Podcast appearances and mentions of eric ressler

Two camps are forming around AI in the social impact space. One says boycott it. The other says you're already behind. Meanwhile, the biggest decisions are being made without us. Kaz McGrath and Stephen Silveira of Play (PLAI — Purpose-Led AI) make the case for stepping into the conversation, holding space for skeptics and builders at the same table, and using AI as a tool for imagination and mission.Episode Highlights: [00:04:30] "You are behind" — the message the sector keeps hearing [00:08:00] What if nonprofit professionals became the builders? [00:15:30] Tracking endangered species in the Amazon, led by Indigenous elders [00:19:00] The one filter for every AI decision: does it further your mission? [00:26:30] The environmental truth: your impact depends on where you live [00:35:30] Decisions are being made for us, not with usNotable Quotes: Stephen Silveira [00:26:10]: "People are using AI to be that silver bullet. They want this future we're trying to describe, and they want to say AI is the thing." Kaz McGrath [00:35:55]: "These decisions are being made for us, not with us. For us, not without us."Resources & Links:PLAI — weareplai.comConor Grennan's AI Mindset — ai-mindset.aiBerkana Institute, Two Loops Model — berkana.orgHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

I have this problem, and I have it bad. At Cosmic I'm the bottleneck on more things than I should be, holding onto work because explaining it feels slower than just doing it. Jonathan doesn't get stuck there as often, so we dug into how executive directors and CEOs tell the bottlenecks that are right from the ones capping the whole org, and how to climb out of them.Episode Highlights: [00:01:05] The bottleneck problem, named out loud [00:05:05] The real fear behind not letting go [00:12:08] Right sizing your role as the stakes rise [00:16:10] The ego question every leader has to confront [00:21:00] "Just this one time" and how it multiplies [00:30:20] The time audit that pulls it out of your headNotable Quotes: Jonathan Hicken [00:02:15]: "I'm a big believer in hire people that are better and smarter than you, and then let them cook." Eric Ressler [00:21:00]: "Just this one time I'm going to do it. And then all of a sudden I've done that just this one time five times now." Jonathan Hicken [00:26:00]: "You hear stories of executive directors copy editing every single email that goes out. That is the most catastrophic failure of that organization."Resources & Links:Cosmic: Eric's creative agency for nonprofits and mission-driven organizationsSeymour Marine Discovery CenterScience Solutions Santa Cruz podcastDrafting Our Strategic Dream Team: Eric and Jonathan's past episode on YouTubeHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank 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 want more people to see their work, but almost none of them want to be the one posting about it. Saralynn Finn and I dig into what changes once you get past that resistance: story stems, a repeatable format for turning an ordinary moment into a post worth reading, and the difference between posting out of obligation and posting because something actually needs saying.Saralynn brings a nonprofit CEO's 90-day LinkedIn experiment into it, and I bring my own inconsistent posting habits. This is a second conversation, picking up where an earlier episode on visibility left off.Episode Highlights: [00:04:00] Story stems: the copy-meme format built for LinkedIn posts [00:10:00] Madeleine Ballard's 90-day LinkedIn pilot, and what it actually delivered [00:16:00] Eric's own LinkedIn burnout, and what caused it [00:23:00] Personal pages vs. brand pages: where ideas actually travel [00:29:00] Authenticity, sanitized brand voice, and what political campaigns already figured out [00:34:00] Why LinkedIn rewards patience: posts take three weeks to peakNotable Quotes: Saralynn Finn [00:06:25]: "Story stems, posts with familiar patterns, get three times the engagement of posts that don't have a story stem." Saralynn Finn [00:33:20]: "This humility does not require invisibility." Eric Ressler [00:16:05]: "I'm feeling a little burnt out by LinkedIn right now, and it's my own fault."Resources & Links:Community Health Impact Coalition — https://joinchic.org/Dr. Madeleine Ballard — https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleineballard/The Sidebar — https://theside.bar/Saralynn Finn — guest's site and consulting practice.Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Every social impact leader believes in their mission.Funders assume that too. What they actually want to know is why you, specifically, over the ten other orgs working the same issue, or the bigger name with more reach and a longer track record.Most leaders answer with passion, good programs, being impactful. Genuine things that still don't add up to a strategy.In this episode, Jonathan and I dig into a framework we use with clients constantly: naming your organization's exact role inside a broader social impact ecosystem, specific enough to defend, credible enough to believe, and clear enough that funders, staff, and partners all describe your org the same way.Jonathan brings Seymour Center into it as a live example, working through the question in real time.Episode Highlights:[00:00:46] Why differentiation is the one thing social impact leaders don't spend enough time on[00:03:25] Why "we do good work" isn't enough to win over savvy funders[00:04:45] Jonathan's own evolving answer to what role Seymour Center plays in Santa Cruz[00:06:38] The vague language and buzzwords that quietly sink an organization's positioning[00:21:24] Mapping the ecosystem: the first exercise Cosmic runs with every client[00:27:41] The moments that call for revisiting your role, from new leadership to ecosystem disruptionNotable Quotes:Eric Ressler [00:19:20]: "Passion is not a strategy. It's not a position. It's not a role. We can't compete on being the most passionate, because who's going to claim otherwise?"Jonathan Hicken [00:17:45]: "Someone's like, I love the ocean, I want to save the ocean, so we're going to create a museum to save the ocean. But that's the vagueness we're talking about."Resources & Links:- Seymour Marine Discovery Center: https://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/- The Nature Conservancy: https://www.nature.org/Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show→ Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Sarah Newkirk became executive director of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County in the middle of a capital campaign, the same week Jonathan Hicken took over at the Seymour Center. Five years later, she's landed a $15 million farmland deal, a wildlife crossing Caltrans is now replicating statewide, and a strategic plan built around one question: what would have to be true for this to work? She and Eric talk relationships, risk, and why joy is the real return on conservation work.Episode Highlights:[00:01:30] Coming in as the new ED mid-capital-campaign, the same week Jonathan started at the Seymour Center[00:06:30] Beach Ranch: taking flood-prone farmland out of production to let marshland move inland[00:07:30] Retiring 47-year-old branding and finally owning the "conservation incubator" identity[00:09:30] Inside the Highway 17 wildlife crossing, now a model Caltrans is replicating statewide[00:16:00] The Land Trust's three beneficiaries: wildlife, working agriculture, and people, together[00:26:00] The "what would have to be true" method that turned a twice-failed ballot measure into Measure QNotable Quotes:Sarah Newkirk [00:28:00]: "We made a list of what had to be true, and we made those things true."Sarah Newkirk [00:39:15]: "When you provide this kind of conservation work to the broader public, the public loves it, and therefore they love you. That is a beautiful, virtuous cycle."Eric Ressler [00:39:30]: "I love that the answer is joy. I think we need a lot more joy in how this work happens." Resources & Links:Land Trust of Santa Cruz County — landtrustsantacruz.orgHighway 17 Wildlife Crossing — landtrustsantacruz.org/protected-areas/highway-17-wildlife-crossing/Beach Ranch wetland restoration — hilltromper.com/article/wetland-restoration-beach-ranch-benefits-nature-wildlife-and-peopleLearning the Land podcast — landtrustsantacruz.org/podcast/Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank 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 a push right now to democratize strategic planning. Survey the community, poll the staff, put the big calls to a vote. I get the instinct, but it goes too far. Influence is not the same as decision-making power, and collapsing the two is how good orgs freeze. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan draft their ideal strategic planning teams fantasy-sports style from a pool of ten possible inputs, and work out how much weight each voice actually deserves.Episode Highlights: [00:00:00] Drafting fantasy strategic planning teams from ten possible inputs [00:02:30] First picks: leadership team vs. the community you serve [00:05:15] Influence vs. decision-making power, the distinction that runs through everything [00:08:45] Gut and intuition as a legitimate strategic input [00:10:45] Data beats opinions, and predictive vs. directional data [00:15:45] Why boards should support more than they decide [00:28:30] Synthesizing every input into a decision you can own [00:33:00] Win-win as a cheat code, and why pleasing everyone signals a weak choiceNotable Quotes: Eric Ressler [00:05:35]: "The community should have a lot of influence, but I don't think this work usually works when it's truly democratic." Jonathan Hicken [00:11:05]: "We have a saying at Seymour Center here where data beats opinions 100% of the time." Eric Ressler [00:33:35]: "If literally everyone is happy, maybe the decision was too obvious and weak."Resources & Links:Designing Tomorrow Spotlight interview with Rob Acton on designing effective nonprofit boardsCause Strategy Partners — Rob Acton's firm, focused on nonprofit board placement and governance trainingHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank 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 a number treated like gospel in philanthropy: the 5% annual payout private foundations are required to hit. It was written into law as a floor. Kristin Todd has watched it become a ceiling instead. After nearly two decades at the Daniels Fund, a $1.5 billion private foundation, she now leads the NoCo Foundation in Northern Colorado, where she's more than doubled annual grant-making by refusing to let donor dollars sit still.Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] Running a $1.5 billion legacy fund vs. a nimble community foundation [00:07:00] Why mergers stopped being a taboo word for nonprofits [00:11:30] How NoCo doubled its grant-making by keeping money in motion [00:12:30] The 5% floor that became a ceiling [00:20:30] Stop calling them charities. They're businesses with social impact. [00:34:00] Punching above your weight locally instead of waiting on WashingtonNotable Quotes: Kristin Todd [00:12:30]: "In the private foundation world, that 5% has become a ceiling, not a floor." Kristin Todd [00:11:30]: "We do not want to be a sponsor of DAFs that are warehousing dollars, and in fact we are not." Eric Ressler [00:21:30]: "These are the hardest problems in the world that no one else has solved, and yet they're not getting the same attention as the latest AI startup." Resources & Links:NoCo Foundation — nocofoundation.orgDaniels Fund — danielsfund.orgHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Everyone keeps predicting the death of the website. First it was social, now it is AI. But it is still the one channel you actually own and control, which is exactly what makes it your most durable asset. So when a site has gone untouched for five years and a redo runs six figures, the real question is whether it is worth it, and when.Episode Highlights: [00:03:00] The identity impact gap, and when a redo is the wrong call [00:10:30] The 10-second homepage test 90% of nonprofit sites fail [00:13:00] Brand as coherence: the Apple experience, and your version of it [00:17:30] What happens the moment a funder leaves your meeting [00:23:30] What funders actually look for: financials, team bios, clear impact [00:28:00] The underperforming employee analogy, and the player on your teamNotable Quotes: Eric Ressler [00:05:20]: "I still believe that your website is your most important and your most durable asset as a brand." Eric Ressler [00:26:20]: "Your website should be your best fundraiser, not your only fundraiser." Jonathan Hicken [00:29:10]: "Website is almost the wrong word. It's a player on your team."Resources & Links:Seymour Marine Discovery Center — seymourcenter.ucsc.eduCandid — candid.org“Are Website's Dead?" — earlier Designing Tomorrow episode.Joel Breakstone interview — earlier Designing Tomorrow episode.Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

For the last 50 years, we've operated under a single dominant idea: the purpose of business is to maximize shareholder value. But what if this whole era of extraction and short-termism isn't the natural order at all? What if it's just a blip? Sarah Gillard, CEO of Blueprint for Better Business, has spent 25 years inside major corporations watching what happens when companies forget what they're actually for, and she makes the case that business has both the power and the obligation to change it.Episode Highlights: [00:02:42] Two very different business models: profit maximization vs. employee ownership, from inside the same industry [00:06:37] The ESG rollback in context: what the data actually shows about corporate commitments [00:09:03] The forces of gravity that act on companies as they scale, and why purpose needs structural defense [00:12:17] The 70% problem: why intangible assets dominate organizational value but get ignored [00:15:27] Rethinking the social contract: why government, business, and civil society can't afford separate swim lanes [00:27:07] AI as a force for good or fragility: the questions businesses aren't asking but should be [00:37:58] Blueprint for Better Business's two foundational ideas, and why neither is as radical as it soundsNotable Quotes: Eric Ressler [00:25:20]: "We need more in culture imagining what that future could and should be, instead of constantly only warning about what it's looking like it's going to be." Sarah Gillard [00:38:40]: "Historically we will see these last 50-odd years as an odd blip. How do we take the most powerful shaper of our societies and just go: just focus on the money? Just weird." Sarah Gillard [00:40:20]: "Good intentions are necessary, but not sufficient. You need legal and governance mechanisms that keep you on track even when there is significant pressure to move."Resources & Links:Blueprint for Better Business — Sarah's organization; the one-page AI framework for boardrooms is available on their websiteJohn Lewis Partnership — The UK's largest employee-owned business, where Sarah led purpose strategyThe Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson Dear Alice: Utopian anime yogurt commercial — mentioned by Eric as a rare example of positive future imageryHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Jonathan recently learned that the Seymour Center is about to absorb a permanent new expense in the $150,000 to $200,000 range. On a $2.2 million operating budget, that's roughly 10% of the whole thing, and it's not a one-time hit. The instinct for most leaders is to pull back: tighten the budget, pause the big swings, and try again in a few years. But contraction changes the story you can tell funders, and that cost is harder to recover from than the budget hit itself.Episode Highlights:[00:00:30] Contract or keep pushing? The fundamental question. [00:02:00] The outdated overhead myth and why it makes budget shocks worse [00:05:30] The power of flexibility that reserves actually buy you [00:08:00] Eric's pandemic-era decisions at Cosmic: no layoffs, no pay cuts in 16 years [00:12:00] Why liftoff windows are sacred and rarely repeat on your timeline [00:17:00] The story you can tell funders when you're in motion vs. when you've pulled back [00:20:30] Separating ego from mission in high-stakes financial decisions [00:22:30] The case for nonprofit mergers in a shrinking funding landscapeNotable Quotes:Jonathan Hicken [00:17:00]: "I can go to those meetings right now and sit down at the table and look at these people in the eye and authentically tell the story of this liftoff. If I start to contract, I can't do that."Eric Ressler [00:18:10]: "There's a saying in the business world: never need a deal. I think we're wired as humans to just be super attuned to desperation."Resources & Links:Seymour Marine Discovery Center — https://seymourcenter.ucsc.eduVisibility Beats Impact — Designing Tomorrow podcast episodeHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank 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 campaigns are built on two ingredients: information and emotion. The data makes the case. The storytelling makes people care. But caring, on its own, has a shelf life. Saralynn Finn, founder of Sett & Sley Consulting, joins Eric in the studio to argue that the third ingredient, what she calls "the hands", is where campaigns succeed or quietly die. Not more awareness, not more storytelling, but actionable pathways that give audiences something real to do with everything they now know and feel.Episode Highlights:[00:01:30] The head, heart, and hands framework for social impact campaigns [00:05:00] "the hands": actionable, attainable pathways that create real impact [00:06:00] Why "the hands" breakout at Skoll World Forum was the most well-attended [00:10:00] The celebrity collaboration that drove 30K subscribers but didn't change healthcare [00:15:30] Vote by mail in 2020: same message, radically different messengers [00:26:00] The end-of-year fundraising campaign that 5X'd revenueNotable Quotes:Saralynn Finn [00:06:00]: "It's the piece of most campaigns that's missing, that people are trying to break the nut of and figure out: how do I create a pathway?"Eric Ressler [00:13:00]: "Campaigns need their own little mini theory of change."Resources & Links:Skoll World Forum — https://skoll.org/skoll-world-forum/Represent Us — https://represent.us/Saralynn's LinkedIn article about the AI documentary in Rural America.Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank 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 got into this work because they care deeply about the mission, not because they wanted to be public figures with opinions. But that instinct to stay quiet and let the work speak for itself may be doing more harm than good. Developing and sharing a strong point of view isn't a nice-to-have; it's a moral obligation for leaders in this space.Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] The hesitancy Eric keeps seeing in leaders who won't go public with their thinking [00:04:00] Defining "point of view" as a pattern of lived experience, not expertise [00:08:00] Eric's origin story: from attention economy manifesto to a new framework [00:10:30] Introducing the identity impact gap [00:18:00] Why therapy made Jonathan a better leader [00:24:00] Devil's advocate: what about pure open-mindedness as a leadership philosophy?Notable Quotes: Eric Ressler [00:11:05]: "The bigger the difference between who you actually are and how you are perceived by the people that you care about reaching, the bigger all of your problems are going to be." Eric Ressler [00:29:35]: "People need to do research, they need to develop hypotheses, they need to publish those, not just think about them in their brains."Resources & Links:Seymour Marine Discovery Center — seymourcenter.ucsc.eduKevin L. Brown — Mighty Ally Glen Galaich — Stupski FoundationKevin Starr — Mulago Foundation Skull World Forum Strategy Tier ranking episode - "Most of Your Brand Strategy is a Waste of Time" Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank 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 an unspoken rule in the social impact sector: we tell the truth, we follow the science, we play fair. But those rules are increasingly a losing strategy, because the industries we're up against don't have to win the argument. They just have to muddy it. Joelle Lester, Executive Director of the Public Health Law Center, has spent 25 years studying how Big Tobacco manufactured doubt, and how that same playbook now drives opposition to progress on climate, food, and public health.Episode Highlights: [00:04:00] Merchants of doubt: how the tobacco industry wrote the playbook for manufacturing scientific uncertainty [00:09:00] Why philanthropy needs to step up right now, and which foundations are leading [00:15:00] The strategic calculus of when to resist publicly versus when to go underground [00:24:00] Why scientists with integrity are at a structural disadvantage against opponents with none [00:33:00] “Cultural engineering” — Alessandra Orofino: why culture is always upstream of public policy [00:40:30] Why public health groups need to get better at storytelling and soundbitesNotable Quotes: Joelle Lester [00:05:00]: "The art of it is that they don't try to disprove it. They just try to raise doubt in people's minds about how believable the science is." Joelle Lester [00:41:05]: "Having all the evidence and having the legal authority and being right is not getting us where we need to go."Resources & Links:Public Health Law Center — https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/Cooking with Smoke report — https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/resources/Cooking-With-Smoke.pdfMerchants of Doubt (book & film) — https://www.merchantsofdoubt.org/Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank 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 a trend called looksmaxxing that says appearance is everything, and optimizing it is just pragmatism. Apply that same logic to nonprofits and you get an interesting thought experiment: what happens when an organization goes all in on brand? And what happens when one deliberately strips brand away entirely?This episode explores the spectrum between "brandmaxxing" and "debranding," two extremes that reveal something important about how the sector thinks about visibility. The social impact sector has been structurally imbalanced toward the debranding end for decades, and the reluctance to invest in brand often masquerades as virtue. But humans are influenced by brand the same way they're influenced by appearance, and refusing to play the game doesn't make the game go away.Episode Highlights: [00:00:00] The looksmaxxing trend as a lens for brand strategy [00:01:00] Defining brandmaxxing vs. debranding as a spectrum [00:06:25] Why brand is a game you have to play, even in social impact [00:08:50] Trust through depth vs. trust through visibility [00:14:00] People follow people, not logos: the Amanda Litman insight [00:23:00] False humility and the arrogance of staying behind the scenesNotable Quotes: Eric Ressler [00:06:30]: "Humans are influenced by brand. You can be humble about it, but at some level, you got to realize you have to play the game." Eric Ressler [00:23:15]: "Get over yourself, because that is actually kind of a pretentious point of view. You're not saying you're not good enough. You're saying you're too good to put yourself out there."Resources & Links:Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something — Prior Spotlight episode. Amanda Litman's Substack Run for Something Science, Solutions, Santa Cruz  Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Every major technological paradigm shift has broken society before it fixed it. The printing press, radio, television. Each one reshaped how we communicate and what we believe. Now the internet, social media, and AI are repeating the pattern at unprecedented speed. Joel Breakstone, co-founder and executive director of the Digital Inquiry Group, has spent over a decade studying how people evaluate online information, and what he's found is alarming: students, academics, and everyday adults are failing at even the most basic tasks of digital discernment. But his research also reveals a path forward, built on the surprisingly simple strategies of professional fact checkers.Episode Highlights: [00:01:55] Was the internet a huge mistake? [00:08:30] From Stanford History Education Group to the Civic Online Reasoning curriculum [00:12:35] Fact checkers vs. PhDs vs. Stanford freshmen: who evaluates sources best? [00:15:20] Lateral reading: the counterintuitive skill that changes everything [00:26:20] The collapse of institutional trust and rise of influencer trust [00:31:05] AI as both threat and tool for digital literacyNotable Quotes: Joel Breakstone [00:11:25]: "The myth of the digital native is very much a myth. Young people, like the rest of us, need help making sense of the unbelievably crowded and confusing landscape that we encounter when we go online." Joel Breakstone [00:27:30]: "It can become really easy to just throw your hands up in the air and say, 'Nothing's real. I don't know what to trust.' And that is a really dangerous place for us to end up because it plays into the hands of authoritarians."Resources & Links:Digital Inquiry Group — https://www.inquirygroup.org/Civic Online Reasoning (COR) Curriculum — https://cor.inquirygroup.org/Verified by Mike Caulfield & Sam Wineburg — https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/V/bo207015182.htmlHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank 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 a quiet belief running through the social impact space that being too visible somehow cheapens the work. That good organizations should let their impact speak for itself. But the orgs that get the funding, the talent, and the momentum aren't always the ones doing the best work; they're the ones who've made their work visible. This episode makes the case that visibility matters more than impact, and that staying humble is a belief most orgs can no longer afford.Episode Highlights:[00:00:00] Visible orgs outperform high-impact orgs [00:02:30] The humility trap and the "scrappy org" fallacy [00:03:30] Why the most funded orgs are the most visible, not the most effective [00:08:30] Visibility as the most underleveraged strategy in social impact [00:10:00] The visibility test: can people describe what you do? [00:17:00] Building visibility into every program from the start [00:25:00] From skeptic to podcast host: Jonathan's visibility journey [00:31:30] Using media to scale your face time with future donorsNotable Quotes:Eric Ressler [00:01:05]: "Orgs who are consistently good at visibility outperform and are more successful, generally speaking, than orgs who are really good at impact."Jonathan Hicken [00:02:25]: "There is just some sort of moral objection to maybe if we're too visible that devalues the sincerity or the authenticity of the impact. There's a sort of humility thing in there."Eric Ressler [00:14:00]: "Visibility, man. At least you get the chance. If you have no visibility, you don't even have a chance."Resources & Links:Seymour Marine Discovery Center — Jonathan Hicken's organization at UC Santa CruzScience Solutions Santa Cruz — Jonathan's new video podcast.Gallup Poll: What's in a Name? Affordable Care Act vs. ObamacareObamacare/ACA polling data — Measures of public opinion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank 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 has made community co-creation almost sacred. Design with people, not for them. Give everyone a voice. But what happens when the loudest voices aren't the most informed, and the planning process stalls because nobody can make a call? Taylor Stuckert, CEO of Lead for America, has lived this tension from every angle. Eric and Taylor dig into the question nobody in social impact wants to ask out loud: can too much community input actually be a problem?Episode Highlights:[00:01:30] Wilmington, Ohio and the day DHL disappeared[00:06:30] The guerrilla flyer campaign that drew hundreds to a town hall[00:08:30] When community input becomes a double-edged sword[00:14:00] Stop trying to please everyone[00:17:30] There is no "the community"[00:28:00] Why the brain drain narrative misses the bigger story[00:37:00] Why AI will widen the divide we never closedNotable Quotes:Taylor Stuckert [00:17:40]: "We act as if the community is this unified object that has complete consensus and you're either engaging them or you're not. And that's just so inaccurate to reality."Taylor Stuckert [00:14:10]: "We have to get away from this notion that we're going to make perfect decisions. You're not going to please everyone — but that shouldn't take away from how we engage everyone."Resources & Links:- Lead for America — https://www.leadforamerica.org/- American Connection Corps — https://www.leadforamerica.org/- Carnegie Corporation of New York — https://www.carnegie.org/Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show→ Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Most nonprofit leaders have been through some version of the brand strategy process. Eric calls it process theater: brand strategy work that sounds great in proposals but leaves everyone wondering what they're actually building toward. This episode puts ten common elements of brand strategy on trial. Eric and Jonathan each rank them as essential, important, or overrated, and the results surface a real philosophical divide. Where they genuinely disagree is on brand values, and the tension reveals the gap between how brand strategy is supposed to work and how it actually plays out. Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] Brand strategy has a "process theater" problem [00:03:00] Mission and vision statements: both rank them overrated [00:05:00] Brand values: essential or a motivational poster trap? [00:09:00] Why positioning and niche is the most undervalued element [00:14:00] Audience segmentation vs. the persona exercise trap [00:22:00] Value proposition: Jonathan's "God tier" pick [00:30:00] The four questions that replace your entire brand strategyNotable Quotes: [00:01:20]: "Sometimes these processes can be overinflated, a bit of process theater. Things that sound great in proposals, and then halfway through you're like, 'What are we even doing here?'" Eric Ressler [00:12:30]: "As an executive director, knowing what your niche is, is like a stress reducer. When other organizations pop up, rather than being fearful, you can just be like, 'Oh no, that's a different thing.'" Jonathan Hicken Hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Technology promised to close the digital divide, but too often the people building it don't reflect the communities affected by it. Tina-Marie Gulley, former CEO of Ada Developers Academy, sits down with Eric to talk about what it takes to build a more intentional, equitable tech industry, from embedding AI into nonprofit curriculum to running hackathons that solve real problems for community organizations.Episode Highlights:[00:01:00] From corporate marketing to nonprofit CEO: how a computer science competition revealed tech's inclusion problem [00:02:00] Why technology hasn't fulfilled its promise of closing the digital divide [00:05:30] Using vibe coding and hackathons to build real solutions for nonprofits [00:07:30] Cutting through the AI hype cycle: grounding innovation in mission [00:10:00] Why AI should never replace your therapist [00:17:00] Why billionaires' kids aren't using AI in school the way everyone else's are [00:21:00] Reframing DEI in a hostile political climate without compromising on impact [00:23:30] Keeping funder relationships alive after the checks stopNotable Quotes:[00:11:10]: "AI only knows how we describe empathy, but it doesn't know what empathy looks like in practice." Tina-Marie Gulley [00:17:00]: "A big part of investing in AI is investing in humanity." Tina-Marie Gulley Resources & Links:Ada Developers Academy — https://adadevelopersacademy.orgAI2 Incubator — https://www.ai2incubator.comHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank 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 a post going around LinkedIn right now where a fundraiser is calling out a foundation for not structuring a grant as multi-year support. The tone is essentially: our work matters, so funders should give us what we need.That sparked the thorniest disagreement Eric and Jonathan have had on the show. Jonathan's take is blunt: nonprofits need to stop treating funders as fuel for their missions and start treating them like customers. Not in a transactional way, but in the way a great customer success team operates, deeply understanding what success looks like for the individual program officer. He's so committed to this idea that he's stopped pursuing competitive grants entirely, opting instead for a relationship-first approach. Eric agrees with the pragmatism, but he can't let the systemic critique go unspoken. These are organizations with massive tax advantages hoarding wealth, spending down the legal minimum, and investing in ways that sometimes directly contradict their stated missions. Trust-based philanthropy is a structural response to a power dynamic that's been broken for decades. Eric draws a parallel to his own decision to stop doing RFPs at Cosmic, and Jonathan admits his approach might be its own quiet act of resistance. Most fundraisers live in this tension every day… they just don't say it out loud.Episode Highlights: [00:02:00] Why funders should be treated like customers, not fuel [00:06:30] Why Jonathan gave up on competitive grants entirely [00:08:00] Eric's pushback: isn't this a broken system? [00:20:00] Whose job is it to fix philanthropy?Notable Quotes: [00:05:25]: "If I deeply understand what my funders are trying to do, that puts me in a position where I'm actually seen as an ally and a partner rather than a hungry mouth to feed." Jonathan Hicken [00:23:00]: "If you're commenting on systems change, fantastic. Let it rip. If you're talking about actually going after money, the entitlement tone is hurting all of us." Jonathan HickenHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

The nonprofit sector has a marketing philosophy problem. We adopted a playbook built almost entirely around conversion: get the click, get the gift, optimize the funnel. But all of that activation depends on something most organizations never intentionally build: a brand people actually know, remember, and feel something about. Brady Josephson, Head of Growth & Innovation at charity:water, spent most of his career in direct response. Then the data told him something different, and charity:water went all in on brand.Episode Highlights: [00:03:00] How charity:water unknowingly burned through its brand equity [00:05:30] What "investing in brand" actually means beyond logos and colors [00:11:00] Self-determination theory and why trust is really about competence [00:22:00] You can tell the same story far more times than you think [00:25:00] Inside charity:water's 7,000 sq ft immersive experience space [00:44:00] Pick one growth engine and stop trying to do everythingNotable Quotes: [00:44:15]: "What you say no to or what you do less of is the game. That is strategy." Brady Josephson[00:24:00]: "You acknowledge some of the footage is old, some of the facts are out of date, and yet you're putting millions of dollars of ad spend behind that piece." Eric Ressler Resources & Links:charity:water — charitywater.orgThe Factory at Franklin — factoryatfranklin.comLenny's Newsletter — lennysnewsletter.comHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

A single phrase from a previous episode sent Eric into an existential tailspin, and reshaped how he thinks about organizational identity. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan unpack why "Who are we becoming?" hits harder than any strategic planning question, how it works as a daily filter for every decision you make, and why the social impact sector needs to be asking it right now.Episode Highlights: [00:01:30] The phrase that triggered an existential crisis [00:02:00] Why "becoming" reframes identity, not just strategy [00:05:00] Who is Cosmic becoming? [00:05:30] The follow-up: "What would I do differently if I were already that?" [00:07:00] Every decision is a vote for who you're becoming [00:09:00] What happens when you don't choose who you're becomingNotable Quotes: [00:05:30]: "The next question that I ask myself is, 'Well, what would I do differently if I were already that?' And that's where I think it becomes extremely powerful." Eric Ressler[00:06:55]: "Every action I take, every decision I make as an individual is sort of a vote for who I'm becoming." Jonathan Hicken[00:09:30]: "If you don't have a clear sense of who you want to become, you are inevitably going to become someone else's version of you." Eric ResslerHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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 has gotten very good at describing problems: white papers, statistics, annual reports filled with data on gaps and needs. But it hasn't built a system for telling stories that actually move people. Heather Mason spent 20 years producing the biggest convenings in the sector before building The Impact Lounge, a traveling hub that brings together funders, filmmakers, and creators at Sundance, Cannes, and beyond to build the narrative infrastructure social change has been missing.Episode Highlights:[02:15] Why narrative change is the most powerful lever for social change [05:00] The social sector treats film as a tactic — Hollywood treats it as a system [08:00] Marvelization: what world-building looks like for social impact [12:30] You were hired to solve a problem — what if you were hired to create a vision? [37:00] Why small teams should build, not buy — and let go of perfect [45:00] The Skunkworks mindset: annoyingly positive in a hard yearNotable Quotes:[03:45]: "Data can inform us, but only stories can move us."  — Heather Mason [13:00]: "If people get hired to focus on the problem, you're going to get problem-focused experiences, problem-focused communication, problem-focused white papers." — Heather Mason Resources & Links:The Impact Lounge — theimpactlounge.comCaspian Agency — caspianagency.comOutrider Foundation Nuke Simulator — outrider.orgCosmic — designbycosmic.comHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, 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.

“It's only when you show your own courage that the performativeness of being inspired by others moves to allied-ness.”Ludovic Blain returns to Break Fake Rules, this time at a live recording at California Donor Table's 20th anniversary convening and celebration! Last season, Ludovic delivered a master class in philanthropic giving across tax statuses. Now he's back to urge us to play offense — by funding bold, long-term investments to counter the well-coordinated efforts of conservative groups and donors that harm our communities. How can donors fund initiatives that not only defend democracy but also create a better government for all? What lessons can we take from local-level wins to build progressive power at the national level? Tune in to find out. Break Fake Rules is a podcast from the Stupski Foundation that questions philanthropy's self-imposed rules and looks for ways philanthropy can better serve communities and contribute to lasting change. Learn more about the California Donor Table.Learn about the Stupski Foundation's work.Host: Glen GalaichGuest: Ludovic BlainProducer: Claire CallahanMentioned in this episode:Designing Tomorrow PodcastCheck out another social impact podcast called Designing Tomorrow. It's hosted by Eric Ressler — founder of the creative agency Cosmic — and Jonathan Hicken, executive director at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. If you're looking for a show that's real, smart, and made for this moment in social impact — give Designing Tomorrow a listen. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts.

Farhad Ebrahimi: “What utility is it for grantmakers to survive this political moment if none of the organizations we believe in survive?”In this episode, Farhad Ebrahimi—Philanthropic Transformation Strategist and co-founder at Solidaire Network—joins Break Fake Rules to deliver a total takedown of philanthropy's most pernicious fake rules. And he comes with receipts! Hear why Farhad spent down the Chorus Foundation's endowment in 2023 and what it really means to organize and mobilize funders to support a just transition to a regenerative economy that no longer feeds the philanthropic industrial compex. In a period when fear and political retribution are on the rise, Farhad calls us to prioritize grantee survival over grantmaker self-preservation. Learn about and join the Solidaire Network.Break Fake Rules is a podcast from the Stupski Foundation that questions philanthropy's self-imposed rules and looks for ways philanthropy can better serve communities and contribute to lasting change. Learn about the Stupski Foundation's work.Host: Glen GalaichGuest: Farhad EbrahimiProducer: Claire CallahanDesigning Tomorrow PodcastCheck out another social impact podcast called Designing Tomorrow. It's hosted by Eric Ressler — founder of the creative agency Cosmic — and Jonathan Hicken, executive director at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. If you're looking for a show that's real, smart, and made for this moment in social impact — give Designing Tomorrow a listen. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts.

Farhad Ebrahimi: “What utility is it for grantmakers to survive this political moment if none of the organizations we believe in survive?”In this episode, Farhad Ebrahimi—Philanthropic Transformation Strategist and co-founder at Solidaire Network—joins Break Fake Rules to deliver a total takedown of philanthropy's most pernicious fake rules. And he comes with receipts! Hear why Farhad spent down the Chorus Foundation's endowment in 2023 and what it really means to organize and mobilize funders to support a just transition to a regenerative economy that no longer feeds the philanthropic industrial compex. In a period when fear and political retribution are on the rise, Farhad calls us to prioritize grantee survival over grantmaker self-preservation. Learn about and join the Solidaire Network.Break Fake Rules is a podcast from the Stupski Foundation that questions philanthropy's self-imposed rules and looks for ways philanthropy can better serve communities and contribute to lasting change. Learn about the Stupski Foundation's work.Host: Glen GalaichGuest: Farhad EbrahimiProducer: Claire CallahanDesigning Tomorrow PodcastCheck out another social impact podcast called Designing Tomorrow. It's hosted by Eric Ressler — founder of the creative agency Cosmic — and Jonathan Hicken, executive director at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. If you're looking for a show that's real, smart, and made for this moment in social impact — give Designing Tomorrow a listen. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts.

SummaryIn this conversation, Eric, the founder and creative director at Cosmic, discusses the intersection of digital strategy and social impact. He shares insights on how organizations can effectively engage their communities through authentic storytelling and marketing. The discussion covers the evolution of Cosmic as a niche agency, the challenges of social impact marketing, and the importance of building meaningful connections in a crowded digital landscape. Eric emphasizes the need for organizations to find their unique purpose and to measure their impact beyond traditional metrics, advocating for a more authentic approach to marketing that resonates with audiences.TakeawaysCosmic specializes in helping social impact organizations tell their stories effectively.The transition to a niche focus can be challenging but rewarding.Authenticity in messaging is crucial for engaging audiences.Building a community around a cause is more effective than traditional marketing.Digital storytelling plays a vital role in social change efforts.Organizations must measure impact in meaningful ways, not just through vanity metrics.Finding purpose in marketing can lead to more fulfilling work.The balance between marketing and authenticity is essential for long-term success.Investing in core channels like websites and email is crucial for sustainability.The future of digital experiences lies in fostering genuine connections.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Social Impact and Digital Strategy02:37 The Evolution of Cosmic and Niche Specialization05:41 Navigating the Challenges of Social Impact Marketing08:42The Importance of Authenticity in Messaging11:34 Building Community and Engagement in Social Impact13:59 The Role of Digital Storytelling in Social Change17:21 The Future of Digital Experiences and Community Building19:59 Measuring Impact and Success in Social Marketing23:00 Finding Purpose in Marketing and Business Practices25:21 The Balance Between Marketing and Authenticity28:27 Conclusion and Key TakeawaysCredits:Hosted by Ryan Roghaar and Michael SmithProduced by Ryan RoghaarTheme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM  The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:bit.ly/eggstunesThe Plugs:The Show: eggscast.com@eggshow on twitter and instagramOn iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOnStitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcherAlso available on Google Play Music!Mike "DJ Ontic": Shows and info: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@djontic on twitterRyan Roghaar:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rogha.ar

Social impact leaders are visionaries — but getting others to see what you see isn't easy. When your work hasn't caught up to your ambitions, how do you win over funders, staff, and partners who need proof before they commit?In this episode, Eric and Jonathan explore what it really takes to sell a bold new vision — even when the work is still taking shape.➔ Why internal conviction is the first — and most underrated — step to building external trust. ➔ How to frame your future vision when your current reality doesn't match it (yet). ➔ The power of showing instead of telling — and what that looks like with no budget. ➔ Why funders are often more excited by possibility than proof — and how to use that to your advantage. ➔ A real-world playbook for prototyping your vision, building buy-in, and navigating the messy middle.If you're leading through change, launching something new, or reinventing your organization's direction, this conversation will help you craft a message that inspires belief — before the results are in.You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to sell what's possible.Episode Highlights:[00:00] - Eric and Jonathan kick off with a definition that goes beyond mission statements.[01:12] - Jonathan shares real talk about leading through transition at the Seymour Center.[02:13] - Eric maps the vision lifecycle from insight to realization.[05:13] - Why writing one too early can backfire—and what to do instead.[07:02] - Eric recounts Cosmic's pivot to social impact and what it took to bring his team along.[11:48] - Jonathan's tips for gaining internal and external buy-in.[14:48] - Funders and stakeholders appreciate realism—if you frame it right.[18:35] - A smart messaging pivot that worked for Seymour Center.[19:56] - How DIY prototypes and low-budget demos helped seed a big vision.[24:17] - A thought-provoking exchange on fluidity, revision, and what comes next.[28:42] - Two different leadership styles—and how to make both work for you.Quotes:"It's a vision of a new way of what could be, but what is not yet true." – Eric Ressler [00:00]"You as the executive… you really, truly, deeply in yourself believe in the potential." – Jonathan Hicken [04:51]"Vision and mission statements sometimes get an outsized amount of attention… I'd rather see more time on having a compelling vision." – Eric Ressler [05:13]"The single best way to sell a vision when you're not delivering yet? Start prototyping." – Jonathan Hicken [19:56]Resources:Article - How Your Purpose, Vision, and Mission Can Guide Better Brand StorytellingPodcast - How to Stop Planning and Start DoingListeners, 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.

Not all “no's” are equal—and if you're in fundraising, you know that firsthand.In this episode, Eric and Jonathan unpack the three types of objections every social impact leader will face: the silent no, the vague no, and the hard no. They explore why each shows up, what it's really signaling, and how to respond in a way that transforms rejection into relationship. Whether you're navigating donor hesitancy or partner pushback, you'll walk away with practical tools to shift conversations from confusion and avoidance to clarity, trust, and—yes—sometimes even a yes.Episode Highlights:[00:00] - The 3 types of objections: Silence, vagueness, and direct no's[01:42] - A real-world win: How reframing a donor's “no” unlocked major funding[03:03] - Ghosted? Strategies for re-engaging silent prospects[05:59] - Automated follow-ups that work: Respectful nudging and content-driven touches[07:19] - Low-effort asks: Using newsletters to reignite dormant conversations[08:22] - The “breakup email” that gets responses: Permission to say no[10:43] - Why silence feels personal—and how to shift your mindset[12:04] - Vague rejections: How to politely mine for clarity[13:08] - Exact language that invites honest feedback[15:17] - Is it just the money? A powerful question to uncover root issues[17:43] - When “scaling down” won't serve you—or them[19:17] - Invite donors into partnership: What funders really want[21:07] - Objections as insights: What “no” reveals about your positioning[22:19] - Flip your mindset: Think 70% about what they want to hear[24:06] - Fit-first fundraising: 3 guiding questions before accepting money[25:19] - Mission creep warning: Why not all dollars are worth it[27:20] - The takeaway: Always try to get to a direct “no”—and know why it happenedQuotes:“You have to become an irresistible fundee—for them.” –Jonathan Hicken [22:32]“Funders want to make an impact on something they care about. Period.” –Eric Ressler [23:25]Resources:Article - Want Foundations to Fund Your Work? Speak Their Language. Here's How.Article - How to Embrace (and Own) Your Nonprofit's Digital FundraisingArticle - 8 Reasons Why Donors Aren't Giving on Your Nonprofit's WebsiteArticle - Funders: Your Obligation to Social Impact Goes Beyond Giving MoneyListeners, 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 storytellingQuotes:“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.

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 LookoutArticle - Don't Build Your Brand on Rented LandArticle - Top 10 Mistakes Social Impact Websites MakeArticle - Develop a Distribution-First Mindset to Win in the Attention EconomyArticle - How to Defeat the 3 Toughest Challenges All Nonprofits FaceArticle - 4 Scroll-Stopping Digital Experiences to Inspire Your Nonprofit's ContentListeners, 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 makeWhy clarity beats complexity—and how to simplify without losing depthHow to reframe your messaging to make your audience the heroThe five key pillars of messaging that inspires actionA real-time messaging workshop where we apply this framework liveBy 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.

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 ShiftHow expectations around work have fundamentally changedWhy nonprofits struggle with remote and hybrid models[01:00] Jonathan's Story: Fired for Remote WorkThe personal experience that shaped his perspective on workplace flexibilityWhy remote work remains more challenging for social impact organizations[04:07] The Benefits & Drawbacks of Remote WorkEric's experience running a fully remote creative agencyHow remote work can improve deep focus but challenge collaboration[10:29] The Energy of Mission-Driven TeamsCan remote teams maintain the passion that fuels social impact work?The hidden costs of losing in-person connection[15:29] The Tech & Infrastructure ChallengeWhy some nonprofits struggle with digital transformationHow 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 ShiftWork-life balance, burnout, and rethinking work as identityWhy social impact leaders must prioritize a sustainable work culture[35:27] A Challenge for Nonprofit LeadersJonathan's call to action: Nonprofits should lead in work cultureHow flexibility and balance can be a competitive advantageQuotes:"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.

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 hiringThese 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 teamsQuotes"[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]ResourcesNina SimonSanta Cruz Museum of Art & History How We Define Social Purpose BrandsSocial Enterprises: Own Your Purpose-Driven DifferentiatorHow Your Purpose, Vision, and Mission Can Guide Better Brand StorytellingDefeat Mission Creep and Master Your Nonprofit's Messaging to Maximize Impact*** If you liked this episode, it really helps a new podcast if you can 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 iTunes. 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.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

Dive deep into the world of marketing and social entrepreneurship with guest Eric Ressler, founder and creative director at Cosmic. Cosmic is a social impact creative agency that has helped nonprofits and social enterprises thrive by integrating marketing strategies that move humanity forward. Eric shares his wealth of knowledge on how to elevate your social enterprise's marketing game and how to better communicate your impact to the world. Learn the difference between transactional and brand-building marketing, the importance of relationship and community-building, and why aligning your mission with effective communication is key to long-term sustainability.  Key Takeaways:  The Power of Marketing in Social Impact: Eric emphasizes the importance of viewing marketing as a pillar of your social impact organization's strategy. Marketing isn't just about sales, it's about building awareness, educating, and inspiring your audience to support your mission.  Brand-Building vs. Transactional Marketing: Eric explains the shift toward transactional marketing due to advancements in data analytics, but warns of the dangers of relying solely on metrics like engagement and reach. The real value lies in long-term relationships and community-building efforts.  Content Strategy and Distribution: Learn how to effectively package your content for different platforms and audiences, maximizing the reach and engagement of every piece of content you create.  The Importance of Consistent Communication: Eric shares how crucial it is to keep your supporters in the loop about your impact, and how even small organizations can build a solid marketing strategy without an in-house marketing team.  Inspirational Moments:  [00:28] – The concept of a brand-building approach to marketing, emphasizing the importance of community building in the social impact space.  [02:58] – The power of communication as a tool for sustainability, highlighting how organizations often forget the critical role of marketing in making long-lasting change.  [10:45] – The difference between transactional marketing and relationship-building marketing, and why social impact organizations should focus on long-term brand loyalty.  [15:32] – Discussion on how small nonprofits can leverage storytelling to create emotional connections with their audience, even with limited resources.  [22:14] – Valuable advice on how nonprofits and social enterprises can focus on their content distribution and repurposing to get the most out of their efforts.  Meet Our Guest - Eric Ressler:  Eric applies his experience working with social impact organizations across the globe to help modern social impact leaders and brands navigate our rapidly-changing, digitally-driven world. As host of the Designing Tomorrow podcast, he challenges listeners to adopt a new playbook to reach their true impact potential.  As the Founder and Creative Director of Cosmic, the creative agency for modern social impact brands, he brings extensive expertise to helping social impact organizations create and build brands, embody a digital-first culture, and develop brand strategies that win in the attention economy.   Website: Cosmic Podcast: Designing Tomorrow LinkedIn: Eric Ressler  Inside Scoop:  Eric Ressler believes marketing is not a luxury but an essential component of any social impact strategy. His approach to content creation and distribution focuses on maximizing engagement through thoughtful packaging and channel selection, ensuring that nonprofits and social enterprises communicate effectively. Eric also stresses the importance of collaboration when working with external partners and marketing agencies - to treat them as strategic partners rather than delegating tasks without deep involvement.  Important Links:  Join the Social Impact Level Up Collective for community and support DIYers dream—hop in our University for templates and FREE resources: University  Website: WendieVeloz.com  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/social-impact-level-up/support

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 missionFor 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 ThoughtsQuotes“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 websiteBeyond Aesthetics: The ROI of Brand BuildingRethinking Your Unhealthy Relationship with Social Impact MarketingIs Your Social Impact Marketing Strategy Built on a Strong Foundation or a House of Cards?*** If you liked this episode, it really helps a new podcast if you can 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 iTunes. 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.comListeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

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 logosIn 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 AvoidWant to Scale Your Social Impact? Your Brand is the FuelBeyond Aesthetics: The ROI of Brand Building*** If you liked this episode, it really helps a new podcast if you can 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 iTunes. 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.comListeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

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 momentumQuotes"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 StaffArticle - How to Increase Supporter and Donor Action Using an Engagement PyramidArticle - Nonprofits, Master the 3 Pillars of Digital Engagement for Maximum Social ImpactArticle - How to Build a Next-level Content StrategyGood to Great - by James C. Collins  AllBirds*** If you liked this episode, it really helps a new podcast if you can 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 iTunes. 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.comListeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

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.Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts.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 ReputationQuotes"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]Resources:Article - Brand Building: An Authentic Approach to Growing a Fierce, Loyal, and Supportive Community*** If you liked this episode, it really helps a new podcast if you can 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 iTunes. We could not do this without you!Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

**CORRECTION: we mistakenly published the wrong audio for this episode. We've corrected the audio and reposted this episode hereCore 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 itQuotes"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 FrameworkVideo - Demystifying Strategic Planning: Insights from a Seasoned ExpertArticle - Create Better Social Impact Messaging by Finding Your Brand Voice*** If you liked this episode, it really helps a new podcast if you can 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 iTunes. 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@desiListeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

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 processesIn 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. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 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 teamQuotes:"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 "At the end of the day, if you or your marketing team are not spending time with the people that you're serving... you're never going to get it." - Jonathan Hicken"We need to find ways to get more creative and more emotional, sometimes more fun with our content, even if that feels intuitively wrong." - Eric ResslerResources:Rethinking Your Unhealthy Relationship with Social Impact MarketingIs 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 MissionMarketing Isn't Overhead, It's an Impact MultiplierEthical Storytelling Resource - Maria Bryan Creative*** If you liked this episode, it really helps a new podcast if you can 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 iTunes. 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 episListeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

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 dayBut 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.Quotes"You want your supporters to be the hero of the story, not your organization. The focus should be on how they can make a meaningful impact." — Eric Ressler  [09:44]"If your brand's promise isn't met in real-world interactions, there's an instant lack of trust and credibility." - Eric Ressler [15:38]"Every single human being who's a part of your organization is in some way embodying and creating your brand." - Jonathan Hicken [16:12]Resources:They Said - pulses / mini surveys Storybrand by Donald MillerCreate Better Social Impact Messaging by Finding Your Brand Voice Unexpected Ways a Rebrand Can Supercharge Your Team Culture*** If you liked this episode, it really helps a new podcast if you can 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 iTunes. We could not do this without you!We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topiListeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

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. 

Guest: Eric ResslerIn this enlightening episode of Untapped Philanthropy, hosts Kerrin Mitchell and Tim Sarrantonio welcome Eric Ressler, the creative force behind Cosmic, to discuss the dynamic intersection of digital innovation and social impact. Delve into a conversation that challenges conventional nonprofit narratives, advocates for a reimagined approach to social impact branding, and emphasizes the crucial role of digital engagement in building community and driving change.To learn more about Cosmic, visit: designbycosmic.comTo learn more about Fluxx, visit: fluxx.ioTo learn more about Neon One, visit: neonone.comEpisodes of Untapped Philanthropy are edited, mixed, and mastered by Rocket Skates Recording.

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?Meet Designing Tomorrow, the show for modern social impact leaders and brands, hosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic.Think of it as a modern playbook for navigating our rapidly-changing, digitally-driven world that you can use to reach your true impact potential. New episodes drop every Tuesday, and we hope you enjoy this preview of episode 1.Follow + subscribe to Designing Tomorrow on your favorite podcast platform or catch the Video Versions on Youtube. We've included the links below! We'll be listening right along with you. Designing Tomorrow Website Watch on YouTubeListen + Subscribe on AppleListen + Subscribe on SpotifyFollow Designing Tomorrow on LinkedInSupport the showSupport the ShowIf you love the podcast, you'll love Good Friends, our listener support community here at We Are For Good. Not only do you get these perks, but you're hanging with the most rabid fans who are restless to grow the Impact Uprising. This movement of believers are powering our free content and community with their monthly support, and Whoa Nelly, are we excited to invite you in.Learn more today at weareforgood.com/friends. Join the We Are For Good CommunityYou can think of it as the after-party to each podcast episode

In this episode, Rick interviews Eric Ressler, Cosmic's founder and creative director, a social impact creative agency. Eric is a social impact hero dedicated to helping organizations shape their desired future and propel humanity forward. He believes in the power of compelling impact storytelling, brand awareness, and inspiring action, partnering with a diverse range of organizations in climate action, education, social justice, sustainability, arts, culture, and tech-driven social impact. Eric emphasizes the importance of balance, remaining focused, calm, and open to new experiences to stay creatively fueled in pursuing meaningful change. Join us as we delve into Eric's journey and insights on driving impactful change through storytelling and creative advocacy. This episode is a MUST-LISTEN!

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.

In this episode, I welcome Eric Ressler - a digital designer helping social impact organisations myceliate their stories into the world through Design by Cosmic. If you've ever wondered about what goes into the behind-the-scenes of a social action group or wanted to start your own, this is a must-listen!As an organisation designer, Eric goes into the nitty-gritty of what the most important steps for catalysing real world change are - from how to activate people through online platforms to the significance of taking a moonshot once in a while.Design by Cosmic supports organisations focused on making real world change hone down their impact story, their branding and their messages. If you're interested, check out their manifesto for social impact leaders!Support the showThis podcast is an initiative of the Permaculture Education Institute.Our way of sharing our love for this planet and for life, is by teaching permaculture teachers who are locally adapting this around the world - finding ways to apply the planet care ethics of earth care, people care and fair share. We host global conversations and learning communities on 6 continents. We teach permaculture teachers, host permaculture courses, host Our Permaculture Life YouTube, and offer free monthly film club and masterclass. We broadcast from a solar powered studio in the midst of a permaculture ecovillage food forest on beautiful Gubbi Gubbi country. I acknowledge this is and always will be Aboriginal land, pay my respects to elders past and present, and extend my respect to indigenous cultures and knowledge systems across the planet. You can also watch Sense-Making in a Changing World on youtube.SUBSCRIBE for notification of each new episode. Please leave us a 5 star REVIEW - it really it does help the bots find and myceliate this show.

One of our values at Disruptive CEO Nation is doing business while still being able to deliver social good, but in a cluttered market and constant noise, how do change agents get the attention they deserve? Enter Eric Ressler, the founder and creative director of Cosmic, a social impact creative agency based in Santa Cruz, California. Cosmic serves non-profits, B Corps, funders, and organizations dedicated to advancing humanity.   Eric discusses the importance of authentic messaging and their team's unique approach to creative design and he even shares insights into an organization that they are currently helping in Morroco.   Here are some of the stops we made in our conversation: -Introduction to Cosmic and its mission to serve social impact organizations. -The concept of the attention economy and its relevance in today's digital world. -The why behind Cosmic's manifesto and tips your organization can take in developing your own. - Balancing the creative process with sustainable work-life balance. Think rest equals better business results. - Eric's journey from a freelance designer to founding Cosmic. -The role of AI in content creation and the importance of human connection. -Distribution channels, focusing on email as an owned channel, and building authentic communities   Eric Ressler is the Founder and Creative Director at Cosmic, a Social Impact Creative Agency. Eric launched Cosmic in 2009. Cosmic empowers social impact organizations to catalyze real-world change by helping them nail their impact story, build brand awareness, and inspire action. Cosmic is a distributed team of creatives, strategists, and technologists with roots in Santa Cruz, CA but working around the world.   A self-taught photographer and cinematographer, Eric operates the camera on Cosmic's photo and video shoots. He's also one of our primary video editors and colorists. His musical background frequently comes into play during the video post-production process.   Connect with Eric   LinkedIn Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosmiceric/ LinkedIn Cosmic: https://www.linkedin.com/company/design-by-cosmic-inc-/ Website: https://designbycosmic.com/   Connect with Allison: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  #digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join this panel of modern impact thinkers as we explore how to build evolved methods to grow the digital influence of your organization. We're diving into marketing and branding, working with influencers, flexing content in various mediums and platforms, leveraging the power of media to build digital community, and helping nonprofits look to the horizon for evolved methods to grow their digital influence. This is the panel you've been waiting for to get your mission's story out in the wild.Today's GuestsSarah Adolphson, Co-CEO, Artemis AgencyCarolina Garcia Jayaram, Executive Director, The Elevate Prize FoundationEric Ressler, Founder, Design by CosmicNick Lynch, Co-Founder and CEO, Collidescope.ioEPISODE HIGHLIGHTSWhat is the attention economy? (2:50)How social media is democratizing impact. (5:00)Marketing is mission and mission manifested. (7:45)The power of turning marketing into action (9:00)Ways marketing can drive impact 12:35Shifts the sector needs to embrace these digital strategies (17:05)How to identify win-win partnerships (27:00)Influencer Marketing (29:30)One Good Thing (34:10)Eric: We need to fund this work and this work needs to be part of our core strategy for the organization.Carolina: Don't focus so much on the media part of this focus more on developing your story.Sarah: Trust the artists.Nick: You have to start with the story.For more information + episode details visit: weareforgood.com/episode/446.About our Sponsor: Foster AvenueAs a philanthropic communications consulting and creative agency, Foster Avenue sees how campaign communications are facing a revolution these days. And luckily, they're sharing their insights. They are sharing a 10-point checklist for creating campaign communications that meet the moment. And we want to get this checklist into your hands so you can start refining your messaging right away.Learn more today at www.fosteravenue.com/goodSupport the showSupport the We Are For Good PodcastWe believe education is for everyone. We strive to make our teaching as forward-thinking, accessible, affordable and inclusive as possible. Your generous support will help power the #ImpactUprising, free resources and community for change-agents globally. Join the We Are For Good CommunityYou can think of it as the after-party to each podcast episode