The Nonprofit Narrative Podcast: Recent Episodes

Dan Portnoy

The Non-Profit Narrative podcast is designed to help non-profits apply storytelling principles to their day-to-day operations and communications for maximum impact. Host Dan Portnoy encourages non-profits to interpret fundraising and engagement from the perspective of storytelling. This proven process has helped non-profits raise millions of dollars, attract donors and make a profound impact on their cause.

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Before I touched a campaign, I ran them through the first two lenses of a framework I built called Core4: what do they actually have, and who actually donates to them. This is the real footage of what I found.

Episode 3 of a behind-the-scenes series on the whole campaign.

Learn more about Alabaster:

https://www.alabasterinternational.org/groundbreakers
Instagram - / alabaster_international
YouTube - / @alabasterinternational

Work with me: http://portnoymedia.com/work-with-dan

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www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog

www.DanPortnoy.com

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This is Episode 2 of a behind-the-scenes series on raising $200,000 in 90 days for Alabaster. The honest stuff: what's hard, what's working, what's at stake.

Learn more about Alabaster: https://www.alabasterinternational.org/groundbreakers

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alabaster_international/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AlabasterInternational

nonprofit #fundraising #socialimpact

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www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog

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I knew Shannon and Ash from church. I had no idea they were quietly running world-class work in South Sudan, schools, kids, in one of the hardest places on earth to do any of it. Legit, and badly underfunded.

So they hired me. We have until August 1 to raise $200,000, and hitting it unlocks grant money that changes what they can do. This is Episode 1 of a behind-the-scenes series on the whole campaign. The wins, the misses, all of it.

Subscribe to follow along and see if I can pull this off.
Learn more about Alabaster: https://www.alabasterinternational.org

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alabaster_international/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@alabasterinternational
#nonprofit #fundraising #socialimpact

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www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog

www.DanPortnoy.com

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What This Episode Covers

The hidden reason nonprofit content underperforms

Why “Sorry it’s been a while…” is a trust killer

The inbox is a value exchange, not a favor

Why most organizations send updates instead of insights

Key Concept: The Expertise Gap

The gap between:

  • What your organization knows deeply
  • What you’re actually sharing publicly

Most teams protect their expertise rather than use it.

The Core ProblemInfrequent emails → audience forgets you

Low-value emails → audience ignores you

Result: you lose the trade every time

3 Ways to Close the Gap1. Teach your process (not just outcomes)

Don’t just report results

Show how the work actually happens

2. Say the uncomfortable truths

Every sector has things “everyone knows but doesn’t say.”

Saying them builds trust fast

3. Share what you’re learning

Wins are boring

Growth is compelling

3 Questions to Fix Your ContentWhat do outsiders consistently get wrong about our work?

What decisions would surprise people if they saw inside?

What have we failed at recently—and what did we learn?

The Big ShiftStop:

  • Reporting
  • Asking
  • Playing it safe

Start:

  • Teaching
  • Sharing insight
  • Earning attention

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What This Episode Covers

The “paint job vs engine” framework

Why polished content often fails

How AI is making shallow content easier (and worse)

The difference between clever and clear

The Core Problem: The Paint Job Trap

Content that sounds smart but says nothing

Strong visuals, weak thinking

Packaging without substance

Why This HappensEarly marketers chase cleverness

Pressure to produce → skip thinking

AI makes it easy to generate finished-looking content instantly

The AI Problem (and Opportunity)

AI = fast, efficient, scalable

But:

  • Lacks lived experience
  • Doesn’t understand your audience deeply
  • Produces “committee content.”

Result:

  • Technically correct
  • Emotionally flat
  • Completely forgettable

The Shift: Clever vs ClearClever:

  • Sounds impressive
  • Performs intelligence
  • Gets attention (briefly)

Clear:

  • Names a real problem
  • Feels specific
  • Builds trust

Example (From the Episode)Weak:

“We help nonprofits grow.”

Strong:

“Most nonprofits aren’t broken—they’re overwhelmed by bad advice and systems that don’t fit their world.”

Clarity wins because it proves understanding.

The Test (Use This Before You Publish)Ask: If I stripped away design, tone, and style… is the idea still valuable?

If not → you don’t have an engine.

Key TakeawayYou don’t need better content.

You need better thinking.

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Story isn't something you add at the end of your marketing process. It's the structure that makes your message work in the first place.

In Episode 4, Dan Portnoy breaks down what story actually is at its most fundamental level — not long-form content, not guilt-trip videos with soft music — but a three-part structure that your audience's brain is already wired to follow: Want → Obstacle → Change.

In this episode you'll learn:

  • Why most marketing fails (it's skipping one of the three story elements)
  • How your brain processes narrative differently than information — and why that matters for every campaign you run
  • The difference between alignment (your North Star) and amplification (your story) — and why you need both
  • The three-question test you can run on any post, pitch, email, or campaign to find out if it's actually ready
  • Why nonprofits especially need to understand the exchange happening in every donor relationship

If you can answer all three questions clearly, you have the architecture for a story. If you can't, the piece isn't done yet.

The Three-Question Test:

  1. What does my audience want? (Not what you want to tell them)
  2. What's in the way? (The real obstacle — fear, confusion, bad past experience)
  3. What changes if they engage with you? (A shift, not a feature list)

Resources mentioned:

  • Story frameworks on the Portnoy Media Lab YouTube channel
  • The Nonprofit Narrative by Dan Portnoy
  • Questions or stuck? Email Dan: dan@portnoymedia.com

www.danportnoy.substack.com
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In today's fast-paced business environment, defining success is crucial for any marketing strategy to yield the desired results. Many teams focus on developing a growth strategy that emphasizes marketing tactics and ROI, but often overlook a critical question that can make or break their marketing planning efforts. To achieve compounding growth and sustainable marketing, it's essential to have a clear marketing framework that guides your team's marketing focus and helps you avoid common marketing mistakes. By understanding what defines success for your business and establishing a well-structured marketing framework, you can create a strategic marketing approach that drives business growth and ensures a strong marketing ROI. In this video, we'll explore the often-missed question that can transform your marketing goals and help you develop a more effective marketing strategy. www.danportnoy.substack.comwww.PortnoyMedia.com/Blogwww.DanPortnoy.com

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Key Ideas

Most marketing advice conflicts because it’s designed to sell products, not solve your problem

Strategy defines the goal; tactics support it—not the other way around

Algorithms change constantly; your story is the only stable asset

There are no shortcuts—momentum comes from sustained effort

Constantly switching tactics creates opportunity cost, morale loss, and confusion

Practical Takeaways

Define a clear outcome before choosing platforms or tactics

Commit to one direction for at least 90 days (six months is better)

Treat your brand as the mentor, not the hero

Focus on relationship-building, not follower counts

Consistency beats cleverness

Referenced Resources

Storytelling training (linked in-video)

Fix Your Funnel Fast – Leak Funnel Tool ($17)

Available at: https://portnoymedia.com/resources

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www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog

www.DanPortnoy.com

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Episode Notes:

  • This is Episode 1 of the Portnoy Media Lab Podcast
  • New episodes explore clarity, systems, and creative work that actually moves the needle
  • Resources and tools mentioned are available at danportnoy.com/resources
  • Blog posts publish Tuesdays; personal reflections on Substack publish Thursdays

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www.PortnoyMedia.com/Blog

www.DanPortnoy.com

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The Portnoy Media Lab Podcast is for makers and marketers trying to turn real creative work into communication that actually connects.Hosted by writer, filmmaker, and creative strategist Dan Portnoy, the show features honest conversations with writers, filmmakers, designers, producers, and creative leaders—along with occasional solo episodes unpacking the communication and strategy problems that keep teams stuck.No hype. No busywork.Just field-tested thinking for people chasing meaning and impact.New episodes every Wednesday. www.danportnoy.substack.comwww.PortnoyMedia.com/Blogwww.DanPortnoy.com

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  • Introduction: Reflecting on last week's episode and transitioning to the present.
  • Assessing Your Current Position:
    • Checking in with yourself and your morale.
    • Identifying areas of dissatisfaction and improvement.
    • Aligning with mission statements and values.
    • Gathering feedback from colleagues.
  • Celebrating Small Wins:
    • Recognizing everyday achievements to build morale.
    • Encouraging teams to acknowledge progress.
  • Identifying Current Challenges:
    • Understanding obstacles and external factors.
    • Controlling what can be managed now.
  • Staying Present:
    • Avoiding the rush to future goals.
    • Evaluating systems and ensuring they align with goals.
  • Closing Thoughts:
    • Encouragement to be kind to oneself.
    • A preview of next week's focus: planning for the future.
    • Call to action: subscribe, like, and leave a review.

www.PortnoyMedia.com

www.UnfriendTheChildren.org

Free Resources for Nonprofits

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Welcome to the Nonprofit Narrative Podcast, where we discuss marketing, storytelling, and systems to help your business or nonprofit thrive. In this episode, we cover:

  • The importance of taking your time with strategic planning.
  • How to reflect on the past year and set meaningful goals for the future.
  • Conducting a business audit to analyze key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Insights from the Ink + Volt planner to structure your planning process.
  • An introduction to the Portnoy Media 1-Day Intensive, a transformative day to solve key challenges.
  • The Portnoy Media Video Pitch Deck, showcasing how video storytelling can amplify your mission.

Links mentioned in this episode:

  • Portnoy Media Website - https://www.portnoymedia.com
  • Ink + Volt Planning Resources: https://inkandvolt.com/pages/yearly-planning-worksheets
  • Portnoy Media 1-Day Intensive: https://www.portnoymedia.com/store/p/the-action-blueprint
  • Video Pitch Deck: https://www.portnoymedia.com/blog/sjxgb9wgj89jph99yurluwc6fkoxel

www.PortnoyMedia.com

www.UnfriendTheChildren.org

Free Resources for Nonprofits

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Join me on the latest episode of the Nonprofit Narrative Podcast as I chat with my brother, Ryan Portnoy, a design wizard who helps small nonprofits tell their stories through stunning design. We dive deep into the world of nonprofit design, sharing insights on how great design can enhance storytelling and drive engagement.

👉 Episode Highlights:

  • Ryan’s journey and expertise in nonprofit design
  • The importance of design in storytelling
  • Practical tips for nonprofits to improve their visual communication
  • The concept of a website "realignment" vs. redesign

🔗 Check out the full episode now

Don't forget to visit Ryan’s website at thegoodstory.com for more on his amazing work!

👍 Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more insights on nonprofit storytelling and strategy!

NonprofitPodcast #NonprofitDesign #Storytelling #PodcastEpisode #DesignTips #NonprofitMarketing

www.PortnoyMedia.com

www.UnfriendTheChildren.org

Free Resources for Nonprofits

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In this insightful episode titled "Maximizing Grant Writing for Funding Success," experts Dan Portnoy and Lara Pimentel share transformative strategies for nonprofits seeking to enhance their grant acquisition and foster impactful relationships. Discover practical tips on crafting compelling grant proposals, navigating the complexities of funding mechanisms, and building lasting connections with donors. Ideal for nonprofit leaders, this conversation dives into the essentials of securing grants and leveraging partnerships for sustainable success. Whether you're a small community organization or a large philanthropic entity, this episode offers valuable insights into maximizing your funding potential and expanding your impact.

Osa Philanthropy - https://www.osaphilanthropy.com

www.PortnoyMedia.com

www.UnfriendTheChildren.org

Free Resources for Nonprofits

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Kristin Spiotto, the co-founder and CEO of Decoded Strategies, shares insights on strategic messaging for nonprofits. She emphasizes the importance of clear and customer-focused messaging, avoiding confusion and making the audience the story's hero. Kristin also discusses the role of AI in messaging and the need for human decision-making. She highlights the significance of empathy and authority in brand messaging and the value of delivering ongoing content to build relationships. Kristin advises early career professionals in messaging and emphasizes the importance of simplicity and clarity. She also discusses the importance of strategic planning and goal setting in messaging. In this conversation, Kristin discusses the importance of blocking time for critical thinking and reflection on past performance. She emphasizes the need for strategic changes and recommends books like 'The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry' and 'Atomic Habits.' Kristin also shares how to connect with Decoded Strategies and highlights the challenges of effective communication.

Takeaways

  • Clear and customer-focused messaging is crucial for nonprofits to communicate their mission and impact effectively.
  • Avoid confusing your audience with insider language, jargon, or acronyms. Make sure your target audience easily understands your messaging.
  • Position the recipients of your services as the story's hero rather than making your organization the hero.
  • Use AI as a force multiplier to scale up your messaging, but ensure you have a clear and compelling message.
  • Empathy and authority are key elements in positioning your organization as the guide in the hero's journey.
  • Deliver ongoing value to your audience through content and resources that help them along their journey and build a stronger relationship.
  • Prioritize and use a strong brand message as a foundation for all your communications and marketing efforts.
  • Simplicity and clarity in messaging are more effective than trying to be clever or funny.
  • Include avatars or personas in your messaging to ensure relevance and targeted communication.
  • Strategic planning and goal setting are essential for effective messaging and achieving desired outcomes. Block out dedicated time for critical thinking and reflection on past performance.
  • Be willing to make strategic changes based on the insights gained from reflection.
  • Read books like 'The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry' and 'Atomic Habits' for inspiration and guidance.
  • Connect with Decoded Strategies through their website or LinkedIn for messaging and nonprofit support.
  • Effective communication requires constant evaluation and an outside perspective to avoid insider language and the curse of knowledge.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:24 Starting a Business in 2020

04:33 Common Messaging Mistakes

06:31 Making the Shift to Customer-Focused Messaging

09:03 Positioning the Recipients as the Hero

10:09 Avoiding Emotional Manipulation in Messaging

12:13I mportance of Strategic Messaging

13:04 Pitfalls in Messaging and the Importance of Clear Brand Message

16:38 The Role of AI in Messaging

20:10 The Balance Between Cleverness and Clarity in Messaging

21:52 Including Empathy and Authority in Messaging

23:23 Delivering Value and Building Relationships

26:06 Advice for Early Career Professionals in Messaging

28:14 Simplicity and Clarity in Messaging

29:42 Creating Subplots in Brand Messaging

31:28 Prioritizing a Strong Brand Message

32:34 The Importance of Clear Messaging in Overcoming Blank Page Syndrome

33:16 Including Avatars in Messaging

35:12 Strategic Planning and Goal Setting

36:13 Blocking out time for critical thinking

37:12 Reflecting on past performance

38:18 Making strategic changes

38:48 Recommended books

39:50 How to connect with Decoded Strategies

40:50 The challenges of effective communication

Connect With Kristin Spiotto

Web - http://decodedstrategies.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-spiotto/

Grab a FREE PDF on Welcome Videos

www.PortnoyMedia.com

www.UnfriendTheChildren.org

Free Resources for Nonprofits

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Hello, and welcome to the nonprofit narrative podcast, the go-to space for marketing managers and development directors passionate about taking their nonprofits to new heights. I'm your host, Dan Portnoy high. In each episode, we will dive into the world of nonprofit storytelling, donor engagement, and fundraising strategies; whether you want to refine your narrative, boost your fundraising efforts, or seek inspiration guidance, you're in the right place. So today, we'll be exploring some innovative tips, practical ideas, and success stories whenever you never know where we will go. But today, I want to talk about welcome videos. Welcome videos are a great thing to talk about in February because in January, you know, we're getting ourselves back together after a crazy December, and you take a breather, and then you got to think about, alright, what are we doing? What are we doing for this year? What's our strategic planning looking like? When was that all coming together? Well, our theme for the month in The Nonprofit Narrative Academy is strategic planning. So I want to talk about that. But that'll be coming up a little later this month. And we've got an I've got a great guest in Kristen Spiro, who's going to be telling us talking to us about strategic communication. And then also later this month, I've got my brother, and you say, oh, nepotism, and I say, Well if your brother is really good at a thing, you should let him talk about his thing. And he's really good at graphic design. He has just an incredible eye for design. So we're going to talk about design. And we will talk about all that goes with it and what it conveys. So that's going to be some great font later this month. Okay, so let's talk about welcome videos. Well, I had a crazy idea a couple of years ago, and as a writer, I know that sometimes I come up with ideas, and they're half-baked, so I need to let them ruminate. And sometimes that takes a long time. So, actually, it did. It took a long time tyranny of the urgent and some the things, and I came up with the idea that I should want to talk about things like welcome videos and just a lot of the kinds of sins of nonprofits in general. But the tough part about doing it is that it usually means trashing a nonprofit or trying to block out everything they did, like all their logos, and then talking about it. And so, instead of doing that, I've created a fictional nonprofit called Unfriend the Children. And you can visit unfriend the children.com or.org. And you'll find my website. And so it's the more we do about this. This year, we will talk about all the different things that Unfriend The Children is going to do wrong. And it's just easier when I'm making all the mistakes to talk about it instead of somebody who's really trying very hard to get something out into the world. And then I trash it. So that's what I decided to do. So, with that, I decided to do a quick welcome video, and I want to talk about some of the sins of this welcome video.

www.PortnoyMedia.com

www.UnfriendTheChildren.org

Free Resources for Nonprofits

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I'm thrilled to unveil an idea two years in the making. It will be a game-changer for you and your organization: The Nonprofit Narrative Academy.

Each month follows a theme to maximize an organization's story and put the pieces in place for maximum communication.

And each month, you'll learn how to communicate your impact and engage with your community effectively. The academy covers it all, whether it's through managing social media, crafting compelling email campaigns, or launching impactful videos.

The structure for learning a NEW e-book and audiobook every month. Then, on the second week of the month, I'll launch training with how-tos and give some homework. Then, a podcast from an additional export will be released in week three. And finally, a LIVE Q&A to answer questions, review specifics, and make changes for member organizations.

www.PortnoyMedia.com

www.UnfriendTheChildren.org

Free Resources for Nonprofits

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In the ever-evolving world of nonprofit organizations, the ability to craft a compelling narrative and tell a captivating story can be the difference between achieving your mission and getting lost in the noise. In today's episode, we welcome 6-time Primetime Emmy nominee writer Matt Beans, a storytelling expert with a treasure trove of experience in the entertainment industry. Matt Beans joins the show to shed light on how nonprofits can utilize narrative and storytelling techniques to elevate their messages and impact.

Before diving into the episode, here's some info on Matt. Matt Beans is a renowned writer with a prolific television, animation, and entertainment career. With six Primetime Emmy nominations to his name, Matt's impressive portfolio boasts work on popular shows like "Robot Chicken," "Trolls," and "Dawn of the Croods." His extensive experience in storytelling makes Matt Beans the ideal guest to discuss the application of narrative techniques in the nonprofit sector. There's no better way for Nonprofit organizations to connect with audiences than through a compelling story, and Matt's expertise promises to provide invaluable insights into this practice.

Creative journey from Maryland to LA with Robot Chicken writers. (0:04)

Writing for TV shows with a focus on character development and scene structure. (6:09)

Writing for TV and film, emphasizing clarity. (11:58)

Writing for TV shows and nonprofit storytelling. (16:48)

Nonprofit storytelling and emotionally compelling messaging. (21:02)

I want to thank Matt for being on the show, and my hope is that you're inspired and equipped with the tools to craft narratives that resonate deeply with your audience.

Matt at IMDB

Email me your questions dan@Portnoymedia.com

www.PortnoyMedia.com

www.UnfriendTheChildren.org

Free Resources for Nonprofits

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What if you aren't ready for Giving Tuesday?

Don't worry, I'm here to help. This week is a 7-part training I made to help Giving Tuesday be amazing.

Watch the training here - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE2kh3qUPEGSc-5BGce0HrgaxNRNl7Uds

Download the sample editorial calendar here - https://portnoy.co/3NynUjt

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Don't let this happen to you! I recently received a mailing from a nonprofit that was big and jam-packed with goodies for me but there was zero connection. What should you do? Listen in to find out. 

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Okay, here we go. Hey, welcome to the show. My name is Dan. This is the nonprofit narrative podcast. In today's episode, our first journey together. This is an interview that I did a couple of months back with Dave Avramovich. He's a young life area director, he is responsible for the Los Angeles area. And he's also a pretty great guy. The fun part about today is like this is a maiden voyage. So I had to build a studio. So that's why it kind of took so long. And so hopefully very shortly here, we'll have a lot more episodes. But check out what Dave has to say about what we can do as nonprofits to raise money. One thing that Dave is really great at is raising money. He's actually never had a problem with it, which is pretty wild. So let's hear what he has to say.

Check it out.

Connect with Dave Avramovich

Twitter

Website

Resources:

Multipliers - Liz Wiseman

The New Extraordinary Leader - John Zenger, Joseph Folkman

The Ideal Team Player - Patrick Lencioni

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni

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New for 2022! The Nonprofit Narrative Podcast is to help you tell your story the best way possible and connect with more donors and the community better than ever. I hope you'll join us. 

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Connect with Rory

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/go_innovation/

Website: http://go-innovation.com

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Connect with Kristin

Website: https://decodedfinances.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decodedfinances/

Spreadsheet - Download on Kristin's website - CLICK HERE

Budget Resources:

Mint- http://www.mint.com

YouNeedABudget - http://www.youneedabudget.com

Every Dollar - http://www.everydollar.com

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Joey Contact

Website: http://www.jo3bot.com

Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/joebot/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo3bot/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jo3bot/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeySpiotto

Grumpy Unicorn - https://www.amazon.com/Grumpy-Unicorn-Why-Me-Scholastic/dp/1338565419

Other Books - http://www.jo3bot.com/books

Artist Profile - https://youtu.be/3aMbngTcUQs

Links

Doug Chiang - https://www.instagram.com/doug_chiang/?hl=en

Gallery 1998 - https://nineteeneightyeight.com

The Dundies - https://youtu.be/XXjStnr_g3M

My book and free one hour consult to anyone that signs up. For you, a friend, anyone. Pass it on.

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This week I talk with Mike Rusch, CEO of Pure Charity.

Mike talks about the downstream issues of bad communication and fundraising and how storytelling can fix much of what ails a non-profit. Give it a listen.

Connect with Mike Rusch

Personal Website - mikerusch.com

Biz Website - purecharity.org

Twitter - @MikeRusch

Instagram - @MikeRusch

A brand new, updated edition of The Non-Profit Narrative is available now. Buy the book and then sign up for my email list and receive the Bonus Workbook for FREE!

www.nonprofitnarrative.com ​

FREE Nonprofit Resources - End of Year Email, Welcome Series, and more.

Also announced, I'm teaching a FREE Class on Giving Tuesday - Sign up here

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This week I talk with Angie Albright, Director of The Clinton House Museum & Historic Castle in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Angie talks about being reminded of places to insert story into our campaigns, letters, and communications as well as switching perspectives to not bore your audience. Give it a listen.

Connect with Angie Albright

Twitter - @AngieAlbright

Instagram - @AngieAlbright

A brand new, updated edition of The Non-Profit Narrative is available now. Buy the book and then sign up for my email list and receive the Bonus Workbook for FREE!

www.nonprofitnarrative.com ​

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This week I talk with Ken Mueller, Public Relations and Development Manager at The Occupational Development Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Ken walks us through how he's used the framework of The Non-Profit Narrative to help communicate better externally but also internally. 

Connect with Ken Mueller

Instagram - @muellerrific

Twitter - @kmueller62

A brand new, updated edition of The Non-Profit Narrative is available now. Buy the book and then sign up for my email list and receive the Bonus Workbook for FREE!

www.nonprofitnarrative.com ​

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This week I talk with Naheemah McMicheaux-McCallop, she's the Director of Fund Development for the East LA Community Corporation (ELACC)

Naheemah and her team have taken their communication to a new level.

Connect with Naheemah and ELACC

Instagram - @naheemahmcmicheaux

Twitter - @takebackyourpen
Twitter - @ELACC
Instagram - @ELACCorg

A brand new, updated edition of The Non-Profit Narrative is available now. Buy the book and then sign up for my email list and receive the Bonus Workbook for FREE!

www.nonprofitnarrative.com ​

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The interview is from 2015, and I intentionally left it a little rough, but the encouragement and wisdom is timeless - do the work. I miss him already. Thanks for listening.

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First up is Brad Voigt, he's the area director of Young Life in the Kansas City North area and, like many doing great work, raising money as a staff of one.

I think Brad is a fantastic guy with a tremendous story.

Connect with Brad
Twitter - @bradvoigt
Instagram - @bradvoigt

A brand new, updated edition of The Non-Profit Narrative is available now. Buy the book and then sign up for my email list and receive the Bonus Workbook for FREE!

www.nonprofitnarrative.com ​

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This week's episode is with filmmaker, Myles Matsuno. His latest project is We're the People, a series of portraits from people around LA, from all walks of life. I especially like this piece featuring Lacy Hartselle, but you can check out the whole series here. The music, composed by Chad Lawson is stellar.

Connect with Myles

Website – http://www.mylesmatsuno.com

Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/matsunomm

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd93yZZBP-0x5QdD7wTrniA

Twitter – https://twitter.com/mylesmatsuno

Film – First To Go

Film – Christmas in July

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My guest this week is Comics editor, Heather Antos. She's worked in comics for great works like Gwenpool, Star Wars, and my personal favorite, Injection by Warren Ellis. She's worked with companies like Marvel and Lucasfilm, and currently, she's shaking things up at Valiant.

I'm thrilled to have her on the show to talk about her drive and decisions to turn the side hustle into something full time.

Find Heather on Social Media

On Twitter https://twitter.com/HeatherAntos

On Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heatherantos

Sign up for my email list at www.CopyThat.show

I’m sending somebody comics next week all you have to do is sign up!

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Kate Frachon is the brand and content manager of Ink & Volt, a community about ideas and success. I've been buying their planners for years, and they're great. Please get one; it'll help your process. If you haven't signed up for my email newsletter - do it for a chance to get a planner (drawing on 2/15/19) Link- https://inkandvolt.com/product/the-inkvolt-2019-planner-signature-series/

Sign Up Here - http://eepurl.com/ggfeWr

Check out Ink & Volt - https://inkandvolt.com

2019 Planning Worksheets - https://inkandvolt.com/guides/2019-planning-worksheets/

Step 1: Lessons Learned in 2018

Step 2: Thinking Big in 2019

Step 3: 2019 Focus and Yearly Theme

Step 4: Make It Happen

Please let me know if you walked through this process and how it's helped you.

Connect elsewhere

Twitter - http://twitter.com/DanPortnoy

Instagram - http://instagram.com/DanPortnoy

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We all admit that breaks are essential but are we addicted to being busy? This weeks guest is Aaron Edelheit, and he's on a mission to help us reset. This reset supports our work, families, and relationships. Together, we'll talk about the roadmap to make the better choices, put life into perspective and aim for joy.

Website: https://www.thehardbreak.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehardbreak/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aaronvalue

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This week’s guest is Scott Belsky. He’s an entrepreneur and author of Making Ideas Happen in 2010, but he’s best known for co-creating the online portfolio platform, Behance, Inc. In 2010, Belsky was included in Fast Company's "100 Most Creative People in Business" list. His new book, The Messy Middle, is a real gem. It’s a front to back journey along the road of Behance - from launch to acquisition.

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Book marketer and kingmaker of best selling authors, Tim Grahl talks us through his latest book - Running Down a Dream. Tim is a long time friend of mine, and we walk through some of the most painful moments in his pursuit to achieve a dream.

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I don't know about you, but the death of Anthony Bourdain hit me like a ton of bricks. He was a guy that had struggled with demons, but it seemed to be in his rearview. His death was a reminder to me that our demons aren't ever that far away.

Elizabeth Gilbert says in "Big Magic" that fear is always along for the ride, but if you're going to beat it, it NEVER gets a vote.

This Week's episode features Chuck Rodgers. He's a licensed therapist and LMFT. He's going to talk to us about depression and the states of feeling blue. Chuck is going to help us with some initial thoughts on how to deal with depression, but it's in no way a substitute for seeing a professional.

If you're battling depression or just feeling bad, talk about it soon and often.

We're all in this together.

Connect with Chuck

Website: http://wyndhurstcounselingcenter.com

Twitter : https://twitter.com/tofeelinggood

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In episode three I talk with producer and composer Josh Myers about the use of emotion as he creates and why it's necessary for film.

YouTube - Star Wars Video Minus Williams - https://youtu.be/Tj-GZJhfBmI

Dunkirk Rising Tone - https://youtu.be/LVWTQcZbLgY

Supercommuter - http://supercommuter.net

Connect with Josh

Twitter - http://twitter.com/joshuamyers

Website - http://Cinecue.com

Email - josh@cinecue.com

Wherever you download this podcast, please give us a review and a rating. Thank you!

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Kristina Kuzmic rose to fame when she won a TV show from Oprah Winfrey in 2015. Since then she's become a voice of encouragement for women and mothers on the internet. Her videos have millions and millions of views, and her key is to be radically transparent. In this episode, we talk about how to find encouragement when things are less than stellar and how she keeps it all together.

Connect with Kristina

Website - http://www.KristinaKuzmic.com

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/KristinaKuzmic

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/stickycook

Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/KristinaKuzmic

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/kristinakuzmic

Connect with Dan

Website - http://www.danportnoy

Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/danportnoy

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/danportnoy

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/PortnoyMedia

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Justin McRoberts

Author, Songwriter, Mentor

We kick off the podcast with my close friend, Justin. His book, Title Pending: Things I Think About When I Make Stuff is a book that I wish I had many, many years ago. In this episode, we talk about creativity and how we can strive to make better stuff. Connect with Justin

Website: www.justinmcroberts.com

Twitter: @JustinMcRoberts

Instagram: @JustinMcRoberts

Questions about the show @DanPortnoyEmail me - dan@portnoymediagroup.com

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Hi, I’m Dan Portnoy, and I live in the Los Angeles Area. In my time here, I’ve been a creative director, a writer, a pitch man, a consultant and a filmmaker. The truth is, depending on the day, I’m still doing all these things. Over my career, I’ve worked in several creative disciplines, and no matter the field I see similarities in struggles and triumphs for creative people.

Copy That is a term used in film production that shows agreement or understanding. The truth is I think we’re all creative in our work and our lives. My goal with this podcast is to learn, understand and help articulate some realities that I wasn’t aware of when I started down this road 20+ years ago.

We’ll talk about tools of multiple trades, but I want to get into the mental space of creativity - the courage to create, what drives us and how we can hone our skills. I’ll be talking with pros and celebs across multiple creative fields and ask for their help to understand better so we can Copy That. I hope you’ll join me.