The Nonprofit Insider Podcast

by Swim Karim

Season 1

Amy Lavender: What 15 Years of Nonprofit Fundraising Leadership Teaches You

Imagine spending 15 years working for one nonprofit organization. Fifteen years of your time. Your energy. Your dedication. Now imagine having the chance to sit down with the version of yourself from Day One. What would you say? In my latest episode of The Nonprofit Insider Podcast Summer Fundraising Series, I sit down with Amy Lavender, Vice President of Development at Adelante Development Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We discuss the advice she'd give her younger self, why building nonprofit partnerships is much harder than it looks, how the rising cost of groceries has changed donor conversations, and what it's like leading development efforts across multiple organizations. Listen to the episode on Apple here: https://bit.ly/Ep80TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastApple Listen to the episode on Spotify here: https://bit.ly/Ep80TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastSpotify And be sure to subscribe to us however you take in media: YouTube-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcast YouTube ShortsInstagram-bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcast TikTok-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastTikTok "Nonprofit Conversations Worth Having"

S1 · E80

Jul 8, 2026

45:07

I Spent 55 Hours in D.C. for the Points of Light Conference. Was It Worth the Time and Money?

I spent 56 hours in Washington, D.C., attending the 2026 Points of Light Conference. Was it worth the investment? In this episode of The Nonprofit Insider Podcast, I take you inside my experience attending one of the nation's largest gatherings of nonprofit and volunteer leaders. I pull back the curtain on my experience, including the atmosphere inside the conference and the people I met along the way. I also break down exactly what it cost me to attend, as well as the three biggest lessons I discovered during my time in the nation's capital. Plus, I wrap up the episode by recognizing some of the incredible people who made the conference such a memorable experience.

S1 · E79

Jun 29, 2026

30:14

Nicki Fiocco and Jerome Tennile: Volunteerism, National Service & America at 250

In this episode of The Nonprofit Insider Podcast, Swim sits down with volunteer engagement leaders Nicki Fiocco and Jerome Tennille for a conversation about service, volunteerism, and the future of civic engagement in America. As members of the 2026 Points of Light Conference Welcome Committee, Nicki and Jerome take listeners behind the scenes of the nation's largest volunteer-focused gathering and discuss what attendees can expect when the conference arrives in Washington, D.C. The conversation also explores the meaning of National Service, the role programs like AmeriCorps play in strengthening communities, and how volunteerism can look different depending on the people, places, and histories involved. Swim, Nicki, and Jerome also discuss the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, the opportunities and challenges of using major cultural moments to inspire service, and why volunteer engagement cannot always be viewed through a purely corporate lens. And rather than ending with a traditional final question, Nicki and Jerome each take the floor to share what's currently on their minds—from the future of volunteerism to the challenges and opportunities facing the nonprofit sector today. Whether you're attending the 2026 Points of Light Conference or simply care about strengthening communities through service, this conversation offers thoughtful perspectives on where volunteer engagement is headed next. You can found The AmeriCorps Connections Podcast here: https://americorpsconnect.transistor.fm/ You can found The AmeriCorps Connections Podcast YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/@americorpsconnections You can find Nicki on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicki-fiocco/ You can find Jerome on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdtennille/ Listen to the episode on Apple here: https://bit.ly/Ep78TheNonprofitinsiderpodcastApple Listen to the episode on Spotify here: https://bit.ly/Ep78TheNonprofitinsiderpodcastSpotify And be sure to subscribe to us however you take in media: YouTube-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastYouTubeShorts Instagram-bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastInstagram TikTok-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastTikTok

S1 · E78

Jun 18, 2026

38:54

Megan Laks of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles

In our first "Summer Fundraiser Series", Swim sits down with Megan Laks of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angles. Megan is without a doubt one of my favorite people in the nonprofit space. In the episode she breaks down what fundraising actually looks like behind the scenes and why so many people misunderstand development work. Megan shares her journey into fundraising, from working with some of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations to leading development efforts for one of the biggest cities in the world. Hear Megan break down the realities of modern fundraising, why development work is far more than galas and handshakes, and what nonprofit professionals need to understand about building meaningful donor relationships. Swim and Megan also explore fundraising careers, what new fundraisers should be doing early in their careers, and whether fundraising really is all about the famous “three R’s”: relationships, relationships, relationships. Plus, Megan shares a #NonprofitHorrorStory that reminds us nonprofit work rarely goes exactly according to plan, but how you can still land on your feet. You can find Megan on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmlaks/ You can learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles here: https://bbbsla.org/ Listen to the episode on Apple here: https://bit.ly/Ep77TheNonprofitinsiderpodcastApple Listen to the episode on Spotify here: https://bit.ly/Ep77TheNonprofitinsiderpodcastSpotify And be sure to subscribe to us however you take on media: YouTube-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastYouTubeShorts Instagram-bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastInstagram TikTok-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastTikTok

S1 · E77

Jun 11, 2026

37:14

EP 76-Anyone else burnt out & Why I'm changing my opinion on AI in the Nonprofit World

Burn Out in the nonprofit space is real...but the nonprofit space is not exclusively to blame. Plus, why the higher standards of the nonprofit space are causing the A.I. conversations to be so clunky. Listen to the episode on Apple here: https://bit.ly/Ep76TheNonprofitinsiderpodcastApple Listen to the episode on Spotify here: https://bit.ly/Ep76TheNonprofitinsiderpodcastSpotify And be sure to subscribe to us however you take on media: YouTube-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastYouTubeShorts Instagram-bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastInstagram TikTok-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastTikTok

S1 · E76

Jun 3, 2026

23:25

Knowing Your Worth (and Adding Tax), A Conversation with Severina Ware, CVA

In this episode of The Nonprofit Insider Podcast, Swim sits down with Severina Ware, a leader in people engagement and nonprofit strategy, for a conversation about ambition, intentionality, and career growth in the nonprofit space. Severina shares her perspective on what she’s seeing across the country when it comes to nonprofit professionals, and why volunteer leaders in particular may not be thinking big enough about their careers. Get Severina's insights into her journey navigating imposter syndrome and how being intentional in your professional is simply too big to ignore. Swim and Severina also discuss executive coaching, what to look for (and what to avoid), and how nonprofit professionals can position themselves for growth—even in markets where opportunities feel limited. And of course, we talk what it means to "Know your worth and add tax” in a sector that can have lots of fun spots and lots of struggle points. You can find Severina Ware here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/severinaware/ Listen to the episode on Apple here: https://bit.ly/Ep75TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastApple Listen to the episode on Spotify here: https://bit.ly/Ep75TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastSpotify And be sure to subscribe to us however you take on media: YouTube-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastYouTubeShorts Instagram-bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastInstagram TikTok-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastTikTok

S1 · E75

Apr 8, 2026

59:24

Cesar Chavez Ramifications, The Cost to Attend Points of Light Conference in D.C.

How the recent news regarding César Chavez shows us the risks (and rewards) of naming a nonprofit after a person. Plus, the annual Points of Light conference is happening in DC this year. I discuss the cost it will take for me to attend and why some people outside the United States are skipping the conference altogether. Listen to the episode on Apple here: https://bit.ly/Ep74TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastApple Listen to the episode on Spotify here: https://bit.ly/Ep74TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastSpotify And be sure to subscribe to us however you take on media: YouTube-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastYouTubeShorts Instagram-bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastInstagram TikTok-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastTikTok

S1 · E74

Mar 31, 2026

18:59

A Rant: Why I Hate State Lotteries (and the DC-Based Nonprofit on My Naughty List)

I hate the lottery. Let’s start there. The average American household spends $665 per year playing state-run lottery games. In fact, Americans spent $105.26 billion on lottery tickets last year alone, making the lottery the most popular form of gambling in the United States. In today’s episode, I talk about why I despise state-run lotteries, why states should stop running them altogether, and why governments should spend more time regulating—and taxing—private gambling enterprises instead of operating their own. Plus, I take aim at the broader reality of legalized gambling in America and explain why the National Council on Problem Gambling continues to deserve the criticism it receives. My reasonings are simple: When you are in bed, directly receiving money from the entities profiting from the gambling industry (i.e. the NFL, DraftKings, BetMGM, ESPN BET, Barstool Sportsbook), you are operating in a less-than-ideal fashion. Listen to the episode on Apple here: https://bit.ly/Ep73TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastApple Listen to the episode on Spotify here: https://bit.ly/Ep73TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastSpotify And be sure to subscribe to us however you take on media: YouTube-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastYouTubeShorts Instagram-bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastInstagram TikTok-https://bit.ly/TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastTikTok

S1 · E73

Mar 11, 2026

21:35

Why Being “Nice” Isn’t Working Anymore for Nonprofits: A conversation with Amira Barger

AMIRA, AMIRA, AMIRA. The name is making waves in the nonprofit space. And her book is on fire. In this episode of The Nonprofit Insider Podcast, Swim sits down with Amira Barger, author of The Price of Nice: Why Comfort Keeps Us Stuck and 4 Actions for Real Change. Amira shares what she’s hearing from nonprofit professionals across the country, the emotional weight many people are carrying right now, and the moment she knew this book needed to be written. Together, Swim and Amira explore how niceness often shows up as compliance, avoidance, and fear—especially in times of political uncertainty and sector-wide change. The conversation also tackles nonprofit burnout, communication breakdowns, and why “being nice” can erode dignity, humanity, and organizational effectiveness. This episode is thoughtful, challenging, and necessary listening for nonprofit leaders, HR professionals, fundraisers, and anyone feeling stuck between comfort and courage. Listen on Apple Podcast here: https://bit.ly/Ep72TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastApple Listen on Spotify here: https://bit.ly/Ep72TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastSpotify Learn more about Amira Barger here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirabarger/ Pick up the book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/800343/the-price-of-nice-by-amira-barger/

S1 · E72

Feb 4, 2026

45:46

Episode 70 — Kicking Off 2026 with Sara Keller (Nusenda Credit Union Foundation)

Episode 71: Kicking Off 2026 with Sara Keller (Nusenda Credit Union Foundation) We’re kicking off 2026 with a powerful conversation about philanthropy, leadership, and community impact. In this episode of The Nonprofit Insider Podcast, Swim sits down with Sara Keller, Executive Director of the Nusenda Credit Union Foundation, to explore how New Mexico’s largest credit union has spent the past decade investing deeply in communities across the region. Sara shares her personal journey from nonprofit work in Eastern New Mexico to leading one of the most influential credit union foundations in the Southwest. Along the way, she offers three pieces of advice every nonprofit leader should hear, rooted in humility, service, and a genuine love of community. The conversation also goes behind the scenes of grantmaking at scale. Sara walks listeners through how the Nusenda Foundation distributed $1 million in grants in 2025, what it really takes to review more than 400 grant applications, and how her team approaches relationships with nonprofit partners—even when funding decisions are difficult. Swim and Sara also discuss the Foundation’s Community Rewards® program, a unique way Nusenda members can support local nonprofits simply by using their debit card. Learn how everyday transactions can translate into real dollars for organizations doing critical work in New Mexico and beyond. 🔗 Learn more about the Community Rewards® program: https://www.nusenda.org/foundation/community-rewards Listen on Apple Podcast here: https://bit.ly/Ep71TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastApple Listen on Spotify here: https://bit.ly/Ep71TheNonprofitInsiderPodcastSpotify

S1 · E71

Jan 14, 2026

49:06

1 of 9