637. Building Movements, Not Campaigns: Agency, Belief + Community for Nonprofits - Eric Brown
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Overview
Meet Eric 🤝, Co-Founder of Whiteboard and a creative visionary helping purpose-driven brands change the world. From growing up in a log house in Georgia to partnering with changemakers worldwide, Eric’s story is rooted in belief, values, and community. His work spans digital branding, platform development, activation campaigns, and team training for clients like Purposity, Praxis Labs, Q Ideas, and Last Mile Health—earning recognition from The Webby Awards, Entrepreneur, AWWWARDS, Net Magazine, and SiteInspire.
In this episode, Jon + Becky dive into a story-filled conversation about what it takes to build real movements—not just run campaigns. You’ll learn why community should be your co-creator (not just your audience), how to navigate the tension between self, others, and mission, and why choosing belief over cynicism can transform the way you lead.
Eric’s sharing behind-the-scenes moments, fresh perspective, and one simple, actionable step you can take this week to move your mission forward. It’s uplifting, practical, and a powerful reminder that the best change happens when we lead together.
Learn:
The difference between running a campaign and building a movement—and why movements spark deeper, lasting impact.
How to invite your community to be true co-creators of your mission.
Simple ways to balance self, others, mission, and mastery to avoid burnout and lead well.
The power of storytelling and creative assets to inspire donors and rally supporters.
Why choosing belief over cynicism can transform your leadership and your impact.
Today’s Guest:
Eric Brown | Co-Founder + Chief Vision Officer, Whiteboard
“Community is not just the recipent of a mission, but the carrier. ”
Episode Transcript
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Episode Highlights
Eric Brown’s Early Life and Influences (05:30)
Founding Whiteboard and the Visionary (12:00)
Community as a Carrier of Mission (18:45)
The Power of Storytelling in Philanthropy (25:15)
Navigating Tension and Agency in Leadership (32:00)
Building Movements with Visionary Organizations (38:30)
Eric’s One Good Thing (45:00)
Powerful Quotes
"Tension often signals we’re on the right track. Our ‘agency axis’—self vs. others, mission vs. mastery—guides our awareness and fuels the posture we explore in the book." - Eric Brown
"We’re not here to control but to co-create—with our audiences and our people. That mindset has shaped our work for 15 years." - Eric Brown
"Choose belief over cynicism. In a world of headlines and social media noise, our most inspiring clients choose belief no matter the challenge." - Eric Brown
“Our job is to actually come alongside the visionary leader and understand that the opportunities today might change.” - Eric Brown
“We’re trying to scale belief and that takes time and tension and it’s deeper than that.” - Eric Brown
“Choose belief anyway.”- Eric Brown
Eric’s One Good Thing: "Do the work of actually writing what you want down and knowing how to transmit that across your team and your donors and your board. Don't let anything live in space and certainly not in your head."
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