In this episode we explore the fifth part in our series on the building blocks of nonprofit storytelling—When. Learn why timing matters in your fundraising, from year-end campaigns to creating urgency with matching gifts, celebrating donor milestones, and telling powerful follow-up stories. Plus, practical steps to plan your storytelling calendar. Mentioned in this episode: Fully Funded Academy The Bible Project: Looking Back at 2025 and Ahead to 2026 10 Years and 500 Episodes: The Story of Bibl...
Mar 25, 2026•17 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Clarifying and sharing your “Why” builds trust, connects with supporters, and sets your mission apart. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!...
Mar 10, 2026•21 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling Series. You've found Life and Mission in a series on the six building blocks of storytelling: Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How. So far, we’ve looked at WHO and WHAT. Today, we’re looking at WHERE. Where are you? Where do you do what you do? You can help donors feel the "atmosphere" of your location — bring them closer, let them see and hear and taste and smell. Let them feel the weight of the place, get some sense of the challenges (or joy) of work...
Feb 24, 2026•17 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling Series We’re in the middle of our series on the six building blocks of storytelling: Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How. Today, we’re diving into WHAT. The “what” of your story can do so much more than just describe your work. In this episode, I’ll show you how your “whats” can help move people from surface-level giving to true, heart-level involvement with your cause. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources ...
Feb 10, 2026•24 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling series. In this episode, we dig into the “Who” of nonprofit storytelling—who you are, who you serve, and who your donor is. I’ll share why getting clear on these three characters builds trust, honors the people in your stories, and helps donors see themselves as true partners in your mission. When you get the WHO right, your writing stops feeling like a sales pitch and starts feeling like an invitation to a shared mission. Send me your questions Suppor...
Jan 27, 2026•26 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Today, and in the next few episodes, we’re going all the way back to the most basic building blocks of storytelling: who, what, where, why, when and how. Simply including these in your content isn’t enough. Over the next few episodes, we’ll discover how using these building blocks effectively can move you from just reporting dry facts to building a world your donor can step into. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits...
Jan 13, 2026•21 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Whether you're a missionary, a nonprofit leader, a change maker of any kind, you know that a powerful story can open hearts for people to join you in your mission. In season 4 of the Life and Mission Podcast, we're looking at the building blocks of every persuasive story: who, what, where, why, when, and how. Sounds basic, But I'll offer a few twists that you might not have heard before. Grab your notebook and get ready to tell stories that build relationships and raise more for your mission! ...
Jan 13, 2026•57 sec
In this episode, I'm answering questions about nonprofit newsletters. How many newsletters should you send? How fancy do they need to be? What else can you do with those stories? Why send a print newsletter by mail when you can send email instead? One key thing you don't want to leave out. ------------ Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in respo...
Feb 08, 2024•13 min•Ep. 98
Storytelling is an essential skill for fundraisers. What do stories do? Stories help us connect. Compelling stories increase empathy. Stories reflect our values. Stories reveal truths. Stories help us see others in a new way. Stories give us context. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'l...
Dec 07, 2023•8 min•Ep. 97
The time between Thanksgiving and December 31 is by far the biggest giving season of the year. People expect you to ask. If you don't, the assumption will likely be that you don't need their money.Here's what you need to do now. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great reso...
Nov 07, 2023•11 min•Ep. 96
You know you need to tell more stories to raise funds - but where do you find these stories? In this episode, I share five ways to find the stories you need. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's read...
Oct 13, 2023•16 min•Ep. 95
In the Food Network show Chopped, just before chefs present their first dish to the judges, they must answer the question, “What would it mean for you to win?” It's a question every nonprofit must answer. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign...
Sep 12, 2023•5 min•Ep. 94
Do you think of yourself as an expert? Maybe you should. We need you to share your knowledge and experience with us. ----- Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!...
Aug 23, 2023•9 min•Ep. 93
Your supporters want to help. Asking them for advice helps you and engages them at a deeper level. You’ll both be glad you did! Often, when you ask for advice, supporters will tell you exactly how they prefer to be asked for money. The transparency you show in conversations around how you raise funds invites them to also be transparent about how they approach giving. This isn’t a trick to get them to give more. It is an invitation to understand each other and to come into a closer relationship. ...
Aug 10, 2023•12 min•Ep. 92
In the last episode, we looked at gaps in your storytelling that cause friction. This week, we’re looking at friction in the donation process. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!...
Jul 11, 2023•11 min•Ep. 91
Why aren't people giving? Maybe there's too much friction–little things in your messaging or in your presentation that cause hesitation or second-guessing. This week we look at friction in storytelling, and what to do about it. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resou...
Jun 28, 2023•15 min•Ep. 90
Every story needs change, regardless of the story's focus. By recognizing this and emphasizing it, you can engage and connect with your audience more effectively. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's...
Jun 14, 2023•16 min•Ep. 89
Sports can teach us a lot about nonprofit storytelling. In this episode, we're looking at two examples of sports using storytelling to reach people and to teach people – two things all nonprofits need to do. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. S...
May 15, 2023•12 min•Ep. 88
If you've got a book, you need a course to go with it. Here's my interview with the man who can help you do that, Dr. Lucas Marino. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know when it's ready!...
Apr 28, 2023•38 min•Ep. 87
When we are writing to move someone to action, we must be clear. Not clever. Only crystal clear will do. I recently attended the Hope Words conference for writers, where one of the speakers was Katherine Paterson. Mrs. Paterson is the author of over 40 books and the recipient of many awards for her writing, including two Newberry Medals. She told us about a time when she got a note from her long-time editor about a certain paragraph. She had taken great care with this paragraph and she held it d...
Apr 10, 2023•11 min•Ep. 86
As ministry practitioners and nonprofit communicators, we are often called to sit with difficult stories of human suffering and injustice. Even though we are storytellers, not every story is for sharing. Our words are also meant for remembering, exploring, questioning, and hoping. Resources Mark Vroegop, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament Michael Card, A Sacred Sorrow: Reaching Out to God in the Lost Language of Lament (Quiet Times for the Heart) Links may be affiliate link...
Mar 15, 2023•7 min•Ep. 85
Parables have a way of getting around our defenses, short-circuiting our stereotypes, and making us think in new ways. In this episode, we're looking at the role of parables in Jesus' ministry, and how you can use stories to break through walls in your nonprofit's messaging. Check out Jesus' parable in Matthew 13, and his answer to the disciples when they ask why he tells so many stories. Things to think about: What misconceptions, bad information, political twists, outdated approaches, prejudic...
Mar 04, 2023•26 min•Ep. 84
The Fundraising Super Bowl is your nonprofit's big game - and winning looks like raising the funds you need to serve. Here are some lessons from that "other" big game. Football coaching legend Vince Lombardi famously said to his almost-champion Green Bay Packers team, “Gentlemen, this is a football.” What he meant was they needed to execute the basics well, if they expected to win the big championship game. They had failed to win the championship the year before. But by focusing on the basics, t...
Feb 16, 2023•9 min•Ep. 83
Being a guest on podcasts is a great way to share your message. Here's your guide to being a great podcast guest. Find full show notes and a checklist at lifeandmission.com Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my emails so you'll know...
Feb 01, 2023•20 min•Ep. 82
In this interview with Eric Nevins, founder of the Christian Podcasters Association, we discuss the potential waiting to be unlocked through podcasting. Eric hosts the Halfway There Podcast . Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you soon. Sign up for my em...
Jan 16, 2023•29 min•Ep. 81
This week on Life and Mission: End-of-year fundraising may be over, but that only sets up some key messaging for January. In this episode, I'll give you three key messages to send donors in January (plus a bonus). Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and suggestions, and I'll have some great resources for you s...
Jan 12, 2023•17 min•Ep. 80
In this episode, Kent Sanders shares his process for ghostwriting and collaborating on book projects. Plus, thoughts on structure and creativity, and his latest project - a book about Elvis. Kent is the author of 18 Words to Live By: A Father's Wisdom on What Matters Most , and The Artist's Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey , and co-author of Performance-Driven Giving: The Roadmap to Unleashing the Power of Generosity in Your Life . He recently collaborated with Billy Stanley for ...
Dec 08, 2022•50 min•Ep. 79
When things don't turn out as planned, a well-told setback story can give donors another reason to support you. Here are some of the stories you can tell around a setback: Explain the process of change your beneficiaries go through. Focus on one aspect of the change process and help supporters understand why it's such a hurdle. Share a story about the setting that causes difficulties in the change process. Feature something in your work that deals specifically with one of those hurdles. When you...
Nov 15, 2022•11 min•Season 3Ep. 78
I have a love-hate relationship with conferences and networking events. While I love to meet new people and to learn new things, large or busy events can get overwhelming. I'm an introvert. I like my alone time. After a lot of activity, conversations, and noise, I need to go somewhere quiet and recharge. Last week's Daily Writer Retreat got me thinking about the advantage of smaller events (at least for me). This was a two-day event, with dinner together at a local restaurant the night before. I...
Oct 26, 2022•22 min•Season 3Ep. 77
The tables are turned as fundraising expert Mary Valloni interviews Kay about using stories to connect with donors. We talked about: Using stories to connect Where we go wrong with storytelling Stories for people in admin roles Telling your own origin story The key story we forget Missionary fundraising training with Mary Valloni fullyfundedacademy.com Level up your storytelling skills with Kay missionwriters.org kayhelm.com Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of...
Sep 28, 2022•41 min•Season 3Ep. 76
