1
00:00:00,488 --> 00:00:01,418
Welcome to Let's Hear It.
2
00:00:01,808 --> 00:00:06,178
Let's Hear It is a podcast for and about
the field of foundation and non-profit
3
00:00:06,178 --> 00:00:11,018
communications, produced by its two
co-hosts, Eric Brown and Kirk Brown.
4
00:00:11,458 --> 00:00:11,898
No relation.
5
00:00:12,288 --> 00:00:13,138
Well said, Eric.
6
00:00:13,238 --> 00:00:13,868
And I'm Kirk.
7
00:00:14,078 --> 00:00:14,728
And I'm Eric.
8
00:00:15,148 --> 00:00:18,207
Let's Hear It is sponsored by the
Prebys Foundation, a foundation
9
00:00:18,207 --> 00:00:22,027
creating an inclusive, equitable, and
dynamic future for all San Diegans.
10
00:00:22,508 --> 00:00:25,977
Check out their amazingly good
podcast, Stop and Talk, hosted by
11
00:00:25,977 --> 00:00:27,607
Grant Oliphant and Crystal Page.
12
00:00:27,828 --> 00:00:30,347
You can find them at
stopandtalkpodcast.com.
13
00:00:30,567 --> 00:00:33,697
You can find Let's Hear It on any
podcast subscription platform.
14
00:00:33,778 --> 00:00:36,527
You can find us online
at letzhearitcast.com.
15
00:00:36,717 --> 00:00:41,618
And if you like the show, please,
please, please rate us on Apple Podcasts
16
00:00:41,648 --> 00:00:43,217
so that more people can find us.
17
00:00:43,217 --> 00:00:44,207
Let's get onto the show.
18
00:00:45,637 --> 00:00:46,217
Hi, friends.
19
00:00:46,247 --> 00:00:50,498
We are doing a special bonus
edition of Let's Hear It.
20
00:00:50,587 --> 00:00:56,217
This is a preview of ComNet26, the
conference of the Communications Network.
21
00:00:56,497 --> 00:01:01,318
I, I don't have Kirky here with me
to banter with to do our traditional
22
00:01:01,418 --> 00:01:05,907
blah, blah, but we're gonna listen to
this conversation that I had with Erica
23
00:01:05,947 --> 00:01:11,037
Pelletreau, Shawn Gibbons, and Kerry
Klein of the Communications Network to
24
00:01:11,037 --> 00:01:15,907
get folks excited about the conference
that's coming up or to help them think
25
00:01:15,947 --> 00:01:20,328
next time about signing up in time,
because about 200 people ended up on
26
00:01:20,328 --> 00:01:21,687
the waiting list and didn't get in.
27
00:01:21,837 --> 00:01:26,137
So here's my conversation
with Kerry, Erica, and Shawn.
28
00:01:28,682 --> 00:01:33,002
Anyone who knows me or listens to
this pod knows that the Communications
29
00:01:33,002 --> 00:01:35,092
Network is near and dear to my heart.
30
00:01:35,652 --> 00:01:38,022
I've said it what feels
like a million times.
31
00:01:38,352 --> 00:01:42,762
It is the single most important
professional association I've had
32
00:01:43,091 --> 00:01:46,451
in a 30-year career in foundation
and nonprofit communications.
33
00:01:47,142 --> 00:01:50,081
Some of my most cherished friends
are people I met through the network.
34
00:01:51,001 --> 00:01:54,192
For 21 years in a row, I
attended the annual conference.
35
00:01:54,202 --> 00:01:58,811
That streak was interrupted by a
regrettable decision made under duress.
36
00:01:59,882 --> 00:02:02,812
Some folks go to their
family lake house every year.
37
00:02:03,142 --> 00:02:07,411
My family reunion is at CommNet,
and this year's conference
38
00:02:07,482 --> 00:02:08,922
comes at a critical time.
39
00:02:09,431 --> 00:02:13,042
It's been a very hard year to
do communications for good.
40
00:02:13,442 --> 00:02:17,051
Nonprofits are losing funding at the
same time more people need their help.
41
00:02:17,501 --> 00:02:19,732
Trust in institutions is plummeting.
42
00:02:20,311 --> 00:02:25,921
AI has absolutely upended almost
everything we do, and research from
43
00:02:25,921 --> 00:02:29,291
the Center for Effective Philanthropy
shows a huge disconnect between
44
00:02:29,291 --> 00:02:31,011
foundations and their grantees.
45
00:02:31,671 --> 00:02:35,931
Against this backdrop, in two weeks,
communicators and other leaders from
46
00:02:35,931 --> 00:02:40,062
foundations and nonprofits from around
the world will come together in San
47
00:02:40,062 --> 00:02:44,971
Diego to learn from each other, teach
each other, and make friends for life.
48
00:02:45,662 --> 00:02:51,271
I am thrilled to have three of the people
who make it happen, Carrie Klein, vice
49
00:02:51,272 --> 00:02:56,111
president of events and community at the
Communications Network, Erica Pelletreau,
50
00:02:56,291 --> 00:03:01,632
director of strategic projects and
partnerships, and its CEO, Sean Gibbons.
51
00:03:01,872 --> 00:03:05,021
Sean, Carrie, Erica, thank
you so much for coming on.
52
00:03:05,081 --> 00:03:06,081
Let's just dive right in.
53
00:03:06,471 --> 00:03:07,651
Carrie, let's start with you.
54
00:03:07,821 --> 00:03:11,073
For someone who has never
been What the heck is CommNet?
55
00:03:11,204 --> 00:03:14,494
We pride ourselves on CommNet
being much more than a conference.
56
00:03:14,494 --> 00:03:19,714
We often say that a lot of conferences can
be boring, and so we hope that when you
57
00:03:19,714 --> 00:03:21,444
come to CommNet you'll have a lot of fun.
58
00:03:21,724 --> 00:03:24,504
So if you're new, if you're a
first-timer, we have different ways
59
00:03:24,513 --> 00:03:27,644
for you to connect with various
folks around the CommNet community.
60
00:03:27,893 --> 00:03:29,664
We have a first-timer reception.
61
00:03:29,694 --> 00:03:31,843
We have a big welcome party on the beach.
62
00:03:32,114 --> 00:03:34,403
But really what CommNet
is, it's a homecoming.
63
00:03:34,803 --> 00:03:39,133
It's where folks come to see their
colleagues, their friends, their peers.
64
00:03:39,393 --> 00:03:42,163
We have people like you, Eric, who
have come year over year, maybe
65
00:03:42,164 --> 00:03:44,403
not anyone 21 times like yourself.
66
00:03:44,493 --> 00:03:50,063
But many folks have come, and they find
it a place where they can, you know,
67
00:03:50,063 --> 00:03:54,423
talk shop, they can get to know each
other personally, they can find new tools
68
00:03:54,423 --> 00:03:56,333
and strategies for their comms work.
69
00:03:56,684 --> 00:04:00,993
But Sean, Eric, and I spend a lot of
time thinking about how do we build and
70
00:04:00,993 --> 00:04:05,254
grow and help folks expand and enhance
their community and their kitchen
71
00:04:05,254 --> 00:04:08,923
cabinet of folks they can call up
when they need help, they wanna share
72
00:04:08,923 --> 00:04:11,853
ideas, they want to lean on each other.
73
00:04:12,043 --> 00:04:15,933
And so CommNet, we're hoping, is a
really fun way to gather with folks
74
00:04:15,933 --> 00:04:17,843
who work in communications for good.
75
00:04:18,494 --> 00:04:23,904
Erica, can you walk us through what San
Diego's gonna be like in two short weeks?
76
00:04:23,943 --> 00:04:28,044
But let me start by saying that this
audience needs to know about CommNet.
77
00:04:28,363 --> 00:04:30,893
They need to know not just about
CommNet, but they need to know about
78
00:04:30,893 --> 00:04:34,593
the network more broadly, because we're
all involved in the same game here.
79
00:04:34,603 --> 00:04:37,563
We're all trying to make the world
a better place, and we're all using
80
00:04:37,564 --> 00:04:39,183
smart communications to get there.
81
00:04:39,204 --> 00:04:43,404
So San Diego this year is one
year, but this happens every year.
82
00:04:43,483 --> 00:04:49,413
And so in San Diego we're gonna start off
with a day of volunteering opportunities,
83
00:04:49,643 --> 00:04:54,354
community engagement opportunities,
pre-conference panels, which are pretty
84
00:04:54,363 --> 00:04:56,883
low-stakes conversations with people.
85
00:04:57,073 --> 00:05:00,933
We try to bring in a lot of people from
the local community from San Diego talking
86
00:05:00,933 --> 00:05:04,263
about their specific niche in the world.
87
00:05:04,553 --> 00:05:08,943
And so that's k- how we start our day with
engaging with San Diego as a community.
88
00:05:08,943 --> 00:05:11,073
It's an important value
of ours wherever we go.
89
00:05:12,063 --> 00:05:15,063
Then we're gonna throw an epic party.
90
00:05:15,863 --> 00:05:20,673
It's gonna be an epic party
on the beach in San Diego.
91
00:05:20,993 --> 00:05:25,774
So think about it, sunsets,
food trucks, friends, fairy
92
00:05:25,774 --> 00:05:27,753
lights, maybe a little dancing.
93
00:05:28,034 --> 00:05:31,203
But that's really our way to kinda
set the tone and really gather folks.
94
00:05:31,204 --> 00:05:32,963
That's our kickoff, our big kickoff.
95
00:05:33,894 --> 00:05:37,553
You're going into Thursday, which is
a full day from starting first thing
96
00:05:37,553 --> 00:05:42,833
in the morning running all the way
to the evening, of keynotes, of small
97
00:05:42,833 --> 00:05:47,134
group discussions, of conversations
that are related to communications,
98
00:05:47,134 --> 00:05:50,073
the field of communications, and how
you do it to do the work for good.
99
00:05:50,644 --> 00:05:53,973
Intentionally structured so that
there's plenty of time for chitchat,
100
00:05:54,394 --> 00:05:58,063
so to talk with your friends, to get
to know one another, to get deeper into
101
00:05:58,064 --> 00:06:01,133
the conversation that may have been a
provocation at the beginning of the day.
102
00:06:02,188 --> 00:06:07,558
One of the things that I'll say
is a not to be missed is the
103
00:06:07,558 --> 00:06:08,858
keynote with Percival Everett.
104
00:06:08,938 --> 00:06:09,198
Mm.
105
00:06:10,438 --> 00:06:13,538
I don't know if you know his book, I don't
know if your audience know his books,
106
00:06:13,797 --> 00:06:18,817
but wow, that man has an ability to do
storytelling in a way that changes and
107
00:06:18,818 --> 00:06:20,537
transforms how people see themselves.
108
00:06:20,547 --> 00:06:23,388
So that's what I say is a not to be
missed first thing in the morning.
109
00:06:23,428 --> 00:06:26,138
I should also say that the majority
of our keynotes are gonna be
110
00:06:26,138 --> 00:06:29,587
live-streamed on the Chronicle's website,
Chronicle of Philanthropy's website.
111
00:06:29,998 --> 00:06:30,637
Not this one.
112
00:06:30,957 --> 00:06:34,598
This one is just for the people
in the room, so got an additional
113
00:06:34,598 --> 00:06:36,038
level of specialness to it.
114
00:06:36,948 --> 00:06:38,248
So we're gonna run through the day.
115
00:06:38,248 --> 00:06:39,617
That's the o- one that I'm really
116
00:06:39,617 --> 00:06:41,408
looking forward to, is
that one in the morning.
117
00:06:42,158 --> 00:06:46,208
And as we run through the day, we're
gonna have opportunities for our circle
118
00:06:46,428 --> 00:06:51,177
members to gather, our leaders members
to gather, our local members to gather.
119
00:06:51,388 --> 00:06:56,657
The ethos is very much welcoming,
so everybody who's goes to
120
00:06:56,658 --> 00:07:00,987
CommNet who's a CommVet is charged
with welcoming the newbies.
121
00:07:01,037 --> 00:07:01,327
Nice.
122
00:07:01,638 --> 00:07:05,928
So the newbies are supposed to come in
and maybe they've never been here before.
123
00:07:05,928 --> 00:07:07,697
Who are these 1,100 people?
124
00:07:07,698 --> 00:07:08,737
What are they doing?
125
00:07:09,097 --> 00:07:12,248
And the CommVets are there to
lend a helping hand, give them
126
00:07:12,248 --> 00:07:13,758
a hug, and help move them along.
127
00:07:14,827 --> 00:07:18,987
One of my favorite things is networking
at night, and that's how we close out our
128
00:07:18,988 --> 00:07:21,357
Thursday, and it's a networking event.
129
00:07:21,378 --> 00:07:24,917
It's where you can recognize people
that you saw across a room, follow
130
00:07:24,917 --> 00:07:28,468
up on a conversation where there's
a point of shared synthesis that
131
00:07:28,468 --> 00:07:31,848
you can go deeper on, and you can
have a good time just chatting.
132
00:07:31,848 --> 00:07:34,987
This is where the friendships go from
a friendly look across the room into
133
00:07:34,987 --> 00:07:40,928
a deeper, more meaningful connection
Starting on Friday morning, the piece
134
00:07:40,928 --> 00:07:47,347
that I'll say really is the must not
miss for Friday morning is, whew, boy
135
00:07:47,347 --> 00:07:52,297
do we have an amazing thing for you with
the Jones Award winners, IllumiNative.
136
00:07:52,948 --> 00:07:58,267
They have done transformational work
in cultural storytelling about Native
137
00:07:58,267 --> 00:07:59,977
American people in this country.
138
00:08:00,447 --> 00:08:04,457
And it's gonna be an incredible
presentation, and this is the first
139
00:08:04,457 --> 00:08:07,337
year that we will have done it since
we launched the prize that we do it
140
00:08:07,647 --> 00:08:09,427
with Dr. Jones with us in spirit-
141
00:08:09,437 --> 00:08:09,637
Mm-hmm
142
00:08:09,917 --> 00:08:11,378
…
but not in person.
143
00:08:11,448 --> 00:08:14,317
So it's gonna have an extra
level of depth to it this year.
144
00:08:14,667 --> 00:08:18,378
But the, to me, the Jones Award is
like, it's like the Emmys for our field.
145
00:08:19,077 --> 00:08:23,988
Like, who actually is doing this type-
Yeah … of comms work that's changing
146
00:08:23,988 --> 00:08:27,438
people's lives and doing it best in class?
147
00:08:27,908 --> 00:08:29,687
There's a competitive system here.
148
00:08:29,717 --> 00:08:32,857
We solicit nominees from across the land.
149
00:08:33,277 --> 00:08:37,847
And it's a competitive judging panel that
evaluates all of these different people
150
00:08:37,847 --> 00:08:40,518
who apply to be awarded the Jones Award.
151
00:08:40,917 --> 00:08:43,737
And this year, as I'm telling
you, Eric, is gonna be one of the
152
00:08:43,737 --> 00:08:45,148
best that we've ever done before.
153
00:08:45,428 --> 00:08:50,208
As I mentioned in the open, Sean,
this is a really fraught time for
154
00:08:50,218 --> 00:08:54,607
foundations, for nonprofits, for
anybody working in the social sector.
155
00:08:54,627 --> 00:08:56,727
Obviously, if you're working in
government or you're working almost
156
00:08:56,727 --> 00:08:58,327
in anything, it's a fraught time.
157
00:08:58,327 --> 00:09:02,628
But what are you hearing from
members, Sean, about what they're
158
00:09:02,628 --> 00:09:06,437
dealing with, what their biggest
challenges are, and maybe what
159
00:09:06,437 --> 00:09:08,628
they hope to gain at this meeting?
160
00:09:08,818 --> 00:09:09,188
Yeah.
161
00:09:09,197 --> 00:09:12,947
I think it's interesting 'cause we walked
into last year, I think, wondering what
162
00:09:13,017 --> 00:09:14,997
will the mood of the community feel like.
163
00:09:15,577 --> 00:09:17,798
And the thing that's so interesting
about the network now is that we
164
00:09:17,798 --> 00:09:21,697
don't really have to guess because,
as you know, for the last few years
165
00:09:21,697 --> 00:09:22,718
we've had this Slack community.
166
00:09:22,718 --> 00:09:25,327
There's now 2,100 people who are
chit-chatting away throughout
167
00:09:25,327 --> 00:09:27,947
the day, and so we actually kinda
have real time intelligence.
168
00:09:28,038 --> 00:09:28,877
I know that sounds a little creepy.
169
00:09:28,877 --> 00:09:31,417
Maybe I shouldn't- … phrase it
that way, but, but we can see the
170
00:09:31,417 --> 00:09:34,547
network operating well but in the same
way that we could see folks in the
171
00:09:34,547 --> 00:09:35,837
hotel hallways at- Yeah … ComNet.
172
00:09:35,837 --> 00:09:40,177
And what I'd say you see there often is
moments of folks seeking support, but
173
00:09:40,178 --> 00:09:42,528
so often moments of joy and enthusiasm.
174
00:09:42,818 --> 00:09:45,930
And maybe what I would say
to, to step back is- What
175
00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:50,110
I am confident about in our community,
I'm confident will show up at
176
00:09:50,310 --> 00:09:54,820
ComNet, it is evident in almost
every program that we see right
177
00:09:54,820 --> 00:09:57,849
now, is a deep sense of optimism.
178
00:09:58,120 --> 00:09:58,270
Hmm.
179
00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:01,840
And I think that's a weird thing to
say, but what I don't see is people
180
00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:03,690
turning away from the network, right?
181
00:10:03,710 --> 00:10:08,289
So I think if folks were really dejected
and depressed and unable to function,
182
00:10:08,290 --> 00:10:10,569
then they would not be doing what they do.
183
00:10:10,579 --> 00:10:14,059
Because coming to the network, I
think, is a signal, I have a big job.
184
00:10:14,079 --> 00:10:14,289
Yeah.
185
00:10:14,610 --> 00:10:16,099
I have to do important work.
186
00:10:16,429 --> 00:10:17,349
This is my calling.
187
00:10:17,349 --> 00:10:20,130
This means something to me,
and I can't do it by myself.
188
00:10:20,359 --> 00:10:22,270
And they go looking for friends
to help them 'cause you get
189
00:10:22,270 --> 00:10:23,479
smarter faster through networks.
190
00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:23,879
We know that.
191
00:10:23,879 --> 00:10:24,969
There's a lot of evidence of that.
192
00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:28,800
And the fact that folks are doing
that, that ComNet will be its largest
193
00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:32,609
ever this year, I think is a testimony
to this deeper sense of optimism.
194
00:10:33,089 --> 00:10:35,739
And I know that's hard for folks to
conjure maybe in a moment where you can
195
00:10:35,749 --> 00:10:39,229
point at almost any of the things, and so
many of us are living inside of devices.
196
00:10:39,230 --> 00:10:41,280
Hell, you're listening to
one right now probably.
197
00:10:41,789 --> 00:10:42,769
Believe in other people.
198
00:10:42,809 --> 00:10:44,809
That is the message I've gotten
from the network this year.
199
00:10:45,069 --> 00:10:47,659
And so as we gather, I think
200
00:10:49,726 --> 00:10:51,536
folks should be excited
about what's ahead.
201
00:10:51,616 --> 00:10:54,646
Not that we don't have to deal with
these questions, but that we don't
202
00:10:54,646 --> 00:10:55,866
have to face them by ourselves.
203
00:10:55,906 --> 00:10:59,216
What are some of the topics that
you're hearing about in the Slack,
204
00:10:59,216 --> 00:11:00,876
in your own personal conversations?
205
00:11:01,076 --> 00:11:03,116
What are the things that are top
of mind for people right now?
206
00:11:03,116 --> 00:11:04,906
And I can guess a few,
but why don't you tell me?
207
00:11:04,916 --> 00:11:04,926
I
208
00:11:05,026 --> 00:11:07,386
mean, well, so again, we do pulse
polls now, which is interesting
209
00:11:07,386 --> 00:11:08,356
'cause you can go find them.
210
00:11:08,356 --> 00:11:09,496
They're up for free online.
211
00:11:09,496 --> 00:11:12,996
But a lot of folks are thinking about
things like artificial intelligence.
212
00:11:13,215 --> 00:11:14,736
It's not a question of
if folks are using it.
213
00:11:14,746 --> 00:11:17,785
We actually asked the community or the
field earlier this year, and the answer
214
00:11:17,785 --> 00:11:22,095
is, well, the delta between last year we
asked or maybe 18 months ago we asked,
215
00:11:22,096 --> 00:11:25,865
and it was about kind of a try it bite for
the network or the community, I would say.
216
00:11:25,866 --> 00:11:28,955
About 20% of folks were actively
using it maybe 18 months ago.
217
00:11:29,225 --> 00:11:31,065
It's like who's not is
really the question.
218
00:11:31,076 --> 00:11:33,056
It's 70-plus percent is what we saw.
219
00:11:33,526 --> 00:11:36,965
In different contexts and with different
rules abiding it, but people really
220
00:11:36,965 --> 00:11:39,515
attacking that in an interesting
way, which shouldn't surprise
221
00:11:39,515 --> 00:11:40,716
anybody who's walking in the world.
222
00:11:40,725 --> 00:11:41,925
It's the zeitgeist at the moment.
223
00:11:42,335 --> 00:11:45,136
And it has huge implications for
our field, for our sector, obviously
224
00:11:45,136 --> 00:11:48,035
for our world in a whole bunch of
ways, some good, some not so good.
225
00:11:48,535 --> 00:11:49,716
People are talking about that.
226
00:11:49,835 --> 00:11:51,185
People are talking a lot about trust.
227
00:11:51,236 --> 00:11:52,036
You mentioned this.
228
00:11:52,065 --> 00:11:55,156
It's essential, particularly if you work
in the comms business, because trust
229
00:11:55,156 --> 00:11:56,495
is the currency of the realm, right?
230
00:11:56,496 --> 00:11:57,856
You don't listen to
people you don't trust.
231
00:11:58,026 --> 00:12:00,426
Kind of common sense,
but it's profoundly true.
232
00:12:00,905 --> 00:12:02,745
So trust is important, and it's declining.
233
00:12:02,746 --> 00:12:05,586
And so when we were in London earlier
this year, it was interesting, and
234
00:12:05,586 --> 00:12:08,406
I'd invite Erika to talk about this
and Kerry as well, 'cause they built
235
00:12:08,406 --> 00:12:11,495
this thing literally out of sticks
in like five minutes, God bless them.
236
00:12:11,855 --> 00:12:14,725
I mean, seriously, it was incredibly
impressive what they were able to do.
237
00:12:15,035 --> 00:12:17,425
But in London, we came with questions,
and it turned out folks in lots of
238
00:12:17,425 --> 00:12:20,476
different accents, coming from different
cultures, coming from different contexts,
239
00:12:20,706 --> 00:12:22,085
were all asking the same questions.
240
00:12:22,515 --> 00:12:25,845
So we've been hearing the questions
for a while, and my suspicion is it'll
241
00:12:25,846 --> 00:12:29,195
continue at CommNet, 'cause, you know,
there are moments like last year that
242
00:12:29,195 --> 00:12:32,446
sort of hits you like a rogue wave
or maybe a tidal wave or whatever
243
00:12:32,446 --> 00:12:33,765
the right sort of metaphor might be.
244
00:12:33,765 --> 00:12:37,505
But these are things I think we've all
been kinda sifting and sitting with for
245
00:12:37,505 --> 00:12:40,365
a little while, even though AI feels like
it got here half a minute ago and already
246
00:12:40,365 --> 00:12:41,945
feels like we're dog years into it.
247
00:12:42,445 --> 00:12:44,696
But Erika, Kerry, you wanna
maybe pick up, talk a little bit
248
00:12:44,696 --> 00:12:45,695
about what we heard in London?
249
00:12:45,695 --> 00:12:49,085
'Cause I think that's kind of an
early, like a buoy out in the ocean
250
00:12:49,166 --> 00:12:50,026
kind of giving us an indicator.
251
00:12:50,035 --> 00:12:52,225
And what's interesting, it's
not just an American perspective
252
00:12:53,422 --> 00:12:56,912
Yeah, so just a quick recap here is
that so when Sean says London, he's
253
00:12:56,912 --> 00:12:58,232
referring to a gathering- London,
254
00:12:58,392 --> 00:12:58,492
yeah
255
00:12:58,492 --> 00:13:03,042
…
that, that we, that we hosted i- in London
with our, our very good friends at Philea.
256
00:13:03,342 --> 00:13:09,342
And it was a convening about, it was
about a third US, about a third European,
257
00:13:09,342 --> 00:13:14,681
and about a third UK, and these are all
folks who do comms at philanthropies.
258
00:13:14,902 --> 00:13:16,162
It was primarily philanthropies.
259
00:13:16,162 --> 00:13:17,571
There were a few nonprofits there.
260
00:13:17,981 --> 00:13:21,971
But the idea was, like, the, the
questions that we have here in the US,
261
00:13:22,492 --> 00:13:24,092
are other people thinking about them too?
262
00:13:24,572 --> 00:13:26,112
And how are they thinking about them?
263
00:13:26,462 --> 00:13:31,881
And knowing that the world is getting
smaller so quickly, what can we share?
264
00:13:32,181 --> 00:13:34,571
What can we learn from others?
265
00:13:34,571 --> 00:13:38,071
Where is the shared understanding
or the shared questions, the
266
00:13:38,071 --> 00:13:43,052
shared anxieties, the shared
worries, the shared opportunities?
267
00:13:43,301 --> 00:13:48,611
And to really have that be a conversation
that is not designed to come up with
268
00:13:48,611 --> 00:13:54,322
answers, but a conversation that is
designed to have shared thoughts,
269
00:13:54,442 --> 00:14:01,020
inputs, influences, and To create a
friend network so that you have somebody
270
00:14:01,020 --> 00:14:02,500
to help work this stuff through.
271
00:14:03,110 --> 00:14:05,250
So of course we were talking about AI.
272
00:14:05,730 --> 00:14:08,960
Love it, hate it, use it, don't
use it, what does it mean?
273
00:14:09,070 --> 00:14:12,010
Privacy concerns, that was a big topic.
274
00:14:12,050 --> 00:14:16,020
Another one was authoritarianism,
the rise of authoritarianism.
275
00:14:16,829 --> 00:14:21,219
Crisises about legitimacy
of philanthropy itself.
276
00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:24,829
That's something that our, some of our
European colleagues are grappling with,
277
00:14:24,829 --> 00:14:26,730
and some of our American colleagues too.
278
00:14:26,860 --> 00:14:27,719
We see that a lot.
279
00:14:28,319 --> 00:14:33,829
But so it was those types of tensions,
and also, like interestingly, like one
280
00:14:33,829 --> 00:14:38,779
of the, the strongest takeaways for me is
that there was a almost a consensus that
281
00:14:38,780 --> 00:14:41,459
we need to be reaching other audiences.
282
00:14:42,289 --> 00:14:45,199
That we know who we're talking to, and-
283
00:14:45,260 --> 00:14:45,599
Mm-hmm
284
00:14:45,670 --> 00:14:48,409
…
like that can be okay, but
actually at this moment in
285
00:14:48,409 --> 00:14:49,989
the world, we need to broaden.
286
00:14:50,129 --> 00:14:53,399
We need to push ourselves
beyond who we normally talk to.
287
00:14:53,839 --> 00:14:55,949
And then h- like actually
how do you do that?
288
00:14:55,969 --> 00:15:00,640
How do you do that in a way that's
meaningful, that has accountability in it?
289
00:15:00,889 --> 00:15:04,499
That you're not just spewing your
message to somebody else, but you're
290
00:15:04,499 --> 00:15:09,560
taking the time to sit and think about
other people and intentionally invite
291
00:15:10,499 --> 00:15:12,739
them to come in, and intentionally…
292
00:15:12,829 --> 00:15:16,799
We spend a lot of time thinking about
deep listening, and how do you do that?
293
00:15:17,419 --> 00:15:19,919
How do you do deep listening
with a community or a colleague
294
00:15:19,919 --> 00:15:21,659
that you know very little about?
295
00:15:22,489 --> 00:15:25,280
That was the flavor of the
conversations that we're having.
296
00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:29,820
So yes to what Sean's saying
about the AI bit, of course,
297
00:15:30,300 --> 00:15:32,479
and there are other layers.
298
00:15:32,899 --> 00:15:35,669
And this is one of the most
exciting things right now that
299
00:15:35,669 --> 00:15:39,479
the network is doing, is we're
broadening beyond the United States.
300
00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:44,929
We are creating programming, thoughts,
memberships- Right … et cetera,
301
00:15:44,949 --> 00:15:46,730
that are outside of the United States.
302
00:15:46,730 --> 00:15:51,479
Really tapping into like a global
idea of comms and a global shared
303
00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:53,839
set of questions and concerns.
304
00:15:54,039 --> 00:15:55,239
Keri, let me turn to you for a second.
305
00:15:55,389 --> 00:15:58,639
Given all that you're hearing, you, what
you heard in London, what you're hearing
306
00:15:58,809 --> 00:16:03,269
on Slack, what you're hearing from
your members and others, how does that
307
00:16:03,289 --> 00:16:05,660
inform how you pull together a program?
308
00:16:05,660 --> 00:16:07,430
How does that shape the programming?
309
00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:10,730
It has a tremendous impact on how we
think about all of our programming.
310
00:16:10,730 --> 00:16:15,379
So not just the topics that we're talking
about, but also some of the real meaty
311
00:16:15,380 --> 00:16:17,169
challenges that folks are facing with.
312
00:16:17,179 --> 00:16:21,200
How can we bring folks together and
gather them so that they can talk with
313
00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:25,009
each other about these challenges,
these opportunities, all of that.
314
00:16:25,319 --> 00:16:27,769
And then of course you'll see a
lot of things throughout the ComNet
315
00:16:27,789 --> 00:16:31,119
program that lean and reflect directly
from what we're hearing from our
316
00:16:31,119 --> 00:16:34,529
circles, communities, from what
we're hearing at the global commons.
317
00:16:34,539 --> 00:16:39,290
A lot of sessions we'll have on AI,
both its practical impli- implications
318
00:16:39,290 --> 00:16:42,359
and tools you can use, but also
how we should be thinking about it.
319
00:16:42,369 --> 00:16:44,739
Like, what are some of the
challenges that we should all be
320
00:16:44,740 --> 00:16:46,520
thinking about as we're using it?
321
00:16:47,096 --> 00:16:51,286
We will have sessions on trust
and depolarization, kind of themes
322
00:16:51,286 --> 00:16:52,966
that have been with us for a while.
323
00:16:53,186 --> 00:16:55,515
So you'll see those appear
again at ComNet this year.
324
00:16:55,886 --> 00:16:57,446
A couple cool things actually.
325
00:16:57,645 --> 00:17:01,855
Being that we're in California, we wanted
to really lean into entertainment and
326
00:17:01,866 --> 00:17:04,806
thinking through, you know, we can't
really be in Southern California and
327
00:17:04,806 --> 00:17:06,625
not have something on media and film.
328
00:17:07,066 --> 00:17:11,015
And so we will have a session that's
going to bring in both this work on
329
00:17:11,025 --> 00:17:16,216
trust-building and depolarization along
with a writer, a film producer, who's
330
00:17:16,216 --> 00:17:20,735
going to be helping folks think through
how they can shape stories and narratives
331
00:17:20,735 --> 00:17:24,065
that bring in various perspectives
to help humanize different folks.
332
00:17:24,376 --> 00:17:27,005
So it's kind of a cool intersection
of a lot of the different things
333
00:17:27,005 --> 00:17:28,185
we're hearing from people.
334
00:17:28,385 --> 00:17:30,225
All right, well, we're gonna
take a very quick break and
335
00:17:30,225 --> 00:17:31,845
we'll be right back with Sean,
336
00:17:32,095 --> 00:17:33,815
Erica, and Carrie right after this.
337
00:17:35,595 --> 00:17:38,466
You're listening to Let's Hear
It, a podcast about foundation and
338
00:17:38,466 --> 00:17:41,845
nonprofit communications hosted
by Eric Brown and Kirk Brown.
339
00:17:42,285 --> 00:17:45,035
If you're enjoying this episode,
you may just be a rule breaker.
340
00:17:45,156 --> 00:17:50,036
Check out season three of Break Fake
Rules with Glenn Galich, CEO of the
341
00:17:50,036 --> 00:17:53,365
Stupski Foundation, as he chats with
inspiring leaders in philanthropy,
342
00:17:53,365 --> 00:17:56,716
government, media, and more about
breaking the fake rules that don't work
343
00:17:56,986 --> 00:17:58,825
so that we can build a future that does.
344
00:17:59,185 --> 00:18:00,986
Check them out wherever
you get your podcasts.
345
00:18:01,666 --> 00:18:03,126
And now, back to the show
346
00:18:08,022 --> 00:18:08,542
Welcome back.
347
00:18:08,552 --> 00:18:11,732
I'm talking with Sean Gibbons,
Eric Peltro, and Carrie Klein
348
00:18:11,792 --> 00:18:14,822
of the Communications Network
about this upcoming conference.
349
00:18:15,172 --> 00:18:18,452
And obviously, the conference is a big
deal, and if you're listening to this,
350
00:18:18,482 --> 00:18:22,051
either you're going to the conference
and you're, we're hopefully getting
351
00:18:22,052 --> 00:18:26,601
you excited about it, or you're,
weren't able to get to the conference
352
00:18:26,601 --> 00:18:29,841
because you got on the waiting list
and couldn't get through and you didn't
353
00:18:29,892 --> 00:18:35,684
sign up early e- enough Or neither, but
you're thinking about it for next year.
354
00:18:35,684 --> 00:18:38,264
So let me first ask a
question to you, Erica.
355
00:18:38,314 --> 00:18:42,594
If you're going to the conference,
what would you say the number one
356
00:18:42,604 --> 00:18:46,004
first thing you should do to get
the most out of the conference?
357
00:18:46,013 --> 00:18:48,804
What's one thing that people
who are preparing to go now
358
00:18:48,804 --> 00:18:49,604
should be thinking about?
359
00:18:50,223 --> 00:18:51,054
Should smile.
360
00:18:52,664 --> 00:18:56,713
Smile genuinely, not just on
your face, but in your heart.
361
00:18:56,963 --> 00:19:01,114
Like, open yourself to what is
gonna be a very cool, and for many
362
00:19:01,114 --> 00:19:04,904
people, transformative experience,
that if you're open to feeling
363
00:19:04,904 --> 00:19:06,273
the magic, you will feel it.
364
00:19:06,543 --> 00:19:10,363
So the first thing you gotta do is just,
like, set yourself up, walk in there
365
00:19:10,393 --> 00:19:15,983
knowing that this is gonna be really cool,
and be open to experience what it's like.
366
00:19:15,983 --> 00:19:17,203
So you start with a smile.
367
00:19:17,723 --> 00:19:17,963
All right.
368
00:19:17,973 --> 00:19:18,713
That's a good start.
369
00:19:18,713 --> 00:19:23,693
Shawn, for people who can't make it but
wanna follow along, participate in one
370
00:19:23,694 --> 00:19:28,423
way or the other, what opportunities
are there for people to plug in?
371
00:19:28,494 --> 00:19:29,213
Let's see.
372
00:19:29,213 --> 00:19:32,194
Well, the Chronicle of Philanthropy,
as Kerry spoke about, has
373
00:19:32,194 --> 00:19:34,174
been very kind for years now.
374
00:19:34,503 --> 00:19:37,704
Folks who are unable to be in the
room, and I'm afraid we had over 200
375
00:19:37,723 --> 00:19:40,394
folks on the wait list this year,
so it's them plus a bunch of others.
376
00:19:40,404 --> 00:19:42,874
We will be live streaming all the
keynotes, again, with the exception of
377
00:19:42,874 --> 00:19:45,723
Percival Everett, and as Erica said,
it'll make the room real special.
378
00:19:45,743 --> 00:19:48,153
But you'll be able to watch all
the others, so Kaitlyn Yarnell
379
00:19:48,164 --> 00:19:49,263
from National Geographic.
380
00:19:49,264 --> 00:19:51,314
You'll be able to see the
wonderful, extraordinary Crystal
381
00:19:51,343 --> 00:19:52,633
Echo Hawk from IllumiNative.
382
00:19:52,853 --> 00:19:54,194
You're gonna hear from Grant Oliphant.
383
00:19:54,203 --> 00:19:55,513
You're gonna hear from Tonya Allen.
384
00:19:55,523 --> 00:19:57,783
These are names, if you're in
our sector, you probably know.
385
00:19:58,353 --> 00:20:00,803
We're gonna have just a, a
really extraordinary time, so
386
00:20:00,804 --> 00:20:01,643
you'll be able to get that.
387
00:20:01,663 --> 00:20:06,053
And then the thing that I'm most proud
of is that while we can't bottle up all
388
00:20:06,054 --> 00:20:09,853
those conversations in the room and in
the hallways, and those are, really that
389
00:20:09,853 --> 00:20:11,613
is the magic, that is the real value.
390
00:20:11,944 --> 00:20:15,724
What we can do, and we have done
now for years, is we take notes from
391
00:20:15,764 --> 00:20:19,263
every single learning lab, from every
case study session, and from every
392
00:20:19,264 --> 00:20:22,663
poster, and we put it up online and
make it available for free for all.
393
00:20:22,843 --> 00:20:25,483
So whether you're a network member
or not, all that stuff's available
394
00:20:25,483 --> 00:20:28,234
because ultimately our mission is to
try to lift up and improve the field,
395
00:20:28,234 --> 00:20:30,884
and the best way to do that is not
to put barriers in front of folks.
396
00:20:31,423 --> 00:20:36,503
And so that obviously won't be available
come, you know, September 29th or 30th or
397
00:20:36,503 --> 00:20:38,483
October 2nd, but give us a couple weeks.
398
00:20:38,533 --> 00:20:42,003
Let certainly Erica and Kerry and the
rest of the team who's gonna deserve a
399
00:20:42,003 --> 00:20:43,674
nap after all we've got in front of us.
400
00:20:44,134 --> 00:20:46,984
But then we will post all that stuff
up online so everybody will have a,
401
00:20:47,084 --> 00:20:49,673
the opportunity to benefit from all
the wisdom that was shared in the room.
402
00:20:49,823 --> 00:20:53,584
And for folks who are planning to go but
haven't, they wanna come a little early?
403
00:20:53,694 --> 00:20:55,414
Folks are welcome to come to pre-cons.
404
00:20:55,463 --> 00:20:58,853
Now, those rooms, I guess at some point
they get uncomfortably full, but the
405
00:20:58,854 --> 00:21:02,144
thing that's cool about those, we've
done them, again, every single year.
406
00:21:02,173 --> 00:21:05,433
But here this year we're having folks
from across the San Diego community,
407
00:21:05,433 --> 00:21:07,854
and so there'll be folks from
Barrio Logan, which if you know the
408
00:21:07,854 --> 00:21:09,253
area, is really important to folks.
409
00:21:09,253 --> 00:21:12,013
And so we'll have folks coming in there
from the military communities coming
410
00:21:12,013 --> 00:21:13,643
in to join us to talk about comms.
411
00:21:13,994 --> 00:21:17,123
And so it's this opportunity to really
have a- Mm-hmm … even if you can't go
412
00:21:17,123 --> 00:21:20,693
to a day of service or you're not able
to go on a field trip and you are gonna
413
00:21:20,703 --> 00:21:24,333
have to get up a little bit earlier
next time, 'cause those are some cool
414
00:21:24,334 --> 00:21:27,728
opportunities, and I'm happy the folks who
are having them But for everybody else,
415
00:21:27,748 --> 00:21:30,628
come out and hang with us at the hotel,
and then we'll see you on the beach.
416
00:21:30,668 --> 00:21:33,508
'Cause maybe the other thing, and
I'm not preaching y'all should
417
00:21:33,508 --> 00:21:36,358
do this, but like, San Diego's a
hell of a city to go play hooky.
418
00:21:36,968 --> 00:21:39,308
Like, if I had a few hours and I
didn't have to go to some programming,
419
00:21:39,308 --> 00:21:41,137
I might… Balboa Park's nice.
420
00:21:41,148 --> 00:21:41,917
There's some stuff.
421
00:21:41,948 --> 00:21:42,388
Okay.
422
00:21:42,677 --> 00:21:45,357
You know, the last time we were in
San Diego, you may remember Eric, you
423
00:21:45,358 --> 00:21:46,697
were on the board, I went surfing.
424
00:21:46,798 --> 00:21:50,758
I do remember that, which, you
know, there were sightings.
425
00:21:50,817 --> 00:21:52,967
I'm not sure how the board felt
about that, but I went with a
426
00:21:52,968 --> 00:21:54,378
board member, so I felt sanctioned.
427
00:21:54,378 --> 00:21:55,918
Sightings of Sean in a wetsuit.
428
00:21:55,987 --> 00:21:59,858
Now, conferences can be intimidating,
and Kari, my sense from you is
429
00:21:59,858 --> 00:22:01,138
you're something of an introvert.
430
00:22:01,237 --> 00:22:02,467
How did you guess, Eric?
431
00:22:02,517 --> 00:22:05,948
I, I don't have much emotional
intelligence, but I figured that one out.
432
00:22:05,978 --> 00:22:11,058
So for introverts, a conference
can be a frightening experience.
433
00:22:11,278 --> 00:22:14,507
And whereas people may have signed up
to go because maybe their boss told them
434
00:22:14,507 --> 00:22:19,077
that it would be a good idea or something
like that, how does an introvert manage
435
00:22:19,077 --> 00:22:26,724
to navigate such a group of extroverts
like myself and Erica and Sean, how
436
00:22:26,724 --> 00:22:29,094
do you manage a conference like that?
437
00:22:29,094 --> 00:22:31,474
And what kind of, what tips
do you have for those folks
438
00:22:31,474 --> 00:22:32,824
who are similarly situated?
439
00:22:32,894 --> 00:22:34,954
It's not just me who's
an introvert on the team.
440
00:22:34,954 --> 00:22:39,104
There are a couple of us, and we have been
thinking deeply about this for a while.
441
00:22:39,604 --> 00:22:44,134
And so we know that we can design
for connection, and we can think
442
00:22:44,144 --> 00:22:46,313
through how to help people connect.
443
00:22:46,543 --> 00:22:47,834
We also can't force it.
444
00:22:48,324 --> 00:22:52,453
And so what we try to do is we come
up with as many different ways where
445
00:22:52,453 --> 00:22:56,123
folks can meet and interact with
different people, especially in smaller
446
00:22:56,123 --> 00:23:00,064
groups, and especially doing some
meaningful stuff, whether it's having
447
00:23:00,064 --> 00:23:04,444
a pre-conference discussion or going
on a field trip or day of service.
448
00:23:04,763 --> 00:23:10,134
But again, we are always looking for
these smaller ways for folks to connect.
449
00:23:10,193 --> 00:23:13,354
To Carrie's point on introverts, and
Carrie, you can pick this idea up if
450
00:23:13,354 --> 00:23:17,073
you want, is, you know, one of the
things I love about the, the network,
451
00:23:17,074 --> 00:23:21,043
and I was talking about how everybody
shows up with a real sense of optimism,
452
00:23:21,394 --> 00:23:24,524
is that has nothing to do with kind
of how you greet the world, whether
453
00:23:24,524 --> 00:23:27,394
you're somebody who's a little bit
more introverted or extroverted,
454
00:23:27,394 --> 00:23:28,653
and we all live on that spectrum.
455
00:23:29,153 --> 00:23:32,423
But what I think is intoxicating about
the experience is that introverts
456
00:23:32,424 --> 00:23:35,854
find themselves reaching out and
showing up in ways that maybe they
457
00:23:35,854 --> 00:23:36,964
wouldn't otherwise be comfortable.
458
00:23:36,984 --> 00:23:39,953
And I think that speaks to a bigger
thing that we do with the network that
459
00:23:39,954 --> 00:23:43,013
has nothing to do with programming,
all of which is excellent, and
460
00:23:43,013 --> 00:23:45,624
it's the culture, 'cause we've been
alluding to that throughout this, and
461
00:23:45,624 --> 00:23:48,494
that's the essential piece is that
we meet everybody where they're at.
462
00:23:48,603 --> 00:23:50,853
We hope to embrace them and bring them in.
463
00:23:51,123 --> 00:23:52,493
Introverts come out of their comfort zone.
464
00:23:52,503 --> 00:23:55,513
We hope extroverts like me who can
talk to a wall shut their mouths for
465
00:23:55,513 --> 00:23:57,653
five minutes and listen- … 'cause
you learn a lot that way.
466
00:23:58,013 --> 00:24:00,903
And that seems to happen, uh, often.
467
00:24:01,414 --> 00:24:03,923
And so it's a beautiful sort of
thing that we're building in terms
468
00:24:03,943 --> 00:24:06,463
of the culture, and I think that's
the thing folks need to know.
469
00:24:06,713 --> 00:24:08,133
And then also sometimes you need a break.
470
00:24:08,134 --> 00:24:10,353
And again, San Diego's not a bad place.
471
00:24:10,353 --> 00:24:13,043
Anybody who's feeling like
they just need a minute, stroll
472
00:24:13,043 --> 00:24:15,583
outside, palm trees, sun, water.
473
00:24:15,753 --> 00:24:16,334
Not so bad.
474
00:24:17,033 --> 00:24:17,233
Yeah.
475
00:24:17,634 --> 00:24:20,333
And I say that, Carrie, I got,
I can't get on a, a podcast with
476
00:24:20,333 --> 00:24:22,693
you and not say the… Carrie,
do you know what I'm gonna say?
477
00:24:23,143 --> 00:24:23,963
Most conferences
478
00:24:24,993 --> 00:24:25,023
suck.
479
00:24:27,013 --> 00:24:27,133
Well, yeah,
480
00:24:27,133 --> 00:24:27,580
I do say that all the time.
481
00:24:27,580 --> 00:24:27,772
Most conferences suck.
482
00:24:27,772 --> 00:24:27,900
I do.
483
00:24:27,900 --> 00:24:28,653
But I was gonna say no one
484
00:24:28,664 --> 00:24:28,894
bites.
485
00:24:29,153 --> 00:24:29,613
No one bites.
486
00:24:29,823 --> 00:24:30,065
No one bites.
487
00:24:30,065 --> 00:24:30,340
No one bites.
488
00:24:30,340 --> 00:24:31,084
No one bites, right.
489
00:24:31,093 --> 00:24:31,113
Yeah.
490
00:24:31,333 --> 00:24:34,713
And, and that's the thing is like I think
sometimes folks just need to understand
491
00:24:34,714 --> 00:24:39,583
that we're all showing up even if your
boss made you, chances are you care
492
00:24:39,583 --> 00:24:40,753
deeply about the work you're doing.
493
00:24:40,753 --> 00:24:44,634
You wanna get a little bit better, and,
you know, eh, it's kind of like, I always
494
00:24:44,634 --> 00:24:46,243
say like throwing my kids in the pool.
495
00:24:46,253 --> 00:24:47,963
Like, they don't wanna
go in 'cause it's cold.
496
00:24:48,354 --> 00:24:50,803
And you're like, yeah, first
20 seconds and then the rest
497
00:24:50,803 --> 00:24:51,633
of the day is delightful.
498
00:24:51,634 --> 00:24:55,373
So to most of my introverted friends,
I would say, you know, push yourself
499
00:24:55,373 --> 00:24:58,493
a little bit, and it's exhausting,
like physically exhausting to do
500
00:24:58,494 --> 00:25:00,433
that, and we get that, and I get that.
501
00:25:00,513 --> 00:25:01,363
I live with an introvert.
502
00:25:01,363 --> 00:25:03,984
But I promise you're gonna enjoy your
time in the pool, and then you're gonna
503
00:25:03,984 --> 00:25:07,158
collapse into bed completely cooked
And by the way, we see you, 'cause
504
00:25:07,158 --> 00:25:08,358
that's the HQ team when we're all done.
505
00:25:08,358 --> 00:25:08,408
Yeah.
506
00:25:09,078 --> 00:25:12,008
Well, chances are you'll find me
at the bar, you introverts out
507
00:25:12,008 --> 00:25:13,228
there, and I will buy you a drink.
508
00:25:13,228 --> 00:25:13,988
What, just one in.
509
00:25:13,988 --> 00:25:16,468
Or, you know, bring an introverted friend.
510
00:25:16,508 --> 00:25:17,738
I'm holding you to that, man.
511
00:25:17,738 --> 00:25:21,147
I see you at the bar, I'm gonna literally
grab people and say, "Just say you're an
512
00:25:21,148 --> 00:25:22,598
introvert, Erica's buying you drinks."
513
00:25:24,168 --> 00:25:27,717
Jesus, more expensive than
the membership, the bar bill.
514
00:25:27,787 --> 00:25:29,927
Erica, apart from the things
you've already mentioned, what
515
00:25:29,928 --> 00:25:30,928
are you looking forward to most?
516
00:25:31,008 --> 00:25:34,057
One of the things that the network
does that I've never seen anybody do
517
00:25:34,057 --> 00:25:38,287
before, which I think is super cool,
and it taps into working with introverts
518
00:25:38,338 --> 00:25:44,427
and it taps into creating community
upstream, is Sean sends out emails
519
00:25:44,577 --> 00:25:46,297
to everybody who's going to come.
520
00:25:46,487 --> 00:25:50,947
He literally sends out an email
to a group of maybe 20 folks
521
00:25:51,318 --> 00:25:52,998
introducing them to one another.
522
00:25:53,327 --> 00:25:56,837
There's usually a board member, a
local leader who's on that thread, too.
523
00:25:57,147 --> 00:26:01,557
And the idea is to create space that
people can start connecting before they
524
00:26:01,557 --> 00:26:06,532
even get to San Diego But starting,
like even as soon as now, you're
525
00:26:06,542 --> 00:26:12,231
having opportunities to start to build
a kind of a cohort together so that
526
00:26:12,232 --> 00:26:16,082
if you do walk in and you don't know
a lot of folks, well, you just met
527
00:26:16,082 --> 00:26:17,982
these 20 people via an email thread.
528
00:26:18,282 --> 00:26:21,662
One year we did it and we had the
people on my thread, we all met
529
00:26:21,662 --> 00:26:26,222
together in the hotel lobby and went
together to the opening reception,
530
00:26:26,752 --> 00:26:30,512
and that gave us all a friend to walk
through it with, and that's something
531
00:26:30,601 --> 00:26:32,261
that's unique that the network does.
532
00:26:32,592 --> 00:26:35,391
Sean, other than maybe, I don't know
if you're gonna go surfing again or
533
00:26:35,392 --> 00:26:36,451
not, what are you looking forward to?
534
00:26:36,621 --> 00:26:37,742
I would love it if I could.
535
00:26:38,191 --> 00:26:40,221
I think I just called
myself out, so maybe not.
536
00:26:42,331 --> 00:26:43,642
We'll alert the lifeguards.
537
00:26:44,281 --> 00:26:44,941
Please do.
538
00:26:45,691 --> 00:26:48,421
Well, I mean, I guess I- it's a privilege
of… COMNET is this extraordinary thing.
539
00:26:48,421 --> 00:26:50,412
It's hard to think, like
it's right around the corner.
540
00:26:50,822 --> 00:26:53,811
But it's also fun to know, again,
like the network isn't just those
541
00:26:53,811 --> 00:26:56,491
three days a year, as much as those
three days a year are important.
542
00:26:56,991 --> 00:27:00,042
I think, Eric, you worked in television
and I guess, you know, you go to the
543
00:27:00,042 --> 00:27:02,851
Emmys or something- Yeah … and it's
super fun and fancy and you dress up and
544
00:27:02,851 --> 00:27:05,891
all that, but my guess is if I asked you
a story about your acting career, you'd
545
00:27:05,892 --> 00:27:07,482
tell me about something on set, right?
546
00:27:07,842 --> 00:27:09,621
And so to me, it's like-
547
00:27:09,961 --> 00:27:12,331
Hey, look, if I had been
nominated for an Emmy- You'd
548
00:27:12,331 --> 00:27:12,495
be
549
00:27:12,495 --> 00:27:12,658
stoked
550
00:27:12,658 --> 00:27:13,661
I'd be telling you about
551
00:27:13,661 --> 00:27:13,746
it.
552
00:27:13,746 --> 00:27:14,001
You know what?
553
00:27:14,001 --> 00:27:16,392
I mean, we're in the land of
where we make up narratives.
554
00:27:16,392 --> 00:27:17,541
You've won an Emmy, my friend.
555
00:27:17,541 --> 00:27:18,231
You're an Emmy winner.
556
00:27:19,492 --> 00:27:19,712
So.
557
00:27:20,132 --> 00:27:23,841
But the train of thought I was going after
is just that I think for a lot of people,
558
00:27:23,871 --> 00:27:26,771
COMNET's gonna be this extraordinary
sort of opportunity to step away.
559
00:27:27,251 --> 00:27:29,811
A lot of people have been under
a lot of stress for a whole
560
00:27:29,812 --> 00:27:31,021
host of different reasons.
561
00:27:31,031 --> 00:27:33,801
Some of them are big and kinda
galactic in scale, and some of
562
00:27:33,801 --> 00:27:34,931
them are just small and personal.
563
00:27:34,941 --> 00:27:34,971
Mm-hmm.
564
00:27:35,202 --> 00:27:37,901
I don't know about y'all, but maybe
it's just the station I'm at in life,
565
00:27:37,931 --> 00:27:39,941
but lots of folks carrying stuff.
566
00:27:39,961 --> 00:27:42,211
Like adulting is hard, just generally.
567
00:27:42,211 --> 00:27:46,271
So giving three days together to hang out
with people who, like literally if you
568
00:27:46,272 --> 00:27:49,482
don't even think about yourself and you
just look at who you're surrounded by, all
569
00:27:49,482 --> 00:27:53,331
of these people, every single one of them
rolls out of bed every single day trying
570
00:27:53,331 --> 00:27:54,561
to do a little bit of good in the world.
571
00:27:54,581 --> 00:27:57,441
And I mean, it might not be your cup
of tea what they're working on, but
572
00:27:57,461 --> 00:28:01,191
climate change may not be your jam,
or lifting up the arts or eradicating
573
00:28:01,191 --> 00:28:03,592
disease or whatever it might be,
but that's what they're doing.
574
00:28:03,601 --> 00:28:03,621
Mm-hmm.
575
00:28:03,681 --> 00:28:05,071
And they're putting their
whole heart into it.
576
00:28:05,551 --> 00:28:09,811
And giving them three days away to
learn and think about getting better,
577
00:28:10,131 --> 00:28:12,941
and to see all those folks every
day when you wake up at breakfast,
578
00:28:12,941 --> 00:28:14,181
like that doesn't fill your cup.
579
00:28:14,182 --> 00:28:15,781
Like that is a pretty incredible thing.
580
00:28:15,781 --> 00:28:19,401
That's the offer, is a room of people
who are dedicated to doing good, who are
581
00:28:19,401 --> 00:28:23,001
all committed to being together to get
better and get sharper and smarter, and
582
00:28:23,102 --> 00:28:24,982
the world requires it of us right now.
583
00:28:25,132 --> 00:28:25,302
Yeah.
584
00:28:25,432 --> 00:28:29,222
And for us, Eric and myself, Carrie,
to be able to be of service to those
585
00:28:29,222 --> 00:28:31,648
folks, like- Best job in the world.
586
00:28:31,967 --> 00:28:32,378
That's not a hard one to r-
what's a, that's an assignment
587
00:28:32,378 --> 00:28:32,437
I take every day with pride.
588
00:28:32,437 --> 00:28:32,447
Yeah.
589
00:28:32,447 --> 00:28:32,707
I, for one,
590
00:28:36,477 --> 00:28:39,778
am very inspired by other people
who actually work for a living.
591
00:28:39,778 --> 00:28:42,878
So- … I, I, I think that
I wanna do a good job.
592
00:28:43,178 --> 00:28:48,578
Kerry, let's land this plane by hearing
from you about how people can get involved
593
00:28:48,917 --> 00:28:52,937
with the network the rest of the year,
'cause there are so many things that
594
00:28:52,937 --> 00:28:59,318
you do, and Communications Network is
not just three days a year, it is 365.
595
00:28:59,327 --> 00:29:00,467
Can you talk a little bit about that?
596
00:29:00,507 --> 00:29:03,147
We have a variety of different
ways for folks to connect.
597
00:29:03,217 --> 00:29:05,898
Two programs I'll mention of
the many things that we do are
598
00:29:05,898 --> 00:29:07,567
our Circles and Locals programs.
599
00:29:07,568 --> 00:29:11,148
They're how we build community
all year long, not just at ComNet.
600
00:29:11,158 --> 00:29:13,367
Circles gather folks online.
601
00:29:13,368 --> 00:29:15,467
We gather monthly on Zoom.
602
00:29:15,467 --> 00:29:17,647
We also have Slack
happening all of the time.
603
00:29:18,197 --> 00:29:23,627
And they bring folks together based on
role, topic, identity, and we've found
604
00:29:23,627 --> 00:29:28,197
that these are thriving communities
where we see people join each month and
605
00:29:28,197 --> 00:29:30,158
continue to build connections that way.
606
00:29:30,677 --> 00:29:34,287
Then our Locals program, they gather
in real life, in person, in the
607
00:29:34,287 --> 00:29:35,908
places where folks live and work.
608
00:29:36,197 --> 00:29:39,597
And so we have 16 local groups
throughout the country, anywhere
609
00:29:39,597 --> 00:29:42,277
from New England to Seattle.
610
00:29:42,627 --> 00:29:47,687
And so these groups gather, and they're
more social focused, and we are finding
611
00:29:47,687 --> 00:29:49,567
that they continue to grow and expand.
612
00:29:49,977 --> 00:29:52,747
Our real measurement of all of these
groups, though, is actually about the
613
00:29:52,748 --> 00:29:57,157
return and how many folks continue to come
back, and the deepening of connections.
614
00:29:57,617 --> 00:30:01,217
And that's something that we're finding
that as we are both growing numbers-wise
615
00:30:01,237 --> 00:30:05,157
and we have three new Circles being
added this year, a couple local groups
616
00:30:05,157 --> 00:30:08,838
being added, but what we're really
looking at is the depth of connections
617
00:30:08,838 --> 00:30:10,437
folks make because of these groups.
618
00:30:11,244 --> 00:30:14,964
Well, they are incredible connections,
and I will say that, let's see now,
619
00:30:15,063 --> 00:30:21,783
12 years ago when I was on the board
and we hired Shawn to be the CEO,
620
00:30:22,164 --> 00:30:27,483
in our wildest dreams, I mean way
beyond our wildest dreams, we could
621
00:30:27,484 --> 00:30:32,113
not have possibly imagined all that
the network is doing now, the things
622
00:30:32,114 --> 00:30:35,604
that Carrie just talked about, the
way Eric has described his conference.
623
00:30:35,604 --> 00:30:39,603
And Shawn, of course, y- the
energy with which you have attacked
624
00:30:39,603 --> 00:30:42,364
this work is an inspiration.
625
00:30:42,423 --> 00:30:43,263
It's fabulous.
626
00:30:43,273 --> 00:30:45,303
It has made my job better.
627
00:30:45,574 --> 00:30:50,084
It has made the jobs of so many people
out there, but more importantly, it has
628
00:30:50,084 --> 00:30:54,133
made the lives of the people that the
foundations and the nonprofits touch
629
00:30:54,824 --> 00:30:59,783
immeasurably better, and I just thank you
so very much for everything you've done.
630
00:30:59,783 --> 00:31:03,604
I cannot wait to see you all in San Diego.
631
00:31:04,214 --> 00:31:09,613
Carrie Klein, Eric Appeltreau, Shawn
Gibbons, thank you very much for
632
00:31:09,783 --> 00:31:12,153
all you do and for just being you.
633
00:31:12,663 --> 00:31:13,193
Eric.
634
00:31:13,513 --> 00:31:13,993
Yeah?
635
00:31:14,144 --> 00:31:16,124
What's the one thing
you're looking forward to?
636
00:31:16,254 --> 00:31:17,043
Oh, my goodness.
637
00:31:17,403 --> 00:31:23,543
Just being in a room full of people
who I feel this incredible connection
638
00:31:23,544 --> 00:31:25,234
with, whether I know them or not.
639
00:31:25,663 --> 00:31:29,353
That's not something I get a chance to do
very often, and because I'm an extrovert,
640
00:31:29,364 --> 00:31:33,704
to be surrounded by so many people who are
like-minded, who really care about making
641
00:31:33,704 --> 00:31:35,723
a difference, just fills me with joy.
642
00:31:35,993 --> 00:31:36,503
I love it.
643
00:31:36,574 --> 00:31:37,384
Well, thanks, folks.
644
00:31:37,384 --> 00:31:38,313
Thanks for coming on.
645
00:31:38,373 --> 00:31:39,273
I'll see you in two weeks.
646
00:31:39,403 --> 00:31:40,323
Thank you, Eric.
647
00:31:40,574 --> 00:31:41,123
Thank you, Eric.
648
00:31:43,583 --> 00:31:44,213
And that's it.
649
00:31:44,233 --> 00:31:46,284
I hope that inspired you and excited you.
650
00:31:46,623 --> 00:31:50,434
Uh, normally, of course, ch- Kirk
would say things that would go blah,
651
00:31:50,434 --> 00:31:51,564
blah, blah, blah, blah, and I would
go blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, and
652
00:31:51,564 --> 00:31:56,414
he would go, "Yeah, yeah, yeah," and
I would go, "Eh." But we we didn't
653
00:31:56,414 --> 00:31:57,774
get a chance to do that this time.
654
00:31:58,324 --> 00:32:02,243
We will see you next time on a
normal edition of Let's Hear It,
655
00:32:02,373 --> 00:32:05,183
but hope you enjoyed the show,
and we'll see you in San Diego.
656
00:32:07,670 --> 00:32:09,610
Okay, everybody, that's
it for this episode.
657
00:32:10,060 --> 00:32:12,480
Please let us know if you have any
thoughts about what you heard today
658
00:32:12,560 --> 00:32:16,070
or people we should have on this show,
and that definitely includes yourself.
659
00:32:16,600 --> 00:32:20,090
And we'd like to thank John
Alleee, the tuneful and inspiring
660
00:32:20,090 --> 00:32:21,319
composer of our theme music.
661
00:32:21,679 --> 00:32:24,250
Our sponsor, the Lumina Foundation.
662
00:32:24,259 --> 00:32:28,399
And please check out Lumina's
terrific podcast, Today's Students,
663
00:32:28,450 --> 00:32:32,020
Tomorrow's Talent, and you can
find that at luminafoundation.org.
664
00:32:32,099 --> 00:32:34,699
We certainly thank today's guest
and, of course, all of you.
665
00:32:34,810 --> 00:32:37,410
And most importantly,
thank you, Mr. Brown.
666
00:32:37,550 --> 00:32:38,659
Oh, no, no, no, no.
667
00:32:38,989 --> 00:32:40,390
Thank you, Mr. Brown.
668
00:32:40,589 --> 00:32:41,269
Okay, everybody.
669
00:32:41,369 --> 00:32:41,930
Till next time
00:00:00,488 --> 00:00:01,418
Welcome to Let's Hear It.
2
00:00:01,808 --> 00:00:06,178
Let's Hear It is a podcast for and about
the field of foundation and non-profit
3
00:00:06,178 --> 00:00:11,018
communications, produced by its two
co-hosts, Eric Brown and Kirk Brown.
4
00:00:11,458 --> 00:00:11,898
No relation.
5
00:00:12,288 --> 00:00:13,138
Well said, Eric.
6
00:00:13,238 --> 00:00:13,868
And I'm Kirk.
7
00:00:14,078 --> 00:00:14,728
And I'm Eric.
8
00:00:15,148 --> 00:00:18,207
Let's Hear It is sponsored by the
Prebys Foundation, a foundation
9
00:00:18,207 --> 00:00:22,027
creating an inclusive, equitable, and
dynamic future for all San Diegans.
10
00:00:22,508 --> 00:00:25,977
Check out their amazingly good
podcast, Stop and Talk, hosted by
11
00:00:25,977 --> 00:00:27,607
Grant Oliphant and Crystal Page.
12
00:00:27,828 --> 00:00:30,347
You can find them at
stopandtalkpodcast.com.
13
00:00:30,567 --> 00:00:33,697
You can find Let's Hear It on any
podcast subscription platform.
14
00:00:33,778 --> 00:00:36,527
You can find us online
at letzhearitcast.com.
15
00:00:36,717 --> 00:00:41,618
And if you like the show, please,
please, please rate us on Apple Podcasts
16
00:00:41,648 --> 00:00:43,217
so that more people can find us.
17
00:00:43,217 --> 00:00:44,207
Let's get onto the show.
18
00:00:45,637 --> 00:00:46,217
Hi, friends.
19
00:00:46,247 --> 00:00:50,498
We are doing a special bonus
edition of Let's Hear It.
20
00:00:50,587 --> 00:00:56,217
This is a preview of ComNet26, the
conference of the Communications Network.
21
00:00:56,497 --> 00:01:01,318
I, I don't have Kirky here with me
to banter with to do our traditional
22
00:01:01,418 --> 00:01:05,907
blah, blah, but we're gonna listen to
this conversation that I had with Erica
23
00:01:05,947 --> 00:01:11,037
Pelletreau, Shawn Gibbons, and Kerry
Klein of the Communications Network to
24
00:01:11,037 --> 00:01:15,907
get folks excited about the conference
that's coming up or to help them think
25
00:01:15,947 --> 00:01:20,328
next time about signing up in time,
because about 200 people ended up on
26
00:01:20,328 --> 00:01:21,687
the waiting list and didn't get in.
27
00:01:21,837 --> 00:01:26,137
So here's my conversation
with Kerry, Erica, and Shawn.
28
00:01:28,682 --> 00:01:33,002
Anyone who knows me or listens to
this pod knows that the Communications
29
00:01:33,002 --> 00:01:35,092
Network is near and dear to my heart.
30
00:01:35,652 --> 00:01:38,022
I've said it what feels
like a million times.
31
00:01:38,352 --> 00:01:42,762
It is the single most important
professional association I've had
32
00:01:43,091 --> 00:01:46,451
in a 30-year career in foundation
and nonprofit communications.
33
00:01:47,142 --> 00:01:50,081
Some of my most cherished friends
are people I met through the network.
34
00:01:51,001 --> 00:01:54,192
For 21 years in a row, I
attended the annual conference.
35
00:01:54,202 --> 00:01:58,811
That streak was interrupted by a
regrettable decision made under duress.
36
00:01:59,882 --> 00:02:02,812
Some folks go to their
family lake house every year.
37
00:02:03,142 --> 00:02:07,411
My family reunion is at CommNet,
and this year's conference
38
00:02:07,482 --> 00:02:08,922
comes at a critical time.
39
00:02:09,431 --> 00:02:13,042
It's been a very hard year to
do communications for good.
40
00:02:13,442 --> 00:02:17,051
Nonprofits are losing funding at the
same time more people need their help.
41
00:02:17,501 --> 00:02:19,732
Trust in institutions is plummeting.
42
00:02:20,311 --> 00:02:25,921
AI has absolutely upended almost
everything we do, and research from
43
00:02:25,921 --> 00:02:29,291
the Center for Effective Philanthropy
shows a huge disconnect between
44
00:02:29,291 --> 00:02:31,011
foundations and their grantees.
45
00:02:31,671 --> 00:02:35,931
Against this backdrop, in two weeks,
communicators and other leaders from
46
00:02:35,931 --> 00:02:40,062
foundations and nonprofits from around
the world will come together in San
47
00:02:40,062 --> 00:02:44,971
Diego to learn from each other, teach
each other, and make friends for life.
48
00:02:45,662 --> 00:02:51,271
I am thrilled to have three of the people
who make it happen, Carrie Klein, vice
49
00:02:51,272 --> 00:02:56,111
president of events and community at the
Communications Network, Erica Pelletreau,
50
00:02:56,291 --> 00:03:01,632
director of strategic projects and
partnerships, and its CEO, Sean Gibbons.
51
00:03:01,872 --> 00:03:05,021
Sean, Carrie, Erica, thank
you so much for coming on.
52
00:03:05,081 --> 00:03:06,081
Let's just dive right in.
53
00:03:06,471 --> 00:03:07,651
Carrie, let's start with you.
54
00:03:07,821 --> 00:03:11,073
For someone who has never
been What the heck is CommNet?
55
00:03:11,204 --> 00:03:14,494
We pride ourselves on CommNet
being much more than a conference.
56
00:03:14,494 --> 00:03:19,714
We often say that a lot of conferences can
be boring, and so we hope that when you
57
00:03:19,714 --> 00:03:21,444
come to CommNet you'll have a lot of fun.
58
00:03:21,724 --> 00:03:24,504
So if you're new, if you're a
first-timer, we have different ways
59
00:03:24,513 --> 00:03:27,644
for you to connect with various
folks around the CommNet community.
60
00:03:27,893 --> 00:03:29,664
We have a first-timer reception.
61
00:03:29,694 --> 00:03:31,843
We have a big welcome party on the beach.
62
00:03:32,114 --> 00:03:34,403
But really what CommNet
is, it's a homecoming.
63
00:03:34,803 --> 00:03:39,133
It's where folks come to see their
colleagues, their friends, their peers.
64
00:03:39,393 --> 00:03:42,163
We have people like you, Eric, who
have come year over year, maybe
65
00:03:42,164 --> 00:03:44,403
not anyone 21 times like yourself.
66
00:03:44,493 --> 00:03:50,063
But many folks have come, and they find
it a place where they can, you know,
67
00:03:50,063 --> 00:03:54,423
talk shop, they can get to know each
other personally, they can find new tools
68
00:03:54,423 --> 00:03:56,333
and strategies for their comms work.
69
00:03:56,684 --> 00:04:00,993
But Sean, Eric, and I spend a lot of
time thinking about how do we build and
70
00:04:00,993 --> 00:04:05,254
grow and help folks expand and enhance
their community and their kitchen
71
00:04:05,254 --> 00:04:08,923
cabinet of folks they can call up
when they need help, they wanna share
72
00:04:08,923 --> 00:04:11,853
ideas, they want to lean on each other.
73
00:04:12,043 --> 00:04:15,933
And so CommNet, we're hoping, is a
really fun way to gather with folks
74
00:04:15,933 --> 00:04:17,843
who work in communications for good.
75
00:04:18,494 --> 00:04:23,904
Erica, can you walk us through what San
Diego's gonna be like in two short weeks?
76
00:04:23,943 --> 00:04:28,044
But let me start by saying that this
audience needs to know about CommNet.
77
00:04:28,363 --> 00:04:30,893
They need to know not just about
CommNet, but they need to know about
78
00:04:30,893 --> 00:04:34,593
the network more broadly, because we're
all involved in the same game here.
79
00:04:34,603 --> 00:04:37,563
We're all trying to make the world
a better place, and we're all using
80
00:04:37,564 --> 00:04:39,183
smart communications to get there.
81
00:04:39,204 --> 00:04:43,404
So San Diego this year is one
year, but this happens every year.
82
00:04:43,483 --> 00:04:49,413
And so in San Diego we're gonna start off
with a day of volunteering opportunities,
83
00:04:49,643 --> 00:04:54,354
community engagement opportunities,
pre-conference panels, which are pretty
84
00:04:54,363 --> 00:04:56,883
low-stakes conversations with people.
85
00:04:57,073 --> 00:05:00,933
We try to bring in a lot of people from
the local community from San Diego talking
86
00:05:00,933 --> 00:05:04,263
about their specific niche in the world.
87
00:05:04,553 --> 00:05:08,943
And so that's k- how we start our day with
engaging with San Diego as a community.
88
00:05:08,943 --> 00:05:11,073
It's an important value
of ours wherever we go.
89
00:05:12,063 --> 00:05:15,063
Then we're gonna throw an epic party.
90
00:05:15,863 --> 00:05:20,673
It's gonna be an epic party
on the beach in San Diego.
91
00:05:20,993 --> 00:05:25,774
So think about it, sunsets,
food trucks, friends, fairy
92
00:05:25,774 --> 00:05:27,753
lights, maybe a little dancing.
93
00:05:28,034 --> 00:05:31,203
But that's really our way to kinda
set the tone and really gather folks.
94
00:05:31,204 --> 00:05:32,963
That's our kickoff, our big kickoff.
95
00:05:33,894 --> 00:05:37,553
You're going into Thursday, which is
a full day from starting first thing
96
00:05:37,553 --> 00:05:42,833
in the morning running all the way
to the evening, of keynotes, of small
97
00:05:42,833 --> 00:05:47,134
group discussions, of conversations
that are related to communications,
98
00:05:47,134 --> 00:05:50,073
the field of communications, and how
you do it to do the work for good.
99
00:05:50,644 --> 00:05:53,973
Intentionally structured so that
there's plenty of time for chitchat,
100
00:05:54,394 --> 00:05:58,063
so to talk with your friends, to get
to know one another, to get deeper into
101
00:05:58,064 --> 00:06:01,133
the conversation that may have been a
provocation at the beginning of the day.
102
00:06:02,188 --> 00:06:07,558
One of the things that I'll say
is a not to be missed is the
103
00:06:07,558 --> 00:06:08,858
keynote with Percival Everett.
104
00:06:08,938 --> 00:06:09,198
Mm.
105
00:06:10,438 --> 00:06:13,538
I don't know if you know his book, I don't
know if your audience know his books,
106
00:06:13,797 --> 00:06:18,817
but wow, that man has an ability to do
storytelling in a way that changes and
107
00:06:18,818 --> 00:06:20,537
transforms how people see themselves.
108
00:06:20,547 --> 00:06:23,388
So that's what I say is a not to be
missed first thing in the morning.
109
00:06:23,428 --> 00:06:26,138
I should also say that the majority
of our keynotes are gonna be
110
00:06:26,138 --> 00:06:29,587
live-streamed on the Chronicle's website,
Chronicle of Philanthropy's website.
111
00:06:29,998 --> 00:06:30,637
Not this one.
112
00:06:30,957 --> 00:06:34,598
This one is just for the people
in the room, so got an additional
113
00:06:34,598 --> 00:06:36,038
level of specialness to it.
114
00:06:36,948 --> 00:06:38,248
So we're gonna run through the day.
115
00:06:38,248 --> 00:06:39,617
That's the o- one that I'm really
116
00:06:39,617 --> 00:06:41,408
looking forward to, is
that one in the morning.
117
00:06:42,158 --> 00:06:46,208
And as we run through the day, we're
gonna have opportunities for our circle
118
00:06:46,428 --> 00:06:51,177
members to gather, our leaders members
to gather, our local members to gather.
119
00:06:51,388 --> 00:06:56,657
The ethos is very much welcoming,
so everybody who's goes to
120
00:06:56,658 --> 00:07:00,987
CommNet who's a CommVet is charged
with welcoming the newbies.
121
00:07:01,037 --> 00:07:01,327
Nice.
122
00:07:01,638 --> 00:07:05,928
So the newbies are supposed to come in
and maybe they've never been here before.
123
00:07:05,928 --> 00:07:07,697
Who are these 1,100 people?
124
00:07:07,698 --> 00:07:08,737
What are they doing?
125
00:07:09,097 --> 00:07:12,248
And the CommVets are there to
lend a helping hand, give them
126
00:07:12,248 --> 00:07:13,758
a hug, and help move them along.
127
00:07:14,827 --> 00:07:18,987
One of my favorite things is networking
at night, and that's how we close out our
128
00:07:18,988 --> 00:07:21,357
Thursday, and it's a networking event.
129
00:07:21,378 --> 00:07:24,917
It's where you can recognize people
that you saw across a room, follow
130
00:07:24,917 --> 00:07:28,468
up on a conversation where there's
a point of shared synthesis that
131
00:07:28,468 --> 00:07:31,848
you can go deeper on, and you can
have a good time just chatting.
132
00:07:31,848 --> 00:07:34,987
This is where the friendships go from
a friendly look across the room into
133
00:07:34,987 --> 00:07:40,928
a deeper, more meaningful connection
Starting on Friday morning, the piece
134
00:07:40,928 --> 00:07:47,347
that I'll say really is the must not
miss for Friday morning is, whew, boy
135
00:07:47,347 --> 00:07:52,297
do we have an amazing thing for you with
the Jones Award winners, IllumiNative.
136
00:07:52,948 --> 00:07:58,267
They have done transformational work
in cultural storytelling about Native
137
00:07:58,267 --> 00:07:59,977
American people in this country.
138
00:08:00,447 --> 00:08:04,457
And it's gonna be an incredible
presentation, and this is the first
139
00:08:04,457 --> 00:08:07,337
year that we will have done it since
we launched the prize that we do it
140
00:08:07,647 --> 00:08:09,427
with Dr. Jones with us in spirit-
141
00:08:09,437 --> 00:08:09,637
Mm-hmm
142
00:08:09,917 --> 00:08:11,378
…
but not in person.
143
00:08:11,448 --> 00:08:14,317
So it's gonna have an extra
level of depth to it this year.
144
00:08:14,667 --> 00:08:18,378
But the, to me, the Jones Award is
like, it's like the Emmys for our field.
145
00:08:19,077 --> 00:08:23,988
Like, who actually is doing this type-
Yeah … of comms work that's changing
146
00:08:23,988 --> 00:08:27,438
people's lives and doing it best in class?
147
00:08:27,908 --> 00:08:29,687
There's a competitive system here.
148
00:08:29,717 --> 00:08:32,857
We solicit nominees from across the land.
149
00:08:33,277 --> 00:08:37,847
And it's a competitive judging panel that
evaluates all of these different people
150
00:08:37,847 --> 00:08:40,518
who apply to be awarded the Jones Award.
151
00:08:40,917 --> 00:08:43,737
And this year, as I'm telling
you, Eric, is gonna be one of the
152
00:08:43,737 --> 00:08:45,148
best that we've ever done before.
153
00:08:45,428 --> 00:08:50,208
As I mentioned in the open, Sean,
this is a really fraught time for
154
00:08:50,218 --> 00:08:54,607
foundations, for nonprofits, for
anybody working in the social sector.
155
00:08:54,627 --> 00:08:56,727
Obviously, if you're working in
government or you're working almost
156
00:08:56,727 --> 00:08:58,327
in anything, it's a fraught time.
157
00:08:58,327 --> 00:09:02,628
But what are you hearing from
members, Sean, about what they're
158
00:09:02,628 --> 00:09:06,437
dealing with, what their biggest
challenges are, and maybe what
159
00:09:06,437 --> 00:09:08,628
they hope to gain at this meeting?
160
00:09:08,818 --> 00:09:09,188
Yeah.
161
00:09:09,197 --> 00:09:12,947
I think it's interesting 'cause we walked
into last year, I think, wondering what
162
00:09:13,017 --> 00:09:14,997
will the mood of the community feel like.
163
00:09:15,577 --> 00:09:17,798
And the thing that's so interesting
about the network now is that we
164
00:09:17,798 --> 00:09:21,697
don't really have to guess because,
as you know, for the last few years
165
00:09:21,697 --> 00:09:22,718
we've had this Slack community.
166
00:09:22,718 --> 00:09:25,327
There's now 2,100 people who are
chit-chatting away throughout
167
00:09:25,327 --> 00:09:27,947
the day, and so we actually kinda
have real time intelligence.
168
00:09:28,038 --> 00:09:28,877
I know that sounds a little creepy.
169
00:09:28,877 --> 00:09:31,417
Maybe I shouldn't- … phrase it
that way, but, but we can see the
170
00:09:31,417 --> 00:09:34,547
network operating well but in the same
way that we could see folks in the
171
00:09:34,547 --> 00:09:35,837
hotel hallways at- Yeah … ComNet.
172
00:09:35,837 --> 00:09:40,177
And what I'd say you see there often is
moments of folks seeking support, but
173
00:09:40,178 --> 00:09:42,528
so often moments of joy and enthusiasm.
174
00:09:42,818 --> 00:09:45,930
And maybe what I would say
to, to step back is- What
175
00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:50,110
I am confident about in our community,
I'm confident will show up at
176
00:09:50,310 --> 00:09:54,820
ComNet, it is evident in almost
every program that we see right
177
00:09:54,820 --> 00:09:57,849
now, is a deep sense of optimism.
178
00:09:58,120 --> 00:09:58,270
Hmm.
179
00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:01,840
And I think that's a weird thing to
say, but what I don't see is people
180
00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:03,690
turning away from the network, right?
181
00:10:03,710 --> 00:10:08,289
So I think if folks were really dejected
and depressed and unable to function,
182
00:10:08,290 --> 00:10:10,569
then they would not be doing what they do.
183
00:10:10,579 --> 00:10:14,059
Because coming to the network, I
think, is a signal, I have a big job.
184
00:10:14,079 --> 00:10:14,289
Yeah.
185
00:10:14,610 --> 00:10:16,099
I have to do important work.
186
00:10:16,429 --> 00:10:17,349
This is my calling.
187
00:10:17,349 --> 00:10:20,130
This means something to me,
and I can't do it by myself.
188
00:10:20,359 --> 00:10:22,270
And they go looking for friends
to help them 'cause you get
189
00:10:22,270 --> 00:10:23,479
smarter faster through networks.
190
00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:23,879
We know that.
191
00:10:23,879 --> 00:10:24,969
There's a lot of evidence of that.
192
00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:28,800
And the fact that folks are doing
that, that ComNet will be its largest
193
00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:32,609
ever this year, I think is a testimony
to this deeper sense of optimism.
194
00:10:33,089 --> 00:10:35,739
And I know that's hard for folks to
conjure maybe in a moment where you can
195
00:10:35,749 --> 00:10:39,229
point at almost any of the things, and so
many of us are living inside of devices.
196
00:10:39,230 --> 00:10:41,280
Hell, you're listening to
one right now probably.
197
00:10:41,789 --> 00:10:42,769
Believe in other people.
198
00:10:42,809 --> 00:10:44,809
That is the message I've gotten
from the network this year.
199
00:10:45,069 --> 00:10:47,659
And so as we gather, I think
200
00:10:49,726 --> 00:10:51,536
folks should be excited
about what's ahead.
201
00:10:51,616 --> 00:10:54,646
Not that we don't have to deal with
these questions, but that we don't
202
00:10:54,646 --> 00:10:55,866
have to face them by ourselves.
203
00:10:55,906 --> 00:10:59,216
What are some of the topics that
you're hearing about in the Slack,
204
00:10:59,216 --> 00:11:00,876
in your own personal conversations?
205
00:11:01,076 --> 00:11:03,116
What are the things that are top
of mind for people right now?
206
00:11:03,116 --> 00:11:04,906
And I can guess a few,
but why don't you tell me?
207
00:11:04,916 --> 00:11:04,926
I
208
00:11:05,026 --> 00:11:07,386
mean, well, so again, we do pulse
polls now, which is interesting
209
00:11:07,386 --> 00:11:08,356
'cause you can go find them.
210
00:11:08,356 --> 00:11:09,496
They're up for free online.
211
00:11:09,496 --> 00:11:12,996
But a lot of folks are thinking about
things like artificial intelligence.
212
00:11:13,215 --> 00:11:14,736
It's not a question of
if folks are using it.
213
00:11:14,746 --> 00:11:17,785
We actually asked the community or the
field earlier this year, and the answer
214
00:11:17,785 --> 00:11:22,095
is, well, the delta between last year we
asked or maybe 18 months ago we asked,
215
00:11:22,096 --> 00:11:25,865
and it was about kind of a try it bite for
the network or the community, I would say.
216
00:11:25,866 --> 00:11:28,955
About 20% of folks were actively
using it maybe 18 months ago.
217
00:11:29,225 --> 00:11:31,065
It's like who's not is
really the question.
218
00:11:31,076 --> 00:11:33,056
It's 70-plus percent is what we saw.
219
00:11:33,526 --> 00:11:36,965
In different contexts and with different
rules abiding it, but people really
220
00:11:36,965 --> 00:11:39,515
attacking that in an interesting
way, which shouldn't surprise
221
00:11:39,515 --> 00:11:40,716
anybody who's walking in the world.
222
00:11:40,725 --> 00:11:41,925
It's the zeitgeist at the moment.
223
00:11:42,335 --> 00:11:45,136
And it has huge implications for
our field, for our sector, obviously
224
00:11:45,136 --> 00:11:48,035
for our world in a whole bunch of
ways, some good, some not so good.
225
00:11:48,535 --> 00:11:49,716
People are talking about that.
226
00:11:49,835 --> 00:11:51,185
People are talking a lot about trust.
227
00:11:51,236 --> 00:11:52,036
You mentioned this.
228
00:11:52,065 --> 00:11:55,156
It's essential, particularly if you work
in the comms business, because trust
229
00:11:55,156 --> 00:11:56,495
is the currency of the realm, right?
230
00:11:56,496 --> 00:11:57,856
You don't listen to
people you don't trust.
231
00:11:58,026 --> 00:12:00,426
Kind of common sense,
but it's profoundly true.
232
00:12:00,905 --> 00:12:02,745
So trust is important, and it's declining.
233
00:12:02,746 --> 00:12:05,586
And so when we were in London earlier
this year, it was interesting, and
234
00:12:05,586 --> 00:12:08,406
I'd invite Erika to talk about this
and Kerry as well, 'cause they built
235
00:12:08,406 --> 00:12:11,495
this thing literally out of sticks
in like five minutes, God bless them.
236
00:12:11,855 --> 00:12:14,725
I mean, seriously, it was incredibly
impressive what they were able to do.
237
00:12:15,035 --> 00:12:17,425
But in London, we came with questions,
and it turned out folks in lots of
238
00:12:17,425 --> 00:12:20,476
different accents, coming from different
cultures, coming from different contexts,
239
00:12:20,706 --> 00:12:22,085
were all asking the same questions.
240
00:12:22,515 --> 00:12:25,845
So we've been hearing the questions
for a while, and my suspicion is it'll
241
00:12:25,846 --> 00:12:29,195
continue at CommNet, 'cause, you know,
there are moments like last year that
242
00:12:29,195 --> 00:12:32,446
sort of hits you like a rogue wave
or maybe a tidal wave or whatever
243
00:12:32,446 --> 00:12:33,765
the right sort of metaphor might be.
244
00:12:33,765 --> 00:12:37,505
But these are things I think we've all
been kinda sifting and sitting with for
245
00:12:37,505 --> 00:12:40,365
a little while, even though AI feels like
it got here half a minute ago and already
246
00:12:40,365 --> 00:12:41,945
feels like we're dog years into it.
247
00:12:42,445 --> 00:12:44,696
But Erika, Kerry, you wanna
maybe pick up, talk a little bit
248
00:12:44,696 --> 00:12:45,695
about what we heard in London?
249
00:12:45,695 --> 00:12:49,085
'Cause I think that's kind of an
early, like a buoy out in the ocean
250
00:12:49,166 --> 00:12:50,026
kind of giving us an indicator.
251
00:12:50,035 --> 00:12:52,225
And what's interesting, it's
not just an American perspective
252
00:12:53,422 --> 00:12:56,912
Yeah, so just a quick recap here is
that so when Sean says London, he's
253
00:12:56,912 --> 00:12:58,232
referring to a gathering- London,
254
00:12:58,392 --> 00:12:58,492
yeah
255
00:12:58,492 --> 00:13:03,042
…
that, that we, that we hosted i- in London
with our, our very good friends at Philea.
256
00:13:03,342 --> 00:13:09,342
And it was a convening about, it was
about a third US, about a third European,
257
00:13:09,342 --> 00:13:14,681
and about a third UK, and these are all
folks who do comms at philanthropies.
258
00:13:14,902 --> 00:13:16,162
It was primarily philanthropies.
259
00:13:16,162 --> 00:13:17,571
There were a few nonprofits there.
260
00:13:17,981 --> 00:13:21,971
But the idea was, like, the, the
questions that we have here in the US,
261
00:13:22,492 --> 00:13:24,092
are other people thinking about them too?
262
00:13:24,572 --> 00:13:26,112
And how are they thinking about them?
263
00:13:26,462 --> 00:13:31,881
And knowing that the world is getting
smaller so quickly, what can we share?
264
00:13:32,181 --> 00:13:34,571
What can we learn from others?
265
00:13:34,571 --> 00:13:38,071
Where is the shared understanding
or the shared questions, the
266
00:13:38,071 --> 00:13:43,052
shared anxieties, the shared
worries, the shared opportunities?
267
00:13:43,301 --> 00:13:48,611
And to really have that be a conversation
that is not designed to come up with
268
00:13:48,611 --> 00:13:54,322
answers, but a conversation that is
designed to have shared thoughts,
269
00:13:54,442 --> 00:14:01,020
inputs, influences, and To create a
friend network so that you have somebody
270
00:14:01,020 --> 00:14:02,500
to help work this stuff through.
271
00:14:03,110 --> 00:14:05,250
So of course we were talking about AI.
272
00:14:05,730 --> 00:14:08,960
Love it, hate it, use it, don't
use it, what does it mean?
273
00:14:09,070 --> 00:14:12,010
Privacy concerns, that was a big topic.
274
00:14:12,050 --> 00:14:16,020
Another one was authoritarianism,
the rise of authoritarianism.
275
00:14:16,829 --> 00:14:21,219
Crisises about legitimacy
of philanthropy itself.
276
00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:24,829
That's something that our, some of our
European colleagues are grappling with,
277
00:14:24,829 --> 00:14:26,730
and some of our American colleagues too.
278
00:14:26,860 --> 00:14:27,719
We see that a lot.
279
00:14:28,319 --> 00:14:33,829
But so it was those types of tensions,
and also, like interestingly, like one
280
00:14:33,829 --> 00:14:38,779
of the, the strongest takeaways for me is
that there was a almost a consensus that
281
00:14:38,780 --> 00:14:41,459
we need to be reaching other audiences.
282
00:14:42,289 --> 00:14:45,199
That we know who we're talking to, and-
283
00:14:45,260 --> 00:14:45,599
Mm-hmm
284
00:14:45,670 --> 00:14:48,409
…
like that can be okay, but
actually at this moment in
285
00:14:48,409 --> 00:14:49,989
the world, we need to broaden.
286
00:14:50,129 --> 00:14:53,399
We need to push ourselves
beyond who we normally talk to.
287
00:14:53,839 --> 00:14:55,949
And then h- like actually
how do you do that?
288
00:14:55,969 --> 00:15:00,640
How do you do that in a way that's
meaningful, that has accountability in it?
289
00:15:00,889 --> 00:15:04,499
That you're not just spewing your
message to somebody else, but you're
290
00:15:04,499 --> 00:15:09,560
taking the time to sit and think about
other people and intentionally invite
291
00:15:10,499 --> 00:15:12,739
them to come in, and intentionally…
292
00:15:12,829 --> 00:15:16,799
We spend a lot of time thinking about
deep listening, and how do you do that?
293
00:15:17,419 --> 00:15:19,919
How do you do deep listening
with a community or a colleague
294
00:15:19,919 --> 00:15:21,659
that you know very little about?
295
00:15:22,489 --> 00:15:25,280
That was the flavor of the
conversations that we're having.
296
00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:29,820
So yes to what Sean's saying
about the AI bit, of course,
297
00:15:30,300 --> 00:15:32,479
and there are other layers.
298
00:15:32,899 --> 00:15:35,669
And this is one of the most
exciting things right now that
299
00:15:35,669 --> 00:15:39,479
the network is doing, is we're
broadening beyond the United States.
300
00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:44,929
We are creating programming, thoughts,
memberships- Right … et cetera,
301
00:15:44,949 --> 00:15:46,730
that are outside of the United States.
302
00:15:46,730 --> 00:15:51,479
Really tapping into like a global
idea of comms and a global shared
303
00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:53,839
set of questions and concerns.
304
00:15:54,039 --> 00:15:55,239
Keri, let me turn to you for a second.
305
00:15:55,389 --> 00:15:58,639
Given all that you're hearing, you, what
you heard in London, what you're hearing
306
00:15:58,809 --> 00:16:03,269
on Slack, what you're hearing from
your members and others, how does that
307
00:16:03,289 --> 00:16:05,660
inform how you pull together a program?
308
00:16:05,660 --> 00:16:07,430
How does that shape the programming?
309
00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:10,730
It has a tremendous impact on how we
think about all of our programming.
310
00:16:10,730 --> 00:16:15,379
So not just the topics that we're talking
about, but also some of the real meaty
311
00:16:15,380 --> 00:16:17,169
challenges that folks are facing with.
312
00:16:17,179 --> 00:16:21,200
How can we bring folks together and
gather them so that they can talk with
313
00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:25,009
each other about these challenges,
these opportunities, all of that.
314
00:16:25,319 --> 00:16:27,769
And then of course you'll see a
lot of things throughout the ComNet
315
00:16:27,789 --> 00:16:31,119
program that lean and reflect directly
from what we're hearing from our
316
00:16:31,119 --> 00:16:34,529
circles, communities, from what
we're hearing at the global commons.
317
00:16:34,539 --> 00:16:39,290
A lot of sessions we'll have on AI,
both its practical impli- implications
318
00:16:39,290 --> 00:16:42,359
and tools you can use, but also
how we should be thinking about it.
319
00:16:42,369 --> 00:16:44,739
Like, what are some of the
challenges that we should all be
320
00:16:44,740 --> 00:16:46,520
thinking about as we're using it?
321
00:16:47,096 --> 00:16:51,286
We will have sessions on trust
and depolarization, kind of themes
322
00:16:51,286 --> 00:16:52,966
that have been with us for a while.
323
00:16:53,186 --> 00:16:55,515
So you'll see those appear
again at ComNet this year.
324
00:16:55,886 --> 00:16:57,446
A couple cool things actually.
325
00:16:57,645 --> 00:17:01,855
Being that we're in California, we wanted
to really lean into entertainment and
326
00:17:01,866 --> 00:17:04,806
thinking through, you know, we can't
really be in Southern California and
327
00:17:04,806 --> 00:17:06,625
not have something on media and film.
328
00:17:07,066 --> 00:17:11,015
And so we will have a session that's
going to bring in both this work on
329
00:17:11,025 --> 00:17:16,216
trust-building and depolarization along
with a writer, a film producer, who's
330
00:17:16,216 --> 00:17:20,735
going to be helping folks think through
how they can shape stories and narratives
331
00:17:20,735 --> 00:17:24,065
that bring in various perspectives
to help humanize different folks.
332
00:17:24,376 --> 00:17:27,005
So it's kind of a cool intersection
of a lot of the different things
333
00:17:27,005 --> 00:17:28,185
we're hearing from people.
334
00:17:28,385 --> 00:17:30,225
All right, well, we're gonna
take a very quick break and
335
00:17:30,225 --> 00:17:31,845
we'll be right back with Sean,
336
00:17:32,095 --> 00:17:33,815
Erica, and Carrie right after this.
337
00:17:35,595 --> 00:17:38,466
You're listening to Let's Hear
It, a podcast about foundation and
338
00:17:38,466 --> 00:17:41,845
nonprofit communications hosted
by Eric Brown and Kirk Brown.
339
00:17:42,285 --> 00:17:45,035
If you're enjoying this episode,
you may just be a rule breaker.
340
00:17:45,156 --> 00:17:50,036
Check out season three of Break Fake
Rules with Glenn Galich, CEO of the
341
00:17:50,036 --> 00:17:53,365
Stupski Foundation, as he chats with
inspiring leaders in philanthropy,
342
00:17:53,365 --> 00:17:56,716
government, media, and more about
breaking the fake rules that don't work
343
00:17:56,986 --> 00:17:58,825
so that we can build a future that does.
344
00:17:59,185 --> 00:18:00,986
Check them out wherever
you get your podcasts.
345
00:18:01,666 --> 00:18:03,126
And now, back to the show
346
00:18:08,022 --> 00:18:08,542
Welcome back.
347
00:18:08,552 --> 00:18:11,732
I'm talking with Sean Gibbons,
Eric Peltro, and Carrie Klein
348
00:18:11,792 --> 00:18:14,822
of the Communications Network
about this upcoming conference.
349
00:18:15,172 --> 00:18:18,452
And obviously, the conference is a big
deal, and if you're listening to this,
350
00:18:18,482 --> 00:18:22,051
either you're going to the conference
and you're, we're hopefully getting
351
00:18:22,052 --> 00:18:26,601
you excited about it, or you're,
weren't able to get to the conference
352
00:18:26,601 --> 00:18:29,841
because you got on the waiting list
and couldn't get through and you didn't
353
00:18:29,892 --> 00:18:35,684
sign up early e- enough Or neither, but
you're thinking about it for next year.
354
00:18:35,684 --> 00:18:38,264
So let me first ask a
question to you, Erica.
355
00:18:38,314 --> 00:18:42,594
If you're going to the conference,
what would you say the number one
356
00:18:42,604 --> 00:18:46,004
first thing you should do to get
the most out of the conference?
357
00:18:46,013 --> 00:18:48,804
What's one thing that people
who are preparing to go now
358
00:18:48,804 --> 00:18:49,604
should be thinking about?
359
00:18:50,223 --> 00:18:51,054
Should smile.
360
00:18:52,664 --> 00:18:56,713
Smile genuinely, not just on
your face, but in your heart.
361
00:18:56,963 --> 00:19:01,114
Like, open yourself to what is
gonna be a very cool, and for many
362
00:19:01,114 --> 00:19:04,904
people, transformative experience,
that if you're open to feeling
363
00:19:04,904 --> 00:19:06,273
the magic, you will feel it.
364
00:19:06,543 --> 00:19:10,363
So the first thing you gotta do is just,
like, set yourself up, walk in there
365
00:19:10,393 --> 00:19:15,983
knowing that this is gonna be really cool,
and be open to experience what it's like.
366
00:19:15,983 --> 00:19:17,203
So you start with a smile.
367
00:19:17,723 --> 00:19:17,963
All right.
368
00:19:17,973 --> 00:19:18,713
That's a good start.
369
00:19:18,713 --> 00:19:23,693
Shawn, for people who can't make it but
wanna follow along, participate in one
370
00:19:23,694 --> 00:19:28,423
way or the other, what opportunities
are there for people to plug in?
371
00:19:28,494 --> 00:19:29,213
Let's see.
372
00:19:29,213 --> 00:19:32,194
Well, the Chronicle of Philanthropy,
as Kerry spoke about, has
373
00:19:32,194 --> 00:19:34,174
been very kind for years now.
374
00:19:34,503 --> 00:19:37,704
Folks who are unable to be in the
room, and I'm afraid we had over 200
375
00:19:37,723 --> 00:19:40,394
folks on the wait list this year,
so it's them plus a bunch of others.
376
00:19:40,404 --> 00:19:42,874
We will be live streaming all the
keynotes, again, with the exception of
377
00:19:42,874 --> 00:19:45,723
Percival Everett, and as Erica said,
it'll make the room real special.
378
00:19:45,743 --> 00:19:48,153
But you'll be able to watch all
the others, so Kaitlyn Yarnell
379
00:19:48,164 --> 00:19:49,263
from National Geographic.
380
00:19:49,264 --> 00:19:51,314
You'll be able to see the
wonderful, extraordinary Crystal
381
00:19:51,343 --> 00:19:52,633
Echo Hawk from IllumiNative.
382
00:19:52,853 --> 00:19:54,194
You're gonna hear from Grant Oliphant.
383
00:19:54,203 --> 00:19:55,513
You're gonna hear from Tonya Allen.
384
00:19:55,523 --> 00:19:57,783
These are names, if you're in
our sector, you probably know.
385
00:19:58,353 --> 00:20:00,803
We're gonna have just a, a
really extraordinary time, so
386
00:20:00,804 --> 00:20:01,643
you'll be able to get that.
387
00:20:01,663 --> 00:20:06,053
And then the thing that I'm most proud
of is that while we can't bottle up all
388
00:20:06,054 --> 00:20:09,853
those conversations in the room and in
the hallways, and those are, really that
389
00:20:09,853 --> 00:20:11,613
is the magic, that is the real value.
390
00:20:11,944 --> 00:20:15,724
What we can do, and we have done
now for years, is we take notes from
391
00:20:15,764 --> 00:20:19,263
every single learning lab, from every
case study session, and from every
392
00:20:19,264 --> 00:20:22,663
poster, and we put it up online and
make it available for free for all.
393
00:20:22,843 --> 00:20:25,483
So whether you're a network member
or not, all that stuff's available
394
00:20:25,483 --> 00:20:28,234
because ultimately our mission is to
try to lift up and improve the field,
395
00:20:28,234 --> 00:20:30,884
and the best way to do that is not
to put barriers in front of folks.
396
00:20:31,423 --> 00:20:36,503
And so that obviously won't be available
come, you know, September 29th or 30th or
397
00:20:36,503 --> 00:20:38,483
October 2nd, but give us a couple weeks.
398
00:20:38,533 --> 00:20:42,003
Let certainly Erica and Kerry and the
rest of the team who's gonna deserve a
399
00:20:42,003 --> 00:20:43,674
nap after all we've got in front of us.
400
00:20:44,134 --> 00:20:46,984
But then we will post all that stuff
up online so everybody will have a,
401
00:20:47,084 --> 00:20:49,673
the opportunity to benefit from all
the wisdom that was shared in the room.
402
00:20:49,823 --> 00:20:53,584
And for folks who are planning to go but
haven't, they wanna come a little early?
403
00:20:53,694 --> 00:20:55,414
Folks are welcome to come to pre-cons.
404
00:20:55,463 --> 00:20:58,853
Now, those rooms, I guess at some point
they get uncomfortably full, but the
405
00:20:58,854 --> 00:21:02,144
thing that's cool about those, we've
done them, again, every single year.
406
00:21:02,173 --> 00:21:05,433
But here this year we're having folks
from across the San Diego community,
407
00:21:05,433 --> 00:21:07,854
and so there'll be folks from
Barrio Logan, which if you know the
408
00:21:07,854 --> 00:21:09,253
area, is really important to folks.
409
00:21:09,253 --> 00:21:12,013
And so we'll have folks coming in there
from the military communities coming
410
00:21:12,013 --> 00:21:13,643
in to join us to talk about comms.
411
00:21:13,994 --> 00:21:17,123
And so it's this opportunity to really
have a- Mm-hmm … even if you can't go
412
00:21:17,123 --> 00:21:20,693
to a day of service or you're not able
to go on a field trip and you are gonna
413
00:21:20,703 --> 00:21:24,333
have to get up a little bit earlier
next time, 'cause those are some cool
414
00:21:24,334 --> 00:21:27,728
opportunities, and I'm happy the folks who
are having them But for everybody else,
415
00:21:27,748 --> 00:21:30,628
come out and hang with us at the hotel,
and then we'll see you on the beach.
416
00:21:30,668 --> 00:21:33,508
'Cause maybe the other thing, and
I'm not preaching y'all should
417
00:21:33,508 --> 00:21:36,358
do this, but like, San Diego's a
hell of a city to go play hooky.
418
00:21:36,968 --> 00:21:39,308
Like, if I had a few hours and I
didn't have to go to some programming,
419
00:21:39,308 --> 00:21:41,137
I might… Balboa Park's nice.
420
00:21:41,148 --> 00:21:41,917
There's some stuff.
421
00:21:41,948 --> 00:21:42,388
Okay.
422
00:21:42,677 --> 00:21:45,357
You know, the last time we were in
San Diego, you may remember Eric, you
423
00:21:45,358 --> 00:21:46,697
were on the board, I went surfing.
424
00:21:46,798 --> 00:21:50,758
I do remember that, which, you
know, there were sightings.
425
00:21:50,817 --> 00:21:52,967
I'm not sure how the board felt
about that, but I went with a
426
00:21:52,968 --> 00:21:54,378
board member, so I felt sanctioned.
427
00:21:54,378 --> 00:21:55,918
Sightings of Sean in a wetsuit.
428
00:21:55,987 --> 00:21:59,858
Now, conferences can be intimidating,
and Kari, my sense from you is
429
00:21:59,858 --> 00:22:01,138
you're something of an introvert.
430
00:22:01,237 --> 00:22:02,467
How did you guess, Eric?
431
00:22:02,517 --> 00:22:05,948
I, I don't have much emotional
intelligence, but I figured that one out.
432
00:22:05,978 --> 00:22:11,058
So for introverts, a conference
can be a frightening experience.
433
00:22:11,278 --> 00:22:14,507
And whereas people may have signed up
to go because maybe their boss told them
434
00:22:14,507 --> 00:22:19,077
that it would be a good idea or something
like that, how does an introvert manage
435
00:22:19,077 --> 00:22:26,724
to navigate such a group of extroverts
like myself and Erica and Sean, how
436
00:22:26,724 --> 00:22:29,094
do you manage a conference like that?
437
00:22:29,094 --> 00:22:31,474
And what kind of, what tips
do you have for those folks
438
00:22:31,474 --> 00:22:32,824
who are similarly situated?
439
00:22:32,894 --> 00:22:34,954
It's not just me who's
an introvert on the team.
440
00:22:34,954 --> 00:22:39,104
There are a couple of us, and we have been
thinking deeply about this for a while.
441
00:22:39,604 --> 00:22:44,134
And so we know that we can design
for connection, and we can think
442
00:22:44,144 --> 00:22:46,313
through how to help people connect.
443
00:22:46,543 --> 00:22:47,834
We also can't force it.
444
00:22:48,324 --> 00:22:52,453
And so what we try to do is we come
up with as many different ways where
445
00:22:52,453 --> 00:22:56,123
folks can meet and interact with
different people, especially in smaller
446
00:22:56,123 --> 00:23:00,064
groups, and especially doing some
meaningful stuff, whether it's having
447
00:23:00,064 --> 00:23:04,444
a pre-conference discussion or going
on a field trip or day of service.
448
00:23:04,763 --> 00:23:10,134
But again, we are always looking for
these smaller ways for folks to connect.
449
00:23:10,193 --> 00:23:13,354
To Carrie's point on introverts, and
Carrie, you can pick this idea up if
450
00:23:13,354 --> 00:23:17,073
you want, is, you know, one of the
things I love about the, the network,
451
00:23:17,074 --> 00:23:21,043
and I was talking about how everybody
shows up with a real sense of optimism,
452
00:23:21,394 --> 00:23:24,524
is that has nothing to do with kind
of how you greet the world, whether
453
00:23:24,524 --> 00:23:27,394
you're somebody who's a little bit
more introverted or extroverted,
454
00:23:27,394 --> 00:23:28,653
and we all live on that spectrum.
455
00:23:29,153 --> 00:23:32,423
But what I think is intoxicating about
the experience is that introverts
456
00:23:32,424 --> 00:23:35,854
find themselves reaching out and
showing up in ways that maybe they
457
00:23:35,854 --> 00:23:36,964
wouldn't otherwise be comfortable.
458
00:23:36,984 --> 00:23:39,953
And I think that speaks to a bigger
thing that we do with the network that
459
00:23:39,954 --> 00:23:43,013
has nothing to do with programming,
all of which is excellent, and
460
00:23:43,013 --> 00:23:45,624
it's the culture, 'cause we've been
alluding to that throughout this, and
461
00:23:45,624 --> 00:23:48,494
that's the essential piece is that
we meet everybody where they're at.
462
00:23:48,603 --> 00:23:50,853
We hope to embrace them and bring them in.
463
00:23:51,123 --> 00:23:52,493
Introverts come out of their comfort zone.
464
00:23:52,503 --> 00:23:55,513
We hope extroverts like me who can
talk to a wall shut their mouths for
465
00:23:55,513 --> 00:23:57,653
five minutes and listen- … 'cause
you learn a lot that way.
466
00:23:58,013 --> 00:24:00,903
And that seems to happen, uh, often.
467
00:24:01,414 --> 00:24:03,923
And so it's a beautiful sort of
thing that we're building in terms
468
00:24:03,943 --> 00:24:06,463
of the culture, and I think that's
the thing folks need to know.
469
00:24:06,713 --> 00:24:08,133
And then also sometimes you need a break.
470
00:24:08,134 --> 00:24:10,353
And again, San Diego's not a bad place.
471
00:24:10,353 --> 00:24:13,043
Anybody who's feeling like
they just need a minute, stroll
472
00:24:13,043 --> 00:24:15,583
outside, palm trees, sun, water.
473
00:24:15,753 --> 00:24:16,334
Not so bad.
474
00:24:17,033 --> 00:24:17,233
Yeah.
475
00:24:17,634 --> 00:24:20,333
And I say that, Carrie, I got,
I can't get on a, a podcast with
476
00:24:20,333 --> 00:24:22,693
you and not say the… Carrie,
do you know what I'm gonna say?
477
00:24:23,143 --> 00:24:23,963
Most conferences
478
00:24:24,993 --> 00:24:25,023
suck.
479
00:24:27,013 --> 00:24:27,133
Well, yeah,
480
00:24:27,133 --> 00:24:27,580
I do say that all the time.
481
00:24:27,580 --> 00:24:27,772
Most conferences suck.
482
00:24:27,772 --> 00:24:27,900
I do.
483
00:24:27,900 --> 00:24:28,653
But I was gonna say no one
484
00:24:28,664 --> 00:24:28,894
bites.
485
00:24:29,153 --> 00:24:29,613
No one bites.
486
00:24:29,823 --> 00:24:30,065
No one bites.
487
00:24:30,065 --> 00:24:30,340
No one bites.
488
00:24:30,340 --> 00:24:31,084
No one bites, right.
489
00:24:31,093 --> 00:24:31,113
Yeah.
490
00:24:31,333 --> 00:24:34,713
And, and that's the thing is like I think
sometimes folks just need to understand
491
00:24:34,714 --> 00:24:39,583
that we're all showing up even if your
boss made you, chances are you care
492
00:24:39,583 --> 00:24:40,753
deeply about the work you're doing.
493
00:24:40,753 --> 00:24:44,634
You wanna get a little bit better, and,
you know, eh, it's kind of like, I always
494
00:24:44,634 --> 00:24:46,243
say like throwing my kids in the pool.
495
00:24:46,253 --> 00:24:47,963
Like, they don't wanna
go in 'cause it's cold.
496
00:24:48,354 --> 00:24:50,803
And you're like, yeah, first
20 seconds and then the rest
497
00:24:50,803 --> 00:24:51,633
of the day is delightful.
498
00:24:51,634 --> 00:24:55,373
So to most of my introverted friends,
I would say, you know, push yourself
499
00:24:55,373 --> 00:24:58,493
a little bit, and it's exhausting,
like physically exhausting to do
500
00:24:58,494 --> 00:25:00,433
that, and we get that, and I get that.
501
00:25:00,513 --> 00:25:01,363
I live with an introvert.
502
00:25:01,363 --> 00:25:03,984
But I promise you're gonna enjoy your
time in the pool, and then you're gonna
503
00:25:03,984 --> 00:25:07,158
collapse into bed completely cooked
And by the way, we see you, 'cause
504
00:25:07,158 --> 00:25:08,358
that's the HQ team when we're all done.
505
00:25:08,358 --> 00:25:08,408
Yeah.
506
00:25:09,078 --> 00:25:12,008
Well, chances are you'll find me
at the bar, you introverts out
507
00:25:12,008 --> 00:25:13,228
there, and I will buy you a drink.
508
00:25:13,228 --> 00:25:13,988
What, just one in.
509
00:25:13,988 --> 00:25:16,468
Or, you know, bring an introverted friend.
510
00:25:16,508 --> 00:25:17,738
I'm holding you to that, man.
511
00:25:17,738 --> 00:25:21,147
I see you at the bar, I'm gonna literally
grab people and say, "Just say you're an
512
00:25:21,148 --> 00:25:22,598
introvert, Erica's buying you drinks."
513
00:25:24,168 --> 00:25:27,717
Jesus, more expensive than
the membership, the bar bill.
514
00:25:27,787 --> 00:25:29,927
Erica, apart from the things
you've already mentioned, what
515
00:25:29,928 --> 00:25:30,928
are you looking forward to most?
516
00:25:31,008 --> 00:25:34,057
One of the things that the network
does that I've never seen anybody do
517
00:25:34,057 --> 00:25:38,287
before, which I think is super cool,
and it taps into working with introverts
518
00:25:38,338 --> 00:25:44,427
and it taps into creating community
upstream, is Sean sends out emails
519
00:25:44,577 --> 00:25:46,297
to everybody who's going to come.
520
00:25:46,487 --> 00:25:50,947
He literally sends out an email
to a group of maybe 20 folks
521
00:25:51,318 --> 00:25:52,998
introducing them to one another.
522
00:25:53,327 --> 00:25:56,837
There's usually a board member, a
local leader who's on that thread, too.
523
00:25:57,147 --> 00:26:01,557
And the idea is to create space that
people can start connecting before they
524
00:26:01,557 --> 00:26:06,532
even get to San Diego But starting,
like even as soon as now, you're
525
00:26:06,542 --> 00:26:12,231
having opportunities to start to build
a kind of a cohort together so that
526
00:26:12,232 --> 00:26:16,082
if you do walk in and you don't know
a lot of folks, well, you just met
527
00:26:16,082 --> 00:26:17,982
these 20 people via an email thread.
528
00:26:18,282 --> 00:26:21,662
One year we did it and we had the
people on my thread, we all met
529
00:26:21,662 --> 00:26:26,222
together in the hotel lobby and went
together to the opening reception,
530
00:26:26,752 --> 00:26:30,512
and that gave us all a friend to walk
through it with, and that's something
531
00:26:30,601 --> 00:26:32,261
that's unique that the network does.
532
00:26:32,592 --> 00:26:35,391
Sean, other than maybe, I don't know
if you're gonna go surfing again or
533
00:26:35,392 --> 00:26:36,451
not, what are you looking forward to?
534
00:26:36,621 --> 00:26:37,742
I would love it if I could.
535
00:26:38,191 --> 00:26:40,221
I think I just called
myself out, so maybe not.
536
00:26:42,331 --> 00:26:43,642
We'll alert the lifeguards.
537
00:26:44,281 --> 00:26:44,941
Please do.
538
00:26:45,691 --> 00:26:48,421
Well, I mean, I guess I- it's a privilege
of… COMNET is this extraordinary thing.
539
00:26:48,421 --> 00:26:50,412
It's hard to think, like
it's right around the corner.
540
00:26:50,822 --> 00:26:53,811
But it's also fun to know, again,
like the network isn't just those
541
00:26:53,811 --> 00:26:56,491
three days a year, as much as those
three days a year are important.
542
00:26:56,991 --> 00:27:00,042
I think, Eric, you worked in television
and I guess, you know, you go to the
543
00:27:00,042 --> 00:27:02,851
Emmys or something- Yeah … and it's
super fun and fancy and you dress up and
544
00:27:02,851 --> 00:27:05,891
all that, but my guess is if I asked you
a story about your acting career, you'd
545
00:27:05,892 --> 00:27:07,482
tell me about something on set, right?
546
00:27:07,842 --> 00:27:09,621
And so to me, it's like-
547
00:27:09,961 --> 00:27:12,331
Hey, look, if I had been
nominated for an Emmy- You'd
548
00:27:12,331 --> 00:27:12,495
be
549
00:27:12,495 --> 00:27:12,658
stoked
550
00:27:12,658 --> 00:27:13,661
I'd be telling you about
551
00:27:13,661 --> 00:27:13,746
it.
552
00:27:13,746 --> 00:27:14,001
You know what?
553
00:27:14,001 --> 00:27:16,392
I mean, we're in the land of
where we make up narratives.
554
00:27:16,392 --> 00:27:17,541
You've won an Emmy, my friend.
555
00:27:17,541 --> 00:27:18,231
You're an Emmy winner.
556
00:27:19,492 --> 00:27:19,712
So.
557
00:27:20,132 --> 00:27:23,841
But the train of thought I was going after
is just that I think for a lot of people,
558
00:27:23,871 --> 00:27:26,771
COMNET's gonna be this extraordinary
sort of opportunity to step away.
559
00:27:27,251 --> 00:27:29,811
A lot of people have been under
a lot of stress for a whole
560
00:27:29,812 --> 00:27:31,021
host of different reasons.
561
00:27:31,031 --> 00:27:33,801
Some of them are big and kinda
galactic in scale, and some of
562
00:27:33,801 --> 00:27:34,931
them are just small and personal.
563
00:27:34,941 --> 00:27:34,971
Mm-hmm.
564
00:27:35,202 --> 00:27:37,901
I don't know about y'all, but maybe
it's just the station I'm at in life,
565
00:27:37,931 --> 00:27:39,941
but lots of folks carrying stuff.
566
00:27:39,961 --> 00:27:42,211
Like adulting is hard, just generally.
567
00:27:42,211 --> 00:27:46,271
So giving three days together to hang out
with people who, like literally if you
568
00:27:46,272 --> 00:27:49,482
don't even think about yourself and you
just look at who you're surrounded by, all
569
00:27:49,482 --> 00:27:53,331
of these people, every single one of them
rolls out of bed every single day trying
570
00:27:53,331 --> 00:27:54,561
to do a little bit of good in the world.
571
00:27:54,581 --> 00:27:57,441
And I mean, it might not be your cup
of tea what they're working on, but
572
00:27:57,461 --> 00:28:01,191
climate change may not be your jam,
or lifting up the arts or eradicating
573
00:28:01,191 --> 00:28:03,592
disease or whatever it might be,
but that's what they're doing.
574
00:28:03,601 --> 00:28:03,621
Mm-hmm.
575
00:28:03,681 --> 00:28:05,071
And they're putting their
whole heart into it.
576
00:28:05,551 --> 00:28:09,811
And giving them three days away to
learn and think about getting better,
577
00:28:10,131 --> 00:28:12,941
and to see all those folks every
day when you wake up at breakfast,
578
00:28:12,941 --> 00:28:14,181
like that doesn't fill your cup.
579
00:28:14,182 --> 00:28:15,781
Like that is a pretty incredible thing.
580
00:28:15,781 --> 00:28:19,401
That's the offer, is a room of people
who are dedicated to doing good, who are
581
00:28:19,401 --> 00:28:23,001
all committed to being together to get
better and get sharper and smarter, and
582
00:28:23,102 --> 00:28:24,982
the world requires it of us right now.
583
00:28:25,132 --> 00:28:25,302
Yeah.
584
00:28:25,432 --> 00:28:29,222
And for us, Eric and myself, Carrie,
to be able to be of service to those
585
00:28:29,222 --> 00:28:31,648
folks, like- Best job in the world.
586
00:28:31,967 --> 00:28:32,378
That's not a hard one to r-
what's a, that's an assignment
587
00:28:32,378 --> 00:28:32,437
I take every day with pride.
588
00:28:32,437 --> 00:28:32,447
Yeah.
589
00:28:32,447 --> 00:28:32,707
I, for one,
590
00:28:36,477 --> 00:28:39,778
am very inspired by other people
who actually work for a living.
591
00:28:39,778 --> 00:28:42,878
So- … I, I, I think that
I wanna do a good job.
592
00:28:43,178 --> 00:28:48,578
Kerry, let's land this plane by hearing
from you about how people can get involved
593
00:28:48,917 --> 00:28:52,937
with the network the rest of the year,
'cause there are so many things that
594
00:28:52,937 --> 00:28:59,318
you do, and Communications Network is
not just three days a year, it is 365.
595
00:28:59,327 --> 00:29:00,467
Can you talk a little bit about that?
596
00:29:00,507 --> 00:29:03,147
We have a variety of different
ways for folks to connect.
597
00:29:03,217 --> 00:29:05,898
Two programs I'll mention of
the many things that we do are
598
00:29:05,898 --> 00:29:07,567
our Circles and Locals programs.
599
00:29:07,568 --> 00:29:11,148
They're how we build community
all year long, not just at ComNet.
600
00:29:11,158 --> 00:29:13,367
Circles gather folks online.
601
00:29:13,368 --> 00:29:15,467
We gather monthly on Zoom.
602
00:29:15,467 --> 00:29:17,647
We also have Slack
happening all of the time.
603
00:29:18,197 --> 00:29:23,627
And they bring folks together based on
role, topic, identity, and we've found
604
00:29:23,627 --> 00:29:28,197
that these are thriving communities
where we see people join each month and
605
00:29:28,197 --> 00:29:30,158
continue to build connections that way.
606
00:29:30,677 --> 00:29:34,287
Then our Locals program, they gather
in real life, in person, in the
607
00:29:34,287 --> 00:29:35,908
places where folks live and work.
608
00:29:36,197 --> 00:29:39,597
And so we have 16 local groups
throughout the country, anywhere
609
00:29:39,597 --> 00:29:42,277
from New England to Seattle.
610
00:29:42,627 --> 00:29:47,687
And so these groups gather, and they're
more social focused, and we are finding
611
00:29:47,687 --> 00:29:49,567
that they continue to grow and expand.
612
00:29:49,977 --> 00:29:52,747
Our real measurement of all of these
groups, though, is actually about the
613
00:29:52,748 --> 00:29:57,157
return and how many folks continue to come
back, and the deepening of connections.
614
00:29:57,617 --> 00:30:01,217
And that's something that we're finding
that as we are both growing numbers-wise
615
00:30:01,237 --> 00:30:05,157
and we have three new Circles being
added this year, a couple local groups
616
00:30:05,157 --> 00:30:08,838
being added, but what we're really
looking at is the depth of connections
617
00:30:08,838 --> 00:30:10,437
folks make because of these groups.
618
00:30:11,244 --> 00:30:14,964
Well, they are incredible connections,
and I will say that, let's see now,
619
00:30:15,063 --> 00:30:21,783
12 years ago when I was on the board
and we hired Shawn to be the CEO,
620
00:30:22,164 --> 00:30:27,483
in our wildest dreams, I mean way
beyond our wildest dreams, we could
621
00:30:27,484 --> 00:30:32,113
not have possibly imagined all that
the network is doing now, the things
622
00:30:32,114 --> 00:30:35,604
that Carrie just talked about, the
way Eric has described his conference.
623
00:30:35,604 --> 00:30:39,603
And Shawn, of course, y- the
energy with which you have attacked
624
00:30:39,603 --> 00:30:42,364
this work is an inspiration.
625
00:30:42,423 --> 00:30:43,263
It's fabulous.
626
00:30:43,273 --> 00:30:45,303
It has made my job better.
627
00:30:45,574 --> 00:30:50,084
It has made the jobs of so many people
out there, but more importantly, it has
628
00:30:50,084 --> 00:30:54,133
made the lives of the people that the
foundations and the nonprofits touch
629
00:30:54,824 --> 00:30:59,783
immeasurably better, and I just thank you
so very much for everything you've done.
630
00:30:59,783 --> 00:31:03,604
I cannot wait to see you all in San Diego.
631
00:31:04,214 --> 00:31:09,613
Carrie Klein, Eric Appeltreau, Shawn
Gibbons, thank you very much for
632
00:31:09,783 --> 00:31:12,153
all you do and for just being you.
633
00:31:12,663 --> 00:31:13,193
Eric.
634
00:31:13,513 --> 00:31:13,993
Yeah?
635
00:31:14,144 --> 00:31:16,124
What's the one thing
you're looking forward to?
636
00:31:16,254 --> 00:31:17,043
Oh, my goodness.
637
00:31:17,403 --> 00:31:23,543
Just being in a room full of people
who I feel this incredible connection
638
00:31:23,544 --> 00:31:25,234
with, whether I know them or not.
639
00:31:25,663 --> 00:31:29,353
That's not something I get a chance to do
very often, and because I'm an extrovert,
640
00:31:29,364 --> 00:31:33,704
to be surrounded by so many people who are
like-minded, who really care about making
641
00:31:33,704 --> 00:31:35,723
a difference, just fills me with joy.
642
00:31:35,993 --> 00:31:36,503
I love it.
643
00:31:36,574 --> 00:31:37,384
Well, thanks, folks.
644
00:31:37,384 --> 00:31:38,313
Thanks for coming on.
645
00:31:38,373 --> 00:31:39,273
I'll see you in two weeks.
646
00:31:39,403 --> 00:31:40,323
Thank you, Eric.
647
00:31:40,574 --> 00:31:41,123
Thank you, Eric.
648
00:31:43,583 --> 00:31:44,213
And that's it.
649
00:31:44,233 --> 00:31:46,284
I hope that inspired you and excited you.
650
00:31:46,623 --> 00:31:50,434
Uh, normally, of course, ch- Kirk
would say things that would go blah,
651
00:31:50,434 --> 00:31:51,564
blah, blah, blah, blah, and I would
go blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, and
652
00:31:51,564 --> 00:31:56,414
he would go, "Yeah, yeah, yeah," and
I would go, "Eh." But we we didn't
653
00:31:56,414 --> 00:31:57,774
get a chance to do that this time.
654
00:31:58,324 --> 00:32:02,243
We will see you next time on a
normal edition of Let's Hear It,
655
00:32:02,373 --> 00:32:05,183
but hope you enjoyed the show,
and we'll see you in San Diego.
656
00:32:07,670 --> 00:32:09,610
Okay, everybody, that's
it for this episode.
657
00:32:10,060 --> 00:32:12,480
Please let us know if you have any
thoughts about what you heard today
658
00:32:12,560 --> 00:32:16,070
or people we should have on this show,
and that definitely includes yourself.
659
00:32:16,600 --> 00:32:20,090
And we'd like to thank John
Alleee, the tuneful and inspiring
660
00:32:20,090 --> 00:32:21,319
composer of our theme music.
661
00:32:21,679 --> 00:32:24,250
Our sponsor, the Lumina Foundation.
662
00:32:24,259 --> 00:32:28,399
And please check out Lumina's
terrific podcast, Today's Students,
663
00:32:28,450 --> 00:32:32,020
Tomorrow's Talent, and you can
find that at luminafoundation.org.
664
00:32:32,099 --> 00:32:34,699
We certainly thank today's guest
and, of course, all of you.
665
00:32:34,810 --> 00:32:37,410
And most importantly,
thank you, Mr. Brown.
666
00:32:37,550 --> 00:32:38,659
Oh, no, no, no, no.
667
00:32:38,989 --> 00:32:40,390
Thank you, Mr. Brown.
668
00:32:40,589 --> 00:32:41,269
Okay, everybody.
669
00:32:41,369 --> 00:32:41,930
Till next time
