You Don’t Have a Funding Problem—You Have a Strategy Problem

Dr. Rebecca Sutherns | S2 E13 of the Badass Leaders Podcast

What if the reason you’re not getting opportunities has nothing to do with your talent—and everything to do with your visibility?

In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela sits down with PR expert Barrie Cohen, founder of BC Public Relations, to unpack the uncomfortable truth many leaders avoid: being great at what you do is no longer enough if no one knows you exist.

Barrie shares how she built her firm after walking away from a transactional agency model, and why she believes modern leadership requires a shift toward relational credibility, not just results. Through real client stories and behind-the-scenes insight, she breaks down how experts go from overlooked to in-demand—and where most people get it wrong.

This conversation goes beyond traditional PR advice. You’ll learn how visibility actually drives business growth, why “good work speaks for itself” is a dangerous mindset, and what it takes to build long-term authority in a noisy, digital-first world.

Learn More About Barrie Cohen:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccasutherns/
• Website: https://rebeccasutherns.com/
• Book: https://rebeccasutherns.com/learn-from-me/#books
• Podcast: https://rebeccasutherns.com/podcast/

Mentioned in this Episode: 

Daniel Steere’s episode: https://youtu.be/3ony669Dmy4?si=3bJgC4vveyz1jgDV 

The discussion also tackles questions…

• Why do leadership teams think they’re aligned when they’re actually not?
• How can non-profit leaders clearly define what “success” or “winning” really means?
• What does it look like when a board is unintentionally limiting an organization’s impact?
• How do you lead effectively when resources are constrained and uncertainty is constant?
• What’s the difference between strategy that works and strategy that becomes irrelevant?
• How can leaders distinguish what’s fixed versus what’s flexible in their organization?
• Why does scarcity thinking lead to overly cautious decision-making?
• How do you re-engage teams that are exhausted by constant change?
• What role do curiosity and imagination play in real-world strategic decision-making?
• How can leaders use strategy as a decision-making filter instead of a static document?

Themes:

• Leadership alignment and hidden misalignment
• Non-profit leadership and board dynamics
• Strategy as a living decision-making tool
• Defining “what winning looks like” in mission-driven work
• Scarcity vs. possibility thinking
• Imagination as a strategic leadership skill
• Adaptability and leading through uncertainty
• Change fatigue and re-engaging teams
• Values alignment and meaningful work
• Collective decision-making and shared vision

Production

Produced by: The AGN Group

Host: Angela Gill Nelms

Producer: Katie Hart

Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.

Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com

About The AGN Group:

At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.

Social Media Channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/

Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2

Want to be a Podcast Guest?

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, read more here: https://www.angelagillnelms.com/be-our-guest/

Watch the full episode here: