Change rarely begins with certainty. It begins with a decision to act. In this episode, Nathan is joined by Michael Sheldrick to explore what it takes to turn ideas into real impact. 

Michael Sheldrick is the Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact and Government Affairs Officer for Global Citizen, who oversees a global team of 30 professionals who work with governments, businesses, foundations, and artists to end extreme poverty and achieve the sustainable development goals. As a believer that lasting change begins with action, he is guided by optimism and a global outlook where he sees technology, creativity, and collaboration as tools to amplify humanity’s potential. Turning his gratitude into service, Michael made a lifelong commitment to empower others to act, adapt, and reimagine what’s possible. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 

[01:00] Introduction and background of Michael Sheldrick. 

[04:11] Choosing to act meaningfully in your sphere of influence. 

[07:11] Turning belief and gratitude into meaningful change. 

[13:34] Willingness to ask for help.  

[17:21] Systemic change through collaboration and creativity. 

[25:30] The promise and paradox of AI. 

[35:03] AI, labor, and creativity.  

[38:50] The role of education in the future uncertainty.  

[43:55] What’s in the future for Michael?  

RESOURCES 

Connect with Michael Sheldrick 

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/michael-sheldrick-30364051/  

Website - michaelsheldrick.com/  

From Ideas to Impact: A Playbook for Influencing and Implementing Change in a Divided World  

by Michael Sheldrick 

amazon.com/dp/1394202342  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠

The robots used to be a distant concept from science fiction, but not anymore. They are already here, walking among us. From agentic AI to artificial general intelligence, the digital frontier is evolving faster than most can process. As these tools grow smarter and more autonomous, the heart of the matter is finding out how to stay grounded, curious, and values-driven in an age defined by accelerating intelligence. Join Nathan and Scott while they explore the collision of innovation and humanity, the balance between analog life and automation, optimism and caution, and efficiency and empathy.  

Nathan starts the conversation with Whisper Flow, an AI transcription tool highlighting how voice-based AI is redefining how humans communicate ideas, freeing them from the limitations of typing. Then Nathan shares his take on Super Agency, where AI amplifies human potential and the essential truth under it: the necessary coexistence of optimism about AI’s potential with realism about its risks. Furthermore, Nathan and Scott discuss the arrival of domestic robots and hyper-automated living, which is no longer limited to science fiction like it used to be. Nathan shows the importance of not outsourcing everything and choosing consciously which parts of life deserve our personal touch. They also discuss the importance of social learning hubs like LinkedIn to stay current and contextual.  

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 

[02.00] Personal updates and reminisces about 90s slang. 

[03.35] Redefining communication with voice-based AI.  

[07.20] The coexistence of potential and risks of advanced AI intelligence.  

[11.00] Staying grounded in what makes us human in the age of AI.  

[14.30] The arrival of domestic robots.  

[19.30] Dynamic learning hubs.  

[24.11] Plans for November.  

RESOURCES 

Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future  

by Reid Hoffman 

amazon.com/Superagency-Could-Possibly-Right-Future/dp/B0D5WMKV9H  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠

AI is not just a distant concept but a force that quietly transforms how nonprofits create, communicate, and connect. The key to successful adaptation of AI technologies is embracing imperfection, letting AI spark direction, structure, and scale, even when the first draft isn’t perfect. As the sector evolves by the week, adaptability becomes the ultimate advantage for nonprofits in staying discoverable, relevant, and ready for what’s next. 

Nathan and Scott open this week’s conversation coming live from the Association Philanthropy Healthcare Conference at Aurora, Colorado. They first discuss the striking parallel between today’s AI revolution and the industrial revolution, both highlighted by innovation and concentrated power, but unlike in the past, the AI revolution is instant and global. Then Scott shares his perspective on the limitations of AI. As formidable a tool as AI might be, when it comes to sensitive concepts like therapy and reasoning, AI cannot play the full functioning role of a human therapist and make us feel safe, heard, and seen. Furthermore, Nathan talks passionately about finding clarity in a noisy world where you have to slow down and find the intentional stillness where purpose takes shape. He further advises people to find their ‘one thing,’ which isn’t a luxury but the foundation for future leadership.  

Further into the episode, Nathan and Scott also discuss the following topics: the hope of new generations finding the balance between technology and human connection, the importance of staying anchored to personal values, the emergence of new AI technologies, the importance of experimenting and figuring out the potential of AI, the necessity of establishing AI governance policies, and more.  

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 

[02:45] Coming live from the Association Philanthropy Healthcare Conference.  

[08:00] AI revolution vs. industrial revolution. 

[10:41] Gen Alpha - A “renaissance” of balance between technology and human connection. 

[15:50] Limitations of AI as a therapist.  

[18:23] Figuring out and staying anchored to personal values.  

[22:30] Defining your ‘one thing’.  

[27:42] The rise of Artificial General Intelligence.  

[35:15] Going beyond the surface level of AI and identifying its potential.  

[38:40] The release of ChatGPT Atlas browser. 

[43:05] Establishing AI governance policies.  

[49:30] Visibility and credibility in the AI era.  

[51:00] Smart compose feature in Gmail.  

[59:14] Practical adoption, creative process, and balancing efficiency in agentic AI.  

RESOURCES 

IRREPLACEABLE: The Art of Standing Out in the Age of Artificial Intelligence 

by Pascal Bornet 

amazon.com/IRREPLACEABLE-Art-Standing-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1394264402  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠

The nonprofit sector continues to reshape with AI, but its power comes with responsibility. The ethical use of AI is essential to ensure technology serves human values rather than replacing them. Organizations need to balance hope and fear, embrace accountability, and create policies rooted in empathy, equity, and integrity. Evolving beyond awareness to action requires responsible experimentation and open conversations, always prioritizing humanity over utility. Change takes time, but consistent effort secures trust, human dignity, and also empathy and compassion that define a thriving society.  

In this episode, Nathan sits down with Meena Das, CEO at NamasteData.org, a first-gen immigrant, data, research, and analytics consultant, author, certified life coach, and mentor. She supports nonprofits by blending storytelling, conversions, and human-centric data tactics.

HIGHLIGHTS

[01:46] Self-reflection and ethical standards.  

[03:33] The importance of showing up.  

[05:07] Meena’s story.  

[07:46] Data and AI equity.  

[13:25] The origin story of the AI equity project.  

[18:50] The primary objective.  

[23:10] The importance of a healthy debate.  

[26:53] Awareness and action.  

[30:53] Asking the right questions.  

[35:19] Trust, humanity, experimentation, and accountability. 

[43:19] Upholding care, empathy, and integrity.  

RESOURCES 

Connect with Meena Das 

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/meenadas/  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠

Living in a rapidly changing technological era, the development of AI reminds us that what feels stable today can shift overnight. Just as global pandemics and political scenarios are reshaping our world quickly, AI is accelerating change at an unprecedented pace. The key not just to survive but to stay at the top of the technological game is to learn to adapt, stay open to possibilities, and prepare for what the future may hold.  

In this episode, Nathan and Scott primarily focus their conversation on the 2025 Fundraising AI Global Summit that happened last week and the positive changes that occurred this year compared to previous years. Throughout this conversation, they discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at a pace few people anticipated, how quickly assumptions about the stability of something can collapse, what it really means to adapt in a world where technology is moving faster than the traditional systems can keep up, what practical strategies you can try to stay strong, the research data on generative AI adaptation failure, how iteration unlocks the deeper potential of generative AI beyond surface-level tasks, the environmental and ethical implications of AI, and more.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

[01:35] 2025 Fundraising AI Global Summit Recap.  

[03:38] The increased awareness around the Global Summit.  

[08:30] Feedback on the summit.  

[10:44] The increasing role of agentic AI.  

[11:42] MIT study on generative AI.  

[17:42] The importance of iterative improvement in AI implementation. 

[21:17] Environmental implications of AI.  

[26:17] Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and the future of AI.  

[32:10] The importance of preparing for the rapid technological changes coming. 

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

In this week’s episode, we welcome Mallory Erickson, the creator of Practivated, and Woodrow Rosenbaum, founder and CEO of With Intent. This conversation focuses on the balance between productivity and efficiency with the help of AI in a world where speed often overshadows substance. Together, they shed light on how innovation can empower nonprofits to reimagine generosity for the future.  

HIGHLIGHTS

[06:22] Introduction and background to Mallory and Woodrow.  

[10:11] AI’s potential to transform organizations and impact.  

[15:00] From AI hype to real transformation in nonprofits.  

[18:40] The overwhelm and fear surrounding AI.  

[23:05] The fear of change and getting comfortable with discomfort.  

[27:50] Engagement over avoidance.  

[33:23] The mindset shift: Building prompting skills in safe contexts.  

[38:30] Responsible and ethical AI usage.  

[42:53] Leadership in rapidly changing AI landscape.  

[45:54] Agentic AI and the future of nonprofit.  

[48:04] Addressing bias and inequity in AI training and applications. 

[54:02] AI Global Summit: Learning and adopting AI that is best for nonprofit organizations. 

Connect with Mallory Erickson 

LinkedIn -linkedin.com/in/mallory-erickson-bressler/  

Website - malloryerickson.com/  

                  practivated.com/  

Instagram - instagram.com/_malloryerickson/  

Podcast - malloryerickson.com/podcast/  

Connect with Woodrow Rosenbaum 

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/woodrowrosenbaum/  

Website - with-intent.com/  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

From outdated best practices to the rise of agentic AI, the world of artificial intelligence is changing by the day. Reshaping how we work, lead, and give, AI is evolving faster than any other technology we’ve seen before. In this episode, Nathan and Scott comment on the urgency and importance of mindset shifts around AI, the emergence of new roles, and the delicate balance between automation and human supervision. The need for ethical standards in sectors like fundraising in using AI and the role of AI in unlocking generosity are also highlighted in this episode. If you are curious about the wonderful things that are possible with the help of AI, or simply just cautious, or both, this conversation will help you navigate the future of AI.  

HIGHLIGHTS

[02:00] Annual Bridge Conference, National Harbor, MD.  

[07:47] Perceptions vs. reality of AI adoption in the nonprofit sector.  

[12:10] The inevitability of change.  

[18:24] The recent USA AI action plan.  

[24:34] Setting the standard for responsible AI use.  

[29:02] The evolution of agentic AI.  

[34:28] The balance between automation and human oversight.  

[39:13] Navigating AI’s impact on job markets.  

[42:08] The role of AI in the future of philanthropy.  

REOSOURCES:

New Roles for AI - Pascal Bornet 

linkedin.com/posts/pascalbornet_ai-futureofwork-agenticai-activity-7355531131095552000-YPt2  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

In this episode, Nathan welcomes Jason VanLue, VP of Product at Virtuous, to explore the intersection of design thinking, branding, and AI. Starting the conversation, Jason shares his unique journey into product development and storytelling. The duo dives into the importance of design principles, the art of vibe coding, and why the human touch matters more than ever in an AI-driven world. 

Moreover, Jason previews his latest work, "The Three Pipe Problems," inspired by Sherlock Holmes and designed to solve complex challenges with empathy, creativity, and strategic thinking. Additionally, Nathan and Jason explore the evolving role of storytelling in the nonprofit sector, the critical skills required for the future workforce, and the potential of AI as a tool rather than a replacement. 

HIGHLIGHTS

[05:15] Jason's Journey   

[11:09] Jason's Book "Branding Matters" and Its Impact  

[22:18] The Concept of the "Three Pipe Problems" 

[28:34] The Role of AI in Problem Solving  

[37:32] Vibe Coding and Its Implications 

[41:42] Future of Work and Hiring Practices  

REOSOURCES:

Connect with Jason: 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonvanlue 

Website: jasonvanlue.com 

Website: virtuous.org 

Mentioned in the episode:  

Zag: The Number One Strategy of High-Performance Brands: amazon.com/Zag-Number-Strategy-High-Performance-Brands 

Branding Matters: amazon.com/Branding-Matters-Jason-VanLue 

Three Pipe Problems: jasonvanlue.com/book 

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

The term ‘Responsible AI’ is more than a buzzword; it’s a call to action. When we talk about responsible AI, it’s not about some fancy tech tools; it’s about power, ethics, leadership, and long-term consequences. The question we need to ask is ‘Who defines what’s safe? Who decides what’s ethical?’. At present a handful of tech giants shape the answers to those questions. While using AI might feel like a moderate impact, developing these models comes with a great environmental cost. We live in a world that moves at hyperspeed where it’s not healthy to treat AI as just a tech tool. The time has come for nonprofits and leaders to step up and lead with responsibility.  

In this week’s episode, Scott and Nathan talk about the ever-evolving landscape of AI and the foundation of AI governance. AI technologies are generally developing at a remarkable rate, but the governance aspect is only slowly progressing. This mismatch shows how the regulations are trying to catch up instead of preventing harm. Starting the conversation, Nathan shares his thoughts on the need for an adaptive, forward-thinking governance framework for AI that is able to anticipate risk and not just to respond. Next, Nathan and Scott discuss the technological and geopolitical power in AI, where a handful of tech giants control the system, leaving the rest of us to decide if their definition of ‘Responsible AI’ matches ours. Nathan kindly explains why responsible AI should be everyone’s responsibility. We are in a dire need of drawing ethical lines, defining values, and demanding a transparent AI governance system before harm scales beyond our grasp. Further down in the conversation, Nathan and Scott pay attention to the following topics: challenges in AI governance, guardrails for using AI, the role of leadership in responsible AI use, environmental impact on developing AI, and more.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

[01:06] Governance and AI.  

[04:04] The lack of progress in the governance framework.  

[09:11] Challenges in AI governance.  

[13:02] The concentration of technological and geopolitical power in AI.  

[15:10] The importance of having guardrails of how to use AI.  

[20:21] The role of leadership in responsible AI.  

[25:31] The choice between acting in the fog or becoming irrelevant.  

[27:50] Navigating the ethics and safety in AI.  

[30:15] Environmental impact of AI.  

RESOURCES 

Laying the Foundation for AI Governance.  

aiforgood.itu.int/event/building-secure-and-trustworthy-ai-foundations-for-ai-governance/

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠⁠

Today's conversation from the AI for Good Summit in Geneva, Nathan and Scott explore the evolving role of AI in shaping a better world. The summit, held under the United Nations banner and inspired by Neil Sahota, marks its 10th anniversary by focusing on how AI can accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The discussion encompasses diverse topics, ranging from quantum technology to AI-assisted robotics, but it's the human impact that takes center stage. 

Nathan and Scott reflect on the cultural nuances of AI adoption in the US, UK, and Mongolia, highlighting how urgency, regulation, and societal mindset influence progress. They examine the growing importance of AI governance and trust, particularly in the nonprofit sector, where AI is viewed not as a replacement for fundraisers but as a tool to strengthen relationships and enhance decision-making. 

The episode encourages nonprofits to adopt internal AI policies, ask better questions of their vendors, and prioritize empathy and human connection in AI implementation. With practical tips and personal routines shared, this conversation reinforces a critical message: successful AI adoption starts with people, not just tech. As AI transforms industries, the focus must remain on curiosity, values, and long-term impact. 

HIGHLIGHTS 

[0:07] AI for Good Summit Overview  

[03:09] Impact of AI on Workforce and Governance  

[06:16] Cultural Differences in AI Adoption 

[10:17] AI's Role in the Nonprofit Sector  

[22:07] Imagination, Boundaries, and Thriving with AI 

[27:07] AI Governance and Trust  

[33:29] Practical Tips for AI Adoption 

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠