The idea of upcycling, which Daniel Kurzrock happened upon as he was looking for better things to do with the “brewers spent grain” (BSG) from his home-brewed beer business than throw it away, is what forms the foundation of his company, Upcycled Foods, Inc. By turning it into consumables like energy bars and loaves of bread, Daniel and his team are chipping away at the 20 billion pounds of BSG that ends up as animal feed or in landfills around the US every year.
Lisa Kleissner: Reverse-Engineering Economic Resilience
Social impact trailblazer Lisa Kleissner co-founded KL Felicitas Foundation, Toniic, and Hawaii Investment Ready, all key players in the movement to bring down the barriers to impact investing. Lisa also brings her two decades of experience in impact investing and philanthropy to her work as a board member at Aqua-Spark and Real Good Fish.
Next Economy Living: Katy Bowman on Finding Ways to Move More
The links between movement and wellness are not easily disputed, and yet we find ourselves in an extremely sedentary society, where people are either unable to move enough or choose not to. On the show today to talk about her work on the subject is Katy Bowman. Her numerous books are helping to change the way we look at and think about movement and its role in contemporary life.
Next Economy Living: Christine Platt and The "Less Is Liberation" Movement
Today, we discuss the role that the psychology of ownership plays in our attachment to things, why Christine felt the need to highlight BIPOC experiences in her book, and how scarcity, race, and cultural expectations inform our choices.
Next Economy Living Cheryl Whilby on Soul Fire Farm and Creating Regenerative Food Systems
In today’s episode, we are joined by Cheryl Whilby, Communications Director at Soul Fire Farm, who is here to share some of the inspirational work that they are doing.
Next Economy Living: Vincent Medina & Louis Trevino on Reviving & Strengthening Indigenous Foods of SF Bay Area
Learn how Vincent Medina & Louis Trevino are reviving & strengthening Indigenous Foods in the San Francisco Bay Area.
MBA Series Ep. 25: Next Steps for the Next Economy
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.
MBA Series Ep. 24: Transforming Capitalism & The LIFT Story
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.
MBA Series Ep. 23 Ana Martina and Daniella Preisler: Democratizing the Workplace
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. T
MBA Series Ep. 22: Marketing II - Branding and Sales Systems
In today's episode of the Next Economy MBA Series, we are joined by Jeanette Morelan, Marketing Lead at LIFT Economy, and 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.
Mike Strode: Time Banking and its Importance in the Solidarity Economy Space
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.
Alli Myatt: The Equity Practice and Bringing Humanity Back Into the Workplace
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.
abdiel j. lópez: Exploring the Just Transition Investment Framework
The Just Transition Investment Framework is a comprehensive approach to sustainable investing that seeks to balance economic, social, and environmental goals. It recognizes that the transition to a more sustainable future must be inclusive and equitable to be truly successful. By promoting collaboration, job creation, and community involvement, the framework can help to ensure that the transition to a low-carbon economy is fair and just for all stakeholders.
Pieter Van Midwoud: Combating Climate Change the Ecosia Way
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.
MBA Series Ep. 21: Marketing | Approach & Messaging
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.
Frederic Laloux: Shifting the Cultural Norm to Climate Action
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.
Nikishka Iyengar: The Invisible Hand of Real Estate
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.
Nia Evans: Building a Community-Based, Democratically-Instituted Economy
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.
MBA Series Ep. 20: Operations II - Operation Projection and Financial Systems
This conversation with Shawn and Kevin explores understanding financial systems and what may change if universal financial literacy becomes the norm.
Esha Chhabra: Harnessing the Power of Regenerative Business To Heal the World
In today’s conversation with Esha Chhabra, author of Working To Restore, we discuss the power of storytelling and imagination and its power in helping to bring about The Next Economy.