In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus is joined by Eric Ressler, Founder and Creative Director of Cosmic, a U.S.-based creative studio helping mission-driven organisations design strategy, messaging, and digital experiences that spark meaningful change. Eric offers a sharp perspective on how social impact design is evolving—and what might come next.

Reflecting on the challenges nonprofits face amid shrinking federal funding and digital saturation, Eric shares how Cosmic is helping organisations clarify their purpose, communicate with intention, and build coalitions that reduce duplication and deepen impact.

This conversation covers:

-              Why many purpose-led organisations struggle to define their “why”—and how that hurts strategy.

-              The decision to stay small, integrated, and highly selective.

-              How funding pressures are shifting work across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors.

-              Pressures to rethink ‘Design Thinking’—and how to respond.

-              Why disconnection may be the next frontier in digital culture.

-              How to integrate technology without losing our sense of humanity.