The global refugee crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our time and climate change is poised to make it a lot worse. So what do we do? Today, Sasha Chanoff, founder and CEO of Refuge Point, offers some creative system level-solutions and –  more importantly –  a radically new way of seeing refugees. If you’re feeling pessimistic about the current situation, listen up, because Sasha will  make you hopeful. If you want to learn more about RefugePoint, visit refugepoint.org -- If you...

Do you feel like your organization isn’t  making enough of an impact?   Here’s why: you’re not close enough to the issue you’re solving or the people you’re helping. Take it from our guest, Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of Acumen. She’s a veteran of the social-change space who supports social entrepreneurs across the globe through impact investing. If you want to learn how to turn a local effort into a global movement, you better listen to this episode. If you want to learn more about Acumen,...

Imagine having a sick child, no access to transportation, and the nearest hospital being hundreds of miles away. Without community health workers, this is the reality of about half of the world’s population. Under the leadership of Phyllis Heydt and Claire Qureshi, CHAP's international work has brought together key players in the community health system for roughly a decade. Today, they share insights on playing the long game when it comes to systems change and the importance of working with...

As a foster kid, Sixto Cancel experienced the shortcomings of the foster care system in the worst  way. At 27, he found out he had family who could have cared for him, instead of his abusive foster parents. As the CEO of Think of Us, Sixto is now making sure that no one experiences the same trauma.  Today, he reveals how to use lived experience –  both personal and collective –  to fix a system. If you want to learn more about Think Of Us, visit thinkofus.org If you aspire to be a System...

Our guest today is a true leader. Ai-jen Poo is the president of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, an organization that fights for the rights of the 2 million domestic and care workers across the country. In our conversation, she talks about her early organizing days, how to pass bills state by state and the looming future of the care industry.   If you want to learn more about the NDWA, visit domesticworkers.org -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on...

How do the millions of refugees across the globe get health care? Mostly, they don’t. Senan Ebrahim wants to change that. He is the co-founder and chair of Hikma Health, an organization that uses data and technology to get refugees the health care they deserve.  If you want to learn more about Hikma Health, visit hikmahealth.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 and our...

Tostan was built on the belief that, given the right tools, communities can solve their problems better than foreign organizations. After two decades of supporting hundreds of communities across Western Africa, that belief has been proven true. Today, Tostan’s CEO Elena Bonometti explains why the organization’s unique community empowerment program is so effective and how other entities can implement it.  If you want to learn more about Tostan, visit https://tostan.org/ -- If you aspire to be...

Despite having the best intentions, philanthropic organizations can suffer from institutionalized racism. That’s where Stephanie Kimou comes in. She is the director of PopWorks Africa, a consultant group that provides courses designed to help decolonize organizations. She is also a certified doula! Today, Stephanie and English talk about the changes they’d like to see so that philanthropy can serve communities more effectively and empathetically. If you want to learn more about PopWorks...

According to a recent poll, 71% of Americans think same-sex marriage should be legal, compared to 27% in 1996. Marc Solomon, a partner at Civitas Public Affairs, was at the forefront of this remarkable shift. Today, Jeff speaks to Marc about the strategies for systems change he used in the long fight to legalize same-sex marriage, including engagement, persuasion and community mobilization.  If you want to learn more about Civitas Public Affairs, visit civitaspublicaffairs.com -- If you...

We can’t fix the world alone. But, collaborating isn’t easy, and systems seem to be allergic to change. So how do we do it without losing our damn minds?  That’s what we're here to find out. Join Jeff Walker English Sall as they crack the code for systems change.  -- If you aspire to be a System Catalyst and need resources to help you on your journey, subscribe to our newsletter.  Learn more about our mission and our partners, visit systemcatalysts.com. This podcast is produced by Hueman...

Today, hosts Tulaine Montgomery, Jeff Walker and English Sall sit down to talk about the highlights from Season 1. You’ll get to hear some of the best parts from episodes throughout the season, like Cliffs Notes for those of you who aren't caught up with the show! Resources mentioned in this episode: Ep 1 It's a Movement if it Moves Without You with Giving Tuesday Ep 5 Creating an Education Leadership Movement with Teach for All Ep 2 Cooking Homemade Solutions with FoodCorps Ep 15 Expanding...

Today we are bringing you an episode from another podcast we think you'll love. Collective Impact Forum is all about sharing resources, tools, and stories to support social change makers that collaborate across sectors. In this particular episode, Courtney W. Robertson, the Programs and Partnerships Director at Collective Impact Forum speaks to Anthony Smith, Executive Director at Cities United, an organization that teams up with city governments to tackle gun violence. In this conversation...

During the seven years Teresa Hodge spent incarcerated, she witnessed many women returning to prison. She realized that background checks were preventing them from getting a job after release, or even borrowing money to start their own business. As soon as Teresa came out of prison she started Mission Launch with her daughter Laurin Leonard. The organization developed R3 score, an alternative to background checks that increases the opportunities for people with criminal records.  Today, we’ll...

If we are to change systems, we must first start with changing our beliefs. And this requires us to learn to listen to one another. That is exactly what The Moth was created for. Through their live storytelling events, workshops and The Moth Radio Hour podcast, they are elevating stories that create empathy all around the world.  In this episode, we’ll be tackling one of the most powerful tools for systems change: storytelling. Featuring Sarah Austin Jenness, Executive Producer of The Moth,...

In 2015, Julian Walker set out to fix the low turnout rates of Black voters. By listening to the community, he learned that people were lacking stories of Black liberation. If people better understood their past, perhaps they would feel more inspired to vote for their future.  Today, PushBlack is the nation’s biggest nonprofit media organization for Black Americans, reaching over 9 million people. For the past three election cycles, they have run the largest voter turnout programs in the...

Even if you call yourself a system catalyst or aspire to be one, the political system can feel out of reach. But, if you manage to change policies, you can improve the lives of people by the thousands or even millions.  For Graham Boyd, that meant legalizing cannabis to support people of color who are disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. His organization, New Approach PAC, has been leading nearly every successful state cannabis reform ballot initiative since 2012. In today’s...

Morgan Dixon and her best friend Vanessa Garrison wanted to fix a systemic issue: Black women getting sicker and dying younger due to centuries of racial injustice. But they didn’t go straight to the healthcare system or to the many institutions plagued by systemic racism. Instead, they convinced their community to walk everyday together. Today, GirlTrek is the largest social movement for Black women in the country.  In this episode, we will learn a bottom up approach to systems change. One...

Apart from your leadership, your donors and board members can also make or break your organization. But nonprofits often don’t know how to best collaborate with them. Ellen Agler, CEO of the END Fund, recognizes that everyone must be part of the solution when tackling ambitious goals. In her case, to end neglected tropical diseases in Asia and Africa. In today’s episode, we’ll learn how involving and supporting donors and board members, in addition to community-based organizations, can have...

Philanthropy and the private sector haven’t always known how to work together. But today, investors are becoming more concerned about social and environmental impact.  Gary White, CEO of the nonprofit Water.org and the asset manager WaterEquity, seized this opportunity. His organizations have provided access to safe water and sanitation to over 55 million people around the world.  Today we’ll learn how system catalysts can collaborate with the financial sector to solve our world’s most...

Implementing government policies and programs that address community needs is essential for systems change. But often, governments don’t have enough funding or reach to make this a reality.  At Community Health Partnership, they see philanthropy as a tugboat to the large vessel of government. CHAP is helping make New Jersey the safest place to deliver a baby.  In today’s episode, we’ll learn how philanthropy can be the connective tissue between community and the government. Featuring Wendy...

To truly change a system, you must know how to work at a grassroots level, as well as with powerful people in government. Cookie Edwards, the Executive Director of The KwaZulu-Natal Network, works to ensure the government in South Africa listens to the needs of communities plagued by gender based violence. In today’s episode we’ll learn how to connect community, philanthropy and government to create systems change.  Featuring Cookie Edwards, Executive Director of the KZN Network and Jessica...

Just like scientists sharing research in their quest to solve a complex question, nonprofits tackling the same social issue can benefit from sharing their data. Rosanne Haggerty, President of Community Solutions, has dedicated her entire career to getting people out of homelessness. But it wasn’t until she brought organizations together to share information that she was able to make a dent in solving this issue. In today’s episode, we will hear why a data-driven, collaborative approach is a...

Imagine what we could achieve if every leader encouraged others to become trailblazers in their own communities. Teach for All is a global network of over 60 independent organizations that recruit outstanding graduates who commit at least two years to teach in marginalized communities. Today, through the lens of education, we explore how investing in leadership can accelerate impact.  Featuring Wendy Kopp, CEO and Co-founder Teach For All and Shaheen Mistri, Founder and CEO, Teach for...

Collaboration among organizations in the social sector is not as common as one might think, partly because nonprofits often compete for funding. But this week’s story reveals that systemic issues — including slavery — can only be solved through collective action. As a global catalyst, The Freedom Fund has been identifying, supporting and unifying clusters of frontline organizations to combat slavery. In this episode, we learn how the Freedom Fund is collaborating with funders, organizations...

Systems change can happen through networks, but it isn’t as straightforward as organizing a group of people with shared values.  When Daniella Ballou-Aares witnessed American democratic values deteriorating, she gathered a group of concerned business and thought leaders to launch the Leadership Now Project. In today’s episode we talk about the power of leveraging networks to reach one’s goals. In the case of the Leadership Now Project, to protect and renew American democracy. Featuring...