When we think of change, we tend to think of the end result - the big, visible thing that is really different from how it started. But in reality, change is the culmination of thousands of moments over time. The seeds of the next decade’s huge changes in our world are being sown today. How to Change the World features interviews with the people that are sowing those seeds.
If it feels like corporations have more influence than elected officials right now… you're not imagining it.
Authors Seth Levine and Elizabeth MacBride join me to unpack their new book, Capital Evolution: The New American Economy — and the argument that we're living through a major transition in American capitalism. They break down how the last 50 years of "shareholder-first" thinking helped concentrate wealth and opportunity, why we're now in a messy in-between era, and what they believe could come next: a more "dynamic capitalism" that still values markets, but expands ownership and opportunity, encourages longer-term thinking, and redefines the relationship between business, government, and the public.
We also talk about what accountability looks like when business is a primary actor in society, where the line is between corporate values and politics, and why our fractured information environment (and AI) makes it harder to see what's actually real.
If you've been trying to make sense of the economy, power, and what's shifting beneath our feet — this conversation offers language, context, and a few reasons to stay clear-eyed (and hopeful).
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🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!
Our culture would have us believe that most any problem can be solved by working harder, longer, faster, more. But what are the limitations of hustle culture and how can we move beyond it?
Brand and business strategist Quinn Tempest helps solopreneurs build businesses that change the world without pounding themselves into the ground. In this insightful episode, she shares what it looks like to build a life-first business (versus lifestyle business), how to know when your "operating system" needs an upgrade, and practical ways to realign your why with your what across brand, offers, pricing, and marketing. We also talk about identity shifts, the power of community when you're a team of one, and why entrepreneurship can quietly reshape "business as usual."
If you've been stuck in busywork, this conversation is a nudge to zoom out, update, and take the next right step — one move at a time.
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What if a 10-week, after-school program led by older students could move the needle on a statewide literacy crisis?
Sophie Allen Etchart, founder and CEO of Read Better Be Better (RBBB), shares how a simple, peer-led reading model — pairing middle school leaders with younger readers — is helping Arizona students beat the odds in a state where 61% of third graders aren't reading at grade level.
Sophie shares how she built Read Better Be Better from testing the curriculum with a kid in her neighborhood to a recent study by an independent education group confirming that students in their programs outperform their peers on key literacy measures. Now, the program stands as a Tier II evidence-based option schools can include in their literacy plans.
If you care about focusing school boards on what works, championing the science of reading, and finding leadership by looking around — not up — this conversation offers a hopeful, practical roadmap for systems-level change.
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What if a 13-year-old could bring lawmakers from both parties to the same table… and win?
Parents, caregivers, and disability advocates flooded the Arizona Capitol this year to stop a funding crisis that threatened essential services for people with developmental disabilities. Two of the leaders in that fight — Brandi Coon, president of Raising Voices Coalition, and Amy Haley, advocate and mom to 13-year-old twins — share how an entire community organized, refused to be ignored, and forced change.
From budget battles and cross-party negotiations to policy wins that protect services families rely on every single day, Brandi and Amy break down how advocacy really works, and why storytelling, relentless persistence, and showing up (in whatever way you can) matter more than titles or money.
Whether you're a caregiver, a public policy nerd, or just someone who wants to believe change is still possible, this conversation is a blueprint for everyday people demanding dignity, stability, and respect — and getting it.
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What if your morning coffee could strengthen entire communities?
Dr. Arisbe Mendoza, Director of Global Impact at Fairtrade International, shares how everyday purchases — your morning coffee, chocolate bar, or bottle of wine — can create ripple effects across communities worldwide.
From living-income pricing and climate-resilient farming to gender equity and co-ownership by 1.9 million farmers and workers, Arisbe reveals how Fairtrade is redefining what ethical trade can achieve — and why October's Fair Trade Month is the perfect time to reflect on the impact of our everyday choices.
Whether you're leading a social impact organization, working toward sustainability goals, or just rethinking your weekly grocery list, this conversation shows how small, intentional actions can add up to systemic change.
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The Six Questions To Ask Before You Hire Marketing Support
How do you know what kind of marketing help your organization really needs? Too often, changemakers either ask for an outcome ("I need to raise more money") or something too broad ("I need help with social media") — and end up with the wrong fit.
In this solo Changemaker Chat, Catherine lays out six questions every leader should ask before hiring marketing support. From clarifying whether you need strategy or execution, to defining success, skills, scope, and budget, she shares a practical framework to help you find the right partner — and avoid wasted time, money, and morale.
Whether you're running a campaign, planning a big event, or growing your capacity, this episode will help you get clear on what you actually need — and set you up to hire the kind of support that frees you to focus on what matters most: driving real change.
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How do you build a content strategy that actually works — without burning out or getting lost in the noise?
Do you ever feel like you're churning out content with knowing if it's truly working? In this episode, I sit down with Kristen Neuendorff, the content strategist behind many of Javelina's client projects, to talk about creating content with purpose. We cover how changemakers can align their content with their mission and bigger goals, even when resources are limited.
Kristen shares simple frameworks, practical tools, and real examples from the field — including how we repurpose content, prioritize the right platforms, and use storytelling to create deeper connections. Whether you manage your organization's social media or want to refine your own personal strategy, this conversation will leave you with actionable ideas you can put into practice today.
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How can we thrive in a rapidly changing world? Canadian entrepreneur, author, and social impact leader Scott Stirrett shares how to thrive in uncertainty—and why reinvention is the new career advantage.
From self-compassion over perfectionism to adaptable planning, anti-fragility, generalist "power skills," and building both weak and strong ties, Scott shares practical tools from his book The Uncertainty Advantage to help you navigate fast change with confidence.
Whether you're leading a team, plotting your next move, or rebuilding after a setback, this conversation reframes uncertainty as fuel for growth — and shows how to act on opportunities as they emerge.
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Too often, marketing Return-on-Investment (ROI) gets reduced to dollars in and dollars out. In this solo episode, Catherine challenges that narrow view and explores why the impact of marketing is about so much more.
From building community and awareness to shifting culture and shaping long-term behavior, she reframes marketing as a powerful tool for changemakers that goes far beyond short-term revenue. Along the way, she shares client stories and a surprising lesson she picked up from a Swiss athletic brand — all pointing to the same truth: the best return on marketing is measured in relationships, not just transactions.
Whether you're leading a nonprofit, reporting to a board, or simply trying to prove the worth of your work, this conversation will help you expand the way you see ROI — and make the case for marketing as an essential driver of change.
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🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!
In this episode of How to Change the World, host Catherine Alonzo sits down with innovation strategist and educator Dr. Steve Diasio to talk about how we rethink creativity, challenge outdated systems, and foster innovation that actually works for everyone.
From breaking down the myths of who gets to innovate to sharing tools for collaboration across teams and sectors, Steve brings clarity and energy to one of the most overused — and misunderstood — concepts in changemaking.
Whether you're a leader trying to spark new ideas or someone pushing for change inside a rigid system, this conversation will help you reframe what's possible — and why creativity might be your greatest tool.
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Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!
How do we create real change in a world that feels stuck?
A powerful framework to define decision-making roles - especially when the stakes are high.
In this episode of How to Change the World, host Catherine Alonzo sits down with renowned facilitator, author, and systems change expert, Adam Kahane to talk about how we move forward when collaboration feels harder than ever.
With decades of experience helping unlikely allies work across deep divides, Adam shares lessons from his new book "Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems" and reflects on the power of radical engagement: showing up, staying curious, and choosing to work together—even when it's uncomfortable.
From navigating burnout to embracing progress that isn't always visible, this conversation offers grounded insight for anyone committed to change.
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