Episode #93 | Why Your Brain Craves Community with Kristin Steele + Samantha Swaim

In this powerful episode, hosts Kristin and Sam make an urgent case for why now is exactly the wrong time to cancel your fundraising events. They explore the neuroscience behind why gatherings work: shared experiences literally sync our heartbeats, create neural alignment that enhances trust and cooperation, and generate collective effervescence—that bubbly, transcendent energy that individuals simply cannot achieve alone. When we watch stories unfold together, oxytocin flows, bonds form, and donors can look around a room and see tangible proof that they're part of a movement.

For event planners deep in the logistics trenches right now, the episode offers both inspiration and practical guidance: get specific with storytelling rather than trying to cram every program into one night, remove transactional clutter in favor of genuine connection, and always include a clear ask—because not inviting people to give actually tanks satisfaction scores. This episode is a rallying cry to gather with intention, host like the world depends on it, and remember that a room full of people holding up paddles isn't just raising money—they're building the safety net your organization needs to weather whatever comes next.

Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show. 

 

This Episode Brought to You by: 

Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com

Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events. 

 

The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/

As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year. 

 

Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/

Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.

 

Speakers

Samantha Swaim

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/

Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies

 

Kristin Steele

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/

Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies

 

| RESOURCES |

Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com

Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/

Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/

Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam

Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling

Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/

Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book

Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies

Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/

Podcast with Dr. Paul Zak, Part 1 :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HWAwlEVz5M&t=3s

Podcast with Dr. Paul Zak, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSKDbgNSxZk&t=1706s

Audience Members Hearts’ Beat Together at the Theatre: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/news/2017/nov/audience-members-hearts-beat-together-theatre

“Beyoncé Isn’t Giving Up on America” Cannonball with Wesley Morris: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyonc%C3%A9-isnt-giving-up-on-america/id1151436460?i=1000721020745

“Quantifying Collective Effervescence”: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3306345/

Safety Protocols:

https://swaimstrategies.substack.com/p/event-safety-recommendations-and