Épisodes

  • Why Web Accessibility Matters for Everyone with Marisa VanSkyver

    Why Web Accessibility Matters for Everyone with Marisa VanSkyver
    Jun 5 2026
    [presto_player id=19313] What if the website you built to help people is quietly making it harder for some of them to get what they need? In this episode, Jim sits down with Marisa Van Skyver to talk about why web accessibility matters so much - and why it goes far beyond compliance. This is really about people. About trust. About making sure the digital spaces we create are usable, clear, and welcoming for everyone. From screen readers and alt text to captions, reading levels, and cleaner code, this conversation shows how accessibility improves the web for people with disabilities while also making the experience better for everybody else. If you lead a nonprofit, a growing business, or a public-facing organization, this episode will help you think about your website in a more human way. For more podcast episodes, visit https://captivation.agency/podcasts ========================== KEY POINTS ========================== Accessibility isn’t just about compliance - it’s about care. When a website is easier to use, it sends a message: we thought about the people we serve. If your site is hard for one person to use, it’s usually harder for a lot more people too. Accessibility helps people with disabilities, but it also helps busy parents, people in noisy places, users with slow internet, and anyone trying to move quickly. Alt text is one of the easiest wins. If you don’t know where to start, start there. It’s one of the simplest fixes and one of the most overlooked. Clean structure matters more than fancy design. Good headings, clear page hierarchy, and proper HTML help screen readers, search engines, and real people all at the same time. A more accessible website is often a better SEO website. Many accessibility best practices line up with strong technical SEO and better user experience. Captions don’t just help people who are deaf or hard of hearing. They also help people watching without sound, people in public, and people who process information better when they can read and listen. Readability is an accessibility issue. If your copy is too dense, too long, or too complex, people leave. Clear writing helps more people stay with you and take the next step. Your website should not require training to use. If staff members have to explain where everything is, your visitors are probably struggling too. Most accessibility improvements are not huge rebuilds. A lot of progress can come from small fixes: alt text, headings, tab titles, readable copy, better menus, and stronger page structure. The real goal is not fear - it’s community. The best reason to care about accessibility is simple: real people are trying to use what you built, and they deserve a good experience. ========================== FEATURED GUEST ========================== Marisa VanSkyver CEO at Captain Coder https://captcoder.com/about/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marisavanskiver Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captaincoder/=========================== TIMESTAMPS =========================== 00:00:00 - Introduction - Why this conversation matters 00:00:30 - Meet Marisa - Her background and early start in coding 00:04:31 - Finding accessibility - When this work became deeply personal and professional 00:07:02 - Clean code, AI tools, and hidden accessibility gaps 00:08:16 - The blind spot - Why so many website owners miss this issue 00:12:44 - Why accessibility matters - Serving people with dignity online 00:15:57 - Knowing your audience - Real-life use cases that change how we design 00:18:38 - Captions and content - Why accessibility helps everyone 00:19:32 - Accessibility and trust - What inclusive digital experiences communicate 00:24:16 - Where to start - Practical fixes for existing websites 00:31:07 - Low-hanging fruit - Alt text, clarity, and simple wins 00:35:39 - Real impact stories - When better accessibility changes outcomes 00:39:18 - SEO, readability, and writing for humans 00:44:46 - The future of accessibility - Hope, momentum, and responsibility 00:48:21 - Connect with Marisa 00:49:47 - Closing - More resources from Captivation Agency =========================== RELATED RESOURCES & LINKS =========================== support.apple.com https://support.apple.com/accessibility hemingwayapp.com https://hemingwayapp.com/ w3.org https://www.w3.org/WAI/ make.wordpress.org https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/ captivation.agency https://captivation.agency/podcasts =========================== CONNECT WITH US =========================== Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captivationagency/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptivationMedia/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/captivation-agency/ =========================== Learn more: https://captivation.agency
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    50 min
  • Your Nonprofit’s Superpowers Are Hiding in Plain Sight

    Your Nonprofit’s Superpowers Are Hiding in Plain Sight
    May 31 2026
    What if the thing that makes your organization most powerful is something you have started overlooking because it feels too natural to notice? In this episode, Austin and Zoey explore how many nonprofit leaders become so close to their work that they stop seeing the very strengths that make them special. This conversation looks at how hidden superpowers shape better storytelling, stronger supporter connection, and clearer strategic growth. For more podcast episodes, visit https://captivation.agency/podcasts ========================== KEY POINTS ========================== Some of your most powerful stories are hiding inside strengths you have been treating as normal. When you step back and ask others what they see, you begin to uncover the gifts, instincts, and patterns that make your organization truly different. That is where growth starts. Not by inventing something new, but by learning to recognize and name the magic that has been there all along. =========================== TIMESTAMPS =========================== 00:00:00 - Introduction - Hidden strengths often sit so close to the work that leaders stop seeing them 00:00:16 - The Barista Analogy - Expertise can feel routine to you while looking like magic to everyone else 00:00:45 - Hidden Superpowers in Plain Sight - Nonprofit leaders often overlook the instincts and wisdom that make them extraordinary 00:01:12 - Too Close to See Your Magic - The strongest strengths are often the ones teams take for granted 00:01:45 - Why This Matters for Storytelling - If you cannot name your superpowers, you cannot build stories around them 00:02:01 - Surface Level Storytelling - Execution mode pushes leaders to describe what they do instead of who they uniquely are 00:02:56 - Growth Through Clearer Sight - Growth starts by recognizing the strengths that have been there all along 00:03:26 - Stop Looking Inward - Discover your strengths by asking other people what they see 00:03:41 - The Four Part Framework - Survey champions, interview recipients, engage staff, and listen for emotional responses 00:04:39 - One Voice, Three Lenses - The same principle helps nonprofit, professional service, and government leaders 00:05:16 - Superpowers in Their Own Words - The most revealing answers sound like transformation, not task lists 00:05:56 - Build the Story Around the Strength - Use the superpower to sharpen fundraising, recruitment, and impact reporting 00:06:30 - Creating Breathing Room - Leaders buried in execution rarely get space to do this deeper work 00:07:06 - Your Next Steps - Ask better questions and document the answers that give you goosebumps 00:07:31 - Core Reminder - Real growth comes from learning to see your organization more honestly 00:08:10 - This Week's Challenge - Ask three people what they believe your organization's superpower is 00:08:24 - Hidden Story in Plain Sight - Your most powerful story may already be waiting to be noticed 00:08:32 - Closing and Resources - Final reflection, subscribe, and contact =========================== RELATED RESOURCES & LINKS =========================== captivation.agency https://captivation.agency/insights/your-nonprofits-superpowers.html =========================== CONNECT WITH US =========================== Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captivationagency/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptivationMedia/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/captivation-agency/ =========================== Learn more: https://captivation.agency
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    9 min
  • Two Ears, One Mouth

    Two Ears, One Mouth
    May 24 2026
    Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is slow down long enough to really hear what someone is trying to say. In this episode, Austin and Zoey explore a simple lesson that carries real weight in leadership, communication, and storytelling. Before we rush to solve, explain, or persuade, we need to listen. Real understanding does not happen when we interrupt with answers too quickly. It happens when we create space for people to feel heard first. For more podcast episodes, visit https://captivation.agency/podcasts ========================== KEY POINTS ========================== The strongest stories and the best solutions usually begin with deeper listening. When we stop assuming we already know the problem, we make room for real understanding. That leads to better questions, better trust, and better communication. If we want our work to resonate, we have to listen long enough for the real story to emerge. =========================== TIMESTAMPS =========================== 00:00:00 - Introduction - A simple lesson about listening that still shapes leadership and storytelling 00:00:15 - Jim's Early Instinct - The urge to help quickly can sound caring, but it can also move too fast 00:00:34 - Mom's Gentle Reminder - Two ears and one mouth becomes a lesson in listening first 00:00:57 - The Helpful Interruption - Good intentions can still cause us to miss what people are really saying 00:01:35 - Listen First, Create Second - Passion without listening can lead us toward the wrong problem 00:00:02 - Listening as Strategy - Real understanding helps uncover root issues instead of surface symptoms 00:02:18 - Storytelling as Service - Listening first helps stories answer real questions from real people 00:02:51 - The Power of the Pause - Understanding often lives in the space between sharing and responding 00:03:12 - This Week's Challenge - Practice the two to one ratio in your next important conversations 00:03:25 - Internal Check - Notice whether you are listening to understand or just confirm your assumptions 00:03:39 - Core Reminder - Better listening builds better trust, better stories, and better leadership 00:03:58 - Closing and Resources - Final reflection, subscribe, and contact =========================== RELATED RESOURCES & LINKS =========================== captivation.agency https://captivation.agency/insights/two-ears-one-mouth.html =========================== CONNECT WITH US =========================== Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captivationagency/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptivationMedia/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/captivation-agency/ =========================== Learn more: https://captivation.agency
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    4 min
  • How You Make People Feel

    How You Make People Feel
    May 17 2026
    What people remember most is often not the details you shared or the process you built. It is the feeling they carried away after interacting with your organization. In this episode, Austin and Zoey explore why emotional legacy matters so much. They unpack how support grows when people feel hope, connection, and confidence, and why curiosity helps leaders pay attention to the real experience people are having. For more podcast episodes, visit https://captivation.agency/podcasts ========================== KEY POINTS ========================== If you want people to trust your work, support your mission, and share your story, you have to think beyond information alone. Facts still matter. Results still matter. But lasting loyalty is built when people feel seen, valued, and part of something meaningful. The strongest communication creates both clarity and connection. =========================== TIMESTAMPS =========================== 00:00:00 - Introduction - Why the feeling people carry away matters more than most organizations realize 00:00:18 - Maya Angelou's Lens - A conversation about service becomes a conversation about emotional legacy 00:00:51 - One Voice, Three Lenses - Why emotional connection matters for nonprofit, professional service, and government leaders 00:01:25 - Curiosity Changes the Question - Move from asking if the message was sent to asking how it actually felt 00:01:58 - Feeling Focused Communication - Facts matter, but emotional outcome is what deepens investment 00:02:28 - How Feelings Create Advocates - Appreciation, support, and partnership turn people into champions 00:03:12 - Facts Tell and Feelings Connect - Marcus's story shows why proof and emotion work best together 00:04:02 - Three Essential Feelings - Hope, connection, and confidence shape lasting support 00:04:34 - Curiosity as a Leadership Tool - Great communicators check what people actually experienced 00:04:59 - Communication as Experience - Every touchpoint teaches people what it feels like to engage 00:05:24 - One Principle Across Three Audiences - The same emotional truth applies across all three lenses 00:05:58 - The Feeling Audit - Evaluate emails, stories, and touchpoints through Maya Angelou's question 00:06:50 - Core Reminder - Create experiences that leave people feeling something worth remembering 00:07:25 - This Week's Challenge - Audit three touchpoints and make one small change 00:07:54 - Closing and Resources - Final reflection, subscribe, and contact =========================== RELATED RESOURCES & LINKS =========================== captivation.agency https://captivation.agency/insights/how-you-make-people-feel.html =========================== CONNECT WITH US =========================== Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captivationagency/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptivationMedia/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/captivation-agency/ =========================== Learn more: https://captivation.agency
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    8 min
  • Being Brilliant at the Basics

    Being Brilliant at the Basics
    May 10 2026
    What if the most strategic thing you could do for your story is not add something new, but get clearer on the most basic thing first? In this episode, Austin and Zoey explore why origin stories matter so much. Before an organization can tell impact stories, growth stories, or future vision stories well, people need to understand where it all began. This conversation walks through the simple but powerful idea that if the foundation is unclear, every other message has to work too hard. For more podcast episodes, visit https://captivation.agency/podcasts ========================== KEY POINTS ========================== Before you try to tell the bigger story, make sure you can clearly tell the first one. A strong origin story gives people context, emotional connection, and a reason to care. It helps them understand not just what your organization does, but why it had to begin in the first place. When that foundation is clear, every other story becomes stronger, more human, and easier to trust. =========================== TIMESTAMPS =========================== 00:00:00 - Introduction - Why your origin story comes before every other story you want to tell 00:00:15 - The Cheese Pizza Test - Simple basics reveal whether the deeper story is actually strong 00:00:43 - Why the Origin Comes First - You cannot have the sequel without the origin story 00:01:34 - What Gets Lost Without Context - Audiences miss the stakes when they do not know how the mission began 00:02:00 - More Than a Starting Point - An origin story answers why the work exists at all 00:02:47 - Mission Statement Versus Human Story - Maria's story makes the mission personal and real 00:03:16 - The Real Storytelling Test - If the origin is unclear, every later message works harder than it should 00:03:58 - Foundation First Framework - Master the origin, build from it, and then expand outward 00:04:39 - Alex and Strong Fundamentals - Clear systems and clear stories both start with a solid base 00:05:30 - One Voice, Three Lenses - Why origin matters for nonprofit, professional service, and government leaders 00:06:16 - Core Reminder - Context and emotional stakes give every later story more power 00:06:38 - This Week's Challenge and Closing - Revisit the founding moment and clarify the original why =========================== RELATED RESOURCES & LINKS =========================== captivation.agency https://captivation.agency/insights/brilliant-at-the-basics.html =========================== CONNECT WITH US =========================== Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captivationagency/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptivationMedia/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/captivation-agency/ =========================== Learn more: https://captivation.agency
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    7 min
  • The Stories That Shape Us

    The Stories That Shape Us
    May 3 2026
    What if one of the most important turning points in your life does not begin with a big plan, but with one simple act of connection? In this episode of RESONATE Podcast, Austin and Zoey explore a deeply personal story about how one email reply, one phone call, and one choice to move past limiting beliefs changed two lives in lasting ways. Through Jim's story of Karol, this conversation examines how small moments often become the chapters that shape us most. If you have ever wondered whether a small step really matters, this episode is a reminder that it just might matter more than you think. For more podcast episodes, visit https://captivation.agency/podcasts ========================== KEY POINTS ========================== The stories that shape our lives are often not set in motion by dramatic moments. They begin with small acts of courage. A reply. A thank you. A phone call. A willingness to move past the limiting story in your head and take one honest step toward connection. When you choose that kind of courage, you do more than create a new opportunity. You make room for friendship, growth, joy, and chapters you could never have planned on your own. Ready to see what could change if you simply chose to reach out? =========================== TIMESTAMPS =========================== 00:00:00 - Introduction - One email reply, one phone call, and a small gesture that changed two lives 00:00:13 - It Started With a Reply - Karol responds to Fist Pump Friday and Jim decides to call 00:01:08 - Quiet Decisions That Shape Us - How small moments become life changing chapters 00:01:35 - From Weekly Messages to Real Meetings - The relationship grows through steady connection 00:01:57 - The Limiting Stories - What Karol and Jim were each telling themselves 00:03:10 - A Path Worth Taking - Karol joins Captivation as Director of Finance 00:03:31 - Joy and Legacy - Karol's impact on the team, the work, and the people around her 00:04:14 - Your Story Is Being Written Now - Why small acts of reaching out can become transformative 00:04:47 - More Than Networking - Noticing the people and moments that may matter most 00:05:18 - This Week's Challenge - Send the email, make the call, and stay open 00:05:37 - Core Reminder - The smallest acts of courage can open new chapters 00:06:06 - Closing and Resources - Final encouragement, contact, and reflection question =========================== RELATED RESOURCES & LINKS =========================== captivation.agency https://captivation.agency/insights/stories-that-shape-us.html =========================== CONNECT WITH US =========================== Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captivationagency/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptivationMedia/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/captivation-agency/ =========================== Learn more: https://captivation.agency
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    7 min
  • 7 Storytelling Techniques

    7 Storytelling Techniques
    Apr 26 2026
    What if the reason your message is not landing is not because your facts are weak, but because your audience has not been invited into a story yet? In this episode of RESONATE Podcast, Austin and Zoey explore seven storytelling techniques that help organizations move from simply sharing information to creating real connection. Starting with a clear contrast between facts and emotional narrative, they walk through practical frameworks that help audiences see themselves in your mission, understand the change you create, and feel why it matters. If you have ever wondered how to make your message more memorable without becoming dramatic or salesy, this conversation gives you a practical path forward. For more podcast episodes, visit https://captivation.agency/podcasts ========================== KEY POINTS ========================== Strong storytelling is not about making your message louder. It is about making it clearer, more human, and easier to care about. When you pair transformation, tension, perspective, and vision with real proof, you help people understand not just what your organization does, but why it matters and where they fit inside the story. That is what turns information into connection, and connection into action. Ready to help your audience see themselves in your mission more clearly? =========================== TIMESTAMPS =========================== 00:00:00 - Introduction - Why strong information still may not create real action 00:00:40 - The Tale of Two Approaches - Statistics versus Maria's transformation story 00:01:39 - Techniques 1 to 3 - Transformation arc, problem agitation solution, and the hero's journey 00:03:02 - Techniques 4 to 6 - Data driven storytelling, multi perspective storytelling, and ripple effects 00:04:34 - Technique 7 - Future vision narratives that help people imagine what is possible 00:04:57 - Storytelling as Strategy - Why this matters for nonprofits, professional services, and government communicators 00:05:29 - Better Questions, Better Stories - The role of curiosity in uncovering human truth 00:06:09 - This Week's Challenge - One interview, four listening points, and a practical next step 00:07:14 - Closing and Reflection - Moving from information to action =========================== RELATED RESOURCES & LINKS =========================== captivation.agency https://captivation.agency/insights/7-storytelling-techniques.html =========================== CONNECT WITH US =========================== Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captivationagency/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptivationMedia/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/captivation-agency/ =========================== Learn more: https://captivation.agency
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    8 min
  • Facts Tell, Stories Sell

    Facts Tell, Stories Sell
    Apr 19 2026
    What if the real question is not whether your audience needs facts or stories, but how those two can work together to create trust and action? In this episode of RESONATE Podcast, Austin and Zoey explore one of the clearest truths in communication: facts tell, stories sell. Starting with a real crossroads faced by a nonprofit client planning an impact story video, they unpack why data builds credibility, why stories stay with people longer, and how the strongest communication uses both. If you have ever felt torn between proving impact and helping people feel it, this conversation will help you find the right balance. For more podcast episodes, visit https://captivation.agency/podcasts ========================== KEY POINTS ========================== Strong communication is not built by choosing between facts and stories. It is built by understanding the role each one plays. Facts give people proof they can trust. Stories help people feel why that proof matters. When you lead with a human story, support it with meaningful data, and tell it all with empathy, you create something far more powerful than information alone. You create connection, credibility, and momentum that can move people to act. Ready to uncover the story behind your numbers and turn your impact into something people will remember? =========================== TIMESTAMPS =========================== 00:00:00 - Introduction - The client question that sparked the episode 00:00:13 - The Crossroads - Lead with statistics or lead with story 00:00:47 - Facts and Stories Together - Why this is not an either-or decision 00:01:27 - Why Stories Stick - Memory, emotion, and the 22 times research 00:02:25 - Making Impact Human - The difference between reporting a metric and telling a story 00:02:50 - Four Reasons Stories Move Decisions - Concrete meaning, emotional connection, shareability, and action 00:03:33 - Facts as Foundation - The James example and why story proves meaning 00:04:16 - Empathy in Action - Telling stories with care, honesty, and respect 00:04:52 - This Week’s Challenge - Five practical ways to find your impact story 00:05:52 - One Voice, Three Lenses - Why this works for nonprofits, professional services, and government communicators 00:06:20 - Stop Chasing Drama - Why quiet stories can still be powerful 00:06:38 - The Better Question - How facts and stories support each other 00:07:07 - Closing and Reflection - The story behind your numbers =========================== RELATED RESOURCES & LINKS =========================== captivation.agency https://captivation.agency/insights/facts-tell-stories-sell.html =========================== CONNECT WITH US =========================== Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captivationagency/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptivationMedia/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/captivation-agency/ =========================== Learn more: https://captivation.agency
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    8 min