From Detergent to Purpose: Lessons in Nonprofit Leadership with Author David Rhode

What if the key to nonprofit success isn’t just more funding, but better systems, leadership, and innovation?In this episode, hosts Dave Raley and Carly Berna sit down with Dan Bentley, Managing Director of Impacto Consulting and host of the Innovate for Impact podcast. Dan’s work helps nonprofits break free from “survival mode” and become high-performing, impact-driven organizations. Drawing from both his for-profit background and nearly a decade of consulting in the social sector, Dan shares practical strategies for building resilient, innovative, and empowered teams, especially in the face of limited resources.Together with Dave and Carly, Dan outlines the critical mindset shifts and organizational changes required to create meaningful, scalable impact.Key Topics They Cover:What “survival mode” looks like in nonprofit organizations,and how to break out of itWhy resource constraints actually fuel innovation in the nonprofit sectorThe four pillars of innovative organizations:Ambition FocusedCreative LeadershipClient CentricityEmpowered PeopleWhy “Empowered People” is often the weakest link, and what to do about itLessons nonprofits can teach the for-profit world about adaptability, systems, and solving real-world problemsThe power of systematized innovation and frontline empowerment, with examples from organizations like the Starlight Children’s FoundationDan’s personal journey – from corporate insurance to international travel to founding Impacto ConsultingPlus, don’t miss the lightning round, where Dan shares the most random item on his bucket list, his surprising past in Australian hip hop, and the one cause he’d donate a million dollars to.Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:⁠⁠VIRTUOUS⁠⁠⁠⁠FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS⁠⁠⁠⁠IMAGO CONSULTING⁠⁠⁠⁠AVID AI⁠⁠⁠⁠DICKERSONBAKKER⁠⁠⁠⁠SHARE⁠⁠⁠⁠SYNERGY⁠⁠Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

What does it take to tell stories that truly move people and move them to action? In an era flooded with misinformation and short attention spans, how do brands and causes break through the noise with truth, authenticity, and impact? In this episode of Purpose & Profit Podcast, we explore those questions and more with a journalist who’s spent her life on the front lines of global storytelling.Dave Raley and Carly Berna welcome to the show award-winning journalist and host of Big [If True], Molly Thomas. Known for her fearless reporting on humanitarian crises and her drive to expose disinformation, Molly brings deep wisdom on what it means to tell authentic stories that resonate across cultures, causes, and contexts.From refugee camps to misinformation rabbit holes, Molly shares her experiences bringing attention to stories the world too often forgets. This conversation is a masterclass in how brands and causes can build trust, communicate with emotional intelligence, and inspire action without manipulation.Key Topics They Cover: 1. Purpose Over Trends: Why brands should align with causes that reflect their deepest convictions, not fleeting headlines.2. Building Trust in an Age of Misinformation: Practical ways for organizations to maintain credibility and clarity.3. Emotional Entry Points: How to help audiences connect personally to distant or difficult issues.4. Spotting the Fake: Lessons from Big [If True] on navigating scams, hoaxes, and disinformation, and how this shapes public trust in brands and causes.5. Discovering Your "Holy Discontent": How to identify the issue that keeps you up at night, and use it as a compass for impact.6. The Role of Sensory Storytelling: Using sounds, smells, and context to craft immersive, relatable stories.7. Empowering vs. Exploiting: How to avoid manipulative storytelling by highlighting agency and dignity.8. Why Being Present Matters: The value of slowing down, observing deeply, and leaving room for unexpected human stories.9. Repurposing Powerful Narratives: How to get long-term value from emotionally rich stories without overexposure.10. Music & Messaging: How background music shapes emotional response, and the ethical weight that carries.Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:⁠VIRTUOUS⁠⁠FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS⁠⁠IMAGO CONSULTING⁠⁠AVID AI⁠⁠DICKERSONBAKKER⁠⁠SHARE⁠⁠SYNERGY⁠Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

What does it look like to build a company—and a life—rooted in both purpose and profit? In this episode of Purpose & Profit Podcast, we sit down with William Norvell, a top 1% podcaster, investor, and trusted advisor to faith-driven entrepreneurs. William brings a wealth of experience, from co-founding Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Faith Driven Investor, to his current work with Forte, a company on a mission to democratize mental health in the workplace.With an MBA from Stanford and a unique journey that spans investment banking, private equity, and startup leadership, William offers a candid, wisdom-filled conversation about faith, business, and the complex human decisions leaders must make. Whether you're a mission-minded entrepreneur or nonprofit leader looking to create sustainable impact, this episode is full of practical insights and vision for a better future.You’ll Learn:How William’s journey—from Alabama to Stanford—shaped his views on leadership, purpose, and wealth.Why values-based investing is more than a trend, and how to align your portfolio with your convictions.The origin story of Faith Driven Entrepreneur and the gap it sought to fill in the faith and business world.Why William believes nonprofit CEOs have one of the toughest jobs, and how financial sustainability can shift the paradigm.What it means to run a Public Benefit Corporation and how that changes decisions from the boardroom to the break room.A raw take on early team dynamics and how to handle tough leadership decisions with both grace and clarity.A bold vision for the future, where businesses are inherently purposeful and nonprofits are free from constant fundraising.Discover more episodes of Purpose & Profit Podcast here. Get to know your co-hosts, Dave Raley and Carly Berna.Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUSFAITHSEARCH PARTNERSIMAGO CONSULTINGAVID AIDICKERSONBAKKERSHARESYNERGYSpecial thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

¥In this episode of Purpose & Profit, co-hosts Dave Raley and Carly Berna sit down with Brady Josephson, VP of Marketing & Growth at charity: water, to explore what it really takes to be disruptive—not just in marketing, but within an organization’s culture and strategy.Brady shares behind-the-scenes stories from the bold and sometimes controversial Dreamers campaign, as well as the inspiration and vision behind The Experience Lab—a multi-year, high-investment initiative designed to transform donor engagement. He also discusses how charity: water is reducing friction in decision-making, empowering “doers,” and embracing internal disruption to stay agile as they grow.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to cut through the noise and define meaningful disruption.What happens when bold campaigns spark internal pushback, and why that’s not always a bad thing.The mindset and structure needed to keep a growing nonprofit flexible and innovative.Why elevating execution and empowering teams can be just as disruptive as any marketing campaign.Learn more about Brady at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradyjosephson/Meanwhile, dive deeper into charity: water’s misison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradyjosephson/Discover more episodes of Purpose & Profit Podcast at: purposeandprofitpodcast.com Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUS: Virtuous.orgFAITHSEARCH PARTNERS: FaithSearchPartners.comIMAGO CONSULTING: Imago.ConsultingAVID AI: AvidAI.comDICKERSONBAKKER: DickersonBakker.comSHARE ShareTalent.coSYNERGY: SynergyDMS.comSpecial thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose and Profit, we sit down with nonprofit innovator, author, and branding expert, David Rhode, for an engaging and insight-packed conversation about what it really takes to lead and grow a nonprofit organization in today’s world.David shares how his early career at Procter & Gamble shaped his strategic mindset, offering key branding lessons that translate surprisingly well to the nonprofit space. He dives into the philosophy behind his award-winning book, Passion Isn’t Enough, revealing why heart alone isn’t enough, and what you need to pair it with to truly make an impact.You’ll learn:Why nonprofits need to “stay in their lane” when building their brand, and how doing less can actually mean doing moreHow David’s “3 Ps of Nonprofit Branding” (including People, Process, and Proof) offer a roadmap for smaller organizations with limited resourcesCreative, low-budget ways nonprofits can measure and communicate their impactHow to navigate the balance between mission-driven passion and the demands of operations, fundraising, and board dynamicsPlus, don’t miss the lightning round where David reveals the surprising skill he wishes he had, his favorite guilty pleasure show, and the random bucket list item he still wants to check off.Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, aspiring changemaker, or branding nerd, this episode is full of wisdom, wit, and practical takeaways.Learn more about David at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rhode-1129183/Check out Dave’s book: Passion Isn’t Enough: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Leaders: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLLBB3W2Meanwhile, discover more episodes of Purpose & Profit Podcast at: purposeandprofitpodcast.com Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUS: Virtuous.orgFAITHSEARCH PARTNERS: FaithSearchPartners.comIMAGO CONSULTING: Imago.ConsultingAVID AI: AvidAI.comDICKERSONBAKKER: DickersonBakker.comSHARE ShareTalent.coSYNERGY: SynergyDMS.comSpecial thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose & Profit, co-hosts Carly Berna and Dave Raley sit down with Kenny Jahng—strategic advisor, digital agency founder, and AI expert—who has dedicated his career to helping mission-driven leaders cut through the noise and build meaningful engagement with their audiences. With an impressive background that spans business, ministry, and nonprofit leadership, Kenny shares key insights from his Art of Engagement framework, which helps organizations clarify their message and connect with the right people.Through this conversation, Kenny breaks down the Authority Pillar—a critical component of engagement that focuses on defining your WHY, WHAT, and WHO. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit or a purpose-driven business, you’ll find actionable advice to help you refine your message, build trust, and ultimately drive greater impact.Also in this episode, Kenny talks about:His Background & Expertise – How his journey in business, ministry, and digital strategy has shaped his approach to engagement.The Art of Engagement Framework – A strategic model for helping organizations build clarity and connection with their audiences.The Authority Pillar: Defining Your Engagement StrategyThe WHY – Establishing a clear purpose to create meaningful engagement.The WHAT – Identifying the key message that resonates with your audience.The WHO – Showcasing testimonials and case studies that build trust and credibility.Practical Next Steps – How both nonprofits and businesses can implement these principles to strengthen their outreach and engagement.Learn more about Kenny Jahng at: linkedin.com/in/kennyjahng/.Dive deeper into The Art of Engagement Framework at: artofengagement.org.Find out more about Purpose & Profit Podcast at: purposeandprofitpodcast.com.Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUS: Virtuous.orgFAITHSEARCH PARTNERS: FaithSearchPartners.comIMAGO CONSULTING: Imago.ConsultingAVID AI: AvidAI.comDICKERSONBAKKER: DickersonBakker.comSHARE ShareTalent.coSYNERGY: SynergyDMS.comSpecial thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of the Purpose & Profit Podcast, hosts Dave Raley and Carly Berna sit down with Mohamed Osman and Ali Metcalf from Spring Impact, a nonprofit dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations scale their impact effectively in both the UK and the US.Mohamed, Spring Impact’s CEO, brings over two decades of experience in health, social enterprise, and humanitarian work, including his time as Global Grants Director at the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Ali, a Managing Consultant at Spring Impact, has worked on projects from Uganda to the UK, scaling solutions in parenting, education, health, and community development.The conversation explores the challenges and strategies behind scaling nonprofit initiatives. Mohamed and Ali discuss the importance of building for scale from the outset, the role of partnerships in sustainable growth, and how funding landscapes impact the ability of organizations to expand their reach. They highlight the significance of shifting from directly delivering solutions to enabling others to implement them—exemplified by Bridges to Prosperity’s transition from building bridges to supporting governments in constructing them.Key takeaways include:The need to fall in love with the problem rather than the solution, as solutions evolve over time.The balance between maintaining control and allowing strategic partners to help scale impact.Diversifying funding sources while remaining mission-aligned.Practical advice for nonprofits looking to scale, including focusing on strategic partnerships and understanding funding dynamics.Learn more about Purpose & Profit Podcast at: purposeandprofitpodcast.com/podcast.Meanwhile, discover more about Spring Impact at: https://www.springimpact.org/.Season Six of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUS: Virtuous.orgFAITHSEARCH PARTNERS: FaithSearchPartners.comIMAGO CONSULTING: Imago.ConsultingAVID AI: AvidAI.comDICKERSONBAKKER: DickersonBakker.comSHARE ShareTalent.coSYNERGY: SynergyDMS.comSpecial thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

AI is transforming the way nonprofit organizations operate, but for many leaders, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Purpose and Profit Podcast, your co-hosts, Carly Berna and Dave Raley, break down how leaders can confidently embrace AI to enhance their work.From using AI for brainstorming and decision-making to balancing machine-powered insights with human judgment, Carly and Dave share practical strategies. They also highlight key AI trends for 2025 and the AI-powered tools making the biggest impact.Also in this episode, Dave and Carly talk about:The biggest misconceptions leaders have about AIWhy AI-generated insights still need human oversightThe ethical considerations of AI in the nonprofit spaceSimple ways to start integrating AI into your daily workflowWant to take action? Read How to Talk to AI on the Wave Report, at https://www.imago.consulting/articles/how-to-talk-to-ai.Meanwhile, download the guide, 12 Ways to Leverage AI, to explore more ways AI can support you: https://www.imago.consulting/12-ways-to-use-ai.Season Six of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUSVirtuous believes in increasing generosity through personal donor engagement, no matter the gift size. The Virtuous platform streamlines nonprofit workflows, eliminates back-office tasks, and focuses on the relationships that matter. With their CRM, fundraising, volunteer, and marketing tools, nonprofits can create responsive experiences that build trust and grow impact. Visit virtuous.org to learn more.FAITHSEARCH PARTNERSFaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at faithsearchpartners.com/.IMAGO CONSULTINGImago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at .imago.consulting and subscribe at imago.consulting/wavereport.AVID AIJuggling tools instead of engaging donors? Meet Avid—the first-ever fundraising agency in the cloud. It unifies your data, deploys ready-to-use strategies, and makes donor engagement personal—at scale, on demand, in minutes. Visit avidai.com and see how fundraising gets smarter.DICKERSONBAKKERFor over 40 years, DickersonBakker has been a trusted partner to nonprofits across the country and globe. They’ve worked with thousands of organizations and helped raise billions of dollars to support meaningful missions. Their expertise spans fundraising, leadership development, and strategic growth. Learn more at dickersonbakker.com.SHAREShare helps Christian nonprofits shine with innovative marketing and digital fundraising. But that’s not all—they’re your tech-savvy partner, building tools to make your work easier and your impact bigger. Ready to grow your mission? Visit Sharetalent.co today!SYNERGYSynergy helps nonprofit organizations broaden donor engagement through phone-based solutions such as P2P texting, Voice Broadcasting, Inbound call handling solutions and Mid-Level donor engagement solutions. By integrating into your current mail and digital strategies, we create a personal connection with your donors that increases their devotion to your cause. Learn more at synergydms.com.Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose and Profit Podcast, Dave Raley and Carly Berna are pleased to welcome Amit Meredith to the show! Amit is the Head of Marketing for “GoFundMe,” overseeing brand strategy, marketing activations, and growth in an effort to help connect people with causes they care about.With a background working for companies like Warner Bros. Discovery, Samsung, and Boots UK, as well as higher education institutions and nonprofits, Amit is uniquely qualified to talk about the giving landscape today and how nonprofits can view that landscape in order to maximize their fundraising efforts.Diving into her role at GoFundMe, Amit shares findings from the GoFundMe Social State of Giving Report and explains the recent rise of what are known as “Impact Creators.”Also in this episode, Amit talks about: The Gen Z population and the power of sharingHow social media plays a role in fundraisingHow to use AI to boost fundraising effortsAdvice for for-profit and nonprofit leaders from her vast experience working in both sectorsA lightning round at the end!Discover more from the GoFundMe Social State of Giving Report at: https://www.gofundme.com/c/socialgivingSpecial thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.Season Six of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUSVirtuous believes in increasing generosity through personal donor engagement, no matter the gift size. The Virtuous platform streamlines nonprofit workflows, eliminates back-office tasks, and focuses on the relationships that matter. With their CRM, fundraising, volunteer, and marketing tools, nonprofits can create responsive experiences that build trust and grow impact. Visit virtuous.org to learn more.FAITHSEARCH PARTNERSFaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at faithsearchpartners.com/.IMAGO CONSULTINGImago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at .imago.consulting and subscribe at imago.consulting/wavereport.AVID AIJuggling tools instead of engaging donors? Meet Avid—the first-ever fundraising agency in the cloud. It unifies your data, deploys ready-to-use strategies, and makes donor engagement personal—at scale, on demand, in minutes. Visit avidai.com and see how fundraising gets smarter.DICKERSONBAKKERFor over 40 years, DickersonBakker has been a trusted partner to nonprofits across the country and globe. They’ve worked with thousands of organizations and helped raise billions of dollars to support meaningful missions. Their expertise spans fundraising, leadership development, and strategic growth. Learn more at dickersonbakker.com.SHAREShare helps Christian nonprofits shine with innovative marketing and digital fundraising. But that’s not all—they’re your tech-savvy partner, building tools to make your work easier and your impact bigger. Ready to grow your mission? Visit Sharetalent.co today!SYNERGYAt Synergy, they boost your nonprofit's donor engagement through innovative phone-based solutions. Whether it's P2P texting, voice broadcasting, inbound call handling, or mid-level donor engagement, they seamlessly integrate with your existing mail and digital strategies. Their goal is to create a personal connection with your donors, enhancing their commitment to your cause. Let Synergy be your donor engagement team and watch your donor retention and revenue grow. Discover more at synergydms.com.

In this exciting new episode of Purpose and Profit Podcast, Carly Berna has the unique opportunity to interview fellow co-host, Dave Raley, on his new book, The Rise of Sustainable Giving: How the Subscription Economy is Transforming Recurring Giving and What Nonprofits Can Do to Benefit, which became Amazon’s #1 new release for Nonprofit Organizations and Charities before its official launch date! Dave Raley begins by explaining the 3-year process that went into writing this book, which began with a passion to increase generosity among nonprofits around the world.  Dave goes into detail about how the subscription economy has changed everything for nonprofits, and how it will continue to transform how people look at giving moving forward. Having studied top-performing nonprofits that are tapping into this new type of subscription giving, he now shares the core elements of building a thriving, sustainable giving program. The Rise of Sustainable Giving is now available for purchase on Dave’s website at sustainablegiving.org and on Amazon at ⁠https://amzn.to/3E5TRPF⁠. Get your copy today and start transforming your recurring giving efforts for a better, more generous tomorrow.  Season Five of the Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by: VIRTUOUS Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at www.virtuous.org and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at www.virtuous.org/checklist.  FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm for faith-based organizations, dedicated to providing lasting solutions and championing faith-driven leaders. Their mission is to serve their clients and empower them with the right people at the right time to help drive their unique mission of ministry forward. Learn more about FaithSearch Partners at https://faithsearchpartners.com/. IMAGO CONSULTING Imago Consulting is an advisory firm that helps nonprofits and businesses grow through innovation. Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing organization. Imago publishes a weekly trends report called The Wave Report – learn more at www.imago.consulting and subscribe at www.imago.consulting/wavereport. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.