From creative brief, to group brainstorm, to presentations to the client team and beyond, the Libretto team are experts when it comes to naming fundraising campaigns, initiatives, and organizations. In this episode, Ian, Madison, and Tiffany talk about the creative process of "Themestorming" and the joys and challenges this facet of our work presents. 

Mentioned in this episode:

 * Neal Kane's thoughts on Naming: Part 1 [https://us22.campaign-archive.com/?u=dbf6c2d97eae01adea2a860c8&id=2773b4cabf], Part 2 [https://us22.campaign-archive.com/?u=dbf6c2d97eae01adea2a860c8&id=9ea78e2446]
 * Libretto's Names and Themes [https://www.libretto-inc.com/campaign-names-and-themes/]
 * The Bullet Journal Method [https://bulletjournal.com/] by Ryder Carroll
 * The Checklist Manifesto [https://atulgawande.com/book/the-checklist-manifesto/] by Atul Gawande
 * PicklePlay.com [https://pickleplay.com/] (referenced as Pickleballers.com in the episode)
 * Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/292954/barbarian-days-by-william-finnegan/] by William Finnegan

Hosted by Ian Sutherland, Madison Hunt, and Tiffany Carlson
Produced and Edited by Tiffany Carlson
Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay

© 2025 Libretto. All Rights Reserved.

Episode 9: Themestorming

From a change in leadership to the start of a major fundraising initiative, moments of transition represent opportunities for organizations to evaluate and refine their messaging. For this reason, Libretto is often called in to consult at these inflection points. In this episode, Nancy and Connor discuss three projects that demonstrate how taking the time to carefully develop messaging—even when certain aspects are still in flux—puts your organization in a strong position to weather whatever comes next.

In this episode:
Braiding Sweetgrass [https://bookshop.org/p/books/braiding-sweetgrass-robin-wall-kimmerer/16712606], by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Histories [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-histories-penguin-classics-deluxe-edition-herodotus/17236576?ean=9780143107545&next=t], by Herodotus (translated by Tom "Not Spider-Man" Holland)

Hosted by Nancy Boissonnet and Connor Ferguson
Produced by Tiffany Carlson
Edited by Connor Ferguson
Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay

© 2025 Libretto. All Rights Reserved.

Episode 8: Messaging for Transitions

Restricting the content of best-of lists to things produced or released during a single year is, in many ways, fairly arbitrary. Books, movies, or TV shows don't cease to be relevant as soon as the calendar changes. So we got together to talk about some of the things we particularly enjoyed in 2024. Here's hoping they bring you joy, make you think, and entertain you in 2025.

Hosted by Nancy Boissonnet, Tiffany Carlson, Connor Ferguson, Madison Hunt, Neal Kane, Adrian Pio, and Ian Sutherland.

Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay.

© 2025 Libretto. All Rights Reserved.

Episode 7: Best of 2024

From poring over pages of interview notes to find the best ideas that will distinguish our clients to wrangling schedules across timezones, the Libretto team has to unravel plenty of thorny challenges on a daily basis. In this episode, Tiffany and Connor reflect on turning challenges into puzzles and drawing on our intellectual curiosity to keep things interesting.

Mentioned in this episode:
Game of Thrones (https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones)
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (https://kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com)

Hosted by Tiffany Carlson and Connor Ferguson

Produced by Madison Hunt

Edited by Connor Ferguson

Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay

© 2024 Libretto. All rights reserved.

Episode 6: Uncomplicating the Complicated

Libretto operated out of a traditional office in Boston's South End for more than 20 years, but like many companies, we've been fully remote since 2020, and our team is now spread across six states. As the two Librettists who joined after the switch to remote work, Madison and Tiffany discuss connecting with colleagues virtually, as well as the challenges and opportunities afforded by a fully remote model.

 

Hosted by Madison Hunt and Tiffany Carlson

Produced by Ian Sutherland

Edited by Connor Ferguson

Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay

© 2024 Libretto. All rights reserved.

Episode 5: How to Stay Connected While Working Remotely

After almost 28 years, what's changed and what's stayed the same at Libretto? How is the business of communications different today than it was in 1996? The firm's newest employee, Madison, sits down with founder and president Neal to discuss how the firm has evolved.

 

Hosted by Neal Kane and Madison Hunt

Produced by Tiffany Carlson

Edited by Connor Ferguson

Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay

© 2024 Libretto. All rights reserved.

Episode 4: Libretto Then and Now

Every Libretto project starts with in-depth qualitative discovery, allowing us to surface the key differentiators that will be essential in our work.

Join Ian and Neal as they discuss how authentic curiosity is critical to a great discovery interview.

 

Hosted by Ian Sutherland and Neal Kane

Produced by Tiffany Carlson

Edited by Connor Ferguson

Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay

© 2024 Libretto. All rights reserved.

Episode 3: How to Lead a Great Interview

A great sentence expresses ideas clearly and concisely, leaving audiences eager keep reading. But as a writer, how do you go from a spark of a thought to a tight, well-constructed sentence?

Join Adrian and Ian as they dissect some of their favorite lines from literature—as well as a few sentences they wrote themselves.

 

Hosted by Adrian Pio and Ian Sutherland

Produced by Tiffany Carlson

Edited by Connor Ferguson

Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay

© 2024 Libretto. All rights reserved.

Episode 2: How to Write a Perfect Sentence

When it comes to securing millions in philanthropic contributions, a theme is much more than a way to refer to your campaign—it's a rallying cry for your entire community.

Libretto has developed names and themes for campaigns that have collectively raised over $5 billion. Join Adrian and Connor as they talk about what qualities make a successful campaign theme and share some of their favorites.

Learn more about Libretto at libretto-inc.com.

 

Hosted by Connor Ferguson and Adrian Pio

Produced by Tiffany Carlson

Edited by Connor Ferguson

Music by Coma-Media, via Pixabay

© 2024 Libretto. All rights reserved.

Episode 1: Our Favorite Campaign Themes

Join the Libretto team as they expound and expostulate on trends and best practices in communications for mission-driven organizations.  

Libretto is a communications firm that helps organizations articulate what they do, believe, and hope to achieve. Our team of seasoned communications professionals brings curiosity, originality, and wide-ranging expertise to the business of words.  

Learn more about Libretto by visiting libretto-inc.com.

Connor Ferguson

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