Changemaker
Oracle League Podcasts
Free Wheeling Interviews with Fundraising Leaders Powered by The Eight Principles
In any field of endeavor, there are a precious few who, by their accomplishments, insights or force of will, distinguish themselves as singular and unique. In the world of philanthropy, we call that group of people, the Oracle League. Taken from the name of the Oracle of Delphi, the source of wisdom in ancient Greece, the Oracle League is our name for that group individuals who have made and continue to make fundamental achievements in philanthropy and fundraising.
Every month, Larry Johnson, Founder of The Eight Principles, interviews leaders and changemakers from across the globe. Podcasts are available here, distributed to our Eight Principles family and on iTunes and Spotify.
Visionary
Inventor
Achiever
19 July 2021
Louis Diez, Getting to the Heart of Annual Giving
Louis Diez could be considered a polymath. A thought leader in annual giving, he is the host of the. Donor Participation Project.
Louis is also an accomplished musician, and recognized authority on investing in the tangible assets of musical instruments.
Louis took his Ph.D. in business from the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos and his master’s in musical performance from the University of Tennessee.
He currently serves as the Executive Director of Annual Giving at Muhlenberg College. He writes about philanthropy in his blog.
In his conversation with Larry, Louis shares his innovative and groundbreaking ideas on the parameters and dimensions of annual giving. With Louis, it’s fundamentally about renewed relationships with donor investors.
15 June 2021
Guillaume McMartin and Finding Your Way Through Giving
Guillaume was a firefighter and fire investigator for eight years in his hometown in Quebec, Canada. After letting others push him around and walking on his feet since he was a child, he got a point where he lost all his self-confidence and passion for living. He had to choose, to give up, or to find his purpose.
Since choosing to find his purpose, Guillaume has been on a journey of protecting those who cannot defend themselves including people, communities and all living things.
Through his journey through spirituality, social entrepreneurship and by listening to his heart, Guillaume founded Planet Karma with friends to inspire people around the world to do good around them by creating inspirational videos. Generating good karma by doing good deeds for others and our planet.
Planet Karma is quickly becoming a video/TV production company to create shows to both entertain, inspire and educate humanity so that we can all live in harmony with ourselves, each other, our planet and all living things.
In his conversation with Larry, Guillaume shares who he is and where he’s going.
17 May 2021
Sally Bryant and the Recruiting Dance
Sally Bryant serves as the president and CEO for one of the nation’s leading search firms specializing in recruiting and training advancement professionals, BRYANT GROUP.
Sally brings something often promised but rarely delivered in the recruiting world. True relational integrity and respect for both client and candidate. This quality has brought Sally to the pinnacle of the profession.
In this wide-ranging interview, Sally shares how she navigates between the perceived needs of her clients while delivering to them a match they might have never considered. With her one-year guarantee, her ability to beat the odds and place candidates who often stay for a decade not months, shines bright.
What makes a top fundraiser? What are the qualities which are in high demand but short supply? Sally offers her candid assessments in this thoughtful session.
In her conversation with Larry, Sally describes what she sees in the future and how fundraisers and organizations alike can prepare.
05 April 2021
Pete McCown and Community Foundation Impact
Pete McCown is a man on a mission. With a successful portfolio of experiences in fundraising and higher education administration, destiny came calling ten years ago when he was asked to lead the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, Indiana.
His mission? To demonstrate the primal force a community foundation can be in the lives of others. He’s succeeding admirably.
In ten years, Pete has grown the foundation’s assets five-fold. The Elkhart County Foundation is now one of the nation’s top 100 community foundations. No mean feat.
For Pete, it’s about much more than money. The Foundation isn’t the collector of donor advised funds with “nowhere to go.” Rather, it’s a vibrant organization that is actively improving and enriching the lives of those it touches. He’s taken leadership positions in the area that bridge philanthropy with business development.
In his conversation with Larry, Pete describes that he sees in the future and how the Foundation can become the model for community foundations everywhere.
17 March 2021
Lisa Greer and the Philanthropy Revolution
My interview this month is with Lisa Greer. Lisa is the author of Philanthropy Revolution: How to inspire donors, build relationships, and make a difference.
She also writes the blog, Philanthropy 451.
Lisa is what I call the “accidental philanthropist.” Someone who has always supported her charitable passions but, through a combination of unexpected events, was thrust into a whole new level. Lisa and her husband, Josh, live in Los Angeles, California.
We talk about her experiences, passions, struggles, and frustrations to effectively engage with nonprofit organizations.
She also shares what donors, like her, REALLY want from the nonprofits they support. And it isn’t slavish praise or chotskies.
