“Burnout, Funding, and Impact: The Realities of Nonprofit Leadership” with Jonathan Torres and Danny Song

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Torres, former CEO of Memphis Athletic Ministries and Frase Protection, and Danny Song, founder of Believe Memphis Academy and CEO of Give Services, to discuss everything nonprofit leadership. With years of experience serving communities in need, they share their journeys, the realities of leading nonprofit organizations, and moving to the for-profit world.

Episode Highlights

• The Reality of Nonprofit Leadership: Navigating the demands of fundraising, organizational politics, and daily operations.
• The Weight of the Work: The personal sacrifices, emotional toll, and pressure to balance mission-driven work with sustainability.
• Fighting Barriers: How poverty, geography, and access to resources shape opportunities—and the battles nonprofit leaders face.
• Leaving Nonprofits: Why Torres and Danny transitioned to the business world, the emotions tied to that, and their ongoing journey.
• Lessons in Leadership: Insights for nonprofit leaders, donors, and advocates on what it takes to drive real, lasting change.