Rob is again joined by Bright Spot colleague and fellow fundraising trainer Ben Swart to talk about some of the episodes that most inspired us in 2023. 
Our discussion of fundraising ideas and examples includes: how to ace your event or media appeal (ie what content makes all the difference to results); ways to beat the Curse of Knowledge – and how one charity did this to raise five times more than the average through their appeal; ideas to help you succeed in spite of very competitive trust application processes; and how to create a culture where people genuinely value failure / learning as a way to grow fundraising results. 
If you’d like to get in touch or share this episode with other charities, THANK YOU! You can find us both on Linked In and on X / twitter Ben is @benswart and Rob is @woods_rob.

146. Three More Key Listens, with Ben Swart and Rob Woods

Why 2 Ears and 1 Mouth Ratio Works - Summary for YouTube

Welcome to today’s video! We're exploring a simple yet transformative concept: why the ratio of two ears to one mouth is key to effective communication. How often do we ask, “How are you?” without expecting a genuine answer? It’s become a routine greeting, but when we truly listen—beyond the words—we unlock deeper emotions and thoughts that often go unsaid.

In this episode, we’ll uncover:

The power of active and deeper listening.
How asking the right “what” and “how” questions can create space for meaningful conversations.
Practical ways to listen for what’s not being said—tone, silence, and subtle cues.
This skill isn’t just for personal relationships; it’s essential in business too. Listening helps us move beyond assumptions, opening opportunities for connection and understanding. So, let’s dive in and learn how to turn everyday interactions into impactful dialogues.

Let’s get started!

Why 2 Ears and 1 Mouth Ratio Works

A podcast for fundraisers who want ideas, examples and inspiration to help you raise more money for your charity or non-profit.
Rob is an author and award-winning fundraising trainer. Each week he and his guests share examples of successful fundraising, as well as lots of practical tips to help you apply these techniques in your own job.

New tracks tagged #Mindset;