Responsive Lab Podcast

Latest Episodes:

EP 73: What AI Actually Changes (And Doesn't Change) About Nonprofit Data with T. Clay Buck Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with T. Clay Buck, Founder and Principal of Next River Fundraising Strategies. Together they explore what AI actually changes about nonprofit data. And what it doesn't.

Clay has spent thirty years in fundraising. He's done everything from database administration to chief development officer. He watched the sector adopt online giving forms in the early dot-com days. Now he's watching it navigate AI.

You'll hear about:

• Why "garbage in, garbage out" matters more than ever with AI
• How donor data tells a story of trust
• The case for creating a data oversight committee at the board level
• One practical step any nonprofit can take before adopting AI

Clay also shares why fundraising should be a business of joy. And why a little more laughter might be exactly what the sector needs.

Links from the episode:

• Connect with Clay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclaybuck/
• Learn more about Next River Fundraising Strategies: https://www.nextriverfundraising.com/
• Get the book Responsive Fundraising: https://www.amazon.com/Responsive-Fundraising-donor-centric-framework-nonprofits/dp/1944194746

EP 72: Building Trust with Donors Through Better Impact Measurement with Sonja Schappert Howden Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Sonja Schappert Howden, Chief Impact Officer at Seed Impact, to unpack what meaningful impact really looks like and how fundraisers can communicate it in ways donors understand and trust.

Drawing from more than two decades of experience in faith-based nonprofits, Sonja explains why outputs are only the starting point, how outcomes reveal personal change, and why true impact often happens outside your organization’s walls. She introduces the SEED Competency Ladders, a framework grounded in being, doing, and relating, and shows how this approach helps fundraisers tell more human, donor-centered impact stories.

You’ll also hear why impact is not linear, why collaborative measurement matters more than ever, and how removing jargon can help donors connect emotionally before they ever engage intellectually.

Links from the episode:

• Learn more about Seed Impact at https://www.seedimpact.org/

• Email Sonja at sonja@seedimpact.org

Free impact report reviews available for a limited time here: https://www.seedimpact.org/impact-report-review/January-26th-Impact-Report-Review-p801608951

EP 71: Building a Relationship-First Fundraising Culture with Marc Stein Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Marc Stein, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Jews for Jesus, to unpack what it really looks like to put donor relationships first without sacrificing growth.

Marc brings a rare perspective shaped by decades as an entrepreneur, donor, board member, and now nonprofit executive. He shares how his team redefined success by shifting away from revenue-first metrics and toward meaningful partner engagement… and why that shift led to stronger retention, healthier teams, and sustained major gift growth.

You’ll hear how Jews for Jesus reduced portfolio sizes, rethought performance measurement, embraced transparency during missteps, and used both technology and volunteers to extend personal care at scale. Marc also tackles one of the hardest challenges in major gifts… how to ensure donors stay connected to the organization even when fundraisers move on.

Links from the episode:

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcstein/
Learn more about Jews for Jesus: https://jewsforjesus.org/

Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

EP 70: Digital Strategies to Drive Sustainable Fundraising Growth with Matt Lombardi Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Matt Lombardi, Founder of Share, to unpack what real digital engagement looks like when it’s done well and why it actually leads people to take action.

Matt brings a practitioner’s perspective from working alongside nonprofits of all sizes, sharing what separates organizations that grow sustainably from those stuck on the acquisition hamster wheel. From donor personas and retention strategies to recurring giving programs that actually work, you’ll walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately.

You’ll hear about:

Why focus matters more than doing “all the channels”

How smart digital engagement builds trust and drives generosity

Creative ways to strengthen donor retention without always asking for money

What recurring giving programs need to succeed long-term

How technology decisions today shape fundraising outcomes tomorrow

Matt also shares where nonprofits get stuck internally and how teams can build momentum even when bureaucracy, bandwidth, or fear of change slows things down.

Links from the episode:

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-lombardi-717547111/

Learn more about Share Talent: https://sharetalent.co/

Learn more about Share Services: https://www.shareservices.co/

Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist.

EP 69: Mid-Level Matters: Turning Overlooked Donors Into Loyal Supporters with Kel Haney Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with fundraising strategist Kel Haney, who has made more than twenty thousand asks by phone and helped nonprofits generate over twenty million dollars in mid-level giving.

Kel shares how she went from directing theater in New York to discovering the power of a well-structured donor conversation, and why a simple five-minute call can be one of the most effective tools a fundraiser has.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Kel’s theater background shaped her approach to authentic donor conversations

Why mid-level donors sit in the “messy middle” and need their own strategy

The four tent poles of Kel’s five-minute fundraising ask

Why scripts fail, and conversational structure succeeds

How fundraisers can “hold for the silence” and build confidence over time

Ways tools like Virtuous and Virtuous Momentum support personal outreach at scale

How organizations can segment, prioritize, and even outsource outbound donor calls

Links from the episode:

Connect with Kel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kel-haney/

Learn more about Kel’s work and schedule a convo: https://www.kelhaney.com/

Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

EP 68: How Nonprofits Can Grow Major Gifts Using Noncash Strategies with Bailey Huston [Ask a Responsive Fundraiser] Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Ask a Responsive Fundraiser, Scott Holthaus sits down with Bailey Huston, Partnerships and Integrations Manager at The Giving Block, to answer your top questions about noncash giving and donor behavior in a changing fundraising landscape.

Bailey shares why donor choice, convenience, and control are now essential parts of the giving experience… and how offering options like crypto, stock, and donor-advised funds can unlock major gifts you may be missing today. She explains the motivations behind noncash giving, the younger and wealthier donor segments driving crypto adoption, and the simple ways nonprofits can add these channels without overwhelming their teams.

You’ll learn which donor signals matter most right now, the true opportunity behind crypto-based generosity, how to make noncash gifts easy to find and easy to give, and why these channels connect directly to lifetime donor value as younger generations take the lead in the coming wealth transfer.

To learn more or explore crypto, stock, or DAF fundraising, visit thegivingblock.com.

EP 67: Using Neuroscience to Strengthen Donor Relationships with Cherian Koshy Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

What really happens inside a donor’s mind when they choose to give? In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Virtuous co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Cherian Koshy, VP at Kindsight and author of NeuroGiving: The Science of Donor Decision Making.

Cherian unpacks why giving is rooted in identity, how friction quietly slows generous brains down, and what fundraisers can do to design clearer, more intuitive donor experiences. You will hear why one vivid human story matters more than statistics, what assumptions often lead teams astray, and how technology and AI help fundraisers respond with greater empathy at scale.

Links from the episode:

Pre-order Cherian’s book here: https://neurogivingbook.com/
Get your copy of “Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making” on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Neurogiving-Science-Decision-Making-Cherian-Koshy/dp/1394370458/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FIOOU34VK6YP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._xNfSLeOax1dA5hrtboMIg.3brVKP9LuMSye0uTMk6CzmWjAw9SO211qe9qgXcw5b8&dib_tag=se&keywords=neurogiving+book&qid=1762799955&sprefix=neurogiving+book%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1
Connect with Cherian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheriankoshy/

Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

EP 66: Measuring What Matters: Turning Impact into Action for Growing Nonprofits with John Mark & Lauren Vanderpool Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Lauren and John Mark Vanderpool from Social Impact Solutions to answer some pressing questions we didn’t have time to cover during a recent webinar.

Lauren and John Mark break down what impact really means, how to measure it, and how clear impact data can deepen donor trust and grow giving. You’ll also hear practical advice for using logic models, building realistic internal systems, handling confidentiality, and making sense of hundreds of stories without overwhelming your team.

If you’ve ever felt unsure how to measure the real change your nonprofit creates or how to share that story with donors, this conversation will give you practical next steps you can use right away.

Links from the episode:

Learn more about Social Impact Solutions: https://www.socialimpactsolutions.com/
Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-vanderpool-socialimpactsolutions/
Connect with John Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mark-vanderpool-521485184/

Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

EP 65: Building a Healthy, Human-Centered Culture in Nonprofits with Ian Adair Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Nonprofit leadership is meaningful work, but it can also feel exhausting. Between fundraising pressure, staff turnover, and board expectations, many leaders quietly run on empty long before they ever consider stepping away.

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Virtuous co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with CEO of the Seattle Police Foundation, Ian Adair, to talk about what it really takes to stay healthy in leadership and build organizations where people want to stay.

You’ll hear Ian, Carly, and Scott dig into:

- How to recognize when you or your team are approaching burnout, and what to do next

- Why self care is “not selfish” and why nonprofit leaders struggle to prioritize it

- What healthy vulnerability looks like in leadership without oversharing or overburdening staff

- Practical ways to build loyalty, belonging, and professional growth into your culture

- How to coach and engage your board so they contribute in the right lanes

- Key steps for turning around struggling organizations and leading through transition

- Why “adaptive resilience” is a core leadership practice in today’s nonprofit landscape

Connect with Ian on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianadair2010/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianmadair/
X: https://x.com/IanMAdair

Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

EP 64: Relationship at Scale: Building Smarter, Sustainable Donor Stewardship with Rachel Bearbower Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Speed matters. So does being seen. In this episode, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with fundraiser, former executive director, and founder of the Nonprofit Automation Agency, Rachel Bearbower, to unpack how small teams can deliver big-feeling donor experiences. We cover the “first 100 days” journey, the one-minute thank-you, and why silence erodes trust faster than anything. You’ll hear practical steps to turn repeatable stewardship moments into lightweight systems, how to anchor automation in your CRM, and a candid look at what Rachel learned by donating to 15 nonprofits to audit their follow-up.

Links from the episode:

Learn more about Rachel’s business, Nonprofit Automation Agency: https://www.nonprofitautomationagency.com/
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbearbower/
Get the 5 Ways to Automate Your Donor Stewardship ebook: https://www.nonprofitautomationagency.com/ebook
Book a demo with the Nonprofit Automation Agency: https://www.nonprofitautomationagency.com/pricing

Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

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