Mastering Focus Groups and Interviews with Expert Evaluator Melissa Siegel BarriosIn this episode, we dive deep into the intricacies of conducting effective focus groups and interviews with Melissa Siegel Barrios of MSB Consulting.

As an expert evaluator with extensive experience in violence prevention and collaboration with various organizations, Melissa shares actionable insights on crafting compelling interview questions, creating a welcoming space, and dealing with unexpected dynamics during focus groups.

We also explore best practices for analyzing qualitative data to inform strategy and program design.

Additionally, Melissa offers valuable advice on building trust within communities, ensuring accessibility, and the importance of genuine representation.

00:00 Introduction & Best Practices for Conducting Focus Groups

01:24 Real-Life Examples and Challenges in Focus Groups

03:40 Key Recommendations for Quality Interviews

08:43 Differences Between Interviews and Focus Groups

14:20 Analyzing Qualitative Data: Coding and Themes

18:14 Ensuring Inclusivity and Accessibility in Research

24:53 Conclusion and Contact Information

--

P.S. Enjoying the podcast? I’d greatly appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review. Your support helps me reach more nonprofit and social sector leaders like you who are working to make a difference. Don’t forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of The Common Good Data Podcast, we continue our three-part series exploring the “The Storyteller” as leader. Listen in to learn why storytelling isn’t just a communications strategy — it’s a leadership practice.

Every nonprofit and prevention organization is full of powerful stories. But too often, those stories live in hallway conversations, side comments, or moments that never get shared. Great leaders know how to create a culture where stories are noticed, collected, and told well.

We’ll break down three core practices of a storytelling leader:

• Listening for stories and finding meaning in everyday moments

• Building simple systems for gathering them

• Sharing stories with integrity, respect, and care

Plus, we’ll talk about how stories and data work best together — creating a fuller, more human picture of your impact.

If you want to build the storytelling muscle of your organization — not just for marketing, but for learning, trust, and connection — this episode is for you.

Think back to when you were young.

Can you remember a moment when an adult truly listened to you, took your opinion seriously, and made you feel like your voice mattered?

Many of us don’t have those memories—at least, not until much later in life. But for a child who hears, “You are an expert in your own life. Your voice matters,” the impact can be profound.

That’s exactly what UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Cities Initiative is working toward. And just recently, Decatur, GA, became one of the first cities in the U.S. to receive this designation.

But what does it actually mean for a city to be ‘child-friendly’?

And how do we ensure that youth participation isn’t just symbolic, but truly embedded in governance, policy, and community life?

Today, we’re joined by  Danielle Goldberg, Managing Director of the Community Alliance for Child Rights, and Anne Day, who is the Senior Director of Research, Evaluation, and Research Partnerships at UNICEF USA.

Skip Ahead:

(01:31) Why children’s voices are often missing in governance, and how this impacts policymaking and funding decisions.

(7:56) How the “Child-Friendly Cities Initiative” helps local governments adopt child-centered governance strategies.

(13:10) How are cities selected.

(15:25) How did Decatur, GA achieve Child-Friendly City status, and what unique steps did they take to become more child-friendly?

(18:19) What are the challenges in evaluating large-scale, systems-level initiatives like CFCI, and what indicators define success?

Connect with Danielle and Anne and learn more about the Child Friendly Cities Initiative.

Read the full show notes HERE.

P.S. Enjoying the podcast? I’d greatly appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review. Your support helps me reach more nonprofit and social sector leaders like you who are working to make a difference. Don’t forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening!