These 90-minute deep dives led by expert practitioners will focus on topics every communicator needs to know.
Building Trust With Better Stories
Aaron Zeiler, University of Florida Center for Public Interest Communications
Nicole Bronzan, The Council on Foundations
Ann Searight Christiano, Center For Public Interest Communications
Yu-Hao Lee, The Center for Public Interest Communications
Explore data from a 1.5-year study on philanthropic storytelling including how transparent details & reducing philanthro-speak builds trust
Collaborate with fellow social change communicators to rework stories & identify metaphors to better describe the work your organization does
Learn how to use the data to make the case to your organization for improving storytelling practices you use with a variety of stakeholders
Centering Humanity in Your Content
Imara Jones, TransLash Media
How to create content that shifts culture and fosters new points of view
Find out how the power of storytelling can help those on the front lines of change
The difference between narrative change and communications
The importance of producing narratives about and for the trans community
Lessons Learned: The Trusted Messenger Study
Derrick Feldmann, Ad Council Research Institute
How to identify the trusted messengers at each level of the Trusted Messenger Ecosystem (generate awareness, provide information/further inform and make decisions) for advice & opinions on social issues
Understand what makes these messengers trusted for their advice or opinions
Pinpoint the specific trusted messengers that spark action for a particular issue
Tangible Digital Tools
Sree Sreenivasan, Digimentors
Moving beyond X — learn how (and why) to take better advantage of LinkedIn
New ways of thinking about event amplification
Where to go and what to do with AI (on a daily basis)
A chance to “ask the social media doctor”
Communicating in 2030
Sam Jordan, Future Today Institute
Future Today Institute's 2025 Tech Trend Report: insights on emerging tech and its impact on communication in 5-10 years
Applications of emerging technologies and how to start using them in your work now
Sam's scenarios: data-driven narratives exploring plausible futures and their potential impact on your work
Speaking to Values and Identities
Calista Small, More in Common
Kate Carney, More in Common
Tim Dixon, More in Common
See if we really understand “the other side” as much as we think
Learn how correcting misperceptions can improve communications
Realize the importance of using people-centered communication as a tool to build trust and reach new audiences
The Power of Smart Brevity
Phil Dufresne, Axios HQ
The science behind Axios HQ's Smart Brevity methodology for professional communications
The data on how concise, audience-centered comms benefits organizations and communities
Tangible examples of how to structure your communications for busy readers
A live demonstration from an experienced Axios HQ editor
Think Like an Innovator
Leo Chan, Abound Innovation Inc.
Learn more about associative thinking, a key trait of the world’s best innovators
Understand ways to master the process of associative thinking through practical, implementable tools
Get hands-on experience connecting unrelated dots during this interactive workshop (as seen at SXSW)
Monitoring and Responding to Misinformation
Nalini Padmanabhan, de Beaumont Foundation
Mark Miller, de Beaumont Foundation
Joe Smyser, Public Good Project
Understand infodemiology, an emerging field with origins in tracking health information
Discover how media monitoring technologies can track trending narratives
Learn how to create your own monitoring system for the topics most relevant to your work
Learn how to look for information spikes and investigate their drivers
Explore ways to respond to false and misleading information
Moving Beyond Asset-Framing
Trabian Shorters, TrabianShorters.com
Why you first must measure will and skill before you can change culture
Learn how to diagnose your organization's ability to integrate new skills and behaviors
What types of tactics will work based on your culture-type
How to increase your capacity for adaptation
Reclaiming the System-is-Rigged Narrative
Carinne Wheedan, FrameWorks Institute
Nat Kendall-Taylor, FrameWorks Institute
What "system-is-rigged thinking" is and its dominance in American culture
How it’s shaping people's responses to your messages and issues
How this mindset can cue racist, anti-semitic, and xenophobic thinking
How to set up productive critiques of power and generate support for policies that address inequity
Tell Your Story (Better!) with The Moth
Kate Tellers, The Moth
Key principles of a compelling story
How to mine your own experience for stories
The power of connecting through story
Effective Post-Election Communications Strategies
Najma Roberts, Democracy Fund
Bethany Georgianni, Democracy Fund
Understand how (all) election outcomes can influence your organization’s work, priorities, and messaging.
Learn best practices and opportunities for post-election communication within 501(c)3 settings - and what decisions need to be made ahead of election day.
Gain access to practical tools and frameworks to consider and craft effective post-election messaging.
Crisis Communications: The New Normal
Rebecca Dinar, Knight Foundation
Madeline Baró, Florida International University
Mallory Newall, Ipsos
Learn how to prepare for unexpected communication crises, whether it's related to partisan divisions, controversial statements, or other sensitive topics.
Gain insights into American attitudes towards free speech, including considerations for navigating speech that may make others feel unsafe.
Acquire practical tips and strategies to proactively prepare for communication crises and effectively manage them when they occur, drawing from real-life case studies and scenarios.
Understanding and Leveraging Social Norms
Tim Phillips, Beyond Conflict
Jasmine Ramsey, Beyond Conflict
Douglas Hattaway, Hattaway Communications
Appreciate the essential role values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors plays in shaping human behavior
Recognize how the science of social norms impacts communications
Design communications messages with these informal and unwritten rules in mind