About this episode

This episode explores the ethical implications of nonprofit storytelling with guest Diana Farias Heinrich.

What if the storytelling practices you were trained on are quietly causing harm and you don't even know it? In this episode, host Sheela Mahajan sits down with Diana Farias Heinrich, founder of Habra Marketing and host of the Ethical Nonprofit Summit, to dig into the ethics of nonprofit storytelling. They cover the power dynamics hiding in everyday language, why "donor as hero" is more problematic than it sounds, the difference between false urgency and real urgency in fundraising appeals, and Diana shares her four-step framework for making sure the people whose stories you're sharing actually have a say. If you've ever felt like the storytelling norms you inherited don't quite sit right, this one's for you. LINKS: Ethical Nonprofit Summit If you're tired of icky-feeling, transactional storytelling, the Ethical Nonprofit Summit is where you'll find your community. Join us May 6-7, 2026 (9 AM-1 PM PST each day) to learn from expert speakers and connect with fellow fundraisers and storytellers who are transforming the sector. Head to ethicalnonprofitsummit.com/science to register. Use code SCIENCE15 to save $15 on regular price tickets!

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