Kristen Grimm returns to Let’s Hear It as the show’s first three-time guest for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about meaning making—a human process of interpreting what’s happening in the world and building shared understanding to guide action. In this episode, Eric and Kirk talk with Kristen about what meaning making can teach nonprofit communicators, foundations, and changemakers right now, and why this moment of upheaval may also be a generational opportunity to rethink how we engage people and advance good causes.
Drawing on her recent essay series and her own experiences—ranging from traveling the country in an Airstream to learning how people in very different communities make sense of their lives—Kristen explores why facts alone don’t sway people, how chaos can actually open windows for new ideas, and why it’s time to focus on building futures rather than endlessly fixing problems. Along the way, they discuss trust, government’s role, corporate power, and how communicators can help others find clarity in the confusion of our times.
This episode is thoughtful, practical, often funny, and full of memorable insights for anyone trying to communicate effectively in a complex world. If you want to dig deeper into Kristen’s thinking on meaning making, we recommend reading the full four-part essay series on the Spitfire Strategies blog:
- Part 1 — Make Meaning While Meaning-Making Windows Are Open — An introduction to why the current moment presents a rare opportunity for meaning making and what questions to ask before you begin. Make Meaning While Meaning‑Making Windows Are Open – Spitfire Strategies Blog
- Part 2 — An Idea Whose Time Has Come and How to Make It Come to Fruition — How to define and nurture an idea so it gains traction with the people you care about. An Idea Whose Time Has Come and How to Make It Come to Fruition – Spitfire Strategies Blog
- Part 3 — Meaning-Making: Approaches to Consider — Practical strategies and frameworks for how to frame and advance meaning-making work. Meaning‑Making: Approaches to Consider – Spitfire Strategies Blog
- Part 4 — Meaning-Making: Live Examples We Can Watch Play Out — Real-world examples showing meaning making in action and what successful campaigns look like. Meaning-Making: Live Examples We Can Watch Play Out
Please leave a rating or review so more people can discover the show!
LISTEN HERE
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
