EXPLORE, DIG DEEPER, CELEBRATE STORIES OF LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY

Conversations with Chanda is an award-winning podcast and live experience series created and hosted by Chanda Smith Baker, a nationally respected CEO, philanthropist, community leader, and entrepreneur. The podcast explores pressing societal issues—such as race, leadership, philanthropy, and social justice—through candid conversations with changemakers from across the country.

At its heart, the show is about leadership and impact. Chanda dives deep into the stories behind the people doing meaningful work, uncovering the values, decisions, and experiences that shape their approach to creating change. Through these conversations, she highlights the ways leaders are building community, advancing equity, and transforming systems.

Guests range from national figures like former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, and Valerie Jarrett, to local entrepreneurs, artists, and organizers. Special series like “Centering Conversations: A Partnership with Voice. Vision. Value. – Black Women Leading in Philanthropy” spotlight the voices and leadership of Black women, honoring their unique contributions to the field and pushing the conversation forward on equity in giving.

Whether spotlighting bold visions or quiet acts of resistance, the podcast makes space for honest dialogue about what it takes to lead with integrity and purpose.

THIS SEASON

COMING SOON!
55 min listen

Luvvie Ajayi Jones, four-time New York Times bestselling author, and Marissa Williams, CEO of Girl Scouts River Valleys, join Chanda Smith Baker for a conversation about courage, sisterhood, and breaking free from fear. Discover how to silence self-doubt, embrace your power, and transform challenges into opportunities through raw, inspiring storytelling that will ignite your inner troublemaker.

Beyond Survival – Rewriting the Rules When the System Wasn’t Built for You
60+ min listen

Pierre Berastain, Regional Director of CPI Center for Public Impact, is a gay, previously undocumented Latino immigrant who defies odds. In this raw, powerful conversation, he dismantles systemic barriers through personal resilience, revealing how marginalized communities can transform pain into profound social change. Discover radical strategies for healing, leadership, and reimagining government that will challenge everything you thought you knew about survival. Pierre holds degrees from Harvard College and Harvard Divinity School as well as a doctorate in public health from UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Anchoring Community with Unapologetic Leadership
55 min listen

Karla Henderson, the new CEO of Project for Pride in Living (PPL), joins Chanda Smith Baker to unpack her journey of unapologetic leadership. In a raw, powerful conversation, she reveals how to navigate complex challenges, stay true to community values, and transform unexpected opportunities into meaningful impact—all while redefining what it means to lead with resilience and purpose.

WHERE TO LISTEN