What if fandoms are doing what traditional movements struggle to achieve—building belonging, joy, and coordinated power at scale?

In this episode of What If We?, Kaitlin Funaro sits down with Destiny Willis and Lillian Greer to explore what stan culture can teach organizers, advocates, and movement builders about identity, engagement, and collective action. From the origins of the term “stan” in Eminem’s song to today’s highly organized digital fandoms, the conversation unpacks how online communities evolved from passionate fans into sophisticated networks capable of real-world impact.

Using examples like Swifties taking on Ticketmaster—sparking congressional hearings and newer artist-led fan mobilizations—Destiny and Lillian examine how fandoms turn shared frustration into coordinated strategy. Together, they explore why joy, humor, merch, and being “in on the joke” can be powerful tools for sustaining engagement, especially among Gen Z.

In This Episode:

• What fandoms understand about belonging and shared purpose that traditional movements often overlook
• How movements can adopt fandom strategies without feeling cringe or inauthentic
• The idea of “creating your own algorithm” to build issue-based communities
• Which principles are universal—and which are specific to Gen Z digital culture
• Why identity, joy, and shared culture drive sustained engagement
• The risks of applying stan culture to advocacy spaces—and how to do it responsibly
• What the next generation of movements might look like

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.

Storytelling moves people — but it’s not enough on its own. The real magic happens when stories spark engagement and build community. That’s why one of our persuasion principles is “storytelling needs engagement.”

In this episode, host Kaitlin Funaro talks with content creator Benjamin Coy and Dr. Ashley Elliott, a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and content creator better known as Dr. Vivid, about what it takes to turn storytelling into connection. From reclaiming queer narratives online to bringing those stories to life offline, they explore how authentic engagement transforms content into community — and why that’s where real change begins.

In This Episode:

• The importance of cultivating online and offline connections
• The emotional cost of chasing metrics and numbers over meaning and impact
• Engagement is a two-way street to cultivate belonging for your followers
• Why marginalized creators need safe, inclusive spaces to tell their stories
• Advice for creators and organizations building authentic community on social media

Links:

Learn more about Dr. Vivid at doctorvivid.com and Benjamin Coy at linktr.ee/benjiecoy

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 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.