Healing. Hope. Wholeness. One Conversation at a Time.
Rooted in Love: Conversations with Gabby and Jason is the official podcast of the St. Joseph Fund. In each episode, we invite listeners into heartfelt conversations with community leaders, faith-driven changemakers, and experts in social impact who are transforming lives and systems with compassion, courage, and a commitment to making a difference.
At the intersection of Catholic social teaching, equity, and community power, Rooted in Love explores how partnerships rooted in love create lasting impact. Whether it’s reimagining disaster response, nurturing educational access, or uplifting grassroots leadership, our guests offer wisdom, inspiration, and practical insights that guide our work.
What You Can Expect:
- Honest, mission-centered dialogue with nonprofit leaders, faith-based advocates, and community members
- Stories of resilience, innovation, and collective healing
- Lessons from the field on equity, capacity building, and long-term impact
- Reflections on how love—when put into action—becomes a powerful tool for transformation
This is more than a podcast. It’s a reflection of who we are and what we stand for: building healing-centered capacity that advances community power building, equity, and systems change.
New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe today and join the journey.
Rooted in Community: Trust, Self-Determination and the Power to Flourish
What becomes possible when relationships—not programs, strategies, or outcomes—are the starting point for building community power?
In this episode of Rooted in Love, St. Joseph Fund Program Officer Amy Huang sits down with Alyshia Alohalani Macaysa-Feracota, founding Executive Director of the Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition, for a deeply personal conversation about community, coalition-building, self-determination, and the relationships that make lasting change possible.
Alyshia shares how her experiences as a Native Hawaiian and Filipino woman shaped her path from public health to community organizing and ultimately to building a coalition rooted in the wisdom and leadership of Pacific Islander communities. She reflects on the often-invisible work behind community power: showing up, building trust, navigating conflict, honoring cultural knowledge, and creating the conditions for people to determine what thriving looks like for themselves.
Amy and Alyshia also reflect on their work together through the St. Joseph Fund’s Healing Tides Initiative and on what philanthropy can learn from a truly community-centered partnership. Listening is essential, Alyshia explains, but partnership asks more of us. Funders and institutions must also understand what they can offer, bring their expertise to the table, and be willing to do the work alongside community.
Ultimately, Alyshia returns to love. For her, being Rooted in Love is found in the laughter, music, food, elders, young people and joy of community—and in building toward what is possible because of a fierce love for one’s people. It is a reminder that lasting change grows through relationships and that when we build from love, communities can become more whole, more healed and more able to flourish, hope, love and grow.
About Alyshia Alohalani Macaysa-Feracota
Alyshia Alohalani Macaysa-Feracota is a community organizer, facilitator, and nationally recognized public health practitioner whose work centers on building life-affirming justice through a decolonized public health practice. As founding Executive Director of the Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition, Alyshia works alongside Pacific Islander community leaders to strengthen relationships, build collective power, and advance community-led systems change.
Her work spans research and data justice, health equity policy and community-led strategy, including initiatives that have centered the wisdom and lived experiences of frontline communities in decision-making. Alyshia is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leaders alumna, a founding board member of digital justice nonprofit suma, and a 2022 Distinguished Alumna of the University of California, Berkeley School of Social Welfare.
A Journey: Healing, Community, and Abundance
In this episode of Rooted in Love: Conversations with Gabby & Jason, Gabriela Robles sits down with Sister Marian Schubert, CSJ, a longtime healthcare leader, educator, and member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, whose life has been shaped by service, compassion, and community.
For Gabby, this conversation is especially personal. Early in her career, Sister Marian served as both a supervisor and mentor, helping shape her understanding of mission-centered leadership and the power of accompaniment.
Together, they reflect on Sister Marian’s journey from nursing and healthcare ministry to congregational leadership, exploring what it means to heal beyond curing, build trust through relationships, and lead from a place of abundance rather than scarcity. Along the way, they discuss the values that have guided Sister Marian’s life and work—from honoring the dignity of every person to empowering communities to shape their own futures.
It’s a thoughtful conversation about healing, hope, and the enduring belief that love, compassion, and community are among our greatest sources of strength.
About Marian Schubert, CSJ
Sister Marian Schubert, CSJ, is a Sister of St. Joseph of Orange and serves as Assistant General Superior of the congregation. A nurse, healthcare leader, educator, and spiritual mentor, she has dedicated her ministry to advancing community health, fostering human dignity, and accompanying others on their journeys toward wholeness.
Previously, she served as Vice President of Mission Integration at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, where she helped strengthen connections between healthcare, mission, and community. Throughout her vocation, Sister Marian has championed healing that extends beyond clinical care—grounded in relationships, compassion, and a deep belief in the wisdom and strength of communities.
Through her leadership and ministry, she continues to embody the Sisters of St. Joseph’s commitment to serving the dear neighbor and building a more loving and just world.
When the Work Doesn’t End: Leadership After Healing Tides
What happens when a program ends—but the work doesn’t?
In this episode, Jason sits down with Noilyn Mendoza to reflect on the closing of the Healing Tides initiative and what it revealed about leadership, community, and sustainability. What began as a response to burnout and under-resourcing in the nonprofit sector evolved into something deeper: a three-year, community-driven effort to center healing—not as a concept, but as a daily practice inside organizations.
Together, they unpack what participants built that doesn’t show up in reports, why traditional models of leadership and philanthropy often fall short, and what it actually takes to support leaders who are navigating both personal and collective challenges.
From rethinking how organizations operate, to shifting from competition to community, to designing spaces where leaders can be fully seen, this conversation challenges the idea that impact is measured only within a grant period.
Because if Healing Tides proved anything, it’s this: the container may end—but the practice, the relationships, and the impact continue.
About Noilyn Mendoza
Noilyn Mendoza is an executive coach, organizational strategist, and certified pranic healer who describes her work more simply: helping people find their way back to themselves.
With nearly two decades of experience in the public sector, including advocating for immigrant healthcare access in New York City, Noilyn brings a deep understanding of what it means to lead while carrying both personal and collective responsibility. Today, she works closely with leaders and organizations—particularly those rooted in community—to navigate complexity, reconnect with purpose, and lead from a place of clarity and care.
As the design lead and facilitator of the St. Joseph Fund’s Healing Tides initiative, Noilyn guided a three-year journey alongside Pacific Islander community leaders, helping reimagine leadership, sustainability, and organizational health through a healing-centered lens.
She is also the host of Unlock Your Inner Creator, where she explores conversations on purpose, possibility, and new ways of living and leading. Outside of her work, Noilyn can be found having dance-offs with her kids, tending to her growing garden, or planning her next adventure.
Rooted in Legacy: St. Joseph Then and Now
In this special St. Joseph’s Day episode of Rooted in Love: Conversations with Gabby & Jason, we’re joined by Sr. Jayne Helmlinger, a Sister of St. Joseph of Orange and member of the St. Joseph Fund Board, for a conversation that bridges history, faith, and the future.
Together, they reflect on the quiet, steadfast leadership of St. Joseph and how his example of humility, courage, and faithful action continues to shape the Fund’s work today. Sr. Jayne shares personal stories from her own vocation, insights into the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and what it means to be rooted in love across generations.
As the St. Joseph Fund marks 40 years of partnership and impact, this episode invites listeners to look back with gratitude and forward with hope. What does it mean to accompany communities over the long haul? How do we remain grounded in mission while responding to a changing world? And how does love—steady, practical, persistent love—guide both spiritual life and philanthropy?
It’s a thoughtful, grounding conversation about legacy, partnership, and the quiet power of showing up.
About Sr. Jayne Helmlinger, CSJ
Sr. Jayne Helmlinger is a Sister of St. Joseph of Orange and a member of the St. Joseph Fund Board. Rooted in the charism of unity, reconciliation, and love of neighbor without distinction, she has dedicated her life to ministry, accompaniment, and community-building.
With a deep commitment to faith in action, Sr. Jayne brings a perspective shaped by decades of service and a profound understanding of the Sisters’ mission. Her leadership reflects the steady, relational approach that has guided the St. Joseph Fund for more than four decades—walking alongside communities, listening deeply, and nurturing hope. Through her service on the Board and her lifelong vocation, Sr. Jayne continues to embody what it means to be rooted in love.
When Partnership Heals: Cultural Safety and Community Ownership
In this episode, Amy Huang sits down with Dr. Amy Stiffarm to talk candidly about what it really takes to support Indigenous maternal and infant health work in Montana—beyond the rush for quick deliverables. Dr. Stiffarm reflects on how capacity building initially felt too slow for the urgency on the ground, but ultimately became the “full tank” that makes sustainable, community-led progress possible. Together, they unpack how funders can avoid performative storytelling, why data sovereignty matters (and how boilerplate grant language can unintentionally reinforce harmful power dynamics), and what “cultural safety” looks like not just in healthcare settings, but in philanthropic relationships themselves. They close with what’s ahead in 2026: deepening support for Montana’s Native American Maternal Health Community Advisory Board, investing directly in leaders’ growth, and expanding partnerships in ways that stay community-defined.
Dr. Amy Stiffarm
Dr. Amy Stiffarm is an Aaniiih tribal member of the Fort Belknap Indian Community in central Montana, and also Chippewa Cree and Blackfeet. She serves as Director of Native American Initiatives at Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies (HMHB) Montana, where she helps advance Indigenous maternal and infant health efforts statewide—grounded in community leadership, healing, and self-determination. In this conversation, she shares how capacity-building, data sovereignty, and cultural safety are not “extras,” but the foundation for work that lasts.
Amy Huang
Amy Huang represents the St. Joseph Fund in this episode and reflects on what it looks like for philanthropy to practice healing-centered partnership—especially when it comes to shifting power, changing internal systems, and honoring that community knowledge and stories belong to community. She explores how funders can move beyond performative storytelling and “standard” processes to create conditions for trust, safety, and community-led impact.
Rooted in Reflection: Gabby, Jason, & Amy on 2025 and the Hope Ahead
In this year-end episode, the St. Joseph Fund team gathers to exhale, look back on 2025, and look ahead to a milestone year. They root the conversation in the founding vision of Sister Suzanne and the Sisters of St. Joseph, reflecting on how the Fund has evolved from a health care foundation to a healing-centered, community-rooted health foundation that stays focused on root causes, not quick fixes.
Together, they revisit the moments that defined the year: deepening work in healing-centered capacity building through initiatives; shifting their posture from “leading” to truly being led by community; and trusting partners enough to hand over the agenda—literally—during a powerful board retreat in Montana designed the “Indigenous way,” grounded in story, presence, and relationship rather than a tightly scripted schedule.
The trio also names what many in the field are carrying: exhaustion, uncertainty, and the emotional weight of eroding public systems—alongside a stubborn, shared conviction that communities will keep finding a way forward. They talk about healing as capacity building at every level, and how that lens will shape the Fund’s 40th anniversary year, including new ways to uplift often-invisible nonprofit leadership and the introduction of the Rooted in Love Award. The episode closes where it began: with gratitude, trust in community, and a clear-eyed hope that 2026 will be “wild” in all the right ways.
Gabriela “Gabby” Robles
Gabriela Robles, Chief Executive and co-host of Rooted in Love: Conversations with Gabby & Jason. She carries forward the founding vision of Sister Suzanne and the Sisters of St. Joseph, keeping the Fund focused on root causes, long-term partnership, and healing-centered philanthropy.
Jason Lacsamana
Jason Lacsamana serves as Director of Programs & Partnerships and co-host of Rooted in Love. With more than a decade at the Fund, he has helped shape its evolution into a healing-centered, capacity-building grantmaker that meets partners where they are and trusts community wisdom over rigid logic models.
Amy HuangAmy Huang is a Program Officer at the St. Joseph Fund, working alongside community organizations, local leaders, and other funders to ensure nonprofits have the capacity to stay rooted and effective in their communities.
Walking the Talk: Leading Change from Both Sides of the Table
In this conversation, Gabby sits down with Alissa Abdo, Executive Director of On the Move and a longtime partner, to trace a rare and powerful arc: from early-stage grantee, to trusted collaborator, to sitting member of the Fund’s board. Alissa brings unvarnished clarity about what it really takes for philanthropy to show up in community—starting with SJF’s early investment in Parent University. This program had no “model,” just a group of deeply committed parents, educators, and local leaders determined to build something that met their community’s needs.
She and Gabby unpack what authentic partnership looks like in real life, and Alissa talks candidly about the importance of saying “not now” to a grant when timing is off—and why that integrity matters more than chasing funding. The episode also surfaces something easy to miss in philanthropy: that the work can’t advance unless funders are willing to be changed by the community.
About Alissa Abdo
Alissa Abdo is the Executive Director of On the Move, a Northern California organization dedicated to developing young leaders, strengthening families, and supporting community-led change. Alissa’s relationship with the St. Joseph Fund stretches back ten years, beginning as a grantee partner during the early development of Parent University.
Today, she serves on the Fund’s board, bringing that same lived experience, strategic insight, and commitment to authentic partnership into the Fund’s governance. Through both her role at On the Move and her service on the SJF board, Alissa remains a powerful advocate for philanthropic models that listen deeply, adjust boldly, and build trust by design.
Community Power and Health Equity: Disrupting Systems for Lasting Change
In this foundational episode of Rooted in Love, we reflect on a decade-long partnership between the St. Joseph Fund and Prevention Institute—and how the Intersections Initiative redefined what it means to walk with community. Joined by longtime partner and friend Sandra Viera, Jason unpacks how this place-based strategy went beyond typical grantmaking to center community voice, seed healing, and build lasting infrastructure for justice.
Together, Jason and Sandra revisit the early vision for Intersections, the breakthrough moments across seven California communities, and how the model continues to evolve in places like Renton, Washington. The conversation encompasses a wide range of topics, from housing and education to narrative change, disaster recovery, and the transformative power of equitable development.
About Sandra Viera
Sandra Viera is a Director at Prevention Institute, where she co-leads the Healthy Equitable Communities portfolio. For over 15 years, she has helped shape place-based strategies that prioritize equity, racial justice, and community-led transformation. As co-lead of the Intersections Initiative—a long-term collaboration with the St. Joseph Fund—Sandra has supported communities across California and Washington in building power, confronting structural inequities, and advancing healing-centered systems change. With deep roots in grassroots organizing, she brings lived experience and strategic insight to her work, grounded in trust, relationships, and collective action.
Where Faith Meets Urgency – Reimagining Disaster Response
In this compelling episode of Rooted in Love, we explore the urgent and evolving landscape of disaster response through the lens of Catholic service and leadership. Kerry Alys Robinson of Catholic Charities USA joins us to unpack how disaster relief is more than a moment—it’s a mission. Together, we discuss how Catholic Charities mobilizes during crises, why faith-based partnerships are essential, and how organizations like the St. Joseph Fund and Catholic Charities USA collaborate to build resilience long after the headlines fade.
From wildfires to hurricanes, the conversation delves into lessons learned, the importance of community voice in recovery, and what funders must do differently to promote healing and long-term stability. Kerry also shares a personal moment that keeps her grounded in this essential work, reminding us that love is not just an intention—it is an action that brings wholeness, healing, and hope.
About Kerry Alys Robinson
Kerry Alys Robinson is a nationally recognized expert in Catholic leadership and philanthropy. She currently serves as President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, a national network committed to alleviating poverty and responding to crises through compassion and justice. Previously, she served as the founding executive director and executive partner at Leadership Roundtable, a pioneering organization dedicated to strengthening Catholic institutions through ethical leadership and management best practices. Kerry is also the author of the award-winning Imagining Abundance: Fundraising, Philanthropy and a Spiritual Call to Service. Her voice continues to shape the future of faith-based philanthropy and disaster response.
From Surviving to Thriving – Community Healing in Action
In this powerful episode, Steve Kim joins us to discuss what it really takes to rebuild lives after incarceration. At the heart of the conversation is dignity—the belief that every person is worthy of healing and second chances. Steve shares his personal journey, the founding of Project Kinship, and how faith, resilience, and authentic community can break cycles of harm and unlock potential. We explore the importance of trauma-informed approaches, the structural barriers faced by returning citizens, and the role funders like SJF play in supporting community-led solutions. Steve’s message is clear: people don’t need saving—they need opportunities, respect, and someone who believes in them.
About Steve Kim
Steve Kim is the co-founder and Executive Director of Project Kinship, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the healing and reentry of individuals impacted by incarceration, gangs, and community violence. A former juvenile lifer himself, Steve is a nationally recognized leader in restorative justice and trauma-informed care. His work has created spaces of hope, belonging, and transformation for thousands across Southern California.
Why We Do This Work: A Legacy of Compassion — Honoring Sr. Suzanne Sassus
In this intimate and reflective episode, we honor Sister Suzanne Sassus, CSJ, whose visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to love in action helped shape the heart of the St. Joseph Fund. Sr. Suzanne shares stories of the Fund’s beginnings, the inspiration of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, and how the mission of “serving the dear neighbor without distinction” remains alive today. Listeners will hear about the quiet courage required to build a new model of Catholic philanthropy, rooted in trust and partnership. Sr. Suzanne reminds us that even amidst change and challenge, we must hold fast to faith, community, and compassion. This episode is a tribute to her legacy—and a call to continue the work she helped begin.
About Sr. Suzanne Sassus, CSJ
Sister Suzanne Sassus, CSJ, has dedicated her life to service, justice, and the healing mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. As a founding voice in establishing the St. Joseph Fund and a long-serving board member, Sr. Suzanne has shaped the Fund’s commitment to equity, dignity, and community-rooted compassion. Her legacy is evident in the countless lives touched by the Fund’s work and in the enduring ethos of walking with communities, not ahead of them.
