Responsive Lab Podcast

Virtuous Software
  • 4.7 (14)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Responsive Lab, presented by Virtuous. In this podcast, we're exploring how nonprofits leverage technology to deepen donor engagement. Join us in the lab as we mix innovation with impact, tackling challenges and discovering new possibilities for the nonprofit sector.

  1. EP 70: Digital Strategies to Drive Sustainable Fundraising Growth with Matt Lombardi

    12/16/2025

    EP 70: Digital Strategies to Drive Sustainable Fundraising Growth with Matt Lombardi

    In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Matt Lombardi, Founder of Share, to unpack what real digital engagement looks like when it’s done well and why it actually leads people to take action. Matt brings a practitioner’s perspective from working alongside nonprofits of all sizes, sharing what separates organizations that grow sustainably from those stuck on the acquisition hamster wheel. From donor personas and retention strategies to recurring giving programs that actually work, you’ll walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately. You’ll hear about: Why focus matters more than doing “all the channels” How smart digital engagement builds trust and drives generosity Creative ways to strengthen donor retention without always asking for money What recurring giving programs need to succeed long-term How technology decisions today shape fundraising outcomes tomorrow Matt also shares where nonprofits get stuck internally and how teams can build momentum even when bureaucracy, bandwidth, or fear of change slows things down. Links from the episode: Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-lombardi-717547111/ Learn more about Share Talent: https://sharetalent.co/ Learn more about Share Services: https://www.shareservices.co/ Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist.

    50 min
  2. EP 69: Mid-Level Matters: Turning Overlooked Donors Into Loyal Supporters with Kel Haney

    12/09/2025

    EP 69: Mid-Level Matters: Turning Overlooked Donors Into Loyal Supporters with Kel Haney

    In this episode of The Responsive Lab, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with fundraising strategist Kel Haney, who has made more than twenty thousand asks by phone and helped nonprofits generate over twenty million dollars in mid-level giving. Kel shares how she went from directing theater in New York to discovering the power of a well-structured donor conversation, and why a simple five-minute call can be one of the most effective tools a fundraiser has. In this episode, you’ll hear: How Kel’s theater background shaped her approach to authentic donor conversations Why mid-level donors sit in the “messy middle” and need their own strategy The four tent poles of Kel’s five-minute fundraising ask Why scripts fail, and conversational structure succeeds How fundraisers can “hold for the silence” and build confidence over time Ways tools like Virtuous and Virtuous Momentum support personal outreach at scale How organizations can segment, prioritize, and even outsource outbound donor calls Links from the episode: Connect with Kel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kel-haney/ Learn more about Kel’s work and schedule a convo: https://www.kelhaney.com/ Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

    51 min
  3. EP 68: How Nonprofits Can Grow Major Gifts Using Noncash Strategies with Bailey Huston [Ask a Responsive Fundraiser]

    12/04/2025

    EP 68: How Nonprofits Can Grow Major Gifts Using Noncash Strategies with Bailey Huston [Ask a Responsive Fundraiser]

    On this episode of Ask a Responsive Fundraiser, Scott Holthaus sits down with Bailey Huston, Partnerships and Integrations Manager at The Giving Block, to answer your top questions about noncash giving and donor behavior in a changing fundraising landscape.   Bailey shares why donor choice, convenience, and control are now essential parts of the giving experience… and how offering options like crypto, stock, and donor-advised funds can unlock major gifts you may be missing today. She explains the motivations behind noncash giving, the younger and wealthier donor segments driving crypto adoption, and the simple ways nonprofits can add these channels without overwhelming their teams.   You’ll learn which donor signals matter most right now, the true opportunity behind crypto-based generosity, how to make noncash gifts easy to find and easy to give, and why these channels connect directly to lifetime donor value as younger generations take the lead in the coming wealth transfer.   To learn more or explore crypto, stock, or DAF fundraising, visit thegivingblock.com.

    12 min
  4. EP 67: Using Neuroscience to Strengthen Donor Relationships with Cherian Koshy

    12/02/2025

    EP 67: Using Neuroscience to Strengthen Donor Relationships with Cherian Koshy

    What really happens inside a donor’s mind when they choose to give? In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Virtuous co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Cherian Koshy, VP at Kindsight and author of NeuroGiving: The Science of Donor Decision Making.   Cherian unpacks why giving is rooted in identity, how friction quietly slows generous brains down, and what fundraisers can do to design clearer, more intuitive donor experiences. You will hear why one vivid human story matters more than statistics, what assumptions often lead teams astray, and how technology and AI help fundraisers respond with greater empathy at scale.   Links from the episode: Pre-order Cherian’s book here: https://neurogivingbook.com/ Get your copy of “Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making” on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Neurogiving-Science-Decision-Making-Cherian-Koshy/dp/1394370458/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FIOOU34VK6YP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._xNfSLeOax1dA5hrtboMIg.3brVKP9LuMSye0uTMk6CzmWjAw9SO211qe9qgXcw5b8&dib_tag=se&keywords=neurogiving+book&qid=1762799955&sprefix=neurogiving+book%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1 Connect with Cherian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheriankoshy/   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

    39 min
  5. EP 66: Measuring What Matters: Turning Impact into Action for Growing Nonprofits with John Mark & Lauren Vanderpool

    11/20/2025

    EP 66: Measuring What Matters: Turning Impact into Action for Growing Nonprofits with John Mark & Lauren Vanderpool

    In this episode of The Responsive Lab, hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Lauren and John Mark Vanderpool from Social Impact Solutions to answer some pressing questions we didn’t have time to cover during a recent webinar.   Lauren and John Mark break down what impact really means, how to measure it, and how clear impact data can deepen donor trust and grow giving. You’ll also hear practical advice for using logic models, building realistic internal systems, handling confidentiality, and making sense of hundreds of stories without overwhelming your team.   If you’ve ever felt unsure how to measure the real change your nonprofit creates or how to share that story with donors, this conversation will give you practical next steps you can use right away.   Links from the episode: Learn more about Social Impact Solutions: https://www.socialimpactsolutions.com/ Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-vanderpool-socialimpactsolutions/ Connect with John Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mark-vanderpool-521485184/   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

    35 min
  6. EP 65: Building a Healthy, Human-Centered Culture in Nonprofits with Ian Adair

    11/18/2025

    EP 65: Building a Healthy, Human-Centered Culture in Nonprofits with Ian Adair

    Nonprofit leadership is meaningful work, but it can also feel exhausting. Between fundraising pressure, staff turnover, and board expectations, many leaders quietly run on empty long before they ever consider stepping away.   In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Virtuous co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with CEO of the Seattle Police Foundation, Ian Adair, to talk about what it really takes to stay healthy in leadership and build organizations where people want to stay.   You’ll hear Ian, Carly, and Scott dig into: - How to recognize when you or your team are approaching burnout, and what to do next - Why self care is “not selfish” and why nonprofit leaders struggle to prioritize it - What healthy vulnerability looks like in leadership without oversharing or overburdening staff - Practical ways to build loyalty, belonging, and professional growth into your culture - How to coach and engage your board so they contribute in the right lanes - Key steps for turning around struggling organizations and leading through transition - Why “adaptive resilience” is a core leadership practice in today’s nonprofit landscape   Connect with Ian on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianadair2010/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianmadair/  X: https://x.com/IanMAdair   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

    44 min
  7. EP 64: Relationship at Scale: Building Smarter, Sustainable Donor Stewardship with Rachel Bearbower

    11/11/2025

    EP 64: Relationship at Scale: Building Smarter, Sustainable Donor Stewardship with Rachel Bearbower

    Speed matters. So does being seen. In this episode, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with fundraiser, former executive director, and founder of the Nonprofit Automation Agency, Rachel Bearbower, to unpack how small teams can deliver big-feeling donor experiences. We cover the “first 100 days” journey, the one-minute thank-you, and why silence erodes trust faster than anything. You’ll hear practical steps to turn repeatable stewardship moments into lightweight systems, how to anchor automation in your CRM, and a candid look at what Rachel learned by donating to 15 nonprofits to audit their follow-up.   Links from the episode: Learn more about Rachel’s business, Nonprofit Automation Agency: https://www.nonprofitautomationagency.com/ Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbearbower/ Get the 5 Ways to Automate Your Donor Stewardship ebook: https://www.nonprofitautomationagency.com/ebook Book a demo with the Nonprofit Automation Agency: https://www.nonprofitautomationagency.com/pricing   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

    41 min
  8. EP 63: What It Really Takes to Run a Multi-Year Fundraising Campaign with Will Smallwood

    11/04/2025

    EP 63: What It Really Takes to Run a Multi-Year Fundraising Campaign with Will Smallwood

    Launching a capital campaign is one thing. Raising over $200 million and outgrowing your original goals is another. In this episode of The Responsive Lab, hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Dr. Will Smallwood, Vice President for Advancement at Cedarville University, to unpack the story behind the wildly successful “One Thousand Days Transformed” campaign.   Dr. Smallwood shares the campaign’s roots in mission-first storytelling, how strategic planning turned into campus-wide buy-in, and what it really takes to build momentum, from data-informed planning to real-time transparency with donors. You’ll hear the lessons Cedarville learned while expanding a campaign goal from $125M to $175M, and ultimately raising over $205M. Plus, Will reflects on what he’d do differently, including that time they switched CRMs mid-campaign.   Links from the episode: Connect with Will Learn more about Cedarville University and the “One Thousand Days Transformed” campaign   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

    45 min
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4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Responsive Lab, presented by Virtuous. In this podcast, we're exploring how nonprofits leverage technology to deepen donor engagement. Join us in the lab as we mix innovation with impact, tackling challenges and discovering new possibilities for the nonprofit sector.

Information

  • Creator
    Virtuous Software
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Responsive Lab Podcast Virtuous Software
  • Show Website
    Responsive Lab Podcast

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