
The Cause+Effect Podcast
Tired of doing things the same. way. every. year? The Cause+Effect Podcast, brought to you by the Dunham Podcast Network, is a fresh voice that breaks down the latest fundraising trends, leadership lessons and the ups and downs of the nonprofit industry. Our host Trent Dunham talks to a variety of guests with effective strategies and stories that inspire us. The goal? Increased effectiveness for more impact.
Latest episodes

Sep 21, 2023 • 31min
Top Mistakes Board and Organizational Leaders Make
We all know that a nonprofit board can either be an accelerant and encouragement to its leaders, or it can serve as an obstacle to achieving organizational goals. What makes the difference? On this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, you will learn how to avoid miscommunication around specific roles and responsibilities, the best ways for governing boards to provide support, and how leaders can work in tandem with Boards to move the mission forward.

Sep 7, 2023 • 26min
Is It Time for You to Get on Threads?
Nils Smith, the Chief Strategist of Social Media+Innovation at Dunham+Company, returns to the Cause+Effect Podcast to discuss the enormous changes at Twitter and whether ministry leaders should consider using Threads from Instagram. In addition, he discusses the shifting landscape of the broader social media world, including: vertical video, the increasing dominance of YouTube, and how ministries must adapt quickly to reach new followers and increase their engagement.

Aug 17, 2023 • 48min
Navigating Change Management with Michael Tomlinson
God gives seasons for a reason. But, seasons change and change is inevitable in healthy and thriving organizations. Yet, navigating change is one of the more difficult tasks any leader or organization faces. On today's episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Tomlinson, the CEO of BDI (a full-service, omni-channel, marketing and fundraising agency for nonprofits) joins Trent Dunham to discuss their own experiences with navigating change and share what lessons they have learned for the path forward.

Aug 3, 2023 • 27min
The Future of a Christian Worldview
As a Fellow at the Cultural Research Center and Associate Professor of Humanities at Arizona Christian University, Dr. Adam Rasmussen draws upon his 25 years of experience in Christian education to inspire students to thrive under the Lordship of Christ in all aspects of their lives. With a passion for helping students connect their faith with reason and culture, he guides them to make meaningful and relevant connections that go beyond mere academic study.The Cultural Research Center's most recent research has considered what type of Christian leader is more likely to hold Biblical views. We are excited to discuss these findings and other important insights from Dr. Rasmussen's research.

Jul 20, 2023 • 23min
Best of the Cause+Effect Podcast on Artificial Intelligence and Navigating Change
On this "Best Of" episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, we revisit our time focused on how artificial intelligence is changing the nonprofit landscape and the keys to successfully navigating change. In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, you will hear leaders from Dunham+Company's technology and innovation teams discuss how AI can help nonprofits achieve their missions. In addition, Jonathan Pitts, joins the podcast to discuss how to navigate change by suggesting that one of the greatest things to consider in change management is yourself.

Jul 6, 2023 • 24min
Best of the Cause+Effect Podcast with Dr. George Barna and the Best Use of Data
On this "Best Of" episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, we revisit our time with Dr. George Barna and our Chief Technology Officer at Dunham+Company, Danielle Rice. Best Selling Author and leading researcher, Dr. Barna, discusses his most recent research which dives into what type of Christian leader is more likely to hold Biblical views. In addition, Danielle joins the show to discuss how to move from tactics to strategy when using data in your organization.

Jun 22, 2023 • 24min
Giving USA 2023: The Impact of the Economy and Inflation on Giving
In light of our current economy, it’s crucial to get a grip on how the economy and inflation have impacted giving. In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast Rick Dunham, Founder+Chair of Dunham+Company and Trent Dunham, President+CEO, highlight some important findings from the recent release of Giving USA 2023: The Annual Report on Philanthropy. This podcast will help you better understand giving trends in America and their implications for your organization. Together, let’s arm ourselves with this relevant data to make more impact… all for the greater good.

Jun 8, 2023 • 35min
The Benefits of a Healthy Transition
One year after the founder of Dunham+Company, Rick Dunham, stepped into a new role as Chairman, and Trent Dunham became the new President, the two are joined by Nils Smith to reflect on what worked well, what was uniquely hard, and why every organization must take seriously the work of succession and leadership transitions.It is an insightful and honest conversation you will not want to miss!

May 25, 2023 • 32min
How to Navigate Change
When you think of change management your mind likely flips toward systems, processes, and goals. Dunham+Company Chief Strategist, Jonathan Pitts, joins the podcast to discuss how to navigate change by suggesting that one of the greatest things to consider in change management is you. Your soul. Your growth. Your Christlikeness. Jonathan shares three lessons he has learned that will certainly help you navigate a season of change: 1) assume the Lord is provoking the change; 2) assume He cares about your character more than anything; and, 3) assume God wants your relationships to stay intact. Change is inevitable. Tension in change is inevitable. How you manage that change is up to you. Join us on this episode to learn how to change well!

May 11, 2023 • 27min
How to Optimize Your Advertising Results
When it comes to digital advertising, the only constant we can count on is change. Thanks to Meta’s latest privacy policy updates, digital advertisers and marketers have been forced to shift strategies to maintain performance from previous years. Does this mean that the opportunity for a successful outcome is dead? In this podcast, Dunham Company’s Director of Digital Madison Farrell shares her learnings from these recent shifts and ways to adapt to these changes.