Secrets of Social Impact Communicators: A Silver Maple Strategies Podcast with Nate Birt

It's been a tough year for many nonprofits. Yet here you are! Still standing, still serving, and still dreaming about a brighter future. In this special end-of-year solo episode, Nate Birt, founder of Silver Maple Strategies, guides nonprofit leaders through a reflective, energizing reset for 2026. This is not your average strategy podcast. It's a hands-on series of guided journaling prompts you c...

How do you lead transformative change in a complex, fast-moving world without losing your sense of purpose? In this episode of Secrets of Social Impact Communicators, host Nate Birt talks with Sheila Voss, Senior Vice President of Communications at the Good Food Institute, about what it takes to lead mission-driven work with courage, clarity, and heart. Sheila's career spans environmental educatio...

How do you stay true to your mission and pay the bills? How do you engage your community and challenge them to think differently? And how do you do all that without burning out? In this episode of Secrets of Social Impact Communicators, I'm joined by Sara Dean, Artistic Director at The Pear Theatre in Silicon Valley, CA, and a board member of Theatre Bay Area. Sara brings an incredible mix of crea...

Artificial intelligence is evolving fast, but today's expert guest tells us AI is also entering a new phase of stability, making now the ideal time for nonprofit leaders to get comfortable and curious with this technology. In this week's episode, I chat with Aram Fischer, co-founder and CEO of Change Agent AI, an alternative to tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini. Change Agent AI is purpose-built fro...

Episode Summary: In this teaching episode of Secrets of Social Impact Communicators, host Nate Birt, founder of Silver Maple Strategies, coaches nonprofit leaders navigating an increasingly uncertain economy. What can you as a nonprofit leader do to navigate volatility and come out ahead? A lot, actually! Here are five practical, actionable strategies you can implement immediately whether you're u...

How do you lead a nonprofit with clarity, morale, and flexibility when the world around you is rapidly changing? In this episode of  Secrets of Social Impact Communicators , Nate Birt sits down with Beverly Coberly, CEO of Extension Foundation , for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation on what it means to lead through complexity without losing your values, your vision, or your team's energy. B...

Episode Summary In this episode of Secrets of Social Impact Communicators, host Nate Birt speaks with Mike Servello, Founder and CEO of Compassion Coalition, Inc. Mike shares how his nonprofit has grown from a providential beginning in Utica, New York, into a model for feeding millions of people without taking on debt or relying on ongoing government funding. You'll hear how a donated warehouse an...

Soil health. Sustainable ag. Regenerative practices. These topics are no longer niche. They're front and center in conversations about the future of food, farming, and resilience. This week on Secrets of Social Impact Communicators, I sit down with Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, president of Field to Market, a nonprofit coalition of nearly 200 organizations working to advance sustainable agriculture. Car...

Too many hiring systems are broken, and moms are often the ones getting left behind. But what if there was a better way? In this inspiring episode, I talk with Mary Kay Ziniewicz , founder and CEO of Bus Stop Mamas , about how she's radically reimagining what work can look like for mothers. From her early career in law firm marketing to building a national platform that connects talented women wit...

What if the path to real social impact began with letting go? In this episode, I sit down with  Alfredo Mathew III , founder and CEO of SPCC One —the world's first Shared Prosperity Community Corporation. Alfredo is a former public school educator turned social entrepreneur who's building a bold, transformative model that reimagines capital, ownership, and community. Alfredo shares how his work em...

Do you ever feel like you're encountering a series of neverending bottlenecks within your nonprofit? Here at Silver Maple Strategies, we see this all the time - and it's nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary, it's part of the natural growth of any purpose-driven organization. The best part? There are tremendous solutions available to any leader looking to break through bottlenecks and deliver...

Are you struggling to get noticed by funders and strategic partners — even though your nonprofit is doing critical, impactful work? In this episode, I'll walk you through the essential keys to making your nonprofit brand unforgettable. Drawing on insights from more than 17 years in communications and 8+ years advising nonprofit leaders, I share the most common branding challenges nonprofits face t...

In this episode, I walk nonprofit leaders through timely strategies for building fundraising resilience in a complex and fast-evolving 2025 landscape. You'll walk away with actionable ideas, renewed confidence, and a powerful framework to tackle today's toughest fundraising challenges. I introduce our team's proprietary Resilience Leadership Model , crafted to help nonprofit organizations navigate...

In this episode, I sit down with Eva Goulbourne , Founder and CEO of Littlefoot Ventures , for a fascinating discussion of why this is a historic moment for addressing climate change via food and agriculture. Eva's food systems and sustainability strategy firm focuses on using food systems transformation as the climate solution. She brings extensive expertise serving both for-profit and nonprofit...

In this episode of  Secrets of Social Impact Communicators , I welcome Jan Barlow, founder of Better Job Fit , for an insightful conversation on career transitions, leadership, and purpose-driven work. Jan shares her incredible journey from a successful corporate career in pharmaceuticals to creating an organization that helps vulnerable populations such as veterans and foster care communities tra...

In this episode, B3C Global CEO and Founder Cytandra Hoover shares her fascinating experiences building climate resilience in local communities and advancing equity across the world. Cytandra is a seasoned expert in global social impact and inclusive insurance. You'll learn something new and be inspired in equal measure, I promise! In This Episode: Cytandra's Background : Discover how her childhoo...

In this fascinating episode, we dive deep into the world of social impact crowdfunding with Devin Thorpe, the CEO and Champion of Social Good at Super Crowd Inc. Devin, an acclaimed author, speaker, and a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs and investors alike, shares valuable insights into leveraging crowdfunding for meaningful social change. Highlights from our conversation include: Devin's Journey...

In this episode, I'm delighted to introduce you to Tamika Bickham, founder, CEO, and creative director at TB Media Group . We bonded immediately over our shared background in journalism and dived into a fascinating discussion of human-centered storytelling.  During our conversation, Tamika discusses her journey into purpose-driven work, shares real-life examples of powerful stories that address ch...

In this episode, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Deborah Marshall, director of sales and marketing at Missouri Life , an iconic B2C media brand in my adoptive state of Missouri. Deborah is a true leader in the world of sales, marketing, and purpose-driven communication. During our conversation, Deborah talks about where her best ideas come from - and how other social impact communicators can spar...

Have you ever worked with a communications consultant - or considered hiring one? In my latest episode, I sit down for a fantastic conversation with Jacque Matsen, owner and president of Relate Strategies LLC. Jacque's communications consulting firm specializes in a range of services including communications strategy planning, thought leadership development, crisis response planning, and much more...

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Bing Chat are transforming all kinds of industries - and social impact communicators should pay attention.  In this week's episode, I chat with Grantable Cofounder and CEO Philip Deng about what the rise of artificial intelligence means for grant writers, grant consultants, and anyone seeking funding from grants.  Learn how you can save time and gain efficie...

Have you ever pursued grant funding and wondered, "What's up with this 'match' or 'matching funds' requirement?" You're not alone! In this episode, I'll help you unpack the concept of "match" and "matching funds," whether you're pursuing a government grant or funding from private philanthropy.  To keep things fun for you, I'm going to explain how match is like co-hosting a party with a friend. You...

As important as your social impact mission is, nothing can get back those moments with family and friends you cherish. So whatever you're doing this week, be intentional about closing out your work and dedicating time to the people who matter to you. This week's episode is short and sweet - enjoy!

Energy is as essential to your social impact communication career as water is to life. Yet it's often invisible, tough to access and hard to sustain. In this episode, I explain how you can find it, draw from it and maintain it to propel your career (and life) to the next level.  Enjoy the episode? Thanks for listening! Please hit the "Subscribe" button, then rate and review the show.  Interested i...

Have you ever been asked, "So what do you do?" If the answer is yes, and you work in social impact communication, you might have struggled to come up with a good answer. In this episode, I walk you through a quick framework for how to explain what you do to others.  Enjoy the episode? Thanks for listening! Please hit the "Subscribe" button, then rate and review the show.  Interested in learning mo...