What if We?

As America approaches its 250th anniversary next month, one question looms large: what does the future look like for the generation that will inherit it? Young Americans are living through rising costs, political polarization, and growing skepticism about institutions—but they haven’t checked out. In this episode of What If We? , Kaitlin Funaro talks with Benjamin Oh, Senior Data Director at the A...

Episode Description: In this episode of What If We? , host Kaitlin Funaro sits down with internet culture writer and editor Aja Romano to explore how memes shape the way we communicate, organize, and understand the world around us. What may appear trivial or disposable on the surface often carries deep cultural meaning. From catchphrases and reaction images to political symbols and online movement...

How does a simple color become a national symbol for change? In this episode of What If We?, host Kaitlin sits down with Nza-Ari, Founder of Project Orange Tree, and RALLY Senior Director Jason Rzepka to unpack the origins and evolution of the Wear Orange campaign. What began as a grassroots response to tragedy, honoring the life of Hadiya Pendleton, a victim of gun violence, grew into a powerful...

For a lot of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, faith isn’t a political signal—it’s a core part of their identity. That deep connection between spirituality and values is a major, often overlooked, opportunity for advocacy communications. In this episode, host Kaitlin Funaro sits down with Derwin Aikens to unpack how younger audiences are thinking about religious identity and the power of faith as a values fram...

In this episode of What If We? , Kaitlin Funaro sits down with researcher and Gen Z expert Rachel Janfaza, author of the popular Substack The Up & Up to unpack what young people are actually feeling right now, and why so many institutions are getting it wrong. Drawing from a series of listening sessions with 11–22-year-olds across the country, Rachel explains why Gen Z’s political identity is...

What if getting press meant more than just a headline in the New York Times? In this episode of What If We? , host Kaitlin sits down with earned media experts Sara Lueders and Alexis Gosselin to demystify the insider world of earned media. From the shifting landscape of traditional newsrooms to the rise of Substack communities, they explore how to reach audiences in today's media landscape. Sara a...

During the border patrol crackdown in Minneapolis, people have shown up—loudly and visibly—for immigrant rights. That kind of mobilization is real, necessary, and powerful. But movements don’t win by speaking only to the people already in the streets. They also win by persuading the people watching from the sidelines—the ones who don’t see themselves as anti-immigrant, but aren’t fully on board ei...

What if fandoms are doing what traditional movements struggle to achieve—building belonging, joy, and coordinated power at scale? In this episode of What If We?, Kaitlin Funaro sits down with Destiny Willis and Lillian Greer to explore what stan culture can teach organizers, advocates, and movement builders about identity, engagement, and collective action. From the origins of the term “stan” in E...

Storytelling moves people — but it’s not enough on its own. The real magic happens when stories spark engagement and build community. That’s why one of our persuasion principles is “storytelling needs engagement.” In this episode, host Kaitlin Funaro talks with content creator Benjamin Coy and Dr. Ashley Elliott, a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and content creator better known as Dr. Vivid, about...

What if we stopped thinking about audiences as demographics and started seeing them as heroes of their own stories? In this episode of What If We? , guest host, Sheri Klein, Senior Director of Research and Strategy at RALLY, sits down with Principal Hillary Moglen and Riki Conrey, Principal Scientist at Harmony Labs , to unpack how audience identity shapes persuasion. From the shows we watch to th...

Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of trust, influence, and real persuasion. In this episode of The Art and Science of Persuasion series, Kaitlin Funaro sits down with RALLY Principal Latia Curry Harrison to talk about why authentic, genuine communication matters more than ever in a world flooded with polished messaging. They explore how leaders and organizations can show up au...

Why do we remember stories, not statistics? Persuasion isn’t just about presenting the facts—it’s about connecting with people on an emotional level. Today in our series The Art and Science of Persuasion , Kaitlin Funaro talks with Stephen Friedman, former president of MTV and adjunct professor at Columbia University, and Jason Rzepka, Senior Director at RALLY, to discuss how storytelling and emot...

What does it mean to be persuaded? And why do so many of us resist the idea of changing our minds? Persuasion isn’t just about convincing—it’s about influence, connection, and building shared understanding. And in today’s polarized world, it might be one of the most important tools advocates have. This episode kicks off a special series on persuasion. Over the next six episodes, we’ll explore the...

LinkedIn—it’s not just an online résumé. It’s a platform for storytelling, visibility, and connection. When used strategically, it helps decision-makers, partners, and allies find you, learn from you, and amplify your work. RALLY's Kaitlin Funaro chats with the pod's favorite digital expert Elyse Dickson Becker and thought leadership extroidinare René Verma to break down all the essentials of Link...

Episode Summary In part two of our series, Building a Digital Community, RALLY’s Kaitlin Funaro is back with Jack Spiegelman and Maha Ghandour from our digital team to dive into what it takes to build strong digital communities. This episode is all about community management — the often invisible, always essential work of building digital culture that can handle the heat. From moderating comment s...

When you're trying to break through online, playing it safe doesn't always cut it. In part one of this two-part series, RALLY's Kaitlin Funaro sits down with Jack Spiegelman and Maha Ghandour from our digital team to talk about how to embrace controversy strategically. From knowing when to lean in to how to prep your team for the reaction, they unpack what it takes to post with purpose and build p...

Are influencer campaigns worth it? If you’ve ever asked yourself (or your comms team) that question, this episode is for you. From how to find the right creators to how much budget you really need, RALLY's Elyse Dickson Becker and Maha Ghandour break down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about influencer engagement for advocacy campaigns…in just 15 minutes. In This Episode: Influencer vs. con...

When you try to talk to everyone, you often reach no one. In this episode, RALLY's Sheri Klein breaks down why defining your audience is one of the most powerful and cost-effective choices an advocacy campaign can make. If you have ever been told your message should speak to all, this one is for you. In This Episode: What exactly is a campaign audience and why it matters The risks of trying to rea...

Ten years after the Supreme Court victory for marriage equality nationwide, we revisit the fight that came before it: against California’s Prop 8. RALLY's Felix Schein and Prop 8 plaintiff Kris Perry share firsthand stories about shifting public opinion and the cultural battle behind this legal victory for LGBTQ+ rights. In This Episode: Behind-the-scenes and front-line perspectives on Prop 8 The...

Introducing What If We? Episode Summary: Get a sneak peek at What If We?, a new podcast about advocacy, persuasion, and the messages that move us. Kaitlin Funaro shares what to expect from upcoming episodes and why this podcast matters for advocates and communicators across social change movements. Episode Credits: Host: Kaitlin Funaro, Principal @ RALLY  Producers: Maha Ghandour, Miki Katoni Abou...