Best Scale Nonprofit Organization Podcasts (2025)

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How Nonprofits Can Scale with Better Fundraising Processes 34:54

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5h ago34:54

34:54

James Misner talks about why only a small percentage of nonprofits break $1 million in revenue and explains that many struggle because they don’t know how to fundraise effectively or are fearful of dealing with money. He shares practical advice for Chiefs of Staff, stressing the importance of having clear fundraising processes, following up with do…

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Nonprofit Fundraising: Your Year-End Email Blueprint (Don't get buried in their inbox) 19:17

5d ago19:17

19:17

In this episode of The Nonprofit Launch Plan Podcast, Matt breaks down a simple, practical, and highly effective three-email year-end fundraising strategy designed specifically for startup, small, and growing nonprofits. Whether you’re behind on your December communications or trying to maximize year-end generosity, this episode gives you a proven …

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Q&A: How to Guide Leaders Without Telling Them How to Do Their Jobs 5:43

9h ago5:43

5:43

Lisa D. asks how to guide leaders to their next step without telling them how to do their job. Emily suggests agreeing on the project’s end goal, asking questions like “what’s a fair and reasonable way to start?” and having departments explain their preferred starting points. She shares tips for using data and prompts like discussing pros and cons,…

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8: Nonprofit CEO, You Have More Agency Than You Think 10:38

1h ago10:38

10:38

Hey there, nonprofit CEOs and Executive Directors — welcome back to Nonprofit CEO SPARK, where we help you lead with more clarity and confidence — without burning out. I recently met a CEO who runs a nonprofit refugee center. As you can imagine, her organization is facing some of the toughest challenges imaginable —threats to documented and undocum…

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Mastering Power, Office Politics, and Leadership in Modern Organizations 35:11

2h ago35:11

35:11

Emily Sander talks with Tinna Jackson about navigating power dynamics as a Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate, handling office politics, and the importance of emotional intelligence and trust in leadership. Tinna shares tips on building relationships with board members, managing micromanagers, and methods for better communication in remote or hybrid…

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Listener Q&A: Managing Sales Reps Who Focus on Rebranding Over Revenue 13:50

6d ago13:50

13:50

Emily Sander talks about what to do when a Business Development Rep starts doing graphic design, website tweaks, and HubSpot updates instead of making calls. She shares ways to set clear expectations, give frequent feedback, and explains when it's time to let someone go if things don't change. Examples include weekly check-ins, specific quotas, and…

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7: The Nonprofit CEO-ED Lesson Behind a Starbucks Mix-up 8:12

3d ago8:12

8:12

Hey there, nonprofit leaders, tell me if this sounds familiar… You leave a staff meeting thinking, “Yes! We’re totally aligned. Everyone’s got it.” Then 48 hours later, your inbox tells a different story. Half the team took your idea and sprinted in one direction. Another half politely waited for more instructions. And one person… somehow started b…

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Balancing MBA Studies with a Chief of Staff Startup Internship Experience 31:47

7d ago31:47

31:47

Conghao Tian shares how he landed a Chief of Staff internship at Zenblen while studying for his MBA at Chicago Booth, starting with a background in music and art history. He talks about building KPI systems for the startup’s robotic smoothie kiosks, managing UChicago interns, and balancing intense work hours alongside full-time school. The episode …

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Nonprofit Leadership: The Power of Essentialism for Greater Impact 17:04

20d ago17:04

17:04

In this episode of The Nonprofit Launch Plan Podcast for Startup, Small, and Growing Nonprofits, Matt digs into one of the biggest barriers to nonprofit effectiveness: clutter. Not the kind in your hall closet, but the kind that shows up in your donor messaging, your schedule, your internal processes, and even your website. Pulling inspiration from…

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Listener Question: Why Your Boss Wants Results, Not Databases 13:38

20d ago13:38

13:38

Emily Sander answers a listener’s question about how to get through to a boss who says, “I don’t care about the database, I care about results.” She talks about reframing communication to focus on the boss’s priorities, suggests offering options for overcoming constraints, and gives tips like sharing summaries instead of full reports. Emily shares …

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From Google to Coaching: Supporting Leaders and Building Relationships in Business 44:16

11d ago44:16

44:16

Emily Sander talks with Katie Rohn about her journey from sales to strategy at Google and her time as a Chief of Staff. They share stories about the different versions of the Chief of Staff role, how relationships shape the job, and why self-reflection matters during career transitions. Katie explains how she coaches generalists and Chiefs of Staff…

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S4E10 – Season 4 Rewind 1:30:57

21d ago1:30:57

1:30:57

LA’s leading frontline organizers—Ivette Ale-Ferlito (La Defensa), Derek Steele (Social Justice Learning Institute), and Jared Rivera (PICO California)—unpack this season’s organizing theories, reveal how they hold up in the real world, and explore what it really takes to turn big ideas into on-the-ground activism and community power.…

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The Key Question to Propel Yourself Through Challenges 6:51

27d ago6:51

6:51

Emily shares a practical question prompt to help you focus on what matters most when facing challenges at work or in life. She gives real examples, like choosing between launching a product on time and not burning out, getting out of your comfort zone to represent your company at conferences, or trading phone scrolling for a more productive morning…

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Building Major Donor Relationships from the Ground Up Pt. 2 (An Interview with Tom Atema) 26:54

28d ago26:54

26:54

In this second part of his conversation with veteran nonprofit leader Tom Atema, host Matt Stockman dives deeper into the heart of leadership and fundraising. With over 50 years of experience leading organizations like Heart for Lebanon, John Maxwell’s Equip, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Tom shares timeless wisdom for nonprofit fo…

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Mediation Strategies Every Chief of Staff Should Know 39:28

29d ago39:28

39:28

Alex Yaroslavsky talks about his journey from navigating conflict as a kid new to the U.S. to building a career in mediation and executive coaching. He shares how Chiefs of Staff can handle disagreements between colleagues, coach their principals through tough conversations, and recognize when workplace tension is productive versus damaging. Real e…

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Overcoming Presentation Anxiety: Focus on Meaning and Emotion, Not Perfection 22:10

1M ago22:10

22:10

Emily answers a listener’s question about feeling stuck to a script during presentations. She explains how to focus on key points instead of memorizing every word, suggests adding emotion and attitude to messages, and demonstrates this technique with a “baseball is boring” exercise using different emotions like anger and sadness. Emily gives practi…

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Building Major Donor Relationships from the Ground Up (An Interview With Tom Atema pt 1) 33:55

1M ago33:55

33:55

In this episode of The Nonprofit Launch Plan Podcast for Startup, Small, and Growing Nonprofits, host Matt Stockman sits down with veteran nonprofit leader Tom Atema, co-founder of Heart for Lebanon and former VP with John Maxwell’s Equip. With more than 50 years of experience in ministry and development work, Tom shares timeless, faith-driven wisd…

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Expanding Leadership Impact: Angel Investing and Chief of Staff Insights for Purpose-Driven Ventures 36:35

1M ago36:35

36:35

Erika Aquino, an angel investor with 26 portfolio companies across five countries, and her Chief of Staff Patricia de Leon, share how they work together to find and support women and minority founders in sustainability, wellness, education, and future of work. They talk about Patricia’s role as the first filter for deals, relationship building, and…

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Strategies to Protect Leadership from Low-Value Choices and Mental Clutter 15:19

1M ago15:19

15:19

This episode covers practical ways for a Chief of Staff to reduce decision fatigue for their principal and executive team, like removing low-value tasks from their plate and organizing clear, concise email options for faster decisions. Emily shares real examples, such as giving decision options in an “A, B, C” format and using thresholds for approv…

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The Operations Flywheel: 5 Systems That Keep Your Nonprofit Running Smoothly 23:45

1M ago23:45

23:45

If you’ve ever felt like every week starts from zero — or like every day is more reactive than proactive — this episode is for you. Matt Stockman breaks down how to escape the constant cycle of overwhelm by creating what he calls your Nonprofit Operations Flywheel: a simple set of systems that give your organization rhythm, predictability, and peac…

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How to Secure a Seat at the Boardroom Table: Gaining the Right Skills for Board Service 41:39

1M ago41:39

41:39

Dr. Keith Dorsey talks about his book, "The Boardroom Journey: Practical Guidance for Women to Secure a Seat at the Table," explaining what corporate boards do, why diversity matters, and how anyone - no matter their career stage - can start planning for a board role. He shares actionable advice on building skills across different business areas, n…

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S4E9 – How Can Philanthropy Use Futurism to Change the World? 1:00:59

2M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Trista Harris, world-renowned author of “How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar” and “Future Good: How to Use Futurism to Save the World,” as well as President of FutureGood consultancy, joins us in the studio to delve into the exciting world of future-focused philanthropy and explore how the social sector can harness the tools of futurism to build a b…

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Listener Question: Making Presentations Pop: Tailoring Content for Employees, Customers, and the Board 12:49

2M ago12:49

12:49

A Chief of Staff struggles to make three different presentations - an internal all hands update, a customer pitch, and a board meeting - feel meaningful and tailored for each audience. Emily suggests using common core info but adding exclusive details for each group, plus using questions from past meetings to anticipate concerns and adjust content.…

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Simplicity Beats Complexity: How to Stop Overcomplicating Your Nonprofit 18:14

2M ago18:14

18:14

Complexity quietly chokes far too many nonprofits—large and small. Spreadsheets multiply, meetings take over calendars, and software stacks pile up in the name of “getting organized.” But the truth is, the best-run nonprofits are not the ones that are more complicated—they’re the ones that are simpler. In this episode, Matt Stockman breaks down how…

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6: Why Disney's Magic Holds a Lesson for Nonprofit CEOs 13:12

2M ago13:12

13:12

Have you ever had a staff member who seemed great on paper, or even had moments of brilliance, but behind the scenes, their toxic behavior slowly drained the energy out of your whole team? Maybe you found yourself thinking, “If I just give them one more chance, maybe this time it will stick.” Today, we’re exploring what happens when those second, t…

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Chief of Staff and Communications Officer Collaboration: Real Stories of Effective Partnership 49:11

2M ago49:11

49:11

Tracy Van Grack and Michael Patino talk about working with a Chief of Staff, sharing real stories from startup and established companies, including how early-stage teams can build a culture of communications even with limited resources. They cover the difference between hiring internal or external communications experts, using examples like tech st…

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You’re Not Alone: How Chiefs of Staff Can Build Community 15:36

2M ago15:36

15:36

Chief of Staff can be a lonely job, even when you're surrounded by people. Emily shares real ways to handle this, like joining Chief of Staff networks, leaning on trusted coworkers or friends outside the company, and working with a coach. She also talks about knowing when to just acknowledge the loneliness and when to actively address it. Links Men…

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5: Why It's So Hard for Nonprofits to Hire Right Now 8:32

2M ago8:32

8:32

Welcome back to Nonprofit CEO SPARK, the show that fuels your leadership, protects your energy, and helps you spark lasting change. I’m your host, Marcia Beckner. Let me paint the picture. You spend three hours writing a job posting. You list all the “must-haves,” cross your fingers, and wait. --> Fifty-three applications land in your inbox. --> On…

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4: What I Learned as an Interim Executive Director 10:14

2M ago10:14

10:14

Hey there, nonprofit leaders, and welcome back to Nonprofit CEO SPARK, the podcast that helps you fuel your leadership, protect your energy, and spark lasting change. In today’s episode, I’m sharing behind-the-scenes lessons from a unique opportunity I had in 2024, stepping in as the Interim Executive Director of a thriving arts nonprofit in Denver…

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3: Navigating Complex Staff Challenges with Grace 6:20

2M ago6:20

6:20

Let’s talk about something every nonprofit CEO and Executive Director will face… and usually at the most inconvenient moment possible. Picture this: It’s Monday morning. You’re halfway through your first cup of coffee, still convincing yourself this is going to be a productive day. You open your inbox, and there it is… a subject line from a staff m…

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2: The ONE Thing Nonprofit CEOs & EDs Can Control 7:09

2M ago7:09

7:09

If you’re a nonprofit CEO or Executive Director, you already know there are a million things you can’t control: The economy. Funder priorities. Donor preferences. That one staff member who thinks “fashionably late” is a cute personality trait. But there is one thing you can control, and it changes everything else. Back when I was an Executive Direc…

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1: Breaking the Silent Epidemic in Nonprofit Leadership 6:56

2M ago6:56

6:56

If you’re a nonprofit CEO or Executive Director, I have a question for you. How many mornings have you opened your laptop and thought, I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this up? How many nights have you laid awake worried about staff conflict, budget gaps, and your organization’s long-term sustainability. Wondering if you’re holding your orga…

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Redefining Success as Chief of Staff in a Global Organization 30:40

2M ago30:40

30:40

Frank Noyola shares how he went from turning down the Chief of Staff role at Quest Global to shaping it into a job focused on strategy, team building, and supporting a rapidly evolving CMO/Chief Strategy Officer. He talks about building a small team to handle operations, collaborating with the only other Chief of Staff at the company, and making su…

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How to Make the Tough Calls Your Nonprofit Needs: Breaking Free from Decision Paralysis 15:28

2M ago15:28

15:28

Leadership expert Max Dupree once said, “We cannot become what we want by remaining where we are.” In this episode of The Nonprofit Launch Plan Podcast, host Matt Stockman unpacks one of the biggest leadership hurdles nonprofit leaders face — decision paralysis. Whether it’s keeping a struggling team member too long, clinging to a tired fundraising…

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S4E8 – How Do We Sustain Organizations that Sustain Democracy? 1:06:56

2M ago1:06:56

1:06:56

Marshall Ganz, Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing & Civil Society at Harvard University, and Joseph Tomás McKellar, Executive Director of PICO California, join us for a lively discussion exploring how organizing can help strengthen democracy and the opportunities we have to move our movement forward.…

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Transforming Leadership Meetings with the Flash Report: Insights from CEOs, CFOs, and CoSs 56:27

2M ago56:27

56:27

Emily, Ed, and Rory break down how to use a Flash Report to keep leadership teams aligned and focused on key business metrics. They give a real example of a Flash Report, show how it highlights things like cash, sales, and training completion rates, and explain why keeping it simple matters. The episode covers choosing the right KPIs, what to inclu…

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What Chiefs of Staff Can Learn from the Supporting Concerts and World Tours 30:13

2M ago30:13

30:13

Tarra Stubbins shares her journey from dropping out of high school to travel with rock bands as a personal assistant—including wild hotel room requests from Mick Jagger—to founding the Take It Easy Group, where she now provides Chief of Staff and executive support to high-profile clients. She talks about handling unusual demands like putting a toot…

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Finding Small Opportunities to Delegate and Free Up Time 20:27

2M ago20:27

20:27

Emily shares practical delegation tips like breaking up complex tasks such as invoice processing into smaller, easier pieces, moving teammates upstream in a process, and letting others help with basic steps like data collection. She explains how small steps—like making quick guides, recording simple training videos, or copying others on emails—can …

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How Chief of Staff Network Sees the Future: From Chief of Staff to Chief of AI 51:49

2M ago51:49

51:49

By Emily Sander

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Clarity Creates Impact: The Power of a Target Beneficiary Profile 14:42

2M ago14:42

14:42

One of the biggest mistakes startup and small nonprofits make is trying to serve too many people with too broad of a mission. The result? Your message gets fuzzy, donors aren’t sure exactly who they’re helping, and your programs end up stretched thin. The truth is this: clarity creates impact. Donors don’t give to “programs” or “initiatives”—they g…

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S4E7 – What’s at Stake in the Fight for Immigrant Rights? 1:08:08

3M ago1:08:08

1:08:08

Areli Hernandez, Director of Executive Affairs for the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), dives deep into the recent challenges faced by migrant families and activists and explores how frontline organizations are standing strong against the federal government’s attacks on civil society.By Liberty Hill Foundation

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Turning Tactical Requests Into Visionary Department Plans 14:50

3M ago14:50

14:50

Emily shares a story about someone who gave their boss a basic org chart when asked about their department’s future, but missed the bigger picture the boss wanted. She explains how to shift from being just a task-doer to a strategic leader by connecting department changes to the company’s new vision, outlining system upgrades, communication plans, …

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How Venture Capital Firms Utilize Chiefs of Staff for Firm and Portfolio Growth 40:53

3M ago40:53

40:53

Remi Guarini, a three-time Chief of Staff, shares how she moved from fashion operations at Maison Kitsune to working at Capital Factory, and then to helping launch Neon, an early-stage venture capital firm. She talks about learning on the fly, juggling investor and operations duties, building strong relationships, and how her role evolved to includ…

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From Ask to Confirmation: Optimizing the User Experience on Your Donation Page 24:22

3M ago24:22

24:22

Making an emotional connection with your donors is key to fundraising success. But what happens when that emotional momentum hits a digital wall? So often, the moment a donor is ready to make a gift, the experience on your website feels different, broken, or disconnected—and that can cost you a donation and, more importantly, the trust you’ve worke…

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Addressing Team Turf Wars: Leadership Lessons for Chiefs of Staff 26:57

3M ago26:57

26:57

This episode covers how a Chief of Staff can address two teams stuck in a blame game at a biotech startup. Emily shares examples like holding one-on-one meetings with managers and team members, presenting anonymized feedback, setting clear expectations for team behavior, and publicly reinforcing new team norms. He explains how to reset the group dy…

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Moving from Chief of Staff to Principal: Lessons from a Leadership Transformation at Microsoft 36:35

3M ago36:35

36:35

Andrew Kisslo talks about his journey from marketing roles to Chief of Staff at Microsoft, sharing what it was like working in the role during a period of massive growth and change. He describes the different Chief of Staff archetypes, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and the process behind hiring his own Chief of Staff at SAP. Andrew …

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5 Fundraising Practices That Drain Your Energy (and What to Do Instead) 20:16

3M ago20:16

20:16

Fundraising is the lifeblood of your nonprofit—but it doesn’t have to leave you and your team exhausted. In this episode, host Matt Stockman shares five common fundraising practices that drain small nonprofit leaders of their limited energy and capacity. More importantly, he offers practical alternatives that build sustainability, trust, and strong…

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S4E6 – Balancing the Scales Through Collective Action 50:01

3M ago50:01

50:01

Amy Shur, Campaign Director of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Institute, and Victor Sanchez, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), unpack the power dynamics of today’s economic and political system and discuss how strategic mass organizing can help tilt the balance.…

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From Execution to Aftermath: Managing the Realities of Layoffs 16:15

3M ago16:15

16:15

Part 2 focuses on the practical steps and real-life challenges of carrying out layoffs, like coordinating with HR and IT, preparing benefit info, and setting up conversations with those affected. Emily shares personal experiences, including handling difficult reactions and making sure Chiefs of Staff help with both the announcements and the follow-…

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Lessons from a Long-Term Chief of Staff Partnership 39:49

3M ago39:49

39:49

Jennifer Baron shares her 18-year journey working alongside her principal, Justin, starting as a temp cleaning a file room and eventually becoming Chief of Staff for a private equity firm. She talks about helping manage company growth, supporting multiple portfolio companies, and even working on a historic castle restoration in Scotland. Jennifer a…