Jello, Hot Dish, and the Go-Giver Mindset: Kyle Gagner’s Unlikely Guide to Nonprofit Storytelling

How to Build Higher Education Branding That a Whole Community Believes In with Meloney Linder

How do you rebuild university brand trust after a massive transition? In this episode, Meloney Linder (VP for Marketing & Communications at the University of North Dakota) breaks down 8 years of building brand consistency, shifting to data-driven storytelling, and earning community belief.  Checklist before you watch/listen: ✅ You lead marketing for a college, university, or mission-driven institution. ✅ Your brand got reset, and buy-in still feels shaky. ✅ Athletics or one program defines you more than your actual mission. ✅ You want data to settle the "everybody's a marketer" debates. ✅ You believe stories should come from your community, not your committee. Higher education branding fails when nobody believes it yet. Here's how UND earned belief.  When Meloney stepped into her role in 2018, the university was navigating a historic brand reset. The Fighting Sioux logo was retired, the brand was entirely new, and community buy-in had to be built from the ground up. What she did next is a clinic in university marketing. 🎯 She shows how a "Leaders in Action" positioning went from a document to something people felt in their bones. By the end, you'll know how to: • Inherit a half-written brand and find where to start. • Give people new reasons to believe when athletics no longer carries the brand. • Tell stories that reaffirm what's already true about your institution. • Build a data culture from zero so opinions stop running the room. ... ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Meloney and the UND brand evolution 02:25 – Fergus Falls, two daughters, and Sophie the Havanese 03:50 – Inheriting a brand fresh off a major reset 08:22 – The moment the brand became real 10:37 – Why a logo and tagline are not your brand 14:41 – Building a data culture from scratch 19:52 – The UND stories that surprised her 22:00 – Selling higher ed's value in a TikTok world 24:24 – Feedback is a gift

Scott Holdman Live at WellTold: Fundamentals, Eldership, and the Future of Donor Engagement

If your donor engagement strategy is louder than it is listening, this episode is for you. Nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and executive directors: Scott Holdman shows you how slowing down builds the trust your campaigns are missing. Recorded live at the WellTold Conference in Fargo, North Dakota, this conversation between Max Kringen and Scott Holdman digs into what actually moves nonprofit fundraising forward. Scott has coached hundreds of organizations across the Upper Midwest as the founder of Legacy Logic. You will hear why listening builds trust faster than pitching, how to lead with fundamentals, and why eldership and community belong at the center of nonprofit leadership today. ✨ By the end, you'll know how to: * Listen for the priorities buried inside a donor conversation * Identify the fundamentals your role keeps skipping * Sculpt your strategy by removing, not adding * Invite multi generational voices into your fundraising * Spot the difference between change and real evolution * Use the TALK framework to run better donor meetings * Build community in a culture that defaults to alone Key Quote Highlights: > "If you look at the person next to you, they're as mysterious and amazing and as wonderful as a planet.""We could do anything but we can't do everything, and now we have to learn how to do prioritization." Guest Bio Scott Holdman has spent more than two decades helping nonprofits and givers close the gap between good intentions and real impact. He is the founder of Legacy Logic, where he works as a philanthropic butler, a trusted partner walking alongside givers and the organizations they support. Around the Upper Midwest, Scott is considered fundraising royalty. Learn more at https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottholdman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottholdman/] ⏱ Timestamps * 00:00 – Welcome to a live episode * 03:30 – Why listening is as powerful as speaking * 08:00 – Fundamentals vs. dopamine distraction * 13:15 – Change vs. evolution * 18:45 – The hardest fundamental Scott learned * 24:00 – Eldership, authenticity, community * 32:30 – Life tasks and life quakes 📌 Resources Mentioned * Scott Holdman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottholdman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottholdman/] * Legacy Logic, Scott's advising practice * The TALK Framework by Alison Wood Brooks * Bill Plotkin on the role of elders * Seasons of Story framework by Tellwell * WellTold Conference, Fargo, ND 🔔 Stay Connected Subscribe to Tellwell: The Podcast so you never miss a conversation built for mission-driven leaders. * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tellwell-story-co [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tellwell-story-co] * Website: https://wetellwell.com [https://wetellwell.com] * Newsletter: Start with Story by Max Kringen 📣 About Tellwell the Podcast Tellwell: The Podcast is hosted by Max Kringen, founder of Tellwell Story Co. in Fargo, ND. Two people, two microphones, one real conversation for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and mission-driven thinkers. #nonprofitfundraising #donorengagement #nonprofitleadership #storytelling #fundraisingstrategy #welltold #tellwellpodcast

Joyful Fundraising and Inclusive Philanthropy with Tesha McCord Poe

If you lead development work and you're tired of the grind, this nonprofit fundraising podcast episode is for you. Fundraising doesn't have to feel heavy. It can feel like joy. In this episode, host Max Kringen sits down with Tesha McCord Poe, founder of Joy Raising, for a candid conversation about joyful fundraising, inclusive philanthropy, and donor engagement that actually builds relationships. 💛 Tesha is a former lawyer, banker, journalist, and chief advancement officer who now coaches leaders to raise more money with more people and more joy. She unpacks boundaries, belonging, ego, and the moment she realized she was excluding herself from the ask. ✨ You'll Learn By the end, you'll know how to: * Reframe fundraising as a relationship practice, not a performance * Stop excusing yourself from asks where you belong in the room * Build boundaries that protect your wellbeing and your team * Prepare well enough to walk in with honest confidence * Find points of connection with donors beyond wealth or status * Choose joy as a daily, practiced leadership muscle * Lead with courage even when the work feels heavy Key Quote Highlights: "If you have the capacity for joy right now, don't you dare keep it to yourself." "Boundaries are the space between you and I that allows me to love us both." Guest Bio Tesha McCord Poe is the founder and CEO of Joy Raising, a consultancy helping mission-driven organizations raise more money with more people and more joy. She holds a JD/MBA and has served as a lawyer, banker, journalist, school administrator, and chief advancement officer. Tesha is a sought-after keynote speaker and coach known for her work in inclusive philanthropy and donor engagement. Learn more at https://joy-raising.com [https://joy-raising.com] ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and how Max and Tesha met 02:30 – The meaning behind Tesha's name and middle name Joy 05:45 – From the Bronx to Barnard, and learning about access 09:15 – Choosing joy through profound personal loss 12:30 – Boundaries as love, not distance 16:00 – Why fundraising felt terrifying, and what changed 21:45 – The ask she excused herself from, and what it taught her 📌 Resources Mentioned * Joy Raising: https://joy-raising.com [https://joy-raising.com] * Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown * The dash poem, the origin of Joy Raising's URL * Connect with Tesha: tesha@joy-raising.com [tesha@joy-raising.com] 🔔 Stay Connected Subscribe to Tellwell the Podcast wherever you listen, and leave a review if this episode moved you. Follow Tellwell on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/tellwell-story-co [https://linkedin.com/company/tellwell-story-co] Follow host Max Kringen: https://linkedin.com/in/maxkringen [https://linkedin.com/in/maxkringen] Visit us: https://wetellwell.com [https://wetellwell.com] 📣 About Tellwell the Podcast Tellwell the Podcast is a show for mission-driven leaders who believe story is the most powerful tool they have. Hosted by Max Kringen, founder of Tellwell Story Co. in Fargo, ND, each episode features honest conversations with nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and storytellers about the work of building trust, belonging, and impact.

How Hope Blooms Built a Movement on Intentional Kindness with Kelly Krenzel

If you're in nonprofit leadership and wondering how to build real connection with your community, this episode will change how you think about growth. Kelly Krenzel turned recycled jars, donated flowers, and a spark of inspiration into Hope Blooms. A Fargo nonprofit that has delivered over 115,000 bouquets to people facing isolation and hardship. Her approach? Leading with vulnerability and showing up with intention every single time. Kelly sits down with Max Kringen to unpack what intentional kindness looks like inside a growing organization. She shares the story of building a 100% community-funded nonprofit, attracting thousands of volunteers and creating a culture where generosity is the operating system. If you care about donor engagement or doing meaningful work without burning out, this one is for you. ✅ Checklist * A framework for leading with vulnerability instead of polish * How to build trust through authentic, non-transactional relationships * The mindset shift that turns small acts into a sustainable mission * Why surrounding yourself with the right people matters more than having all the answers * Practical ways to sustain your own energy while giving your heart to the work By the end, you'll know how to: * Lead with intentional vulnerability to attract high-hearted supporters * Move past transactional fundraising into relational donor engagement * Use a simple, repeatable act of kindness as the engine for growth * Build a volunteer culture rooted in authenticity and genuine connection * Identify when to invite others into the conversation instead of going it alone * Protect your energy while leading mission-driven work that demands full presence * Turn everyday moments of connection into long-term community investment 🌸 About Kelly Krenzel Kelly Krenzel is Founder, Executive Director and Chief Joy Maker at Hope Blooms in Fargo, North Dakota. Over nine years she built a 100% community-funded nonprofit that repurposes donated flowers into bedside bouquets for people experiencing isolation, grief and hardship. Hope Blooms has delivered more than 115,000 bouquets, built nearly 100 community partnerships and mobilized thousands of annual volunteers. Learn more at https://hopeblooms.org [https://hopeblooms.org] ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Kelly Krenzel and the Hope Blooms mission  03:00 – What "more than flowers" really means after nine years  11:00 – Leading a mission built entirely on generosity  14:30 – How nonprofit leaders sustain joy without burning out  20:00 – Balancing heart-led work with organizational structure  27:45 – The Mavis story: what one visit taught Kelly about showing up  33:00 – What Hope Blooms wants to teach this community 📌 Resources Mentioned * Hope Blooms: https://hopeblooms.org [https://hopeblooms.org] * Hope Blooms on Facebook: https://facebook.com/hopebloomsnd [https://facebook.com/hopebloomsnd] * Kelly's first podcast appearance: Episode 15, Season 1 * Blog post: https://wetellwell.com/2025/03/welltold-kelly/ [https://wetellwell.com/2025/03/welltold-kelly/] * Radical Candor by Kim Scott 🔔 Stay Connected Subscribe to Tellwell the Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube so you never miss an episode. Connect with Tellwell on LinkedIn and follow along at wetellwell.com. 📣 About Tellwell the Podcast Hosted by Max Kringen, founder of Tellwell Story Co. in Fargo, ND. Real conversations with nonprofit leaders, community builders and mission-driven professionals about fundraising, storytelling and organizational growth. #nonprofitleadership #intentionalkindness #donorengagement #nonprofitpodcast #communityimpact #volunteerengagement #hopeblooms

Why Fundraising Feels Hard (And What to Do About It) with Noah Barnett

Why fundraising feels hard isn't about effort. It's about clarity. If you're a nonprofit leader drowning in shoulds, this episode will show you how to focus on what actually moves the needle. Noah Barnett, Chief Strategy Officer at DonorDock and speaker at the WellTold Conference, believes the real villain in fundraising isn't lack of resources or strategy. It's the question haunting every fundraiser at night: Am I doing enough? In this conversation, Noah walks through his framework for nonprofit focus, donor engagement, and strategic clarity. You'll learn why the best fundraising strategy isn't about doing more. It's about doing what matters most and actively choosing what to omit. This episode is for executive directors, development teams, and nonprofit leaders tired of adopting every "should" from the outside world. Checklist ✓ Stop chasing shoulds and start defining what matters most  ✓ Use the omissions list to reclaim agency and reduce stress  ✓ Focus on three priorities per time period, not thirty  ✓ Align strategy with mission before adding tactics  ✓ Put your head on the pillow knowing you did something that mattered today Key Quote Highlights: "I think that's what's at stake. This deep uncertainty and letting this villain survive, which is, am I enough? Am I doing it enough? Is this the right thing to do? That villain loves to keep you distracted." "If we can help our users put their head on their pillow at night and say, I got done today something that mattered, that's what we're doing here." Guest Bio Noah Barnett is Chief Strategy Officer at DonorDock, where he helps nonprofits use technology to scale growth without losing their humanity. He's spent over a decade in nonprofit technology after seven years in international relief and development. Noah is a builder, conversationalist, and strategist who believes the best work happens when you focus on what matters most and intentionally omit the rest. He'll be speaking at the WellTold Conference on April 30th in Fargo. Learn more at https://toolry.com/walk [https://toolry.com/walk] ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – The villain keeping fundraisers distracted  03:15 – Noah's journey from international relief to nonprofit tech  08:00 – Where the focus framework came from  13:30 – The omissions list: deciding what NOT to do  19:00 – When it's never going to be enough  23:00 – What we lose when we're scattered  26:00 – The Eastern Europe story that changed everything 📌 Resources Mentioned * DonorDock CRM platform for nonprofits * WellTold Conference (April 30, Fargo): https://welltoldconference.com [https://welltoldconference.com] * Book a virtual walk with Noah: https://toolry.com/walk [https://toolry.com/walk] * Friend of DonorDock promo code: 20% off WellTold registration 🔔 Stay Connected Subscribe to Tellwell the Podcast wherever you listen. New episodes every week with mission-driven leaders, fundraisers, and storytellers who are actually doing the work. Follow Max Kringen and the Tellwell team on LinkedIn for more stories that move people to action. 📣 About Tellwell the Podcast Hosted by Max Kringen, Chief Storyteller at Tellwell Story Co., this podcast gets to know the humans behind the campaigns, brands, and causes that move people to action. Every week we talk about what worked, what flopped, and the moments that changed the way our guests think about fundraising, storytelling, and inviting people into a story worth joining. #whyfundraisingfeelshard #nonprofitleadership #donorengagement #fundraisingstrategy #nonprofitfocus #tellwellpodcast #welltold