Why do some extraordinary causes struggle to get people to care?

It may not be the mission.

It may be the story.

In this episode of You Are What You Give, Avi sits down with Bridget Cook-Burch, bestselling author, storyteller, and “The Book Whisperer,” to explore why storytelling isn't simply a communications skill. It can determine how far a leader - and an organization - is capable of going.

Bridget has worked with thousands of people to uncover and communicate their stories. And she argues that the most important story may not be the one you tell donors.

It's the story you tell yourself.

Together, Avi and Bridget explore why our internal stories can place limits on our ambitions, how a founder's personal journey can become the beginning of a much larger movement, and why great nonprofit storytelling eventually has to make room for other people to become part of the story.

They discuss:

• Why a great mission doesn't sell itself
• The stories leaders tell themselves about what's possible
• How storytelling builds trust
• Why conflict can be an essential part of an authentic story
• How donors and volunteers begin to see themselves inside a mission
• Why founders shouldn't remain their organization's only storytellers
• How writing a book can clarify your own story and strengthen your leadership
• Why organizations need to “inspire the narrative” rather than allow others to define it for them

If you're leading a nonprofit, raising money, building a movement, or simply trying to understand the contribution you're capable of making, this conversation offers a very different way to think about the stories we tell.

Connect with Bridget:
Visit YourInspiredStory.com. Bridget also invited listeners to connect with her on Instagram under her name, Bridget Cook-Burch https://www.instagram.com/bridgetcookburch/, and shared information about her Inspired Writers Retreat for people ready to develop their own books and stories.

And as always, thank you to Victoria Hearst, whose generosity helps make You Are What You Give possible.