Podcast
Believability, Awkwardness, and Winning Over a Trust-Starved Audience
Henna Pryor, CSP, author of “Good Awkward” and the forthcoming “The Signal Gap,” explains why associations can’t afford to cut corners in an age of doubt. She shares why authentic, hard-to-fake proof now outweighs polished testimonials, and how awkwardness can drive personal and professional growth.
The Role of Associations “When it Mattered Most”
Joanna M. Pineda, CEO of Matrix Group International, discusses the vital role of associations during the pandemic. Her insights are drawn from her book, “When It Mattered Most,” which highlights how associations protected professions and saved industries.
Slop is Nothing New in Design (AI Just Accelerated It)
Jon Cannon, Senior Graphic Designer at Big Red M, highlights the benefits and challenges of AI in the creative process, warns against replacing human designers with automation, and offers his honest perspective on navigating these changes in the industry.
What It Takes to Lead the Nation’s Largest State EMS Association
Alan DeYoung, CEO of WEMSA, discusses WEMSA’s growth into the largest state-level EMS association in the U.S. He shares insights on building this reputation through advocacy, events, and dedication, along with his journey from IT and marketing to association leadership.
How Regional Associations Can Hold Advantages Over their National Counterparts
Russ Webb, CEO of the Bay Area Apartment Association, highlights the benefits of regional associations compared to national ones. He also stresses the importance of focusing on member retention alongside recruitment to improve engagement.
How Customer-First Tech is Solving Associations’ Hairiest Problems
Pete Zimek, founder and CEO of Novi AMS, emphasizes the importance of starting with the user story to create effective products. He discusses how a customer-first approach addresses problems more accurately and how impactful software services can be built around user needs.
Building a Remarkable Association Career Without Losing Your Balance
Nathan Victoria, CAE, Vice President of NextGen Association Management Company and CEO of the Society for Personality Assessment, shares insights on balancing multiple roles, including being a devoted partner and father of three, alongside his professional responsibilities.
When an Iconic Association Leader Steps Down
Greg Heidrich, CEO of the Society of Actuaries (SOA), discusses strategic succession planning as he prepares to step down after nearly twenty years of successful leadership. He reflects on the challenges of replacing an impactful leader and emphasizes that succession planning is essential.
Why Toxic Positivity is Kryptonite for Association Leadership
Courtney Clark, a renowned speaker and expert on resilience, discusses the dangers of toxic positivity in association leadership. She emphasizes the need for strategic pivots rather than relying solely on grit, highlighting that knowing what to eliminate is crucial for success.







