In this episode, Brad sits down with John Hudson, the founder of 100 Fold Studio, a nonprofit international architecture firm based in Montana that serves both the spiritual and physical needs of communities worldwide. John shares how 100 Fold uniquely blends architecture with vocational discipleship—designing for ministries while equipping the next generation of architects to use their skills for God's kingdom. John’s journey is one of faith, resilience, and obedience to a calling greater than ...
Mar 07, 2025•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Learning about Water Street Mission’s decade-long transformation to become a place that physically demonstrates the love of Christ–especially to those experiencing homelessness–would be a great story. The bonus is that, in this podcast, you will also get to know Jack Crowley who has been serving with the organization over 30 years and now serves as its president. His reflection on their strategic planning process? “I didn’t want it to be Jack’s strategic plan, and I knew there was a possibility ...
Feb 26, 2025•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join us as we explore the transformative journey of leadership with Nigel Pollock, President of InterVarsity Canada. Tasked with revitalizing a nearly century-old ministry, Nigel began his tenure facing a $6 million debt, only to encounter the added challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic soon after. Through it all, he has focused on fostering a culture of kindness, trust, and acceptance, while introducing innovative strategies to advance their mission. In this episode, Nigel shares timeless wisdom,...
Feb 10, 2025•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Thomas Keown grew up in Northern Ireland during “The Troubles,” a time of conflict that deeply formed him. Inspired by this experience, Thomas dedicated himself to serving others facing similar struggles and empowering them to create solutions within their own communities. In this episode, Thomas shares the powerful story behind founding Many Hopes, and his counter-intuitive learning that to fundraise well, sometimes you need to slow down. Books Recommendations “Crucial Conversations: Tools for ...
Jan 28, 2025•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brad, Dan, and Jamie from The FOCUS Group bring a mix of humor and expertise to tackle a crucial topic in nonprofit fundraising: year-end appeals. Fundraising can feel daunting—Who should you target? What's the best way to execute your strategy? How do you follow up effectively? Join us as we break it all down, share actionable insights, and offer practical tips to help make your year-end fundraising campaigns more manageable—and successful. TheFOCUSGroup.com
Dec 23, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you ever feel like God has called you to a big, challenging task? So did Rim Hinckley, founder and Head of School at The Geneva School of Manhattan. She started her career as a math teacher but soon found herself in NYC feeling the tug to respond to late pastor Tim Keller’s question: “What does this city really need?” Being faithful to answer that question has not been an easy road, but Rim shares, “Our timing is not the same as God’s, but when he delivers us, it’s more amazing than we can im...
Dec 18, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Service, Learning & People. Romanita calls these the “red threads” that have been woven into her life and work since she was little. Her current role as CEO of M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is simply the next step in her journey of living out these themes and following the quiet leading in her life. As a leader, she seeks to lift up and empower everyone around her by listening well and always investing in people. https://murdocktrust.org/ Book recommendations: A Testament of Devotion by Thomas K...
Nov 18, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Andrew Smalley is UK-born, loves running and triathlons, and relishes the role he gets to play as head of school in St. Augustine, FL. Hear about Andrew’s journey to his current leadership role and the joy he finds in furthering classical Christian education. The school is in the process of launching a capital campaign, and Andrew knows that to do it well, “You have to start with a strategic plan that tells you what you need to raise money for.” https://veritasclassicalschool.org Books Mentioned...
Nov 04, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Reid Saunders is an evangelist who has led his organization for 27 years. During the past 15 years of Brad and Reid's friendship, RSA has grown 10x and has seen a million people make decisions to follow Jesus worldwide! Enjoy this inspiring and fun interview. Our prayer is that you are encouraged in your journey. Reid’s Book Recommendation: Finishing Strong: Going the Distance for Your Family by Steve Farrar Links: https://reidsaunders.org/ https://reidsaunders.org/books/ Book mentioned: Stories...
Oct 15, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast When I first learned about Medical Ambassadors International, the scale of their ministry relative to their budget seemed so crazy that it was almost too good to be true. In this episode, we dive deep with Dr. Ravi Jayakaran, the current President, to explore this incredible Christ-centered, grassroots organization. Their holistic approach beautifully intertwines physical and spiritual care, creating lasting change in communities. We’ll also discuss their recent capital campaign, which has drama...
Sep 23, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Playing two truths and a lie with Trinidad-born Dr. Wintley Phipps would be tricky. It’s hard to fathom the number of famous people whose paths he has crossed—whether singing for Mother Theresa or for one of six different U.S. Presidents, or at Diana Ross’s wedding, or a divine appointment with a young and not-yet-famous Oprah Winfrey. However, one such “chance” meeting on an Amtrak commute with Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship founder, eventually led to his passion for youth and the founding of ...
Sep 09, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Felix Theonugraha, President of Western Theological Seminary shares how he sees fundraising as a way to minister to and care for his donor partners. As many seminaries are struggling, Western, instead is leaning into their distinctives such as focus on mental health and Hispanic ministry. Part of their current capital campaign is raising funding to further innovative initiatives including ministry to those with disabilities and a center for Christian imagination. https://www.westernsem.edu/...
Aug 20, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ray Keen exudes wisdom and compassion. He’s a veteran CEO of The Canby Center, a wrap-around care ministry to youth and families in a small town in Oregon. Even as a growing organization–they are currently finishing up a $10 million campaign to expand their facilities and services– they seek to emphasize dignity and learning for everyone they serve. Advice to his younger self? "Get to know the Lord, yourself, and those you serve." The Canby Center: thecanbycenter.org Book List: Practicing the Wa...
Aug 05, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chuck Hagele, CEO of Project Patch , is no stranger to darkness. The ministry he leads provides therapeutic residential programs for teens struggling with severe depression, anxiety and other acute challenges. Through fundraising, they strive to say "Yes" to kids needing treatment even if finances are a barrier. Chuck discusses the difficulties of learning his role, including transitioning leadership from the founder (who also happens to be his father-in-law.) Some helpful books he is reading ar...
Jul 22, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mandy Arioto wrote a book about fun. She loves to give unusual gifts. She's also the President and CEO of the organization that led 58,000 women to follow Christ last year. Through her leadership of MomCo (formerly MOPS), she has transformed from seeing fundraising as a "necessary evil" to considering it one of the biggest blessings of her role. Mandy's book is: Have More Fun: How to Be Remarkable, Stop Feeling Stuck, and Start Enjoying Life https://www.themom.co/home She has recently enjoyed re...
Jul 08, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this special Juneteenth edition of the podcast, we interview Lisa Fields, a prominent apologist, speaker and founder of the Jude 3 Project. The Jude 3 Project exists to help equip the black Christian community to know what they believe and why they believe it. Lisa is also an expert on Juneteenth and led the production of a recent faith-filled documentary picked up by PBS. If you are not familiar with Lisa and her work, you absolutely should be. Her book: When Faith Disappoints: The Gap Betwe...
Jun 21, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast As God laid on his heart a desire to re-orient education to the focus of glorifying God, David Nees was drawn to classical education. He is now the Head of School at Heritage Classical Academy outside Cleveland, OH, and has led the school through a phenomenal season of growth in the last decade. More students often leads to a need for new physical spaces, and Heritage is, indeed, in the midst of a campaign to consolidate multiple campuses into one. A book that David recommends is: George Washing...
Jun 11, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hear from Ty Fischer, a 27-year veteran Head of School at Veritas Academy in Lancaster, PA. He shares about the need for humility in asking for help with fundraising as well as the surprising diversity God has brought to his school via the refugee community. For a school nestled in Amish country, it has been an unexpected blessing to have students from over 10 different countries become part of this classical school community. Some books that Ty is reading are: Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't G...
Jun 05, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Oliver Asher, President of Advancing Native Missions, tells his story of a journey from a Virginia "Holler" to leading an organization that takes good news to the world. From him we hear about joy, optimism, commitment, and strategies he has employed to lead his growing organization successfully and effectively. Read more about Advancing Native Missions, Oliver, and his book “Invincible Joy!” https://advancingnativemissions.com/ https://www.oliverasher.com/
Apr 25, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Calvin Troup, President of Geneva College opens up about his personal journey into higher ed and shares invaluable insights he's gleaned along the way that will benefit any fundraising professional. Delve into Geneva College's strategic planning process, feasibility studies and pivotal elements in their successful capital campaign. But beyond strategies, discover the profound significance of fostering real relationships and pursuing transparency throughout the fundraising process. Mentioned ...
Apr 09, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Here’s the story of Ben Homan, President of Langham Partnership US, finishing his 14-year career with them. When it comes to fundraising, Brad says, “Follow Ben!” He has had a remarkable ministry as a leader and has seen the ministry multiply three times over this past capital campaign. He has used strategic planning, feasibility studies, capital campaigns, and team training in his fund-raising efforts. Perhaps the more important thing is how Ben sees his work with donors as a ministry. How he c...
Mar 26, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Listen to Beth Greco explain to Brad how she became the President and CEO of the Hoving Home, what has happened along the way, and how she manages to get the work done.
Mar 14, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Brad Layland interviews Dave Owens, Executive Director of the Harbor Network. Learn about this church planting network and how Dave carries out his fundraising to help it all happen.
Feb 27, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast What do Punta Gorda, Florida, Australia, and Macedonia have in common? Brooke Filipovski! This remarkable young woman has raised support and ministered to young people in some interesting places. Enjoy her story!
Feb 15, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Brad Layland interviews Tom Lin, the president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since 2016.
Jan 24, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Brad Layland interviews David Brickner of Jews For Jesus.
Jan 12, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and Dan Kennedy discuss year-end appeals, the good the bad, and the ugly.
Dec 08, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and John Ranheim discuss major gifts, why they're given and why you should be encouraged!
Mar 28, 2023•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome special guest Jon Eisenberg, Executive Vice President of Development and Chief Development Officer at Intervarsity. Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and Jon Eisenberg discuss their first exposures to fundraising for ministry and how it has led them to the national campaigns they lead today.
Feb 28, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast A podcast a year in the making! Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad summarizes, critiques, and praises the End of Year Appeals he received last year.
Dec 06, 2022•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
