Rethinking how trust, relationships, and real human connection drive growth.

Most organizations ask for money too fast. They sell, pitch, and blast emails… then wonder why people tune out. Alyssa Nolte sits down with Katherine Lacefield to rethink what actually builds loyalty. The answer is stewardship. Real relationships. Treating people like humans, not transactions.

If you work in sales, fundraising, customer success, or marketing, this episode will change how you think about growth and long-term trust.

Why you should listen This conversation breaks down why constant selling hurts credibility and how curiosity builds stronger customer and donor relationships. You’ll hear practical examples from nonprofit fundraising, sales, and real-life moments that show why stewardship works better than pressure.

3 key takeaways

1. Stewardship is about relationships, not transactions. People give and buy more when they feel seen.
2. Curiosity beats scripts. Real listening builds trust faster than perfect sales questions.
3. Segmentation matters. The more relevant your message, the less annoying it feels.

Alyssa Nolte and Katherine Lacefield also talk about authenticity, desperation in sales, and why forcing relationships usually backfires. The episode connects nonprofit lessons to for-profit growth, all while rethinking the future of customer relationships.

People and resources mentioned

• Dana Snyder
• Mission to Movement podcast
• Monthly Giving Summit