Best Volunteer Management Software Podcasts (2025)

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182. The 8 Game-Changing Policies That Make Volunteers Say WOW! 22:19

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3h ago22:19

22:19

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson builds on her previous conversation about harmful volunteer policies by introducing eight transformative strategies to attract and retain passionate volunteers. From creating a welcoming environment and offering flexible commitments to tailoring screening to risk levels and delivering en…

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181. The 8 Volunteer Policies That Are Killing Your Mission 24:15

6d ago24:15

24:15

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson uncovers eight common volunteer policies that could be hurting your mission. From poor first impressions and slow communication to overly complicated screening processes, inflexible commitments, dull training, micromanagement, lack of recognition, and difficult exit procedures, Tobi brea…

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180. 3 Smart Ways to Design Volunteer Service Awards 36:26

12d ago36:26

36:26

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson explores smart, research-backed frameworks for designing meaningful volunteer service awards. Instead of relying on traditional recognition tactics, she shows how to align awards with what truly drives volunteers—their motivations, timelines, and the impact they create. Tobi introduces f…

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179. Transformative Service Experiences with Frederick J. Riley and Jackie Wolven 1:02:44

20d ago1:02:44

1:02:44

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives into the topic of transformative service experiences with guests Frederick J. Riley, Executive Director of Weave the Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute, and Jackie Woven, Executive Director of Main Street Eureka Springs. They discuss practical strategies for building, gro…

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178. 6 Ways to Help Program Volunteers Avoid Compassion Fatigue 36:54

30d ago36:54

36:54

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives deep into the critical issue of compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress among program volunteers. These frontline heroes play vital roles in tutoring, hospice, crisis support and more, but without proper training, boundaries, and support, they risk burnout and emotional h…

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177. Manage Volunteers Like a Pro: 7 Rookie Mistakes and How to Avoid Them 37:46

1M ago37:46

37:46

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives into the 7 common rookie mistakes non-profits make when managing volunteers and shares practical strategies to help volunteer managers reduce stress and rediscover the joy in their work. Tobi highlights the power of maintaining a positive mindset, setting clear boundaries, and focu…

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176. Beyond Pizza Parties: Innovative Appreciation Ideas for Volunteers 25:47

1M ago25:47

25:47

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson discusses the importance of strategic volunteer appreciation. Moving beyond traditional gifts and certificates, she explores how to recognize and value volunteers in ways that are meaningful and aligned with core human needs and organizational goals. Tobi provides 12 innovative appreciat…

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175. Outputs vs Outcomes: Why Counting Hours Isn’t Enough 35:03

2M ago35:03

35:03

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson dives into why it’s time to move beyond traditional volunteer metrics like hours logged and retention rates. She unpacks the difference between outputs and outcomes, sharing practical examples and actionable strategies for measuring and showcasing the true impact volunteers have on commu…

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174. Write Volunteer Emails Volunteers Actually Read (and Love) 24:32

2M ago24:32

24:32

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares expert tips on how to craft volunteer emails that truly connect and convert. From attention-grabbing subject lines to warm, welcoming salutations and easy-to-read content, Tobi breaks down the key elements that make emails more engaging and effective. You’ll learn why personalizat…

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173. Is Your Volunteer Website Turning People Away? 46:55

2M ago46:55

46:55

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares valuable insights on how nonprofits can improve volunteer websites to attract and engage more volunteers effectively. Addressing common issues such as unclear value propositions, excessive choice options, stock imagery, and poor mobile experiences, Tobi discusses practical strateg…

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172. How to Give Clear Volunteer Feedback with Confidence 26:37

2M ago26:37

26:37

Do you find it uncomfortable giving feedback to volunteers? You're not alone! In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson walks you through how to deliver clear, confident feedback to your volunteers in a way that fosters growth, maintains trust, and avoids discomfort. Whether it's reinforcing great behavior or correcting issues, Tobi shares …

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171. Practical Community Building Tips for Your Volunteer Team 28:25

3M ago28:25

28:25

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into the heart of what makes a volunteer team truly thrive: community. Drawing from both personal experience and well-established sociological principles, Tobi explores five essential pillars that foster a sense of belonging and connection among volunteers and between volunteers and staff. Thi…

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170. My Top Takeaways from Giving USA 2025 38:18

3M ago38:18

38:18

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into the key findings from the Giving USA 2025 report and uncovers the powerful link between volunteerism and philanthropy. Tobi explores how individual donors and volunteer leaders are shaping the future of nonprofit fundraising, and why community support has never been more essential. Whethe…

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169. How to Meet 3 Core Volunteer Needs Right from the Start 31:51

3M ago31:51

31:51

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into the essential human needs that drive a meaningful and rewarding volunteer experience—safety, connection, and purpose. Tobi explores how creating a predictable, emotionally safe environment lays the foundation for trust. She explains why fostering strong peer connections is just as crucial…

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168. Note to Nonprofit Execs - Supporting Volunteers is Everyone's Job 27:45

3M ago27:45

27:45

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson addresses a persistent and deeply rooted challenge in the nonprofit sector: the lack of buy-in and active support for volunteers across entire organizations—not just within volunteer departments. Drawing from the VolunteerPro Impact Lab seminar and a decade of data from the Volunteer Management Prog…

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167. Keeping Civic Engagement Alive Despite Funding Cuts with Sam Fankuchen 1:03:10

4M ago1:03:10

1:03:10

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson is joined by Sam Fankuchen, founder and CEO of Golden, about how nonprofit organizations can stay resilient and keep civic engagement alive amid uncertainty, disasters, and radical funding cuts. They discuss current stresses in the nonprofit sector, particularly around funding uncertainties, and sha…

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166. Train Volunteers with This Simple 4-Step Framework 26:42

4M ago26:42

26:42

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson shares a simple yet powerful four-step framework to help you train volunteers more effectively. Drawing on decades of experience in instructional design and facilitation, Tobi breaks down what makes training truly impactful and what to avoid. Whether you're building a new training from scratch or re…

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165. Let's Make Volunteering Accessible for All with Allyson Ferrari 57:14

4M ago57:14

57:14

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson is joined by Allyson Ferrari, Director of Connections at Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, to explore how organizations can make volunteering more inclusive and accessible. Together, they dive into practical strategies for building, growing, and scaling volunteer talent by designing op…

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164. Moving from Volunteer Compliance to Building Your Nonprofit Community 36:03

4M ago36:03

36:03

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson unpacks a powerful mindset shift in the nonprofit world: moving beyond volunteer compliance and toward building a thriving volunteer community. Tobi explores the delicate balance between ensuring accountability and fostering genuine connection, trust, and shared purpose among your volunteers. Throug…

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163. New Research from Points of Light with Jennifer Sirangelo 51:27

5M ago51:27

51:27

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson sits down with Jennifer Sirangelo, President & CEO of Points of Light, to explore why volunteerism is not just a “nice to have”, it’s a necessity. Jennifer shares her inspiring journey into the nonprofit world and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Points of Light’s mission to position volunteer man…

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162. The #1 Secret to Deep Volunteer Participation 40:12

5M ago40:12

40:12

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, tools for volunteer engagement: human connection. Tobi reminds us that it's not tech tools or training manuals that drive true engagement, it's trust, belonging, and meaningful relationships. Tobi unpacks why emotional closeness matters in v…

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161. Leadership Principles for Sparking Change – Part 2 with Jenni Field 41:13

5M ago41:13

41:13

In this powerful follow-up episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson continues her insightful conversation with Jenni Field, diving deeper into the leadership principles that drive meaningful change, especially for those managing volunteers. Together, they unpack the nuanced differences between authenticity and vulnerability in leadersh…

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160. Leadership Principles for Sparking Change – Part 1 with Jenni Field 43:01

5M ago43:01

43:01

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson sits down with leadership and communications expert Jenni Field for an insightful conversation about what it really takes to lead with credibility in the nonprofit world. Jenni shares practical, research-backed strategies for building trust, fostering supportive team cultures, and leading with clari…

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159. How to Hire a Future Proof Volunteer Coordinator 45:32

5M ago45:32

45:32

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down exactly what it takes to hire a future proof volunteer coordinator who can lead with confidence and adaptability. Given how vital this role is in representing your organization and engaging your volunteers, hiring the right person matters more than ever! Tobi walks you throug…

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158. Nonprofit Capacity Building with the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond 1:06:31

6M ago1:06:31

1:06:31

In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, host Tobi Johnson sits down with Diana Villarreal and Gail Cavallaro from the Community Foundation for greater Richmond to explore how strategic volunteer engagement is shaping the future of nonprofits. Diana and Gail share the foundation’s mission and walk us through its inspiring history, along wit…

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157. A Fresh Take on Volunteer Position Descriptions 27:53

6M ago27:53

27:53

In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson challenges the status quo of traditional volunteer position descriptions. She explores why the standard, task-heavy approach often falls flat and shares how a simple shift in language and structure can dramatically improve volunteer recruitment. Tobi introduces creative alternatives—like…

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156. People-first Leadership & Strengthening Teams with Dr. Rob Lion 1:10:38

6M ago1:10:38

1:10:38

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson invites Dr. Rob Lion onto the show to discuss people-first leadership and fostering stronger collaboration between paid staff and volunteers. Dr. Rob Lion is a professor, consultant, and principal of Black River Performance Management, who shares expert insights on creating a human-centr…

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155. Entitled or Exploited? Part 2 Volunteer Responsibilities AND Rights 42:45

6M ago42:45

42:45

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, host Tobi Johnson dives deep into the ethical and fair treatment of volunteers. She introduces the Volunteer Bill of Rights, outlining ten essential rights every volunteer should have, from being valued and trained to working in a safe environment. But rights are only part of the equation. Tobi also explores ten…

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154. Entitled or Exploited? Part 1 - Volunteer Bias in Organizations 26:27

7M ago26:27

26:27

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi discusses the concept of volunteer bias in organizations, focusing on the theme, Entitled or Exploited. Using data from the Volunteer Management Progress Report, Tobi highlights issues such as volunteer retention, respect, and organizational challenges. She also delves into the implications of l…

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153. Building Nonprofit Capacity at Hire Heroes with Michele Wiesner 57:38

7M ago57:38

57:38

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi welcomes Michele Wiesner, Director of Capacity Building at Hire Heroes USA onto the show! Michele discusses her extensive experience in volunteer engagement and career development, particularly her role in developing a robust volunteer program at Hire Heroes. The pair cover a range of topics, in…

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152. What Every Nonprofit Executive Should Know About Community Engagement 42:19

7M ago42:19

42:19

In this episode, Tobi draws insights from the Volunteer Management Progress Report and discusses the perennial challenges in engaging volunteers, particularly respect and buy-in from leadership. She highlights the importance of power sharing, diverse community engagement activities, and the skill sets needed for successful community collaborations.…

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151. Reimagining Nonprofit Membership & Volunteer Engagement with Alice Glenn 59:56

7M ago59:56

59:56

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson is joined by Alice Glenn, President of the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI). Tobi and Alice delve into innovative approaches to nonprofit membership and volunteer engagement, particularly within associations, chapters, and membership-based nonprofits. Alice shares insig…

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150. Launch a Community-based Advocacy Program in Six Steps 52:52

8M ago52:52

52:52

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi focuses on nonprofit advocacy, emphasizing the importance of advocacy in uncertain times. Tobi outlines a detailed six-step plan to launch a community-based advocacy program, tailored for organizations that rely on volunteer and community support. She discusses the importance of defining goals, …

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149. Nonprofit Advocacy Strategies – A Checklist 37:11

8M ago37:11

37:11

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, host Tobi Johnson provides an in-depth discussion on nonprofit advocacy strategies. Tobi talks about the immediate need for nonprofit advocacy and shares five key strategies to effectively engage in advocacy efforts. These strategies include public awareness and education, media and digital advocacy,…

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148. Nonprofit Advocacy 101 – Yes You Can! 42:56

8M ago42:56

42:56

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi addresses the critical need for nonprofits to engage in advocacy, especially amidst current uncertainties like federal funding chaos. She explains how advocacy's role has diminished over the past 20 years and stresses the importance of nonprofit sectors educating legislators, constituents, and c…

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147. Volunteer Recruitment Trends from Our New Report 55:17

8M ago55:17

55:17

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi discusses the key volunteer recruitment trends from the 2025 Volunteer Management Progress Report. She explores the major challenges non-profit organizations face in recruiting and retaining volunteers, such as time constraints, lack of support, and alignment issues between volunteer roles and c…

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146. Expanding Volunteer Jobs to Be Done at Your Nonprofit 29:41

9M ago29:41

29:41

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi dives into the art of expanding volunteer roles within nonprofits. Inspired by a recent workshop, she breaks down the essential steps to designing an effective volunteer program that truly meets organizational needs. From setting clear volunteer goals to brainstorming new roles, aligning with vo…

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145. Build Your Program with the NEW VolunteerPro Volunteer Impact Lab! 27:21

9M ago27:21

27:21

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi introduces the newly rebranded VolunteerPro Impact Lab, a community dedicated to supporting volunteer-driven organizations in their program development and assessment. Tobi discusses the enhancements and features of the platform, including the Volunteer Strategy Success Path model, assessment to…

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144. Bringing a Collectivist Spirit to Nonpartisan Volunteer Work with Britt Hogue 59:30

9M ago59:30

59:30

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi is joined by the Founder of the Collective Good, Britt Hogue. The pair discuss the importance of bringing a collectivist spirit to nonpartisan volunteer work, especially in divisive politics. Britt shares her experience in organizing intergenerational conversations, and provides practical strate…

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143. 3 Big Problems with Your Volunteer Recruitment Flyer 18:10

9M ago18:10

18:10

In the first episode of 2025, Tobi shares her insights on developing an impactful volunteer recruitment flyer. She discusses common problems, such as lack of audience targeting, incomplete journey planning, and ineffective distribution strategies. Tobi provides practical tips for creating flyers that resonate with specific audiences, plan the entir…

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142. Our Top 6 Volunteer Nation Podcast Episodes from 2024 31:43

9M ago31:43

31:43

In this holiday-themed episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, host Tobi Johnson shares the top 6 Volunteer Nation Podcast episodes from 2024! Themes include transitioning from doer to nonprofit leader, transforming volunteer leadership, successful volunteer coordination, effective volunteer management, boosting volunteer signups, and volunteer re…

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141. 8 Ways to Build Capacity with Volunteer Teams 24:39

10M ago24:39

24:39

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi shares 8 practical ways to build capacity with volunteer teams. These include leadership development, community engagement, program development and evaluation, and technology and data management, among others. Tobi also offers advice on setting up and managing volunteer teams, from using advisor…

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140. Volunteer Performance Issues – How to (Finally) Have that Chat! 39:39

10M ago39:39

39:39

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi discusses practical strategies for addressing volunteer performance issues. She introduces a structured approach called the 'Great Communications Model' and emphasizes the importance of setting clear boundaries, using authority correctly, and maintaining focus on organizational mission. This epi…

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139. Unpacking Volunteer Retention Issues: A Case Study 25:53

10M ago25:53

25:53

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi unpacks volunteer retention issues using a real-life case study from a Reddit post titled 'I'm never volunteering for a food bank ever again.' Tobi reads the post in its entirety and offers a detailed analysis based on research and expert insights. Key points include the importance of person-tas…

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138. Building Community in an Uncertain (and Sometimes Scary) World 44:19

10M ago44:19

44:19

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson shares an insightful discussion from a recent VolunteerPro membership coaching call. The episode dives deep into ways to create safe, inclusive spaces for volunteers, particularly in uncertain times marked by social and political divisions. Tobi emphasizes the importance of building comm…

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137. Volunteer Stats, Trends, and Benchmarks We're Researching Right Now 46:58

11M ago46:58

46:58

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Volunteer Management Progress Report survey. Tobi reflects on the evolution of the survey over the past decade and its significant contributions to the field of volunteer management. This year's theme focuses on volunteer recruitment, aiming to gath…

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136. Getting Back to Neighboring with Breauna Dorelus 1:21:22

11M ago1:21:22

1:21:22

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson discusses the concept of neighboring and its importance in building and sustaining volunteer programs with guest, Breauna Dorelus. They explore the idea of neighboring as a verb and its role in countering societal divisiveness, fostering community involvement, and ensuring the sustainabi…

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135. How to Use Video Storytelling to Connect with Aaron Walton and Emmanuel LeGrair 1:10:17

11M ago1:10:17

1:10:17

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson delves into the potent potential of video storytelling in nonprofit and volunteer sectors. Joined by video storytelling experts Aaron Walton and Emmanuel LeGrair, this discussion focuses on how video can emotionally engage viewers, share compelling stories, and ultimately drive volunteer…

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134. 8 Annual Planning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them 39:58

11M ago39:58

39:58

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi explores the importance of annual planning for volunteer services and shares personal experiences of the challenges faced when a plan is absent. Tobi outlines eight common mistakes made during annual planning, such as building a to-do list of tactics rather than a strategic plan, not articulatin…

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133. My Secrets to Building Buy In & Reducing Resistance to Change 36:05

12M ago36:05

36:05

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson delves into her secrets to building buy in and reducing resistance to change within nonprofit organizations. Drawing on her extensive 25-year background in the nonprofit sector, Tobi delivers actionable insights and techniques for leaders of volunteers and nonprofit professionals facing …