Is 'Founder Syndrome' a myth or reality?

Carin Willis, the Founder of Bridge for Pelvic Pain (bridgeforpelvicpain.org), chats to Simon about setting up a non-profit and the perceptions we have of charity founders.

Among other things, they talk about Board members and strategy documents and getting hit by a bus. And it wouldn't be the festive period without Krampus!

Diarmuid McCleary (aka The Microwave Express) takes a break from hitchhiking around the world with a microwave to chat to Simon.

They discuss why he's doing it; how he has approached fundraising and social media; and how he travels and sleeps without spending a cent. Diarmuid shares stories of his adventures round Ireland and Scotland and talks about where is next.

Read more, offer to help and donate at:TheMicrowaveExpress.comThe Microwave Express on FacebookThe Microwave Express on Instagram

IoF #ChangeCollective's long term vision is for an equal, diverse and inclusive profession, where no matter what your personal characteristics, including gender identity, ethnicity, faith, age, class, sexuality, age or disability, or any and all intersectionalities of those characteristics, you will be “the right fit” for the fundraising profession.

Simon talks to Jonathan Levy (twitter.com/JLevyUK) - one of the faces of the campaign, National Convention board member, award-winning disability campaigner and Dyspraxia Foundation trustee.

Read more about the Change Collective here: https://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/championing-fundraising/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/change-collective/

Read the Manifesto For Change here: https://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/library/manifesto-for-change

And complete the EDI survey here: https://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/championing-fundraising/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/survey-diversity-equality-and-inclusion-in-the-fundraising/

What's the difference between a good manager and a bad manager? Simon talks to Mary Gamble (twitter.com/MsMaryGamble) about managing fundraisers, project staff, and CEOs. Mary relives the musical drama of her career, from her days working with face-to-face fundraisers on the harsh streets of London, all the way to her current role as Director of Fundraising in Barnardos.

As always, there's a few tangents...ranging from boy bands, Home & Away, Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Devil Wears Prada and more.

Nikki Bell (twitter.com/CharityNikki) and Joe Jenkins (twitter.com/MrJoeJenkins) return to the podcast to discuss whether there is a 'talent crisis' in the fundraising sector.

Joe elaborates on his Third Sector article, Nikki laments the lack of development opportunities outside of capital cities, and Simon rambles nonsensically at the unaffordability of training.

Simon sits down with superstar fundraisers and international speakers Rory Green (twitter.com/RoryJMGreen) and Steven Shattuck (twitter.com/StevenShattuck) in the wake of #GivingTuesday. They talk through what fundraisers should be doing after Giving Tuesday and how to ensure you're left with donor relationships, rather than just donations.

How do you make your Direct Mail stand out from the crowd? How do you give your readers that warm and fuzzy feeling? And how do you even start writing when you have a blank page in front of you and crippling self-doubt inside of you?

Simon sits down with Holly Paulin to chat about how she writes copy. Listen to them discuss blank pages, elephant noises, finding your charity's voice and more.

Find Holly on Twitter @HollyHPolly

And Simon is @ToastFundraiser or at changefundraising.com

Simon chats to Kimberley MacKenzie (kimberleymackenzie.ca) about the day after a conference, how we actually get stuff done, and more...

Reviewing the latest fundraising news this week with Simon is Mr Joe Jenkins from The Children's Society and Nikki Bell from KEDA Consulting. News stories include#YouMadeItHappen - the new sector-wide campaign to celebrate supporters. Nikki, Joe and Simon also weigh in on JustGiving's decision to scrap fees on certain fundraising pages after pressure from politicians.

Simon talks to Jill O'Herlihy about Facebook Fundraising and how Mental Health Ireland have made it work for them. Hear about Facebook's big announcement this week, the good and bad things about Facebook Fundraising, and what the future holds for FB and Instagram and matched giving.