Hey y’all,

Welcome to the very first Issue Space newsletter!

I know you’ve heard from me plenty, popping up with podcast episodes for you to explore. First of all — thank you. There’s so much vying for your attention every day that a podcast and newsletter could easily be the last things on your list. I’m so grateful to be on your radar as a hopefully fun, affirmative little series about work and life in social impact. I truly believe connecting here is an investment in yourself, too — your values, your career, your community. Which, in turn, will make it more energizing to use your gifts to change the world!

Since introducing Issue Space just four weeks ago (!), I’ve articulated, again and again, what’s at the heart of my desire to build out the Space. At it’s simplest — I want working in social change to feel good, for everyone. I want choosing a career that gives back to our world to be as inviting, intuitive, rewarding, and authentic as possible, and to feel as multidimensional as the incredible people I meet in this sector every day.

Everything in this letter was designed with connecting with you in mind. I hope you’ll take a read, tell me what touches you (there’s a little survey at the end 😉), and stick with us as we continue to create our sector’s very own Issue Space.

Take good care,

Podcast Gems

We’re still thinking about…

✨ When journalist Marisa Kabas said that sometimes she reads things she wrote in the past and “no longer agree[s] with herself” (Episode 1: “Identity & the Impact Pro”). Refreshing — evolution is a healthy thing.

✨ When Jocelyn Logan-Friend said you have to listen to your collaborators even when you don’t understand them — literally (Episode 3: “Distance & Difference”). Working in South Africa, Jocelyn learns more when her partners problem-solve in their native tongues than if she’d tried to force them to translate for her sake.

✨ When Jess Weiner said that her ideas and client work are only as good as she’s feeling (Episode 5: “The Lighter Side of Change”). That simple truth reframed self-care and impact work for us — is it even responsible not to care for ourselves when our work is, in essence, taking care of others? 🤔 Good call, Jess.

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You can catch up on the Issue Space podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and these other fine platforms.

One Path to Impact

What was the moment you chose to pursue a career in social impact?

I grew up in San Diego, California, where the ocean was a huge part of my life, so for as long as I can remember I wanted to be a marine biologist who studied sharks. In college, I had the opportunity to study abroad on Semester at Sea, where I visited 10 countries in a 3.5 month period and saw poverty and inequality around the world. I had the incredible privilege to learn about the anti-apartheid movement from Archbishop Desmond Tutu days before standing inside Nelson Mandela's jail cell on Robben Island, which made me realize that being a marine biologist would not allow me to reach my new goal of doing my part to improve my community. Shortly thereafter, I learned about public health and I have been working in the field for the past 14 years. I love that public health is grounded in social justice, and that the focus is on preventing illness and harms at the community level.

Did you face any challenges in getting to where you are now in the impact space?

Absolutely! Before I completed my Master in Public Health Program, I was often told that I would not get a promotion or a raise because I did not have a graduate degree, even though I was often doing the work.

One of the other biggest challenges I faced was other people, which is so disappointing. Because of some of the bullying I have seen during my time in this work, I have started mentoring younger women who are new to their careers. I think we need to hold each other up and share the wisdom and insight we have learned over our careers.

What do you think is misunderstood or under-discussed about working in the social impact space?

People working in the social impact space deserve to make a living wage! I have been shocked by how often my passion for mission-driven work has been used to delay a promotion and justify not giving me a raise. Just because we want to do work that makes a difference, doesn't mean that we shouldn't be able to buy a home, take nice vacations, save for our kiddos to go to college, or pay off our student loans.

What's the most unexpected skill you use in your social impact job every day?

Creative problem solving! So often there are unexpected barriers to getting the work done, so I have really honed my ability to think about solutions that will work within the current context.

What guidance would you give to someone looking to enter professional changemaking work?

Find your niche!!! It has taken me over 13 years in public health, but the thing I have found that I do well and enjoy is being a harm reduction bureaucrat. I have so much respect for the people working at the frontlines of the overdose crisis in community-based programs and outreach roles, but I realized that is not where I thrive. I really enjoy working in local government, since we have access to and oversee resources that are vital to this work. I am an advocate in the inside! It has felt affirming to find a space that allows me to both do the work I love and do it in a way that I am uniquely suited to contribute.

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Know an impact pro we should profile? Drop us a note!

Opportunities to Watch For

• Catch jobs on the post-election wave 🏄 (U.S.) — Many mission-driven orgs begin hiring for new roles right after Election Day, hoping to catch talent rolling off of campaign efforts. The cuties at All Hands can help you explore if your next great role is part of that wave — you can drop your resume with them here to find out.

• Join an arts and culture nonprofit (New York, U.S.) — Cool Culture works with families, art, and culture to inspire activism. They’re searching for a full-time Communications Manager for community-building, content creation, digital marketing, and more. Peep the opportunity and get in touch directly.

• Help a student who’s studying the space — An NYU student is looking to “conduct a short interview either with the founder or someone closely involved in a social change organization to better understand their motivations, challenges, and future directions.” Are you that somebody? Drop us a line and we’ll put you in touch.

Things People Shared

• A Knock At Midnight — This is attorney and advocate Brittany K. Barnett’s memoir detailing her personal connection to the criminal legal system. It is a literal can’t-put-down. ↗

• The Book of Delights — Author and poet Ross Gay meditates on life’s daily, ordinary wonders. ↗

• Solis — A near-future fiction about the undocumented immigrant experience, by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher. Harrowing and riveting. ↗

Something I Said 🗣️🗣️ 

Join the Space

💌 Are you on the mailing list to receive this letter? If not, sign up here.

🎧 Hear the Issue Space podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and these platforms. We feature diverse social impact pros on the lived experience of social change work.

🤝 Wanna team up? Brands or organizations who might connect with our community can send partnership inquiries to [email protected].

🗣️  Have an insight about life in the business of impact or an idea for the Space? We’d love to hear from you! Hit that button and get in touch! 👇