Grant Writing Made Clear Sometimes the most strategic move you can make is to pause, plan, and strategize. In this episode, Dr. Trenette shares recommendations for designing your season with clarity so you can stop reacting and start leading with intention. Here are the 3 key takeaways: 1- Seasons require prioritizing: If you do not set priorities, the season will set them for you. 2- Rhythms create stability: Weekly anchors like writing blocks, team touchpoints, rest, and family...

Grant Writing Made Clear Many, if not most, foundations screen with Letters of Intent (LOIs). LOIs are short, high-stakes documents that decide whether you get to submit a full proposal. In this episode, I break down what program officers look for in LOIs, share a simple LOI structure that works, and the mindset that helps you rise to the top of a crowded review pile. If you have ever felt unsure about how to stand out in 2–3 pages, this episode will show you how to communicate with confidenc...

Grant Writing Made Clear Grants do more than fund interventions. In this episode, Dr. Trenette shares how the process of grant writing builds clarity of mission, professional credibility, strategic discipline, partnerships, and a resilient growth mindset. You will walk away with practical ways to treat each proposal. What you will learn How writing proposals clarifies who you serve, why it matters, and the activities you use to serve your populationWhy an unfunded proposal can still grow cred...

DWelcome back to Season 2! In this opening episode, Dr. Trenette reflects on her summer sabbatical and the powerful lessons she learned about rest, renewal, and resistance. From presenting in Paris to glamping in South Carolina and soaking up sunshine in Jamaica, she shares how stepping back created space for new ideas, creativity, and joy. In this episode, you’ll hear: Insights from international conferences and cultural experiences that sparked fresh perspectives.Honest reflections on what ...

I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge! Grant Writing Made Clear As we prepare for a summer sabbatical, this powerful episode offers heartfelt encouragement for anyone who has ever doubted their place in the room. Dr. Trenette shares a personal and affirming message that you are the assignment. Your unique voice, perspective, and story are not just valuable - they are essential. This episode is...

I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge! Grant Writing Made Clear In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, we explore consistency and why it matters. If you've ever struggled with staying focused, getting started, or making progress on big goals like grant writing, this episode is for you. We unpack how consistent effort builds momentum, creates cognitive residue that fuels creativity, and m...

I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge! Grant Writing Made Clear In Episode 19 of Grant Writing Made Clear, Dr. Trenette explores what it means to maintain momentum when resources are limited. Lean seasons are common but they don't have to derail your work. Dr. Trenette shares seven actionable strategies to help you protect your progress and move forward with intention. This episode is packed with bo...

I am on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge! Grant Writing Made Clear In today’s episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, Dr. Trenette dives into something many of us need now more than ever—community. When funding dries up and institutional support feels shaky, where do we turn? Dr. Trenette explores how creating or joining a research or grant writing collective can offer a powerful sense of grounding, supp...

I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge! Grant Writing Made Clear In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, Dr. Trenette shares actionable strategies to elevate your writing and increase your chances of securing funding. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned grant writer, these practical tips will help you write with clarity, impact, and professionalism. You’ll learn how to make your propos...

I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge! Grant Writing Made Clear Rejection—it’s the part of grant writing that no one wants to talk about, but nearly every grant writer will face. That dreaded "we regret to inform you" email can feel like a punch to the gut. But here’s the truth: rejection is not the end. In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, we’re flipping rejection on its head and turning it...

I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge! Welcome back to Grant Writing Made Clear! I’m Dr. Trenette, and today, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges in grant writing—coming up with a fundable idea that funders can’t resist. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to figure out where to begin, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’ll walk you through five key steps to generate ideas that align wi...

I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge! The grant funding landscape is shifting—and staying ahead means adapting to change. In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, Dr. Trenette shares her Top 5 Grant Funding Trends for 2025 that every nonprofit leader, researcher, and grant writer needs to know. From changes in federal funding priorities to leveraging AI as your new assistant, this episode is pa...

Grant Writing Made Clear In this Season 1 finale, Dr. Trenette makes a powerful case for intentional rest as an act of resistance in a productivity-obsessed culture. She announces her summer sabbatical and invites listeners to join her in centering rest - not as a reward to earn, but as a fundamental right that fuels better and sustainable impact. Key Topics Covered Drawing from her rural upbringing, Dr. Trenette reflects on lessons from the cornfield across from her childhood home. She obser...

Grant Writing Made Clear As we prepare for a summer sabbatical, this powerful episode offers heartfelt encouragement for anyone who has ever doubted their place in the room. Dr. Trenette shares a personal and affirming message that you are the assignment. Your unique voice, perspective, and story are not just valuable - they are essential. This episode is a call to walk boldly in your purpose. What You’ll Learn: Why your lived experience is a great assetEncouragement to embrace your strengths...

Grant Writing Made Clear In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, Dr. Trenette challenges the culture of constant busyness and explores why strategic focus leads to deeper impact. She breaks down the hidden costs of overcommitting and provides practical tools for protecting your most important work. Barriers to Focused Work People-pleasing and its impact on decision-makingFalse urgency culture Administrative accumulation over timePractical Focus Strategies Mission-Driven Filtering: C...

Grant Writing Made Clear In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, we explore consistency and why it matters. If you've ever struggled with staying focused, getting started, or making progress on big goals like grant writing, this episode is for you. We unpack how consistent effort builds momentum, creates cognitive residue that fuels creativity, and mirrors the way our bodies continue burning energy after intense exercise. With practical encouragement and simple mindset shifts, this episo...

Grant Writing Made Clear In this heartfelt episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, Dr. Trenette opens up about why she’s stepping away from the podcast for a summer sabbatical, and what it really means to pause on purpose. After an intense season of writing grant applications and building community, she's choosing self-care and inviting you to consider what that might look like in your own life. You’ll hear: What led Dr. Trenette to make this decisionWhat she plans to do this summer instead ...

Grant Writing Made Clear Winning a grant is just the beginning. The next challenge? Leading with impact. In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, I’m joined by leadership expert Jennifer Manghisi, a corporate real estate professional who previously worked in higher education and has deep experience in operations, process improvement, and team development. We explore how leadership shapes the success of grant-funded projects, from setting a clear vision to managing priorities under pressur...

Grant Writing Made Clear We’re back for Part 2 of my conversation with Dean Gary Cuddeback, and this episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to strengthen their grant writing skills. Dean Cuddeback shares how he learned to write successful NIH grant applications, the importance of mentorship, and his advice for researchers who want to grow in both clarity and confidence. Don’t miss this episode if you’re navigating the world of academic funding or preparing your next app...

Grant Writing Made Clear In this powerful first half of our two-part conversation, I sit down with Dean Gary Cuddeback, an NIH-funded researcher and academic leader, to talk about his inspiring journey from research associate to dean. We cover the early stages of his research career, the lessons he learned along the way, and how he developed the resilience and clarity needed to move forward. Whether you're just beginning your grant writing journey or need a reminder o keep going, this episode...