Joan is a deep thinker and takes a novel and strategic approach to solving problems. Joan's advice and thinking about all things nonprofit is some of the best!

I became a subscriber to this podcast as I have a heart to listen and do better in my executive role. Joan has given me many things to consider and ways to improve. Lately I’m noticing Joan interrupting and speaking over guests with regularity. I love that she is passionate and has insight, but when a guest is speaking to broaden the conversation and offer value, be polite, allow them opportunity, listen to their wisdom, and let them speak so that we as an audience can hear *them.* Our enthusiasm must not become the permission slip to interrupt and overtake the conversation. When you have invited others to be a guest, give them the consideration they deserve to finish the point they know will help us as leaders and listeners.

This podcast provides such a wealth of knowledge. I love the insight Joan provides and her guests are top notch. I’ve just joined her Nonprofit Leadership Lab and after only a week, I’m seeing dividends. Thank you for your incredible work and dedication to teaching us how to make our nonprofits just a little less messy.

The early podcasts teach about non profits, then she runs out of ideas and starts promoting causes. She is proof of the old adage that most evil is done by people who think they are doing good. Still we can learn much about non profits from the early episodes. Too bad she continued well past just teaching about non profits.

I recently stumbled upon this podcast, and it's quickly become one of my favorites. The conversations are always engaging, and the topics are relevant to anyone interested in making a positive impact in the world. Joan is a fantastic host who brings on guests with diverse perspectives and expertise. As a listener, I truly feel like I'm a part of a community of people who care deeply about doing good in the world!

Joan is an amazing podcast host, and really makes you even as a listener feel empowered to act! Her conversations around nuanced nonprofit topics and the guests she brings on consistently provides amazing and actionable value to me. I love this show! And I also love Joan's sense of humor. Anyone who works in the nonprofit space or with nonprofits should definitely be listening to this show. It is clear why this show is consistently ranking on the podcast charts! Nonprofits ARE messy…but that doesn’t need to be the end of the story!

I started listening to Joan when I was a Director of Development. When the pandemic started my life turned upside down and I found myself caring full-time for my two special needs kids at home and I could not longer keep a full-time job. After listening to more episodes and soul searching I realized I could follow Joan’s advice and start my own foundation. It is messy! But it is also beautiful. If you are in the nonprofit world, this podcast is a must listen!

I loved hearing about how the pandemic affected nonprofit children’s theater and how it has potentially provided a positive change that can be taken into the future. Great questions and equally thoughtful answers. Looking forward to hearing more from this guest host!

I listen to Non Profits are Messy as I drive. It’s an efficient way to boost my training as an executive director of a small nonprofit and it fits my budget perfectly! I’ve learned so much about how to work effectively with my board chair, assess our impact and improve our 990. Thanks Joan! Alicia Teens to Trails

I listen because there’s a lot of good advice on here. It’s very white and very clearly part of the non profit industrial complex. But if you can “chew up the meat and spit out the bones”, it’s a helpful show.

This is exactly what I’ve been looking forward to help me speed up the learning curve in my new role. Also, to help me switch gears from being an entrepreneur and CEO of a for-profit business to a executive director of a small, new, non-profit. I LOVE it! Thank you Joan!!

I find I listen to these podcasts, then go back to them and listen again and again, always coming away either motivated or with tools to help me build and run my nonprofit. Very informative for leaders of organizations of all budgets. Highly recommend listening and joining her Nonprofit leadership Lab.

If you work at a nonprofit or even if you simply care about the work nonprofits do, this is a must listen. The time moves quickly as the ideas flow freely. Subscribe, already, would ya?

Whether you’re well established as someone who can translate creative energy into the impact you want to have on the world, or just getting started as a catalyst for change - this is a must-listen podcast for you! Joan does an incredible job leading conversations that cover a huge breadth of topics related to the ins and outs of building a thriving nonprofit and life you can be proud of - with leaders who’ve actually walked the path. Highly recommend listening and subscribing!

Joan Garry and her guests are an incredible resource for any nonprofit board leader or executive director. On this podcast, you’ll get advice and inspiration that you can put into action right away. And you’ll be reminded that excellent board members are abundant and it’s likely they want to serve on your board. You just have to give them the right opportunity, role and challenge.

Some many great insights on managing a not for profit in these episodes

This podcast is so insightful on topics that aren’t necessarily ‘googeable’ and have helped get me from stuck to motivated in my work for a non-profit (which I would love to rename the ‘impact sector’)

If you’re involved in any nonprofit—in any capacity—this podcast is an amazing resource. It kind of just makes you a better person just by listening!

No one should attempt to work at or lead a nonprofit (or maybe any company) without Joan! Always timely and relevant.

I am not running or associated with a non profit in any way at the moment, although I have been in the past. I loved listening to episode 20 for my civil and community economics class, and I will be listening to more!

I run a national nonprofit, large in reach and impact, but small in budget. I’ve been gobbling up resources and at times feel like I’m boiling an ocean as I click through the hyperlinks on google docs, looking for the answer on how to lead and do the right thing in a global pandemic! Joan kindly reminds the listener, that the answers are within us and are core to our leadership attributes, and coaches the listener on how to focus and pivot with great suggestions and resources. Thank you!

Great ideas and reminders!

Excellent info! Uplifting and energizing.

Thank you so much for this podcast. I’ve been planning and researching to lay a foundation as I weigh the pros and cons of starting a non profit to care for people who’ve experienced abuse in faith-based communities. Thank you for all of this helpful knowledge and giving me the opportunity to learn from people who have gone before me.

Joan offers a great mix of current concepts in the nonprofit field, as well as practical tips and resources that a nonprofit professional can take back to their organization

Joan is succinct and artful with her productions! As a non profit leader, I look forward to every episode! True Gold!

Joan's podcasts is one of the few I never miss, and I've been known to listen to some episodes more than once. Each episode is packed with practical, actionable tips for nonprofit leaders, and she often says something that makes me laugh out loud! You can tell she enjoys motivating her listeners to take their organizations to the next level.

This is my new favorite podcast! Joan knows her stuff and she had great guests who also know their stuff! Every episode is interesting and informative. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone working in non-profit!

I am in the midst of starting a new nonprofit and it’s overwhelming to say the least. But this podcast has given me an incredible direction and I’m feeling enormously grateful to Joan and all of her guests for doing this. Thank you!

I used to love this podcast. But the audio quality has steadily dropped over the last few months. The most recent episode was unlistenable. It's a tragedy, because Joan has great stuff to say (especially if you're an ED, or on the board), but...if you can't hear it, what does it matter?

Real, in-depth interviews that provide tangible steps and tools to nonprofits!

This is our fourth year of running our non-profit and I really appreciate the practical tips and personalized stories that offer a wealth of insight.

I listen everyday. Your podcast is equivalent to a course in nonprofit management. I’m getting an education here! Thank you!

This is simply one of the best podcasts on leadership, nonprofits and fundraising. Thank you!

Excellent tips, words of experience, and suggestions for moving forward.

I'm a grant writer looking to take my career to the next level and the information shared on Nonprofits are Messy is invaluable!

I just started listening to this podcast and I have already learned so much that I can immediately apply to my job and my organization. Thank you for the extremely relevant and practical information and discussion. It has already made me see my job in a new light!

Excellent series with lots of very well informed guests on a range of subjects useful to any nonprofit manager/ED. I have learned a lot and will keep listening.

Having formerly worked in the for-profit arena (with a marketing & advertising background) and then gradually transitioning to the non-profit industry (from a volunteer to a consultant to a staff member to an Assistant Executive Director of a national organization), I've found this podcast series to be extremely helpful! I look forward to each new episode release and recommend it to others looking for good, honest and authentic nonprofit industry in sight..

I love listening to Joan’s podcast on my way to and from my job as a university art museum director. I am new to this role and her podcast addresses all of my questions in a very approachable candid manner. Her conversations with special guests are always illuminating and sometimes I listen to the podcasts a few times to fully absorb all of their good advice. I eagerly await each new episode.

This quick podcast talks about buzzing topics in non-profits. If you have a quick 20 minutes, it's worth listening too!

While Joan's expertise comes mostly from the nonprofit world, there's lots here for anyone who wants to learn how to communicate and manage better. Entertaining and informative.

I really enjoy these conversations! I'm a mid level nonprofit professional and I feel like I've learned so much in just the few episodes that I've heard.

In a world of not enough resources, also known as non profit, this is a priceless one; worth every minute!

I stumbled on the ED episode today, listened to it while showering since that’s when I have time to just listen to something, and then dug for more over coffee instead of reading more email. Episode one, about making the ask, is already in the inbox of the President of the Board. Thanks! Our nonprofit is barely off the ground, we’ve just expanded the board, every piece of the puzzle is in place but we need good advice fast!

As I move from local government to the non-profit world, I know I have a lot to learn. I'm grateful to have found Joan's website during the interview process, and now have lots of tools as I get started! Thanks Joan!

As a nonprofit professional, there is nothing better than someone who “gets it”. Joan’s brand of humor and real talk is incredible to read in her blog, but even better spoken live. Joan switches between moments of lightness and true, enactable advice that makes you take a deep breath… And deep breaths can be few and far between in our fast paced world! I am recommending this podcast to all of my nonprofit friends. The nonprofit podcast world was sorely missing Joan. I am happy she is here!

Love that now one of my favorite NP blogs is delivered in a podcast! I am able to listen in my car to and from the office. Great practical advice from someone that ‘gets it’! Highly recommend.

Congrats, Joan. These are great podcasts and you’re always a straight shooter on important topics.

If you are non-profit executive or Executive Director, this is essential listening. Joan Garry has had one of my favorite emails, websites for over a year. I am not surprised her podcast is as good (if not better). It is already a favorite. It is like having a mentor and coach all in one and I look forward to many more interviews and life lessons.