Best Volunteer Management Software Podcasts (2025)

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

20h 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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Mission-Critical Partnerships in Protest Preparedness and Schools 35:03

7d ago35:03

35:03

Security benefits can come from unexpected sources, especially in community-centric organizations like schools and colleges. Melinda Heikkinen from Saint Louis University (SLU) explains how the college’s history of open dialogue and philosophy of meeting peace with peace helped it weather a wave of mass protests on campus. Then, Jason Stoddard with…

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

8d 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

15d 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

22d 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

29d 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

1M 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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Safer Travels: Wrongful Detention, Active Assailants, and Duty of Care 41:55

1M ago41:55

41:55

Business travel is back, and travel risk is back right with it. In this episode of the SM Highlights podcast, Robert Dodge outlines the growing threat of wrongful detention during business travel, his own experiences being detained abroad, and how to educate travelers about risk. Gene Petrino shares proactive strategies for preventing workplace vio…

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

1M 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

2M 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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Bonus: Social Media Intelligence for Security 16:56

2M ago16:56

16:56

In 2021, the ASIS Foundation published research about how social media and artificial intelligence can be leveraged to proactively identify new security issues. Now, we check in with one of those researchers—Chelsea Binns from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice—to see what has changed in the field, the ethics of researching social media, and …

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

2M 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

2M 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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Corporate Security Career Advice: Pathways, Volunteerism, and Relationship-Building 37:15

2M ago37:15

37:15

Whether you’re considering a career change, debating how to get more involved in your industry, or want to connect more thoroughly with community stakeholders about your security program, this SM Highlights episode has something for you. Security leadership recruiter Kathy Lavinder outlines pathways—and pitfalls—on the journey into private security…

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

2M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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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When Considering Liability, Don’t Overlook Your Parking Lots and Incident Reports 27:29

3M ago27:29

27:29

Everybody enters facilities through parking lots or parking garages, but these areas are often an afterthought for security, says lawyer Michael Haggard. But considering crimes of opportunity as well as liability issues, that uneven focus can be costly for organizations and commercial property owners. Also in this episode of SM Highlights, Eddie So…

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

3M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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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How a CEO’s Murder Changes Executive Protection, Plus Burnout Risks in Professional Security 28:52

4M ago28:52

28:52

When the UnitedHealthcare CEO was killed in New York City in early December 2024, executive protection and corporate security professionals worldwide had to grapple with increased fear, criticism, and demands. Chuck Tobin and Caleb Gilbert from the International Protective Security Board join the SM Highlights podcast to discuss close protection an…

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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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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Imagination Required: Red Teams, Better Lock Design, and Helicopter Security Technology 36:43

5M ago36:43

36:43

Are there holes in your security program? Quite likely. In this episode of SM Highlights, host Brendan Howard speaks with red team expert Gary DeMercurio about how to develop a testing program and scope that deliver actionable results and value. Also, Marc Weber Tobias outlines the concept of insecurity engineering in locks and the basic awareness …

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

5M 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

6M 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

6M 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

6M 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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Confronting Assumptions Around Investigations, Modern SOCs, and Security Culture 34:22

6M ago34:22

34:22

How does the tone from the top influence fraud investigations, organizational culture, security training, and technology upgrades? Scot Walker, PCI, Manish Mehta, and John Rodriguez join this episode of the SM Highlights podcast to talk through how proactive relationship-building and partnerships can drive tactical and strategic success. Additional…

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

6M 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

7M 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 …

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132. Volunteerism in Australia Part 2 - A National Strategy with Zac Reimers and Sarah Wilson 39:49

7M ago39:49

39:49

In the second part of this interview, Tobi discusses the implementation and future of Australia’s National Strategy for Volunteering with Zac Reimers and Sarah Wilson. They cover key challenges such as adapting to post-COVID realities, managing inflation, and addressing volunteer management issues like funding and recruitment. The discussion highli…

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131. Volunteerism in Australia Part 1 - A National Strategy with Zac Reimers and Sarah Wilson 51:24

7M ago51:24

51:24

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi invites Zac Reimers and Sarah Wilson onto the show to talk about volunteerism in Australia, focusing on the development and implementation of Australia's National Strategy. Zac and Sarah share insights on the volunteer ecosystem, challenges faced by volunteer-involving organizations, and the sig…

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130. How to Build a Volunteer Plan for 2025 33:23

7M ago33:23

33:23

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi Johnson provides practical advice on how to build a strategic volunteer plan for 2025. As we approach Q4 of 2024, Tobi discusses the importance of aligning volunteer activities with organizational goals and the need for a clear, concise plan to navigate common challenges like recruitment, retent…

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How Intelligence Helps Manage the Growing Tempo of Tempests 33:34

7M ago33:34

33:34

Are you basing your emergency preparedness plans on outdated data and models? As the pace of natural disasters and critical events speeds up, security managers will need to readjust their procedures and succession plans to succeed, says Thomas Henkey, CEM. Also in this month’s episode, sponsored by Dataminr, Paul Maguire discusses how the volume of…

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129. Paid or Volunteer Role? A Simple Checklist 34:32

8M ago34:32

34:32

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi provides a thorough guide on distinguishing between paid and volunteer roles within nonprofit organizations. Tobi offers a simple checklist and key considerations involving legal implications, labor laws, and tax aspects. She also touches on sustainability, efficiency, and the integration of vol…

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GSX Daily: Mapping a Path to Climate-Ready Resilience 12:25

8M ago12:25

12:25

Where do climate and security intersect today? Amanda McCarty, director of the Climate Ready Nation initiative at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), joins the SM Highlights podcast to talk about how climate change is a “destabilizer” for organizations and individuals worldwide and how scientists are reevaluating what t…

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GSX Daily: The Guest-Centric Strategy Behind the Security Team at Walt Disney World 14:51

8M ago14:51

14:51

Carlos Francisco, CPP, spent more than two decades climbing the ranks in security at Walt Disney World Resorts, learning how to balance situational awareness, de-escalation, and customer service. Now, he joins the GSX Daily edition of SM Highlights to discuss the human-centric security culture that led the world-class environment for guests at the …

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GSX Daily: Career Hunting? Know Your Self-Worth 11:46

8M ago11:46

11:46

In this special GSX 2024 edition of the SM Highlights podcast, sponsored by Sign In Solutions, Orange County Convention Center security administrator Earl Biggett, Jr., CPP, shares some career advice—especially for people changing from the public to the private sector—and how working in concierge security positions changed his approach to his job a…

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128. Insurance for Volunteers - Do You Need It? with William Henry 1:02:54

8M ago1:02:54

1:02:54

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi invites William Henry onto the podcast to discuss the critical yet often overlooked topic of insurance for volunteers. They delve into the need-to-have and nice-to-have insurance policies for nonprofit organizations that engage volunteers. The discussion touches on general liability, auto liabil…

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127. Volunteer Centric, Community Centric, Organization Centric: What's the Difference? 34:47

8M ago34:47

34:47

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi delves into the different approaches to volunteer engagement: volunteer-centric, community-centric, and organization-centric. Tobi provides insights on the significance of each approach, their benefits, and challenges, while sharing practical tips for balancing these orientations within nonprofi…

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126. 8 Ways to Empower, Not Rescue Nonprofit Employees & Volunteers 41:15

8M ago41:15

41:15

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast, Tobi shares the 8 ways to empower, not rescue nonprofit employees and volunteers. She discusses the importance of coaching skills for nonprofit professionals who work with volunteers, highlighting key lessons and frameworks that help improve performance. Tobi outlines how nonprofit organizations can …

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Times Are Changing: Bank Robberies, Career Transitions, and Security Lawsuits 32:14

8M ago32:14

32:14

It’s not quite like the movies—bank robberies are still a regular challenge for security professionals, but theft trends continue to change as robbers seek faster, more convenient ways to get cash, says Robert Ross, VP of security and office services at Gate City Bank. Also in this episode of SM Highlights, learn how to improve your transition from…

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125. Diversity & Women in the Workplace: Claim You Space with Amira Barger 1:04:49

8M ago1:04:49

1:04:49

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson invites strategic communications and marketing counselor, Amira Barger for an enlightening discussion on diversity and women in the workplace. They explore the unique challenges faced by women, the role of organizations in addressing systemic inequities, and the importance of advocacy an…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Volunteer Management Software Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen