Your mission is your why. Your vision is your where. Your strategy is your how.

But what happens when they're not working together?

In this episode, we're zooming out to look at the bigger picture—how mission, vision, and strategy align (or don't) and what to do when things feel off. We share stories of organizations with beautiful vision statements and powerful missions that somehow weren't talking to each other, plus the simple tools that helped them get back on track.

You've built the plan. Now what? In this episode, we're tackling the bumps in the road—the classic mistakes that make you say, "Wait, what happened to our strategy?" From plans created behind closed doors to goals so vague no one knows how to act on them, we're sharing the pitfalls we've seen (and yes, made ourselves) across decades of nonprofit work. You'll hear stories about the executive director who rolled out a solo plan to crickets, the beautiful strategy that lived in a binder no one opened, and the organization stuck in planning mode for over a year. Plus, the fixes that actually work.

Strategic planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—or optional. In this kickoff episode, Pat and Will Scanland break down why every mission-driven organization needs a clear roadmap, how strategy keeps teams aligned, and what really happens when planning is ignored (spoiler: chaos). You’ll learn the four pillars of an effective strategic plan, the most common reasons plans fail, and real stories from organizations that turned things around with clarity and focus.

Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, running a social enterprise, or trying to bring order to the madness, this conversation will give you practical next steps you can use today.