What if We? – Détails, épisodes et analyse

What if we stopped thinking about audiences as demographics and started seeing them as heroes of their own stories? In this episode of What If We?, guest host, Sheri Klein, Senior Director of  Research and Strategy at RALLY, sits down with Principal Hillary Moglen and Riki Conrey, Principal Scientist at Harmony Labs, to unpack how audience identity shapes persuasion.

From the shows we watch to the personal conflicts we face, our media choices reflect more than just preferences; they reveal our values, aspirations, and worldviews. Together, Hillary and Riki explore how advocates and communicators can move beyond “reaching everyone” to instead meet audiences where they are, address their concerns, and craft stories that resonate deeply.

They also share why the “movable middle” isn’t about convincing people to agree, but about understanding their internal conflicts and helping them see the choices in front of them.

If you’ve ever wondered how to tailor messages that move people toward shared understanding and action, this episode offers both the art and the science behind it.

In This Episode:

• What “audience identity” really means.
• How the shows we watch reflect our values and worldview
• Why advocates should explore different media segments to understand different audiences
• The biggest mistake communicators make: trying to “reach everyone”
• How to think about the “movable middle” through the lens of identity and conflict
• Why conflict is not something to avoid—but to embrace as a path to persuasion
• What the future of audience engagement looks like in an era of AI and changing media habits

About RALLY:

RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges.

Where you can find us:

• wearerally.com
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of trust, influence, and real persuasion. In this episode of The Art and Science of Persuasion series, Kaitlin Funaro sits down with RALLY Principal Latia Curry Harrison to talk about why authentic, genuine communication matters more than ever in a world flooded with polished messaging.

They explore how leaders and organizations can show up authentically—even within the guardrails of talking points—by embracing vulnerability, rejecting jargon, and backing up words with meaningful action. From public figures like AOC and Charlamagne tha God to lessons from the advocacy space, this episode unpacks real examples that make messages feel real and what makes them fall flat. 

In This Episode:

• Why authenticity is the foundation of persuasion and trust
• The dangers of jargon and over-filtered messaging
• Why unfiltered, emotionally honest communication connects with audiences 
• What we can learn from leaders who speak with consistency and conviction
• The role of vulnerability in building trust and influence
• Why actions must match words to sustain credibility

About RALLY:

RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges.

Where you can find us:

• wearerally.com
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

Introducing What If We?

Episode Summary:
Get a sneak peek at What If We?, a new podcast about advocacy, persuasion, and the messages that move us. Kaitlin Funaro shares what to expect from upcoming episodes and why this podcast matters for advocates and communicators across social change movements.


Episode Credits:

Host: Kaitlin Funaro, Principal @ RALLY 
Producers: Maha Ghandour, Miki Katoni

About RALLY:

RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges.

Where you can find us:

• wearerally.com
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

Why do we remember stories, not statistics? 

Persuasion isn’t just about presenting the facts—it’s about connecting with people on an emotional level. Today in our series The Art and Science of Persuasion, Kaitlin Funaro talks with Stephen Friedman, former president of MTV and adjunct professor at Columbia University, and Jason Rzepka, Senior Director at RALLY, to discuss how storytelling and emotional engagement can drive real-world impact. From MTV campaigns that shaped cultural conversations to lessons for today’s advocacy work, they reveal why tapping into emotion often works better than relying on data.

In This Episode:

• How MTV used reality TV like 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom, and Jersey Shore to connect with audiences through story and emotion 
• Why connecting emotionally—rather than overloading with facts—can change minds, especially among audiences that aren’t already convinced or aware
• The role of authentic, relatable storytelling in shaping public opinion and fostering social change
• Strategies for advocates to integrate emotional storytelling without sacrificing credibility or forcing a narrative
• Lessons from reality and scripted TV on how narrative can spark awareness, action, and empathy
• How partnering with professional storytellers and showing social issues through personal journeys engages, educates, and inspires audiences 

Read more: 

• Media Influences on Social Outcomes: The Impact of MTV’s 16 and Pregnant on Teen Childbearing

About RALLY:

RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges.

Where you can find us:

• wearerally.com
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

What does it mean to be persuaded? And why do so many of us resist the idea of changing our minds?

Persuasion isn’t just about convincing—it’s about influence, connection, and building shared understanding. And in today’s polarized world, it might be one of the most important tools advocates have.

This episode kicks off a special series on persuasion. Over the next six episodes, we’ll explore the principles that make persuasion possible—how identity shapes who we listen to, how emotions matter more than facts, and how we can use connection and storytelling to bridge divides and make progress on sticky issues.

Today, Kaitlin talks with research director Sheri Klein and Dr. Nichole Argo, social psychologist and founder of the TogetherUp Institute. They unpack what persuasion really means in advocacy today, why going on the attack often backfires, and what the research tells us about how people actually change their minds. From sacred values to the power of community, they explore how communicators can use persuasion to build a “bigger we.”

In This Episode:

• What persuasion really is—and why it’s more common in daily life than we think
• The three M’s of persuasion: message, messenger, and medium
• How authentic connection, curiosity, and listening can move people more than logic
• Lessons from deep canvassing: why persuasion often works best when you’re not trying to persuade
• The importance of building a “bigger we” in advocacy and communications

To hear more conversations about community and belonging, check out the podcast Reimagining Us with Nichole Argo & Scott Hutcheson. 

About RALLY:

RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges.

Where you can find us:

• wearerally.com
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

LinkedIn—it’s not just an online résumé. It’s a platform for storytelling, visibility, and connection. When used strategically, it helps decision-makers, partners, and allies find you, learn from you, and amplify your work. 

RALLY's Kaitlin Funaro chats with the pod's favorite digital expert Elyse Dickson Becker and thought leadership extroidinare René Verma to break down all the essentials of LinkedIn — from what the algorithm rewards, to the role of video, visuals, and engagement, in just 15 minutes (well, almost!).

In This Episode:

• What quality thought leadership looks like on LinkedIn 
• Practical tips to make your posts stand out 
• The value of engagement: commenting, sharing, and interacting to boost your presence
• Video? Photos? Emoji lists? What kind of content the algorithm rewards 
• Why the "golden hour" of a LinkedIn post is so important for visibility 

Read More: 

How the LinkedIn algorithm works in 2025

LinkedIn Algorithm Explained & How It Works 

What LinkedIn Golden Hour Algorithm Means for Early Engagement

About RALLY:

RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges.

Where you can find us:

• wearerally.com
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

Episode Summary

In part two of our series, Building a Digital Community, RALLY’s Kaitlin Funaro is back with Jack Spiegelman and Maha Ghandour from our digital team to dive into what it takes to build strong digital communities. This episode is all about community management — the often invisible, always essential work of building digital culture that can handle the heat. From moderating comment sections to managing a viral moment gone wrong, this is your blueprint for turning followers into a values-aligned, engaged community.

In This Episode:

• Why community management is more than just moderating comments
• How to assess risk in real-time and decide when (and if) to engage
• Why your message shouldn’t aim for consensus — but clarity
• How to stay narrative-driven in a hot take era

About RALLY:

RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges.

Where you can find us:

• wearerally.com
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

When you're trying to break through online, playing it safe doesn't always cut it. In part one of this two-part series, RALLY's Kaitlin Funaro sits down with Jack Spiegelman and Maha Ghandour from our digital team to talk about how to embrace controversy strategically. From knowing when to lean in to how to prep your team for the reaction, they unpack what it takes to post with purpose and build power, not just attention.

In This Episode:

• How to lean into controversy without being reckless
• What makes a post worth pushing and when to sit one out
• Why first-person storytelling is your secret weapon
• The case against chasing virality (and when to ride the wave)
• How authenticity and values create staying power online

About RALLY:

RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges.

Where you can find us:

• wearerally.com
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

Are influencer campaigns worth it? If you’ve ever asked yourself (or your comms team) that question, this episode is for you. From how to find the right creators to how much budget you really need, RALLY's Elyse Dickson Becker and Maha Ghandour break down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about influencer engagement for advocacy campaigns…in just 15 minutes.

In This Episode:

• Influencer vs. content creator: what’s the difference, and why it matters
• How to find the right creators to reach your audience
• What kind of budget you actually need—and how to scale
• Why smaller creators can be more impactful than big names
• What long-term investment in creators could look like for issue advocacy

About RALLY:

RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges.

Where you can find us:

• wearerally.com
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

When you try to talk to everyone, you often reach no one. In this episode, RALLY's Sheri Klein breaks down why defining your audience is one of the most powerful and cost-effective choices an advocacy campaign can make. If you have ever been told your message should speak to all, this one is for you.

In This Episode:

• What exactly is a campaign audience and why it matters
• The risks of trying to reach too many people or the wrong people
• How to handle pushback around inclusion and targeting
• Why even big-budget campaigns should resist trying to talk to everyone
• Two strategies for when you do need to speak more broadly
• Real-world campaign examples that got audience targeting right

Resources:

• More from Sheri: The Megaphone: May 2025 Edition – We Are RALLY

About RALLY:

RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges.

Where you can find us:

• wearerally.com
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram

Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.