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Artwork for Conversations

Conversations with Chanda

Chanda Smith Baker
Philanthropy
Leadership
Education
Community Engagement
Racial Justice
Mental Health
George Floyd
Community Support
Minnesota
Healthcare
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Public Safety
Equity
Black Women
Jeremiah Program
Single Mothers
Compassionate Care
Community Policing
Black Women In Leadership
Civic Engagement

Conversations with Chanda isn’t just a podcast — it’s a movement. Hosted by powerhouse CEO, philanthropist, and unapologetic truth-teller Chanda Smith Baker, this award-winning show cuts through the noise to confront the issues that shape our world: race, power, leadership, justice, and philanthropy. With a fearless voice and a deeply personal lens, Chanda brings listeners into raw, unfiltered con... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes189Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Conversations

Latest Episodes

Ganesha Martin is the Bureau Chief of Constitutional Policing at the Minneapolis Police Department — one of the first civilians to hold an executive rank in MPD — and a nationally recognized police reform leader who served as Deputy Mayor of Public S... more

Katherine Hayes spent 25 years as portfolio manager for her family's investment partnership — managing wealth she didn't earn, inside a system built to protect it. In this conversation with Chanda Smith Baker, she opens up about "money morality": the... more

YouTube

Dr. Marcheta Evans is the 12th president of St. Catherine University — and the institution's first African American president — after nearly 30 years in higher education leadership, including as Chancellor and President of Bloomfield College of Montc... more

Recorded live for the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation's launch of the Power of Possible Giving Circle, Hali Lee — author of The Big We — joins Chanda Smith Baker to talk collective giving, "Big Phil," and why relationships are infrastructure.

Find... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Ganesha Martin
Bureau Chief of Constitutional Policing
Minneapolis Police Department
Episode: Taking Care of Cops Is Taking Care of Community: A Conversation with MPD Bureau Chief Ganesha Martin
Katherine Hayes
Fifth-generation inheritor of wealth; former Investment Director and disruptor of wealth protection
Independent philanthropy advocate; Just Economy Institute affiliate
Episode: What 25 Years Inside Wealth Protection Taught Me: A Conversation with Katherine Hayes
Marcheta Evans
President at St. Catherine University, 12th president and first person of color in this role
St. Catherine University
Episode: Finding Your Village: A Conversation with St. Kate's President Dr. Marcheta Evans
Hali Lee
Philanthropist; founder of Asian Women Giving Circle
Asian Women Giving Circle
Episode: LIVE! Relationships Are Infrastructure: A Conversation with Hali Lee
Marlene Johnson
Minnesota's first female Lieutenant Governor, business leader, and advocate for open appointments
Former Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
Episode: Minnesota's First Woman Lieutenant Governor | Marlene Johnson on Leadership, Courage & Legacy
Cathy ten Broeke
Leads the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness
Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness
Episode: Nobody Ends Homelessness Alone: A Conversation with Cathy ten Broeke
Bill George
Former CEO of Medtronic; Harvard Business School Executive Education Fellow; author
Medtronic
Episode: "Without a Title, I'm Nothing": A Master Class with Bill George (Live)
Mai Chong Xiong
Ramsey County Commissioner, District 6
Ramsey County
Episode: What's the Cost of Not Leading? — A Conversation with Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong
Patricia Virella
Educator and researcher focused on hope and leadership in education
(as discussed)
Episode: Hope Is Not Soft—It’s Strategy w/ Dr. Patricia Virella

Host

Chanda Smith Baker
Host of Conversations with Chanda, frequently guiding discussions with philanthropy, leadership, and community impact.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 59 ratings
  • Elevate Your Knowledge with Chanda!

    Being in Chanda’s presence forces you to elevate your own thoughts and wisdom about real life issues at hand! She challenges you to go deeper in your questions and responses, as well as how you show up in life and the impact of bringing your entire self to the world each and every day! This work is essential! So excited to witness this journey!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RickieMickie
    United States2 years ago
  • Excellent interviews!

    Love the way that Chanda can be personable, authentic and inviting while still asking tough and complex questions! Her guests are also really insightful and often bring perspectives I wasn’t expecting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J Nub
    United States2 years ago
  • Amazing Body of Work

    Chanda has a beautiful body of work built up in this collection of conversations! She knows how to ask the hard questions in a non threatening manner and her wealth of personal experiences enhance every conversation. What an enlightening listen Conversations with Chanda has become!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Last 1
    United States3 years ago
  • Always thought provoking!

    Chanda has a beautiful way of setting the table for her guests. Her curiosity and humility, mixed with personal tidbits from her own life experience create space for people of all walks to show up in their essence. The consistent result is conversations that inform and inspire.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Coo_Ell
    United States3 years ago
  • Be a part of the conversation!

    Listening to Conversations with Chanda, I learn, I laugh and I am filled with hope while also feeling like I am truly a part of a conversation between friends. I can’t wait to listen to them all!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fitzcarlsson
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Genuine, authentic conversations with high-impact guests.
Thoughtful, inspiring interviews with tough questions.
High-quality insights from leaders across philanthropy and public service.
Audience feels engaged and hopeful, like being part of a real conversation.
Host's curiosity and personal storytelling elevate the discussions.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Taking Care of Cops Is Taking Care of Community: A Conversation with MPD Bureau Chief Ganesha Martin
Q: What is your title again, and how does your role relate to the consent decree? What is the consent decree where are we in that?
She describes her role as Bureau Chief of Constitutional Policing, a designation that reflects a focus on policy, training, accountability, and audits. She explains the Minneapolis consent decree as part of a dual-track reform alongside a state settlement, detailing how the agreements require compliance with specific reforms, including uses of force, stops, mental health responses, and accountability measures, and notes ongoing implementation and monitoring.
Taking Care of Cops Is Taking Care of Community: A Conversation with MPD Bureau Chief Ganesha Martin
Q: But how did you get into the work? What in the world would make you want to go into policing?
Ganesha Martin explains that policing was not her planned path; she originally aimed to be an attorney but moved into policing after a series of career pivots, including a role in Baltimore where relationships and a broader view of public safety shaped her path. She emphasizes the influence of personal experiences and the realization that systemic reform requires direct leadership and structural changes.
Finding Your Village: A Conversation with St. Kate's President Dr. Marcheta Evans
Q: What advice helped you navigate challenging moments early in your leadership roles?
A standout moment was advice to “shut up and graduate,” which reframed a confrontation into a strategic step that propelled her career forward while maintaining composure and focus on larger goals.
Finding Your Village: A Conversation with St. Kate's President Dr. Marcheta Evans
Q: How do you stay connected to students and keep your values visible in a large institution?
She describes being present on campus, eating in the cafeteria, attending games, and maintaining an open-door policy to ensure students feel seen and heard.
Finding Your Village: A Conversation with St. Kate's President Dr. Marcheta Evans
Q: What makes your journey to this leadership role meaningful or different?
She frames it as a path shaped by mentorship, persistence, and a commitment to serving her community, emphasizing representation and the responsibility to create pathways for others who come after her.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Conversations

What is Conversations about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations with Chanda features in-depth conversations with changemakers across philanthropy, leadership, public policy, and social justice. Across episodes, topics commonly center on wealth distribution and community impact, authentic leadership, and systemic change in nonprofits, government, and education. Guests range from prominent national voices to local civic leaders, with a recurring emphasis on equity, underserved communities, and practical strategies for driving social impact. A notable throughline is turning personal experience and values into action that advances communities, often blending policy insight with human-centered storytelling. The show tends to attract listeners who want actionable leadership lessons, bold perspec... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Conversations?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Conversations:

1. Fresh Air
2. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
3. The Daily
4. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
5. Pod Save America

How many episodes of Conversations are there?

Conversations launched 7 years ago and published 189 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Conversations?

Recent guests on Conversations include:

1. Ganesha Martin
2. Katherine Hayes
3. Marcheta Evans
4. Hali Lee
5. Marlene Johnson
6. Cathy ten Broeke
7. Bill George
8. Mai Chong Xiong

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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