In this episode of Nonprofits in the News, Nadia Tchoumi sits down with nonprofit leader Carmen Rempel for a powerful conversation about courage, thought leadership, and what it means to use your voice during high-stakes moments.

At a time when many nonprofit organizations are navigating funding instability, rising demand, political polarization, and increasing public scrutiny, this episode asks an important question: What does it look like for nonprofit leaders to cultivate courage through thought leadership?

Drawing from her experience leading Kelowna Gospel Mission during the overlapping crises of COVID-19, the housing crisis, and the opioid epidemic in British Columbia, Carmen reflects on how she used LinkedIn, storytelling, and public engagement to shift conversations around homelessness, build empathy, and strengthen community relationships.

Together, Nadia and Carmen explore:

• How nonprofit leaders can show up publicly during volatile social and political moments
• Why thought leadership became a strategic communication tool during multiple crises
• How to decide what issues to speak about publicly — and what should remain behind closed doors
• The risks and rewards of public advocacy and leadership visibility
• Why LinkedIn became Carmen’s platform of choice for nonprofit thought leadership
• How leaders can navigate criticism, public pressure, and fear of getting it wrong
• The importance of protecting dignity while telling stories about vulnerable communities
• What civil discourse can still look like in a polarized online environment

This episode is an honest and deeply practical conversation for nonprofit executives, communications professionals, fundraisers, social impact leaders, and anyone wrestling with whether they should stay silent or speak up.

Carmen shares how she learned to separate fear from responsibility, why she believes leaders should “reserve the right to change their mind,” and how courageous communication can create new opportunities for connection, understanding, and impact.

By the end of this conversation, listeners will be challenged to rethink the issues they’ve decided they can never speak about publicly — and to consider what might happen if they replaced fear with courage.

If you’re interested in nonprofit communications, leadership visibility, crisis communications, advocacy, LinkedIn strategy, social impact storytelling, public relations for nonprofits, and --espeically -- thought leadership for mission-driven organizations, this episode offers valuable insight into how leaders can show up with clarity, humanity, and courage.

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Ready to get your organization’s stories told consistently and strategically? Book a Discovery Call

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Here's how you can connect with Nadia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiastewart

Instagram - @NHMediaCanada

Threads - https://www.threads.com/@nhmediacanada

If this episode resonated with you, please:

• Share it with a friend in the nonprofit sector

• Give this podcast a follow by clicking that button on your podcast app

• Leave us a review! We'd appreciate that so much.

Are you staying quiet because you're afraid of saying the wrong thing? In this episode of Nonprofits in the News, Nadia Tchoumi breaks down why fear is keeping too many nonprofit leaders silent — and why that silence can hurt your organization, your advocacy, and the people you serve.

If you've ever worried about what to say, how to say it, or what could happen if you speak up, this episode is for you. Nadia shares practical nonprofit communications advice and four simple ways leaders can start building confidence and thought leadership right now.

You'll learn how to:

• Talk about the issues your organization advocates for

• Share the biggest pain points affecting your community

• Speak about solutions and policy change

• Highlight the real impact your organization is making

This episode also explores how nonprofit leaders can use social media, blogs, and thought leadership to build confidence, attract speaking opportunities, strengthen media relations, and connect with funders, supporters, and the public.

Whether you work in nonprofit leadership, communications, fundraising, advocacy, or media relations, this episode will help you find your voice and start speaking with more confidence.

Topics covered: nonprofit leadership, nonprofit communications, thought leadership, advocacy, media relations, public speaking, storytelling, social media strategy, nonprofit marketing, community impact, policy change, fundraising, nonprofit visibility

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Ready to get your organization’s stories told consistently and strategically? Book a Discovery Call

Sign up for the ‘Nonprofits in the News’ newsletter

Here's how you can connect with Nadia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiastewart

Instagram - @NHMediaCanada

Threads - https://www.threads.com/@nhmediacanada

If this episode resonated with you, please:

• Share it with a friend in the nonprofit sector

• Give this podcast a follow by clicking that button on your podcast app

• Leave a review! Let others know about this podcast.

  
  

If you’re a nonprofit leader feeling discouraged after funding cuts or slow progress on advocacy goals, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Nonprofits in the News, Nadia shares a powerful real-world example of long-term advocacy paying off—highlighting a major legal victory holding Big Tech accountable for harm to children. But more importantly, she breaks down what nonprofit organizations can do right now when change feels slow, invisible, or out of reach.

With many Canadian nonprofits—especially in British Columbia—facing funding uncertainty and program cuts, this conversation focuses on how to stay visible, strategic, and effective through your communications.

You’ll learn a simple but powerful 3-part nonprofit communications strategy to help you:

• Build a year-round storytelling rhythm that keeps your issue in the public eye
• Use budget seasons as strategic PR opportunities
• Continue telling impactful stories—even when funding disappears

Nadia also shares how to measure success beyond vanity metrics, including:

• Tracking systemic change
• Measuring resonance over reach

If you’re working in nonprofit communications, advocacy, or leadership, this episode will help you rethink your media strategy and stay committed to long-term impact—even when the wins take time.

By the end of this episode, you will know how to:

• Develop a year-round storytelling rhythm to maintain engagement.
• Use budget seasons to humanize your messaging and share both successes and challenges.
• Continue telling stories even when funding is cut to highlight ongoing needs.

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Ready to get your organization’s stories told consistently and strategically? Book a Discovery Call

Sign up for the ‘Nonprofits in the News’ newsletter

Here's how you can connect with Nadia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiastewart

Instagram - @NHMediaCanada

Threads - https://www.threads.com/@nhmediacanada

If this episode resonated with you, please:

• Share it with a friend in the nonprofit sector

• Give this podcast a follow by clicking that button on your podcast app

• Leave us a review! We'd appreciate that so much.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Advocacy and Change in Nonprofits

03:09 Big Wins: Accountability in Big Tech

05:58 Strategic Storytelling: The Key to Sustained Advocacy

08:52 Using Budget Seasons: Making Messaging Human

12:09 Telling Stories from the Gap: The Importance of Continued Advocacy

14:55 Metrics for Success: Measuring Change and Resonance

In this episode, host Nadia Tchoumi breaks down how one organization transformed their storytelling strategy to maintain momentum year-round, attract media attention, and resonate deeply with their community — all without relying solely on event-based stories.

If your organization is feeling stuck, struggling to tell dynamic stories, or simply doesn’t know what stories to tell next, this episode will give you a proven framework to diversify your narrative and keep your audience engaged long after the event ends. From impactful data stories that reveal real-world results to crafting advocacy narratives that respond swiftly to breaking news, Nadia walks you through three concrete storytelling types that can be integrated into your media and communication plan today. Plus, hear why regular storytelling in your email list, social media, and fundraising efforts can exponentially grow your influence and support. --

Ready to get your organization’s stories told consistently and strategically? Book a Discovery Call

Sign up for the ‘Nonprofits in the News’ newsletter on our website at www.newhopemedia.ca

Here's how you can connect with Nadia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiastewart

Instagram - @NHMediaCanada

Threads - https://www.threads.com/@nhmediacanada

If this episode resonated with you, please:

Share it with a friend in the nonprofit sector

Give this podcast a follow by clicking that button on your podcast app

Leave us a review! We'd appreciate that so much.

If you're looking for some strategies to help with your next nonprofit media pitch, this episode is for you. Host Nadia Tchoumi explores strategic storytelling for nonprofits, focusing on how to identify and frame untold stories that highlight community struggles and successes. Learn how to craft compelling narratives that attract media attention, boosting your nonprofit's visibility. This is the kind of media strategy that will help your nonprofit sustain engagement throughout the year.

Key Chapters:

Chapters

01:00 Why Focus on Untold Stories Now?

01:28 The Power of Strategic Storytelling in Community Advocacy

02:22 Framing Stories to Capture Media Attention

03:17 Case Study: Black Women Entrepreneurs and Hidden Struggles

04:12 Crafting a Compelling Narrative for Media Outreach

06:03 Building on Previous Stories to Keep Media Engagement

07:00 Addressing Invisible Struggles in Communities

08:21 Connecting Stories to Solutions and Community Impact

09:20 Timing Your Stories for Maximum Reach

10:45 Post-Story Framing and Longevity of Media Impact

12:34 Key Takeaway: Focus on Untold Stories and Strategic Framing

Ready to get your organization’s stories told consistently and strategically? Book a Discovery Call

Sign up for the ‘Nonprofits in the News’ newsletter

Here's how you can connect with Nadia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiastewart

Instagram - @NHMediaCanada

Threads - https://www.threads.com/@nhmediacanada

If this episode resonated with you, please:

• Share it with a friend in the nonprofit sector

• Give this podcast a follow by clicking that button on your podcast app

• Leave us a review! We'd appreciate that so much.

In this episode, host Nadia Tchoumi reflects on what it means to stay engaged in a world that often feels overwhelming.

Drawing from her experience leaving full-time news in 2021, Nadia shares how stepping back from nightly broadcasts for a time gave her space to breathe, reset, and reconnect—while still holding deep respect for journalism and local media.

She explores why thoughtful, sustainable media engagement is essential for nonprofit leaders, advocates, and changemakers who are expected to show up publicly while carrying the emotional weight of their work.

If you're a nonprofit leader looking for practical strategies around media engagement, this episode is for you! We'll cover:

• How to prioritize quiet time before big interviews and public moments

• Using Google Alerts to stay informed without burnout

• The importance of organizational breaks and collective rest

• Giving yourself grace in deadline-driven environments

Nadia reminds us that these practices aren’t about disengaging. They’re about protecting your energy so you can return more focused, aligned, and effective.

This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and rethink how you show up—so your voice, your mission, and your wellbeing can stay strong for the long haul.

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If your nonprofit could use some help with getting your stories told, visit www.newhopemedia.ca to learn more about how we can work together.

Got a question about engaging with the media you'd like me to answer? Email me at contact@newhopemedia.ca

Connect with me on LinkedIn @Nadia Tchoumi

Instagram @NHMediaCanada

Nonprofit storytelling is changing fast—and in 2026, business as usual won’t cut it.

In this episode, we break down what nonprofit leaders need to know about nonprofit communications in 2026, from the rising value of earned media to the growing connection between AI, credibility, and organic news coverage. With 95% of AI citations coming from non-paid media, being quoted in the news has never mattered more.

We explore why media = credibility, why nonprofits can’t afford to go silent, and how to move beyond simply sharing coverage on social media—especially in a post–Meta news environment in Canada. You’ll learn how to strategically leverage media mentions through newsletters, LinkedIn, podcasts, board networks, and stakeholder communications.

We also dig into the financial pressures facing the nonprofit sector, the risk of cutting communications budgets, and why storytelling, marketing, and visibility are essential to sustainability, not optional expenses.

Finally, we talk about the future of nonprofit storytelling:

• Building owned storytelling hubs through podcasts, newsletters, and blogs

• Using thought leadership to position nonprofit leaders as trusted experts

• Telling the untold stories that should be shaping headlines—even when they’re uncomfortable

If you’re responsible for nonprofit communications, media relations, storytelling, or fundraising, this episode offers a practical, strategic look at what it will take to stay visible, credible, and relevant in 2026.

In this episode, we are talking about the essential elements of pitching stories effectively to the media. This all comes down to three key tips: relevance, focus, and personalization in pitches. With practical tips for nonprofit leaders to enhance their storytelling and increase the chances of their stories being picked up by reporters, Nadia encourages nonprofit leaders to consider the context of their pitches and to build relationships with media professionals for better engagement.

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Key Takeaways

Pitches must be relevant to current news and community issues.

Providing context is crucial for reporters to understand the significance of a story.

Focus on one key issue in your pitch to avoid overwhelming reporters.

Personalizing pitches can significantly improve engagement with reporters.

Always advocate for solutions in your pitches, not just problems.

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Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Art of Pitching

04:33 Key Elements of a Successful Pitch

10:04 The Importance of Personalization in Pitches

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If your nonprofit could use some help with getting your stories told visit www.newhopemedia.ca to learn more about how we can work together.

Got a question about the media you'd like me to answer? Email me at contact@newhopemedia.ca

Connect with me on LinkedIn: @Nadia Tchoumi

Instagram: @NHMediaCanada