
Mission 501: The Podcast
Ryan Aldrich

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Top 10 Mission 501: The Podcast Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Mission 501: The Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Mission 501: The Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Mission 501: The Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Episode 0: Welcome to Mission 501: The Podcast!
Mission 501: The Podcast
04/30/25 • 1 min
Welcome to Mission 501: The Podcast — where psychology meets work, with a nonprofit twist! In this short intro episode, Ryan shares what the show is all about, what inspired it, and what you can expect in full episodes. If you're passionate about nonprofit organizations, leadership, teamwork, professional development, organizational psychology, or just looking to hear more about workplace dynamics, you're in the right place!
🔗 Learn more about Ryan and his work: https://mission501.co
💼 Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/aldrichct
🎧 Make sure you hit follow and join the mission!

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Episode 2: Training and Motivation: What Works Best for Nonprofits?
Mission 501: The Podcast
04/02/25 • 8 min
Ryan explains a training domain model for nonprofit organizations to adopt. The 4-stage model is explained, and each stage is linked to motivation. Which stages are the most motivating for employees? Listen in!

Episode 1: Pilot feat. Timothy James Consulting
Mission 501: The Podcast
08/06/23 • 32 min
The first official episode of the Mission 501 Podcast! Guest Tim Blonsky from Timothy James Consulting and I discuss workforce development, apprenticeships, and their impact on the nonprofit employment world. Additional football banter!

Episode 6: How Goals Work: Unlocking Motivation with Goal Setting Theory
Mission 501: The Podcast
04/29/25 • 11 min
In this episode, Ryan dives into Locke and Latham’s Goal Setting Theory—what makes goals work, and why “just do it” just doesn’t cut it. Whether you're managing teams or setting personal benchmarks, this theory has something to teach about motivation, clarity, and commitment. Listen in for goal-setting insights you can use in any mission-driven setting.
🎯 Goal Setting TheoryDeveloped by Edwin Locke & Gary Latham 📖 Learn more:
APA Article (1990): "Work Motivation and Satisfaction: Light at the End of the Tunnel"
👉 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.1990.tb00207.x
APA Article (2002): “Building a Practically Useful Theory of Goal Setting and Task Motivation”
👉 https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705
Leadership IQ summary and insights:
👉 https://www.leadershipiq.com/blogs/leadershipiq/goal-setting-theory-locke-latham

Episode 5: Teamwork Takes Time: Navigating Tuckman's Stages of Group Development Model
Mission 501: The Podcast
04/25/25 • 11 min
Tuckman’s Stages of Group Development Model—forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning—might sound like corporate buzzwords, but it’s a powerful way to understand how teams evolve. In this episode, Ryan explores how this model plays out in nonprofit settings, with implications for leaders and team members. Whether you're managing a board, staff, or volunteers, knowing your group stage can help guide it forward. Listen in!
📚 Resources for Further Exploration🔍 Tuckman, B. W. (1965). Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin, 63(6), 384–399. - Seminal theory article
📄 Tuckman, B. W., & Jensen, M. A. C. (1977). Stages of small-group development revisited. Group & Organization Studies, 2(4), 419–427. - Adds the adjourning stage
🛠️ MindTools: Tuckman’s Stages of Team Development https://www.mindtools.com/ay49bon/tuckmans-forming-storming-norming-performing - Model overview and application tips

Episode 4: When Consensus Hurts: Understanding Groupthink
Mission 501: The Podcast
04/23/25 • 16 min
In this episode, Ryan breaks down the concept of Groupthink—what it is, how it creeps into decision-making, and why even smart teams can fall into its trap. From history books to meeting rooms, Ryan explores how to spot it and stop it before it derails your mission.
🧠 GroupthinkCoined by Irving Janis in the 1970s
📖 Learn more:
- Overview on Verywell Mind: 👉 https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-groupthink-2795213
- Bay of Pigs context from History.com: 👉 https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/bay-of-pigs-invasion
- Bay of Pigs lesson on leadership (JFK Library): 👉 https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/the-bay-of-pigs

Episode 7: Goal Model Overview: SMART Goals | OKRs | HARD Goals
Mission 501: The Podcast
05/05/25 • 10 min
Setting the right kinds of goals can make or break success—especially in mission-driven work. In this episode of Mission 501: The Podcast, Ryan breaks down three major goal-setting models: SMART goals, OKRs, and HARD goals. Learn what each model offers, where they shine, where they can fall short, and how to choose the right approach for your nonprofit team or personal development.
📚Resources for Further Exploration 📌 SMART Goals- 📖 Creating SMART Goals https://www.mindtools.com/a4wo118/smart-goals https://www.atlassian.com/blog/productivity/how-to-write-smart-goals
- 📘 “Measure What Matters” by John Doerr https://whatmatters.com This site offers extensive OKR templates and case studies based on Doerr’s work.
- 📗 “HARD Goals: The Secret to Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be” by Mark Murphy Overview and concept summary: https://www.leadershipiq.com/blogs/leadershipiq/43579969-hard-goals-vs-smart-goals

Episode 3: Herzberg's Two-Factor (Motivation-Hygiene) Theory of Motivation
Mission 501: The Podcast
04/08/25 • 7 min
This episode is all about motivation! Ryan discusses Herzberg's (1959) Two-Factor, or Motivation-Hygiene, Theory of Motivation. This theory may be aging, but it's still very relevant in the workplace today. Ryan discusses the factors of the theory and how they contribute to motivating employees. Enjoy!

Episode 8: Setting Growth Goals That Stick
Mission 501: The Podcast
05/12/25 • 9 min
Setting goals is easy — sticking to them is the hard part. In this episode of Mission 501: The Podcast, Ryan explores how growth-focused goals can create lasting motivation and effective personal and professional development in nonprofits. Learn why shifting your approach around growth goals makes all the difference when it comes to sustainable success.
📚 Resources for Further Exploration
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Carol Dweck's work on growth mindset is foundational for understanding how focusing on learning and improvement (rather than just outcomes) leads to more resilient, lasting growth.
Latham, G. P. (2004). The motivational benefits of goal-setting. Academy of Management Executive, 18(4), 126–129. Latham explores how setting "learning" or "growth" goals — rather than performance goals alone — leads to deeper motivation and more sustainable progress.
Seijts, G. H., & Latham, G. P. (2005). Learning versus performance goals: When should each be used? Academy of Management Executive, 19(1), 124–131. This article discusses why and when to prioritize learning/growth goals and how it affects team and individual performance.
Grant, A. M. (2017). The Third 'Generation' of Workplace Coaching: Creating a Culture of Quality Conversations. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 10(1), 37–53. Grant’s research ties coaching and growth goal-setting together — especially useful if you're managing or mentoring others.
Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. While it's not about "goals" per se, Clear’s insights on identity-based change strongly reinforce the idea behind setting authentic growth goals that are sustainable.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Mission 501: The Podcast have?
Mission 501: The Podcast currently has 9 episodes available.
What topics does Mission 501: The Podcast cover?
The podcast is about Non-Profit, Podcasts, Social Sciences, Science and Business.
What is the most popular episode on Mission 501: The Podcast?
The episode title 'Episode 0: Welcome to Mission 501: The Podcast!' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Mission 501: The Podcast?
The average episode length on Mission 501: The Podcast is 12 minutes.
How often are episodes of Mission 501: The Podcast released?
Episodes of Mission 501: The Podcast are typically released every 6 days.
When was the first episode of Mission 501: The Podcast?
The first episode of Mission 501: The Podcast was released on Aug 6, 2023.
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