Insights, Updates, and Digital Wisdom.

+10 years, hundreds of stories.

Every great storm starts with a spark. This is where we share what we've learned, what we're experimenting with, and what's next in the digital world. Whether you're a fellow creator or just web-curious, there's something here for you.

Grant Cycles Are Killing Your Product Roadmap

May 24, 2026

Grant Cycles Are Killing Your Product Roadmap

One- and two-year grant cycles make it nearly impossible to build a platform that actually serves your audience long-term. Here's how to plan anyway.

Belonging Is a Design Problem

May 23, 2026

Belonging Is a Design Problem

Most nonprofit news sites are built for strangers. That is a design failure, not just an editorial one, and it costs you...

The Case for Shared Infrastructure in Nonprofit News (And Why It Keeps Failing)

May 20, 2026

The Case for Shared Infrastructure in Nonprofit News (And Why It Keeps Failing)

Shared technology platforms for nonprofit news networks make obvious sense on paper. The execution is where things fall ...

Local News Has a Stress Advantage. Are You Using It?

May 15, 2026

Local News Has a Stress Advantage. Are You Using It?

A new study confirms that local news reduces stress in ways national news cannot. Here is how community media outlets ca...

Audio-First Newsrooms Still Have Web Problems

May 15, 2026

Audio-First Newsrooms Still Have Web Problems

Going audio or video-first does not mean your website stops mattering. It means your website has a different job to do.

The News Hub Is an Architecture Decision, Not a Content Decision

May 12, 2026

The News Hub Is an Architecture Decision, Not a Content Decision

Religion News Service just raised $1 million to build a news hub around faith and immigration. The smartest part of that...

Your Newsletter Metrics Are Probably Measuring the Wrong Things

May 11, 2026

Your Newsletter Metrics Are Probably Measuring the Wrong Things

Open rate tells you what happened last Tuesday. It does not tell you whether your newsletter is building a habit. Local ...