Brand on Purpose
141 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 35 ratingsBrand on Purpose is an engaging new podcast focused on uncovering the untold stories of entrepreneurs and senior leaders who have discovered how to serve a greater good while building or transforming major brands. Join host Aaron Kwittken as he speaks to innovative leaders who make it their brand’s mission to do well by doing good.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Building Digital Accessibility and Breaking Down Cultural Barriers for Disabled Individuals with Ablr Co-Founder & CEO John Samuel (S9E09)
February 21, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutesAaron is joined by John Samuel, Co-Founder and CEO of Ablr, a digital accessibility and inclusion company supporting disabled individuals and the organizations that employ them. John walks Aaron through his own experience losing his vision from a degenerative eye condition and learning how few digital resources existed for people with vision impairments and other disabilities. He started Ablr with the goals of furthering digital accessibility, improving disability inclusion for companies and ...
Turning Stadiums and Graffiti into Jewelry and Opportunities for Women with Amy Peterson, CEO and Co-Founder of Rebel Nell (S9E08)
February 07, 2023 05:00 - 30 minutesIn this episode, Aaron is joined by Amy Peterson, CEO and Founder of Rebel Nell, to talk about what inspired her to launch the Detroit-based jewelry company focused on providing employment, equitable opportunity, and wraparound support for women with barriers to employment. Amy takes us through her career path, which began as a lawyer for the Detroit Tigers, as well as how getting the chance to meet with women staying at a local homeless shelter shifted her perspective on life. She also expla...
CEO of CentralReach Chris Sullens on Using Technology to Expand Job Opportunities for Neurodiverse Individuals (S9E07)
January 24, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutesAaron sits down with CEO of CentralReach Chris Sullens to discuss CentralReach’s mission of leveraging technology to support individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Chris explains that 85% of adults with autism are unemployed and CentralReach is working to fix this through innovative digital assistive software. Aaron and Chris discuss how companies can develop more inclusive processes throughout their organization, why it’s difficult to get more companies to a...
Normalizing Mental Healthcare through Humor with Erin Pash, Co-Founder & CEO of Ellie Mental Health (S9E06)
January 10, 2023 09:00 - 40 minutesIn this episode, Aaron is joined by Erin Pash, Co-Founder and CEO of Ellie Mental Health, to talk about the importance of mental health services and how the company strives to make each session as comfortable and fun as possible. The mental health industry is full of barriers, and Ellie Mental Health has made it their goal to fill the gap and find innovative ways to break down these barriers for the communities they serve. The two also discuss Erin’s experience as a therapist in both clinical...
How CEO & Co-Founder of August Nadya Okamoto Built a Brand Focused on Destigmatizing Periods (S9E05)
December 27, 2022 09:00 - 39 minutesThis week on Brand on Purpose, Aaron talks to Nadya Okamoto, the CEO and Co-Founder of lifestyle period brand August. Nadya shares what made her passionate about the period care space and what she has learned from building a brand that is dedicated to making high-quality period care more accessible. Tune in to hear Nadya and Aaron discuss marketing in the attention economy, why social media can be a double-edged sword, and how purpose-led brands can create change throughout an entire industry...
How DJing for JLo Led to Empowering Young Investors with Acorns CEO Noah Kerner (S9E04)
December 13, 2022 09:00 - 37 minutesWe all hear how important it is to start saving young and consistently put money away for later in our lives. In this episode, Noah Kerner, CEO of Acorns, joins the show to talk about the company’s mission to look after the financial interests of the up-and-coming, beginning with the step of micro-investing. Noah and Aaron talk about the idea behind a feature of the app that rounds up every purchase you make to the nearest dollar and adds the difference to your portfolio, and why it makes inv...
We Need to Feed More People with Less Resources ASAP, But How? Featuring Jonathan Webb, Founder and CEO of AppHarvest (S9E3)
November 29, 2022 09:00 - 32 minutesJonathan Webb, Founder and CEO of AppHarvest, joins the show to talk about the sustainable food company that is designed to grow non-GMO, chemical pesticide-free produce, using only recycled rainwater at some of the world’s largest indoor farms. Aaron and Jonathan discuss the major challenges we are facing when it comes to food shortages and why it’s so important to reduce the amount of water used in agriculture as quickly as possible. Jonathan also identifies Controlled Environment Agricultu...
Being Naked is the Most Sustainable Option When it Comes to Fashion, but Chief Executive Officer of Reformation Hali Borenstein Says Reformation is Second (S9E02)
November 15, 2022 09:00 - 31 minutesChief Executive Officer at Reformation, Hali Borenstein, takes Aaron through her background in business, what she’s learned from being a leader in times of transition, and what being sustainable means in the fashion space. Hali explains how Reformation was created to be a catalyst for change in the fashion industry. The company constantly tries to improve its business practices, from having a D2C model that is responsive to consumer demand to emphasizing transparency by releasing quarterly su...
Living Your Life’s Purpose and Finding Joy with Patrice Tanaka, Chief Joy Officer of Joyful Planet (S9E01)
November 01, 2022 08:00 - 33 minutesIt’s our most joyful episode yet! Aaron is joined by Patrice Tanaka, Chief Joy Officer and founder of Joyful Planet, a business and life consultancy that helps individuals and organizations find and actively live their purpose. Patrice inspires us with her entrepreneurial spirit and looks back on her experience cofounding three award-winning PR and marketing agencies before starting Joyful Planet in 2016. The two discuss their shared passion for encouraging people to do what they love, as wel...
CEO of Lovesac Shawn Nelson on Why All Products Should be Designed for Life and Getting “Wantrepreneurs” off the Couch (S8E21)
October 18, 2022 08:00 - 38 minutesShawn Nelson, CEO of Lovesac, started his furniture company by “getting off of the couch” and acting on a business idea he had just after graduating high school. In this episode, Shawn walks us through the ups and downs that turned Lovesac into one of the most popular furniture companies in the U.S. Aaron and Shawn talk about some of the unfortunate realities of our global economy and why companies must start creating products that are designed to last a lifetime to truly be sustainable. Tune...
Stand Up Against Violence and For Gun Reform! How You Can Make an Impact with Moms Demand Action Founder Shannon Watts (S8E20)
October 04, 2022 08:00 - 38 minutesIn this episode, Aaron is joined by Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, to talk about how the powerful grassroots network of mothers is fighting for greater public safety measures to protect people from gun violence. The two discuss the impact of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed by Congress, and why it’s just one step in the right direction of a much longer journey to address gun violence in America. Shannon also recalls the outrage she felt after the Sandy Hook Elementar...
Responsibly Bringing the Flavors of South America to the U.S. with Just Made Co-founders Walter and Norka Nimocks (S8E19)
September 20, 2022 08:00 - 36 minutesCo-founders Walter and Norka Nimocks sit down with Aaron to talk about the founding and growth of Just Made, a tropical juice brand that is bringing the “secrets of the tropics” to the Unites States. The two share stories about what led them to launch Jude Made in 2016 after living and traveling around Latin America and being amazed by the flavors and superior health benefits of the unique fruits. Walter and Norka also discuss why they’ve made it a priority to be “just” with their farmers and...
Running a Tight Ship through Purposeful Leadership with President & CEO of Celebrity Cruises Lisa Lutoff-Perlo (S2E18)
September 06, 2022 08:00 - 36 minutesPresident and CEO of Celebrity Cruises Lisa Lutoff-Perlo talks about her path in the cruising industry and Celebrity Cruises’ commitment to social justice, sustainability, and inclusivity. Lisa shares how running a cruise ship is like running a micro-city, with people from all around the world coming together to enjoy the experience. Because of this, she finds it extremely important to emphasize the company’s values across everything from sustainable business practices, prioritizing women in ...
Your Toilet is a Privilege, Do Your Duty! Building Lasting Sanitation Market Systems with Robin Cho, Who Gives a Crap’s Head of Impact, and iDE’s VP of Communications and Marketing, Katherine Koch (S8E17)
August 23, 2022 08:00 - 33 minutesIn this episode, Aaron is joined by Who Gives a Crap’s Head of Impact, Robin Cho, and International Development Enterprise’s (iDE) VP of Communications and Marketing, Katherine Koch. Who Gives a Crap makes eco-friendly toilet paper and paper towels, donating 50% of all profits toward efforts to see a world where everyone has access to the basic rights of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). IDE is a global non-profit organization that empowers entrepreneurs to end poverty by engaging with bu...
Responsible Marketing In the Alcohol and Spirits Industry with Pernod Ricard SVP and Chief Marketing Officer Pam Forbus (S8E16)
August 09, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutesIn this episode, Pernod Ricard SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Pam Forbus, sits down with Aaron to talk about responsible marketing within the alcohol and spirits industry, as well as engaging with important topics like hate speech, consent and voting in brand messaging. As a worldwide wine and spirits manufacturer creating Absolute Vodka, Avion Tequila, Jameson and more, Pernod Ricard considers themselves an ‘unlocker of human connection’ and understands the role marketing plays in creating...
Need a hand? Reimagining the American trades economy with Fixer Founder and former GrubHub Co-Founder Mike Evans (S8E15)
July 26, 2022 08:00 - 37 minutesFixer Founder and former GrubHub Co-Founder Mike Evans takes us through his goal of rejuvenating the trade education system in America, building his business as a lever for social change by empowering employees and what he learned about purpose in his time at GrubHub. Mike talks about the issues of the ‘gig economy’ and why Fixer is committed to training employees to be full-time handy people. Fixer started as a few of Mike’s friends getting paid to do jobs for other friends and has grown int...
Recycling the Unrecyclable with TerraCycle Founder & CEO Tom Szaky (S8E14)
July 05, 2022 08:00 - 39 minutesTerraCycle Founder & CEO Tom Szaky shares the misconceptions around recycling, how he started innovative recycling company TerraCycle, and what lead to the creation of the Loop platform. For Tom, entrepreneurship was a passion from the beginning and he was committed to creating a business that sits at the intersection of profit and purpose. In the episode, Aaron and Tom discuss the anomalies in the recycling industry, the major turning point for TerraCycle, and how the company turns non-recyc...
Dairy That’s Wicked Good and Good For You with Vermont Creamery President Adeline Druart (S8E13)
June 21, 2022 08:00 - 35 minutesVermont Creamery President Adeline Druart talks about her experience growing up in France, her love for dairy products and how she worked her way up the professional ladder at Vermont Creamery. Growing up with dairy farmers as grandparents, Adeline was a cheese expert from the beginning. With the help of a good friend to translate English for Adeline, she moved from France to Vermont to intern at Vermont Creamery as a cheesemaker. In the episode, Aaron and Adeline discuss the company’s commit...
Keeping the Planet Cold & the People On It Warm with Canada Goose Chief Marketing & Experience Officer Penny Brook (S8E12)
June 07, 2022 08:00 - 34 minutesIn this episode, Canada Goose Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, Penny Brook, discusses the core brand ethos for Canada Goose, the brand’s commitment to supporting underrepresented communities, and how Canada Goose is making a difference in sustainable fashion. Helping customers find the warmth they seek since 1957, Canada Goose has grown from a single warehouse in Toronto into a global company and leader in performance luxury apparel. Aaron and Penny talk about the brand’s commitment to c...
Turning Miles into Money for Charity with Charity Miles Founder Gene Gurkoff (S8E11)
May 24, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutesCharity Miles Founder Gene Gurkoff discusses his career as an attorney, the inspiration behind the Charity Miles app and the importance of staying active. To honor his grandfather who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Gene began running marathons to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. From there, Gene was inspired to create a platform that enabled people to turn their physical activity into money for charity. In the episode, Aaron and Gene discuss the app that was created before Cha...
Building a Safer & More-Inclusive World For LGBTQ Young People with The Trevor Project CEO & Executive Director Amit Paley (S8E10)
May 10, 2022 08:00 - 37 minutesThe Trevor Project CEO & Executive Director, Amit Paley, discusses his career trajectory at The Trevor Project, the impetus for the organization, and how it became the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ young people. Inspired by the Academy Award-winning short film, “Trevor,” The Trevor Project was established after discovering there was no organization that provided resources for LGBTQ young people in the United States. Since launching its 24/7 phone ...
Building a Sustainable Marketplace with Hive Brands Co-Founders Thomas Ellis and Katie Tyson (S8EP09)
April 26, 2022 08:00 - 41 minutesHive Brands Co-Founders Thomas Ellis and Katie Tyson discuss their experience building a startup company, the challenges they’ve faced and how their backgrounds individually led them to co-create Hive Brands. Prior to Hive Brands, Thomas and Katie were exposed to the startup world early-on and noticed the extreme challenges that came with building a scalable business model. With a combined desire to create positive impact, Thomas and Katie were driven to create a marketplace that directly ali...
Creating a Waste Free Future with Founder of Pela Jeremy Lang (S8E08)
April 12, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutesPela Founder Jeremy Lang dives into his experience growing up on the Canadian prairies, shares the innovation behind Pela’s signature Flaxstic material, and discusses how his upbringing inspired the creation of Pela. Every year, more than 1.5 billion plastic phone cases are sold, and most of them end up in landfills. To combat this never-ending disposal problem, Jeremy spent years learning about plastic and experimenting with new materials to try to find an alternative to plastic that could b...
Investing for Good with Co-founder and Executive Director of Fast Forward Shannon Farley (S8E07)
March 29, 2022 08:00 - 34 minutesShannon Farley, Co-founder and Executive Director of Fast Forward, shares the inception and growth of the organization and the importance of investing in technology that accelerates social impact. Before the company’s founding in 2014, Shannon came to the realization that the technology industry kept solving problems for the market and neglected solving for issues that impact basic human rights. Aaron and Shannon discuss the first organization to go through the accelerator program, why Fast F...
An App That Fights Global Food Waste with Co-founder & Chief Expansion Officer of Too Good To Go Lucie Basch (S8E06)
March 15, 2022 08:00 - 34 minutesIn this episode, Co-founder & Chief Expansion Officer of Too Good To Go Lucie Basch dives into her career within the food industry, discusses the creation of the Too Good To Go digital platform, and reveals how vital fighting food waste is for the environment. When Lucie began working in the food industry, she quickly realized the immensity of food waste and that this issue wasn’t talked about enough in society. With 40% of the planet’s food ending up in the trash, Lucie’s vision of a better ...
From Farm to Cup with CEO & Founder of Sustainable Harvest David Griswold (S8E05)
March 01, 2022 09:00 - 37 minutesCEO & Founder of Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers David Griswold discusses his experience working in the coffee business for 25+ years and how Sustainable Harvest has helped change how farmers and buyers interact. Ever since David was approached by a coffee bean farmer in Mexico, he was on a mission to learn the coffee importing business from the inside out. Although David faced many challenges in the beginning of his journey, he was able to construct a business model that was unique and ...
How For Them is Challenging Heteronormativity and Redefining Wellness Products for Queer Individuals with For Them Founder Chloe Freeman (S2E04)
February 15, 2022 09:00 - 38 minutesFor Them Founder Chloe Freeman dives into their acting career, the inspiration behind For Them, and how they are challenging heteronormativity. While working in the media production industry, Chloe realized that there was a severe lack of gender diversity. With a mission to shed light upon those that are underrepresented, Chloe was determined to help the underlying needs of the gender-diverse community by creating a whole new category of holistic wellness. Aaron and Chloe discuss For Them’s n...
Empowering People to Discover the Reward (and hard work) of Philanthropy with Author and Certified Fund Raising Executive Diane Lebson (S8E03)
February 01, 2022 09:00 - 52 minutesAuthor and Certified Fund Raising Executive Diane Lebson discusses her experience working in the philanthropic world and offers her expertise on what it truly means to volunteer. Author of “For A Good Cause: A Practical Guide to Giving Joyfully”, Diane has dedicated herself to giving back and mentoring others who are looking to dive into the nonprofit realm. Diane and Aaron discuss the skills and experiences she cultivated over more than twenty-five years as a nonprofit executive, the foundat...
Elevating Ghanaian Culture and Women of Color in the Beauty Industry with Hanahana Beauty Founder and CEO Abena Boamah-Acheampong (S8E02)
January 18, 2022 09:00 - 35 minutesHanahana Beauty Founder and CEO Abena Boamah-Acheampong delves into the challenges that she’s faced within the beauty industry and shares how Hanahana Beauty became a consciously clean skincare, beauty, and wellness brand. As a creative entrepreneur and mental health advocate, Abena wanted to focus on showcasing black women on a global scale. With the help of shea butter and the Katariga Women's Shea Cooperative in Ghana, her dreams became reality. Abena and Aaron dive into the misconceptions...
How Pop Culture Influences Social Equity and Equality with Pop Culture Collaborative CEO Bridgit Antoinette Evans (S8EP1)
January 04, 2022 09:00 - 42 minutesPop Culture Collaborative CEO Bridgit Antoinette Evans unearths the intersection of pop culture storytelling and social change and discusses the basis of why the organization was created. Having launched in 2017, the Pop Culture Collaborative is an established network of philanthropic leaders, primarily women of color, who invest in the infrastructure of the pop culture world for social change. Aaron and Bridgit discuss the evolution of public sentiment and how it affects the social change fi...
Breaking Down the Barriers in Prison Communication with Ameelio Co-Founder & CEO Uzoma “Zo” Orchingwa (S7EP18)
December 28, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutesAmeelio Co-Founder & CEO Uzoma “Zo” Orchingwa uncovers the prison-industrial complex within the United States, how the company connects incarcerated people with their loved ones for free, and why it’s so important for this group to have access to free communication and education. Growing up in Hartford, Connecticut, Zo witnessed the patterns that were exhibited in the American correctional system, which led him to delve into mass incarceration and target the problems that challenged the U.S. ...
Preserving the Amazon Rainforest One Juice At A Time with AMARUMAYU Chief Sustainability Officer Jorge Lopez-Doriga (S7EP.17)
December 14, 2021 09:00 - 34 minutesAMARUMAYU Chief Sustainability Officer Jorge Lopez-Doriga shines a light on the purpose behind the organization, why climate change should be brought into the conversation more, and the importance of conserving the Amazon jungle. With 25% of our drinking water stemming from the Amazon jungle, preserving the planet begins in the heart of the Amazon. Jorge and Aaron discuss the company’s regenerative approaches to mitigate climate change, how to successfully build trust with indigenous communit...
This Early “BIRD” Caught a $4 Billion Worm: Transforming the Future of Sustainable Fashion with Allbirds Co-CEO & Co-Founder Joey Zwillinger (S7EP16)
November 30, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutesAllbirds Co-CEO & Co-Founder Joey Zwillinger discusses the company’s mission to incorporate natural materials and eco-friendly sourcing into sneakers and how he’s made profit and purpose symbiotic through the creation of Allbirds. Since 2015, Allbirds has worked to build a distribution channel that relies on natural innovations and carbon-negative materials that reduce the company’s environmental impact. Joey and Aaron talk about how Allbirds is shifting consumer behavior when it comes to cli...
Shifting the Balance of Power with Marguerite Casey Foundation President & CEO Dr. Carmen Rojas (S7EP15)
November 16, 2021 09:00 - 41 minutesMarguerite Casey Foundation (MCF) president & CEO Dr. Carmen Rojas shines a light on the transformative nonprofit that provides grants to those on the ground that are fighting for a more just and equitable democracy and economy. For 20 years, MCF has supported leaders who have the ability to shift the balance of power both in their communities and in society toward working people and their families. Carmen and Aaron talk about MCF’s unique philanthropic model and approach to grants, optimism ...
Bringing Eye Care Everywhere with Orbis International Global Communications & Marketing Chief Louise Harris Salazar (S7EP14)
November 02, 2021 08:00 - 35 minutesOrbis International Global Communications & Marketing Chief Louise Harris Salazar discusses her experience working in healthcare marketing and how Orbis is helping educate the world on blindness. Founded in 1973, Orbis International has since developed an extensive set of partners, supporters, and volunteers to empower local communities all around the globe with the skills and resources to fight blindness. Louise and Aaron talk about the innovation behind the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, how th...
Leading the Organic Food Movement with Amy’s Kitchen Co-Founder Andy Berliner and Vice President Amy Ricafrente (S7E13)
October 19, 2021 08:00 - 48 minutesAmy’s Kitchen Co-Founder Andy Berliner and Vice President Amy Ricafrente, aka the namesake of the company, share their experience building a multi-million-dollar business of high-quality and organic foods and discuss the steps they are taking to reduce their carbon footprint. Regarded as titans of the natural foods industry, Andy and his wife Rachel Berliner founded Amy’s Kitchen in 1987 with the incentive to bring convenience to organic and healthy foods. Andy, Amy, and Aaron talk about the ...
Pioneering the Organic Food Movement with Amy’s Kitchen Co-Founder Andy Berliner and Vice President Amy Ricafrente (S7E13)
October 19, 2021 08:00 - 48 minutesAmy’s Kitchen Co-Founder Andy Berliner and Vice President Amy Ricafrente, aka the namesake of the company, share their experience building a multi-million-dollar business of high-quality and organic foods and discuss the steps they are taking to reduce their carbon footprint. Regarded as titans of the natural foods industry, Andy and his wife Rachel Berliner founded Amy’s Kitchen in 1987 with the incentive to bring convenience to organic and healthy foods. Andy, Amy, and Aaron talk about the ...
Helping Companies Drive Change with the “OG” CECP Managing Director Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas (S7E12)
October 05, 2021 08:00 - 50 minutesChief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP) Managing Director Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas - serving concurrently as mayor of the City of New Brighton, MN - discusses how the Paul Newman-founded organization’s corporate purpose work has continued to evolve, particularly throughout the events of 2020. Kari and Aaron talk about the importance of companies increasing transparency when it comes to tracking, measuring and reporting progress, leading on ESG research and connecting more directly with inv...
Fostering a Culture of Smart Drinking with AB InBev Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer and Company Secretary John Blood and Georgetown University McDonough School of Business Professor Bill Novelli (S7EP11)
September 21, 2021 08:00 - 41 minutesAB InBev Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer and Company Secretary John Blood and Georgetown University McDonough School of Business Professor Bill Novelli discuss the journey in developing InBev’s ten-year Global Smart Drinking Goals initiative, how this partnership came to fruition and the steps AB InBev is taking to reduce the harmful uses of alcohol. In response to the World Health Organization’s call to action on confronting harmful alcohol use, AB InBev knew that they had to make a ...
“Slanted” -- Taking the Fight for AAPI Civil Rights to the Supreme Court with Author, Activist & Musician Simon Tam (7EP10)
September 07, 2021 08:00 - 40 minutesAuthor, Activist and Musician Simon Tam opens up about his experience pursuing the landmark 2017 case that helped expand civil liberties for minorities and artistic expression at the Supreme Court of the United States - which started from a simple band name. Author of “Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court,” founder and bassist of The Slants, and leader of The Slants Foundation, Simon has dedicated himself to both creating impactful art and mentoring and suppor...
“Cleaning” Up the Pharma Industry with Genexa Co-Founder David Johnson (S7EP09)
August 24, 2021 08:00 - 29 minutesGenexa co-founder David Johnson discusses how fatherhood inspired him and his co-founder, Max Spielberg, to find the clean medicine company. With David’s background in food chemistry and Max’s in FDA law, the two friends set out to clean up one of the few industries that had yet to be approached with the ‘clean’ mindset. Genexa is now only five years old, and David shines a light on how their passion helped to drive a two-year development and FDA approval process - with products today availab...
If the Shoe Fits: Making a Difference with the Gift of Shoes with Samaritan’s Feet President & CEO Manny Ohonme (S7EP08)
August 10, 2021 08:00 - 35 minutesSamaritan’s Feet President & CEO Manny Ohonme shares the company’s dedication to deliver shoes to the children who need it most and how receiving his first pair of sneakers became the inspiration for Samaritan’s Feet. After being gifted his first pair of shoes over 30 years ago, Manny has made it his life’s mission to give others the same opportunity of change and impact. Through the gift of shoes, the act of washing feet, and encouragement to those who need it most, Samaritan’s Feet has been...
Transforming the Future of Cleaning Products with Blueland CEO & Co-Founder Sarah Paiji Yoo (S7EP07)
July 27, 2021 08:00 - 37 minutesBlueland CEO & Co-Founder Sarah Paiji Yoo dives into the impetus behind the company, how her maternal intuition inspired the creation of Blueland and the steps she’s taking to educate society around plastic usage. Sarah’s journey to use less single-use plastic began when she became a new mom and learned about the microplastics that live within our drinking water. As a self-made entrepreneur, Sarah became motivated to create innovative products that were both eco-friendly and affordable to the...
Making Healthcare Accessible Around the World with Americares Global Head of Strategic Partnerships Stephanie Kauffman (S7EP06)
July 13, 2021 08:00 - 34 minutesAmericares Global Head of Strategic Partnerships Stephanie Kauffman talks about how the global health and humanitarian nonprofit provides quality medical aid, disaster relief and recovery around the world in the face of natural disasters, poverty, disease and civil war. Currently reaching 90 countries, Americares has been on the front line of the international COVID-19 crisis, delivering over 14 million supplies (including PPE and medication) to regions in need. Stephanie and Aaron talk about...
Even Luggage Can Be Carbon Neutral with Paravel Co-Founder Indré Rockefeller (S7EP05)
June 29, 2021 08:00 - 35 minutesParavel co-founder Indré Rockefeller opens up about the journey to found the sustainable travel company alongside co-founder Andy Krantz, which has included bringing the first-ever carbon neutral suitcase to market. Paravel has focused on sustainability, functionality, quality and look, to date upcycling over 2 million plastic water bottles and offsetting 8,150 tons of CO2. Indré and Aaron talk about how a trip to Antarctica with Nature Conservancy inspired her initial interest in sustainabil...
Reducing Incarceration Rates and Building a More Equitable and Just America with JustLeadershipUSA President DeAnna Hoskins (S7EP04)
June 15, 2021 08:00 - 55 minutesJustLeadershipUSA President DeAnna Hoskins dives into the company’s dedication to decarceration in the United States through policy reform and how her experience as a nationally recognized leader and public speaker influenced her career path. Having been directly impacted by the system of incarceration and the war on drugs, DeAnna’s life experiences have been the driving force to elevate awareness around the racial and social injustices that take place within marginalized communities. In the ...
Battling Cancer from “Home” with Christopher’s Haven Executive Director Joyce Duvall (S7EP03)
June 01, 2021 08:00 - 20 minutesChristopher’s Haven Executive Director Joyce Duvall discusses leading the Boston- and Atlanta-based nonprofit’s apartment communities that provide a home-like environment for pediatric cancer patients and their families. With years of experience in nonprofit and developmental work, Joyce was devoted to Christopher’s Haven’s mission from day one and has brought a new perspective to the organization. Joyce and Aaron talk about the hardships that cancer patients and their families face, how the ...
Sustainable Salmon Farming in Miami with Atlantic Sapphire Co-Founder Johan Andreassen (S7EP02)
May 18, 2021 08:00 - 28 minutesAtlantic Sapphire Co-Founder Johan Andreassen shines a light on how the company has incorporated strict sustainability efforts and pioneered Bluehouse salmon farming. Growing up on a salmon farm in Norway, Johan was familiar with the lifestyle of salmon farming, but envisioned a more eco-friendly system using cleaner fish. This knowledge of aquaculture led him to establish the first ever Bluehouse (a “greenhouse” for salmon) in the United States. In the episode, Johan and Aaron discuss the co...
Using Humanity to Pivot and Rebuild a Business with Former Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly (S7EP01)
May 04, 2021 08:00 - 37 minutesFormer Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly discusses the inner workings of a good business, how he’s successfully managed large corporations throughout his career and why it’s important to lead with purpose. In 2012, Hubert was given the task of a lifetime: to rebuild Best Buy. He focused on rebuilding with humanity and putting employees and customers at the center, ultimately transforming the company’s outlook and growing revenue. In the episode, Hubert and Aaron talk about the ideology behind this bus...
Creating Representation in Tech with Slack Head of Slack for Good & Public Affairs Deepti Rohatgi (S6E14)
April 06, 2021 09:30 - 29 minutesSlack’s Head of Slack for Good and Public Affairs Deepti Rohatgi shines a light on the Slack for Good program that’s working to increase the prevalence of underrepresented groups in the tech sector. Joining Slack only two years after founding, Deepti has leveraged her experience at tech companies like Yahoo and as a diplomat with the U.S. State Department to help grow Slack and develop its impact program, including the Next Chapter initiative inspired by Bryan Stevenson’s book Just Mercy that...