Best Jonathan Ressler Podcasts (2025)

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The Funder Breaking All the (Fake) Rules 50:34

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23h ago50:34

50:34

What if philanthropy, as we know it, is a flawed system? In this episode, we're joined by Jen Nguyen, a director at the Stupski Foundation, a unique "spend-down" organization designed to close its doors after giving away all of its assets by 2029. Jen, a former college counselor, provides an unapologetically candid look at a sector she may soon lea…

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By Next Summer You’ll Either Thank Me—or Hate Yourself 31:28

7d ago31:28

31:28

Send us a text Ever caught yourself thinking "I'll get serious about my health in January" or "I need to get beach-ready by June"? That seasonal mindset is exactly what keeps you trapped in the frustrating cycle of weight gain and panic dieting year after year. The hard truth? The diet industry has masterfully conditioned us to think health has a s…

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You Can’t Control Everything (But You Can Control This) 6:14

8d ago6:14

6:14

Reflections on fear, control, and what you can actually do about it. As we head into year-end — often the most high-stakes season in our sector — this episode will help you develop the right mindset to navigate it skillfully. Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link. *** If you liked this episode, please help …

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What If the Economy Were Built on Care? 29:25

15d ago29:25

29:25

What if everything you’ve been taught about economic progress is wrong? In this episode, Stacey Edgar — social worker turned social entrepreneur and now executive director of the International Folk Art Market — shares her journey through the “career jungle gym” of the social impact sector. We unpack her concept of artisan economics, a radically hum…

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Two Seats, One Truth- Southwest Just Did Us a Favor 28:01

21d ago28:01

28:01

Send us a text Ready for some raw, unfiltered truth about weight loss? In this hard-hitting episode, we tackle Southwest Airlines' customer size policy head-on and flip the script on the outrage. Far from discrimination, requiring passengers who can't fit in one seat to purchase another might be the wake-up call you never knew you needed. Drawing f…

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The Vision Window is Open...For Now 7:12

24d ago7:12

7:12

How to recognize and act on the rare moments when transformation is possible. Join the conversation on substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/eressler/p/the-vision-window-is-openfor-now?r=8rkfl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link. *** If you liked …

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Ozempic Lawsuits? Surprise The Miracle Was Bullshit 28:07

28d ago28:07

28:07

Send us a text Ready for the unfiltered truth about Ozempic? Brace yourself for a reality check that the pharmaceutical companies and diet industry don't want you to hear. The miracle weight loss shot that celebrities and doctors have been raving about isn't quite the revolutionary breakthrough it's been marketed to be. Behind the glossy ads and dr…

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Amanda Litman on How Real Change Happens 28:34

1M ago28:34

28:34

What if real change doesn't begin with institutions, campaigns, or capital — but with the people we invite into our lives? In this episode, Eric sits down with Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something and author of When We’re In Charge, to explore how small, human-scale actions can spark transformational impact — from politics to parenting to…

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Meal Plans Are Adult Lunchables for People Who Don’t Want to Think 28:28

1M ago28:28

28:28

Send us a text Ready to ditch the fantasy of perfect meal plans that inevitably collapse when life gets messy? This raw, unfiltered episode cuts through the diet industry BS to reveal why those color-coded, macro-counted meal plans fail – not because you lack willpower, but because they're fundamentally designed for robots, not real humans with com…

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What's your truth? 5:02

1M ago5:02

5:02

In this episode, I’m exploring a question that’s been showing up in a lot of our recent work — and in my own thinking: What is your truth? Links: 📝 Read the full essay version on our new Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/eressler/p/what-is-your-truth?r=8rkfl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=podcast&showWelcomeOnShare=true Listeners, now you can t…

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The Gym Is a Waste of Time (If You're Trying to Lose Weight) 25:38

1M ago25:38

25:38

Send us a text Ready for some unfiltered truth that might just change everything you thought you knew about weight loss? Forget what the fitness industry has been selling you for decades – the gym is not your weight loss solution. As someone who lost 140 pounds without ever setting foot in a gym, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the biggest m…

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Stop Dieting. Start Choosing. The Real Reason Diets Keep Failing (And What You Need to Do Instead) 29:35

2M ago29:35

29:35

Send us a text We've been sold a lie about weight loss. The billion-dollar diet industry thrives on your repeat business—creating plans that promise transformation but deliver temporary results at best. The problem isn't your willpower or motivation; it's the fundamental approach. When you diet, you're outsourcing your power to someone else's rules…

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The Power (and Pitfalls) of Partnerships 30:10

2M ago30:10

30:10

Everyone loves the idea of collaboration — but real partnership? That’s harder. From mismatched visions to unclear roles, even the most well-intentioned alliances can go sideways fast. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan break down what makes partnerships work — and what to watch out for before saying yes. ➔ The five elements every partnership needs…

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The Real Reason You Keep Falling Off (It’s Not What You Think) 30:42

2M ago30:42

30:42

Send us a text Ever found yourself saying "I was doing so well and then just fell off"? Stop blaming yourself – your weight loss plan was probably designed to fail from the start. The harsh truth is that willpower is a finite resource that gets depleted throughout your day. By the time you're staring at the fridge at 7 PM trying to choose between a…

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Fat Isn’t a Feeling—It’s a Choice You Keep Making 29:08

2M ago29:08

29:08

Send us a text Ever caught yourself saying "I feel fat today"? That single phrase might be sabotaging your entire weight loss journey. In this no-holds-barred episode, we rip the emotional band-aid off this common statement and expose the dangerous language trap that's keeping you stuck. Fat isn't a feeling—it's the result of small, repeated choice…

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How to Build a Strong Case for Support 28:00

2M ago28:00

28:00

Too many social impact leaders step into donor meetings with a bold vision — but an unclear case for why anyone should support it. Your case for support isn’t just a fundraising tool — it’s a strategic asset that can align your messaging, mobilize your team, and inspire serious investment in your mission. But only if you get it right. In this episo…

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Why Your Diet Is A Lying, Soul-Sucking Freak 33:56

2M ago33:56

33:56

Send us a text Most weight loss approaches set you up for failure from day one—not because you lack willpower, but because they're designed to be temporary quick fixes rather than sustainable lifestyle changes. That's how the $70 billion diet industry keeps you coming back, blaming yourself instead of their broken system. The pattern is painfully f…

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F*ck The Diet Industry - Stop Starting Over, You Drama Queen 28:02

3M ago28:02

28:02

Send us a text Ever found yourself eating one cookie, then throwing in the towel completely because "I'll just start fresh on Monday"? You're stuck in the cycle that keeps millions trapped in weight-loss purgatory. This raw, no-BS episode exposes the toxic lie that's been keeping you from sustainable weight loss: the all-or-nothing mentality. I bre…

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Is Our Obsession with Efficiency Backfiring? 27:19

3M ago27:19

27:19

We’re constantly told to “do more with less” — but what if that’s the wrong goal altogether? In this episode, Eric and Jonathan challenge the traditional definition of efficiency and unpack why it can be a trap for social impact organizations. From donor pressure to staff burnout, they explore how the pursuit of efficiency often undermines effectiv…

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Breaking the Water Myth- The Only Thing a Gallon a Day Flushes Is Your Sanity 27:49

3M ago27:49

27:49

Send us a text Ever feel hungry, only to realize you were actually just thirsty? Your brain's not the sharpest when it comes to distinguishing between hunger and dehydration—and this confusion might be sabotaging your weight loss efforts without you even realizing it. In this straight-talking episode, we're cutting through the hydration hype to rev…

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Your Family Tree Isn’t Fat—Your Family Habits Are 31:14

3M ago31:14

31:14

Send us a text Ever found yourself saying, "I've always been big, it's just in my genes"? That seemingly innocent explanation might be the very thing keeping you stuck in a cycle of weight struggles and failed attempts at change. In this raw, unfiltered episode, we tear down the myth of the "fat gene" and expose the truth that most people don't wan…

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Storytelling For Complex Missions 23:43

3M ago23:43

23:43

Too many social impact organizations are stuck trying to explain everything they do — and in the process, end up saying nothing that sticks. When your mission is complex, how do you distill it into a clear, compelling story that actually resonates? In this episode, Eric and Jonathan dig into the storytelling struggles that come with multifaceted mi…

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F*ck Your Trainer- Your Lazy Excuses Can Bench More Than You ! 34:49

3M ago34:49

34:49

Send us a text Ever caught yourself staring at your too-tight jeans, thinking "maybe I should hire a personal trainer"? That's exactly the moment when you need this brutally honest wake-up call. The hard truth? Your weight isn't a gym problem—it's a decision problem. Those personal trainers you're considering dropping hundreds or thousands on? They…

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Do Less. Do It Daily. Shut Up Already. Big results don’t need big drama 38:30

4M ago38:30

38:30

Send us a text Ready to ditch the "all or nothing" approach to weight loss that's been failing you for years? This raw, unfiltered episode cuts through the noise and introduces you to stackable habits—the secret weapon for sustainable weight loss that actually fits into your real, messy life. We've all been there: Monday motivation hits and suddenl…

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Pros and Cons of Major Donors 34:14

4M ago34:14

34:14

Major donor funding can feel like the holy grail of nonprofit growth — big checks, deep relationships, and potentially game-changing support. But what’s often left out of the conversation? The risk. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan dive into the real tradeoffs of major donor programs — the power dynamics, the mission drift moments, and the long r…

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Did Ozempic Just Kill Weight Watchers? 26:02

4M ago26:02

26:02

Send us a text The weight loss landscape is experiencing a seismic shift. Weight Watchers—a diet industry giant for decades—has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy while pharmaceutical options like Ozempic soar in popularity. This dramatic reversal reveals something profound about our relationship with weight management. Why pay for weekly weigh-ins an…

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Healthy, Not Hellish- Eating Smarter Without Hating Life 34:50

4M ago34:50

34:50

Send us a text Ever found yourself starting Monday with green juice only to end Friday face-first in pizza, wondering what went wrong? The problem isn't you—it's the toxic perfection mindset that's sabotaging your results. Welcome to a no-BS conversation about why most healthy eating plans fail and what actually works for real people with real live…

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Designing Impact Reports That Actually Work 31:28

4M ago31:28

31:28

Annual reports shouldn’t feel like an obligation — they should feel like a gift. But for too many nonprofits, impact reporting is still stuck in the past: flat, uninspired, and quickly forgotten. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan unpack how to rethink your approach to reporting — and turn your annual impact story into one of your organization’s mo…

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How to Sell a Vision Before It’s Real 33:48

5M ago33:48

33:48

Social impact leaders are visionaries — but getting others to see what you see isn’t easy. When your work hasn’t caught up to your ambitions, how do you win over funders, staff, and partners who need proof before they commit? In this episode, Eric and Jonathan explore what it really takes to sell a bold new vision — even when the work is still taki…

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You Are Not A Failure - You Are Just Really Good At Quitting 33:04

5M ago33:04

33:04

Send us a text Ever wonder why your weight loss efforts keep starting strong but fizzle out like clockwork? The problem might not be your diet plan, your metabolism, or even your willpower – it could be that you've become exceptionally skilled at quitting. This raw, unfiltered episode cuts through the noise to expose the real reason most people fai…

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Small Smart Choices = Big Results- AKA How I Outsmarted My Inner Fat Kid 34:19

5M ago34:19

34:19

Send us a text At 61 years old and 140 pounds lighter than I was two years ago, I've discovered something profound about weight loss that most "experts" won't tell you: it's not about dramatic overhauls or punishing yourself thin. After failing at over 100 different diets throughout my life, I finally found success through making small, smart choic…

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Eric’s 3-Part Content Strategy That Works Every Time 31:41

5M ago31:41

31:41

Nonprofit leaders know storytelling matters — but many are missing a critical opportunity to move hearts, shift narratives, and deepen support. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan pull back the curtain on why so much nonprofit content falls flat — and how a simple three-step framework can radically transform the way you communicate your mission. ➔ W…

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Eating Your Feelings? Try Feeling Them Instead (Weird, Right?) 28:21

5M ago28:21

28:21

Send us a text That moment when you're staring into the fridge, not actually hungry but somehow convinced food will solve whatever's bothering you? We've all been there. And it's this exact pattern of emotional eating that silently sabotages weight loss journeys more effectively than any late-night cookie ever could. In this raw, no-nonsense explor…

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Jonathan Ressler Reintroduction – Year Two- Who I Am & How Far I’ve Come 42:03

5M ago42:03

42:03

Send us a text Two years ago, I weighed 411 pounds, avoided mirrors, and convinced myself I wasn't "that big." Then came the wake-up call—a birthday photo with a guy in a pink gorilla suit that showed me a truth I could no longer deny. That moment changed everything. Today, I'm 140 pounds lighter, but what I've gained is far more significant than w…

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What to Do When Funders Say "No" 27:59

5M ago27:59

27:59

Not all “no’s” are equal—and if you’re in fundraising, you know that firsthand. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan unpack the three types of objections every social impact leader will face: the silent no, the vague no, and the hard no. They explore why each shows up, what it’s really signaling, and how to respond in a way that transforms rejection …

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10 Weight Loss Truths You Don’t Wanna Hear (But Seriously, Shut Up and Listen) 45:31

6M ago45:31

45:31

Send us a text Let's cut through the bullshit – we all know how to lose weight, but most of us don't want to face the uncomfortable truths that make sustainable weight loss possible. After losing 140+ pounds and keeping it off for nearly two years, I'm laying out ten harsh realities that Instagram influencers and diet gurus won't tell you. The firs…

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The Sector Is Shifting: Here's How to Lead 25:55

6M ago25:55

25:55

Social impact leaders are scaling back, funding streams are evaporating, and public trust is eroding. In this candid kickoff to Season 4, Eric and Jonathan hold space for what’s really happening in the field—and why this moment demands courageous communication, community resilience, and reimagined leadership. This isn’t a time to shrink. It’s a tim…

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Why “Eat Less, Move More” Is the Worst Weight Loss Advice Ever 37:34

6M ago37:34

37:34

Send us a text Why is "eat less, move more" such terrible weight loss advice? Because it completely misses what actually drives our eating behaviors and sets us up for failure from the start. The problem isn't that people don't understand how calories work—it's that they don't understand why they overeat in the first place. Food isn't just fuel; it…

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Stuff We've Messed Up (and Learned From) 37:13

6M ago37:13

37:13

To wrap Season 3, Eric and Jonathan are doing something different — and a little vulnerable. In this raw and unfiltered finale, they look back on the leadership decisions, strategic misfires, hiring blunders, and marketing missteps that didn’t go according to plan. No spin. No gloss. Just two founders owning their hardest lessons out loud. Why end …

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F*ck Your Meal Plan: Why You Need to Learn How to Eat Like a Normal Person 25:59

6M ago25:59

25:59

Send us a text Tired of jumping from one diet plan to another without sustainable results? This raw, no-holds-barred episode tackles the uncomfortable truth about meal plans and why they're setting you up for failure in your weight loss journey. Drawing from my experience of losing 130 pounds and keeping it off for nearly two years, I expose why th…

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Jonathan’s Big Problem 32:34

6M ago32:34

32:34

What do you do when your mission is evolving… but your brand, programs, and funding strategy haven’t caught up yet? In this episode, Jonathan brings a live challenge to the table: a bold new vision for the Seymour Center that could reposition it as a hub for climate solutions and STEM leadership — but it comes with branding risks, potential backlas…

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Fit, Lean, and Clueless—The Truth About Online Fitness Gurus...And A Few That Matter 34:05

6M ago34:05

34:05

Send us a text Tired of fitness influencers selling you overpriced supplements and impossible body standards? This raw, unfiltered episode cuts through the Instagram fitness illusion to reveal what sustainable weight loss really looks like. As someone who lost 140 pounds naturally and has kept it off for nearly two years, I'm calling out the fitnes…

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How to Build a Sustainable Revenue Stream 43:19

6M ago43:19

43:19

The funding landscape is shifting, and relying on the same revenue strategies that got you here may not be enough to take your organization to the next level. Many nonprofits and social enterprises struggle to generate enough revenue—not just to sustain their work, but to fully fund their missions and reinvest in long-term growth. So how do you bui…

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Intermittent Fasting: Starving for No Reason (Just Eat, Already!) 31:46

7M ago31:46

31:46

Send us a text From failed diets to sustainable success, this raw and unfiltered episode dives deep into why intermittent fasting isn't the miracle solution it's marketed to be. After trying over 100 different weight loss methods throughout his life, Jonathan shares why intermittent fasting - despite its popularity and initial results - is ultimate…

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Social Impact in the Era of Misinformation & Media Chaos 28:59

7M ago28:59

28:59

We are living through the biggest shift in media and marketing of our lifetimes. Misinformation spreads faster than ever, trust in institutions is crumbling, and social impact leaders are left navigating a fractured, chaotic digital landscape. So how do you build credibility, mobilize communities, and create real impact when attention is scattered …

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7 Diet Myths That Are Keeping You Fat 37:24

7M ago37:24

37:24

Send us a text Join us for an eye-opening episode as we tackle the popular diet myths that have long misled many. This week, we strip back layers of confusion to reveal the truth that operates beneath the surface of dieting, health, and weight management. Jonathan dives into the seven most pervasive diet myths, addressing everything from the myth t…

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Beyond Vanity Metrics: Measuring Real Impact 32:15

7M ago32:15

32:15

Most social impact leaders think they’re measuring their impact — but are they really? Measuring impact is especially difficult when change happens over years or even decades, and when the outcomes are tied to complex, systemic issues. On top of that, the process of evaluation and measurement can feel like extra work — another task on an already fu…

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Late-Night Munchies Won't Kill You: The Truth About Eating After Dark 30:47

7M ago30:47

30:47

Send us a text Late-night snacking has always been deemed a taboo, but what if the rules have been wrong all along? This episode of Shut Up and Choose confronts the common myths tied to late-night eating habits, shining a light on the reality of how our bodies process food regardless of the clock. Dive in with us as we unravel the psychology behind…

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The Secret Behind High Growth Nonprofits 29:39

7M ago29:39

29:39

Nonprofit leaders constantly hear that diversifying revenue streams is the key to financial stability. But what if that advice isn't the whole story? Research shows that 90% of high-growth nonprofits rely on a single dominant funding source. Does that mean nonprofits should double down on one funding stream—or is there a smarter way to approach fun…

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Donuts, Pizza, And Burgers Did Not Make You Fat - Math Did! 27:11

7M ago27:11

27:11

Send us a text Ever wonder if you can shed pounds without bidding farewell to your favorite foods or hitting the gym? On "Shut Up and Choose," I shake up the narrative around weight loss by sharing my own journey of losing over 140 pounds without sacrificing life's culinary pleasures. Discover the grounding truth: it's not about fancy diets or magi…