The P2P Soapbox

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Jun 2026

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As peer-to-peer fundraising professionals, we are inherently passionate people. Passionate about our missions, our fundraisers, our events, and our campaigns. We barely shy away from sharing our opinions. Whether it's the debate between back-to-basics, or searching for the next big idea, the battle of retention versus recruitment, or even our very strong feelings about T-shirts and registration fees. Welcome to The P2P box, a brand new podcast that amplifies the voices of our peer-to-peer fundraising community and gives us a platform — a box, if you will — to discuss the hot topics facing our industry. Join your host and P2P BFF, Marcie Maxwell, the Managing Director of the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum, as she sits down with industry peers and leaders, delving deep into their box issues, sharing best practices, and celebrating success stories.

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54 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 725 min

Making Space for Gen Z Men in Peer-to-Peer Fundraising with The Ability Experience's Shaw Guidi

As organizations look to engage the next generation of fundraisers, many are asking the same question: what actually motivates Gen Z, and especially young men, to show up and take action?In this episode, Marcie Maxwell sits down with Shaw Guidi, Director of Chapter Engagement at The Ability Experience, the philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Shaw brings a firsthand perspective from working with college-age men across the country, offering insight into what drives their participation and what keeps them connected.Shaw shares how competition, challenge, and personal connection play a powerful role in motivating Gen Z men. He also explores how organizations can provide structure without stifling creativity, meeting fundraisers where they are while guiding them toward success. From digital-first strategies like TikTok and livestreaming to the irreplaceable impact of in-person connection, this conversation highlights what it takes to turn initial interest into long-term commitment.Together, we’ll explore:What motivates Gen Z men to engage and how competition and connection influence actionHow to balance structure and creativity while building meaningful fundraising experiencesWhy showing up in person still matters and how digital tools can amplify, not replace, human connectionMentioned LinksThe Ability ExperienceJourney of HopeGear Up FloridaGear Up New YorkStay Connected on LinkedInConnect with MarcieConnect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box (02:10) - Introducing Shaw Guidi and The Ability Experience (04:52) - Events (06:48) - The Coveted Audience (14:00) - Social Media Strategy (16:36) - The In-Person Connection (24:04) - Get Involved

June 2, 2026Episode 626 min

Reimagining Your Social Challenge Strategy with Cancer Research UK’s Gareth Mulcahy

Social challenges surged during COVID, creating a powerful wave of participation and connection. Now, as the landscape matures, many organizations are asking where these P2P campaigns truly fit and how to evolve them with intention.In this episode, Marcie Maxwell sits down with Gareth Mulcahy, Head of Proposition at Cancer Research UK. Gareth brings a candid perspective on why social challenges still matter, and how his team continues to adapt their portfolio to stay relevant, responsive, and rooted in supporter needs.Gareth shares what it takes to operate at the speed social challenges demand, from shifting internal mindsets to launching campaigns in months rather than years. He also dives into how meaningful storytelling and thoughtful campaign design can help challenges stand out in an increasingly crowded space. Along the way, the conversation tackles how to guide leadership through changing results, and how to discern whether social challenges are the right fit for your organization at all.Together, we’ll explore:The role social challenges play in a modern fundraising portfolio and what drives sustained successHow speed, storytelling, and authenticity shape standout campaignsWhen to lean into social challenges and when it may be time to step backMentioned LinksCancer Research UKStay Connected on LinkedInConnect with GarethConnect with MarcieConnect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box (02:07) - Introducing Gareth Mulcahy (05:08) - Why do Social Challenges Still Matter at Cancer Research UK? (09:16) - Ramping Speed (24:04) - Learn More

May 19, 2026Episode 536 min

Demonstrating the True Value of P2P Fundraising with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Kathe Goller & Mike Lamma

Peer-to-peer fundraising continues to hold a meaningful place in many organizations. But as revenue strategies diversify and new channels emerge, it’s facing fresh scrutiny, often from leaders who haven’t grown up in the P2P space. That shift is prompting important questions about where it fits and how its value is defined.In this episode, Marcie Maxwell sits down with Kathe Goller, Senior Director of Community Fundraising, and Mike Lamma, Executive Vice President and COO at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Together, they share the journey of building one of the most recognized walk programs in the country and what it took to move from early skepticism to sustained growth and long-term impact.Kathe and Mike reflect on the key decisions and moments that helped establish peer-to-peer as a vital part of their organization’s success. They unpack how to communicate value beyond revenue, especially in times of increased pressure, and what it means to truly know your worth as a P2P leader. The conversation also explores how internal perspectives shifted from competition to collaboration, helping peer-to-peer earn its place alongside more traditional development strategies.Together, we’ll explore:How peer-to-peer evolved at AFSP from uncertainty to a core driver of growthWays to communicate value beyond dollars and strengthen leadership confidenceWhat it takes to build internal alignment and position peer-to-peer as a strategic partnerMentioned LinksAFSP.org@AFSPnational on IG@AFSPnational on XStay Connected on LinkedInConnect with KatheConnect with MikeConnect with MarcieConnect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box (02:58) - Introducing Mike Lamma and Kathe Goller (06:16) - When is the Walk a Walk? (08:53) - Turning Peer-to-Peer into an Engine for Growth (14:28) - Selling the Value of Peer-to-Peer (22:28) - Understanding Your Data (29:48) - Build Effective Buy-in (34:31) - Get Involved

May 5, 2026Episode 426 min

Unifying Teams Around A New Event Vision with Curebound’s Liz DiGeronimo & Erik Gordon

What happens when you rethink everything about your signature event all at once? From branding and location to timing, Curebound took a leap that could have reshaped everything or strengthened it.In this episode, Marcie Maxwell sits down with Liz DiGeronimo, Director of Community Fundraising, and Erik Gordon, Director of Marketing at Curebound. Together, they unpack what it really takes to guide both your community and your internal teams through major change while staying grounded in purpose.Liz and Erik walk through the signals that made it clear their long-standing event needed to evolve and the risks that came with stepping away from tradition. They share how they brought their community into the process through intentional listening and conversation, discovering that what mattered most wasn’t the venue or logistics but the mission driving it all.The conversation also dives into the internal work. From aligning marketing and fundraising around a shared story to refining how they communicate during moments of uncertainty, they reveal how clarity and connection became their biggest strengths.Together, we’ll explore:Guiding teams toward shared clarity during major event changeEngaging your community so they feel part of the journeyKeeping your mission front and center through every shiftMentioned LinksCureboundCurebound Cancer ChallengeCurebound Concert for CuresStay Connected on LinkedInConnect with LizConnect with ErikConnect with MarcieConnect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box (02:03) - Introducing Liz DiGeronimo and Erik Gordon (04:18) - About Curebound (05:32) - Big Moves and Rebranding in 2025 (10:50) - Marketing (19:46) - Location Location Location? (24:31) - Get Involved

April 21, 2026Episode 325 min

Connecting Families to Community from Day One Through P2P with Autism Speaks' Christie Godowski

For many families, a peer-to-peer event is more than a fundraiser, it’s their first step into a community that understands and supports them. When organizations show up with care in those early moments, they create a foundation for trust, connection, and long-term engagement.In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Christie Godowski, Vice President of Community Engagement at Autism Speaks. Christie shares how her team connects with individuals and families right after diagnosis, offering support while inviting them into a broader community experience through peer-to-peer.Christie reflects on what it takes to create a seamless journey across program and fundraising teams, so families feel supported rather than segmented. She also shares how Autism Speaks equips frontline fundraisers to approach sensitive conversations with confidence, along with the nuances of engaging adults newly diagnosed with autism alongside parents navigating a child’s diagnosis.Learn how early outreach shapes long-term connection and what small, intentional actions can help teams build trust from the very first interaction.Together, we’ll explore:Connecting families to support and community from the earliest moments after diagnosisStrengthening collaboration between program and fundraising teams to create one cohesive experienceEquipping fundraisers to lead thoughtful conversations that build trust and lasting engagementMentioned LinksAutism SpeaksOn social - Instagram, YouTube & FacebookStay Connected on LinkedInConnect with ChristieConnect with MarcieConnect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box (02:20) - Introducing Christie Godowski and Autism Speaks (03:50) - The First Walk (06:40) - Breaking Down Barriers (11:10) - Front Line Fundraisers (14:34) - Adults & Children in Diagnosis (22:44) - Making Change toward Building Trust (24:25) - Get Involved

April 7, 2026Episode 233 min

Rewriting Your Email Strategy for Real Connection with Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's Charlotte Conmy

In a world where inboxes are overflowing and attention is limited, email isn’t dead, it just needs a new approach. The organizations seeing results today aren’t sending more, they’re sending smarter. By focusing on relevance, timing, and human connection, email can still be one of the most powerful tools in your engagement strategy.In this episode, Marcie Maxwell sits down with Charlotte Conmy, Associate Director of National Marketing at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Charlotte brings a unique perspective shaped by experience on both the program and marketing sides of peer-to-peer fundraising. She shares how her team is rethinking email from the ground up, moving away from rigid calendars and toward behavior-driven communication that meets supporters where they are.Charlotte dives into how segmentation, real-time data, and emerging tools like AI are helping her team deliver more personalized, timely messages. She also unpacks how to balance storytelling with action, collaborate across national and local teams, and integrate email with other channels like texting to create a seamless supporter journey.Together, we’ll explore:Rethinking cadence and segmentation to reduce fatigue and increase relevanceBalancing storytelling, calls to action, and clarity in every emailIntegrating email with texting and local outreach to drive deeper engagementMentioned Linkscrohnscolitisfoundation.orgtakesteps.crohnscolitisfoundation.orgteamchallenge.crohnscolitisfoundation.orgStay Connected on LinkedInConnect with CharlotteConnect with MarcieConnect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box (02:13) - Introducing Charlotte Conmy (06:48) - Is Email Really Dead? (29:13) - Looking Ahead (32:00) - Get Involved

March 24, 2026Episode 133 min

Nurturing P2P Relationships That Go Beyond the Finish Line with The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's Kelly Lamb

Endurance fundraising is about more than race entries and revenue goals. At its best, it’s a relationship-driven experience that connects people to purpose in lasting ways. When organizations move beyond transactional touchpoints and invest in the full journey, fundraisers don’t just participate, they stay, grow and advocate.In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Kelly Lamb, Director of Development at the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. As the leader of Team Reeve, Kelly shares how her team approaches every runner as a long-term partner, not just a participant.Kelly walks through how relationships begin at the application stage, where listening for motivation and potential sets the tone for everything that follows. She shares how personalized coaching helps fundraisers see beyond minimums and step into what’s possible. From building connections across a dispersed team to creating moments that inspire runners to return year after year, Kelly offers a thoughtful approach to growing both impact and community.Together, we’ll explore:Treating peer-to-peer fundraisers like major donors from recruitment through stewardshipCoaching strategies that unlock confidence and increase fundraising potentialCreating connection and community that keeps runners engaged beyond the finish lineMentioned LinksChristopher & Dana Reeve Foundation EventsStay Connected on LinkedInConnect with KellyConnect with MarcieConnect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box (01:06) - Introducing Kelly Lamb & the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (04:02) - The Major Donor Mindset (19:12) - Feeding the Joy... not the Stress (22:02) - Bibs Across the Country! (27:37) - Retention (32:24) - Get Involved

December 2, 2025Episode 741 min

Rethinking Your Approach To Capacity Building with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s Diana Perrault

Many fundraising teams are stretched thin, yet the work keeps expanding. Instead of pushing harder, some organizations are stepping back and reimagining what healthy capacity really looks like. When leaders center people, clarity and collaboration, teams gain the space they need to grow with purpose.In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Diana Perrault, Director of Peer-to-Peer Fundraising at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Diana brings deep frontline experience and a people first leadership approach that has helped her rebuild team infrastructure, expand staff capacity and create an environment where fundraisers feel supported.Diana reflects on the early signs that a team needs to reset its structure, from burnout signals to stalled ideation. She shares thoughtful ways leaders can understand the true load their staff carry, make the most of one-on-one conversations and advocate for resources with confidence. The conversation also highlights how to choose tools and systems that truly serve the work and how remote teams can stay connected through trust and shared values.Together, we’ll explore:Assessing real capacity and identifying when a team is ready for a rebuildCreating people centered practices that prevent burnout and strengthen cultureAdvocating for resources and designing systems that support sustainable growthMentioned Linkshttps://themmrf.org https://endurance.themmrf.org/enduranceStay Connected on LinkedInConnect with DianaConnect with MarcieConnect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box (01:02) - Introducing Diana Perrault (02:26) - Diana's Journey (04:44) - The MMRF P2P Portfolio (07:54) - Burnout (15:56) - Leading the Team (33:10) - Managing Culture with a Remote Team (40:06) - Get Involved

November 18, 2025Episode 627 min

Motivating Fundraisers With Purposeful Recognition with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Meredith Perkins

Recognition is no longer just about t-shirts or medals - it’s about meaning. Thoughtful, mission-driven recognition strategies can deepen fundraisers’ emotional connection and inspire long-term loyalty.In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Meredith Perkins, Director of Peer-to-Peer Fundraising at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Meredith shares how her team has evolved recognition from transactional to transformational, creating experiences that honor fundraisers’ motivations and celebrate their impact.From weaving MD Anderson’s mission to eliminate cancer into every recognition moment to reimagining branded products with purpose, Meredith offers practical ways to make participants feel valued and connected. She also dives into how feedback and metrics guide continuous improvement, ensuring each recognition effort aligns with participant expectations and program goals.Together, we’ll explore:How to design recognition programs that strengthen mission connection and emotional engagementCreative ways to recognize and reward fundraisers across participation levels and yearsPractical methods for measuring impact and evolving recognition strategies for sustained successMentioned Linkswww.MDAnderson.org/Fundraisewww.MDAnderson.org/BootWalkwww.MDAnderson.org/DIYwww.MDAnderson.org/RememberStay Connected on LinkedInConnect with MeredithConnect with MarcieConnect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box

November 4, 2025Episode 527 min

Balancing National Consistency & Local Flavor in P2P Events with Susan G. Komen’s Andi Hughes

Many large nonprofits struggle with the tension between standardization and localization in their fundraising programs. When national organizations move toward centralized models, they risk losing the authentic community relationships that make peer-to-peer events successful. Yet operating entirely through local structures can create inefficiencies and inconsistent donor experiences.In this episode, Marcie Maxwell talks with Andi Hughes, Vice President of Signature Peer to Peer Programs at Susan G. Komen. With deep experience in nonprofit fundraising transformation, Andi shares how Komen navigated the complex transition from decentralized to centralized program support while maintaining the local flavor that makes their events resonate.Andi discusses the strategic decision-making behind Komen's organizational shift and the practical challenges of managing change across field and national teams. She explores how they determine which decisions require consistency and which benefit from local autonomy, and shares the metrics that demonstrate success beyond just revenue numbers.Together, we'll explore:Strategic rationale and phased approach for centralizing peer-to-peer program support across a national nonprofitPreserving local community connections and authenticity within standardized national event frameworksImpact on operational efficiency, fundraising outcomes, and brand presence when balancing autonomy with consistencyMentioned Linkswww.komen.orgStay Connected on LinkedInConnect with AndiConnect with MarcieConnect with the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum (00:00) - Welcome to The P2P Soap Box (01:03) - Introducing Andi Hughes