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The conversational-style podcast focuses on interviews and discussions with nonprofit thought leaders for all levels of nonprofit engagement and interests. Our shows are relevant for everyone from Board Members and CEOs to program and fundraising staff.
Join us for candid, actionable conversations with nonprofit change makers who aren’t just surviving but thriving. We’ll explore real-world strategies for effective governance, leadership transitions, and long-term sustainability.
If you’re a nonprofit leader looking for fresh ideas, honest discussions, and practical solutions, Nonprofit Nerd: Impact Unleashed is your go-to podcast. Let’s lead with resilience and impact—together.
We hope you enjoy!
90 Episodes
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As Season 9 of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed comes to a close, host Jarrett Ransom reflects on the powerful conversations, insights, and generosity shared by this season’s guests. From leadership and finance to fundraising, strategy, and sustainability, each episode explored the real challenges and opportunities nonprofit professionals face every day. In this heartfelt wrap-up, Jarrett expresses gratitude to the community, sponsors, and listeners who make the podcast possible, while remin...
Artificial intelligence is everywhere, but what does it actually look like to use AI well in the nonprofit sector? In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom is joined by Katie Gaston of Boomerang for a grounded, practical conversation about AI in fundraising. Together, they cut through the noise to explore how AI can support fundraisers as a strategic partner, without replacing human judgment, relationships, or trust. Katie shares how nonprofits can start sma...
Conflict is unavoidable in mission-driven work, but avoiding it can quietly erode trust, morale, and effectiveness. In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with conflict resolution expert and nonprofit leader Dr. Irvine Nugent to unpack why conflict is a normal part of human interaction and how emotional intelligence transforms the way leaders navigate difficult conversations. Together, they explore what healthy conflict actually looks like, how cur...
Strong missions need strong financial foundations. In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with nonprofit CPA and advisor Lisa Stevenson for a candid, practical conversation about the financial realities nonprofit leaders face every day. Together, they unpack common financial pitfalls, why nonprofit-specific accounting expertise truly matters, and how clear, accurate financial reporting supports long-term sustainability. Lisa shares insights on boa...
Visibility is not about self-promotion, it’s about mission advancement. In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Visibility Strategist and Strategic Impact Partners Founder Karianne Munstedt to unpack what visibility really means for nonprofit leaders. Together, they explore why visibility is a leadership responsibility, how it differs from traditional marketing, and the common mistakes organizations make when telling their stories. Karia...
In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Ashley Bailey, Senior Major Gift Officer at Wayne State University, to explore what it truly means to fundraise with intention. Ashley shares her journey from social work to higher education development, how professional development reshaped her approach to donor relationships, and why understanding donor motivation is central to sustainable impact. From moving beyond autopilot fundraising to embracing do...
In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, Jarrett Ransom sits down with Dr. Jen Fry to explore how curiosity, learning, and evidence-based thinking can transform nonprofit leadership. Together, they discuss the importance of asking better questions, designing organizations that learn and adapt, and balancing data with the human side of impact. This conversation offers practical insights for nonprofit leaders who want to build stronger teams, make smarter decisions, and lead with i...
In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, Jarrett Ransom is joined by Mitchell Jeffery, founder of Ember Collective, to explore “the forgotten middle”. The dependable team members who consistently deliver but rarely demand attention. Together, they challenge common assumptions about performance, burnout, and support, urging nonprofit leaders to look beyond crisis management and high-performer praise. This practical conversation offers thoughtful insights on how recognizing and inv...
Nonprofit leadership is evolving fast, and hiring the right senior talent has never been more critical. Jarrett Ransom sits down with Barrett Krise, partner at Bell Oaks Executive Search, for a candid conversation about what boards are prioritizing in turbulent times: innovative thinking, authentic people leadership, and cross-sector experience that strengthens mission impact. They unpack shifting candidate expectations around flexibility and compensation, how to evaluate the intangibles that...
Season 9 of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed is officially here. In this kickoff episode, host Jarrett Ransom welcomes nonprofit leaders into a new year of reflection, momentum, and possibility. Celebrating past milestones while looking ahead to 2026, Jarrett sets the stage for a season filled with honest conversations, practical insights, and inspiring voices from across the sector. From fundraising and finance to HR, branding, and leadership, this season is designed to equip nonprofit prof...
As the year comes to a close, host Jarrett Ransom pauses to reflect on another milestone for Nonprofit Nerd Impact Unleashed; 80 episodes and a season filled with insight, resilience, and heart. In this special post-holiday episode, Jarrett acknowledges the exhaustion, complexity, and emotional weight many nonprofit leaders carry at year’s end, while offering encouragement, gratitude, and perspective. It’s a thoughtful reminder that investing in people, systems, and community is what s...
In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Deb Nelson, Tax Partner at Eide Bailly, to unpack the financial fundamentals every nonprofit leader needs to understand. With more than 20 years of experience serving the nonprofit sector, Deb shares practical insights on managing cash flow, building collaborative and realistic budgets, avoiding common financial pitfalls, and using timely financial data to support strategic decision-making. The con...
In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters, to explore what values-centered leadership looks like in practice. Jaclyn shares her journey from volunteer coordinator to CEO, reflecting on stepping into executive leadership at a young age, leading through the uncertainty of the pandemic, and building an organizational culture grounded in trust, authenticity, and psychological safety. Together, they discuss ser...
In this powerful conversation, Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Dr. Melanie Gray, leader, professor, and lifelong nonprofit advocate, to explore how trauma-informed leadership can transform today’s nonprofit workplaces. Drawing from over 20 years of experience, Dr. Gray explains the realities of compassion fatigue, the growing pressures on nonprofit teams, and why leaders must prioritize empathy, emotional safety, and authentic connection. She...
In this thought-provoking episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Christine Thompson for a candid conversation about the evolving dynamics between funders and nonprofits. Together, they unpack what it really means to share power, promote transparency, and move toward more trust-based and equitable funding models. Christine also shares insights from the CEO roundtable she facilitates — a space fostering collaboration over competition — and offers pract...
In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Eva Fordham, founder and principal of Expert Philanthropy, to unpack the art and strategy of giving. Eva shares how she helps high-net-worth donors align their values with meaningful causes, and offers insight into what separates a good donor experience from a great one. From the motivations that drive modern philanthropists to the challenges of navigating today’s crowded nonprofit landscape, this convers...
In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom sits down with Erik Speakman, founder and principal of Speakman Management Consulting, for an insightful conversation about what it truly takes to lead with purpose in today’s complex nonprofit environment. Drawing on decades of experience guiding organizations through growth and transition, Erik shares practical strategies for strengthening leadership teams, navigating organizational change, and fostering cultures of ...
In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom welcomes Javan Van Gronigen, creative agency founder and digital strategist, for an insightful conversation on the future of nonprofit fundraising. Together, they explore how AI, automation, and data are reshaping donor engagement—and how to balance cutting-edge technology with genuine human connection. Javan shares lessons from his journey founding 50 and 50, a creative agency serving social causes, and developing tech t...
In this episode of Nonprofit Nerd Impact Unleashed, host Jarrett Ransom welcomes Ann Fellman from Bloomerang for an insightful conversation about the future of nonprofit sustainability. Ann shares practical strategies for future planning, donor engagement, and integrating technology to streamline operations and build stronger donor relationships. Together, they explore 2025 giving trends, the evolving role of AI in fundraising, and how nonprofits can leverage CRM data intentionally to empower...
Host Jarrett Ransom, The Nonprofit Nerd®, kicks off a new chapter of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed by reflecting on the show’s inspiring journey — over 70 episodes of stories and strategies from the nonprofit world. Tune in to explore what’s next for leaders tackling the sector’s toughest challenges in sustainability, innovation, and community impact. --- Enjoyed this episode of Nonprofit Nerd®: Impact Unleashed? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on LinkedIn and In...
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