Tellwell: The Podcast

What if the grant application is the thing standing between a small town and the money it needs? Megan Langley of StrengthenND asked that, then scrapped the application entirely. This episode of Tellwell: The Podcast is a working session on rural philanthropy and what it takes to move resources into communities the funding system skips. Megan leads StrengthenND, a North Dakota organization support...

Scaling a nonprofit usually means working harder until something breaks. Missy Heilman found another way. She spent 15 years in marketing and tech before launching BIO Girls in 2013, and she brought a business mind to a mission most people lead with their heart alone. The result: one Fargo church program grew into 120 locations across five states, reaching thousands of girls every year. In this ep...

Most leaders think they're self-aware. Most are missing the mark, and the gap shows up in how their teams feel about them. In this episode, Kara Jorvig , Founder and CEO of Allegro Group, sits down with Max to unpack why self-awareness in leadership is the foundational skill most executives skip. Kara advises CEOs and senior teams across the country on building clarity, alignment, and trust t...

How do you rebuild university brand trust after a massive transition? In this episode, Meloney Linder (VP for Marketing & Communications at the University of North Dakota) breaks down 8 years of building brand consistency, shifting to data-driven storytelling, and earning community belief.  Checklist before you watch/listen: ✅ You lead marketing for a college, university, or mission-driven in...

If your donor engagement strategy is louder than it is listening, this episode is for you. Nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and executive directors: Scott Holdman shows you how slowing down builds the trust your campaigns are missing. Recorded live at the WellTold Conference in Fargo, North Dakota, this conversation between Max Kringen and Scott Holdman digs into what actually moves nonprofit fundr...

If you lead development work and you're tired of the grind, this nonprofit fundraising podcast episode is for you. Fundraising doesn't have to feel heavy. It can feel like joy. In this episode, host Max Kringen sits down with Tesha McCord Poe , founder of Joy Raising, for a candid conversation about joyful fundraising , inclusive philanthropy , and donor engagement that actually builds r...

If you're in nonprofit leadership and wondering how to build real connection with your community, this episode will change how you think about growth. Kelly Krenzel turned recycled jars, donated flowers, and a spark of inspiration into Hope Blooms. A Fargo nonprofit that has delivered over 115,000 bouquets to people facing isolation and hardship. Her approach? Leading with vulnerability and s...

Why fundraising feels hard isn't about effort. It's about clarity. If you're a nonprofit leader drowning in shoulds, this episode will show you how to focus on what actually moves the needle. Noah Barnett, Chief Strategy Officer at DonorDock and speaker at the WellTold Conference, believes the real villain in fundraising isn't lack of resources or strategy. It's the questi...

Nonprofit storytelling doesn't always start with a strategy deck or a brand workshop. Sometimes it starts with a rare diagnosis, a meal train, and a small town that wraps its arms around you. On this episode of Tellwell: The Podcast , host Max Kringen sits down with Kyle Gagner , an insurance agent, public speaker, and founder of Levi's Hope , a nonprofit advocacy group born out of his s...

Is your nonprofit struggling to stand out in a crowded space? Nonprofit leadership gets a lot easier when you stop trying to do everything and start owning your story. Ashley Ham, Executive Director of Dear NICU Mama, knows what it means to build something meaningful from a place of deep personal experience. In this episode of Tellwell: The Podcast, Ashley shares how leaning into the power of stor...

If your board goes silent the moment fundraising comes up, this nonprofit fundraising podcast episode is for you. Learn how to help your board members find their story, build real confidence, and actually show up for the mission. Most boards aren't lazy. They're unprepared. There's a difference. And once you understand that difference, everything changes. Christal Cherry has spent 2...

Nonprofit storytelling doesn't have to be a tearjerker to move people. It just has to be human. If you're a fundraiser who feels stuck telling the same sad story, this episode will change how you think about your work. Rethink the tearjerker story formula See donors as partners with a role to play, not an audience to convince Use CRM data as a window into real human stories Move from sol...

This nonprofit fundraising podcast explores how to turn one-time givers into lifelong partners. If your fundraising feels stuck in transaction mode, this conversation will show you a better way. Bethany Hardwig is a philanthropy strategist who has spent years building donor pipelines in higher education and nonprofit spaces. She brings a powerful framework to the table: engagement breeds affinity,...

👉 Ready to transform your organization's story into action? Book a free planning call: https://wetellwell.com/get-started Your nonprofit storytelling might be stuck in reporting mode when it should be in building mode. In this episode of Tellwell: The Podcast, Andrew Jason reveals how he made the shift from journalist to ecosystem builder and why that same shift can transform how your organi...

Many nonprofits are stuck on the fundraising treadmill with little to show for it. This episode on nonprofit revenue strategy shows how to grow without burning out.  Max Kringen sits down with Sherry Quam Taylor, nonprofit growth expert and founder of QuamTaylor LLC, to unpack what’s really holding mission-driven organizations back. If you're still debating the cost of a website while working...

Your most vulnerable stories are your most powerful fundraising tools. Coach Dayna Del Val reveals how to overcome the fear of judgment and build lasting donor trust. Full Description: Your most vulnerable stories are your most powerful fundraising tools. Coach Dayna Del Val, former nonprofit CEO of The Arts Partnership, reveals how to overcome the fear of judgment and build the kind of donor trus...

Are you leading an incredible mission-driven organization, yet you find yourself lying awake at 3 a.m. wondering why your most powerful stories aren’t raising the money or driving the engagement you need? It is a common frustration: you are doing vital work, but as you grow, your message starts to fizzle out. In this episode, we sit down with Jordan McCormick , Executive Director of Furniture Miss...

In our final WellTold minisode of Tellwell: The Podcast, we introduce you to Bridgette Bitzegaio from DonorDock, a passionate advocate for nonprofit empowerment and innovation. Discover how Bridgette artfully bridges the worlds of music and data, and learn about her unique journey from music education to nonprofit leadership. What You’ll Learn: 🎻 How Bridgette's nonprofit, Adapt Music, uses...

In the latest minisode of Tellwell: The Podcast, Max connects with Patrick Kirby, a dynamic force in nonprofit fundraising and the mastermind behind Do Good Better Consulting. Get ready to dive deep into the art and science of relationship building, as Patrick unpacks the power of storytelling in the world of fundraising. Learn how fostering genuine connections can transform donors into lifelong c...

Dive into the transformative world of storytelling! In this special minisode of Tellwell: The Podcast, Max sits down with Lisa Nelson-Haynes, Chief Programs Officer at StoryCorps, to explore the profound impact of narrative practice on personal growth and community empowerment. Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Lisa's upcoming presentation at WellTold: A Nonprofit Storytelling Conference....

Exciting times for nonprofit storytelling! In this episode of Tellwell the Podcast, Max sits down with Matt and Rob from DonorDock to talk about WellTold: The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference. Get an insider look into how DonorDock has revolutionized CRM solutions for nonprofits and how their passion for storytelling has fueled the success of their company. What You’ll Learn: ✨ The journey behin...

Storytelling isn’t just compelling—it’s necessary for nonprofits. In this episode of Tellwell the Podcast , we’re joined by Jon McCoy of We Are For Good , a leading voice in nonprofit storytelling. As a keynote speaker at WellTold: The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference this April in Fargo, Jon shares how his Impact Arc framework helps organizations engage communities, amplify their mission, and ma...

In this episode of Tellwell the Podcast , we’re joined by John Lepp from Agents of Good , a passionate advocate for creative fundraising and storytelling. John shares his journey from journalism and advertising to nonprofit direct mail fundraising and why art, vulnerability, and creativity are more essential than ever in nonprofit marketing. Plus, he gives a sneak peek into his upcoming session at...

Can a bouquet of flowers change lives? In this special edition of Tellwell the Podcast , we sit down with Kelly Krenzel, Founder of Hope Blooms, to explore the power of upcycling, intentionality, and small acts of kindness that create lasting impact. As part of our WellTold series—leading up to WellTold: The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference —Kelly shares how Hope Blooms repurposes donated flowers...

Welcome back, Storymakers! After an incredible first season filled with insights, laughter, and inspiration, we're back with a special miniseries dedicated to WellTold , the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference. In this episode, host Max sits down with WellTold Executive Producer Annie Wood to give you an inside look at this groundbreaking event designed to help nonprofits amplify their impact t...