What does it take to protect freedom of expression in a time when Americans are more divided than ever?  Jan Neuharth is the Chair and CEO of the Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to fostering First Amendment freedoms for all. She shares the story of how she led the organization through a bold transformation—from operating a museum on Pennsylvania Avenue to becoming a mission-driven force for digital education, public programs, and national impact. From honoring young journalists and comedians at the Free Expression Awards to empowering students with their First Amendment rights through campus outreach and storytelling, Jan reflects on how the Freedom Forum connects with Americans across generational and ideological divides. She also shares leadership lessons on influence, including the importance of listening, trust, and process in navigating change. Tune in to hear how Jan’s diverse career—from Capitol Hill to corporate law to novel writing—has shaped her authentic leadership style and deep commitment to civic engagement and free expression. Takeaways: Lead with Listening: Influence starts by understanding your audience. Whether you're guiding organizational change or connecting with the public, listening first builds trust and informs better decisions. Preserve the Best, Improve the Rest: This philosophy, inherited from Jan’s father Al Neuharth, is a powerful framework for innovation. Regularly assess what’s working and have the courage to evolve—even beloved institutions like museums. Make the Mission Personal: Humanize big ideas like the First Amendment by tying them to everyday experiences—books, fashion, music, sports fandom. Personal relevance drives engagement. Adapt Messaging for Different Levels of Engagement: Think in tiers: skimmers, swimmers, and divers. Tailor your content to meet people where they are—whether they want a quick TikTok or a deep-dive article. Invest in the Next Generation: Empowering young people with knowledge of their rights, as the Freedom Forum does through its Free Spirit program and campus initiatives, ensures the future of civic engagement and journalism. Stand Firm on Principles, Not Partisanship: Uphold core values like free expression consistently, even when the subject matter is controversial. Integrity and viewpoint neutrality build long-term credibility. Turn Disruption Into Opportunity: When COVID hit just after the museum closed, the Freedom Forum used the moment to go digital-first. Challenges can be catalysts for reinvention if approached with strategic clarity. Quote of the Show: “You don't change the story for every person. You tell it in a different way, but you're still rooted in the same principles.” Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janneuharth/  Website: https://www.freedomforum.org/ 

Allan Golston is the President of the United States Program at The Gates Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to advancing educational opportunities and ensuring equitable academic and economic outcomes for all students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds and students of color.  Allan's unique leadership approach hinges on the power of influence through reciprocity, authenticity, and storytelling. In today's episode, Allan delves into his career journey from public accounting to philanthropy, the importance of building trusted partnerships, the evolution of leadership styles, and leveraging digital platforms like LinkedIn for reciprocal influence.  Stay tuned to gain valuable insights on balancing data-driven decision-making with personal storytelling to drive impactful change and the importance of creating authentic connections in both personal and professional spheres. Takeaways: Treat leadership as a continuous practice, not a destination, and continuously strive for self-improvement. Allan Golston emphasizes that leadership is an ongoing process. He makes it a point to learn and grow each day, preparing to be even better the next day. This practice of self-reflection and ongoing improvement can help leaders stay dynamic, relevant, and effective. Be authentic in your leadership and influence based on genuine interactions rather than projecting a persona. Early in his career, Golston found that employers expected employees to project a certain persona or dress a certain way as part of instilling confidence in clients. However, as his career evolved, he realized that authenticity became crucial for effective leadership as his responsibilities grew. Leaders should focus on genuine connections and interactions, which build trust and authenticity. Embrace a two-way influence model. Listen and be open to being influenced while also trying to influence others. This influence needs to be reciprocal. Authentic listening and a willingness to be influenced are as important as trying to guide or direct others. This approach builds mutual respect and understanding. To drive meaningful impact, deeply understand your audience. This is crucial for making informed and impactful decisions. Leaders must invest time learning about their internal and external teams and stakeholders and broader audiences to tailor their actions and communications effectively. Aim to ensure equitable outcomes in your leadership practice and organizational goals. Leaders should prioritize creating inclusive environments and opportunities that benefit all, especially the underrepresented or marginalized groups. Openly share your personal stories and learn from the stories of others. This practice fosters a deeper connection and understanding within the team, helping to build a cohesive and empathetic workplace culture. Start interactions with personal concerns and show genuine interest in your team’s well-being. Instead of diving straight into work-related discussions, begin with personal conversations. Asking about someone's well-being or family circumstances shows empathy and builds a culture of care and support. Quote of the Show: “I fundamentally believe that influence has two key dimensions. Number one is that it has to be reciprocal. You have to be open to being influenced as much as you are trying to influence. The second is that you have to know when it’s best to influence directly or empower others to influence and carry the critical messages.” - Allan Golston Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allan-golston  Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Website): https://usprogram.gatesfoundation.org/ Shout Outs: Stryker: https://www.stryker.com  Harley-Davidson: https://www.harley-davidson.com  Aspen Institute - The Henry Crown Fellowship Program: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/henry-crown-fellowship  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: https://www.rwjf.org  The William Jewell College: https://www.jewell.edu  John Lewis: https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Lewis-American-civil-rights-leader-and-politician 

Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation, founding partner of Face The Fight, and one of TIME's 100 most influential philanthropists, shares her unexpected journey from Harvard Law School to leading a major philanthropic foundation — a path shaped by lived experience, deep listening, and a passion for community. We explore how early moments, like volunteering with seniors as a youth, continue to influence her approach to leadership and social impact. Tiffany reflects on what it means to leave your title at the door, the surprising power of sitting in the back of the room, and how true influence is rooted in curiosity and co-creation. From building intergenerational programs to reshaping how we serve communities, Tiffany’s insights are both personal and profoundly actionable. Whether you're a leader, changemaker, or simply curious about what it means to make a difference, this episode is for you. Takeaways: Shaping Health Equity: Tiffany is pioneering health equity by mobilizing funding, partnerships, and research aimed at tackling the root causes of poor health. This includes a holistic approach to nutrition, emotional well-being, disaster recovery, and resource deployment. Value of Curiosity: Tiffany’s journey highlights the importance of curiosity. Her career path shifted dramatically because she was curious about the foundation work at Eli Lilly. Curiosity can open new career opportunities and lead to fulfilling roles that align with your passion and values. Community Listening: The Humana Foundation emphasizes community listening. By creating a Senior Council of high school seniors and senior citizens, the foundation ensures their work is community-centered and relevant to the people they serve. Consider forming advisory groups with diverse perspectives to guide your projects. Empathy as Influence: Empathy is a powerful form of influence. Tiffany suggests that listening to people’s challenges and really understanding their needs can drive meaningful change. Practice active listening and strive to connect with others on a deeper level to be a more effective leader. Accessibility in Processes: The open application process at the Humana Foundation is designed for transparency and respect for non-profits' time. It includes a short-form application and clear communication about acceptance or rejection. Make your processes transparent and provide clear feedback to foster trust and efficiency. Leave the Title at the Door:*Tiffany emphasizes the importance of humility and accessibility. By choosing to sit in the back of the room rather than the reserved front seat, she connects with people on a more personal level. Engage with people where they are, leave your title at the door, and be approachable. Use Digital Presence Authentically: Tiffany is hands-on with her LinkedIn presence to share her work and insights regularly. She combines personal elements (like her love for hats) with professional updates to maintain authenticity. Use social media platforms to share your story and mission, and be transparent and consistent in your communication. Quote of the Show: “I think you have to find spaces where you can leave your title at the door and be accessible to others. Personally, I have an aversion to sitting in the front row—I’d rather be alongside the people who are most impacted and who are driving real change. I believe you should always seek out those who know more than you, especially when it comes to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”  Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-benjamin-0127893/  Website: https://www.humana.com/ 

Frederique Irwin, President and CEO of the National Women’s History Museum, discusses her transformative vision for the museum to become a dynamic, digital-first institution reaching audiences nationwide. She reflects on her diverse career, starting from founding 'herCorner' to leading impactful initiatives at the Sorenson Impact Center. Fred highlights the significance of empowering women and her unexpected yet strategic move into nonprofit leadership. The conversation also covers the museum's advocacy for the Smithsonian’s New Women's History Museum on the National Mall, their digital-first strategy, and the campaign 'She’s Not a Footnote and Neither Are You.' The interview underscores the importance of storytelling, authenticity, and adapting to market needs as vital components of influence. Takeaways: Simplify Your Message: As Frederique shared, her mother taught her to make complex stories accessible. Translate complex information into simple, relatable terms that your audience can easily understand and engage with. Embrace a Digital-First Approach: The National Women's History Museum has successfully adopted a digital-first strategy, making their content accessible online. This is critical for reaching a broad audience, especially in today's digital age. Test and Iterate: Before committing to a complete overhaul (like a new website), test smaller initiatives to see how your audience responds. Frederique emphasized the importance of trying out different ideas and gradually amplifying what works. Focus on Authentic Storytelling: Authenticity is key. Frederique’s strategy involves consistent storytelling centered around women’s achievements. Real stories resonate more with audiences compared to generic, heavily messaged content. Know Your Audience: Identify and prioritize your primary audience to maximize impact. For the National Women’s History Museum, the focus is on educators and students, both inside and outside the classroom. Use Contemporary Campaigns: The 'She’s Not a Footnote' campaign highlights the importance of making historical content relevant and engaging today. Find creative and modern ways to package and present your content to maintain relevance. Listen to the Market: Pay attention to your audience’s feedback and be willing to adapt your strategies based on market responses. This iterative approach is fundamental in entrepreneurship and critical in ensuring your efforts align with audience needs. Quote of the Show: "I stay aligned with what feels genuine, keeping my message focused on women and making sure that comes through clearly on LinkedIn and social media." Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederiquecirwin/  Website: https://www.womenshistory.org/ 

Matt Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association, shares his thoughtful and consistent approach to member engagement, both within his team and across his organization’s national network. From recognizing the power of elevating member voices through authentic storytelling, Matt shares how he positions people as the most valuable influencers. Takeaways: Hire a Great Team and Empower Them: As a leader, it's important to hire a talented team and then give them the space to excel. Provide guidance but avoid micromanaging to foster creativity and independence within the team. Always Follow Up: Responsiveness and consistent follow-up are crucial, especially in a service-oriented organization. This promotes reliability and trust both internally with your team and externally with clients or members. Build a Unified Team: Ensure that everyone on your team understands the common goal. Different skills and styles are valuable, but alignment on what the organization is trying to achieve is essential for collective success. Make Clear and Direct Requests: When engaging with stakeholders, whether in advocacy or business, make sure to establish a connection and clearly articulate your ask. This enhances the effectiveness of your communication efforts. Use Challenges as Motivators: Leverage crises or significant policy issues as opportunities to galvanize your team and membership. This can help highlight the importance of engagement and shared goals. Tell Your Story: Authentic storytelling from members or stakeholders is highly effective. Personal stories resonate more and help build trust and influence in various audiences. Embrace Change and Innovation: Trade associations and organizations should be forward-thinking about utilizing technology and data. Embrace change and continuously look for ways to innovate and grow, whether through strategic acquisitions or other means. Quote of the Show: “We have 800,000 of them in franchising...small businesses are the most trusted institutions in America.” Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhaller/  Website: https://www.franchise.org/