Episode 1 - Protecting Relationships in the Midst of Organizational Pain with Mark Fairfield

In this compelling episode, host Jennifer Sconyers welcomes long-time collaborator and senior ALC consultant Mark Fairfield to the ALC ChangeMakers Podcast. Together, they dive into the complexity of relational work within mission-driven organizations, the pain signals that bring clients to ALC, and the strategies they use to support organizations navigating systemic conflict, burnout, and change.

Jennifer and Mark reflect on their first meeting at a workshop focused on relational conflict and explore how their shared commitment to systemic, relational, and cultural change has informed years of collaboration. Mark offers deep insight into Relational Uprising, a movement and methodology rooted in relational culture and solidarity, and how this framework supports organizations through crises and transformation.

From conflict resolution and storytelling to interdependence and systemic bias, this episode is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders and social impact professionals seeking practical, honest approaches to organizational health and relationship-building.

Topics Covered:

💡 The origin story of Jennifer and Mark’s collaboration

💡 The role of relational culture in organizational sustainability

💡 Why nonprofits often reach out when they’re in pain—and what happens next

💡 The “deep end of the pool” metaphor for diagnosing client readiness

💡 How ALC uses storytelling to interrupt bias and build shared purpose

💡 What it means to practice interdependence in Western work culture

💡 The dangers of “business as usual” in times of systemic crisis

💡 Rapid response coaching and other ALC interventions for conflict recovery

💡 Why thriving organizations embrace complexity and difference

Key Quotes:

"Bias thrives in a vacuum. We use storytelling to eliminate the vacuum." – Mark Fairfield

"Our approach isn’t about avoiding conflict—it’s about transforming it for the sake of impact." – Jennifer Sconyers

"This is the worst moment in history to reenact business as usual." – Mark Fairfield

Learn More:

Connect with Abundance Leadership Consulting and explore upcoming programs and resources:

🌐 www.jennifersconyers.com

About the Guest:

Mark Fairfield is a senior consultant with ALC and a founding leader of the relational culture movement. A former therapist and longtime trainer, Mark brings decades of experience working at the intersection of healing, systems change, and community building. His work is grounded in helping groups reconnect to their values, navigate deep-rooted conflict, and build sustainable cultures of belonging and impact.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfairfield/

#ALCChangeMakers #AbundanceLeadership #RelationalCulture #SocialImpact #OrganizationalChange #ConflictTransformation #NonprofitLeadership #SystemicChange #StorytellingForEquity