Resilience Through Intention: Finding Your Way Back to What Matters

If you’re feeling like every day is a new test of your ability to not lose your mind, you’re in good company. In this episode of UnTangled, I sat down with my longtime friend and fellow nonprofit strategist Ted Fickes of Bright+3 to talk about what it really means to cope, plan, and stay grounded in this wild moment we’re all living through.

The Emotional Reality: We’re All Maxed Out

Nonprofit leaders, communicators, and fundraisers are all running on fumes. Between fundraising fatigue, political chaos, social uncertainty, and the relentless noise of digital life, staying focused on your mission can feel like running a marathon uphill in flip-flops.

“Everyone’s inbox is full of people who are just trying to keep it together too. That should shape how we talk to them.”

That’s the first step to resilience: acknowledging reality. Everyone is stretched thin. The more real and empathetic we can be, the stronger our connections become.

Back to the Human: Trust Is Built Person-to-Person

The digital world promised us efficiency, but somewhere along the way, it stripped out a lot of what makes communication matter. Algorithms can optimize for clicks, but they can’t build trust.

“People connect with people, not logos.”

Now more than ever, your audience wants to see and hear real humans behind your organization—the messy, passionate, imperfect people doing the work. That might look like a staff member hosting a casual live chat or Q&A, short unscripted videos from team members sharing updates, or candid storytelling that shows emotion, not just metrics. Authenticity isn’t just a marketing tactic; it’s a survival skill. When we show up as people, not institutions, we build something technology can’t replicate: trust.

Planning Without Losing Your Soul

Every leader I know is trying to plan while the ground keeps shifting. You can’t cling to a five-year roadmap when the next five minutes feel uncertain. Have a plan, but stay nimble. Plans aren’t meant to lock you in; they’re meant to anchor you when things get weird.

“We don’t have to create forever products. We can create small, nimble things that meet a moment.”

Ted and I talked about how nonprofits can experiment without burning out: pop-up newsletters that help people make sense of current events, small online gatherings, or community check-ins that don’t require a massive production budget.

Reconnecting Through Fundraising

Ted shared his Year-End Fundraising Cookbook, a simple but powerful resource for organizations looking to bring calm and structure to their year-end efforts. It’s not just a tactical guide; it’s a philosophy: fundraising can be human, joyful, and community-driven.

“How do we bring joy back into fundraising? By remembering it’s about connection, not conversion.”

Whether you’re asking for five dollars or five thousand, people give when they feel connected—to you, to your mission, and to something bigger than themselves.

The Bigger Picture: Resilience Through Intention

At the heart of our conversation was one simple truth: resilience doesn’t come from grinding harder; it comes from acting with intention.

“Resilience doesn’t come from grinding harder; it comes from acting with intention.”

It’s about choosing to slow down, to plan, to connect, and to truly see the people on the other side of the screen. It’s the discipline of returning to your purpose every time you get pulled off course by distraction, burnout, or despair.

Five Key Takeaways

1. Lead with empathy. Everyone is tired, and your communications should reflect that understanding.
2. Put humans first. People trust people, not institutions. Let your team and community shine.
3. Plan, but stay flexible. A good plan grounds you, but adaptability keeps you moving.
4. Use AI intentionally. Let it lighten the load, not replace your humanity.
5. Build community, not campaigns. Connection and trust will always outlast clicks and algorithms.

The Final Word

This moment asks a lot from all of us—clarity, courage, compassion, and humor on the hard days. But if we can return to what makes our work human—our stories, our relationships, and our shared purpose—we’ll not only survive it, we’ll grow through it.

“Resilience isn’t about being unshakable. It’s about coming back to center again and again, on purpose.”

Watch the full episode here:

Have a new idea about ways to reconnect with your community, but need to think it through out loud? Book some time, as I am here to listen and strategize with you anytime!