How to Win a Campaign

The Campaign Workshop's Advocacy Training is coming up on December 10 and 11. Our advocacy training is fully virtual and is a complete guide to the ins and outs of effective advocacy. We cover topics like goal setting, messaging and storytelling, budgeting and fundraising, digital campaigns, lobbying, and more. Register now through our Humanitix page at the link below. Purchase tickets through Hum...

In our final 7 Questions episode of the season, Joe sits down with Alex Dickinson of Beekeeper Group to discuss their report, The Future of Advocacy . Drawing on a December 2025 survey of 1,000 voters and insights from Beekeeper's 100+ client partners, Alex shares why the traditional "ladder of engagement" may be giving way to a more fluid model, how local action is outpacing national, and why red...

In this episode, Enrique Rivas of The Campaign Workshop sits down with Mayte Aldrett, Partner Success Director at Empower Project, to break down relational organizing—the practice of reaching people through their own trusted relationships. Mayte explains why a message from a friend, family member, or neighbor lands when a stranger's outreach gets screened out, and how organizations of any size can...

In this 7 Questions episode, Joe sits down with Tiffany Muller, President of End Citizens United, to discuss the state of money in politics in America. Tiffany breaks down how the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision opened the floodgates to unlimited and undisclosed spending in our elections and explains how dark money flows through the system. They also dig into why transparency and discl...

In this episode, Martín sits down with Bill Smith, founder and CEO of Inseparable , a bipartisan national mental health advocacy organization working to change how Washington and state houses respond to the mental health crisis. Bill shares his story behind founding Inseparable, why mental health is a winning political issue, and how his team has delivered 100 policy wins in just five years. He an...

This week, Joe is joined by Katie Belanger, consultant for the Local Solutions Support Center , for her third appearance on the show. Katie breaks down what state preemption is, why it matters, and how it's being weaponized by corporate special interests and social conservatives to override local democracy. From heat safety standards for outdoor workers to sanctuary city policies to local zoning d...

In this bonus 7 Questions episode, Joe Fuld talks with Monica Hopkins, Executive Director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia, about what it takes to defend democracy at the local level. They cover DC statehood and voting rights, how the ACLU of DC's advocacy approach delivers wins, and how a shifting political landscape has reshaped their strategy. Monica also shares candid thoughts on keepin...

This week, we're featuring a recorded webinar from our Advocacy Training series. Joe dives into goal setting—why defining clear goals as a team is one of the most critical and most often skipped steps in building a successful advocacy campaign. He walks through prioritizing primary versus secondary goals, layering short-term and long-term objectives, and building in evaluation metrics from the sta...

In this Seven Questions episode, Martín Diego Garcia sits down with Denise Feriozzi, co-founder and executive director of Pipeline Fund, to talk about building the long-term, down-ballot infrastructure progressives have needed for years. She breaks down the gaps Pipeline Fund set out to fill and digs into the realities of this work today, from rising safety and security concerns to the case for co...

In this episode, Joe sits down with Cesar Toledo, Executive Director of the Wanda Alston Foundation , to talk about what it really looks like to make local impact. Cesar shares his journey from national politics — including the Harris-Walz campaign and the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund — to leading a small but mighty DC nonprofit serving homeless LGBTQ+ youth, where nearly 40% of DC's homeless youth identif...

What does it actually mean for a bank to be "socially responsible," and why should every nonprofit, campaign, and advocacy organization care? In this episode, Martín sits down with Maura Keaney, Vice President and Director of Client Engagement at Amalgamated Bank, to unpack what ethical banking looks like in practice. Maura shares how a bank can be a real partner in the progressive movement. She a...

In this special 7 Questions episode, Joe sits down with Kristen Grimm, Founder and Strategist at Spitfire Strategies, for a candid conversation about what it takes to win a campaign right now. Kristen unpacks common strategic-planning mistakes: vague milestones, the "build the plane while we're flying it" approach, and the obsession with one giant "big tent" coalition. She and Joe also dig into wh...

In this bonus episode of How to Win a Campaign , host Martín Diego Garcia shares a webinar recorded in September 2025 featuring two innovative leadership development programs working to solve one of campaigns' most persistent problems: what happens to great talent between election cycles. Martín sits down with Theo LeCompte of Loft Leaders and Lorenza Ramirez of Blue Line Fellows for a deep dive i...

Joe and Martín are back to give listeners a sneak peek at what's coming in Season 5's bonus episodes. From ethical banking and mental health policy to DC voting rights and the future of advocacy, this season's lineup is packed with timely, practical conversations from some of the sharpest minds in politics and advocacy. We're also sharing a few webinar recordings — including an exclusive goal-sett...

In our final regular episode of Season 5, Heather Booth returns to share more of her journey and insights into organizing and activism, as well as the need for love and joy in sustaining long-term activism. Joe and Heather discuss the challenges of staying organized and the importance of maintaining personal connections and joy in their work. Guest Information: You can connect with Heather on Link...

In this episode, Joe chats with Cheryl Contee about AI’s impact on nonprofits. Cheryl discusses her book, “AI for Nonprofits,” emphasizing the importance of using AI to enhance work and make a greater difference. She also addresses concerns about AI ethics and environmental impact, advocating for transparency and responsible use. If you’ve got questions about AI, this is the episode for you! Guest...

In this episode, Martín dives into the tricky world of keeping alliances strong in social justice movements with Abby Levine, formerly the Executive Director and now CEO of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Abby shares advice on handling tough times, staying true to your values, and why building connections is key when working together, even when it feels like your allies are drifting. Guest i...

This week, Fran (Hutch) Hutchins shares their journey from growing up in Alabama to becoming a key figure in LGBTQ+ advocacy. They discuss their work with the Equality Federation, the importance of grassroots organizing, and the challenges of sustaining motivation in long-term activism. Hutch emphasizes the significance of community support, personal resilience, and strategic planning in driving s...

We're offline for a much-needed holiday break for the next two weeks. How to Win a Campaign will be back with another full episode on January 7, 2026.  The Campaign Workshop is raising money this holiday season for Feeding America . Together, we can make a meaningful impact by supporting our neighbors facing hunger and their ability to gain equitable access to food. With supporters like you, we ca...

This week, Martín sits down with Stacey McAuliffe from the Management Center to tackle one of the toughest challenges facing organizations today: navigating budget cuts and potential layoffs. Stacey shares her thoughts on maintaining humanity and integrity during these difficult times, offering practical advice for leaders to manage tough conversations while supporting their teams. Whether you're...

This week, Joe talks with Olivia Hill, who shares her journey as the first trans woman elected in Tennessee. She discusses the challenges she faced, how her passion for improving infrastructure helped her stay focused, and how she continues to bridge divides in an effort to make Nashville a better place to live.  Guest Information: Olivia Hill, Council Member at-Large, Nashville Metro Council You...

This week, Jon Hoadley, a former Michigan House legislator and 2020 Democratic candidate, sits down with Martín and shares his journey through the political landscape. He discusses the challenges of media attacks, the importance of having a support system, and his commitment to public service.  Guest information: You can connect with Jon Hoadley on LinkedIn . Learn more about the Michigan Donor Al...

We're on a break this week for Thanksgiving, but tune in to hear Joe and Martín share their favorite holiday dishes, as well as an appeal to help with spreading the spirit of giving and gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving from the Campaign Workshop team! Connect with The Campaign Workshop on Instagram or LinkedIn . Presented by The Campaign Workshop.

In this episode, Joe sits down with Bernadette Butler and Melanie Robledo to talk about the transformative work of The Homecoming Project and the importance of building trust within the community. Tune in to learn about the power of collaboration and the importance of language and narrative in justice work. Guest Information: Bernadette Butler & Melanie Robledo, Impact Justice .  You can also chec...

This week, Julie Burkhart joins Martín to talk about her journey in reproductive health, insights on working in conservative areas, and using creative operating models to build resilient communities. Guest Information: Julie Burkhart, Wellspring Health Access and Hope Clinic . You can read the New York Times profile on Julie  here . She was also selected as one of Time's 100 Most Influential in He...