Responsive Lab Podcast

Hosted by Virtuous Software

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Episodes

186

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to The Responsive Lab, presented by Virtuous. In this podcast, we're exploring how nonprofits leverage technology to deepen donor engagement. Join us in the lab as we mix innovation with impact, tackling challenges and discovering new possibilities for the nonprofit sector.

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60 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 8741 min

EP 87: Building Product-Centered Donor Experiences with Ben Webb

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Ben Webb, Chief Marketing Officer at International Justice Mission. He's spent more than 15 years across nonprofit leadership, ministry, and creative consultancy, including a global marketing role at Compassion International where he led teams across digital, innovation, and experience design in more than 30 countries. You'll hear about:* Why most nonprofit marketing fails to inspire and what we can learn from Red Bull's space jump campaign* The shift from direct response fundraising toward product-centered donor experiences* How to create relevance and value for donors using the "good friend" framework* Building marketing teams that blend nonprofit expertise with for-profit innovation* Why your real competition isn't other nonprofits but companies like Amazon and Tesla* The five-phase global marketing framework: insight-driven, concept-led, powered by stories, scaled by technology, measured and refined* How to maintain urgency and heart when the work feels overwhelmingLinks from the episode:* Connect with Ben Webb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmwebb/* Learn more about International Justice Mission: https://www.ijm.org/Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.

June 4, 2026Episode 8837 min

EP 88: Building a Better Way to Fundraise with Derric Bakker

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Derric Bakker, CEO of DickersonBakker. With more than three decades of experience as a practitioner, consultant, and business leader, he helps organizations move beyond legacy fundraising models toward relationship-centered approaches. You'll hear about:* Why fundraising feels harder now and how this represents a fundamental shift, not just a cyclical downturn* What "treat every donor like a major donor" actually means in practice * How younger donors are increasingly behaving like major donors in their selectivity and relationship expectations* Why 94% of nonprofit leaders agree change is needed, but 70% say it's not happening* Where AI fits into relationship-based fundraising without replacing human connection* Using data and technology to personalize donor experiences at scale* Simple changes you can make this week to start expressing genuine gratitude and listening to donorsLinks from the episode:* Connect with Derric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derricbakker/* Visit Better Way Champions: https://betterwaychampions.org/* Get "A Better Way to Fundraise - Treat Every Donor Like a Major Donor": https://a.co/d/0cF5FgIr* Connect with DickersonBakker: https://dickersonbakker.com/Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.

May 28, 2026Episode 8644 min

EP 86: How To Adopt AI Without Destroying Your Culture with Tim Lockie

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Tim Lockie, founder of The Human Stack. Tim has spent his career at the intersection of data and people, helping nonprofits use information systems to increase impact and decision-making. You'll hear about:* Why the AI conversation happens in a vacuum separate from actual fundraising work* How to think about tech, data, and staff as an integrated system rather than three separate silos* The identity and belonging questions that AI raises for nonprofit staff* How to identify if your tech is ahead of your culture or your culture is ahead of your tech* Finding your AI "first chair" and creating psychological safety for tech adoption* The reality of job displacement and why learning these tools matters regardless* Practical steps for building a culture that supports technology successLinks from the episode:* Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tlockie/* Learn more about The Human Stack: https://thehumanstack.com/* First follower video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQLooking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.

May 14, 2026Episode 8538 min

EP 85: Using Data Quality to Unlock AI's Potential in Fundraising with Erin Stender

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Erin Stender, CMO at Omatic. With nearly a decade at mission-driven tech companies like Classy and Neon One, Erin brings a unique perspective from both the technology side and the nonprofit board member lens. You'll hear about:* Why nonprofits feel both excitement and trepidation about AI, and how both responses are completely valid* How incomplete or inaccurate data creates costly missed opportunities, from major donors not receiving year-end appeals to lapsed donors getting acquisition-level messaging* Why your CRM serves as the beating heart of your tech ecosystem and how integrations make it more powerful* How to start cleaning up your data without feeling overwhelmed by beginning with one specific decision you're trying to make* Using AI to identify blind spots by asking what you don't know rather than just automating what you do know* Why the mindset shift around AI is often underestimated and how teams can adopt it togetherLinks from the episode:* Connect with Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-hall-stender-2644264/* Learn more about Omatic: https://omaticsoftware.com/Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.

May 7, 2026Episode 8428 min

EP 84: Building Sustained Giving Through Human Connection and Technology with Chris Larson

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Chris Larson, President & CEO at Ligonier Ministries. Chris has been with Ligonier since 2004, directing all strategic outreach initiatives and overseeing daily ministry operations through significant growth and leadership transitions. You'll hear about:* Why monthly sustainers became the backbone of Ligonier's 55-year mission* How to create "beautiful reciprocity" where donors benefit from the org they support* Balancing investment in younger donors while honoring longtime supporters* Using AI and technology as force multipliers for human relationship building* How to navigate the K-shaped economy without compromising donor relationships* Why fundraising conversations should focus on alignment rather than guiltLinks from the episode:* Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislarson73/* Learn more about Ligonier Ministries: https://www.ligonier.org/Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.

May 5, 2026Episode 8336 min

EP 83: Turning Program Metrics Into Fundraising Fuel with Chris Palombo

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Chris Palombo, President and CEO of MAP International. Chris leads the organization that serves as the global relief valve for surplus healthcare products, shipping $1.26 billion in medicines and medical supplies to 100 nations annually. His core belief? Nonprofits must speak four distinct languages to demonstrate true impact: heart, finance, medical outcomes, and operational efficiency.You'll hear about:* The four tribes every nonprofit must serve and how to speak their different languages* Why heart stories remain important but can't stand alone in today's accountability landscape* Why transparency should include both successes and the hard realities of nonprofit work* How technology is improving data collection capabilities in developing countries* Building credibility through industry partnerships, accreditation, and codes of conductChris shares vivid examples of measuring blood pressure in Sierra Leone villages and implementing electronic medical records in Honduras shrimp farming communities. He demonstrates how sophisticated nonprofits can maintain heart-centered storytelling while building the systems and metrics that demonstrate genuine impact.Links from the episode:* Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispalombo/* Learn more about MAP International: https://www.map.org/Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.

April 27, 2026Episode 8226 min

EP 82: Building Diversified Donor Portfolios with Audrey Cooper

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Audrey Cooper, Associate Director of Philanthropy at Evidence Action. Audrey brings 10 years of nonprofit development experience across social services and international development, and has helped Evidence Action scale from its 2013 founding to raising over $60 million annually. You'll hear about:Why donor portfolio concentration becomes dangerous and what the moment of recognition usually looks likeHow to make strategic first moves when diversifying revenue streams without spreading your team too thinBuilding the case for unrestricted giving in ways that build trust rather than create donor hesitationEvidence Action's four-category framework for deploying unrestricted donor investmentsWhy data and story are mutually reinforcing rather than competing approaches to donor communicationThe power of "fundraising sprints" to focus on just a few priorities and follow them through completelyHow boldness in sharing impact creates collaborative donor relationships that feel more like partnershipsLinks from the episode:* Connect with Audrey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreymcooper/* Learn more about Evidence Action: https://www.evidenceaction.org/Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.

April 14, 2026Episode 8132 min

EP 81: How Nonprofits Can Use LinkedIn to Find and Cultivate New Donors with Randy Molland

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Randy Molland, Founder and Chief Giving Officer at Impact Circle. Randy spent years building businesses as an entrepreneur before a trip to an orphanage in Mexico shifted his focus entirely. Since then, he's built a career around one specific gap: helping nonprofits build real relationships with the business community.His core belief? The people with money to give are already on LinkedIn, and most nonprofits aren't showing up.You'll hear about:Why only 43% of nonprofits use LinkedIn and what that gap means for organizations willing to show upHow Randy reframes LinkedIn as a Chamber of Commerce, not a job boardThe outreach approach that separates genuine connection from marketing spamWhy funders fund people, not organizations, and how that should shape your LinkedIn presenceHow to use LinkedIn to find sector-aligned donors and partners at any scale, local or nationalThree real success stories showing what's possible in the first weeks of using this approachHow to think about personal profiles versus org pages and how much posting actually mattersConnect with Randy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randymolland/Learn more about Impact Circle: https://impactcircle.network/Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.

April 2, 2026Episode 8026 min

EP 80: Building Healthy Nonprofit Cultures That Fight Burnout with Dr. Jeff McGee

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Dr. Jeff McGee, a leadership and organizational culture strategist and creator of the Triple Loop Leadership framework. Dr. McGee has worked in nonprofits from frontline staff to executive leadership for over a decade and now coaches organizations nationwide on building healthy cultures and managing AI adoption. You'll hear about:* Why lack of honest communication creates quiet disengagement and an "us versus them" mentality between leadership and staff* The key to retention: making staff feel valued, respected, and truly part of the mission they serve* Three major challenges nonprofits face when introducing AI: ethics and privacy concerns, mixed readiness levels, and treating AI as threat versus efficiency tool* How to frame AI as a relationship-building enabler rather than job replacement in the service-oriented nonprofit sector* Using mentorship programs to bridge generational gaps when implementing new technology like AI* Why effective AI adoption is really about strong change management that includes voices from every organizational levelLinks from the episode:* Connect with Dr. Jeff McGee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jeff-mcgee-38185468/* Learn more about Cross-Cultural Dynamics: www.ccdynamics.org* Get Dr. McGee's book "Reimagining Learning: The Power of Triple Loop Leadership": Order Here* Email Dr. McGee: jmcgee@ccdynamics.orgLooking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.

March 25, 2026Episode 7931 min

EP 79: Building AI-Powered Major Gift Programs That Don't Lose the Human Touch with Griff Bohm

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Griff Bohm. As one of the founders of Momentum, an AI-powered donor engagement platform for mid-level & major gifts, Griff brings unique insights into how artificial intelligence can transform fundraising without losing the human connection that drives giving.You'll hear about:• Starting with problems instead of solutions when adopting AI tools• Building major gift programs that leverage technology to create more donor time• Understanding why major giving continues to grow as a percentage of overall fundraising• Recognizing donor expectations for personalized, impact-focused communication• Preparing teams for an AI-enhanced fundraising future• Identifying practical AI applications that remove friction from daily work• Creating systems that amplify relationship-building rather than replace itLinks:Connect with Griff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbohm/Learn more about Momentum: https://virtuous.org/momentum/Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at https://virtuous.org/.

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