Let’s Hear It

Before she spent a decade running the Advertising Council, long before she turned a graduate degree in religious studies into a program for people figuring out what comes next, Ruth Wooden was selling cat food.

Ruth talks with Eric about her path from brand management at Ralston Purina to the biggest stage in public service advertising, where she helped put campaigns like the seatbelt safety "crash test dummies" and some of the earliest domestic violence awareness work in front of nearly every American. Those of us working in cause communications today owe a true debt of thanks...

When federal funding for nonprofits started disappearing last year, the Marguerite Casey Foundation didn't put out a pithy statement, they pulled out their checkbook. The foundation cranked up its grantmaking from around $30 million to $130 million in a single year. Now the foundation has pledged half a billion dollars over the next decade, 50% more than it gave the decade before.

Carmen Rojas, the foundation's president and CEO, says its mission matters more than the size of its endowment, and the guy who has to manage the money and write those checks, VP of Investment and Operations Daniel Gould...

Eric went to the Communications Network annual conference for 21 years in a row, so he knows a little bit about what makes this gathering special.

In this bonus episode, Eric is joined by Communications Network CEO Sean Gibbons, VP of Events and Community Carrie Clyne, and Director of Strategic Projects and Partnerships Erica Pelletreau two weeks before ComNet26 in San Diego.

And this conference comes at a critical time. It's been a very hard year to do communications for good. Nonprofits are losing funding at the same time more people need their help. New research...

This podcast exists because Kirk Brown had what Eric thinks was a very stupid idea, to start a podcast about foundation and nonprofit communications. Seven years later, they're still at it.

Our guests today, Emily Shaw and Bridget Conley, started the podcast Disrupting Peace because Bridget had a very good idea: create a podcast to take on the question of why peace hasn't worked, and find ways to address those challenges. Bridget is the research director at the World Peace Foundation. Emily is the crack producer who helped her build the show.

Organizations are always...

We are delighted to have College Futures Foundation CEO Eloy Ortiz Oakley back on the show to talk about one of our favorite subjects – the value of a college degree or certificate. Eloy joined us to talk about a new study College Futures commissioned from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce that makes a powerful case about how valuable a college education is, not only to students, but to California’s economy.

The conversation also offers a perfect example of how a foundation can use research to move policy makers and other decisionmakers to action.

Fiona Guthrie spent decades reporting stories as a broadcast journalist and later served as Director of Story at the Ford Foundation. Now, she’s using storytelling to help free people who are wrongfully imprisoned, including those on death row.

In this episode, Eric talks with Fiona about the extraordinary career that led her to the Innocence Project, one of the country’s leading advocates for the wrongfully convicted.

They discuss why it’s essential for an organization to stay relentlessly focused on its mission while helping build a broader movement for justice—and how storytelling can shap...

Jen Ford Reedy has spent more than a decade leading the Bush Foundation, and over that time she has come to a conclusion that should be a challenge to the field—nobody actually has to be good at philanthropy. There's no license needed, no regulators keeping them accountable, and no market that punishes funders for doing it badly. You can just write checks, get celebrated for your generosity, and never once answer the question of whether any of it actually worked.

Her new book, Please Be Good at Philanthropy, out on July 21, 2026 from Disruption Books, argues that go...

Sean Kelly is one of the sharpest marketing minds Eric has ever met — and he's spent his career doing something all arts organizations dearly want to do: truly understand what their audiences want, align it with their own artistic vision, and set ticket prices accordingly.

Sean is the founder of Vatic, a dynamic pricing company for performing arts organizations. His genius is his ability to look at a mountain of data and pull out the story it's trying to tell — then use that story to fill auditoriums and strengthen arts organizations.

If you work in or f...

On the latest Let's Hear It, Eric sits down with Marc Moorghen, VP of Marketing and Communications at Lever for Change.

Founded by the MacArthur Foundation, Lever for Change connects donors with bold ideas through massive open calls. In just six years, Marc and his team have helped move $2.5 billion to nonprofits — including MacKenzie Scott's $640 million Yield Giving Open Call and Pivotal's $250 million Action for Women's Health.

Eric and Marc get into how Lever for Change flips the traditional philanthropic "do not disturb" sign on its head, why unrestricted and open-call funding is finally going ma...

A lot of people who work in nonprofits and foundations eventually get the tickle. You know the one. What if I just... went out on my own?

Regan Douglass did something about it. After years as a communications leader at PolicyLink, California Humanities, and the College Futures Foundation, she pulled the ripcord and launched Sparkwise Communications. Two years in, no regrets.

In this episode, Eric sits down with Regan to discuss what it actually takes to go independent — how thick your stomach lining needs to be, how to structure your business, how to smell the tu...

Glen Galaich is the CEO of the Stupski Foundation — and he just wrote a book that bites the hand that feeds him and serves it up in a 236-page meal.

Control: Why Big Giving Falls Short, out today, makes an argument as simple as it is explosive: when a donor takes a tax deduction to give money away, they've made a deal with the public. That money isn't theirs anymore. But the system we've built lets donors park billions in foundations and donor-advised funds indefinitely — dribbling out 5 cents on the dollar while the rest sits on Wall Stre...

There's a question Rashad Robinson wants every nonprofit and foundation leader to sit with right now: Are you building power — or just showing up?

Rashad spent 13 years leading Color of Change, co-founded the Fight Back Table, forced over 100 corporations to leave ALEC — the American Legislative Exchange Council, a powerful corporate-backed group that shapes conservative state legislation — and took on Facebook in one of the largest boycotts in American history. Now he's channeling all of that hard-won wisdom into a newsletter, a new show on News One, work alongside Jane Fonda defending the First Amendment — and a book, From Pre...

This might be the most important episode we've ever done, and we swear we’re not just saying that. If you work in or around philanthropy, stop what you're doing and listen.

Nonprofits are facing record demand—higher than during COVID—and they're getting less funding. Not just from government. From foundations too. The sector is in freefall, and many of the people with the resources to help don't even see a problem.

Eric sits down with Elisha Smith Arrillaga, Vice President at the Center for Effective Philanthropy, to unpack their devastating new report, A Sector...

Kristen Grimm is back—and she’s making Let’s Hear It history as the show’s first three-time guest.

In this episode, Eric and Kirk dive into Kristen’s latest thinking on how people interpret what’s happening around them, why facts alone don’t change minds, and what this moment of chaos means for nonprofits, philanthropy, and public-interest communicators. Drawing from her travels, her work at Spitfire Strategies, and plenty of hard-won perspective, Kristen challenges us to stop “fixing” broken systems and start imagining what we actually want to build next.

It’s a thoughtful, candid...

AI needs power. A lot of power. But what happens when that power comes from 35 unpermitted gas turbines dropped into the middle of a historic Black neighborhood?

In this episode, Eric sits down with Dr. Sacoby Wilson, award-winning environmental health scientist and recent Heinz Award for the Environment honoree, who’s helping Boxtown in Memphis push back against Elon Musk’s xAI “Colossus” data center. Dr. Wilson breaks down how data centers are becoming the newest front in environmental and energy justice, why the pollution burden keeps landing on the same communities, and what they're doing about it.

On the latest Let’s Hear It, Eric sits down with the unstoppable Amanda Renteria, CEO of Code for America — and wow, is this one a shot of optimism for your civic soul.

From growing up in California’s Central Valley to becoming the first Latina Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate, to running Hillary Clinton’s 2016 political operation, Amanda has seen power from every angle. Now she’s using all that experience to reimagine how government can actually work for people — with systems that are simple, fair, and human.

Amanda and Eric dig into how...

Nonprofits are essential, but are they getting what they need to succeed? And what happens when philanthropy clings to old habits while democracy teeters?

In this episode, Eric sits down with writer, humorist, and nonprofit truth-teller Vu Le, creator of Nonprofit AF. With his trademark mix of sharp wit and blunt honesty, Vu pulls no punches on everything from “crappy funding practices” to the SkyMall-style whims of foundations, to the urgent need for philanthropy to get serious in defending democracy and the most vulnerable communities.

It’s not all fire and brimstone—Vu reminds us why joy...

In this episode of Let's Hear It, Eric sits down with two public interest comms powerhouses—Ann Searight Christiano and Angela Bradbery—who’ve just dropped what might be the most anticipated textbook in our field: Public Interest Communications Strategy for Change Makers. 

Ann and Angela share how their years in the trenches at places like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Public Citizen shaped this groundbreaking resource—and why storytelling, systems thinking, and listening (really listening) are the keys to actually making change. They discuss their “six spheres of influence,” the “back-of-the-envelope” strategy tool, and why being strategic i...

Let’s Hear It is back after a brief break—and we’re diving into one of the most powerful conversations we’ve had yet. In this episode, Eric sits down with Rachael Kagan, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Blue Shield of California Foundation. With a background in journalism and public health, Rachael has channeled her experience into creating The Journalist Playbook—a practical, compassionate, and groundbreaking tool for improving how domestic violence is covered in the media.

Together, they unpack the why and how of this innovative resource, the effect it’s already having acros...

What makes an effective communicator in today’s chaotic political landscape? This week, Eric sits down with the legendary Doug Hattaway—founder of Hattaway Communications, political strategist, and storytelling expert—to find out. From his early days in journalism and politics to helping shape the way nonprofits, foundations, and campaigns communicate, Doug shares the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Together, they dive into why voting is expressive, not transactional, the role of AI in strategic messaging, and how we can bridge political divides through effective communication. Plus, Kirk and Eric unpack why the failure to build me...

What’s the economy for, anyway? Shouldn’t time, happiness, and beauty be at the center of our lives? We know this sounds, er, quaint, given the times, but don’t we all need a bit of beauty right now? This week, Eric sits down with writer, filmmaker, and activist John de Graaf, whose decades-long career has been dedicated to challenging the culture of overwork, overconsumption, and environmental neglect.

From his groundbreaking PBS documentary Affluenza to his advocacy for shorter workweeks and his latest film project on the progressive, activist roots of America the Beautiful, John has consis...

Is Wikipedia the last bastion of truth on the internet?

Eric speaks with Anusha Alikhan, the Chief Communications Officer for the Wikimedia Foundation – the nonprofit behind Wikipedia, the internet's largest encyclopedia.

Anusha shares insights into how Wikipedia grew from a scrappy experiment into a trusted global resource with 50 billion monthly views and over 60 million articles in 334 languages. They discuss Wikipedia’s unique consensus-driven model, its fight against bias and misinformation, and the existential challenges posed by AI tools like ChatGPT, which heavily rely on Wikimedia’s vast trove of data.

Curious about the quirky...

It’s a brand-new year, a new season, and… a brand-new low? Nah!! This week, Let’s Hear It flips the script as co-host Eric Brown interviews the mystery man himself, Kirk Brown. That’s right—our favorite interlocutor steps into the hot seat to reflect on his fascinating journey from humble Iowan roots to becoming a nonprofit communications force of nature.

Kirk shares how growing up amidst Iowa’s agricultural rhythms and caucus-season chaos shaped his worldview, his approach to climate work, and his knack for community-driven solutions. You’ll hear about his leap into advocacy, running a nonp...

Need a dose of hope and perspective after a tough election season? Join Let's Hear It co-host Eric Brown for a conversation with Takema Robinson, CEO and co-founder of Converge, a social justice communications consulting firm.

Drawing on her background in art and African American studies, Takema brings a refreshing perspective on how imagination and creativity are essential for social change. She reminds us that even in challenging times, we need "imagineers" who can envision a more inclusive future.

After two decades of working with major foundations and nonprofits across the U.S., Takema shares...

We know that these post-election blues are a thing, but here’s the deal – the need for climate justice isn’t changing. This week on Let’s Hear It, we’re diving deep into the work that’s pushing environmental justice to the forefront of philanthropy, policy, and big-dollar investments.

Eric sits down with Danielle Deane-Ryan, Senior Advisor to the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and a long-time climate justice funder. Danielle shares her journey from her roots in Trinidad and Tobago to the halls of power in Washington, breaking down how billions in clean energy investments ca...

Okay, folks, we know there’s an election happening and that you might be a bit, um, distracted. But one thing is sure, whatever happens this week, a clean energy economy is coming, and we need to do everything we can to make this transition work for everybody. So when you’re finished blowing into your paper bag, you might want to take a moment to think about the future.

In this episode of Let’s Hear It, hosts Eric sits down with Rachel Korberg , the Executive Director and co-founder of the Families and Workers Fund and David...

Fans of Let’s Hear It (and there are oh-so many!) will acknowledge that Eric and Kirk get a little nutty about their guests sometimes. Well, this time, Marc Solomon of Civitas Public Affairs and William Foster of the Bridgespan Group drive Kirk and Eric to 11.

The topic this time is Marc’s and William’s new paper “Betting on the Tortoise: Policy Incrementalism and How Philanthropy’s Support Can Turn Small Sustained Steps into Big Impact,” co-written with Eric Chen and Zach Slobig.

The problem is that philanthropy is astonishingly timid about funding policy work (sorry...

In this dandy episode of Let's Hear It, Eric Brown sits down with Grace Nicolette from the Center for Effective Philanthropy to make sense of the phenomenon that is MacKenzie Scott's revolutionary approach to giving.

Grace is the Vice President for Programming and External Relations at the Center for Effective Philanthropy and the co-host with Phil Buchanan of the really terrific (and we're not just saying that!), Giving Done Right Podcast, which kicked off its fourth season on September 19.

Grace shares fascinating insights from CEP's multi-year study of Scott's "surprise philanthropy" - those headline-grabbing, unsolicited...

Hey folks, we’re back after a quick summer break. Hope you missed us!

As many parents pack their kids off to college this month, it’s important to remember that almost two out of five college students in the U.S. attends a community college. These are students who are often working full time, caring for family members, or going back to school to learn new skills. Oh, and another thing, community colleges don’t brag about how “selective” they are – all are welcome.

Our guest on this episode of Let’s Hear It is Eloy Ortiz...

Sometimes it's okay to take a moment away from the massive challenges and simply laugh. Thanks to Esteban Gast and the organization he works for, Generation 180, we can even laugh about climate. Well, actually, Esteban helps us better understand how we can take actions that matter, understand that we're not alone, and have a little fun along the way.

Eric and Esteban giggle, chortle, and guffaw through this episode, reminding us all that there are SO many ways to communicate and not all of them involve PowerPoint and statistics.

We are so excited about ComNet24 in Kansas City!

When Sean Gibbons joined the Communications Network as its new leader a decade ago, he was tasked with leading an organization with 400 members and a staff of, um, himself and a ham sandwich. Today, the Network boasts over 4,000 members and a team of eight, reflecting Sean's infectious enthusiasm and vision for bringing communications professionals together.

And together we’ll be – in Kansas City from October 16-18.

Sean joins Chief of Staff Tristan Mohabir and VP of Community Carrie Clyne to talk with Eric about why...

As we approach World Refugee Day, it’s so good to know that there are people like Suzanne Ehlers who are making an extraordinary difference and people’s lives and providing real hope for the future.

Suzanne is the Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR, a nonprofit organization that supports the United Nations Refugee Agency. It helps raise awareness and makes funds available to aid refugees around the world, providing them with the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives after being forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or disaster.

A huge thank you to Fatima Angeles, the Executive Director of the Levi Strauss Foundation, for joining us on the latest episode of Let’s Hear It. Fatima talks with Eric about the Levi Strauss Foundation's groundbreaking work in areas like reproductive justice, worker rights, immigrant rights, and democracy.

Fatima discusses her 24-year tenure at Cal Wellness, where she gained invaluable experience in strategic grantmaking, evaluation, and program direction under foundation legends Judy Belk and Gary Yates. She reflects on how these roles prepared her for leading a very different kind of corporate foundation.

She ch...

Eleven years ago, David Callahan launched a most audacious project – a new publication that was going to get under the hood of philanthropy (to borrow from that great philosopher, Ross Perot) and expose the good, the bad, and the meh.

Some folks chortled, some scoffed, and some cast their eyes heavenward in the hope that he would shed a little light on the seemingly byzantine and obscure world of philanthropy.

Well, friends, Inside Philanthropy is bigger, better, and badder than ever and David speaks with us in a funny, fascinating, and terrifically candid conversation about th...

Join us for a truly extraordinary conversation with the amazing Heather McGhee, the author of The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together.

Heather exposes the lie of so-called zero-sum thinking—where one person's gain is seen as another's loss—and flips it on its head by explaining how diverse coalitions can produce a solidarity dividend that makes things better for everyone.

Heather is warm, funny, and just plain brilliant and we are so grateful to her for speaking with us on an episode that we promise you will love...

We’ve been doing this show for a while, and every so often the pieces just elegantly slide into place. In thirtyish minutes, Robert Pérez does this for us. Robert is the founder and Chief Exploration Officer of Wonder: Strategies for Good, a network of experts in messaging, storytelling, psychology and public-opinion research that works with foundations, nonprofits, activists, and advocates to advance progressive causes across the country and around the world.

Wonder has an incredibly exciting framework for message and strategy, called Heartwired, which helps communicators understand how to connect people’s emotions, values, beliefs, ident...

Societies can’t thrive without sufficient levels of trust – trust in our elected officials, in our major institutions, the value of the dollar bill in our wallet, and even in our belief that our fellow motorists will abide by the traffic laws when we enter an intersection.

You know where this is going, don’t you? We have a trust problem that threatens every organization in our country. Kristen Grimm and her colleagues Claire De Leon, Michael Crawford, and Diana Chun at Spitfire Strategies have created a resource called Replenishing Trust: Civil Society’s Guide to Reversing the Trus...

When Chris DeCardy took the reins of the Heinz Endowments last year, he was one of the very few former foundation communications directors to ascend to the lofty heights of president. And Chris has dived in with the energy of a teenager. Indeed, if there is a more energetic – nay, ebullient – foundation president in the land, we haven’t met them.

Chris makes an extremely compelling case about how crucial western Pennsylvania is to our national and even international politics, and while he’s at it he reminds us how important intelligent communications strategies will be to build on...

Governments have money and foundations can take risks. Shouldn’t these be marriages made in heaven? Amazingly they’re not, but in California, we’re starting to see partnerships that are bucking the trend, which can be spectacularly good examples of how to make great collaborations work.

On this episode of Let’s Hear It, Eric speaks with Elena Chavez Quezada, Senior Advisor for Social Innovation in the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Don Howard, president and CEO of The James Irvine Foundation, who are working together to create government/foundation partnerships that are making a real d...

Academy Award season is here, but while the rest of the world may be debating which half of the Barbenheimer phenomenon will take home the most trophies, at Let’s Hear It we’re putting all our chips on Best Documentary Short nominee “The Barber of Little Rock,” co-directed by Christine Turner and our dear friend John Hoffman.

Eric and John reunite to talk about the extraordinary film John has co-directed. They appeal to foundations to fund more documentary films, and they marvel at the movie’s amazing protagonist Arlo Washington as he opens a Community Development Financial...