Next Economy Now: Business As A Force For Good

Vincent Medina is a member of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, where he also serves as a Councilman representing his family’s lineage. He and Louis Trevino co-founded mak-‘amham, an organization and restaurant focused on reviving and strengthening traditional Ohlone foods and sharing them with their communities. Vincent was born and continues to live in his family’s indigenous tribal area of Halkin (Southern Oakland/San Leandro/San Lorenzo).Louis Trevino is a Rumsen Ohlone community member active in the cultural revitalization efforts of his people. He is focused primarily on the revitalization of the Rumsen language and traditional Ohlone foods. He longs for a full and holistic revitalization of the lifeways of his ancestors, including language, story, song, art, food, and every other aspect of traditional Rumsen Ohlone culture, and he is grateful to contribute to the effort. With his partner, Vincent, Louis co-founded mak-‘amham, which works to promote traditional Ohlone foods within their families, as well as to

Today's episode of the MBA Series is focused on the next steps we should all be looking at. The idea of the next economy has an obvious connection to the future, but we also like to bring things into sight in the present and ground what we are doing with what is happening right now, all around us.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba25/Send us a textSupport the show

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve deep into the topic of transforming capitalism to create a more sustainable and equitable future. Join us as we explore the inspiring stories, innovative ideas, and groundbreaking initiatives that are reshaping the capitalist landscape. We cover transforming capitalism into the Next Economy and unpack the complexity of the systems that need to change. We explore the steps required to transform the economy, why government systems need to change, and why the existing education system needs to be altered. We also discuss democratizing media, what Next Economy Living is, how LIFT is helping, and more.For show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba24/Send us a textSupport the show

In today’s conversation, we delve into cooperatives as a business model and how to leverage them as drivers of change. We discuss why cooperatives have become so popular with communities, the benefits of the cooperative business model, and why sustainability is vital to building democratic workplaces. You’ll learn how the pandemic impacted Ana and Daniella’s work and perspective, exciting projects happening in the space, the biggest challenges of transforming the economy, and more. Tune in as we shape a future where cooperation, equity, and sustainability thrive, unlocking the potential of every worker and community!For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba23/Send us a textSupport the show

In today's episode of the Next Economy MBA Series, we are joined by Erin Axelrod, Partner / Worker Owner at LIFT Economy, to continue unpacking the intricacies of marketing in the Next Economy. In this episode, we discuss everything branding and sales systems; from the concept of brand community to raising capital in the Next Economy. Learn about building a community around a brand, developing a Next Economy sales strategy, aligning your brand with your core customers, how lead qualification works, disqualifying with passion, and much more.For show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba22/Send us a textSupport the show

Today on the show, we are joined by Mike Strode. Mike is a writer, urban cyclist, facilitator, and solidarity economy organizer with the Kola Nut Collaborative. The Kola Nut Collaborative is Chicago’s only time-based service and skills exchange that provides an open platform for mutual aid, community organizing, and network weaving. Through practices like the Offers and Needs Market, they develop programming to support Chicago-based organizers in facilitating non-monetary exchange networks. Mike is also a program manager at Open Collective Foundation and serves on the boards of the US Solidarity Economy Network, the New Economy Coalition, and more.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mike-strode/Send us a textSupport the show

Joining us today to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is Alli Myatt, co-founder of The Equity Practice, a racial equity consulting firm that supports organizations by helping them incorporate liberatory principles into their talent practices so that everyone can thrive. For more than two decades, Alli has helped teams and organizations reimagine their workspaces, and in today’s conversation, we talk with Alli about her work in DEI, how she founded The Equity Practice, and why working across cultures and building belonging takes practice (even for her). We discuss identity's instrumental role in our ability to thrive at work, how patterns of oppression can show up in an organization, and the powerful shifts that can happen when we realize what is possible at work.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/alli-myatt/Send us a textSupport the show

Joining us today is abdiel j. lópez, the Director of Capital Activation at Justice Funders, to guide us through building a just and regenerative economy. Justice Funders is a philanthropy partner that envisions a world that recognizes the inalienable rights of all and honors the sacredness of natural resources. They assert that philanthropy must redistribute wealth, democratize power, and shift economic control to communities, rejecting traditional charity and investment narratives. Justice Funders seeks to resource movements that fight oppressive systems and create new, local, and resilient economies that build wealth in low-income communities. They are guided by the Just Transition principles and are re-imagining philanthropy's role in creating a world that works for all.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/abdiel-lopez/Send us a textSupport the show

To help us unpack the benefits of reforestation is Pieter Van Midwoud, the Chief Tree Planting Officer at Ecosia. After finishing his studies, Pieter developed a certification scheme for forest carbon projects and joined Ecosia as their first tree-planting officer, creating a varied portfolio of reforestation efforts. Ecosia, a search engine with millions of users, plants trees worldwide using its ad revenue. Over 150 million trees have been planted to date, helping promote landscape restoration, community nourishment, wildlife protection, and carbon neutrality.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/pieter-van-midwoudSend us a textSupport the show

Join Shawn Berry and LIFT Economy Marketing Lead Jeanette Morelan to find out what marketing looks like in the Next Economy, from iterative design grounded in reality to responsive audience research and user testing, factual and emotional messaging, authentic storytelling, and more. Although we use some of the same tools as business-as-usual marketing, Next Economy business principles inform a slower and more intentional approach to commerce.For show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba21Send us a textSupport the show

Frederic Laloux is a renowned author, speaker, and organizational transformation expert who has made significant contributions to the field of management and leadership. He is best known for his groundbreaking book Reinventing Organizations, which provides readers with a revolutionary concept that challenges conventional management paradigms. More recently, his work focuses on combating climate change and motivating people to take action. He achieves this through the non-profit organization The Week, which provides a transformative path from awareness to action through a compelling three-part documentary, fostering emotional resonance and community engagement for impactful change.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/frederic-lalouxSend us a textSupport the show

The real estate market is undoubtedly one of the most powerful and overlooked forces in shaping our cities and communities. Without truly addressing this area of the economy, it is hard to imagine real reform, especially toward a more equitable future. Nikishka Iyengar, the Founder and CEO of The Guild, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is on the show to talk about her work in this sphere. For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/nikishka-iyengarOUT NOW: The Next Economy MBA, a book by the team at LIFT Economy featuring case stories from The Guild & our learnings from our MBA program.Send us a textSupport the show

Poverty, gentrification, unemployment, homelessness, unequal access to food and healthcare, and other challenges facing our communities are all interconnected. Today’s guest believes that we need an equally complex solution. Meet Nia Evans, Executive Director of the Boston Ujima Project, a Black-led, democratic, member-run organization that was born from a shared desire to find real solutions to racial wealth inequality.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/nia-evansOUT NOW: The Next Economy MBA, a book by the team at LIFT Economy featuring case stories from Boston Ujima Project & our learnings from our MBA program.Send us a textSupport the show

What comes up for you when you hear the words ‘profit and loss statement’ or ‘balance sheet’? Fear, anxiety, stress, or even anger are common answers to that question. Although there tends to be an aversion to wanting to understand financial systems, there are a number of intuitive financial concepts we use in our daily experience. But the language around them can confuse and intimidate the public, creating barriers leading to problems later on.This episode imagines what may change if universal financial literacy becomes the norm. It explores what is necessary to develop the necessary expertise to successfully navigate financial systems without dedicating oneself to in-depth study. Next, a distinction is made between compliance and management accounting and their corresponding timelines.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba20Send us a textSupport the show

Esha Chhabra is an accomplished author who specializes in writing about sustainability, international development, and the emergence of purpose-driven brands. Over the past ten years, she has made significant contributions to numerous national and international publications, establishing herself as a prominent voice in her field. Her writing offers insightful perspectives and nuanced, thought-provoking analyses of pressing issues. Her latest book, Working to Restore, sheds light on the businesses which have restorative and regenerative practices at their core; serving as a shining example for other visionary enterprises. In our conversation, we unpack her book's overall theme and ideas and how a shift in mindset can help change the world. For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/esha-chhabraSend us a textSupport the show

In today’s episode of the Next Economy MBA Series, we take a look at part one of our session on operations, which includes organizational structure, roles, and tasks. Ultimately, what we suggest is taking a both/and approach; in other words, consider both the vision, values, and impact you want to see in the world and find some clarity around organizational structure. Who is doing what? What is your team formation? How can you collaborate and ultimately achieve better outcomes to make the world a better place?For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba19Send us a textSupport the show

Justin Wright is the CEO of Habitus, a certified B-corporation facilitating complex decision-making processes and coordinating collaboration between multiple stakeholders to empower collective action. He has recently authored what he refers to as “a negotiation book disguised as a career book”, Finding A Job That Loves You Back and is a member of White Men For Racial Justice. For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/justin-wrightSend us a textSupport the show

Joining us to share her insights is Jacqueline Novogratz, founder of the global nonprofit, Acumen, a forerunner in the fight against poverty. Having grown up as a military kid, Jacqueline has always had a broader sense of what the word ‘home’ meant to her. We start today’s conversation by unpacking how this has influenced her impactful work of solving the problems of global poverty in an interdependent world. Jacqueline also shares her story of starting Acumen, and speaks to the mission of inclusion and freedom behind it. For show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/jacqueline-novogratzSend us a textSupport the show

In today's conversation, we unpack the third strategy of our MBA Series and discuss how to leverage the power of governance. We discuss how meetings are a part of the decision-making process, the concept of authority, the different systems of governance, and why engaging more stakeholders is better. Learn about practicing good governance hygiene, tactics for forming strategic partnerships, the various facets of accountability, and more. To hear actionable steps and essential insights to ensure a culture of good governance for your company, tune in now.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba18Send us a textSupport the show

Stu Landesberg is an entrepreneur who describes himself as an “optimist who really likes his job” and one who believes that it’s unequivocally urgent that we use business to solve environmental problems. His digital-first brand and e-commerce platform, Grove Collaborative, is driven by the belief that sustainability is the only future, and offers more than 150 high-performing consumer products fueled by a mission to transform the industry into a force for the good of both people and the planet.For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/stu-landesbergSend us a textSupport the show