Best CFRE Podcasts (2025)

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015: From Crack Dealer to Hope Dealer, Ken Miller CFRE on Prison, Mastering Fundraising & Mentoring Black Men 1:55:05

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22d ago1:55:05

1:55:05

What does it take to transform a life from selling drugs to raising millions for nonprofits? In this episode of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories, host Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv, sits down with Ken Miller, CFRE, a nationally recognized fundraising strategist, mentor, and advocate for Black men in development. Ken's story is one of resilience, fait…

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E123: Choosing Clarity Over Burnout: Why I’m Pausing the Podcast 12:14

4h ago12:14

12:14

Friends, this episode is a vulnerable one. For the first time since launching Lead with Heart, I’m pressing pause on the podcast for Q1 of 2026. Not because I’m quitting. Not because the mission has dimmed. But because clarity asked me to make a courageous decision — one that aligns with the emotional sustainability I teach every day In this episod…

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131: To a Generous Holiday Season 1:07

5h ago1:07

1:07

As you know, this podcast highlights the transformative beauty of generosity. I will be taking a brief break until January, and in the meantime, I encourage you to reflect on the role of generosity within your own holiday traditions. As I consider the myriad of holidays during this season, I am reminded of the universal themes of generosity and con…

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Ep 189| How Evidence-Based Giving Changed Thousands of Lives - with Jessica LaMesa 29:12

5d ago29:12

29:12

Send us a text Final Episode of 2025! Jena sits down with Jessica LaMesa, Co-CEO of The Life You Can Save, for a powerful, action-oriented conversation on how strategic, evidence-based giving translates into life-saving impact. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Power of Rapid Response: How The Life You Can Save mobilized over $13 million in jus…

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E122: Leading Through Trauma, Burnout & Transformational Philanthropy with Laura Bode 34:17

7d ago34:17

34:17

I am so honored to share today’s conversation with Laura Bode, the newly appointed Chief Philanthropy Officer at A New Leaf. A survivor of childhood trauma, Laura rebuilt her confidence as an adult with the support of key mentors who saw her potential before she could see it herself. Today, she leads a powerhouse nonprofit serving more than 30,000 …

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130: Empathy Builds Buildings 4:58

8h ago4:58

4:58

"... In light of the science, inviting someone to give is really inviting them to tap into these biologically rooted joys of generosity..." I am reading from Neurogiving. The Science of Donor Decision-Making by Cherian Koshy, published in 2025. Reflection questions: What stories are you telling that lead into the tours of the construction or the di…

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Ep 188| Boost December Donations After Giving Tuesday (5 Smart Tips) 15:16

3h ago15:16

15:16

Send us a text Giving Tuesday felt quieter than you hoped? Take a breath. Your December is still wide open. In this episode, Jena and Britt break down what a slow Giving Tuesday really means, and what to do next without panic, pressure, or a full campaign rewrite. You’ll learn how to: Read the data signals behind a “quiet” Giving Tuesday Reconnect …

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E121: Breaking the Cycle of “I’m Too Busy” – Intentional Leadership & Sustainable Energy with Jen Recla 37:10

8d ago37:10

37:10

I am so excited to welcome leadership coach Jen Recla to the Lead with Heart Podcast. Jen helps senior nonprofit leaders break free from burnout, reclaim their clarity and energy, and build teams that thrive even in seasons of complexity and change. In this episode, we dig into one of the most common and corrosive habits in the nonprofit sector: sa…

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Spotlight: A Trusted Leader Makes the Case 4:58

1d ago4:58

4:58

This is a "re-air," because during economic uncertainty it's important that the leader continues to communicate consistently during this year-end giving season. "...If you don’t know what harbour you sail for, no wind is favourable. Because we live by chance, chance necessarily has great power over our lives..." In our series on uncertainty during …

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Ep 187| December Fundraising Essentials You NEED For Year-End Success 18:34

19d ago18:34

18:34

Send us a text December is where your year-end campaign is won or lost - and today, we’re making sure you stay steady, strategic, and connected all the way through December 31. Jena and Cara Augspurger walk through the two actions that shape your final numbers: follow-through and follow-up. Get ready for pro-tips covering: Stay consistent with your…

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Episode 32: 5 ideas to boost your annual fund by the end of the year with Mike Ward 13:16

14d ago13:16

13:16

www.centerforgenerosity.com www.gsbfundraising.com Strengthening charitable causes to change the world through generosity. For nearly 50 years, GSB has provided effective counsel to a wide array of non-profit entities, including congregations, camps, healthcare systems, colleges, and other agencies. We have established a formidable reputation for e…

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E120: Digital Fundraising Trends and Donor Trust in 2026 with Javan Van Gronigen 42:50

15d ago42:50

42:50

On this episode of the Lead with Heart podcast, I’m joined by Javan Van Gronigen, the founder of the creative agency Fifty & Fifty and the nonprofit fundraising platform Donately, which has helped organizations raise more than $180 million since 2013. Javan has spent his career at the intersection of design, technology, and social impact. His work …

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Spotlight: Growing Generosity During Uncertainty 4:24

22d ago4:24

4:24

This is a "re-air," since economic uncertainty continues this year-end giving season. "...for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs..." This week, I am re…

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Ep 186| Gratitude for the Good You Grow 4:47

8d ago4:47

4:47

Send us a text Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The Nonprofit Podcast. 🦃 Today’s episode is simply a pause - a moment to acknowledge the people who keep showing up, even in a year that’s felt heavier than most. If you’re writing the extra email, answering the late call, carrying more need than resources, or holding hope for someone else when yo…

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Episode 31: 3 Ingredients to Organizational Health: A Turnaround Case Study - Aligning Resources of People, Property, and Money with Clyde Walter 33:07

19d ago33:07

33:07

www.centerforgenerosity.com www.gsbfundraising.com Strengthening charitable causes to change the world through generosity. For nearly 50 years, GSB has provided effective counsel to a wide array of non-profit entities, including congregations, camps, healthcare systems, colleges, and other agencies. We have established a formidable reputation for e…

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Episode 30: 3 Ingredients to Organizational Health: A Turnaround Case Study - Sharpening Priorities with Clyde Walter 15:27

21d ago15:27

15:27

www.centerforgenerosity.com www.gsbfundraising.com Strengthening charitable causes to change the world through generosity. For nearly 50 years, GSB has provided effective counsel to a wide array of non-profit entities, including congregations, camps, healthcare systems, colleges, and other agencies. We have established a formidable reputation for e…

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Episode 29: 3 Ingredients to Organizational Health: A Turnaround Case Study - Strengthening Governance with Clyde Walter 39:44

20d ago39:44

39:44

www.centerforgenerosity.com www.gsbfundraising.com Strengthening charitable causes to change the world through generosity. For nearly 50 years, GSB has provided effective counsel to a wide array of non-profit entities, including congregations, camps, healthcare systems, colleges, and other agencies. We have established a formidable reputation for e…

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E119: Decolonizing Nonprofit Leadership: Redefining Risk, Safety & Imagination with Pierre Berastain 38:20

28d ago38:20

38:20

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Pierre Berastain, former Regional Director for North America at the Center for Public Impact and co-founder of Caminar Latino-Latinos United for Peace and Equity. Pierre has spent over 15 years advancing social justice, gender equity, and systems change. Today, he joins us to talk about what it really …

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127: Expand the Horizons for Donors 4:17

23d ago4:17

4:17

"...And expanding one's horizons in such ways, being exposed to new information and new possibilities in life, tends to enhance human well-being..." This week, I’m reading a quote from The Paradox of Generosity by Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson. 2014 edition. Reflection questions: What unique stories can your program staff share about the nece…

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Ep 185 | Last-Minute Giving Tuesday Success Tips 11:32

1M ago11:32

11:32

Send us a text Giving Tuesday Is Days Away - Here’s Your Game Plan Giving Tuesday is almost here…and yes, you still have time to show up with clarity, confidence, and zero panic. In this episode, Cara Augspurger walks you through the final steps that make the biggest difference – the practical moves, the strategic choices, and the calm mindset that…

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E118: The Evolving Landscape of Generosity: Key Insights from the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy with William Jarvis 35:49

1M ago35:49

35:49

I am thrilled to welcome William Jarvis, Managing Director and Philanthropy Executive at Bank of America Private Bank, to the Lead with Heart podcast. In this episode, we unpack the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy—a fascinating deep dive into how affluent households are giving today, what motivates their generosity, and how nonprofits ca…

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126: Do Not Lose Courage 4:45

30d ago4:45

4:45

"...Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!.." This week, I’m reading from Give, an essay from Anne Frank, published in 1959. Reflection questions: Pick a task on your to-do list this week and imagine others in the campaign doing the same task. What impact does your combi…

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Ep 184| Elevate Your Fundraising Success with These 3 AI Prompts! 11:00

22d ago11:00

11:00

Send us a text Writer’s block for Christmas? You’re not alone. Try these Giving Season AI writing prompts that actually work In this short, informative easy listen, Britt Stockert shares how AI can be the creative writing partner you didn’t know you needed this Giving Season. She walks through how to use AI prompts to beat the blank page, keep your…

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No 96: Introducing The PGcommons 34:05

25d ago34:05

34:05

In this week’s podcast, Ed Sluga is joined by Julia Magnuson-Ford and Erika Ewacha to share some exciting news! As many planned giving professionals know, the industry is changing rapidly and facing new challenges as a result. The digital age has made it harder for fundraisers to connect with each other, and smaller charities are finding it difficu…

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E117: Declutter Your Mind and Mission - How Nonprofit Leaders Can Find Focus Through Organization with Tracy Hoth 34:29

1M ago34:29

34:29

I am thrilled to welcome Tracy Hoth, founder of Simply Squared Away and host of The Organized Coach Podcast, to Lead with Heart! Tracy brings over 17 years of experience transforming chaos into clarity. She specializes in helping leaders create practical systems that reduce overwhelm, boost focus, and make space for what matters most: your mission.…

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125: Confidence in Generosity 4:35

1M ago4:35

4:35

"...More is lost by indecision than wrong decision. Indecision is the thief of opportunity. It will steal you blind..." This week, I’m reflecting on the words of Cicero as weaved through several of his works, published between 89 BC and 43 BC. Reflection questions: Where you are stuck in indecision and procrastination? How can you bring confidence,…

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014: From Feeling Unworthy to Leading Health Equity, Maisha Simmons' Journey through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 1:16:34

2M ago1:16:34

1:16:34

How does one help to embed equity into the DNA of a major philanthropic institution like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation? In this episode of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories, host Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv, speaks with Maisha Simmons, Associate Vice President of Equity and Culture at RWJF. Together, they discuss how Maisha leads efforts to ope…

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Ep 183| 3 November Fundraising Strategies To Maximize Year-End Results 21:26

29d ago21:26

21:26

Send us a text November is Giving Season Go Time It’s here - now is the time to transition your year-end campaigns from planning to performance. Your message is live, donors are active, and every touchpoint counts. In this episode, Jena and Cara break down how to confidently lead your campaign, stay engaged, and keep supporters connected through ev…

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E116: Breaking the Stigma: Building Mentally Healthy Workplaces with Dru Wischhover 42:55

2M ago42:55

42:55

I am so excited to welcome Dru Wischhover to the Lead with Heart Podcast. Over the past 20 years, Dru has founded three real estate companies — Inspired Title Group, Inspired Development Group, and Winspire LLC — dedicated not just to business success, but to making an impact. With every closing, his companies give back: funding scholarships, sup…

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124: More than Asking and Thanking 4:26

1M ago4:26

4:26

"...No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted...." For some ancient wisdom about donors who don’t give, this week, I’m reading a story from Aesop’s Fables, titled the Lion and the Mouse as told sometime between 620 and 564 BC. Reflection question: What kindness can you give to a donor who have previously said no to the capital project…

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Ep 182| The truth about nonprofit online presence nobody tells you! 10:48

2M ago10:48

10:48

Send us a text Recent events reminded nonprofits everywhere: if you don’t shape your online presence, someone else might. In this episode, Jena Lynch digs into how transparency, nonprofit visibility, and AI discoverability shape donor trust and organizational credibility. She walks through practical steps to review your digital footprint, ensure ac…

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E115: How to Thrive with ADHD as a Nonprofit Leader with Dr. Jennifer Dall 36:39

2M ago36:39

36:39

I am so excited to welcome Dr. Jennifer Dall, a grief-informed neurodivergent specialist and founder of ADHD Holistically, to the Lead with Heart Podcast. This episode explores how understanding and embracing ADHD can actually help nonprofit professionals, and especially leaders, thrive. Dr. Jen shares her personal story of being diagnosed with ADH…

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123: Communities of Care 4:58

2M ago4:58

4:58

..."It is the most beautiful, the most noble side of neighbourly love, wherein the word has fully become deed...." This week, I’m sharing quotes from The Untapped Power of Jewish Fellowships and Forgotten Approaches to Care to connect the practice of hevrot to our work in fundraising. Reflection questions: How are you "thinking in relationship" to …

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Ep 181| 5 Simple Steps to Ease Donor Meeting Stress 19:07

2M ago19:07

19:07

Send us a text Freezing Before Donor Meetings? Let’s Fix That. Why do donor meetings feel so stressful - especially at year-end? Brittan breaks down the real reason so many fundraisers dread sitting down with donors, and why it's not about your fundraising skills. You’ll learn how cultural money stories shape your confidence, how to reframe the fea…

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E114: Balancing Inclusive Philanthropy and Motherhood in Nonprofit Leadership with Bree Muehlbauer 37:58

2M ago37:58

37:58

I’m so excited to bring you this conversation with Bree Muehlbauer, an accomplished fundraiser, nonprofit leader, and senior director of philanthropy at Digital Health Strategies - a healthcare-focused digital marketing and fundraising agency. Bree is a CFRE and inclusive philanthropy certificate holder who blends her technical fundraising experti…

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122: When Failure Sparks Generosity 4:31

2M ago4:31

4:31

"All that happens, happens right: you will find it so if you observe narrowly..." This week, I am reading a quote from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, written around 171 AD. Reflection questions: When you think about a failure during the campaign, how are you observing narrowly for the right things that came out of it? How are you using failures to…

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Ep 180| Your Year-End Edge: Direct Mail Fundraising That Delivers 18:16

2M ago18:16

18:16

Send us a text Some tools evolve. Others endure. Direct mail does both. Cara Augspurger sits down with Joe Leach, CEO of AppealMaker, to unpack how technology is reshaping one of fundraising’s most trusted tools - direct mail. They dig deep into how automation, follow-up strategies, and smart timing can turn traditional mail into a high-performing …

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121: Leaders Give Confidence 4:31

2M ago4:31

4:31

"Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs." This week, I’m reading from the Analects by Confucius, written sometime between 551 and 479 BC. Reflection questions: Is there any hesitancy among your leaders about giving first and publicly to your campaign? What are ways you can address that hesitancy? Are you willing t…

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Trailer - Reflections on Generosity 1:00

2M ago1:00

1:00

Raising major funds in a small town can feel overwhelming—especially when your team of staff and volunteers is stretched thin and capital campaign experience is hard to find. Welcome to Reflections on Generosity, where each week brings you a five-minute reflection centered on cultivating the generosity mindset essential for capital campaign success…

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013: How to Protect Your Foundation's Mission in a Politically Charged Climate, with Rey Ramsey 1:18:36

2M ago1:18:36

1:18:36

How do leaders in philanthropy navigate challenges to their mission, purpose, and legacy in a time of political uncertainty and social change? In this episode of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories, a Simuel + Murray podcast, host Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv, sits down with Rey Ramsey, President and CEO of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, to explore hi…

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Ep 179| 4 Must-Know Tips for Stronger Year-End Appeals 17:19

2M ago17:19

17:19

Send us a text Year-end appeals are your nonprofit’s biggest fundraising moment - and you only get one shot. Fundraising coach Britt Stockert shares 4 smart ways to help your appeal break through the noise and connect where it counts. Discover: A better way to segment your donors The story shift that grabs attention fast What donors actually want t…

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E113: Building Bridges with Empathy, Purpose, and Action with Neil Ghosh 44:19

3M ago44:19

44:19

I am thrilled to welcome Neil Ghosh to the Lead with Heart Podcast. Neil is the former CEO of SOS Children’s Village USA, Senior Advisor to the Ousri Family Foundation, and the author of Do More Good - a #1 new release praised by President Bill Clinton and featuring a foreword by the Dalai Lama. Neil’s life’s work is centered on building bridges ac…

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120: Hope in Giving 4:31

2M ago4:31

4:31

By Serving Nonprofits by Chany Reon Ockert Consulting, LLC, CFRE

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012: Insider Grant Strategies Revealed, Francesca Axam Frederick on How Grantyd Helps Grassroots Nonprofits Unlock Funding 1:09:14

3M ago1:09:14

1:09:14

How can small nonprofits build sustainable revenue, access philanthropic data, and stay rooted in community? In this episode of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories, host Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv, sits down with Francesca Axam Frederick, a fundraiser, strategist, and tech entrepreneur whose journey from dance to data is reshaping how grassroots orga…

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Ep 178| The 3 Don’ts of October Fundraising (Year-End Roadmap) 20:01

3M ago20:01

20:01

Send us a text Skip the scramble. These 3 October fundraising don’ts turn stress into strategy. October is where the pressure builds, and where many nonprofits either set themselves up for success or stumble into a December scramble. In this episode of The Nonprofit Podcast, host Jena Lynch and co-host Cara Augspurger walk through practical plannin…

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E112: Building Brave Spaces for Leaders of Color with Frank Velásquez Jr. 45:27

3M ago45:27

45:27

I am so excited to introduce you to Frank Velásquez Jr., a storyteller, social justice leader, and founder of 4 Da Hood. Frank is passionate about equity, authenticity, and helping leaders of color rise into their power with unapologetic joy. In this conversation, we explore how storytelling can double nonprofit funding, why creating restorative ci…

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119: Avoid Rage Giving in a Campaign 4:49

3M ago4:49

4:49

"...Hatred of evil should constrain you to right, not fear. When her anger is kindled by injustice, goodness changes her form...." This week, I’m reading from the Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus, a Roman Slave, written during the 1st century BC. Reflection question: If you are experiencing a funding obstacle, how are you creating a positive message …

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Ep 177|From Year-End to Year-Round: 5 Top Recurring Giving Tips 15:16

3M ago15:16

15:16

Send us a text Ready to go from year-end gifts to year-round growth? Year-end giving may steal the spotlight, but what happens after December is what determines lasting success. The nonprofits that thrive aren’t just chasing one-time gifts - they’re building relationships that carry impact well into the new year. Today, Jena revisits a standout 202…

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E111: Mastering Difficult Conversations & Building Trust in Nonprofit Leadership with Chris Wong 43:16

3M ago43:16

43:16

I am so excited to welcome Chris Wong to the Lead with Heart Podcast. Chris is a licensed therapist, executive coach, and host of The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations podcast. With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and health sectors, Chris specializes in helping purpose-driven leaders navigate difficult transitions, rebuild tr…

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118: A Trusted Leader Makes the Case 4:58

3M ago4:58

4:58

"...If you don’t know what harbour you sail for, no wind is favourable. Because we live by chance, chance necessarily has great power over our lives..." In our series on uncertainty during small town capital campaigns, This week, I’m reading from Seneca’s Letter 71, first published in 65 AD. Reflection questions: How trusted is the Executive Direct…