The Podcast
Nonprofits are messy
Answering the most pressing questions faced by nonprofit leaders around the world, my podcast is created for the heroic leaders in our society who commit themselves to public service – executive directors, senior staff, heads of school, development professionals, board leaders, and many more who provide service to the nonprofit sector.
Our goal is simple. We aim to find just the right expert to answer the questions on the minds of our listeners. And in so doing, we offer a conversational forum that will inform, entertain and inspire.


Ep 163: What It Takes to Be a Successful Director of Development
Join me for an eye-opening conversation about fundraising mistakes, fundraising anxiety, and what it actually takes to be a first-rate development director for your nonprofit.

Ep 162: Inside the Heart & Mind of a Program Officer
What does an ideal relationship between a program officer and a grantee actually look like? Experienced program officer, Rebecca Cokley, joins me in this episode to answer this frequently asked question.

Ep 161: Inclusion is About More Than Diversity
In this episode, author and Chief People Officer at Vice Media Group, Daisy Auger-Domínguez to talk about the best starting place for nonprofit leaders who want to dismantle racial inequity and foster more inclusivity in the workplace.

Ep 160: Corporate Philanthropy and the Paul Newman Foundation
In this episode, Miriam Nelson, CEO of the Newman Foundation, joins me to talk about corporate philanthropy, purpose-driven work, and shameless exploitation for the power of good…

Ep 159: Helping Veteran Volunteers Find Their Next Mission
My guest in this episode is Team Rubicon CEO, Art delaCruz. Listen in as we chat about the positive impact of volunteerism — particularly for military veterans.

Ep 158: 3 Big Trends That Are Altering the Nonprofit Sector
Eric Nee, Editor in Chief of SSIR, joins me to talk about what’s going on in our world and how it impacts social change and the work nonprofit leaders do every single day.

Ep 157: How Equitable Technology Can Supercharge Your Mission
Technology for nonprofits is often thought of as being external to the work that goes on inside the sector. In this episode, Amy Ward and Afua Bruce join me to talk about how equitable technology can help us build a more equitable world.

Ep 156: How Leaders Can Promote Belonging In the Workplace
In this episode, guest Rhodes Perry joins me to uncover the role inclusive leaders play when it comes to building belonging cultures in the nonprofit workplace.

Ep 155: A Once-In-A-Generation Opportunity to Shape the Future of Nonprofit Work
What is smart technology? And what does it look like in the nonprofit sector? Beth Kanter and Allison Fine join me for a deep dive into human-centered software and how to use it ethically, responsibly, and intentionally in today’s nonprofit world.

Ep 154: The Nonprofit Business Model is Broken
What does the ideal nonprofit business model look like? Does it bear any resemblance to the model we have today? Listen in as guest Vu Le and I paint the picture of an evolved nonprofit sector.
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Required Listening
– JENWATLEYNELSON
“No one should attempt to work at or lead a nonprofit (or maybe any company) without Joan! Always timely and relevant.”
Thank You!
– MICHTORG
“I run a national nonprofit, large in reach and impact, but small on budget. I’ve been gobbling up resources and at times feel like I’m boing an ocean as I click through the hyperlinks on Google docs, looking for the answer on how to lead and do the right thing in a global pandemic! Joan kindly reminds the listener that the answers are within us and are core to our leadership attributes, and coaches the listener on how to focus and pivot with great suggestions and resources. Thank you!”
Best Thing Ever!
– CARLAP44
“This is my new favorite podcast! Joan knows her stuff and she had a great guest who also knows their stuff! Every episode is interesting and informative. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone working in the nonprofit!”
Best Nonprofit Podcast!
– ABRAANNES
“Real, in-depth interviews that provide tangible steps and tools to nonprofits!”
So Informative!
– MARIESTJAMES
“I just started listening to this podcast and I have already learned so much that I can immediately apply to my job and my organization. Thank you for the extremely relevant and practical information and discussion. It has already made me see my job in a new light!”
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