PODCAST · education
Life and Mission
by Kay Helm
Storytelling and writing are essential skills for missionaries, ministry and nonprofit leaders. In fact, if you struggle to tell stories, you'll struggle to raise the funds you need. Kay Helm is a writer & editor with experience in missions and the business world. She founded Mission Writers in 2022 to help missionaries write fundraising appeals and powerful stories to share with supporters. In this podcast, she offers tips you can use today to improve your missions & nonprofit writing.
Episodes
-
When? Time as a factor in your nonprofit storytelling
In this episode we explore the fifth part in our series on the building blocks of nonprofit storytelling—When. Learn why timing matters in your fundraising, from year-end campaigns to creating urgency with matching gifts, celebrating donor milestones, and telling powerful follow-up stories. Plus,...
-
Why Do You Do What You Do? Sharing Your Purpose
Clarifying and sharing your “Why” builds trust, connects with supporters, and sets your mission apart. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in...
-
Where Are You Making a Difference?
Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling Series. You've found Life and Mission in a series on the six building blocks of storytelling: Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How. So far, we’ve looked at WHO and WHAT. Today, we’re looking at WHERE. Where are you? Where do you do what you do? You can...
-
What’s Your Story? Clarifying Your Nonprofit’s Message
Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling Series We’re in the middle of our series on the six building blocks of storytelling: Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How. Today, we’re diving into WHAT. The “what” of your story can do so much more than just describe your work. In this episode, I’ll…
more -
Who’s at the Heart of Your Mission?
Part of the Building Blocks of Storytelling series. In this episode, we dig into the “Who” of nonprofit storytelling—who you are, who you serve, and who your donor is. I’ll share why getting clear on these three characters builds trust, honors the people in your stories, and helps donors see...
-
Six Building Blocks of Storytelling
Today, and in the next few episodes, we’re going all the way back to the most basic building blocks of storytelling: who, what, where, why, when and how. Simply including these in your content isn’t enough. Over the next few episodes, we’ll discover how using these building blocks effectively can...
-
Season 4 of Life and Mission
Whether you're a missionary, a nonprofit leader, a change maker of any kind, you know that a powerful story can open hearts for people to join you in your mission. In season 4 of the Life and Mission Podcast, we're looking at the building blocks of every persuasive story: who, what, where, why,...
-
Nonprofit Newsletter Notes
In this episode, I'm answering questions about nonprofit newsletters. How many newsletters should you send? How fancy do they need to be? What else can you do with those stories? Why send a print newsletter by mail when you can send email instead? One key thing you don't want to leave out....
-
Tell Stories to Raise Funds
Storytelling is an essential skill for fundraisers. What do stories do? Stories help us connect. Compelling stories increase empathy. Stories reflect our values. Stories reveal truths. Stories help us see others in a new way. Stories give us context. Send me your questions Support the show…
more -
Don't Stop Now! Do this to raise funds at year-end.
The time between Thanksgiving and December 31 is by far the biggest giving season of the year. People expect you to ask. If you don't, the assumption will likely be that you don't need their money.Here's what you need to do now. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library...
-
Unlock the Story Vault: Find the Stories You Need for Fundraising Success
You know you need to tell more stories to raise funds - but where do you find these stories? In this episode, I share five ways to find the stories you need. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through...
-
What the Food Network Show "Chopped" Can Teach Nonprofits About Storytelling
In the Food Network show Chopped, just before chefs present their first dish to the judges, they must answer the question, “What would it mean for you to win?” It's a question every nonprofit must answer. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help...
-
Own Your Expertise
Do you think of yourself as an expert? Maybe you should. We need you to share your knowledge and experience with us. ----- Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been…
more -
Ask for advice from supporters
Your supporters want to help. Asking them for advice helps you and engages them at a deeper level. You’ll both be glad you did! Often, when you ask for advice, supporters will tell you exactly how they prefer to be asked for money. The transparency you show in conversations around how you raise...
-
Reduce Friction for Fundraising Success - Part 2
In the last episode, we looked at gaps in your storytelling that cause friction. This week, we’re looking at friction in the donation process. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling.…
more -
Reduce Friction for Fundraising Success - Part 1
Why aren't people giving? Maybe there's too much friction–little things in your messaging or in your presentation that cause hesitation or second-guessing. This week we look at friction in storytelling, and what to do about it. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library…
more -
Every Story is About Change
Every story needs change, regardless of the story's focus. By recognizing this and emphasizing it, you can engage and connect with your audience more effectively. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds...
-
What Formula One Can Teach Nonprofits About Storytelling
Sports can teach us a lot about nonprofit storytelling. In this episode, we're looking at two examples of sports using storytelling to reach people and to teach people – two things all nonprofits need to do. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help...
-
Monetize your book with a course
If you've got a book, you need a course to go with it. Here's my interview with the man who can help you do that, Dr. Lucas Marino. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been...
-
3 Questions Your Writing Must Answer
When we are writing to move someone to action, we must be clear. Not clever. Only crystal clear will do. I recently attended the Hope Words conference for writers, where one of the speakers was Katherine Paterson. Mrs. Paterson is the author of over 40 books and the recipient of many awards for…
more -
Hard Stories: Writing for Yourself
As ministry practitioners and nonprofit communicators, we are often called to sit with difficult stories of human suffering and injustice. Even though we are storytellers, not every story is for sharing. Our words are also meant for remembering, exploring, questioning, and hoping. Resources Mark...
-
The Power of Parables in Nonprofit Storytelling
Parables have a way of getting around our defenses, short-circuiting our stereotypes, and making us think in new ways. In this episode, we're looking at the role of parables in Jesus' ministry, and how you can use stories to break through walls in your nonprofit's messaging. Check out Jesus'...
-
How to be a Fundraising Super Bowl Star
The Fundraising Super Bowl is your nonprofit's big game - and winning looks like raising the funds you need to serve. Here are some lessons from that "other" big game. Football coaching legend Vince Lombardi famously said to his almost-champion Green Bay Packers team, “Gentlemen, this is a...
-
How to be a Great Podcast Guest
Being a guest on podcasts is a great way to share your message. Here's your guide to being a great podcast guest. Find full show notes and a checklist at lifeandmission.com Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise...
-
More Than Podcasting: Are we missing opportunities?
In this interview with Eric Nevins, founder of the Christian Podcasters Association, we discuss the potential waiting to be unlocked through podcasting. Eric hosts the Halfway There Podcast. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and...
-
Three Messages to Send Donors in January
This week on Life and Mission: End-of-year fundraising may be over, but that only sets up some key messaging for January. In this episode, I'll give you three key messages to send donors in January (plus a bonus). Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources…
more -
Writing Books - Interview with Kent Sanders
In this episode, Kent Sanders shares his process for ghostwriting and collaborating on book projects. Plus, thoughts on structure and creativity, and his latest project - a book about Elvis. Kent is the author of 18 Words to Live By: A Father's Wisdom on What Matters Most, and The Artist's...
-
What to do When the Stories Aren't Pretty
When things don't turn out as planned, a well-told setback story can give donors another reason to support you. Here are some of the stories you can tell around a setback: Explain the process of change your beneficiaries go through. Focus on one aspect of the change process and help supporters...
-
How Introverts Can Navigate Events
I have a love-hate relationship with conferences and networking events. While I love to meet new people and to learn new things, large or busy events can get overwhelming. I'm an introvert. I like my alone time. After a lot of activity, conversations, and noise, I need to go somewhere quiet and...
-
Using Stories to Connect: Mary Valloni interviews Kay Helm
The tables are turned as fundraising expert Mary Valloni interviews Kay about using stories to connect with donors. We talked about: Using stories to connect Where we go wrong with storytelling Stories for people in admin roles Telling your own origin story The key story we forget Missionary...
-
Help Donors Catch Your Stories
Your donors are busy. They’re tired. They make decisions all day in a world where everyone is clamoring for attention. Here's a simple way to help them "catch" your stories. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise...
-
Adjust Your Messaging to Fit Your Donor's Journey
Our stories have the power to move supporters along on a journey: introducing them to a problem, dispelling myths, offering hope, introducing them to our organization, showing them how we solve the problem, building trust, and inviting them to take action. At any point in time, you'll have people...
-
Joyful Copy: Interview with Joy Capps
My guest today is Joy Capps, author of Joyful Copy—How to Show Up in the Marketplace Ethically and Authentically. There are a lot of copywriting formulas and blueprints, and many ways to reach your audience. But not all ways line up with what we know to be ethical and true. Joy created her Joyful...
-
What Airbnb can teach nonprofits about storytelling
Every story gives us a chance to choose. Do we set up a “them and us” narrative, or will we do the work to offer another perspective? Airbnb runs an ad featuring a family of shaggy “monsters” enjoying their vacation. the goal of the ad is to invite people to become hosts on the platform. It…
more -
Fundraising in Uncertain Times
I got a message today from a supporter who needs to stop her monthly donations. I'm thinking of my friends in ministry who raise support–missionary support or raising funds for the ministry as a whole–and you’re on the field, you’re doing the work, and you get a message like this. The temptation…
more -
Help donors read your fundraising materials
How to make your fundraising materials more inviting and easier to read, so more people can join you in your life-changing mission. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been...
-
Flamingo Marketing Mindset with Katie Hornor
My interview with Katie Hornor, author of Flamingo Marketing: How to Leverage Unique, Stay Relevant and Change the World [00:02:28] Leverage your unique [00:04:11] Why mindset is so important [00:06:03] Doing hard things [00:09:26] Time management [00:13:08] Legacy [00:14:03] Details on the book...
-
Three Takeaways for Communicators from TVE4
My three top takeaways from the Virtual Event on Virtual Events, and how you can serve your people by sharing the things you learn. I try to attend something every year that’s outside of but adjacent to my field. It helps me see things with fresh eyes. New possibilities, solutions to old…
more -
Why you need stories to raise funds
You need to tell stories to raise more funds for your mission, ministry or nonprofit. But why is that? What exactly is it that stories do? Every known culture tells stories. This is the way we make sense of the world and our place in it. All through the donor journey, especially with people who…
more -
Life and Mission Season Three
It's a new season for the Life and Mission podcast! Mission Writers Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise funds through storytelling. I've been re-organizing the content in response to some of your comments and...
-
Replay: One Woman Can Change the World
Ronne Rock is a storyteller, truth-teller, hope-dealer, and author of One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God- Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are. Send me your questions Support the show Mission Writers is a library of resources to help missionaries and nonprofits raise...
-
Four Words Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Master
Mission and vision are words we hear often, but we can struggle to differentiate between them. As leaders, communicators, and fundraisers, the confusion can cost us. We have a great cause! Why won’t people join us? Why don’t they give? Maybe it’s because we’re not being clear. They can’t see the...
-
How to Enjoy Fundraising and Build Better Relationships, with David Oaks
Fundraising doesn’t have to be a chore! Why should it be? We get to invite people into a greater story. David Oaks and I had a fun conversation about the simple things you can put into practice today to build better relationships and raise more money for your mission. Connect with David: Website:...
-
How to Beat Imposter Syndrome, with Jennifer Harshman
How do we get past that nagging feeling that we aren't qualified or "ready" to do that thing we're supposed to do? Imposter syndrome is that feeling many of us get when we start something new, where we question our qualifications, our abilities, or even our right to be involved at all. Jennifer...
-
Slow Living with Jodi Grubbs
How can moments of slow living create an island of peace in our daily lives? Jodi Grubbs is a slow living advocate and host of the Our Island in the City podcast. Here are some of the ways we can slow down and connect in the midst of our busy lives. Guest: Our Island in the City Connect with Jodi...
-
Telling Stories Well, with Chris Staron
Chris Staron is an award-winning filmmaker, an author, comedian, and podcaster. As host of the Truce Podcast, Chris uses journalistic tools to provide history and context to better understand the Christian church today. He gives us an inside look into his storytelling process, and why the stories...
-
Replay: Fundraising Freedom, with Mary Valloni
What's keeping your nonprofit or ministry from being fully funded? Mary Valloni lays down some truth to help us overcome the lies we believe about money and fundraising. Plus, simple things you can do today to start your journey to Fully Funded. Connect with Mary at maryvalloni.com and at...
-
Faith, Calling, and Sparking Connections with Misty Phillip
Misty Phillip is using her gifts and her calling to bring people together. In 2020, she hosted two events–one live, right before the lockdown–and the second as a virtual event. We talked about the differences and similarities between live and virtual events, Misty’s personal journey of faith, and...
-
All About Podcasting, with Alana Dawson
If you've ever wanted to start a podcast, this is for you. But not only podcasts, we're talking about going where your audience is, the process of creating content, and how to get your message out to the world. About Alana is a podcast coach, editor, and podcast producer who is on a mission to…
more -
Creating a Community for Writers with Brandy Wallner & Hope*Writers
I sat down with Brandy Wallner of Hope*Writers to talk about three things writers and creatives need to succeed. 1. A guide 2. Good, fresh information 3. Community Brandy is a community writer for Hope*Writers, tasked with building community and keeping members on track. For more about…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Storytelling and writing are essential skills for missionaries, ministry and nonprofit leaders. In fact, if you struggle to tell stories, you'll struggle to raise the funds you need. Kay Helm is a writer & editor with experience in missions and the business world. She founded Mission Writers in 2022 to help missionaries write fundraising appeals and powerful stories to share with supporters. In this podcast, she offers tips you can use today to improve your missions & nonprofit writing.
HOSTED BY
Kay Helm
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Life and Mission have?
Life and Mission currently has 106 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Life and Mission about?
Storytelling and writing are essential skills for missionaries, ministry and nonprofit leaders. In fact, if you struggle to tell stories, you'll struggle to raise the funds you need. Kay Helm is a writer & editor with experience in missions and the business world. She founded Mission Writers in...
How often does Life and Mission release new episodes?
Life and Mission publishes regularly with 106 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Life and Mission?
You can listen to Life and Mission on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Life and Mission?
Life and Mission is created and hosted by Kay Helm.
URL copied to clipboard!