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This episode is unique. I'm speaking with Heidi Sanborn, Executive Director of the National Stewardship Action Council and Humboldt County Supervisor, Michelle Bushnell on a topic that was born out of a concern for waste. Yes, aluminum cannisters. It turns out they're now leaders on the front lines of a growing and largely misunderstood crisis—nitrous oxide abuse. What many people recognize as a harmless, food-grade product used for whipped cream has quietly evolved into an inexpensive, highly accessible substance with devastating consequences.

We unpack the reality of how nitrous oxide is being used today—from small “whippet” cartridges to large flavored canisters designed and marketed in ways that clearly appeal to misuse. You'll hear something deeply concerning: stories of addiction that rivals other substances, environmental damage from widespread disposal, and tragic, often preventable deaths.

Making this even more complex is the gap between legality and impact. Nitrous oxide is technically a legal, food-grade product, there are virtually no age restrictions, limited regulatory frameworks, and significant challenges when it comes to enforcement. It’s incredibly difficult to test for nitrous oxide in the body—leaving families without answers and accountability out of reach.

We also explore the policy side—local ordinances, statewide legislation, and the very real challenges of enforcement. Without meaningful accountability and a coordinated approach across public health, law enforcement, and retail regulation, this issue will continue to grow.

This episode is about more than awareness. It’s about recognizing a public health crisis that is hiding in plain sight—and understanding what it will take to address it.

Without clear regulation or enforcement mechanisms, communities are left reacting to the consequences rather than preventing them. From fatal car accidents to long-term neurological damage, the impacts ripple far beyond the individual—affecting families, public safety systems, and entire communities.

For nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and community advocates, this is a reminder that some of the most pressing issues aren’t always the most visible. Addressing them requires collaboration, education, and a willingness to challenge outdated systems that no longer reflect current realities.

Learn more on the website: https://www.nsaction.us/casb936nitrousoxideban

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Nitrous Oxide and Why This Conversation Matters
03:45 – What Nitrous Oxide Is and How It’s Being Used Today
07:30 – From Whippets to Large Canisters: Accessibility and Appeal
11:15 – Health Impacts: Addiction, Brain Oxygen Deprivation, and Paralysis
16:40 – Real Stories: Fatal Accidents and Community Impact
22:10 – Environmental Damage and Waste Management Challenges
26:30 – Why It’s So Hard to Regulate and Enforce
31:45 – Legislative Efforts and Local Ordinances in California

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

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In this first installment of our Big Day of Giving NewsPod series, I sit down with Kelly Siefkin, Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, to explore a powerful but often overlooked driver of impact—business engagement.

With over 900 nonprofits participating in this year’s Big Day of Giving on May 7, the largest in its history, the opportunity to support the region has never been greater. And while individual donors play a vital role, businesses are the engine behind much of what makes this day so successful.

Kelly breaks down the many ways businesses can get involved—from sponsoring prizes and offering matching gifts, to creating fun, culture-building experiences for employees like giving challenges, in-office events, and customer engagement campaigns.

We also explore how Big Day of Giving can be a gateway to year-round philanthropy, including opening a business fund, engaging employees in volunteerism, and leveraging tools like Giving Edge to discover new nonprofit partners.

And the impact? It’s real. Last year alone, the community raised $13.8 million in a single day, contributing to over $117 million raised in 13 years. But beyond the dollars, it’s about visibility, connection, and discovering new organizations doing meaningful work right here in our region.

If you’re a business leader looking for a simple, powerful way to engage your team and give back—this is your starting point.

🔗 Learn more and explore business resources: https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/

🎯 Why It Matters

Big Day of Giving isn’t just a fundraising event—it’s a community activation moment. And businesses have a unique ability to amplify that impact by engaging employees, customers, and partners in meaningful ways.

This episode reframes philanthropy not as an obligation, but as an opportunity—for culture building, leadership development, and visible community impact.

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

In this episode, I sit down with Elena DeLacey, Executive Director and Marshall Gorham, Land Protection Specialist, of the American River Conservancy to explore what it truly means to protect land—for today and for generations to come. What starts as a conversation about land conservation quickly becomes something much bigger: a look at the interconnected systems that sustain our communities, from forests and wildlife to water, infrastructure, and public access.

We talk about the scale of their work—over 31,000 acres protected—and the responsibility that comes with it. Conservation isn’t just about acquiring land; it’s about stewardship in perpetuity. That means maintaining ecosystems, preventing catastrophic wildfire damage, restoring forests, and ensuring that the land continues to serve both people and nature.

One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is understanding the ripple effect of environmental impact. A single wildfire doesn’t just burn trees—it affects watersheds, power systems, wildlife habitats, and entire communities downstream. The work American River Conservancy is doing is about getting ahead of those problems before they happen.

We also dive into the complexity of collaboration—working with landowners, government agencies, and community partners to bring multi-million dollar projects to life—and the long-term vision required to protect land at scale. From preserving the Cosumnes River corridor to building public access trails that future generations will enjoy, this is legacy work in its truest form.

This episode is a reminder that the natural spaces we enjoy don’t stay protected by accident—they stay protected because of organizations like this, doing the hard work of forever.

Why It Matters

Land conservation isn’t just about preserving open space—it’s about protecting the systems that sustain life and community. The work being done by American River Conservancy impacts water quality, wildfire prevention, biodiversity, recreation, and long-term regional resilience.

If we don’t invest in this kind of stewardship now, the cost—environmentally, economically, and socially—will be far greater down the line. This episode highlights why proactive conservation is one of the most important investments a community can make.

To learn more, visit their website: https://arconservancy.org/

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to American River Conservancy and what a land conservancy does
03:00 – Conservation vs. stewardship: the responsibility of “forever”
05:30 – Forest management, wildfire prevention, and ecosystem resilience
09:00 – The cascading impact of wildfire on water, infrastructure, and communities
11:00 – Education, community connection, and building environmental stewardship
14:00 – Where time and resources go: the realities of managing 31,000 acres
17:00 – Collaboration across landowners, agencies, and nonprofits
24:00 – The El Dorado Ranch project: a 7,000-acre

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.