Why do some social impact brands thrive, while so many others fail to get traction, build support for their cause, and make meaningful progress towards their mission?

Now imagine, for a second, what kind of impact you could create? With truly sustainable revenue and resources. With deeper engagement and relationships with your community. With more influence in your social impact category.

Welcome to Designing Tomorrow, the show for modern social impact leaders and brands, hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic.

Eric brings his experience and insights working with social impact organizations across the globe directly to you, navigating our rapidly-changing, digitally-driven world with a new playbook to reach your true impact potential.

Each episode, we do a deep dive into the strategies, mindsets, and behaviors top social impact brands use to play and win in the attention economy. And we’re going beyond high-level concepts. We cover the specific tools and tactics you can use, today, to make meaningful progress toward your mission.

Join us as we explore how social impact organizations can transform into category leaders, multiply their impact, and propel our sector forward.

New episodes of Designing Tomorrow are available each Tuesday wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Or find the video versions on our YouTube channel. 

Let’s design a better tomorrow, together.

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

In our rapidly-evolving world, today’s social impact brands are falling behind their profit-driven competitors.

The old playbook for creating meaningful social impact just isn’t keeping pace with modern culture. 

The lion's share of attention is dominated by big brands, often leaving social missions unable to remain relevant.

But, for those of us committed to pioneering a new path, there’s hope. 

In the first episode of Season 1, we outline a new playbook that social impact leaders can use to succeed and thrive in today’s changing landscape. 

Join us, and step into a community of forward-thinking innovators, social impact pioneers, and authentic changemakers. 

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Today, you’ll consume 74GB of information. That’s the equivalent of watching 16 movies. In one day. 

Our inboxes are overflowing, our social streams are noisy, we doom scroll short form content on apps purpose-built to hijack our attention, designed by the world’s smartest minds.

But as the volume of information we consume grows each day, our capacity as humans to focus and make sense of the world remains basically unchanged. 

And this is the essence of the attention economy—where information is no longer the scarce commodity; instead, our attention is the prize to be won.

In today’s episode, we’ll cover 

• What, exactly, the attention economy is and how the world's most successful brands have mastered it to gain an unfair advantage
• Then, we’ll break down the 4 key pillars these brands use to win in the attention economy and how you can apply them to to your social impact strategy

Resources:

• The Revolution is Digital: A Manifesto for Today’s Social Impact Leader
• We Are For Good Podcast: How to Grow Your Social Impact in the Attention Economy
• The ROI of Brand Building
• 4 Scroll-Stopping Digital Experiences to Inspire Your Nonprofit's Content
• 3 Must-Have Digital Elements Every Social Impact Organization Needs
• Community Building Might Not Feel Like Your Core Work, But It Should Be

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

There’s one critical piece of your social impact strategy that you have to get right. 

When you don’t get it right, it holds back every facet of your growth and progress. 

We’ve seen it block and hinder revenue and fundraising.
We’ve seen it create massive inefficiencies and reduce capacity.
We’ve seen it negatively impact engagement, growth, and culture.

So, what is this one key thing?
It’s your social impact niche. 

Owning a social impact niche is a fundamental piece of your broader strategic plan and approach. 

In today’s episode, we’ll cover:  

• The key ingredients to defining a social impact niche for your organization
• Real-world examples of 3 different social impact brands that have nailed their niche, and how it’s helped them supercharge their growth and success
• Key tips that you can use to define and own a niche for your own social impact mission

Resources:

• Social Impact Branding: Making Your Nonprofit Standout 
• How to Find Your Social Impact Niche
• Is Your Social Impact Marketing Strategy Built on a Strong Foundation or a House of Cards? 
• Benefits of Our Integrated Branding Process 
• One Acre Fund
• CruzFoam
• STEM from Dance
• STEM from Dance Case Study

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Picture this: You’re scrolling through your inbox and see a message from an organization you support. But something’s not quite right.

The subject line reads “URGENT! WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!”

You open the email, only to be bombarded with more fake urgency around hitting an important fundraising deadline and how you, and only you, can make that happen. You just have to donate RIGHT NOW OR ELSE the organization will fail miserably and the entire world will come crashing down. 

This may seem dramatic, but these exact tactics and fake urgency messaging are becoming more and more common for social causes. What was once contained to political campaigns is rapidly spreading into social impact marketing and appeals. 

And there’s a good reason why. 

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• Why this shift into transactional marketing is becoming more common.
• Different transactional marketing traps and the problems they create. 
• How you can embody a brand-building approach to create deeper, lasting support with your community. 

Resources:

• Guest Podcast: How to Authentically Market Your Social Impact Work
• Guest Podcast: Nonprofit Marketing Best Practices for 2024
• Article: Rethinking Your Unhealthy Relationship with Social Impact Marketing
• Patagonia

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Are websites a dying relic of the internet’s past? 

With so much of our digital engagement today happening through social channels, there’s an ever-growing narrative that your website just isn’t that important anymore.

That what you really need to do is nail your content strategy. Get big on TikTok. Tell your story through short form video. Build supporter trust through influencer campaigns. That Gen Z doesn’t even use websites anyway. 

That narrative couldn’t be further from the truth — especially for social impact brands.

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The changing nature of the internet and how it’s shaping our modern culture
• Why most websites don’t convert, and the top 10 issues we see with most social impact websites
• And the specific strategies and tactics that can turn your website into an activating, revenue-generating, digital flywheel

Resources:

• Article: The 5 Key Things the Best Marketing Websites Do
• Article: Your Organization’s Website Should be Catalytic – and Custom
• Article: Nonprofits, Fundraising Success Depends on the Strength of Your Website
• Article: 5 Factors for Improving Digital Accessibility & Equity
• Article: How to Build a Focused, User-Friendly Website for Your Community Foundation
• Article: Achieve Your Social Impact Organization's Digital Goals with JAMstack
• Case Study: Equality Fund Presents “Your Daily Feminist Intention”
• Interactive Website Experience: Equality Fund Presents “Your Daily Feminist Intention”

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Are you tired of putting time and energy into creating content that just doesn’t get meaningful engagement from your community?

We’ve all been there. 

You’re proud of your hard work and effort. A feeling of excitement rushes over you as you hit “post” or “publish.” This one’s going places, you just know it. 

Only, it doesn’t. It flops. Or maybe a few people engage but nowhere near the level of traction you need to take your mission to the next level. 

It’s one of the hardest and most disheartening parts about creating and producing content. And it makes you question if any of your energy and investment is even worth it at all. 

Sometimes it even feels unfair, like the algorithm holds a weird personal grudge against you, or that people’s attention spans are so short these days that they don’t engage with anything meaningful anymore. 

Other people seem to be blowing up and going viral, and their content feels generic, clickbaity, and low value.

What’s going on here?

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The top 10 mistakes we see that stop marketers from getting traction with their content
• The importance of framing and packaging your content in a way that actually captures attention
• The mindsets and habits of successful content creators that will forever change your thinking on content creation
• And how you can apply these strategies to your own content to start getting the traction you need

Resources:

• How To Power Up Your Content Strategy When You’re Short on Time and Staff

• How to Build a Next-level Content Strategy

• Quality Over Quantity: A Content Strategy to Stand Apart
• Case Study: Let’s Green California

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

What if we told you that there is a way to work smarter, not harder, with your content strategy that can help you get the absolute most out of each piece of content and idea that you come up with?

Whether you’re just getting started on your content creation journey or if you’re a seasoned content creator with established workflows and formats, the big idea and framework we’re going to cover today can be an absolute game changer.

There’s one trend we consistently see holding social impact marketing teams back in their content strategy. 

And the worst part is that we see this with teams who put a lot of time and effort into their content. But because they aren’t implementing this strategy, they still aren’t getting the most return on their investment.

So then they have to spend more time and energy thinking about new content ideas and formats, more time and energy creating that new content, and so on. 

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• Why effective content distribution is half the battle to breaking through in the attention economy
• How to craft a distribution-first content strategy and mindset
• How to squeeze the most value out of your content, whether that’s new content OR content that you’ve already created and published
• And a simple framework you can use to take these ideas and put them into action for your mission

Resources:

• Read the Manifesto 
• Listen to the Manifesto
• How To Power Up Your Content Strategy When You’re Short on Time and Staff
• How to Build a Next-level Content Strategy
• Quality Over Quantity: A Content Strategy to Stand Apart

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Is community in decline, or is the way we’re participating just changing?

The data and statistics, as always, are messy. And there’s valid opinions and arguments supporting different trends here.

But whether or not community-engagement is in decline, our relationships with community is going through a rapid transformation. 

And as a social impact brand, you need community support to power your work. You can’t power your mission and reach your true impact potential alone. But, building authentic, vibrant communities seems harder than ever before. 

Today, we’re talking all about community-building. And specifically, how to build an authentic community around your mission — and why that’s becoming an increasingly important part of a successful social impact strategy.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Why community is changing and what that means for your social impact brand
• The key pillars of healthy and vibrant communities
• And how you can build a community around your cause to drive support, engagement, and revenue for your mission

Resources:

• 9 Ways to Make Your Membership Model More Inclusive
• Nonprofit Membership Programs: How to Create a Better One at Your Organization
• Community Building Might Not Feel Like Your Core Work, But It Should Be
• How to Build a Focused, User-Friendly Website for Your Community Foundation

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Is your social impact brand attracting enough revenue to power your mission and build a healthy, sustainable organization? Or do you feel like you’re constantly chasing donors and customers just to keep the lights on?

Chances are, the second scenario hits closer to home. If so, you’re not alone. Because the social impact sector has a revenue problem. And it’s not a small one. 

We’re not just talking about donor retention, or shifting consumer behaviors, or downward trends in giving and support for social impact causes either. We’re talking about deeply rooted cultural beliefs and narratives that have shaped our entire sector. And that many of us have just learned to accept as inevitable.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• The cultural beliefs and narratives that have created unhealthy and unsustainable norms that are holding our sector back
• Why so many social impact organizations struggle to attract, grow, and retain revenue for their missions
• And how you can create the conditions for revenue generation that can lead to the growth you need to truly power your mission and build a sustainable, resilient organization

Resources:

• Nonprofits, Fundraising Success Depends on the Strength of Your Website
• The ROI of Brand Building
• Read the Manifesto 
• Listen to the Manifesto

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Today’s episode is going to be a little different. Because this is the last episode in our first season of Designing Tomorrow.

Today, we’re not going to introduce any new concepts or strategies. Instead, we’re going to challenge you.

If you follow the the playbook we outlined over the course of Season One in Designing Tomorrow — truly, actually embody it — you will become a leading social impact organization.

And once you begin to experience the benefits of this methodology for your organization, don’t just declare victory and call it a day. Use your new influence in your ecosystem to create a ripple effect of positive change.

Our challenge to you today is this: Lead the conversation.


Resources:

• Nonprofits, Fundraising Success Depends on the Strength of Your Website
• The ROI of Brand Building
• Read the Manifesto 
• Listen to the Manifesto

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

We’re back with Season 2 of Designing Tomorrow, and we’ve got an exciting update. 

This season, we’re joined by our new cohost, Jonathan Hicken. Jonathan has extensive experience as a leader in the social impact sector, and brings a practitioner’s point of view to the show as he tests Eric’s ideas about brand building and marketing, and introduces ideas of his own. 

This season, we’ll continue to explore the question that frames our show: “Why do some social impact organizations thrive, while so many others fail to get traction and reach their true impact potential?”

If you’re a social impact marketer, executive director/CEO, or just someone interested in exploring this question with us, then this show is for you. 

We’ve released a bonus episode to kick off Season 2, and our first full length episode wild drop next Tuesday, so be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss it!

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

In this bonus episode, we're kicking off Season 2 with a new co-host, Jonathan Hicken.

Learn about Jonathan’s path to social impact, from being raised by peace corps parents in Venezuela to his current role as Executive Director at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, a marine science museum. 

You can also learn a bit more about Eric's journey from design school dropout to accidental entrepreneur and what sparked his decision to focus his work at Cosmic fiercely on social impact. 

Jonathan and Eric cover a lot of ground in this season, and we can’t wait to get future episodes out into the wild soon. 

🎧 Watch here on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the first full-length episode that drops next Tuesday, followed by new episodes every week.

And don't forget to welcome Jonathan to the show in the comments. 

P.S. — Did you miss Season 1? It might just be bingeworthy enough for you to go back and watch before Season 2 kicks into full gear.

Episode Highlights 

[00:22] - Introduction of Jonathan Hicken as the new co-host for Season 2.

[00:48] - Jonathan shares his background in social impact, from Peace Corps parents to leading nonprofit initiatives.

[02:01] - Eric and Jonathan discuss their past collaboration on a successful digital transformation project.

[04:01] - Eric reflects on his journey from a design school dropout to a leader in social impact.

[08:22] - The hosts outline the mission of "Design Tomorrow" and the questions they'll explore in the new season.

Quotes

"I’m really excited to have someone to represent the practitioner seat and to talk about how these ideas can be translated within an organization." - Eric Ressler [03:23]

"My success in running Cosmic is just straight luck of being in the right place at the right time with a skill set that was highly in demand." - Eric Ressler [05:21]

"I’m a big fan of the way you think about social impact work, and I’m excited to channel that energy into our conversations." - Jonathan Hicken [03:10]

Resources:

• Designing Tomorrow Podcast Season 1
• Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
  
  

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

You probably shouldn’t rebrand your social impact organization. 

Except, of course, when you really should. (wait, what?)

Because when the conditions are right, a rebrand can be one of the most powerful ways to reach your mission faster. But how do you know when it’s the right time to invest in a rebrand?

Let’s be real: a rebrand is a big swing move. And it’s a tempting play to run when:

↳ You aren’t making the impact you need to
↳ You can’t seem to get your story or message across
↳ You aren’t getting engagement from customers or donors
↳ Your current brand feels dusty and dissonant

BUT

There are times when you absolutely, positively, shouldn’t do a rebrand. 

And if you try to push one through anyway, the results can be disastrous and might even cause a huge backlash from your community of supporters. 

In this week’s Episode of Designing Tomorrow, Jonathan and Eric discuss how you know if it’s the right time to invest in a rebrand for your social impact org. And maybe even more importantly, what to watch out for to make sure you are ready to make the most of it. 

Episode Highlights

• Introduction to the topic of rebranding social impact organizations.
• The importance of rebranding as a significant investment.
• The role of rebranding during organizational growth or inflection points.
• Rebranding as a solution for organizations stuck in a stagnation loop.
• Rebranding during large strategic shifts and the concept of nonprofit life cycles.
• Addressing outdated branding and content strategies.
• The importance of effectively communicating your story to supporters.
• Discusses the pitfalls of rebranding without a clear strategy or measurable ROI.
• Emphasizes the importance of having broad support within the organization for a rebrand to avoid pitfalls and ensure effectiveness.
• Advises on the integration of rebranding efforts with strategic planning for a cohesive approach.
• Highlights the necessity of adequate resources and long-term planning to sustain a rebrand beyond its initial launch.

Resources:

• Article - Dare to Be Bold: Making a Case for Better Social Impact Branding
• Article - Unexpected Ways a Rebrand Can Supercharge Your Team Culture
• Article - Navigating a Rebrand: Nine Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Book - Nonprofit Lifecycles: Stage-Based Wisdom for Nonprofit Capacity by  Susan Kenny Stevens

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Your brand is not your logo. It’s not your fonts, or your colors, or your voice. It’s not your content. It’s not your mission. 

Your brand is:

↳ Whether you come through on the promises you make to your community

↳ The actions you take

↳ How your team shows up each and every day

But what happens when you paint a picture of those values and promises, but don’t come through on them for your community?

And how can you ensure that your brand values and promises are EMBODIED by everyone on your team in real life? 

In today’s episode of Designing Tomorrow, Jonathan shares exactly how he and his team have done this at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and his past roles in his social impact journey. 

Eric and Jonathan emphasize the need for consistent brand experiences across all interactions, especially during rebranding efforts. The conversation provides practical strategies for ensuring that both internal and external communications reflect an organization’s core values and promises.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] - Eric and Jonathan discuss the disconnect between brand promises and actual delivery, reflecting on past experiences at a B2B software company.
• [01:01] - They delve into how nonprofits can enhance donor retention by embodying their brand effectively in real life.
• [02:00] - Eric and Jonathan talk about the risks of rebranding and the importance of internal alignment.
• [07:12] - They offer tips on storytelling for nonprofits, emphasizing the need to balance vision with authenticity.
• [10:04] - The discussion turns to making supporters the heroes of the story rather than the organization itself.
• [13:02] - Jonathan shares a real-world example of how a small change at the front desk of an educational center reinforced a community-focused brand.
• [14:55] - The impact of inconsistent brand experiences and the importance of aligning internal actions with external messaging.
•  [17:27]- Methods for assessing how well employees embody the brand, including coaching and feedback mechanisms.
• [21:08] - The concept of "pulses" for obtaining customer feedback and compares it to traditional surveys.
• [25:18] - Embodying the brand is crucial for authenticity and long-term success.

Resources:

• They Said - pulses / mini surveys 
• Storybrand by Donald Miller
• Create Better Social Impact Messaging by Finding Your Brand Voice 
• Unexpected Ways a Rebrand Can Supercharge Your Team Culture

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

There’s one thing the most successful social impact orgs get right, every time.

They truly define and own a niche.

Owning a niche as a social impact brand is probably one of the most important — but least understood — superpowers to further your mission. 

When we help our clients define and own a niche, they:

↳ More easily drive engagement and action for their mission

↳ Build capacity and become more effective with their existing resources

↳ Reduce friction in securing donations and growing their revenue

↳ Build a stronger culture and clarity of purpose for their team

But owning a niche is easier said than done. And your niche should evolve over time. 

Where you started might not be right for where you are today — or more importantly where you need to be tomorrow. 

In today’s episode of Designing Tomorrow, Jonathan outlines 5 simple but powerful questions that you can ask yourself to test your social impact niche. 

If you’re trying to find your niche, or ready to make a pivot, these questions can help you make sure you’re putting your ideas to the test. 

Episode Highlights

• Question 1: What Specific Problem Do You Solve? [01:41]
  • Explore the importance of clearly defining the problem your organization solves and ensuring it's communicated effectively.
• Question 2: Who Experiences the Pain If You Disappear? [06:12]
  • Discuss the significance of understanding your primary audience and the implications of your absence on them.
• Question 3: What Is Your Unique Solution? [09:30]
  • Examine how to articulate your unique approach to solving the problem and how it differs from other solutions.
• Question 4: What Are the Ramifications of Not Solving the Problem? [12:44]
  • Consider the impact of not addressing the problem and how it can help refine your organization’s focus.
• Question 5: Who Are Your Competitors or Collaborators? [15:07]
  • Analyze your position relative to competitors and how understanding this can help strengthen your niche.

Resources:

• Use Your Niche to Supercharge Your Mission
• Define Your Social Impact Niche to Build a Brand That Matters
• 8 Key Ingredients to Defining Your Social Impact Niche
• How to Find Your Social Impact Niche
• Al Ramadan - Play Bigger ​​

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

What makes an EXCEPTIONAL social impact marketing team?

Often, when we get this question from clients, they are trying to determine what ROLES to hire for. 

But that’s putting the cart before the horse. Instead, it’s best to think about the QUALITIES and CULTURE of a successful marketing philosophy for your brand. 

Because you can build a highly-skilled marketing team and still totally flop if:
↳ You don’t have vision as a brand
↳ You don’t let them create BOLD, scroll-stopping content
↳ You micro-manage and add arduous approval processes

In today’s episode of Designing Tomorrow, Eric distill’s what he’s seen work the best when building out your in-house marketing team at your social impact org. 

And at the end, he outlines how he would structure the marketing department for social impact orgs at different sizes. 

Jonathan STRONGLY disagrees with his recommendations at first, but starts to come around towards the end. Eric hopes to get him eventually. 

Episode Highlights

• [02:15] - The importance of brand strategy
• [05:05] - Knowing your audience deeply 
• [07:55] - Creating scroll-stopping content 
• [13:42] - Balancing cadence and quality 
• [17:14] - Evaluation and curiosity in marketing 
• [20:45] - The role of leadership in marketing success 
• [22:47] - Building marketing teams across different organizational sizes 
• [24:26] - The role of content in marketing
• [28:06] - In-house capacity vs. agency support 
• [31:54] - Challenges of scaling a marketing team

Quotes:

• "You have to understand who you're talking to. Who are you actually speaking to, who's reading this?" - Jonathan Hicken 
• "If you start to just do marketing... and just putting content out there for the sake of putting content out there, but there's not a solid brand strategy... you're kind of setting yourself up for failure." - Eric Ressler 

Resources:

• Rethinking Your Unhealthy Relationship with Social Impact Marketing
• Is Your Social Impact Marketing Strategy Built on a Strong Foundation or a House of Cards?
• Podcast - We Are For Good — Nonprofit Trends That Matter in 2023: Marketing is Mission
• Marketing Isn’t Overhead, It’s an Impact Multiplier
• Ethical Storytelling Resource - Maria Bryan Creative

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Core brand values aren’t just fluffy words you put on posters. 

But without the right approach, that’s all they’ll ever be. 

Core brand values — when done right — can be absolutely transformative for your organization’s culture, effectiveness, and impact. 

But you can’t just come up with 5 words that all start with the letter “R” and call it a day. 

So how do you create core values for your brand that ACTUALLY make a meaningful impact for your team? 

Jonathan and Eric have some ideas — and some things to watch out for — in this week’s episode of Designing Tomorrow. 

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Discussing a disappointing experience at a museum and how it led Jonathan to reflect on the importance of core values
• [01:32] This episode is for executive directors and board members looking to build meaningful core values
• [03:39] First tip: Core values should be easy to remember and not lame to repeat, using his organization's value "Find Out" as an example
• [05:54] The importance of backing core values with specific behaviors and evaluating them regularly
• [07:34] Emphasizing the need for continuous evaluation, suggesting quarterly reviews rather than annual ones
• [09:35] The fluidity of core values and the necessity of adapting them as an organization evolves
• [11:35] Fifth tip: Use core values as a foundation for hiring decisions and team building
• [14:23] Focus on one core value per year to allow teams to deeply integrate and embody it

Quotes

• "I've seen a lot of core values out there, and I'm not really sure how many of them are actually enacted by their organization." - Eric Ressler [01:00]
• "Core values need to be easy to remember or not lame to repeat. It has to be something that somebody would actually say in their day-to-day life." - Jonathan Hicken [03:39]
• "You have to back these values with specific behaviors...what does a five out of five on the 'Find Out' value actually look like when you show up to work?" - Jonathan Hicken [05:54]
• "To me, these are the brand values, but to you, they're the team values. I think they're the same thing." - Eric Ressler [10:18]
• "When these values are done excellently, it’s clear how they’re driving impact." - Jonathan Hicken [10:29]
• "I challenge you to think about how the brand, the rebrand, the strategic plan you’re putting together, makes its way to your team and what that’s going to look like in people's day-to-day jobs." - Jonathan Hicken [13:56]

Resources:

• Article - Nail Your Brand Strategy with this Simple Framework
• Video - Demystifying Strategic Planning: Insights from a Seasoned Expert
• Article - Create Better Social Impact Messaging by Finding Your Brand Voice

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Far too many social impact orgs are giving their power away — and they don’t even know they’re doing it. 

There’s a fundamental tension in the social impact space. 

A tension between the generosity that powers this sector and the need for social impact brands to leverage their power so they can make a true impact. 

But when this healthy tension strays out of balance — in either direction — the results can be disastrous. 

Relying solely on the generosity of your supporters leads to the common “hat in hand” position that leaves many incredible organizations begging for money/resources and stuck in the scarcity mindset/starvation cycle. 

Too much focus on power (this is rarer, but it does happen) means that bigger, more established organizations suck up resources and leave smaller (and sometimes more impactful) orgs begging for the scraps of available funding within an issue area. 

And giving your power away can happen with the smallest of well-intentioned actions. From how you craft your donation appeals, to how you position yourself in your niche, to how you develop your team’s internal culture. 

Today, Jonathan and Eric break down all the ways that social impact orgs are unknowingly giving their power away and how to strike a healthy balance between the generosity that powers your work and strength in your approach to reaching your mission.

Have you ever felt like you’ve given your power away, or felt powerless in your social impact work? Then this episode is a must listen.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] - Introduction and Topic Setup
• [01:15] - Exploring Power in Social Impact
• [02:24] - Personal Experiences with Power Dynamics
• [04:05] - The Power Crisis in Social Impact
• [06:04] - The Trap of Transactional Marketing
• [12:00] - Brand Building as a Power Tool
• [08:01] - Balancing Values with Financial Necessity
• [14:47] - The Importance of Credibility and Reputation

Quotes

• "Power really is the ability to influence behavior or change the course of events, and when used wisely, it can shape the future, especially in the social impact space." - Eric Ressler [01:15]
• "As an executive director and marketer, questions of power often arise in conversations with influential stakeholders, whose power could move the needle significantly for the organization I serve." - Jonathan Hicken [02:24]
• "One big way that social impact organizations are giving their power away is by practicing transactional marketing and fundraising, which might hit short-term goals but comes with long-term costs." - Eric Ressler [06:04]
• "Another side effect of too much transactional marketing is that it becomes about the organization rather than the impact you're seeking, which dilutes your power." - Jonathan Hicken [06:32]
• "Building a solid brand and marketing muscle can help your organization build credibility and authority, which opens up new opportunities, resources, and, ultimately, power." - Eric Ressler [15:10]

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Do you ever feel like you’re just STUCK?

Like no matter what you try or how hard you work you just can’t seem to get traction?

We’ve all been there before, and it’s NOT a fun space to be in. 

Here’s the thing: there are going to be sticking points in your social impact journey. That’s pretty much guaranteed. 

What worked on day 1 — or year 1 —  won’t necessarily work for year 3, or year 5. 

What worked when you were brand new and had a $500k annual operating budget won’t work to get you from $5m/yr to $50m/yr.

But there’s a powerful way to overcome these sticking points: Learn to build a social impact flywheel.

A flywheel takes some initial effort to start and spin up, but then it builds momentum and continues to propel your work forward with minimal effort once it’s going. 

You can’t just build one big impact flywheel. You need to build a bunch of them that all work together. 

Jonathan and Eric go into this in detail in our latest episode of Designing Tomorrow. If you’re feeling stuck right now, you don’t want to miss this one.

Episode Highlights

• [01:11] - Flywheel concept from Good to Great and its relevance to social impact
• [05:27] - Positive feedback loops and their application in social impact organizations
• [06:16] - Creating positive feedback loops and examples of effective stakeholder engagement
• [09:38] - Importance of showing the impact of financial contributions
• [12:05] - Providing immediate feedback for donors and participants
• [14:06] - Immediate feedback to help maintain donor and participant engagement
• [20:21] - The idea of multi-threaded value to enhance retention and momentum

Quotes

• "I think the idea and the concept of a flywheel is very alluring, right? Because it's like, okay, if we can get this flywheel built and we do all this effort at some point it starts to build its own momentum and then we can, you know, reduce the effort." - Eric Ressler [03:25]
• "One of the mistakes that we make most commonly, and I think one that if we correct it would get that positive feedback loop going, get that flywheel turning is to make this feedback more immediate." - Jonathan Hicken [14:06]

Resources:

• Article - How To Power Up Your Content Strategy When You’re Short on Time and Staff
• Article - How to Increase Supporter and Donor Action Using an Engagement Pyramid
• Article - Nonprofits, Master the 3 Pillars of Digital Engagement for Maximum Social Impact
• Article - How to Build a Next-level Content Strategy
• Good to

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Branding is about far more than just slick, eye-catching aesthetics.

What truly transforms an organization is a brand built on vision and strategy. Without a clear strategy, positioning, and messaging, the aesthetic elements like logos, fonts, and colors won’t do anything to create lasting impact.

Branding goes beyond visuals. It’s about aligning every aspect of the organization with its purpose, values, and audience.

A successful rebrand requires more than just a great logo—it demands a strategic mix of:

→ Brand Strategy
→ Positioning and differentiation
→ Messaging
→ And, of course, the aesthetic elements like fonts, colors, photography, and logos

In this episode, we break down the difference between approaching branding as a purely aesthetic exercise versus a deeply strategic process, and how a well-thought-out rebrand can help your social impact organization create meaningful change.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Introduction to the Branding Spectrum 
• [01:01] Cosmetic vs. Strategic Branding
• [04:40] Color and Visual Identity 
• [09:27] Tone, Voice, and Messaging 
• [12:21] Target Audience and Niche 
• [16:11] Mission, Vision, and Values 

Quotes

• “A really good brand should hit a lot of different points on the spectrum from cosmetic to strategic.” - Eric Ressler [00:30]
• “Logos are absolutely important, but all of the other things that make a brand are significantly more important than the logo.” - Eric Ressler [01:41]
• “The logo can be very powerful as a symbol or a fingerprint for your brand, but it is not your full brand.” - Eric Ressler [02:37]
• “Sometimes we can hide behind the work we put into the logo a little bit. It carries no weight or purpose if you’re not backing it up with real world action.” - Jonathan Hicken [03:48]
• “Potentially getting your audience right is one of the most difficult steps in this process.” - Jonathan Hicken [13:14]
• “Target audience is one of the very first things we do. It’s very preliminary in our work.” - Eric Ressler [13:20]
• “The number one thing I wish I would have been ready to do going into rebranding efforts was be prepared to adjust the mission and vision and values.” - Jonathan Hicken [18:23]

Resources:

• In Depth: Social Impact Branding 
• Navigating a Rebrand: Nine Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Want to Scale Your Social Impact? Your Brand is the Fuel
• Beyond Aesthetics: The ROI of Brand Building

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Social impact orgs aren’t known for being great at branding and marketing.

But it's NOT just about limited resources — there's a deeper story here.

There’s some big obstacles in the way, like:

→ The "overhead myth" that just won't die (KILL IT WITH FIRE)

→ A false dichotomy between choosing to invest in fundraising OR marketing (you need both)

→ The "scrappiness fallacy" worn as a badge of honor (you don’t look more “authentic” because your brand sucks, sorry!)

→ Challenges connecting the ROI to the mission (not always easy!)

→ A cultural zeitgeist that views marketing as "dirty" (bad marketing ruining it for all of us)

But the culture around this is changing, and it’s happening fast. More organizations are recognizing the power of strategic brand building and storytelling. And the ones that are investing accordingly are outpacing their peers massively. 

In this week’s episode Jonathan and Eric dive into all of this, and:

• Why marketing should be considered a program cost, not overhead

• How fundraising and marketing can (and should) work synergistically

• The importance of internal champions for brand/marketing efforts

• Why "staying hidden" rarely serves your mission

For leaders in the space: If you're struggling to get buy-in or funding for this work, you might be pitching it wrong. We discuss how to make a bulletproof case that connects to your impact and financial sustainability.

The social impact sector needs to embrace brand and marketing as important tools that help us reach more people, tell better stories, and ultimately, create more impact.

Episode Highlights

• [02:07] Prioritizing Marketing
• [03:32] The Internal Champion
• [04:33] Breaking the Overhead Myth
• [06:40] Marketing's ROI is Misunderstood
• [07:33] Branding Beyond the Visual Identity
• [09:09] The Synergy of Marketing and Fundraising
• [11:06] Examples of Successful Brand Building
• [13:31] Overcoming Your Resistance to Marketing
• [15:41] The Role of Digital Tools in Brand Building
• [17:11] Final Thoughts

Quotes

• “The overhead myth that is apparently never going to fully die in the space [and it] is partially responsible for this.” - Eric Ressler [05:37]
• “The minute we sit down [with a donor], we’re having a different kind of conversation... How can we accelerate this?” - Jonathan Hicken [12:31]

Resources:

• Dan Pallotta’s website
• Beyond Aesthetics: The ROI of Brand Building
• Rethinking Your Unhealthy Relationship with Social Impact Marketing
• Is Your Social Impact Marketing Strategy Built on a Strong Foundation or a House of Cards

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Branding/marketing isn’t going to do anything for your org…if you can’t fund it in the first place. 

Unfortunately, justifying the investment in this work — both money AND capacity — for social impact orgs doesn’t come as easily as it might for other sectors. And right now everyone is still stuck in the “do more with less” mentality. 

Here’s how to make a solid case for the investment — whether you’re pitching your leadership team, funders, or anyone else that needs buy-in to make it work:

1. Empathize with decision-makers

Understand what decision makers value and what other priorities they are focused on. This work isn’t the only thing on their mind just because it’s important to you. 

2. Connect work to financial health

You have to make a case that this work is not just “feel good” work, but actually leads to better financial sustainability for the org. (Teaser: we’re going deep into this in next week’s episode).

3. Tie initiatives to impact

Connect the dots between this investment and how it will actually create impact for your community and help you reach your mission more quickly/effectively.

4. De-risk the investment

Use a pilot project or a phased approach to de-risk the investment and lower the barrier to entry.

5. Propose what to deprioritize

Realize that saying yes to this most likely means saying no to other valid projects. Come prepared with which projects you would recommend deprioritizing.

6. Present your project team

Think through WHO on your team will be involved and how this will affect their capacity. This shows that you understand this will take time and energy and make for easier planning.

In today’s episode of Designing Tomorrow, Jonathan and I dive deep into each of these points, plus we cover:

→ How to appeal to personal motivations

→ Making concrete connections to growth or cost savings

→ Aligning with your mission and impact

→ Balancing risk and reward

→Managing internal resources effectively

But here's the kicker: There's one unexpected benefit of investing in branding/marketing that most people overlook. It's so powerful, it might just be the most important (but rarely discussed) return on your investment.

Curious? You'll have to listen to find out. 

Whether you're a CEO/ED, marketing lead, or passionate team member trying to drive change, this episode has some road-tested ideas to help you make your case.

Resources:

• Episode inspired by an article in - TheySaid’s 2.0 Magazine 
• Want to Scale Your Social Impact? Your Brand is the Fuel.
• Beyond Aesthetics: The ROI of Brand Building
• Brand Building: An Authentic Approach to Growing

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Struggling to measure the impact of your branding and marketing efforts? You're not alone.

Ironically, the more analytics tools we have to measure the success of our marketing efforts, the harder it seems to know what’s actually working. This is especially true of broader brand marketing efforts, which are harder to measure and don’t play nice with our modern measurement platforms that have been optimized for performance and transactional marketing campaigns. 

In today’s episode, we dig into:

• Why traditional digital marketing metrics can be misleading
• The trap of vanity metrics (and how to use them effectively)
• The importance of timescale in evaluating your efforts
• How to tie brand building to bottom-line metrics like revenue/fundraising and volunteer recruitment
• Practical strategies for gathering feedback and measuring impact

We also discuss:

→ The power of directional data vs. predictive data
→ Why the simple strategy of just talking to your audience is critical (and often overlooked)
→ How to set up a framework for measuring long-term impact

Brand building is a long game, but it's essential for creating authentic relationships with supporters and driving real change. This episode will give you the tools to start measuring your efforts effectively.

Ready to level up your brand building strategy? Listen now.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00] Introduction to the topic of transactional vs. brand-building marketing
• [01:06] Why transactional marketing is easier to measure but lacks long-term depth
• [02:20] The rise of data-driven marketing and the issues with privacy laws
• [03:59] The allure and pitfalls of short-term marketing metrics
• [05:24] Urgent and gamified marketing tactics vs. authentic engagement
• [07:15] Misleading analytics and the complexity of attribution in marketing
• [10:38] Journey mapping and understanding the customer’s path
• [13:00] The importance of long-term brand-building efforts over immediate gains
• [16:39] Engaging directly with your audience as a way to measure brand-building
• [22:06] How to measure impact in brand-building campaigns 
• [22:24] Using feedback forms and tracking trends 
• [23:09] Breaking down big goals into measurable outcomes 
• [24:13] How to track progress in fields where outcomes can take years to manifest 
• [25:53] Knowing when to stick with or abandon a strategy 
• [27:03] Importance of empathy and adaptability 

Resources:

• S1 - Ep 04 - We’ve GOT to Stop Marketing Like This. 
• Journey Mapping 101 - Sarah Gibbons
• OKRs: the ultimate guide to objectives and key results
• Beyond Aesthetics

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Is your organization's purpose secretly undermining its impact?

In our latest episode of Designing Tomorrow, Jonathan and Eric tackle a provocative question: When does your purpose become a problem?

We explore the hidden mistakes that can trap even the most well-intentioned social impact organizations, including:

• Relying on wishful thinking instead of hard facts

• Letting processes become more important than outcomes 

• Falling into dogmatic, crusade-like thinking

• Overvaluing passion at the expense of skills when hiring

These traps can slowly erode your effectiveness and relevance without you even realizing it. Left unchecked, they may even lead to your organization becoming obsolete.

But there's hope. We discuss practical ways to recognize the warning signs and realign your purpose for maximum impact.

This episode is a must-listen for any social impact leader who wants to ensure their organization's purpose remains a powerful force for good, not an anchor holding them back.


Episode Highlights

• [00:05] Concept of "purpose becoming a problem" in social impact work
• [01:23] Wishful thinking, often driven by a single donor, can mislead organizations
• [02:10] Donor diversification can help with a social impact organization’s resilience
• [03:59] Your historic purpose may lose relevance over time
• [06:10] Sticking to outdated processes can stifle organizational growth
• [08:33] "Crusading" and dogmatic approaches 
• [11:24] Exploration of how passion-driven hiring can sometimes overshadow skill-based hiring
• [13:12] Hiring practices, the balance between passion and necessary skills in building effective teams

Quotes

• "[Some] organizations are driven by wishful thinking and not brutal facts." -  Jonathan Hicken [01:23]
• "Some organizations are built on a house of cards, with one donor propping the whole thing up." - Eric Ressler [03:26]
• "I think in most cases an 'us vs. them' mentality is lazy marketing." - Jonathan Hicken [10:46]

Resources

• Nina Simon
• Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History 
• How We Define Social Purpose Brands
• Social Enterprises: Own Your Purpose-Driven Differentiator
• How Your Purpose, Vision, and Mission Can Guide Better Brand Storytelling
• Defeat Mission Creep and Master Your Nonprofit's Messaging to Maximize Impact

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

The social impact sector isn’t known for being very risky. In fact, it’s often quite the opposite. Too many orgs play it safe, afraid of over-scrutinization (the double standard is real here) and hoping to protect their mission and resources.

But here’s the thing — sometimes the most dangerous thing is playing it too safe.

In this episode, Jonathan and Eric dive into the topic of risk: when to take it, how to de-risk it, and what to expect if it doesn’t pay off.

We cover actionable tips for when (and how) to take risks, like:

→ Be bold, but calculated: Every impactful org will face a time when they need to try something big — even if it’s daunting. Develop a framework to know which risks align with your mission and will benefit your team.

→ Build resilience for the outcomes: Not every risk will pay off, but treating failure as a teacher rather than an enemy is essential for growth.

→ Communicate your “why”: Take your team and stakeholders on the journey with you. Being clear about the purpose of the risk and the goal it serves builds trust and sets everyone up for success.

Whether it’s experimenting with a new program, trying fresh approaches in fundraising, or tackling a major pivot, we believe risk-taking can — and should — have a place in social impact.

Listen to the full episode for deeper insights and personal stories from Jonathan and Eric.

Episode Highlights:

• [02:15]: The cautious nature of the social impact sector, vs. the high-risk, high-reward environment of startups
• [03:05]: Developing a framework for taking calculated risks in organizational settings
• [03:32]: How to navigate risk daily - seeking opportunities for high leverage while mitigating potential losses
• [05:18]: Eric recounts his early career and a pivotal risk he took to secure workspace, which transformed his business
• [08:09]: Importance of having a support system in place when undertaking major risks, ensuring buy-in from those affected
• [10:45]: Jonathan emphasizes the value of running ideas by trusted colleagues and advisors to de-risk risky decisions
• [13:08]: Dangers of hesitating mid-risk and the parallels between sports and business risk-taking
• [16:09]: Clear communication with teams when embarking on risky initiatives

Resources:

• In Defense of Moonshots: True Social Innovation Requires Taking Risks
• Dare to Be Bold: Making a Case for Better Social Impact Branding
• Jeff Bezos is A/B Testing Philanthropy. Here's What He'll Find.
• To Solve the World's Problems, Start by Building Consensus

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Are you falling into the trap of transactional marketing without even realizing it?

In this episode of Designing Tomorrow, we dive deep into why social impact organizations often default to transactional marketing approaches - and the hidden dangers of this common mistake.

We cover:

• The 6 reasons why we fall into the transactional marketing trap
• Why "easy" and "inexpensive" marketing tactics can backfire
• The false sense of safety in sticking to familiar strategies
• How to balance brand-building with calls-to-action
• Why your marketing culture matters more than individual tactics

We also explore:

• The concerning trend of relying too heavily on data-driven approaches
• Why some "old school" marketing methods are making a comeback
• How to avoid creating "icky experiences" for your audience
• The dangers of fake urgency and misleading messaging

If you're struggling to break free from transactional thinking or wondering why your marketing efforts aren't delivering results, this episode is a must-listen.

Don't let outdated marketing approaches hold back your organization's impact. Watch/listen now to learn how to shift towards more effective, relationship-focused strategies that will help you build trust, credibility, and long-term supporter engagement.

Episode Highlights:

• [01:00] The six reasons why social impact marketers fall into the trap of transactional marketing - starting with how easy it is
• [02:15] Marketing tools and best practices have increasingly leaned towards transactional approaches due to their data-driven nature
• [03:10] Over-reliance on data and how it can lead to neglecting broader brand-building strategies
• [05:00] Example from political campaigns, drawing parallels between canvassing strategies and modern marketing
• [07:00] Resurgence of more traditional, person-to-person engagement in marketing amidst the saturation of digital tactics
• [09:00] It's inexpensive
• [12:00] Perceived safety of transactional marketing and how it stifles creativity and long-term growth
• [16:00] Balancing between transactional marketing and brand building

Resources:

• Designing Tomorrow: Season 1 - Episode 04 - We’ve GOT to Stop Marketing Like This. 
• Beyond Aesthetics: The ROI of Brand Building
• A Guide to Social Impact Marketing Through Brand-building
• Top 5 Features Your Nonprofit Needs in a Donor Management Platform
• Social Enterprises, Meet the New Digital Media Imperative

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

"This looks great. Let me just get the board's input."

Those words strike fear into the heart of every social impact leader. You've poured your heart and soul into a project, only to have it potentially derailed at the last minute.

But what if getting community input didn't have to be so terrifying? What if there was a way to gather feedback that actually improved your work instead of watering it down?

In our latest episode of Designing Tomorrow, we tackle the thorny issue of community input head-on. We share hard-won lessons from years of mistakes and successes, revealing:

• The #1 thing you must do before asking for any feedback (get this wrong and you're doomed from the start)

• Why timing is everything - and the counterintuitive approach that works best

• How to design your input process for maximum impact (and minimum headaches)

• What to do when you get "bad" feedback that goes against everything you believe

Whether you're working on a rebrand, website overhaul, or major strategic initiative, this episode is a must-listen. We break down exactly how to get the input you need without derailing your vision or watering down your impact.

Don't let fear of feedback hold you back from creating transformative change. Tune in now and learn how to harness the power of community input to take your work to the next level.

Episode Highlights:

• [01:55] Introduction to the challenge of community feedback during large projects
• [02:56] Discussing how different projects require tailored approaches for gathering input
• [03:36] Setting expectations for feedback + clarifying the decision-making processes
• [05:13] Timing of community feedback in different phases of a project
• [09:10] Designing the right framework for gathering input
• [10:21] Understanding when and how to collect actionable feedback
• [12:00] Synthesizing community input into strategic decisions
• [17:09] Importance of well-planned community collaborations
• [19:05] Handling negative community feedback and maintaining decision-making authority
• [20:11] Including community members who see aspects the leader might miss
• [21:38] Managing vocal minorities within a large community
• [23:06] Addressing the emotional responses of vocal groups without changing course 
• [24:11] Recognizing negativity bias in decision-making processes

Resources:

• The Right Way to Get Community Input on a Rebrand
• Brand Building: An Authentic Approach to Growing a Fierce, Loyal, and Supportive Community
• Navigating a Rebrand: Nine Common Mistakes to Avoid

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Are you losing touch with your community? It might be time to reconnect.

As social impact leaders, we pour our hearts and souls into our work. But sometimes, in the rush to create change, we can drift away from the very people we're trying to serve.

In our latest episode of Designing Tomorrow, we tackle this critical issue head-on. We explore the subtle signs that you might be losing connection with your community and offer practical strategies to rebuild those vital relationships.

We dive deep into:

• The telltale signs that you're out of sync with your audience
• Why staying connected is crucial for your organization's success
• Simple yet powerful ways to reconnect, starting today
• How to create a culture that celebrates community engagement

Whether you're leading a nonprofit, social enterprise, or mission-driven company, this episode is essential listening. We break down exactly how to stay in tune with your community without compromising your vision or watering down your impact.

Don't let disconnection derail your mission. Tune in now and learn how to harness the power of authentic community relationships to take your work to the next level.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:09] Staying connected with your community
• [01:43] The first sign of losing touch: stumbling when explaining who you serve and what problem you're solving
• [04:25] The second sign: not knowing what your community likes or wants to improve about your product or service
• [07:28] The third sign: feeling nervous about engaging with or hearing feedback from your community
• [08:13] The fourth sign: hearing disparaging remarks about your community from your team
• [10:12] Using community input to guide their design and strategy process
• [14:16] Community defined as building true relationships through authentic dialogue, beyond transactional methods
• [15:01] Importance of conversations with customers and not relying solely on structured methods
• [16:20] Create community groups for continuous feedback and deeper relationships
• [17:04] Use of journey mapping as a way to understand and connect with customers
• [18:03] Informal check-ins, like emails or coffee chats, to maintain community engagement
• [21:06] Measure organizational success based on how the community defines its own success
• [23:32] Organizational benefits of reducing churn and developing deeper relationships
• [24:00] Use community feedback can help to shape organizational value and impact

Resources:

• Journey Mapping 101
• Community Building Might Not Feel Like Your Core Work, But It Should Be
• Brand Building: An Authentic Approach to Growing a Fierce

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

"Is your strategic plan collecting digital dust?"

That's the question every social impact leader needs to ask themselves. 

We've all been there — investing countless hours and resources into creating the perfect 3-year plan, only to have it sit unused on a shelf.

But what if there was a better way? A more agile approach that could energize your team and get your ideas into action?

Enter the Minimum Viable Strategy (MVS) framework.

In our latest episode of Designing Tomorrow, we break down this powerful tool for social impact leaders. We reveal:

• The 4 key steps to implementing MVS (and why most organizations get step 3 wrong)

• How to avoid "shiny object syndrome" when testing new ideas

• Why traditional strategic planning often fails — and how MVS can help fix that

• The #1 mistake leaders make when rolling out an experimental approach (hint: it's NOT because the ideas are bad)

Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit executive or an emerging social entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you move from analysis paralysis to decisive action.

Don't let fear of imperfection hold you back from making progress. Tune in now and learn how to harness the power of MVS to accelerate your impact.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] - Introduction to the concept of Minimum Viable Strategy (MVS), inspired by the tech world's Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approach.
• [03:45] - Eric shares a personal story about overcoming "analysis paralysis" and adopting a bias toward action in his work at Cosmic.
• [06:50] - Jonathan reflects on applying a version of MVS at Seymour Center, focusing on storytelling experiments for climate resilience.
• [10:15] - Jonathan adds critical components to the MVS framework, emphasizing the importance of defining learning goals and decision-making triggers.
• [18:42] - Discussion on pitfalls like "shiny object syndrome" and the need for team capacity to iterate effectively on experimental strategies.

Resources:

• Article - Turn Your Strategic Plan into Actionable Brand and Digital Strategies
• Video - Demystifying Strategic Planning: Insights from a Seasoned Expert
• Article - In Defense of Moonshots: True Social Innovation Requires Taking Risks
• Article - Are you Acting with Courage?

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Low pay the social impact sector is reaching a critical point.

Leaders and workers alike are grappling with the harsh realities of compensation in an industry driven by passion and purpose. But at what cost?

In the latest episode of Designing Tomorrow, Eric and Jonathan dive deep into this pressing issue, exploring:

• The cultural shift around work-life balance and its impact on the sector

• Why attracting top talent is crucial for solving intractable social problems

• The hidden costs of underpaying staff, from turnover to missed opportunities

• Practical solutions for leaders and staff looking to improve compensation

They share personal stories and hard-won insights from years in the trenches, challenging conventional wisdom about what's possible when it comes to pay in nonprofits and social enterprises.

Whether you're a seasoned executive or just starting your impact career, this episode offers a fresh perspective on one of the sector's most persistent challenges. 

Tune in now to join the conversation and learn how we can build a more sustainable, equitable future for social impact work.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Introduction to pay inequity in the social impact sector and its consequences for mission-driven organizations.

[01:00] - Jonathan shares a personal story about discovering pay disparities at the Seymour Center and his decision to raise wages for key staff.

[03:02] - Discussion on the exploitation of passion in nonprofits, where employees sacrifice their wellbeing for the cause.

[06:16] - Eric and Jonathan examine why low pay stigmatizes discussions about compensation and its damaging effects on organizational impact.

[11:05] - The cost of turnover and how paying fair wages can prevent talent loss, increase organizational stability, and improve mission outcomes.

[16:04] - Strategies to address compensation issues, including prioritizing key performers, normalizing pay transparency, and focusing on quality over quantity.

[25:17] - The importance of appointing an executive sponsor to lead pay equity initiatives within an organization.

Resources:

• David C. Baker - https://punctuation.com/
• Article - How Your Nonprofit Can Escape the Overhead Trap Once and for All
• Article - Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott Proved Unrestricted Funding Works. Follow Her Lead.
• Whitepaper - Going All In: A Digital-First Guide to Sustained Nonprofit Fundraising

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Is your organization struggling to turn awareness into meaningful action? You’ve nailed the brand and the website, but supporters still aren’t stepping up. Why?

In this episode, Eric and Jonathan tackle the critical but often overlooked concept of activation: turning passive attention into real-world impact.

Whether you’re trying to inspire donations, mobilize volunteers, or drive policy changes, this conversation is packed with strategies to help you succeed.

Discover why activation is the hardest—and most important—part of your impact strategy, and how to finally get it right.


Episode Highlights:

[00:00] What Is Activation?
Eric defines activation as "turning attention into action" and explains why it’s the most challenging yet crucial element of any social impact strategy.

[02:30] The Three Pillars of Success.
Eric outlines the three core pillars of social impact strategy: brand, digital, and activation—and why activation is where most organizations struggle.

[06:04] Forms of Activation.
From fundraising to advocacy, Jonathan and Eric explore the many ways activation plays out in the nonprofit and social enterprise sectors.

[12:10] Modern Content Creation.
Eric breaks down the key elements of modern content creation: distribution-first thinking, channel proficiency, and community feedback.

[20:18] Evaluation and Iteration.
Jonathan and Eric emphasize the importance of continuous improvement in activation efforts and explain how to measure success.

[33:16] Starting Small.
Jonathan shares how focusing on a single person or small audience can help organizations experiment and refine their activation strategies.

[38:01] The Human Factor.
Jonathan reflects on what motivates people to act and shares a personal story that reveals the key ingredients of effective activation.

Notable Quotes:

Eric [00:00]: "Activation is turning attention into action. It’s the hardest part, but it’s also where the magic happens."

Jonathan [36:52]: "At the end of the day, we’re convincing human beings to make decisions. How do we make that easy for them?"

Resources:

• City of Marion Public Library Instagram
• Podcast - Distribution First Mindset - Create LESS Content to Get Better Results
• Article - How to Increase Supporter and Donor Action Using an Engagement Pyramid
• Article - Turning Stats Into Stories: Supercharge Your Social Enterprise’s Proof of Impact
• Podcast - Minimum Viable Strategy - How to Stop Planning and Start Doing

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

REWIND: This episode was originally released in Season 1, Episode 2. New episodes from Season 3 will drop in 2025. 

—

Today, you’ll consume 74GB of information. That’s the equivalent of watching 16 movies. In one day. 

Our inboxes are overflowing, our social streams are noisy, we doom scroll short form content on apps purpose-built to hijack our attention, designed by the world’s smartest minds.

But as the volume of information we consume grows each day, our capacity as humans to focus and make sense of the world remains basically unchanged. 

And this is the essence of the attention economy—where information is no longer the scarce commodity; instead, our attention is the prize to be won.

In today’s episode, we’ll cover 

• What, exactly, the attention economy is and how the world's most successful brands have mastered it to gain an unfair advantage
• Then, we’ll break down the 4 key pillars these brands use to win in the attention economy and how you can apply them to to your social impact strategy

Resources:

• The Revolution is Digital: A Manifesto for Today’s Social Impact Leader
• We Are For Good Podcast: How to Grow Your Social Impact in the Attention Economy
• The ROI of Brand Building
• 4 Scroll-Stopping Digital Experiences to Inspire Your Nonprofit's Content
• 3 Must-Have Digital Elements Every Social Impact Organization Needs
• Community Building Might Not Feel Like Your Core Work, But It Should Be

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Rewind: This episode was orginally published in Season 2, Episode 1. New episodes from Season 3 will continue to publish next week.

— 

You probably shouldn’t rebrand your social impact organization. 

Except, of course, when you really should. (wait, what?)

Because when the conditions are right, a rebrand can be one of the most powerful ways to reach your mission faster.

But how do you know when it’s the right time to invest in a rebrand?

Let’s be real: a rebrand is a big swing move. 

And it’s a tempting play to run when:

↳ You aren’t making the impact you need to

↳ You can’t seem to get your story or message across

↳ You aren’t getting engagement from customers or donors

↳ Your current brand feels dusty and dissonant

BUT

There are times when you absolutely, positively, shouldn’t do a rebrand. 

And if you try to push one through anyway, the results can be disastrous and might even cause a huge backlash from your community of supporters. 

In this week’s Episode of Designing Tomorrow, Jonathan and Eric discuss how you know if it’s the right time to invest in a rebrand for your social impact org. And maybe even more importantly, what to watch out for to make sure you are ready to make the most of it.

Episode Highlights 

• [00:00] – Introduction to the topic of rebranding social impact organizations.
• [01:07] – The importance of rebranding as a significant investment.
• [03:04] – The role of rebranding during organizational growth or inflection points.
• [05:20] – Rebranding as a solution for organizations stuck in a stagnation loop.
• [08:19] – Rebranding during large strategic shifts and the concept of nonprofit life cycles.
• [09:01] – Addressing outdated branding and content strategies.
• [12:02] – The importance of effectively communicating your story to supporters.
• [14:45] - Discusses the pitfalls of rebranding without a clear strategy or measurable ROI.
• [15:22] - Emphasizes the importance of having broad support within the organization for a rebrand to avoid pitfalls and ensure effectiveness.
• [18:29] - Advises on the integration of rebranding efforts with strategic planning for a cohesive approach.
• [23:44] - Highlights the necessity of adequate resources and long-term planning to sustain a rebrand beyond its initial launch.

Resources

• Article - Dare to Be Bold: Making a Case for Better Social Impact Branding
• Article - Unexpected Ways a Rebrand Can Supercharge Your Team Culture
• Article - Navigating a Rebrand: Nine Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Book -

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

How do you keep your team energized, engaged, and aligned—especially in the demanding world of social impact? Passion and purpose are key, but they’re not enough on their own. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan unpack the essential elements of team motivation, exploring why some teams thrive while others stall, and revealing the missing ingredient in traditional approaches to workplace fulfillment. Plus, hear how strategies like impact storytelling, feedback systems, and even gym breaks can transform your culture and keep burnout at bay. Ready to inspire your team? Let’s get into it.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Opening Thoughts

• The unique challenges and opportunities for social impact leaders.

[03:41] Breaking Down Team Motivation

• The differences between highly motivated teams and struggling ones.

[06:16] Adding Balance to the Equation

• How burnout is more than just a workload issue—it’s a balance issue.

[08:06] Meaning and Impact: Telling Your Story

• Jonathan’s new strategy: tasking a team member with collecting 30 impact stories a year.

[12:05] Individual Roles Matter

• How to build motivation by recognizing the unique value of every team member.

[17:48] Compensation: A Foundational Factor

• A quick reminder: pay matters, and it’s a crucial piece of the puzzle.

[18:06] Passion Plans: A New Idea for Leaders

• Jonathan’s concept of “passion plans” to help employees deepen their connection to the work.

[24:33] Can You Nurture Other Parts of Your Life?

• How balance and personal growth amplify professional motivation.

[30:32] Leadership’s Role in Motivation

• Motivation is personal: How leaders can uncover individual drivers.

[34:03] Closing Reflections

Resources:

• Ikigai Diagram
• Unexpected Ways a Rebrand Can Supercharge Your Team Culture
• Your Theory of Change isn't finished until your Grandma can understand it.
• 8 Ways To Make Your Nonprofit Storytelling Stand Out
• How to use Crowdsourcing to Fuel Your Nonprofit's Digital Content Strategy
• Why Most Activation Plans Fail and How to Fix Yours.
• The Benefits of a 4 Day Work Week

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Trust is not a given — it’s earned. 

In this episode, Eric and Jonathan explore how trust is shifting away from institutions and toward relationships, and why that’s reshaping the way nonprofits and social impact organizations must operate.

You’ll gain insights on:

• The hidden power of impact storytelling and why nonprofits often overlook it.
• The five pillars of trust backed by science—and how to apply them.
• Why relationships are overtaking institutions as trust-builders.
• The surprising tension between vulnerability and expertise for leaders.
• Practical strategies to foster trust internally with your team and externally with your supporters.

This episode will challenge your assumptions about trust and help you build stronger, more authentic connections — whether you're a nonprofit leader, social enterprise founder, or someone passionate about creating lasting impact.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Introduction

• Eric and Jonathan introduce the theme: Why trust isn’t a safe assumption anymore.

[01:33] Declining Trust in Institutions

• A startling stat: Only 22% of Americans trust the federal government (2024).
• Nonprofits are more trusted than many institutions—but trust is still declining.

[02:38] The Art of Trust Building

• How “first impressions” of your brand—like your website or emails—shape trust.
• Subconscious cues that determine whether someone engages or walks away.

[05:08] Micro vs. Macro Trust

• Smaller organizations thrive on personal relationships, but big brands often have institutional trust built over time.
• Why your brand must back up individual relationships with authentic messaging.

[08:10] Where Is Trust Going?

• Trust is shifting from organizations to relationships.
• Why larger digital-first organizations may face unique challenges in this new trust dynamic.

[12:01] Impact Storytelling: The Trust Superpower

• Why nonprofits underinvest in storytelling—and why it’s their most powerful trust-building tool.
• Balancing emotional stories with transparent statistics and outcomes.

[13:50] The Science of Trust

• The 5 pillars of trust: reliability, transparency, competence, vulnerability, and empathy.
• Why setting expectations is key to being perceived as reliable and trustworthy.

[24:56] Internal Trust with Teams

• Building trust within your staff through recognition, autonomy, and support.
• How to find the right balance between freedom and structure for different employees.

[33:57] Leadership Vulnerability

• When—and how—to show vulnerability as a leader without undermining trust.
• The importance of intentionality and transparency when connecting with your team.

[37:48] Final Thoughts

• Trust is an ongoing process, not a finish line. It’s an art and a science—and it deserves your full attention.

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Marketing and fundraising are the lifeblood of social impact organizations. But too often, they're working in silos, disconnected, or even at odds with each other.

This is a huge problem.

Because when these two critical functions aren't aligned, it hurts your ability to build trust with donors, limits your fundraising potential, and ultimately reduces your impact.

In our latest episode of Designing Tomorrow, Jonathan and Eric dig into this age-old disconnect and uncover the strategies that successful organizations use to get marketing and fundraising working in harmony.

We explore how aligning these departments can:

→ Amplify your overall impact

→ Increase donor trust and engagement

→ Help you achieve your social mission more effectively

If your marketing and fundraising teams aren't collaborating effectively — or at all — this conversation will inspire you to fix that.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] Introduction: Why marketing and fundraising often operate in silos—and why it’s a problem.
• [00:14] A Powerful Metaphor: Jonathan compares marketing and fundraising to an orchestra’s melody and rhythm.
• [01:21] Core Responsibilities of Marketing vs. Fundraising: Eric and Jonathan define the primary functions of each team.
• [05:04] The Biggest Mistakes: Common pitfalls organizations make when these teams fail to align.
• [10:24] Shared Metrics for Success: How marketing and fundraising can measure success together.
• [13:45] The Role of Leadership: Why leaders must foster collaboration and set shared goals.
• [21:08] Strategies for Integration: Practical steps to align these two functions for maximum impact.
• [29:00] Key Takeaways: Final advice for nonprofit and social enterprise leaders.

Resources:

• Article - From Starvation to Sustainability: Rethinking Revenue in Social Impact
• Whitepaper - Going All In: A Digital-First Guide to Sustained Nonprofit Fundraising
• Article - How to Differentiate Campaign Messaging for Major Donors vs. Grassroots Supporters
• Article - How to Increase Supporter and Donor Action Using an Engagement Pyramid
• Article - 8 Reasons Why Donors Aren’t Giving on Your Nonprofit’s Website
• Journey Maps
  
  

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Confidence: it’s one of the most critical traits for effective leadership, but also one of the trickiest to master. 

In this episode of Designing Tomorrow, Eric and Jonathan dive into what it truly means to embody confidence as a social impact leader. From personal struggles with self-doubt to lessons on humility, resilience, and overconfidence, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the realities of leadership in nonprofit and social enterprise sectors.

How can confidence breed success? When does it go too far? And most importantly, how can you build confidence in yourself, your team, and your organization? 

Tune in for actionable insights, relatable stories, and a fresh take on leadership growth.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] Introduction:
  Eric introduces the theme of confidence and why it’s essential for social impact leaders.
• [00:08] The Struggle with Self-Doubt:
  Jonathan shares how he’s often questioned his ability to lead major projects.
• [00:17] Why Confidence Matters:
  Eric explains how indecision and lack of confidence can undermine effective leadership.
• [00:33] Confidence ≠ Arrogance:
  Jonathan emphasizes that confidence and humility can coexist, and being confident doesn’t mean being an "asshole."
• [00:40] The Paradox of Expertise:
  Eric reflects on how experience reveals how much there is still to learn.
• [05:43] Embracing Growth Zones:
  Eric’s story of “faking it until making it” and how leaders can thrive outside their comfort zones.
• [09:13] When Confidence Goes Too Far:
  Exploring the pitfalls of overconfidence, from cockiness to overreliance on charismatic leaders.
• [21:17] Building Organizational Confidence:
  The role of strong branding, strategy, and structure in creating sustainable success.
• [24:02] Closing Thoughts:
  Why confidence, when cultivated authentically, is a leadership superpower—and how it can benefit your entire organization.
  
  

Resources:

• David C. Baker
• Podcast - Designing a Purpose and Strategy with Eric Ressler
• Article - In Defense of Moonshots: True Social Innovation Requires Taking Risks
• Article - 3 Signs That It's Time to Hire a Creative Agency
• Article - How to Defeat the 3 Toughest Challenges All Nonprofits Face
• Article - Define Your Social Impact Niche to Build a Brand That Matters

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

The way we work is changing — fast. Remote work, shifting boundaries, and evolving expectations have reshaped what it means to work in the social impact sector. But are nonprofits keeping up?

In this episode, Jonathan and Eric dive into the unique challenges mission-driven organizations face in building a sustainable, healthy work culture. From balancing remote flexibility with team cohesion to tackling burnout in a sector known for overwork, they explore what leaders must do to attract and retain top talent while staying true to their mission.

Plus, Jonathan issues a challenge to nonprofit leaders: Can we be the best at work-life balance?

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] The Work Culture Shift

• How expectations around work have fundamentally changed
• Why nonprofits struggle with remote and hybrid models

[01:00] Jonathan’s Story: Fired for Remote Work

• The personal experience that shaped his perspective on workplace flexibility
• Why remote work remains more challenging for social impact organizations

[04:07] The Benefits & Drawbacks of Remote Work

• Eric’s experience running a fully remote creative agency
• How remote work can improve deep focus but challenge collaboration

[10:29] The Energy of Mission-Driven Teams

• Can remote teams maintain the passion that fuels social impact work?
• The hidden costs of losing in-person connection

[15:29] The Tech & Infrastructure Challenge

• Why some nonprofits struggle with digital transformation
• How tech gaps impact remote and hybrid team success

[21:43] Remote Fundraising: Does It Work?

• Can major donor relationships thrive without in-person connection?
• What nonprofits can learn from virtual client relationships in other sectors

[26:57] More Than Just Remote Work: The Bigger Shift

• Work-life balance, burnout, and rethinking work as identity
• Why social impact leaders must prioritize a sustainable work culture

[35:27] A Challenge for Nonprofit Leaders

• Jonathan’s call to action: Nonprofits should lead in work culture
• How flexibility and balance can be a competitive advantage

Quotes:

• "The biggest challenge for social impact teams? So much of our work is fueled by passion. Remote work makes that harder." — Jonathan Hicken [09:43]
• "People are no longer willing to sacrifice their entire personal life for work—and that’s a good recalibration." — Eric Ressler [27:38]
• "If we can’t pay the highest salaries, we must lead in work culture. Let’s be the best at balance." — Jonathan Hicken [35:27]

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

If you’ve ever felt like your messaging isn’t quite landing — like people don’t get it or aren’t inspired to take action — you’re not alone. We hear it all the time: “We’re struggling to tell our story.”

But here’s the thing: your story isn’t the story that matters most. The real question is: How do you craft messaging that actually moves people?

In this episode of Designing Tomorrow, we’re breaking down the last messaging framework you’ll ever need.

We cover:

• The biggest messaging mistake most nonprofits and social enterprises make
• Why clarity beats complexity—and how to simplify without losing depth
• How to reframe your messaging to make your audience the hero
• The five key pillars of messaging that inspires action
• A real-time messaging workshop where we apply this framework live

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear, practical framework to refine your messaging, cut through the noise, and drive real impact.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] Introduction – The No. 1 messaging struggle we hear from social impact leaders.
• [02:26] The coherence problem – Why your messaging feels all over the place.
• [02:45] Stop being vague – How unclear, academic language turns people away.
• [03:36] Shift the narrative – Why your organization’s story isn’t the most important one.
• [05:04] What does success look like? – The messaging shift that changes everything.
• [06:18] Articulating the problem – Making your cause relevant and urgent.
• [08:10] Know your audience – How to align your message with what people care about.
• [10:19] Paint a vivid vision – Why great messaging starts with a powerful, clear vision.
• [11:56] The power of a point of view – Why your philosophy shapes your messaging.
• [13:14] Voice, tone, and personality – The secret to making your messaging feel human.
• [19:48] Live messaging workshop – Real-time messaging strategy in action.
• [31:40] Key takeaways – The essential pillars of messaging that move people.

Quotes:

• “Your story is not really the story you want to be telling. The story you want to be telling or planting seeds around is how can you get involved in helping us move our mission forward?” – Eric Ressler [03:36]
• “I think also another thing that can happen is that we try to capture too many ideas or too many perspectives or too many audiences all and try to just get it all into one thing. And then what we end up with is a word or a phrase that doesn't actually really mean anything.” – Jonathan Hicken [02:26]
• “The hardest thing to do, and I've tried, is to get AI to capture your voice. That is really hard.” – Eric Ressler [13:14]
• “I mean, the seminal example of a vision statement is Dr. Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.” – Jonathan Hicken [10:19]
• “Can you imagine a world where young children are not scared of climate change but motivated to actually participate in the solution?” – Eric Ressler [29:38]

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Failure isn’t just a possibility in social impact work — it’s inevitable. But are we failing constructively? In this episode, Eric and Jonathan break down the difference between constructive failure and harmful failure, and why embracing the right kind of failure is essential for innovation, leadership, and long-term impact.

From team dynamics and funding challenges to moonshot thinking and psychological safety, this conversation will shift your perspective on what it truly means to fail — and how to fail forward without losing trust, credibility, or momentum for your organization.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] Introduction – Why failure is a complex, layered topic in social impact.
• [02:20] Why Failure Is Good (But Hard to Embrace) – The role of failure in learning, growth, and innovation—and why so many organizations resist it.
• [07:39] When Failure Has Real Consequences – Understanding the stakes of failure in the nonprofit sector and why some organizations can’t afford to take big risks.
• [12:59] Good vs. Bad Failure – Breaking down the difference between constructive failure that drives progress and failure that erodes trust and credibility.
• [16:08] Learning from Failure: The 4-Day Workweek Experiment – How Cosmic tested, failed, and adapted their approach to a 4-day workweek—without backtracking on their vision.
• [23:40] How Leaders Can Create a Culture That Supports Failure – Practical steps for building psychological safety and making failure a tool for growth instead of a risk to avoid.
• [29:34] Why Failure Should Be an Experiment, Not a Guess – Taking a scientific approach to failure, how funders can support responsible risk-taking, and why experimentation leads to real innovation.

Quotes:

• "Failure is really just built into evolution, our humanity, the way physics and the world and science work at large. To not embrace it constructively, I think is just a big mistake." – Eric [02:20]
• "Being able, more importantly, to look failure in the eye—not just acknowledge it and move past it, but stand in the mirror and look at this failure and really let it sink in." – Jonathan [04:10]
• "It's really easy to talk about failure when you're not the one who's failing." – Eric [07:39]
• "Failure isn’t good carte blanche. We’re not out here preaching ‘go fail at everything.’ There are versions of failure that I don’t accept." – Jonathan [20:09]
• "If you never fail, you're not reaching far enough." – Eric [14:06]

Resources:

• Article - The Benefits of a 4 Day Work Week For Social Impact Organizations
• Article - In Defense of Moonshots: True Social Innovation Requires Taking Risks

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Nonprofit leaders constantly hear that diversifying revenue streams is the key to financial stability. But what if that advice isn't the whole story?

Research shows that 90% of high-growth nonprofits rely on a single dominant funding source. Does that mean nonprofits should double down on one funding stream—or is there a smarter way to approach fundraising?

In this episode, Eric and Jonathan break down the real reasons some nonprofits scale while others stay stuck, the risks and rewards of focusing on a single revenue source, and how to strike the right balance between specialization and financial security. If your organization has struggled to gain traction, this conversation is a must-listen.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] Introduction – The surprising secret behind high-growth nonprofits
• [02:06] Diversification vs. specialization – Why common advice might be flawed
• [04:52] The power of focus – How narrowing your fundraising can fuel growth
• [08:15] Case Study: American Kidney Fund – A nonprofit that 10X’d revenue by shifting its funding strategy
• [12:43] The scaling challenge – Why growing nonprofits struggle with funding transitions
• [15:59] The reality of small donor programs – Why they’re harder to scale than many expect
• [18:51] When to kill an experiment – How to know when a funding strategy isn’t working
• [24:09] Deep partnerships vs. shallow diversification – The value of transformational funders
  [26:54] Should you grow at all? – Rethinking what growth means for your nonprofit

Resources:

• Article - SSIR - How Nonprofits Get Really Big
• Article - SSIR - Ten Nonprofit Funding Models
• Article - Why Social Impact Brands Struggle to Attract, Grow, and Retain Revenue
• Article - How to Create the Conditions for Sustainable Revenue
• Article - From Starvation to Sustainability: Rethinking Revenue in Social Impact
• American Kidney Fund
• Podcast - How to Stop Planning and Start Doing
• Article - Want Foundations to Fund Your Work? Speak Their Language. Here's How.

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Most social impact leaders think they’re measuring their impact — but are they really? 

Measuring impact is especially difficult when change happens over years or even decades, and when the outcomes are tied to complex, systemic issues. On top of that, the process of evaluation and measurement can feel like extra work — another task on an already full plate. 

But without it, we risk relying on anecdotes and vibes instead of real data to prove we’re making a difference.

In this episode, Eric and Jonathan break down:

• The difference between evaluation and measurement
• Why tracking the wrong metrics can hurt your mission
• How to measure impact without faking it. 
• Three critical pillars of impact evaluation
• How to avoid the pitfalls of mission creep while staying focused on what your organization does best.

If you’re struggling to track the real impact of your work — or wondering how to balance storytelling with hard data — this conversation is for you.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Why Impact Evaluation Is So Hard

• Measuring success isn’t just about external outcomes—it’s about internal sustainability too.
• Why some nonprofits don’t track their impact (and why that’s a problem).

[01:22] Evaluation vs. Measurement: What’s the Difference?

• Evaluation = the big picture. Measurement = the tools.
• Why confusing the two can lead to misleading conclusions.

[03:50] The Challenge of Proving Long-Term Impact

• "That impact story took 20 years—how do you measure it in year two?"
• How to identify leading indicators that show progress before the full impact is realized.

[12:48] The Mission Creep Trap: Why Nonprofits Lose Focus

• The risk of trying to "fix everything" instead of doubling down on what you do best.
• How social impact leaders can take a page from academic research to avoid spreading too thin.

[15:39] Measuring Internal Sustainability: The Missing Piece

• If your organization is burning out, your impact won’t last.
• The three critical pillars of evaluation every nonprofit should track.

[23:46] A Simpler Way to Measure Success

• "Look, this doesn’t have to be complicated. Pick three things. Track them. Get better over time."
• How to integrate measurement into your culture—without hiring expensive consultants.

Resources:

• Article - Beyond Aesthetics: The ROI of Brand Building
• Article - Prove it or Lose it: Why Proof of Impact Matters in the Social Impact Space

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

We are living through the biggest shift in media and marketing of our lifetimes. Misinformation spreads faster than ever, trust in institutions is crumbling, and social impact leaders are left navigating a fractured, chaotic digital landscape.

So how do you build credibility, mobilize communities, and create real impact when attention is scattered and trust is eroding?

In this episode, Eric and Jonathan break down the new realities of marketing and media—the rise of digital tribalism, the fine line between authenticity and performance, and why the old marketing playbook no longer works.

Episode Highlights:

⏳ [00:00] A Changing Landscape – Why today’s media environment is unlike anything we’ve seen before.
 ⏳ [02:46] Misinformation, AI, and Media Silos – How rapid shifts in digital communication are reshaping public trust.
 ⏳ [06:29] The Attention Economy is Broken – We have more information than ever—so why do people feel more disconnected?
 ⏳ [09:40] Should Your Organization Speak Out? – The pressure to comment on every social issue vs. staying mission-focused.
 ⏳ [12:48] Authenticity or Performance? – The rise of “authenticity washing” and why your audience sees through it.
 ⏳ [17:14] The Death of Traditional Marketing – Why the old broadcasting model no longer works—and what’s replacing it.
 ⏳ [21:24] From Broadcast to Relationships – How social impact leaders can shift their approach to build real trust.
 ⏳ [26:00] The Future of Digital Trust – How organizations can navigate the chaos and create meaningful connections.

Notable Quotes:

• "We are in the middle of the biggest shift in media and marketing of our lifetimes." – Eric Ressler [01:26]
• "I know that my reaction to the world as it is, has been to sort of shrink my sphere of attention and sort of align my attention with where my ability to make impact overlaps." – Jonathan Hicken [07:31]
• "If we don’t actually take action on the things we say, is it really authenticity—or just another marketing play?" – Jonathan Hicken [12:48]

Resources:

• The Lookout
• Article - Don’t Build Your Brand on Rented Land
• Article - Top 10 Mistakes Social Impact Websites Make
• Article - Develop a Distribution-First Mindset to Win in the Attention Economy
• Article - How to Defeat the 3 Toughest Challenges All Nonprofits Face
• Article - 4 Scroll-Stopping Digital Experiences to Inspire Your Nonprofit's Content

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

The funding landscape is shifting, and relying on the same revenue strategies that got you here may not be enough to take your organization to the next level. Many nonprofits and social enterprises struggle to generate enough revenue—not just to sustain their work, but to fully fund their missions and reinvest in long-term growth.

So how do you build a revenue model that works? One that’s not just about survival, but about impact at scale?

In this episode, Eric and Jonathan dive into how funding models are evolving, why earned revenue is becoming a bigger part of the equation, and how leaders can think more strategically about their revenue mix. They also explore the key trade-offs between major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, and earned income, and how to determine the best fit for your organization.

If you’re feeling stuck in the same fundraising cycle—or wondering how to make your revenue more sustainable—this conversation is for you.

Episode Highlights:
[00:00] Introduction – The funding landscape is shifting. Is your revenue strategy keeping up?
 [00:20] Why many orgs struggle to fully fund their mission – The hidden gap in nonprofit and social enterprise revenue
 [02:44] Earned revenue: The opportunity (and challenge) – Why this model is gaining traction
 [04:37] Is donating profits better than direct impact? – The pros and cons of different funding models
 [06:56] What we can learn from Patagonia – Mission-driven business models in action
 [09:35] Are social enterprises just businesses? – Finding the balance between impact and revenue
 [12:22] Authenticity vs. cause-washing – Why your origin story matters in funding decisions
 [15:30] Nonprofit revenue models: Expanding beyond traditional fundraising
 [18:31] Your revenue model needs to evolve – How to move beyond what’s worked in the past
 [21:25] The small donor vs. major donor dilemma – Who should you prioritize?
 [27:09] Building a stronger donor pipeline – How small donors can turn into major donors
 [30:22] The role of grants, corporate giving, and capital campaigns – Smart strategies for diversification
 [41:44] Five key questions to assess your funding strategy – What to ask before making a shift
 [42:23] Final thoughts – Funding models that drive long-term impact

Resources:

• Article - 8 Successful Give-Back Models for Social Enterprises
• Article - Is the Buy-One-Give-One Model Dead? TOMS and the Future of Social Enterprises
• Article - How to Create the Conditions for Sustainable Revenue

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

What do you do when your mission is evolving… but your brand, programs, and funding strategy haven’t caught up yet?

In this episode, Jonathan brings a live challenge to the table: a bold new vision for the Seymour Center that could reposition it as a hub for climate solutions and STEM leadership — but it comes with branding risks, potential backlash, and major funding implications.

Eric coaches him through the decision-making, exploring when to stay quiet, when to go big, and how to avoid mission creep without losing momentum. This is real-time strategy, storytelling, and nonprofit leadership — unfiltered.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Jonathan tees up a live strategy session — and asks Eric to coach him
[01:12] Why the Seymour Center is shifting toward climate resilience
[03:09] The dual problem: climate impact and STEM education gaps
[05:49] What other groups can’t do — and where Seymour fits in
[07:02] How anxiety around climate is shaping a new kind of science education
[09:59] Is this a pivot, an evolution, or mission creep?
[11:34] Program tweaks vs. a bigger vision shift — what's on the line
[13:26] Fundraising, capital campaigns, and messaging trade-offs
[15:44] The two-problem narrative — and how to avoid confusing funders
[17:21] High school students as solution-makers (and a current gap)
[18:25] Pilot vs. launch — the fear of going public too soon
[21:00] Pushback: are we abandoning the ocean?
[22:23] Dropping the term “climate change” — and why
[23:00] What would Jonathan need to say “no” to?
[24:25] The risk of staying the same — and the case for going bold
[29:23] Why this is about relevance — not reinvention
[30:14] Eric's honest advice: it’s time
[31:12] “You’re not shooting from the hip anymore.”

Resources:

• Seymour Marine Discovery Center
• Article - Test Your Niche to Develop Your Organization’s Superpower
• Article - 8 Key Ingredients to Defining Your Social Impact Niche
• Article - The #1 Mistake Social Impact Organizations Make in Their Digital Storytelling
• Article - 10 Tips for Building a Community Around Your Cause
• Article - Are You Bold Enough To Lead The Conversation?
• Podcast - How to Stop Planning and Start Doing - Discussion of MVS framework

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

To wrap Season 3, Eric and Jonathan are doing something different — and a little vulnerable.

In this raw and unfiltered finale, they look back on the leadership decisions, strategic misfires, hiring blunders, and marketing missteps that didn’t go according to plan. No spin. No gloss. Just two founders owning their hardest lessons out loud.

Why end the season like this? Because mistakes aren’t just part of leadership — they are leadership. If we want a social impact sector that embraces failure as fuel for growth, we have to start by telling the truth about what we've gotten wrong.

So here it is.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Opening: “Today we're going to talk about all the shit we've messed up.”

[01:35] Why talk about mistakes at all?

[02:23] Jonathan’s board breakup

[05:34] Eric’s accidental leadership path

[08:04] Burnout and showing up as a leader

[10:26] When design isn’t enough

[13:28] Strategic blindspots

[18:17] “I blind copied them.”

[20:48] Firing with (or without) dignity

[27:07] Going too wide in marketing

[28:53] The cost of not marketing

[33:30] When vision stalls

Resources:

• Podcast - Rethinking Failure in Social Impact
• Podcast - How to Stop Planning and Start Doing - Discussion of MVS framework
• Podcast - Designing a Purpose and Strategy with Eric Ressler
• Article - Test Your Niche to Develop Your Organization’s Superpower
• Article - 8 Key Ingredients to Defining Your Social Impact Niche
• Article - How to Build a Next-level Content Strategy
• Article - A Guide to Social Impact Marketing Through Brand-building

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Social impact leaders are scaling back, funding streams are evaporating, and public trust is eroding. In this candid kickoff to Season 4, Eric and Jonathan hold space for what’s really happening in the field—and why this moment demands courageous communication, community resilience, and reimagined leadership. This isn’t a time to shrink. It’s a time to show up.

• The surprising parallels to early COVID-era chaos (and how that can inform today’s crisis response)
• Why you might need to ‘scale back’ strategically—and how to do it without losing your sense of purpose.
• The key to rallying donors, partners, and staff using open communication and powerful impact stories.
• The #1 mistake leaders make when forced to let go of talented people (hint: it involves your support network)
  
  

Whether you’re facing sudden federal cutbacks or seeking to maintain momentum in a tough environment, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you adapt without compromising your impact.

Don’t let external forces derail your organization’s good work. Tune in now and learn how to protect your mission, inspire your team, and stay resilient. Even when the odds feel stacked against you.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - View from the field: What social impact leaders are experiencing right now

[01:50] - The ripple effects of federal policy shifts: Retrenchment and risk mitigation

[03:40] - “It feels like early COVID again”: Chaos, fear, and identity crisis in the sector

[06:20] - The grift narrative: Online misinformation and the backlash against nonprofits

[07:23] - Getting hyper-local: The strategic (and risky) pivot toward smaller spheres

[08:38] - Unprecedented losses: Real-world stories of scale-downs and shutdowns

[10:28] - Why the blame game backfires: Compassion over critique

[13:17] - From freeze to activation: What separated resilient orgs during COVID

[15:47] - "Now is the best time": Standing strong in your community

[18:22] - A call to funders: Emergency support is urgently needed—again

[19:25] - Action steps for leaders: Reconnect, recommit, and re-partner

[21:34] - Leading through contraction: Compassionate downsizing and clarity of mission

[23:53] - Over-communicating with intention: The power of transparency and storytelling

Quotes:

• “Now is the best time to stand up for science… for a community that's trying to protect itself from a changing environment.” – Jonathan Hicken [00:15]
• “We need to be better at getting these stories out in a way that actually cuts through.” – Eric Ressler [07:07]
• “There’s almost this feeling that we’re not allowed to be successful or be optimistic right now.” – Jonathan Hicken [11:30]
• “Organizations that activated quickly—even imperfectly—came out stronger.” – Eric Ressler  [13:50]
• “Start to prepare to help the people on your team land on their feet.” – Jonathan Hicken [22:25]

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.