The Cause+Effect Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Myth of Summer Giving | Joshua Crowther Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

Does giving really go down in the summer—or have nonprofits simply come to expect it?
In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President+CEO of Dunham+Co, is joined by Joshua Crowther, VP of Dunham+Co, to unpack the myths and realities of summer giving. Together, they discuss how disrupted rhythms, vacations, fiscal year timing, and donor communication all shape giving behavior during the summer months.
Rather than accepting the “summer slump” as inevitable, Trent and Josh explore how nonprofits, churches, and ministries can use this season to communicate urgency, tell compelling stories, steward donors well, and create momentum heading into the fall.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction 01:27 – Is the Summer Giving Slump Real?
03:30 – Disrupted Rhythms and Donor Behavior
06:03 – Fiscal Year-End as a Summer Opportunity
08:00 – Creating Urgency During a Low-Urgency Season
10:40 – Don’t Let Summer Become a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
13:27 – Building Momentum Out of Summer
19:16 – Final Encouragement: Try Something Different

Manifesto of the Future Church | David Kinnaman Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Is a spiritual resurgence really happening or are we just seeing isolated moments?
In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham sits down with David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, to talk about what Barna’s latest research is revealing about faith, church attendance, and spiritual openness in America.
David shares why younger generations, especially Gen Z, may be showing more openness to Jesus than many leaders expected, why that openness does not always translate into comfort with traditional church structures, and what it means for ministries trying to reach the next generation. Together, Trent and David unpack the opportunities and challenges facing church leaders today, from discipleship and mentorship to intergenerational ministry and creating environments where people can truly be known.
This conversation is both encouraging and clarifying for leaders asking a critical question: is the Church prepared for what may be coming next?
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:06 Live from the Dunham+Company Summit
02:52 Is a spiritual resurgence happening?
08:42 Gen Z, Jesus, and the future church
12:07 Is the church ready for this moment?
19:10 Why mentorship and healthy leadership matter
26:29 The church’s opportunity with the next generation
33:55 Outro

The Best Story Wins | Matthew Luhn Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Cause+Effect, Trent Dunham is joined by Matthew Luhn — writer, animator, director, author, and longtime Pixar story leader. Drawing from his work on Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Up, and more, Matthew shares what makes a story memorable and why great storytelling is essential for leaders, ministries, and nonprofits trying to inspire action.
Together, Trent and Matthew explore why facts alone rarely stick, how story creates emotional connection, why the audience should be seen as the hero, and how organizations can better communicate mission through compelling, human-centered narratives. Matthew also unpacks simple storytelling principles leaders can use right away to make their message clearer, stronger, and more impactful.
Show Notes:
Pickup a copy of Matthew's book: https://a.co/d/07QnkFfm

Can AI Increase Impact? | James ”JP” Poulter Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Cause+Effect, Trent Dunham sits down with James “JP” Poulter, Head of Innovation at Dunham+Company and author of AI at Work (coming August 2026), for a timely conversation on what AI means for ministry leaders right now.
JP breaks down the fast shift from conversational AI to agentic AI, explains why leaders should stop treating AI like just an answer engine, and offers practical ways organizations can use these tools to reduce administrative burden and create more space for mission-focused work. Together, Trent and JP explore “reverse prompting,” the rise of AI use inside organizations (even unknowingly), and why every ministry needs to think seriously about ethics, governance, and stewardship as these tools become more embedded in daily work.
The takeaway is clear: AI is not a conversation leaders can afford to postpone. The goal is not simply greater efficiency, but wiser innovation that helps organizations increase their effectiveness for more impact.

The Fundraising Signals You Can’t Ignore in 2026 | Rick Dunham & Joshua Crowther Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham is joined by Rick Dunham, Founder and Chairman of Dunham+Company, and Josh Crowther, Vice President of Dunham+Company, to unpack key findings from the latest Donor Confidence Report.
Together, they explore what the research reveals about donor behavior heading into 2026: why more donors say they may give less, how economic fear is shaping generosity, why direct mail still matters more than many organizations realize, how text messaging is emerging as an underused fundraising channel, and why nonprofits need to pay attention to donor education around recent tax-law changes.
They also discuss the practical implications for nonprofit leaders, including how to reduce friction in online giving, better measure fundraising effectiveness, and communicate in ways that build trust and response in a changing environment.
____________
Check out the report here: https://www.dunhamandcompany.com/insights/

Fail Fast, Learn Faster | Matt Potter Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham sits down with Matt Potter, co-founder of PRAY.COM, for a candid conversation on how mission-driven leaders can build, test, and scale with both conviction and clarity. Matt shares his providential story—from adoption and early exposure to tech, to stepping into a calling that led to PRAY.COM’s launch in 2016—and the leadership mindset that helped them pivot from ideas that sounded right to solutions that actually served people.
Together, they unpack rapid obedience, “fail fast” experimentation, and the importance of building a culture where learning is safe. You’ll hear how PRAY.COM moved from prayer-wall community features to guided prayers and devotionals, why data dashboards and AI tools (like PRAY Studio) matter for ministries today, and what it looks like to shift from founder-driven skill to scalable systems and leaders.

The Shepherd’s Heart for the One | Adam Mesa Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Recorded live at the Dunham+Company Summit, Trent Dunham sits down with Pastor Adam Mesa of Patria Church for a grounded conversation about keeping ministry and mission-driven work personal. Adam shares lessons from a healthy leadership transition, how Patria's content strategy is designed to be a “front door” for people exploring faith, how Psalm 23 reframes leadership as shepherding, and how God always cares about the one, the individual.
The heartbeat of the episode is simple: don’t get so busy that you miss chances to reach the one right in front of you, because the Shepherd never does.

Building Healthy Culture | Jenni Catron Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

What makes a team want to show up—and what causes even mission-driven organizations to quietly drift into burnout, confusion, or disengagement?
Trent Dunham sits down with Jenni Catron, Founder & CEO of The 4Sight Group and author of Culture Matters, for a practical conversation about building environments where people thrive. Jenni shares why culture can’t be left to chance, how “environment” shapes engagement (often more than we realize), and why clarity is one of the strongest indicators of a healthy culture.
If you want to learn how to build a healthy culture within your organization or team, this is an episode you don't want to miss!

Strategies for Ministry Success in 2026 Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, host Trent Dunham, President and CEO of Dunham+Company, is joined by Josh Crowther, VP at Dunham+Company, to discuss how ministries and organizations can start 2026 strong. Together, they explore key strategies for effective communication, donor engagement, and vision casting to set the tone for a successful year.
From debunking the myth of "donor fatigue" to practical tips on leveraging the new year for deeper connections with supporters, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead your organization with clarity and purpose.
Tune in to learn how to engage your audience, cast a compelling vision, and position your ministry for impact in 2026!

Fundraising Strategies for Challenging Times Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, host Trent Dunham is joined by Rick Dunham, founder and chairman of Dunham+Company, to discuss how leaders can navigate turbulent times in fundraising. With 2025 coming to a close and 2026 on the horizon, they explore practical strategies for staying grounded, retaining donors, and maintaining a donor-centric approach during challenging seasons.
From emphasizing the importance of retention to making strategic budget decisions, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help organizations weather financial uncertainty while staying true to their mission.
Tune in for a timely discussion on leading with clarity, focusing on the fundamentals, and positioning your organization for long-term success!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected