Built for Meaning is a podcast about the psychology of identity, belonging, and the lifelong search for meaning. Hosted by Stephanie Jiroch, researcher, strategist, and creator of the Donor Identity Framework™, each episode explores why humans do what they do—from the communities we join and the causes we support to the brands we love, the identities we create, and the stories we tell ourselves. Drawing from behavioral psychology, media psychology, consumer behavior, and real-world research,…
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In this episode, I'm breaking down why most nonprofit segmentation isn't really segmentation at all — it's sorting. Age, gift size, and zip code tell you almost nothing about why someone actually gives, and the research backs that up. I walk through why donors cluster around trust and values far more than demographics, why messages that match someone's sense of self get processed more deeply and…
Fundraising emails don't usually fail because of one big, obvious error — they fail because of small, easy-to-miss habits that quietly cap performance. In this episode, Stephanie gets personal about five email mistakes she's made over the course of her own career: burying the ask, writing one email to an entire list, leading with the organization instead of the donor, only emailing when there's a…
Most fundraising strategies fail for a simple reason: they optimize the ask instead of the identity behind it. This episode unpacks the behavioral science of identity-driven giving — why “just ask for more money” backfires, and what to say instead. Stephanie walks through Bem's self-perception theory, Aaker and Akutsu's identity-based motivation research, and the noun-versus-verb language effect…
There's a five-figure sum hiding in your donor database right now — not from donors you haven't met, but from ones who already said yes once. In this episode, Stephanie Jiroch breaks down the GIFT Method — her four-step framework for calculating exactly how much revenue is recoverable from your existing donor file. Backed by sector data on donor retention and lifetime value, this episode makes the…
In this episode, I go underneath the fundraising strategy and into the brain. Why do donors really stay? Not because the cause was worthy but because giving became part of who they are, among people they belong to. We walk through the neuroscience of belonging, the psychology of meaning-making and identity, why most fundraising accidentally signals “you’re an outsider,” and three concrete moves…
What if everything you've been told about donor fatigue is wrong? In this episode, Stephanie challenges one of the most comfortable stories in fundraising — the idea that donors burn out from being asked too often. The truth is more uncomfortable, and far more useful: your donors aren't tired of giving. They're tired of being asked in a way that makes them feel unseen, unsure of their impact, and…
Every generation gives differently and the nonprofits that miss this shift won't just lose donations, they'll lose relevance. In this Quick Take episode, Stephanie breaks down how generational giving patterns are quietly reshaping philanthropy, why "the way we've always fundraised" is becoming a liability, and what adapting actually looks like when your donor base spans Boomers to Gen Z. Whether…
After a long pause from podcasting, I'm back...and a lot has changed. In this episode, I'm sharing the story behind my midlife pivot: the unexpected shifts in business, identity, and purpose that led me away from building brands and toward exploring something much deeper - meaning, generosity, and the psychology of why people connect, give, and belong. If you've ever found yourself questioning the…
Are these common web mistakes holding your business back? If you want a site that converts visitors into raving, paying fans - this is the episode for you. Like what you hear? Click subscribe and leave a review, then join Stephanie each week as she takes on the many questions women have about building a business - and brand - their way. Ready to shine online? Book a free Discovery Call to learn…
What if achieving your big goals was as simple as filling a bucket, one drop at a time? In this hot take episode, I break down my "drops in a bucket" analogy and share how this mindset can transform the way you approach challenges in business and life. It’s all about consistency, patience, and celebrating small wins! Like what you hear? Click subscribe and leave a review, then join me each week as…
Join me for a candid conversation with Laura Van Antwerp, the inspiring mind behind Your Sober Pal and Your Sober Pal Adventures. We dive into her journey from full-time corporate gal to business owner extraordinaire, the power of authenticity in building a personal brand, and how her sober lifestyle mission resonates with thousands of individuals online. Laura's vulnerability and candidness in…
Discover the trends shaping the future of web design in 2025! From groundbreaking design aesthetics to functionality shifts, I'm sharing my top three predictions that will redefine how brands engage online in the year to come. Whether you’re building a new site or revamping an old one, this episode is packed with insights to future-proof your online presence. Like what you hear? Click subscribe…
Feeling overwhelmed by too many services? Struggling to attract your ideal clients? You're not alone! Today's episode of Business Her Way dives into the burning question: Should you have a signature offer? Get ready for a hot take (a quick, bite-sized episode) as I explore both sides of the coin: ** The Allure:** Laser-sharp focus: Attract dream clients with a clear message. Amplified sales:…
Welcome to Business Her Way, a show dedicated to helping women rewrite the rules of what it means to be a female entrepreneur in today’s digital world. On today's episode, Stephanie speaks with Sadie Fienberg of Butterfly Creative Projects. Listen in as Stephanie and Sadie talk business strategy, growth plans, and how to anchor your business in value-driven revenue practices. Whether you’re just…
Ceels Lockley is a Business Coach + Strategist based in the UK, working with service providers, freelancers, consultants, and agency owners. Ceels specializes in niche marketing. offer suite design and messaging. With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, Ceels’ background includes social media direction for Sony Mobile and Habit as well as leading digital editorial and content for…
In this episode, I unveil the compelling reasons why planning your year ahead in November trumps waiting until January. Discover the advantages of getting a head start on your annual goals, and gain insights into a practical planning process. I'll share my personal approach to year-ahead planning, outlining the steps I take and the key metrics I measure. Find out how to set the stage for a…
Do you know the difference between marketing and branding? Like so many, most people spend considerable time marketing their business and not building their brand first. In this episode, Stephanie shares the very simple distinction between marketing and branding, and shares why every entrepreneur must make their branding a priority. Like what you hear? Click subscribe and leave a review, then join…
Had enough of the "Make $1M While You Sleep" empty promises and "do it this way" coaching models? Join me in this episode as I share my transformative rebranding journey and why it's a game-changer for my brand and this podcast. This season, I'm debunking the misleading narratives and inspiring you with stories of women who've succeeded on their terms. Get practical advice, embrace authenticity,…
In my fifteen years of working with and supporting business owners, I have seen firsthand the impact a holistic approach can have on their overall success. When entrepreneurs integrate their mind, body and business strategies, it catapults their revenue, impact and industry growth. Now, whether you call it energetics or mindset shifts or subconscious reprogramming the bottom line is this, you can…
Get ready to shift those outdated and limiting money stories! Today on the podcast I have the honor of speaking to Sam Kopelman, money mindset coach for millennial women. She's bringing the heat (and lots of aha moments for me!) on saving, spending, and shifting the stories that keep us from financial freedom. Sam and I go deep and I share a few money mindset stories that hold me back from…
As humans, we are naturally drawn to stories. From the earliest times, we have used stories to share knowledge, entertain each other, and connect with one another. Stories are an essential part of our lives, and they can also be a powerful tool for leadership and branding. That's why we have developed "The Story Trifecta™️," a proprietary method that helps our clients engage, clarify, and…
Here’s the thing: recessions, fluctuating markets, pandemics, cool new tech…they happen! In order to survive the next big event, you need to "story-proof" your business. That’s why today, I’m sharing my StoryProof Plan™ to support you in securing your business or personal brand for economic hardship, market shifts, and technological advances (like A.I.). This 3-step process supports you in staying…
For high-achieving and high-performing women, we are often conditioned to project a certain image to the world. For many that might be a mask of perfection, constantly striving to meet the expectations of those around us. For others, it might be the “fake it till you make it” experience of hustle and grind energy. And usually, we seek success, wealth, and recognition, often at the expense of our…
In today's remote work environment, engaging with your remote workforce can be a challenge. But with the power of brand storytelling, you can create a culture of engagement and loyalty that inspires your team and drives success. In this episode, I explore the key elements of a compelling brand story, and how to use that story to connect with and retain top remote talent. From crafting your brand…
In this episode, I share the seven powerful areas of the coaching process that supports a client in success and growth. I'll discuss how a coach can provide valuable insights, help you overcome obstacles, and develop strategies to achieve your goals. I'll also explore the role of partnership in coaching, and how building a strong relationship with your coach can enhance the coaching process. If…
In this episode of our podcast, I delve into the importance of having a strong mission statement for your team or organization. But not just any mission statement - we're talking about upgrading your "why" to reignite your team's ambition. You will learn the key elements of an effective mission statement and how to align it with your team's core values and goals. You'll also discover strategies…
To achieve success and professional fulfillment, entrepreneurs and business leaders need to understand themselves and their teams better. One way to do this is by taking personality tests that can give them insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. This week I look at three popular personality assessments for entrepreneurs: Kolbe A Index, Enneagram, and Human Design. I’ll explore…
An excellent leader possesses many qualities, including strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and the ability to motivate and inspire others. However, one often overlooked superpower that can set a leader apart from the rest is narrative intelligence . What is narrative intelligence, you might ask? In a nutshell, narrative intelligence is the ability to understand, craft, and…
In this episode, I'll be discussing how to use your professional story to navigate the uncertainty and challenges of mass layoffs. With the economic impacts of the pandemic continuing to affect industries and organizations worldwide, many professionals are finding themselves facing unexpected layoffs and job loss. But even in the midst of this upheaval, your professional story can be a powerful…
Have you ever felt overwhelmed when reaching toward a goal? Or you berate yourself for not 'getting there' sooner? High achievers always struggle with the pace of success, often leading to burnout. In today's episode, I'm teaching the anti-hustle strategy that blew open my mind - and changed the way I look at my long-term success plan for good. Like this episode? Leave a review and share it with a…
Welcome to this episode of Lead With Story, where I explore the benefits of journaling for leaders. Join me as I share journaling as a tool to improve your leadership skills and achieve your goals. You'll learn how journaling can help you gain clarity on your leadership vision, track your progress and hold yourself accountable, and process and reflect on your experiences and emotions. I'm also…
In today's episode, Stephanie discusses how her morning routine has changed over the years and how she utilizes her morning time for maximum efficiency with two small children. With morning routines becoming more popular, with books being written regularly on the subject, most morning routines do not take into account caregiving responsibilities and are not geared toward default parents. As an…
Ever struggle with a problem, either within the company or even within your team, and instead of solving it you throw some duct tape around it? That's the short-term solution that while easy, often leads to bigger long-term problems. If you're a leader, CEO or entrepreneur using duct tape to fix the issues now, today's episode will help you quickly and efficiently solve any problem using this…
If there's anything I do to live a fulfilling and joyful life, it's this one list that has changed the way I show up to my work, with my family, and as a friend. This practice, when done and reviewed regularly, will provide you a life full of your wildest dreams. Learn what I do and how I do it in this episode of Lead With Story.
This week on Lead With Story, Stephanie speaks with Sarah Gobbs-Hill, CEO of Listening Forward Consulting. Stephanie and Sarah dive into the top leadership traits coveted by so many and discuss the rollercoaster that is entrepreneurship. Whether it's commanding a boardroom or pitching new clients, Sarah offers insightful advice from her journey in leadership. You can connect with Sarah on Linkedin…
In the launch of Season 3 of Lead With Story Podcast, Stephanie shares the four key elements that make up a successful leader. After spending the last ten years working with entrepreneurs and business owners around the world, she's narrowed down these four traits as the most telling of a successful versus toxic leader. Listen in and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review.
Cameron Bannister, CEO and co-founder of FreeByrd, is on a mission to empower creatives to do what they love while making money online. After spending 13-years as a traveling hairstylist to NYC, LA, and Dallas, Cameron was inspired to help her creative peers, many of whom are extremely talented but lack the tech-savviness required to grow a business online. She believes in helping even the most…
You know you need an MVP website (see episode #39) but what exactly are you testing or measuring when it goes live? For most early-stage startups, you’re testing your minimum viable product, spending time in R&D, and engaging in conversation to raise capital. That doesn’t leave much time for marketing, let alone analyzing your KPIs when you’re just getting numbers on the board. In this episode,…
At the very least, an MVP website is a quick and dirty website. It includes features like a logo, social buttons, as well as a description, basic product information, and the contact details of the company’s founders. Coined from the term ‘Minimum Viable Products,’ MVPs are products that have just enough features to satisfy early customers and meet at least one of their identified needs. The term…
Julie Arsenault is the founder and CEO of Panty Drop, a technology company that delivers a personalized intimates shopping experience for women of all sizes. They are tackling a multi-billion dollar market and growing rapidly. In this episode of Empower Your Marketing, Julie talks all about her journey from working at and leading startups in the Bay Area, to starting a subscription box service,…
Ashley Connell, founder & CEO of Prowess Project (based in Austin, TX) doesn't have time to take it easy. As 5.4 million women return to work after the global pandemic's "she-cession," Ashley's job is to get them back into the workforce. In this episode of Empower Your Marketing, Ashley talks all things hiring as she shares her journey of building Prowess Project, a female-focused recruiting and…
Lauren Ashcroft is the founder of UltimateYou , a company on a mission to empower entrepreneurs, students, and professionals to reach their biggest goals. This week, I talk with Lauren about her quick rise from concept to shipped product (in less than a year!), her use of crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, and her unique experience of starting a company during a global pandemic. Lauren funded the…
Since leaving the corporate world, Marielle's life has become all about start-ups. From the onset, the goal of her own entrepreneurship journey has always been to help fellow entrepreneurs achieve their goals. Marielle forte is digital, branding, and strategy, however as her approach is business-oriented and strategic, her role quickly evolved to include business advisory and consultancy and to…
Startups are everywhere, but it seems they come and go as quickly as they begin. Having a new one may seem scary and chaotic but it is definitely an exciting adventure to try and it should be a staple for every entrepreneur. If you're thinking of having your own start-up, you will need all the tools to achieve success. There is one special tool that will take you and your startup to go to the next…
Kelly Glover books podcast tours for entrepreneurs so they can build brand equity. As the founder of The Talent Squad, Kelly is driven by the core belief that your personal brand is your most valuable asset. Kelly is a natural energizer obsessed with booking podcast interviews for her clients enabling them to deliver incredible value to audiences, build relationships with hosts, and increase…
The ‘new normal’ - from our children’s education, how we interact with friends and family, and even how we define having a good time - has changed us. The same goes for how we brand, position, and communicate about who we are and how we serve. From COVID-19 to mounting social unrest, we live in unprecedented times. Last week, I had the honor of speaking at a global symposium on this very topic.…
Ash Ambirge needs no introduction but just in case you have absolutely no idea who she is, get ready. In this episode of Empower Your Marketing, I get the opportunity to speak to my longtime mentor and favorite female CEO on all things marketing. When we're not sharing tales from our time on the road or living life to the fullest, Ash dishes on all things marketing and how to succeed in your…
‘Does brand purpose drive profit?’ This is the question I often get by clients waking up to the value of aligning with a cause in an age of non-stop political, economic, and social uprisings. My answer? “Maybe.” I say maybe because aligning with purpose isn’t an all or nothing strategy. Can it help? Sure. Can it drive new business? Of course. Can it make the world a better place? Yup. Can it…
Caitlin Ball is a Health & Lifestyle Coach helping women quit dieting so they can finally trust their food choices, be confident in their bodies, and love their lives. Through her Quit Dieting for Good group program, 1:1 coaching, and local workshops, she teaches women how to eat intuitively and take care of their whole self, inside and out. In today's episode, Caitlin shares how she built a…
One of the worst things you can do for your business is to tell a bad story. The biggest mistake I see entrepreneurs or small business owners make is assuming the design, font and fancy buttons they’ve paid a website designer to create for them will not only attract, but then convince, a browser to become a raving, paying fan. And so many entrepreneurs do build beautiful websites but then leave…