Brittny Wilson of The Nonprofit Reframe Podcast: Engage Your Podcast Audience through Co-Host Chemistry and Genuine Conversations
By: Tracy Hazzard
Tags: Podcasting Tips, Podcasting, Podcast, Business, Influencers

Can you tell us a bit of your “personal backstory? What is your background and what eventually brought you to this particular career path?

Sure. I have spent my entire career in the nonprofit sector, working at several amazing organizations doing important work here is the US and abroad. I more or less fell into nonprofits but have continued to work — primarily in fundraising roles — because it’s truly meaningful.

Can you share a story about the most interesting thing that has happened to you since you started podcasting?

I was at a fundraising gala and was “fan-girled” by someone attending the event who listened to our show and wanted to meet me. It took me completely by surprise!

Can you share a story about the biggest or funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson or takeaways you learned from that?

I knew nothing about podcasting before I started so it took a while to get the sound levels right. For the first couple of episodes I could not get our mics at the same level so one of us always sounded louder than the other, so for one episode I shared a microphone. I was incredibly close to my co-host while trying to talk to her and couldn’t help laughing throughout the entire podcast taping.

How long have you been podcasting and how many shows have you aired?

I’ve officially been podcasting for one year! I release full-length episodes every week, and so far, I’ve released 49 episodes and six mini ones.

What are the main takeaways, lessons, or messages that you want your listeners to walk away with after listening to your show?

The reason I started the show was to provide an outlet for those working tirelessly in the nonprofit sector. The main takeaway is that I want them to know they are not alone, that I see them, and hopefully can provide a little levity to their day while shining a light on all of the challenging issues they face each day. At the same time, I want to confront the structures and barriers that the sector faces in trying to bring change to our communities.

In your opinion what makes your podcast binge-listenable? What do you think makes your podcast unique from the others in your category? What do you think is special about you as a host, your guests, or your content?

My co-host, Nia Wassink, and I have been told that we have great chemistry together. The idea of the podcast was that the listener would be just another guest to our normal conversations we were already having. I want it to be as genuine as possible which is why our podcast has an “explicit” rating (the only nonprofit podcast rated as such). I didn’t want to have to censor our opinions, our personalities, or our language for that matter. If you met us on the street, I would act and sound the same as what you hear on the show.

Doing something on a consistent basis is not easy. Podcasting every workday, or even every week, can be monotonous. What would you recommend to others about how to maintain discipline and consistency? What would you recommend to others about how to avoid burnout?

I feel extremely fortunate because I have such an amazing partner in crime with my co-host, Nia. I look forward to recording every single week. It doesn’t feel like a chore or a burden at all. That’s not to say it isn’t hard work because it is, especially on top of our day jobs. But at the end of the day, we’re just having the same conversations we do normally except taping it. Consistency is key so my advice is don’t start a podcast unless you’re extremely passionate about the topic and genuinely love talking about it!

What resources do you get your inspiration for materials from?

There are several other bloggers and podcasters that I admire and follow for inspiration. But most of my inspiration comes from my everyday experiences in my work in the nonprofit sector. If something happens that fires me up, I know I need to talk about it on the show.

Is there someone in the podcasting world who you think is a great model for how to run a really fantastic podcast?

I modeled our show after a famous podcast that has absolutely nothing to do with our content. I ‘m a big fan of the show “My Favorite Murder”, and wanted to create something similar where I could have weekly discussions on a topic I’m passionate about.

What are the ingredients that make that podcast so successful? If you could break that down into a blueprint, what would that blueprint look like?

I think successful podcasts first and foremost are entertaining. Whether it’s with a comedic component or with riveting information, it must be able to hold the listener’s attention. I spend time planning out topics, ensuring a good mixture of content that meets the needs of our varied listeners and their backgrounds. From there, it truly is the consistency. I have people tell us that our podcast is what gets them through their Mondays.

Can you share with our readers the five things you need to know to create an extremely successful podcast?

Content that you love: My co-host and I are constantly emailing stories, texting ideas, or calling each other with a concept for a future episode because I genuinely love the content. Content you’re comfortable with: Especially when starting out, have episodes with content that is something you’re comfortable talking about. Once you get into a groove you can start pushing the content into areas that are new for you. A great team: Whether you have a co-host or just a sideline cheerleader, having somebody to push you and encourage along the way is critical. There are times when I was having serious imposter syndrome and would reach out to my co-host for a pep talk. You’ll figure out the tech: I was overwhelmed by the idea of how to produce and distribute a podcast when I was first starting. With some training, reaching out to folks who have podcasts, and even just getting into forums, you can figure that stuff out. Now almost a year later, that stuff is the easiest part of it all! Know your Audience: I have accrued an audience beyond what I’d originally expected, and that’s caused me to change some of the podcast content in great ways. I make sure I provide additional context or explanation of concepts I’m discussing whenever possible so that all listeners can fully appreciate the episode.

Brittny Wilson of The Nonprofit Reframe Podcast shares the best ways to:

1) Book Great Guests. My podcast is not an interview model podcast, so I don’t book a lot of guests, but I’ve had one in particular that was a great catch. A month before I launched the podcast, I met one of my nonprofit icons at a conference and told him I was starting a podcast, and that maybe he could be my guest one day. I never imagined it would come to fruition so quickly, but seven months after I launched my podcast, I booked him on the show. I know it sounds simplistic, but you just have to ask. I’m a professional fundraiser — if there is anything I know, it’s how to make the ask. 2) Increase Listeners. I’ve been guests on a number of other podcasts and reached their audiences. I’ve also done live tapings at various conferences which are a lot of fun and expose me to a lot of people in the sector at one time. I also can’t underestimate the impact of social media and traditional marketing strategies. 3) Produce in a Professional Way. I must give full production credit to my co-host, Nia Wassink. She is our producer extraordinaire and has learned a lot this past year by joining Facebook podcasting groups, asking lots of questions, and reading blogs that give useful information. 4) Encourage Engagement. Every single show I ask our listeners a question and tell them to contact us with their stories. I love hearing from them! I also find lots of fun ways to engage episodes on social media. For instance, I held a fun Halloween costume contest between me and my co-host in October, and my podcast listeners voted via social media each week. 5) Monetize. I’ve been lucky to get paid sponsorships to help offset our costs. I’m also planning to do more on the speaker circuit and eventually write a book.

For someone looking to start their own podcast, which equipment would you recommend that they start with?

It really doesn’t take much. You can get a great microphone for less than $100 online and buy a computer with recording software. The key is really where and how you record. Find ways to incorporate sound-dampening and make sure your “studio” is quiet (keep dogs, kids, and spouses outside, for instance).

If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

Since our work is centered in the nonprofit sector, our hope is to help inspire and propagate a movement to shift philanthropy and the nonprofit sector out of the systems of oppression upon which they are both founded.

How can our readers follow you online?

Facebook: @nonprofitreframe

Instagram: @nonprofitreframe

Email: nonprofitreframe@gmail.com