Best Nonprofit Leadership Podcasts (2024)

1
From Ordinary to Extra Ordinary. Oh yes you can! 26:43

39m ago26:43

26:43

From Ordinary to Extra Ordinary. Oh yes you can! In this episode of The Nonprofit Exchange, I had the pleasure of speaking with Pattie Dale Tye, a remarkable individual who has transitioned from a successful corporate career to becoming an author and mentor. We explored the theme of her book, "From Ordinary to Extraordinary," which emphasizes how a…

1
E65: Empowering Youth Through Sports with CJ Stewart from the L.E.A.D. Center for Youth 45:38

6h ago45:38

45:38

On this episode of Lead with Heart, I have the honor of speaking with CJ Stewart, a former Chicago Cubs outfielder and the visionary co-founder of the L.E.A.D. Center for Youth in Atlanta. Through the transformative power of baseball and tennis, the L.E.A.D. Center for Youth is empowering at-risk youth, addressing trauma, and creating lasting chang…

1
Three Practical Tips to Improve Your Nonprofit's Onboarding Process 8:57

4h ago8:57

8:57

Most people form a first impression in just a tenth of a second, and there’s no second chances. So, what is your nonprofit's first impression? When you hire a new staff person, what do they think or feel? It's worth asking the question, and it's worth investing in making that first impression a good one. That’s why, on today’s episode, I‘m sharing …

1
Why aiming for a stress-free childhood is not ideal 27:52

3h ago27:52

27:52

Addressing childhood poverty in the U.S. is an enormous challenge, and for nonprofits working to improve children’s lives, understanding the impact of poverty is essential. In this episode, Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, a pediatrician and advocate for early childhood development, joins Rob to discuss how nonprofits can support positive childhood experiences…

1
Mastering Post-Pandemic Networking: Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders 24:43

15h ago24:43

24:43

Send us a text Hey there, nonprofit leaders! Ready to shake up your networking game in this post-COVID world? Let's face it - networking events aren't quite the same since the pandemic, right? And if you're an introvert, you might be feeling the struggle even more. On today's episode, Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby share some game-changing insights tha…

1
Impactful Leadership 26:28

12h ago26:28

26:28

In this episode of The Nonprofit Exchange, episode 415, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rupal Patel, a former CIA officer turned entrepreneur and leadership consultant. Rupal shared her journey from the high-stakes world of intelligence to becoming a CEO and founder of multiple organizations. Her book, "CIA to CEO," encapsulates the unconventio…

1
E64: Unlocking the Potential of Nonprofit Consulting with Julia Devine 48:03

1d ago48:03

48:03

I have a special episode lined up for you today with guest, Julia Devine, who co-founded Relatable Nonprofit with her business partner Catalina Parker. These two trailblazers left their six figure nonprofit jobs in their mid-twenties to start their own consulting agency. And over the past two years, they've not only built a successful business but …

1
How to Measure the Impact of Your Programs 32:24

2d ago32:24

32:24

Measuring impact is crucial for nonprofits striving to create sustainable change. In this episode, Dana François, Program Officer for Family Economic Security at the Kellogg Foundation, joins Rob to discuss strategies for effectively measuring program impact. Dana shares insights from the Kellogg Foundation’s Pockets of Hope campaign in Haiti, a ta…

1
Want Better Leaders? Five Ways to Get Them. 11:00

2d ago11:00

11:00

50% of leaders will fail. Even those who were once successful often eventually fail. Leadership failure comes with significant cost. You have to recruit, hire, and onboard a new leader and employees may have left or stopped performing under the old leader. So why do leaders fail? And how can we in L&D support them so they don't? That’s what we’re e…

1
Embracing Risk and Building Tenacity in Nonprofit Leadership 27:28

7d ago27:28

27:28

Send us a text What happens when nonprofit leaders embrace risk and cultivate tenacity? Join hosts Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby as they uncover key strategies to help nonprofit leaders thrive amidst challenges...strategies such as cultivating a strong sense of purpose, embracing challenges and learning from failures, fostering a positive organization…

1
Fostering Connection: Lead with Bempathy® in a Diverse World 26:13

8d ago26:13

26:13

Fostering Connection: Lead with Bempathy® in a Diverse World In this episode of The Non-Profit Exchange, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jill Robin Payne, a seasoned mental health professional with over 40 years of experience. Jill's expertise centers around fostering connection and leading with empathy in our increasingly diverse world. We del…

1
E63: Leveraging Corporate Partnerships for Nonprofit Growth with Carol Cone 47:00

8d ago47:00

47:00

I am honored to have Carol Cone on the podcast today. She is a visionary who saw the immense potential in linking business and social issues way back in the early eighties. Carol spearheaded the walking movement for the Rockport shoe company, transforming it into a household name and growing the business exponentially. Beyond Rockport, her initiati…

1
You Need Social Influence to Achieve Behavior Change. Here's How to Create It. 10:42

15d ago10:42

10:42

70% of organizational changes fail. I feel strongly that almost every training project is a change project. So, how do we successfully facilitate change? One essential element is social influence. We have to create the environment and the relationships to help our audience create and sustain the change. But how do we do that? I'm sharing five ways …

1
How Massachusetts is Seeking to Make Hunger History 31:18

10d ago31:18

31:18

What does it take to solve food insecurity on a statewide level? In this episode, Erin McAleer, President and CEO of Project Bread, shares how Massachusetts is tackling food insecurity through advocacy, systemic change, and statewide collaboration. Erin discusses Project Bread’s radical approach to ending hunger by addressing both immediate needs a…

1
Navigating Leadership Challenges and Discovering Growth As A New Executive Director 31:51

21d ago31:51

31:51

Send us a text Imagine stepping into a leadership role with an overwhelming inbox and the task of transforming not just your job but an entire organization. That's exactly what Colleen Shaughnessy faced on her first day as Executive Director of Youth Heartline in Taos, New Mexico. In this episode, Colleen shares her journey with Nathan, going from …

1
What is Project Management and How Will It Improve Nonprofit’s Effectiveness? 25:16

15d ago25:16

25:16

What is Project Management and How Will It Improve Nonprofit’s Effectiveness? Having a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification can do many things for leaders of nonprofits. It not only makes you a more efficient employee, it's going to open up a lot of opportunities. Project management is a growing career industry, particularly in the n…

1
E62: Turning Personal Loss Into Community Impact with Susan Combs from Pancakes for Roger 34:29

15d ago34:29

34:29

Today’s guest is Susan Combs - the founder of the nonprofit organization Pancakes for Roger. Her journey began with a heartfelt tribute to her father, Major General Roger Combs, a Vietnam War veteran who battled throat cancer due to Agent Orange exposure. From a simple wish for pancakes to a nationwide movement, Susan has turned a personal loss int…

1
Five Low Cost Leadership Development Activities 11:12

16d ago11:12

11:12

I often hear from nonprofit L&D leaders about the challenges they face with constrained budgets. And I feel their pain. I know so many of you are working with small teams and few resources. But leadership development activities don’t have to be expensive and you don’t have to let a constrained budget keep you from developing your leaders. That’s wh…

1
How to Become a Savvy Fundraiser 30:38

17d ago30:38

30:38

What does it take to become a successful fundraiser in today’s competitive nonprofit environment? In this episode, Haley Cooper, fundraising expert and host of the Lead with Heart podcast, shares key strategies for becoming a savvy fundraiser. Haley discusses the most pressing challenges nonprofit leaders face, such as staff turnover and donor rete…

1
Breaking Barriers: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders 32:57

21d ago32:57

32:57

In this episode of The Nonprofit Exchange, I had the pleasure of speaking with two inspiring leaders, Christine Sakdalan and Miguel Valentin, who are making significant strides in addressing inequities in the workforce through their nonprofit organization, Momentum and Value for People of Color (MVP). Christine, a pharmaceutical executive with over…

1
E61: Fundraising Lessons from a Nonprofit Veteran with Dr. Rob Harter 43:23

24d ago43:23

43:23

Today’s guest is Dr. Rob Harter - a nonprofit executive professional with over 29 years of experience leading and building nonprofit organizations, fundraising, leveraging resources, and managing organizational growth. He has a lot of advice to share on fundraising trends, what makes a fundraiser successful, and why creating a culture of developmen…

1
Your L&D Team Needs Email Marketing. Expert Julie Nichols Shares Where to Start 25:14

23d ago25:14

25:14

You spend months working hard on a training only to launch it and hear crickets. If you can't mandate people take that training, what do you do? This is where marketing comes in. Marketing is a pretty different skill set than what most L&D teams have. And your marketing team may not have the capacity to support you with each new training. That’s wh…

1
Nonprofits…we need a rebrand 55:40

25d ago55:40

55:40

Nonprofit. It is a word we all use to describe our organizations, but are we inadvertently hurting ourselves by using that word? When you hear the name “nonprofit” what comes to mind? Perhaps scarcity, or the opposite of something, or work that we shouldn’t get paid to do? Why do we call this sector by its tax exempt status rather than for what we …

1
Unlocking Nonprofit Success With A Simple Tool For Strategic Planning 27:22

1M ago27:22

27:22

Send us a text Ready to transform your nonprofit’s strategic planning? This episode promises to equip you with practical advice on conducting an effective SWOT analysis, and shows you how even the smallest nonprofits can benefit from this robust but simple tool. Tim and Nathan start the discussion with a fun word association game to ease into the k…

1
Mastering LinkedIn for Sales and Sponsorship 28:36

1M ago28:36

28:36

Mastering LinkedIn for Sales and Sponsorship Brynne Tillman is the CEO of Social Sales Link and The Modern Banker. She teaches professionals how to leverage LinkedIn to start trust-based conversation without being salesy. Brynne’s authentic approach to social selling has led her to receive a LinkedIn Top Voice in multiple categories. She is a best-…

1
E60: From Survival Mode to Empowered Leadership with Kathy Archer 42:16

29d ago42:16

42:16

Welcome back to the Lead with Heart podcast. I am very excited to have Kathy Archer as my guest today. Kathy is a leadership development coach and an expert in women's leadership and personal development. Kathy has dedicated her career to helping women discover their true leadership potential by mastering their inner guidance system and building th…

1
Hiring in L&D? Three Things to Look for in Your Next Job Candidate 10:08

1M ago10:08

10:08

I see a lot of L&D job descriptions and they usually include things like communication skills, project management skills, knowledge of learning design principles, and more. And while these are skills that you certainly do use as an L&D pro, what actually helps you hit the ground running? In this episode, I’m sharing three not-so-obvious skills or c…

1
What does it take to turn around a struggling nonprofit? 32:46

1M ago32:46

32:46

What does it take to turn around a struggling nonprofit? In this episode, Armando Contreras, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), shares his remarkable story of reviving a nonprofit that was on the verge of bankruptcy. Armando discusses the challenges UCP faced and the strategies he implemented to restore financial stability and build trust with aff…

1
Top Tactics for Finding the Right People for Your Nonprofit Board 23:12

1M ago23:12

23:12

Send us a text How do you build a board that can truly drive your nonprofit's mission forward? Who do you need and how do you find them? Tim and Nathan answer these questions and also provide practical tips and strategies for adding members to your board. Leveraging existing board members' networks, tapping into engaged donors and active volunteers…

1
E59: Scaling Compassion with Echo VanderWal, Founder of The Luke Commission 34:39

1M ago34:39

34:39

I am very excited and honored to have Echo VanderWal as today’s guest on the Lead with Heart podcast. Echo is the founder of The Luke Commission (also known as TLC) and has led TLC to scale compassion in a way many deemed impossible. TLC’s mission is to provide free, compassionate, and comprehensive healthcare to underserved populations in Eswatini…

1
Unleashing Your Leadership Potential 26:19

1M ago26:19

26:19

Unleashing Your Leadership Potential Lynell Green is a highly accomplished strategic management consultant and executive coach, renowned for her expertise in unleashing leadership potential and fostering strategic growth. With over 40 years of experience, Lynell has successfully worked with an impressive roster of clients, including industry leader…

1
5 Experts Weigh In on the Future of L&D 38:35

1M ago38:35

38:35

On today’s episode, I want us to look to the future of L&D. However, I don't only want to talk about the future of L&D from an L&D lens; I want us to be holistic and well-rounded and hear from a diversity of perspectives. That’s why I’ve invited some of my favorite L&D and L&D adjacent thought leaders to join me to talk about what they hope for the…

1
What one organization is doing to address our growing mental health crisis 25:16

1M ago25:16

25:16

Mental health is a critical issue, especially in today’s world, and Lindsay Kolsch, Co-Executive Director of To Write Love On Her Arms, joins this episode to discuss her organization’s mission. Lindsay shares how TWLOHA provides hope and help to people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. With suicide affecting someone e…

1
JPowell, Rate Cuts, and Fundraising...Now What? 12:36

2M ago12:36

12:36

Send us a text The U.S. Federal Reserve announced this week (September 18, 2024) a 50 basis point cut in interest rates, with reactions of joy from some and concern from others. So what? How does that impact me as a nonprofit leader? In this special edition of the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership, Nathan Ruby tackles that topic and provides some pr…

1
Unlocking the Power of Volunteers: Transforming Nonprofits with Effective Volunteer Programs 44:39

2M ago44:39

44:39

Send us a text What if the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations wasn't funding, but the volunteers who power them? Join us as we unpack this provocative idea with Jada Hoerr, Chief Resource Officer of Midwest Food Bank, and Corey Barrette, Volunteer and Community Relations Manager at Midwest Food Bank - New England. Jada and Corey reveal how an arm…

1
Deep Dives into Good Books 26:33

2M ago26:33

26:33

Deep Dives into Good Books - Reading books definitely still matters! For 26 years +, Randy has presented synopses of business books at the First Friday Book Synopsis in Dallas. In addition to his presentations at his public event, he presents extended versions of these synopses to leadership teams and groups within companies and organizations, in m…

1
E58: Incorporating Mindfulness at Your Nonprofit with Megan Whitney 52:08

1M ago52:08

52:08

I'm very excited to have Megan Whitney on this episode of Lead with Heart. Megan is talking about burnout and sharing some mindfulness strategies we can use to build a supportive and inclusive nonprofit culture. Megan is a seasoned fundraising consultant and mindfulness coach with 17 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She understands the …

1
What Corporate Training Can Steal from Fantasy Football 10:38

2M ago10:38

10:38

Fantasy football is an $11 billion business with 29.2 million people playing in the US alone in 2022. So what’s the appeal? It's our job to look at what fantasy football is doing well and determine what we can steal to make our training more effective. In today’s episode, I’m exploring the four things L&D can steal from fantasy football to improve …

1
How Petco is impacting the lives of both pets and humans 30:35

2M ago30:35

30:35

Humans are not the only ones who suffer through troubling times, their pets do as well. Pets are often the only companion a person may have and they play a big role in one’s mental and physical health, especially during trying times. This episodes’ guest, Susanne Kogut, explains why her nonprofit is committed to the wellbeing of pets and their fami…

1
Navigating Your Nonprofit In An Election Year with Christina Edwards 24:59

2M ago24:59

24:59

Send us a text A contentious national election can bring challenges to many aspects of leading a nonprofit...not the least the fundraising side. How should a nonprofit leader handle political conversations with staff, board members, and donors? How does fundraising change during this season? At what level should a nonprofit engage in public politic…

1
How to Become a Grant-Ready Nonprofit 32:31

2M ago32:31

32:31

How to Become a Grant-Ready Nonprofit Many nonprofits want to receive grants to support their work, but are not successful in receive the grant awards. Dr. Toni Rockis shares her process for getting more grants. Dr. Toni Rockis is a powerhouse in the world of education and grants. She began her career as a high school special education teacher, qui…

1
E57: Using Scientific Data-Driven Decision Making in Your Nonprofit with Sheela Mahajan 38:08

2M ago38:08

38:08

When I learned about today’s guest as a working mom, business owner, and CEO of the Nonprofit Science Institute, I couldn’t wait to have her on the podcast. Sheela Mahajan helps nonprofits go from intangible and ambiguous goals to quantifiable, measured impact. She is leading the effort in bringing scientific thinking to the nonprofit field. Sheela…

1
Making Generative AI Your L&D Thought Partner with Valerie Ehrlich 27:48

2M ago27:48

27:48

Is generative AI your L&D thought partner? I've used ChatGPT for this podcast, for LinkedIn posts, for training, and more. And while I don't yet rely on it daily, it's becoming a better partner for me, because I'm getting better at using it. I love the idea of helping L&D pros like us make generative AI our thought partner, that’s why today’s guest…

1
How government agencies and nonprofits can work together effectively 24:54

2M ago24:54

24:54

Have you ever wondered how public-private partnerships can help solve large-scale social issues? Today’s guest, Kathleen Kelly Janus, shares her experience leading impactful collaborations between government, private companies, and nonprofits to tackle challenges like homelessness and recidivism. Kathleen Kelly explains how these partnerships are v…

1
E56: Connecting with Your Nonprofit Supporters with Jane Pfeiffer 32:42

2M ago32:42

32:42

On today’s episode of Lead with Heart, I am excited to have Jane Pfeiffer as my guest. Jane is the founder and president of Fieldtrip - a cause-driven agency that amplifies nonprofits and the impact they make. Jane and her team recently surveyed 400 participants to explore people's thoughts and feelings about supporting nonprofits. She is sharing t…

1
5 Reasons Blended Learning is a Good Strategy for Staff Development 11:18

2M ago11:18

11:18

I'm a big fan of blended learning… I like being able to have learners spend some time inside a virtual or in-person classroom, but I also like them to spend time learning independently or in groups outside the classroom. Blended learning is a great approach to people development. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 reasons why. ▶️ 5 Reasons Blended Lear…

1
Hear how three emerging Gen Z leaders are making their world better 32:33

2M ago32:33

32:33

Being young doesn’t mean one can’t make a difference. In fact, there is a lot we in the nonprofit space can learn from Gen Z leaders who have already made a big impact in their communities. Today’s guests; Sienna Nazarian, Robbie Khazan, and Dylan Zajac are exactly those kinds of leaders. These three are great examples of emerging leaders who are m…

1
5 Steps To Overcoming Roadblocks: Strategies for Nonprofit Leadership Success 20:11

2M ago20:11

20:11

Send us a text Imagine you're cruising along on a road trip when suddenly you're face-to-face with a roadblock. What now? Turn right, turn left, or hear your GPS say "recalculating"? Same thing happens when leading a nonprofit organization. Roadblocks pop up that hinder our progress, reaching our goals, and/or fulfilling our mission. What do we do?…

1
Dollars and Dreams: A CPA’s Insight into Nonprofit Sustainability 25:02

2M ago25:02

25:02

Dollars and Dreams: A CPA’s Insight into Nonprofit Sustainability Making sure you have the proper funding and support can help your mission. Letting go of some responsibilities can help the organization grow LaMichelle Hecht, CPA, MBA is the owner and CEO of Overhead Solutions Group. She brings with her more than nine years of accounting experience…

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E55: Incorporating Behavioural Science into Fundraising Strategies with Howard Levy 35:25

2M ago35:25

35:25

In today’s episode of Lead with Heart, I am very excited to have Howard Levy as my guest. Howard is the president of the Red Rooster Group and helps organizations engage their audiences, wake up their brands, and create systemic change. How does he do this? Through behavioral science principles, sophisticated messaging strategies, and data-driven c…

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