Next Economy Now: Business As A Force For Good

We at the LIFT team have some exciting news to share. We have just launched a brand new, second podcast called “Beyond the B”! We are crossposting the first episode of Beyond the B to this channel.On this podcast, Ryan Honeyman, Emmy Allison, and special guests delve into the complexities of the B Corp movement and its impact. This inaugural episode examines how perceptions of the movement have shifted, recent certifications that have attracted controversy, why corporate responsibility is not as straightforward as it seems, and much more.We want to hear from you! Text us by clicking here or email us at beyond@lifteconomy.com with requests for content, suggestions for future guests, and feedback about our episodes.Send us a textSupport the show

While healthcare has the potential to function as an essential pillar of the next economy, it’s no secret that the current US healthcare system is dysfunctional. Today, we are joined by Dana Brown, a leading expert in public-sector pharmaceutical production, to imagine a non-extractive system of healthcare that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of people over profits.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/dana-brown/Send us a textSupport the show

From climate change to inequality, many of society's most pressing issues are deeply intertwined with the prioritization of wealth accumulation at the expense of broader societal and environmental concerns. Today, we are joined by Chris Marquis, the author of The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profit and Socializes Cost, to discuss how we can rebalance interactions between corporations, governments, and civil society to deliver outcomes that benefit both people and the planet.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/chris-marquis/Send us a textSupport the show

Tune in for a special rebroadcast of our 2021 conversation with Edgar Villanueva, a globally-recognized activist, award-winning author, and an expert on issues of race and philanthropy, as well as the Principle and Founder of the Decolonizing Wealth Project (DWP) and Liberated Capital.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/edgar-villanuevaSend us a textSupport the show

Resmaa Menakem, New York Times bestselling author of “My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies,” is a visionary Justice Leadership coach, organizational strategist and master trainer. Resmaa is a leading voice in today’s conversation on racialized trauma.As a therapist, trauma specialist, and the founder of Justice Leadership Solutions, a leadership consultancy firm, Resmaa Menakem dedicates his expertise to coaching leaders through civil unrest, organizational change, and community building.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/2020/15/10/next-economy-nowSend us a textSupport the show

What if addressing the problem of homelessness was not only a moral necessity but the most financially efficient choice? Sibley Simon is the President of New Way Homes, a nonprofit operating an Impact Investment Fund to develop workforce opportunities and affordable housing. For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/sibley-simon/Send us a textSupport the show

What is the regenerative economy movement? Can it help us overcome our societal addiction to growth and transform the current economy? Joining us today to unpack these questions is John Fullerton, the Founder and President of the Capital Institute, a self-described unconventional economist, teacher, writer, and impact investor.Tune in as we talk with John about his background in finance, why he walked away from Wall Street, and the key ideas that lie at the heart of the regenerative economy movement. We explore the core problems of finance ideology, the essential role of collaboration in transforming our economy, and some of the inspiring initiatives that are successfully employing regenerative economics principles.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/john-fullerton/Send us a textSupport the show

Racial equality and social justice cannot be achieved without all members of society playing their part. And as the historical makers of systems of segregation, white men need to start by looking inward. Joining us today to further explain a white man’s role in social justice is the Curriculum Coordinator, Facilitator, Immersion Coordinator, Change Maker, Equity and ABAR Specialist, and Founder of White Men for Racial Justice (WMRJ), Kevin Eppler.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/kevin-eppler/Send us a textSupport the show

Is it possible to create an effective economic system where life is at the center? In this conversation, we explore the possibilities with Marjorie Kelly. A thought leader in next-generation enterprise design, employee ownership, impact investing, and building a community-rooted democratic economy, Marjorie is a distinguished senior fellow at the Democracy Collaborative and the author of four books.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/marjorie-kelly/Send us a textSupport the show

Is there a ‘right way’ to approach whiteness? In this conversation with Garret Bucks, author of The Right Kind of White and Founder of Barnraisers, we dissect the impact of attitudes of white saviorism on authentic relationships.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/garrett-bucks/Send us a textSupport the show

Due to their unique positions, businesses have a better chance of making a lasting impact on their communities compared to NGOs, governments, or other entities that promise help that ultimately, never arrives. Hugues Sygney Jr. from B Lab United States & Canada has made it his mission to bridge the divide between businesses and the communities that desperately need their help, and he joins us today to share his story.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/hugues-sygney-jr/Send us a textSupport the show

When antitrust laws were first established in America, they functioned as a direct assertion that private institutions and individuals should not control democracy. But what is the state of competition and antitrust today? And what are the tools we have at our disposal to curb the most egregious excesses of private firms? Here to help us unpack the complex topic is Denise Hearn, a writer, applied researcher, and advisor specializing in how economic power and paradigms shape our world.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/denise-hearn/Send us a textSupport the show

What if the Next Economy started with self-connection? During this episode, Feldenkrais practitioner Andrew Gibbons joins us for the first installment of our culture series. Sharing his experience of discovering, implementing, and learning to teach the Feldenkrais Methodology, Andrew offers a deep dive into the world of changing behavior and coordination through slow and intentional movement.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/andrew-gibbons/Send us a textSupport the show

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery requires sacrifice and, unfortunately, far too many of us lack the time or space to pursue it. But what if we could rely on our communities and one another for support? Joining us today to help us unpack this topic is Lama Rod Owens as we explore love, activism, and what it means to be a spiritual warrior.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/lama-rod-owens/Send us a textSupport the show

Doing the urgent work of dismantling white supremacy and capitalism is an overwhelming task that cannot be achieved alone. But how do we find healing and connection within our communities and move forward when there is so much hurt to be overcome? Joining us today to help unpack this nuanced and urgent topic is Roxy Manning, Ph.D. — an Antiracist, Nonviolent communication (NVC) speaker, consultant, and psychologist.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/2024/2/13/roxy-manning-the-antiracist-heart-nonviolent-communication-and-learning-to-practice-compassionSend us a textSupport the show

What if honing the skill of self-compassion was an entry point to better communicate with, understand, and connect with others? Today, Haitian-American artist, activist, and educator Phoenix Soleil joins us to explore the concept of nonviolent communication and its impact on relationships. By sharing her transformational journey, Phoenix shares some of the tools she has used to build a healthier approach to communication and conflict resolution. Diving deeper to address the systems and power dynamics behind societal norms around communication, we discuss an alternative approach that embraces self-empathy and connection, as well as Phoenix’s Culture Offerings workshop series for Next Economy leaders.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/culture-offerings-phoenix/Send us a textSupport the show

Does a beneficial banking model hold the power to transform our economy and our environment for the better? Kat Taylor works in service of restoring social justice to environmental well-being, to build a more equitable and inclusive world. She is a co-founder of Beneficial State Bank and Radicle Impact Partners venture fund and Founding Director of TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation. She joins us today to explore the scientific and business cases for regenerative agriculture and its role in restoring our world.Tune in to find out how Kat’s focus has evolved since she was first interviewed on Next Economy Now, the mission behind Radicle Impact, and how it is unfolding today, and an update on the status of Beneficial State Bank. Unpacking the regenerative agriculture efforts Kat is currently driving, we explore the pivotal role of carbon in sustaining all forms of life. We currently find ourselves at a pivotal point in history when it comes to measuring impact and Kat provides an in-depth explanation of what t

With social chasms widening and climate change intensifying, it has never been more important to reframe what it means for businesses to “do good” in an ever-changing world. Today, we’re joined by Clay Brown from B Lab Global to discuss how we can transform the global economy from a system that profits a few to one that benefits all people, communities, and the planet.As Head of Standards, Certification, and Product Delivery for B Lab, Clay plays a critical role in evolving, growing, and scaling new and existing programs, products, and tools, including the B Corp Certification, which B Lab is perhaps best known for. In this episode, he outlines the evolving B Corp Certification standards and explains how B Lab is adapting and advancing its performance requirements to not only meet the needs of the moment but also optimize the movement for the future.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/clay-brown/Send us a textSupport the show

We're excited to reshare this conversation with Shari Davis, Co-Executive Director at Participatory Budgeting Project, a nonprofit organization that empowers people to decide together how to spend public money, primarily in the US and Canada. Our conversation with Shari starts with her journey into the work that she does with Participatory Budgeting Project and its beginnings in the culture of community responsibility found in martial arts. We discuss what participatory budgeting is and how it works toward making decision-making for budgeting more democratic and equitable by involving communities in the process of design, proposal development, and ideation.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/shari-davis/Send us a textSupport the show

We're excited to reshare this conversation with Dr. Michael Newton to the show to talk about the history of Gaelic culture and coloniality in Scotland. Michael has a Ph.D. in Celtic studies from the University of Edinburgh and was previously an Assistant Professor in the Celtic Studies Department at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. His extensive writing and authority on Gaelic history and culture have also been used as references for TV shows, such as Outlander. For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/michael-newton/Send us a textSupport the show