Best Nancy Bacon Podcasts (2024)

1
Reflections for a New Year 20:09

5d ago20:09

20:09

As this year comes to a close, you might be reflecting on the year... on your successes and lessons learned. In this episode of the Nonprofit Radio Show, Nancy and Sarah share with you the lessons they've been reflecting on. Join us as we reflect on how these lessons will carry us into 2025, with intentional steps that help us stay focused, resilie…

1
Fiscal sponsorship as an option to achieve your mission 17:28

26d ago17:28

17:28

Have you ever wanted to make difference without all of the work involved in starting a nonprofit? Fiscal sponsorship might just be your solution. In this episode of the Nonprofit Radio Show, Nancy and Sarah unpack the concept of fiscal sponsorship—a powerful tool for advancing a mission without starting a nonprofit. They explore how fiscal sponsors…

1
Your mission as a movement 20:17

1M ago20:17

20:17

“When you start to think about your mission as a movement....” You may have heard this phrase many times in past episodes. In this episode of the Nonprofit Radio Show, Nancy and Sarah explain what they mean by it. They dive into why this re-frame is so valuable and how you will know if you have achieved it. What could you achieve if you saw your mi…

1
Changing Board Culture 19:13

2M ago19:13

19:13

Culture is like the foundation of a house. Just as a strong foundation keeps a house stable through storms and changing weather, a healthy board culture supports a nonprofit through challenges and growth. If the foundation is weak or neglected, cracks will eventually show, leading to miscommunication, disengagement, and even conflict . In this epis…

1
Why you need a volunteer strategy right now 22:31

3M ago22:31

22:31

In this episode of the Nonprofit Radio Show, Nancy and Sarah dig into why every nonprofit should have a clear volunteer strategy. People are seeking meaningful ways to engage-- why not make our nonprofit the go-to place for community members to get involved in a cause they care about. Join us as we explore how building a thoughtful, goal-centered v…

1
The Art of Delegation 15:43

3M ago15:43

15:43

We all have so much on our to-do list. The only way to get it all done is by sharing the load. That's why nonprofit leaders must learn to delegate effectively, whether we are talking about Executive Directors delegating to their boards and staff or volunteer managers entrusting responsibilities to their volunteers. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah …

1
Planning a Career in Nonprofits 22:27

4M ago22:27

22:27

New graduates are scouring the internet looking for a job. Many want to turn their passion into a career. Starting a career in the nonprofit sector can be both exciting and daunting, especially for new graduates looking to make a meaningful impact. Are you looking to create a long-lasting and impactful career in the nonprofit world? In this episode…

1
Motivating your team 17:50

4M ago17:50

17:50

We need to motivate people all around us. Nonprofit Executive Directors need to motivate their boards and staff members. Volunteer managers need to motivate volunteers. Folks raising money need to motivate donors to give. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about the two elements needed to create the conditions for someone to feel motivated to ta…

1
Recruiting great board members 22:38

6M ago22:38

22:38

We keep hearing from organizations that they can't find board members. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah discuss some key components for ensuring your mission attracts great board members. They discuss different recruitment strategies, from the "open call" to "by invitation only." By the end of the episode, you'll have ideas on new ways to recruit m…

1
Let's Talk about Risk 29:03

6M ago29:03

29:03

The word "risk" can sound so.... well, risky! Risk often carries a negative connotation, evoking thoughts of danger and uncertainty. However, understanding and managing risk is crucial for the long-term success of any organization. In this episode, we invite you to think about risk and what that means for your nonprofit. We are joined by Ted Bilich…

1
Inviting legacy conversations into our organizations 18:11

7M ago18:11

18:11

Nonprofits are supported by people at all stages of life. When we invite more conversations about legacy, we help the people who care about their mission consider how they can support the causes they care about when they aren't here anymore. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah reflect on some lessons Nancy learned with her mother's passing. They discu…

1
Why attend a conference 14:56

7M ago14:56

14:56

Every spring and fall we receive invitations to attend a conference. It may be a nonprofit conference or a conference related to the mission of our organization. It can feel hard to take the time, and yet there is so much benefit. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about conferences and how it is important to make time to learn, connect, and be …

1
Why investing in your organization matters 19:19

8M ago19:19

19:19

Many nonprofit board members feel that being a good steward of money means that they shouldn't invest in themselves as a board or organization. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah challenge board members to let go that that scarcity mindset and recognize the value of investing in their organization. They talk about how people are our most important as…

1
Reconnecting with donors 18:53

9M ago18:53

18:53

We've been hearing from nonprofit colleagues that they feel like their donors have gone into hibernation. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share six steps on how to bring spring into your fundraising program and reconnect with past donors. They talk about how reconnecting with your donors can be a great way to learn about the motivations of your do…

1
Find joy in nonprofit work 16:31

10M ago16:31

16:31

Time for our regular break to discuss how to make nonprofit work joyful and fun! We are hearing a lot about nonprofit leaders needing a break after a long winter. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share a few ideas for how to find moments of fun and joy in the very serious work of our nonprofits. Imagine that office bell ringing when something good …

1
Worker-related rules apply to nonprofits 14:40

10M ago14:40

14:40

It can be easy to forget among all of the good work that nonprofits do that we also need to follow the law! In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about the rules related to the people delivering our missions. There are work standards, safety and health laws, and workers' compensation rules that nonprofits need to follow. The good news is that there…

1
Nonprofit Finance: What Hat Are You Wearing? 17:37

11M ago17:37

17:37

Nonprofit finance can feel overwhelming to many nonprofit board and staff members. One way to break it down is by considering the five roles needed to ensure your organization’s money is well managed. When everyone knows what they need to be doing, you’ll get more people involved in conversations, decision-making, and oversight, and that is a great…

1
Change of Year Thoughts 15:11

12M ago15:11

15:11

The change of a year invites reflection on lessons learned and what we might do differently going forward. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share a few change of year thoughts that they are reflecting on. Join us as we talk about the role of boards, conflict, recognition of hard work, curiosity, stories, and gratitude. What are you reflecting as yo…

1
The Superpowers of Small Nonprofits 18:44

12M ago18:44

18:44

It's easy to feel that our small nonprofits don't have a lot in the way of power. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah challenge that idea and share some of the comparative advantages that we have as small nonprofit organizations. They go one step further and describe ways to use those advantages to help further your mission. By the end of the episode,…

1
Three Buckets of Board Learning 17:12

1y ago17:12

17:12

There is so much a board needs to know-- where you do you begin in building a plan for learning? In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share the three categories of information every board member needs to explore. They give practical examples of what your board members might focus on to strengthen their knowledge and practice. You'll leave listening to …

1
Putting personalization to work 16:40

1y ago16:40

16:40

We know that a personal email or letter is more likely to be read and acted upon. But how do we personalize communication when there is so much to do! In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explore the power of personalization for your fundraising and outreach efforts. They give you three practical tips on how to personalize your communication. Sarah sha…

1
Board governance made simple 15:53

1y ago15:53

15:53

A board's job is to govern, but what does that really mean? In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explain what governance means in normal, everyday terms. They name concrete tasks to move board members more deeply into their governing role. When boards are focused on governing, a lot of common board-related challenges go away-- micromanaging, lack of fo…

1
How to Write an Annual Appeal Letter 19:08

1y ago19:08

19:08

It is that time of year-- the time when so many nonprofit Executive Directors are sitting down to write their end-of-year annual appeal letter. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah define the role of the annual appeal and talk about how to write a letter that someone would read and then act on with a donation. By the end of the episode, you'll be able …

1
Rethinking Performance Reviews 29:21

1+ y ago29:21

29:21

The annual performance review is something that can cause stress for both managers and staff members. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah offer some tips and suggestions for rethinking the way you provide feedback and support to your staff or volunteers. They talk about how to reframe the review as something designed to leave each member of the team f…

1
Nonprofit Leader as Coach 19:02

1+ y ago19:02

19:02

Leaders wear many hats. One of those hats is that of coach. A coach guides someone to solve their own challenges by sharing questions, perspectives, or feedback. You can imagine how a nonprofit executive director, board chair, or volunteer manager might step into a coaching role in conversations with team members, board colleagues, or volunteers. I…

1
The art of collaboration 14:28

1+ y ago14:28

14:28

We've talked about collaboration in past, and yet there is one aspect of collaboration that deserves a deeper dive. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about collaborations and how organizations can pro-actively address culture and cultural differences within them. They share a few steps for success. You will finish listening with ideas on how yo…

1
Solve Knowledge and Learning Issues with Organization Enablement with Mike Simmons 47:48

1+ y ago47:48

47:48

We've all heard of Sales Enablement roles. But why is it that only sales teams get special attention enabling them to do their jobs better? Shouldn't we be enabling the entire organization? One might argue that traditional onboarding and training has that responsibility. But it's not quite the same. Enabling all departments to be successful and pro…

1
How to set supervisors up for success 17:08

1+ y ago17:08

17:08

All of this churn in nonprofit staffing means that there are a whole lot of new supervisors who need training and support. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about what new supervisors need to know and do to be set up for success. They share the highlights from a webinar Nancy and HR expert Skye Mercer led in June 2023, which can be accessed her…

1
Debunking Myths About Creating Accessible Learning Content with Diane Elkins 43:59

1+ y ago43:59

43:59

Have you asked yourself lately why you don't put a stronger focus on accessibility when creating eLearning content? Oh c'mon, you know you've made excuses why you "can't" do it. We all have at one time or another in our careers. I include myself in that. Here are just a few I'm sure you've used: "Yea, but nobody in our organization has a disability…

1
Improving Training Videos Using Neuroscience with Patti Shank 46:30

1+ y ago46:30

46:30

Just because you have the skills to shoot and edit a video doesn't mean it's instructionally sound. This is why some videos are easier to learn from than others. And why that learning sticks. Watching video is a passive experience and therefore you might think there isn't much more to it than just making it more entertaining. Yea, you'd be wrong. D…

1
Using AI to Supercharge Training Team Productivity with Myra Roldan 45:19

1+ y ago45:19

45:19

AI is the hottest topic in L&D since Learning2.0. It's even hotter than Virtual Reality. Why? Because it's something everyone can use and doesn't require additional hardware expenses. And more importantly, when used creatively, AI apps can supercharge your individual productivity. But if you're a manager/director of an L&D or Training department, y…

1
Navigating the NonProfit Learning Ecosystem with Nancy Bacon 45:35

1+ y ago45:35

45:35

Nonprofit organizations need training too. Just like the for-profit enterprise, a nonprofit has learning needs. Some of that learning is unique to the nonprofit world. And just like SMBs and large enterprises, nonprofits come in all sizes. And as these organizations scale up, so do their training needs. If you're an L&D professional you may have co…

1
The 10 Principles of an Adaptive Learning Organization with Mike Hruska 43:44

1+ y ago43:44

43:44

Artificial Intelligence is the hottest thing since the internet. And it's the fastest growing, and fastest changing technology in human history. The businesses that survive will be those that can quickly adapt and incorporate these changes with minimal business disruption. Learning and Development will play a critical role in the future of this aug…

1
Becoming an Accidental Instructional Designer with Cammy Bean 46:13

1+ y ago46:13

46:13

Oops! I tripped on a lego, and got back up as an accidental instructional designer. HA! Okay, maybe not that type of accident. But there aren't that many of us that grew up always wanting to be an ID. The reality of our workforce is that we're the island of misfit corporate professionals, and former school teachers. This is also the story of today'…

1
Time management for nonprofit leaders 16:07

1+ y ago16:07

16:07

With a pomodoro ticking in the background (just kidding), Nancy and Sarah squeeze out a few minutes to talk about time management. In this episode, you will learn a few strategies on how to manage your time when you just have too much going on. Nancy and Sarah share six strategies to try as you get on top of your to-do list. By the end of the episo…

1
Nonprofit Upcycling: How to do more with less 20:07

1+ y ago20:07

20:07

Reduce, reuse, recycle... and now upcycle. How can nonprofits apply these environment lessons to be more efficient and effective? In this episode, Nancy and Sarah share tips on how to use the principles of reuse, recycle, and upcycle in nonprofit communications and financial management. They challenge themselves to imagine how to use the same conte…

1
The Realities and Future of Modern Learning Ecosystems with Craig Weiss 40:32

1+ y ago40:32

40:32

Is your company, or department, growing and needing to upgrade the training systems you've outgrown? Or maybe you're just curious about the future of your career in L&D or corporate training? Perhaps you just like to stay informed about the training industry for other reasons. Digital technology has been changing our industry for over 50 years. Kee…

1
Powering Performance with Formal/Informal Learning at the 5 Moments of Need with Bob Mosher 44:56

1+ y ago44:56

44:56

The 5 Moments of Need exist in every department of every enterprise, and requires a strong and efficient learning ecosystem. Both formal and informal learning solutions support each of the moments in different ways. When you need to learn NEW stuff or MORE stuff, those are the first 2 moments of need and probably the most obvious. But there is also…

1
Top Tips for Online Presenting with Kirsten Rourke 43:12

1+ y ago43:12

43:12

As your career progresses you will be asked to be a speaker, or deliver a presentation, more and more. And it doesn't matter if you enjoy it or not, your thoughts and ideas will need to be communicated to others if you expect to succeed in your career. Working from home, virtual meetings and training sessions, have become the norm. Just because you…

1
Less is More 18:43

1+ y ago18:43

18:43

How can you take away information to get more done? How might less help you better move others to action? In this episode, Nancy and Sarah take recent research on "less is more" and apply it to nonprofit communications and finance. That's all you need to know to take a listen. Let us know what you think! Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend…

1
How L&D Can Become a Trusted Business Advisor with Jess Almlie 39:35

1+ y ago39:35

39:35

Learning and Development leaders and their teams support many different stakeholders. But all of these stakeholders play an important role in the success of each enterprise. If our job is to help them improve their performance than we must learn to become better advisors to those lines of business. Jess Almlie joins us to talk about becoming a trus…

1
Family Foundations: Ask Us This 26:36

1+ y ago26:36

26:36

It is grantwriting time. So many of our nonprofit colleagues are spending a lot of time filling out forms, checking boxes, and trying to figure out how to explain their work within strict character counts. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah make a list of a few questions they wish family foundations-- really any foundation-- would ask us. They share …

1
eLearning Research Surprises that May Surprise You with Jane Bozarth 47:01

1+ y ago47:01

47:01

Industry research is an important part of advancing our profession. Did you know that, sometimes, researchers discover interesting trends that don't make the final edit of a report? Obviously, if it was industry changing findings it wouldn't hit the cutting room floor. But even the stuff you never read about can very interesting and helpful in your…

1
Data Literacy for Learning Leaders with Zsolt Oláh 43:29

1+ y ago43:29

43:29

Data literacy is not something traditionally taught to training teams, but leveraging data for decision-making is critical in today's workplace. But just counting butts-in-seats doesn't cut it. It's necessary to interpret the business data you are expecting to impact with your training solutions. But that's often easier said than done. Especially i…

1
How to Create Accessible Learning Content Supporting DEI with Susi Miller 45:44

1+ y ago45:44

45:44

When you hear about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, how often do you associate them with accessibility? Probably not immediately, right? But when you see it, your brain says "of course"! Accessibility conversations are often discussed as a separate initiative, when in reality, creating accessible learning content is exactly what DEI p…

1
The power of a thank you 23:46

1+ y ago23:46

23:46

Thanking someone is a powerful two-way street that invites further connection and collaboration. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about why thanking people matters both in terms of our own personal well-being and our organization's mission. They walk through three kinds of thank yous and why they matter. By the end of the episode, you will hav…

1
Beyond Gamification: What Worked, What Didn't, and What's Next with Karl Kapp 45:10

1+ y ago45:10

45:10

Are you tired of hearing the term "gamification"? Do you even hear it that much any more? Was it just a trend that has finally passed? These are all questions for the master of games for learning, Karl Kapp. He's a regular contributor to IDIODC and we want to know what happened... and what's next. Dr. Kapp is well a well-known professor at Bloomsbu…

1
Facilitation in Action for Instructional Designers with Nikki O’Keeffe & Darryl Wyles 46:55

1+ y ago46:55

46:55

Facilitation is about mastering how to deliver an engaging learning experience, all in the effort of improving workplace performance. Instructional designers work hard to do the same. But often times lack facilitation skills or the nuanced understanding of facilitating a learning experience. Let's connect these valuable skillsets and improve traini…

1
Big Picture Thinking 16:22

2y ago16:22

16:22

We’ve been noticing how hard “big picture thinking” can be for nonprofit people who so commonly are too busy getting things done to pause and consider the larger landscape. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah explain what “big picture thinking” is, why it matters, and how your organization can expand how you think about your work. You’ll finish listen…

1
Stories that Stick: Using Hollywood Methods to Supercharge Training with Jim Piechocki 45:36

2y ago45:36

45:36

Telling stories is a tried and true method for helping people learn. You've probably studied the traditional story arc, and the hero's journey, but have you ever tried the Sabido Method? Have you heard about it? Yea, I haven't either. The Sabido Method has a few steps in the process: Formative Research Policy Framework The Values Grid Writing and P…

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