The Smart Communications Podcast

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.

Episode 186: How should your nonprofit approach crisis communications?
May 14, 2025 – 22:49
Episode 185: How can you approach AI with an equity lens?
Apr 30, 2025 – 25:07
Episode 184: Should your organization consider a merger?
Apr 16, 2025 – 24:00
Episode 183: How can you break free from being busy?
Apr 2, 2025 – 30:05
Episode 182: How can you build resilient nonprofit organizations and teams?
Mar 19, 2025 – 18:50
Episode 181: How do we foster healthy group participation?
Mar 5, 2025 – 16:16
Episode 180: Is it time to reboot your communications strategy?
Feb 19, 2025 – 22:11
Episode 179: How can a language guide help your nonprofit?
Feb 5, 2025 – 17:30
Episode 178: How can values strengthen your organization?
Jan 22, 2025 – 19:14
Episode 177: How can you engage your community with campaigns?
Jan 8, 2025 – 20:18
Episode 176: How do you plan and communicate about leaving an organization?
Dec 11, 2024 – 22:57
Episode 175: Should the media be an audience for your brand?
Nov 26, 2024 – 21:43
Episode 174: How can nonprofit leaders build strong organizations?
Nov 13, 2024 – 15:59
Episode 173: How can you use AI for strategic communications?
Oct 30, 2024 – 22:06
Episode 172: What is the role of fundraisers in creating social change?
Oct 16, 2024 – 20:14
Episode 171: How can you start treating donors as partners?
Oct 2, 2024 – 15:09
Episode 170: How can you conduct marketing and fundraising ethically?
Sep 19, 2024 – 33:42
Episode 169: How can you plan an inclusive and welcoming project?
Sep 4, 2024 – 28:39
Episode 168: How can framing inform your strategy?
Aug 21, 2024 – 30:19
Episode 167: How do you activate change in a network?
Aug 7, 2024 – 24:36
Episode 166: How did DEI go wrong and what can we do now?
Jul 24, 2024 – 23:52
Episode 165: How can my nonprofit benefit from launching a podcast?
Jul 10, 2024 – 18:05
Episode 164: How can you design and facilitate incredible workshops?
Jun 26, 2024 – 16:08
Episode 163: When and how should you share branding work in development?
Jun 12, 2024 – 16:58
Episode 162: What is the smallest viable audience for nonprofits?
May 29, 2024 – 18:48
Episode 161: How can you challenge the power and practices of philanthropy?
May 15, 2024 – 19:17
Episode 160: Why does your website need a content strategy?
May 1, 2024 – 15:38
Episode 159: How can you better position your organization for funding?
Apr 17, 2024 – 19:52
Episode 158: How can staff take care of themselves while changing the world?
Apr 3, 2024 – 28:29
Episode 157: How can you raise awareness and build trust?
Mar 20, 2024 – 24:57
Episode 156: How can we have courageous conversations?
Mar 6, 2024 – 21:24
Episode 155: What are the latest nonprofit communications trends?
Feb 21, 2024 – 20:02
Episode 154: How can you deliver the right message to the right audience?
Feb 7, 2024 – 18:48
Episode 153: How should you approach audience research?
Jan 24, 2024 – 22:25
Episode 152: How do you get messaging to take hold within your organization?
Jan 10, 2024 – 21:47
Episode 151: Why and how are nonprofits diversifying their donors?
Dec 20, 2023 – 25:22
Episode 150: How can you navigate the highs and lows of the naming journey?
Dec 6, 2023 – 22:58
Episode 149: How can you bring accessibility and inclusion into your communications?
Nov 22, 2023 – 22:45
Episode 148: What do nonprofits need to know about AI and data science?
Nov 8, 2023 – 20:38
Episode 147: How do you hire for a strong communications team?
Oct 25, 2023 – 23:06
Episode 146: What's your next move on social media?
Oct 11, 2023 – 22:50
Episode 145: How should you approach GivingTuesday?
Sep 27, 2023 – 27:55
Episode 144: How can communications help you recruit and engage board members?
Sep 13, 2023 – 30:37
Episode 143: How can you manage change?
Aug 16, 2023 – 22:50
Episode 142: What and who is a major donor?
Aug 2, 2023 – 23:50
Episode 141: How can your nonprofit staff maximize LinkedIn?
Jul 19, 2023 – 22:36
Episode 140: How can you create true partnerships with sponsors?
Jul 5, 2023 – 23:30
Episode 139: How can you create messaging and communications that reflect the principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion?
Jun 22, 2023 – 16:35
Episode 138: How should new communications directors approach their role?
Jun 7, 2023 – 23:32
Episode 137: What can branding really do for your org?
May 24, 2023 – 19:40

Recent Reviews

tommye w-c

Great!

Interesting and impactful insights to use and leverage in your non profit.
obacker19

Empowering, insightful and actionable! 🔥

Whether you’re well established as someone who can translate creative energy into the impact you want to have on the world, or just getting started as a catalyst for change - this is a must-listen podcast for you! Sarah does an incredible job leading conversations that cover a huge breadth of topics related to the ins and outs of building a thriving nonprofit and life you can be proud of - with leaders who’ve actually walked the path. Highly recommend listening and subscribing!
Business Improv

Well done!

A valuable exploration of how individuals, teams, orgs and the public can communicate better with each other for better results. A great listen!
cxwq11

Thoughtful

Short, helpful, and inspiring!
NonprofitAlly

Insightful and accessible

As a busy nonprofit communicator, I find the podcast to be just the right amount of weekly inspiration and insight I need. It covers a helpful range of topics from nonprofit branding, communications strategy, fundraising, and internal communications, and I appreciate the variety of voices represented in the episodes.
Whole Whale Fan

Good breakdown

Enjoy the consistent breakdown of what I should be paying attention to in the noisy world of comms.