In this episode, host Jarrod A. Clabaugh, CAE, talks with Mark McSweeney, CAE, founder of Envisioned Future, about his journey into association management and the lasting impact of the profession. Drawing on a career that spans fraternity leadership, trade associations, and association management companies, Mark reflects on the ripple effect associations create through effective governance, strategic clarity, and organizational transformation. The conversation addresses common misconceptions about nonprofits, emphasizing that associations are complex businesses requiring disciplined financial management and healthy reserves. Mark shares leadership insights on curiosity, facilitation, patience, and vulnerability, and discusses how the industry may continue to evolve through clearer member value, strategic partnerships, and consolidation. He also offers perspective on AI as a tool that enhances human judgment and outlines a practical framework for member engagement grounded in relevance and relationships.

This episode is sponsored by Clark Schaefer Hackett Business Advisors.

OSAP Observations is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Jarrod A. Clabaugh, CAE, sits down with Angela Kisskeys, president of Associations North, to explore her path into association management and the evolution of the profession over the past 15 years. Angela reflects on how member engagement has changed, the need to stay focused amid shifting expectations, and why listening to members is essential to staying relevant. The conversation highlights the importance of experimentation, adaptability, and community-building, as well as the ongoing challenge of communicating the value of association management as a career. Angela also shares thoughtful insights on leadership, personal growth, and finding balance between structure and spontaneity—both in work and in life.

This episode is sponsored by Burgie MediaFusion.

OSAP Observations is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Jarrod A. Clabaugh, CAE, sits down with Erin Fischer and Mike McRee for a dynamic conversation about elevating leadership training and facilitation. Together, they unpack what it takes to design learning experiences that truly resonate—from understanding your audience and shaping participant-centered sessions to using storytelling as a powerful engagement tool. They also explore why prep work and post-session follow-up are essential for lasting impact. Throughout the discussion, Erin and Mike highlight the importance of continual growth, authentic connection, and creating spaces where leaders can learn, reflect, and thrive.

This episode is sponsored by Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Sandusky.

OSAP Observations is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Jarrod A. Clabaugh, CAE, is joined by Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE, Chief Public and Governance Officer at ASAE, and Ali Bedford, vice president at Integer, for a conversation on the power of advocacy in advancing associations and nonprofits. Together, they unpack recent wins in tax reform and workforce legislation and share how effective storytelling, grassroots engagement, and strong relationships with policymakers can drive meaningful change. The discussion also highlights how smaller organizations can take practical, proactive steps to make their voices heard and influence policy at every level.

This episode is sponsored by the Ohio Trucking Association.

OSAP Observations is produced by Association Briefings.

Show notes

The Community Impact Coalition: https://www.cicoalition.org/  

The Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition: https:/ /powerofassociations.org/tomorrows-workforce-coalition/

In this episode, host Jarrod A. Clabaugh, CAE, sits down with keynote speaker, author, and resilience strategist Shawn Ellis. Shawn unpacks his signature Choose Your Ending Method and Five Cs of Radical Adaptability—calm, clarity, courage, confidence, and community—showing how these principles help association leaders let go, adapt, and grow in a rapidly changing environment. He also shares his personal journey into the association space, the inspiration behind his method, and why embracing vulnerability and authentic communication leads to stronger accountability and collective success.

This episode is sponsored by Clark Schaefer Hackett Business Advisors.

In this episode, host Jarrod A. Clabaugh, CAE, welcomes Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CEO of Vista Cova and a recognized leader in association management and facilitation. Lowell reflects on his path from education into the association world, sharing how curiosity, intentionality, and authentic connection shape effective leadership. The discussion explores the growing need for genuine community in a noisy digital era, the rising importance of personalized communication, and the future of inclusive, equitable leadership. Lowell also underscores the vital role nonprofit associations play in advancing missions without partisanship, and he offers practical advice on empathetic listening and building deeper, more meaningful relationships.

This episode is sponsored by the OSAP Foundation.

In this episode, host Jarrod A. Clabaugh, CAE, sits down with Patrick Donadio, CSP—renowned communication strategist, keynote speaker, author, and executive coach—to explore what it really takes to elevate both personal and organizational communication. Drawing from over two decades of experience, Patrick introduces his powerful six-step IMPACT process and unpacks common communication pitfalls, from unclear messaging to digital distractions. Together, they dive into the art of active listening, the need for intentional engagement, and the growing role of AI in shaping how we connect. Whether you're leading a team, planning an event, or trying to deepen member relationships, this episode offers practical tools and fresh perspective to help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

This episode is sponsored by Burgie MediaFusion.

OSAP Observations is produced by Association Briefings.

Show notes

For an article on active listening, visit https://tinyurl.com/uc4bw553. 

In this episode, host Jarrod A. Clabaugh, CAE, chats with motivational speaker and improv comedian James Robilotta about the power of authentic conversations. Together, they explore how curiosity deepens human connection, why storytelling builds community, and the importance of prioritizing mental health and work-life balance. With humor and honesty, James offers practical insights for creating more meaningful interactions—in both personal and professional life.

This episode is sponsored by the Ohio Trucking Association.

OSAP Observations is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, host Jarrod A. Clabaugh, CAE, sits down with tech expert and keynote speaker Beth Ziesenis, affectionately known in the association world as "your nerdy best friend." Together, they explore Beth’s journey into the association space and dive into her latest book, "Real People, Real AI," which showcases the unexpected and creative ways everyday users are embracing AI in both personal and professional settings. Beth unpacks current trends in artificial intelligence, the growing importance of having an AI usage policy, and the exciting potential of tools like text-to-video technology. Despite the fast-paced evolution of AI, Jarrod and Beth emphasize a consistent theme: the irreplaceable value of human judgment, curiosity, and lifelong learning.

This episode is sponsored by the OSAP Foundation.

Show notes

Beth Z cuts through the noise to bring you tech tips, tools and tricks for productive productivity, sexy social media, tolerable to-do lists and truly collaborative collaborations.

She is exciting, fun, and packed full of knowledge that she shares in easy-to-digest sound bites. Beth takes the fear out of technology and helps you get right to the point with effective apps and tools that you can integrate into your everyday work and life.

In this episode, host Jarrod A. Clabaugh, CAE, chats with keynote speaker and Black Tie Experience founder Bob Pacanovsky about the critical balance between technology and human connection in today's digital landscape. Bob shares how his personal journey led him to the nonprofit world and a deeper understanding of what makes interactions truly memorable. Together, they explore how associations can enhance member engagement and customer service by combining innovative tech tools with intentional, high-touch experiences. You’ll also hear practical strategies for building trust, using storytelling to deepen relationships, and maintaining the human element at the heart of every interaction.

This episode is sponsored by Shores & Islands Ohio.

OSAP Observations is produced by Association Briefings.