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Let’s Hear It

letshearitcast

Welcome to Let’s Hear It, a podcast about foundation and nonprofit communications (among other things), hosted by non-relatives Eric Brown and Kirk Brown. Let’s Hear It is sponsored through generous contributions from the College Futures Foundation, the Lumina Foundation, the Prebys Foundation, and the Stupski Foundation. On Let’s Hear It, Kirk and Eric speak with leaders in the field about who they are, what makes them tick, and how they think about their work.

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  • 23 episodes
  • monthly
  • Avg 52 min
  • English

Episodes 23

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  • #109
    Jan 28, 2025 · 49 min

    Transparency, Collaboration, and the Fight Against Misinformation with Wikimedia Foundation’s Anusha Alikhan

    Is Wikipedia the last bastion of truth on the internet? Eric speaks with Anusha Alikhan, the Chief Communications Officer for the Wikimedia Foundation – the nonprofit behind Wikipedia, the internet's largest encyclopedia. Anusha shares insights into how Wikipedia grew from a scrappy experiment into a trusted global resource with 50 billion monthly views and over 60 million articles in 334 languages. They discuss Wikipedia’s unique consensus-driven model, its fight against bias and misinformation, and the existential challenges posed by AI tools like ChatGPT, which heavily rely on Wikimedia’s vast trove of data. Curious about the quirky side of Wikipedia? Anusha reveals some of her favorite fun facts, like professional ironing (yes, it’s a sport!) and "cute aggression." And for those worried about the future of truth in a world driven by algorithms, Anusha shares why she's optimistic, and why human editors will always be essential. Eric and Kirk also explore the deeper question: What can philanthropy and society learn from Wikipedia’s transparent, collaborative model? From the importance of trust and knowledge equity to the challenges of surveillance capitalism, this conversation hits all the big questions about the internet’s past, present, and future. Don’t miss this engaging and thought-provoking episode with one of the most insightful voices in nonprofit tech! Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so more people can discover Let's Hear It. See you next time!

  • #108
    Jan 14, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min

    We Kick Off Season Seven with Mister Mystery - Kirk Brown!

    It’s a brand-new year, a new season, and… a brand-new low? Nah!! This week, Let’s Hear It flips the script as co-host Eric Brown interviews the mystery man himself, Kirk Brown. That’s right—our favorite interlocutor steps into the hot seat to reflect on his fascinating journey from humble Iowan roots to becoming a nonprofit communications force of nature. Kirk shares how growing up amidst Iowa’s agricultural rhythms and caucus-season chaos shaped his worldview, his approach to climate work, and his knack for community-driven solutions. You’ll hear about his leap into advocacy, running a nonprofit media shop, and his work founding Recharge America—a bold initiative sparking grassroots engagement around clean energy. Expect laughs (we’re looking at you, Kirk’s Hollywood sunburn story), insights into the evolving communications landscape, and a big picture look at why creating enduring political constituencies is the secret sauce for real change. Plus, Eric and Kirk dive into the big themes: How do we overcome disinformation, build local trust, and organize for meaningful, sustainable progress? This episode is packed with ideas for funders, advocates, and anyone passionate about driving change—community by community. Join us as we kick off Season 7 with humor, heart, and some Kirk Brown wisdom you didn’t know you needed. And as always, please rate and review us wherever you listen—because it really helps more people find the show!

  • #107
    Dec 12, 2024 · 47 min

    Paper Bags and Patience: A Post-Election Pep Talk with Takema Robinson

    Need a dose of hope and perspective after a tough election season? Join Let's Hear It co-host Eric Brown for a conversation with Takema Robinson, CEO and co-founder of Converge, a social justice communications consulting firm. Drawing on her background in art and African American studies, Takema brings a refreshing perspective on how imagination and creativity are essential for social change. She reminds us that even in challenging times, we need "imagineers" who can envision a more inclusive future. After two decades of working with major foundations and nonprofits across the U.S., Takema shares practical wisdom about playing the long game when it comes to social justice. She emphasizes that real change happens over generations, not election cycles. From her current home base in Jamaica (the country, not Eric’s birthplace), she explains how stepping back has given her a broader view of America's challenges and opportunities. The conversation tackles tough questions about what's next for racial justice and democracy after recent setbacks. Takema reminds us that we all need just a little space to process, breathe, and clear our heads before putting our shoulders to the wheel for the task ahead of us. She points to encouraging signs of progress, like the growing infrastructure for civic engagement across the South, while acknowledging there's still much to do. As she puts it, the goal should be to "make America great for the first time" - building a truly inclusive democracy that works for everyone. For foundation and nonprofit leaders feeling overwhelmed by current events, this episode offers a bit of comfort and a constructive path forward. Takema's blend of strategic thinking and heartfelt optimism provides a welcome antidote to, well, you know.

Showing 21–23 of 23 episodes