflect on the uncomfortable dynamics often present in nonprofit organizations, where some individuals may not depend on their income for survival, while others struggle to make ends meet. They highlight the role of class, privilege, and legacy wealth within the sector and emphasize the need for honest conversations about the real impact of these factors.
The hosts share their personal experiences and perspectives on what it means to balance personal aspirations with the commitment to racial justice work. They question the prevailing narratives surrounding the pursuit of wealth and success, challenging the notion that amassing resources automatically translates to positive change.
Throughout the episode, Trenia and David discuss the implications of universal basic income, universal healthcare, and other social safety nets, proposing that these measures could significantly reduce financial stress and empower individuals to engage more meaningfully in social justice efforts.
Join the hosts as they navigate this intricate terrain, inviting listeners to consider their own roles in advancing racial justice and financial well-being.
In This Episode
00:01 What do we want in life?
04:33 The issue of class and racial justice.
08:56 What does it mean to have freedom and liberation?
16:41 How much would be helped by a universal income?
21:37 What is the nonprofit here to do?
28:54 Where are the conversations happening about how to balance social justice?
Episode Links:
Join the community here: https://bit.ly/not4prophetspodcast
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Monday Oct 02, 2023
On this episode of "Not 4 Prophets," hosts Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn dive deep into the topic of burnout, sharing their personal experiences and insights. Trenia, a leadership coach, discusses her journey of recovering from burnout and reconnecting with her passion for making a sustainable impact in the nonprofit industry. David shares his own burnout experience and reflects on how it affected his health, work, and ambition.
They both highlight the importance of recognizing the signs of burnout early and the need to take breaks and seek support when necessary. They discuss the emotional and physical toll burnout can take, as well as the impact it has on one's professional life.
Throughout the episode, they touch on themes like the pressure of Black excellence, the tendency to push oneself too hard, and the importance of setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Trenia and David also explore the lessons they've learned from their burnout experiences and how it has influenced their perspectives on success and work.
Join them in this candid conversation about the challenges of burnout and the path to recovery and discover how they are redefining their relationships with work and success.
Listen now and learn how to:
- Recognizing Burnout: One of the key takeaways is the importance of recognizing burnout in oneself. Both hosts share their personal experiences with burnout, emphasizing that it's not always easy to identify, and sometimes it takes an outside perspective or a breaking point to realize you're burned out.
- The Impact of Burnout: The hosts discuss how burnout can have physical, mental, and emotional impacts, including sleep disturbances, decreased productivity, and a feeling of being drained. This highlights the importance of addressing burnout early to prevent further harm.
- The Value of Taking a Break: Both hosts took extended breaks from work to recover from burnout. This emphasizes the significance of giving oneself permission to take a break when needed, even if it means stepping away from a career temporarily. Taking time to rest and recover is crucial for mental and physical well-being.
- Reflecting on Personal Values: Burnout can lead to a reevaluation of one's values and priorities. Listeners can learn that it's essential to consider what truly matters to them in terms of work, success, and life satisfaction. This introspection can guide future decisions and career choices.
- Avoiding Replicating Past Patterns: The discussion of saboteurs and carrying baggage from one work situation to the next serves as a valuable lesson. Listeners can learn the importance of self-awareness and addressing any negative patterns or behaviors that contributed to burnout to prevent replicating them in future endeavors.
In This Episode
00:01 Trenia's and David’s personal experience of burnout.
05:26 How did you get over burnout?
08:34 What caused burnout and fatigue?
20:00 How to recognize when to take a break
25:39 How to recover from burnout
32:49 Where are you right now?
Episode Links:
Join the community here: https://bit.ly/not4prophetspodcast
Reach out to Trenia and David:
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Episode Description
In this episode of "Not 4 Prophets," hosts Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn explore the challenging world of nonprofit leadership, shedding light on the dark corners where vampire bosses and bad bosses lurk. They delve into the traits and behaviors that define these toxic leaders, drawing parallels to the mythological figures of vampires who drain the life out of those around them.
David and Trenia share personal experiences and insights into dealing with vampire bosses and bad bosses, as they discuss the impact of these leaders on their own careers, as well as the strategies they developed to cope with the resulting toxic work environments.
Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit professional or just starting your career, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating the complexities of nonprofit leadership and dealing with challenging bosses.
Tune in to uncover the secrets of surviving and thriving in the world of nonprofit work, as David and Trenia spill the tea on the industry and its impact on Black leaders.
Listen now and learn how to:
- Identifying Vampire Bosses and Bad Bosses: Listeners will learn about the concept of "vampire bosses" and "bad bosses" and gain a deeper understanding of the traits and behaviors associated with these types of leaders. This includes recognizing signs of manipulative behavior, draining of energy, and lack of support.
- The Impact of Bad Leadership: The podcast discusses the negative impact that bad bosses can have on employees and the work environment. Listeners will learn about the consequences of working under such leadership, including stress, demoralization, and the potential for burnout.
- Creating Supportive Work Environments: The hosts share their experiences and strategies for creating more supportive work environments in the nonprofit sector, particularly for Black leaders. Listeners will gain insights into how to foster positive workplace relationships and prioritize employee well-being.
- Navigating Power Dynamics: The conversation touches upon navigating power dynamics within organizations, especially when it comes to race and identity. Listeners will learn about the challenges Black leaders may face and strategies for addressing disparities and discrimination in the workplace.
- Leadership Styles: The hosts also discuss their personal leadership styles and approaches to management, including the importance of providing guidance, support, and opportunities for growth to their teams. Listeners can glean insights into effective leadership practices.
In This Episode
00:01 The definition of vampire bosses
02:41 Vampire bosses vs. Bad bosses
11:30 Being a boss to your employees
16:42 How to deal with toxicity on your team?
21:40 The traits of a great boss
25:34 How to deal with bad bosses
31:25 Final thoughts on vampire bosses or bad bosses
Episode Links:
Join the community here: https://bit.ly/not4prophetspodcast
Reach out to Trenia and David:
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Episode Description
In this episode of the "Not 4 Prophets" podcast, hosts Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the impact of remote work on Black professionals. They explore an LA Times article titled "Remote Work Gave Them Reprieve from Racism, They Don't Want to Go Back," shedding light on the unique experiences and challenges Black leaders face in traditional office settings.
Trenia and David share personal anecdotes and insights, touching on topics like microaggressions, the pressure to conform, and the often-overlooked emotional toll of navigating workplace dynamics as Black professionals. They discuss the advantages of remote work, including the freedom it offers to be authentic without the constraints of office politics.
The hosts also examine why some organizations are eager to return to in-person work and the importance of negotiating for remote work options in the evolving job market. They emphasize the need for flexibility in employment arrangements and the positive impact it can have on the lives of Black leaders who may need to balance work with other important aspects of their lives.
Tune in to this enlightening episode as Trenia and David unpack the complexities of remote work and its potential to create a more inclusive and empowering work environment for Black professionals.
In This Episode
01:26 The importance of being yourself in the workplace
09:37 Less microaggressions when working remotely.
14:45 The pros and cons of working remotely.
20:27 You're in your boss's domain.
26:45 The value of remote work for Black leaders.
Episode Links:
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Episode Description
In this episode of the "Not 4 Prophet Podcast," hosts Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn, both seasoned nonprofit professionals and Black leaders, discuss the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in organizations. They explore how inauthentic DEI efforts impact Black staff and Black leadership within the nonprofit sector.
The hosts emphasize that DEI initiatives should not be limited to one-off training sessions, as these often end up being merely "checking the box" exercises. Instead, they advocate for incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of an organization's operations. This includes considerations in compensation, hiring, retaining staff, board diversity, donor engagement, and evaluative measures. Inauthentic DEI efforts that stop at training and fail to address systemic issues can lead to gaslighting and feelings of frustration among Black staff.
The hosts highlight that DEI is not just a responsibility for marginalized staff but should be an organizational priority. They stress the importance of action, such as addressing pay equity, promoting diversity in leadership positions, and creating rubrics and metrics to ensure equitable practices. The episode also raises concerns about the effectiveness of some DEI trainers who may be recommended because they maintain the status quo rather than challenge systemic issues.
Trenia and David conclude that real effective DEI strategies involve organizations embracing equity and inclusion as an integral part of their strategic planning. It should not be seen as an add-on but a continuous effort to create systemic change and challenge institutional dynamics around race, class, and gender. Ultimately, they encourage leaders to act on the information they already have and assess the impact of their initiatives by dis-aggregating data based on race identity to ensure equity is achieved. The hosts welcome stories, recommendations, and best practices from listeners who have seen positive changes in their organizations' DEI efforts.
For more insights and discussions on navigating the nonprofit space as Black professionals, tune in to the "Not 4 Prophet Podcast" and gain valuable insights from seasoned industry experts.
Listen now and learn:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts should go beyond one-off training sessions and be incorporated into every aspect of the organization's operations, including hiring, retention, compensation, board representation, and community engagement.
- Inauthentic DEI initiatives, which focus on surface-level changes and check-the-box approaches, can lead to gaslighting and frustration among Black staff and leaders, making them feel worse off.
- DEI efforts should not be solely placed on marginalized individuals or employee resource groups. It is the responsibility of the entire organization, including leadership, to drive change and dismantle systemic inequities.
- DEI initiatives should focus on organizational change, examining the systems and processes that contribute to inequitable outcomes, rather than just individual behavior change through training.
- Organizations should act based on the information they already have, such as employee surveys and Glassdoor reviews, to address pay equity, promotions, and systemic biases that disproportionately affect Black staff and other marginalized communities. Additionally, DEI strategies should dis-aggregate data to identify patterns of inequities based on race identity and other characteristics.
In This Episode
04:15 What is the heart of the problem with DEI?
08:58 How to be sensitive when working with marginalized people.
16:46 Leadership needs to get uncomfortable.
20:34 What does it mean for DEI to be effective?
30:09 The real work of DEI.
Episode Links:
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Episode Description
Episode 3 of the "Not 4 Prophet Podcast" delves into the different needs of Black professionals working in the nonprofit sector. Join hosts Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn as they share their experiences as seasoned professionals in the industry. They discuss the challenges and behind-the-scenes realities faced by Black leaders and professionals in the nonprofit world.
Trenia and David reflect on their own journeys, starting from the early stages of their careers, where they sought employment for a paycheck and a chance to utilize their skills. As they moved up the ranks, they encountered different needs, such as seeking support and recognition for their work and decisions as leaders. They also share their struggles with bad bosses and lack of fair compensation, leading to burnout and frustration.
Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing the toxicity present in many nonprofit organizations, which may hinder Black leaders from making meaningful impacts. They encourage Black professionals to be honest with themselves and ask the hard questions about their role and purpose within these organizations.
As the conversation evolves, Trenia and David highlight the current state of Black leaders in nonprofits, particularly in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. They acknowledge that many leaders are realizing the unsustainability of their situations and the need for change. However, they also address the challenge of finding a third path—a way to be impactful and make a difference while still taking care of oneself in a system that often does not prioritize the well-being of its staff.
The hosts emphasize the importance of considering one's own needs and well-being first before deciding on the best course of action. They acknowledge the difficulty of navigating these complexities and the potential blowback from pushing for change within the organization. However, they encourage Black leaders to remain aware of their unique skills and value, recognizing that they can bring positive change within their sphere of influence.
The episode concludes with the hosts urging Black leaders to be honest with themselves about their place within their current organizations and to explore other paths that may better align with their values and goals. They offer their support to those considering leaving the nonprofit sector or seeking alternative paths, emphasizing that it is essential to prioritize self-care and well-being throughout this process.
For more insights and discussions on navigating the nonprofit space as Black professionals, tune in to the "Not 4 Prophet Podcast" and gain valuable insights from seasoned industry experts.
In This Episode
04:55 What were we looking for in a nonprofit?
08:21 What was your expectations when you started your career?
15:19 The glass cliff effect.
19:56 The role of Black leaders in nonprofits.
23:14 How are you thinking about the way you show up?
25:39 How leaders can improve the conditions within their organizations.
Episode Links:
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Episode Description
Join hosts Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn on the "Not 4 Prophet Podcast" as they delve into the behind-the-scenes world of nonprofits. In Episode 2, titled "Lessons from the Pandemic - What we need right now as Black leaders," they discuss the experiences and challenges faced by Black professionals during the pandemic and how the nonprofit industry responded to the crisis.
During the episode, Trenia and David explore the significant impact of the pandemic on nonprofits, particularly on Black leaders and professionals. They highlight the dual responsibilities faced by these individuals, as they had to navigate their personal lives while also fulfilling their mission-driven roles during the pandemic. The hosts discuss how the pandemic exposed the flaws in nonprofit structures and emphasized the need for more flexibility and support for staff, especially those from marginalized communities.
The hosts also touch upon the heightened expectations and pressures placed on Black leaders during the uprisings for racial justice. They examine how these leaders were often burdened with additional responsibilities related to addressing racial issues within their organizations, despite the lack of appropriate resources and support.
Throughout the episode, Trenia and David emphasize the importance of recognizing the lessons learned during the pandemic, particularly regarding work-life balance, the need for greater support, and the importance of genuine organizational change. They encourage Black leaders to evaluate whether their organizations have truly embraced these lessons or if they are merely returning to "business as usual" after the pandemic.
For more insights and discussions on navigating the nonprofit space as Black professionals, tune in to the "Not 4 Prophet Podcast" and gain valuable insights from seasoned industry experts.
Listen now and learn:
- The importance of recognizing and valuing caregiving responsibilities: The pandemic brought attention to the caregiving responsibilities of employees, especially in Black and brown communities. Organizations need to continue recognizing and supporting employees' personal responsibilities.
- Reflection on the impact and effectiveness of the nonprofit's mission: The pandemic led many people to question the impact and effectiveness of their nonprofit's mission. Leaders must evaluate whether their work is genuinely making a difference and serving the community's needs.
- The significance of remote work flexibility: The pandemic highlighted the benefits of remote work and the time-saving aspects of not commuting. Nonprofits should consider maintaining remote work options and providing more flexibility to employees.
- The need for transparent and equitable workplace practices: The pandemic revealed the necessity of equitable workplace practices, including pay transparency, accessible benefits, and a focus on staff well-being. Organizations should strive to create a fair and inclusive work environment.
· Examining the culture and decision-making structures: The pandemic prompted an examination of the culture and power structures within nonprofits. Black leaders faced the challenge of advocating for change while also managing their personal and professional responsibilities. This lesson emphasizes the importance of reevaluating decision-making processes and power distribution within organizations.
Episode Links:
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Episode Description
Welcome to the Not 4 Prophet Podcast! In this first episode, hosts Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn, two seasoned Black professionals with years of experience in the nonprofit industry, dive into a candid conversation about career breaks and sabbaticals.
They share their personal experiences of taking breaks due to burnout and life challenges. Trenia talks about facing a terrible boss and the grief of losing her mother, which led her to reach her breaking point. David reveals his journey through burnout, sleep issues, and mounting burdens that signaled the need for change.
Throughout their discussion, they discuss the financial considerations that come with taking a career break, as well as the societal and cultural pressures faced by Black professionals in making such decisions. They encourage listeners to prioritize self-care and reflect on their own relationships with work and labor.
Trenia and David also shed light on the importance of support systems and open conversations with partners, family, and friends. They emphasize the need for individuals to listen to themselves and not shy away from seeking help when considering a career break.
If you're interested in personal growth, self-discovery, and exploring the multifaceted aspects of work and rest, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to learn from these insightful professionals who dare to redefine success and challenge societal norms.
For more insights and discussions on navigating the nonprofit space as Black professionals, tune in to the "Not 4 Prophet Podcast" and gain valuable insights from seasoned industry experts.
Listen now and learn:
- The importance of recognizing burnout and the need for career breaks or sabbaticals to prioritize mental and physical health.
- The significance of having a supportive partner or community to lean on during a career break or sabbatical.
- The financial planning and resources required for taking a career break, including considering savings, investments, and potential financial support.
- The process of introspection and self-reflection during the break to redefine personal success, priorities, and work-life balance.
· The value of embracing rest as an essential component of overall well-being, even when engaged in social justice or nonprofit work.
Episode Links:
Welcome to the Not 4 Prophets Podcast
This podcast is the place where two seasoned, Black non-profit professionals spill the tea on what really goes on behind closed doors in the nonprofit industry and how it impacts Black leaders and leaders of color. We’ll share our personal experience, industry trends and tools and strategies for navigating the world non-profit leadership as Black professionals.
We’re talking about burnout, taking career breaks and sabbaticals, navigating toxic/hostile work environments, bad bosses, the never-ending quest for DEI, anti-Blackness, and other biases in the nonprofit world that impact Black leaders and leaders of color.
For more insights and discussions on navigating the nonprofit space as Black professionals, tune in to the "Not 4 Prophet Podcast" and gain valuable insights from seasoned industry experts.