In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares Part 1 of her 2026 trends and predictions for the future of volunteerism. This is the first half of a two-part series exploring 8 major shifts shaping how communities show up, how volunteer-driven organizations build trust, and what leaders of volunteers must pay attention to in the year ahead. 

Tobi dives into the first three big trends: accountability, mutual aid, and new psychological insights into belonging and community. 

Full show notes: 198. The Future of Volunteerism - Trends & Predictions Part 1 

Future of Volunteerism - Episode Highlights 

• [00:59] - Trends and Predictions for 2026 
• [06:12] - Trend #1: Public Call for Accountability 
• [16:22] - Trend #2: Resurgence of Mutual Aid Volunteerism 
• [23:27] - Trend #3: Psychological Advances in Community and Belonging 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #183 - The New Reality - Volunteers Don't Need You 
• Faith Popcorn Brain Reserve  
• Book - Volunteer ENGAGEMENT 2.0: Ideas and insights changing the world 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #101: Tap the Power of Psychological Contracts with Pam Kappelides 

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].

In part 2 of our behind-the-scenes series on the Volunteer Management Progress Report, Tobi Johnson returns with Allison Russell, Assistant Professor of Public & Nonprofit Management at the University of Texas at Dallas, for a powerful conversation on practitioner research and what it can teach us about the volunteer engagement profession. 

Allison steps into the interviewer role again as they dig into what the VMPR revealed over a decade of surveying volunteer engagement leaders and how practitioner research can drive real-world improvements in training, leadership, and volunteer program strategy. 

You’ll hear what challenges consistently show up year after year, why response rates matter, and how turning research into action is what makes it truly valuable! 

Full show notes: 197. Behind the Scenes of 10 Years of Industry Research with Allison Russell – Part 2 

Practitioner Research - Episode Highlights 

• [02:06] - Diving into Volunteer Management Research 
• [03:51] - Key Themes in Volunteer Management 
• [05:30] - Challenges in Volunteer Recruitment 
• [06:49] - Respect and Influence in Volunteer Management 
• [08:43] - Using Research to Improve Practices 
• [22:50] - Survey Design and Response Rates 
• [30:33] - Understanding Research Participation 
• [33:50] - Advice for Conducting Survey Research 
• [37:18] - The Importance of Research Follow-Through 
• [38:49] - Challenges in Volunteer Management Research 
• [45:12] - Future Directions in Volunteer Research 
• [50:38] - What's Next for Volunteer Pro 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Engage Journal  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #196 - Behind the Scenes of 10 Years of Industry Research with Pam Kappelides & Allison Russell 
• Find Allison on LinkedIn  
• Allison’s UT Dallas Profile  

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].

To mark 10 years of the Volunteer Management Progress Report (VMPR), Tobi Johnson hands the mic to nonprofit scholar Allison Russell for a behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to produce a decade-long, global research study, without grant funding, institutional backing, or a full research team. 

Joined by longtime research partner Pam Kappelides, this episode explores why volunteer engagement research matters more than ever, how practice-informed research gets done, and what practitioners can learn (and apply) from the VMPR process. 

Full show notes: 196. Behind the Scenes of 10 Years of Industry Research with Pam Kappelides & Allison Russell – Part 1 

Industry Research - Episode Highlights 

• [00:55] - History of the Volunteer Management Progress Report 
• [13:54] - Importance of Research in Volunteer Engagement 
• [17:25] - Challenges and Innovations in Volunteerism 
• [31:59] - The Origin Story of the Survey 
• [32:43] - The Generosity of the Volunteer Community 
• [33:27] - Planning and Executing the Survey 
• [34:47] - Setting Goals and Philosophical Approaches 
• [36:23] - Steps in Survey Design and Analysis 
• [37:10] - Challenges and Practical Advice 
• [46:02] - Qualitative Analysis and Coding 
• [50:16] - Impact and Reflections 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Engage Journal  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #101: Tap the Power of Psychological Contracts with Pam Kappelides  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #058: Innovative Models in Volunteerism Research with Lucas Meijs 
• Pam Kappelides and Tobi Johnson, A Heavy Load: Challenges and Current Practices for Volunteer Managers in the USA, Australia, and Canada, Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing, 32(1)  
• Find Allison on LinkedIn  
• Allison’s UT Dallas Profile 
• Pam’s LaTrobe Profile  
• Find Pam on LinkedIn  

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].

As we step into a brand-new year, Tobi takes listeners on a reflective walk through the most popular Volunteer Nation Podcast episodes of 2025, sharing key insights and takeaways from each. 

Think of this as a Reader’s Digest–style recap of the ideas, strategies, and conversations that resonated most with volunteer engagement leaders over the past year and a powerful resource to help you start 2026 with clarity, connection, and momentum! 

Full show notes: 195. The Top 10 Volunteer Nation Podcast for 2025 - Our Countdown 

Volunteer Nation Podcast - Episode Highlights 

• [03:16] - #10: Episode 177, Manage Volunteers Like a Pro and Episode 174, Write Volunteer Emails Volunteers Actually Read 
• [07:11] - #9: Episode 163, New Research from Points of Light with Jennifer Sirangelo 
• [09:46] - #8: Episode 143, Three Big Problems with Your Volunteer Recruitment Flyer 
• [13:56] - #7: Episode 166, Train Volunteers with This Simple 4-Step Framework 
• [18:21] - #6: Episode 146, Expanding the Volunteer Jobs to Be Done at Your Nonprofit 
• [23:11] - #5: Episode 157, A Fresh Take on Volunteer Position Descriptions 
• [27:06] - #4: Episode 176, Beyond Pizza Parties: Innovative Volunteer Appreciation Ideas 
• [31:31] - #3: Episode 154, Entitled or Exploited? Volunteer Bias in Organizations 
• [36:46] - #2: Episode 162, The #1 Secret to Deep Volunteer Participation 
• [39:41] - #1: Episode 147, Volunteer Recruitment Trends from Our New Report 
• [45:16] - Key themes from 2025: mindset, clarity, connection, systems, evolving expectations 
• [49:31] - Final reflections 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].

In this episode of Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson welcomes back Amira Barger, award-winning communications executive, educator, and author of The Price of Nice: Why Comfort Keeps Us Stuck and Four Actions for Real Change. 

Together, they explore how “niceness” often operates as a form of social control, especially in workplaces, nonprofits, and volunteer-driven organizations, and why prioritizing comfort can come at a steep cost to individuals, teams, and missions. This conversation challenges leaders to rethink performative politeness and replace it with courage, clarity, and values-aligned action. 

If you’ve ever held back from speaking up to avoid rocking the boat, this episode will resonate deeply.

Full show notes: 194. Beyond the Performative - The Price of Nice with Amira Barger 

Performative - Episode Highlights 

• [00:29] - Welcoming Amira Barger and Her New Book 
• [01:24] - Amira's Background and Journey 
• [03:09] - The Importance of Volunteer Engagement 
• [04:44] - Transition to Communications 
• [07:44] - The Concept of Niceness and Its Impact 
• [10:11] - Personal Stories and Reflections on Niceness 
• [13:44] - Niceness in the Workplace 
• [17:19] - Challenging the Culture of Niceness 
• [28:07] - Strategies for Effective Communication 
• [33:41] - The Power Dynamics in Organizations 
• [34:40] - Understanding Inclusivity and Privilege 
• [35:17] - The Butterfly Metaphor and Emotional Labor 
• [38:00] - Framework for Courageous Conversations 
• [38:30] - Volunteer Program Development 
• [40:24] - The Price of Performative Niceness 
• [41:46] - Four-Step Model for Change Management 
• [47:34] - Building Capacity for Discomfort 
• [57:39] - Accountability Without Shame 

Helpful Links 

• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• 2025 Volunteer Management Progress Report – The Recruitment Edition  
• Volunteer Nation Podcast Episode #125: Diversity & Women in the Workplace: Claim Your Space with Amira Barger  
• Volunteer Nation Podcast Episode #84: Building an Inclusive Culture at Your Volunteer Organization with Advita Patel 
• Volunteer Nation Podcast Episode #160: Leadership Principles for Sparking Change – Part 1 with Jenni Field  
• Volunteer Nation Podcast Episode #161: Leadership Principles for Sparking Change – Part 2 with Jenni Field 
• Amira’s Website 

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].

How do volunteer leaders move from being seen as “extra hands” to strategic drivers of mission success? 

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson is joined by Chris Wade and Matthew Cobble, co-hosts of the Time for Impact Podcast in the UK, for a practical and thought-provoking conversation about building influence through impact. 

Together, they explore why volunteering needs to be reframed as community participation and talent, not just unpaid labor and how leaders of volunteers can use data, stories, and strategic thinking to elevate their role inside organizations. 

This episode goes beyond counting hours or outputs and dives into how volunteer engagement directly contributes to outcomes, organizational strategy, and long-term change. 

Full show notes: 193. Building Influence with Impact with Chris Wade and Matthew Cobble 

Building Influence - Episode Highlights 

• [00:31] - Introducing Special Guests: Chris Wade and Matthew Cobble 
• [01:12] - Building Influence with Impact 
• [01:57] - Meet Chris Wade: A Leader in Volunteerism 
• [03:58] - Meet Matthew Cobble: A Journey in Volunteer Engagement 
• [07:42] - The Importance of Volunteerism in Today's World 
• [12:42] - Volunteers as a Strategic Asset 
• [14:10] - Measuring Impact and Building Influence 
• [24:12] - Challenges and Solutions in Volunteer Leadership 
• [31:15] - Hypotheses and Program Design 
• [32:18] - Vision Week and Volunteer Planning 
• [33:06] - Shifting Mindsets on Volunteerism 
• [34:12] - Strategic Planning and Data Utilization 
• [36:13] - Design Thinking in Volunteer Management 
• [37:39] - Collaborative Data Collection 
• [40:32] - Practical How-Tos for Volunteer Impact 
• [42:46] - Measuring Volunteer Impact 
• [53:44] - Collecting Evidence and Surveys 

Helpful Links 

• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• 2025 Volunteer Management Progress Report – The Recruitment Edition  
• Time for Impact Podcast, Tobi Johnson on the Challenging, Brave Journey of Volunteer Leadership  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #175: Outputs vs Outcomes: Why Counting Hours Isn’t Enough 
• Info on Lewin's Force Field Analysis 
• Info on Balanced Scorecard for Nonprofits  
• Info on the Double Diamond Design Process  
• Info on the Outcomes Star  

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].

In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson tackles a topic that’s becoming increasingly urgent in the nonprofit and volunteer engagement world: copyright, intellectual property, and the ethics of sharing content. 

As a content creator, trainer, and consultant, Tobi has seen a growing wave of copyright misuse, most often unintentional, but still harmful. From lifted slide decks to copied models to repurposed blog posts, the misuse of intellectual property not only creates legal risks but erodes trust within our professional community. 

This episode is your practical, plain-language guide to understanding copyright, protecting your organization’s intellectual property, and respecting the creative work of others, staff, volunteers, and sector leaders alike. 

Full show notes: 192. Respect the Work: How to Protect Copyright in the Age of Sharing 

Protect Copyright - Episode Highlights 

• 00:53 Understanding Copyright and Intellectual Property 
• 01:41 Copyright Quiz: Legal, Ethical, or Neither? 
• 04:17 Real-Life Copyright Infringement Examples 
• 09:06 Why Copyright Matters for Nonprofits 
• 09:54 Common Misconceptions About Copyright 
• 11:55 How to Protect Your Copyright 
• 18:05 Avoiding Copyright Infringement 
• 35:22 What to Do If Your Work is Stolen 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report 
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #188: Let’s Talk Volunteering with Weave: the Social Fabric Project  
• Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) Professional Ethics in Volunteer Management  
• Creative Commons Website  

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].

In this episode of Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down a common misconception in the nonprofit world: Who is ultimately responsible for shaping your organization’s volunteer culture? 

After receiving pushback from a newsletter statement, Tobi walks us through the deeper nuance of volunteer culture, how it forms, why it goes wrong, and most importantly, why the CEO, not the volunteer manager, is the true culture owner. 

Whether you’re a leader of volunteers or a senior executive, this episode will give you clarity, relief, and a roadmap for healthier culture-building moving forward! 

Full show notes: 191. Who is Ultimately Responsible for Your Org's Volunteer Culture? 

 Volunteer Culture - Episode Highlights 

• [02:00] - Why “Vision” = Culture 
• [03:00] - What Is Volunteer Culture? 
• [05:00] - The “Emotional Brand” of Your Organization 
• [07:00] - How Culture Is Formed (Often Invisibly) 
• [09:00] - Unintentional Culture Builders 
• [11:00] - Why You Need a Culture Audit 
• [12:00] - 7 Signs Your Volunteer Culture Is in Trouble 
• [14:00] - When the Loudest or Most Overwhelmed Person Is Driving Culture 
• [17:00] - Who is Ultimately Responsible for Volunteer Culture? 
• [18:00] - Role of Senior Leadership & Department Heads 
• [20:00] - Role of Volunteer Managers & Direct Supervisors 
• [22:00] - Role of Volunteers Themselves 
• [23:00] - What Happens When the Wrong Person Is Steering Culture 
• [25:00] - Why Volunteer Managers Can’t Shoulder Culture Alone 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #168: Note to Nonprofit Execs – Supporting Volunteers is Everyone’s Job 

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].

In this episode of Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi dives deep into what makes a truly exceptional volunteer user experience — from the very first moment someone encounters your organization, through onboarding, active service, and beyond. 

Tobi breaks down the five core UX principles nonprofits must master — clarity, consistency, ease, empathy, and delight and explains how they shape volunteer satisfaction, retention, and commitment. 

You’ll also learn how to walk the path through your own volunteer journey to spot quick-win improvements and elevate your entire program. 

Full show notes: 190. 5 Principles for an Unforgettable Volunteer User Experience

User Experience - Episode Highlights 

• [01:00] – What a volunteer user experience actually is 
• [03:00] – The five phases of the volunteer journey 
• [08:00] – User experience principle #1: Clarity 
• [09:00] – User experience principle #2: Consistency 
• [12:00] – User experience principle #3: Ease 
• [14:00] – User experience principle #4: Empathy 
• [15:00] – User experience principle #5: Delight 
• [17:00] – High-impact action: Walk the Path 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #184 - The Experience Economy – Are Nonprofits Keeping Up? 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #183 - The New Reality - Volunteers Don't Need You 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #118: 8 Ways to Make Volunteering Experiences Much Easier  

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson breaks down why it’s one of the smartest, most powerful tools nonprofits can use to attract more aligned, motivated volunteers. Often, the issue isn’t a lack of interest from the community; it’s that your communication isn’t connecting, isn’t clear, or isn’t consistent across platforms. 

Tobi walks through the three core areas to examine when evaluating your volunteer recruitment efforts and explains how even small refinements can dramatically increase inquiries, improve onboarding, and strengthen your brand presence. By the end, you’ll see your volunteer recruitment ecosystem through fresh eyes and know exactly where the gaps (and opportunities) are hiding. 

Full show notes: 189. How to Use a Communications Audit to Recruit More Volunteers 

 Communications Audit - Episode Highlights 

• [01:00] - What a communications audit really is (and why it’s not scary) 
• [03:30] - Three core areas of a communications audit 
• [06:00] - Are you inspiring action or listing information? 
• [08:10] - Onboarding and follow-up as critical parts of recruitment 
• [12:15] - Reducing friction for new volunteers 
• [15:00] - Involving your team and volunteers in the audit process 
• [16:00] - Turning audit insights into better recruitment and engagement 
• [19:00] - Why communications must be more refined than ever 

Helpful Links 

• VisionWeek 2026  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #143: 3 Big Problems with Your Volunteer Recruitment Flyer  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #019: Improve the Volunteer Experience with a Journey Map  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #173: Is Your Volunteer Website Turning People Away? 

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].