Best Volunteer Management Software Podcasts (2025)

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179. Transformative Service Experiences with Frederick J. Riley and Jackie Wolven 1:05:39

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4h ago1:05:39

1:05:39

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 39:49

5d ago39:49

39:49

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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How Security Can Lead Operational Resilience, Plus Reimagining Office Security 24:29

7d ago24:29

24:29

Security professionals have to be integrated into operational resilience efforts and business continuity planning to prevent disruptions of all kinds, according to new research from the ASIS Foundation. In this episode of the SM Highlights podcast, report co-author and ResOrgs principal consultant Joanne Stevenson shares why security gets left out …

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

12d 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

20d 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

28d 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

1M 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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A New Step on the Pathway to Violence, Plus Outdoor Security and Vendor Cybersecurity Management 29:40

1M ago29:40

29:40

This month’s Security Management Highlights episode features three compelling conversations with industry experts, starting with a chat with Ontic’s Cynthia Marble about a new step on the pathway to violence—step zero—and how it provides an even earlier opportunity to prevent escalation, if you’re paying attention. Then, Jeff Krull from Baker Tilly…

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

1M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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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Executive Protection Evolves in Challenging Times 33:06

2M ago33:06

33:06

Does your EP program account for cultural sensitivities, legal shortcomings, and evolving conditions? In this episode of the SM Highlights podcast, Jessica Ansley explains how cultural awareness can make all the difference in harmonious low-profile travel security and executive protection. Then, lawyer Timothy Sini outlines the limitations across U…

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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

3M 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

3M 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 1:00:09

3M ago1:00:09

1:00:09

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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Is Security Well-Positioned to Influence Decisions Around School System Funding and Arming Guards? 26:30

3M ago26:30

26:30

Brandon Payne, executive director for the National Council on School Facilities, joins this month’s episode of Security Management Highlights to discuss how to integrate security and safety into school facility planning and funding during both retrofits and new builds. Then, Kevin Jones, CPP, PCI, addresses key considerations for arming security pr…

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164. Moving from Volunteer Compliance to Building Your Nonprofit Community 38:58

4M ago38:58

38:58

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 54:22

4M ago54:22

54:22

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 43:08

4M ago43:08

43:08

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 44:08

4M ago44:08

44:08

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

4M 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 45:56

4M ago45:56

45:56

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 48:27

5M ago48:27

48:27

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 1:09:26

5M ago1:09:26

1:09:26

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 30:48

5M ago30:48

30:48

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 1:13:33

5M ago1:13:33

1:13:33

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

6M 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 45:40

6M ago45:40

45:40

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 29:23

6M ago29:23

29:23

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

6M 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 1:00:33

6M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

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 45:14

6M ago45:14

45:14

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

6M 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 1:02:52

7M ago1:02:52

1:02:52

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 55:47

7M ago55:47

55:47

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 40:07

7M ago40:07

40:07

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! 45:52

7M ago45:52

45:52

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

7M 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 58:12

8M ago58:12

58:12

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 32:36

8M ago32:36

32:36

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! 30:17

8M ago30:17

30:17

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 1:02:25

8M ago1:02:25

1:02:25

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 21:05

8M ago21:05

21:05

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

9M 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 34:39

9M ago34:39

34:39

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 27:35

9M ago27:35

27:35

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! 42:34

9M ago42:34

42:34

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…