Premium Episode: "Neurogiving:The Science of Donor Decision-Making". Meet the Author, Cherian Koshy.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...This episode, I sit down with Cherian Koshy, author of Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision-Making — a book that achieved something almost unheard of in the nonprofit sector by landing on the USA Today Bestseller List just one day after release.But this conversation isn’t about accolades. It’s about understanding what’s really happening in a donor’s brain — and why so many “best practices” in fundraising work sometimes… and fail other times.Cherian draws on nearly three decades of fundraising experience and more than 220 peer-reviewed research studies to explain how generosity actually works at a neurological level. We explore why storytelling creates real biological responses, how trust is formed and sustained over time, and why attention — not money — may be the most valuable currency nonprofits are competing for today.We also tackle some of the hardest realities nonprofit leaders are facing right now: crisis fundraising, donor fatigue, digital overload, and the ethical responsibility fundraisers carry when applying behavioral science. Throughout the conversation, Cherian is clear — this isn’t about manipulating donors. It’s about becoming more human-centered, more intentional, and more effective in how we invite people into generosity.If you lead a nonprofit, sit on a board, work in development or marketing, or care deeply about the future of giving, this episode will challenge how you think about fundraising — and equip you with language, insight, and research to do it better. For me, the book is fast becoming a tutorial in contemporary ways to address fundraising and donors with great intentionality and understanding. You can find the book on Amazon with this link: Neurogiving.Episode Chapters00:00 – Welcome & a rare nonprofit milestoneWhy Neurogiving hitting the USA Today Bestseller List matters for the sector.06:00 – What “Neuro Giving” really meansWhy this book isn’t about manipulation — and what it actually reveals about donor behavior.14:00 – Storytelling, brains, and emotional connectionWhat neuroscience shows us about why stories move people more than data.26:00 – Trust, identity, and long-term givingHow generosity becomes part of who a donor is, not just something they do.38:00 – Crisis fundraising and donor overloadWhy constant urgency backfires — and how to pair urgency with hope.50:00 – Digital giving, ethics, and the future of fundraisingAttention, technology, AI, and why humans still matter most.Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story!  We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/  And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.