Today, we’re diving into something foundational: The Top 10 Tips for How to Advocate.

Whether you’re just getting started or have been meeting with lawmakers for years, these 10 principles will strengthen your approach, sharpen your strategy, and help you make a bigger impact. These aren’t theoretical tips—they’re tested, practical, and proven in real-world advocacy work.

As a professional speaker, I help organizations inspire, train, and grow communities of effective, influential advocates.

If you're ready to build a culture of advocacy within your association or organization, let’s talk.

Visit VoicesInAdvocacy.com to learn more—and let’s turn your passion into powerful public policy influence.

Until next time—keep using your voice.

Dedicated to the art of advocacy.

Contact Voices In Advocacy at:

www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com

480 488-9150

At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

In today’s digital world, advocacy isn’t just happening in government chambers or behind closed doors. It’s happening online. Social media is a powerful tool that can amplify your message, rally supporters, and even influence policymakers.

In this episode, we’ll explore how you can craft compelling content, build an engaged audience, and use digital platforms to drive real policy change. Ready to supercharge your advocacy?

Example for Show Notes 1: Rule of Law

"Meet Sarah, a small business owner in a city where corruption has become the norm. For years, Sarah has been fighting to keep her business afloat, but unfair practices and an absence of rule of law have made it nearly impossible. Government officials and local authorities frequently demand bribes in exchange for permits or favorable treatment, and when Sarah refuses to pay, she finds herself penalized, delayed, and even targeted with unjust fines.

Sarah’s story highlights a growing problem that’s been sweeping through many parts of the country: when the rule of law breaks down, it’s not just businesses like Sarah’s that suffer—it’s everyone. Without the rule of law, people lose trust in their systems, and corruption spreads unchecked. But Sarah is fighting back. She’s taking her story to social media, tagging lawmakers, and pushing for accountability in local government. She’s part of a growing movement that demands transparency and integrity, and she’s calling on people everywhere to stand up for the rule of law in their communities.

Now, Sarah’s story is reaching thousands. People from all walks of life are sharing it and calling on their elected officials to enforce the law fairly and bring justice to those who are being silenced by corruption. The message is clear: the rule of law is the foundation of a free society, and it’s time to fight for it."

Example 2: Safety for Children in Our Schools

"Meet Emily, a mother of two who sends her kids off to school every day, hoping that they’ll return home safe. But recently, she’s been increasingly worried about the safety of children in schools—and not just because of the rise in school violence. Lack of proper safety protocols, outdated security measures, and overcrowded classrooms are putting kids at risk. Emily’s son was recently involved in a lockdown drill that left him terrified and confused—only to learn that the school’s safety systems weren’t even functioning properly.

Emily has decided to take a stand. She started sharing her concerns on social media, posting about the need for better security measures, more mental health resources for students, and stronger gun control laws in schools. Her story struck a chord with parents across the country. Others started sharing their own experiences and tagging their representatives, demanding action. Emily is now leading a digital campaign to make schools safer for children by pushing for new legislation and funding for safety upgrades.

Emily’s call to action is powerful: We need to prioritize the safety of our children and provide schools with the resources they need to protect students and staff. Thanks to her efforts, the conversation is gaining momentum—and the community is rallying behind her to push for stronger safety protocols in every school."

Dedicated to the art of advocacy.

Contact Voices In Advocacy at:

www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com

480 488-9150

At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

In this episode, we’re dialing into one of the most underestimated tools in advocacy—the phone call.

Yes, emails and letters are valuable—but when time is short and a decision is looming, nothing beats a well-timed, well-prepared phone call to an elected official. It’s fast, direct, and impactful.

Today, I’ll guide you through the when, why, and how of calling your lawmakers—and how to make every minute of that call count.

Dedicated to the art of advocacy.

Contact Voices In Advocacy at:

www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com

480 488-9150

At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

Whether you're a seasoned advocate or a first-time visitor to the Capitol, meeting with lawmakers can feel intimidating. But fear not! With the right approach, you can make a lasting impact. In this episode, we’ll break down the keys to a successful advocacy meeting—from preparation to execution and follow-up. We’ll share proven strategies to ensure your message is heard, your ask is clear, and your influence is felt.

So, if you're ready to learn how to confidently engage with lawmakers and leave a mark, keep listening.

Dedicated to the art of advocacy.

Contact Voices In Advocacy at:

www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com

480 488-9150

At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

Let me ask you—have you ever experienced something so impactful, so personal, that it made you say, “This has to change”? That feeling is often the spark that fuels the most transformative advocacy.

Today, we’re talking about turning personal experience into legislative action. Some of the greatest policy changes in this country started not with politicians—but with everyday people who were moved to act. This episode is all about how to transform your passion into policy—and your personal story into public impact.

Let’s start with this powerful truth: Your story is your superpower.

In our last episode we explored the craft of creating a completing advocacy story that captivates your audience in our podcast entitled, The Art of Storytelling in Advocacy.

You may think advocacy is all about data, white papers, and legal language—but what truly moves people is human connection. It’s your lived experience that lawmakers remember. Stories stick.

Take, for example, Candace Lightner.

Candace was a real estate agent and mother living in California when tragedy struck in 1980. Her 13-year-old daughter, Cari, was killed by a drunk driver—a repeat offender who had been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence.

Candace was devastated. But she didn’t just grieve—she acted. She founded MADD—Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

In the beginning, it was just a mother with a mission. But through relentless storytelling, media appearances, and direct advocacy, Candace made the issue of drunk driving impossible to ignore. She built a national movement that led to sweeping reforms, from stricter DUI laws to raising the drinking age to 21.

One person. One story. Nationwide change.

That’s the power of channeling personal pain into purpose.

And Candace isn’t alone. Time and again, stories like hers are what fuel policy momentum. Not charts. Not numbers. But people.

Thank you for listening to Voices in Advocacy! If you’ve been moved by today’s episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an opportunity to strengthen your voice for change.

And now, here’s how I can help your organization build its own army of powerful advocates.

As a professional speaker, I work with organizations at conferences and events to help you build, inspire, and train a community of better, more effective, influential advocates.

Whether you want to energize your team, develop stronger grassroots champions, or simply give people the tools to share their stories for change—I’m here to help.

Visit Voices in Advocacy and let’s talk about how we can turn your people’s passion into powerful policy change.

Until next time—keep using your voice.

Dedicated to the art of advocacy.

Contact Voices In Advocacy at:

www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com

480 488-9150

At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

They say facts tell, but stories sell—and that couldn’t be more true when it comes to advocacy. Lawmakers hear statistics all day long, but a well-told story? That’s what moves them. That’s what makes them remember.

So today, we’re talking about how to craft a compelling advocacy story that will captivate your audience and inspire action.

Why is storytelling so powerful?

Think about the last time a news story stuck with you. It probably wasn’t because of a statistic—it was because of a person’s experience. Our brains are wired for stories. They engage our emotions, help us relate, and make complex issues feel personal.

Think about the issue you advocate for. What’s one story you can tell that will move people to action?

Additional Example: Expanding Healthcare Access for Seniors Through Medicare Reform – Mobilizing the Public

"Meet Eleanor. She’s 78 years old, and for years she worked as a nurse, caring for others. Now, in her retirement, she faces a challenge many seniors face: accessing affordable healthcare. Although she relies on Medicare, she still finds herself unable to afford essential treatments. The gaps in coverage for things like dental, vision, and prescription medications are making it harder for her to maintain her health.

Eleanor isn’t alone. Millions of seniors across the country are struggling with inadequate healthcare coverage. As medical costs rise, seniors like Eleanor are forced to choose between paying for life-saving medications or paying for food and housing. This shouldn’t be the case. It’s time for Medicare reform to ensure that all seniors have access to the care they deserve.

But we need your help. We need you to raise your voice and demand that Congress expand Medicare coverage to include dental, vision, hearing, and lower prescription costs. Contact your lawmakers and tell them that our seniors deserve better. Let’s stand together to create a healthcare system that truly works for everyone."

Thank you for listening to Voices in Advocacy! If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to subscribe for more insights on how to become a more effective advocate.

Until next time—keep using your voice to create change!

Dedicated to the art of advocacy.

Contact Voices In Advocacy at:

www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com

480 488-9150

At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

Hello again, and welcome to the 6th Season of the Voices in Advocacy podcast—which is dedicated to the art of advocacy and how everyday people can make a real difference.

Today’s episode is about something that many passionate people struggle with at first—how to ease into the political arena. Maybe you’ve wanted to reach out to an elected official or get involved, but the thought of doing so felt a bit… intimidating?

You’re not alone. The good news? It doesn’t have to be hard. And that’s what we’re talking about today—how to take those first simple steps that build confidence, open doors, and position you as a valuable voice in the process.

Let’s work together to elevate your voice, expand your influence, and make a lasting impact.

Please share this podcast with friends and family that will find this content helpful.

Until next time—keep using your voice to make change happen.

Dedicated to the art of advocacy.

Contact Voices In Advocacy at:

www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com

480 488-9150

At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.

Today’s guest is an author, leader, mission driven executive, podcaster, and an unabashed advocate for the future of agriculture and the people that educate those that feed us.

ABOUT the GUEST

Aaron Alejandro is Executive Director of the Texas FFA Foundation located in Austin, Texas. In his non-professional hours, Aaron consults with businesses, organizations, education, and youth clubs about ways to improve organizational and individual performance. He has more than 30+ years of experience in management, personal and professional training. As an inspirational speaker, his unique style of delivery transcends all age groups and corporate cultures offering a clear message of personal dynamics for success.

In his position with the Texas FFA Foundation, Aaron has established relationships with sponsors and individuals resulting in significant stakeholder engagement. With more than 270,000 students enrolled in agricultural science courses and Texas FFA membership with more than 170,000+ members, Aaron’s efforts are bringing much needed “fuel” - in the form of sponsorships - to help make dreams come true.

Thank you to our sponsor: Rap Index, tell them Roger sent you.

https://www.rapindex.com

This podcast is dedicated to the art of advocacy.

Contact Voices In Advocacy at:

www.VoicesinAdvocacy.com

480 488-9150

At Voices in Advocacy, we work with organizations that want to inspire, educate, engage, and activate their supports to become even better effective, influential advocates.