Backstory & Strategy

Public Media: Why We Said No to Big Money & Kept Our Trust


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What happens when a six-figure gift comes with strings attached? In this episode, Yoni Greenbaum walks through a defining moment in public media leadership—when his team turned down big money to protect editorial integrity and audience trust.

Expect:

  • Behind-the-scenes stories of public media underwriting gone sideways

  • A breakdown of the FCC rules that separate public from commercial broadcasting

  • Lessons on holding the line when pressure to “just make it work” gets intense

Whether you're in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, or content strategy, this episode is a real-world reminder that some money just isn’t worth the cost.

🎧 Tune in for a candid look at the hard calls that keep mission front and center.


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Backstory & StrategyBy Yoni Greenbaum