Let’s Hear It

A lot of people who work in nonprofits and foundations eventually get the tickle. You know the one. What if I just... went out on my own? Regan Douglass did something about it. After years as a communications leader at PolicyLink, California Humanities, and the College Futures Foundation, she pulled the ripcord and launched Sparkwise Communications. Two years in, no regrets. In this episode, Eric sits down with Regan to discuss what it actually takes to go independent — how thick your stomach lining needs to be, how to structure your business, how to smell the tuna fish sandwich wrapped in a red flag before you sign the contract, and how to hold onto your own voice when you've spent years inhabiting someone else's. This one's for everyone who's been sitting on the egg. It's time to let it hatch. Follow Let's Hear It, leave a rating, and help more people find the show.

There's a question Rashad Robinson wants every nonprofit and foundation leader to sit with right now: Are you building power — or just showing up? Rashad spent 13 years leading Color of Change, co-founded the Fight Back Table, forced over 100 corporations to leave ALEC — the American Legislative Exchange Council, a powerful corporate-backed group that shapes conservative state legislation — and took on Facebook in one of the largest boycotts in American history. Now he's channeling all of that hard-won wisdom into a newsletter, a new show on News One, work alongside Jane Fonda defending the First Amendment — and a book, From Presence to Power: How to Take on the Fights That Matter and Win, dropping July 28th from One World/Penguin Random House. Eric sits down with Rashad for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to win: the difference between a dialogue and a negotiation, why visibility is only the beginning, what Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance means for the movement, and how to fight fatigue when you're running on empty but can't stop. This one's got joy, strategy, and only a few references to the New York Mets. Listen now — and if Rashad's clarity and energy give you something to hold onto, please follow, rate, and review Let's Hear It wherever you get your podcasts.

Kristen Grimm is back—and she’s making Let’s Hear It history as the show’s first three-time guest. In this episode, Eric and Kirk dive into Kristen’s latest thinking on how people interpret what’s happening around them, why facts alone don’t change minds, and what this moment of chaos means for nonprofits, philanthropy, and public-interest communicators. Drawing from her travels, her work at Spitfire Strategies, and plenty of hard-won perspective, Kristen challenges us to stop “fixing” broken systems and start imagining what we actually want to build next. It’s a thoughtful, candid, and often funny conversation about trust, power, government, and how to create messages—and futures—that resonate beyond the bubble. Follow Let’s Hear It, leave a rating, and help more people find the show.

On the latest Let’s Hear It, Eric sits down with the unstoppable Amanda Renteria, CEO of Code for America — and wow, is this one a shot of optimism for your civic soul. From growing up in California’s Central Valley to becoming the first Latina Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate, to running Hillary Clinton’s 2016 political operation, Amanda has seen power from every angle. Now she’s using all that experience to reimagine how government can actually work for people — with systems that are simple, fair, and human. Amanda and Eric dig into how Code for America is helping states modernize public services, why good government is built in everyday interactions, and what gives her hope even in turbulent times. A must-listen for anyone who still believes democracy works best when it works for everyone. 🎧 Listen now — and if Amanda’s optimism gives you a lift, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review Let’s Hear It wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Let's Hear It, Eric sits down with two public interest comms powerhouses—Ann Searight Christiano and Angela Bradbery—who’ve just dropped what might be the most anticipated textbook in our field: Public Interest Communications Strategy for Change Makers. Ann and Angela share how their years in the trenches at places like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Public Citizen shaped this groundbreaking resource—and why storytelling, systems thinking, and listening (really listening) are the keys to actually making change. They discuss their “six spheres of influence,” the “back-of-the-envelope” strategy tool, and why being strategic isn’t the same as shouting into the void (no offense to your latest TikTok brainstorm). It’s a lively, insightful conversation filled with warmth, humility, and a generous dose of “finally, someone wrote this down.” If you’ve ever had a boss say, “just make it go viral,” this one’s for you. Enjoy the episode—and if you love it, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review. Your support helps others find the show (and helps keep us off TikTok, which we would suck at).

What makes an effective communicator in today’s chaotic political landscape? This week, Eric sits down with the legendary Doug Hattaway—founder of Hattaway Communications, political strategist, and storytelling expert—to find out. From his early days in journalism and politics to helping shape the way nonprofits, foundations, and campaigns communicate, Doug shares the lessons he’s learned along the way. Together, they dive into why voting is expressive, not transactional, the role of AI in strategic messaging, and how we can bridge political divides through effective communication. Plus, Kirk and Eric unpack why the failure to build meaningful engagement infrastructure has led us to where we are today—and what needs to happen next. If you care about messaging that actually moves people, don’t miss this. Tune in, get inspired, and if you like what you hear, don’t forget to rate and review!

Is Wikipedia the last bastion of truth on the internet? Eric speaks with Anusha Alikhan, the Chief Communications Officer for the Wikimedia Foundation – the nonprofit behind Wikipedia, the internet's largest encyclopedia. Anusha shares insights into how Wikipedia grew from a scrappy experiment into a trusted global resource with 50 billion monthly views and over 60 million articles in 334 languages. They discuss Wikipedia’s unique consensus-driven model, its fight against bias and misinformation, and the existential challenges posed by AI tools like ChatGPT, which heavily rely on Wikimedia’s vast trove of data. Curious about the quirky side of Wikipedia? Anusha reveals some of her favorite fun facts, like professional ironing (yes, it’s a sport!) and "cute aggression." And for those worried about the future of truth in a world driven by algorithms, Anusha shares why she's optimistic, and why human editors will always be essential. Eric and Kirk also explore the deeper question: What can philanthropy and society learn from Wikipedia’s transparent, collaborative model? From the importance of trust and knowledge equity to the challenges of surveillance capitalism, this conversation hits all the big questions about the internet’s past, present, and future. Don’t miss this engaging and thought-provoking episode with one of the most insightful voices in nonprofit tech! Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so more people can discover Let's Hear It. See you next time!

Need a dose of hope and perspective after a tough election season? Join Let's Hear It co-host Eric Brown for a conversation with Takema Robinson, CEO and co-founder of Converge, a social justice communications consulting firm. Drawing on her background in art and African American studies, Takema brings a refreshing perspective on how imagination and creativity are essential for social change. She reminds us that even in challenging times, we need "imagineers" who can envision a more inclusive future. After two decades of working with major foundations and nonprofits across the U.S., Takema shares practical wisdom about playing the long game when it comes to social justice. She emphasizes that real change happens over generations, not election cycles. From her current home base in Jamaica (the country, not Eric’s birthplace), she explains how stepping back has given her a broader view of America's challenges and opportunities. The conversation tackles tough questions about what's next for racial justice and democracy after recent setbacks. Takema reminds us that we all need just a little space to process, breathe, and clear our heads before putting our shoulders to the wheel for the task ahead of us. She points to encouraging signs of progress, like the growing infrastructure for civic engagement across the South, while acknowledging there's still much to do. As she puts it, the goal should be to "make America great for the first time" - building a truly inclusive democracy that works for everyone. For foundation and nonprofit leaders feeling overwhelmed by current events, this episode offers a bit of comfort and a constructive path forward. Takema's blend of strategic thinking and heartfelt optimism provides a welcome antidote to, well, you know.

Okay, folks, we know there’s an election happening and that you might be a bit, um, distracted. But one thing is sure, whatever happens this week, a clean energy economy is coming, and we need to do everything we can to make this transition work for everybody. So when you’re finished blowing into your paper bag, you might want to take a moment to think about the future. In this episode of Let’s Hear It, hosts Eric sits down with Rachel Korberg , the Executive Director and co-founder of the Families and Workers Fund and David Etzwiler, the CEO of the Siemens Foundation to explore how philanthropy and business can team up to create an economy that works for everyone. Rachel and David share their insights into making the clean energy transition fair and accessible, with a focus on good jobs, workforce training, and equity. The discussion centers on how their organizations are working together to push for an economy that includes all workers—especially women, people of color, and rural communities—in emerging fields like green energy. Then, Kirk blows a gasket with excitement, Eric tries to talk him off the ledge, and they try to make sense of it all. If you’re interested in how real change is happening at the intersection of philanthropy and business, this episode is a must-listen. And if you enjoy it, don’t forget to rate and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show!

In this dandy episode of Let's Hear It, Eric Brown sits down with Grace Nicolette from the Center for Effective Philanthropy to make sense of the phenomenon that is MacKenzie Scott's revolutionary approach to giving. Grace is the Vice President for Programming and External Relations at the Center for Effective Philanthropy and the co-host with Phil Buchanan of the really terrific (and we're not just saying that!), Giving Done Right Podcast, which kicked off its fourth season on September 19. Grace shares fascinating insights from CEP's multi-year study of Scott's "surprise philanthropy" - those headline-grabbing, unsolicited gifts that have sent shockwaves through the nonprofit world. We're talking transformative levels of funding that have left many organizations asking, "Is this for real?" But it's not just about the numbers. Grace dives into the meaty questions this approach raises: How are nonprofits handling this sudden influx of cash? Is this the end of strategic philanthropy as we know it? And what can other funders learn from Scott's bold experiment? As a recipient of Scott's generosity themselves, CEP offers a unique insider-outsider perspective. Grace candidly discusses how their own $10 million gift has shaped their work and thinking. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, a funder, or simply curious about how big money can create big change, this episode delivers. It's a thoughtful exploration of a philanthropic shake-up that's rewriting the rules of giving, delivered with CEP's signature blend of data-driven insights and real-world experience. Tune in for a conversation that's sure to challenge your assumptions and maybe, just maybe, make you rethink everything you thought you knew about effective philanthropy.

Sometimes it's okay to take a moment away from the massive challenges and simply laugh. Thanks to Esteban Gast and the organization he works for, Generation 180, we can even laugh about climate. Well, actually, Esteban helps us better understand how we can take actions that matter, understand that we're not alone, and have a little fun along the way. Eric and Esteban giggle, chortle, and guffaw through this episode, reminding us all that there are SO many ways to communicate and not all of them involve PowerPoint and statistics.

As we approach World Refugee Day, it’s so good to know that there are people like Suzanne Ehlers who are making an extraordinary difference and people’s lives and providing real hope for the future. Suzanne is the Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR, a nonprofit organization that supports the United Nations Refugee Agency. It helps raise awareness and makes funds available to aid refugees around the world, providing them with the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives after being forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or disaster. Previously, Suzanne was CEO of Malala Fund, and before that she was President and CEO of Population Action International. She speaks with Eric about how she parlayed her temp job at the Wallace Global Fund to a career that led to her being named CEO of an organization that aims to raise a billion dollars over the next ten years. Suzanne speaks with Eric about how she uses storytelling to inspire empathy for the millions of refugees in some 40 crisis hotspots around the globe who desperately need our help. Oh, and she also happens to be fun, funny, and fabulous. We hope you enjoy this really delightful conversation as much as we did.

Eleven years ago, David Callahan launched a most audacious project – a new publication that was going to get under the hood of philanthropy (to borrow from that great philosopher, Ross Perot) and expose the good, the bad, and the meh. Some folks chortled, some scoffed, and some cast their eyes heavenward in the hope that he would shed a little light on the seemingly byzantine and obscure world of philanthropy. Well, friends, Inside Philanthropy is bigger, better, and badder than ever and David speaks with us in a funny, fascinating, and terrifically candid conversation about the promise and perils of a sector that by some accounts represents a half a trillion dollars in annual giving. Think about that for a minute, then tune in to our latest episode of Let’s Hear It.