Synopsis
Host Devin Thorpe interviews CEOs, celebrities, social entrepreneurs, impact investors and others making a difference in the world. New episodes are posted five days a week.
Episodes
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#186: One Bead, One Person, One Dollar Can Make A Difference
10/01/2015 Duration: 15minDecember 18, 2014 - Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1xrEOpC. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. The consummate entrepreneur, Sara Wroblewski, is running the startup she launched in college out of her apartment. Unlike some entrepreneurs, Sara has a vision for her business that is a bit different than some. Her startup is a nonprofit that focuses on enhancing education both domestically and in East Africa. Sara describes her domestic program, “During the first three weeks of our program we teach leadership skills, halfway through we present students with a $1000 grant. We then spend the remainder of the program guiding students through the process of creating and pitching individual action plans indicating how they would want to spend this money to improve their own community. At the end of the program one action plan is chosen and that idea is
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#185: Nonprofit Explains How To Partner With Corporations For Fundraising
09/01/2015 Duration: 15minDecember 18, 2014 - Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://onforb.es/1xrzUss. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. buildOn is a nonprofit working to break the cycle of poverty. Although its focus is on improving global literacy rates, it has done a remarkable job of ending its own poverty, if you will, through a bold partnership with GE. At their 2014 gala, buildOn raised over $3.5 million, crediting GE for its success. According to a Wall Street Journal article, GE uses its partnership with BuildOn to facilitate recruiting. The partnership goes beyond donations and involves employees in building schools with BuildOn in remote villages. GE professionals who work behind desks find themselves sleeping on floors and doing manual labor as volunteers. GE finds these employees to be happier in their jobs as a result. Please consider whether a friend or colleague mig
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#184: GozAround Matches Volunteers And Projects, Adds Gamification
08/01/2015 Duration: 19minDecember 18, 2014 - Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1xrx7j2. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. GozAround is a new social network that matches volunteers with opportunities to be of service to nonprofits or to other individuals directly. Ben Block, founder and CEO, describes his thinking about the new platform, “I can distinctly remember experiences that have shown me the power of helping someone, even in a small way, but also the regret that can come from failing to act.” He explains his goal for GozAround: “In the world of the 70-hour-workweek, we need to make volunteering and giving back easier for people. My goal is to make it quicker and easier to incorporate kindness and compassion into daily life.” "Research has shown humans are hardwired for compassion, so we hope the mission of our site will have universal appeal,"
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#183: Giant's Coach Leaves Legacy Off Field
07/01/2015 Duration: 11minDecember 18, 2014 - Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1BZEP2K. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Tom Coughlin, the Super Bowl-winning coach of the New York Giants, and previously of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was inspired by tragedy to launch a foundation to help kids with cancer and their families. Coach Coughlin was the head coach at Boston College where he had a player, Jay McGillis, who succumbed to leukemia while on the team. The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation was named in part for this brave player. Growing from helping 20 families in 2005, to helping 663 families in 2014, the Jay Fund is accelerating its impact. In October, the Foundation raised $1.4 million for families in the New York/New Jersey area families. Please consider whether a friend or colleague might benefit from this piece and, if so, share it.
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#182: Ebola Impacts Almost 1 Million In West Africa Who Are Not Directly Exposed To The Virus
06/01/2015 Duration: 15minDecember 18, 2014 - Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1xrzzWW. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. It doesn’t take a PhD in economics to appreciate that the countries of West Africa impacted most by Ebola are not able to prosper with that added weight. The effect of Ebola on the impoverished nations in the region will prove devastating to hundreds of thousands not directly impacted by Ebola if more help isn’t provided, according to Action Against Hunger CEO Andrea Tamburini. He says, “Partly due to fear of contracting Ebola or being associated with the disease, residents of Sierra Leone have ceased seeking help for malnutrition. Action Against Hunger has identified a 66% decline in new admissions to Peripheral Health Units and a 90% decline to Stabilization Centers in Western Area from July through Sept. of 2014.” To put a
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#181: Deloitte Scales Impact On Education
05/01/2015 Duration: 11minDecember 18, 2014 - Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://onforb.es/1BZx119. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Deloitte is working to make a difference in American education at scale. David Porges, Deloitte’s Director for Corporate Citizenship, explains, “Deloitte is focused on education because the intellectual capital of our people is the foundation of our organization and our economy. Today’s students are the future innovators and leaders. We believe we have an obligation and ability to work with others to improve access to high-quality education programs for students nationwide.” Deloitte runs a program called RightStep to accomplish its educational impact objectives. “RightStep is Deloitte’s way of giving back to education in America. By tapping into all of our assets – e.g., philanthropy, skilled volunteering, pro bono, etc. — we work year-round with nonprofits suc
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#180: Dara Albright Speaks Out On Reg A+
02/01/2015 Duration: 22minDecember 18, 2014 - Read the full GoodCrowdinfo article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1xrDi6K. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. « Indiegogo Launches Indiegogo Life, Eliminates Fees For Personal Cause CampaignsGlobalGiving Crowdfunds More than $3 Million for Ebola » Dara Albright Speaks Out On Reg A+ Published December 17, 2014 | By Devin Thorpe Dara Albright is one of the bona fide leaders in the investment crowdfunding world. She’s passionate about the potential crowdfunding has to accelerate the economy and to democratize capital by allowing ordinary investors to buy shares in startups and other offerings traditionally available only to the wealthy. Dara says, “My mission is to provide a workable framework for unaccredited crowdfunding so that smaller investors can access the same opportunities as the financially privileged.” “Given that Title III is cost-prohibitive for smaller iss
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#179: Report Holds Promise For Investors And Poor Families
31/12/2014 Duration: 15minDecember 11, 2014 - Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://onforb.es/1sdLczd. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. “Wealth has never been so concentrated as it is today, while families find it increasingly difficult to climb the ladder of prosperity,” says Anne Mosle, the lead author on a new impact investing report from Ascend, a family-focused effort at the Aspen Institute, “The Bottom Line: Impacting Investing for Economic Mobility in the US.” She adds, “32 million children live in low-income families and one in four lives in poverty. This disparity points to the urgent need to enlist all sectors in breaking the cycle of poverty.” Mosle describes the cause of this cycle, saying, “The reality is that our systems have not kept pace with the dramatic shifts in family structure and demographics.” Striking a more hopeful note, Mosle notes, ”When we think about what it takes to
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#178: Crowdfunding Expert Ellenoff Comments On SEC Delays
30/12/2014 Duration: 21minRead the full GoodCrowdinfo article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1sdQqLm. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Doug Ellenoff, Partner at Ellenoff Grossman & Schole, is a leading legal expert in the burgeoning field of investment crowdfunding. He recently sent an alert to clients warning them to be guard against “touting” violations that arise when compensation arrangements aren’t disclosed that the SEC now intends to pursue. The alert read, in part, “The SEC appears to be preparing to target investment platforms that post issuers’ securities without explicitly disclosing the compensation received from such issuers.” “We are concerned that a broad interpretation of Section 17(b) could be imposed on all online portals involved in the sale of securities, not limited to “posting sites”, but broker-dealer, investment advisory and investment management models as well,” the alert continued. Th
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#177: Increasing Concern Over Climate Change May Be Driving Increase In Sustainable Investing
29/12/2014 Duration: 14minDecember 11, 2014 - Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://onforb.es/1sdU9sq. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Sustainable investing is growing at an accelerating rate, according to a recent report on trends from the US SIF or The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment. CEO Lisa Woll explains, “US assets invested in SRI [socially responsible investments] have grown 76 percent in the past two years.” She noted that it was the “largest increase that we have seen since we began publishing these reports in 1995.” She further noted that climate change is getting more attention in investment circles. Environmental, social and governance criteria among investors are also gaining traction. “Investment firms are beginning to believe their duty is to look at both a company’s financial performance and its commitment to ESG issues.” Please consider whether a friend or coll
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#176: Entrepreneur Creates Free Tool For Nonprofits To Capture ALS Fundraising Success
26/12/2014 Duration: 15minDecember 11, 2014 - Read the full GoodCrowdinfo article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1GlmYnF. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has inspired a new entrant in the crowdfunding for nonprofits arena: JusTagMe.com. Launched by crowdfunding site Darelicious, the new site is specifically designed to facilitate a challenge like the uber-successful ALS effort last summer, which raised over $100 million. Founder Jorge Hernandez commented on the launch, “We full acknowledge that the success of the ALS challenge is not something easily replicated, but don’t think it’s ALS success or nothing. We look at JusTagMe as a site where organizations can raise money by utilizing minuscule resources. The value we’re offering is the ability to maximize their return with a very small investment of time. JusTagMe.com does not cost any money to use.”
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#175: Collaboration Seeks To Increase Impact
24/12/2014 Duration: 19minDecember 4, 2014 - Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://onforb.es/1GluT49. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Deloitte’s Monitor Institute has been collaborating with New Profit, a venture philanthropy fund, for 15 years “to help social entrepreneurs grow their impact,”according to Monitor’s Chief Operating Officer Dana O’Donovan. O’Donovan says, “Our work with New Profit reflects a strong belief that we have – which is that impactful cross-sector collaborations are going to drive solutions to some of the world’s biggest issues.” According to Vanessa Kirsch, Founder and CEO of New Profit, “One part of the recipe for scaling social innovations is getting nonprofits and social entrepreneurs access to the same powerful resources and expertise that Fortune 500 companies have.”
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#174: Social Entrepreneur Combines Crowdfunding, Microlending To Foster Community
23/12/2014 Duration: 16minDecember 4, 2014 - Read the full GoodCrowdinfo article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1yPm1SR. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Brian Dally, co-founder and CEO of GROUNDFLOOR, has created a way for individuals within communities to come together to invest in real estate in a way that will have a positive impact on their community. “People can now invest money in such a way that investments stay local, and this creates tangible impacts at the community level” Brian says. “GROUNDFLOOR grows your investment while making an impact. If you want to renovate a neighborhood, you could rally your friends together to back properties within the same neighborhood,” Brian continues. “This not only improves the community, but backers also see a higher return on their investment than with a traditional savings account. 100% of our loans are available to participation by everyone.”
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#173: Reality Crowd TV Host Visits GoodCrowd.info
22/12/2014 Duration: 16minDecember 4, 2014 - Read the full GoodCrowdinfo article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1yP3qq1. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. My friend, Manolis Sfinarolakis, is as passionate about crowdfunding as anyone I’ve ever met. In addition, we share a love of Google Hangouts on Air. He’s the host of Reality Crowd TV, an online series about crowdfunding with a rapidly growing audience. Check out his YouTube channel. Manolis has also recently created a virtual incubator and crowdfunding syndicate.
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#172: Nonprofit Engages Engineers To Improve Health Care Worldwide
19/12/2014 Duration: 13minDecember 4, 2014 - Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1yOKyro. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Engineering World Health, often abbreviated EWH, is working to “improve health care deliverty in the developing world,” according to CEO Leslie Calman. She explains, “ Engineering World Health (EWH) is a non-profit organization that brings engineering students, professionals, and healthcare providers together to collaborate on the development and utilization of biomedical equipment in the developing world.” “Our Web site serves as a hub to share ideas and develop collaborative relationships that are then brought to fruition in country, where engineering students repair lifesaving medical equipment to facilities in need and train Biomedical Engineering Technicians to repair and maintain that equipment,” she concludes.
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#171: Hershey Recognized For Work Among West African Farmers
18/12/2014 Duration: 15minDecember 4, 2014 - Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://onforb.es/1tH0Aiv. subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. The U.S. Department of State recently awarded its P3 Impact Award to Cocoa Link, a public private partnership connecting poor cocoa farmers in West Africa to government resources to improve crop yields. The initiative, launched by Hershey, was recognized for its impact on 45,000 users. Work is moving forward to scale the effort to more countries. Crowdsourcing design company CrowdSPRING provided a five-panel mural recognizing all five of the finalists: African Diaspora Marketplace, Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, The Coca-Cola KO +2.87% Company and the World Wildlife Fund : Partnering to Protect Freshwater Resources, Wireless Access for Health Initiative and the winner Cocoa Link.
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#170: Equity Crowdfunding Site Embraces Real Estate
17/12/2014 Duration: 20minDecember 4, 2014 - Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://onforb.es/1zk0tx5. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: htt p://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Equity crowdfunding site EquityNet has fully embraced real estate finance on the platform, while continuing to provide services to entrepreneurs across a range of industries. Founder and CEO Judd Hollas explains the appeal of real estate, “Most real estate investments pay an ongoing yield that is backed by tangible assets. Real estate projects are hence typically perceived as lower risk investments with the combination of both near term yield and long term equity upside. After a 30 percent decline in recent years, the real estate market is also in a long term uptrend that is attracting a great amount of investor interest.” “Crowdfunding lets investors leverage the power of the internet to quickly find deals and efficiently conduct their due diligence. Real estate
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#169: Social Entrepreneur Seeks Impact Through Recycling Your Clothes
16/12/2014 Duration: 12minNovember 25, 2014 - Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1FkZX5C. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Evrnu is a social enterprise with a mission to reduce waste by recycling cotton clothing. By taking clothing that would otherwise go into the landfill or be incinerated and converting into a usable textile fiber, Evrnu is allowing consumers a new choice in fashion. Founder Stacy Flynn said, “Sustainable practices and textile innovations like Evrnu that reduce resource extraction and waste will save the fashion industry from itself.” She notes, “The fashion world thrives on style obsolescence and consumption.” She hopes to fundamentally change the fashion industry by enabling ever-changing fashion to become more environmentally friendly. Stacy is presently raising money for Evrnu via a crowdfunding campaign on Indieogo, where, with just a week to go
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#168:New Resource Aims To Help Students With ADHD
15/12/2014 Duration: 15minNovember 25, 2014 - Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://onforb.es/1y8HFlM. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. “ADHD is like having a powerful race car for a brain, but with bicycle brakes. You need to strengthen your brakes to win races in life,” said Dr. Ned Hallowell, an MD child psychiatrist and leading authority on ADHD. Recently, 15 nonprofits collaborated to create Understood.org with help from Hallowell to help students with ADHD and a variety of other learning and attention issues. Philanthropist Shelly London explains, “One in five children struggles with issues related to reading, writing, math, focus and organization. These kids are as smart as their peers, and with the right strategies and support, they can go from simply coping to truly thriving in school and in life.” “Parents told us that they want personalized support all along the journey with their ki
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#167: Award Winning Television Producer Chucks It All To Change The World
12/12/2014 Duration: 16minRead the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1xtMBxV. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Sarah Holbrooke’s Pinhead Institute in Telluride, Colorado is working to bring world-class STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education to rural Colorado. That’s about as far away from her past career as a network television producer as you can get. “Science is going to save the world, and it’s not my generation that is going to do it. It is up to the younger generation to discover new ways forward through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) advances,” Sarah explains. “Pinhead inspires young minds to get interested and involved in all levels of STEM, in fun and illuminating ways. We work with kids in grades K - 12 in rural southwestern Colorado, providing inspiration through presentations by working scientists, and hands-on educational programs