What happens when you mix fierce advocacy, government bureaucracy, and a refusal to look the other way?

You get Bob Nelkin.In this episode, we sit down with Bob, whose 50-year career spans government, nonprofits, academia, and policy reform.

From walking unannounced into state institutions to uncover abuse... to reducing infant mortality with a coalition of beauticians and crossing guards...

Bob's stories are wild, inspiring, and deeply human.You’ll hear about:What makes a real leader in the nonprofit worldWhy some problems need rage, and others need strategyHow to get people to follow you, even when they start out yelling at youThe hard truth about nonprofit mergers, and why some organizations should call it quitsAlso: Clemente, empathy, and what Bob thinks young leaders need most today.This isn’t a history lesson. It’s a lived one.

--------------------------------------Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Bob Nelkin's Journey04:48 Confronting Injustice in Institutions10:07 Building Community Support for Change15:22 Innovative Approaches to Public Health20:30 Rethinking Child Welfare Systems27:02 Navigating Challenges: The State of Nonprofits Today33:13 Evaluating Ideas: A Three-Point Test for Success42:39 Investing in Future Leaders: The Next Generation of Change