The Beacon

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel President Jeff Jowdy talks with Wayne Olson, author of the book, “The Disney Difference: The Complete Guide to Adding Disney-Like Magic to your Corporation or Organization.” In their discussion, Wayne shares insights into: • Why Disney resonated with him as a child and continues to resonate with people of all ages • What "Disney magic" is a...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Carole Carter heads up a lively conversation with Sandy Howard and Gary Everton about leading productive, engaging board meetings that lead to involvement and philanthropic support. During their conversation, the trio talks about: • Maintaining a structured agenda while fostering an engaging environment where board members...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Joan Bahner speaks with celebrated author, entrepreneur and mentor Louis Upkins about mindful living and how it affects leadership. In their discussion, Louis talks about: • The definition of mindful or purposeful living • How this mindset informs leadership and sets leaders up for success • How this concept plays out with...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel President Jeff Jowdy speaks with longtime fundraising pros Stanley Weinstein and Dr. Pamela Barden. Stanley is the author of the first three editions of "The Complete Guide to Fundraising Management,” which Pamela updated and expanded for the fourth edition. In their discussion, they talk about: • The impetus and goal for writing the first...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Carole Carter talks with her Lighthouse Counsel colleague, Senior Advisor Howard Cohen, about how to productively say no to a request while allowing the person to feel heard and keeping the lines of communication open.

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Dr. Lilya Wagner speaks with Dr. F. Willis Johnson about how faith-based fundraising is reimaging and impacting community.
 In their discussion, Dr. Johnson addresses issues including: • How churches and church-related organizations can engage in community activities and what impact that has on their fundraising • The pros...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Carole Carter talks with her Lighthouse Counsel colleague, Senior Consultant Howard Cohen, about creating and maintaining high-functioning boards. In their discussion, Howard addresses topics including: • The definition of a high-functioning board • Signs of a dysfunctional board • Tips for board chairs on how to shape an...

In today’s episode of The Beacon Podcast, Margaret Gardner talks with Willeke van Rijn, CEO of The Resource Alliance, about how unity on various levels can increase the impact of the social sector. In their discussion, Willeke addresses issues including: • The power of community and what that means in terms of mission, fundraising and resource development. • The factors that affect all organizatio...

The 4 Rs (and a W) of Writing Successful Grant Proposals by Lighthouse Counsel

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel’s Margaret Gardner talks with Dr. Angelo Valenti about personal happiness and how to unravel the reasons we make living in joy so hard on ourselves. Dr. Valenti is the author of the book, “You're Making This Way Too Hard: Find Your EASY Way to NJOYLFE.” In their discussion, Dr. Valenti addresses issues such as: • Why and how we seem to be g...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel President Jeff Jowdy talks with Lighthouse Senior Consultant Victor Wilson about the challenges and hurdles leaders are facing today. In their discussion, Jeff and Victor address topics including: • Why pressure on leaders seems to be increasing • The biggest hurdles to successful leadership leaders face today • A checklist of things any le...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Dr. Lilya Wagner talks with long-time fundraiser and volunteer Jeff Lukacsena about diversity, equity and inclusion in the nonprofit world. In their discussion, Lilya and Jeff address issues including: • The importance of having true diversity on your fundraising team and how that translates into deepening relationships wi...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Carole Carter talks with Clark Baker about board engagement. Clark retired as CEO of the YMCA of Greater Houston after more than 50 years working within the YMCA organization. In their conversation, Carole and Clark discuss: • The importance of making your board members your best friends • Keeping board members active and...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Content Coordinator Margaret Gardner speaks with Nicole Rivera, vice president of programs for Musicians On Call, about recruiting and empowering volunteers. In their discussion, Nicole talks about: • The different roles volunteers play at Musicians On Call and how the organization goes about recruiting volunteers and communicating the bene...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel President Jeff Jowdy speaks with Marty Dickens about building powerful and impactful boards. Marty recently retired as chairman of the board of trustees of Belmont University after serving 17 years in that role. In their discussion, Marty addresses issues including: • The definition of a powerful, impactful board • The key things a board ch...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Content Coordinator Margaret Gardner talks with Polina Pompliano, author of the book “Hidden Genius: The secret ways of thinking that power the world's most successful people” and founder of The Profile, a media organization that studies successful people and companies. In their discussion, Polina: • Explains the concept of hidden genius an...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Council Content Coordinator Margaret Gardner speaks with Nathan Chappell, senior vice president at DonorSearch AI, who is on a mission to reignite generosity and transform the future of fundraising through responsible and beneficial AI. In their discussion, Nathan addresses issue including: • The big picture – how nonprofits can use AI to deepen re...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel President Jeff Jowdy speaks with Marty Dickens about an aspect of board leadership that doesn’t get talked about much – being ready, willing and able to stand up and make tough calls when they’re needed. Marty recently retired as chairman of the board of trustees of Belmont University after serving 17 years. In their discussion, Marty addre...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Dr. Lilya Wagner leads a conversation about nonprofit leadership and management and the importance of project management in fundraising. Dr. Wagner is joined by Prof. Darryl Allen, partner and chief education officer at the Mentorship Institute.
 In their discussion, they’ll talk about: • The dangers of foregoing the best...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Dr. Lilya Wagner speaks with Dr. Dwight Burlingame, a major contributor to the field of philanthropy in the United States for more than 30 years, about nonprofit education and professional development for fundraisers. In their discussion, Dwight explores: • The growing interest in fundraising coursework and degrees in high...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Dr. Lilya Wagner talks with Harry Dorcus about the role of the chief financial officer in a nonprofit organization’s fundraising. Harry has 39 years of international financial management experience, with special emphasis on establishing new missions for the United States Agency for International Development, an independent...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, special guest host Parker Middleton talks with Tom Johnson, former president of CNN, chairman and CEO of CNN News Group and former president and publisher of The Los Angeles Times about philanthropy and the heart of giving. In their discussion, Tom shares his thoughts on an array of topics around philanthropy and giving, including: • What compels him to get b...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel President Jeff Jowdy speaks with Jodi Weiss, senior client partner at global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry, about leadership succession planning for nonprofits. In their discussion, Jodi and Jeff talk about issues including: • The importance of having a succession plan – and the consequences of not having one. • What organizatio...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel President Jeff Jowdy talks with Vern Snyder, former vice president for institutional advancement at the University of Toledo. In their discussion, Vern addresses topics including: • Major changes in institutional advancement, both positive and negative, over the course of his career. • The process of outlining goals to keep an institution m...

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant Karen Baldwin talks with Mike Richey, who retired recently as vice president of philanthropy and alumni engagement at the University of Kentucky after a five-decade career at the school. In their discussion, Mike addresses: • The motivation to stay committed to one university for 50 years. • Changes he’s seen in higher edu...