Podcasts about b corporation

Ralph welcomes political consultant and pollster, Celinda Lake, to outline a ten-point Progressive Contract for America that she and Ralph believe – if adopted by Democratic candidates— will ensure they landslide the Republicans in the midterms. Then, Ben Cohen stops by to fill us in on his “Free Ben & Jerry!” campaign to take back the brand from the conglomerate that no longer retains the social justice values of their original company. Plus, Marine Corp veteran, Matthew Hoh, tells us about the provocative speech he made on Veterans Day entitled “Armistice Day and the Empire.”Celinda Lake is a political strategist and president of Lake Research Partners. She and her firm are known for cutting-edge research on issues including the economy, health care, the environment and education, and have worked for a number of institutions including the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Governor's Association, AFL-CIO, SEIU, CWA, Sierra Club, NARAL, Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood, VoteVets Action Fund, and the Kaiser Family Foundation. Her international work has included work in Liberia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus Ukraine, South Africa, and Central America.I think [a Compact for America] is a really, really, really important idea, and it's absolutely essential to winning…And it should include concrete economic proposals. And it is noticeable that the two people who won governorships in 2025—Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill—both had contracts with their voters.Celinda LakeDemocrats need to lay out ten concrete proposals and run on them. We have the critique of what's going on. We understand what's happening in real people's lives. The third leg of the stool is offering our alternative—and a concrete alternative that people can pass on to their friends and family, that people can hold us accountable for. And the last of the ten proposals in the contract needs to be something about campaign finance reform. We have to get corporate money out of politics, or our system will continue to be rigged against us and rotting from the middle.Celinda LakeBen Cohen is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and longtime anti-war activist. He is a co-founder of the ice cream company Ben & Jerry's and a prominent supporter of progressive causes. He is co-founder of Up In Arms, a public education and advocacy campaign pushing for a common-sense approach to military budgeting.What's happened is that the company recently got owned by the Magnum Corporation, and the Magnum Corporation has disbanded that independent board of directors. I mean, it's kind of a crazy, stupid move because it's under that independent board (which has legal authority over the social mission and the quality of the product and the use of the trademark) it's under that independent board that the company has grown and done so well. But they've gotten rid of the independent board.Ben CohenWhen Ben & Jerry's was in the midst of trying to fend off this acquisition, there were some new laws that were passed in Vermont that allowed a consideration of the benefit of the community with regard to a potential sale. And after the sale happened, B Corporation started. And I've talked with the founder of B Corp, and he was saying that one of the inspirations for starting B Corporations was what happened to Ben & Jerry's. So B Corporations are a different legal structure for corporations which requires them to take into account the social benefit to the community and legally makes it easier to resist these efforts to have the company taken over.Ben CohenMatthew Hoh is a disabled Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War and former Afghan War State Department Officer. In 2009, after being appointed to the Foreign Service, Hoh resigned his post in Afghanistan over the Obama administration's escalation of the Afghan War. He is now an analyst and commentator on foreign and military policy issues as a senior fellow with the Eisenhower Media Network. He serves on the advisory boards of many peace organizations, including Veterans for Peace and World Beyond War, and is an associate member of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity.The United States recognized Armistice Day as a holiday until after the Second World War. And then in the height of the Cold War in the early 1950s, this idea of a holiday dedicated to peace, a holiday dedicated to the abrogation of warfare, a holiday that exposed just how false the motives for war are—oh that was incredibly troublesome. That was very problematic for the American empire (again, at the height of the Cold War). So there was this campaign to rename Armistice Day to Veterans Day. And this way, it became not a remembrance of the horrors of war, of what war entailed, of who profited from war. But rather a celebration of American veterans, that they have won freedoms, they have protected us from overseas enemies—and utilizing veterans, then, as a tool to crush dissent, to silence opposition.Matthew HohClick here to sign up to get a copy of Matthew Hoh's "Armistice Day and the Empire”News 6/19/26* Our top stories this week are about major local progressive victories. Here in Washington, DC Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George – endorsed by a broad coalition of groups including the Metro DC DSA, the AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club and many more – has triumphed in the Mayoral primary. Lewis George trounced her centrist opponent, Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, who was backed both by major local corporate interests, such as the realtor lobby and even the Washington Parking Association, but also Democratic Party power brokers, including two former DNC Chairs. Lewis George, hailed as DC's answer to Zohran Mamdani, won over 50% of the vote in the first round, meaning that while this is DC's first mayoral election under ranked-choice voting, this race will not trigger this mechanism. McDuffie, for his part, won around 36% of the vote, coming ahead of Lewis George only in Ward 3, the wealthiest in the District. While votes remain to be counted, McDuffie has conceded.* Another DSA-backed candidate is poised to win a seat on the DC council. In Ward 1, Aparna Raj appears to have come up just short of 50% but while this means the race will go to a second round of ranked-choice reallocation, given that Raj is more than 25 points ahead of her nearest opponent, her victory is all but guaranteed. This is based upon data from the DC Board of Elections. Raj's impending victory, paired with that of Janeese Lewis George and others like Oye Owolewa demonstrates that the DC DSA is an electoral force to be reckoned with.* In more progressive electoral news, Semafor reports Bernie Sanders has endorsed former Congresswoman Cori Bush in her “comeback” bid for her old seat. Bush, a nurse and Black Lives Matter activist, was a member of the “Squad” in the House before she was defeated by a primary challenge from the right, backed in large part by AIPAC money. With the Republican redistricting in her home state of Missouri, this seat is now the sole remaining safe Democratic seat in the Show-Me State. In a statement, Bush said she was “honored to be endorsed” by Sanders, whom she called a “true leader in our movement to guarantee healthcare, housing, and childcare for all.”* Another much-publicized Bernie endorsement was announced this week: that of Tennessee state Rep. Justin J. Pearson. Pearson was originally running as a primary challenger against longtime incumbent Congressman Steve Cohen in Tennessee's 9th congressional district, but since the state Republicans redrew the districts Cohen has decided to retire, leaving the Democratic nomination to Pearson for the taking. While this district has been drawn in such a way to make it difficult for a Democrat to win, Pearson argues that “You've got a number of disaffected Republican voters, you've got a number of distraught MAGA voters, and you've got fired-up Democrats, which is a perfect recipe for success for us…Because our tent is big enough for everybody who is feeling that this status quo was rigged and broken against working-class folk, and want to see a future that is more just,” per the Intercept.* Elsewhere in the South, the race in Florida's 20th congressional district is descending into chaos. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the powerful centrist Democratic congresswoman who was drawn out of her traditional seat by the recent Republican-led redistricting is now officially running in this district, a move that “disappointed” Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried, according to the Miami Herald. Fried further stated that Wasserman Schultz “[refused] to engage in meaningful dialogue about her decision.” Elijah Manley, the progressive candidate in this race, had harsher words for DWS. In a quote reported by Florida Politics, Manley stated “I'm not surprised that Debbie Wasserman Schultz is carpetbagging to FL-20, a black opportunity district, abandoning her own district and constituents…She is no different than the Republicans that are eviscerating black representation across the South. She is everything that's wrong with the broken unpopular Democratic establishment…I look forward to retiring her from public office permanently.”* Facing down the barrel of this decision, several of the Black candidates running in the 20th convened to discuss a plan to consolidate in order to ensure the district would continue to be represented by a Black member of Congress, as it has been for the past 34 years. However, CBS reports that plan has “fallen apart” as the filing deadline passed with none of the major Black candidates bowing out. This report includes statements from Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who, the piece notes, resigned from this very seat in disgrace earlier this year amid a congressional ethics investigation, saying she is “excited to campaign in the district I have represented for the last 5 years.” Dale Holness, the former Mayor of Broward County, said, “It has to be about policies that produce prosperity for the people.” Elijah Manley, said “I think it's going to come down to who works the hardest, and I think I'm going to work the hardest.” To this end, Manley has recently racked up major progressive endorsements in Florida, including Armando Grundy-Gomes, President of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, through President Matthew Grocholske, and Black Voters Matter lead Florida organizer Jamil Davis. According to the most recent polling, Manley lags behind Wasserman Schultz 21% to 39% in initial ballot testing, but blitzes into the lead 36% to 27% after voters receive candidate biographical information, per Florida Politics.* Another major political story from Florida is the comeback bid of former Congressman Alan Grayson. Grayson, who won a House seat in 2008, lost it in the Tea Party wave of 2010, won another seat, ran unsuccessfully for Senate, and then sought a comeback in 2018 is running in Florida's 7th congressional district, AOL reports. Grayson, known during his time in Congress for his “combative style and frequent clashes with Republicans,” is seeking to unseat scandal-plagued incumbent Republican Congressman Cory Mills. As this piece notes, Mills has “faced allegations ranging from sextortion claims made by a former girlfriend to accusations that he embellished aspects of his military record,” as well as what appears to be clear instances of corruption, such as driving government contracts to entities he owned. However, before these two have any chance of facing off against one another, both will have to get through his own party's primary.* Looking to Latin America, the outgoing President of Colombia Gustavo Petro, has published a fascinating op-ed in the Washington Post. In this piece, President Petro emphasizes how his government – considered one of the most opposed to American intervention in the region – has cooperated with the United States on shared objectives including stopping the “deadly flow of drug trafficking and transnational criminal violence.” Throughout the op-ed, Petro goes to great lengths to talk up Trump and how they have collaborated on mutual goals, even ending the piece by writing that “with continued U.S.-Colombia partnership, we can truly make the Americas great again.” This apparent about face from Petro, culminating in an obsequious appeal to Trump's favor, has led many to speculate about Petro's motivations here, including fear for his own safety, possible persecution within the American legal system or intervention in Colombia if his designated successor Ivan Cepeda ultimately wins the Colombian runoff presidential election this month. Whether or not this stratagem will work remains to be seen, but with Trump, flattery can get you everywhere.* In neighboring Peru, votes continue to be counted in the razor's edge race between Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sánchez. The votes for the election, held on June 7th, are almost completely counted now – the tally stands at 99.38% – and at the moment Fujimori leads by around 39,000 votes. However, around 140,000 votes have been formally challenged, with 60% of those coming from Fujimori strongholds like Lima as well as Peruvians abroad. This from Reuters. Peru's political system has been wracked by instability, with the country going through nine presidents in the last ten years. Another painstakingly close election is unlikely to restore stability no matter who comes out on top.* Finally, we turn to the Middle East, where it seems the numerous parties involved in the latest round of peace talks may have finally reached a deal. According to Al Jazeera, in addition to the US-Iran agreement, rooted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which includes financial concessions to the Islamic Republic, Israel and Hezbollah are pursuing a ceasefire in Lebanon. However, Israel's notoriously loose interpretation of ceasefire agreements jeopardizes both this deal and MOU. Journalist and expert Rania Khalek states simply that “From Iran's perspective, continued Israeli strikes would be a violation of that understanding.” Vice President JD Vance, who has been intimately involved in these negotiations, expressed a sharp warning to Israel not to jeopardize the deal and risk alienating Trump, their “only ally” left. Trump for his part is already hedging, saying “If it works out, I'm going to take the credit…If it doesn't work out, I'm blaming JD,” per CNN. A report in the Hill indicates that Republican Senators would largely oppose the deal if it were submitted for their approval, but given the increasing concentration of foreign policy powers in the executive branch, it is unlikely the Senate will even be consulted.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Tom Spencer, Director of Customer Data Sciences at Aviva, about what it takes to build a genuinely customer-centric organisation using data and AI.   Tom shares how Aviva is using customer analytics, machine learning and emerging AI technologies to improve customer relevance, strengthen retention and create more joined-up experiences across millions of customers and multiple product lines. The conversation explores how large organisations can connect data strategy directly to business outcomes through experimentation, targeting intelligence and faster feedback loops.   The episode also looks at the operational realities behind the ambition: legacy systems, fragmented journeys, data foundations and the importance of strong partnerships between data teams and the wider business.   Tom reflects on how generative AI is changing customer expectations and why organisations that succeed will be those with the strongest understanding of their customers.  

Operating a business strictly for profit is an outdated, exhausting leak on long-term sustainability. True organizational energy comes from aligning corporate objectives with a distinct, larger mission that transforms standard daily operations into purposeful problem solving. For many leaders, the disconnect between personal values and their professional output creates a heavy friction point that ultimately stalls organizational growth. We sit down with Bryan Welch, an experienced media executive, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Consumer Impact Events, to map out the tactical reality of leading an impact-driven enterprise.We get into the specific mechanics of balancing a purpose-driven mission with the raw, daily puzzles of traditional retail operations. Bryan details his 50 year business journey from running community newspapers to managing massive media spaces like Mother Earth News, revealing why deep interest sustains a career far longer than raw passion alone. Our conversation pivots into technical territory as we break down the rise of Agentic Commerce, analyzing how artificial intelligence utilizes data points from rigorous B Corporation certifications to fundamentally shift consumer shopping behaviors. We also analyze the unglamorous friction points existing between suppliers and big retail merchants, exploring data-backed methods to remove costly food waste, streamline distribution loops, and foster collaborative value creation.Operators frequently get torpedoed during market scaling because they rely on theory instead of directly confronting the logistical realities of category pricing. True sustainable growth requires a grounded mindset shift, a willingness to embrace the messy variables of human error, and the courage to strip away manufactured brand identities. Viewers will walk away with a functional framework for auditing their supply chain inefficiencies, an understanding of the incoming artificial intelligence landscape, and a blueprint for executing authentic leadership.

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Alessandra Di Lorenzo, advisor to CMOs, author of Adjust and TEDx speaker, about how AI is reshaping the internet business model. They explore the rise of zero-click search, recommendation engines and feed-based commerce, and discuss why brand trust, direct traffic and consumer awareness are becoming more important as AI increasingly acts as a gatekeeper between brands and audiences. For senior business and technology leaders, this episode offers a timely perspective on what happens when the economics of the internet start to change. Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

Chefs Alen Ramos and Carolyn Nugent have been mentored by some of the world's most renowned chefs. The two, who are now married, met while working for Joël Robuchon, who was awarded the title "Chef of the Century" in 1989. The two decided to pack their bags and learn from the greats of Europe. They've worked in restaurants in France, Switzerland and Spain, and were selected to work in El Bulli and The Fat Duck, judged to be the number one and number two restaurants in the world during their tenure. They strengthened their gastronomic foundation through invaluable classical French training at Pierre Hermé in Paris. "We have been the recipients of priceless training by some of the best chefs of our time," said Nugent. "We are expressing that knowledge at Poulette Bakeshop, offering delicious food, made with care by a team of passionate people, led by experienced chefs." After returning to the United States from Europe, the pair spearheaded the bread and pastry programs at L2o in Chicago, under the mentorship of Laurent Gras, which was subsequently awarded three Michelin stars. The two then built the French Patisserie program at Bottega Louie in Los Angeles and went on to assist Thomas Keller with Bouchon Bakery in Beverly Hills. Next, Ramos & Nugent were part of the team that facilitated Quince in San Francisco going from a two Michelin star rating to three stars. The couple's reputation earned them a Research & Development position at the iconic Tartine Bakery in San Francisco where they pushed fresh milled flours and heritage grains to the forefront of artisanal baking. Finally, working under Chefs Jacquy Pfeiffer & Sebastien Canonne as a chef-instructor at The French Pastry School, the nation's top educational facility for baking & pastry education, finalized a love of education and classical French pastry. In 2020, Nugent was honored to have been selected and cast as Chef Assistant to world renowned Chef & Chocolatier, Amaury Guichon, for his debut television show, School of Chocolate, now streaming internationally on Netflix. In 2024, Carolyn & Alen were honored to be nationally recognized as Semifinalists for The James Beard Awards in the category of Best Pastry Chef and Baker. "Our many years of education allowed us the opportunity to create Michelin star style pastry and confections in a large-scale environment," said Ramos. "The techniques we use at Poulette Bakeshop have been a specialty of the French patisserie for hundreds of years and are difficult to master. We can't wait to bring European and American style pastries, treats, loaves of bread and tasty food made from locally sourced ingredients to Parker." "We believe in the tradition of our craft," said Nugent. "Alen and I have driven the concepts of other great chefs throughout our careers, but feel that now is our time to make our dream a reality." Their artisanal pastries and baked goods can be found at Poulette Bakeshop in Parker, Colorado, every Wednesday to Saturday from 8am-3pm. www.poulettebakeshop.com In this episode, we discuss: How Alen and Carolyn met while working at Robuchon in Las Vegas Soaking up the creative juices at El Bulli in Spain Working hard and learning lots at The Fat Duck On the opening team at L2O in Chicago Being part of the magic at Tartine in San Francisco Opening a pop-up in Parker, CO during COVID The birth of Poulette Bakeshop And much more! Episode Sponsored by  Valrhona, a certified B Corporation, has been crafting exceptional chocolate in the village of Tain L'Hermitage, France, since 1922. Founded by Pastry Chef Albéric Guironnet as the chocolate of chefs, Valrhona is known for its dedication to creating unique, artisan-quality chocolate with complex and balanced flavors. This commitment to excellence reflects the rich gastronomic traditions of the Rhone Valley, ensuring that every bite of Valrhona chocolate offers a consistent and unparalleled tasting experience. Visit valrhona.us for more information.

Jay Buys is the founder and CEO of Visceral, a B Corp-certified creative agency that builds brands and websites exclusively for social change organizations. Working with nonprofits, foundations, and other mission-driven partners, Jay has helped shape a business model that puts people, profit, and planet in conversation rather than opposition. In San Diego and beyond, he is part of a growing movement challenging the idea that business success has to come at the expense of workers, communities, or values.  This Episode: What would it take to reimagine business as a force for shared good? Jay and Grant dig into the growing movement to build companies that measure success by more than profit alone. Their conversation explores Certified B Corporations (B Corps), social enterprise, and the wider push for business models that invest in workers, communities, and the future. Jay sees business as a vital community asset—one that can actively contribute to shared prosperity and well-being.  In his view, profit itself is not the problem; greed is. What matters most is how a business uses its resources and whether its values are reflected in wages, benefits, accountability, and community impact. They examine the difference between authentic commitment and “purpose washing,” and what it means to run a company that tries to live its values, even when there are tradeoffs. The conversation also looks to the future. Grant and Jay discuss why younger workers are asking different questions about work, what San Diego could become as a hub for business for good, and how emerging technologies like AI are raising fresh ethical challenges.  Key Moments: [2:44] What B Corp certification actually means and why Visceral chose that path [8:21] “Profit's not the thing that we're mad at — it's greed.” [13:55] Why “being a good business is good for business” [15:41] What younger workers are demanding from employers and why that matters [28:54] Why Jay believes San Diego could become a leader in business for good Key Terms: Certified B Corporation/B Corp – A certified business that meets standards for social and environmental impact, accountability, and transparency.  Purpose-Driven Business – A company that aims to make money while also advancing social or environmental good. Social Enterprise – A revenue-generating business built to address a social issue. Purpose Washing – When a company talks about values or impact without the practices to support those claims. Public Benefit Corporation – A legal business structure that allows a company to pursue public good alongside profit; different from B Corp certification. Mentioned in This Episode: Business for Good San Diego – Local nonprofit advancing policies and practices that support a more inclusive, community-centered economy  B Local San Diego – Regional B Corp community helping businesses connect and grow B Corp Certification – Framework and certification process for businesses committed to people, planet, and profit Cause San Diego – Local network supporting socially conscious business leadership Take Action: Support Businesses That Walk the Talk – Look for companies whose practices reflect the values they promote. Spend in Line with Your Values – When possible, choose local, ethical, and community-minded businesses.  Ask What Success Should Mean – Consider how businesses might measure success through people and impact, not just profit. Encourage Better Workplaces – Champion cultures that offer fair pay, real support, and a sense of shared purpose. Stay Curious About New Models – Explore the growing movement around B Corps, social enterprise, co-ops, and employee ownership. Credits: This is a production of the Prebys FoundationHosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageProduced by Adam Greenfield, Tess Karesky, Edgar Ontiveros Medina, and Crystal PageEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Coordination by Tess KareskyVideo Production by Edgar Ontiveros MedinaThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPod​cast​.comSpecial thanks to the Prebys Foundation TeamIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share and subscribe.

Kean welcomes back Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, for part 2. If you haven't heard Michael's first interview, check out episode 42 (April 30, 2025 release). Michael shares how important it is to be aligned with the mission of your job, organization or path in life. We also discuss the need for doing "good" with today's business models, whether a new B Corporation or an established business like Microsoft.  Michael answers how he builds upon the good & feels an obligation to help the next generations. Ultimately, good people come together during times of crisis. Visit www.CharityNavigator.org to review thousands of not-for-profits and to support their mission. Visit us at www.BuildUponTheGood.com and on Facebook & Instagram. Special thank you to our sponsor Empire Wine and Spirits, and Empire Too. Follow them at www.EmpireWine.com and visit them in person at their Albany, NY locations! The Capital Region's biggest selection! Special thank you to Sean Kelly and the band The Samples for permission to use "Streets in the Rain." www.TheSamples.com

Alexina Cassidy is the founder of ActNow Consulting and a passionate advocate for helping businesses become a force for good. As a Sustainable Business Advisor, she supports organisations in developing practical ESG and sustainability strategies that balance commercial success with environmental and social responsibility.Alexina is also a specialist B Corp Consultant, guiding companies through the journey toward B Corp certification and helping them embed responsible practices into the heart of their operations. Alongside this, she works with organisations to develop credible carbon reduction plans as part of their path to Net Zero, and delivers Carbon Literacy training through engaging workshops and courses delivered both online and in person.After a varied career spanning investment banking, fundraising, teaching, and project coordination within the legal consulting sector, Alexina launched ActNow Consulting in 2023 to focus fully on helping organisations reduce their carbon footprints and create meaningful positive impact for their people, communities, and the planet. In July 2025, ActNow Consulting itself became a certified B Corporation.An optimist at heart, Alexina believes businesses have a responsibility to address the climate and biodiversity crisis and that collective action can drive real change. Guided by her mantra, “Always Make a Difference,” she works to inspire organisations to reduce negative impacts and increase their positive contribution to the world.Originally broadcast on Open4Business on NLive Radio Wednesday 18th of March

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan sits down with Hervé Billet, CEO and co-founder of Sunvoy, the first white-label customer portal and fleet management app built by solar installers for solar installers. Hervé shares his entrepreneurial journey, from helping design Belgium's first solar car to building and selling a solar installation company in the U.S., and now leading Sunvoy. The conversation covers what solar companies need to do to create long-term enterprise value, how branding and systems drive successful exits, and why clean accounting, process, and operational discipline matter if you want to sell a business. Benoy and Hervé also discuss how Sunvoy helps installers improve operations by bringing critical project and O&M data into one place, reducing time spent hunting for information and improving the customer experience. They also explore current solar industry trends, including the shift toward Third Party Ownership (“TPOs”) and leases, rising electricity prices as a driver of solar adoption, technology improvements in solar hardware and storage, and why installer-built software creates a real competitive advantage.   Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Hervé Billet As the CEO of Sunvoy, I'm committed to empowering solar businesses with innovative technology that streamlines operations and enhances customer experience. Sunvoy is the first white-label customer portal and fleet management app, built by solar installers for solar installers. Our platform simplifies the complexities of running a solar business, enabling companies to scale efficiently with seamless integration and effortless results. Sunvoy offers powerful tools to manage solar fleets, automate communication, and deliver an exceptional customer journey, helping companies thrive in an increasingly competitive market. Previously, I served as the CEO of Ipsun Solar, where we revolutionized the residential and commercial solar market by enabling customers to own their power, reduce their utility bills, and add value to their properties through clean, renewable energy. Ipsun Solar, a B-Corporation, was known for its commitment to sustainability, being part of the Amicus and Amicus O&M networks, and serving as a certified Tesla Powerwall installer. Before venturing into the solar industry, I worked at Accenture, where I consulted with Fortune 500 companies, U.S. Federal agencies, and large non-profits. My projects included: Calculating Greenhouse Gas emissions for the U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters. Business development for Accenture's Sustainability Services. Leading digital implementation teams for organizations like Goodwill Industries International. Providing strategic support to global institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, UNICEF, United Nations, and U.S. Department of Labor. At 21, I co-founded my first company, Solar Team, an initiative to showcase the power of solar energy through solar-powered vehicles. This early venture sparked my enduring passion for renewable energy and continues to inspire my work today.   Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/   Hervé Billet Website: https://sunvoy.com/  Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/hervebilliet/      Please provide 5 star reviews      If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.    Reneu Energy Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets. Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.

As organisations grow, data teams face a familiar challenge - staying focused on what matters while supporting an increasingly complex operation.   In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Rob Kent, Head of Data and AI at Greggs, to explore what pragmatic data leadership looks like in practice. Rob shares how he prioritises work, aligns data initiatives to business strategy and builds trust with stakeholders across the organisation.   The discussion spans how data supports both running and growing a business, from forecasting and workforce planning to customer engagement and operational decision-making. Rob also offers a candid perspective on measuring impact, explaining why not every initiative can be tied to direct ROI and why some data capability is simply the cost of doing business well.   This episode focuses on clarity over complexity, execution over theory and using data to help people make better decisions every day.   Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation. 

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by returning guest Pete Williams, former Director of Data at Penguin Random House, to discuss the findings of Cynozure's 2026 report, The Next Horizon: Data, AI and Impact.   Drawing on insights from senior data and analytics leaders, they explore a persistent challenge: while expectations of data teams have shifted towards impact, investment often remains focused on platforms and foundations.   Jason and Pete reflect on why demonstrating value is still difficult, what the report reveals about priorities, decision-making and data leadership, and the gap between having data and using it effectively. Read the full report to explore what Cynozure's 2026 Data & AI research reveals about turning capability into value.   Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation. 

Business often gets talked about as if it sits neatly in the “economic” box, separate from ethics, power, and social responsibility. In reality, business has always been part of everyday social life, shaped by politics, culture, and shared ideas about what is acceptable or fair—and shaping those things in return. This episode looks at business as just one of several ways change happens, tracing how it has evolved from pre-industrial moral economies, through industrial capitalism, to today's neoliberal context. Along the way, it unpacks the real limits of what business can achieve under capitalism, while also explaining why businesses are so often asked to step in when governments are constrained by politics, budgets, or slow institutions. The conversation then explores two common models of purpose-driven business—B Corporations and social enterprises—drawing a clear distinction between businesses that aim to be good in how they operate and those that exist specifically to do good through their core purpose. Rather than presenting business as a silver bullet, the episode encourages a more honest and practical conversation about when business can genuinely contribute to social and environmental change, and where its role is inherently limited.

ABOUT JOE BAER:Joe's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/joe-baer-4479385Websites:zengenius.com visual911.com Email: jbaer@zengenius.comBIO:Joe is the Co-Founder, Creative Director, and CEO of ZenGenius, Inc., an experiential design firm specializing in visual merchandising and event design. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Joe brings over three decades of mastery in innovative leadership and creative direction to the design, visual merchandising and special events industries. He has extensive knowledge of the customer journey from working in stores for decades and is a seasoned public speaker who has traveled the world to inspire and educate others through the art of visual merchandising, design and special events.Additionally, Joe has contributed his retail know-how to multiple publications, authored The Art of Visual Merchandising: Short North, and created one of my favorite events in the retail industry the Iron Merchant Challenge, a popular interactive visual merchandising competition held annually at the International Retail Design Conference. Joe's passion for the world of design is evident in his role as President of the PAVE Global leadership board - a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation with the mission to support, connect, and inspire the next generation of professionals in the retail design, visual merchandising, and consumer environments industry. He also holds Advisory Board roles at Columbus College of Art and Design and VMSD Magazine. SHOW INTROWelcome to Episode 85! of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast…In every episode we follow our catch phrase of having “Dynamic Dialogues About DATA: Design, Architecture, Technology and the Arts.” And as we continue on this journey, we'll have guests that are thought provoking futurists, AI technology mavens, retailers, international hotel design executives as well as designers and architects of brand experience places.We'll talk with authors and people focused on wellness and sustainable design practices as well as neuroscientists who will continue to help us look at the built environment and the connections between our mind-body and the built world around us.If you like what you hear on the NXTLVL Experience Design show, make sure to subscribe, like, comment and share with colleagues, friends and family.The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is always grateful for the support of VMSD magazine.VMSD brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. I think the IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing us to keep on talking about what makes retailing relevant. You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience. SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.org Today, EPISODE 85… I talk with Joe Baer of Zen Genius an experiential design firm specializing in visual merchandising and event design. Joe had spent more than 3 decades working the in the retail industry bringing visual merchandising know-how to the creation of emotionally resonant branded places. Visual merchandising is allot more than simply making things look good in a store. It's very much about 3D storytelling, sensory experiences, emotions and making places sing as Joe explains.We'll get there in a minute but... first a few thoughts…*                     *                          *                          *Monique worked in the visual merchandising departmentshe was the director there and I was the director in the interior design department our two programs ran concurrently we shared some students across our programs but we seldom actually shared lunchAnd so it was slightly strange but intriguing that she invited me to have lunch with her across the street from the college at a little Thai placeWe sat down, talked about students and then - more as a throw away - she said “they want me to go to Singapore…”And I waited for the next sentence.“But I don't really want to go to Singapore.” she said. “I'd have to leave here. I'd have to leave my son who's thinking about collage a few years and I'd really just prefer to stay in Montreal.”And then there was a silence.“Singapore?!” I said.“I don't even know where Singapore is. That's in Southeast Asia, right? ““yeah, it's like on the other side of the world.” she said.“Sounds exotic. I'd go for sure. Besides, I love Chinese food. I could eat it every day.”“Really?” she said .“Sure, why not? I'd love to go. I love the whole idea of adventure.” “Well anyway,” she said, “I don't know what they are going to do if I don't go. It's to be the Director of the visual merchandising program in an international fashion school and they've got no one else who could do it.” “No seriously, I'd go. I mean I have no idea about what you do and… I'm a guy and that means genetically I actually don't like shopping and I've only ever designed the escalator and fountain at the Eaton center. But let them know that I'd do it.”We finished lunch, climbed over the snowbank of freshly plowed snow, crossed the street to get back for afternoon classes and a few weeks later I was walking down the stairs of a plane in the stultifying humidity at Changi airport.Monday morning, I was the program Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School … in Singapore… and… I had no idea what I was doing but knew my career had taken a significant and abrupt turn.The world of retail design had found me, and I never looked back for the next 20 years.Over those 20 plus years I learned from some masters in retail design and visual merchandising. I arrived in New York after a year, spent an afternoon with Gene Moore, was introduced to Peter Glenn and ended up working with Joe Weishar New Vision Studios. I spent the next four years listening to and watching Joe talk about visual merchandising practice as both art and retail strategy.For Joe Weishar visual merchandising wasn't just a display tactic but was a creative discipline that blended art, design and retail psychology. He merged visual perception and design principles and he would layout a store or a wall with the same mechanics of laying out a composition of a painting – proportions, scale, focal points. He celebrated Visual merchandising as an art form that shaped memorable experiences rather than simply placing products on the shelvesAll of those basic art principles were things that I was deeply familiar with. I had been in private art studios that my parents put me in at the age of nine because they recognized my passion for painting.I had gone to architecture school and spent the first eight years of my career doing traditional architectural projects – museums, libraries, houses, schools… that sort of thing and I taught the design same principles of scale proportion, balance, color, harmony and how you could use those things ultimately to tell a story to students in a College's interior design program in Montreal.Even in those early years of my career in the late 90s, I was learning that retail stores needed to be engaging the senses, and we should be thinking about creatively implementing textures, variations in lighting as well as sound and scent and not just focusing on what customers would experience with their eyes.I was learning that the senses were conduits for emotion and memory - that if you implemented design principles and thoughtful sensory-based visual merchandising elements correctly, that they would help to fill shopping baskets and engage customers in long-term relationships with a brand. These sorts of environments that engaged the senses would increase loyalty and invite return visits because, in the end, the store was simply a backdrop, a theater set for the full-bodied experience of a brand where main feature was the merchandise.If you thought of merchandise as elements in a composition and wrapped them in memorable display moments, it could make stores sing.This sort of thinking positioned retail as experience design rather than a purely commercial layout. The goods were a necessary part of the equation to be sure, but as I working through the foundational years of a retail design career, I saw that great retail places were more than a depository for stuff to be consumed, they had a palpable emotional resonance, they had soul. It was remarkable to me then, as a young retail architect, that we were designing with the purpose of selling…but it was more than that. Great stores fulfilled basic needs, desires and dreams. They were places for relationship building, with people as well as brands.They were story telling places that helped to message group belonging, wellbeing, connection and status. They were places where displays weren't random; they were meant to guide customers through a narrative journey. Every element was intentional, geared towards telling a brand story that invited the customer to participate in the story's unfolding.All of the effort that the designers, merchants and visual teams put into making the store wasn't just about “making it look good,” but making it work well. The design and visual strategy had to be grounded in retail metrics and customer behavior. In the end, our job as co-authors of this retail experience script was to move product.We would calculate merchandising units per square foot. We thought about how product would flow through a department from delivery to markdown and how adjacencies were critical – why groups of products were located next to what other products. We knew how many units had to sell in a department to make the financials work. There was business behind the beauty. Visual merchandising was a silent seller as author Judy Bell would say.In my early years, we didn't think too much about what happened to all the stuff after the store had aged or the season had changed. Graphics, fixtures and display items shifted along with the seasonal changes, holidays or special promotions. And a lot of it just got trashed. We began to think more deeply about the sustainability factor of our work and the impact of retail place making on our environment. It was no longer acceptable that the disposable economy would direct the design of store without any consideration for how it was eventually ending up in landfill sites. Lighting, manufacturing processes, materials, and lifecycles came under more scrutiny. These days, thinking about the sustainable nature of how we design and build stores is very much at the forefront of our thinking from the get-go.  Design firms are becoming B-Corporations whose mission is to be better stewards of our little blue dot. Along the way, teaching - both our clients as well as students in design programs - was something that never left the radar. What had been the precipitating moment - going from teacher to running a visual merchandising program at an international school in Singapore - would remain key to my professional experience. And this is where we can bring in my guest Joe Baer   into the story. Joe's story is so familiar because it is so similar. While we came to the retail world from different angles, our paths have many parallels and similarity in purpose – despite being from different orientations in the retail place-making paradigm.Joe is the Co-Founder, Creative Director, and CEO of ZenGenius, Inc., an experiential design firm specializing in visual merchandising and event design. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Joe brings over three decades of mastery in innovative leadership and creative direction to the design, visual merchandising and special events industries. He has extensive knowledge of the customer journey from working in stores for decades and is a seasoned public speaker who has traveled the world to inspire and educate others through the art of visual merchandising, design and special events.Additionally, Joe has contributed his retail know-how to multiple publications, authored The Art of Visual Merchandising: Short North, and created one of my favorite events in the retail industry the Iron Merchant Challenge, a popular interactive visual merchandising competition held annually at the International Retail Design Conference. Joe's passion for the world of design is evident in his role as President of the PAVE Global leadership board - a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation with the mission to support, connect, and inspire the next generation of professionals in the retail design, visual merchandising, and consumer environments industry. He also holds Advisory Board roles at Columbus College of Art and Design and VMSD Magazine. Joe leads with passion, purpose, pure joy and believes in celebration so I see our conversation as a celebration of Joe Baer's commitment to his retail industry involvement.ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites: https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comTwitter: DavidKepronPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron the Retail Studio Principal for the architecture and design firm Little (https://www.littleonline.com). He is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.  In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon. I caught up with Bryan at the SHOP Marketplace event in Charlotte and chatted about his focus on shaping what comes next in digital signage and experiential design. The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production is by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Roisin McCarthy, Founder of Women in Data®, to discuss why entrepreneurial thinking is fast becoming a core skill for data leaders.   Drawing on experience in data, technology and talent, Roisin reflects on how expectations of data teams have changed and why technical excellence alone no longer guarantees impact. The conversation explores the growing need for commercial awareness, accountability and influence, particularly as data leaders are asked to justify investment and deliver measurable outcomes.   Jason and Roisin discuss what entrepreneurial skills look like inside large organisations, from treating data initiatives as products to navigating trade-offs, making difficult decisions and staying aligned to purpose when conditions change.   A practical, experience-led conversation for senior data professionals who want their work to drive real business value, not just activity.   Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation. 

Trust, without the theatreA candid conversation with Charlie Martin on greenwashing, greenhushing, and how transparency, evidence and context rebuild trust in sustainability communications.In this episode, we explore why sustainability communication is breaking down, and how organisations can rebuild trust by being specific, evidence-led, and brutally honest about what still is not working. From greenwashing to greenhushing, Charlie lays out a practical blueprint for responsible comms, and makes the case that transparency is not just safer, it is the only way progress becomes shareable, learnable, and real.Let me know if you like this episode by sending a

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Lindsay Mason, a senior data leader with 20 years of experience across retail and the public sector.   Lindsay shares her journey from analysing sales and forecasting trends at Debenhams, where frustration with poor data quality led her into data, to leading data strategy at John Lewis Partnership and moving into the civil service four years ago. The conversation explores what makes data teams visible and valued. Lindsay reflects on joining a team that was "driven and committed but effectively invisible to leadership", teaching her that "if the value isn't visible, it might as well not exist".   She shares practical lessons on setting clear visions, why data leaders need to be "cheerleaders" and why "perfect is sometimes the enemy of progress". The discussion covers delivering visible value through use cases, understanding stakeholder outcomes rather than data challenges and building advocates who retell your story across the organisation.  

Daniel Mangione is an accomplished Executive Pastry Chef with a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry. For over 23 years, Chef Daniel has been a noteworthy leader in luxury pastry kitchens within the namesake hospitality brand, Marriott. Serving as the Executive Pastry Chef at JW Marriott Nashville, Chef Daniel has been instrumental in shaping the pastry operations of this prestigious hotel in Tennessee. Beginning his tenure with the Marriott family in 2003, he started his pastry internship in The Ritz-Carlton Naples through the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Since then, he has continued to grow within the Marriott brand and has held Executive Pastry Chef roles managing pastry operations for Ritz-Carltons in Washington DC, Half Moon Bay, Sanya China, Dove Mountain Arizona and Bvlgari Resorts in Bali Indonesia. Chef Daniel was also recognized as a member of the Eastern Region Ritz-Carlton Pastry Advisory Board during his tenure and currently serves on Marriott's Pastry Chef Counsel. Daniel has been a part of over 22 new hotel openings including time spent in Aruba, St. Thomas, Fort Lauderdale, Lake Tahoe, Ranch Mirage, Rome, and Naples. Throughout his career, he has consistently exhibited his passion for pastry and demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and attention to detail. With his extensive experience in luxury hotels and resorts, he has contributed to the success of numerous establishments, elevating the pastry experience for guests and setting new standards in the industry. Known also for his larger-than-life holiday displays, Chef Daniel's versatility and passion for pastry also extends to retail showcases and luxury event buffet creation. Chef Daniel's has most recently been credited with creating Nashville's only life size Whiskey Wonderland Gingerbread Bar where over 2000 guests tasted and toured this fully operational holiday season bar. As well, he was a critical part of the JW Marriott Nashville Valentines dessert lounge named "The Sweet Spot" that catered to over 600 guests in the four days of public operations. When not in the kitchen, Daniel can be found in his woodshop, building the next dessert buffet elevation or décor item in an effort to continue elevating his passion for displays and visuals throughout. Instagram: @danielmangione25 In this episode, we discuss: How an after-school job at the Ritz-Carlton led to an interest in pastry Enrolling at CIA in Napa, and graduating from CIA in Hyde Park Working as Pastry Cook at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, FL Learning about chocolate production at Norman Love Confections Back to the Ritz-Carlton, this time as Assistant Pastry Chef in Sarasota The economy crashes in 2008, so Daniel takes an opportunity to work in China Paradise found – working as Executive Pastry Chef at the Bulgari Hotel in Bali Playing politics – working at the busy Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. Erecting the first life-size, eat-in gingerbread house at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain in Tucson, AZ Landing at the JW Marriott in Nashville, and loving it And much more! Episode Sponsored by  Valrhona, a certified B Corporation, has been crafting exceptional chocolate in the village of Tain L'Hermitage, France, since 1922. Founded by Pastry Chef Albéric Guironnet as the chocolate of chefs, Valrhona is known for its dedication to creating unique, artisan-quality chocolate with complex and balanced flavors. This commitment to excellence reflects the rich gastronomic traditions of the Rhone Valley, ensuring that every bite of Valrhona chocolate offers a consistent and unparalleled tasting experience. Visit valrhona.us for more information.

In this guest episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Kate Sargent, Chief Data Officer at the Financial Times, to discuss how customer understanding drives strategy, growth and trust in a digital-first organisation.   Kate explains how the FT has evolved from a traditional publisher into a subscription-led business serving audiences from classroom to boardroom. She shares how customer insight underpins everything from acquisition and retention to product design and experience, guided by a clear set of "metrics that matter".   The conversation explores how the FT segments its audiences, turns insight into action across the organisation and balances short-term performance with long-term value. Kate also reflects on the practical role of AI, from personalisation to governance, explaining why clarity of purpose and strong principles matter when adopting new technology.   Listen here for a thoughtful discussion focused on data, customers and sustainable growth.   Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation. 

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO and Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Blaire Palmer, author, keynote speaker and expert on leadership and the future of work. This episode is a candid conversation about what organisations must rethink if they want people and performance to thrive in an era shaped by rapid technological change. Drawing on her background as a BBC journalist, one of Europe's first accredited coaches and the author of 'Punks in Suits', Blaire unpacks the long-held assumptions that quietly limit how people show up at work. She and Jason discuss why culture and trust remain the real competitive edge and why short-termism undermines long-term value. Their conversation also explores how leadership must evolve as AI takes on more of the routine and emotionally neutral tasks inside organisations. Together, they make the case that AI shouldn't be treated as an efficiency play, but as a catalyst for unlocking human potential, creativity and contribution. They discuss the organisations already redefining what "good" looks like, from value led decision-making to designing environments where people can genuinely do their best work. An interesting, people-centred conversation about rewriting the rules of work for what comes next. Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation. 

Most organisations don't struggle with change because of strategy or technology, they struggle because change is fundamentally human. In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Sunil Kumar, Chief Transformation Officer, to explore why transformation so often stalls and what leaders can do to make it stick. Drawing on more than 26 years working across airlines, telecoms, finance and FMCG, Sunil explains why context, such as geopolitics, customer behaviour, industry shifts and internal culture, is the deciding factor in how change lands. When leaders ignore that context, resistance and fatigue follow. Jason and Sunil discuss the human realities behind change, including: Why people naturally resist it How values and beliefs influence adoption Why narrative and excitement matter more than familiar project metrics Sunil also shares his practical "push, pull, connect" model for building momentum and why adoption, not go-live, should be the true measure of success.

Send us a textIn Episode 5, Becky is joined by Nella Jansson-Wright, head of supply, operations and impact at Moju. In this episode we are going downstream,  looking not at consumers, and how we create impact through influencing buyer behaviours - but at the importance of influencing behaviour in supply chains.So, how can you build meaningful relationships between people and businesses? By aligning on values and goals, sharing your strategies and purpose.  And when your values are built spending summers in the Finnish archipelago,  you are going to prioritise nature and health in the work you do.We talk about functional shots, about Tony's Chocoloneley and the Cacao Open Chain, about how and why ginger and turmeric are grown in Peru, and about how to support manufacturing partners around the world as you scale.For more insights and to stay up to date with all the latest information from BH&P, visit our website, or follow us on LinkedIn.BH&P is a B Corporation, certified in September 2023, and on a mission to create meaningful growth for brands with purpose. From scale-up to Enterprise, we're here to help.

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO and Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Shachar Meir, a data advisor who has worked with organisations from startups to the likes of Meta and Paypal. Together, they explore why so many companies, even those with skilled data teams, solid platforms and plenty of data, still struggle to deliver real business value. Shachar's take is clear: the problem isn't technology - it's people, process, and culture. Too often, data teams focus on building sophisticated platforms instead of understanding the business problems they're meant to solve. His summary: why guess when you can know? This episode is a practical conversation for anyone looking to move their organisation from data chaos to data clarity.

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO and Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Roberto Maranca, data & digital transformation expert and author of Data Excellence. They explore what it really means to build a 'data fit' organisation, one that treats data capability like physical fitness by understanding where you are, training for where you want to be and making improvement a daily routine. Drawing from ancient philosophy and modern business, Roberto explains how concepts from Socrates and Aristotle can help leaders rethink culture, value and human responsibility in an AI-driven world. Together, they discuss how organisations can: Shift from seeing data as a tech issue to a leadership mindset Build collective intelligence and cultural readiness Stay human in the age of intelligent machines Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation. 

ABOUT CHRISTIAN DAVIES:Christian's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/christian-davies-fcsd-3728a513Websites: https://www.bergmeyer.comemail: cdavies@bergmeyer.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianthdavies/ Christian Davies Bio: Davies brings 30+ years' experience as a creative leader, working with brands across the globe, from disruptive startups to the very top Fortune 500 contenders in retail, experiential, beauty, fashion, hospitality, technology, luxury, and more. His veteran status includes over 100 national and international design awards (15 of which earned top honors for Store of the Year Awards), including a five-time winner of design:retail's Retail Design Influencer as well as a coveted Retail Design Luminary award.  As a Chief Strategy Officer for Bergmeyer, strategic innovation and design leadership define Davies role, stemming from a robust background in creative direction and design thinking. His approach harnesses the power of diverse, interdisciplinary teams, developed through hands-on experience in various roles across a wide variety of companies throughout his career. As Chief Strategy Officer, steering the business strategy and our passion for innovation encapsulates my daily mission.Prior to Bergmeyer, Davies served as Managing Director of the Creative Marketing Group at Verizon, Creative Vice President of Global Design and Innovation for Starbucks, Executive Creative Director of the Americas at Fitch, and Vice President/Managing Creative Director at FRCH Design Worldwide.Also See: https://www.bergmeyer.com/people/christian-davies SHOW INTRODUCTION:Welcome to Episode 81! of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast…What started at a pivotal moment during the COVID pandemic in early 2020 has continued for seven seasons and now 81 episodes. This season we continue to follow our catch phrase of having “Dynamic Dialogues About DATA: Design, Architecture, Technology and the Arts. In the coming weeks we have some terrific conversations that are both fun and inspiring. They are going to include thought provoking futurists, AI technology mavens, retailers, international hotel design executives as well as designers and architects of brand experience places.We talk with authors and people focused on wellness and sustainable design practices as well as neuroscientists who will continue to help us look at the built environment and the connections between our mind-body and the built world around us.We'll also have guests who are creative marketing masters from international brands and people who have started and grown some of the companies that are striking a new path for us follow.The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is grateful for the support of VMSD magazine.VMSD brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. The IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing us to keep on talking about what makes retailing relevant. You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience.SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.org Today, EPISODE 81… I talk with Christian Davies. We actually recorded this discussion months ago and Christian wondered if publishing it now was still relevant.I assured him it was, since Christian tends to unearth issues that are future forward - things to be mindful about should we want to address the issues we all face as individuals or societies or as architects and designers making places and things as we serve as our clients creative sherpa guides bringing ideas into the built world. Now… Christian has been sitting atop the heap of 80 conversations as the most listened to episode since we recorded our first talk a couple years ago. So, I thought, well why not do Christian Davies 2.0?Christian does not disappoint - never has – over a couple of decades, Christian has consistently drawn audiences and colleagues into conversation, sometimes challenging, and always brilliant and things that drive design thinking. His matter-of-fact English attitude to the world of design is sometimes a ‘no holds barred' reality check that makes you think twice about the truths you have held dear. His drive towards excellence is irrepressible. That makes him, some may say, demanding because I think he expects that we all give a damn about what we are brining into the world. And why not? We all share space on this little blue dot and, we had better get it, and soon, that we are part of a vast ecosystem of interdependencies.We cover a lot of ground in this open-ended conversation – I'd not expect less from Christian - And here is a few thoughts on subject areas we touch on…1. Entropy:Entropy is a scientific measure of disorder, randomness.Astrophysicist and other cosmologists have postulated that our universe is continuing to expand to a maximum state of entropy from a moment in time, the beginning of the Universe that they have called The Big Bang.There's lots of great content that you can certainly dig up on what happens when the universe finally expands to maximum entropy and all particles are spread out evenly within the unimaginably large space of the universe. It's suggested that of course this maximun expansion will take something like 10 to the 36 or 37 power years in other words trillions and trillions of years. A very very long time….But for now, the way I try to think of it is things will expand and eventually slow down as they all spread out to be evenly distributed throughout the universe… seems reasonable…It's kind of like imagining the initial moments after a massive explosion. Things spread out pretty quickly from the epicenter of the explosion and as they're flung far and wide, particles eventually slow and if you think of it in terms of entropy they all reach maximum randomness.I kind of think that right now, today, considering that the scientists think that the universe has only been around for 14 1/2 billion years or so, that we're kind of right at that very beginning stage of the explosion and things are moving faster and faster away from the epicenter of The Big Bang. This is interesting if you think that the universe will continue to be expanding for a few trillion years so right now yeah, we're kind of sort of in the one second after the explosion time frame. Anyway I am not an astrophysicist and some of these enormous ideas still leave me scratching my head…If we look at today, and everything around us, it certainly seems that things are speeding up and becoming more distributed, more random.I know I've talked about the whole idea of the pace of change in a number of episodes but I find this really interesting because, as I discussed with Christian, it's really hard to design into a future state when you consider that the sands beneath your feet are always shifting.How do we know which step is the right one? How do you know when we step on solid ground or drop forever into a bottomless void…I think the challenge here for designers is that, at least for a time, we need to have a sense of stability and order. The challenge is, I think, is that we're moving to an increasing rate of change where stability and order might be elusive to say the least.2. Moments of human connection make experiences great:I think as we speed along and never ending sea of change perhaps one of the things that we can hang on to, a stake in the ground if you will, will continue to be our ability to maintain our relationships.Change has a funny way of, well… changing people. And, one of our jobs will be to keep up with changing expectations of brands and their customers. One thing is sure, as we scream along this ever changing path, relationships will remain as one of the fundamental qualities of great experiences. Both brand experience architecture and the means with which we engage with brands will change to meet evolving expecations but, my expectation, (or maybe it's just my hope) is that humans still stay at the center of it all - Since at least for this short little time that humans have been in existence, we have relied on the empathic connection between individuals to help create meaning and connection to the world around us as well as the things well as the things we simply buy.And I, like Christian, believe that in the end, when you look at successful projects in our long design careers, the good ones, I mean the really good ones, we're not just because we received a great brief with an inspired client who had a vision of changing up the world,but that the teams we were connected to both on the consultant and client sides were also great. There was something that clicked. There was a gel in communication, respect and collaboration that drove these projects forward.Some may have heard me say before projects will come and go but the relationships are really what make the work great. I'd rather lose a project than trash the relationships…3. Three things that facilitate success stories in the world of retail place-making:So, if you're going to look at success stories over a career full of projects, when you look back at what really made them great was, of course that they were successful from a financial point of view, that they drove increase customers and deeper brand relationships and better revenues all those things are important indicators of success but that there are things that are required to make all of that happen. One would be that there's a big idea someone at the helm of a brand or business that has a thought about doing something different breaking out of a traditional way of bringing goods or services to market, of serving a customer in a different way and technology is often being a facilitator of that.There was coffee long before Starbucks. There was getting from A to B lby horse, camel, richshaw, long before Uber. There were places to stay along the Silk Road before Airbnb. And if you had a shaman in your village you could likely find out where you ame from and where your future was going to be long before there were anything like 23&Me or ancestry.com. In some ways the goods or services have not really changed. How we get them in the hands of customers has changed and that has often been facilitated with new technologies.4. AI – as a new tool for ideation and the ‘why' behind design:One of those technological advances of course that everybody is talking about these days is artificial intelligence.AI it's both causing a lot of excitement about what it sees has to offer in the short term, becoming a new tool in the architect and designers toolbox for ideation as well as causing a lot of concern about what happens to humankind when we finally get to general AI or super artificial intelligence.I am both excited and increasingly aware of influences that it will have on the job market, delivery of goods and services and other parts of the ecosystem like education and manufacturing etcetera etcetera.But if we just for a moment set some of the anxieties aside and simply look at as a tool for imagination and engagement with clients fostering the collaborative process of ideation, it has extraordinary potential to change the game of how we designers and architects work with our clients and create ideas about bringing their goods and services to market.There's a lot of opportunity and uncertainty about what happens when you turbocharge the creative process with AI tools.In the end though, at least for now, the question remains - is that there is a human at the helm of prompt curation?The output is only as good as the input that I'm able to suggest as a prompt. If not… garbage in – garbage out.This of course is interesting because it puts the initial burden still on people to be able to articulate their vision in language and use AI tools to refine the visualizations and other content that emerges from using them.As we use these tools they make things faster but I also sometimes wonder about whether they simply make us lazy and remove our thinking from the process.So Christian does talk about the idea of the drawings or images being very compelling but also needing to ask, and answer, the question of ‘why this particular approach or output is relevant and connected to the brand or customer that we're trying to serve?In the end it's not about the ‘what' of things that make solutions to design challenges great but more and more about the ‘why' you're doing certain things.It's about the process by which you got to the solution rather than simply the solution itself.Don't get me wrong the solutions to the challenges are sometimes very satisfying but what I'm ultimately interested in is the thinking process that led you to along this pathway… it's the journey not just the destination that's important in the creative process….And I think it's ever more important to our clients in the design world that they're looking for people who are not just production oriented but who are also focused on guiding them through an uncertain future5. B-Corporations:And this in a way leads us to the part of our my discussion with Christian about how his company Bergmeyer has recently become a B-Corp.A B-Corporation is a for profit company, but it is certified by the non-profit  B Lab Global and the whole idea is that it seeks to meet high standards for social and environmental performance and accountability and even more so transparency in the ways that they are doing business in support of being good stewards of our environment.In the changing sands that we're all standing on, as entropy increases and uncertainty continues to unfold in front of us, there is certainty that our planet is also in peril as climate change continues to wreak havoc on environmental systems. These B-corporations are seen as a force for good who work to balance profit with a commitment to both people and our planet. What differentiates them from other traditional companies is that they prioritize the social and environmental impacts of their business while at the same time not discounting the fact that they still are in business - that they are accountable to stakeholders as well as shareholders.The stakeholders can be considered as all of us because as companies continue to pull resources out of the ground and push the byproducts of industrialization into landfills and oceans all of our lives are at stake.All right then that's a not so brief summary of some of the ideas that Christian and I riff on in our conversation…Let's dig into some of the details…ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites: https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comTwitter: DavidKepronPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.  In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon. David also writes a popular blog called “Brain Food” which is published monthly on vmsd.com.  The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production is by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

Great clothes may be where it starts, but today's shoppers are looking for something more — a sense of connection, belonging, and shared purpose. Research shows that 90% of consumers value authenticity when deciding which brands to support: a clear reminder that while quality and design remain vital, meaning has become the new measure of loyalty. Today, brands across the industry are striving to evolve beyond products to create richer experiences that foster genuine connection and community.So, how does a modern brand evolve from surf-inspired apparel to a holistic lifestyle experience—one that includes cafes, content, and potentially even hotels?In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Alex Faherty, Co-Founder and CEO of Faherty Brand, to explore how the company has transformed from a family-run clothing label into a hospitality-infused lifestyle ecosystem. Together, they discuss how Faherty is shaping a new model for heritage brands—one grounded in community, sustainability, and soulful storytelling.Key insights from the conversation…Scaling Without Losing Soul: Alex shares how Faherty has grown from a tight-knit 20-person team into a nine-figure omni-channel business with 81 stores, all while keeping its family-led ethos and people-first culture at the center.Sustainability and Authenticity: Faherty's journey to becoming a certified B Corporation reflects its long-standing commitment to sustainable materials, ethical sourcing, and partnerships with Native artists—setting a standard for responsibility in fashion.From Apparel to Experience: The brand's expansion into hospitality through ventures like Sun & Waves Café and the concept of a future “Faherty Hotel” underscores how lifestyle brands are redefining what it means to belong, extending the brand experience into every corner of daily life.Alex Faherty is the Co-Founder and CEO of Faherty Brand, a sustainable lifestyle apparel company known for its premium fabrics and relaxed, coastal-inspired designs. Before launching the brand in 2013, he built a strong foundation in finance and private equity, working at Cerberus Capital Management and Greenhill & Co. His leadership at Faherty reflects a blend of entrepreneurial vision, business strategy, and commitment to sustainability-driven fashion and quality craftsmanship.

In this episode of The Social Impact Podcast, host Bree Jensen sits down with Aurora Archer, visionary leader, cultural strategist, and Founder and CEO of The Opt-In, a certified B Corporation transforming workplace cultures through equity-centered leadership.Aurora shares her journey as a first-generation Afro-Latina from Texas and Mexico, reflecting on how her upbringing, values, and family shaped her work in advocacy, business, and belonging. Together, Bree and Aurora discuss the power of self-awareness, the importance of rest in sustainable advocacy, and how imagination can guide social change.Aurora also speaks about her role as an advisor for Latinas in Beauty, a nonprofit expanding representation and leadership opportunities for Latina entrepreneurs and executives in the beauty industry.Listen to learn:How to lead with love and integrityWhat it means to “opt in” to your humanityThe power of values, courage, and curiosity in building authentic impactFollow Aurora: LinkedIn Website + Podcast: theopt-in.comSupport the show

Many purpose-driven businesses say they value inclusion—but when it comes to trans issues, most don't know where to begin. In this candid conversation, trans organizer Benn Marine joins Ryan Honeyman and Emmy Allison to explore how B Corps can move beyond fear, “wokeness,” and silence toward genuine compassion and action. A grounded, honest look at what it takes to navigate the trans conversation in this political climate with courage and care.View the show notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/how-b-corps-can-navigate-the-trans-conversation-w/-benn-marineUnlock your free B Corp Values Assessment—plus tips and insights to help your business grow. https://go.lifteconomy.com/b-corp-newsletter

AI is no longer a distant concept; it's here, reshaping the way we live and work. From coding and customer service to creative content, AI is already taking on tasks once thought to be uniquely human. But what does that mean for the future of work, and more importantly, for the role of leaders? In this solo episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO and Founder of Cynozure, explores the real implications of AI on jobs, leadership, and human value. Drawing lessons from history, automation, shipping containers, even the rise of personal computing, Jason argues that every wave of technology has shifted humans “up a level of abstraction,” moving us from doing to designing, to directing and innovating. He sets out four essential human traits to thrive in the age of AI: Think bigger – focus on outcomes, strategy, and imagination Lead differently – provide clarity, orchestrate teams, and build culture Connect deeper – lean into empathy, context, and trust Grow and adapt – stay curious, resilient, and open to change

Send us a textUncorking an unexpected treasure from Aldi's wine shelves, we're diving into the Bonflor California Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2023—a remarkable find at just $7.99 that punches well above its weight class. This isn't just another budget bottle; it's a gateway to understanding how sustainable winemaking can deliver exceptional value.Behind this wine stands Bonterra Organic Vineyards, a pioneering force in ethical winemaking based in Mendocino. As a certified B Corporation, they've committed to rigorous standards of sustainability, including regenerative organic farming practices and an impressive 98% waste reuse rate. The name "Bonfleur" (good flower) references the cover crops that attract beneficial insects and birds, creating a natural ecosystem that protects the vines without chemical interventions. This level of care typically commands premium prices, making this affordable offering particularly noteworthy.The wine itself delivers exactly what California Cabernet lovers seek—good fruit expression without becoming jammy, subtle oak influence that adds complexity without overwhelming, and a clean, enjoyable drinking experience. While you could certainly spend more on Cabernet, this bottle demonstrates that ethical production and enjoyable wine don't require a significant investment. Whether you're an eco-conscious consumer or simply seeking quality wines on a budget, this Aldi exclusive offers a compelling reason to support wineries doing things the right way. Try it with your next weeknight dinner and discover how sustainable winemaking can transform even the most accessible price points.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

What if the future of leadership wasn't explained by another CEO, but by an AI? In this special episode of Hub & Spoken, hosted by Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, the guest isn't a data or business leader. It's ChatGPT. Together, they explore one of the most pressing questions for organisations today: What does leadership mean in the age of artificial intelligence?  The discussion contrasts the logical view of leadership, vision, decision-making and orchestration, with the uniquely human qualities that machines can't replicate: courage under pressure, conviction, vulnerability, and trust.  The result is a fascinating tension. AI can support with logic, speed, and analysis. But leadership is still defined by what makes us human.

The new B Corp standards (v2.1) promise to push companies beyond checklists and into real systems change—but will they deliver? In this episode, we dig into purpose governance, human rights due diligence, lobbying and tax, and the EU rules reshaping what it means to be a B Corp. Join us as we explore whether these changes mark a true shift in business—or just a different badge.View the Show Notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/can-the-new-b-corp-standards-drive-systems-change-adam-garfunkel-mike-rowlandsUnlock your free B Corp Values Assessment—plus tips and insights to help your business grow. https://go.lifteconomy.com/b-corp-newsletter

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, host Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by James Lupton, Chief Technology Officer at Cynozure, to explore the findings from What Matters Most for Insurers Now — a new report shaped by insights from 35 senior leaders across the insurance industry. While the report focuses on insurers, its lessons resonate far more widely. Jason and James discuss how organisations across sectors are wrestling with the same issues: outdated and overly customised legacy systems that hold back innovation, a persistent gap between the ambition to build a data-driven culture and the actions taken to achieve it, and the importance of leadership support that goes beyond lip service to meaningful investment and behaviour change. They also consider the next frontier: AI agents. With many firms experimenting but few ready to deploy, Jason and James unpack what true readiness looks like and why success requires more than just technology. This episode offers practical reflections for leaders in complex, regulated industries who are striving to “fix forward” and unlock the real value of data and AI. Download What Matters Most for Insurers Now here ***********    Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation. 

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with David Germain, portfolio Non-Executive Director and former senior technology and transformation leader in banking, financial services and insurance. Drawing on 30 years of global experience, David shares how sustainable business growth depends on more than just strategy and technology - it's rooted in inclusive leadership, organisational culture, and curiosity at every level. They explore why leadership teams must reflect their customer base, how to create psychological safety to encourage innovation, and why "constructive disruption" is essential for long-term success. David discusses the challenge of balancing today's operational pressures with the future ambitions of an organisation, and why trust, diversity of thought, and resilience are non-negotiables. The conversation also examines the role of technology, particularly AI, as both an enabler and a disruptor, and why leaders must prepare their people for the cultural and operational shifts it brings. If you're a business leader seeking practical ways to align people, culture, and technology for lasting impact, this episode offers clear, real-world perspectives. —— Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation. 

Sam Mazzeo, Co-Founder of Fervor & Zeal, chats about the value of B Corporations; the mission of his organization that recently received the prestigious B Corp designation; and its support of artists and nonprofits.About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 19 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   About Mission Fed Credit Union  A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

Why is meaningful innovation so hard in insurance, and what can be done about it? In this episode of Hub & Spoken, host Jason Foster is joined by John Turner, a global underwriting leader and expert in life and health insurance, to explore the innovation imperative in one of the world's most traditional (and risk-averse) industries. They unpack the complex cultural, structural, and regulatory challenges that make change difficult in insurance, from siloed teams and outdated processes to over-engineered tech solutions that miss the mark. But they also spotlight the opportunities: from automation that enhances the customer journey to cross-functional collaboration that drives real transformation.

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Send us a text93% of leaders say their organisations aren't ready for AI.But what's really holding them back?In this episode of the No Bull Ideacast, I'm joined by James Easterbrook, partner at Moorhouse Consulting, to unpack the results of a major new study into AI readiness — and what it actually takes to drive transformation at scale.Together, we explore:Why organisations are stuck in ‘AI theatre' while real value goes untappedThe behavioural and structural barriers to adoptionWhat's behind the disconnect between exec ambition and delivery realityWhy AI isn't a tool. It's a strategy.

From soil to systems to storytelling, this one gets under your skinIn Episode 3, Becky is joined by Tamara Giltsoff - regenerative finance strategist, co-founder of Land Alive, and advisor to the Soil Association Exchange - to explore what really drives transformation from the ground up.From Somerset fields to financial systems, they dig deep into the emotional, ecological and economic power of place. Expect a rich, grounded conversation about soil, stewardship, behaviour change and the small seeds of change that shift entire systems.Because regeneration doesn't start in policy or spreadsheets.It starts underfoot.For more insights and to stay up to date with all the latest information from BH&P, visit our website, or follow us on LinkedIn.BH&P is a B Corporation, certified in September 2023, and on a mission to create meaningful growth for brands with purpose. From scale-up to Enterprise, we're here to help.

In this inspiring episode of Inside Personal Growth, host Greg Voisen welcomes visionary entrepreneur Ron Rubin, author of Gold in Your Backyard: Lessons in Life, Leadership and the Power of a Dream. Ron, owner of The Republic of Tea and River Road Family Vineyards, shares 50 powerful lessons drawn from decades of mindful leadership and entrepreneurial passion. From overcoming personal health challenges to turning dreams into certified B Corporations, Ron's story is a roadmap for those seeking to lead with heart, vision, and impact.

Send us a textNatalie Hartkopf, CEO of Hightower, shares her journey in the furniture industry and how this family-founded business evolved from importing European designs to creating their own award-winning Hightower Studio products while becoming a certified B Corporation.• Natalie started with Hightower around 2003, beginning in Seattle before moving to New York• They shifted from purely importing European designs to manufacturing upholstered pieces in North Carolina• Won Best of NeoCon recognition for their innovative Flote chair designed by their in-house design team• Became a certified B Corporation, looking holistically at governance, community impact, and employee welfare• They've implemented people-first initiatives including living wage commitments and 529 education savings contributions• They're transparent about how they're navigating the current issues with fluctuating tariffs• Focused on product discoverability to help specifiers find products that meet specific requirements• Working to improve existing products with end-of-life and sustainability considerations• Embraces AI tools to help team work more efficiently and provide better customer service• Advocates for greater diversity in industry leadership positions, particularly racial diversityResources:The Trend Report Ep. 38 - Rest and Recovery of the Corporate Athlete with Kibibi Springs - https://www.sidmeadows.com/episode38Connect with Natalie:Hightower - https://hightower.design/Flote - https://hightower.design/collections/floteEmail - Natalie@hightoweraccess.comLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliehartkopf/Connect with Sid: www.sidmeadows.comEmbark CCT on FacebookSid on LinkedInSid on InstagramSid on YouTubeSid on Clubhouse - @sidmeadowsSubscribe to my LinkedIn Newsletter. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-contract-interiors-7298489501159460865/ The Trend Report introduction music is provided by Werq by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4616-werq License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Dr. Eric Edwards is the CEO & Chairman of Phlow, a B Corporation that helps brilliant minds bring medicines to life through advanced development and manufacturing in America.—Get sent fresh leadership interviews, articles, stories, and events every Friday at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://⁠⁠⁠⁠real-leaders.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/subscribe⁠

Miren Oca, the founder of Ocaquatics Swim School, a successful swim school business she started at 22 years old after becoming pregnant in college. Miren shares her inspiring journey from teaching swimming lessons to building a business with 165 employees, 5 locations, and 6,500 weekly swimming lessons. She discusses her focus on environmental and social responsibility, becoming a certified B Corporation, and the unique exit strategy she implemented using an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), ensuring her business's legacy and continuing benefits for her employees.   Miren explains the challenges and successes in setting up the EOT, why it was the best choice for preserving her company's values, and the profound satisfaction she has experienced through this exit route.   00:00 Meet Miren Oca: Founder of Ocaquatics Swim School 02:49 Starting a Business at 22 05:16 Building and Expanding Ocaquatics Swim School 07:43 Challenges and Successes in Business Growth 11:36 Exploring Exit Strategies 15:06 Introduction to Co-Ownership 15:23 Establishing the Trust and B Corp Certification 16:01 Valuation and Financing Options 16:56 Seller Financing and Profit Sharing 18:48 Building a Culture of Ownership 20:25 Reflections on the Transition 22:13 Financial Planning and Real Estate 25:13 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

Today, you’ll learn from Adria Marshall, Founder and CEO of EcoSlay—a Georgia-based, Black woman-owned haircare company with a dedicated fancbase and a clear commitment to doing good. What started as a side hustle mixing natural ingredients in her kitchen while working as a software developer has grown into a thriving business with sustainability and social impact at its core. In this episode, Adria shares her unexpected founder journey, how she defines success on her own terms, and the intentional choices that led EcoSlay to become a certified B Corporation. For anyone building, supporting, or simply curious about values-aligned businesses, this episode is for you. RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE Visit www.ecoslay.com Follow Ecoslay on social media: https://x.com/Ecoslay https://www.facebook.com/ecoslay/ https://www.instagram.com/ecoslay/ Follow Adria on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecoslay/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Running a successful marketing campaign doesn't require a massive team or unlimited resources. Sometimes, it just takes a small, dedicated group that knows how to connect with people on a personal level.That's exactly what Marc Newberry and Jasmin Bollman have accomplished at Genumark, Canada's leader in custom-branded merchandise and apparel. With a marketing team of just four people, they've mastered the art of personalized communication while expanding into the US market."Having those emails coming from the account managers rather than the info@Genumark email is definitely the best half an hour I spend in my marketing week or month," Marc explains, highlighting a simple yet effective strategy that dramatically improves their engagement rates. By personalizing each email to come from the client's specific account manager, they achieve better open rates and direct client-representative communication.On this episode of Be a Marketer, Marc and Jasmin join host Dave Charest to reveal how their small marketing team achieves big results through authentic communication. They discuss their recent rebranding process, how they maintain a consistent brand voice, and why personalization is crucial for cutting through inbox clutter.Tune in to discover their 30-minute email marketing hack, how they organize their marketing calendar around a monthly newsletter, and practical tips for humanizing your business communications to build stronger customer relationships.Additional Resources:Personalize and Connect: Customer Relationship MarketingPersonalized Emails: Boost Customer Connection with Tailored Strategies2025 Online Marketing Calendar: Template and Marketing HolidaysUnderstanding the Anatomy of an EmailHow to Get More Customers to Open Your EmailsMeet Today's Guests: Marc Newberry and Jasmin Bollman of Genumark Marc Newberry

When we sat down with Jeff Clapper, President and CEO of 8th & Walton, we knew we'd get insights on supplier training – but our conversation revealed something much more profound about the evolving retail landscape.From its origins teaching suppliers about Walmart's culture and systems to today's comprehensive support services, 8th & Walton has witnessed and adapted to dramatic shifts in what suppliers need to succeed. Jeff shares how the organization now balances urgent operational training with strategic education that prevents problems before they occur.The transition from legacy data systems like DSS to new platforms like Scintilla represents both challenge and opportunity. While these systems offer unprecedented visibility into consumer behavior, they demand constant learning from suppliers who can't afford to fall behind. As Jeff aptly describes, success requires being an "aggressive student" of retail – recognizing that yesterday's expertise quickly becomes obsolete in this fast-moving environment.Jeff shares about 8th Walton's journey to becoming a certified B Corporation, demonstrating that business growth and positive impact aren't mutually exclusive. Jeff's perspective on "scaling values" rather than just scaling revenue offers a refreshing counterpoint to traditional retail metrics. This philosophy aligns perfectly with the emerging trend of consumers preferring brands that demonstrate ethical practices and sustainability.The conversation culminates with Jeff's preview of the upcoming "Consumer Impact" event in Bentonville, bringing together impact-minded brands to share best practices in sustainable retail. It's a tangible example of how the supplier community is evolving beyond transactions to create meaningful change.Whether you're a seasoned Walmart supplier or just beginning your retail journey, this episode offers valuable perspective on navigating today's complex retail environment while building a business that makes a positive difference.

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, host Dave Bookbinder sits down with David Van Adelsberg and Bart Houlahan from Irrational Capital to explore the game-changing role of human capital in business valuation and investment strategies. Irrational Capital is at the forefront of quantifying the employer-employee relationship's impact on a company's equity value. David and Bart introduce the human capital factor, a groundbreaking investment metric independently validated by leading financial institutions like J.P. Morgan. Key Topics Covered: ✅ The science behind the human capital factor and why it matters to investors ✅ How intrinsic motivators—pride, trust, appreciation—drive stock performance ✅ The rigorous validation process that links employee engagement to financial returns ✅ The shift in investment strategies to integrate human capital metrics Join us for this fascinating discussion on how people truly are a company's most valuable asset—not just in words, but in measurable financial impact.

Today's guest is a trailblazer in the publishing world, dedicated to giving a voice to those often excluded from traditional publishing. As the founder of a hybrid publishing company, she specializes in helping diverse authors—particularly those from underrepresented groups—bring their non-fiction stories to life. Her company, Publish Your Purpose, is an LGBTQ+ and women-owned B Corporation committed to publishing impactful books that resonate deeply with both the author and the audience. Through her work, she's empowered nearly 200 authors to share their unique stories, whether they are business owners, entrepreneurs, speakers, or memoirists. With a background in strategy and publishing, she helps authors align their books with their broader business objectives, ensuring that their work not only reaches its audience but also propels them forward in their careers. She is also the author of seven books, including “Publish Your Purpose: A Step-by-Step Guide to Write, Publish, and Grow Your Big Idea,” and has been featured in top publications like Forbes, The Huffington Post, and CNBC. Please join me in welcoming Jenn T. Grace.  In this episode, we discuss:

Have you ever thought about how your everyday choices can make waves—literal waves—of change? In this episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast, I had an inspiring and thought-provoking chat with Alex Schultz, the co-founder and CEO of Four Ocean. If you're passionate about sustainability and the future of our planet, this conversation is a must-listen!Alex and I dive deep into the concept of the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit. 4ocean isn't just about selling bracelets; it's about cleaning up the ocean and creating a movement. Alex shared how they've built a business model that ties every product sale to a tangible environmental impact: cleaning one pound of trash from the ocean. It's not just business as usual; it's business with a purpose. Starting and scaling a business with a mission isn't all smooth sailing. Alex opened up about the challenges of running a purpose-driven company, from navigating criticism to engaging employees and building partnerships. He shared actionable tips for entrepreneurs looking to create a lasting impact. This episode is packed with insights for anyone who cares about sustainability, entrepreneurship, or simply living a more mindful life. From uncovering the hidden costs of plastic pollution to learning how businesses can lead the charge for a cleaner planet, Alex's journey is nothing short of inspiring.Don't miss this deep dive into the intersection of business and sustainability. Tune in now, and let's get to Happy Hustlin' for the planet!In this episode, we cover: 00:00 Introduction to Four Ocean and Its Mission02:59 The Triple Bottom Line in Business06:11 Understanding B Corporations and Public Benefit Corporations09:00 The Business Model of Four Ocean12:14 Creating a Movement for Ocean Cleanup15:04 Navigating Challenges and Criticism18:11 Partnerships and Sustainability Initiatives21:05 The Impact of Consumer Choices24:05 Plastic Pollution Statistics and Myths31:50 The Truth About Recycling and Plastic Waste34:34 The Impact of Microplastics on Health37:48 Mindful Living: Small Changes for Big Impact41:45 The Importance of Passion and Purpose in Business43:49 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Family Life49:00 Employee Engagement and Company Culture52:28 Rapid Fire Insights and Personal ReflectionsConnect with Alexhttps://www.facebook.com/4oceanBracelets/https://www.instagram.com/4ocean/https://www.tiktok.com/@4oceanhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCT_-OGW5IiUuuHwmuyUPYQhttps://x.com/4oceanhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/4oceanpbc/posts/?feedView=allFind Alex on this website: 4ocean.com Connect with Cary!https://www.instagram.com/caryjack/https://www.facebook.com/SirCaryJackhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-jack-kendzior/https://twitter.com/thehappyhustlehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFDNsD59tLxv2JfEuSsNMOQ/featured Get a free copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance https://www.thehappyhustle.com/bookSign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Course https://thehappyhustle.com/thejourney/Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventure https://thehappyhustle.com/mastermind/“It's time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”Episode Sponsor: Magnesium Breakthrough from BiOptimizers https://bioptimizers.com/happyIf you've been on a restricted diet lately or maybe even taken some meds to shed those pounds for the summer, I gotta warn ya—be careful! You might have unknowingly created a nutrient deficiency that could not only mess with your health but also jeopardize those weight loss goals.Did you know that over 75% of Americans are already deficient in magnesium? Yeah, it's wild! Magnesium is this powerhouse mineral that's involved in over 600 biological reactions in your body. It helps with everything from sleep to stress management to hormone balance—all key players in keeping your weight on track.And if you're still on those meds, you might be dealing with some side effects like sleepless nights, digestive issues, or irritability, which can totally throw off your commitment to your goals. Whether you're taking meds or not, setting up healthy habits is crucial to maintaining your weight over time. One of the best things you can do? Make sure you're getting all the magnesium your body needs.Don't let a magnesium deficiency derail your progress! Give Magnesium Breakthrough by BIOptimizers a shot. Unlike other supplements, this one's got all 7 forms of magnesium that your body can actually absorb, so you get the full spectrum of benefits.This approach will help you crush your goals and maintain a healthy weight while keeping your overall health in check. For an exclusive offer, head to bioptimizers.com/happy and use the promo code 'happy10' at checkout to save 10%. And if you subscribe, you'll snag amazing discounts, free gifts, and a guaranteed monthly supply.

Is “corporate ethics” an oxymoron? Do you have to be a jerk to be a successful CEO? Is exploitation the only path to profit?The good news is that many companies, big and small, in the food economy are blazing a different path through Wall Street's jungle of greed, demonstrating that money and morality can be compatible. Texas supermarket chain HEB, for example, has drawn an intensely loyal customer base by (1) investing in good wages and benefits for employees, (2) showing up in such emergencies as pandemics, hurricanes, freezes, etc. to give essential supplies and hands-on help, and (3) being an involved and supportive neighbor to the hundreds of unique communities it serves.Also, Maine Grains is “relocalizing” the business of milling grain by working with local farmers who'd been abandoned by global grain marketers like Ardent and Gold Medal. They're producing nutrient-rich flours from heritage grains, boosting the local economy in the process. Then there's Bob's Red Mill, which also artfully mills its products from diverse, natural grains–and it's 100% employee-owned.These are part of a rising business alternative to the selfish, profiteering ethic of Fortune 500 titans. Called certified B Corporations, they definitely exist to make a profit, but they are equally focused on having a positive social impact, prioritizing fair wages, environmental protections, and healthy communities as core elements of their missions, even making those goals legal requirements of their corporate charter.Ben & Jerry's, Amy's Kitchen, King Arthur Baking, and New Belgium Brewery are just a few more of some 3,800 other businesses now organized as B Corps. Though not pretending to be perfect, they're at least striving to be more than money grubbers, instead trying to contribute to the Common Good. For more information on the products and practices of B Corps, go to BCorporation.net.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe