The Smart Communications Podcast

Big Duck
  • 5.0 (64)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

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.

  1. 12/16/2025

    Episode 201: How do you approach rebranding a 100 year old nonprofit?

    Insights from a major nonprofit rebrand! Join Ally Dommu, director of service development, and Brad Drazen, vice president of communications and marketing at Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, as they unpack the motivations behind changing a 100-year-old foundation’s name, the research and collaboration that guided the process, and what other organizations and foundations can learn when considering a rebrand.

    20 min

  2. 12/03/2025

    Episode 200: How can we reimagine nonprofits and philanthropy?

    In our 200th episode, Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with writer, speaker, and beloved nonprofit truth-teller Vu Le, to explore how we can reimagine nonprofits and philanthropy. Learn about “sacred cows,” structural barriers, the urgency of this political moment, and what real transformation requires from all of us. Vu also shares insights from his new book, challenges long-held norms, and offers reflections on joy, community, and resilience. Listen or read along to this milestone conversation that’s honest, energizing, and deeply needed.

    25 min

  3. 11/12/2025

    Episode 199: How can you find the best parts of your brand?

    What are the best parts of your brand, and are you putting them to work for your mission? Farra Trompeter, co-director, interviews Lyn Weinman, founder, president, and chief strategist at KidGlov and the author of Untangling Spaghetti: A Branding Fable (https://kidglov.com/untanglingspaghetti/), to discuss addressing brand confusion, aligning on strategy, and knowing what type of change is right.

    30 min

  4. 10/29/2025

    Episode 198: What do you need to know about cybersecurity?

    Cybersecurity is everyone's job. Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Joshua Peskay, co-founder of Meet the Moment, about practical ways nonprofits can reduce risk, protect sensitive data, and create a culture of awareness and care. From reasonable security standards to tabletop exercises, learn how to keep the mission and the people you serve safe.

    32 min

  5. 10/15/2025

    Episode 197: How can you find joy?

    How do we find joy in our work and our lives, especially when burnout looms? In this episode, Farra Trompeter, co-director, and Elandria Jackson Charles, chief joy officer at Ayoka Partners, explore how sabbatical care, intentional rest, and daily micro-moments of joy can help you reconnect with yourself and your purpose.

    18 min

  6. 10/01/2025

    Episode 196: How can you engage in participatory grantmaking?

    What happens when funders shift decision-making powers to communities? Farra Trompeter is joined by Cynthia Gibson, PhD, principal of Cynthesis Consulting, and Kelley Buhles, independent consultant and owner of Buhles Consulting, to discuss participatory grantmaking and explore how sharing decision-making power with communities fosters stronger, more democratic philanthropy. They also outline the steps nonprofits and funders can take to initiate this approach.

    30 min

  7. 09/17/2025

    Episode 195: What does effective design feedback look like?

    Smart design feedback is possible; it just requires clarity, collaboration, and strategy. Join J Kelley, senior account manager and host of this episode of the Smart Communications Podcast, as they chat with Randi Gibson, graphic designer, and Sandy Zimmerman, design director, about effective design feedback. Follow along for strategies to make the feedback process smoother and your creative outcomes stronger.

    17 min

  8. 09/03/2025

    Episode 194: How can you communicate with candor and care?

    Communicating with candor can be kind and helpful. Farra Trompeter, co-director, talks with Keyante Love, founder and president of Good Love Group, to discuss navigating power dynamics, embracing discomfort, and staying grounded in your values when collaborating with your team and your community.

    18 min
See All (200)

5
out of 5
64 Ratings

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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.

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