Podcasts about Stanford Social Innovation Review

In this episode of The First Day from The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., welcomes Soren Kaplan, PhD, nationally regarded educator, consultant, and author, for a practical and energizing conversation about nonprofit collaboration. Drawing from Soren's 2025 article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the episode asks a big question: why should fundraisers and nonprofit leaders collaborate when they already have plenty to do inside their own organizations? Soren's answer is wonderfully direct: impact. Big, tangled community challenges like food insecurity, health equity, and environmental protection are rarely solved by one organization paddling alone. Bill and Soren explore what collaboration looks like in real nonprofit life, including examples from Points of Light and White Pony Express. Points of Light, founded by George H. W. Bush, served more than 3 million volunteers last year by building a network of nonprofits and corporate partners around shared goals. White Pony Express, meanwhile, worked with other food-security organizations in Contra Costa County to pool data, standardize information, and create a heat map showing where services were strong and where gaps remained. That shared picture helped open up new possibilities for collective action, which is nonprofit-speak for “Aha, now we can see the whole elephant instead of arguing over who is holding the trunk.” The conversation also digs into the mechanics of making collaboration work without turning it into a bureaucratic octopus wearing reading glasses. Soren emphasizes the value of a common goal, shared data, a clearly identified community need, and an external facilitator who can help organizations move past competition and toward synergy. He also introduces the idea of “light governance,” where each nonprofit remains autonomous but agrees to align major strategies and initiatives with the broader collaborative mission. In other words, nobody has to surrender their board, mission, or identity at the door. They just agree not to wander off into the weeds while everyone else is building the road. Bill and Soren close by connecting collaboration directly to fundraising. Donors and funders increasingly want to see innovation, scale, efficiency, and measurable impact, and a strong collaborative can often make a more compelling case than several individual organizations submitting separate appeals. Soren notes that when nonprofits pool capabilities and pursue funding together, they can sometimes access resources that would be out of reach alone, including the Measure X half-cent sales tax funding that supported underserved communities in Contra Costa County. The takeaway is clear: collaboration is not just a feel-good handshake in a conference room. Done well, it can expand impact, strengthen fundraising, build culture, and give nonprofits a better story to tell. Because when one plus one can equal five, fundraisers should probably sharpen their pencils and start doing that math.

Many of the problems we care most about cannot be solved by a single organization. That insight helped John Kania develop Collective Impact, a framework for bringing people together around shared goals. But over time, Kania noticed that coordination alone was not enough. Even when groups made progress, the deeper patterns of the system often remained unchanged. In this episode, Dart and John discuss the evolution of systems change thinking and why lasting change requires more than alignment, strategy, and good intentions.John Kania is Executive Director of Collective Change Lab, a nonprofit that develops new approaches to collaboration and systems change. He is a leading thinker on collective impact, systems leadership, and the relational work of creating social change.In this episode, Dart and John discuss:- Problems no one can solve alone- Why good intentions often fail- The limits of coordination- What keeps systems stuck- The hidden power of mental models- Why relationships drive change- The challenge of sharing power- What leadership looks like in uncertainty- The role of healing in systems change- Why changing systems means changing ourselves- Building islands of coherence- And other topics…John Kania is Executive Director of Collective Change Lab, a nonprofit focused on advancing transformational systems change practices. He previously served as Global Managing Director of FSG, where he helped develop and popularize the concept of collective impact. John is co-author of the influential Stanford Social Innovation Review articles Collective Impact, The Dawn of System Leadership, and The Relational Work of Systems Change, as well as The Water of Systems Change. His work focuses on helping people and organizations collaborate across boundaries to address complex social challenges.Resources Mentioned:Collective Impact, by John Kania, Mark Kramer, and Peter Senge: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/collective_impactThe Dawn of System Leadership, by John Kania, Mark Kramer, and Peter Senge: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_dawn_of_system_leadershipThe Relational Work of Systems Change, by John Kania, Jennifer Splansky Juster, and Peter Senge: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_relational_work_of_systems_changeThe Water of Systems Change, by David Peter Stroh, John Kania, Mark Kramer, and others: https://www.fsg.org/resource/water_of_systems_change/Collective Change Lab: https://collectivechangelab.org/Connect with John:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kania-1a294020/Work with Dart:Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what's most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.

Kelly Brownell interviews Jon-Paul Bianchi, Director of Systems Change at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, about the foundation's systems-change approach linking food, health, early childhood, and family economic security to address inequities affecting children and families. Bianchi describes his path from PhD research to policy work and then to Kellogg, and explains how integrated grantmaking focuses upstream on policies, practices, resource flows, narratives, and long-term investment in people and relationships rather than isolated programs. He highlights Vermont's inclusion of food quality in childcare ratings and the foundation's Farm to Early Childhood efforts connecting procurement, regional food systems, and state policy, with examples from states like North Carolina, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and notes Brazil's national local purchasing policy as a model for success. Transcript As I was mentioning before we got started, I've long admired the work of the Kellogg Foundation. Working with the concept of food systems or connecting agriculture with nutrition and thinking about regenerative agricultures. There are a lot of places where your foundation was out front. So, I salute you and your colleagues for that. And it'll be interesting to find out what's happening right now. Tell us a little bit about yourself, and how did you get into the philanthropic work and your work with Kellogg in particular? I'm Jon-Paul Bianchi. I'm the director of the Systems Change team at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. And what that essentially means is I'm the director of national programs at the foundation. But we call it systems change because we really do see in the different areas of work that we focus on- health, family economic security, food, and early childhood- that these things are all interconnected by some distinct systems. But also, common systems that overlap across them. And so, that's the approach that we take. And I'll spend some time sort of diving into that today. You know, to answer the question of how I got here... you know, a master stroke of luck. I was set to be an academic researcher. I was working on my PhD at the University of Wisconsin. I was ABD and decided that I didn't want to be a researcher and I wanted to work in policy. And I moved to Colorado to take a job sort of sight unseen, being the policy director of an organization that worked in K-12 and children's health, and food and early childhood education. And did that for a few years and learned to translate research into practice; into policy. And was giving a presentation and got a tap on a shoulder from somebody that worked at the Kellogg Foundation who was interested in what I was saying. And we had one conversation, and six months later, I wound up having a new job and leaving Colorado and moving to Michigan. That was 15 years ago. Well, you went into this with a great background having done the science as a graduate student and then into the policy world. And you're right, the intersection of those two is really where the magic can occur. You began talking about this, but let's talk about it a little bit more. So, when you say that there are systems that cut across different problems like food and health and economic security, etc., and I know you structured your team to reflect that cross-cutting kind of view of things. But tell us a little bit more about that. And how is this different than what's usually done, and how does it affect the way your work gets carried out? So, big picture at the Kellogg Foundation, we envision a society where every child can thrive. But we know that there's too many kids and families that still can't access good food or quality childcare, or their parents can't find quality jobs because of inequities that are embedded in the policies and the practices and narratives that shape our systems. And so, having a multi-issue integrated grant making team, it's made us more effective by better understanding the points of intersection and collaboration across those bodies of work. So, our food systems program officers are in the same team, and they work closely with our program officers in early childhood and family economic security and health. And those collaborations strengthen the work in a variety of ways. We have experts in each of those areas, but because they're spending time with each other and working in the same team, they're exposed to, and they learn about each other's work and each other's worlds. And that creates powerful collaborations in the foundation, but more importantly, out in the field. And it helps us to see that we can't fix any of these systems, including food systems, with surface level or patch kinds of solutions. We really have to work together to get upstream and focus on policies, focus on practices, focus on resource flows and narratives that really sustain the inequities that we see. And so, the foundation partners with organizations to dismantle barriers in food systems in the other areas so that children and families can access quality food. But I think we also recognize that's about investing in people. And it's about investing in people over time to drive transformational change in any of these systems, including food. For people listening to this who aren't in the world of philanthropy or academics or science or policy they might be saying, "Well, this kind of makes common sense. Isn't this the way it's usually done?" And in fact, it's not usually done to have this cross-cutting work accomplished the way you're doing it. It's actually a pretty impressive thing. Yes, thank you. And I have a lot of respect for our philanthropic partners and peers, and we work very closely with a lot of large and small foundations. And I think the adage in philanthropy is you know one foundation you know one foundation. So, we do it this way and somebody else will do it differently. And I think there's a lot of connection for us back to our founder. You mentioned Will Keith Kellogg at the top of the call. He was ahead of his time in terms of understanding the interconnectedness between food and the land and opportunity and people's education. And a lot of that came out of his tradition as a Seventh Day Adventist. But also, I think just as a person coming up in the Depression and seeing what happened afterwards and really beginning to understand in his own community of how these things were sort of connected to one another. And so, for us, both inside and outside the foundation, systems change really means betting on people long term to reshape those systems from the outside in. But also, from the inside out. And that's really what we're striving for. You mentioned the history of Dr. Kellogg. The history of that family is so interesting, and what went on in, you know, the sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan, and how the concept of breakfast cereals came about. And how the focus on natural foods was so important. It's worth spending a little time even on just Wikipedia to try to find out what that history is, because I find it fascinating. So, let's go back to food and go a little bit deeper and talk about what this systems approach looks like in practice. You're a philanthropic organization. You exist in the context of a capitalist society where businesses are out to do as well as they can. How is the foundation's work different from, say, funding a food pantry, launching a single nutrition program somewhere, which is what typically might be done? Yes, I think what we intend to do and how I think our systems approach is a little different from, say, you know, funding a single nutrition program, is that we mean to design and redesign practice and policy based on how kids and families actually live their lives. Right? So, where food and health and early childhood and family economic security show up together in a community, right? Families experience these things simultaneously in their everyday lives. They don't experience these things in silos. And so, we try to have our team and our work reflect that. So, instead of treating food as a narrow problem to fix with one program, we try to think about how the entire system around a child and their caregivers works or doesn't work and find those opportunities and levers to move that whole system. I'll give you a concrete example that will bring in our colleague Linda Jo Doctor, who you mentioned at the top of the conversation. Early in my time at the foundation, I was a reviewer for the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant. This was an Obama era competitive grant process for building early childhood systems in states. And the state of Vermont did something really interesting that I had the good fortune to review as part of that team. They included the quality of food and access to fresh, healthy food in childcare centers as part of their quality rating and improvement system for childcare. They didn't just talk about teacher quality or curriculum or reflective practice. They actually said, "If we care about child development, then what children are eating every day in those childcare centers is part of what quality means." That's a systems approach. They connected food policy and procurement directly into early childhood policy and practice so that nutrition and education and child wellbeing were all being advanced simultaneously. I brought that back to the foundation and brought it back to Linda. And we had a really great conversation about it, and then another, and then another, and then another. And that experience helped shape how I think and how many people think about our work at the foundation. And it led to things like the expansion of our Farm to Early Childhood work, which again, leans heavily on procurement as the strategy to drive systems change, but connects it into early childhood policy. Tell us about that. You know, the Vermont example you gave is a terrific one. And you talked about Farm to Early Childhood. What does that mean in practice? In practice for the foundation, it really leaned heavily first on, sort of, understanding the landscape of where there was capacity to connect regional food hubs, farmers and producers and growers to systems of early childhood. At the same time that you have these burgeoning and developing systems of early care and education with regard to financing and sophistication, you have something similar going on in them in the food system movement, depending on the state that you're in. And so, we work diligently in a subset of states to really connect those policy levers, pull them together, and try to create essentially more situations like Vermont, you had partnership at the local community level, at the regional level, and then at the state systems level. So, syncing up the actual practice on the ground, syncing up how the relationships between different organizations are formed and maintained with regards to better food and early childhood. But then also trying to codify that into state policy and practice. And we did that for a number of years and had remarkable success in places like Iowa and Wisconsin and even in North Carolina, and a handful of other states. And we very much saw this as a build off our successful farm-to-school work, but doing it in a system that comparatively in terms of early childhood, was a little more fragile, right? And it wasn't necessarily as easy to do it, but all the more important and helpful because of the age and the vulnerability of the kids and families that we're talking about. The systems approach is very powerful, and so I'm going to ask a question not to be challenging, but to in some ways give you a softball for proving the systems approach. If at the end of the day, the most important thing in a childcare setting is to get healthy food into the bodies of the children so they can thrive intellectually and medically and everything else. Couldn't you accomplish that by just giving a good shopping list, a Costco shopping list to the daycare directors, and they could go buy good foods? And why does it need to be connected with farmers and, you know, the broader connection into the community at large, why is that important? Yes. Well, backing up, I wouldn't want to state, as an early childhood person, that the only thing that, you know, makes an early childhood program high quality would be the quality of the food and that that would, you know, lead to optimal child development and school readiness. I think, you know, there's other things in there that actually matter too. But this is definitely a key component. I would say, you know, to your question, that that system that you named already exists. We have the Child and Adult Care Food Program. We have the ability to subsidize the cost of food, and to have that good shopping list in play. But, I think, what the systems approach does is it asks different questions, right? It seeks to say, where does the food come from? How is it grown? Who is benefiting economically, right? How are schools and childcare centers and farmers and communities connected? And how do we strengthen those, connections and relationships so that we can begin to shift policy and practice so that children and families can reliably have access to good food. And they know that it's coming from the community in which they're situated. And the people on the side that are actually producing the food, the farmers and the folks doing procurement and others, that they're actually connected to it too. And they know where the food is going. And so there is this social kind of interstitial benefit to connecting those systems in a way that I think brings value beyond just you get a healthy meal today. I think it begins to shift culture. And if you could shift culture in the institutions that people are participating in, you can actually shift culture in people. So, you could see if a parent that potentially wasn't exposed to that before, or maybe didn't have access, or didn't know how to get access to that kind of food, if their expectations suddenly shifted because in their childcare program they're getting access to quality food, that then becomes an opportunity to engage in a different way. But it also becomes an opportunity for that parent to become empowered and to come together with other parents and other community members and begin to insist that's a reality in everyday life for them. That becomes a norm rather than an exception. I really like your answer because, you know, in some ways, people in our country have become distant from their food. You know, it used to be you could just go to the store, and there might've been one agent between you and who grew the food. The farmer would deliver it to, and now there are factories and machines that process the food, and 10 steps, and it comes from different countries, and all that kind of thing. And what you're talking about is shrinking that gap again to decrease the distance, so people are more in touch. And you could easily see that if the food is coming from farmers and the daycare providers know that they're going to feel better about the food. They're more likely to tell a story about it to the children. The farmer might come to the daycare center, or the children go to the farm. And you could see there's a lot more going on here than nutrition, and that's the beauty of this systems approach, isn't it? I mean, the children want to have a garden, right? I mean, how many times have we seen that? It seems like a small thing in early childhood, but just that simple act of having a garden and being able to understand how things are cultivated and grown. Even for a small child, and I have two small kids, we have a small garden in our backyard: it's meaningful. And it also, I think, establishes a norm that the tomato that you pick off the vine or the pole bean that you pick off, that you eat, that you find just unbelievably delicious, then that becomes normative for them. That's a normative experience, and kids are not as frightened by things when they encounter it. And I think we have a real opportunity in the early childhood space to link up those two systems to say, "Yes, we can affect change." And I think that, again, back to this notion of investing in people long term, the investment in those kids long term and what they come to expect will be the norm matters very much to how we think about our work at the Kellogg Foundation. So you're talking about both practices and policies and a cross-sector approach to these things. And let's talk about policy for a moment. Where does policy typically break down? And what kind of people need to be at the table, and what sort of partnerships need to be established in order to have better food policy? I think if we take seriously that food policy is cross-sector, I believe that we need to build tables that look like the food system. And that means not just public health experts or nutrition advocates or academics, but farmers and food workers, and those childcare providers and teachers, and leaders in K-12, and tribal leaders, community organizers, local state government officials, right? And the funders, right? The funders who are willing to invest in the long slow work of doing systems change. And, you know, one place I would highlight is in your home state of North Carolina. For years, there was significant investment that helped really build a dense ecosystem. You established regional food hubs and meat processing infrastructure, and anchor institutions into schools and early childhood centers. And a really strong network of organizers and philanthropic partners. And that made it possible to fully integrate farm to early childhood in your state's definition of early childhood. And as an aside, I would say North Carolina was also one of the leading states back when I was first coming into the field of building out a high-quality system of childcare. North Carolina led that. And so, these two things converging is a very powerful example, but again, we're getting back to local sourcing. We're getting back to bigger things than just doing food education, right? Those things are now built into the system. And they're not just a side project of the system. They actually are the system. So, you're talking about a foundation doing a lot more than getting proposals, seeing what needs to be funded, and then sending money out the door. You're talking about connecting people in innovative and unique ways. And building bridges that didn't exist before. And getting people to understand the systems change approach. And it just can lead to so many interesting and innovative things that just weren't possible using traditional models. So, really my hat's off to the work you do, and I can see why it's creating such powerful outcomes. One piece I would be remiss if I didn't say this, right? What makes all those partnerships work or fall apart? Usually, it's not the brilliance of a single policy idea or practice idea. I. Sort of. Sound like a broken record, but I'm going to come back to this. Investing in that people infrastructure that sits underneath it is really important. And the places that we find that make progress in any of the issues we're talking about, family economic security, food, health, Medicaid, early childhood, K-12, right? The places that make progress really do have varied and diverse voices at the table, and they're able to build real trust. And they're able to cultivate champions and also the next generation of champions and the next generation of champions who can move between those sectors, right? And the funders are involved, but they really understand that they're financing relationships and governance and people. They're not financing programs. And I think as a grant maker, that's an interesting distinction to think about. Think we know it implicitly and we know it when we see it. It's a lot harder to stick it in a white paper and define it and disseminate it in Stanford Social Innovation Review, for example. No, I totally agree. In the work that we've done over the years with, uh, community partners in Durham, it's been my impression that they get this systems thing from the very get-go. That they understand that if poverty is too severe, then nothing else is going to work, and if housing is a problem, then these other things are going to be affected in pretty serious ways. And they understand the importance of these. And in a way you're letting the flowers bloom. You're taking, I think, what some people understand intuitively and would like to accomplish, but they've been forced into silos. And then once a funder comes along and can allow this to prosper, I think it's sort of a natural thing that occurs. I think so. And I think the tricky thing there is to not be seduced by the programmatic solution. Like, do you remember several years ago when the notion of collective impact was this very popular term that folks talked about? And it's a good thing. I mean, I think the framework and the model is powerful, and it's a useful thought exercise. But what I found in a lot of collective impact work was that it focused very much on aligning the programs. Sufficiently funding the programs and aligning the programs, but not the human side of design and redesign of how do those programs function, right? Who do they serve? Who's at the table when building them or rebuilding them? Do you have the ability to change them midstream if you feel that you need to? And I think a slightly different approach with systems change is you're sort of engaging in a loose hold of the policies and the practices and the issues to give people and the people infrastructure and the relationships time to come together and figure out how they want to move them individually, and how they want to move them collectively. And that's a subtle difference. That's a nuance that I think has really worked in our particular corner of the world. One thing I bet some people are interested in is how the Kellogg Foundation might be distinct from Kellogg as a company. You've described beautifully the innovative work you're doing. The company is off doing what it does commercially. How do these two things intersect? And what's been the history of the connection between the foundation and the company? Yes. So, when the foundation was founded in the 1930s, Will Keith Kellogg, as you said, he endowed the foundation and created it separate and apart from the company. So, it's an independent philanthropic organization. And so, while we bear the name of Will Keith Kellogg, the foundation does not have a formal connection or stake in the company any longer. As you may know, the company split into two companies a few years ago, one called Kellanova and one called the W.K. Kellogg Cereal Company. And since then, I believe both companies have been acquired. I think Mars now owns Kellanova, and Ferrero, an Italian company, owns W.K. At present, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation does not have any connection to either of those companies because they've been acquired by other groups. And aside from having some stock with the foundation, that was sold to support our endowment, we don't have any formal connections anymore. But I think the proximity of the foundation to the company in Battle Creek, and I think the shared history of Battle Creek and the shared history of Mr. Kellogg's vision is actually important to note. And I think it does matter to how the two institutions are connected. I said this a little while ago in the conversation, but in the 1930s, Mr. Kellogg knew that you couldn't separate food from health and education, family economic security, and he knew this while he was making cornflakes, right? And so he helped make sure in the late 1930s that children in Battle Creek had access to fresh milk in schools at the same time that he was doing work in soil conservation and in building healthy land. And he had a sense of knowing that how the food is grown and how kids are nourished, it's part of the same story. And I think that DNA has pulled forward into the foundation, and it makes it a really special place to work because we still carry that memory of him, and we still carry that vision of him into the work that we do. Thanks. You know, a long time ago, when I first became familiar with the Kellogg Foundation, I wondered about the history and the independence of the foundation from the company. And I pretty quickly came to learn that the foundation, as you said, is quite independent from the company. But you've enriched my knowledge even beyond what I've known over the years, so thank you. That's a fascinating history. So, let's end with one final question. If you fast-forward and kind of look ahead, what do you think is on the way? And what does success look like to you and your colleagues? Yes, it's a good question. I mean, I think if we got this right, you know, 10- 20 years from now, success would look like children and families living in communities where good food is just a part of everyday life. It's normal and reliable and not something that folks are lucky to find. I talked a little bit about how Mr. Kellogg thought about this in the '30s, but we also see what's possible in other places, right? When that vision can become a reality in terms of policy and practice. So, we had done some work in the country of Brazil. And we see now that national policy in the country of Brazil now requires that at least 50% of school food be purchased from local sources, grown with high-quality standards, right? That one decision reshaped incentives all along the food chain. What farmers grow, what institutions buy, what kids eat. That's a powerful example of institutions using their everyday purchasing power to build healthier and a more just system. So, you know, 10- 20 years from now, if we've done our job, it would mean that the kinds of innovations in places like Brazil or North Carolina or even in Michigan with our 10 Cents a Meal program, that those types of things would have become the norm. That schools and early childhood centers and hospitals and tribal and local governments would be routinely buying good, locally rooted food. And that workers and farmers are earning a fair and stable wage, and they have incomes. And the communities most affected by hunger and inequity are actually at the core of leading and designing new systems. And food policy would no longer be a patch on top of the inequity. It would be one of the main ways that we build healthier and more equitable futures for kids and families. BIO Jon-Paul Bianchi is the Director of Systems change at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) in Battle Creek, Michigan. In this role, he leads WKKF's national grantmaking strategy focused on early childhood care and education, health equity, employment equity and food systems. As a longtime philanthropic leader and national expert with a focus on early childhood education, Bianchi provides strategic oversight to the foundation's national programmatic work to support thriving children, families and communities. Bianchi holds a doctorate of Education from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education and Human Development, a master's degree in child development and a bachelor's degree in child and family studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He helped found and currently serves on the board of Valley Settlement in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

We are joined by Harvard researcher, author of The Win-Win Workplace, and founder of Future Forward Strategies, Dr. Angela Jackson, to discuss how organizations can redesign work to strengthen both employee well-being and business performance.  Backed by research across more than 1,700 companies, Dr. Jackson makes a clear, data-driven case for human-centered leadership. She reveals how organizations that invest in employees through practices such as centering worker voice, reimagining benefits, and fostering inclusive innovation see improvements not only in employee morale but also in performance. These strategies directly impact retention, engagement, and long-term financial success, reframing well-being as business-critical, not optional.  Dr. Jackson shares how understanding employees' lived realities, such as caregiving responsibilities and access to childcare, directly impacts retention and performance. She offers a concrete example of a company that introduced on-site childcare after identifying it as a key barrier for employees, resulting in a 98% retention rate among women during the pandemic.  Dr. Angela Jackson is a leading voice on the future of work and CEO of Future Forward Strategies, a labor market intelligence firm focused on helping organizations grow through continuous learning and innovation. A lecturer and researcher at Harvard University, she equips executives with practical strategies to build high-performing workplaces that strengthen engagement, productivity, and long-term growth. Her work has appeared in Harvard Business Review and Stanford Social Innovation Review, and she is frequently featured in The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, BBC, and The Economist. She has spoken at TED, South by Southwest, and ASU GSV. Previously, Dr. Jackson was managing partner at New Profit, where she launched the Future of Work Grand Challenge, reskilling 25,000 workers into living-wage jobs. She began her career in global leadership roles at Viacom and Nokia. Her debut book, The Win-Win Workplace, is a New York Times bestseller.  Tune in for real-world examples that shift toward more inclusive, responsive, and adaptive workplace cultures where well-being, performance, and innovation are mutually reinforced.

In this episode of Capital for Good we speak with Marla Blow, the president and CEO of the Skoll Foundation, the leading philanthropy focused on social entrepreneurship and innovation around the world. Over the course of this conversation, we learn how Blow's career in finance and financial inclusion, across the private and public sectors, would prepare her to lead a dynamic institution and community of innovators in this era of extraordinary change — and resilience.   We begin with important elements of Blow's origin story, including her childhood outside of Atlanta, a city (then) on the precipice of rapid growth, where she was drawn to the idea of helping people translate opportunity into long-term financial security. "I thought I could help people make better decisions," she said. That instinct would carry her to Wharton, Wall Street, an MBA at Stanford, and to Capital One, where she learned the discipline of applied behavioral economics and consumer lending. In the Obama Administration, Blow joined the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where she began to see more clearly the full landscape of American consumers — including those who were not well served by the traditional financial system or many of its products. That realization led her to found FS Card Inc to provide fairly priced credit to underserved consumers, an experience Blow describes as a "crash course" in entrepreneurship and the capital markets. Following the successful sale of FS Card, Blow helped lead Mastercard's Center for Inclusive Growth, where she was able to pursue financial inclusion at scale.   Blow speaks candidly about the extraordinary moment in which she assumed the CEO role at Skoll in 2025. The dismantling of USAID and broader cutbacks of support to and from multilateral finance institutions sent seismic shocks through the social entrepreneurship ecosystem that Skoll has supported since 1999. "I don't think any of us could have predicted that things would shift in this magnitude, or that they would shift this quickly," she says. And yet, Blow also describes with great admiration the resilience of individuals and organizations "that have been able to figure out how to pivot," efforts the foundation supported with a $25 million "pivot fund." Blow draws on the analogy of a forest of seemingly freestanding trees that are deeply interconnected beneath the surface. "It's the roots that enable them to transmit nutrients, to transmit information, to rebuild and regrow after absorbing and experiencing a shock," she says.   We also discuss a signature dimension of Skoll's work: the role of catalytic capital in driving impact. Today, approximately 80 percent of Skoll's endowment, managed in partnership with the Capricorn Investment Group, is aligned with the foundation's impact objectives in climate change mitigation and resilience, economic opportunity, health care, and responsible stewardship. Blow explains that these kinds of investments are not concessionary — their "financial returns continue to meet or exceed the performance of comparable asset classes" — and are exemplified by social enterprises like Apis & Heritage Capital Partners, a 2025 Skoll Award recipient that transitions small businesses to employee ownership – and has enabled main street workers to increase their net worth by a factor of ten.   We close with Blow's sources of optimism. They begin, she explains, with community — the cross-ideological partnership emerging across philanthropy, the private sector's increased engagement, the deep networks built over more than two decades of convening social entrepreneurs at the Skoll World Forum. "We are going through something, it's going to take a toll," she says. "And there is a light on the other side of it. We can continue working toward that light."   Mentioned in this episode: The Skoll Foundation Skoll World Forum Transformation and Renewal in the Impact Ecosystem, The Skoll Foundation 2026 Annual Letter Capricorn Investment Group Evolving Philanthropy for Collective Action, (Stanford Social Innovation Review, Blow & Gips, 2024) Apis & Heritage Capital Partners Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth  

What does a sustainable relationship with money actually look like? In this episode, Denise Dunning, founder of Rise Up Together, shares how the idea of sustainability shapes everything from how she leads a global nonprofit to how she earns, saves, and raises her children. Her story reveals that building a meaningful financial life is not about extremes, but about creating something that can endure. About Denise Dunning: Building a Global Model for Sustainable Impact Denise is the Founder and Executive Director of Rise Up Together. She launched Rise Up Together following years of working closely with country-based leaders and organizations to develop a new, locally-led model for sustainable impact at scale. Today, Rise Up Together's team builds power with leaders and partners in the US, Africa, Asia, and Latin America and has created lasting impact for more than 172 million people. Previously, Denise worked at the David & Lucile Packard Foundation on global women's reproductive health and rights, and the Inter-American Development Bank on poverty reduction strategies in Honduras. She was a distinguished Fulbright Scholar, National Science Foundation Fellow, and Stanford Social Entrepreneur in Residence. Denise has a Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology from UC Berkeley, a Master's in Public Affairs from Princeton, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Duke. Her work has been featured in media outlets including the Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Christian Science Monitor, and Alliance Magazine. Denise has lived in five countries, and worked and traveled in many more, including her mother's native Argentina. She speaks four languages, and now calls San Francisco home, where she resides with her husband, three children, and two cats. Ready to build a more intentional relationship with money? Explore more conversations like this on Aspiriant's Money Tales podcast, where we dive into the stories behind how people earn, save, and live with money. And for deeper insights, visit fathom, our content hub for perspectives on wealth, values, and decision-making. If you are thinking about how to align your wealth with your values, an Aspiriant advisor can help you clarify your purpose, structure your giving and build a thoughtful philanthropic plan that fits your family. Follow Money Tales on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Music for more real stories that inspire thoughtful, intentional decisions about money.

Medium Lady Talks — Episode 173 Is Guilt Driving the AI Gender Gap? Hi, I'm Erin and this is Medium Lady Talks — the podcast for millennial women who want to live more intentionally, read more books, and stop burning out in the middle of a life they actually love. What this episode is about If you've ever used an AI tool (or thought about using one) and felt weird about it afterward — not quite wrong, but not quite right — this episode is for you. We spend the whole episode trying to figure out what that feeling actually is. Because I don't think it's guilt. I think it's something more useful. And the difference matters. We look at what the research says about women and AI adoption, why the gender gap exists (the answer is not what most people assume), and then walk carefully through the emotions that get bundled together under "guilt" — and why naming them separately changes what you do with them. What you'll hear The gender gap in AI use is real and documented across 18 international studies — but it isn't being driven by ethics, technophobia, or lack of access. The biggest driver is self-reported knowledge. Women say they don't know enough, and that uncertainty holds them back. There's also a specific research finding that stopped me: women are significantly more likely than men to describe their own AI use as "cheating." We sit with that one for a while. There are six feelings that tend to get bundled into AI guilt, and they each have a different signal and a different right response: trepidation, cognitive dissonance, identity threat, environmental concern, social anxiety, and actual guilt. Most of them aren't guilt. And the one that might be deserves careful examination — not a spiral. On the environment: the concern is valid at the systemic level, and the accountability belongs with the companies building and scaling these systems — not with individual users. The pattern of loading collective moral responsibility onto individual women while the systems that created the problem go unexamined? We've seen that one before. And the concept I'm now completely obsessed with: fierce ambivalence — from researcher Mara Bolis. The ability to hold two truths at once: I can use these tools to empower myself AND demand better from the people building them. That's not confusion. That might be the most coherent position available right now. Resources mentioned Global Evidence on Gender Gaps and Generative AI — Otis, Delecourt, Cranney & Koning, Harvard Business School Working Paper No. 25-023 The AI Gender Gap Paradox — Mara Bolis, Stanford Social Innovation Review. Where "fierce ambivalence" comes from. A five-minute read I highly recommend. We Did the Math on AI's Energy Footprint — MIT Technology Review. Individual queries vs. industry-level impact, clearly explained, this read is a little bit longer! Environmental Impacts of Artificial Intelligence — Wikipedia. Genuinely excellent. A good two-minute orientation to the full picture and lots of links to take you down a rabbit hole. In Episode 174 we'll get into the "Be Your Own Wife" concept — what a values-based relationship with AI actually looks like in practice.  DM me on Instagram at @medium.lady your reactions and opinions will always be used in consideration of each following episde. Medium Lady Talks is created, hosted and produced by Erin Vandeven. New episodes drop weekly.

William Burckart is today's guest. Bill was recently in Sydney from New York where his list of credentials, accomplishments and titles is impressive - he's the CEO of The Investment Integration Project, co-founder of Colourful Capital, an adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs and the Brandmyere Fellow for Impact and Sustainable Investing at Colombia University, he's published a couple of really informative books, the most recent being ‘The Handbook of System-level Investing: How Experts Worth Trillions of Dollars are Rethinking Investing.' As well as all of that his writing has featured in The Guardian, Forbes and the Stanford Social Innovation Review.That's a long but necessary way of saying that in the realm of systems-level investing, there are few anywhere in the world who are both as technically astute and practically experienced as Bill. What is systems-level investing you ask? Systems-level investing - as I've understood from reading Bill's books, this chat and our supper club together is when financiers - be they banks, be they investors - deliberately elevate themselves above a conventional approach to asset and client focussed lending and financing and seek to use their funds as well as their influence and other assets to address issues that create systems-level risks for any and all of their more conventional activities. Think about it like this - how successful will one investment in a farmer be if the underlying volatility in crop and yield output worsens without also investing in rapid decarbonisation and broader adaptation measures? What good is funding one resilient home in a flood prone area if the majority of the rest in that area aren't and you see localised market risk and asset depreciation? Systems-level investing is about re-framing how finance takes account of reality and the risks problems like climate change, disinformation, inequality, ocean acidification and many more and doing what the financial services industry is supposed to do anyway - appropriately price these to send market signals and drive new types of behaviours, actions and outcomes.It's not straight forward stuff, and many in this community lament either the unwillingness or the inability for just about all financial institutions of every size and form to do this. In this chat we get into the what some of the tangible and intangible barriers are, the limitations of sustainable and responsible investing, how to better understand the tools of systems-level investing whether you're in finance or not, advanced user or total beginner. Much is required of many of us at this moment - and understanding how finance can and must play a role is a critical component of shifting economies and cultural norms regarding practices in the real economy. This episode isn't just for the finance bros though, you don't need to don a puffer vest and be sitting in Ryan's Bar to take insights and wisdom from Bill - this is applicable to all of us who are in the game of capital. And frankly, that's everyone, whether you like it or not.Today's episode is delivered with Reposit Power. Get $500 off your solar battery installation here. Send me a messageThanks for listening. Follow Finding Nature on Instagram

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Deanna Van Buren and Adrienne Hogg to the Restorative Works! Podcast.  We are joined by Deanna Van Buren, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Designing Justice + Designing Spaces (DJDS), and Adrienne Hogg, Co-Executive Director of Community Works. Together, we explore how spaces, rooms, buildings, and environments in which we gather directly shape our nervous systems, our sense of dignity, and our ability to repair harm. Deanna reframes "trauma-informed design" as designing for well-being, offering a body–mind–spirit lens on how spaces can regulate, inspire, and care for us. Adrienne shares how Community Works brings this philosophy to life by creating warm, culturally rooted, non-institutional spaces where young people, survivors, families, and staff feel seen, grounded, and capable of restoration.  From reimagining classroom design in higher education to redefining what justice spaces can communicate, the conversation weaves together architecture, community wisdom, creative practice, and systems change. Both guests illuminate how co-designing that deeply involves communities, including those most impacted by harm, becomes its own restorative practice.  Deanna Van Buren is the co-founder and executive director of Designing Justice + Designing Spaces. An architecture and real estate nonprofit working to end mass incarceration through place-based solutions, DJDS builds infrastructure that addresses its root causes: poverty, racism, unequal access to resources, and the criminal justice system itself. Van Buren has been profiled by  The New York Times and has written op-eds on the intersection of design and mass incarceration in outlets such as Politico, Architectural Record, and Stanford Social Innovation Review. Her TEDWomen talk on what a world without prisons could look like has been viewed more than one million times. She is the only architect to have been awarded the Rauschenberg Artist as Activist fellowship, and she is also the recipient of UC Berkeley's Berkeley-Rupp Architecture Prize and Professorship. Van Buren received her bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Virginia and her master's degree from Columbia University, and she is an alumna of the Loeb Fellowship at Harvard's Graduate School of Design.  Adrienne Hogg is co-executive director at Community Works.  In this role, she focuses on finance, administration, and operations in addition to working with her co-executive director on strategic and development activities. Prior to joining Community Works, Adrienne founded Gather Locally, a startup e-commerce technology company.  Before starting Gather Locally, Adrienne was the head of finance and controller for several public and private corporations in the life sciences and construction industries, where she managed accounting, finance, human resources, legal, and facilities. She is an Oakland native who received bachelor's and master's degrees from the UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business.  Tune in to learn more about how the spaces we build reflect the futures we believe in. 

Alan Moore is a craftsman of beautiful business. He is a business innovator, author, and global speaker whose life's work centers on one simple but radical idea: beauty is not a luxury in business, but a necessity.He has designed everything from books to organizations, working across six continents with artists, entrepreneurs, and leadership teams. He has advised companies including PayPal, Microsoft, and Interface, taught at institutions such as MIT, INSEAD, and the Sloan School of Management, and helped guide some of the world's most innovative enterprises.He is the author of four books, including No Straight Lines: Making Sense of Our Nonlinear World and Do Design: Why Beauty Is Key to Everything. His work has been featured in outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and The Huffington Post.In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:1. Beauty as a quest for truth rather than surface aesthetics2. What it means to create something like a jewel3. Inevitability in design4. Beauty as a metric for innovation5. The distinction between extractive and regenerative approaches6. Beauty as a verb and everyday practices for “doing beauty.” To learn more about Alan's work, you can find him at:https://thebeautifuldesignproject.com/ Books and resources mentioned:No Straight Lines: Making Sense of Our Nonlinear World (by Alan Moore)Do Design: Why Beauty Is Key to Everything (by Alan Moore)This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust.Support the show

Alan Moore is a craftsman of beautiful business. He is a business innovator, author, and global speaker whose life's work centers on one simple but radical idea: beauty is not a luxury in business, but a necessity.He has designed everything from books to organizations, working across six continents with artists, entrepreneurs, and leadership teams. He has advised companies including PayPal, Microsoft, and Interface, taught at institutions such as MIT, INSEAD, and the Sloan School of Management, and helped guide some of the world's most innovative enterprises.He is the author of four books, including Do Design: Why Beauty Is Key to Everything and Do Build. How to make and lead a business the world needs. His work has been featured in outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and The Huffington Post.In this first part of our conversation, we discuss:1. Beauty as a sense of homecoming to self, family, and the natural world2. Why beauty is felt in the body, not just understood in the mind3. Beauty as something soulful, universal, and deeply human4. Living and working through the transition from analog to digital culture5. Innovation as seeing latent potential and unmet human needs6. The idea of beauty as the “ultimate metric” for decision-making7. How beauty challenges dominant ideas of success, value, and the good lifeTo learn more about Alan's work, you can find him at:https://thebeautifuldesignproject.com/ Books and resources mentioned:No Straight Lines: Making Sense of Our Nonlinear World (by Alan Moore)Do Design: Why Beauty Is Key to Everything (by Alan Moore)This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust.Support the show

What if your nonprofit could fight poverty at the systems level? Learn how Rob Hanson reimagines philanthropy, leverages 501(c)(4)s, and moves beyond charity to lasting change—backed by $65M in social investments and a powerful personal journey. Episode Highlights 01:15 Meet Rob Hansen: A Journey of Social Change 03:52 Understanding Nonprofit Structures: 501(c)(3) vs 501(c)(4) 07:26 The Impact of Systems Change 11:17 Navigating Legal and Financial Complexities 17:13 Addressing Policy Changes and Their Impact 23:07 The Importance of Flexibility and Listening Meet the Guest My guest for this episode is Rob Hansen. Rob Hansen is a nonprofit leader with over two decades of experience driving social change. His personal journey out of poverty has fueled his passion for empowering others to shape their own destinies. As the Founder and President of Goodnation since 2018, Rob has orchestrated the deployment of over $65 million towards ambitious social initiatives. In 2024, Rob spearheaded Goodnation's Prosperity Project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at eradicating poverty in America. His expertise extends beyond Goodnation, having previously led fundraising efforts for renowned organizations focused on health, youth development, and veteran support. A highlight of Rob's career includes his tenure at the Robin Hood Foundation, where he managed corporate and foundation fundraising. During a significant economic downturn in New York City, he played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and executing the $100 million Robin Responds campaign. Rob is a vocal advocate for transformative change in America, frequently addressing donor and nonprofit audiences. His thought leadership will be showcased in the Stanford Social Innovation Review in May 2025, with his article "Breaking Out of the c3 Box," which advocates for a more expansive utilization of available tools to effect change. Connect with Rob: Website: https://www.goodnation.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-hansen-b455803/ Sponsored Resource Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit! Access it here >> Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

En este episodio de Planeta Sostenible,  exploramos cómo la innovación social surge de mirar lo existente con nuevos ojos, conectando el conocimiento con la empatía y el territorio para transformar realidades. En alianza con la Universidad del Rosario, Pacto Global Red Colombia, APE y ANDESCO, el pódcast conversa con Andrea González, editora en jefe de Stanford Social Innovation Review en Español, y Guillermo Carvajal, gerente de Asuntos Corporativos de Riopaila Castilla, sobre cómo convertir la innovación en una práctica real que impacte positivamente a las comunidades.  

$37 billion. That's how much gets wasted annually on marketing budgets because of poor attribution and misunderstanding of what actually drives results. Companies' credit campaigns that didn't work. They kill initiatives that were actually succeeding. They double down on coincidences while ignoring what's actually driving outcomes.   Three executives lost their jobs this month for making the same mistake. They presented data showing success after their initiatives were launched. Boards approved promotions. Then someone asked the one question nobody thought to ask: "Could something else explain this?" The sales spike coincided with a competitor going bankrupt. The satisfaction increase happened when a toxic manager quit. The correlation was real. The causation was fiction. This mistake derailed their careers.   But here's the good news: once you see how this works, you'll never unsee it. And you'll become the person in the room who spots these errors before they cost millions.   But first, you need to understand what makes this mistake so common—and why even smart people fall for it every single day. What is Causal Thinking? At its core, causal thinking is the practice of identifying genuine cause-and-effect relationships rather than settling for surface-level associations. It's asking not just "do these things happen together?" but "does one actually cause the other?"   This skill means you look beyond patterns and correlations to understand what's actually producing the outcomes you're seeing. When you think causally, you can spot the difference between coincidence, correlation, and true causation—a distinction that separates effective decision-makers from those who waste millions on solutions that were never going to work. Loss of Causal Thinking Skills Across every domain of professional life, this confusion costs fortunes and derails careers.   A SaaS company sees customer churn decrease after implementing new onboarding emails—and immediately scales it company-wide. What they missed: they launched the emails the same week their biggest competitor raised prices by 40%. The competitor's pricing reduced churn. But they'll never know, because they never asked the question. Six months later, when they face real churn issues, they keep doubling down on emails that never actually worked.   This happens outside of work too. You start taking a new vitamin, and two weeks later your energy improves. But you started taking it in early March—right when days got longer and you began going outside more. Was it the vitamin or the sunlight and exercise? Most people credit the vitamin without asking the question.   But here's the good news: once you understand how to think causally, these mistakes become obvious. And one of these five strategies can be used in your very next meeting—literally 30 seconds from now. Let me show you how. How To Master Causal Thinking Mastering causal thinking isn't about becoming a statistician or learning complex formulas. It's about developing five practical strategies that work together to reveal what's really driving results. These build on each other—starting with basic tests you can apply right now, and progressing to a complete system you can use for any decision. Strategy 1: The Three Tests of True Causation Think of these as your checklist for evaluating any causal claim.   The Three Tests:   Test #1 - Timing: Confirm the supposed cause actually happened before the effect. If traffic spiked Monday but you launched the campaign Tuesday, that campaign didn't cause it. The cause must always come before the effect.   Test #2 - Consistent Movement: When the supposed cause is present, does the effect reliably occur? When the cause is absent, does the effect disappear? Document instances where they occur together. Then examine situations where the cause is absent. If the effect happens just as often without the cause, you're looking at correlation, not causation.   Test #3 - Rule Out Alternatives: Think carefully about what else could explain what you're seeing. Actively try to disprove your idea rather than only looking for supporting evidence. If you can't eliminate other explanations, you don't have causation. Strategy 2: Ask "Could Something Else Explain This?" Here's a technique you can implement in the next 30 seconds that will immediately improve your causal thinking: whenever someone presents a causal claim, ask out loud: "Could something else explain this?"   This single question is remarkably powerful. It forces the speaker to consider hidden factors they ignored. It reveals whether they've actually done causal analysis or just noticed a correlation and declared victory. It shifts the conversation from assumption to examination.   Try it in your next meeting when someone says "We did X and Y improved." Watch how often they haven't considered alternatives. Watch how often their confident causal claim becomes less certain when forced to address this simple question.   Most people present correlations as causations without even realizing it. Your question makes that leap visible. Suddenly they have to justify it with evidence or back down. It's not confrontational—it's curious. And curiosity is the foundation of good causal thinking.   Use it today. Use it every time someone attributes an outcome to a cause without ruling out alternatives.   That question leads us naturally to our next strategy—learning to identify what those "something elses" actually are. Strategy 3: Hunt for Hidden Causes A confounding variable is a third factor that influences both your suspected cause and your observed effect. It creates the illusion of a direct relationship where none exists.   Here's a simple example: ice cream sales and drowning deaths both increase during summer months. Does ice cream cause drowning? Obviously not. The confounding variable is warm weather, which causes both more ice cream purchases and more swimming.   Now here's the business version: A retail company sees both customer satisfaction and sales increase after renovating their stores. Does the renovation cause higher satisfaction? Maybe—but both also increased because they renovated during the holiday shopping season when people are generally happier and spending more anyway. Same logical structure. Same expensive mistake if they conclude renovations always boost satisfaction.   Map the Relationship: When you observe a correlation, write down your suspected cause and your observed effect. This visualization helps you spot gaps in your logic immediately.   Ask "What Else Changed?": Think carefully about what other factors were present or changed during the same period. Make a written list so your brain doesn't skip over these hidden causes.   Search for Common Causes: Identify factors that could influence both variables at the same time. For instance, if both employee satisfaction and productivity increased, could several toxic managers have left the company?   Consider Time-Based and Environmental Factors: Examine seasons, business cycles, economic trends, reorganizations, leadership changes, and industry shifts that could affect multiple outcomes at once.   Test by Controlling Variables: If possible, create scenarios where you can control or account for potential hidden causes. Try analyzing subgroups where the hidden cause is absent, or run controlled A/B tests.   Once you can spot these hidden causes, you're ready to understand why your brain makes these mistakes in the first place. And this next one? It's probably happening in your head right now without you realizing it. Strategy 4: Outsmart Your Brain's Shortcuts Your brain is wired to see causal connections everywhere, even where none exist. This isn't a design flaw—it's a survival mechanism that kept your ancestors alive. But in the modern business world, this pattern-seeking instinct can mislead you.   Your brain wants simple causal stories. Reality is usually more complex. Once you know what to watch for, you can catch yourself before making these errors.   Catch Your Instant Explanations: When you observe a pattern, pause before declaring causation. Ask yourself: "Am I seeing causation because it's really there, or because my brain desperately needs an explanation?"   Fight Confirmation Bias: Actively search for information that challenges your causal idea, not just data that supports it. If you can't find contradicting evidence, you haven't looked hard enough.   Here's how this plays out: A manager believes remote work hurts productivity. She notices every time someone's late to a Zoom call. But she doesn't notice the three on-time people. She remembers the one missed deadline but forgets the five delivered early. Her brain is filtering reality to confirm what she already believes.   Question Your Compelling Stories: Be wary of explanations that sound too neat. If your causal explanation reads like a perfect success story, double-check it.   Don't See Patterns in Randomness: Three successful quarters in a row doesn't mean you've discovered a winning formula. It might just be a lucky streak. Always ask "Could this pattern occur by chance?"   Watch the 'After Therefore Because' Trap: Every time you catch yourself thinking "we did X and then Y happened," force yourself to consider alternative explanations. Ask yourself "What would I need to see to know this isn't causal?"   Now that you understand how your brain works, let's put this all together into a practical system you can use every time you need to make a high-stakes decision. Strategy 5: The Five-Question Causation Check Mastering causal thinking requires more than understanding principles—it demands a clear approach you can apply when the stakes are high and the pressure is on.   The Five-Question Causation Check:   Define the Relationship Clearly: Write out the specific causal claim you're evaluating with precision. "Social media advertising increases qualified leads by X%" is better than "marketing works."   Verify the Basics: Does the cause come before the effect in time? Are they consistently related across different contexts? Are there possible alternative explanations?   Look for or Create Tests: Find situations where the supposed cause varies while other factors stay constant. The goal is isolation—can you isolate the variable you're testing from everything else that's changing?   Check if More Causes More: Does more of the cause lead to more of the effect? If doubling your ad spend doubles your conversions, that's stronger evidence than if the relationship is erratic.   Test Reversibility: If you remove the cause, does the effect disappear? If you reinstate the cause, does the effect return? This is why pilot programs and controlled rollbacks are so valuable. Put It Into Practice You now have the complete framework for causal thinking—five strategies that work together to reveal what's really causing what.   But here's what separates people who learn this from people who actually use it—one simple practice you can do this week that makes this framework automatic. Practice Exercise: The Causation Audit A practical and effective way to internalize these strategies is through practice with real-world scenarios from your actual work.   Here's how to conduct your own causal analysis:   Identify a Correlation from Your Work: Choose a recent pattern or causal claim that affects budgets or strategy.   State Your Causal Hypothesis: Write out your causal claim explicitly. Be specific about the supposed cause and the supposed effect.   Brainstorm Alternative Explanations: List at least five alternatives. Force yourself beyond the obvious first three.   Apply Your Three Tests: Evaluate whether your idea meets all three tests for causation. Did the cause come first? Do they consistently move together? Have you actually ruled out alternatives?   Design a Simple Test: If possible, design a test to isolate the variable you're testing. For example, have some account managers follow one approach while others don't, with otherwise similar conditions.   Share Your Analysis: Explain your reasoning to a colleague or manager. Teaching forces clarity and demonstrates analytical rigor.   With practice, you'll become skilled at spotting false causation and identifying true cause-and-effect relationships. This skill compounds over time, making you more valuable with every analysis you conduct.   So what does this actually get you? Let me paint the picture of what changes when you master this skill. The Rewards The rewards of mastering causal thinking are well worth the effort and will compound throughout your career.   You become immune to the most expensive mistakes in business—the ones where you solve the wrong problem perfectly. When everyone else is celebrating a correlation as success, you'll be asking the questions that reveal what's really driving outcomes. Imagine being in a meeting where leadership is about to allocate $2 million to scale an initiative, and you're the one who asks the question that reveals a competitor's bankruptcy actually caused the results. That's career-defining value.   Your strategic recommendations carry weight because they're based on actual causation rather than hopeful patterns. Leaders who can distinguish between correlation and causation make decisions that actually work. When your predictions prove accurate while others' fail, your credibility compounds—you become the person everyone turns to when stakes are high.   You develop the intellectual humility that marks exceptional leaders. Causal thinking teaches you to question your initial judgments, seek alternative explanations, and change your mind when evidence demands it. These qualities don't just make you a better thinker—they make you someone others trust with important decisions.   So take these strategies and practice them. Apply them in your daily work. Question causal claims, hunt for hidden causes, check your biases, and use the systematic process. This makes you a more effective decision-maker, a more credible advisor, and someone who spots opportunities and avoids disasters that others miss entirely.   And you'll become the person in the room everyone listens to when the stakes are high. Your Thinking 101 Journey In Episode 1, "Why Thinking Skills Matter Now More Than Ever," we exposed the crisis: your thinking ability is collapsing, AI dependency is creating cognitive debt, and those who can't think independently will be left behind.   In Episode 2, "How To Improve Your Logical Reasoning Skills," you learned to distinguish deductive certainty from inductive probability, calibrate your confidence to match your evidence, and stop treating patterns as proven facts.   Today, you learned how to distinguish true causation from mere correlation—saving yourself from expensive mistakes where you solve the wrong problem perfectly.   Up next—Episode 4: "Analogical Thinking—The Power of Comparison." Your brain doesn't learn through pure logic—it learns by comparison. Every breakthrough idea came from someone who made an unexpected connection. You'll learn how to generate insights through analogy, recognize when comparisons break down, and spot when others use false analogies to manipulate you.   Hit that subscribe button so you don't miss future episodes. Also—hit the like and notification bell. It helps with the algorithm so others see our content. Why not share this video with a colleague who you think would benefit from it?   Because right now, while you've been watching this, someone just approved a million-dollar budget based on a correlation they mistook for causation. The only question is: will you be the one who catches it?       SOURCES CITED IN THIS EPISODE Pathmetrics – Marketing Attribution Waste 5 Common Marketing Attribution Mistakes to Avoid. (2025). Pathmetrics. (Citing Proxima research on global marketing waste) https://www.pathmetrics.io/attribution/5-common-marketing-attribution-mistakes-to-avoid/   Harvard Business Review – Correlation vs Causation in Leadership Luca, M. (2021). Leaders: Stop Confusing Correlation with Causation. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2021/11/leaders-stop-confusing-correlation-with-causation   The CEO Project – Correlation vs Causation in Business Correlation vs Causation in Business. (2024). The CEO Project. https://theceoproject.com/correlation-vs-causation-in-business/   Nature Communications – Causality in Digital Medicine Glocker, B., Musolesi, M., Richens, J., & Uhler, C. (2021). Causality in digital medicine. Nature Communications, 12, 4993. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-25743-9   Stanford Social Innovation Review – The Case for Causal AI Sgaier, S. K., Huang, V., & Charles, G. (2020). The Case for Causal AI. Stanford Social Innovation Review. https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_case_for_causal_ai       ADDITIONAL READING On Causation and Decision-Making Pearl, J., & Mackenzie, D. (2018). The Book of Why: The New Science of Cause and Effect. Basic Books.   On Thinking Clearly Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.   On Statistical Reasoning Angrist, J. D., & Pischke, J. S. (2009). Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist's Companion. Princeton University Press.         Note: All sources cited in this episode have been accessed and verified as of October 2025.  

Now, Dr. Elizabeth Sawin has dedicated her career to the theory and practice of creating change in complex systems. In 2021, she founded and is currently the Director of the Multi-solving Institute. This interview discusses her book Multisolving: Creating Systems Change in a Fractured World (Island Press, 2024) After studying many successful efforts around the world, where people created systems-change by building connections across silos, she developed the Multi-Solving approach to more effectively address equity, climate change health, well-being, and economic vitality as integrated issues. Prior to her current position, Beth co-founded the think tank Climate Interactive to develop tools and project possible futures for grappling with the complexity of the climate system. In this regard, she led efforts to integrate measures of equity, health, and well-being into decision-support computer simulations. Beth writes and speaks about multi-solving and leadership in complex systems for both national and international audiences. She has over 40 publications, both in scientific journals, as well as more populous literature, such as: Non-Profit Quarterly, The Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Daily Climate, U. S. News, as well as… in the New York Times and the Washington Post. Beth graduated from Dartmouth College with majors in Biology and Chemistry and subsequently received her PhD in Neuro-Biology from the Massachusetts Institute for Technology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Now, Dr. Elizabeth Sawin has dedicated her career to the theory and practice of creating change in complex systems. In 2021, she founded and is currently the Director of the Multi-solving Institute. This interview discusses her book Multisolving: Creating Systems Change in a Fractured World (Island Press, 2024) After studying many successful efforts around the world, where people created systems-change by building connections across silos, she developed the Multi-Solving approach to more effectively address equity, climate change health, well-being, and economic vitality as integrated issues. Prior to her current position, Beth co-founded the think tank Climate Interactive to develop tools and project possible futures for grappling with the complexity of the climate system. In this regard, she led efforts to integrate measures of equity, health, and well-being into decision-support computer simulations. Beth writes and speaks about multi-solving and leadership in complex systems for both national and international audiences. She has over 40 publications, both in scientific journals, as well as more populous literature, such as: Non-Profit Quarterly, The Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Daily Climate, U. S. News, as well as… in the New York Times and the Washington Post. Beth graduated from Dartmouth College with majors in Biology and Chemistry and subsequently received her PhD in Neuro-Biology from the Massachusetts Institute for Technology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

Now, Dr. Elizabeth Sawin has dedicated her career to the theory and practice of creating change in complex systems. In 2021, she founded and is currently the Director of the Multi-solving Institute. This interview discusses her book Multisolving: Creating Systems Change in a Fractured World (Island Press, 2024) After studying many successful efforts around the world, where people created systems-change by building connections across silos, she developed the Multi-Solving approach to more effectively address equity, climate change health, well-being, and economic vitality as integrated issues. Prior to her current position, Beth co-founded the think tank Climate Interactive to develop tools and project possible futures for grappling with the complexity of the climate system. In this regard, she led efforts to integrate measures of equity, health, and well-being into decision-support computer simulations. Beth writes and speaks about multi-solving and leadership in complex systems for both national and international audiences. She has over 40 publications, both in scientific journals, as well as more populous literature, such as: Non-Profit Quarterly, The Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Daily Climate, U. S. News, as well as… in the New York Times and the Washington Post. Beth graduated from Dartmouth College with majors in Biology and Chemistry and subsequently received her PhD in Neuro-Biology from the Massachusetts Institute for Technology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/systems-and-cybernetics

Nonprofit leaders, fundraising isn't just about raising dollars—it's about raising power. In this episode, we delve into the often-overlooked role of Latino fundraisers, the gap between boards and development staff, and why genuine sustainability stems from investing in fundraising, rather than galas or gadgets. Episode Highlights 02:22 Armando's Personal Story and Fundraising Philosophy 04:18 Challenges in Fundraising and Nonprofit Sustainability 11:52 Board Education and Fundraising Transparency 16:42 Latino Community and Fundraising 23:55 Critique of Traditional Fundraising Events 24:53 Challenges in Securing Funding 28:22 The Importance of Prospect Research 32:38 Supporting Latino Nonprofits My guest for this episode is Armando Zumaya. Armando Zumaya has been a fundraiser for over 40 years, working on billion-dollar campaigns at Cornell and UC Berkeley, and serving in leadership roles across major gifts, annual funds, and development. He is the founder of Somos El Poder, a national Latinx fundraising institute, and a nationally recognized expert on Latino Major Giving. Armando has raised five, six, and seven-figure gifts from the Latinx community, and is a sought-after speaker and writer whose work has appeared in Stanford Social Innovation Review and The Chronicle of Philanthropy. In 2024, he was named to The Nonprofit Times “Top 50 Leaders of Power and Influence.” He lives in Northern California and is proud of his Chicano heritage. Connect with Armando: www.somoselpoder.org Sponsored Resource Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit! Access it here >> Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with TD Smyers, CEO of BoardBuild, who highlights the technology platform that connects board candidates with nonprofit organizations through a certification course and matching system. The platform offers nonprofit board training and continuing education credits to help open access and democratize nonprofit board service by overcoming geographic and demographic barriers, while providing companies with professional development opportunities. BoardBuild is working heavily in states like Texas and Tennessee and in collaboration with organizations, including the Tennessee Nonprofit Network. Their expansion strategy involves establishing deep roots in multiple states through partnerships with regional organizations and financial support, with plans to expand their influence to eventually become nationwide.BoardBuild: Board Candidate Matching PlatformJeremy and TD discuss BoardBuild, a platform that equips and matches board candidates with nonprofit organizations. TD explains that BoardBuild started as a way to diversify boards but evolved into a comprehensive solution that includes a robust certification course that is not just educational but entertaining, as it is presented by improv comedians. The platform now offers continuing education credits through a partnership with UT Arlington, making it beneficial for both individuals seeking board positions and nonprofits looking for qualified candidates.Nonprofit Board Service Platform OverviewTD explains how BoardBuild.org helps nonprofits and companies by democratizing nonprofit board service, enabling access to a diverse pool of candidates regardless of geographic, socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, or age barriers. The platform offers free services to nonprofits through donations, while providing companies with affordable professional development opportunities and community engagement solutions. Jeremy highlights how Higginbotham has empowered their employees to participate in community service through BoardBuild's certification and matching program.Leader Development and Nonprofit MatchingTD explains that companies can easily sign up and manage cohorts of participants through the platform, which provides automated notifications and recommendations. The platform facilitates matches between participants and nonprofits in three ways: individual searches, company searches, and automated recommendations, with over 140 opportunities available. The platform has expanded beyond North Texas to Tennessee, and TD shares positive testimonials from users.Board Build: Expanding Nonprofit BoardsTD shares an example of a Missouri-based veteran entrepreneur support nonprofit that successfully recruited a board candidate from Boston through BoardBuild, highlighting how the platform enables diverse board compositions. Jeremy emphasizes how BoardBuild helps organizations "open up the floodgates" for new board members with untapped potential, while TD notes that this approach aligns with the growing trend of "open source board recruiting" discussed in a recent Stanford Social Innovation Review article.BoardBuild's Regional Expansion StrategyTD discusses BoardBuild's expansion strategy, aiming to establish deep roots in its current states, including Texas, Washington, Nebraska, Tennessee, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Virginia. The company plans to collaborate with regional energy companies and banks to expand its influence across multiple markets. TD highlights the importance of donations, financial contributions, and partnerships with nonprofits and leadership organizations to support BoardBuild's mission. The platform offers packages and pricing options to accommodate various needs, and TD emphasizes the success of collaborations with organizations like Junior League chapters and Leadership North Texas.Visit https://www.boardbuild.org to learn more about BoardBuild. If you are in Tennessee, you can visit the Tennessee Nonprofit Network (under the Resources tab) to connect with and access BoardBuild: https://tnnonprofits.org.

What does it mean for business leaders to not just keep their heads down—but lift their chins up? In this episode, we explore how CEOs and entrepreneurs can step into authentic leadership that unites, inspires, and drives change. In this thought-provoking conversation, we sit down with Neil Ghosh, President of MGR Professional Services and author of Do More Good. With a career spanning government, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors, Neil has reinvented himself as a bridge builder and champion of authentic business leadership. Together, we unpack the unique role businesses play in today's culture and governance, and why trust, empathy, and purpose are no longer “nice to haves” but essential pillars of leadership. Neil also shares powerful insights from his book, which features stories of inspiring leaders and provides actionable steps for anyone who wants to move beyond inspiration to meaningful action. From cultivating moral leadership to embedding corporate social responsibility into a company's DNA, this episode challenges us all to consider what kind of citizen—corporate and personal—we want to be. Here are highlights: -The Trust Recession: Why Neil calls this moment in history a “trust recession”—and why business leaders are now more trusted than governments and media. -Shifts in the Workforce: The three major shifts reshaping the workforce: cultural diversity, generational expectations, and the demand for moral leadership. -Navigating Polarization: How leaders can unite their teams without diluting core values in today's divisive climate. -CSR as Strategy, Not Charity: Why doing good isn't just a feel-good exercise—it's good business, and how companies can integrate CSR into their DNA. -Purpose, Empathy, and Action: The pillars of Neil's book Do More Good and how small steps can drive outsized impact. About the guest: Neil Ghosh is a seasoned executive whose expertise spans the nonprofit, government, philanthropic, and private sectors. His book, Do More Good, showcases some of the most captivating individuals in modern history—people he has met and interacted with on his mission to inspire meaningful change. With 30+ years of experience, Neil has successfully launched and scaled both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, building teams, business models, partnerships, and strategies to drive impact and support vulnerable populations in more than 50 countries. Neil's work has been featured in national outlets including CNN, Devex, the Washington Post, Economic Times, Voice of America, the Australian, the Huffington Post, Patheos, and Stanford Social Innovation Review. Connect with Neil: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilghosh1/ Website: https://www.neilghosh.org/⁠  Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/  Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/   #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Hanstad, Vice-Chair of the Chandler Foundation and Co-founder of the land rights organization Landesa and Catalyst Now, the world's largest global network of social entrepreneurs and innovators. Guest BioTim Hanstad serves as the Vice-Chair of the Chandler Foundation's Board of Directors. Prior to this Tim was the Chandler Foundation's first Chief Executive Officer, a position he held for five years. Before joining the Foundation, Tim co-founded Landesa with Roy Prosterman and served as its CEO for many years, helping to grow the organisation and its impact from a two-person start-up to a Global Top Ten NGO. He launched Landesa's programs in China, the former Soviet Union, and India, where he lived for many years.Tim is a Skoll Social Entrepreneur Awardee, a World Economic Forum Outstanding Social Entrepreneur, a Leap of Reason Ambassador, and a Co-Founder of Catalyst Now, the world's largest network of social entrepreneurs and innovators. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Financial Times, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Foreign Affairs, Scientific American, and beyond. He holds two law degrees from the University of Washington, a bachelor's degree from Seattle Pacific University where he was Male Athlete of the Year, and has completed certificate programs at Harvard Business School and Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. His greatest learning, however, has come from spending time with those on socioeconomic margins in more than 20 countries around the world. Tim is the proud spouse of Chitra and the father to four adult children from whom he draws inspiration.Official podcast of The Borgen Project, an international organization that works at the political level to improve living conditions for people impacted by war, famine and poverty.borgenproject.org

Mike de la Rocha is a strategist, musician, author, and one of the most effective change makers of our generation.  As co-founder of Revolve Impact (an award-winning social action and creative agency), he participated founding Artists for 47, a coalition assembled to pass California's historic proposition 47 that has impacted more than 1 million people and led to the largest record change effort in U.S. history, launching the Justice Policy Network, the country's first bi-coastal fellowship focused on increasing the number of leaders in government advancing a new safety agenda, and producing #SchoolsNotPrisons.  Mike's impact portfolio includes serving as Director of Strategic Partnerships for Californians for Safety and Justice, Legislative Deputy for (future Congressman) Tony Cardenas, and Policy Advisor for the L.A. Human Rights Commission.  His work in utilizing music for social change spans four continents where he has worked alongside notable cultural icons such as Harry Belafonte, Dolores Huerta, and John Legend.  He is one of Good Magazine's top 100 people changing the world, a 2017 recipient of the AFL-CIO's Justice, Peace and Freedom Award, and a top innovator in America as listed by Stanford Social Innovation Review. This podcast will focus on his new book:  Sacred Lessons, which comes out next month and is available for preorder from Simon and Schuster.  Check more of Mike's work out at:  https://linktr.ee/mrmikedelarocha Have a Blessed Week!  Link to the show:  https://endoftheroad.libsyn.com/episode-315-michael-de-la-rocha-sacred-lessonsrevolve-impact-onnotice

315: Lessons Nonprofit Leaders Can Teach the Business World (Nick Grono)SUMMARYSpecial thanks to TowneBank for bringing these conversations to life, and for their commitment to strengthening nonprofit organizations. Learn more about how they can help you at TowneBank.com/NonprofitBanking.Let's flip the usual script! Rather than learning from business practices, what if the business world learned from you? In episode #315 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Nick Grono shares powerful insights on why purpose-driven leadership is nonprofits' greatest strength, and why corporations are striving to replicate it. Drawing from his work leading the Freedom Fund, he explores how nonprofit leaders master the art of stakeholder balance, measure complex impact, foster true collaboration without competition, and build resilient, mission-aligned teams. Nick offers candid advice on strategic planning, board relationships, fundraising with authenticity, and navigating tough leadership decisions. Grounded in optimism and hard-won experience, this conversation reminds nonprofit leaders of the transformational role they play, and how the world needs their example now more than ever.ABOUT NICKNick Grono is an Australian human rights campaigner and author. His book “How to Lead Nonprofits” was published in July 2024. Nick has been the CEO of the Freedom Fund, a collaborative fund dedicated to ending modern slavery and human trafficking around the world, since its founding in 2014. He has twenty years of leadership experience of US and international nonprofits, and another decade working in corporate law, government, and investment banking. He was CEO of the Walk Free Foundation, Deputy President of the International Crisis Group, and Chief of Staff and National Security Adviser to the Australian Attorney-General. He is a member of the advisory council of Global Witness. Nick has briefed the United Nations Security Council and testified before parliamentary committees in the UK, Australia and the Netherlands. He has appeared on national and international tv and radio shows, and written for international publications including the New York Times, The Guardian and the Stanford Social Innovation Review. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESWant to chat leadership 24/7?  Go to delphi.ai/pattonmcdowellReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuireJames: A Novel by Percival Everett Have you gotten Patton's book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on AudibleDon't miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens newsletter!

From Gabriela's bio: "In 2013 I was living in Mozambique as a diplomatic wife with a 5 year old gilr and working remotely on a succesful youth program that was originally devised to bring talented teenagers to the world economic forum. The organization that hosted the program was undergoing a deep redisign and despite the success of the program it was decided that the goals, international development through the work of youth, did not align with the organization's core mission. At that point it was clear that any professional pursue I might have would need to be something of my own creation. These were the years before remote working was normalised and the luxury of flexible remote working were not widely available. At the same time, my work which had focused on supporting the community development projects young people from our network wre implementing to tackle big issues had really changed my perspective of what a person with a passion for improving the world could do. I had met young people with devastating life stories who despite all odds, or perhaps, because of them, were truly changing for the better the lives of those around them. At that point I was convinced that I needed to find a way to continue this work and how crucial it was to support those young people who are actively working towards a fair, peaceful and sustainable world.This moment was profoundly meaningful because it really pushed me to pursue my sense of purpose. To work and have a career were always life goals of mine and being faced with the reality of having to move countries every for years made pursuing those goals really difficult. I was also deeply inspired by the young people I was working with, they opened up my eyes of how important it is to work on things you are deeply passionate about and believe in.. The realization that I could not rely on existing structures to align with my passions and professional goals was both daunting and liberating. It forced me to embrace the idea that I could, and should, carve out my own path—one that reflected my commitment to fostering meaningful change.I learned that meaningful work doesn't always fit into traditional molds and more often than not it might not be remunerated. It requires creativity, persistence, and the courage to take risks. This period of my life instilled in me the belief that creating something of value, even in uncertain circumstances, is worth pursuing. It was a lesson in adaptability, self-reliance, and persistence, which are values that continue to guide me today."Gabriela is a binational of Mexico and Switzerland, having lived in Georgia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Switzerland, and the United States. With over eighteen years of experience in nonprofit and international development, Gabriela has been a key figure at Global Changemakers since 2009. She initially developed a grant process that has now supported over 500 youth-led development projects worldwide. Gabriela authored the influential article "By Youth, For Youth," published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, and played a pivotal role in Global Changemakers' growth as a co-founder when it became an independent organization in 2014.In addition to her work with Global Changemakers, Gabriela has co-authored educational tools and consulted on a range of youth-focused events and workshops. She has spoken at renowned international forums like the Estoril Conference and Unleash. Gabriela holds an LL.M. in Law from Universidad Panamericana and is deeply committed to supporting impactful youth-led initiatives globally.###EXCITING NEWS ON MY FRONT: Season 4 is supported by the iconic Danish shirt brand BRITT SISSECK  Please use my code SHIFTHAPPENS at checkout for 20% off of your first purchase.*Valid on full price items only.###To learn more about my guest Sheena Yap Chan, please visit her social media pages:LinkeIn: Gabriela's ProfileInstagram: @gabrielajaegerg, @globalchangemakersWebsite: Global ChangemakersTo learn more about SHIFT HAPPENS, click here To learn more about Claudia's business Curated Conversations and her Salons in New York, Zurich and Berlin, click hereYou can also connect with Claudia on Instagram @shifthappens.podcast and LinkedIn at ClaudiaMahlerNYCThis podcast is created, produced and hosted by Claudia Mahler.Social Media support Magdalena Reckendrees

Dr. Angela Jackson reveals how practices that help employees thrive translate into enhanced business results. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) What's really driving disengagement at work 2) How the social contract of work has changed 3) The best way to get your boss' support Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1053 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT ANGELA — Dr. Angela Jackson, a Workplace Futurist and ESG expert, is at the forefront of reshaping the future of work. As a lecturer at Harvard University on leadership and organizational change and as the founder of Future Forward Strategies, a labor market intelligence and strategy firm, she collaborates with Fortune 500 companies, growth-stage startups, and policymakers, offering valuable research and insights into the ever-evolving landscape of work. As a subject matter expert in the future of work and learning, Dr. Jackson is widely published in leading journals, including Fast Company, Fortune, Forbes, Newsweek, Harvard Business Review, and Stanford Social Innovation Review, and has spoken at numerous conferences, including the Economist, Wall Street Journal, and TED conferences. Her forthcoming book, The Win-Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success, releases on March 11, 2025. • Book: "The Win-Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success" (website) • Website: WinWinSummit.org, happening in Chicago on May 5-6, 2025 — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Report: 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer • Book: Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine Take the Lead by Tosha Silver • Past episode: 418: Separating Your Self-Worth from Your Productivity with Rahaf HarfoushSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An accomplished social impact advisor, Donald Summers, Ed.M., recently released his book, "Scaling Altruism: A Proven Pathway for Accelerating Nonprofit Growth and Impact," which became the #1 New Nonprofit Release on Amazon. His research and essays have been featured in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Summers has a Master's Degree in Leadership & Policy from Harvard.   Episode link (Youtube): https://youtu.be/UAUmUFHfO70 ___________________________ Find more about Ken D Foster and his shows: Youtube: youtube.com/@thecouragenetwork Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Kendfoster Voices of Courage: voicesofcourage.us Ken D Foster: kendfoster.com  

We want leaders to do the right thing when tested, and we want and believe we will rise to the challenge when the moment presents itself. But the current way we learn how to act ethically in those critical moments doesn't always translate or cause us to think we can do it effectively and confidently. Why not? How can we better prepare ourselves and our leaders when the moment arises? This is that episode. Giving Voice to Values (GVV) is an innovative approach to values-driven leadership development in business education and the workplace. Drawing on actual experience and scholarship, GVV fills a long-standing critical gap in the development of values-centered leaders. It's not about persuading people to be more ethical. Rather GVV starts from the premise that most of us already want to act on our values, but that we also want to feel that we have a reasonable chance of doing so effectively and successfully. In this episode we'll explore how to raise those odds.***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Mary C. Gentile, PhD,  is Creator and Director of Giving Voice to Values (www.GivingVoiceToValuesTheBook.com), launched with The Aspen Institute and Yale School of Management and hosted at Babson College for 6 years, now based at UVA-Darden. This values-driven leadership curriculum has been piloted and/or presented in over 1,500 sites globally and has been featured in Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, Stanford Social Innovation Review, McKinsey Quarterly, etc. Gentile is a consultant, speaker and author on GVV. She was formerly the Richard M. Waitzer Bicentennial Professor of Ethics at UVA Darden  (2016-2022) and was previously at Harvard Business School (1985-95) and Babson College (2009—2015). She holds a B.A. from The College of William and Mary and Ph.D. from State University of New York-Buffalo.Gentile's publications include: Giving Voice to Values: How To Speak Your Mind When You Know What's Right; Can Ethics Be Taught? Perspectives, Challenges, and Approaches at Harvard Business School (with Thomas Piper & Sharon Parks); Differences That Work: Organizational Excellence through Diversity; Managerial Excellence Through Diversity: Text and Cases, as well as cases and articles in Harvard Business Review, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Academy of Management Learning and Education, Risk Management, CFO, BizEd, Strategy+Business, and others. Gentile was Content Expert for the award-winning CD-ROM, Managing Across Differences (Harvard Business School Publishing). ***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:www.gotowerscope.comwww.GivingVoiceToValuesTheBook.com#GivingVoicetoValues, #TheHardSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipValues #ValuesDrivenLeadershipTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

Visit our Substack for bonus content and more: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/kristen-berman Many of the most successful products launched in Silicon Valley lean heavily on behavioral design to increase engagement. Former Design Better guest Nir Eyal talks about this in his books Hooked and Indistractable, and today we have another expert in this field, Kristen Berman, who co-founded Irrational Labs with professor and researcher Dan Ariely in 2013. We chat with Kristen about how to design products that change behavior, and also about the darker side of behavioral design, which in extreme cases can create addictive products. We also learn how Kristen uses behavioral science on herself, to achieve goals and encourage positive habits. Bio Kristen Berman is a leading figure in applied behavioral economics and behavioral product design. In 2013, she co-founded Irrational Labs with Dan Ariely, collaborating with major organizations such as Google, PayPal, Facebook, and Netflix to enhance user health, wealth, and happiness. She was also on the founding team of the behavioral economics group at Google, a collective that supported over 26 teams within the company, and hosted the global behavioral change conference StartupOnomics. In addition, Kristen co-founded the Common Cents Lab at Duke University, where her leadership guided over 50 experiments aimed at improving the financial well-being of tens of thousands of low- to middle-income Americans. Her expertise has been featured in outlets like The Stanford Social Innovation Review, TechCrunch, and Scientific American. As a co-author of the workbooks series Hacking Human Nature for Good alongside Dan Ariely, Kristen has provided practical guidance on changing behavior that is widely used by prominent companies—Google, Intuit, Netflix, Fidelity, and Lending Club among them—for their business strategies and product design. *** Premium Episodes on Design Better This is a premium episode on Design Better. We release two premium episodes per month, along with two free episodes for everyone. Premium subscribers also get access to the documentary Design Disruptors and our growing library of books, as well as our monthly AMAs with former guests, ad-free episodes, discounts and early access to workshops, and our monthly newsletter The Brief that compiles salient insights, quotes, readings, and creative processes uncovered in the show. Upgrade to paid *** Visiting the links below is one of the best ways to support our show: Masterclass: MasterClass is the only streaming platform where you can learn and grow with over 200+ of the world's best. People like Steph Curry, Paul Krugman, Malcolm Gladwell, Dianne Von Furstenberg, Margaret Atwood, Lavar Burton and so many more inspiring thinkers share their wisdom in a format that is easy to follow and can be streamed anywhere on a smartphone, computer, smart TV, or even in audio mode. MasterClass always has great offers during the holidays, sometimes up to as much as 50% off. Head over to http://masterclass.com/designbetter for the current offer. To get $100 towards your first bed purchase, go to http://thuma.co/designbetter. *** If you're interested in sponsoring the show, please contact us at: sponsors@thecuriositydepartment.com If you'd like to submit a guest idea, please contact us at: contact@thecuriositydepartment.com

America, to borrow a word from last week's guest Yoni Appelbaum, is “stuck”. And so the American Dream, for most stuck Americans, is dead. Our guest today, the social entrepreneur Nicholas Lalla, agrees with Appelbaum. The American Dream might still be alive in privileged coastal communities, Lalla argues in his new book Reinventing the Heartland, but it needs resurrection elsewhere. Defining the American Dream as doing better than one's parents and having financial security, Lalla highlights Tulsa, Oklahoma as a model for mid-sized cities seeking economic revival through tech-focused development. Rather than emulating Silicon Valley, he advocates for cities finding their own "tech niche" based on local strengths. Tulsa's success comes from strategic investments, Lalla explains, the "Tulsa Remote" program offering $10,000 incentives to relocate, and comprehensive community development initiatives.Here are the 5 Keen on America takeaways from our conversation with Lalla:* The American Dream is geographically divided - Lalla believes the American Dream is thriving mainly in coastal tech hubs but fading in heartland communities, creating economic anxiety and social division.* Cities need to find their "tech niche" - Rather than trying to replicate Silicon Valley, mid-sized cities should identify and invest in specific tech sectors that build on their existing strengths and legacy industries.* Tulsa's model is working - Through strategic investments and initiatives like Tulsa Remote ($10,000 relocation incentives), Tulsa has successfully attracted tech talent and is on track to create 20,000 tech jobs over the next decade.* Local investment trumps waiting for government aid - Tulsa's transformation began with local philanthropic funding (particularly from the George Kaiser Family Foundation) before attracting corporate and federal investment.* Mid-sized cities offer competitive advantages - Despite lacking some big-city amenities, places like Tulsa provide benefits including lower cost of living, homeownership opportunities, outdoor activities, and the chance to participate in meaningful community development.NICHOLAS LALLA is an urbanist and social entrepreneur, working at the intersection of economic development and emerging technology. He is the author of Reinventing the Heartland, forthcoming from HarperCollins in March 2025. Lalla founded Tulsa Innovation Labs, an organization deploying over $200 million to build northeast Oklahoma's innovation economy. He previously led Cyber NYC for the New York City Economic Development Corporation, a cybersecurity initiative The New York Times called “among the nation's most ambitious…” Earlier in his career, at the Urban Land Institute, he launched a national resilience program for cities combatting the effects of climate change. Lalla has written for Newsweek, Fast Company, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and Next City, among other outlets. He can be found online at nicholaslalla.com.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting the daily KEEN ON show, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy interview series. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On America 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 keenon.substack.com/subscribe

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with with Jennifer Mulholland and Jeff Shuck about conscious leadership. Jennifer Mulholland is an author, strategist, alchemist, executive coach, and co-owner of Plenty Consulting. From a very young age, she's been dedicated to raising the consciousness of people on the planet. For the last decade, she and her business partner, Jeff Shuck, have helped thousands of conscious leaders and businesses grow in revenue, impact, and fulfillment. Before becoming co-owner of Plenty, Jennifer was Chief Innovation Officer at SunGard, a Fortune 500 technology company. She founded several businesses focused on bridging the gap between information and impact in healthcare, technology, and holistic wellbeing. She is a certified Reiki and Theta healer trained in shamanic and energy medicine. She has a B.S. degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Psychology, and Coaching from the University of Utah. Jennifer was a two-sport Division I athlete and captain at the University of Delaware, playing both field hockey and lacrosse. She lives in Park City, Utah, where she enjoys an active, outdoor lifestyle with her husband and two children in the mountain town she's called home for almost thirty years. Jeff Shuck is an accomplished leader and entrepreneur with deep experience in leadership development, consulting, and social impact. Jeff is co-owner of Plenty Consulting with his business partner Jennifer Mulholland. Together, they have helped thousands of for-profit and non-profit leaders and organizations create their strategies, grow their fundraising, innovate new programs, and develop conscious cultures. Before founding Plenty, Jeff was co-founder and CEO of fundraising firm Event 360, raising nearly a billion dollars for charity over 12 years. Jeff graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Rochester and earned an MBA from Kellogg School of Management and an MS in Predictive Analytics from Northwestern. His work in positive change and social impact has been featured in a variety of outlets such as Marketplace, the Wall Street Journal, Fatherly, and the Stanford Social Innovation Review. Jeff is an avid musician, writer, and fitness enthusiast and lives in Michigan City, Indiana with his wife and four children.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this episode of On Boards, hosts Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh welcome Dr. Angela Jackson, founder of Future Forward Strategies, an award-winning social entrepreneur, a global C-Suite executive, and an experienced board member. She discusses the board's role in holding leadership accountable for “people strategies” and ensuring companies remain competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment. Her new book “The Win-Win Workplace: How Thriving Employees Drive Bottom-Line Success” will be published on March 11, 2025 and will be available from all major book retailers. Key Takeaways 1.    Workforce Wellbeing as a Strategy: ○     Dr. Jackson emphasizes the importance of viewing employee wellbeing as a core business strategy rather than just a set of HR policies, noting that companies with high employee wellbeing see 23% higher profitability and 43% lower turnover. 2.    Board Oversight and Accountability: ○     Boards should regularly evaluate metrics such as employee engagement, retention rates, and turnover costs, and tie executive compensation to key people-related outcomes. 3.    The Role of Inclusion and Investing in Employees: ○     Despite changes in external policies, companies should maintain their commitment to inclusion to foster trust, reduce risk and drive business outcomes ○     Staying proactive on workforce sentiment helps companies respond to potential risks before they escalate. 4.    Grow Your Own Deep Talent Bench  Strategy: ○     Developing internal talent pipelines reduces turnover by 40%, increases employee engagement by 20%, and builds a more resilient organization. Companies prioritizing internal mobility fill 63% of open roles internally and are 2.2x more likely to outperform competitors. 5.    Mitigating Workforce-Related Risks: ○     Dr. Jackson highlights how companies can reduce legal risks and avoid reputational damage by staying consistent with core values and policies.   Quotes “At its core, DEI was about creating workspaces where people could actually show up, be their best selves, and contribute. I'm not going to die on the sword of an acronym, but we must maintain that spirit.” “Keeping our finger on the pulse of employee sentiment is going to be more important than ever. When there's uncertainty at the highest levels in the country, that trickles down to the day to day.” “Win-Win Workplace strategies protect companies from workforce instability, reputational damage, and labor crises in a tight labor market.” “When employees love where they work and what they do, they tell everyone. They are our first customers if you're doing it the right way.” Guest Bio Dr. Angela Jackson is the founder of Future Forward Strategies, a labor market intelligence, design thinking, and strategy firm that helps leaders transform organizations and develop the human capital infrastructure essential for maintaining competitiveness while driving positive impact. With a focus on public, private, and non-profit sectors, Dr. Jackson's work centers on creating innovative solutions for the future of work. As a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Dr. Jackson teaches the next generation of students about entrepreneurship in the education marketplace. She was also the architect of the Future of Work Grand Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative designed to rapidly re-skill 25,000 displaced workers into living-wage jobs within 24 months. Dr. Jackson's expertise lies in crafting a future of work that is inclusive and sustainable. She has shared her insights at prominent conferences such as TEDx, Concordia Summit, Techonomy, ASU + GSV, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Digital Empowers National Summit, and Black Women Talk Tech. Her work and thought leadership have been featured in outlets including CNN, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Quartz, Harvard Business Review, and more. Links Win-Win Workplace: ​​https://www.readwinwinworkplace.com/

These are times that call on a radical belief in oneself and their community. Back in October just shortly before the US Election, I interviewed Rev. Dr. Andrew Wilkes about his book Plenty Good Room, which invites the Black Church to think beyond electon cycles and go to the root of how it can be a radical force in not just American politics, but the wellbeing of all of us as Earthlings.Yeah, timely. Unfortunately, because of the recent US Election and regime change, it took me a minute to prepare this episode for you, but it's here now and ready. Plus, my beloved partner Les Henderson joins me for a moment of reflection on faith and will be joining me in our next few episodes.Here's Rev. Dr. Wilkes's bioReverend Andrew Wilkes, Ph.D., is a pastor, political scientist, writer, and contemplative. He is the co-lead, co-founding pastor of the Double Love Experience Church in Brooklyn, New York, and the former Executive Director of the Drum Major Institute, a social change organization founded by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Wilkes is a 2022 inductee into the Martin Luther King Board of Preachers at Morehouse College and a proud alum of Hampton University, Princeton Theological Seminary, CUNY Graduate Center, and the Coro Public Affairs Fellowship. He is the author of Freedom Notes: Reflections on Faith, Justice, and the Possibility of Democracy; co-author of Psalms for Black Lives; and author of Plenty Good Room: Co-Creating an Economy of Enough for All. His writing and voice have been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Essence Magazine, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and Dr. Henry Louis Gates' PBS Gospel series. Dr. Wilkes is the elated husband of Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes and lives in Brooklyn, New York.Watch PBS's The Black Church Herehttps://www.pbs.org/show/black-church/Read my recent newsletter spelling out the seven principles of Defying Gentrification (since i forgot to put them in the episodehttps://theblackurbanist.com/this-is-my-house-and-in-it-i-get-to-defy-gentrification-my-way-all-day-every-day/Purchase from Kristen's Bookshop.org store and support the podcast! And merch and crafting classes via www.kristpattern.comNever miss an episode, subscribe to our Substack , LinkedIn, Wordpress, or PattreonYou can also find Kristen @blackurbanist or @kristpattern.

"Rooted leadership means leading with empathy and care. It's about finding ways to connect with people and create communities of trust and psychological safety, where people feel safe enough to show up and be themselves – including in times of crisis."Today, we're talking to expert in organizational trauma, founder, and award-winning author, Dimple Dhabalia about what it means to be a rooted leader and how practicing story healing can help us all.We get into:- The impact of the Industrial Revolution- Why the mind-body connection is important (even–and maybe especially–at work)- Workplace trauma and moral injury in the workplace- Creating "brave spaces"- Self-awareness and the 5 types of reactions most of us have when experiencing a dysregulated nervous system- Neuroplasticity and the function of story sharing and story healing "The antidote to dehumanization is helping people see the humanity in each other again."This is important work for people to be doing – especially at work, in leadership, and right now. I hope you'll listen and share your takeaways!-----You can find Dimple @dimpstory across all social media platforms, and at dear HUMANitarian on Substack. Her book, Tell Me My Story: Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self is available at all online booksellers.Dimple D. Dhabalia is the founder of Roots in the Clouds, a human-centered leadership coach, and bestselling author with over twenty years of government and public service experience. Dimple partners with leaders across mission-driven sectors to address root issues of organizational trauma, and design inclusive, human-centered workplace cultures where emerging and seasoned leaders can learn how to preserve their own humanity as they work to preserve it for others.After almost two decades working on the front lines of the government and humanitarian sectors, Dimple had experienced vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, moral injury, burnout, and anxiety. Like so many others, she worked in an organization that celebrated the resilience of the human spirit in the refugees and displaced persons they served, while often failing to extend the same ethos of care to those working within their own organizations.Determined to educate and support heart-centered leaders, she developed and launched the Daring Leaders Project (DLP), the first mindfulness-based leadership development program of its kind within her government agency. Her vision and leadership earned her Director's awards for Innovator of the Year and the Pillar of Leadership.In 2021, Dimple left a two-decade career in government and humanitarian service to launch Roots in the Clouds with a personal mission of putting the “human” back into humanitarian work and making service sustainable across mission-driven sectors. Today, Dimple's cutting-edge work uses the power of storytelling to help leaders and organizations heal and rebuild mission-driven cultures using a holistic, human-centered, and trauma-informed approach grounded in principles of mindful performance, positive psychology, and human-centered leadership.Her new book, Tell Me My Story–Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self [Ambika Media 2024], was the #1 new release in workplace culture on Amazon, and was recently excerpted in the Stanford Social Innovation Review. Dimple and her work have also been featured in a number of high-profile podcasts and media outlets including, Fast Company, CEO World Magazine, and the Federal News Network. Dimple recently debuted a limited-series companion podcast to Tell Me My Story called Service Without Sacrifice and is also creator and co-host of the popular podcast What Would Ted Lasso Do? You can find Dimple @dimpstory across all social media platforms, and at dear HUMANitarian on Substack. 

Episode SummaryDays for Girls is an organization empowering communities worldwide through menstrual health education and resources. Today, I'm thrilled to welcome the founder of Days for Girls, Celeste Mergens, along with her husband, Don. This episode dives deeper than just menstrual equity and the work of DfG. We discuss Celeste's memoir, The Power of Days, which chronicles her inspiring journey—from growing up in poverty and overcoming abuse to leading a global movement. They also open up about Celeste's rare hereditary movement disorder that affects her and four of her grandchildren.About Celeste MergensCeleste Mergens is an author, thought leader, and changemaker and has been featured in Oprah's O Magazine, Forbes, and Stanford Social Innovation Review. She is the Founder of Days for Girls, a global award-winning organization championing Women's Health and Menstrual Health Equity. Days for Girls was named by the Huffington Post as a ‘Next Ten' Organization poised to change the world in the next decade and has reached more than 3 million women and girls in 145 countries.Typically averaging dozens of speaking events a year, Celeste is a sought-after professional speaker and consultant. She was awarded the AARP Purpose Prize, Conscious Company Global Impact Entrepreneur Top Ten Women, 2019 Global Washington Global Hero, and Women's Economic Forum's Woman of the Decade.CelesteMergens.comCeleste's Book The Power of DaysFrom This Episodehttps://www.daysforgirls.org/The DfG Pad and KitNYC Chapter of Days For Girls - Sign up for Monthly Volunteer SessionsNYC Chapter of Days For Girls InstagramDonate to the NYC Chapter of Days For GirlsGet Involved with Days for GirlsThe Shame That Keeps Millions of Girls Out of School - NYT article by Nicholas KristofAbout familial paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesiahttps://www.risegatherings.com Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/Subscribe to YouTube channelFollow and send a message on FacebookFollow and send a message on LinkedInFollow on InstagramFollow on TikTokFollow on ThreadsThe Wisdom Shared TeamAudio Engineering by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting WorksCo-Producer and Marketing Coordinator: Kayla NelsonProduction Assistant: Becki Leigh

The results of the 2024 election — from Donald Trump's victory to the failure of democracy reform efforts like ranked-choice voting and citizen-led redistricting — took some in the pro-democracy movement by surprise. How could voters make decisions up and down the ballot that would weaken democracy? Scott Warren argues that it's because "democracy" has become too closely associated with the Democratic Party. He laid out the case in a Stanford Social Innovation Review article published shortly after the election and joins us on the show to talk about it.Warren is a fellow at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University. He is currently leading an initiative focused on exploring, researching, and convening a pro-democracy conservative agenda in the US, with a short-term focus on election trust. He founded the civics education organization Generation Citizen and led the organization from 2009-2020.In the interview, Warren discusses how Generation Citizen's funding change after Donald Trump won the 2016 election and how he and his colleagues at SNF Agora are traveling across the country to bring conservatives into the democracy reform movement. Finally, we discuss how to talk about democracy in a way that resonates across the political spectrum — the subject of a Democracy Takes piece Warren wrote with Lilia Dashevsky.

What are you willing to sacrifice or concede for the goal of healthy family dynamics? In this episode, Jeff, Jeff, and Josh discuss: Your kids are watching what you say, what you do, what you proclaim, and how those align. Learning from our peers while in community.  Encouraging vulnerability. Finding a shared common passion.   Key Takeaways: The Gathering gives opportunities for kids and adults, alike, to connect with non-profit leaders and learn and make a difference with important services and programs. There are things that you are going to be assigned to do, have you made space to allow the next generation to carry forth something bigger than you?We don't want to forget what is tried, true, and proven to work. But we also don't want to forget to look at what might be, what ought to be, and what is coming next. Stewardship with family should be amazing and life-affirming. It should show you the goodness of God.   "Sometimes there are generational differences in what strikes our hearts as worthy of God's resources - worthy of our attention, worthy of our family's capital - and some of these, you can frame it as disagreements. You can also frame it as a search for what you find as a shared common passion." —  Josh Kwan About Josh Kwan: Josh Kwan is the President of The Gathering, a learning community of philanthropists motivated by their Christian faith to give humbly and steward wisely all the resources God has entrusted to their care. Previously, he was a Co-Founder and Partner at Praxis, a creative engine for redemptive entrepreneurship whose mission is to build ventures, foster community, and create content for equipping Christian innovators, founders, and funders.Josh served as the Director of International Giving for the David Weekley Family Foundation, where he divided his time between conducting due diligence on innovative social enterprises and helping portfolio organizations scale their impact. He worked as a journalist and was published in The San Jose Mercury News, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and Stanford Social Innovation Review. He also co-founded Abide, a mobile app for encouraging and enlivening the practice of prayer and meditation. He has an AB from Harvard College and an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. He lives with his family near San Francisco. Connect with Josh Kwan:Website: https://www.thegathering.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkwan/   Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-upEmail: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisorsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

Mark C. Crowley joins the Gartner Talent Angle to discuss why today's unparalleled workplace challenges prompted him to release a second edition of his book, “Lead from the Heart: Transformational Leadership for the 21st Century” more than a decade after it was first published. Backed by scientific findings on employee motivation, Crowley outlines common misconceptions about leading from the heart. And drawing on examples from his own experience, he shares practical advice for how to effectively implement this type of leadership at an organization. Mark C. Crowley is the author of “Lead From The Heart: Transformational Leadership For The 21st Century.” The second edition debuted in August 2022 as an “Amazon #1 Release,” and his book has been taught in nine American universities. Mark is a regular columnist for Fast Company Magazine and has been published in USA Today, Reuters, Forbes, the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Huffington Post, Gallup & the Seattle Times. Mark spent over 20 years in the world of Financial Services. He held two national level positions at one of America's largest financial institutions where he was named “leader of the year”. Mark proved that deeply caring about and supporting people, and thereby positively affecting employee's hearts had a profound effect on motivating their sustained engagement, loyalty and productivity. *This episode is an excerpt taken from our 2022 interview.

Christian ministries need volunteers. Christian retirees need purpose and meaning. It's a match that models for the world the Kingdom of God. Articles or other resources mentioned in today's podcast: Article in Yahoo Finance explaining a trend among rich older Americans to pay millions of dollars to get into luxury retirement campuses. A recent article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review noted that in 19th century America every major aspect of daily life was age integrated. Bruce Bruinsma has been a champion of what he calls a “Retirement Reformation.” Bruinsma says he is “on a mission to shake up our ‘me-centered' retirement culture, and inject God-given purpose, joy, and real contentment into the Golden Years.” Bruinsma says, “When asked what they plan to do in retirement, most people say: “Nothing!” They're clear about what they're retiring FROM — but not what they're retiring TO.” He goes on to say, “Thirty years is a long time to do nothing.” Since “retiring” again from The Colson Center, Steve Verleye has become a mentor and coach to other Christian entrepreneurs part of an organization called C-12, which is itself quietly making its mark as a networking and support group for Christian businesspeople. Evangelical pastor and theologian John Piper's famous “Seashell Sermon.”

288: How Can Nonprofits Use For-Profit Ventures to Drive Growth? (Brett Jenks)SUMMARYThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Armstrong McGuire & Associates. Check them out for your next career opportunity OR for help finding an interim executive or your next leader. Are you struggling to find sustainable funding for your nonprofit and wondering if for-profit ventures could be the solution? In episode 288 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Brett Jenks shares an innovative approach to revenue generation that challenges traditional nonprofit thinking. By exploring the intersection of nonprofit missions and for-profit ventures, he offers insight into how organizations can scale their impact through creative partnerships with private capital. Brett explains the importance of blending philanthropic support with market-driven solutions, using real-world examples from his work at Rare, a global conservation organization. He also discusses how nonprofits can tap into additional revenue streams while maintaining their mission, the role of impact investing, and the legal and cultural complexities that come with these strategies. ABOUT BRETTBrett Jenks is a global conservation leader and social entrepreneur. As CEO of Rare, he has led the international nonprofit's mission to drive social change for the benefit of people and nature in more than 60 countries. Under Brett's leadership, Rare has catalyzed the conservation community's embrace of people-centered, behavior-based approaches to conserving nature and addressing climate change. Amongst its programs around the world today, Rare is promoting regenerative agricultural practices, establishing community-managed marine protected areas across the developing tropics, launching the world's first impact bond for small-scale fisheries, partnering with Hollywood to promote climate-friendly behaviors, and engaging gamers globally with video games designed to drive climate-friendly actions. A former journalist, Brett's writing has appeared in the New York Times, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and Behavioral Scientist. EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuireThe Deluge by Stephen MarkleyHave you gotten Patton's book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector? Now available on AudibleDon't miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership

Through the past 19 episodes of “I Wanna Work There!,” we have taken a more involved look at how talent attraction, talent experience and talent retention impact colleges and universities as employers of choice. One constant throughout our conversations has been how leadership impacts an institution's employer brand. This episode examines how presidents, boards, deans, cabinet members, directors and other leaders across campuses can be more intentional about leading with the mantra, “Lead From the Heart.”. Mark Crowley, author of the book and host of the podcast of the same name, has experienced how productive teams are when their leaders put people first; and he shares his thoughts about leading from the heart in higher education.Listen for these three big leadership insights from Mark:The business case for leading from the heart.Why it is difficult for leaders to lead from the heart.Advice for aspiring presidents to lead their faculty and staff from the heart.Guest Name: Mark C. Crowley/Leadership & Sales Management Consultant, Author of Lead From the Heart: Transformational Leadership for the 21st Century and Host of the “Lead From the Heart” Podcast/Mark C. Crowley & AssociatesGuest Socials: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markccrowley/X - https://x.com/markccrowleyGuest Bio: Mark C. Crowley is the author of Lead From The Heart: Transformational Leadership For The 21 st Century, and his mission is to fundamentally change how we lead people in workplaces around the globe. Mark is a regular columnist for Fast Company Magazine and has been published in USA Today, Reuters, Forbes, the Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Huffington Post, Gallup, The Financial Times, CEO Magazine, Great Britain, and The Seattle Times. His two LinkedIn Pulse articles on inspiring a 21 st Century workforce and managing millennials have been read well over a million times. The second edition of Mark's book debuted in August, 2022 as an “Amazon #1 Release.” His book has been taught in eleven American universities, including the educational Ph.D program at the University of Massachusetts Global and at the University of Iowa's MBA Program. Mark's “Lead From The Heart” podcast ranks in the top 1.5% of all podcasts in the world with an audience in 175 countries. Before writing his book, Mark spent over 20 years in the dog-eat-dog world of financial services. He held two national level positions at one of America's largest financial institutions where he was named “Leader of the Year.” Quite untraditionally, Mark proved that deeply caring about and supporting people, and thereby positively affecting employee's hearts, had a profound effect on motivating their sustained engagement, loyalty and productivity. New and breakthrough medical research Mark draws upon in his book proves that the heart is actually the driver of optimal human performance. A leadership pioneer, Mark shows us that, rather than weak or soft management, leading from the heart is the most informed and enlightened thing a manager or organization can do. Mark is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego and the University of Washington's Pacific Coast Banking School. He lives in La Jolla, California. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Eddie Francishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiefrancis/https://twitter.com/eddiefrancisAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:I Wanna Work There is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager and Talking Tactics. Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30Register now for this free, virtual event.The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI's impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you're looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.

The Ripple Effect (A Nonprofit Imperative) Episode 15: "Catalytic Thinking" Hosts: Ron Waddell (Founder, Executive Director of Legendary Legacies) and Marybeth Campbell (CEO of Worcester Community Action Council) Special Guest: Hildy Gottlieb (TEDx speaker, Co-founder at Creating the Future as well as a contributor to the Stanford Social Innovation Review and Nonprofit Quarterly, Creator and host of the Making Change podcast) Produced/Edited By: Marrio Escobar (Owner of D2L Productions)    Search for "The Ripple Effect with Marybeth Campbell and Ron Waddell" on your podcast app.    Be sure to reach out to us and share your expertise, leave a review or questions that you might have for our hosts! The Ripple Effect (774) 260-5549   In this episode, we talk with social scientist Hildy Gottlieb about her groundbreaking work on Catalytic Thinking, which has inspired organizations to rethink traditional problem-solving. Hildy shares her journey from consulting to founding Creating the Future and discusses the deep-rooted issues within the social change ecosystem, highlighting how business-centric models can perpetuate harm. The conversation emphasizes the importance of focusing on people, not just operational outcomes, and advocates for inclusive, community-led decision-making. Through real-world examples, this episode offers practical strategies for nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about making a difference.   Check out our YouTube Channel For production inquiries please check out D2L Productions   

Today, we're diving into the world of nonprofit websites and how to make them more user-friendly to better serve your mission and engage your audience. I'm thrilled to welcome our guest, Spencer Brooks, an expert in web design and digital marketing for nonprofits.Spencer Brooks is the Founder & Principal of Brooks Digital, a website development and usability studio for nonprofits, particularly those in the health space. He has over a decade of experience leading projects for organizations with complex, high-traffic websites, such as the YMCA and The diaTribe Foundation. His writing has been featured in publications such as the Stanford Social Innovation Review, TechSoup, and Nonprofit Marketing Guide.About Spencer BrooksSpencer Brooks is the Founder & Principal of Brooks Digital, a website development and usability studio for nonprofits, particularly those in the health space. He has over a decade of experience leading projects for organizations with complex, high-traffic websites, such as the YMCA and The diaTribe Foundation. His writing has been featured in publications such as the Stanford Social Innovation Review, TechSoup, and Nonprofit Marketing Guide.Connect with Spencer on LinkedInVisit Brooks Digital's websiteBlog: The Complete Guide to Nonprofit Website User Experience (UX)Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

In this episode, our host and CEO of BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Art Taylor, reviews an article that appeared in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, entitled, “Hacking Nonprofit Collaboration.”  Originally written in 2017, Art provides updates and his latest insights on the developments of collaboration in non-profit sector since then. Don't forget to follow or subscribe to The Heart of Giving Podcast and leave a comment on iTunes. Follow us on Instagram @bbbwisegive and X @wisegiving. 

The epidemic of loneliness isn't just a product of technology or even capitalism -- it has its roots in the same fertile ground as the founding of the United States. And it may just be the most important "ism" of all to escape as we enter the Great Unraveling of social and environmental systems.Warning: This podcast occasionally uses spicy language.Sources/Links/Notes:Definition of individualism from the American Psychological AssociationArticle in Opumo magazine - "Super singles: 10 coolest one seater cars"U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 report: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and IsolationBBC Loneliness ExperimentRobert Putnam's classic book - Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American CommunityCountry comparison tool for exploring Hofstede's Individualism IndexPart 1 of Post Carbon Institute's webinar on mutual aid; Part 2Donna M. Butts and Shannon E. Jarrott, "The Power of Proximity: Co-Locating Childcare and Eldercare Programs," Stanford Social Innovation Review, April 2021Pets for the ElderlyDean Spade's book - Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next)History of the free breakfast movement of the Black Panther PartyTeju Ravilochan, "The Blackfoot Wisdom that Inspired Maslow's Hierarchy"City of Knoxville program guide: Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness PlanSupport the Show.

How has God uniquely designed you? How are you using those design gifts?In this episode, Jeff and Josh discuss: Josh's lifetime of learning begins in an immigrant home. Learning alongside and lifelong curiosity. Stewarding God's resources responsibly. Using your business for impact in God's kingdom.   Key Takeaways: Reading the newspapers (or other publications) from around the world allows you glimpses into cultures and people that you wouldn't be able to otherwise. As newspapers have gone out of fashion, you can still connect with others through other ways. If you want to live like a king, you have to treat your wife like a queen. If you're neglecting your family, you're not living up to your full potential. Lean into your interests and passions - God gave them to you to lead you and allow you to build His kingdom with your talents. As a business owner, there are things you can do to light the path for your team, clients, or network. How you apply gospel principles is unique to you and your business.   "There's just an infinite way that God's designed each of us. So I encourage each person to see how God has uniquely designed you exactly. Let that flourish in your giving, in how you run a company, and lean into that. You don't have to be a cookie cutter, there's more than one path." —  Josh Kwan About Josh Kwan: Josh Kwan is the President of The Gathering, a learning community of philanthropists motivated by their Christian faith to give humbly and steward wisely all the resources God has entrusted to their care. Previously, he was a Co-Founder and Partner at Praxis, a creative engine for redemptive entrepreneurship whose mission is to build ventures, foster community, and create content for equipping Christian innovators, founders, and funders.Josh served as the Director of International Giving for the David Weekley Family Foundation, where he divided his time between conducting due diligence on innovative social enterprises and helping portfolio organizations scale their impact. He worked as a journalist and was published in The San Jose Mercury News, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and Stanford Social Innovation Review. He also co-founded Abide, a mobile app for encouraging and enlivening the practice of prayer and meditation. He has an AB from Harvard College and an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. He lives with his family near San Francisco. Connect with Josh Kwan:Website: https://www.thegathering.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkwan/   Connect with Jeff Thomas: Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-upEmail: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisorsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

Part 2: Navigating Life's Transitions with 'Leading with Light' In the second part of our transformative discussion, we continue our exploration into the profound impact of divorce on personal growth and conscious leadership with Jennifer Mulholland and Jeff Shuck. Building on the foundations laid in Part 1, we dive deeper into the 'Four Lights of Conscious Leadership', sharing personal stories and practical advice for anyone on the path of self-improvement and seeking to lead with light through life's transitions. As we conclude our journey with Jennifer and Jeff, let's carry forward the message that life's challenges, including divorce, can be powerful opportunities for growth and transformation. If you found value in our conversation, please rate, follow, share, and leave a review for our podcast. Your support helps us illuminate the path for others. And, if you're inspired to explore further, be sure to dive into 'Leading with Light' for a comprehensive guide to embracing conscious leadership in your life. About our Special Guests: Jennifer Mulholland is an author, strategist, alchemist, executive coach, and co-owner of Plenty Consulting. From a very young age, she's been dedicated to raising the consciousness of people on the planet. For the last decade, she and her business partner, Jeff Shuck, have helped thousands of conscious leaders and businesses grow in revenue, impact, and fulfillment. Before becoming co-owner of Plenty, Jennifer was Chief Innovation Officer at Sungard, a Fortune 500 technology company. She founded several businesses focused on bridging the gap between information and impact in healthcare, technology, and holistic wellbeing. She is a certified Reiki and Theta healer trained in shamanic and energy medicine. She has a B.S. degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Psychology, and Coaching from the University of Utah. She was a two-sport Division I athlete and captain at the University of Delaware, playing both field hockey and lacrosse. She lives in Park City, Utah, where she enjoys an active, outdoor lifestyle in the mountain town she's called home for almost thirty years. Jeff Shuck is an accomplished leader and entrepreneur with lifelong experience in leadership development, organizational growth strategy, and social impact. Jeff co-owns Plenty Consulting with his business partner and co-author, Jennifer Mulholland. Together, they have helped thousands of for-profit and non-profit leaders and organizations create innovative strategies, grow revenue, increase positive impact, develop new programs, and develop conscious cultures. Before founding Plenty, Jeff was co-founder and CEO of event fundraising firm Event 360, raising nearly a billion dollars for charity over 12 years. Jeff graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Rochester and earned an MBA from Kellogg School of Management and an MS in Predictive Analytics from Northwestern. His expertise in positive change and social impact has been featured in Marketplace, the Wall Street Journal, Fatherly, and the Stanford Social Innovation Review. Jeff is an avid musician, writer, and fitness enthusiast. He lives in Indiana with his wife, four kids, and two dogs. Find out more about Jeff and Jennifer:  Plenty Consulting Get the Book: Leading with Light: Choosing Conscious Leadership When You are Ready for More ******************************* THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:  SOBERLINK If navigating the beginning of the year has been difficult due to an ex's alcohol abuse, I have the perfect solution: Soberlink  Soberlink is more than a portable alcohol monitoring tool; it's a pathway to new beginnings and stronger, healthier family dynamics.  How it works is simple: Your co-parent will test at scheduled times,  Built-in facial recognition confirms their identity,  Tamper sensors flag any attempts to cheat,  The results get sent instantly to your phone, giving you peace of mind that your kids are with a sober parent.   Lay the groundwork for brighter days ahead. Visit www.soberlink.com/susan to learn more and get $50 off your device.   ************ HEADSPACE Hello, Divorce & Beyond family! We've teamed up with Headspace to guide you towards better mental health. With Headspace's meditation, mindfulness tools, and mental health support, you're set for a happier, healthier you. Sign up through our exclusive link for free two weeks of Headspace membership. Don't miss out on this opportunity to embrace well-being. ********************************************************************* SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE!  https://divorcebeyond.com/Sponsorship-Info ******************************************************************* MEET OUR CREATOR AND HOST: SUSAN GUTHRIE®, ESQ., the creator and host of The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast, is nationally recognized as one of the top family law and divorce mediation attorneys in the country.  Susan is the Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and is a sought-after keynote speaker, business and practice consultant, coach and trainer. You can find out more about Susan and her services here: https://susaneguthrie.com Follow Susan Guthrie and THE DIVORCE AND BEYOND PODCAST on social media for updates and inside tips and information: Susan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie/ Susan on Instagram @susanguthrieesq Divorce & Beyond on Instagram @divorceandbeyond ********************************************************************* We'd really appreciate it if you would give us a 5 Star Rating and tell us what you like about the show in a review - your feedback really matters to us!  You can get in touch with Susan at divorceandbeyondpod@gmail.com.  Don't forget to visit the webpage www.divorceandbeyondpod.com and sign up for the free NEWSLETTER to receive a special welcome video from Susan and more!! ********************************************************************* DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

Transforming Divorce into an Opportunity: Insights from Leading with Light In this special two-part podcast episode, host Susan Guthrie dives into the concept of viewing divorce as an opportunity for growth and transformation. She is joined by Jennifer Mulholland and Jeff Shuck, founders of Plenty Consulting and co-authors of Leading with Light: Choosing Conscious Leadership When You Are Ready for More. The discussion covers their personal stories of navigating life's challenges, the essence of their book, and practical advice on conscious leadership. With a focus on personal awareness, alignment, and the power of turning challenging moments into opportunities for self-discovery and growth, this podcast offers valuable insights and tools for anyone looking to navigate transitions in life more consciously. Welcome to the first part of our enlightening discussion where we explore the transformative power of divorce with the founders of Plenty Consulting, Jennifer Mulholland and Jeff Shuck. In this episode, we delve into the heart of personal growth during life's challenging transitions, guided by insights from their groundbreaking book, 'Leading with Light: Choosing Conscious Leadership When You Are Ready for More'. Join us as we uncover how the tumultuous journey of divorce can be a catalyst for profound personal development and a deeper understanding of conscious leadership. As you come to the end of the first segment of our dialogue, remember that every ending is the beginning of a new chapter filled with potential for growth and enlightenment. Stay tuned for the continuation of our journey with Jennifer and Jeff in Part 2, where we dive deeper into the Four Lights of Conscious Leadership and how to navigate the intricacies of personal development and relationship challenges. Tune in on Thursday to continue the conversation! About our Special Guests: Jennifer Mulholland is an author, strategist, alchemist, executive coach, and co-owner of Plenty Consulting. From a very young age, she's been dedicated to raising the consciousness of people on the planet. For the last decade, she and her business partner, Jeff Shuck, have helped thousands of conscious leaders and businesses grow in revenue, impact, and fulfillment. Before becoming co-owner of Plenty, Jennifer was Chief Innovation Officer at Sungard, a Fortune 500 technology company. She founded several businesses focused on bridging the gap between information and impact in healthcare, technology, and holistic wellbeing. She is a certified Reiki and Theta healer trained in shamanic and energy medicine. She has a B.S. degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Psychology, and Coaching from the University of Utah. She was a two-sport Division I athlete and captain at the University of Delaware, playing both field hockey and lacrosse. She lives in Park City, Utah, where she enjoys an active, outdoor lifestyle in the mountain town she's called home for almost thirty years. Jeff Shuck is an accomplished leader and entrepreneur with lifelong experience in leadership development, organizational growth strategy, and social impact. Jeff co-owns Plenty Consulting with his business partner and co-author, Jennifer Mulholland. Together, they have helped thousands of for-profit and non-profit leaders and organizations create innovative strategies, grow revenue, increase positive impact, develop new programs, and develop conscious cultures. Before founding Plenty, Jeff was co-founder and CEO of event fundraising firm Event 360, raising nearly a billion dollars for charity over 12 years. Jeff graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Rochester and earned an MBA from Kellogg School of Management and an MS in Predictive Analytics from Northwestern. His expertise in positive change and social impact has been featured in Marketplace, the Wall Street Journal, Fatherly, and the Stanford Social Innovation Review. Jeff is an avid musician, writer, and fitness enthusiast. He lives in Indiana with his wife, four kids, and two dogs. Find out more about Jeff and Jennifer:  Plenty Consulting Get the Book: Leading with Light: Choosing Conscious Leadership When You are Ready for More ******************************* THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:  SOBERLINK If navigating the beginning of the year has been difficult due to an ex's alcohol abuse, I have the perfect solution: Soberlink  Soberlink is more than a portable alcohol monitoring tool; it's a pathway to new beginnings and stronger, healthier family dynamics.  How it works is simple: Your co-parent will test at scheduled times,  Built-in facial recognition confirms their identity,  Tamper sensors flag any attempts to cheat,  The results get sent instantly to your phone, giving you peace of mind that your kids are with a sober parent.   Lay the groundwork for brighter days ahead. Visit www.soberlink.com/susan to learn more and get $50 off your device.   ************ HEADSPACE Hello, Divorce & Beyond family! We've teamed up with Headspace to guide you towards better mental health. With Headspace's meditation, mindfulness tools, and mental health support, you're set for a happier, healthier you. Sign up through our exclusive link for free two weeks of Headspace membership. Don't miss out on this opportunity to embrace well-being. ********************************************************************* SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE!  https://divorcebeyond.com/Sponsorship-Info ******************************************************************* MEET OUR CREATOR AND HOST: SUSAN GUTHRIE®, ESQ., the creator and host of The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast, is nationally recognized as one of the top family law and divorce mediation attorneys in the country.  Susan is the Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and is a sought-after keynote speaker, business and practice consultant, coach and trainer. You can find out more about Susan and her services here: https://susaneguthrie.com Follow Susan Guthrie and THE DIVORCE AND BEYOND PODCAST on social media for updates and inside tips and information: Susan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie/ Susan on Instagram @susanguthrieesq Divorce & Beyond on Instagram @divorceandbeyond ********************************************************************* We'd really appreciate it if you would give us a 5 Star Rating and tell us what you like about the show in a review - your feedback really matters to us!  You can get in touch with Susan at divorceandbeyondpod@gmail.com.  Don't forget to visit the webpage www.divorceandbeyondpod.com and sign up for the free NEWSLETTER to receive a special welcome video from Susan and more!! ********************************************************************* DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.  

131. How TroubleMaking Builds Bridges To The Future (And Hip-Hop Inspired Change) with Mohan SivaloganathanOur guest on the podcast today is Mohan Sivaloganathan is the Batman of Social Impact, as a nonprofit leader by day and hip-hop artist by night. Mohan is the CEO of Our Turn, the nation's leading movement of students fighting for education justice. Above all, Mohan is a father, husband, son, brother, friend, and Troublemaker for the status quo. Mohan has partnered with young people, professionals, and organizations to advance transformative change in the areas of education, justice reform, mental health, civic engagement, and more. On the mic, he has delivered performances and talks in partnership with the World Economic Forum, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Net Impact, NYU, Penn State, the University of San Diego, Independent Sector, Fordham, Synergos Institute, Centre for Social Innovation, Defy Ventures, the World in Conversation Project, and many more. Mohan was awarded as a “40 Under 40 Rising Star” by New York Nonprofit Media and a “Next Generation Leader” by the Human Services Council. He was featured in Good is the New Cool, an Amazon Philanthropy & Charity #1 new release.Today, Mohan shares his path of continuous personal growth behind the scenes, his experiences as an immigrant and a father, and how his roots have fueled his passionate drive for social justice. We discuss the power of troublemaking as a force for good, the sacred in life and business, and the transformative possibilities when we weave music, culture, and activism into a harmonious movement for change.We dive deep into the heart of what it means to be a leader in today's world. We discuss Mohan's approach to inclusive "harmonious leadership," which suggests that embracing individuality and community is key to unlocking our collective potential. We tackle the formidable task of addressing systemic inequities, emphasizing the need to change not just structures but also mental models and narratives, and we talk about the pivotal role of the CEO in driving change.Key TakeawaysHow can Mohan authentically be himself as CEO of ‘Our Turn'The Power of Music and Art in Social MovementsReimagining education to focus on student talents and creativityInvesting in narrative change, mental models, and diversity in guiding deeper changeConcept of Harmonious LeadershipMohan sharing his hip-hop song "Love Letter" as an expression of music for social justiceMemorable Quote“We need to invest more deeply in narrative change work, changing the actual conversations that are happening. We need to be passing the mic because if you want to be able to move mental models, you need to have proximity to different communities” - Mohan SivaloganathanEpisode Resources:Mohan's Personal WebsiteIt's Our Turn WebsiteMohan's Linkedin ProfileSacredChangemakers.comOur Sacred CommunityJayne Warrilow on LinkedinThank you to our sponsor:A HUGE thank you to the members of our Inner Circle, who are our podcast sponsors, and also our extended Sacred Changemakers community, who are helping us to make a global impact aligned with the United Nations...

Our guest on the podcast today is Marc Freedman. He is the co-CEO and founder of Encore.org, which is now known as CoGenerate and is geared toward helping people pursue meaningful work later in life. Freedman is also the author of How to Live Forever: The Enduring Power of Connecting the Generations. He co-founded Experience Corps to mobilize people over 50 to improve the school performance and prospects of low-income elementary school students in 22 U.S. cities. Freedman also spearheaded the creation of the Encore Fellowships program, a one-year fellowship helping individuals translate their midlife skills into second acts focused on social impact, and the Purpose Prize, an annual $100,000 prize for social entrepreneurs in the second half of life. Freedman received his bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College and his Master of Business Administration from the Yale School of Management.BackgroundBioCoGenerateExperience CorpsHow to Live Forever: The Enduring Power of Connecting the Generations, by Marc FreedmanAge Diversity“Overcoming Age Segregation,” by Marc Freedman and Trent Stamp, Stanford Social Innovation Review, March 15, 2021.“Will 2023 Be the Year That We Begin to Make the Most of Age Diversity in the Workplace?” by Ramona Schindelheim, WorkingNation, Dec. 27, 2022.“Harnessing the Power of Age Diversity,” by Alene Dawson, John Templeton Foundation, Oct. 31, 2023.“America Is Arguably the Most Age-Diverse Society in Human History—It's High Time to Prepare for Our Increasingly Multigenerational Workforce,” by Ramona Shindelheim, WorkingNation, Dec. 10, 2023.Encore Careers“Encore Career: What It Is, How It Works, Prevalence,” by Julia Kagan, Investopedia, Jan. 16, 2022.Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life, by Marc Freedman“The Case for Putting Seniors in Charge of Universal Pre-K | Opinion,” by Marc Freedman and Carol Larson, Newsweek, Nov. 29, 2021.The Purpose PrizeWork/Life Across Generations“Kerry Hannon: Remote Work Trend Benefits Older Workers,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar, Oct. 20, 2020.“Is America Ready to Unleash a Multigenerational Force for Good?” A National Opinion Survey From Encore.org With NORC at the University of Chicago.Other“The Globe: How BMW Is Diffusing the Demographic Time Bomb,” by Christoph Loch, Fabian J. Sting, Nikolaus Bauer, and Helmut Mauermann, Harvard Business Review, March 2010.From Strength to Strength, by Arthur BrooksMaggie KuhnHarvard Advanced Leadership InitiativeEncore FellowshipsDavid GalensonTroops to TeachersModern Elder AcademyLive to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones“Dr. Anita Mukherjee: Exploring the Link Between Wealth, Longevity, and Quality of Life,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar, Oct. 10, 2023.Now TeachMichael GurvenThe Encore Career Handbook, by Marci Alboher

Mark C. Crowley joins the Gartner Talent Angle to discuss why today's unparalleled workplace challenges prompted him to release a second edition of his book, “Lead from the Heart: Transformational Leadership for the 21st Century” more than a decade after it was first published. Backed by scientific findings on employee motivation, Crowley outlines common misconceptions about leading from the heart. And drawing on examples from his own experience, he shares practical advice for how to effectively implement this type of leadership at an organization. Mark C. Crowley is the author of “Lead From The Heart: Transformational Leadership For The 21st Century.” The second edition debuted in August 2022 as an “Amazon #1 Release,” and his book has been taught in nine American universities. Mark is a regular columnist for Fast Company Magazine and has been published in USA Today, Reuters, Forbes, the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Huffington Post, Gallup & the Seattle Times. Mark spent over 20 years in the world of Financial Services. He held two national level positions at one of America's largest financial institutions where he was named “leader of the year”. Mark proved that deeply caring about and supporting people, and thereby positively affecting employee's hearts had a profound effect on motivating their sustained engagement, loyalty and productivity. *This episode is an excerpt taken from our 2022 interview.