Empowerment in Action: Nash Sheard - Building a Strong Bond for Change and Collaboration

"It's always so important to me that there has to be a thing to do, right? It has to be empowering. Folks are more aware, but there's a level of fatigue, and there's also a level of disempowerment in that knowledge. So that’s the challenge: Making sure that folks aren't just aware, but that they feel like there's something they can do." - Nash Sheard

In nonprofit work, raising awareness around your cause is essential. But awareness is only the first step. The ultimate goal is to inspire action that leads to lasting change.

That’s precisely what Nash Sheard aims to achieve at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a nonprofit advocating for civil liberties in the digital security and privacy sectors. For over 30 years, EFF has held ground as frontrunners in the field. Yet as technology continues to play an increasingly significant role in our lives, it makes security and regulation more vulnerable than ever… and making their cause even more pressing.

In this episode, Nash shares compelling stories from his early days as an activist that led him to the nonprofit world. You’ll hear him describe how his firsthand experiences taught him the power of collaboration, what it means to be a true advocate, and the importance of empowering others to take action. We’ll delve into the history of EFF, exploring its founding and the ongoing fight for digital security in a rapidly evolving world. Tune in for Nash’s take on building trust and perseverance to develop a lasting connection with your audience that inspires lasting results. 

Contents

1 - Nash’s introduction to advocacy and protesting

2 - First activist groups and introduction to digital security

3 - History of EFF and current activism

4 - Nash and EFF’s definition of advocacy

5 - Audience empowerment and cultivating trust

6 - Nash’s advice on diversity and inclusion 

Links

• Historic Agency
• The Electronic Frontier Foundation
• Nash Sheard on LinkedIn
• John Perry Barlow's EFF Blog Post
• Culture Built My Brand

Mentioned in this episode:

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