The Story‑Driven Ministry | Brand Message Clarity, Donor Engagement, Fundraising for Nonprofits, Increase Donations

Lisa Diaz - Story Strategist, Brand Message Coach, Filmmaker
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  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

You’re a ministry leader, tired of feeling like your message isn’t landing. You’re juggling too many roles and struggling to grow donor support. This podcast helps you clarify your brand message, tell powerful stories, and increase fundraising impact. I’m Lisa Diaz. For 15 years I’ve helped ministries craft stories that connect emotionally, build trust, and drive donor engagement. Each week, get practical tools to share testimonies, strengthen your message, and inspire action across emails, videos, and social media. Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted 👉 Grab your free Ministry Message Checklist to start refining your message today at https://irisstorytelling.com/checklist Connect w/ me:lisa@irisstorytelling.comhttps://irisstorytelling.com -Lisa

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    14 | 3 Things Confusing Your Donors (and How to Fix Them)

    Have you ever shared about your ministry and gotten that polite smile… but deep down you knew they didn’t really get it? Maybe their eyes glazed over, or they nodded along, but you could tell your words weren’t landing. It’s frustrating, right? You know your ministry matters. You’ve seen God move. But somehow donors aren’t connecting. In this episode, I’m breaking down three sneaky things that might be confusing your donors. These are super common, and I see them all the time when I work with ministry leaders. The good news? Once you spot them, you can start shifting your communication so donors actually understand what you do—and feel excited to be part of it. Here’s what we’ll cover: Why even your best updates might not be stickingThe reason donors don’t always see where they fit (and how to change that)How to make it crystal clear what their next step should be If you’ve been trying “all the things” and still feel like donors aren’t listening, this episode will give you clarity and direction so you can stop spinning your wheels and start seeing fruit. 👉 Ready to dig deeper? I’d love to walk you through this in my 1:1 coaching. You can check out all the details at irisstorytelling.com/workshop. And hey—if this podcast has been helpful for you, it would mean the world if you’d pause for five seconds and leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple or Spotify. That little act helps other women ministry leaders find this podcast and get the encouragement they need too. Similar Episodes:  05 | 7 Steps to Engage Your Donor: The Story Framework 01 | Why Don't Donors Care Like I Do? How to Increase Donor Engagement Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted 👉 Grab your free Ministry Update Email Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide Connect w/ me: lisa@irisstorytelling.com https://irisstorytelling.com

    31 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    13 | Low Donor Growth? 3 Things to Prioritize in Your Donor Communication

    Are you pouring countless hours into websites, social media, and updates—yet still not seeing donor engagement or ministry growth? You’re not alone. Many women ministry leaders feel spread thin, juggling every role and wondering if their efforts are really making a difference. In this episode I share a clear starting point for leaders who feel frustrated, overlooked, or ready to give up on communication strategies that aren’t working. You’ll discover: Why trying to do “all the things” is keeping you stuckThe first steps toward clarity in your ministry communicationHow to simplify your message so donors actually listen and respond If you’ve been searching for a way to connect with donors without burning out, this episode will point you in the right direction and give you a framework for moving forward. 👉 Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Lisa: irisstorytelling.com/workshop Similar Episodes:  05 | 7 steps to engage Your donor: The Story Structure 04 | Get Your Donors to Pay Attention Amidst the Noise Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted 👉 Grab your free Ministry Update Email Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide Connect w/ me: lisa@irisstorytelling.com https://irisstorytelling.com

    32 min

  3. 18 SEPT

    12 | Ministry Storytelling Made Simple: A Framework to Engage Donors

    You know stories are impactful, but you don't really know how to tell a story well. Or maybe you’re given just a few minutes to share an update and felt unsure how to tell a story that's short but engaging and effective. In this episode, I share another simple story framework—a tool you can use to tell ministry stories with confidence, even when time is short. Storytelling doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or complicated. With the right structure, you can share what God is doing in a way that engages hearts, builds trust, and draws donors closer to the mission. In this episode, you’ll hear: How to follow the main character of your story so listeners connect immediatelyThe anchors of a strong story that keep it clear and compellingThe plot points many ministries skip—and why they’re essential for impactA simple framework you can apply to every testimony or ministry update Similar Episodes:  05 | 7 steps to engage Your donor: The Story Structure 08 | 3 Steps to Build a Ministry Story Bank that Engages Donors Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted 👉 Grab your free Ministry Update Email Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide Connect w/ me: lisa@irisstorytelling.com https://irisstorytelling.com

    28 min

  4. 15 SEPT

    11 | Persevering Through Years of Hardship w/ Margo & Joe Carl

    Margo and Joe Carl were told their daughter had a very low chance of survival, after being born at 24 weeks. What followed was nearly 30 years of a deep, ongoing battle—walking through hardship, uncertainty, and countless moments of perseverance as parents. But in the middle of that long season, God was there. He brought goodness out of the struggle in ways only He can. Their journey is one of holding tightly to Jesus when nothing made sense and seeing His faithfulness show up again and again. I hope this conversation encourages you in whatever you’re walking through today. And as you listen, I also want you to notice how their testimony naturally unfolds as a story—one that builds faith and points back to God’s care. These are the kinds of stories we need to be sharing in our ministries, because they show the world who He is. In this episode, you’ll hear: What it was like for Margo and Joe to face their daughter’s low chance of survivalHow they persevered through nearly three decades of struggleWhere they saw God bring unexpected goodness in the middle of hardshipWhy stories like this matter for building faith and strengthening ministry Their testimony is both an encouragement for your heart and an example of how powerful it can be to share stories of endurance and God’s faithfulness. Similar Episodes:  07 | Forgotten by God: Grief, Doubt, and Hope w/ Ben & Jessi Bock 03 | Pouring Out & Still Failing w/ Jackie Prevost Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted 👉 Grab your free Ministry Update Email Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide Connect w/ me: lisa@irisstorytelling.com https://irisstorytelling.com

    52 min

  5. 11 SEPT

    10 | Struggling With Donor Communication? What God Says About Imposter Syndrome

    Do you ever feel stuck when it comes to donor communication? You sit down to write an update or share about your ministry, and suddenly the words just don’t come. Or maybe you do get the words out, but they feel flat… and you walk away wondering if donors will ever really get it. You’re not alone. Many women ministry leaders wrestle with the same thing—and underneath it all is something deeper: imposter syndrome. That quiet voice that says, “Who am I to be doing this?” or “I don’t have the right words.” In this episode, I want to encourage you with God’s Word and remind you that He delights in using our weakness. From Moses to Jeremiah to Paul, Scripture is full of examples of people who felt unqualified and yet were chosen to speak. God says, “I have put my words in your mouth.” We’ll also talk about: How imposter syndrome shows up in donor conversationsWhat God says when you feel unequipped or not gifted in speakingWhy it’s not really about you—it’s about inviting donors into God’s storyA simple storytelling framework that brings clarity to your messaging and freedom to your heart You don’t have to carry the pressure of “saying it perfectly.” God provides the words, and you get to offer donors an incredible opportunity to partner with Him in His work. Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted 👉 Grab your free Ministry Update Email Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide Connect w/ me: lisa@irisstorytelling.com https://irisstorytelling.com

    20 min

  6. 8 SEPT

    09 | 5 Steps to Write Your Ministry Update Email So Donors Engage

    If you’ve ever sat down to write your ministry update and thought, “What do I even say?” or “This feels like a chore”—this episode is for you. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through a practical, step-by-step framework for writing email ministry updates that your donors will actually want to read. We’ll cover: Why regular communication keeps donors connected and givingThe 5 steps to writing an effective ministry update emailHow to craft subject lines that make donors the heroWhy starting with the problem increases engagementOne clear call to action every email needs Plus, I’ll share bonus tips on how to keep your updates skimmable, story-driven, and relational!  Grab the free guide that goes with it here: https://www.irisstorytelling.com/guide Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted 👉 Grab your free Ministry Message Checklist to start refining your message today at https://irisstorytelling.com/checklist Connect w/ me: lisa@irisstorytelling.com https://irisstorytelling.com

    25 min

  7. 4 SEPT

    08 | 3 Steps to Build a Ministry Story Bank that Engages Donors

    Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a treasure box full of ministry stories—organized, searchable, and ready to share whenever you need them? In this episode of The Story-Driven Ministry, I’ll walk you through 3 simple but powerful steps to help you collect, document, and follow up on impact stories from your ministry. Whether you have five stories or five hundred, this system will save you time, reduce stress, and help you engage your donors in a deeper, more meaningful way. You’ll learn how to: Become a Story Finder who actively seeks out powerful testimoniesSet up a searchable system for organizing your storiesCreate a habit of following up so you can share story updates that inspire trust and generosity If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling to remember where that “perfect story” was saved, this episode is for you. Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted 👉 Grab your free Ministry Message Checklist to start refining your message today at https://irisstorytelling.com/checklist Connect w/ me: lisa@irisstorytelling.com https://irisstorytelling.com

    25 min

  8. 1 SEPT

    07 | Forgotten by God: Grief, Doubt, and Hope w/ Ben & Jessi Bock

    What do you do when obedience to God leads you into a season of deep loss, unanswered prayers, and silence from heaven? In this raw and vulnerable conversation, missionaries Ben & Jessi Bock share their journey through grief, spiritual burnout, and the haunting feeling that God had abandoned them. From the loss of both their mothers to raising young children in a spiritually dark environment overseas, their story is one of honesty, wrestling with doubt, and ultimately finding healing and hope. If you’ve ever felt forgotten by God or wondered where He is in your hardest moments, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and that God is still present, even when He feels far away. What you’ll hear in this episode: The unexpected hardships they faced on the mission fieldWhat it felt like to walk through a “spiritual desert”How grief and loss impacted their faithThe role of community, counseling, and time in their healingSeeing God’s love in the hands and feet of others Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted 👉 Grab your free Ministry Message Checklist to start refining your message today at https://irisstorytelling.com/checklist Connect w/ me: lisa@irisstorytelling.com https://irisstorytelling.com

    1h 4m
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About

You’re a ministry leader, tired of feeling like your message isn’t landing. You’re juggling too many roles and struggling to grow donor support. This podcast helps you clarify your brand message, tell powerful stories, and increase fundraising impact. I’m Lisa Diaz. For 15 years I’ve helped ministries craft stories that connect emotionally, build trust, and drive donor engagement. Each week, get practical tools to share testimonies, strengthen your message, and inspire action across emails, videos, and social media. Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted 👉 Grab your free Ministry Message Checklist to start refining your message today at https://irisstorytelling.com/checklist Connect w/ me:lisa@irisstorytelling.comhttps://irisstorytelling.com -Lisa

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