The Association Insights Podcast

The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd focuses on best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations. The podcast will feature meaningful conversations with association professionals across the country taking a deeper dive into trending topics, offering insights that both inform and inspire.Produced by OnWrd & UpWrd: https://onwrdupwrd.com/

The Association Insights Podcast is a business podcast hosted by OnWrd and UpWrd, with 171 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

OnWrd and UpWrd hosts The Association Insights Podcast, a business show with 171 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #33

  Scaling Impact: How Small Teams Can Build Big Programs

  Aug 19, 202615 minS5

  In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd , recorded on the show floor at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Indianapolis , O&U’s Meghan Henning sits down with Gail R. Kulp, M.Ed., CAE, Executive Director of the Sea Tow Foundation , to talk about scaling programs, empowering partners and creating meaningful impact with a small team. The Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program has grown to more than 1,500 loaner stations nationwide , and Gail shares the systems behind that growth – from making participation easy to using data and reporting to continually strengthen the program. Key Highlights Make It Easy to Participate: Sea Tow Foundation gives local partners everything from building plans and signage to talking points and marketing materials, removing barriers to participation. Listen and Keep Improving: Recurring questions from partners help Gail identify where additional resources, templates or guidance are needed. Build in Accountability: Reporting requirements help the Foundation understand how its resources are being used, measure impact and make smarter decisions about future support. Use Data to Scale Smarter: In 2026, the Foundation awarded 9,990 life jackets to 224 organizations , using application and reporting data to help determine where resources could have the greatest impact. Create Systems That Extend Your Team: Gail shares how templates, ready-to-use social content, media resources and outside partners allow a small staff to support a much larger network. Tune in for practical ideas on scaling successful programs, empowering partners and helping a small team make a much bigger impact. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd 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: We’re continuing to share conversations with association leaders on the ideas and strategies shaping the future of the industry. Stay tuned!

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  Episode #32

  Building a Stronger Association: Lessons in Growth, Culture, and Leadership

  Aug 12, 202651 minS5

  In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing, to explore what it takes to build sustainable growth in today's association landscape. Since becoming CEO in 2022, Phil has led USA Fencing through significant membership, club, and revenue growth while positioning the organization for the opportunities surrounding the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. But as Phil explains, lasting success isn't built around one marquee moment—it's built through member listening, strong local communities, creative partnerships, and a culture of trust. Whether you're focused on growing membership, diversifying revenue, or strengthening member engagement, this episode is full of practical ideas association leaders can put to work. Key Highlights Listening Is a Leadership Strategy: Phil explains why treating members as your "bosses"—and acting on their feedback—creates stronger organizations and better long-term decisions. Local Communities Fuel Growth : Learn how investing in USA Fencing's network of clubs has strengthened membership and created a more resilient organization. Lead With Transparency: Phil shares how clear communication, accountability, and explaining the "why" behind decisions help build trust—even during difficult moments. Think Beyond the Big Event : As LA28 approaches, USA Fencing is using the excitement to build long-term engagement—not just short-term visibility. Rethinking Revenue Growth : Phil discusses how understanding members beyond their role in the association opens the door to stronger partnerships, sponsorships, and new revenue opportunities. Tell Stories That Reach New Audiences : From creator collaborations to Comic-Con, Phil shares how creative storytelling helps USA Fencing connect with people beyond the sport. Culture Drives Everything: Building a strong culture starts with leadership, accountability, and creating an environment where people feel they belong. Tune in for an engaging conversation on membership growth, leadership, storytelling, and building associations that thrive for the long term. 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: We're continuing to feature association executives and industry leaders sharing practical insights on the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of associations. Stay tuned for more conversations designed to help association professionals grow, innovate, and lead with confidence.

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  Episode #31

  From Data Rich to Insight Driven: Building Smarter Association Strategies

  Aug 5, 202634 minS5

  In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd , host Colleen Gallagher welcomes Denny Lengkong, President of IntelliData, back to the podcast to explore one of the biggest challenges facing associations today: turning mountains of data into meaningful decisions. While many organizations have more data than ever before, few are fully leveraging it to drive strategy. Denny shares practical advice on how association leaders can move beyond reporting, ask better questions, prepare their organizations for AI, and build a data culture that supports smarter decision-making—not just more dashboards. Whether you're just beginning your data journey or looking to make AI work more effectively for your organization, this episode offers practical, actionable insights for association leaders at every stage. Key Highlights Why Associations Are "Data Rich but Insight Poor" : Denny explains why so many organizations treat their AMS or CRM as a "glorified filing cabinet" instead of a strategic asset—and what prevents teams from turning data into action. From Reporting to Decision Support : Learn why the most valuable data questions aren't "How many members do we have?" but "What actions will improve engagement, retention, and member value?" Preparing Your Data for AI Success : AI isn't a magic fix for poor data. Denny shares why clean data, shared definitions, and organizational context are essential before AI can deliver meaningful results. The Small Data Points That Predict Big Outcomes: Discover how seemingly minor patterns—like changes in a member contact or recurring attendance trends—can reveal valuable insights into member behavior and retention. Creating a Single Source of Truth : Breaking down silos starts with shared definitions. Denny explains why agreeing on something as simple as what qualifies as a "member" lays the foundation for better reporting, analytics, and AI adoption. Resources: Sign up for IntelliData’s monthly newsletter, The Slice: https://intellidata.tech/#newsletter-signup Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical advice on building a stronger data strategy, embracing AI thoughtfully, and helping your association make better decisions with the information it already has. 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 We're continuing to sit down with association professionals and industry leaders to share practical perspectives on the trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of associations. Stay tuned for more conversations designed to help you strengthen your organization, engage your members, and lead with confidence.

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  Episode #30

  Fighting Misinformation with Trust: How Associations Can Leverage Influencer Marketing

  Jul 29, 202621 minS5

  In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd , host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Candice Warltier, CEO & Founding Partner of CS-Effect, to explore how associations can use trusted voices to combat misinformation, educate new audiences, and strengthen their credibility in an increasingly noisy digital landscape. Drawing from CS-Effect's award-winning work with the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), Candice shares how a strategic influencer campaign helped counter myths about root canals by partnering with respected physicians, pediatricians, and healthcare content creators—not to promote products, but to deliver science-based education people could trust. Whether you're leading communications, marketing, membership, or advocacy, this episode offers practical insights into how associations can thoughtfully incorporate influencer marketing to expand their reach, build trust, and engage the next generation. Key Highlights Why Influencer Marketing Belongs in the Association Toolkit : Candice explains how member concerns about online misinformation sparked a campaign that reached audiences traditional communications couldn't. Trust Starts with the Right Voices : Learn why AAE intentionally partnered with physicians and healthcare educators outside dentistry—and how third-party credibility helped strengthen the campaign. The Vetting Process Matters : From audience engagement and brand alignment to years of past content, Candice shares the rigorous process associations should use before partnering with any content creator. Authenticity Beats Scripts: Discover why giving creators messaging guidance—not word-for-word scripts—results in content that feels genuine and resonates with audiences. Measuring Success Beyond Likes : The campaign generated thousands of saves and shares while driving users to AAE's educational resources and Find My Endodontist locator, proving meaningful engagement goes far beyond impressions. Tune in for a practical conversation on building trust through credible voices, combating misinformation with confidence, and using influencer partnerships to help your association reach new audiences with authenticity. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd 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 We're continuing to sit down with association professionals and industry leaders to explore the top trends, innovative strategies, and practical insights helping associations strengthen member engagement, navigate change, and prepare for what's next. Stay tuned!

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  Episode #29

  WWPR Panel: How Associations Lead with Strategic Storytelling

  Jul 22, 20261h 10mS5

  In this special episode of the Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd , host Colleen Gallagher shares a live panel discussion from Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) on how associations can use strategic storytelling to build trust, strengthen member engagement, and drive organizational results. Joining Colleen are: Courtney Rhodes , Head of News Media Relations, U.S. Travel Association Jeanne Metzger , Vice President, Membership, Marketing & Analytics, Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) Alexandra Bradley , Director of Communications & Marketing, American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) Together, they share practical strategies for helping associations move beyond promoting programs to becoming trusted, strategic voices during times of uncertainty, rapid technological change, and shifting member expectations. Whether you lead communications, marketing, membership, or strategy, this episode offers actionable ideas for building trust, creating stories that resonate, and positioning communications as a driver of organizational success. Key Highlights Communications as a Business Driver: Why communications deserves a seat at the leadership table—and how it supports membership, revenue, advocacy, and reputation. Leading Through Uncertainty: How associations can communicate with confidence, avoid reactive messaging, and build trust during challenging moments. Tell Better Stories, Not More Stories: Why audience segmentation, member insights, and authentic storytelling outperform constant promotion. Putting Members at the Center: Learn how member experiences, volunteer voices, and community stories create stronger engagement than organizational messaging alone. Using AI with Intention: Practical ways AI can improve efficiency while preserving the authenticity that only people can provide. Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd 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: More conversations with association professionals sharing the trends, insights, and strategies helping associations navigate change, engage members, and lead with confidence. Stay tuned!

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