The Board Edit

Craig Wagner & Dawn Rochelle, MSW, LCSW
  • 5.0 (3)
  • NON-PROFIT

The Board Edit is the podcast for anyone who wants to show up as the leader their board needs—steady, prepared, confident, and grounded in purpose. Hosted by Craig Wagner and Dawn Rochelle, co-founders of The Confident Company and authors of The Confident Board Member, this weekly podcast takes you inside the real dynamics of nonprofit leadership. No jargon. No ego. Just clear, practical conversations about what makes board service meaningful, effective, and aligned. Rooted in the SERVE + SMART™ Framework, each episode helps you strengthen the habits, mindset, and behaviors that elevate governance—whether you're preparing for your first board seat or working to raise the standard on the one you hold now. In every episode, you'll learn how to: Build trust, credibility, and alignment with your board Navigate tough conversations with clarity and confidence Recognize—and avoid—the habits that derail governance Strengthen accountability and decision-making Partner more effectively with senior leadership Apply SERVE + SMART™ in real board situations Improve culture, communication, and follow-through Lead with steadiness during uncertainty or crisis What makes The Board Edit different? It doesn't rehash the same "roles and responsibilities." It focuses on the human side of board leadership—the mindset, presence, and practical behaviors that shape culture and impact. This is real talk about what actually happens around the board table, how to navigate it with integrity, and how to build the kind of confidence that isn't a credential—it's a practice. Perfect for: Nonprofit board members, aspiring board members, CEOs, executive directors, board chairs, governance committees, and anyone who wants to elevate how they serve. If you believe better boards build better futures, you're in the right place. Subscribe to The Board Edit—and show up as the leader your board needs.

Episodes

  1. JAN 20

    Mind the Gap: What Board Members Know vs. What They Don't

    In this episode, Craig and Dawn introduce a powerful governance lens—"Mind the Gap"—to explore the space between what board members think they know and what they actually need to know to govern well. The conversation invites board members to replace certainty with curiosity and to keep moving forward through learning, data, and self-awareness. 🔍 Key Topics Covered The Knowledge–Experience Gap Board members are often recruited for their experience—but that experience doesn't always translate to the specific problems a nonprofit is solving. Closing the gap requires curiosity, humility, and an honest assessment of what applies—and what doesn't. Why Nonprofit Governance Isn't Intuitive Nonprofit governance is learned, not innate. Corporate, church, or advisory board habits don't automatically transfer to nonprofit boards, where the mission—and complexity—demands a different approach beyond a single bottom line. 🧠 Cognitive Traps That Create Gaps Craig and Dawn unpack three common traps that undermine confident board service: * Anchoring Trap: Applying past experience or a corporate mindset to nonprofit decisions (often seen in CEO compensation or personnel issues). Antidote: precedent, procedure, and data benchmarking. * Illusion Trap: Assuming understanding because something looks familiar—especially when business tools are applied to human or social issues. Antidote: curiosity and context. * Confirmation Trap: Seeking only information that supports a pre-decided direction ("having an agenda"). Antidote: openness, shared inquiry, and CEO–board partnership. Optimism Bias When optimism isn't balanced with data, boards risk unrealistic budgets and fundraising expectations. Dashboards and historical trends help ground decisions in reality. 📊 The Role of Data Stories inspire—but data informs. Boards must continually ask whether the original need the nonprofit was founded to address still exists and what the data is saying now. 🗂️ Addressing Gaps in Board Meetings * Meeting Tempo & Frequency: Regular cadence and communication between meetings matter. * Pace of Conversation: The board chair must slow discussions to ensure understanding and true consensus. * Expanded Agendas: Sharing materials at least 48 hours in advance increases transparency, equity, and efficiency—often shortening meetings while improving decisions. 💡 Key Takeaway Confidence in board service isn't about having all the answers. It's about curiosity and motion—asking better questions, using data, and staying engaged in the learning process.   About The Confident Company This episode of The Board Edit is brought to you by The Confident Company, a modern leadership and governance firm dedicated to helping nonprofit board members lead with clarity, courage, and confidence. We believe board service is one of the most powerful forms of civic leadership—and that confident boards build better futures.   Explore Our Resources & Offerings The Confident Board Member™ Book - Available on Amazon and Audible A modern, values-based guide to nonprofit governance grounded in the SERVE + SMART™ Framework. Designed for both aspiring and active board members, the book blends practical tools, real-world insight, and reflection prompts to help you turn purpose into practice.     Courses Self-paced courses and short-form Learning Labs that build core governance skills—meeting readiness, accountability, engagement, strategy, and culture—designed to fit real board members' lives: *Board Member Bootcamp *The Essential Board Chair *The Confident Board Member Signature Program     The Confident Collective A membership community created exclusively for nonprofit board members. Members receive: *Weekly Learning Labs *Biweekly Lunch & Learns *Practical tools and templates *Guided reflection and coaching prompts *Access to a community of values-driven peers This is ongoing development for people who take board service seriously.     The Board Edit A practical, candid podcast about what it really means to serve on a nonprofit board—covering governance, leadership behavior, board–staff dynamics, and the habits that separate good boards from great ones. Subscribe to The Board Edit across major podcast platforms.     Board & Leadership Development Services We partner with a select number of organizations each year to support: *Board assessments and alignment *Retreat facilitation and strategy sessions *Board onboarding and education *Governance culture and behavior change *CEO–board relationship strengthening Our work blends facilitation, coaching, and practical frameworks to help boards move from intention to impact.     Learn more! Follow Dawn Rochelle and Craig Wagner on LinkedIn: Dawn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-rochelle-lcsw Craig — https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigjwagner For more board leadership tools, workshops, and free downloads, visit: https://www.confidentcompanyus.com Have feedback or a question? Email us anytime at: hello@theconfidentcompany.com.

    29 min

  2. JAN 13

    The Bylaws as The Guardrails

    Craig and Dawn unpack one of the most overlooked—but mission-critical—topics in nonprofit governance: bylaws and policies. Often dismissed as dry or boring, these documents are revealed as the true guardrails of an organization, providing clarity, protection, and accountability—especially in moments of crisis. 🔑 Episode Highlights *Why bylaws and policies matter more than ever—even if no one wants to read them *How bylaws protect organizations during leadership transitions, audits, and funding reviews *The risks of operating on "precedent" instead of what's written *Why audits look beyond numbers to the policies and procedures guiding them *The CEO's role as steward and interpreter of the bylaws *How and when it's appropriate to revise bylaws to reflect real practice *The importance of aligning policies with procedures—and involving staff expertise *Best practices for documentation, board minutes, and audit readiness *Why regular bylaw review should be built into the board calendar *Securely storing governing documents and using board portals for access and version control   💡 Key Takeaway Good governance is grounded in clarity. If you can't answer the question "When was the last time we reviewed our bylaws?"—this episode is your call to action. 🎧 Listen in and learn how strong governing documents empower boards to move beyond rubber-stamping and into confident, compliant leadership. About The Confident Company This episode of The Board Edit is brought to you by The Confident Company, a modern leadership and governance firm dedicated to helping nonprofit board members lead with clarity, courage, and confidence. We believe board service is one of the most powerful forms of civic leadership—and that confident boards build better futures. Explore Our Resources & Offerings The Confident Board Member™ Book - Available on Amazon and Audible A modern, values-based guide to nonprofit governance grounded in the SERVE + SMART™ Framework. Designed for both aspiring and active board members, the book blends practical tools, real-world insight, and reflection prompts to help you turn purpose into practice. Courses Self-paced courses and short-form Learning Labs that build core governance skills—meeting readiness, accountability, engagement, strategy, and culture—designed to fit real board members' lives: *Board Member Bootcamp *Board Chair Bootcamp *The Confident Board Member Signature Program The Confident Collective A membership community created exclusively for nonprofit board members. Members receive: *Weekly Learning Labs *Biweekly Lunch & Learns *Practical tools and templates *Guided reflection and coaching prompts *Access to a community of values-driven peers This is ongoing development for people who take board service seriously. The Board Edit A practical, candid podcast about what it really means to serve on a nonprofit board—covering governance, leadership behavior, board–staff dynamics, and the habits that separate good boards from great ones. Subscribe to The Board Edit across major podcast platforms. Board & Leadership Development Services We partner with a select number of organizations each year to support: *Board assessments and alignment *Retreat facilitation and strategy sessions *Board onboarding and education *Governance culture and behavior change *CEO–board relationship strengthening Our work blends facilitation, coaching, and practical frameworks to help boards move from intention to impact. Learn more! Follow Dawn Rochelle and Craig Wagner on LinkedIn: Dawn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-rochelle-lcsw Craig — https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigjwagner For more board leadership tools, workshops, and free downloads, visit: https://www.confidentcompanyus.com Have feedback or a question? Email us anytime at: hello@theconfidentcompany.com.

    18 min

  3. JAN 6

    Why Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast

    In this episode, Craig and Dawn explore one of the most quoted—and most misunderstood—truths in leadership and governance: "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." While strategies, policies, and plans are essential, it is culture that ultimately determines whether a board thrives or struggles. 🧠 What Is Board Culture? In the boardroom, culture isn't about the decision itself—it's about how decisions are made. Culture shows up in energy, collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility. Every board member contributes to it through behaviors, preparation, and alignment with values. ✅ Signs of a Healthy Board Culture *Board members come prepared and lean in *Multiple voices are heard throughout meetings *Board and staff leaders actively invite quieter members to contribute *Diverse perspectives are encouraged to strengthen relationships and alignment *Members challenge ideas by adding light with questions—not heat *The mission is revisited and centered *Board members leave meetings feeling hopeful, heard, and valued 🚩 Signs of a Toxic Board Culture *Decisions feel pre-made or conversations are avoided *One or two voices dominate meetings *No term limits, succession planning, or seat accountability *"Silent toxicity," including rigid seating patterns or disengaged body language *Hybrid meetings where virtual members feel like second-class participants *A board chair who controls the conversation *Disrespect framed as "disloyalty" *Disengagement masked by scrolling phones or silence 🛠️ How to Shape Culture Intentionally *Communication: Strong culture always comes back to practiced, intentional communication *Personality Awareness: Tools like personality and work-style assessments help reduce personalization and increase understanding *Written Guides: Clear agendas and board guides create structure, clarity, and confidence *Consultation: Professional titles don't limit contribution—everyone's lived experience matters *Group Development: Healthy boards work through conflict in the room, not before or after meetings *Legacy Mindset: Strong leaders plan for who comes next rather than believing the organization can't survive without them 💡 Key Takeaway Policies and strategies may build the foundation—but culture sustains governance. When every voice matters and members feel aligned, valued, and respected, boards move from compliance to confidence. 🎧 If your gut check is telling you something feels "off" in the boardroom, this episode will help you name it—and start changing it. About The Confident Company This episode of The Board Edit is brought to you by The Confident Company, a modern leadership and governance firm dedicated to helping nonprofit board members lead with clarity, courage, and confidence. We believe board service is one of the most powerful forms of civic leadership—and that confident boards build better futures. Explore Our Resources & Offerings The Confident Board Member™ Book - Available on Amazon and Audible A modern, values-based guide to nonprofit governance grounded in the SERVE + SMART™ Framework. Designed for both aspiring and active board members, the book blends practical tools, real-world insight, and reflection prompts to help you turn purpose into practice. Courses Self-paced courses and short-form Learning Labs that build core governance skills—meeting readiness, accountability, engagement, strategy, and culture—designed to fit real board members' lives: *Board Member Bootcamp *Board Chair Bootcamp *The Confident Board Member Signature Program The Confident Collective A membership community created exclusively for nonprofit board members. Members receive: *Weekly Learning Labs *Biweekly Lunch & Learns *Practical tools and templates *Guided reflection and coaching prompts *Access to a community of values-driven peers This is ongoing development for people who take board service seriously. The Board Edit A practical, candid podcast about what it really means to serve on a nonprofit board—covering governance, leadership behavior, board–staff dynamics, and the habits that separate good boards from great ones. Subscribe to The Board Edit across major podcast platforms. Board & Leadership Development Services We partner with a select number of organizations each year to support: *Board assessments and alignment *Retreat facilitation and strategy sessions *Board onboarding and education *Governance culture and behavior change *CEO–board relationship strengthening Our work blends facilitation, coaching, and practical frameworks to help boards move from intention to impact. Learn more! Follow Dawn Rochelle and Craig Wagner on LinkedIn: Dawn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-rochelle-lcsw Craig — https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigjwagner For more board leadership tools, workshops, and free downloads, visit: https://www.confidentcompanyus.com Have feedback or a question? Email us anytime at: hello@theconfidentcompany.com.

    25 min

  4. 12/29/2025

    The Five Types of Boards Every Leader Must Understand

    In this episode, Craig and Dawn break down one of the most clarifying—and liberating—topics in board service: the five types of boards. Whether you are a first-time board member or a seasoned leader, understanding the type of board you serve on is essential for alignment, effectiveness, and long-term satisfaction. The hosts emphasize an important truth: not every board is the right fit, and it is both healthy and responsible to say no—or to bow out—when a board's needs don't align with your skills, leadership style, or season of life. 🔑 The Five Board Types Explained Working Board Common in start-ups or resource-constrained organizations, working boards are hands-on and operational. While necessary early on, they can create confusion later if roles between board and staff are not clearly defined. Governing Board Focused on strategy, oversight, and policy. In this model, the CEO is the operational expert who guides the board through bylaws, policies, and procedures. This structure may not suit leaders who prefer direct service delivery. Fundraising Board More than "getting dollars," fundraising boards resource the mission through relationships, access, and advocacy. Every 501(c)(3) board member carries a fiduciary "give/get" responsibility, reflecting the nonprofit's dual bottom line: mission impact and financial sustainability. Advisory Boards & Committees Distinct from governing boards, advisory groups may offer expertise, credibility, or macro-level insight. These can include task forces, commissions, or emeritus leaders and often serve in an appointed or consultative capacity. Hybrid Board Combining governance, fundraising, and working roles, hybrid boards require exceptional clarity. Clear expectations, defined asks, and regular "re-focus" conversations are critical to prevent burnout and confusion. 🧭 Tools & Governance Insights *Why board matrices matter for clarifying decision-making authority *How staff vs. board thresholds protect both leadership and mission *The role of term limits in healthy governance and leadership renewal ❓ Three Discernment Questions for Board Service 1- Mission Fit: Does this mission still align with your values? 2- Board Type Fit: Does the board's structure match how you want to serve? 3- Cultural Fit: Does the way this board operates align with how you lead? 💡 Key Takeaway Clarity creates confidence. When you understand the type of board you're serving on—and why—you can show up fully, lead effectively, or step away with integrity. About The Confident Company This episode of The Board Edit is brought to you by The Confident Company, a modern leadership and governance firm dedicated to helping nonprofit board members lead with clarity, courage, and confidence. We believe board service is one of the most powerful forms of civic leadership—and that confident boards build better futures. Explore Our Resources & Offerings The Confident Board Member™ Book - Available on Amazon and Audible A modern, values-based guide to nonprofit governance grounded in the SERVE + SMART™ Framework. Designed for both aspiring and active board members, the book blends practical tools, real-world insight, and reflection prompts to help you turn purpose into practice. Courses Self-paced courses and short-form Learning Labs that build core governance skills—meeting readiness, accountability, engagement, strategy, and culture—designed to fit real board members' lives: *Board Member Bootcamp *Board Chair Bootcamp *The Confident Board Member Signature Program The Confident Collective A membership community created exclusively for nonprofit board members. Members receive: *Weekly Learning Labs *Biweekly Lunch & Learns *Practical tools and templates *Guided reflection and coaching prompts *Access to a community of values-driven peers This is ongoing development for people who take board service seriously. The Board Edit A practical, candid podcast about what it really means to serve on a nonprofit board—covering governance, leadership behavior, board–staff dynamics, and the habits that separate good boards from great ones. Subscribe to The Board Edit across major podcast platforms. Board & Leadership Development Services We partner with a select number of organizations each year to support: *Board assessments and alignment *Retreat facilitation and strategy sessions *Board onboarding and education *Governance culture and behavior change *CEO–board relationship strengthening Our work blends facilitation, coaching, and practical frameworks to help boards move from intention to impact. Learn more! Follow Dawn Rochelle and Craig Wagner on LinkedIn: Dawn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-rochelle-lcsw Craig — https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigjwagner For more board leadership tools, workshops, and free downloads, visit: https://www.confidentcompanyus.com Have feedback or a question? Email us anytime at: hello@theconfidentcompany.com.

    32 min

  5. 12/13/2025

    Who Runs the Nonprofit? Board vs. Staff (and Why It Gets Messy)

    "Who runs the nonprofit—the board or the staff?" It's one of the most common (and consequential) questions in governance. In this episode of The Board Edit, Dawn and Craig break down the essential distinction: staff lead day-to-day operations and management, while the board governs, stewards strategy, and holds accountability—without slipping into the weeds. Drawing from their real experience working together as board chair and CEO, they explore what makes the board–CEO relationship work: trust, role clarity, healthy accountability, and the ability to address hard dynamics before they become fractures. They also unpack why nonprofits require a different mindset than the for-profit world—especially around ethics, conflicts of interest, and the temptation to treat board influence as a quid pro quo. If you've ever felt confusion, tension, or blurred boundaries between governance and management, this episode will help you reset expectations, strengthen partnership, and lead with integrity—so the mission stays at the center. About The Confident Company This episode of The Board Edit is brought to you by The Confident Company, a modern leadership and governance firm dedicated to helping nonprofit board members lead with clarity, courage, and confidence. We believe board service is one of the most powerful forms of civic leadership—and that confident boards build better futures. Explore Our Resources & Offerings The Confident Board Member™ Book - Available on Amazon and Audible A modern, values-based guide to nonprofit governance grounded in the SERVE + SMART™ Framework. Designed for both aspiring and active board members, the book blends practical tools, real-world insight, and reflection prompts to help you turn purpose into practice. Courses Self-paced courses and short-form Learning Labs that build core governance skills—meeting readiness, accountability, engagement, strategy, and culture—designed to fit real board members' lives: *Board Member Bootcamp *Board Chair Bootcamp *The Confident Board Member Signature Program The Confident Collective A membership community created exclusively for nonprofit board members. Members receive: *Weekly Learning Labs *Biweekly Lunch & Learns *Practical tools and templates *Guided reflection and coaching prompts *Access to a community of values-driven peers This is ongoing development for people who take board service seriously. The Board Edit A practical, candid podcast about what it really means to serve on a nonprofit board—covering governance, leadership behavior, board–staff dynamics, and the habits that separate good boards from great ones. Subscribe to The Board Edit across major podcast platforms. Board & Leadership Development Services We partner with a select number of organizations each year to support: *Board assessments and alignment *Retreat facilitation and strategy sessions *Board onboarding and education *Governance culture and behavior change *CEO–board relationship strengthening Our work blends facilitation, coaching, and practical frameworks to help boards move from intention to impact. Learn more! Follow Dawn Rochelle and Craig Wagner on LinkedIn: Dawn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-rochelle-lcsw Craig — https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigjwagner For more board leadership tools, workshops, and free downloads, visit: https://www.confidentcompanyus.com Have feedback or a question? Email us anytime at: hello@theconfidentcompany.com.

    31 min

  6. 12/13/2025

    How Many Boards Is Too Many? Serving Well Without Overcommitting

    In many communities, it's the same people in the same rooms—serving on multiple boards, wearing multiple hats, and trying to do it all. In this episode of The Board Edit, Dawn and Craig unpack the real cost of overcommitting: diluted impact, blurred loyalties, conflicts of interest, and the hidden strain it places on family, time, and personal capacity. Using the SERVE + SMART™ lens, they explore why "more boards" isn't a badge of honor—and how to create clarity about where your gifts are best used. You'll also hear practical guidance on what to ask before saying yes, how to anticipate a realistic annual calendar (meetings, committees, task forces, fundraising), and language you can use to decline—or step away—without burning bridges. If you're serving on multiple boards (or feeling pressure to), this episode will help you choose alignment over obligation so you can lead boldly, serve wisely, and impact deeply. About The Confident Company This episode of The Board Edit is brought to you by The Confident Company, a modern leadership and governance firm dedicated to helping nonprofit board members lead with clarity, courage, and confidence. We believe board service is one of the most powerful forms of civic leadership—and that confident boards build better futures. Explore Our Resources & Offerings The Confident Board Member™ Book - Available on Amazon and Audible A modern, values-based guide to nonprofit governance grounded in the SERVE + SMART™ Framework. Designed for both aspiring and active board members, the book blends practical tools, real-world insight, and reflection prompts to help you turn purpose into practice. Courses Self-paced courses and short-form Learning Labs that build core governance skills—meeting readiness, accountability, engagement, strategy, and culture—designed to fit real board members' lives: Board Member Bootcamp Board Chair Bootcamp The Confident Board Member Signature Program The Confident Collective A membership community created exclusively for nonprofit board members. Members receive: Weekly Learning Labs Biweekly Lunch & Learns Practical tools and templates Guided reflection and coaching prompts Access to a community of values-driven peers This is ongoing development for people who take board service seriously. The Board Edit A practical, candid podcast about what it really means to serve on a nonprofit board—covering governance, leadership behavior, board–staff dynamics, and the habits that separate good boards from great ones. Subscribe to The Board Edit across major podcast platforms. Board & Leadership Development Services We partner with a select number of organizations each year to support: Board assessments and alignment Retreat facilitation and strategy sessions Board onboarding and education Governance culture and behavior change CEO–board relationship strengthening Our work blends facilitation, coaching, and practical frameworks to help boards move from intention to impact. Learn more! Follow Dawn Rochelle and Craig Wagner on LinkedIn: Dawn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-rochelle-lcsw Craig — https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigjwagner For more board leadership tools, workshops, and free downloads, visit: https://www.confidentcompanyus.com Have feedback or a question? Email us anytime at: hello@theconfidentcompany.com.

    27 min

  7. 11/28/2025

    The Confident Board Member

    Before we dive into the full season, join co-hosts Craig Wagner and Dawn Rochelle for the story behind The Confident Board Member. In this special pilot episode, we share why we created the SERVE + SMART framework, the gaps we saw in boardrooms, and what listeners will gain from this podcast. If you've ever wondered how to serve with clarity and confidence, this is where it begins. The Board Edit is brought to you by The Confident Company, home of the SERVE + SMART™ Framework and authors of The Confident Board Member: https://www.confidentcompanyus.com. We help nonprofit board members lead with clarity, courage, and confidence. Our mission is simple: better boards build better futures. Through training, tools, and values-driven development, we equip both new and seasoned board members to show up with purpose—because confidence isn't a credential, it's a behavior. The SERVE + SMART™ Framework is a modern, practical approach to board leadership that centers behaviors, values, and aligned decision-making. Whether you're preparing for your first board seat or seeking to elevate your influence, the framework helps you understand the habits that build trust, strengthen culture, and drive meaningful impact. About The Confident Company This episode of The Board Edit is brought to you by The Confident Company, a modern leadership and governance firm dedicated to helping nonprofit board members lead with clarity, courage, and confidence. We believe board service is one of the most powerful forms of civic leadership—and that confident boards build better futures. Explore Our Resources & Offerings The Confident Board Member™ Book - Available on Amazon and Audible A modern, values-based guide to nonprofit governance grounded in the SERVE + SMART™ Framework. Designed for both aspiring and active board members, the book blends practical tools, real-world insight, and reflection prompts to help you turn purpose into practice. Courses Self-paced courses and short-form Learning Labs that build core governance skills—meeting readiness, accountability, engagement, strategy, and culture—designed to fit real board members' lives: Board Member Bootcamp Board Chair Bootcamp The Confident Board Member Signature Program The Confident Collective A membership community created exclusively for nonprofit board members. Members receive: Weekly Learning Labs Biweekly Lunch & Learns Practical tools and templates Guided reflection and coaching prompts Access to a community of values-driven peers This is ongoing development for people who take board service seriously. The Board Edit A practical, candid podcast about what it really means to serve on a nonprofit board—covering governance, leadership behavior, board–staff dynamics, and the habits that separate good boards from great ones. Subscribe to The Board Edit across major podcast platforms. Board & Leadership Development Services We partner with a select number of organizations each year to support: Board assessments and alignment Retreat facilitation and strategy sessions Board onboarding and education Governance culture and behavior change CEO–board relationship strengthening Our work blends facilitation, coaching, and practical frameworks to help boards move from intention to impact. Learn more! Follow Dawn Rochelle and Craig Wagner on LinkedIn: Dawn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-rochelle-lcsw Craig — https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigjwagner For more board leadership tools, workshops, and free downloads, visit: https://www.confidentcompanyus.com Have feedback or a question? Email us anytime at: hello@theconfidentcompany.com.

    50 min
  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Board Edit is the podcast for anyone who wants to show up as the leader their board needs—steady, prepared, confident, and grounded in purpose. Hosted by Craig Wagner and Dawn Rochelle, co-founders of The Confident Company and authors of The Confident Board Member, this weekly podcast takes you inside the real dynamics of nonprofit leadership. No jargon. No ego. Just clear, practical conversations about what makes board service meaningful, effective, and aligned. Rooted in the SERVE + SMART™ Framework, each episode helps you strengthen the habits, mindset, and behaviors that elevate governance—whether you're preparing for your first board seat or working to raise the standard on the one you hold now. In every episode, you'll learn how to: Build trust, credibility, and alignment with your board Navigate tough conversations with clarity and confidence Recognize—and avoid—the habits that derail governance Strengthen accountability and decision-making Partner more effectively with senior leadership Apply SERVE + SMART™ in real board situations Improve culture, communication, and follow-through Lead with steadiness during uncertainty or crisis What makes The Board Edit different? It doesn't rehash the same "roles and responsibilities." It focuses on the human side of board leadership—the mindset, presence, and practical behaviors that shape culture and impact. This is real talk about what actually happens around the board table, how to navigate it with integrity, and how to build the kind of confidence that isn't a credential—it's a practice. Perfect for: Nonprofit board members, aspiring board members, CEOs, executive directors, board chairs, governance committees, and anyone who wants to elevate how they serve. If you believe better boards build better futures, you're in the right place. Subscribe to The Board Edit—and show up as the leader your board needs.

Information

  • Creator
    Craig Wagner & Dawn Rochelle, MSW, LCSW
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Board Edit