Secrets of Social Impact Communicators: A Silver Maple Strategies Podcast with Nate Birt

Episode Summary:

In this teaching episode of Secrets of Social Impact Communicators, host Nate Birt, founder of Silver Maple Strategies, coaches nonprofit leaders navigating an increasingly uncertain economy.

What can you as a nonprofit leader do to navigate volatility and come out ahead? A lot, actually! Here are five practical, actionable strategies you can implement immediately whether you’re up against government shutdowns, mixed economic signals, or donor unpredictability. And you can take these actions without burning out or losing your mission-driven focus.

Whether you're in survival mode or looking to build new mo...

Duration: 00:21:23

How do you lead a nonprofit with clarity, morale, and flexibility when the world around you is rapidly changing?

In this episode of Secrets of Social Impact Communicators, Nate Birt sits down with Beverly Coberly, CEO of Extension Foundation, for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation on what it means to lead through complexity without losing your values, your vision, or your team’s energy.

Bev brings deep insight from her decades-long career in the U.S. Cooperative Extension System. She shares insights about nonprofit leadership from her days growing up on a Missouri dairy farm to...

Duration: 00:49:54

Episode Summary

In this episode of Secrets of Social Impact Communicators, host Nate Birt speaks with Mike Servello, Founder and CEO of Compassion Coalition, Inc. Mike shares how his nonprofit has grown from a providential beginning in Utica, New York, into a model for feeding millions of people without taking on debt or relying on ongoing government funding.

You’ll hear how a donated warehouse and early support from Walmart launched an innovative system of community grocery stores that transformed entire neighborhoods once labeled as “food deserts.” Mike also unpacks why restoring dignity matters just as muc...

Duration: 00:54:43

Soil health. Sustainable ag. Regenerative practices. These topics are no longer niche. They're front and center in conversations about the future of food, farming, and resilience.

This week on Secrets of Social Impact Communicators, I sit down with Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, president of Field to Market, a nonprofit coalition of nearly 200 organizations working to advance sustainable agriculture. Carrie is a sixth-generation farmer, coalition-builder, and lifelong learner who is passionate about helping farmers thrive while stewarding the environment.

We explore what it means to lead in a complex, often-polarized ecosystem, and how Carrie has learned to build...

Duration: 00:44:02

Too many hiring systems are broken, and moms are often the ones getting left behind. But what if there was a better way?

In this inspiring episode, I talk with Mary Kay Ziniewicz, founder and CEO of Bus Stop Mamas, about how she’s radically reimagining what work can look like for mothers. From her early career in law firm marketing to building a national platform that connects talented women with flexible, meaningful jobs, Mary Kay is a force for challenging outdated assumptions and rebuilding the hiring process with humans at the center.

You'll hear ho...

Duration: 00:53:45

What if the path to real social impact began with letting go?

In this episode, I sit down with Alfredo Mathew III, founder and CEO of SPCC One—the world’s first Shared Prosperity Community Corporation. Alfredo is a former public school educator turned social entrepreneur who’s building a bold, transformative model that reimagines capital, ownership, and community.

Alfredo shares how his work empowers small businesses—especially Black and Brown-owned enterprises—to band together, unlock capital, and drive systemic change through shared prosperity models rooted in economic democracy and collective ownership.

We also dive in...

Duration: 00:51:00

Do you ever feel like you're encountering a series of neverending bottlenecks within your nonprofit? Here at Silver Maple Strategies, we see this all the time - and it's nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary, it's part of the natural growth of any purpose-driven organization. The best part? There are tremendous solutions available to any leader looking to break through bottlenecks and deliver increasingly higher levels of impact. In this episode, I'll teach you how. It really boils down to focusing your attention and strategy in three key areas:

Mindset: Erase doubt, stop denying your own...

Duration: 00:38:27

Are you struggling to get noticed by funders and strategic partners — even though your nonprofit is doing critical, impactful work?

In this episode, I'll walk you through the essential keys to making your nonprofit brand unforgettable. Drawing on insights from more than 17 years in communications and 8+ years advising nonprofit leaders, I share the most common branding challenges nonprofits face today — and the exact steps you can take to rise above the noise.

You’ll learn how to shift your mindset from “surviving” to “thriving” and build a brand that funders remember, partners rally behind, and your team is p...

Duration: 00:54:40

In this episode, I walk nonprofit leaders through timely strategies for building fundraising resilience in a complex and fast-evolving 2025 landscape.

You'll walk away with actionable ideas, renewed confidence, and a powerful framework to tackle today’s toughest fundraising challenges.

I introduce our team's proprietary Resilience Leadership Model, crafted to help nonprofit organizations navigate change with purpose and strategy. You’ll learn why so many nonprofits struggle with silos, underutilize AI, and fall into reactive patterns—and how to break free.

Plus, I share behind-the-scenes insights from my 8+ years working alongside nonprofit leaders on:

<...

Duration: 00:51:18

In this episode, I sit down with Eva Goulbourne, Founder and CEO of Littlefoot Ventures, for a fascinating discussion of why this is a historic moment for addressing climate change via food and agriculture.

Eva's food systems and sustainability strategy firm focuses on using food systems transformation as the climate solution. She brings extensive expertise serving both for-profit and nonprofit executives including food business technology companies, venture capital, nonprofits, and family philanthropy. 

Eva's passion for food and its ability to connect people and transform lives began before the age of 10, when she became a loyal s...

Duration: 00:48:11

In this episode of Secrets of Social Impact Communicators, I welcome Jan Barlow, founder of Better Job Fit, for an insightful conversation on career transitions, leadership, and purpose-driven work. Jan shares her incredible journey from a successful corporate career in pharmaceuticals to creating an organization that helps vulnerable populations such as veterans and foster care communities transition into civilian work.

Jan opens up about her own career challenges, including the burnout that came from working outside of her strengths and how it led her to rethink her path. She now uses her extensive experience in job matching t...

Duration: 00:39:33

In this episode, B3C Global CEO and Founder Cytandra Hoover shares her fascinating experiences building climate resilience in local communities and advancing equity across the world. Cytandra is a seasoned expert in global social impact and inclusive insurance. You'll learn something new and be inspired in equal measure, I promise!

In This Episode:

Cytandra's Background: Discover how her childhood experiences traveling with her botanist father and witnessing global disparities in conflict zones and places devastated by natural disasters shaped her career path. The Power of Microinsurance: Learn about microinsurance's role in protecting vulnerable populations against...

Duration: 00:38:29

In this fascinating episode, we dive deep into the world of social impact crowdfunding with Devin Thorpe, the CEO and Champion of Social Good at Super Crowd Inc. Devin, an acclaimed author, speaker, and a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs and investors alike, shares valuable insights into leveraging crowdfunding for meaningful social change.

Highlights from our conversation include:

Devin's Journey: Learn about Devin's transition from finance to focusing on making a meaningful difference through social impact. His story is a testament to the power of leveraging financial expertise for the greater good. Understanding Crowdfunding: Devin demystifies...

Duration: 00:54:32

In this episode, I'm delighted to introduce you to Tamika Bickham, founder, CEO, and creative director at TB Media Group. We bonded immediately over our shared background in journalism and dived into a fascinating discussion of human-centered storytelling. 

During our conversation, Tamika discusses her journey into purpose-driven work, shares real-life examples of powerful stories that address challenging issues with authenticity and human connection, and discusses how to build a meaningful legacy. 

You'll get so much from hearing Tamika share how brands are leveraging video to bring authentic stories to the world -- creating connection and br...

Duration: 00:43:01

In this episode, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Deborah Marshall, director of sales and marketing at Missouri Life, an iconic B2C media brand in my adoptive state of Missouri. Deborah is a true leader in the world of sales, marketing, and purpose-driven communication.

During our conversation, Deborah talks about where her best ideas come from - and how other social impact communicators can spark their own creativity. She also talks about the promise of risk-taking and the value of collaboration to create amazing, powerful storytelling. 

You'll also capture powerful ideas for strengthening your l...

Duration: 00:47:24

Have you ever worked with a communications consultant - or considered hiring one? In my latest episode, I sit down for a fantastic conversation with Jacque Matsen, owner and president of Relate Strategies LLC. Jacque's communications consulting firm specializes in a range of services including communications strategy planning, thought leadership development, crisis response planning, and much more. 

Jacque offers a window into her passion for purpose-driven work and how it shapes every decision she makes at Relate Strategies. As a seasoned communications executive, she reveals the must-have qualities of the best communications consultants and provides invaluable tips f...

Duration: 00:31:26

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Bing Chat are transforming all kinds of industries - and social impact communicators should pay attention. 

In this week's episode, I chat with Grantable Cofounder and CEO Philip Deng about what the rise of artificial intelligence means for grant writers, grant consultants, and anyone seeking funding from grants. 

Learn how you can save time and gain efficiency on the tedious parts of grant proposals while recapturing the creativity and problem-solving that humans do best. 

Plus, we talk about navigating the ups and downs of purpose-driven work, mea...

Duration: 00:33:32

Have you ever pursued grant funding and wondered, "What's up with this 'match' or 'matching funds' requirement?" You're not alone! In this episode, I'll help you unpack the concept of "match" and "matching funds," whether you're pursuing a government grant or funding from private philanthropy. 

To keep things fun for you, I'm going to explain how match is like co-hosting a party with a friend. Your assignment? To bring all the resources and expertise to the table to create a great, effective, and life-changing program of work for the people you serve in your social impact work. Duration: 00:05:38

As important as your social impact mission is, nothing can get back those moments with family and friends you cherish. So whatever you're doing this week, be intentional about closing out your work and dedicating time to the people who matter to you.

This week's episode is short and sweet - enjoy!

Duration: 00:02:17

Energy is as essential to your social impact communication career as water is to life. Yet it's often invisible, tough to access and hard to sustain.

In this episode, I explain how you can find it, draw from it and maintain it to propel your career (and life) to the next level. 

Enjoy the episode? Thanks for listening! Please hit the "Subscribe" button, then rate and review the show. 

Interested in learning more about social impact strategy, social impact fundraising, content marketing and thought leadership? Check out these resources: 

Subscribe to my fre...

Duration: 00:08:08

Have you ever been asked, "So what do you do?" If the answer is yes, and you work in social impact communication, you might have struggled to come up with a good answer.

In this episode, I walk you through a quick framework for how to explain what you do to others. 

Enjoy the episode? Thanks for listening! Please hit the "Subscribe" button, then rate and review the show. 

Interested in learning more about social impact strategy, content marketing and thought leadership? Check out these resources: 

Subscribe to my free email newsletter, Sec...

Duration: 00:07:24

Are you a growth junkie looking to make your mark on the world? You've come to the right place!

My name is Nate Birt, and I'm a social impact content strategist, copy writer, coach (read: encourager) and public speaker. I help tell social purpose leaders' stories, strengthen their families and convene their tribe.As a husband, father of 4 and growth junkie, what I love best of all is helping leaders achieve their dreams on the clock and at home with the people they love most.

Join me for practical insights you can put to work...

Duration: 00:00:47