Well Put

Once a messaging platform is complete, the time comes to put it to use. Join Nancy Boissonnet and Adrian Pio as they share Libretto's approach to putting the messaging to use via workshops that teach organizations how to share compelling, authentic stories with a unified voice. Mentioned in this episode: Project: United Way of Central Maryland Project: Dartmouth Health Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: engaged! Big Money (album) by Jon Batiste The Bear (TV Series)Hosted by Nancy Boissonnet and Adrian PioProduced and Edited by Tiffany CarlsonMusic by Coma-Media, via Pixabay© 2025 Libretto. All Rights Reserved.

Discover the secrets of effective public speaking as Neal and Ian delve into the significance of preparation and the art of storytelling. They explore the balance of spontaneity and credibility, sharing techniques to engage audiences and manage nerves. Learn about the impact of practicing on video and the rules for using slides effectively. From memorable openings to smooth conclusions, they discuss essential strategies to invite feedback and enhance presentations. Plus, they recommend intriguing reads and podcasts, connecting personal stories to broader themes.

From creative brief, to group brainstorm, to presentations to the client team and beyond, the Libretto team are experts when it comes to naming fundraising campaigns, initiatives, and organizations. In this episode, Ian, Madison, and Tiffany talk about the creative process of "Themestorming" and the joys and challenges this facet of our work presents. Mentioned in this episode: Neal Kane's thoughts on Naming: Part 1, Part 2 Libretto's Names and Themes The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande PicklePlay.com (referenced as Pickleballers.com in the episode) Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William FinneganHosted by Ian Sutherland, Madison Hunt, and Tiffany CarlsonProduced and Edited by Tiffany CarlsonMusic by Coma-Media, via Pixabay© 2025 Libretto. All Rights Reserved.

From a change in leadership to the start of a major fundraising initiative, moments of transition represent opportunities for organizations to evaluate and refine their messaging. For this reason, Libretto is often called in to consult at these inflection points. In this episode, Nancy and Connor discuss three projects that demonstrate how taking the time to carefully develop messaging—even when certain aspects are still in flux—puts your organization in a strong position to weather whatever comes next.In this episode:Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall KimmererThe Histories, by Herodotus (translated by Tom "Not Spider-Man" Holland)Hosted by Nancy Boissonnet and Connor FergusonProduced by Tiffany CarlsonEdited by Connor FergusonMusic by Coma-Media, via Pixabay© 2025 Libretto. All Rights Reserved.

Restricting the content of best-of lists to things produced or released during a single year is, in many ways, fairly arbitrary. Books, movies, or TV shows don't cease to be relevant as soon as the calendar changes. So we got together to talk about some of the things we particularly enjoyed in 2024. Here's hoping they bring you joy, make you think, and entertain you in 2025.Hosted by Nancy Boissonnet, Tiffany Carlson, Connor Ferguson, Madison Hunt, Neal Kane, Adrian Pio, and Ian Sutherland.Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay.© 2025 Libretto. All Rights Reserved.

From poring over pages of interview notes to find the best ideas that will distinguish our clients to wrangling schedules across timezones, the Libretto team has to unravel plenty of thorny challenges on a daily basis. In this episode, Tiffany and Connor reflect on turning challenges into puzzles and drawing on our intellectual curiosity to keep things interesting.Mentioned in this episode:Game of Thrones (https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones)King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (https://kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com)Hosted by Tiffany Carlson and Connor FergusonProduced by Madison HuntEdited by Connor FergusonMusic by Coma-Media, via Pixabay© 2024 Libretto. All rights reserved.

Libretto operated out of a traditional office in Boston's South End for more than 20 years, but like many companies, we've been fully remote since 2020, and our team is now spread across six states. As the two Librettists who joined after the switch to remote work, Madison and Tiffany discuss connecting with colleagues virtually, as well as the challenges and opportunities afforded by a fully remote model. Hosted by Madison Hunt and Tiffany CarlsonProduced by Ian SutherlandEdited by Connor FergusonMusic by Coma-Media, via Pixabay© 2024 Libretto. All rights reserved.

After almost 28 years, what's changed and what's stayed the same at Libretto? How is the business of communications different today than it was in 1996? The firm's newest employee, Madison, sits down with founder and president Neal to discuss how the firm has evolved.   Hosted by Neal Kane and Madison Hunt Produced by Tiffany Carlson Edited by Connor Ferguson Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay © 2024 Libretto. All rights reserved.

Every Libretto project starts with in-depth qualitative discovery, allowing us to surface the key differentiators that will be essential in our work. Join Ian and Neal as they discuss how authentic curiosity is critical to a great discovery interview.   Hosted by Ian Sutherland and Neal Kane Produced by Tiffany Carlson Edited by Connor Ferguson Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay © 2024 Libretto. All rights reserved.

Crafting the perfect sentence is an art form. The importance of compelling opening lines is explored, with analyses of literary greats like Marquez and Hurston. The duo shares insights on brevity, emphasizing how concise language can evoke emotions. They discuss overcoming writer's block, revealing personal processes and collaborative editing. Personal stories and cultural references enrich narratives, while memorable hooks grab attention. Essential principles for impactful writing are highlighted, making this an engaging journey into sentence crafting.