Podcast
Impact Audio
Hosted by Submittable · EN
The podcast for social impact practitioners looking to connect big ideas with real impact. Join host Sam Caplan as he curates practical advice and inspiring stories from the people changing how we think about social change.
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Dispatch from PEAK 2026: Courage + systems
3w ago00:27:35Tap to summarizeThis episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Sam Caplan alongside PEAK Grantmaking managing director Sara Richman Sanders. They discuss their takeaways from the 2026 PEAK Grantmaking conference. They explore:• The evolving role of grant managers • How nonprofit leaders are leading with courage• What systems courageous leaders need
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Dispatch from NGMA 2026: The dust settles
4w ago00:29:11Tap to summarizeThis episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Submittable colleagues Sam Caplan and Ian Witthoeft, who sat down to discuss their experience at the 2026 National Grant Management Association Conference.They cover:• The new compliance paradigm • What to expect for Uniform Guidance • How governments are closing the tech gap
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PhilanthroPunks: Why today’s philanthropy calls for an old-school DIY punk attitude
Mar 600:57:42Tap to summarizeThis Impact Audio LIVE episode brings together five people who came up in the punk scene and now shape philanthropy and the nonprofit world. Together they’ll dig into the overlap between the punk ethos and purpose-driven work, including: • Honest takes on power and gatekeeping• Practical ideas for how the nonprofit sector can keep its edge while doing long-haul change work• How to prioritize real action over performative messagingSam Caplan, VP of social impact at SubmittableSam Caplan is the Vice President of Social Impact at Submittable, a platform that foundations, governments, nonprofits, and other changemakers use to launch, manage, and measure impactful granting and CSR programs. Inspired by the amazing work performed by practitioners of all stripes, Sam strives to help them achieve their missions through better, more effective software.Sam formerly served as founder of New Spark Strategy, Chief Information Officer at the Walton Family Foundation, and head of technology at the Walmart Foundation. He consults, advises, and writes on social impact technology, strategy, and innovation.Connect with or follow Sam on Linkedin, listen to his podcast Impact Audio, and subscribe to his bi-weekly newsletter The Review.John Mohr, CIO of the MacArthur FoundationJohn Mohr is the Chief Information Officer at the MacArthur Foundation. He oversees Foundation-wide technology services and planning and is responsible for developing a strong and sustainable information technology infrastructure. Prior to joining the MacArthur Foundation in 2012, John was the Director of Academic Systems at the University of Chicago. The 20 enterprise applications he supported serve student, academic, and campus activities. He planned initiatives across the academic and student IT areas. In previous roles at the university, John was the Director of the Web Services department where he led the redesign of the university's website. He also led the Project Management office and the implementation of the Alumni Development system. Prior to that, John led IT teams at early stage technology companies in Seattle, Washington. He was a key member of the leadership teams and had responsibility for technical operations, product development, strategic planning, and key relationships with technology partners and investors.Jenny Toomey, former director at the Ford Foundation Jenny Toomey is the former director of the Ford Foundation’s Catalyst Fund, a $50 million, three-year investment to build the field of Public Interest Technology, and previously led efforts to expand access, transparency, innovation, and participation in the internet. Prior to Ford, Jenny co-founded the independent record label Simple Machines, and was a punk rock musician and composer performing on 12 albums, dozens of compilation records and singles, and a musical.Alex Daniels, senior reporter of the Chronicle of PhilanthropyBefore joining the Chronicle in 2013, Alex covered Congress and national politics for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He covered the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns and reported extensively about Walmart Stores for the Little Rock paper.Alex was an American Political Science Association congressional fellow and also completed Paul Miller Washington Reporting and International Reporting Project fellowships.Aleda Gagarin, VP of influence at Candid As VP of Influence, Aleda leads Candid’s thought leadership, strategic coalitions, and campaigns to increase Candid’s collective impact and support a stronger social sector. She directs the Influence teams, including Communications and Brand Awareness, Development, Partnerships, and Partnership Operations. In close collaboration with the CEO and executive team, Aleda is responsible for creating and executing Candid’s influence strategy, defining how Candid shows up in the world—what we say, how we say it, and who we partner with.Aleda is passionate about making connections, solving problems, advocating for resources, and shifting power structures. She began her career in advocacy as a program assistant at the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 2004, later served as sales and membership coordinator for Institutional Investor, and worked with North Star Planning and Evaluation Consultants as a researcher. Aleda joined Candid via the Foundation Center in 2013 as a development associate, and with the evolvement of her strong leadership skills, advanced to development manager, director, senior director of development, and associate vice president of development.
Transcribe →Ann Mei Chang on how data will shape the next era of nonprofit work
Jan 600:39:28Tap to summarizeThis episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Ann Mei Change, CEO of Candid. She digs into how data can help create a new status quo for the nonprofit sector. She explores:• The tools that are changing how nonprofits use data • How timelines and expectations can shift to better support innovation • How nonprofits should calibrate their approach to AI
Transcribe →Why don't more people give?
Oct 1500:28:42Tap to summarizeThis episode of the Impact Audio explores the invisible forces that can nudge people away from (or toward) charitable giving. Sam Caplan digs into research, chats with a social psychologist, and breaks down why some common tactics to encourage donations can actually backfire. He covers:• Why context is more important than you think • How a focus on ROI can get in the way• What to do when the problem feels too bigEpisode Notes:• Read the research on prosocial behavior• Check out the experiments focused on calculative mindset• Dig into the study by Matthew Chao on demotivating incentives in charitable giving• Read about the adverse effect of choice in donation decisions• Learn more about pseudoinefficacy• Find out how unfairness can impact charitable donations• Dig into the role of identity in charitable giving• To learn more about Submittable’s groundbreaking Microsoft Teams integration, visit submittable.com/teams
Transcribe →Dispatch from ACCP 2025: Andrea Bell & Sam Caplan On How CSR Is Adapting
Sep 3000:26:51Tap to summarizeThis episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Andrea Bell, Director of CSR Learning Programs at ACCP. She sits down with Sam Caplan to share their thoughts and takeaways from the 2025 ACCP Annual Conference.Andrea and Sam discuss:Why CSR leaders must develop serious business acumen alongside their impact expertiseThe shift from measuring only external impact to demonstrating internal business valueWhy resilient leadership matters more than ever in uncertain timesLinks:Follow Andrea on LinkedInFollow Sam on LinkedinLearn more about ACCPRead ACCP’s insights blogMore about the 2025 ACCP Annual ConferenceListen to our recent episode with ACCP CEO, Andrea WoodListen to our 2024 episode with former ACCP CEO, Carolyn BerkowitzCheck out keynote speaker, Luvvie Ajayi Jones’, book “Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual”
Transcribe →David Callahan on the rise of mega donors 'parachuting in' to reshape philanthropy
Sep 900:32:26Tap to summarizeThis episode of the Impact Audio podcast features David Callahan, founder and editor-in-chief of Inside Philanthropy. Sam and David explore the current landscape of today’s mega donors and how the ultrarich will shape the future of philanthropy.David breaks down:• The current “cultures” of mega donors in the US.• Why and how mega donors are rejecting the traditional foundation model.• The role heirs will play in changing how philanthropy gets done.
Transcribe →Project Evident on Why AI Could Be Philanthropy’s ‘Coming of Age’ Moment
Aug 2600:45:37Tap to summarizeThis episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Project Evident’s founder and CEO Kelly Fitzsimmons and CIO Sarah Di Troia. They dig into how AI is empowering the social impact sector and what practitioners need to do their best work. They break down:• Why “do no harm” is not a solid AI strategy• How evidence powers innovation•Why AI requires a new level of collaboration for the social sector
Transcribe →All the small print: Government grantmakers redefine their role in 2025
Aug 1200:39:05Tap to summarizeThis episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Tip Tucker Kendall, executive director of NGMA, and Lashon Brown, president of NGMA. They break down how the role of public sector grantmakers is changing. They cover:• Where grantmakers’ focus should be right now• How public scrutiny is reshaping the landscape• What community means to the sector
Transcribe →What is the new normal in government grantmaking?
Jul 800:37:21Tap to summarizeThis episode of the Impact Audio podcast features Matthew Hanson, managing director of grants and policy at Witt O’Brien’s. He shares the effects of change at the federal level and how public sector grantmakers can help reshape the future of the sector. Matthew covers:• The expanded role states will likely play in delivering funds • How grantmakers can break down silos between departments • Where grant management tech fits into the new landscape of public sector fundingThe episode was recorded just before the Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025.
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