The Cause+Effect Podcast

By Dunham+Co

Tired of doing things the same way every year? The Cause+Effect Podcast, brought to you by the Dunham Podcast Network, is a fresh voice that breaks down the latest fundraising trends, leadership le

... more

5

4242 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about The Cause+Effect Podcast:

How many episodes does The Cause+Effect Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 202 episodes available.

The Cause+Effect Podcast episodes:

August 20, 2026 How Little Things Shape Your Culture | Brian Mounjoy
Great culture isn’t built through one big initiative. It’s shaped in the small, everyday moments that show people they are seen, valued, and cared for.

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham is joined by Brian Mountjoy, Chief Culture Officer at Dunham+Co, for a conversation about the experiences and choices that shape the culture around us. Through stories from sports, leadership, the workplace, and life, they explore why being fully present matters, how simple acts of care can have a lasting impact, and why authenticity and accountability are essential to healthy culture.

No matter your role, you have an opportunity to influence the environment around you. Sometimes, making a meaningful difference starts with the little things.

CONNECT WITH US
https://dunhamandcompany.com

CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction
01:15 – Two Teams, Two Very Different Cultures
07:34 – You Can Influence Culture from Any Role
08:43 – How Our Experiences Shape the Way We Treat People
12:33 – The Power of Being Fully Present
15:23 – Small Actions That Help People Feel Seen
21:31 – Accountability, Authenticity, and Healthy Leadership
24:45 – Letting People in and Leading with Authenticity
...more
30min
August 06, 2026 Your Team is Using AI: Do You Have a Plan? | James “JP” Poulter
AI is no longer a future consideration for nonprofit and ministry leaders. It is already entering organizations through the tools employees choose, the software teams rely on, and the platforms that shape how they reach people.

In this episode of Cause+Effect, we explore why organizations are moving beyond the question of whether to use AI and beginning to wrestle with implementation, budgeting, governance, and culture. The conversation covers the rise of “shadow AI,” the limitations of one-size-fits-all solutions, and why successful adoption begins with educating leaders, creating permission to experiment, and understanding the human processes behind the technology.

The episode also examines a reported incident in which advanced AI models escaped a testing environment and accessed Hugging Face’s production systems. What does that event reveal about the growing capabilities of AI and the responsibility leaders, governments, and Christians have to advocate for thoughtful guardrails? AI cannot simply be ignored. The challenge is to develop a clear vision for using it in ways that strengthen organizations, protect people, and advance the mission. This is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:52 – AI Adoption Reaches a Turning Point
02:02 – Why Organizations Are Rethinking Their First AI Strategy
04:05 – Shadow AI and the Front, Side, and Back Doors
08:00 – What Nonprofits Can Learn from Corporate AI Spending
10:16 – Where AI Belongs in the Budget and Organization
11:38 – Education, Permission, and People-Centered Implementation
17:08 – When an AI Model Escapes Its Testing Environment
20:52 – A Warning Shot for AI Safety and Governance
23:23 – Why Christian Leaders Need to Engage
...more
26min
July 23, 2026 Giving USA 2026: What You Need to know | Rick Dunham & Joshua Crowther
In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President and CEO of Dunham+Co, is joined by Rick Dunham, Founder and Chairman, and Josh Crowther, VP of Dunham+Co, for a practical conversation about the new Giving USA 2026 report and what it means for churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.

Charitable giving reached $617.2 billion in 2025 and grew even after adjusting for inflation. But behind that healthy top-line number are important shifts in how and where people give. Rick and Josh unpack the surge in bequests, the growing influence of donor-advised funds, declining donor participation, and the challenges facing giving to religious organizations.

From beginning a planned giving conversation to preparing for transformational gifts and building a broader community of support, this episode turns the data into practical next steps. Trent, Rick, and Josh also explore what Gen Z’s generosity could mean for the future and why consistent, story-driven communication is essential for moving donor relationships beyond the transactional. This is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Chapters:

00:00 — Introduction
01:04 — What Giving USA Tells Us About 2025
06:10 — What Drove the Growth in Giving
07:02 — The Rise of Bequests and Planned Giving
12:09 — Where Donors Are Directing Their Gifts
19:21 — Donor Participation and Building from the Bottom Up
24:40 — Rebuilding Community Around Your Mission
27:09 — What Gen Z Signals About the Future of Giving
31:39 — Telling Stories That Connect Donors to Impact
...more
35min
July 09, 2026 Creating a Culture That Actually Cares | Brian Mountjoy
In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, CEO+ President of Dunham+Co, is joined by Brian Mountjoy, Chief Culture Officer at Dunham+Co, for a conversation on what it really takes to build and sustain a healthy organizational culture.

Through stories ranging from chicken coops and workplace brackets to unforgettable moments of caring for people well, Trent and Brian unpack why culture is not created by slogans, parties, or values on a wall. It is shaped every day by intentional leaders who love their people, model their values, and create an environment where others feel seen, known, and cared for.

Whether you lead a nonprofit, church, ministry, or business, this episode will challenge you to ask a simple but important question: what is one practical thing you can do today to strengthen the culture of your organization?

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
01:40 – Why Culture Requires Proactive Investment
04:02 – Culture Is Not a One-Time Event
05:39 – What Chickens Can Teach Us About Leadership
11:46 – Loving People in the Way They Need to Be Loved
19:12 – Simple Ways to Make Culture Real
30:18 – Challenge to Leaders
...more
33min
June 11, 2026 Why Donors Stop Giving and How to Win Them Back | Joshua Crowther
In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President+CEO of Dunham+Co, sits down with Josh Crowther, VP of Dunham+Co, to unpack the real reasons donors lapse. Some reasons are outside an organization’s control, like personal financial pressure, economic uncertainty, or shifting cultural attitudes toward generosity. But many causes are self-inflicted — including silence, poor communication, overused urgency, and fundraising tactics that prioritize immediate ROI over long-term relationship.

Trent and Josh discuss how organizations can identify lapsed donors, avoid common retention mistakes, and build stronger communication strategies that re-engage supporters. They also explore why lapsed donors often still see themselves as connected to your mission — and why that should change the way nonprofits communicate with them.

For nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and ministry teams, this conversation offers practical insight into donor retention, reactivation, and building lasting relationships with the people who make your mission possible.

CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction
01:12 – Why donors stop giving
02:00 – Economic uncertainty and donor confidence
04:38 – The decline in charitable giving
07:05 – Why silence causes donors to lapse
10:36 – The problem with constant urgency
13:18 – Treating donors like wallets
15:28 – How to re-engage lapsed donors
...more
24min
May 28, 2026 Trent’s Top 10 For 2026 (Pt. 2) | Eric Gomez
In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President and CEO of Dunham+Co, is joined again by Eric Gomez, COO of Dunham+Co, for part two of their conversation around Trent’s Top 10 for 2026.

Picking up with the second half of the list, Trent and Eric discuss how nonprofit leaders can use data visualization to make better decisions, why every communication channel matters, and how organizations should approach AI with more than reactionary experimentation. They also explore the importance of leadership modeling healthy work, the danger of blind spots, and what Dunham+Co’s 25th anniversary represents beyond celebration.

For nonprofit executives, ministry leaders, and fundraising teams preparing for 2026, this conversation offers practical guidance on strategy, culture, communication, and leadership for the road ahead.

Chapters:

00:00 — Welcome to Cause+Effect
01:16 — Data Visualization That Drives Strategy
07:11 — The Metrics Nonprofit CEOs Should Watch
08:55 — Why Every Communication Channel Matters
13:16 — Building a Documented AI Strategy
22:19 — Leadership Modeling Healthy Work
30:09 — 25-Years of Dunham+Co and What’s Ahead
...more
36min
May 14, 2026 Trent’s Top 10 For 2026 (Pt. 1) | Eric Gomez
In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President and CEO of Dunham+Co, is joined by Eric Gomez, COO of Dunham+Co, for a practical conversation on key trends and opportunities facing churches and nonprofit organizations in 2026.

Drawing from Trent’s annual “Top 10” insights shared at the Dunham+Co client summit, Trent and Eric unpack five major areas leaders should be paying attention to: how to maximize every piece of content, why donor education around tax code changes matters, why now may be a strong moment for capital campaigns, how personal touch can deepen donor relationships, and why video should be part of every podcast strategy.

From sermons and podcasts to handwritten notes and capital campaign communication, this conversation challenges leaders to think beyond more activity and instead focus on greater effectiveness, stronger relationships, and more impact.

________________________

CHAPTERS:

00:00 — Welcome to Cause+Effect
01:00 — Eric’s Journey to Dunham+Co
03:05 — Maximizing Every Piece of Content
09:35 — Donor Education and Tax Code Changes
13:30 — Why Now Is a Strong Time for Capital Campaigns
18:40 — How to Launch a Campaign the Right Way
23:45 — Personal Touch in an Automated World
27:55 — Why Podcasts Need Video
...more
34min
April 30, 2026 The Myth of Summer Giving | Joshua Crowther
Does giving really go down in the summer—or have nonprofits simply come to expect it?

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President+CEO of Dunham+Co, is joined by Joshua Crowther, VP of Dunham+Co, to unpack the myths and realities of summer giving. Together, they discuss how disrupted rhythms, vacations, fiscal year timing, and donor communication all shape giving behavior during the summer months.

Rather than accepting the “summer slump” as inevitable, Trent and Josh explore how nonprofits, churches, and ministries can use this season to communicate urgency, tell compelling stories, steward donors well, and create momentum heading into the fall.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction 01:27 – Is the Summer Giving Slump Real?
03:30 – Disrupted Rhythms and Donor Behavior
06:03 – Fiscal Year-End as a Summer Opportunity
08:00 – Creating Urgency During a Low-Urgency Season
10:40 – Don’t Let Summer Become a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
13:27 – Building Momentum Out of Summer
19:16 – Final Encouragement: Try Something Different
...more
22min
April 16, 2026 Manifesto of the Future Church | David Kinnaman
Is a spiritual resurgence really happening or are we just seeing isolated moments?

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham sits down with David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, to talk about what Barna’s latest research is revealing about faith, church attendance, and spiritual openness in America.

David shares why younger generations, especially Gen Z, may be showing more openness to Jesus than many leaders expected, why that openness does not always translate into comfort with traditional church structures, and what it means for ministries trying to reach the next generation. Together, Trent and David unpack the opportunities and challenges facing church leaders today, from discipleship and mentorship to intergenerational ministry and creating environments where people can truly be known.

This conversation is both encouraging and clarifying for leaders asking a critical question: is the Church prepared for what may be coming next?

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
01:06 Live from the Dunham+Company Summit
02:52 Is a spiritual resurgence happening?
08:42 Gen Z, Jesus, and the future church
12:07 Is the church ready for this moment?
19:10 Why mentorship and healthy leadership matter
26:29 The church’s opportunity with the next generation
33:55 Outro
...more
35min
April 02, 2026 The Best Story Wins | Matthew Luhn
In this episode of Cause+Effect, Trent Dunham is joined by Matthew Luhn — writer, animator, director, author, and longtime Pixar story leader. Drawing from his work on Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Up, and more, Matthew shares what makes a story memorable and why great storytelling is essential for leaders, ministries, and nonprofits trying to inspire action.

Together, Trent and Matthew explore why facts alone rarely stick, how story creates emotional connection, why the audience should be seen as the hero, and how organizations can better communicate mission through compelling, human-centered narratives. Matthew also unpacks simple storytelling principles leaders can use right away to make their message clearer, stronger, and more impactful.

Show Notes:

Pickup a copy of Matthew's book: https://a.co/d/07QnkFfm
...more
44min

FAQs about The Cause+Effect Podcast:

How many episodes does The Cause+Effect Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 202 episodes available.

More shows like The Cause+Effect Podcast

The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley by Dr. Andrew Farley

The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley

290 Listeners

It Matters with Esther and Elizabeth by Dunham+Company

It Matters with Esther and Elizabeth

94 Listeners

Real Truth Real Love Real Hope with Jeff Schreve by Dunham+Company Podcast Network

Real Truth Real Love Real Hope with Jeff Schreve

34 Listeners

Inside Grace with Alan Wright by Alan Wright

Inside Grace with Alan Wright

13 Listeners

Bible Threads With Dr. Bruce Becker by Time of Grace

Bible Threads With Dr. Bruce Becker

58 Listeners

Little Things With Amber Albee Swenson by Time of Grace

Little Things With Amber Albee Swenson

163 Listeners

Leading The Heart Way with Kevin Herrin by Dunham+Company Podcast Network

Leading The Heart Way with Kevin Herrin

14 Listeners

Meaningful Moments with Senior Living Ministries by Dunham+Company Podcast Network

Meaningful Moments with Senior Living Ministries

19 Listeners

Decisions: A Dunham+Company Podcast by Dunham+Company Podcast Network

Decisions: A Dunham+Company Podcast

9 Listeners

The Nonmicrowaved Truth With C.L. Whiteside by C.L. Whiteside

The Nonmicrowaved Truth With C.L. Whiteside

129 Listeners

Step Up with Chris Kouba by Dunham+Company Podcast Network

Step Up with Chris Kouba

99 Listeners

REvangelical: Rethinking Christian Living by Danny Forshee

REvangelical: Rethinking Christian Living

2 Listeners

Life in the Overflow with Pastor Michele by Dunham+Company Podcast Network

Life in the Overflow with Pastor Michele

4 Listeners

Man Enough to Forgive by Dunham+Company Podcast Network

Man Enough to Forgive

10 Listeners

The Christian Economist by Dave Arnott by Dunham+Company

The Christian Economist by Dave Arnott

5 Listeners

Mindset with Mike Schutt by Worldview Academy

Mindset with Mike Schutt

31 Listeners

The Christian Surfers Podcast by Christian Surfers International

The Christian Surfers Podcast

0 Listeners

The Way Home with Dan Darling by Dunham+Company

The Way Home with Dan Darling

0 Listeners

Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny by Time of Grace

Taboo Questions With Pastor Mike Novotny

9 Listeners