Tech Matters
35 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago -In a landscape where the tech industry's reputation often precedes it, veteran social entrepreneur and Tech for Good pioneer Jim Fruchterman, along with many extraordinary change-makers, have been rewriting the narrative by using their tech skills to build a better world and drive positive social change.
Through in-depth interviews unveiling the workings of some of the most transformative social impact organizations, you'll discover how individuals have harnessed the power of technology to confront the world's most pressing challenges. Prepare for a wealth of insights about how to enter the Tech for Good field, best ideation practices, effective exit strategies, ethical use of data, funding wisdom, and more.
Whether you're part of a nonprofit, the tech sphere, government sector, or at the helm of social change, our podcast is your compass to ensure that, when designing software, you're putting people first.
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Hosted by Jim Fruchterman. Production: Gabriele Sha. Sound Engineering: Phil Kadet.
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Episodes
Mapping the Global Supply Chain, with Natalie Grillon of Open Supply Hub
April 19, 2024 16:08 - 34 minutes - 40.1 MBOpen Supply Hub is more than just a database; it's a movement towards a more ethical and sustainable future. By crowdsourcing data and providing a unique identifier for facilities, they've created a system that benefits everyone from brands to auditors and even the workers themselves. Today's conversation covers the inception of Open Supply Hub and its evolution. Executive Director Natalie Grillon recounts her time in Uganda, working with an agricultural development company as part of ...
Bridging the Education Gap: Talking Points' Heejae Lim on Tech-Driven Family Engagement
April 06, 2024 00:01 - 39 minutes - 45 MBDive into the heart of social tech innovation with Heejae Lim, the trailblazing founder and CEO of TalkingPoints. Heejae recounts the inception of her groundbreaking app, which stands out as a rare success story in a sea of well-intentioned but often ineffective educational apps. TalkingPoints isn't just another tool in the edtech arsenal; it's a game-changer, using AI to bridge language gaps, fostering meaningful connections between teachers and non-English-speaking parents, and ultimately ...
Uniting Data Science and Social Good, with DataKind co-founder Jake Porway
March 22, 2024 20:11 - 37 minutes - 42.6 MB"What could the nonprofit sector do if every nonprofit had Google's engineering team?" (J. P.) In this thought-provoking episode, we sat down with Jake Porway, the visionary co-founder of DataKind, to explore the transformative potential of harnessing data science for the nonprofit sector. Jake takes us through the journey of the organization from its early days of hackathons to its evolution into a beacon for long-term, impact-oriented projects. Today, DataKind is made of many c...
Exposing Global Corruption: Tech For Investigative Journalism, with Drew Sullivan of OCCRP
March 10, 2024 14:20 - 35 minutes - 40.3 MB"It takes a network to fight a network" (D. S.) In the labyrinth of global corruption and organized crime, a beacon of truth shines through the data-driven work of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). This episode takes a deep dive with co-founder Drew Sullivan as he shares the story behind the most comprehensive database on international corruption. By aggregating billions of data points, from public records to leaked documents, OCCRP empowers journalis...
Fortifying Truth in the Age of Deepfakes: Lessons from Yvette Alberdingk Thijm, ex-Director of Witness
February 23, 2024 08:08 - 30 minutes - 35.2 MB“Seeing is no longer believing. You need to fortify the truth.” (Y.A.T.) Generative AI, deepfakes… we’ve known the risks for a while, but the dangers feel ever closer given the amazing advancements of orgs like OpenAI. Meanwhile, human rights activists have faced these risks for years (think of doctored videos, misleading evidence, or the total absence of context). Witness was ahead of its time by giving people tools to document human rights violations (departing from conventio...
Part 2 - Overcoming the Market (Failure), with Owen Barder of PxD
February 09, 2024 14:03 - 27 minutes - 31.8 MBPicking up where we left off with Owen Barder, Jim digs deeper into how tech enters the discussion, in particular what Precision Development has been doing to tackle major sustainable agriculture challenges in developing countries. Key topics: When to do AB testing (à la Facebook) vs. a full-blown Randomized Control Trial (the typical government approach); the fact that data helps flag a problem, but you still need to dig deeper to understand exactly what that problem is; and the fact that...
Part 1 - Overcoming the Market (Failure), with Owen Barder of PxD
January 26, 2024 12:05 - 34 minutes - 39.1 MBThroughout Owen's journey, one central question has been: How do you navigate market failure, especially when the stakes are sky-high? The typical choice between government intervention vs. private investment vs. third sector solutions often can't cut it. Owen and innovators like him don't have all the answers, but are able operate at the highest institutional level, crafting and implementing new models that go beyond a single ideology in order to tackle some of the most formidable global ...
Coming Soon: Tech Matters Season 2, on the Power of Data!
January 21, 2024 15:08 - 1 minute - 4.37 MBAs we learned from Nithya Ramanathan in Season 1, data = money = power. To understand what this means for our future, and what we can actually do about it, we're coming back strong with a whole new lineup of interviews in Season 2. You'll hear from Jake Porway, co-founder of Datakind, Yvette Alberdingk Thijm of Witness, Owen Barder of Precision Development, and many more about the importance of human-centered design, field-based learning, and the needs, challenges, and power of data for good...
Ep. 8 - Season One wrap-up: What's next?
April 02, 2022 15:06 - 14 minutes - 15.1 MBWe’ve arrived at the end of season 1! In this episode, Jim reviews some of the top insights from our interviewees, reconfirming why tech is vital to social change at scale and why it is equally vital to understand the limits of that technology and how to do develop it ethically.
Season One wrap-up: What's next for Tech For Good? With Jim Fruchterman
April 02, 2022 15:06 - 14 minutes - 15.1 MBAs we draw the curtain on Season 1, Jim takes us back through some of the most captivating insights shared by our remarkable guests. It's a reaffirmation of why technology serves as a catalyst for monumental social change and why it's equally crucial to grasp the boundaries of technology and its ethical development. Join us for a retrospective that underscores the pivotal role of tech in driving positive global impact while maintaining unwavering ethical integrity. > Transcript ...
Season 1 wrap-up: Recap and what's next
April 02, 2022 15:06 - 14 minutes - 15.1 MBWe’ve arrived at the end of season 1! In this episode, Jim reviews some of the top insights from our interviewees, reconfirming why tech is vital to social change at scale and why it is equally vital to understand the limits of that technology and how to do develop it ethically.
Ep. 7 - Emily Jacobi: Creating tools to defend human rights
December 24, 2021 14:32 - 40 minutes - 33.5 MBEmily Jacobi is the co-founder of Digital Democracy, a non-profit dedicated to empowering marginalized communities with the support of tech tools. Among other things, Digital Democracy has been working with local partners from Haiti to Peru to track cultural and geographical data, which was then used as legally effective testimony against harmful corporate practices. Key lessons: co-design and accompaniment; the effectiveness of mapping one's political and cultural presence; the power of dat...
Defending Indigenous Rights with Data, with Emily Jacobi of Digital Democracy
December 24, 2021 14:32 - 40 minutes - 33.5 MBGet ready to meet Emily Jacobi, co-founder of Digital Democracy, a non-profit on a mission to harness the transformative power of technology for marginalized communities. Join us as we delve into their remarkable work, from empowering local partners in Haiti to Peru to track cultural and geographical data. This data, in turn, becomes compelling legal testimony against corporate practices causing harm. Uncover essential lessons in co-design and accompaniment, the profound impact of mapp...
Emily Jacobi: Creating tools to defend human rights
December 24, 2021 14:32 - 40 minutes - 33.5 MBEmily Jacobi is the co-founder of Digital Democracy, a non-profit dedicated to empowering marginalized communities with the support of tech tools. Among other things, Digital Democracy has been working with local partners from Haiti to Peru to track cultural and geographical data, which was then used as legally effective testimony against harmful corporate practices. Key lessons: co-design and accompaniment; the effectiveness of mapping one's political and cultural presence; the power of dat...
Ep. 6 - Rebecca Masisak: TechSoup's major pivots
November 23, 2021 11:30 - 41 minutes - 34.8 MBIn this episode, Rebecca Masisak, CEO of TechSoup Global, walks us through some of the major shifts that her organization was able to make throughout its history. When TechSoup was founded under the name CompuMentor, its goal was to provide nonprofits with tech volunteer services. Eventually, the mission expanded to providing donated software and hardware at highly discounted prices for nonprofits. While this was a major driver for its success, TechSoup found itself having to incorporate a n...
The amazing story of TechSoup Global, with CEO Rebecca Masisak
November 23, 2021 11:30 - 41 minutes - 34.8 MBJoin us in an insightful journey with Rebecca Masisak, the dynamic CEO of TechSoup Global, as she unravels the fascinating evolution of the organization's mission. Starting as CompuMentor, their initial focus was on providing tech volunteer services to nonprofits. Over time, they expanded their impact by offering donated software and hardware at steep discounts, setting the stage for remarkable success. Discover the pivotal moments when TechSoup adapted to the changing tech landscape a...
Rebecca Masisak: TechSoup's major pivots
November 23, 2021 11:30 - 41 minutes - 34.8 MBIn this episode, Rebecca Masisak, CEO of TechSoup Global, walks us through some of the major shifts that her organization was able to make throughout its history. When TechSoup was founded under the name CompuMentor, its goal was to provide nonprofits with tech volunteer services. Eventually, the mission expanded to providing donated software and hardware at highly discounted prices for nonprofits. While this was a major driver for its success, TechSoup found itself having to incorporate a n...
Finding the Simple Things that Scale... Massively, with Sanjay Purohit of Societal Platform
September 20, 2021 20:23 - 41 minutes - 31.4 MBMeet Sanjay Purohit, the visionary Chief Curator of Societal Platform, on a mission to orchestrate a vibrant ecosystem of changemakers, organizations, and initiatives committed to tackling grand-scale challenges head-on. In this episode, he takes us on an illuminating journey through the intricacies of his role. Uncover the secrets of designing, not "just" for thousands, but for millions if not billions of users; the need to focus on simple, core interactions that scale; and what it t...
Sanjay Purohit: Designing for (massive) scale
September 20, 2021 20:23 - 41 minutes - 31.4 MBAs Chief Curator of Societal Platform, Sanjay Purohit's role is to bring together, cross-fertilize, and guide an ecosystem of organizations, leaders, and initiatives all dedicated to addressing complex problems at, truly, massive scale. Key lessons: differences between designing for thousands vs. millions of users; focusing platform design on one "core" interaction; empowering networks and organizations that already exist, rather than reinventing the wheel and working in isolation.
Ep. 5 - Sanjay Purohit: Designing for (massive) scale
September 20, 2021 20:23 - 41 minutes - 31.4 MBAs Chief Curator of Societal Platform, Sanjay Purohit's role is to bring together, cross-fertilize, and guide an ecosystem of organizations, leaders, and initiatives all dedicated to addressing complex problems at, truly, massive scale. Key lessons: differences between designing for thousands vs. millions of users; focusing platform design on one "core" interaction; empowering networks and organizations that already exist, rather than reinventing the wheel and working in isolation.
Mid-Season Recap: Being a social entrepreneur
July 24, 2021 10:35 - 12 minutes - 28.8 MBIn this episode, Jim shares his thoughts on what we heard from Mike, Ana, and Nithya, along with a personal note on his own experience: the struggles of being a social entrepreneur, the importance of human-centered design, enduring skepticism, and what technology brings to the table. Jim also introduces what’s coming next: An interview with Sanjay Purohit of Societal Platform, in which we dig deeper into the issue of impact at scale.
Mid-Season Recap: Overcoming Skepticism, with Jim Fruchterman
July 24, 2021 10:35 - 12 minutes - 10.5 MBIn this recap episode, Jim steps in to reflect on the insights we've gathered from our exceptional guests, Mike, Ana, and Nithya. He also shares the personal journey that brought him to becoming a social entrepreneur. Join us as Jim dives into the essence of human-centered design, the art of navigating skepticism on the path of social entrepreneurship, and the critical role technology must play in addressing the pressing global challenges of our time. It's a candid reflection that'll leave y...
Mid-Season Recap: Tech social entrepreneurship
July 24, 2021 10:35 - 12 minutes - 10.5 MBIn this episode, Jim shares his thoughts on what we heard from Mike, Ana, and Nithya, along with a personal note on his own experience: the importance of human-centered design, dealing with skepticism as a social entrepreneur, and what technology needs to bring to the table. Jim also introduces what’s coming next: An interview with Sanjay Purohit of Societal Platform, in which we dig deeper into the issue of impact at scale.
Ep. 4 - Mid-Season Recap: Tech social entrepreneurship
July 24, 2021 10:35 - 12 minutes - 10.5 MBIn this episode, Jim shares his thoughts on what we heard from Mike, Ana, and Nithya, along with a personal note on his own experience: the importance of human-centered design, dealing with skepticism as a social entrepreneur, and what technology needs to bring to the table. Jim also introduces what’s coming next: An interview with Sanjay Purohit of Societal Platform, in which we dig deeper into the issue of impact at scale.
Using the Internet of Things to Save Lives, with Nithya Ramanathan of Nexleaf
May 03, 2021 14:47 - 37 minutes - 30.4 MBAs industries and governments forge ahead in the era of digital transformation, Nithya, the co-founder and CEO of Nexleaf, emerges as a champion of responsible data use. With a potent blend of data insights and profound engineering expertise, she's on a mission to ensure data serves a greater purpose with unwavering equity and meaningful impact. Discover how Nexleaf's groundbreaking temperature-sensing technology is making a real difference, bringing life-saving vaccines to countless c...
Ep. 3 - Nithya Ramanathan: Data for actual empowerment
May 03, 2021 14:47 - 37 minutes - 30.4 MBIndustries and governments are marching on towards digitizing our lives, for better or worse. Nithya, co-founder and CEO of Nexleaf, is one of the people working to bring powerful data insights and deep engineering expertise to ensure data is actually used with equity in mind and with real impact. Nexleaf’s temperature-sensing technology is just one example, helping millions of kids around the world get the vaccines they need. Other key lessons: thinking about impact in terms of incentives a...
Nithya Ramanathan: Data for actual empowerment
May 03, 2021 14:47 - 37 minutes - 30.4 MBIndustries and governments are marching on towards digitizing our lives, for better or worse. Nithya, co-founder and CEO of Nexleaf, is one of the people working to bring powerful data insights and deep engineering expertise to ensure data is actually used with equity in mind and with real impact. Nexleaf’s temperature-sensing technology is just one example, helping millions of kids around the world get the vaccines they need. Other key lessons: thinking about impact in terms of incentives a...
Nithya Ramanathan: What data for empowerment really looks like
May 03, 2021 14:47 - 37 minutes - 30.4 MBIndustries and governments are marching on towards digitizing our lives, for better or worse. Nithya, co-founder and CEO of Nexleaf, is one of the people working to bring powerful data insights and deep engineering expertise to ensure data is actually used with equity in mind and with real impact. Nexleaf’s temperature-sensing technology is just one example, helping millions of kids around the world get the vaccines they need. Other key lessons: thinking about impact in terms of incentives a...
Ep. 2 - Ana Pantelic: Designing tech for low-income families in the Global South
March 31, 2021 22:28 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBDr. Ana Pantelic is the acting Chief of Social Policy at UNICEF Uganda, working to help people in low-income areas become economically empowered. In this episode, she tells us about her previous work at Fundación Capital, where she founded the LISTA initiative, producing tablet-based financial education experiences for low-income communities, especially women. Some key lessons: the value of human-centered design; designing for scale from the get-go; working as an NGO in the Global South.
Using Apps to Bring Financial Empowerment to Low-Income Women, with Ana Pantelic
March 31, 2021 22:28 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBGet ready to be inspired by Dr. Ana Pantelic, who is now Executive Director of MIT D-Lab. In this episode, she shares her remarkable journey, including her impactful tenure at Fundación Capital where she pioneered the LISTA initiative. LISTA introduced tablet-based financial education experiences to uplift low-income communities, with a special focus on empowering women. Discover the transformative power of human-centered design, learn the art of designing for scale right from the outs...
Ana Pantelic: Designing tech for low-income families in the Global South
March 31, 2021 22:28 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBDr. Ana Pantelic is the acting Chief of Social Policy at UNICEF Uganda, working to help people in low-income areas become economically empowered. In this episode, she tells us about her previous work at Fundación Capital, where she founded the LISTA initiative, producing tablet-based financial education experiences for low-income communities, especially women. Some key lessons: the value of human-centered design; designing for scale from the get-go; working as an NGO in the Global South.
Michael Sani: The power of data and social referral
February 08, 2021 21:37 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBMichael Sani is the co-founder of Bite the Ballot, a massively successful UK voter registration app, and founder of Play Verto, a Tinder-style platform where young users share their opinions about policy. In this episode, we hear about how his team was able to leverage data and social media to get young people engaged in politics. Some key lessons are: Coming up with an exit strategy even when a project succeeds; how data can be used (ethically) to empower people; and how being politically e...
Ep. 1 - Michael Sani: The power of data and social referral
February 08, 2021 21:37 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBMichael Sani is the co-founder of Bite the Ballot, a massively successful UK voter registration app, and founder of Play Verto, a Tinder-style platform where young users share their opinions about policy. In this episode, we hear about how his team was able to leverage data and social media to get young people engaged in politics. Some key lessons are: Coming up with an exit strategy even when a project succeeds; how data can be used (ethically) to empower people; and how being politically e...
Michael Sani on the power of data and social referral
February 08, 2021 21:37 - 34 minutes - 32.1 MBGamification often gets a bad rep—often, for good reasons. But there are ways of doing it right: for example, when designing a mobile app that's capable of inspiring young voters to be politically engaged. In this episode, we hear from Michael Sani about why he co-founded Bite the Ballot, a massively successful UK voter registration app, and what then led him to his latest social enterprise, Play Verto. Mike showcases some important aspects of social entrepreneurship: Having an exit strategy...
Gamification That Actually Works (For Social Impact), with Michael Sani of Play Verto
February 08, 2021 21:37 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBMeet Michael Sani, the co-founder of Bite the Ballot, a groundbreaking UK voter registration app, and the visionary behind Play Verto, a Tinder-style platform where young voices meet policy. In this episode, we unravel the inspiring journey of how he and his team harnessed the power of data and social media to ignite a political spark among youth people. Explore the art of planning an exit strategy, even when your project thrives. Discover the ethical ways data can empower individuals...