Real Talk for the Non-Profit Event Pro

Hosted by Amy Milne

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Aug 2026

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On Real Talk for the Non-Profit Event Pro, we dive heart first into all things events in the non-profit world. Each week, your host Amy Milne and her guest get real on a variety of topics from marketing, sponsorship, peer-to-peer fundraising, logistics, and everything in between to ensure your events matter. They talk tricks of the trade and share tales from the trenches so you can produce epic events that inspire participants, raise more money and change lives.

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August 26, 2026Episode 715 min

Do More With Less? I Say We Do Less With More! Here's How.

👉 Sign up for the AI Workshop here ! Amy takes the mic solo and comes out swinging at one of the most sacred phrases in the nonprofit sector: "do more with less." She's not here for it anymore. Armed with an idea she pulled from a book about Tesla, a hot tub revelation, and a lot of built-up conviction, she makes the case for flipping the whole script — and explains exactly why handing AI a broken process is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make right now. This one is part manifesto, part practical framework, and part love letter to every nonprofit event pro who has been white-knuckling it alone in a silo. Key Components: Why "do more with less" is the scarcity anthem Amy is done singing, and what "do less with more" actually looks like in practice The AI trap: what happens when you point a powerful new tool at an old, tired process — and what to do instead (inspired by The Algorithm by John McNeil) Why inspiration alone evaporates, the real villain when good ideas don't stick, and what the antidote actually looks like Why Camp Beyond is designed as both a learning environment and a masterclass in Experience Architecture— and why Amy chose a nonprofit venue on purpose "When you hand AI a broken process, all you get is a faster broken process." Sign Up For The AI Workshop HERE! 🏕️ Sign up for camp: Get your early bird ticket TODAY! 🎟️

July 30, 2026Episode 657 min

Going Back To Basics: It Might Be Exactly What Your Event Needs — With Molly Fast

Molly Fast is back. The most-listened-to guest in Real Talk history returns with a new vantage point and a lot more to say. After more than two decades running one of the most successful peer-to-peer programs in North America, Molly has shifted into building something new within the same company she's called home. This shift has given her a front-row seat to a problem she's increasingly convinced is at the root of why so many events underperform: Organizations have perfected the tools but they've completely skipped the teaching. In this episode, she and Amy go deep on what it actually takes to turn participants into fundraisers, why going back to basics might be the most radical thing you can do right now, and what peer-to-peer does that no other fundraising vehicle can replicate. This episode is packed with gold. Key Components: What Molly's career shift — from running the same national program for 22 years to building a new consulting arm — is teaching her about the state of peer-to-peer fundraising right now The tools vs. teaching gap: why a fundraising page, sample emails, and social graphics are not a fundraising program The formula that hasn't changed in 25 years: meaningful goal, specific ask, personal story. It still works regardless of how much someone wants to raise Why peer-to-peer events have always been community-building tools long before community became a buzzword "It's not asking for money, it's inviting someone to just support something that matters to you." Connect with Molly on LinkedIn Check out Event 360 🏕️ Sign up for camp: Get your early bird ticket TODAY! 🎟️

July 24, 2026Episode 534 min

From The VP Of Events At Sinai Health Foundation: Leadership, Next Gen Donors, and Empty Spaces — with Jamie Lamont

He's back for a third time, and he still has plenty to say. Jamie Lamont, VP of Events at Sinai Health Foundation, is one of the most experienced voices in Canadian fundraising events — and one of Amy's favourite people to think out loud with. This episode is a can't miss and covers a lot of ground: what's kept Jamie in the sector for decades, how he approaches leadership in a world full of micromanagers, how to attract the next generation of donors, and the event trend he's watching that most organizations haven't caught onto yet. There's also a sneak peek at something brand new coming out of Sinai that you're going to want to steal. If you've ever wondered how a seasoned VP thinks about building events, building teams, and building the case for both — this is the conversation for you. Key components: What Jamie says has kept him in fundraising events for decades, and why the trust organizations gave him to create and innovate made all the difference How to make a business case to leadership: Jamie's practical approach to pitching up the chain without losing the room The event trend he's watching: boutique, crafted events designed around a specific donor pool — and why "spray and pray" is losing ground Designated vs. undesignated funds through events, and how Sinai is designing new events to balance both Why the impact conversation needs to replace the cost-to-raise-a-dollar conversation, and what that shift actually looks like "Find the empty spaces and the places where we can go and play — where there's not a lot of noise already, but that makes sense to the donors we're trying to attract." Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Check out Sinai Health Foundation 🏕️ Sign up for camp: Get your early bird ticket TODAY! 🎟️

July 16, 2026Episode 454 min

The Sound Of Your Event: Why It Matters Just As Much As Your Run Of Show — with Kris Chau

Kris Chau has been in the event world long enough to know which details make or break an experience — and most event pros are getting one of them wrong consistently. In this episode, Amy welcomes back one of her earliest mentors in the industry: Partner and COO of Bella Vista Entertainment , business coach, and the woman who once onboarded Amy so efficiently it's still talked about twenty-five years later. This episode covers a lot of important ground — building a business around your life instead of the other way around, what it actually means to create frameworks that work for you , and why sound is the most underestimated element in any event room... just to name a few things. Key Components Why most event pros overlook sound, and what the wrong music choice does to the energy in your room before the evening even gets started Soundscaping: the concept of designing an energy arc for your event through music, and why it matters just as much as your run of show What Kris actually asks clients before booking any entertainment What happens when you treat your vendors like part of your team and your entertainer understands the cause they're performing for How to build a business (or a career inside one) that works for your actual life "People spend more when they are enjoying their environment. They stay more." Connect with Kris on LinkedIn Check out Bella Vista Entertainment's website and Instagram 🏕️ Sign up for camp: Get your early bird ticket TODAY! 🎟️

June 19, 2026Episode 31 hr 6 min

The Human Touch: What It Actually Takes to Build Events That Last — with Keith Clarke

He's back! Keith Clarke, Senior Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships at Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and the most-listened-to guest in Real Talk history, returns for a conversation that's just as good as the first time — maybe even better. Keith manages a $7M+ community events portfolio that consistently holds multiple spots in Canada's Top 30 fundraising events. In this episode, he and Amy get into the real stuff: how you build a portfolio of events that don't cannibalize each other, why passion is still the thing that separates good fundraisers from great ones, and what Princess Margaret does differently that most organizations miss. If you've ever wondered what it actually looks like to run events at the highest level without losing the human touch, this one's for you. Key Components: How Princess Margaret manages multiple rides, walks, DIY programs, and social challenges without losing participants to their own events — and why the "competing with yourself" fear is worth rethinking What white-glove service actually looks like in practice, and why Keith says it comes from putting culture first, budget second The best practices Keith shares with every third-party event organizer who calls him: where most people start too big and what to do instead Why human contact is the one thing AI can't replicate — and how Princess Margaret is doubling down on it "If people trust you and like what you're doing, they will open up their heart, open up their wallet, they will open up their network. And that's key to peer-to-peer fundraising." Connect with Keith on LinkedIn 🏕️ Sign up for camp: Get your early bird ticket TODAY! 🎟️

May 12, 2026Episode 227 min

Sacred Cows Of The Non-Profit Event Space: WHY Is Your Walk 5K? & Other Questions We Need To Be Asking.

Who decided your walk was 5K? And more importantly — why did everyone just agree? In this episode, host Amy Milne takes a hard look at the sacred cows of nonprofit events: the formats, distances, and details we've inherited without ever questioning whether they're actually working for us. Using real stories from her own career — including a gala that changed its dress code to pajamas and a walk that was never supposed to be 5K — she makes the case that the details of your event are either telling your story or missing the opportunity to. This one is packed with tactics you can use before, during, and after your event, and one framework that will change how you look at every decision you make from here on out. Fair warning: you'll never see your opening ceremony the same way again. "There's a difference between reading a fact on a banner and feeling something in your chest at 12 kilometers because you know why it's kilometer 12." 🏕️ Sign up for camp: Get your early bird ticket TODAY! 🎟️

May 2, 2026Episode 118 min

I'm Back And More Fired Up Than Ever: Where I've Been & What I've Built In The Last Two Years

"Why are nonprofit event professionals still so underserved? That question is the reason I'm back." After two years away from the mic, Amy's not back because things slowed down — she's back because they didn't . In this milestone first episode of the new era, you'll hear why Amy went quiet, what she's been building in the silence, and why she's more fired up than ever about the people doing work in the non-profit events space. This episode is part origin story, part honest reckoning, and part exciting announcement about what's coming next. If you've ever felt like your work is undervalued, under-resourced, or just plain misunderstood by the people holding the budget — this episode was made for you. Tune in to hear: The real reason Amy stepped away from the podcast — and why she's back Amy's story from child and youth worker to launching some of Canada's most iconic peer-to-peer fundraising events including The Weekend To End Breast Cancer and Ride To Conquer Cancer The personal health journey that sparked a brand new cause and event series Three bold new chapters for Beyond Inc. — and what they mean for the sector and non-profit event pros Camp Beyond : what it is, why it matters, and why YOU need to be there in October 2026 "I didn't step away from this mic because I lost the fire. I stepped away because the fire got so big, I had to figure out what to do with it all." 🏕️ Sign up for camp: Get your early bird ticket TODAY! 🎟️

May 2, 2024Episode 6142 min

Easy as 1, 2, 3! How to Steward and Support Your Community so They Fundraise More for Your Organization

In this episode, your host Amy Milne gets real with Keith Clarke, Director, Corporate & Community Partnerships at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Keith started his career at PMCF as a Coordinator, and his passion for fundraising to eradicate cancer in his lifetime is what has kept him going strong 14 years later. You will often hear Keith mention the word "lucky" throughout this episode and while luck may be in the stew, we also know that a lot of hard work, belief and willingness to be bold has helped his organization get to where they are today. Keith talks about the importance of always innovating and reminds us that failing fast, learning from it and trying something new is something to be celebrated. Keith's passion really shines through when he shares about his community events team. Rather than overcomplicate, his team works closely with corporations/companies/families to find out how they want to give back and provides first-class support to make it happen. The bottom line: let's make it as easy as possible for people to fundraise for our organizations! If you're curious to see what an epic DIY program looks like, make sure you check out D.I.Y. to Conquer Cancer . ”Every partnership and group we steward or support is unique and different.” – Keith Clarke Connect with us: Beyond Fundraising Inc: https://www.startingbeyond.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-milne-8946791/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milneamyr/ https://www.instagram.com/startbeyond/ 🏕️ Sign up for camp: Get your early bird ticket TODAY! 🎟️

April 25, 2024Episode 6033 min

Hot Seat Coaching: Bowls for Beds in support of Home Horizon

In this episode, your host Amy Milne kicks off our hot seat coaching series with Pam Osmond, Fund Development Manager at Home Horizon, a local charity in Collingwood, Ontario that provides transitional housing, programs and support for youth at risk of homelessness. (Side note: if you haven't already listened to our episode with Pam, make sure you do that!). The event on the hot seat? The 15th annual Bowls for Beds, which involves selling and auctioning off bowls that are hand-painted by local youth and artists. One of Amy's superpowers is being able to drill deep into the 'why' and find creative ways to tie it back to the non-profit organization. From event timing to the sponsorship deck, she gives Pam so many real, tangible tips to take her event to the next level that you're going to want to take notes because you'll be able to apply them to your next event too! Do you want to be in the hot seat? Drop us a line and tell us what event/campaign you'd like some help with and you could be featured on our next hot seat coaching episode! Connect with us: Beyond Fundraising Inc: https://www.startingbeyond.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-milne-8946791/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milneamyr/ https://www.instagram.com/startbeyond/ 🏕️ Sign up for camp: Get your early bird ticket TODAY! 🎟️

April 18, 2024Episode 597 min

Stop and Smell the Roses: Why It's Important to Celebrate Life's Moments

On the eve of her 50th birthday, your host Amy Milne takes a moment to reflect on the past five decades which have been filled with both ups and downs, and she wouldn't change it for anything. Amy's gratitude for the life she has shines through as she shares her mantra and daily reminder with us to live life to the fullest each and every day. She truly believes in the power of acknowledging and celebrating life's moments, which is exactly what we do for our participants when we plan fundraising events. In this episode, Amy shares a short list of why we should always remember to honour the special times in our lives. This will not only inspire how you plan your events, but how you live your life! Happy birthday Amy! Thank you for sharing your passion, positivity and inspiration with good humans around the world! “I purposely look for joy and gratitude each day.” - Amy Milne Connect with us: Beyond Fundraising Inc: https://www.startingbeyond.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-milne-8946791/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milneamyr/ https://www.instagram.com/startbeyond/ 🏕️ Sign up for camp: Get your early bird ticket TODAY! 🎟️