Ep 8. In this second episode of our Nonprofit Changemakers series, we sit down with Beth Fisher, author of Remorseless, cancer survivor, and former Chief Advancement Officer at Mel Trotter Ministries, to unpack what it really means to lead with heart, strategy, and equity in the nonprofit world. After 25 years in corporate sales, Beth made a bold shift to the nonprofit sector, bringing with her a business mindset rooted in compassion and purpose. She opens up about surviving leukemia at 25, navigating single motherhood, rediscovering faith, and finding her voice through storytelling and service. Together, we’re discussing the challenges nonprofits face, from chronic underfunding and low staff pay to outdated mindsets that limit impact. Beth challenges us to rethink what good stewardship looks like, urging leaders to: 1. Treat employees with the same dignity they extend to those they serve 2. Operate with strategic, for-profit-level excellence 3. Invest in marketing and storytelling as vital tools for growth Her message is clear. Nonprofits are not “just” nonprofits; they are powerhouses for change. We hope this episode will ignite your purpose, challenge your perspective, and remind you why people, not profit, are the true measure of success.

Ep 7. As part of our new series, The Nonprofit Changemakers, we sit down with Lisa Mathews, CEO of 70x7 Life Recovery, an organization walking alongside men and women returning to society after incarceration. Lisa shares the unique challenges returning citizens face, like barriers to housing and employment, decision fatigue, shame, and re-entering a world that has moved on without them.

Lisa also reflects on her journey from a “rescue mentality” in nonprofit work to an empowerment-based approach that honors the strengths and gifts each person already carries. Instead of approaching returning citizens as problems to fix, Lisa emphasizes meeting them as equals—people with inherent value, gifts, and stories that matter. She shares how 70x7 fosters spaces where accountability and compassion exist side-by-side, giving individuals the opportunity to rebuild their lives without being defined by their past. This shift from a rescue mindset to one of empowerment and dignity has transformed not only the lives of participants but also the hearts of volunteers, mentors, and community partners.

Through moving stories of resilience, friendship, and restored hope, this conversation reminds us of the power of forgiveness, the beauty of walking alongside others, and the importance of seeing people not through the lens of their mistakes, but as human beings full of potential and worth--with the dignity that everyone deserves.

Ep 6. In this deeply moving episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Paws With a Cause, a nonprofit that trains assistance dogs to transform lives. What starts as a story of financial hardship becomes a testimony to the power of passion and storytelling. Jeff shares how Scott Allen Creative unexpectedly landed a pitch with Paws at a time when the organization was in crisis. Competing against top-tier firms, he doubted their chances, but Rachel, Project Manager with Scott Allen Creative for over 15 years, went above and beyond. She delivered a two-year marketing plan as an added gift to their pitch. That bold move, paired with their refusal to sacrifice the research needed to tell the right story, marked the start of a purpose-driven partnership. What followed was more than just a branding project. Through interviews with clients, trainers, and the founder, they uncovered something powerful: these dogs weren’t just helpers, they were healers, companions, and bridges back to life. One student in a wheelchair said his Paws dog helped him meet and talk with people at school, which gave him more confidence. A woman who suffered seizures said her Paws dog gave her moments of life back. Another child with autism found comfort and emotional peace through his dog’s calming presence. The rebrand focused on these stories. Instead of spotlighting pristine photos of the dogs alone, the team shifted the lens to the relationship. Messaging like “You calm me,” “You open doors,” and “You saved my life” captured the emotional core of each human/dog bond. And then came the "You Needed Me" video. With narration from the perspective of a service dog, this heartwarming and educational short film touched both corporate funders and schoolchildren alike. This episode is a testament to how storytelling can rescue a mission and elevate it to new heights. It’s about the kind of connection that opens doors—literally and figuratively—for people who thought theirs had closed, and a heartwarming love story between each human and their service dog.