Mini-Episode #1

IN THIS EPISODE: In the very first mini episode of Nonprofit on the Rocks, Ashley finally gets Matt to flip the script and let her ask the questions of him! What follows is a lively deep dive into what makes a nonprofit board truly balanced, inspired by their earlier conversation with Nonprofit Launch Academy founder, Sharmon Lebby (go listen if you haven't).

Matt breaks down the elusive "board matrix," why being a CEO is the loneliest job around, and why your board needs thought partners — not just warm bodies with checkbooks. He and Ashley tackle the hard truths about board diversity, the art of recruiting board members like you're hiring employees, and the very real menace of the board bully (there's at least one great blog about it on Envision's website).

Along the way, Matt reluctantly plugs Envision's Board Builders program, which has placed nearly 1,000 board members across the country. There's coaching, roundtables, and even a matchmaking event called Cause Cupid. Ashley reminds listeners they can find all of it at boardbuilders.net.

The episode wraps with a heated debate about trust falls, and whether either host would actually catch the other if they fell — spoiler: Matt absolutely would not. It's nonprofit governance served straight up, with a heavy pour of banter.