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Changemaker Conversations: The Podcast for Nonprofit Leaders: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Alyssa Conrardy and Lindsay Mullen
Are you ready to transform your nonprofit from the inside out?Changemaker Conversations is the essential podcast for forward-thinking nonprofit CEOs, executive directors and senior leaders who are ready to build smarter, more strategic organizations—with less friction and more joy.Join Lindsay Mullen and Alyssa Conrardy, principals of Prosper Strategies, as they share actionable insights and have candid conversations with innovative nonprofit leaders who are redefining what’s possible in the sector.You’ll Learn:- About real challenges your nonprofit peers are facing and how to navigate them with grace- How to center your constituents and lead your nonprofit based on their priorities- What to do if your strategic plans (and marketing and fundraising plans) aren’t getting the results you want- How to strengthen your relationships with your board- Non-traditional approaches to maximizing employee morale and building better teams- Time-tested strategies and tips from nonprofit lea
Latest Episodes
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- 3 weeks ago1h 4m
The 8-Step Shared Power Strategic Planning Process: A Real-World Walk-Through
Most nonprofits approach strategic planning the same way: a small group of senior leaders and board members make the calls, and then the plan gets shared out. Shared Power™ Strategic Planning flips that completely on its head, putting the people a nonprofit serves at the center of the most important decisions. In this episode, Alyssa and Lindsay walk through exactly how it works, step by step. Using a real client example, an organization navigating a complex multi-stakeholder landscape, they break down all eight steps of the Shared Power Strategic Planning™ process: Prepare, Engage, Research, Retreat, Set OKRs, Listening Sessions, Finalize, and Implement. You'll hear how the process works whether you're DIY-ing your plan, working with a facilitator, or partnering with a full-service firm, and what happens when you skip any of the steps. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅Why deeply involving your stakeholders in strategic planning (before, during and after) is absolutely critical, and how to do it well ✅ Why preparation is really a readiness and culture check, not a scheduling exercise ✅ How to design stakeholder engagement that works for hard-to-reach populations like people living with serious diseases or youth ✅ What three assessments anchor the research phase and how they come together ✅ How a two-day retreat takes you from hundreds of strategic questions to three or four plan pillars ✅ Why listening sessions (often skipped entirely) can change the entire direction of a plan ✅ The role of OKRs in turning aspirational pillars into measurable, staff-owned work If you've ever wondered what it actually looks like to build a strategic plan that centers the people and communities your organization serves, how much time it takes, or what will be asked of you in the process, this is your episode. 🎁 Listener offer: Get $125 off the Nonprofit Strategic Planning Toolbox at strategicplanningtoolbox.com with code CHANGEMAKERCONVERSATIONS
- Apr 29, 202627 min
Democratizing Nonprofit Strategic Planning: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Nonprofit Strategic Planning Toolbox
"Are you trying to put yourselves out of business?" That was the very first question Alyssa got after Prosper Strategies launched its new Nonprofit Strategic Planning Toolbox earlier this month. In this special solo episode of Changemaker Conversations, she answers it head-on — and tackles every other question that's been coming in since launch. Why would a consulting firm with 12 years of high-touch strategic planning experience release a DIY toolbox? What's actually inside it? Who is it for? And how is it different from the free templates already floating around the nonprofit sector? If your organization needs a real, stakeholder-driven strategic plan but a near six-figure consulting engagement isn't in the budget right now, this episode lays out exactly how the Toolbox is designed to close that gap. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: Whether Prosper Strategies is, in fact, trying to put itself out of business (spoiler: no — but the answer is more interesting than that) What's actually inside the Toolbox — the 70+ page Guidebook, 17 tools across 8 modules, and Strately™ AI How the Shared Power Strategy™ approach embedded in the Toolbox is different from traditional, top-down strategic planning Who the Toolbox is built for — and who it's not for A walk-through of the 8-module process from "Prepare" to "Implement" What real results look like, including a $2.5M deficit reversal, a $1M capital investment, and a 75% program participation jump How Strately™ AI fits in as your strategic planning coach (and where to be careful using it) How long it takes to build your plan with the Toolbox, and what to expect if you've never led a strategic planning process before | LISTENER OFFER | 🎁 Save $125 (our biggest discount yet) on the Nonprofit Strategic Planning Toolbox with the code CHANGEMAKERCONVERSATIONS — exclusive to Changemaker Conversations listeners. Apply at checkout: https://www.strategicplanningtoolbox.com | MENTIONED | The Nonprofit Strategic Planning Toolbox Shared Power Strategy™ framework Nonprofit Strategy System This Episode's Blog Post | CONNECT | ChangemakerConversations.com for show notes and additional resources Prosper-Strategies.com to learn more about our strategic consulting practice Hello@ChangemakerConversations.com with topic suggestions, guest recommendations or questions On LinkedIn with Alyssa Conrardy, Lindsay Mullen and Prosper Strategies
- Mar 9, 202622 min
Fix Your Funding, Part 3: Take On Scenario Planning
Funding uncertainty is top of mind for many nonprofit leaders right now. Between shifting policies, unstable grants, and rising demand for services, organizations are being asked to do more with fewer resources. In this episode of Changemaker Conversations, Alyssa Conrardy and Lindsay Mullen wrap up their three-part Fix Your Funding series by discussing a practical tool nonprofit leaders can use to prepare for uncertainty: scenario planning. Scenario planning helps organizations think through potential financial outcomes before a crisis hits — so leaders can make thoughtful decisions instead of reacting under pressure. In this conversation, Alyssa and Lindsay walk through a simple framework for creating “bad,” “worse,” and “catastrophe” scenarios and tying them to clear decision triggers. They also discuss how scenario planning can surface hidden organizational challenges and help nonprofit leaders move forward with greater clarity and confidence. In this episode, we discuss: What nonprofit scenario planning is and why it matters right now How to build “bad, worse, and catastrophe” financial scenarios How to set decision triggers tied to financial indicators What scenario planning can reveal about programs, staffing, and expenses How to involve your board without pulling them into operational details Why planning ahead can make crisis leadership easier Whether you’re already facing financial uncertainty or simply want to strengthen your organization’s resilience, this episode offers practical guidance for planning ahead. | SHOW NOTES | Fix Your Funding Part 3: Take On Scenario Planning | MENTIONED | Blog post: Nonprofit Scenario Planning Guide | CONNECT | • ChangemakerConversations.com for show notes and additional resources • Prosper-Strategies.com to learn more about our strategic consulting practice • Hello@ChangemakerConversations.com with topic suggestions, guest recommendations or questions •On LinkedIn with Alyssa Conrardy, Lindsay Mullen and Prosper Strategies
- Feb 3, 202641 min
How Should Nonprofit Leaders Show Up in Times of Moral Crisis?
In this powerful episode of Changemaker Conversations, we confront what it means for nonprofits and their leaders to show up in times of moral crisis. Amidst violent ICE raids and the recent killings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, nonprofit leaders within and beyond Minnesota are grappling with how they can respond when communities are grieving, afraid, and in urgent need of support. Against the backdrop of recent events in Minnesota—and with an eye toward future crises—we explore the real risks, responsibilities, and decisions nonprofit leaders face when choosing whether to stay silent or speak out, and how to align their services and actions to meet the moment. If you’re wrestling with how your organization should show up while protecting its mission and adapt its work during times of moral urgency, this episode offers clarity, practical guidance, and a values-driven framework for action. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How to decide whether—and how—to speak out during a moral crisis like the one taking place in Minnesota right now The risks of silence and the risks of public statements How mission and values should guide crisis decisions How nonprofits are showing up differently now as compared to during the racial justice movement of 2020, and what we can learn from that shift A practical framework for nonprofit crisis response and communications Why taking action - whether by aligning service delivery and programs to emerging community needs or supporting other organizations who can - matters most | MENTIONED | Minnesota Nonprofits: Acts of Solidarity for Friends and Allies Outside of Minnesota Minnesota Nonprofits Resources for Supporting Communities During ICE Operations Nonprofit Rapid Response Communications Framework | CONNECT | ChangemakerConversations.com for show notes and resources Prosper-Strategies.com to learn more about our strategic consulting practice Hello@ChangemakerConversations.com with topic ideas or questions On LinkedIn with Alyssa Conrardy, Lindsay Mullen and Prosper Strategies
- Jan 7, 202627 min
Fix Your Funding, Part 2: Build Your Nonprofit’s Crisis Response Fundraising Strategy
We’re kicking off 2026 with a topic that’s top of mind for nearly every nonprofit leader right now: funding. As part two of our three-part Fix Your Funding series, Lindsay and Alyssa walk through how to build a fundraising crisis response plan—so you can stabilize cash flow, close budget gaps, and focus your efforts where they’ll move the needle fastest. If you're heading into the new year feeling the pressure of financial uncertainty, restricted dollars, or a lack of revenue diversification, this episode is for you. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: How to build a fundraising crisis response plan based on your organization’s most urgent financial health metric Why your board should be your first (and most powerful) lever in a funding crisis High-ROI ways to mobilize board members quickly—without burning them out How to approach current funders with transparency, urgency, and a clear stabilization goal What to do when restricted revenue is limiting your ability to operate effectively How to think about revenue diversification in a crisis (and what not to do) What to prioritize when all four financial gauges are off track | SHOW NOTES | Fix Your Funding Part 2: Build Your Nonprofit's Crisis Response Fundraising Strategy | MENTIONED | Fix Your Funding Series (Part 1: How to Diagnose What’s Wrong) Nonprofit Financial “Gauges” | CONNECT | ChangemakerConversations.com for show notes and additional resources Prosper-Strategies.com to learn more about our strategic consulting practice Hello@ChangemakerConversations.com with topic suggestions, guest recommendations or questions On LinkedIn with Alyssa Conrardy, Lindsay Mullen and Prosper Strategies
- Dec 10, 202537 min
Fix Your Funding Part 1: Diagnose What’s Really Wrong With Your Nonprofit’s Financial Health
In this first episode of our three-part Fix Your Funding series on Changemaker Conversations, we dig into the financial crisis nonprofits are facing right now—and why “we just need more money” isn’t a clear enough diagnosis. From disappearing federal funds to shrinking corporate support and skyrocketing community need, we walk through how to get brutally honest about your organization’s financial health so you can protect what matters most: your nonprofit’s survival. If you’re lying awake wondering how many payrolls you can cover, how to explain the situation to your board, or where to even start with the numbers, this episode will give you a simple framework and language to get everyone aligned around reality—and ready for action in parts two and three of this series. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: The four essential financial “gauges” every nonprofit should be tracking in a crisis How to calculate and interpret your operating reserves (months of cash on hand) Why your restricted vs. unrestricted revenue mix can quietly put your mission at risk How to spot dangerous overreliance on any single funder or funding stream A practical way to project your year-end surplus or deficit—before it’s too late How to bring your board into the financial truth so they can actually help *SHOW NOTES * | MENTIONED | Prosper Strategies’ Financial Health Gauges for Nonprofits | UPCOMING | Fix Your Funding Series – Part 2: Build a Crisis Response Fundraising Strategy Fix Your Funding Series – Part 3: Prepare for the Future with Scenario Planning | CONNECT | ChangemakerConversations.com for show notes and additional resources Prosper-Strategies.com to learn more about our strategic consulting practice Hello@ChangemakerConversations.com with topic suggestions, guest recommendations or questions On LinkedIn with Alyssa Conrardy, Lindsay Mullen and Prosper Strategies
- Nov 4, 202536 min
The Four Roles That Make—or Break—Your Strategic Planning Process
In this episode of Changemaker Conversations, Alyssa and Lindsay break down one of the most overlooked yet mission-critical elements of strategic planning: defining clear roles for everyone involved. From staff and board members to constituents and facilitators, they unpack how each group contributes—and what happens when those roles blur. Whether you’re gearing up for your next planning cycle or in the middle of one, this conversation will help you bring clarity, collaboration, and buy-in to your process. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: The four essential groups every strategic planning process needs How to effectively engage your constituents from start to finish Common pitfalls—like over-involved or under-involved boards—and how to avoid them How strategic planning serves as a “microcosm” of your organization’s culture Practical ways to balance diverse perspectives and build stronger alignment | MENTIONED | Changemaker Conversations Episode on the Shared Power philosophy Prosper Strategies’ Strategic Planning Framework Show notes | CONNECT | ChangemakerConversations.com for show notes and resources Prosper-Strategies.com to learn more about our strategic consulting practice Email Hello@ChangemakerConversations.com with your feedback or topic ideas Connect on LinkedIn with Alyssa Conrardy, Lindsay Mullen, and Prosper Strategies
- Oct 2, 202534 min
Strength-Based Communication: What it Is, Why it Matters and How to Do it Well (Yes, Even In Today's Political Climate)
In today's challenging political climate, many nonprofit leaders are focused on what they can't say—but what if we shifted our attention to what we can say? In this episode of Changemaker Conversations, we're exploring strength-based communication and why it's more relevant than ever for nonprofits navigating anti-DEI pressures and funding restrictions. Alyssa and Lindsay share their decade-plus journey developing strength-based communication frameworks with organizations like Feeding America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the McCormick Foundation—and the data proves it works. From increased donor engagement to stronger brand metrics, organizations taking this approach are seeing real results without sacrificing their values or their fundraising goals. If you're struggling to stay true to your mission while adapting to new federal regulations and "off-limits language", or if you're simply ready to communicate about the people you serve in more empowering ways, this episode will show you how. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: What strength-based communication is and how it differs from stereotype-based and need-based communication Why leading with opportunity instead of deficit doesn't hurt fundraising (and often improves it) How to navigate current federal word restrictions while staying true to your values Real examples from major nonprofits that have successfully made this shift Practical first steps for moving your organization toward strength-based communication Common misconceptions holding boards and leadership back from adopting this approach Episode Blog Post and Transcript --> | MENTIONED | Prosper Strategies Strength-Based Communication 101 Guide Prosper Strategies Strength-Based Communication resources Examples: Feeding America Feeding America Need-Based Example: "I am Hunger in America" Feeding America Strength-Based Example: "The Full Effect" PSA World Vision World Vision USA: Chosen World Vision Child Sponsorship More Examples FrameWorks Institute | CONNECT | ChangemakerConversations.com for show notes and additional resources Prosper-Strategies.com to learn more about strength-based communication consulting Hello@ChangemakerConversations.com with questions or to discuss strength-based communication
About Changemaker Conversations: The Podcast for Nonprofit Leaders
Are you ready to transform your nonprofit from the inside out?Changemaker Conversations is the essential podcast for forward-thinking nonprofit CEOs, executive directors and senior leaders who are ready to build smarter, more strategic organizations—with less friction and more joy.Join Lindsay Mullen and Alyssa Conrardy, principals of Prosper Strategies, as they share actionable insights and have candid conversations with innovative nonprofit leaders who are redefining what’s possible in the sector.You’ll Learn:- About real challenges your nonprofit peers are facing and how to navigate them with grace- How to center your constituents and lead your nonprofit based on their priorities- What to do if your strategic plans (and marketing and fundraising plans) aren’t getting the results you want- How to strengthen your relationships with your board- Non-traditional approaches to maximizing employee morale and building better teams- Time-tested strategies and tips from nonprofit lea
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