Podcast Summary: RKD Group: Thinkers

Episode: What Nonprofit Leaders Learned in 2025

Date: January 2, 2026
Host: RKD Group (Justin McCord & Ronnie Richard)

Overview

This special "clips episode" of RKD Group: Thinkers takes listeners on a journey through the past year in nonprofit marketing, reflecting on pivotal trends, memorable conversations, and the personal stories that shaped the sector in 2025. Hosts Justin McCord and Ronnie Richard revisit impactful moments with industry innovators, focusing on four major threads: the evolution of AI, the human element in fundraising, purpose-driven career changes, and the resilience required to thrive amid constant change. The episode blends insights, relatable humor, and heartfelt reflection—culminating in favorite podcast bloopers and a look ahead to 2026.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AI’s Transformation of Nonprofit Work

(Timestamps: 03:31–10:39)

• AI as a Practical Tool:

  • The conversation highlights how AI tools like ChatGPT, Apple Intelligence, Gemini, and Claude have become integral, not just for marketers but for daily nonprofit operations.
  • Notable Clip: Mark Cross (Hatch) shares how AI served as a step-by-step "copilot" during the launch of his business, helping navigate everything from legal filings to HR questions.

    • "You can go one step further and there’s no dumb questions about like, literally tell me step one, step two, step three—how do I do this?" — Mark Cross [06:04]

• AI vs. Human Touch in Fundraising:

  • Tim Sarantonio (Fundraising Effectiveness Project) weighs in on the balance between efficiency and authenticity, warning against overreliance on AI for donor engagement.

    • “90% can probably be done eventually and especially within five years by agentive elements. But that last mile...should be a huge—" — Tim Sarantonio [07:27]

• Everyday & Professional Use:

  • Justin shares personal stories of using AI for home projects and event planning, showing its broad utility.

    • “It’s beyond the ultimate personal assistant...it’s like Jarvis for a lot of ways. In the nonprofit sector, it’s accelerating our work and opening up new doors.” — Justin McCord [09:33]

• Main Takeaway:

  • AI must be harnessed with curiosity, responsibility, and an ongoing human connection, serving as a tool rather than a replacement.

2. Centering Humanity: Donors as People, Not Just Data

(Timestamps: 10:39–15:47)

• Rethinking Research & Measurement:

  • Lori Collins (RKD Group) discusses the limitations of only tracking larger donations, advocating for honoring all forms of generosity.

    • "I don’t care if you give a dollar to charity. That to me is a reflection of your heart, not your finances. Right. How generous are you?" — Lori Collins [11:47]

• Relationship-Focused Fundraising:

  • Mike Esposito (NYC fundraising consultant) urges nonprofits to prioritize relationships over quantity, especially as automation increases and personal connections become rarer.

    • “I like to encourage clients to focus on relationships as much as possible...foundations spending fewer time meeting with, you know, prospective nonprofits.” — Mike Esposito [14:14]

• Host Commentary:

  • The hosts celebrate these perspectives, with Justin noting that philanthropy’s original meaning stems from "the love of mankind," and that embracing “yes, and...” approaches drives the sector forward.

3. Purpose-Driven Career Changes & Authenticity

(Timestamps: 16:00–22:57)

• Personal Milestones and Forks in the Road:

  • The show highlights the winding paths nonprofit leaders often take, emphasizing the role of authentic human connections in guiding big career decisions.

• Real-Life Journeys:

  • Carlos Whitaker (author/speaker) recounts a pivotal decision to stay true to his values on social media—losing followers but gaining authentic influence.

    • “I just remember that 'are you sure?' pop up literally changed my life because I said no and I clicked no and I left it...” — Carlos Whitaker [18:54]

    • “Don’t stand on issues, walk with people.” — Carlos Whitaker [20:00 discussion]

  • Katie Jordan (consultant/coach) reflects on her move from agency life to consulting, always learning and helping others navigate what feels fulfilling.

    • “That constant grounding myself and knowing I don’t have all the answers either, and there’s still a lot for me to learn.” — Katie Jordan [20:32]

4. Resilience, Adaptability, and Leading Amid Change

(Timestamps: 26:00–30:13)

• Love of Learning as a Superpower:

  • Charles Lahoset (RKD Group, Digital) argues that loving to learn is pivotal to keeping pace in a digital-first, AI-augmented world.

    • “A love of learning, I think, is how you stand out and how you’ll continue to stand out. Especially with AI probably gunning for all of our jobs.” — Charles Lahoset [27:10]

• Embracing Collaboration & Digital Transformation:

  • Jen Neumeyer (PBS) discusses both the technological and human hurdles in advancing digital fundraising, from tech stacks to breaking through organizational silos.

    • “There’s a real issue with...the marcom development, collaboration elements that are so crucial for digital fundraising.” — Jen Neumeyer [27:40]

• Host Insights:

  • Rapid change, proliferating channels, and AI integration can feel overwhelming; resilience and adaptability—supported by collaboration and curiosity—are vital.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Reflection and Perfectionism:

  • “Don’t let perfection get in the way of progress.” — Ronnie Richard [26:00]

  • Justin shares a Tolkien story as a metaphor for nonprofit leaders: it’s not about perfecting a single act, but appreciating the journey and impact.

• Hosts’ Humor & Banter:

  • Repeated references to '80s/'90s TV (“Cagney and Lacey”, “Quantum Leap”, “Mr. Belvedere”) spark laughter, lighten the discussion, and reinforce the episode’s “clip show” nostalgia.

• Podcast Bloopers & Favorite Moments:

  • [31:48] Justin spills a Topo Chico during a live recording with guest Stacy—quickly handled with a joke and a nod to podcast unpredictability:

    • “Don’t worry. Just knocked over a Topo...this is a Topo Chico.” — Justin McCord [32:04]

  • Hosts reminisce about episode mishaps: dogs barking, kids drumming, unexpected sounds, and always embracing the chaos with humor.

Timestamps by Segment

| Time | Segment/Topic | |--------------|---------------------------------------------------| | 00:04–03:31 | Introduction, Year in Review, Clips Episode Format | | 03:31–10:39 | Thread 1: AI’s growing role in nonprofits | | 10:39–15:47 | Thread 2: Donor humanity and relationships | | 16:00–22:57 | Thread 3: Career change and authenticity | | 26:00–30:13 | Thread 4: Resilience and sector adaptability | | 31:48–33:00 | Favorite moments, podcast bloopers | | 33:00–34:33 | Closing reflections and optimism |

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Original Tone:

  • Warm, witty, conversational—hosts blend sincere reflection with self-deprecating humor and nostalgia, all while threading in real-world advice.

• Big Picture Lessons:

  • AI and digital change are here to stay—but true progress comes from centering human connection, curiosity, adaptability, and finding joy in the journey.
  • The nonprofit sector’s strength lies in balancing ambiguity with determination—and embracing stories (even the messy, unscripted ones!).

• For Uninitiated Listeners:

  • This episode delivers a rich tapestry of nonprofit sector insights, relatable professional and personal anecdotes, and lighthearted camaraderie—ideal both as a primer for the year gone by and inspiration for the year ahead.

"We’re even keeping humanity at the heart of our special little episode here. Look at that."
— Justin McCord [30:13]