Setting goals sounds simple, but it isn’t. If they’re too broad, you’ll never know if you’ve reached them and if they’re too specific, they won’t get people’s attention. Our guest today, John McArthur, will help you find that Goldilocks zone. He’s the Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institute and the Co-founder of the 17 Rooms initiative. John has been working on sustainable development goals for most of his career and in our conversation, he shares...

Today, we are giving you a taste of a show we think you'll love. I'm talking about Disruptors for GOOD, a podcast that features social entrepreneurs around the world who have dedicated their lives to businesses that have a positive impact. It is hosted by Grant Trahant, the founder of the media platform Cause Artist. In this episode, Grant talks to Brett Hagler, CEO and Co-founder, of New Story Homes, on using philanthropy and market-based solutions to solve the global housing crisis. If you...

Are you a non-profit leader trying to foster a better relationship with funders? Or a donor looking to make a bigger impact with your money? In this episode, Jennifer Alcorn tells us how to navigate and improve the donor-beneficiary relationship based on her experience as the Deputy Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  To learn more about the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, visit gatesfoundation.org -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on...

Today, instead of our regular episodes, we are playing an episode from Black History Year, a podcast by the incredible organization PushBlack. You might remember PushBlack from our first season, when we interviewed their CEO Julian Walker and their board chair Yordanos Eyoel. Black History Year, connects you to the history, thinkers, and activists that are left out of the mainstream conversations. The goal? uniting for the best interest of Black people worldwide. In this particular episode,...

Rates of depression, anxiety and overall mental illness are up, especially in young adults. It’s easy to feel despondent about the situation, like there’s no solution to this problem. But maybe that’s because a single solution won’t do. Our guest John MacPhee, the CEO of the Jed Foundation, tells us how we need a holistic system to address this crisis.  To learn more about the Jed Foundation, visit jedfoundation.org  -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on...

Jeroo Billimoria’s passion for collaboration is at the core of the many global organizations she’s built. Her latest venture, Catalyst 2030, brings together social entrepreneurs from around the world to share knowledge and resources, empowering each community to find their own solutions. In this episode, Jeroo and Jeff chat about the philosophy that drives systems change work. If you're curious about the mindset needed to create lasting impact, you won't want to miss this conversation! -- If...

Today instead of our regular episodes, we are giving you a taste of a show we think you'll love. I'm talking about What The Fundraising, the podcast for impact leaders and change-makers who are tired of doing things the old school way and are looking for best practices to raise money, run their organization, and think about the nonprofit sector in a whole new way. In this episode, the host, Mallory Erickson, talks to Rachel D’Souza about a revolutionary fundraising approach that champions...

Nonprofits often face a difficult dilemma: concede to a funder’s strict requirements and compromise your mission, or risk losing critical financial support. In this episode, Matti Navellou, head of ICONIQ Impact, shares her insights on how co-funding and donor collaboratives could offer a game-changing solution. If you want to learn more about ICONIQ Impact visit iconiqcapital.com/impact -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on your journey, subscribe to our...

Say you have all the data and all the experts in your ear but you’re still not making a real impact. What’s missing? John Harper, CEO of FSG, thinks that you need to talk to the people on the ground, the ones that will actually feel the impact you want to make. Why should you listen to them? That’s what we’re talking about in this inaugural episode of Season 3.  If you want to learn more about FSG, visit fsg.org -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on your...

The social sector is riddled with challenges: nonprofits compete for the same dollars and philanthropists struggle to be real partners to the organizations they fund. No wonder it often feels like we aren't making much progress on today’s biggest problems. Real change happens when everyone collaborates. But how? Whether you’re a philanthropist, a nonprofit leader, or just someone who wants to make a difference, check out the new season of System Catalysts. -- If you aspire to be a System...

Today, instead of our regular episodes, we are giving you a taste of an incredible podcast that will inspire you. It's called Passion Struck, and it will take you on a journey into the minds and philosophies of the world’s most insightful people. Hosted by social entrepreneur John R. Miles, the podcast offers practical advice for your career, well-being, life, and relationships. In this episode, John talks to Seth Godin about why we need systems change to save the planet.  If you like what...

If you are a fan of the show, you know we are all about collaboration. So today, we decided to bring you an episode from our partner Synergos.  It's called Cultivate the Soul: Stories of Purpose-Driven Philanthropy and it explores the intersection of philanthropy, contemplative practices, self-reflection and spirituality. In this episode, Hali Lee, Founding Partner at Radiant Strategies tells us how she is working to democratize and diversify philanthropy. Listen to more of their...

Today, we're sharing an episode from a podcast we think you'll absolutely love: Say More with Tulaine Montgomery. If you're a fan of our show or caught last week’s episode, you already know just how incredible Tulaine is. On her podcast, she talks to people who are dedicated to making the world a better place, all while taking care of themselves and supporting each other. Today, Tulaine speaks to Sanjay Purohit, CEO and Chief Curator at Centre for Exponential Change. If you like what you...

She’s back! Former co-host of System Catalyst, current CEO of New Profit and dear friend, Tulaine Montgomery. In this final episode of season 2, the system catalyst whisperer gives some  guidance on the biggest issues changemakers are facing today. She also talks about the exciting new initiative she is spearheading to help them. Feeling down about changing the world? You won’t at the end of this episode.   If you want to learn more about New Profit, visit newprofit.org -- If you aspire to be...

Due to institutional racism, the number of Black-owned banks in the US has more than halved in the past two decades, making them an endangered species. Ashley Bell and Brandon Comer, founders of the National Black Bank Foundation, or NBBF, are here to save them. How? By building a brand-new network of support. Listen if you want to learn how to forge strategic and effective relationships. If you want to learn more about the National Black Bank Foundation, visit nbbfoundation.org -- If you...

Trust is hard to establish. But it can be done! Even between the most disparate of parties. Don’t believe us? Listen as Matthew Forti and Doreen Ndishabandi of One Acre Fund explain how they built trust with local farmers and government agents to combat famine in Africa. If you want to learn more about One Acre Fund, visit ​​oneacrefund.org -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on your journey, subscribe to our newsletter.  To learn more about our mission...

We talk a lot about ecosystems on this show. So today, our guest is an ecosystem expert, aka a farmer! Jack Algiere is the Chief Agroecology Officer at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. In this conversation, you’ll learn how to harness the holistic power and complex beauty of regenerative agriculture into systems change. If you want to learn more about the Stone Barns Center, visit stonebarnscenter.org -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on...

This podcast was created to tell the stories of people using a systems catalyst approach to solving the world’s biggest issues. But what does that actually mean? In today’s episode we take a step back to answer that question. -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on your journey, subscribe to our newsletter.  To learn more about our mission and our partners, visit systemcatalysts.com. Subscribe to our YouTube channel  This podcast is produced by Hueman Group...

They say that you should “shoot for the moon.” Well, our guest, Yemi A.D., took that literally. He was selected to join dearMoon, the first civilian mission to the Moon. What led Yemi to this opportunity, is also what ushered him to an illustrious career as a multidisciplinary artist and social entrepreneur: channeling authenticity, fostering collaboration and dreaming big. Listen to hear advice from a true renaissance man.  If you want to learn more about Moonshot Platform Inc., visit...

If you are a fan of the show, you know we are all about collaboration. So today we decided to practice what we preach and bring you an episode from another podcast we think you’ll love. It's called High Impact Growth and it's for anyone working at the intersection of technology and global health and development. It’s about the challenge of building solutions that are both impactful and scalable, and about the humans championing this work. Listen on Spotify. Listen on Apple Podcasts. -- If you...

Donors might be well-intended, but they often don’t know how to be true partners to the people they fund. Today, hosts Jeff and English talk about the barriers that prevent donors and system catalysts from collaborating effectively, and explore how to overcome them.  -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on your journey, subscribe to our newsletter.  To learn more about our mission and our partners, visit systemcatalysts.com. Subscribe to our YouTube...

You might think that the public and private sectors are always in competition. What’s good for one is bad for the other, right? Jonathan Fantini-Porter, founding CEO of the Partnership for Central America, disagrees. Today, he explains how he is getting governments and corporations to work together to fix one of our most complex issues: the border crisis.  If you want to learn more about the Partnership for Central America, visit centampartnership.org -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst...

Are you an organ donor? If yes, good for you! But you should know that your organs might not reach the person who needs them. That’s because the organ donation system is a mess, leading to over a dozen preventable deaths daily. Thankfully, our guests today – Greg Segal of Organize and Jennifer Erickson of Federation of American Scientists –  tell us about how they discovered the hidden problem in organ donation and how they’re going to fix it.  If you want to learn more about Organize, visit...

Having trouble forging effective and lasting partnerships? Granted, it’s hard, but Jean Oelwang, the CEO of Virgin Unite, is here to help. She wrote a whole book about the subject called “Partnering.” So listen up if you want to collaborate like a pro! If you want to learn more about Virgin Unite, visit unite.virgin.com. -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on your journey, subscribe to our newsletter.  To learn more about our mission and our partners, visit...