https://www.associationbriefings.com/

Association Briefings, Washington D.C., DC (2026)

04/24/2026

In our season 5 premiere, hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada chat with Chad Rummel, M.Ed, CAE, executive director of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), about his journey and how it’s shaped the way he leads today.

Chad shares how his background as an educator still shapes how he leads today. It comes through in how he develops strengths in staff and volunteers, creates space for new ideas, and keeps everyone aligned around a shared purpose.

In this episode, they cover:

🔹 Building teams around strengths and shared purpose
🔹 Rethinking board meetings to focus on real conversations
🔹 Hiring people who truly connect to the mission
🔹 Creating a more inclusive experience for members

Catch the full episode here: https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-48-teaching-the-mission-building-teams-that-believe-in-the-work/

Or, wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts, including:

🎧 Apple: https://apple.co/3Fc9ouW
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nDVAwy4n3706vDKzVTNPj

04/02/2026

Your association already has a built-in group of subject matter experts…your supplier members and industry partners. The question is: are you giving them a platform to share that expertise?

We’ve seen associations like the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and ASAE The Center for Association Leadership lean into “Industry Partner Editions” of their podcasts, creating space for partners to contribute meaningful insights, not sales pitches.

See them in action:

🎧 AAOP: https://aaopinsiders.podbean.com/e/powering-movement-a-new-approach-to-kafo-technology/

🎧 Associations Now: https://associationsnow.podbean.com/e/why-associations-must-rethink-learning-and-community-together/

These episodes aren’t commercials. They’re conversations.

They highlight how suppliers are helping members solve real challenges, navigate change, and stay ahead in their field. And in the process, they create a new stream of non-dues revenue for the association.

It’s a win across the board:
• Members get practical, relevant insights
• Partners get visibility and credibility
• Associations strengthen relationships and generate revenue

If you’re not tapping into the expertise already in your ecosystem, you’re leaving value on the table.

Curious what this could look like for your association? Let’s talk.

03/31/2026

What happens when you meet members where they are? In the latest episode of OSAP Observations podcast, host Jarrod Clabaugh, CAE sits down with our CEO Colby Horton and CBDO Frank Humada to explore why podcasting is gaining momentum across the association space. The conversation focuses on how podcasts bring out the depth of an association’s community, sharing insights, stories, and expertise that might otherwise go unheard.

It also reinforces something we see every day: podcasts aren’t just content, they’re a strategic tool. One that helps prospective members understand your culture while strengthening relationships with those already in your community.

Listen to the episode here: https://osappodcast.podbean.com/e/unlocking-the-voice-of-your-association-through-podcasting/

And if your association is looking for new ways to connect, engage, and tell its story through podcasting, we’d love to help. https://associationbriefings.com

03/27/2026

In the latest episode of our Engaging in the Next podcast, Carlos E. Cardenas, CAE, AAiP, senior strategic consultant at DelCor and Board President of Association Latinos, joins hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada to talk about how associations should move from chasing AI as a tool to thinking about it as a strategic partner.

Carlos challenges the idea of “AI experts,” emphasizing that in a rapidly evolving landscape, the real advantage comes from experimentation, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. Because in the association space, the future doesn’t belong to those who claim expertise, but to those who are willing to evolve.

Catch the full episode here: https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-47-pressing-reset-on-expert-ai-in-the-association-world/

Or, wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts, including:

🎧 Apple: https://apple.co/3Fc9ouW
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nDVAwy4n3706vDKzVTNPj

03/18/2026

Last week in Las Vegas, the Association Briefings team had the opportunity to do something a little different with a longtime partner, the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) of America.

Together, we recorded an entire limited-series podcast onsite during their conference. That's right, all 12 episodes.

The new series, "The Decision I Didn’t Make," is built around honest, one-on-one conversations between the podcast hosts and CMAA members. It’s reflective, personal, and a little more vulnerable than the typical association podcast. The kind of content that sticks with you.

And this time, we took it a step further.

We added video production to the mix, capturing not just the conversations, but the expressions, the pauses, and the moments that make these stories feel real.

Recording onsite added a different kind of energy to the process. When members are gathered in one place, ideas flow faster, stories come more naturally, and it creates an opportunity to capture a full season of conversations in just a few days.

This series is a great example of what’s possible when associations think beyond a single episode and design content with intention from the start.

Huge thanks to Nick Soto for the vision, the CMAA communications team for making it happen, and co-hosts Carly Trout and Evan Hendershot for leading such meaningful conversations.

The series launches next month and we're looking forward to sharing it soon.

03/05/2026

Last weekend, our team had the opportunity to record several episodes of the Net Assets Podcast (hosted by Jeff Shields, FASAE, CAE) live at the NBOA: Business Leadership for Independent Schools' Annual Meeting in Orlando.

Recording in person always brings unique benefits for association podcasts. One of the biggest is momentum. When leaders, volunteers, and members are all gathered in one place, it becomes much easier to capture timely conversations with people who are shaping the profession right now.

Conferences also create opportunities to record with multiple guests in a short window, allowing associations to build a strong pipeline of episodes that can carry the show forward for months.

NBOA also did an outstanding job promoting the podcast throughout the event. Attendees received branded room keys featuring a QR code linking directly to the show, and the conference even included a podcast fun run, complete with shirts featuring the podcast logo. It was a creative way to turn the podcast into a visible and engaging part of the conference experience.

Grateful to Jeff and the NBOA team for the opportunity. Looking forward to sharing these conversations soon! Check out past episodes here: https://www.nboa.org/publications/net-assets-podcast

02/27/2026

Last week, our team had the privilege of recording multiple podcast episodes onsite at the Academy's 52nd Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium in Nashville. It was a powerful reminder of the value of in-person podcasting at association events.

Recording live at conferences creates a different kind of energy. Conversations are richer. Guests are already immersed in the content and community. The visibility of the recording space also sparks curiosity and awareness among attendees who may not yet know the show.

For associations, there are strategic advantages too. Onsite recording makes it possible to bank high-quality episodes for future release, extend the life of conference content, and bring more member voices into the spotlight. At the Academy, sessions were even structured so recordings counted for CE credit. That approach turned podcast conversations into lasting educational assets.

We're grateful to the Academy and the incredible O&P professionals who shared their expertise with us. More episodes coming soon!

02/25/2026

In the latest episode of our Engaging in the Next podcast, Jeff Shields, FASAE, CAE, president and CEO of NBOA: Business Leadership for Independent Schools, joins hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada to talk about how associations evolve from delivering programs to selling what they know: turning expertise into scalable, mission-aligned services.

We explore how NBOA reinvented its approach through NBOA Advisory Services, a self-sustaining subsidiary that packages decades of member insight into executive search and strategic consulting for schools. It’s a powerful example of associations moving from content providers to trusted advisors.

Oh, and we also learn the best decade of music (strong opinions), Girl Scout Cookie rankings (also strong opinions), and Broadway favorites.

If your organization is thinking about expertise as non-dues revenue, this one’s worth a listen.

Catch the full episode here: https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-46-selling-what-you-know-expertise-as-non-dues-revenue/

Or, wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts, including:

🎧 Apple: https://apple.co/3Fc9ouW

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nDVAwy4n3706vDKzVTNPj

01/23/2026

What do Lean Startup, New Year’s resolutions, and Pop-Tarts have in common? Apparently… more than we expected.

In our first episode of 2026, hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada are joined by Elizabeth Weaver Engel and Jamie Notter for a candid conversation about what the Lean Startup methodology actually looks like inside associations. Not the buzzwords, but the real, practical application. Along the way, they unpack where Lean Startup came from, why it’s often misunderstood, and how empathy, Design Thinking, and small experiments can help associations learn faster without needing everything to be perfect.

They also talk honestly about why innovation can stall, the cultural barriers that get in the way, and how associations can test ideas and create value without tying every experiment to immediate revenue.

And yes… before all of that, Colby and Frank take an unexpected detour into past New Year’s resolutions and a heated debate about Pop Tarts!

Catch the full episode here: https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-45-a-lean-startup-to-the-new-year-how-associations-can-experiment-smarter/

Or, wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts, including:

🎧 Apple: https://apple.co/3Fc9ouW
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nDVAwy4n3706vDKzVTNPj

01/13/2026

We’re excited to work with the amazing Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF, on his new podcast, The Association Evidence Project.

This new series is designed to help association leaders cut through the noise and make smarter, data-informed decisions by bringing forward the research, stories, and experts transforming evidence into action across the association community.

The inaugural episode dropped today, with three leading voices in association research and strategy unpacking the current state of association research and tackling challenges like data utilization, survey fatigue, and the shift from collecting data to using evidence as a strategic asset.

Check out episode 1 here: https://aeppodcast.podbean.com/e/why-evidence-matters-turning-research-into-strategy-for-associations/.

We’re proud to support this podcast series and can’t wait to see how it helps leaders think differently about governance, membership, foresight, economics, and innovation.

01/05/2026

🎉 2026 is the perfect year to start a podcast for your association. Here’s why:

1️⃣ Your members are craving connection, not more emails.

Podcasts create a human, on-demand touchpoint that fits into busy lives...during commutes, workouts, and walks between meetings.

2️⃣ You’re already sitting on great content.

Conference sessions, research, advocacy updates, member stories. 2026 is the year to turn that content into conversations your members actually want to hear.

3️⃣ Podcasting is proving its value for associations.

From member engagement to thought leadership to non-dues revenue, podcasts have moved from “nice idea” to a strategic communications tool.

The question isn’t should your association start a podcast. It’s whether 2026 is the year you finally hit record.

If launching a podcast is on your 2026 roadmap, we’d love to help you do it the right way—from strategy to production to promotion. Let’s connect!

12/30/2025

As we wrap up another great year of our "Engaging in the Next" podcast, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the conversations that made 2025 so meaningful. This season brought thoughtful dialogue, new perspectives, and candid insights from leaders across the association community—and we’re grateful for every moment shared with our guests and listeners.

🌟 Top 5 Episodes of 2025:

March Madness: Full-Court Leadership in the Association Space - Shasta Foy, CAE, executive director, Association for Christian Fundraising, shares her leadership journey, lessons learned earning her CAE, and the importance of DEI, mentorship, and lifting the next generation of association professionals. 👉 https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-36-march-madness-full-court-leadership-in-the-association-space/

Don’t “Waste” New Opportunities: Rethinking NDR Strategies - Amy Lestition Burke, MA, FASAE, CAE, executive director & CEO, Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), discusses aligning non-dues revenue with mission, building strong partnerships, and unlocking new opportunities through innovative events and sponsorships. 👉 https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-34-dont-waste-new-opportunities-rethinking-ndr-strategies/

Branding with Heart: Guiding Associations with Vision and Values - Ellen Kim and Walter Kim, co-founders of GRAPHEK, explore mission-driven branding, the difference between a refresh and a rebrand, and how intentional design and stakeholder engagement drive long-term impact. 👉 https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-39-branding-with-heart-guiding-associations-with-vision-and-values/

What’s on Your Membership Plate? Time to Rethink the Menu - Sarah L. Sladek, bestselling author, researcher, and keynote speaker, unpacks how shifting demographics and expectations are reshaping membership, and why belonging, education, and adaptability matter more than ever. 👉 https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-44-what-s-on-your-membership-plate-time-to-rethink-the-menu/

Playing the Long Game: Turning Members Into Belongers - Jessica Richardson, CeM, membership manager, American Association of Immunologists, shares how collaboration, community, and a creative Catan-inspired framework can transform members into deeply engaged “belongers.” 👉 https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-43-playing-the-long-game-turning-members-into-belongers/

A huge thank-you to every guest who brought their expertise, honesty, and perspective to the mic. And to our listeners: your downloads, shares, comments, and feedback continue to shape and strengthen this podcast.

As we head into 2026, we’re excited to keep the momentum going with more meaningful conversations and new voices.

🎧 Catch up on all episodes from Season 4: https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/

🎙️ Season 5 of Engaging in the Next launches in January 2026.

Association Briefings

04/24/2026

04/02/2026

03/31/2026

03/27/2026

03/18/2026

03/05/2026

02/27/2026

02/25/2026

01/23/2026

01/13/2026

01/05/2026

12/30/2025

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