Ecosystems For Change

Everybody needs to eat, and our food has to come from somewhere. With changing weather patterns and landscapes, ensuring we have secure and resilient agricultural and food systems is crucial to our future.It's fitting that our next stop on the US National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines tour has subtitled themselves the FARMS Engine: Food systems Adapted for Resiliency and Maximized Security.Officially known as the North Dakota Advanced Agriculture Technology Engine, FARMS is building an ecosystem to support the agricultural innovations that will feed the world. Today, I'm sitting down with FARMS CEO Dr. Hollie Mackey to get the scoop on how they're empowering North Dakota's diverse communities to meet the challenges of creating thriving, resilient food systems for the present and the future.A citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, Dr. Hollie Mackey brings a unique perspective to her work, combining deep expertise in community-driven innovation with a commitment to equity and sustainability. With a distinguished career spanning academia, public policy, and industry leadership, Dr. Mackey has been at the forefront of integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern AgTech solutions. Her leadership at FARMS focuses on empowering Tribal Nations, small farmers, and rural communities by fostering scalable, localized food systems that address both regional and global challenges. Listen to the full episode to hear:How FARMS is helping researchers and growers connect and collaborate to accelerate the pace of agricultural innovationHow they are supporting pathways for the next generation to be able to stay in their communities and continue their agricultural legaciesThe complex interplay of politics, economics, national security, public health and more that impacts how we interact with food systemsWhy developing and implementing agricultural technologies also requires investing in social change and community buildingWhy successful innovation in agriculture starts with addressing what growers actually needHow FARMS is integrating Indigenous knowledge of the landscapes and facilitating the exchange of ideas and practices across communitiesLearn more about Dr. Hollie Mackey:Connect on LinkedInLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for Impact CuratorInstagram: @socialventurersResources:North Dakota Advanced Agriculture Technology EngineResearch Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods, Shawn Wilson

As we continue our tour of the US National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines, today we're headed to North Carolina.Tim Bertram and Jesse Thornburg of the Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine are taking us into the lab to give us a crash course in what regenerative medicine is, and how their Engine is helping regenerative medicine companies build, grow, and scale in the Piedmont Triad region through access to world-class resources, expertise, space, and collaboration opportunities to create economic impact.Tim is currently serving as CEO for the Regenerative Medicine Engine funded by the National Science Foundation, focusing on economic development through translation and commercialization of regenerative medical technologies. He was previously founder and CEO of four biotechnology companies, served on the board of directors of multiple companies, and worked on the development of 8 registered medical products while serving as a scientific leader and senior executive at Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE}, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, and The Procter & Gamble Company {NYSE: PG}. He started his career as a faculty member at the University of Illinois, was a visiting scientist at the National Institutes of Health, authored over 150 publications and invented over 100 patents.Jesse has worked as a researcher and in operations, building diverse research teams in a Comprehensive Cancer Center and Clinical Translational Science Institute.  His business experience stems from starting and operating a successful business and setting up a trust to provide capital to help growing businesses scale. Dr. Thornburg is passionate about helping businesses and economic ecosystems change lives.Listen to the full episode to hear:How advances in regenerative medicine can positively impact outcomes for both patients and the healthcare system at largeHow the Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine is working to develop an integrated supply chain for regenerative therapies in order to scaleHow the regenerative medicine ecosystem encompasses patients, workforce, researchers, entrepreneurs, businesses, and moreHow the Regenerative Medicine Engine is fostering collaboration among companies that is pushing growth forwardWhat we stand to lose regionally, nationally, and even globally if we don't continue to invest in regenerative medicineLearn more about Tim Bertram:Connect On LinkedInLearn more about Jesse Thornburg:Connect on LinkedInLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for Impact CuratorInstagram: @socialventurersResources:Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medical EngineStan ParkerFettechJoshua BogerAnthony Atala: Printing a human kidney | TED Talk

Colorado and Wyoming are famed for their wide open spaces and incredible landscapes. They're also very, very dry.Changes in rainfall and snowpack are already impacting agriculture, tourism, and the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the western United States. The wicked problem of climate resiliency isn't one for the future, it's making itself known in real-time.Today, we're headed west to meet our next NSF Engine, the ASCEND Engine in Colorado and Wyoming, in short, the CO-WY Engine, where I'll be talking to CEO Mike Freeman about the region's unique resources and how they're building a community-based commitment to climate resiliency.Mike Freeman has dedicated the past 15 years to building up the science and technology innovation ecosystems in Colorado and surrounding areas. He brings several decades in public sector leadership, management consulting, non-profit management, and venture capital to his role at the CP-WY Engine.Listen to the full episode to hear:How developing environmental technologies underpins community resilience and economic opportunityWhy climate resilience is about more than just the weatherHow the CO-WY Engine is building collaborative partnerships with a particularly diverse set of regional stakeholdersWhy Mike sees differences among partners as ultimately beneficial to the projectMeasuring the success of the program, from more traditional economic terms to devising a framework to capture a community's climate resiliency  Learn more about Mike Freeman:The ASCEND Engine in Colorado and WyomingInnosphere VenturesConnect on LinkedInLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for Impact CuratorInstagram: @socialventurersResources:The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley, Victor Hwang, Greg HorowittBrookingsHeartland ForwardMilken Institute

Would you be able to describe what a semiconductor is?A lot of us probably can't, but they're essential to modern life as we know it. Today, we're headed to NeoCity and the Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation Engine to talk with CEO Tawny Olore. This Regional Innovation Engine, funded by the US National Science Foundation, is taking on the major project of developing an ecosystem for producing semiconductors in central Florida that can be translated to other regions.In our conversation, Tawny explains what semiconductors are, how they impact all of our lives, and why building semiconductor ecosystems isn't just a matter of economics, but one of national security. Tawny Olore serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the NSF Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation Engine, where she is responsible for developing a semiconductor ecosystem in Central Florida that can translate to other regions in the United States. Prior to her role, Tawny served as Osceola County's Deputy County Manager, responsible for the oversight and management of the Transportation and Transit, Public Works, Real Estate and Right of Way, and Information Technology departments. She has also served as Program Manager for the FDOT Rail Transit program for District Five, specifically managing all aspects of SunRail, Central Florida's Commuter Rail project – a 61-mile system with 12 stations traversing through a multiple of jurisdictions including four counties and 11 cities.Listen to the full episode to hear:How advanced packaging of semiconductors drives innovation in everything from healthcare to home electronicsHow the Semiconductor Innovation Engine will bring high-wage jobs to an area historically driven by tourismHow the supply chain issues of the pandemic highlighted the need to bring semiconductor production to the US The key partners across research, education, and economic development that have joined the engineHow research and development in partnership with the engine will drive innovation in other sectors like supercomputing and data centersHow the engine will measure their success in the region from creating jobs to cutting commute times Learn more about Tawny Olore, P.E.:Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation EngineConnect on LinkedInLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for Impact CuratorInstagram: @socialventurersResources:Brookings MetroOsceola County Commission to Work with South Korean Firm to Bring Hundreds More Jobs to NeoCityPlug and Play NeoCity | Corporate InnovationELSPESThe Builder PlatformChip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology, Chris Miller 

Fresh water is a vital resource for life on earth, and it plays an increasingly important role in developing technologies like AI, quantum computing, and the data centers on which both rely.Managing access, use, and waste will only become more pressing as industry and communities continue to compete for water resources.So it makes sense that the Great Lakes, which hold 20% of the world's fresh surface water, are the site of our first Regional Regional Innovation Engine, funded by the National Science Foundation through the NSF Engines Program.Today, we're headed to Chicago to talk to Alaina Harkness of Great Lakes ReNEW about how this ecosystem is leading efforts across the Great Lakes region to bring stakeholders together, transition to a circular water economy, and protect and steward the Great Lakes for generations to come. Alaina Harkness is the CEO of Chicago-based water innovation hub, Current, and the CEO and Principal Investigator of their NSF-funded Great Lakes Water Innovation Engine: Great Lakes ReNEW. She's an entrepreneurial leader and lifelong Great Lakes resident who has spent her career seeking ways to build more inclusive economies and resilient communities. Outside the office, you can often find her on or near Lake Michigan, where she enjoys sailing, swimming, and birding in the parks near her South Side home.Listen to the full episode to hear:How conventional delivery and treatment systems have rendered water usage invisible to too manyHow developing water reuse systems benefits both the humans and the industry that rely on freshwaterHow Great Lakes ReNEW is building an extensive coalition to balance economic and environmental factors around water use in the region, develop new circular water technologiesThe challenges and opportunities of building the “blue economy” and how Great Lakes ReNEW will measure their impact and successLearn more about Alaina Harkness:Great Lakes ReNEWConnect on LinkedInLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for Impact CuratorInstagram: @socialventurersResources:The Fundamental Molecule PodcastJunhong ChenCollective Impact

How do we make our communities more resilient to extreme weather events? How do we become smarter about using and recycling water, one of the most precious resources on our planet? And how can we turn the textile industry into a more circular and sustainable economy that reduces waste and develops new fibers and materials?Welcome to season seven of Ecosystems for Change, where I'll be talking with the innovators and changemakers tackling these kinds of complex issues, not just within their own communities, but for the world at large.Throughout this season, I'm going to introduce you to the Regional Innovation Engines Program, a program funded by the US National Science Foundation. In partnership with the Builder Platform I will highlight nine so-called Engines, and their place-based strategies to these wicked problems.To start us off, I sat down with three key players in the implementation of this nationwide program: Ben Downing, Patricia Grospiron, and Emily Knight.Ben Downing is Vice President of Public Affairs at The Engine. Before joining The Engine, Ben was Vice President for New Market Development at Nexamp, a veteran-founded, Boston-based clean energy company. Prior to this, Ben represented the state's largest Senate district while serving as State Senator for 52 communities in Western Massachusetts. Patricia Grospiron is the Executive Director of The Builder Platform, where she is responsible for leading the strategic direction to foster the development of the NSF Regional Innovation Engines. Patricia has several decades of experience in innovation ecosystem building thanks to her roles at Avery Dennison, JumpStart, Inc and Ohio Aerospace Institute. Emily Knight is the President of The Engine, where she is responsible for shaping the organization's strategic direction and building partnerships with industry leaders and educational institutions to foster an environment where Tough Tech teams can thrive and innovate. Listen to the full episode to hear:How the NSF funding is acting as a catalyst for innovative, place-based economic development while tackling some of our thorniest problemsWhy the program is committed to innovation that supports communities from withinHow The Builder Platform developed a human-centered approach to engaging with the NSF Engines and providing ongoing partnership and supportHow The Engine's experience and history helps them collaborate with the regional EnginesWhy learning together, collaboration, and flexibility are key to developing in-place innovationLearn more about Ben Downing:Connect on LinkedInLearn more about Patricia Grospiron:Connect on LinkedInLearn more about Emily Knight:Connect on LinkedInLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for Impact CuratorInstagram: @socialventurersResources:The EngineThe Builder PlatformInsisting on the Impossible: The Life of Edwin Land, Viktor K. McElhenyLean Launchpad, Steve BlankWatt It Takes with Emily KirschThe Rise of the Rest: How Entrepreneurs in Surprising Places Are Building the New American Dream, Steve Case

Water scarcity, food insecurity, and wasteful textile supply chains are major societal challenges with no easy solutions. But some of the nation's leading scientists, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs are committed to tackling these problems.In Season 7 of Ecosystems for Change, I'm going to introduce you to nine different innovation ecosystems who are solving some of our most pressing societal issues in real-time. With help from The Builder Platform, I'm taking you inside the ecosystems working to develop real-world solutions to make our communities more resilient, drive regional engagement, and create economic opportunity along the way.You'll learn how these Regional Innovation Engines build ecosystems grounded in research and innovation. You'll see firsthand how these pioneers help turn ideas into practical applications that can benefit millions of people in the US and beyond. Innovation in a box doesn't work. In this season, we'll find out what does. Resources:Sign up for the Innovation Ecosystems newsletterThe Builder PlatformLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for the Impact Curator newsletterInstagram: @socialventurers

 Welcome to my seventh logbook, an in between seasons update on Ecosystems for Change. In each logbook, I give you a peek behind the scenes of what's happening in my day job as an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder in the Shenandoah Valley, some updates from the field of ecosystem building, an introduction to Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building doing amazing work in their communities, and a behind the scenes update about the show itself.It's a fun way for me to let you in on my thought processes and an invitation for you to contribute your own thoughts and experiences that make this show what it is.Listen to the full episode to hear: The event we convened in September that brought together entrepreneurial champions and advocates in the Shenandoah Valley A new advocacy organization with an online community Conference season is upon us! And the events you'll find me at How Alax Foreman is building a community of tech entrepreneurs in Chicago What Nick Giraldo wants to change about how we think about economic development Why I've made the tough decision to put Ecosystems for Change on hiatus Learn More About Alax Foreman:Chi Tech CollectiveLearn More About Nicholas Giraldo:Wyoming Community NavigatorLearn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Common Wealth Crush shenandoahvalleyliving.com/entrepreneurship Field Notes Right to Start SOCAP Global Startup Champions Network Fall Summit Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summit InBIA e.Builder's Forum Zebras Unite Tech Link Up Chicago The Sanctuary Chicago Black Tech Saturdays Detroit Afrotech Conference Nicholas Giraldo on the Wyoming SBDC Network Podcast Unsung Hero Spotlight: Nida Ansari Unsung Hero Spotlight: Sameer Popat Unsung Hero Spotlight: Alax Foreman Unsung Hero Spoltight: Nicholas Giraldo

On today's bonus episode, I'm speaking with Chris Heivly. Chris has over 40 years of experience working as, for, and with entrepreneurs and I was delighted to talk with him about why he wants to see more ecosystem and community builders come together and build a fort.Chris Heivly is a life-long entrepreneur and multifaceted investor who spent forty years working as, for, and with entrepreneurs. Prior to becoming a successful startup community builder and consultant, Chris co-founded MapQuest—which sold to AOL for $1.2 billion. He currently serves as a managing director of The Startup Factory and is a highly sought-after public speaker. His first book, Build the Fort: Why 5 Simple Lessons You Learned As a 10 Year-Old Can Set You Up for Startup Success, was inspired by his widely acclaimed TEDx talk in 2014.Listen to the full episode to hear: Why Chris uses the metaphor of building the fort when addressing ecosystem builders and entrepreneurs How the fluidity of complex adaptive systems benefits entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders Why you have to identify and speak with as many of the actors in your ecosystem as possible Why collaboration and partnerships are vital to creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts How to identify the gaps in your ecosystem and bring the right people together to fill them How adopting a short term mindset can help ecosystem builders dive in, get stuff done, and build momentum Why you can't wait for a permission slip to get involved How leaders and influencers set the tone for the culture of an ecosystem Learn More About Chris Heivly: Website The Startup Factory Connect with Chris on LinkedIn Build the Fort: The Startup Community Builder's Field Guide Building the fort -- a metaphor for starting anything Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley, Victor Hwang and Greg Horowitt Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City, Brad Feld The Startup Community Way: Evolving an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Brad Feld and Ian Hathaway Ecosystems for Change Season Two: The Slow and Complex Nature of Ecosystem Change S05E05: Start. Hand over. Repeat. The Cycles of Ecosystem Building with Larkin Garbee S04E06: Investing in the Lives of Founders with Todd Nuckols S04E08: Succession Planning: Transferring Social Capital To The Next Generation with Rick Turoczy EcoMap Technologies

We started this season by asking how we can tell better stories about what is happening in our ecosystems.As I reflect on the lessons learned throughout the season, the key piece is that storytelling is not just some fun marketing campaign; it's a tool to show the community what is possible and what the future might look like.But most of us–entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners alike–are so bogged down in the day-to-day that we rarely have the chance to envision the bigger picture of where the ecosystem is headed. Storytelling allows us to gather and curate all these different stories of doers, makers, and dreamers into a mosaic that creates a beautiful picture as it comes together.Once we understand that every story, whether on a blog, in a newsletter, or in a YouTube video, contributes to this greater picture and narrative, we can start chipping away at it. You don't need a degree in journalism or media production to contribute. You just need a genuine sense of excitement about the entrepreneurs you encounter and the willingness to look for solutions.Listen to the full episode to hear: How solutions-based storytelling, supported by clear and objective facts, moves the needle How the accessibility of technology creates opportunities for more diverse stories and storytellers Different strategies for leaning on your networks to spread your stories Choosing your format and making the money work How storytelling not only shines light on the doers and makers in your community, but allows the community to shift how they see themselves Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Season 6: All Episodes Tea After Twelve Solutions Journalism Network Hometown Hustle The Rural Edge Entrepreneurship Indiana Connect IND The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph, Ryan Holiday EcoMap Technologies

Today, we're headed to Vermont to hear stories about extraordinary rural communities throughout the US.Austin Danforth is the chief storyteller in charge at the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), not that he would call himself that. But I definitely do.Austin is putting his prior career as a sports reporter and photographer to use to reshape the narrative around tech ecosystems, innovation, and entrepreneurship in rural America.Austin and the team at CORI have produced the incredible video series The Rural Edge, as well as community case studies, reports, and tools that I, personally, have found super useful in my own work developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Shenandoah Valley.Naturally, I wanted to get Austin on the show to share with us how CORI does what they do, and how they do it so well. He's spilling the beans on the process of developing stories, how it differs from his life as a journalist, and how and why CORI has committed funding and resources to telling these vital stories.Austin Danforth is a native Vermonter who spent more than a decade as a sportswriter and photographer before jumping into nonprofit communications with the Center on Rural Innovation. He's an avid storyteller and connection-maker who loves to experience new places and figure out what makes them tick. Listen to the full episode to hear: How Austin thinks about shaping narratives and making CORI's work meaningful and accessible  Why it's been vital for CORI to partner with funders who believe in their mission to change the narrative about rural entrepreneurship The tightrope walk between audience and engagement in storytelling How Austin and CORI think about metrics and return on investment for storytelling work Learn More About Austin Danforth: Center on Rural Innovation Twitter: @eadanforth Connect with Austin on LinkedIn Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Wright Thompson Tim Layden The Rural Edge EcoMap Technologies

In this episode, I'm continuing my conversation about Yearbook Indiana with Polina Osherov of Pattern, Morgan Allen of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and Julie Heath, formerly of IEDC.We're jumping right back in from the break, so if you haven't listened to part one, go do that! In part two, we're digging into the nitty-gritty of getting the yearbook into the right hands, how they made the budget work for the project and the state's strategic goals, and getting community buy-in.Listen to the full episode to hear: How thoughtful graphic design choices made it easy for founders to participate in sharing the yearbook on social How the team distributed over 3000 copies of the yearbook in just four months Calculating the ROI on getting entrepreneurship stories out into the world The impact of positive storytelling for ecosystem builders Learn More About Polina Osherov: Pattern Instagram: @posherov Connect with Polina on LinkedIn Learn More About Morgan Allen: Indiana Economic Development Corporation Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn Learn More About Julie Heath:Connect with Julie on LinkedInLearn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: S04E07: The Know-How via Know-Who of Social Capital with Julie Heath Logbook #6: Nida Ansari Hardtech Indiana AgBioscience Podcast Denisha Ferguson, Indiana Fashion Week (PATTERN article) People I (Mostly) Admire, Steven Levitt (podcast) Dear Data, Georgia Lupi & Stefanie Posavec Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building with Dell Gines (free online course with Project DEEP) How To Take Over the World by Ben Wilson Entrepreneurship Indiana Connect IND EcoMap Technologies

In today's episode, I get to introduce you to a storytelling powerhouse trio.At every stage of the process, from vision to execution to the final product, I have rarely seen such a well-produced, coherent, and meaningful storytelling campaign as Yearbook Indiana.The Indiana Economic Development Corporation–IEDC–collaborated with Indiana-based magazine Pattern, to produce a yearbook highlighting the stories of entrepreneurs throughout the state and to highlight the positive impacts of young companies on the state's economy.To steer this ambitious undertaking, IEDC and Pattern brought together the three women you'll hear from today: Polina Osherov, co-founder and executive director of Pattern, Morgan Allen, entrepreneurial ecosystem manager at IEDC, and Julie Heath, who has since moved on from IEDC.Because there is just so much to absorb in this rich conversation, we're splitting it into two parts. In part one, you'll hear about how this kind of storytelling became a priority, how the project got underway between IEDC and Pattern, and what makes a physical storytelling product like a yearbook so special and powerful.Listen to the full episode to hear: Five key milestones to putting the project together How they crafted the narrative arc for the yearbook How they're fine-tuning the process for the 2023 yearbook Learn More About Polina Osherov: Pattern Instagram: @posherov Connect with Polina on LinkedIn Learn More About Morgan Allen: Indiana Economic Development Corporation Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn Learn More About Julie Heath:Connect with Julie on LinkedInLearn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: S04E07: The Know-How via Know-Who of Social Capital with Julie Heath Dell Gines Entrepreneurship Indiana Connect IND EcoMap Technologies

I've been in awe of today's guest, Natalie Hodge, since I first learned about her show Hometown Hustle.As of summer 2023, the show is in its second season telling the stories of entrepreneurs building their big business ideas in the small towns of rural America and changing the narrative about rural entrepreneurship.Today, Natalie shares why she believes it's so vital to share the stories of rural entrepreneurs, the joys and challenges of producing a web series from scratch on a tight budget, and how we can build buy-in on these stories from community and corporate partners.Natalie Hodge is the founder and owner of Rudy's Girl Media, a Martinsville, Virginia-based multimedia content creation company specializing in developing a diverse array of engaging projects ranging from film to literary works. Natalie is a writer, producer, and transformation coach with a background in higher education and workforce development with degrees from Guilford College and Cornell University. She is an authentic and inspiring speaker who focuses her messaging on fearlessness and the power of positive being.Listen to the full episode to hear: How Natalie went about building her slate of entrepreneur stories Why it's so important for her to share the positive impact of rural entrepreneurship on local economies How Natalie builds buy-in with partners from community economic development teams to corporate sponsors How telling stories of rural entrepreneurs has the ability to impact local economies Learn More About Natalie Hodge: Rudy's Girl Media NatalieHodge.com Hometown Hustle Instagram: @NatalieKHodge,  @RudysGirlMedia Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast, RISE Collaborative Browntown Farms The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph, Ryan Holiday EcoMap Technologies

Welcome to my first interview of season 6.I sat down with none other than Eva-Maria Verfürth, Publisher and Editor in Chief of Tea After Twelve.While based in Frankfurt, Germany, Eva's storytelling spans around the globe to talk about new solutions to old problems to create a better world.As you'll see in this conversation, Eva is driven by a deep desire to transform journalism in a way that moves beyond mere disaster reporting and emphasizes inspiration and progress, which is why I'm so excited to kick off season 6 with her.Let's go to Frankfurt!Eva-Maria Verfürth is a journalist and entrepreneur with a keen interest in international perspectives and social change. Her career has been driven by the wish to transform journalism in a way that moves beyond mere disaster reporting and emphasizes inspiration and progress. In 2014, Eva and her teammate Sarah Klein founded Tea After Twelve, an international online magazine on impact innovation, technological inventions, and social change. The idea in a nutshell: reporting about what is working instead of only telling what's going wrong. Tea after Twelve wants to connect creative minds around the world, the entrepreneurs, inventors, thinkers, and makers who have convincing ideas for social change and ecological transformation. It features projects and actions that have had an impact in their communities and have the potential to make a difference elsewhere as well.Eva is also co-founder and managing director of Bunny Island, a German communications agency offering content production and design services, and a coach and trainer for (solutions) storytelling and communications strategy. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she worked as an editor and writer for several magazines with international audiences and in public relations for German development cooperation organizations.Listen to the full episode to hear: Why Eva and her co-founder developed Tea After Twelve to be an solutions-based antidote to negative news coverage of social and environmental impact issues How Tea After Twelve translates impactful stories from around the world for a global audience How Tea After Twelve has developed a global network of storytellers outside the journalistic mainstream Why Eva says it's important to acknowledge the limitations of the solution in a story Learn More About Eva-Maria Verfürth: Tea After Twelve Bunny Island Connect on LinkedIn Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Solutions Journalism Network An Introduction to Hans Rosling Hans Rosling's TED Talk EcoMap Technologies

In season 6 of Ecosystems for Change, we are going to explore the art, craft, and science of telling meaningful stories that have the power to affect change in our communities.I've always enjoyed hearing other people's stories, reading about them, and eventually telling these stories. As I started out helping to develop the ecosystem in Richmond, VA, I also began to understand that storytelling is a powerful tool in any ecosystem builder's toolbox.But once I picked up Peter Block's book, “Community: The Structure of Belonging,” I understood that storytelling could be much more and that it's actually a tool that helps a community create a vision for itself, to dream of a future that might be possible. To me, this following quote sums up his work beautifully:“Stories can give us a narrative to guide and instruct us. They are crucial to our knowing who we are; they provide a sense of identity. […] We need to distinguish between the stories that give meaning to our lives and help us find our voice, and those that limit our possibility.”This season, I'm speaking with other storytellers to learn their tips and tricks of the trade. I hope to uncover how others go about finding and telling meaningful stories that give hope and propel their communities forward. I want to find out exactly what intentions these storytellers have, how they approach storytelling, what their process looks like from beginning to end, and how they make the finances work.As always on this show, my hope is that we can learn from each other, avoid the obvious pitfalls, and as a result become better at what we do: Transform our communities by supporting the changemakers within them.Listen to the full episode to hear: Two examples of the impact of storytelling from my own life Why we need to focus on telling stories of possibility instead of railing against problems How negative narratives keep us stuck The power of positive storytelling to propel change in our communities Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Community: The Structure of Belonging, Peter Block The Space Beyond Scarce:  Collaboration and Ecosystem Building for Entrepreneurs and Change Makers with Anika Horn Manifesto for a Moral Revolution: Practices to Build a Better World, Jacqueline Novogratz Shenandoah Community Capital Fund Blog EcoMap Technologies Summer Skill Sessions: Ecosystem Mapping

Welcome to my 6th logbook where I give a little insight into what's happening behind and beyond the scenes of this show.And I'm switching up the format a little bit! I've been meeting so many incredible ecosystem builders, and while I can't have them all on the show, that's not going to stop me from trying!I'm super excited to introduce a new quarterly segment called the Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building.I ran this campaign back in 2020 alongside two fellow ecosystem builders, Jeff Bennet and Jess Edwards, both of whom you've met on this show.I often meet really brilliant ecosystem builders–online and in-person–and I want to be able to share their awesomeness with all of you! But before we go deep into meeting two Unsung Heroes, I'll share what's been going on in the Shenandoah Valley and behind the scenes of the show.Listen to the full episode to hear: Two ways we're engaging with the entrepreneur communities in the Shenandoah Valley What's coming up on Season Six of Ecosystems for Change Unsung Hero Why Nida Ansari goes all-in on making Indianapolis her new hometown, and how she went about integrating herself into the ecosystem How Unsung Hero Sammy Popat builds bridges within the university and out into the wider ecosystem in Maryland Learn More About Nida Ansari: Connect with Nida on LinkedIn Twitter: @theVCnida Twitter: @hardtechindiana Connect with Hard Tech Indiana on LinkedIn Learn More About Sammy Popat: Sammy Popat's University of Maryland Bio UMD Innovation Gateway Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Shenandoah Community Capital Fund Blog EcoMap Technologies Ecosystem Builder Hub: Unsung Hero Spotlight: Sameer Popat Ecosystem Builder Hub: Unsung Hero Spotlight: Nida Ansari

Over the course of this season, quitting became a constant topic in my life.One of my team members quit to take on a new role closer to home. A new friend talked to me about quitting her job to spend more time enjoying her family and less time worrying about making it all fit in her schedule. A partner quit because he had done what he came to do and was ready to move on to something else.With the perspective I've gained through the Quitter conversations in season 5, I was able to view these Quits within my sphere as something rich and endlessly fascinating. When I started out with this season, I referred to The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. InThe Infinite Game, players stop playing for two reasons:  They lack the external resources to keep playing, such as the remuneration or the job to build an ecosystem, or Their internal resources - such as will and motivation - are depleted causing them to step out. With each conversation in this season, I was trying to sort my guest into one of these two boxes only to be reminded that people can't be sorted into boxes. I found instead that quitting a purpose-driven role is much more complex than that.Listen to the full episode to hear: How a lack of internal and external resources leads changemakers to quit How this season's quitters found new ways to build ecosystems The importance of how you leave - for yourself and your ecosystem The relationship of the long-term work of ecosystem building and the modern realities of shifting careers and roles Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek S04E06: Investing in the Lives of Founders with Todd Nuckols S02E05 – Thriving In a World of Ambiguity, Uncertainty, and Constant Change with April Rinne

In our last conversation of this season, we're traveling to Berlin, Germany. I'm sitting down with Naomi Ryland, systemic change maker, social entrepreneur, bestselling author and overall insightful person.We talked about the last ten years in the German social impact space, how to turn your organization from a hierarchical to a self-organized one, and how to shift and share power as a person with privilege. We also talk about burnout from the Unicorn-startup culture and raising anti-racist, feminist children.​​Naomi is an entrepreneur, author, and activist with a keen interest in feminist economics, diversity and belonging, power and privilege, and post-capitalist utopias. She founded tbd*, the go-to platform for jobs with purpose, and SEND e.V., the political representative body for social entrepreneurship in Germany. She co-authored Starting a Revolution and co-edited and co-authored Unlearn Patriarchy.Listen to the full episode to hear: How Naomi's realization that she was following a playbook that wasn't written by or for people like her led her to Starting a Revolution How principles of self-organizing and competency-based hierarchy at tbd* impacted Naomi's slow transition out of her role as founder Why Naomi says it's important for people with privilege to take risks towards systemic change Why Naomi's next big project is about unlearning business Learn more about Naomi Ryland: NaomiRyland.com Instagram: @naomi_ryland Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Lisa Jaspers All About Love: New Visions, bell hooks Starting a revolution, Naomi Ryland & Lisa Jaspers Unlearn Patriarchy, Lisa Jaspers & Naomi Ryland tbd* Unlearn Business Lab 

In today's episode, we're traveling to Phoenix, Arizona to chat with Lucas Lindsey.Lucas is an ecosystem builder turned real estate developer. We talked about planning for succession and the importance of the built environment for entrepreneurial ecosystem building.Lucas Lindsey is a Michigan kid on a long hiatus to the American Southwest. He is a big fan of new ideas and old buildings who has always worked in a combination of ecosystem building, real estate development, and construction. He believes in empowering change from the bottom up and working hard to improve whatever community you call home. Listen to the full episode to hear: The road trip that prompted Lucas's shift away from ecosystem building The challenges Lucas faced in leaving an identity-defining career How Lucas's organization handled the delicate work of succession planning Learn more about Lucas Lindsey: Urbnist Twitter: @urbnist Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Startup Champions Network The Cathedral and the Bazaar Jenny Poon & Co+Hoots Coworking

In today's episode, I want to introduce you to my longtime friend and OG ecosystem builder, Larkin Garbee.Larkin has put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into jumpstarting entrepreneurial support initiatives, both in Richmond, Virginia, as well as nationally.In this conversation, we talk about handing initiatives over to people who can carry them forward, and the upside of spending over a decade in an ecosystem.Join me on a trip back home to Richmond.Listen to the full episode to hear: How Larkin has shifted gears between local and national ecosystem building work Why Larkin chose to step away from formal ecosystem building as COVID took hold How real estate and ecosystem building scratch a similar itch for Larkin How Larkin approaches being a serial “starter” of organizations and initiatives Learn more about Larkin Garbee:Email LarkinLearn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Ep 4.7 Investing in the Lives of Founders with Todd Nuckols Startup Champions Network

In today's episode, we're making our way to Fargo, North Dakota to talk to Annie Wood.I first met Annie through Startup Champions Network and was fortunate enough to visit her community during our Fall Summit in 2018.Shortly thereafter, Annie left the host organization and started a new chapter of her life.Today, she shares what was going on behind the scenes at the time, how she regrouped after leaving the profession as an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder, and what this next chapter looks like.We talked about the grief of letting go of what could have been, and how to find your way back to yourself when you're letting go of a part of your professional identity.Annie Wood thinks of herself as a combination of life experiences - she's a learning facilitator, an experiential educator, and a community builder. Her day-to-day work in student life on a college campus is really the perfect mash-up to use the skills she's developed. In her role, she helps folks explore who they are and where they want to go - through formal programs, mentorship, and encouraging them to follow their curiosities.Annie is a believer in lifelong learning and aims to live with a growth mindset. She is passionate about providing opportunities for folks at any stage of life to explore who they are and how to live a life that matches their values. She believes that each day, we make choices about how we'll contribute to our communities - and that is a reflection of our values. So Annie chooses to have a positive outlook and to validate people for who they are. Outside of her daily work and facilitating trainings, Annie especially loves creating or attending community events with a hint of whimsy and being part of groups that are just a little bit quirky, because the people with the wildest ideas are usually the most fun to be around. Listen to the full episode to hear: How Annie used counseling to help her come to terms with needing to quit and how to let go and process grief Why she took a month for Annie-tober, and why she still does it to this day Why Annie believes in having a personal manifesto of her values How Annie used her network to remind her of what kind of work brings her joy as she looked for the next thing How Annie's current role allows her to empower students to create community Learn more about Annie Wood: Instagram: @annie_likethemusical Connect with Annie on LinkedIn Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: The Inventurers: Excursions in Life and Career Renewal, Janet Hagberg, Richard J. Leider The Feeling Wheel The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, Priya Parker

Today, I want you to meet Julia Firestone.Julia is a transformational leadership and career coach who serves experienced social impact professionals to help them unleash their biggest positive impact in the world while living their most fulfilling life.Julia has worked in corporate innovation and strategy, global NGOs, scrappy startups, and corporate social impact. Bringing all of these experiences together, Julia loves applying innovative methodologies to solve the biggest social impact challenges of our time. In today's conversation, you'll hear about Julia's first Big Quit and how she built a network of impact professionals like no other that not only helped her land her next gig, but has become a rich community of changemakers who show up for each other.If you think networking is so early 2000s, I bet you'll think differently after this conversation.Listen to the full episode to hear: How Julia structures her monthly online meetups for changemakers to get beyond “what do you do” to building real relationships How Julia's experience at a small nonprofit highlights many of the systemic issues in impact and nonprofit work The strategies Julia used to build a large network of impact professionals before she quit her nonprofit job How Julia learned to trust her gut and listen to her body when it comes to big decisions Learn more about Julia Firestone: Julia Firestone Coaching Community Open House Connect with Julia on LinkedIn Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Business Relationships, Susan McPherson The Bloom Love Letter to the Movement, Sarah Jawaid and Damon Azali-Rojas Coaching for Healing, Justice, and Liberation

When Joe Maruschak left his home ecosystem of Eugene, Oregon, it sent ripples through our community of ecosystem builders.In the public farewell letter that he wrote in July 2021, he voiced what so many of us had been struggling with and discussing behind closed doors. A year and a half after this letter, I invited Joe onto the show to share his journey and talk to us about what life is like after the big Quit.We talked about self-financing your work as an ecosystem builder, managing different stakeholders with very different expectations, and about the importance of doing over talking. Joe Maruschak is a twice-exited startup founder, Startup Accelerator Managing Director, and Fund GP, who spent the better part of a decade building the startup community in Eugene, Oregon. Listen to the full episode to hear: Why Joe believes in connecting with newcomers to a community about more than just their startups The slow process of realizing that he had done all that he could in Eugene The psychological toll of being a recognizable leader in an ecosystem grappling with serious issues beyond funding Why Joe wouldn't change much about how he approached his time in Eugene, but he would trust his gut and take action more Learn more about Joe Maruschak: Medium Twitter: @JoeMaruschak Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Last Call! Sadly saying goodbye to a community, by Joe Maruschak The New Geography of Jobs, Enrico Moretti The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future, Sebastian Mallaby

In this season of Ecosystems for Change, I'm talking to my guests about their experience with quitting.As much as I dislike quitting–I really do–I understand it is part of life. We evolve and so do the circumstances, organizations and people around us.As we uncovered in season two, ecosystems are complex, adaptive systems; they are constantly shifting and changing and as a result, people move in and out of them at different times. As builders who like to start new things, it's only logical that everytime we start one thing we technically have to quit something else to create the space for this new thing to flourish and thrive. In season three, we heard first-hand accounts of what happens when we keep piling on, trying to squeeze one more ounce of productivity out of ourselves because we somehow feel like we want to do it all.I have come to believe that quitting is normal, healthy, and simply part of the natural cycle of progress. And yet, it is still somehow taboo. The idea that quitting somehow is a sign of failure, of suddenly not caring about the cause anymore, means that many of us passionate change makers hang in there longer than we should or want to.That's what I want to talk about in Season 5. I'm sitting down with ecosystem builders who stopped playing–either temporarily or for good. I want to find out what led to the depletion of their resources–either internal or external–and if there's anything we can do to change course and stop that depletion. What happens when you decide or you're forced to step away from your life's work? We'll get a little closer to an answer in this season.Listen to the full episode to hear: What complex adaptive systems can teach us about quitting Why ecosystem building is like an infinite game with shifting rules, tactics, players, and timelines Three perspectives on stepping away from the game of ecosystem building Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek The Infinite Game of Ecosystem Building, Social Venturers Bonus Episode: The Ecosystem Builders: Where Are They Now?  Ep 4.8: Succession Planning: Transferring Social Capital To The Next Generation with Rick Turoczy Ep 2.4 – Servant Leadership, Co-writing New Narratives and Burnout in Ecosystem Building with Jeff Bennett

As I was wrapping up the first year of the show, I found myself wondering what had come of all those great plans and even greater unknowns that many of my guests had shared with me when they were on the show. And selfishly I wanted to catch up with some of my previous guests to hear what they are working on these days.So I invited a handful of them to come back and let us know how their world has evolved since we last heard from them.You will hear stories about leaving corporate, entering corporate, hosting large events, and leading teams. We talked about the Lord of the Rings and weeding out hegemonic systems. We also talked about grief and fear and becoming parents.And throughout all of it, there runs a beautiful thread of building and nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems and communities throughout the Americas.Listen to the full episode to hear:How Charlton Cunningham is bringing intentionality in his relationships to his new, more settled role in Tulsa, Oklahoma Why Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter says it was important for her to model planning for transitions and stepping down as CEO of Impaqto How Shelly Rose moved past her fears, left her corporate job, started grad school, and went all-in on her business Why Denisse Rodriguez and Colmena66 brought in a DEI expert to kickstart a conversation about diversity and inclusion in Puerto Rico and how that impacted their reporting and events in 2022 How Sassy Sassoon's journey to parenthood has expanded her understanding of systemic barriers and injustice and how that parallelled her experiences at Zebras Unite in 2022 Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources:Charlton Cunningham: S01E03 – How to Build Trust Within an Ecosystem with Charlton Cunningham Shout-out to Cecilia Wessinger Lightship Foundation Charlton's Tulsa startup guide Black Tech Week Startup Champions Network Spring Summit  SXSW The Power of Strangers. The benefits of connecting in a suspicious world. Joe Keohane Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter: S01E07 – How to Build a Full-Service Ecosystem Support Organization with Michelle Arévalo-Carpenter The Wellbeing Project BMW Responsible Leaders Program Fabian Pfortmueller Life is in the transitions. Mastering Change at any age, Bruce Feiler Shelly Rose: S03E06 - Slow Your Roll: Creating a Healthy Lifestyle with Shelly Rose Pure Roots Nutrition Denisse Rodriguez: S01E04 – How to build an island-wide ecosystem with Denisse Rodríguez Dell Gines Boricua Entrepreneur Fest Colmena66 2022 Impact Report Startup Champions Network Spring Summit  Ecosystem Building Leadership Project Ecosystems Emerge, Dell Gines Sassy Sassoon: S02E07 - Good Trouble: Stakeholder Capitalism and Global Cooperatives with Kate "Sassy" Sassoon California Center for Cooperatives' multi-sector co-op conference Zebras Unite newsletter  Zebras Unite online community Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation, adrienne maree brown Old Man's War, John Scalzi

Before we kick off the next season, I have a very special episode for you today. At the end of 2022, I found out that there are several federal funding opportunities for entrepreneurial ecosystem builders here in the US. The US government is starting to see the effectiveness of an ecosystem approach and has started recruiting some of their programs accordingly, which is a great opportunity for grassroots ecosystem builders to finally get their work funded.The downside is, they're not really called entrepreneurial ecosystem building, so I knew I had to find someone who could help us translate these opportunities. In this episode, I am excited to introduce you to Melissa Roberts Chapman at the Federation of American Scientists who took the time to break down these funding opportunities for ecosystem builders here in the US. Meet Melissa Roberts Chapman. Melissa Roberts Chapman has worked at the nexus of policy, entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development throughout her career. She identifies as an ecosystem builder and entrepreneur, and is a proud native of Kansas City.Prior to joining the Federation of American Scientists, Melissa was a Senior Program Officer at the Kauffman Foundation, where she led a grantmaking team focused on building more inclusive, collaborative, and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Heartland. Previously, she held leadership roles in entrepreneurship support organizations, started her own business, led coalition-building efforts, and managed political campaigns.Melissa is deeply involved in her community, working both “in” and “on” Kansas City, where she is based. She is passionate about centering equity in her work, and building a future in which geography has no impact on the opportunities folks can access. In her free time, she and her husband Brad enjoy watching the Royals, perfecting brisket smoking techniques, and throwing dinner parties.Melissa earned an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management with a certificate in Business Analytics, and a bachelor's degree in History from Boston College.Listen to the full episode to hear: Why ecosystem builders should keep paying attention to and partnering with legacy sources of funding and support How to bridge the language gaps between ecosystem builders and potential investors Why there is a place for all kinds of entrepreneurs in innovation ecosystems Learn More About Melissa Roberts Chapman: Federation of American Scientists Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: SBDC network SBA lending programs EDA Provide input to the Federal Register Build Back Better Regional Challenge Good Jobs Challenge National Science Foundation (NSF) Engines Tech Hubs program Build Back Better Regional Challenge Winners Good Jobs Challenge Winners NSF Engines Applicants Sign up for the NSF Engines email list Sign up for the EDA email list Sign up for the SBA Ecosystem Building list EDA Build to Scale Grant Competition Natalie Self, Cortex, St Louis Ashlei Spivey, I Be Black Girl, Omaha  24/7 Blac, Waterloo, Iowa Nia Richardson, KC BizCare, KC  Simone Curls, Prospect Business Association, KC Dan Smith, The Porter House, KC MIT's Stakeholder Framework for Building & Accelerating Innovation Ecosystems, Fiona Murray and Phil Budden

Welcome to my fifth logbook, an in-between-seasons update on what's happening in the field of entrepreneurial ecosystem building, what's going on behind the scenes of the show, and what is happening in my day job as Director of Ecosystem Building at the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund.In this quarterly format, I love sharing with you what I've learned over the previous months and what I have planned for the next quarter.Today's logbook also marks the one-year anniversary of this show, so I'm taking stock of the first year of this podcast and filling you in on what I have planned for 2023!Last but not least we'll get to my favorite part: I'll invite you to join me! I'm sharing several opportunities in which you - my dear listeners and raving fans - can get involved in what I'm doing!Listen to the full episode to hear: Highlights from the last few months at the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund Looking back at the first year of Ecosystems for Change What's ahead for the show in 2023 An interview with Neil Mylet, founder of the RuralUrban Center in Camden, Indiana Three ways you can get involved in & support this show in 2023 Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Shenandoah Community Capital Fund Blog Startup Champions Network Summit RuralUrban Center How you can help: Nominate an Unsung Hero of Ecosystem Building! Leave me a voice message to share your thoughts on the show! Connect with me on LinkedIn and Instagram Respond to my fortnightly newsletter!

Throughout this season, we really traveled through the lowest valleys and highest mountaintops of ecosystem building.My guests shared some of their hardest experiences of facing and trying to navigate conflict.  We heard some pretty hairy tales about naysayers and saboteurs and how even seasoned ecosystem builders struggle to keep their call and move their communities forward regardless.But then we also talked about the magic that is social capital and all the things we can get done almost effortlessly when people within the ecosystem trust each other and are willing to pursue opportunities that are best for entrepreneurs in their ecosystem. Listen to the full episode to hear: The power of introductions and what social capital looks like in action Why conflict is inevitable in ecosystem building, and that's not necessarily a bad thing Five key aspects of managing conflict in ecosystems How to mitigate  conflict before it arises Six ways to build trust and credibility within your ecosystem Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator

For our last interview of the season, we're headed to Portland, Oregon, to chat with Rick Turoczy.As Silicon Florist and co-founder and general manager of the Portland Incubator Experiment, or PIE, Rick has been supporting founders in the Portland startup community for fifteen years. We talked about how you might plan for succession as a keystone in your community, how you transfer social capital, and how you might leverage your social capital to put the next generation of ecosystem builders in place.Even though he will never say so himself, Rick is an institution in the Portland startup community and I couldn't think of a better guest to close out this season.Listen to the full episode to hear: Why Rick believes in being place-motivated and focusing on a community The unique challenges of building community in a city with a small-town feel Why ecosystem builders need to be wary of nostalgia for what used to work Why ecosystem builders need to think more like entrepreneurs when it comes to scarcity and abundance Why Rick says the first step to building trust is showing up Learn More About Rick Turoczy: Portland Incubator Experiment Silicon Florist Twitter: @turoczy Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Rick's written interview on Social Venturers (2020) Stephen Green Mitch Daugherty Startup Champions Network The Startup Community Way

For today's episode, we make our way to Indianapolis, Indiana, to talk to Julie Heath, Vice President of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.Julie was the first employee at a startup, then executive director at Indiana's first collaborative workspace, the Speak Easy, and now serves as a statewide ecosystem builder under the Secretary of Commerce of Indiana.Julie shares how she and her team spread the ecosystem gospel among economic developers and gives us a new way to think about social capital that the Indianapolis ecosystem has embraced: Know How via Know Who.Let's go to Indianapolis.Listen to the full episode to hear: Why Julie says “know-how via know-who” is the secret sauce of building healthy ecosystems How a personal conflict with her husband challenged Julie's vision The challenges of scale in distributing game-changing smaller sums to founders How distilling problem sets helps resolve conflict How Julie has leveraged old trust networks to build new trust in her various roles Learn More About Julie Heath: Connect with Julie on LinkedIn Entrepreneurship Indiana Yearbook Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Developer Town the Speak Easy 1Million Cups Indy Hidden Brain: Relationships 2.0: How To Keep Conflict From Spiraling. ESHIP Summit Startup Champions Network Entrepreneurship Building Leadership Project Kauffman Foundation: EPOP: Understanding Entrepreneurship in the U.S.  The Rainforest Blueprint The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley, Victor Hwang and Greg Horowitt Amandula Anderson Strategic Doing, Ed Morrison The Power of Giving Away Power: How the Best Leaders Learn to Let Go, Matthew Barzun Social Physics: How Social Networks Can Make Us Smarter, Alex Pentland

If you listened to the very first episode of this show, the name Todd Nuckols and part of the following story might sound familiar.When I first moved to the US eight years ago, Todd was one of the very first people I met. We met up at a coworking space called 804 RVA and I asked him how to get involved in Richmond's entrepreneurship scene. Without hesitation, he pulled out his metaphorical Rolodex and generously opened up his network. To top it all off, he invited me to attend a conference in New York City with him that got me in the same room for two days with some of the world's most renowned startup accelerators.Todd's rich social capital and the generosity with which he meets people are only two of the reasons I knew I couldn't produce this season without him on the show. Todd, like me, is not keen on confrontation and conflict, yet he has managed it masterfully as a keystone in RVA's entrepreneurial ecosystem.A career technologist and committed dad, Todd Nuckols is passionate about advancing access to capital to fuel founders and community growth. Driven by faith and seeking to be part of the conversation wherever he finds himself, he wants to be known for leaving an impact on those around him for the better!Let's talk to Todd and find out how he invests in the lives of founders.Disclaimer: We had audio issues with this episode but trust me that the content is worth suffering through some of the distortions.Listen to the full episode to hear: How clarity and simplicity of mission turned one of Lighthouse's initial opponents into a supporter Why Todd says it's so important to focus on common ground when there's conflict How to compromise while maintaining the integrity of your mission and purpose How Todd says establishing a framework where everyone gets a win builds trust Why owning your failures is also key to earning trust Learn More About Todd Nuckols: Lighthouse Labs Connect with Lighthouse Labs on LinkedIn Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator

For today's episode, we're headed to Anchorage, Alaska to sit down with Margo Fliss.Margo is a lifelong and proud Alaskan; when she's not building the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the state of Alaska, you can find her fishing salmon in the Kenai river during the summer and raising her newborn daughter.In this conversation, Margo talks about an ecosystem convening that went terribly sideways and talks about how she moved through this experience with a lot of grace and professionalism if you ask me. But I'll let you judge for yourself. Tallyho to Anchorage, Alaska!Listen to the full episode to hear: How a lack of consensus among stakeholders derailed an event Margo facilitated What Margo would do differently to establish common ground, communication, and expectations prior to getting everyone in the room How to approach “soreheads” who have lost hope in the project How showing up with support – even when the project isn't yours – builds trust and rapport in the community Why building trust and social capital is like putting money in a piggy bank Learn More About Margo Fliss:Connect with Margo on LinkedInLearn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Anchorage First Friday Cal Newport The Medici Effect: What Elephants and Epidemics Can Teach Us about Innovation, Frans Johansson

Today, I want you to meet Cecilia Wessinger, who I've known for several years through her work as a community activator with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and her role at Startup Champions Network.Cecilia shares what types of conflict she has encountered in helping convene an ecosystem of ecosystem builders. Cecilia also talks about how she approaches trust building among diverse parties.Find out why we shouldn't quiet but encourage dissent and what places you need to check out if you ever make it to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cecilia Wessinger is an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder and founder of Mass Collaboration. She is also the Director for Global Community with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN).  Prior to joining GEN, Cecilia was a consultant with the Kauffman Foundation, Future Agro Challenge and has led small group mastermind workshops and cohorts around the world. She has extensive experience mentoring and advising startup founders, ecosystem builders and organizations.Cecilia has served as a speaker, facilitator and panelist at innovation- and entrepreneurship-focused events such as Shift, Tom-Tom Festival and ESHIP Summit. She has judged and supported pitch competitions for SXSW, U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of State's Global Innovation through Science and Technology program. She currently serves on the executive board(s) of the Institute for Work and the Economy and Startup Champions Network, and has served on over a dozen non-profit boards in her local community ranging from the arts to education and entrepreneurship.Listen to the full episode to hear: How Cecilia's role as an ecosystem builder of ecosystem builders brought her close to being “collateral damage” when navigating conflict Why Cecilia says that cooperation can actually get in the way of real progress, and why dissent is necessary to problem-solving and innovation The lessons Cecilia has learned about transparency and relationships Why Cecilia defines trust in terms of hope, consistency, and honesty Learn More About Cecilia Wessinger: CeciliaWessinger.me Twitter: @Liminal_Nexus Connect with Cecilia on LinkedIn Read Cecilia's Blog Post on Phenomenology Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Kauffman Foundation Global Entrepreneurship Network Startup Champions Network Who Do We Choose To Be? Facing Reality | Claiming Leadership | Restoring Sanity, Margaret Wheatley

Today's conversation did not take me far from home because my guest, Jess Edwards, is in the midst of wrapping up a project in Danville, VA.Jess is a project-based ecosystem builder who has done this work in her hometown of Buffalo, NY, in Dubai as well as in Alaska and - most recently - in the South of Virginia.Jess spilled the beans on how she builds and leverages her social capital when she parachutes into a community and explains why ecosystem projects are very much like going on a roadtrip to Florida.Jess Edwards is a systems leader that can quickly identify talent and resources from various industries and mobilize them. She has an exceptional ability to maintain a bigger picture mission while developing a comprehensive implementation plan. Jess has a vast ability to help people, organizations and communities reach their greatest potential.Listen to the full episode to hear: Why some measure of conflict is inherent in the work of ecosystem building How Jess defines social capital and why it's not just about how big your network is The three groups ecosystem builders need to have positive social capital with The number one conflict Jess sees across ecosystems, and three key ways to manage it How ecosystem builders can use their social capital to navigate interpersonal conflicts among stakeholders Three ways that proving your credibility in a new environment builds trust Learn More About Jess Edwards: JessEdwards.com Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Kauffman Foundation Social Capital Research

My first guest this season is Fay Horwitt who joined me from the Forward Cities headquarters in Durham, NC.Since 2014, Forward Cities has worked in more than 50 communities around the US and has a deep organizational well of knowledge that they share generously.I invited Fay on the show to share some of her hardest-won lessons when it comes to managing conflict in ecosystems and to tell us more about how she builds trust every time Forward Cities shows up in a new community.Fay Horwitt serves as the President & CEO of Forward Cities, where she oversees organizational and programmatic strategy and design. She specializes in the development of equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems as a catalyst for systems change. Fay is a sought after presenter, trainer, and thought leader on the topic of ecosystem building and inclusive entrepreneurship.Her current thought leadership efforts prioritizes the reimagining of Black Wall Street in a post-pandemic economy. Fay has a passion for entrepreneurial program development and adult education and curriculum design. She has a passion to empower and uplift innovators from all walks of life and believes that entrepreneurial mindsets have the power to transform our society for good.Let's go on a tour of the U.S. through the lens of Forward Cities! Listen to the full episode to hear: How fear – of not getting funding, recognition, being heard – can drive conflicts in ecosystems How addressing fears with honest communication bursts the conflict bubble Why emails are the worst way to communicate about a conflict, and what to do instead How bringing in a third party facilitator can actually help build trust and social capital between local organizations Why stakeholders need to acknowledge and address the power dynamics at play as soon as possible Learn More About Fay Horwitt: Forward Cities Connect with Fay on LinkedIn Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley, Victor W. Hwang Black Wall Street Forward ABIDE framework Fay's feature on Social Venturers Book Fay to speak

Earlier this year, I was chatting with a fellow ecosystem builder who had just been hired to convene an entrepreneurial ecosystem. From the outside, it looked pretty mature. They had the right institutions, programs, a digital map, co-working spaces, an active angel network, and an active entrepreneurial community.But when he got there, it quickly became clear that while the stakeholders wanted to see the ecosystem thrive, they all had vastly different ideas of what that journey should look like.When I facilitated a session with that group, the tension in the room made my hands sweat. It felt like everyone was trying to defend their territory, even though, in principle, they all wanted the same thing.Is this uncommon when diverse stakeholders come together? No.Does this type of tension or conflict have the potential to break apart an ecosystem and stall all progress? Hell yes.So, how do we build a culture of trust and collaboration within our ecosystems so that we might look beyond individual agendas and focus on what is best for entrepreneurs?In short, how do we build social capital?That's what we're digging into this season.Listen to the full episode to hear: Why trust and collaboration are essential to navigating complex adaptive systems Why we (myself included!) need to learn conflict management skills How the kinds of networks we're naturally inclined to build influence our work as ecosystem builders Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Robert D. Putnam Kauffman Foundation Social Chemistry: Decoding the Patterns of Human Connection, Marissa King The Strength of Weak Ties, Mark S. Granovetter Dunbar's Number

Welcome to my fourth logbook, an in-between season update on all things ecosystem building.I share with you what is going on in the field of ecosystem building here in the US, give you an insight into what I'm working on in my day job as Director of Ecosystem Building at the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund, and share some behind the scenes details of the show.Listen to the full episode to hear: A recap of our listening tours and inaugural Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summit Why I probably need to relisten to season 3 as I'm entering into a very busy season of my personal and professional life Details from the organizers of two exciting upcoming conferences What's coming up in season 4 Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Startup Champions Network Summit Fall 2022 Sparkyard Ms. Opal Lee Ebuilders Forum 2022 INBIA.org

Welcome to the last Summer Skill Session of 2022.I hope that you've gotten a fair amount of vitamin D and you were able to take some time off this summer to relax. And, of course, I hope that you found this series helpful.Summer is winding down and we're getting in those last ice creams, popsicles, and cold drinks, squeezing out the last of the sunscreen from the bottle, and starting to put away bathing suits and beach towels. But we've still got fall and winter ahead.I don't know about you, but the start of fall usually leaves me feeling super recharged and ready to tackle the rest of the year with a lot of enthusiasm and really, really big plans.If you feel that way too, this episode might be super relevant for you and hopefully just what you need to get back into the swing of things.Today, we're talking about productivity.But first, a confession. I may not be the best person to talk about productivity. I do think I am very productive! But I haven't quite figured out how to be productive without also working myself into the ground. And admittedly, I'm not always the best at taking my own advice when it comes to how to be productive.Which is to say, I need this episode as much as you do.Listen to the full episode to hear: Why I always put the personal stuff first when I'm building my calendar How to use each quarter to get more detailed with your plans and reflect on what you can realistically accomplish in 30, 60, and 90 days How to cluster your week to avoid bouncing between tasks and projects all day Why you should leave your emails for later in the day My best advice for taking breaks, creating rituals, and making your to-do list work for you Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Racheal Cook The 5am Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life, Robin Sharma Bullet Journal Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, James Clear What Works: A Comprehensive Framework to Change the Way We Approach Goal Setting, Tara McMullin

I came to storytelling from a love of local business and their owners in Richmond, Virginia. First, I loved their products, from biscuits to T-shirts to local moonshine. And once I got to know these businesses and their owners, I wanted to shout their stories from the rooftops. I wanted the whole world, or at least the people in my city, to know about them and spend their dollars there.These startups and small businesses made me proud of my community. So I told their stories in every way I could. I posted about them on social media. I told my friends about them. I wrote blog posts and articles.I was celebrating these small businesses in every possible way, but I never called it storytelling. It was just something I did.So let this be the first rule of storytelling and ecosystem building: It doesn't have to be hard.If you tell your friends about your favorite local businesses or you post about them on social media, you are already telling their stories; you're just not thinking about it that way.In today's Summer Skill Session, I want to introduce you to my five-step approach to telling meaningful stories about your ecosystem.If you tell your friends about your favorite local businesses or you post about them on social media, you are already telling their stories.  You're just not thinking about it that way. Listen to the full episode to hear: Five key aspects to consider when building your storytelling strategy Why keeping it simple will help you keep it consistent How to set the tone for your stories so that they acknowledge what's hard, while staying hopeful Five tips for successful storytelling Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: @FindLocalRVA on Instagram Manifesto for a Moral Revolution: Practices to Build a Better World, Jacqueline Novogratz Isaac Jeffries on consistent content creation How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from the Moth Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building (campaign)

Welcome to our second Summer Skill Session. I hope you're kicking it by the pool, popsicle in hand, your headphones on, eager to add another skill to your toolbox as an ecosystem builder.Today, we're talking about entrepreneurial outreach.Tell me if this sounds familiar:We're launching a support program for entrepreneurs, but how do we make them aware of it?Hey, I'm hosting this workshop conference event for entrepreneurs. Can you help me get the word out?Or one of my favorites, there just are no entrepreneurs in our community.If you've heard one or several of these statements in your ecosystem, today's episode is for you.Listen to the full episode to hear: Why listening deeply is the first step of outreach, especially if you want to connect to entrepreneurs from backgrounds different than yours Why an open door isn't enough, you have to go out into the community you want to serve How to shift your language to make your outreach more specifically and intentionally inclusive The difference between short-term tactics that build awareness and long-term tactics that build relationships and trust Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Enoch Elwell Ecosystems for Change, S02E02: Humanity-Focused Systems Design with Madelynn Martiniere Ecosystems for Change, S01E03: How to Build Trust Within an Ecosystem with Charlton Cunningham CO.STARTERS webinar: Unconventional Ways to Find New Entrepreneurs

I don't know about you, but every time I go on social media, I see people vacationing in the Greek isles or somewhere on Bermuda, and while I'm stuck here in my lovely home office in my new hometown of Stanton, Virginia, I feel like summer as well.So instead of a fully produced season that is a chapter in our playbook of ecosystem building, I am bringing you the Summer Skill Sessions.I imagine you lying on a beach somewhere, kicking it with a cocktail or mocktail in hand, trying to keep cool and wondering how to become a better ecosystem building. Isn't that what we all think about all the time?The idea behind these Summer Skill Sessions is to bring you short snippets of episodes that introduce you to a very practical skill for ecosystem builders and walk you through some of the steps that you need to take to master that skill, and leave you with a lot of resources to dive a little bit deeper and become an expert on this skill. In our first Summer Skills Session, we are going to talk about ecosystem mapping.Listen to the full episode to hear: Four key reasons why we map ecosystems Why you need to engage collaborators as soon as possible How defining the ecosystem, target audience, scope, and the question you're answering shape the map you're making How making sure you collect qualitative data makes your map more than just a directory How your research question will guide your data analysis and the way you present your findings Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Ecosystems for Change S01E01: What is Ecosystem Building?  Ecosystems for Change S02E04: Servant Leadership, Co-writing New Narratives and Burnout in Ecosystem Building with Jeff Bennett Definition of an entrepreneurial ecosystem, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation DIY Resources E3 Scorecard, Forward Cities Guide for Mapping the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, GIZ Building a community entrepreneurial ecosystem: A self-guided training for communities, Main Street America Selected Service Providers Sourcelink Resource Navigator EcoMap Economic Impact Catalyst Articles Chad Renando: Mapping Innovation Ecosystems Jeff Bennett: How to Get Started Mapping Your Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Jeff Bennett: The Benefits of Mapping Your Startup & Innovation Ecosystem Startup Junkies: Venture Ecosystem Building Canvas

Welcome, friends, to my third logbook, the in-between seasons update where I share what's going on behind the scenes of the show in my day job as an ecosystem builder in the Shenandoah Valley, in the field of ecosystem building in general, and in my personal life.I will also give you a little sneak peek of what lies ahead and how you can get involved.Listen to the full episode to hear: We bought a house! Embarking on a listening tour and hosting the inaugural Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summit with SCCF Fall conference season is almost here Coming up in season four: social capital, conflict management, and collaboration Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Ecosystem Building Leadership Project EBLP Online Community

I set out on this season assuming that we all want to lead happier and healthier lives in which we don't fall victim to burnout, stress and overwhelm.And this, by the way, does not just concern ecosystem builders and do-gooders.Most of us look for purpose in our lives, for work that fulfills us, for time and resources to spend on things we enjoy. Don't we all dream of having meaningful, trusting relationships with our friends and families?Am I the only one who fantasizes about an ideal version of myself as a healthy, strong, resilient, equanimous and happy person?Some days, I still fantasize about the Anika who has her manageable workload under control, who breezes through her to-do list, resolves conflict and wakes up bursting with energy each day ready to make a difference in her community.And then I remember that she is a product of my imagination.This season confirmed that there is no magic formula, no secret ingredient. It all comes down to priorities, to looking at the big picture and deciding what kind of life we want to live, and making changes to our lifestyle accordingly. None of my guests revealed a secret that will magically prevent us from burnout. But each of them brought several pieces of advice that work for THEM and that hopefully can work for us, too. Listen to the full episode to hear: Why we have to learn to listen to our bodies and run slower How holding on to your boundaries and your ethics can help prevent you from burning the candle at both ends  Why we need to learn how to press pause on the to-do list The benefits of reaching out for help when we're stuck Why entrepreneurship is always personal Learn more about Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Leave a voice message!

In today's episode, you'll meet Shelly Rose, a natural foods chef and one of my favorite people on this Earth!In my humble opinion, Shelly is a gift to humanity because she is deeply invested in helping others–irrespective of age, background and current lifestyle–lead a healthy life.In this conversation, we talk about sleep, nutrition, staying hydrated, taking good care of your nervous system - which I think we could all use some advice on. Shelly also shares how she is moving your body regularly, what she does to prepare her body for aging, and how we can integrate healthier habits into our day-to-day life. But rest assured, we don't talk about raw kale or celery juice - Shelly enjoys pastries and the occasional treat like we all do. She is human after all! Shelly Rose founded Pure Roots Nutrition in 2011, a company dedicated to helping people implement a more joyful and peace-filled life through real food, movement, stress relief, meaningful connection, purpose, time spent in nature, and a good night's sleep.She has worked in medical practices alongside Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) specializing in food sensitivities, chronic conditions, and incorporating meal plans, culinary skills, and lifestyle changes into patient care plans. While working independently as an educator and consultant today, Shelly still actively partners in client/patient care with like-minded integrative, functional and naturopathic medicine healthcare providers.Listen to the full episode to hear: How Shelly learned to connect how her body felt with what she was eating Why sleep is the foundation for a healthier lifestyle How to recognize when your nervous system is dysregulated How to evaluate and set priorities when it comes to making sustainable changes for your health Learn more about Shelly Rose: Pure Roots Nutrition Instagram: @purerootsnutrition Learn more about Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Leave a voice message Resources:Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, James Clear

In today's episode, you'll meet my friend David Hirsch.David is one of those rare people who–within two minutes of talking to you–makes you feel completely seen, heard, understood, and valued. I hope you get some of that in this conversation. From his office in Chattanooga, TN, he shares with us his experience with burnout as a community builder. David talks about not only the mental and emotional toll, but the physical manifestations of his work-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Grounded in his experience as a youth worker, David has developed a unique approach to taking care of himself and others by deeply engaging our own support networks as an active selfcare practice. A full stack community builder who can't help but see the best in people, David Hirsch has sought to improve the lives of others by creating sustainability in their lives. This work spans personal, professional, spiritual, and familial considerations. Drawing from a varied background, and many wise friends/mentors/books, he is occasionally able to bring the right resource to the right person at the right time for the right reason... when he is paying attention, listens, and is not being a narcissist.Listen to the full episode to hear: How ecosystem builders unconsciously push each other toward burnout Why ecosystem builders and the people in their lives need community support, not self care How asking for help builds stronger communities Why ecosystem builders need to work toward transfers of trust in their projects Learn more about David Hirsch: Facebook: @hirschey8 Connect with David on LinkedIn Learn more about Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Leave a voice message! Resources: BetterHelp Sustainable Youth Ministry: Why Most Youth Ministry Doesn't Last and What Your Church Can Do about It, Mark DeVries The Body Keeps The Score, Bessel van der Kolk Your Brain is Always Listening, David G. Amen

Today's conversation takes place in Dayton, Ohio, where I caught up with Candace Dalmagne-Rouge, social entrepreneur, Zebra and mother of twin girls.I wanted you all to meet Candace because she has lived the startup life of acceleration, ecosystem building, and Silicon Valley and has come out the other end intact to start a business that is deeply aligned with her personal experience and purpose.I so enjoyed talking to her about spirituality, trusting your intuition and acknowledging the important transitions in life. Candace Dalmagne-Rouge is the Founder of Ceremony - helping people honor, heal and celebrate life. Through DIY ceremony kits, events and eventually retreats, her intention is to cultivate sacred, inspired space and bring people into power, presence and reverence for life.With nearly a decade of experience supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startup ecosystems both locally and internationally, Candace combines her knowledge in entrepreneurship with her passion for holistic wellbeing in this latest venture. Content note: This episode discusses miscarriage and child loss.Listen to the full episode to hear: How Candace realized she needed a change from the hustle of working for Silicon Valley The practices that Candace uses to keep herself balanced and grounded  How creating space for ceremony has played an important role in Candace's life and why she wants to bring that to others Why Candace says it's critical to develop a relationship with your intuition for when things get tough Learn more about Candace Dalmagne-Rouge: Ceremony Instagram: @holdceremony  Facebook: @holdceremony  Connect with Candace on LinkedIn  Learn more about Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Leave a voice message! Resources:Dr. Joe Dispenza

Today, I want you to meet Alex Boross-Harmer.Alex used to be my Crossfit Coach and has since taken a completely new, holistic and empathetic approach to helping others move their body. Think sweating and panting, but fun.From the 15th floor of their condo in Toronto, Canada, Alex talks about their transition from Barbie to Ken with an ink sleeve, making the fitness industry more human and honoring their own needs.Alex Boross-Harmer is an activist, coach, teacher, social-worker-in-training, and communication-obsessed human. Equal parts rebel, academic, and want-to-be Ted Lasso, Alex uses mental-health-focused fitness as a vehicle to heal our collective oppression in a capitalist, patriarchal society. Alex's mission is to create spaces for others who, like them, felt like they "never quite fit in" in the world around them and want to feel not only safe but powerful expressing their full, unapologetically unique selves.Listen to the full episode to hear: How pivoting to online classes as the pandemic started gave Alex the freedom to re-envision how they approach fitness How to find movement that brings you joy Why fitness professionals need to approach their clients as whole humans who don't have to leave their feelings at the door How Alex prioritizes self care and rest, while working to let go of the shame or productivity culture Learn more about Alex Boross-Harmer: ABH Movement Instagram: @abh_movement TikTok: @abh_movement Beneath the Armour Learn more about Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Leave a voice message! Resources:Brené Brown: Dare to Lead podcast

Today, we're headed to Melbourne, Australia, to talk to my good friend Isaac Jeffries.He was kind enough to sit down after a late-night game of Aussie rules to talk to me about his experience working in the Australian and South Pacific social enterprise space.We chatted about setting and upholding boundaries to ensure we don't disappoint ourselves or the people around us who matter. We also talked about having the guts to share your work, managing your energy, and staying true to your ethical compass.Isaac Jeffries works with people who want to do good and make money at the same time. He runs accelerator programs and coaching sessions with social entrepreneurs to help them grow their businesses and stay financially sustainable.Listen to the full episode to hear: How feeling responsible for something greater than ourselves can fuel action and burning the candle at both ends How Isaac now balances work that is energizing and work that is draining Why setting and keeping boundaries means getting comfortable with disappointing people Why your ethical reputation is far more important than your output reputation How making progress in secret can create longevity in your creativity Learn more about Isaac Jeffries: IsaacJeffries.com Instagram: @evander.strategy Learn more about Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Leave a voice message! Resources:Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered, Austin Kleon

If you listened to the first two seasons of this show, you may have noticed that I ask each guest how they're handling the demands of the work as systemic thinkers and doers.Having worked in this space for years, I know that many of us idealists and hopeless optimists come dangerously close to burning the candle on both ends on a regular basis. And this is why we need to talk about burnout friends.We cannot afford for any of us to break down, to quit. Who is going to change the world if all the changemakers are depleted and exhausted?And what's more, we're not interchangeable. One ecosystem builder or social impact enthusiast lost is a huge cost. I firmly believe that we all have a unique gift that we bring into this world and when we lose someone to burnout, that gift will forever be lost to our community.In season 3, I talk to practitioners who can help us build a solid foundation of physical, mental and emotional health so that we can stay in this game of ecosystem building for a long time to come!Listen to the full episode to hear: How I grappled with exhaustion and burning the candle at both ends Why just working harder isn't the answer The systemic issues that leave so many ecosystem builders feeling spent and exhausted Learn more about the contributors to the episode: Cara Meyer Jane Finnette  Lisa Millette Tracey Greene Tara McMullin Learn more about Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Leave a voice message! Resources: Martyr in Recovery What Works with Tara McMullin Ep 379: Why do we choose squeezing more in over taking time off?  Joe Maruschak's Farewell Letter

Welcome to my second logbook, an in-between-seasons update on what's been going on behind the scenes of this show and in my work in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, paired with a few observations from the field of ecosystem building here in the US.In between seasons, I love giving you a little sneak peek into what I have planned over the coming weeks and how YOU can get involved! Let's do it!Thank you to my special guests Dr. Amy Beaird, TJ Wright and Lauren MathenaListen to the full episode to hear: What I've been working on at the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF) Conversations from the 2022 Startup Champions Network Summit What I'm working on for the fall at SCCF What's coming in Season 3 of Ecosystems for Change and a way for you to get involved Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Leave a voice message! Resources: Ecosystem Evolution: What's next for the doers, dreamers and makers in the Valley? - Shenandoah Community Capital Fund Startup Champions Network Ecosystems for Change S02E05: Thriving In a World of Ambiguity, Uncertainty, and Constant Change with April Rinne Ecosystems for Change S01E05: How to Manage Copycats and Grow Ecosystems Together with Darlisa Diltz