The Smart Communications Podcast

Big Duck

The Smart Communications Podcast helps busy nonprofit leaders build their communications skills and develop their organization’s voice. Every episode shares insights and practical tips to help you leverage strategic communications to advance your nonprofit’s mission.

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20 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes20

Newest first

Episode 216: How can you get staff to feel seen in your communications?
Transform your communications by engaging staff—and improve your internal culture, external messaging, and fundraising.
July 22 · 19 min
Episode 215: Does your nonprofit really need a new name?
Learn how to tell when your organization’s name may be holding it back, when a name change makes sense, and how taglines can strengthen your brand.
July 8 · 19 min
Episode 214: Why can’t more fundraising fix your fundraising?
Stop doing more of what isn't working: explore the brand fundamentals—vision, clarity, and personality—that transform your fundraising.
June 24 · 19 min
Episode 213: How can you get your board to fundraise?
Are you ready to transform your board’s relationship with fundraising? Learn how providing clear expectations from the start, ongoing accountability, and strengths-based roles can drive sustainable revenue for your organization.
June 10 · 28 min
Episode 212: How can we be brave and embrace conflict?
Conflict can be productive and move things forward. Learn how embracing “conflict bravery” can deepen relationships, drive meaningful change, and unlock your organization's full potential.
May 27 · 15 min
Episode 211: Why do communicators need a seat at the table?
Why do nonprofit communicators often end up stuck in a tactical role? Learn why involving communications teams from the beginning leads to better strategy, and how to start shifting your culture.
May 13 · 18 min
Episode 210: What is the connection between your brand and hiring?
Your brand is your first interview. Learn how aligning your nonprofit’s brand, culture, and hiring can attract and retain the right candidates for your team.
April 29 · 21 min
Episode 209: How can we build trust, bridge divides, and engage communities?
Explore how nonprofits can build trust, bridge divides, and engage communities, using research-backed strategies, clear language, and relationship-centered communications.
April 15 · 25 min
Episode 208: How can you lead an inclusive strategic planning process?
Design a strategic plan that actually reflects your community. Learn how inclusive processes build alignment, buy-in, and stronger, more actionable plans.
April 1 · 22 min
Episode 207: How can you center community voices in messaging?
Are the right people telling your organization’s story? Get practical ways to build messaging rooted in authenticity and lived experience.
March 18 · 22 min
Episode 206: How can you use science to engage donors?
Learn how neuroscience can shape fundraising, including anniversary, capital, and year-end giving campaigns, to build trust, spark emotions, and drive donations.
March 4 · 27 min
Episode 205: Why is it important to change how you talk to funders?
Explore how nonprofits can shift funder communications using Community-Centric Fundraising, asset framing, and values-aligned storytelling to build stronger, more authentic funding relationships.
February 18 · 13 min
Episode 204: Is the field of nonprofit communications coming of age?
Is nonprofit communications finally growing up? Unpack 16 years of hard truths and hopeful signs from the latest nonprofit communications trends report.
January 30 · 23 min
Episode 203: How to bridge belonging in your narratives?
The way we communicate can move people to take action if we are intentional about it. Learn how language can build belonging, clarity, and connection.
January 21 · 21 min
Episode 202: How can you put AI to work for your nonprofit?
AI is here, now what? Explore how nonprofits can move past the hype to use AI thoughtfully, ethically, and strategically to support your mission and people.
January 7 · 34 min
Episode 201: How do you approach rebranding a 100 year old nonprofit?
Discover how a 100-year-old community foundation approached a full rebrand, refreshing their identity to engage new audiences.
Dec 16, 2025 · 19 min
Episode 200: How can we reimagine nonprofits and philanthropy?
Celebrate our 200th episode with a bold conversation on reimagining nonprofits, challenging “best practices”, and charting a more just, human-centered future.
Dec 3, 2025 · 24 min
Episode 199: How can you find the best parts of your brand?
Explore how nonprofits can uncover what makes their brand shine, and decide when it’s time to rebrand, refresh, or raise awareness.
Nov 12, 2025 · 29 min
Episode 198: What do you need to know about cybersecurity?
Learn how nonprofits can protect data, people, and missions from cyber threats, and why it's important to tune into this conversation about cybersecurity.
Oct 29, 2025 · 32 min
Episode 197: How can you find joy?
Explore how intentional rest and sabbatical moments can help you rediscover joy and balance at the workplace and beyond.
Oct 15, 2025 · 17 min

The Smart Communications Podcast

Episode 216: How can you get staff to feel seen in your communications?

Episode 215: Does your nonprofit really need a new name?

Episode 214: Why can’t more fundraising fix your fundraising?

Episode 213: How can you get your board to fundraise?

Episode 212: How can we be brave and embrace conflict?

Episode 211: Why do communicators need a seat at the table?

Episode 210: What is the connection between your brand and hiring?

Episode 209: How can we build trust, bridge divides, and engage communities?

Episode 208: How can you lead an inclusive strategic planning process?

Episode 207: How can you center community voices in messaging?

Episode 206: How can you use science to engage donors?

Episode 205: Why is it important to change how you talk to funders?

Episode 204: Is the field of nonprofit communications coming of age?

Episode 203: How to bridge belonging in your narratives?

Episode 202: How can you put AI to work for your nonprofit?

Episode 201: How do you approach rebranding a 100 year old nonprofit?

Episode 200: How can we reimagine nonprofits and philanthropy?

Episode 199: How can you find the best parts of your brand?

Episode 198: What do you need to know about cybersecurity?

Episode 197: How can you find joy?