Season 6 | Episode 05

"I really wish nonprofits would recognize their power and their voice more, and stop thinking they don’t have anything to say."

- Julia Campbell

Two podcast hosts walk into a recording session. One's drinking Eagle Rare bourbon at 3pm in LA. The other is sipping a Pinot Grigio she smuggled back from Italy. Neither has ever co-hosted before. What could go wrong? Turns out — nothing. This week, Matt hands over (half of) the mic to Julia Campbell, host of Nonprofit Nation, and the result is one of the most honest, wide-ranging conversations we've had on this show. They cover the real stuff: why so many nonprofits are treading water, why your donors don&'t need a polished brand campaign (they need the truth), and why the difference between marketing and fundraising might be the most important thing your organization isn't thinking about. Julia also makes a compelling case that you, your phone, and zero budget is all you need to build a following – just ask her client, a force of nature who single handedly helped end the dog meat trade in China. Oh, and they get into A.I. Because of course they do. Julia's take? Stop being intimidated and start treating it like an intern. Matt's take? ChatGPT designed his tattoo, so he's basically already married to it.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• The spirit of generosity and why nonprofits matter in daily life.

• Declining trust in nonprofits and the impact on donations

• How Matt and Julia each found their way into the nonprofit sector—and why they started their podcasts.

• The state of nonprofits today: leadership gaps, mission drift, and the pressure to do more with less.

• The difference between marketing and fundraising, and why most organizations get it wrong.

• Building a digital presence on zero budget—authenticity beats polish every time.

• Using AI like an intern: how nonprofits can get started without being overwhelmed.

• How to stay discoverable as donors increasingly ask AI assistants where to give.