Next Economy Now: Business As A Force For Good

Fundraising is possibly the most pressing issue facing new business owners looking to get a startup off the ground. In this part of our MBA series, we take a look at some of the alternatives to the common, yet flawed, models associated with venture capital and angel investment. For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba17Send us a textSupport the show

Eric Toensmeier is a thought leader in the role of perennial crops and agroforestry systems in climate change mitigation. Having penned and published three revolutionary books and acted as a senior fellow in both Project Drawdown and the Global Evergreening Alliance, his voice is pivotal to the conversation about climate change, biodiversity, and nutrition.For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/eric-toensmeierTo learn more Next Economy MBA Cohort X, starting March 28, 2023, visit http://lifteconomy.com/mbaSend us a textSupport the show

The equitable achievement of human and environmental rights is imperative for social justice and sustainability. The economy is the foundation that dictates how our societies function and also structures communities and cultures from the ground up. Transforming the economy is central to achieving social and environmental justice, but what needs to change? How can this be achieved? To help us answer these questions is Teju Adisa-Farrar, a connector, environmental consultant, and geographer who is on a mission to change the fashion industry in a way that achieves social and environmental justice. Having lived in many different countries, she uses a transitional lens informed holistically by art, history, urbanism, and activism to create impact. She focuses her work on people, organizations, and companies helping grow the economy and communities by leveraging socially aware practices and sustainable technologies. For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba16Send us a textSupport the show

Lindsay Baker is the CEO of the International Living Future Institute and as the Chief Strategist, she heads their mission for transformation towards a better world. We are so lucky to sit down with Lindsay today for an in-depth conversation about living buildings, her passion for structures and shelter, and what the built environment could look like in the future. For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/lindsay-bakerSend us a textSupport the show

In this episode of the MBA Series—where we share the content from our course in an open-source, bite-sized format—Shawn Berry and Ryan Honeyman discuss business strategy, specifically how to position your offering in your chosen market. For full show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba15To learn more Next Economy MBA Cohort X, starting March 28, 2023, visit http://lifteconomy.com/mbaSend us a textSupport the show

Rethinking Economics USA is a network of students and academics allying to rethink and change economics education in the United States. Joining us in conversation today are Abigail Acheson and Nouhaila Oudija, two leading members of the movement making waves across the globe. For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/rethinking-economicsSend us a textSupport the show

Welcome back to the MBA series, where we review the arc of the learning journey presented in the Next Economy MBA online course. This episode tackles the topic of non-violent, collaborative communication and why it’s so important when it comes to making a genuine impact in the world. For full show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba13Send us a textSupport the show

According to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, an overwhelming 70% of Americans have expressed that they want to combat climate change and that they would actively do something about it if they were given the opportunity. The only problem is that no one has been asking. That is until Raise Green Capital was established in 2021.Raise Green Capital is a climate investment platform and the first inclusive funding portal in the US with a specific focus on climate solution projects with a social mission. We are joined today by its co-founder and CEO, Franz Hochstrasser, to talk about how this company was founded, why they saw a need for it, and how they are empowering a new league of investors to help combat climate change. For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/franz-hochstrasserSend us a textSupport the show

MRC aims to provide livelihood opportunities for refugees through skills-based education and social entrepreneurship. Their work is divided between two separate, yet connected enterprises: New Leaf Agriculture, and Open Arms Studio. Their work is built on the foundation of providing fair-wage jobs that offer opportunities to advance careers, while utilizing the array of skills and expertise of their workers. For full episode details, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mrcSend us a textSupport the show

There is so much power in finding a way to earn a good income for your family while meeting your creative interests and serving your community as a whole. Today’s guest, Joan Arwa Ogwang is the perfect example of this. In this episode of Next Economy Now, Joan tells us all about her incredible Solarfire project. For our show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/joan-arwa-ogwangSend us a textSupport the show

In this episode of the MBA series, we look at culture, values, and the importance of teams. LIFT Economy Worker-Owners Phoenix Soleil and Kevin Bayuk share their definitions of culture and the significance it holds for them, and their vision of the next economy. We discover the role of values in distilling culture and the process of arriving at shared values within an organization, as well as what’s required to build a high-performing, accountable, and diverse team.For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba12Send us a textSupport the show

The racial wealth gap is alarming in most industries and the food and farming industry is no exception. Today, we are joined by social entrepreneur and impact investor, Olivia Watkins, to discuss how her non-profit impact investing organization, Black Farmer Fund, is working to close the gap and create a financial institution that people can trust.In this episode, we learn about the Black Farmer Fund’s six core values, and how they’re investing in Black farmers and food businesses to create sustainable and equitable food systems. Olivia shares her vision for the growth of the organization, its impactful ways to shift power continuously, and more! Tune in to find out how BFF is assisting the Black farming community, and what you can do to support them in doing so!For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/olivia-watkinsSend us a textSupport the show

How do you imagine the future? How do you intend to get there? What is the purpose of your actions? Asking these kinds of questions will help you better understand whether your vision and the vision of the people within your organization are aligned. During this episode, we explore some of the most common points of divergence amongst members of an organization, and how having uncomfortable conversations early on can help prevent problems from occurring further down the road. We are all unique individuals, so some level of divergence is unavoidable, but before you embark on a mission of transformation, it’s important to ensure that those divergences are not going to cost you your cause. For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba10Send us a textSupport the show

To challenge, to question, to provoke. To nurture, to care, to accept. Through her community and media organization, Denizen, Jenny Stefanotti holds these forces in tension and in doing so, is co-creating the idea of a Next society that has curiosity, generosity, diversity, integrity, humility, and accountability at its core.During this episode, Jenny shares the founding story of Denizen (which now has a total reach on Clubhouse of over 85000 people,) how she makes the Denizen content widely accessible while still being valuable to seasoned experts, examples that highlight the cooperative nature of the organization, and what her role as a steward of the community entails.  For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/jenny-stefanottiSend us a textSupport the show

Today on the show we welcome Mosa Tsay, a Taiwanese-American cellist, first-generation artist, and worker-owner at Groupmuse. Tuning in you’ll hear Mosa share how the Groupmuse Foundation was founded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they helped musicians through job creation programs, fundraising, and by facilitating a direct link between audience members and musicians during lockdown restrictions. We talk with Mosa about how Groupmuse went from being a private company to being a worker-run co-op and the impact this has had on the organization as a whole. She also unpacks the role of the Musical Council, and how it has allowed musicians to express their views and have an impact on the decisions that directly affect them.For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba9Send us a textSupport the show

How do the personal choices we make for our lives and daily habits impact the larger community and the future of a better world? This is a question that we don’t think is asked often enough. One of the founding principles of LIFT Economy and the Next Economy Podcast is the centering of collective needs instead of individual desires and today we are sharing some powerful strategies for how these can actually be brought into alignment. For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba8Send us a textSupport the show

Whether aware of it or not, and no matter how liberal one’s belief system may be, all white people are culturally conditioned into racism. Undoing this cultural programming requires conscious work, and our guests today have dedicated their lives to undoing their own conditioning and facilitating the transformation of others. In this episode, we discuss the far-reaching effects of cultural conditioning, white people's resistance to recognizing their racism, and the process of “UNtraining” racist programming. Ro and Swan share their personal transformation journeys, and what led them to this line of work. We learn about various UNtraining tools and benefits, the concept of multidimensional consciousness, and more. Tune in for inspiration to connect across differences, and protect our world and each other. For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/ro-horton-swan-keyesSend us a textSupport the show

Consumers need more from the companies and brands they support. Aspects such as governance, social impact, and environment are what consumers demand, requiring business and business leaders to operate and think differently. What is needed is a way for consumers to ensure they support businesses and products that help drive change in the world. Today’s guest is helping lead the charge to change the economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. Jorge Fontanez is the Chief Executive Officer for B Lab, a leader in systems change, creating standards, policies, and tools for businesses and also certifying companies regarding their social and environmental responsibility.For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/jorge-fontanezSend us a textSupport the show

As we continue our MBA Series, we move on from the principles discussed in the previous episodes into the structures and frameworks that can take these principles into action and effect. While the foundational principles have a clear necessity, they are not enough to achieve the goals of the next economy and as we aim to change the systems that define our societies and world, we have to move beyond mere ideas. For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba7Send us a textSupport the show

Amrita Wassan from the Center for Economic Democracy (CED) joins us on the show today to talk about their philosophy and experiences working towards shifting power and finding real solutions to the problems we face. Amrita is the Director of Programs at CED and is an educator, organizer, and solidarity economy practitioner. For our show notes, visit https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/amrita-wassanSend us a textSupport the show