Through the Noise

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#309 Lakisha Woods, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of NAHB Nov 02, 2017

Show notes

Housing impacts each of us every single day and plays a pivotal role in ensuring that we are able to live our best lives and do the work that makes the world a better place. Whether you rent or own, the work of the National Association of Home Builders has probably influenced your life in some important way, so we've invited Lakisha Woods to the show to talk with us about representing the 8 million people working in all facets of the housing industry. Since the early 1940s, the NAHB has been a critical resource for home owners and builders and making important connections between the two. Don't miss this show to find out how Ms. Woods, as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer -- makes sure that the massive organization is on the same page and speaks with a single voice.

Bio:

NAHB represents the largest network of craftsmen, innovators and problem solvers dedicated to building and enriching communities. Lakisha Woods, CAE is the Sr. VP & Chief Marketing Officer for the National Association of Home Builders and a board member of ASAE. She is on a mission to use inspirational storytelling to engage members, reconnect with business partners and showcase value.

#308 Mary Helen Rogers of ISPA on Better Sleep with Better Sleep Products Oct 30, 2017

Show notes

We've all heard eight hours per night is the ideal amount of sleep to strive for -- and while some need less and many need more -- the quality of sleep we are able to get is heavily dependent on the surface on which we sleep. To find out more about spending one-third of our lives in a way that benefits all of our waking hours -- particularly for the new parents that host and listen to the show -- we invited Mary Helen Rogers of the International Sleep Products Association for a chat. Founded in 1915 by mattress manufacturers to combat fraud, ISPA has been protecting consumers and those same manufacturers for over 100 years. Though repulsive, it was not uncommon for people to put a new cover on old mattresses and resell them as brand new to unsuspecting and tired sleepers. Still occasionally a problem today in the used mattress world, the work of the association has largely conquered one of the most disgusting problems vexing the sleeping world. While their membership is comprised of the makers of mattresses and all of their components, they also run the Better Sleep Council which is their consumer-facing arm. Check out this episode with Mary Helen Rogers for a more informed and sounder sleep.

Bio:

Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) has been committed to supporting the mattress industry through active public policy, public affairs, and education initiatives. It has grown to represent the full bedding industry on a host of commercial, health, safety and environmental issues, and serves to provide a positive image for the sleep products industry. ISPA's mission is to lead and advance the interests of the sleep products industry. With over 20 years of progressive sales, communications and marketing experience, Mary Helen Rogers currently serves as the VP Marketing and Communications for the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) and its consumer education group, the Better Sleep Council (BSC).

#307 Mindy Saffer of Cresa on Open Space Offices and Nonprofit Offices Oct 26, 2017

Show notes

Mindy Saffer -- rhymes with laugher -- is a Managing Principal at Cresa, the only company that solely represents the tenants/users of office spaces. Her specialty is working with nonprofits and we're thrilled to have her on the episode today to get some insight into what it takes to find a space that works for the wide variety of needs for different organizations. Think open office spaces are the worst invention ever, as Blake and Ernesto do? Mindy has an answer for that. She is an expert in finding space that suits your organization's day-to-day needs while addressing the varied demands of a multi-generational workforce and staying within a tight budget. Considering a move of your own? Join us for this episode and when you're done, why not leave us a review on iTunes or share with a colleague?

Cresa is the world's largest tenant-representation firm offering a complete line of integrated real estate services catering exclusively to tenants and corporate space users. Mindy Saffer is a commercial real estate consultant who started her career 30 years ago designing office space for the nonprofit community. In 1999, Mindy switched over to become a LEED Accredited real estate consultant. Mindy represents the most prominent and well-respected nonprofits and associations in the country on their real estate needs such as purchasing or selling buildings and leasing office space.

#306 Susannah Wellford of Running Start on Training Girls for Political Office Oct 23, 2017

Show notes

Susannah Wellford is the President & Founder of Running Start, an organization with an unusual mission -- to get girls and young women ready and excited about running for office. They start working with girls that are just 14, before they are jaded, and show them the ropes of how it's done. Many girls and young women are passionate about helping people through politics but are often hesitant because there are so rarely people in those roles that look like them. Running Start empowers these young women of all political leanings to use their voice and they have trained 12,000 so far. With only five (bipartisan) staff, the organization is able to train about 2500 per year and we can't wait to see what they do. Don't miss this episode for inspiration and hope for the future, and some clever ideas about making your annual events more memorable.

Bio:

Susannah Wellford has worked for the past 18+ years to raise the voice of young women in politics. As President of Running Start she trains high school and college young women from around the country in how and why to run for political office.

#305 Jeffrey Tenenbaum, Lawyer for Nonprofits with the Venable law firm Oct 19, 2017

Show notes

We're excited to bring you another show with Jeffrey Tenenbaum for some rare insight into the legal side of the nonprofit world. He is one of -- if not the -- leading expert on nonprofit law in the Washington, DC area and is consistently recognized for his work amongst lawyers around the country. He is the Chair of Venable's Nonprofit Organizations Practice Group and a Partner in the Venable law firm. They have the biggest nonprofit law practice in the country with 700 nonprofit clients of varying sizes with varying needs. Most of their business comes from referrals and Venable produces a significant amount of free legal content to help organizations like yours become better informed about potential legal challenges and how to navigate the legal system. This is definitely an episode not to miss.

#304 Stefanie Reeves of the Maryland Psychological Association on Running a Small State Association Oct 16, 2017

Show notes

Stefanie Reeves has spent much of her career running government affairs programs for large national associations but has recently transitioned to the broader role of Executive Director for the state organization -- the Maryland Psychological Association. The MPA works with the doctors that do talk therapy, rather than the ones that prescribe medicine. It's been a couple of years since that move but we chat with her about the changes and challenges of working in a staff of four instead of 600. Mental health is one of the most stigmatized areas of health to consider and insuring it is often more difficult than the obvious physical ailments like a broken arm.

The Maryland Psychological Association (MPA) is the professional membership association for psychologists and other mental health professionals in the state. Stefanie Reeves is the Executive Director of the Maryland Psychological Association based in Columbia, MD.

#303 Brian Turmail of the Associated General Contractors of America on Advocacy, Construction, and Podcasts Oct 12, 2017

Show notes

Blake returns! He's back from his travels creating podcasts for several different industries around the country, just in time to welcome Brian Turmail from the Associated General Contractors of America. The AGC represents the people who build pretty much every structure -- and the facilities that support them -- with the exception of homes. He is the Senior Executive Director of Public Affairs and helps tell the stories of general contractors, bridging the gap between what they really do and what people think they do. They are working to dispel the myth that every construction site is just a bunch of inconvenient orange cones and people standing around. Like most of our guests, he is a major advocate of taking the time to call your elected officials. They have had tremendous success with this approach by mobilizing people from the 26,000 firms they represent. Don't miss this episode... and if you've gleaned anything useful from our shows, we'd definitely appreciate you taking 3 minutes to write us a review on iTunes.

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is the leading association for the construction industry, representing more than 26,000 firms, including over 6,500 of America's leading general contractors, over 9,000 specialty-contracting firms, and more than 10,500 service providers, all through a nationwide network of chapters. Brian Turmail joined the AGC of America in 2008 as Senior Director of Public Affairs. Turmail started his professional career teaching second grade in the District of Columbia as part of Teach for America from 1995 to 1997. He ran the education practice for Washington, DC-based Hager Sharp Public Relations as a Senior Account Director from 1997 to 2001. He then served as the Vice President of Public Affairs for the Fund for the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, before taking a position as the Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration in 2002. After two years with the new security agency, Turmail took a position handling public affairs for the U.S. Department of Transportation. He served as Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta's Deputy Director of Public Affairs until 2006 and Secretary Mary Peter's Director of Public Affairs through 2008.

#302 Kathy Warnick and Joy Lutes of the National Association of Women Business Owners Oct 09, 2017

Show notes

Can you believe that women were unable to join the Chamber of Commerce until 1988 unless their husbands were members? That was one of the (many) reasons for the founding of the National Association of Women Business Owners in 1975 and we're thrilled to welcome Kathy Warnick, NAWBO's National Chair and Joy Lutes, the Vice President of External Affairs to chat about the groundbreaking work their organization has done over the past 42 years on behalf of the (now) more than 10 million women business owners in the U.S. As they say -- women couldn't get a seat at the table, so they made their own. Working with a network of 60 chapters around the country, they empower and inform women to access the capital they need to build and grow their businesses. NAWBO's big meeting is coming up on October 15 in Minneapolis and if you are an entrepreneurial woman -- or know someone who is -- don't miss this episode to hear from the women doing the boots on the ground work to make it possible.

Bio:

Founded in 1975, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the unified voice of the more than 10.1 million women business owners in the United States. Kathy Warnick currently serves as NAWBO National Board Chair. She is also the owner of Warnick Consultants, an accounting and financial management company based in Columbus, OH.

#301 Journalist and Writer Simon Owens on Connecting With Your Audience Oct 02, 2017

Show notes

Simon Owens is a returning guest to Through the Noise, having been one of our earliest guests on the show. He's a journalist employed by many who has departed from his freelance marketing career in favor of pursuing the leads and stories that call to him. Writing about tech, media, and marketing, his niche is broad enough to appeal to and provide important content for a huge range of people. Join us for a conversation about transitions in tech, getting and retaining subscribers, and the value of connecting with people through the intimate medium of podcasts. If you're a listener of Through the Noise, we'd definitely appreciate if you took a few minutes to let us know with a review on iTunes or your favorite podcast listening service. Have ideas to help us improve? We're into constructive criticism too.

Simon Owens is a longtime journalist, marketer, and PR professional. He began his career as a newspaper reporter covering local government in Virginia. In 2008, he moved to Washington, DC to work at a marketing agency while simultaneously serving as an associate editor at PBS' MediaShift. He has conducted PR, content marketing, and social media strategy for dozens of companies, organizations, and individuals, including Google, Comcast, Forbes, ESPN, C-SPAN, and Nike. For two years he was an assistant managing editor at US News & World Report where he built out the company's then-nascent social media presence. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, New York Magazine, Scientific American, Forbes, Harvard's Nieman Lab, The Next Web, Daily Dot, PBS.org, and US News & World Report.

#300 Sarah McCann of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association on Communications Sep 25, 2017

Show notes

Sarah McCann has spent a good deal of her career in aviation advocacy and has recently become the Director of Communications for General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Ernesto and Sarah discuss the ins and outs of working as a member of a "one man shop" -- running the communications program for the organization versus being part of a communications team. We also touch on membership -- how do you manage your communication planning when your membership is comprised of individuals compared to an association with member companies who each have their own communications team? Have you faced these challenges in your own career? Do you have a unique solution you'd like to share with Through the Noise listeners so everyone benefits? Get in touch! We're always booking future guests who have valuable lessons to offer our listeners.

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