Tomorrow's the big day! The Charity Changemakers Podcast, a project I've been dreaming about for ages, is finally launching. But let's be honest, it's not all sunshine and rainbows over here. My emotions are pretty much similar to all those post-it notes in the picture! There's a whole lot of nervous energy mixed in with the excitement.

For years, Charisma have been facilitating peer-to-peer learning and conversation in the charity sector, first through in-person events and then webinars when the world went virtual. We wanted to take things deeper, reach a wider audience, and create something truly special. So, the Podcast was born!

It wasn't always smooth sailing though. There were plenty of moments where I almost threw in the towel, questioning everything from the concept itself to my own abilities. But then came the turning point. I gathered up my courage and reached out to 20 incredible people – some I knew well, others complete strangers – and pitched to them on the idea. Their enthusiastic responses were the fuel I needed to keep pushing forward.

Season 1 launches tomorrow, and we'll be bringing you new episodes every week all the way through to September. As someone wisely reminded me right before our first recording, "growth comes from being uncomfortable."

While I may not be the world's most polished podcast host, I'm learning and (hopefully) getting better with every episode. The true stars of the show, though, are the amazing guests we have lined up – they're the ones bringing the wisdom and takeaways.

The Podcast is not scripted and I only send guests the three quickfire questions that we start each show with, the result I hope is a totally natural conversation that twists and turns in a few different directions.

The truth is, the nervousness is cushioned by a strong desire to showcase the incredible sector we work in – the dedication, skills, and experiences that go into making a real difference. This podcast is a chance to amplify the voices of those creating positive change in communities across the country. We all know the stories – the charity worker who goes above and beyond, the fundraising campaign that rallies a town, the innovative program that tackles a complex social issue. These are the stories that inspire us, and they deserve to be heard.

We believe the charity sector is a powerhouse of talent and innovation. The people who work in it are driven by a desire to help others, and they bring a wealth of skills and experience to the table. They're problem-solvers, strategists, and compassionate leaders. They work tirelessly to address some of the most pressing issues facing our society, from homelessness and poverty to mental health and education. The impact they have is profound, but it often goes unnoticed.

The Charity Changemakers Podcast is our way of changing that. We want to give these incredible individuals a platform to share their stories, their insights, and their ideas. We want to inspire others to get involved in the charity sector, whether it's volunteering their time, donating their skills, or simply spreading the word about the amazing work that's being done. And finally we hope it inspires those who are aspiring senior leaders in the sector, to learn from the experiences of those coming on the show.

We're excited to launch this project, and we can't wait to share it with you!

So, if you're interested in the charity sector and want to hear from inspiring people doing incredible work, then please give us a listen! 

From tomorrow please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and hit that like button. We'd be incredibly grateful for your support.