Building Connection in Isolating Times: Why I Started UnTangled

Back in early July, I hit “Go Live” on my first LinkedIn Live show, UnTangled. It was a leap. I wasn’t sure if people would show up, if the tech would cooperate, or if I’d just be talking to myself in the void.

Since then, it’s been great. Actually, more than great. It’s been fun, energizing, and surprisingly grounding to connect with folks across the nonprofit, social good, and tech space. 

Of course, sometimes the tech gods laugh in your face. Audio glitches, platforms that refuse to play nicely together, Wi-Fi that drops at the exact worst moment – it happens. But that’s part of the deal. What has mattered most is everything around those moments: the conversations, the ideas bouncing back and forth, and the community that’s starting to form. 

Finding the Voices That Matter 

Doing UnTangled has also shifted how I consume news and ideas. I’ve found myself tuning into more podcasts, newsletters, and independent outlets – sources where people are actually digging deep, curating truth, and elevating voices that mainstream media often ignores. 

Recently, I listened to an episode of The Siren, with my fave Heather Cox Richardson alongside four other brilliant women. They sift through mountains of news to highlight what’s really happening on the ground right now, including the everyday efforts of Americans resisting an oppressive administration, pushing for change, and protecting our rights. 

You won’t find much of that in the major outlets. At best, it’s buried under endless clickbait. Too often, mainstream news drowns us in stories that leave us feeling overwhelmed, disoriented, and unsure what to believe. Which is exactly why I’m proud to add my small voice to the chorus of independent storytellers. 

Why I Show Up Every Week 

At its surface, UnTangled might look like a show about marketing tools, team silos, and nonprofit engagement strategy. And yes, sometimes we’re talking click-through rates or segmentation tactics. But the truth is: click-through rates don’t matter to me just for the numbers. They matter because behind those numbers are organizations doing equity-centered, movement-based work by fighting for human rights, climate justice, racial equity, LGBTQIA+ rights, and more. 

When their emails get opened, their stories shared, their events attended – that’s impact. That’s building power. And helping them sharpen their strategies, connect with values-aligned supporters, and sustain their movements is what I’m all about. Always has been. 

Building Connection in Isolating Times 

One of the biggest themes from that Siren podcast, and something I feel in my bones and have heard in many other conversations, is how isolated people are right now. It’s easy to feel defeated when lies and fear dominate the headlines, while those working to defend basic rights or speaking out against injustice get sidelined, imprisoned, or deported. It’s terrifying, and it forces so many to stay silent and suffer through these times alone.  

But community is the antidote. Every UnTangled episode is, in its own way, an act of community-building. It’s a much-needed break from the day-to-day grind of client work and running a business, a chance to step into conversation, connection, and hope. It reminds me – and hopefully reminds others – that we’re not alone. That there are more of us than there are of them. And while it sometimes feels like we’re outnumbered or losing, when we come together in community and realize the power in our numbers, we realize that that simply isn’t true. We do have the numbers, and we just need to persevere, fight back, and continue to support each other in the fight. 

What Comes Next 

So yes, UnTangled is just a LinkedIn Live show. But it’s also a small contribution to a much bigger fight: helping nonprofits grow their reach, connect with more people, and keep moving their missions forward. We cannot afford to let any of us wither or fall away. The work is too important. 

I’d love for you to tune in, jump into the comments, or even come on as a guest. Let’s keep building community, sharing stories, and amplifying the voices that matter most. Because together, we can untangle the mess—and keep pushing for the future we know is possible. 

Let me know if you have an idea for a great guest or topic, or have any other feedback you’d like to share.