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Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
Eric Ressler
68 episodes
1 day ago
The biggest barrier to your next stage isn’t lack of vision or resources. It’s the moment you stop imagining what could be and start protecting what already is. Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link. *** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you! We love hearin...
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The biggest barrier to your next stage isn’t lack of vision or resources. It’s the moment you stop imagining what could be and start protecting what already is. Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link. *** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you! We love hearin...
Show more...
Non-Profit
Education,
Business,
Marketing,
How To
Episodes (20/68)
Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
Why Good Orgs Stall Out
The biggest barrier to your next stage isn’t lack of vision or resources. It’s the moment you stop imagining what could be and start protecting what already is. Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link. *** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you! We love hearin...
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1 day ago
8 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
Why Facts Don't Change Minds
In this episode, we're joined by Drew Dumsch, President and CEO of the Ecology School at River Bend Farm in Maine. Drew co-founded the organization 26 years ago with a premise that felt radical then and feels essential now: that ecological literacy — learning to read the landscape the way you learn to read a book — is foundational to creating engaged, compassionate citizens capable of understanding complex systems. This conversation challenges the assumption that more information will save us...
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2 weeks ago
32 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
Growth Isn't Linear. It's Cyclical.
Once you see the pattern, you can't unsee it. Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link. *** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you! We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us ...
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3 weeks ago
6 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
What Political Campaigns Know That Nonprofits Don't
Mike Nellis has raised over $1 billion for progressive campaigns and causes. As the founder of Authentic and former Senior Advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris, he's seen what work — and what doesn't — in digital fundraising. In this conversation, we explore what nonprofits can learn from campaign strategy, the dangers of volume-driven marketing, and why authenticity might be the only sustainable advantage left. Notable Quotes "The biggest thing that moves the needle is volume. It matters...
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4 weeks ago
39 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
What If It’s Not All Falling Apart?
The dominant narrative this year has been that everything’s falling apart. But what if we're manifesting a social impact doom loop? Why I have a newfound resurgence of hope and optimism for this work. Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link. *** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could ...
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1 month ago
7 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
The Funder Breaking All the (Fake) Rules
What if philanthropy, as we know it, is a flawed system? In this episode, we're joined by Jen Nguyen, a director at the Stupski Foundation, a unique "spend-down" organization designed to close its doors after giving away all of its assets by 2029. Jen, a former college counselor, provides an unapologetically candid look at a sector she may soon leave, revealing a rare freedom to challenge the status quo from within. We'll discuss how a "wait and see" approach to philanthropy falls short in ...
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1 month ago
50 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
You Can’t Control Everything (But You Can Control This)
Reflections on fear, control, and what you can actually do about it. As we head into year-end — often the most high-stakes season in our sector — this episode will help you develop the right mindset to navigate it skillfully. Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link. *** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write ...
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1 month ago
6 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
What If the Economy Were Built on Care?
What if everything you’ve been taught about economic progress is wrong? In this episode, Stacey Edgar — social worker turned social entrepreneur and now executive director of the International Folk Art Market — shares her journey through the “career jungle gym” of the social impact sector. We unpack her concept of artisan economics, a radically human approach to commerce rooted in care, dignity, and connection. From surviving U.S. customs mishaps to rewriting economic theory from a feminist p...
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1 month ago
29 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
The Vision Window is Open...For Now
How to recognize and act on the rare moments when transformation is possible. Join the conversation on substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/eressler/p/the-vision-window-is-openfor-now?r=8rkfl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link. *** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in ...
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2 months ago
7 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
Amanda Litman on How Real Change Happens
What if real change doesn't begin with institutions, campaigns, or capital — but with the people we invite into our lives? In this episode, Eric sits down with Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something and author of When We’re In Charge, to explore how small, human-scale actions can spark transformational impact — from politics to parenting to how we rebuild our social lives post-pandemic. Amanda has helped 225,000+ people raise their hands to run for office — and she’s just getting star...
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2 months ago
28 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
What's Your Truth?
In this episode, I’m exploring a question that’s been showing up in a lot of our recent work — and in my own thinking: What is your truth? Links: 📝 Read the full essay version on our new Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/eressler/p/what-is-your-truth?r=8rkfl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=podcast&showWelcomeOnShare=true Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link. *** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your f...
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2 months ago
5 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
The Power (and Pitfalls) of Partnerships
Everyone loves the idea of collaboration — but real partnership? That’s harder. From mismatched visions to unclear roles, even the most well-intentioned alliances can go sideways fast. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan break down what makes partnerships work — and what to watch out for before saying yes. ➔ The five elements every partnership needs to succeed (straight from the Collective Impact framework). ➔ The one conversation to have before committing to collaborate. ➔ How to recog...
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3 months ago
30 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
How to Build a Strong Case for Support
Too many social impact leaders step into donor meetings with a bold vision — but an unclear case for why anyone should support it. Your case for support isn’t just a fundraising tool — it’s a strategic asset that can align your messaging, mobilize your team, and inspire serious investment in your mission. But only if you get it right. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan walk through a 5-part framework to help you build a clear, compelling case that connects with hearts and minds — and opens do...
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3 months ago
28 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
Is Our Obsession with Efficiency Backfiring?
We’re constantly told to “do more with less” — but what if that’s the wrong goal altogether? In this episode, Eric and Jonathan challenge the traditional definition of efficiency and unpack why it can be a trap for social impact organizations. From donor pressure to staff burnout, they explore how the pursuit of efficiency often undermines effectiveness — and what to prioritize instead if you're serious about sustainable, meaningful impact. ➔ Why efficiency and innovation often live at opposi...
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4 months ago
27 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
Storytelling For Complex Missions
Too many social impact organizations are stuck trying to explain everything they do — and in the process, end up saying nothing that sticks. When your mission is complex, how do you distill it into a clear, compelling story that actually resonates? In this episode, Eric and Jonathan dig into the storytelling struggles that come with multifaceted missions — and offer a practical framework to help you cut through the noise, focus your narrative, and connect more powerfully with your audiences. ...
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4 months ago
23 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
Pros and Cons of Major Donors
Major donor funding can feel like the holy grail of nonprofit growth — big checks, deep relationships, and potentially game-changing support. But what’s often left out of the conversation? The risk. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan dive into the real tradeoffs of major donor programs — the power dynamics, the mission drift moments, and the long runway it takes to build trust at scale. Whether you're building from scratch or recalibrating your fundraising strategy, this candid conversation w...
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4 months ago
34 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
Designing Impact Reports That Actually Work
Annual reports shouldn’t feel like an obligation — they should feel like a gift. But for too many nonprofits, impact reporting is still stuck in the past: flat, uninspired, and quickly forgotten. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan unpack how to rethink your approach to reporting — and turn your annual impact story into one of your organization’s most powerful strategic tools. ➔ The secret ingredient of high-performing reports. ➔ The real ROI of a well-designed impact report — and how to...
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5 months ago
31 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
How to Sell a Vision Before It’s Real
Social impact leaders are visionaries — but getting others to see what you see isn’t easy. When your work hasn’t caught up to your ambitions, how do you win over funders, staff, and partners who need proof before they commit? In this episode, Eric and Jonathan explore what it really takes to sell a bold new vision — even when the work is still taking shape. ➔ Why internal conviction is the first — and most underrated — step to building external trust. ➔ How to frame your future vision w...
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5 months ago
33 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
Eric’s 3-Part Content Strategy That Works Every Time
Stuck on what to post or say? Eric shares a 3-step content strategy any mission-driven org can use to cut through the noise: name the problem, show the impact, and paint the vision. Clear, repeatable, and built for the long haul. Episode Highlights: [00:00] Why “the problem” isn’t always one thing[01:51] Intro to the 3-step content strategy: Problem, impact, vision[02:39] Naming and framing the problem: It’s more powerful than you think[05:10] Problem sets, not problems: How to tell differen...
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6 months ago
31 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
What to Do When Funders Say "No"
Not all “no’s” are equal—and if you’re in fundraising, you know that firsthand. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan unpack the three types of objections every social impact leader will face: the silent no, the vague no, and the hard no. They explore why each shows up, what it’s really signaling, and how to respond in a way that transforms rejection into relationship. Whether you're navigating donor hesitancy or partner pushback, you'll walk away with practical tools to shift conversations from...
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6 months ago
27 minutes

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact
The biggest barrier to your next stage isn’t lack of vision or resources. It’s the moment you stop imagining what could be and start protecting what already is. Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link. *** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you! We love hearin...