The Association Insights Podcast

OnWrd and UpWrd
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Weekly

The Association Insights Podcast focuses on best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations. The podcast will feature meaningful conversations with association professionals across the country taking a deeper dive into trending topics, offering insights that both inform and inspire. Produced by OnWrd & UpWrd: https://onwrdupwrd.com/

  1. 5h ago

    Governance That Builds Trust, Engagement, and Stronger Associations

    In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Mark Fernando, Director of Governance and Administration at the American Sociological Association (ASA), to explore what it takes to build trust, transparency, and engagement within a complex member-driven organization. Managing governance, elections, volunteer leadership, and organizational operations, Mark shares practical lessons on balancing structure with member voice, creating inclusive leadership pathways, and preparing associations for the challenges ahead. 🎧 Whether you're modernizing governance, strengthening member trust, or thinking about the future of association leadership, this conversation offers valuable insights for association professionals. Key Highlights Governance as the Foundation: Mark shares his "association as a house" analogy to explain how bylaws, policies, members, and staff work together to create strong, adaptable organizations. Building Trust Through Transparency: Effective governance requires clear processes, member feedback, and consistent communication that helps members understand how decisions are made. Running Elections at Scale: From managing dozens of ballots to navigating unexpected technology challenges, Mark discusses what it takes to maintain fair, trusted election processes. Representation Requires Intention: Leadership development and volunteer recruitment should reflect the diversity of the membership across backgrounds, perspectives, institution types, and geography. Communication Is a Two-Way Street: Associations often focus on messaging but overlook feedback. Mark explains why listening is just as important as communicating. Balancing Agility and Governance: Strong governance systems create the guardrails associations need to respond thoughtfully to emerging issues without losing focus. 🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on governance, leadership, and the strategies associations can use to remain trusted, responsive, and member-focused in a changing environment. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies. Coming Soon: We’re continuing to sit down with association professionals, industry leaders, and changemakers to explore the top trends, challenges, and ideas shaping the future of associations. Stay tuned!

    31 min

  2. Jun 9

    Pricing with Purpose: Rethinking Value, Membership, and Revenue in Associations

    In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Dr. Michael Carr-Tatonetti, CPP, CAE, Founder & CEO of Pricing for Associations, to explore one of the most powerful—and often misunderstood—tools available to association leaders: pricing. From membership dues and event registrations to sponsorships and education programs, pricing decisions influence far more than revenue. Michael shares why associations often underprice their value, overcomplicate their offerings, and allow fear of member backlash to hold them back from making strategic decisions. 🎧 Whether you're considering a dues increase, or looking to strengthen your organization's financial sustainability, this conversation offers practical guidance grounded in data, value, and member experience. Key Highlights Pricing Is About Sustainability, Not Greed: Why associations need to rethink their relationship with pricing and view it as a tool for supporting mission and long-term organizational health. Value Comes Before Engagement: Michael explains why understanding what members truly value should come before efforts to increase participation and engagement. The Case for Small, Consistent Price Increases: How incremental adjustments can help associations keep pace with rising costs while avoiding major pricing shocks. Simplify to Strengthen Decision-Making: Why fewer, clearer pricing options often lead to a better member experience and stronger purchasing decisions. What Sponsors Actually Want: Insights into how sponsors define ROI, what drives long-term partnerships, and why transparency matters more than ever. The Future of Membership Value: As AI and free information become more accessible, Michael shares why associations must double down on community, connection, and unique member benefits. 🎧 Tune in for a candid conversation on building stronger pricing strategies, communicating value more effectively, and creating financially sustainable associations. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies. Coming Soon: We're continuing to sit down with association leaders and industry experts to explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of associations. Stay tuned.

    39 min

  3. Jun 3

    Leading Transformation in the Age of AI: What Association Leaders Need to Know

    In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Adrienne Lerro, Partner at PwC, to discuss what it takes to successfully lead transformation in large organizations. Drawing on her experience leading global operational and technology transformations, Adrienne shares why the most successful organizations focus on solving business problems—not simply implementing new technology. The conversation explores how AI is accelerating change, where organizations are seeing the greatest returns, and why people, processes, and data remain critical to long-term success. 🎧 Whether you're evaluating AI, managing organizational change, or looking to improve efficiency while strengthening member value, this episode offers practical insights for association leaders navigating a rapidly evolving landscape. Key Highlights Start with the Business Problem: Successful transformations begin with a clear understanding of the challenge you're trying to solve. Adrienne explains why technology alone rarely delivers results without the right strategy, processes, and objectives in place. Reimagine Processes—Don't Just Automate Them: Organizations seeing the biggest gains from AI aren't simply making existing workflows faster. They're stepping back, redesigning processes, and rethinking how work gets done. Bring Your Team Along: Change is hard—especially when AI enters the conversation. Adrienne shares why involving employees in the transformation journey, investing in upskilling, and creating opportunities for growth leads to stronger outcomes. AI Supports Expertise—It Doesn't Replace It: While AI can eliminate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency, human judgment, critical thinking, and accountability remain essential. The future belongs to organizations that combine technology with skilled people. Break Down Silos: Looking ahead, Adrienne sees significant opportunity in connecting traditionally separate functions, processes, and data sources to improve experiences, reduce risk, and drive better organizational outcomes. 🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, AI, and the strategies organizations can use to drive meaningful transformation. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies. Coming Soon: We're continuing to bring you conversations with association professionals, industry experts, and leaders sharing the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of associations. Stay tuned for more insights designed to help organizations adapt, innovate, and better serve their members.

    14 min

  4. May 27

    Building Trust, Community, and Belonging: Inside Virginia REALTORS®

    In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Leslie Frazier, SVP of Community and Industry Relations at Virginia REALTORS®, for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, advocacy, housing, and the evolving role of associations in building stronger communities. With experience spanning political campaigns, state government, and association leadership, Leslie shares how relationship-building, data, and authentic communication help Virginia REALTORS® navigate complex issues like housing affordability, advocacy, and belonging in a rapidly changing environment. 🎧 Whether you lead advocacy, membership, communications, or strategy, this episode offers practical insight into how associations can stay trusted, relevant, and member-focused during times of change. Key Highlights The Real Role of Virginia REALTORS®: Leslie explains how the state association supports nearly 33,000 members through advocacy, research, education, and housing expertise. Advocacy That Stays Bipartisan: In a constantly shifting political landscape, Virginia REALTORS® focuses on relationship-building and housing as a universal issue that impacts everyone. Building Belonging Authentically: Leslie shares how the organization approached DEI by focusing on conversations, representation, and weaving belonging into the association’s everyday work. Why Data Matters: From rising home prices to shifting buyer demographics, Virginia REALTORS® uses research and accessible data to strengthen both member value and public trust. Leadership Starts with Relationships: Leslie emphasizes the power of genuine connection, small touchpoints, and networking as critical leadership skills for association professionals. The Future Is Collaboration: As housing intersects with workforce and economic issues, Leslie discusses why associations must think beyond traditional silos and build broader partnerships. 🎧 Tune in for an insightful conversation on advocacy, leadership, housing, and why strong relationships remain the foundation of impactful associations. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies. Coming Soon: We’re continuing to sit down with association professionals, industry leaders, and changemakers to explore the top trends, challenges, and ideas shaping the future of associations. Stay tuned!

    32 min

  5. May 20

    Helpful Marketing: Building Trust and Loyalty That Lasts

    In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Katy Thorbahn, President & CEO of Shiny, for a thoughtful conversation about customer indifference, trust-building, and why the most effective organizations focus less on selling—and more on being genuinely helpful. Drawing from her deep experience in financial services marketing, Katy shares how brands in highly commoditized industries build loyalty by creating confidence at every step of the customer journey. While her work centers on financial services, the lessons translate directly to associations navigating member engagement, retention, and long-term trust. 🎧 Whether you’re rethinking onboarding, trying to improve renewal experiences, or looking for ways to create stronger member connection in a crowded landscape, this conversation offers practical, human-centered insights that associations can apply immediately. Key Highlights Defeating Customer Indifference: Katy explains why many organizations aren’t competing against direct competitors as much as they’re competing against indifference—and why associations need to clearly show members why they matter. Ruthlessly Customer-Centric Marketing: From financial products to membership organizations, Katy shares why the most effective marketing starts by deeply understanding the person on the other side of the decision. Helpful Marketing Builds Trust: Being helpful means more than promoting benefits. Katy discusses how organizations can guide people toward the right solutions—even when that solution may not be them—and why “no dead ends” matter. Confidence Is Built After the Yes: The customer journey doesn’t stop once someone joins. Katy explains why onboarding, follow-up communication, and post-decision experiences are often the moments that most influence long-term loyalty. Human-Centered Experiences Still Win: At the heart of every successful strategy is empathy. Katy reminds us that whether someone is choosing a credit card or joining an association, people simply want to feel understood, supported, and confident in their decisions. 🎧 Tune in for a practical and refreshing conversation on customer psychology, member confidence, and how associations can create more meaningful, loyalty-building experiences by focusing on what truly helps people. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies. Coming Soon: We’re continuing to sit down with association professionals, industry experts, and business leaders to explore the trends, strategies, and ideas shaping the future of member engagement, trust-building, and organizational growth. Stay tuned.

    14 min

  6. May 13

    Replay: How OnWrd & UpWrd — and This Podcast — Got Started

    In this special replay episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, O&U CEO Colleen Gallagher revisits the very first episode of the show — originally recorded more than four years ago when the podcast launched as The Association 100. As OnWrd & UpWrd approaches six years in business, Colleen reflects on the early conversations, industry frustrations, and vision that led her and Meghan Henning to build an agency focused on helping associations strengthen communications, visibility, and trust. While the industry has evolved significantly since this episode first aired, many of the core themes — authentic storytelling, strategic communications, and serving as true extensions of client teams — remain just as relevant today. 🎧 Tune in for a look back at where it all started and the mission that continues to shape Association Insights and OnWrd & UpWrd today. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies. Coming Soon: We’re continuing the conversation with association professionals across sectors, sharing candid perspectives on top trends, emerging challenges, and the strategies leaders are using to move their organizations forward. Stay tuned for what’s next.

    32 min

  7. May 6

    AI + PR Right Now: What’s Actually Working, What’s Not, and What’s Changing Fast

    In this solo episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & Upwrd, host Colleen Gallagher takes a step back to unpack where AI actually stands right now in association communications and PR. After months of rapid experimentation across the industry, Colleen moves beyond the hype to focus on what’s actually working, where teams are seeing real value, and where challenges are starting to surface. From accelerating workflows to protecting voice and credibility, this episode offers a clear, practical lens on how associations can use AI effectively—without losing what makes their communications impactful. 🎧 If your team is navigating how to use AI in PR, messaging, or content strategy, this episode will help you cut through the noise and focus on what matters most right now. Key Highlights AI Is Accelerating PR—Not Replacing It: AI is making research, drafting, and monitoring faster—but it’s not replacing the core drivers of effective PR: judgment, relationships, and credibility. The real opportunity is using AI to create more time for strategic work that actually moves the needle. Where AI Is Actually Delivering Value: From faster media monitoring and trend identification to refining messaging and enabling personalization at scale, AI is helping teams work smarter—especially when it comes to staying relevant in fast-moving conversations. Efficiency That Unlocks Strategy: Behind-the-scenes gains—like media list updates, reporting, and content repurposing—are freeing up time for higher-value strategic thinking, where communications teams make the biggest impact. What Matters Most Right Now: Use AI to support—not replace—your thinking. Protect your voice. Prioritize strategy over speed. And keep humans at the center of the process—because credibility still depends on judgment. 🎧 Tune in for a clear, experience-driven perspective on how associations can move from experimentation to intentional, effective use of AI in their communications and PR strategies. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies. Coming Soon: We’re continuing the conversation with association professionals across sectors, sharing candid perspectives on top trends, emerging challenges, and the strategies leaders are using to move their organizations forward. Stay tuned for what’s next.

    14 min

  8. Apr 29

    Why Trust Is the Most Valuable Asset Associations Have Right Now

    In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher takes a step back to focus on a foundational—but often overlooked—driver of association success: trust. In a landscape shaped by information overload, growing skepticism, and declining institutional credibility, trust is no longer assumed—it’s earned, reinforced, and, if neglected, quickly lost. 🎧 Whether you’re leading communications, shaping strategy, or thinking about how your organization shows up in the market, this episode offers a clear, practical lens on how to build trust in a time when it matters more than ever. Key Highlights Why Trust Is More Fragile Than Ever: With misinformation rising and audiences more skeptical, associations can’t rely on legacy credibility. Trust must be built—and rebuilt—through consistent, relevant communication. The Hidden Erosion of Member Trust: Trust doesn’t disappear overnight. It fades through generic messaging, lack of clarity, or content that doesn’t reflect real member challenges—often long before engagement drops. Earned Media Is Built on Credibility, Not Titles: Reporters don’t choose sources based on press releases—they choose who they trust. Associations that provide clear, timely, and grounded insights become go-to voices over time. Leadership Visibility vs. Leadership Trust: Showing up isn’t enough. Trust in leadership is built through consistent, authentic, and clear communication—not polished, one-off messaging. Trust Is the Real Path to Becoming a Go-To Source: It’s not about being everywhere—it’s about being reliable. When stakeholders trust your perspective, opportunities for visibility, influence, and engagement follow naturally. Where Associations Should Focus Right Now: From consistency and clarity to member-centered messaging and follow-through, trust is built in the everyday execution—not just big moments. 🎧 Tune in for a practical, perspective-driven conversation on how associations can strengthen trust across communications, leadership, and media—and why it’s the metric that matters most moving forward. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies. Coming Soon: We’re continuing to sit down with association professionals and industry leaders to share top trends, insights, and real-world strategies shaping the future of associations. Stay tuned!

    10 min
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

The Association Insights Podcast focuses on best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations. The podcast will feature meaningful conversations with association professionals across the country taking a deeper dive into trending topics, offering insights that both inform and inspire. Produced by OnWrd & UpWrd: https://onwrdupwrd.com/

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