passion inspires

Ep 18.  What if the way we tell someone’s story could change the way others see them?

In this episode of Passion Inspires, Jeff sits down with Abbey Sladick for a heartfelt conversation about storytelling, empathy, faith, and the responsibility we have to truly see the people behind the stories we tell.

Abbey’s career began in broadcast journalism, where she learned that the most powerful stories aren’t simply about what happened; they’re about the people living through it. That passion eventually led her into nonprofit communications, fundraising, and community relations, where storytelling became a way to challenge assumptions and inspire meaningful change.

One of the most impactful chapters of Abbey’s journey came during her time at Mel Trotter Ministries. Getting to know people experiencing homelessness changed her own perspective and reinforced a powerful idea: instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?” we should be asking, “What happened to you?”

Abbey and Jeff also look back on the partnership between Mel Trotter Ministries and Scott Allen Creative during the Immeasurably More capital campaign, which raised the goal from $12 million to $19 million. They revisit the research, strategy, photography, video, and creative process behind the campaign, and how taking the time to deeply understand the mission helped tell stories of homelessness with dignity and humanity.

For nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and communicators, this episode is a reminder that the strongest campaigns don’t start with creative; they start with understanding. You’ll hear why research matters, how empathy can transform the way you communicate your mission, and why investing in thoughtful storytelling can strengthen far more than a single campaign. If you want to walk away feeling inspired by stories that help people care, connect, and see others differently, this conversation is worth a listen. 

https://scottallencreative.com/ #PassionInspires #NonprofitStorytelling #Storytelling #NonprofitMarketing #NonprofitLeadership #Fundraising #FundraisingStrategy #Empathy #SocialImpact #MissionDriven #PurposeDriven #StorytellingForChange #CommunityImpact #NonprofitCommunications #Philanthropy

Ep 17.  Most nonprofits spend countless hours pursuing annual donations, yet overlook one of the greatest opportunities for lasting impact. In this insightful episode of Passion Inspires, Jeff sits down with Mike Buwalda, founder of Money for Ministry (now Canopy Giving), to explore how legacy giving can transform the future of nonprofit organizations—not through complicated legal strategies, but through meaningful relationships built on trust, faith, and family.

Mike shares the remarkable story of how an unexpected assignment at a small Christian school eventually led him to develop a nationally recognized approach to planned giving that has helped nonprofits build more than $1 billion in documented legacy gift commitments. Along the way, he reveals why the most valuable donors are often not the wealthiest, but the most faithful.

Together, Jeff and Mike challenge many of the assumptions nonprofits hold about fundraising. They discuss why organizations should stop chasing wealth indicators and instead focus on loyalty, why planned giving conversations should center on values instead of death and legal terminology, and how simply listening to donors can uncover opportunities no marketing strategy ever could.

The conversation also dives into practical strategies any nonprofit can begin implementing today—from creating donor-centered messaging and building organization-wide ownership of legacy giving to cultivating deeper relationships that strengthen both current generosity and future impact.

 

#LegacyGiving #PlannedGiving #Fundraising #NonprofitLeadership #FundraisingStrategy #DonorRelations #Philanthropy #Stewardship #ChristianLeadership #MissionDriven #Generosity #NonprofitMarketing #MajorGifts #PassionInspires #Podcast

Ep 16.  Rising rents. Increasing costs of living. Families working full-time yet struggling to make ends meet.

As affordability challenges continue to grow across America, more families are finding themselves just one unexpected expense, medical emergency, or job loss away from losing their housing.

In this powerful episode of Passion Inspires, Jeff sits down with Family Promise National CEO Cheryl Shook to explore the hidden realities of family homelessness, the lasting impact housing instability has on children, and why the face of homelessness often looks very different than most people imagine.

Cheryl shares insights from her journey leading a national organization serving nearly 200 communities, while reflecting on how Family Promise transformed its impact by shifting its messaging to focus on the "voice of the child." Together, Jeff and Cheryl discuss how empathy-driven storytelling changed Family Promise’s donor engagement and reshaped perceptions of homelessness.

This conversation will challenge assumptions and shed light on one of the most urgent issues families are facing today.

 

#ScottAllenCreative #FamilyPromise ##nonprofitleadership #Storytelling #homelessness #NonprofitMarketing #FamilyHomelessness #HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing #CostOfLiving

Ep 15.  In this episode of Passion Inspires, Jeff sits down with Keith Hopkins, president of Hopkins Fundraising Consulting, for a candid and insightful conversation about what it really takes to lead a successful capital campaign, and explains why campaigns often fail long before they begin.

Keith shares his unexpected journey from teaching to fundraising, revealing how decades of experience and nearly 300 campaigns have shaped his approach. What quickly becomes clear is that successful campaigns aren’t just about raising money; they’re about alignment, trust, and doing the foundational work before ever asking for a dollar.

Throughout the conversation, Keith shares about the common pitfalls nonprofits face, from leadership misalignment to weak donor relationships. He emphasizes the importance of starting from a place of organizational health, where boards are unified and leadership is humble.

The episode also dives into the strategy behind campaigns, from the critical role of feasibility studies to the disciplined, step-by-step process that keeps teams focused and moving forward without burnout. Keith’s approach is both structured and relational. He expresses the importance of blending data with impactful storytelling to connect with different types of donors.

At its core, this conversation is a reminder that fundraising done well is deeply human work. It requires clarity and humility. When organizations get it right, campaigns don’t just raise money, but they strengthen communities.

 

#ScottAllenCreative #Fundraising #CapitalCampaign #NonprofitLeadership #Philanthropy #NonprofitMarketing #LeadershipMatters #StrategicPlanning

 

Ep 14.  In this episode of Passion Inspires, Jeff Johnson shares the story of his partnership with Scott Allen Creative. It all started with a simple coffee shop conversation, and slowly grew into something much deeper than just creative work together.

At the time, International Needs was stepping into a really important season and needed help telling that story. But what made that first meeting stand out wasn’t a pitch or a plan; it was the feeling of being understood. Jeff Johnson talks about how meaningful it was to have someone slow down, ask good questions, and really want to understand the heart behind their mission before trying to shape how it would be shared.

That became the foundation for everything that followed.

Throughout this conversation, Jeff Johnson reflects on what it looks like to have a creative partnership that feels collaborative and deeply rooted in trust. Not just someone producing content or checking off deliverables, but someone willing to listen, bring clarity, and genuinely care about telling their story in a way that feels true to who they are. He shares what it was like to finally see the heart of International Needs captured in a way that felt real. 

There’s also a beautiful thread throughout this episode about the way International Needs works around the world, partnering with local leaders who know their communities, understand their people, and are called to serve in ways that make sense for their own culture. 

More than anything, this episode is about what can happen when people stop approaching work like a transaction and start building something together. It’s about listening well and creating with care. It’s about the kind of partnerships that don’t just help you do better work, but remind you why the work matters in the first place.

Ep 13. What if LinkedIn worked better when you stopped trying so hard to “market” yourself?

In this episode of Passion Inspires, Jeff talks with Karen Horrigan of Kareismatic about how to build a LinkedIn presence that actually feels human. Karen shares why your personal profile matters more than your company page, why genuine storytelling beats salesy content, and how real conversations create stronger relationships on LinkedIn.

Karen provides tips on what to fix in your profile and what kind of content people will actually respond to. Discover why AI-generated posts can quietly damage trust, and how just one hour a week of intentional engagement can make a real difference.

This conversation is packed with honest insights for anyone tired of trying to sound polished yet still feels disconnected.

Key takeaways:

• Why your LinkedIn profile is your first impression
• How to make your content more personal, meaningful, and relatable
• The difference between posting for attention and posting for connection
• Why fewer, better posts can outperform constant content
• How authentic engagement builds trust and visibility

If social media has ever felt performative or impersonal, this episode is for you. Full of refreshing insights, we hope this encourages you to simplify your approach and get back to what matters most: Real relationships.

Check out Kareismatic!
https://www.kareismatic.com/

 

Ep 12.  What happens when a mother turns a personal breakthrough into a movement that changes lives?

In this episode of our Start Up Nonprofit series on Passion Inspires, we sit down with Tosha, founder of Pawsitive Friendships, to hear how one unexpected moment with her son and their French bulldog, Zoe, sparked something extraordinary. After her son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in 2012, therapy felt overwhelming, and progress felt slow. But when Zoe became part of the process, everything changed. Challenging exercises turned into moments of joy, motivation, and real growth. That experience led Tosha to train Zoe as a therapy dog and eventually launch a nonprofit designed to help other families experience the same kind of breakthrough.

Today, Pawsitive Friendships serves thousands of children and adults through intentional animal-assisted programs. Dogs, pigs, horses, and other animals help participants build confidence, develop motor skills, and reconnect with learning in ways that feel safe and encouraging.

In this conversation, you’ll hear the heart behind the mission, the realities of building a nonprofit from the ground up, and why animals often unlock progress where traditional approaches fall short. Tosha also shares her dream of creating a dedicated farm where even more individuals can experience healing, growth, and belonging.

If you love stories about purpose, innovation, and the powerful bond between humans and animals, this episode will leave you inspired.

Ep 11.  In this episode, we sit down with Kema Charles, Founder and Executive Director of Lights, Camera, Discover, a nonprofit that is transforming the lives of youth through filmmaking, creativity, and life skills. What began as a passion rooted in Kema’s own journey through the entertainment industry has grown into a powerful, tuition-free STEAM program serving youth ages 8–18 (and now up to 24). Through after-school, weekend, and summer programs, students are introduced to every aspect of the film and entertainment world, from acting and directing to lighting, budgeting, makeup, and production, while also gaining workforce readiness, confidence, and real-world skills.

But this conversation goes far beyond filmmaking. Kema shares how Lights, Camera, Discover has become a safe space for young people navigating bullying, mental health challenges, and life circumstances that often leave them feeling unseen or unsupported. By removing financial barriers and fostering a sense of belonging, the program allows students to discover not just creative talents, but their own worth and potential. From students finding career paths in broadcasting and comics to parents witnessing remarkable growth in maturity and confidence, the impact is deeply personal and far-reaching.

As the organization approaches 15 years of service, Kema reflects on her vision for the future, expanding into communities across the country so more youth can have a place to learn, create, and feel safe. This episode is a powerful reminder that when creativity meets compassion, lives are changed, and that investing in youth is one of the most meaningful ways to shape the future.