In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we’re bringing you a special replay of our summer LinkedIn Live panel: Communicating What Matters—How Associations Can Lead with Strategic Storytelling.
Originally hosted by OnWrd & UpWrd CEO Colleen Gallagher, this roundtable features two communications leaders navigating some of the most complex issues facing associations today:
Tim Ebner, Senior Director of Communications at the Can Manufacturers InstituteSean Luechtefeld, Ph.D., Senior Director of Communications at ANCOR
🎧 From politicized narratives and media scrutiny to member trust and message discipline, this conversation offers honest, experience-driven advice for association pros navigating the intersection of policy, people, and purpose.
Key Highlights:
Mission Over Moment: Why clarity of mission and values is critical for staying grounded in complex, polarized environments—and how communications can lead with focus, not fear.
Storytelling with Intention: How to elevate real member stories in a way that resonates—and why it's about amplifying, not exploiting.
Crisis Isn’t the Time to Build a Playbook: Why the best comms leaders prepare before a flashpoint—and how Tim and Sean work cross-functionally to set expectations and build trust.
Empathy, Not Neutrality: Why staying neutral often isn’t an option—and how associations can lead with empathy and authenticity while holding firm on their values.
Media Readiness & Message Discipline: Tips for navigating media inquiries, staying on message, and preparing staff and board members for sensitive conversations.
Advice for Communicators: Whether you're a one-person team or leading a full department, Tim and Sean offer tactical guidance for aligning your communications strategy with what matters most.
🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful, unfiltered conversation about what it means to lead with clarity, courage, and purpose in today’s association landscape.
Stay Connected:
Subscribe to The Association Insights podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.
Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.
Coming Soon: New episodes weekly featuring association leaders, content strategists, and storytellers exploring the power of clear, values-driven communication. Stay tuned!
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.