Episode Details

What if your nonprofit doesn’t actually have a communications problem?

When a nonprofit’s messaging isn’t landing, the instinct is often to rewrite the website, create a new communications plan, post more content, or bring in a communications expert. But sometimes, the real issue goes much deeper.

In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, Julia Campbell talks with Christine Koh, a strategic communications advisor who works with mission-driven leadership teams to repair narrative breakdowns, strengthen leadership communication, and build the infrastructure organizations need to communicate effectively.

Christine shares why communications problems are often symptoms of deeper leadership or organizational challenges, and what happens when everyone inside an organization has a different understanding of its story.

They dig into what “narrative breakdown” actually looks like, how internal misalignment eventually shows up in external communications, and why communications teams can end up being asked to solve problems they don't actually have the authority to fix.

Julia and Christine also explore how nonprofit leaders can create clearer ownership around messaging, avoid “communications by committee,” and build systems that don't depend on one person carrying the entire organizational story in their head.

And, as always, they get practical, talking about what nonprofit leaders should diagnose before investing in another website, brand refresh, communications strategy, or endless stream of content.

If you've ever felt like your nonprofit is communicating a lot but somehow the message still isn't quite landing, this conversation is for you. 🎧

In this episode, we discuss:

•  Why some nonprofit communications problems are actually leadership problems
•  What narrative breakdown looks like inside an organization 
•  How internal misalignment affects external communications 
•  Why communications teams can become the catch-all for organizational dysfunction 
•  The role of executive leadership in shaping and protecting an organization's narrative 
•  How to create clear ownership around messaging and communications decisions 
•  How to avoid communications by committee while still making space for input 
•  What healthy communications infrastructure actually looks like 
•  Why more content isn't necessarily the answer to a communications problem 
•  How nonprofits can build communication systems that remain effective through staff and leadership changes 
•  What leaders should diagnose before hiring someone to redo their website or create another communications strategy 
•  Practical questions nonprofit leaders can ask to assess the health of their communications infrastructure 

About Christine Koh

Christine Koh, PhD, is a strategic communications advisor who works with mission-driven leaders and executive teams to stabilize leadership communication, repair narrative breakdown, and build sustainable communications infrastructure.

Her work draws from years of experience across media brand building, creative direction, and strategic advising for nonprofits. She also brings experience as a podcast host through Edit Your Life, where she explores ideas and translates them into practical insights. 

Connect with Christine Koh

Want to learn more from Christine or follow her work?

•  🌐 Website: christinekoh.com
•  💼 LinkedIn: Christine Koh on LinkedIn
•  🎙️ Edit Your Life Podcast: Listen to Edit Your Life

Christine is also the host of Edit Your Life, an award-winning podcast focused on practical a