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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215 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes215

Newest first

Oct 1, 2025 · 29 min
Episode 196: How can you engage in participatory grantmaking?
Explore participatory grantmaking and how shifting power to communities creates more just, effective philanthropy.
Sep 17, 2025 · 16 min
Episode 195: What does effective design feedback look like?
Good design starts with good feedback. Learn practical approaches nonprofits can take to give clear collaborative feedback that leads to stronger creative work.
Sep 3, 2025 · 17 min
Episode 194: How can you communicate with candor and care?
Explore how to lead and collaborate with honesty, empathy, and impact in this conversation about candor and care in communications.
Aug 20, 2025 · 23 min
Episode 193: How can you keep your communications plan alive?
Tips for keeping your communications plan from collecting dust, and how to adapt it when your organization is in crisis mode.
Aug 6, 2025 · 16 min
Episode 192: How can you consolidate feedback?
Learn practical tips to streamline collaboration on branding and campaign projects and steps to avoid confusion.
Jul 23, 2025 · 19 min
Episode 191: Why should funders invest in grantee communications capacity?
Learn how the T. Rowe Price Foundation—through listening, learning, and investment in capacity building—is helping nonprofit organizations grow stronger.
Jul 9, 2025 · 25 min
Episode 190: How can you move from self-care to collective care?
Explore CAREpacity—a framework for collective care that helps nonprofit organizations move from burnout to belonging by centering wellness and inclusion.
Jun 25, 2025 · 13 min
Episode 189: How can you get more out of your rebrand?
Rebranding doesn’t stop at the launch. Learn practical tips to activate, maintain, and evolve your nonprofit’s brand with intention and care.
Jun 11, 2025 · 20 min
Episode 188: How can you grow midlevel donors?
Learn how to form lasting relationships with midlevel donors through smart segmentation, intentional stewardship, and fresh data.
May 29, 2025 · 18 min
Episode 187: How can you shape your AI brand footprint?
Learn more about what AI says about your nonprofit brand and ways to leverage ChatGPT, Google search, analytics, and more.
May 14, 2025 · 22 min
Episode 186: How should your nonprofit approach crisis communications?
Get tangible tips and guidance on how nonprofits can define, prepare, and manage crisis communications with clarity and care.
Apr 30, 2025 · 25 min
Episode 185: How can you approach AI with an equity lens?
Discover how nonprofits can approach AI with an equity lens and move from task-based tools to mission-centered strategies.
Apr 16, 2025 · 24 min
Episode 184: Should your organization consider a merger?
What happens when two complementary nonprofits become one? Hear how Idealist and VolunteerMatch joined forces—and what your organization should ask as it pursues mergers or other deep partnerships.
Apr 2, 2025 · 30 min
Episode 183: How can you break free from being busy?
Discover how to break the cycle of busyness and reclaim your time. Explore mindset shifts and strategies to create space for what truly matters in your work and personal life.
Mar 19, 2025 · 18 min
Episode 182: How can you build resilient nonprofit organizations and teams?
Building resilience starts with people. Learn how nonprofits can foster adaptable teams, avoid burnout, and strengthen fundraising for a sustainable future.
Mar 5, 2025 · 16 min
Episode 181: How do we foster healthy group participation?
Discover how to get people to be more active in conversations and learn strategies to enhance collaboration, inclusion, and engagement in nonprofit teams.
Feb 19, 2025 · 22 min
Episode 180: Is it time to reboot your communications strategy?
Discover the latest nonprofit communications trends and explore how nonprofits can reboot their strategies for better results in 2025.
Feb 5, 2025 · 17 min
Episode 179: How can a language guide help your nonprofit?
Explore why language guides matter for nonprofits. Learn how intentional language strengthens impact, ensures consistency, and aligns teams.
Jan 22, 2025 · 19 min
Episode 178: How can values strengthen your organization?
Get insights on creating value statements that reflect identity, guide decision-making, and foster alignment in nonprofits, worker-owned cooperatives, and other organizations.
Jan 8, 2025 · 20 min
Episode 177: How can you engage your community with campaigns?
Explore how nonprofits can engage communities with effective digital advocacy campaigns using the AGILE framework, real-world examples, and actionable strategies.

The Smart Communications Podcast

Episode 196: How can you engage in participatory grantmaking?

Episode 195: What does effective design feedback look like?

Episode 194: How can you communicate with candor and care?

Episode 193: How can you keep your communications plan alive?

Episode 192: How can you consolidate feedback?

Episode 191: Why should funders invest in grantee communications capacity?

Episode 190: How can you move from self-care to collective care?

Episode 189: How can you get more out of your rebrand?

Episode 188: How can you grow midlevel donors?

Episode 187: How can you shape your AI brand footprint?

Episode 186: How should your nonprofit approach crisis communications?

Episode 185: How can you approach AI with an equity lens?

Episode 184: Should your organization consider a merger?

Episode 183: How can you break free from being busy?

Episode 182: How can you build resilient nonprofit organizations and teams?

Episode 181: How do we foster healthy group participation?

Episode 180: Is it time to reboot your communications strategy?

Episode 179: How can a language guide help your nonprofit?

Episode 178: How can values strengthen your organization?

Episode 177: How can you engage your community with campaigns?