Are Podcasts Losing Their Soul?
How Nonprofits Can Keep Their Stories Real in the AI Era
Ever hit play on a podcast and thought, “Something feels a little off here?” You’re not alone.
With the rise of AI-generated podcasts, we’re entering an era where the warmth of real human voices risks being drowned out by algorithmic efficiency. You can spot these podcasts from a mile away, and frankly, they're about as memorable as beige wallpaper.
But for nonprofits, this shift presents both challenges and opportunities.
Don’t get me wrong—AI can be a game-changer for small organizations with limited resources. It can help you draft emails, analyze donor trends, and even suggest podcast episode outlines. But when it comes to telling the stories that define your mission, there’s no substitute for the human touch. Nonprofits thrive on authentic connection. It’s the heartbeat of every impactful mission, and it’s what keeps your supporters coming back.
Podcasts Without a Pulse - Why AI-Only Podcasts Miss the Mark
AI-generated podcasts have their place. They’re efficient, scalable, and perfect for cranking out quick updates or summaries. But when it comes to the rich, nuanced storytelling that nonprofits rely on, they often fall flat.
Here’s why:
Lack of Emotional Resonance – AI can summarize data, but it can’t capture the genuine emotion of a volunteer sharing their first-hand experience or a program beneficiary describing a life-changing moment.
Cultural and Contextual Gaps – AI struggles to grasp the lived experiences of the communities you serve. It lacks the cultural awareness and empathy that make human storytelling so powerful.
Loss of Unique Perspective – Your nonprofit’s story is one-of-a-kind, shaped by the real people behind it. Outsourcing your voice to AI risks reducing your message to a generic, one-size-fits-all script.
How Nonprofits Can Use AI Without Losing Their Voice
But before you swear off AI entirely, remember that these tools can be powerful allies if used strategically. Here’s how you can leverage AI without sacrificing authenticity:
Draft, Don’t Replace – Use AI to brainstorm podcast topics, draft scripts, or outline ideas, but always add the human touch in the final version.
Focus on Stories Only You Can Tell – Share firsthand accounts from beneficiaries, staff, and volunteers. AI can’t replicate the emotional impact of these voices.
Personalize Outreach – Use AI to identify supporter interests and tailor your message accordingly. It’s a great way to connect more deeply without losing your unique voice.
Automate the Busy Work – Let AI handle administrative tasks like transcription, editing, or analytics so you can focus on mission-driven content.
Create Multilingual Content – Use AI to translate and subtitle your podcasts, making your message more accessible without compromising authenticity.
Real Human Voices Are Still Your Superpower
At the end of the day, the nonprofits that thrive will be those that double down on their humanity.
Yes, use AI to work smarter and reach more people, but keep the heart of your message firmly rooted in the lived experiences of your team, your beneficiaries, and your supporters.
Remember, it’s the stories you tell in your own voice that will make the biggest impact.
So, go ahead—let AI handle the busy work, but when it comes to telling your story, that’s all you. Because in a world full of synthetic voices, real ones still stand out like a beacon of hope.
And isn’t that what your nonprofit is all about anyway?
Did I use AI to create this content?
I sure did; it was a collaborative effort. Here’s how I did it:
I got the idea to write this article after coming across several podcasts with no human voices.
I used my “strategic advisor & content creation” CustomGPT to brainstorm some article titles.
I also gave my CustomGPT the main points I wanted to cover and had it reword them into “key takeaways.
I dropped my title, my key talking points, and my key takeaways into a spreadsheet.
I have a Make.com automation that monitors that spreadsheet. It created a draft article (version 1).
I then thoroughly read through every word of the article, removed things, changed some information, and added some information (version 2).
Then I uploaded the post to my client persona CustomGPT and asked her if it resonated and how I could improve it if it didn’t resonate (version 3).
And that is what you just finished reading.
YOUR CALL TO ACTION: If you are one who likes sharing (hello extroverts), CLICK HERE and tell me what you thought of this blog post. Do you have a podcast that AI helps you with?
