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On The Table Read, the “Best Entertainment Celebrity Magazine in the UK“, podcaster Randall Hallett shares details of his Around With Randall podcast, and the work that goes into producing it.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed podcaster Randall Hallett about his life and career, what inspires him, and the work that goes into his philanthropy and fundraising advice podcast, Around With Randall.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
Randall Hallett is the CEO and Founder of Hallett Philanthropy, a full-service philanthropy consulting firm.
Having spent his entire career in philanthropy, Randall has a passion for helping organizations seek
funding to meet their mission, and believes giving is good for one’s emotional and physical well-being.
Prior to founding Hallett Philanthropy, Randall served as President and Principal Consultant for Gobel
Consulting, the leading firm in healthcare philanthropy. While at Gobel, he oversaw all client programs on
behalf of the 20+ person firm. The final four years of his seven-year tenure were the most profitable for
the organization.
Before joining Gobel Consulting, Randall was the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and MedCenter Senior
Executive at the Nebraska Medical Center, where he was responsible for all aspects of fundraising,
including the introduction of a major gift solicitations program through physician engagement, a concierge program, and a planned giving effort which led to a 600 percent increase during his tenure. Randall and his team supported the $370 million 18-month fundraising effort for the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
Prior to working with the MedCenter, Randall spent 15 years in various fundraising positions, all in the
chief development officer role.
Randall holds a Bachelor’s Degree in business and finance from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a Juris Doctorate with a personal focus in taxation issues of estates and trusts from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and an Educational Doctorate in leadership from University of St. Thomas.
How and why did you start podcasting?
I want to help the industry be better to meet the challenges of our community though philanthropy. I call it my “Classroom of the 21st Century.” Our industry needs to “be better” to deal with the critical needs of people and community assets that need support.
What is your current podcast called, and how did you come up with the name?
Around with Randall. It parallels my business mission statement of “Serving Clients Full Circle”
What platforms can we find Around With Randall on?
Almost anywhere….my website (www.hallettphilanthropy.com) Apple, Spotify, Iheartradio, Downcast, and watch at YouTube (under/through Hallett Philanthropy)
What is Around With Randall about?
The podcast is about non-profit world, most specifically around the fundraising/philanthropy efforts, and what one has to know to be successful. Each episode is a different subject to help listeners with practical/tactical information about how to make improvements. Subjects including:
- 4-part Series on Capital Campaigns
- 4-part Series on the Donor Cycle
- 4-part Series on Employment Issues
- The Science of Smaller Portfolio Sizes
- Building a Team
- Multi-level Social Media Opportunities
- Work-Life Balance
- Program (not capital) Funding
- Gift Officer’s ROI
- The History of Philanthropy
- Working with Donor-Advised Funds
- The Art of Productivity
- Attention to Detail
- 2021/2022 Non-Profit Predictions
- Leading and Lagging Indicators
- Artificial Intelligence in Non-Profit Work
- Managing Up
- New Board Member Orientation
- Monthly “Great Philanthropists” Series
Do you host Around With Randall alone, or have guest hosts/partners?
I do it alone…by design. I want to keep it to 20 minutes or less. And at the same time, make sure that every episode has a practical element to it….to help leaders and practitioners get something tactical to use immediately to make themselves or their nonprofit better immediately.
Do you edit Around With Randall or have someone who does it for you?
I do all it….I record it (audio/video), edit it, etc.
Do you script Around With Randall, or just chat as you go?
They are never scripted. I may have a notecard with a note or two, but the goal is authenticity. That means a few mistakes as well. I don’t edit out anything. This me being me, trying to teach.
How has Around With Randall changed or developed since you began?
It has not changed much…I did add series of special (shorter) podcasts on great philanthropist, in history/worldwide as a way to learn from other’s generosity
What are you biggest challenges with Around With Randall?
I can’t really think of one….
What are your favorite podcasts to listen to?
Clark Howard, Tony Kornheiser Show, Local Radio segments.
How and where do you promote your podcast?
Emails to the industry, word of mouth.
Do you earn money from Around With Randall, or is it a hobby?
It is part of my business efforts, but I do not monetize it at all. Don’t want to. This is my contribution to help others…my classroom.
What’s something you never expected about podcasting? What have you learned that surprised you?
How quickly time can go….trying to keep the podcast to 20 minutes, I have to be careful not to just “drone on.” It always have to be worth the listeners time.
What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to start podcasting?
Do it because you love it, not because you have to…..there are so many things that are part of your business/personal life. This takes some time, not a lot, but some. You have to love to do it prioritize it over time.
And, finally, are your proud of what you’re accomplishing with your podcast? Is it worth the effort?
It has been totally worth it. I don’t even know how many people listen/subscribe. But there are nearly 100 episodes over the last 18 months that have been produced. Because they are “evergreen” (not dated by subject), they can be listen to/used for years to come. And the few people that I have asked, they say they like them and learn from them…that makes it worth it.
Pop all your work, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
www.hallettphilanthropy.com/podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/around-with-randall/id1540664810
https://www.audible.com/pd/Podcast/B08K58Q8J1
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnJTgHh1_4BX5CpP5_MX47w
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3aebe297-c01d-4e2a-bc3e-66eaaf1d83b6/around-with-randall
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