

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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 24, 2024 • 24min
Episode 166: How did DEI go wrong and what can we do now?
DEI work is about building bridges across differences. Join Farra Trompeter, co-director, and Minal Bopaiah, founder of Brevity + Wit, as they discuss the state of DEI four years after the murder of George Floyd and share tips for how organizations can build a strong internal culture that advances DEI efforts on an ongoing basis.

Jul 10, 2024 • 18min
Episode 165: How can my nonprofit benefit from launching a podcast?
Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Marcus dePaula, audio engineer, podcast producer, and consultant, as they explore what an organization needs to launch a podcast as a part of its nonprofit communications strategy. They discuss factors organizations should consider before starting a podcast series and tips for how to manage podcasts once you get started.

Jun 26, 2024 • 16min
Episode 164: How can you design and facilitate incredible workshops?
Join Ally Dommu, Director of Service Development, and Dr. Myriam Hadnes, facilitator, and founder of Workshops Work, as they discuss the power and importance of facilitation. Discover steps facilitators can take to harness benefits and create respectful and inclusive spaces.

Jun 12, 2024 • 17min
Episode 163: When and how should you share branding work in development?
Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Sarita Joseph, director of accounts, to discuss sharing nonprofit branding concepts and what questions to ask before inviting others to view and provide feedback on branding work in progress. Get tips on what to avoid and what to emphasize.

May 29, 2024 • 19min
Episode 162: What is the smallest viable audience for nonprofits?
Join Farra Trompeter, co-director, and Michelle Flores Vryn, CFRE, head of development at iNaturalist, as they discuss how to prioritize audiences and share examples of how being more limited in your approach to audiences ties to branding and communications.

May 15, 2024 • 19min
Episode 161: How can you challenge the power and practices of philanthropy?
Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Lisa Pilar Cowan, vice president of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, about the concepts of trust-based philanthropy, new ways some funders are working with nonprofits for more authentic relationships, and the connection between the community's role and the donor's role in guiding an organization.

May 1, 2024 • 16min
Episode 160: Why does your website need a content strategy?
Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Natalie Yelton, content strategist at Kanopi Studios, to delve into content strategy and how to create an engaging nonprofit website. They share key performance indicators to use while writing new content for your site and insights on how to lead with accessibility.

Apr 17, 2024 • 20min
Episode 159: How can you better position your organization for funding?
Farra Trompeter, co-director, is joined by Sheleia Phillips, founder and principal consultant of SMP Nonprofit Consulting, to talk about how to better position your organization to secure funding. Hear examples of nonprofits that have better positioned themselves to receive funding and find out what the shift looked like that led to their success.

Apr 3, 2024 • 28min
Episode 158: How can staff take care of themselves while changing the world?
Farra Trompeter, a co-director specializing in nonprofit leadership, teams up with Meico Marquette Whitlock, the founder of Mindful Techie, to discuss the importance of self-care for those dedicated to making a difference. They explore the vital link between staff well-being and effective activism. The CHANGE framework is introduced, helping leaders prioritize their own wellness while driving impactful work. They also address challenges faced by nonprofits post-COVID, emphasizing resilience and actionable strategies for a balanced, meaningful approach to work.

Mar 20, 2024 • 25min
Episode 157: How can you raise awareness and build trust?
Farra Trompeter, co-director, sits down with Derrick Feldmann, managing director of Ad Council Research Institute and Ad Council Edge, who shares tips for nonprofit staff who are looking to connect awareness and action, to reach people who are hard to reach, and who want to equip trusted messengers to be amplifiers of their mission.