Best Nathan Erickson Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 58 - Courage: From Fear to Forward Motion in the Age of AI with Mallory Erickson 40:59

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7h ago40:59

40:59

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of technology, Artificial Intelligence isn’t just another tool but is becoming a part of the framework of how we live and work. But with that realization comes the question: What does it mean to use AI responsibly? How do we balance innovation with impact? And what happens if we let fear get in our way of engag…

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The Path into Politics and An Attempt to Reduce Recovery Rights for Injury Victims - with Senator Overture Walker 51:57

8d ago51:57

51:57

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, new Senator Overture Walker, to discuss his family roots in Sumter, his education at U.S.C., how he got his start in Politics, his goals for his tenure as a Senator, how it feels being in the super minority of Senate Democrats, Problems with the Insurance Industry, SCOUT MOTORS Plant, School Vouchers, and what …

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Episode 57 - Enhancing Humanity: The Promise of Compassionate AI with Dr. Jean-Luc Mommaerts 39:47

8d ago39:47

39:47

Compassionate AI goes beyond kindness and empathy. It’s deep-rooted, human-centered intelligence that understands and supports a person as a whole. Embedded in both Western rationality and Eastern wisdom, it aims to help us grow and connect more meaningfully. Instead of replacing humans, compassionate AI develops our ability to understand ourselves…

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Episode 56 - The Role of Leadership And Governance In Building Trust In AI 39:17

15d ago39:17

39:17

AI continues to offer incredible opportunities to innovate and improve efficiency, making the way to transform how we live and work. While AI becomes more involved with our daily lives, it raises critical questions about responsibility, ethics, and governance. For a responsible AI adoption, you need not only to embrace the technology and its potent…

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LIVE! SINE DIE 2025 - Legislators Come Down for a Drink 1:42:58

20d ago1:42:58

1:42:58

Sine Die and the end of session create a fervor of activity at the State's Capital! Vincent and Joel sit down and have a few drinks at Tin Roof across from the Capitol Building. As Senators and Representatives finish up session, they walk across the street, join in on the drinks, and answer some pressing questions for South Carolina's most informat…

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Episode 55 - Human-Centered Fundraising In The Age Of AI with Peggy Maher 43:50

22d ago43:50

43:50

AI continues to prove its potential to enhance human touch in an era where technology often feels like it's replacing it. Most leaders are finding out that instead of replacing, AI can enhance empathy, streamline communication, and strengthen donor relationships. Using AI thoughtfully can help people reduce time-consuming work, clarify complex mess…

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Episode 54 - AI Fluency: The Skill Every Leader Needs Now 40:57

29d ago40:57

40:57

What does it mean to be AI fluent? And why is this skill becoming crucial not just for tech teams but for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and other mission-driven professionals? In this week’s episode, Nathan and Scott ponder these very questions. They also unpack what truly drives innovation: curiosity and imagination, while commenting that the bi…

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LIVE! with the Leadership Columbia Class of 2025 - Guest Harry Lightsey III, SC Secretary of Commerce 57:08

30d ago57:08

57:08

Vincent and Joel sit down LIVE with SC Secretary of Commerce, Harry Lightsey III, before the Leadership Columbia class of 2025 in the Palmetto Club. Hear the famous segment "Bourbon Briefs" where the senators recap the most recent events in the Capitol, legislative pay raises, further gubernatorial controversy, and more! Then listen to the Senators…

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Building Value, Giving Back: Don Opatrny on Wall Street Wisdom and Community Impact 55:30

2M ago55:30

55:30

In this episode of the Valley Investors Podcast, Don Opatrny shares his path from Cleveland to Cornell, through Wall Street and eventually to philanthropic leadership in Arizona. Don reflects on a dynamic career at Goldman Sachs that spanned corporate finance, international restructuring, and asset management. Now based in Phoenix, he’s channeling …

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Episode 53 - From Myth To Mission: Rethinking The Role Of AI 37:15

2M ago37:15

37:15

From an emerging trend to a powerful everyday tool, AI has surely come a long way. The current models can generate content and languages, create visuals, and even act as personal assistants. And guess what the best part is? You don’t have to be a tech expert or a part of a large organization to use them. In this episode of the Fundraising AI podcas…

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Making a Difference and Listening to Constituents - with Representative Nathan Ballentine (R) 1:00:53

2M ago1:00:53

1:00:53

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative Nathan Ballentine, to talk about updates on the legislative session, his years of public service, how he got into politics, and his extraordinary flag football expertise. Hear what voters really care about, the divide between public service and voter interaction, higher education's budget, charte…

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Episode 52 - Navigating The Ethical Landscape Of AI For A Better Tomorrow With Xiaochen Z 38:41

2M ago38:41

38:41

Xiaochen Z is the founder and chief AI officer at AI2030, a global network focused on driving responsible and ethical AI development for the good of humanity. He is also the CEO of FinTech4Good with over 20 years of experience in the intersection of technology and social impact and leverages technology to empower communities and support sustainable…

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The Sane vs the Insane - with Guest Representative Justin Bamberg 1:03:16

2M ago1:03:16

1:03:16

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative Justin Bamberg, from Bamberg County, to discuss representing a small county, Justin's background and family, his practice as an attorney, becoming a civil rights lawyer, the unfortunate shift to Washington style politics at the State House, his controversial take on the income tax, and so much mo…

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Episode 51 - Nonprofit AI Strategies: Personalization, Ethics, and the Future of Giving 30:13

3M ago30:13

30:13

Fundraising, in the nonprofit sector, is no exception to the unprecedented pace of industry transformation by Artificial Intelligence. While AI continues to develop at a rapid rate, it presents both challenges and opportunities for organizations that seek effective donor engagement, operation optimization, and amplifying missions. In this week’s ep…

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Education and Public Works - With Guest Representative Shannon Erickson and Andrew Wylam 1:00:36

3M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Shannon Erickson, chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee, and discuss education in SC, early childhood care, key issues in public safety, autism care, and so much more! Hear about SC’s proposed liability changes, the state budget, the battle between the senate finance and the Treasurers offi…

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50 Episodes of Fundraising AI: Milestones, Challenges, and the Road Ahead 26:17

3M ago26:17

26:17

Nathan and Scott celebrate the 50th episode of the Fundraising AI podcast, reflecting on their journey and the rapid evolution of AI technology. They discuss the balance between AI scale and safety, noting the industry's focus on expansion over responsible use. The conversation highlights advancements in deep research, AI's impact on nonprofits, an…

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Tax Reform, Economic Development, and Celebrating the Revolutionary War - with Representative Brandon Newton AND CEO of SC250, Molly Fortune 1:02:42

3M ago1:02:42

1:02:42

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Molly Fortune, to discuss celebrating SC's role in winning the revolutionary war! They then speak with Representative, Brandon Newton, to discuss raising teacher pay, serving on Ways and Means committee, tax reform, national political scene, Nancy Mace's new controversy, and so much more! Hear about the new "fr…

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LIVE! From the SC Realtor Association's Annual Conference - with Guest, Speaker Pro Tempore, Tommy Pope 1:05:21

4M ago1:05:21

1:05:21

For the Third Year in a row Vincent and Joel host the podcast from the SC Realtor's Association Annual Conference with Guest, Speaker Pro Tempore Tommy Pope, and discuss what REALLY happened to the mysterious 1.8 billion, controversial funding issues for South Carolina's education system, school vouchers, updates on Nancy Mace's and Alan Wilson's G…

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Chuck Todd - Local Reporting, After Meet the Press, and the Modern Age of Politics 1:10:47

4M ago1:10:47

1:10:47

Joel sits down with guest, Chuck Todd, to discuss all things political reporting. They talk about combatting the rise of antisemitism in the US, effective reporting, aftermath of meet the press, how Chuck got started in politics, the benefits and detriments of AI in reporting, Lee Bandy, how to repair local news and communities, tribalism’s negativ…

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Episode 49 - Sustainable Giving: A Strategic Approach to Long-Term Donor Engagement with Dave Raley 41:10

4M ago41:10

41:10

Meet Dave Raley, consultant, co-host, writer & keynote speaker, and the founder of Imago Consulting, an advisory firm that helps organizations create growth through innovation. He is also a passionate Disney fan. As an expert in nonprofit leadership, Dave has inspired thousands of nonprofit leaders to grow both personally and organizationally. He i…

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Value Investing in a Modern Market: Insights from Bill Nygren of Harris Associates 45:20

4M ago45:20

45:20

In this episode of the Valley Investors Podcast, host Nathan Erickson welcomes Bill Nygren, Partner, and Chief Investment Officer at Harris Associates and Vice President of Oakmark Funds. Bill shares his journey from a working-class high school in St. Paul, Minnesota, to becoming a distinguished value investor managing the Oakmark Fund. He discusse…

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Episode 48 - Life-Long Learning to Stay Relevant in the Age of AI 40:29

4M ago40:29

40:29

We start today’s conversation with Nathan and Scott sharing their thoughts on the inauguration of the 47th president of the USA and the tech giants who were present. Nathan comments on the new president’s decision to overturn the former president’s ‘Responsible AI Framework.’ Nathan and Scott then discuss the implications of AI's rapid advancement …

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Loss of Political Civility and the Importance of Lawyer Legislators - with Guest Representative Todd Rutherford 1:11:46

4M ago1:11:46

1:11:46

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative J. Todd Rutherford, to discuss Gambling in South Carolina, sports betting, funding state programs, dram shop liability, the fate of the missing 1.8 billion, and how the Freedom Caucus has changed the statehouse. They discuss whether we should get rid of all income taxes, Nancy Mace's ranting in c…

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Episode 47 - Embracing Tools, Cultivating Curiosity, and Saving Personal Time 39:24

4M ago39:24

39:24

Welcome back and Happy New Year to all our tech enthusiasts. In this episode, Nathan and Scott discuss their recent experiences with AI, including Nathan's exploration of quantum computing and Scott's digital detox. Throughout the conversation, they examine the rapidly evolving AI landscape and the importance of embracing the right tools, cultivati…

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SC’s Budget and Your Taxes in 2025 - Guest, Ways and Means Chairman, Representative Bruce Bannister 1:00:01

5M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Chairman Bruce Bannister, to discuss South Carolina's 40 Billion Dollar Budget, what South Carolina does with your tax dollars, how we became one of the most rapidly growing States, and so much more! Hear political insiders discuss how the State will fund school vouchers, what to look for this year in South Car…

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Rethinking Indexing and the Future of Investing with Rob Arnott 58:00

5M ago58:00

58:00

In this episode of Valley Investors, Nathan Erickson welcomes Rob Arnott, Founder and Chairman of Research Affiliates, and a featured speaker at the upcoming CFA Society Phoenix Market Forecast Dinner. Rob discusses his pioneering work in fundamental indexing, the evolution of quantitative investing, and the importance of rebalancing in capturing r…

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2024 YEAR END RECAP - WILL FOLKS - FITSNews 1:08:41

5M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

Vincent and Joel sit down with Will Folks and have an in-depth and substantive discussion about the tumultuous and turbulent year of 2024. They give a touching homage to Senator Kay Patterson and Congressman John Spratt, discuss the changes in the SC court system, controversies in the Freedom Caucus, what’s happened in South Carolina politics, and …

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Episode 46 - 2024 AI Breakthroughs! 32:53

6M ago32:53

32:53

In this episode, Nathan and Scott discuss the rapid advancements in AI, their implications for the fundraising sector, and what you need to look out for when using newly developed technologies in general. Nathan starts the conversation by remembering life before ChatGPT two years ago and how it became a daily sensation for everyone where people are…

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Rural Politics, Business, and Life After Politics - With Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer 1:03:28

6M ago1:03:28

1:03:28

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Lieutenant Governor and State Senator, Andre Bauer. They discuss his substantial background in politics, how working hard in politics can pay off, what is required to succeed in Rural Politics, and so much more! Hear an insider scoop on Andre's federal appointment that has NEVER been reported and enjoy one of t…

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Senator Nikki Setzler - Forty-Eight Years of S.C. Politics 1:02:10

6M ago1:02:10

1:02:10

Happy Thanksgiving! Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Senator Nikki Setzler to discuss how he became a 48-year veteran of the State Senate and the longest serving Senator in the Nation. They discuss South Carolina politics, policy, historical changes, and what's in store for the future. Hear about his family's famous local Lexington fast-food r…

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Episode 45 - Please and Thank You 30:53

6M ago30:53

30:53

In this episode, Nathan and Scott explore the concept of anthropomorphizing AI, delving into how simple acts like saying "please" and "thank you" can transform how we interact with AI tools. The duo examines best practices and philosophies around polite interactions with AI, referencing Conor Grennan's rationale and the "Hi, Great, Thanks" (HGT) fr…

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Episode 44 - Shaping the Future of Philanthropy Through Technology with Jean Westrick 35:59

7M ago35:59

35:59

Meet Jean Westrick, an Executive Director at the Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG). She has 20+ years in philanthropy, specializing in technology strategy, program execution, and foundation operations. Before being the next Executive Director of the Technology Association of Grantmakers, Jean was the Director of IT Strategy and Communicat…

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Episode 43 - AI in Fundraising: Embracing Innovation, Responsibility, and Community 28:23

7M ago28:23

28:23

Starting today's conversation, Nathan and Scott discuss practical takeaways from recent conferences, including Scott's experience at the AFP Kindleberger Forum, where he saw firsthand how AI can empower small nonprofits with limited resources. They also explore the unique advantages smaller organizations have in adopting AI, given their agility and…

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The Morning After - National, State, and Local Elections with Guest, Maayan Schechter 42:54

7M ago42:54

42:54

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, journalist extraordinaire, Maayan Schechter to discuss the landmark elections occurring at local, State, and national levels in the United States. Hear insider takes on the national elections, who won and lost in South Carolina, and what the near future is going to look like for you, the listener, based on the …

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Episode 42 - Empowering Low Resource Languages with Subha Vadlamannati of OpenNLPLabs 37:20

7M ago37:20

37:20

In today's conversation, Subha Vadlamannati, founder and CEO of OpenNLP Labs and a student at Stanford, shares her journey and mission to make natural language processing (NLP) accessible for low-resource and marginalized languages. She explains the organization's focus on real-world applications of NLP, especially for languages underrepresented on…

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Race in Politics with Guest, Professor Bobby Donaldson 1:25:28

7M ago1:25:28

1:25:28

Vincent and Joel sit down with our guest, Professor Bobby Donaldson, director of USC’s Center for Civil Rights History, to take a deep dive into the impact of race, ethnicity, and history on today’s political scene. Learn about politics and race from the Civil War, Reconstruction, up to today. This episode is timely! Get your latest Statehouse upda…

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Episode 41 - Manipulation vs. Rationale: The need for ethical use of AI 46:22

8M ago46:22

46:22

The evolution of AI has made our work easy and quick. But it’s crucial that we are using it for the right reasons. There’s also a dark side to using AI that most people aren’t aware of. That being said, we must research those who develop these technologies and find out how they are created. Nathan and Scott started today’s conversation by looking b…

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Do Stocks Outperform Treasury Bills and more with Dr. Hendrik Bessembinder 53:46

8M ago53:46

53:46

In this episode of Valley Investors, host Nathan Erickson sits down with Dr. Hendrik Bessembinder, the Francis J. and Mary B. Labriola Endowed Chair at Arizona State University. Dr. Bessembinder shares his unique path from motorcycles to academia, diving into his extensive research on market design, trading strategies, and long-term investment perf…

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Election Updates, School Vouchers, and Potential Legislation - with Special Co-Host Mary Green 1:02:20

8M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

Joel sits down with Mary Green, reporter for WIS, WCSC, WHNS, WMBF, WTOC, WRDW, and WBTV. Joel and Mary break down various upcoming State and National elections, including the hotly contested Bauer-Finlay and Ott-Guerry races. Then, Joel and Mary also discuss how the upcoming election results may impact the makeup of the General Assembly and the po…

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Episode 40 - Building Trust in the AI Era with Cherian Koshy 40:41

8M ago40:41

40:41

In today's conversation, Cherian Koshy reflects on the evolution of technology, transparency, and the role of AI in nonprofit fundraising. Starting with personal stories, Cherian and Nathan discuss the early technology adoption in their careers and the transformative "Aha" moments that shaped their understanding of tech innovation. Cherian highligh…

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Episode 39 - Empower Nonprofits Through AI with Erin McHugh Saif and Devi Thomas 45:16

8M ago45:16

45:16

Devi Thomas, named as one of the 2023 Social Impact Pioneers and Top Women in Communications, leads the Nonprofit Community at Microsoft Philanthropies. She engages wit h nonprofits to address community challenges through AI and technology, empowering them to create impactful solutions and drive social change. On the other hand, Erin McHugh Saif is…

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South Carolina Department of Corrections and SC's Low Recidivism Rate - Guest, Director of SCDC, Bryan Stirling 1:04:18

8M ago1:04:18

1:04:18

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, SCDC Director Bryan Stirling, and discuss the status of SCDC, Bryan's interesting background as an attorney, declining crime rates, how we got the LOWEST recidivism rate in the country, SC plans for improvement, making SC safer, and so much more. Hear how your tax dollars get spent, about Medicaid expansion, S.…

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Episode 38 - Making AI Accessible, Fun, and Impactful for Nonprofits with Tim Lockie 32:10

8M ago32:10

32:10

Tim Lockie is the CEO of The Human Stack, an organization dedicated to helping nonprofits and teams integrate technology, including AI, into their workflows. With a background in nonprofit work and tech implementation, Tim is passionate about making technology accessible and practical, especially in data-driven decision-making and fundraising. In t…

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Episode 37 - AI and the Future of Work: Navigating the Balance Between Automation, Human Interaction, and Ethical Decision-Making 38:54

8M ago38:54

38:54

This episode explores the trade-offs between privacy and convenience, the promise of AI in enhancing work-life balance, and the ethical challenges of automation! During today's conversation, Scott and Nathan discuss various AI topics, starting with LinkedIn's new feature that allows training AI on user data, sparking a discussion on privacy versus …

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The Carolinas - Heated Political Races and Statewide Updates - With Guest N.C. Representative Zack Hawkins 49:25

9M ago49:25

49:25

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, North Carolina House member, Zack Hawkins to discuss southern politics, N.C.'s changing political dynamics, and the heated battle for N.C.'s Governor seat. Hear about both states' public schools, funding, how local politics in both states impact the national political scene, a discussion on the S.C. Supreme Cou…

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Episode 36 - Embracing AI and Mindfulness for Impactful Change with Randima Fernando 32:45

9M ago32:45

32:45

Today's Guest, Randima Fernando, is a prominent figure at the crossroads of technology, ethics, and social good. As a Co-Founder and former Executive Director of the Center for Humane Technology (CHT), he played a crucial role in advancing the global conversation on the ethics of technology. CHT's work, including its pivotal role in the Emmy-winnin…

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Episode 35- Human Values in an AI-Driven World with Kelly Hecht 37:36

9M ago37:36

37:36

This episode explores the double-edged nature of AI, reflecting on its power to accelerate life while emphasizing the importance of conscious, thoughtful AI use to preserve human values. Meet Kelly Hecht, an executive advisor at Amazon Web Services (AWS), who focuses on the global healthcare and nonprofit sectors. She is dedicated to helping custom…

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Episode 34 - Role of AI in Enhancing Donor Engagement with Salvatore Salpietro 42:27

9M ago42:27

42:27

Revolutionize the donation process, making it smarter, more efficient, and deeply personalized, all while ensuring transparency and trust within the nonprofit sector! This episode features Salvatore Salpietro, the Chief Community Officer at FundraiseUp, a tech company that enhances charitable giving by optimizing donation processes. Their platform …

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Valerie Bauerlein, Southern Dynasties and the Murdaugh Murders 1:15:44

9M ago1:15:44

1:15:44

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Valerie Bauerlein, national reporter for the WSJ, and talk about her career in journalism and her beginnings in South Carolina political reporting. They do a deep dive into her new book, The Devil at His Elbow, and talk in depth about the Murdaugh crime saga that has rocked South Carolina over the last several …

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Episode 33 - AI in Action: How AI is Revolutionizing Nonprofit Strategies and Success 36:48

9M ago36:48

36:48

Today's episode delves into the evolving landscape of AI adoption within the nonprofit sector, revealing how AI is revolutionizing fundraising by turning data into actionable insights. Nathan and Scott kick off today's conversation by discussing the growing presence of AI at industry conferences, such as APRA-PD 2024, where the conversation has shi…