The PlayFull Podcast with Kristine Michie: Bringing Fun to the Serious Work of Changing the World

In this episode: We meet David Risher, the CEO of Lyft. It is a great conversation full of play (including David balancing spoons!) and a delicious double scoop from David about why playfulness in leadership is easier at Lyft, and his attraction to the company due to their social mission.  Listen in as Kristine and David discuss: How David regularly drives for Lyft to learn, not to earn, as he connects with his riders.  The biggest surprise of being the CEO of Lyft.  The similarities and differences of being the CEO in the nonprofit social sector versus the corporate sector.  Balancing seriousness and playfulness when handling large-scale problems.  The surprising statistics Lyft rides and ice cream (including the positive impact it has on tipping).  How Lyft is helping to fight the loneliness epidemic.  Key Takeaways: Being CEO is about the same thing no matter the size and scope of your organization. It is all about having a big idea, building your team, solving hard problems, improving people’s lives, and working with purpose.  Lyft has many programs that are helping to benefit society and strengthen its social mission. Transportation is key to so many aspects of living and societal change.  What matters most is doing the right thing for the world.   Reading is a superpower! It helps us, as humans, to connect and share knowledge across time and space.  "It’s really important that you live your life to do the right thing, whatever that looks like." — David Risher  About David Risher: David Risher is the Chief Executive Officer of Lyft, Inc., and leads the business in improving the lives of millions of riders and drivers. He was named CEO in March 2023, after serving as a member of the Lyft Board of Directors since 2021. David has more than three decades of technology and leadership experience across public companies and non-profit organizations. In 2009, David co-founded Worldreader, a non-profit organization that has helped 21 million people read, and served as its Chief Executive Officer until 2023. He still serves on the Worldreader Board as Founding Chair. Prior to Worldreader, David served as Senior Vice President, US Retail at Amazon.com, Inc. where he helped build the company to $4 billion in sales. Prior to joining Amazon, he was a General Manager at Microsoft Corporation. David currently serves on the Boards of Directors of a number of privately held and non-profit organizations. David holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature from Princeton University, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, and an honorary doctorate from Wilson College. David and his wife, author Jennifer Risher, lead #HalfMyDAF, an organization that has helped give away over $30 million to nonprofits with the goal of inspiring others to give more. They live in San Francisco. A favorite book of fiction: The Every by Dave Eggers – a cautionary tale of technology and our future. A favorite book of nonfiction: We Need to Talk: A Memoir About Wealth which explores the impact wealth has had on his family. Connect with David:  Website: https://www.lyft.com/  Website: https://www.halfmydaf.com/  Website: https://www.worldreader.org/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdavidrisher  Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidrisher  Find out more about the Lyft Up Initiatives here: https://www.lyft.com/lyftup/programs  Read more Lyft’s Impact in 2023 here: https://www.lyft.com/blog/posts/2023-economic-impact-report  Connect with Kristine: Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/  Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

As a kid, he was inspired by weekend trips to the park and episodes of Bill Nye the Science Guy.  As a Gen Y influencer of massive consequence, Isaias Hernandez aka Queer Brown Vegan, is activated by everything from the United States Patent & Trademark Office to the surprising fungi he finds while foraging in urban sprawl.  Dive into an episode with prescriptions for saving Mother Earth that emphasize beauty, love, story-telling – and the vital importance of protecting your brand and intellectual property. This sensational climate creative has a growing array of tools, poems, art, and ideas – including a new show called Sustainable Jobs, modeled after Mike Rowe’s Dirty Jobs, the wildly popular Discovery Channel series.  Take a listen. Take Heart. Take Action. Connect with Isaias Hernandez https://queerbrownvegan.com/ Additional Resources https://queerbrownvegan.com/sustainable-job-series/

9/11. Stories about those for whom September 11 was a fork in the road are many. Gregg Bishop is the first changemaker I’ve met who reacted to that fateful day by leaving the corporate world for the nonprofit sector.   And aren’t we glad he did?!   This week’s episode gives us a peek into Gregg’s professional life, as Executive Director of the Brooklyn Social Justice Fund and philanthropic adviser to Joe and Clara Tsai, who have pledged $50 million to fuel social, racial, and economic justice efforts in NYC’s southernmost borough – among other game-changing giving.   He also shares with us about time working for the City of New York, his penchant for flying across country in the middle of the week to hit a concert for a band he loves, and the transformative nature of a good question.

If you’re under 30 and worried about the state of the world, apologies! If you’re under 30 and working to fix what we’ve broken, thank you! And if this week’s guest, Addison Carey, is any indication of the passion, talent, and tenacity of next-gen changemakers, we have reason to hope. With no delineation between her personal and professional life when it comes to climate and social justice, Addison gardens, knits, mends torn clothes, writes letters, cooks, composts, pickets and protests, and has a growing seed bank. Just in time for #climateweek, listen in as Addison bestows the virtues of “living climate full-time,” while extending grace to those who simply “move one degree” more clean, and green, and local. About Addison: Born and raised in Southern California, Addison has lived and breathed environmental activism since her earliest days. After graduating with a BA in Sociology, she was determined to use her degree to bring about systems level change in the area she is most passionate about: climate and food systems. Addison spent the early years of her career employed at Solana Center for Environmental Innovation involved in grant writing, managing CRM systems and donor outreach. There, she was introduced to the vast community of environmentalists and food system advocates in San Diego County and began to integrate the knowledge of these advocates in her day to day life through composting, growing food and educating those around her in aspects of sustainability.  After her time at Solana Center, Addison became a Development Specialist at MiraCosta College where she focussed much of her efforts on establishing a secure and reliable funding source for the College’s food pantry which provides resources for the many food insecure students on campus, and more broadly helped this key community anchor tell its story and secure resources. Today, as part of the SDFSA family, Addison pursues and promotes the intersectionality of the food system to create new solutions and amplify oppressed voices to create a sustainable and ethical food system that works for all members of our community. In her free time, you may find her knitting sweaters, baking sourdough, gardening in the yard or tumbling around with her two cats. How you can connect with Addison: Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/addison-carey-072a62a0/ — Sources and Websites from Episode  https://www.sdfsa.org/ https://communitycentricfundraising.org/ https://www.theannualgathering.org/ – EVENT OCTOBER 19, 2023! And our ice cream sponsor Ben & Jerry’s  https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2022/09/change-is-brewing

That Daniel brought a chocolate-tasting board game to our recording session tells you everything you need to know about his love of play, double bottom-line businesses, and risk-taking entrepreneurs. The sweets came from Chocolate Sero, one of Alterna’s portfolio companies, receiving both capital and technical assistance as a member of their vast social enterprise network.  As we listened to the “snap” of the candy bar, savored and rated its color, flavor, and smoothness, we spoke about changing cultural mindsets to risk-embracing from risk-averting to bring more diverse founders into the mainstream, and the beautiful fact that a business can grow and add a social mission at any point in its lifecycle. … and then we had ice cream – two double-impact flavors provided gratis from social enterprise pioneer Ben & Jerry’s: Ava DuVernay’s “Lights! Caramel! Action!” and Chance the Rapper’s “Mint Chocolate Chance.”  Yes, we indulged. Listen in for a sweet conversation about impact. — About Daniel: Daniel Buchbinder is the Founder and Director of Alterna, the premier center for social innovation and entrepreneurship in Central America. Since Alterna´s conception Daniel has leaded the launch of two social ventures that serve rural populations at the BoP, and the cultivation of the first generation of local entrepreneurs with social or environmental impact in Guatemala. He leads a fantastic international team of likeminded, top level professionals that share his passion to cultivate change from the ground-up. Daniel devoted the initial years of his career to the consumer market as marketing executive at L´Oreal. This experience allowed him to comprehend the nitty-gritty of consumer marketing dynamics and to design solutions based on deep costumer understanding as well as apprehend the process of launching and managing brands and products for a wide array of customers in Latin America and Europe. He has consulted for private and public sectors in areas such as tourism, mining and the consumer market in Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Spain, Germany and the UK.  How you can connect with Daniel: Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-buchbinder-6808b447/ — Sources and Websites from Episode  https://alterna.pro/en/home/ Upcoming international impact investing conference: https://www.inversiondeimpacto-ca.org/FLIICAC-2023-8edicion Get your own chocolate tasting game: https://www.cacaoembassy.com/?lang=en And this episode’s ice cream sponsor Ben & Jerry’s

From the Oval Office to the family dinner table, Salin Geevarghese knows how to read a room.  Like a stand-up comedian (he loves to laugh!), Salin’s ability to get a group to shared goals comes from his ability to gauge the vibe in a room and tap into the magic that lies just below the surface. In 2+ decades in the change sector, Salin has done this as a Presidential advisor, Senior Policy Fellow, State Department delegate, consultant, Foundation executive, and more.  He also finds it a handy skill in navigating his multi-generation household. Listen in as Salin shares stories ranging from time with Barack Obama to the contagious lilt of his mother’s laughter. And while we eat ice cream provided by ⁠Taharka Brothers⁠, a local employee-owned social enterprise scoop shop, we talk education, workforce, health equity, and affordable housing solutions.  Join us. — About Salin: Salin Geevarghese is the President & CEO of SGG Insight, LLC, a consulting firm offering comprehensive services to public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic sector leaders and organizations. He also serves as Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) as well as the founding Director of the Mixed-Income Strategic Alliance and its Innovation and Action Network. The Mixed-Income Strategic Alliance is a collaboration of CSSP, the National Initiative on Mixed Income Communities at Case Western Reserve University and Urban Strategies, Inc. From April 2014 to January 2017, Geevarghese served in a senior appointed leadership post as HUD’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of International and Philanthropic Innovation (within the Office of Policy Development and Research) during the Administration of President Barack Obama. Salin Geevarghese President & CEO, SGG Insight, LLC Founding Director, Mixed-Income Strategic Alliance Senior Fellow, Center for the Study of Social Policy How you can connect with Salin: Linkedin:  ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/salin-geevarghese-2872221/⁠ — Sources and Websites from Episode  ⁠https://sgginsight.com/⁠ Salin mentions this keynote he gave a couple of weeks after his father passed. Here it is: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npkwZy3UvA0⁠. You will see how he weaves the personal and professional.   ⁠Read “How I found my identity as an Indian American in a Black and White country” in the Washington Post⁠ And our ice cream sponsor ⁠https://taharkabrothers.com/⁠

Small Business Robin Hood Having built a career in banking, Jenny Flores knows a thing or two about money.  And as her work has been almost entirely focused on breaking down barriers to access, Jenny knows even more about how money harms or helps, depending on who’s holding it. As the Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy for Wells Fargo, Jenny masterminded a plan that moved $420 million from the bank’s bottom-line into the hands of small business owners impacted by Covid.  Having joined Wells only weeks into the pandemic, conceiving and selling this idea internally was no small feat. But as someone who wakes up every morning with an inner voice declaring she’s got another chance to “dream big,” it’s all in a day’s work. Settle in for some talk of impact and equity, but not without due time for her thoughts on play, ice cream, and the glory of a roly-poly bug.  — About Jenny: Jenny Flores is Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy for the Wells Fargo Foundation, one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S. In 2020, the Foundation accelerated economic opportunity and success in underserved communities with a strategic focus on housing affordability, small business growth, and financial health, while also responding to the urgent needs of COVID-19. With more than two decades of experience in banking, impact philanthropy, employee engagement, and corporate citizenship, Flores is responsible for combining financial resources with business expertise to help underserved and diverse entrepreneurs expand their contribution to the economy and their ability to provide jobs. She also leads Wells Fargo’s $420 million Open for Business Fund to support the immediate and long-term needs of small businesses that were negatively impacted by the effects of COVID-19.  Most recently, she served as Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Bank of the West, where she led the company’s strategy for small business engagement and environmental sustainability, including the creation of a new $30 million investment fund with community development financial institutions and the development of a $1 billion commitment to renewable and clean energy. Prior to her role with Bank of the West, Flores spent a decade in community development at Citigroup and also held roles at the Congress of California Seniors, Greenlining Institute, and the California State Legislature. An active community leader, Flores is based in San Francisco and serves on the Board of Directors for the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), Harlem Grown, Chair of the Venture Capital Disruption Committee of How Women Invest and volunteers as a mentor for start-up entrepreneurs through the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s Milestone Maker program. She is also a member of the Mastercard Strive USA Advisory Committee. She received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California–Berkeley and an MBA from the FW Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. How you can connect with Guest: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-flores-2672982/ — Sources and Websites from Episode  Welcome to K2C | Kindergarten to College https://stories.wf.com/meaningful-investments-and-support-keep-small-business-doors-open/

If acceptance is the first step in a recovery, Jen Risher believes talking is its near twin. Listen in as this week’s guest shares about her journey of becoming unexpectedly rich at a young age, and learning how to turn the surprising shame, embarrassment, and confusion that arose into a bold path of service and sharing with others. Through her book, We Need to Talk: A Memoir about Wealth, and her company, HalfMyDAF, Jen tackles conversations and spurs action around money, power, and privilege with candor and conviction.  Jen shares about the Covid-lockdown-kitchen-table moment that turned into a hashtag, a clarion call, a movement. #HalfMyDAF has already unlocked tens of millions of dollars, shaking them loose from Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), where money gets stuck and is of no service to the nonprofits it's meant to support. That is, until it moves! Using her family’s money (and others who have now joined in) as a match, Jen and (husband) David are incentivizing other philanthropists to join the effort. Whether you’re a donor, fundraiser, or nonprofit CEO, there’s news here for you.   In addition to a delicious diversion eating and discussing this week’s ice cream sponsor, Salt & Straw, we also hear how David is apt to don a prankster’s nose and glasses, the joy of working alongside family, and we still need to know why there are birds on her book's jacket cover. — About Jennifer:  Jennifer Risher is an author, speaker, philanthropist, and investor. Her book, "We Need to Talk: A Memoir About Wealth" explores the impact of wealth on identity and relationships. In sharing her personal story, Jennifer aims to validate the emotional complexities of money and help others move out of shame, guilt, or a desire to keep wealth hidden and into meaning, joy, and purpose. She believes a more comfortable relationship with money and recognition of abundance has the power to fuel positive change. In response to COVID, Jennifer and her husband, David co-created #HalfMyDAF to inspire more giving. Since 2020, they've contributed millions in matching funds, rallied donors and nonprofits, and created a community that has put over $40 million to work at nonprofits. #HalfMyDAF is now in year four and has partnered with Amalgamated. Over the last two years, Jennifer has also been investing with women-of-color fund managers to shift money and power and create a more equitable society. Jennifer lives in San Francisco with her husband, loves tennis and spending time with her two twenty-something daughters. She is a member of Women Donors Network, Solidaire, and Women Moving Millions. How you can connect: Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-risher/ — Sources and Websites from Episode  https://jenniferrisher.com/book-we-need-to-talk/ https://www.halfmydaf.com/ https://saltandstraw.com/

Orange boots and gumbo vie with activism in capital markets when the PlayFull Podcast welcomes its inaugural guest, PayPal’s Lisha Bell. On the episode, you’ll hear how a cartwheel turned Lisha’s personal and professional lives upside down during the Black Lives Matter summer of 2020, and ultimately led to a $100M corporate commitment from PayPal to entrepreneurs of color – that Lisha now oversees. In addition to her day job investing and leveraging the PayPal Equity Fund, Lisha is also an active angel investor, VC, and advocate for creating opportunities and career pathways for fund managers and other investors of color nationwide. Lisha shares stories about growing up in LA, working alongside her father and uncle at the family’s gas station, and explores the through-line between making change (coins) at the counter and making change (systemic) in how dollars flow to diverse founders. From her time forming and performing with a USC dance troupe to the orange boots that she dons for big events, and how to gain a coveted ticket to her annual gumbo feast, Lisha’s take on play reveals it’s as much a counter-balance to weighty matters at work as it is her secret sauce to getting that very work done. Listen in as Lisha speaks with humor, candor, and enthusiasm about serious work and serious play, and in our signature What’s the Scoop feature find out what she thinks about the dairy-free ice cream we’ve secured from – guess what? – a woman-founded, woman-led ice cream brand. More about Lisha: Lisha brings over  20 years of demonstrated technology innovation focused on digital money movement solutions. Her career has focused on building and investing in products that serve community needs to bridge the capital divide. Lisha is currently at PayPal Ventures, where she leads the Economic Opportunity Fund, the 100M investment into diverse emerging fund managers.  In prior roles with PayPal, she led Product for the Financially Underserved Segment and  Pay with Venmo product. Prior to Paypal,  she worked at Wells Fargo, Kohl’s, Feedzai in various payments-related roles, where she built the earliest digital financial products like online banking, bill pay,  and digital wallets. Lisha Bell is cofounder of BLXVC, an angel syndicate of moms funding Black and Brown founders.  She is the host of the Sisters with Ventures Podcast, which aims to tell the stories of women in VC. Bell is also the prior deal flow lead for Pipeline Angels, an angel group of impact investors focused on women and femmes to build over 7M portfolio. Lisha also serves as board chair for  Black Girl Ventures.  She is a recognized employee resource group leader with over 20 years of experience a Fortune 500 companies. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and dancing, all while balancing motherhood duties with her daughter. Lisha holds a BSc in Business Administration, Information Systems from USC ,as well as MBAs from UC Berkeley and Columbia Business Schools where she was recognized as the USC Widney Outstanding Alumna and 2013 Berkeley Columbia Distinguished Service Award recipient, respectively. She has been featured in Forbes, Huffpost, Bloomberg, Cheddar TV, and Black Enterprise. How you can connect with Lisha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lishabell/ — Sources and Websites from Episode:  TAKE ACTION NOW https://fearlessfreedomnow.org/ All About Lisha Bell https://www.lishabell.com/ Lisha’s Podcast: Sisters with Ventures https://open.spotify.com/show/79aiKh1sn6DTE1DneJojwQ Lisha's Work at PayPal https://about.pypl.com/values-in-action/building-an-equitable-future/default.aspx#black-owned-tab FEATURED ICE CREAM: ⁠Coolhaus Ice Cream

For starters, yes, you get free ice cream if you work for America’s beloved ice cream impact brand (5 pints/day to be exact).  There’s also a slide in the lobby. And meeting agendas are not complete without a featured “play break/” But even with all that – maybe because of all that – Alexa Harrison and her colleagues at Ben & Jerry’s take their work very seriously. Listen in as Alexa shares with us inside scoop about her job spreading the word about B&J’s mission tin change the world and delight our taste buds, the roles that prepared her for this, and the fun through-line from selling Girl Scout cookies and movie tickets. — About Alexa: Alexa Harrison is an experienced storyteller, spokeswoman, and media relations guru with a passion for better brands and changemakers. With a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University, Alexa started her storytelling journey as a writer contributing to Variety and New York Magazines before diving into public relations for lifestyle brands. Her values-based experience led her to Ben & Jerry’s, where she is Public Relations Manager for the Vermont-based ice cream maker and iconic impact brand. Previously, she worked at B Lab, the acclaimed nonprofit behind the B Corp certification and movement.   Alexa lives in New York. When not working on PR, she enjoys horror films, mentoring, photography, volunteering with cultural institutions, traveling, and language learning.    How you can stay connected:  Follow along on benjerry.com for company news and news products. — Sources and Websites from Episode  https://www.benjerry.com/values/issues-we-care-about

Whether it’s a night of ax throwing or concocting the best margarita, Layla Zaidane has seen the magic that can happen when lawmakers take a break from the rancor and have some fun together. And all the better if electeds are 40 and younger.. Listen in today to hear Layla Zaidane describe the solution that’s right in front of us when it comes to healing vast divides. She calls it finding the “third thing.” You might be GOP and I might be a Dem, but we both love French bulldogs. You might lean left and I lean right, but we both like to bowl. Whatever it is, she says find it! And with her Millennial Action Project, the “third thing” is being young, and all else flows from there.  After all, no matter where they are on the political spectrum, young folks will inherit  — About Layla: Layla Zaidane is the President & CEO of the Millennial Action Project, the largest nonpartisan organization of young lawmakers in the United States. MAP works with over 1,600 Millennial and Gen Z elected leaders in Congress and state legislatures to bridge divides, collaborate on future-oriented policy, and scale a healthy culture of democracy. Layla joined MAP in 2016, and previously also served as Executive Director & COO. A nationally recognized expert on youth engagement, Layla has been featured in outlets including Forbes, Teen Vogue, People Magazine, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Before MAP, Layla served as Managing Director at Generation Progress, where she led integrated communications, policy, and advocacy efforts focused on engaging young people in the U.S. and abroad. She helped launch the It's On Us campaign in partnership with the White House in 2014, and launched the Higher Ed, Not Debt campaign in 2013. She graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and holds a BSFS in international politics. How you can connect with Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/layla-zaidane-92b7b126/ — Sources and Websites from Episode  Check out the Future Summit AUG 9-12, 2023 https://www.millennialaction.org/future-summit https://www.millennialaction.org/

To hear Glen Galaich tell it, the $365 million he’s charged with giving away can’t be gone fast enough.  Listen in as he shares about his role as CEO of The Stupski Foundation, a spend-down foundation whose wealth was built by the longtime president and COO of Charles Schwab, Larry Stupski.  Glen guides a team that is quickly but carefully giving away the entire fortune left by Larry and his wife, Joyce, to causes and communities that mattered to them.  Glen asks himself every day whether he can do better with this money than those who are waiting for it. Usually, he says, the answer is “No” and so out it goes. “This is not our money, it’s not anyone’s money,” Glen reminds himself and others. “It’s the people’s money.”  We also talk soccer, TikTok, Ted Lasso, and food justice … and we licked our spoons clean enjoying @kubé ice cream made by a black woman owned shop just across the Bay in Oakland.  — About Glen: Glen Galaich joined the Stupski Foundation as CEO in 2015. Glen previously served as CEO of The Philanthropy Workshop, whose mission was to educate, inspire, and activate a peer network of effective, engaged, and innovative philanthropists. His career in strategic philanthropy started with the founding team of the Global Philanthropy Forum, where he was responsible for launching the first and second Conferences on Borderless Giving. He also served at Human Rights Watch as the deputy director of development for North America, where he had strategic oversight of the Human Rights Watch Council, a network of supporters and opinion leaders committed to raising money for, and awareness of, human rights in five major cities. Glen has written and published on the role of ethnicity in the formation of political parties and human rights and in the use of political violence and repression in sub-Saharan Africa. Glen holds a Ph.D. and a Masters from the University of Colorado at Boulder in political science, and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California at San Diego. He currently serves on the boards of Northern California Grantmakers and Article3.org. How you can connect with Guest:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/glengalaich/  — Sources and Websites from Episode  https://stupski.org/

Drawing inspiration from her dad and her sons, Gail Becker started a food company to solve a primal need – hunger. From her dad, a Holocaust survivor, she remembered vividly his sharing that the most devastating consequence of his internment was the constant, gnawing hunger. The lesson from her sons was less tragic, but one she needed to solve nonetheless. Suffering from celiac disease, they were constantly struggling with a choice between food that was nutritious and delicious, but made them sick, or food that was gluten-free but had few other attributes.  So, when she left decades of success in America’s C-suites to start a company that made pizza crust out of a funny-looking white vegetable, she didn’t need it to be big. She just wanted to honor her dad, who was also an entrepreneur and have something to feed her boys for dinner. But it got big. It got successful. It started a movement and created a category. Among other accolades, CAULIPOWER was ranked a Top 10 Most Innovative Food Companies by Fast Company and a Top 100 Best Companies to work for by Inc. Today CAULIPOWER is the #1 Cauliflower Crust Pizza, #1 Gluten-Free Pizza and is available in more than 30,000 stores and 5,000 restaurants nationwide.  Join us as she talks about everything from supply chain to school lunches to food insecurity, and listen in as we decide who’s going to get the first bit of chocolate ice cream. --- About Gail:   Gail is best known as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the Founder of CAULIPOWER,  the most disruptive company in the better-for-you frozen food space. The company experienced hyper-growth, reaching more than $100m in revenue in three short years. She has received recognition for her achievements in business from publications such as Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. Gail is a frequent media guest, sought out for her opinions on female leadership, healthy food trends, and building great brands. Her career path reflects her passions spanning journalism, government service, and brand building. She has held senior positions in a myriad of industries and organizations including Edelman, Warner Bros., and the US Department of Health & Human Services. Gail has been widely recognized for her contributions to business and entrepreneurship including50 over 50 (Forbes); Woman Business Owner of the Year (National Association of Women Business Owners); Trailblazer Working Mother of the Year (She Runs It); Entrepreneur of the Year (Ernst & Young); Person of the Year (NOSH Best of Awards); Entrepreneur of the Year (Stevie Awards) Executive of the Year (Best in Biz). CAULIPOWER was also named one of the 100 Best Led Companies in America (Inc.) under her leadership.  Gail’s philanthropy includes being a Member of the Board of the Friends of Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation and the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. In 2019, Gail wrote and directed a short film that she made with her son: “A Journey with Purpose.” The film chronicles her father’s emotional return to Auschwitz after 50 years. The film has won several awards including a win at the Hollywood Film Festival.  In 2020, CAULIPOWER made a $1M commitment to the American Heart Association’s National Teaching Gardens Network. The donation directly supports programs and nutritional education initiatives that address the issue of food security, increasing healthy food access nationwide by creating working teaching gardens at underserved schools nationwide.  Gail received a Master of Science in journalism from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in political science from UCLA. She splits her time between New York and Los Angeles. --- Contact Info Gail’s Profile linkedin.com/in/gail-becker-734aa26 Website EatCaulipower.com (Company) Twitter ⁠gailfbecker⁠

While many call today’s guest the father of play, Dr. Stuart Brown credits Aristotle and even our hunt-and-gather ancestors with first recognizing play as a way to get things done and make their world more livable. Nonetheless, modern play research (and inspiration for The PlayFull Podcast!) began with Dr. Brown who has been studying play for as long as this host has been alive!  His interest in play began in 1968 when he was tapped to investigate the mental state and life story of a mass murderer and discovered that a “play deficit” over the course of the man’s life was the main contributor to his instability. Decades of research followed and informed a belief that play is as vital to humans as adequate sleep and nutrition. Bringing us up to date and including work with industry and academic leaders over 60 years, Dr. Brown delivers fun tips, surprising insights, and bits of mischief to inspire those doing the heavy work of changing the world. --- Bio - Stuart Brown: Trained in general and internal medicine, psychiatry and clinical research, Dr. Stuart Brown first recognized the importance of play. His clinical practice and review of over 6000 personal play histories affirmed the need for healthy play. His exploration of human and animal play led to the National Institute for Play. The NIFP aims to bring the benefits of play into public life. Dr. Brown produced PBS series and co-produced BBC-PBS series. His writings have made him a champion of play. His book has been translated into twelve languages. He teaches at Stanford and advises the Global Play Science Institute. He received the Joe L. Frost award. Play enhances overall well-being. Our species is built for play. How you can connect with Dr. Brown: https://www.nifplay.org/about-us/contact/ Speaker Bureau Profile: https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Stuart+Brown/384295 --- Sources and Websites from Episode: TED TALK https://www.facebook.com/SportNZ/videos/ted-talk-play-is-more-than-just-fun/615100105736388/ NIFP WEBSITE https://www.nifplay.org/ DR. BROWNS BOOK https://bookshop.org/p/books/play-how-it-shapes-the-brain-opens-the-imagination-and-invigorates-the-soul-stuart-brown/577397?ean=9781583333785&gclid=Cj0KCQjw756lBhDMARIsAEI0AgkvZjOfqh1_IgAeDVcyWLKRH9XYxkOBpYZZhrW4JlWtR0upTOrW_YEaAlLpEALw_wcB Chapters: Timestamp Summary [0:00:00] Introduction to Dr. Stuart Brown and the importance of play [0:02:04] Dr. Brown's background and the significance of his uncle [0:04:50] The concept of play history and its importance [0:07:00] Play deprivation and interventions for marginalized individuals [0:09:41] Dr. Brown's research on play deprivation and its impact on violence [0:15:09] Characteristics of Play and its Relationship to work and Depression [0:19:03] The role of play in the lives of change makers [0:22:00] The importance of understanding and embracing one's play personality [0:29:19] Using play in work settings and the importance of authenticity [0:39:03] The National Institute of Play and its resources for play research

Google does everything big. So it’s no surprise they chose a guy with a big resume, a big agenda and most of all, a big heart to run a huge initiative in their most consequential market!  Meet Hector Mujica, Head of Economic Opportunity for the Americas for Google.org.  As he leads Google’s philanthropic efforts to create a just economy in Canada, the US, and the 33 countries of Central and South America, he’s learned a thing or two about play and how to bring people together around problems of staggering size. We eat ice cream from a black-woman-owned, vegan ice cream shop in Oakland while we talk change, justice, and score-card how we think philanthropy is doing in its efforts to seed and sustain real change. Join us! About Hector: Hector Mujica Head of Economic Opportunity, Google.org, Americas Hector Mujica leads economic opportunity efforts at Google.org—Google’s philanthropy—across the Americas. Within his role, he looks after a $100M+ grantmaking portfolio that supports interventions which aim to provide pathways to digital economy jobs for individuals with multiple barriers to employment. Hector also serves on Google’s Latino Leadership Council, where he helps to steward Google’s social impact ventures with the Latino community. Hector has spent the last decade advancing social justice through philanthropy and public policy. Prior to Google, Hector’s experience ranged from investment banking at Oppenheimer & Co, constituent casework at the Office of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and diplomatic relations at the Economic Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Hector holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from Florida International University, a Professional Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a Master of Public Affairs from the Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley. Outside of work, Hector Co-Chairs the Latino Digital Success Task Force at the Aspen Institute, and serves on the Board of Directors of Hispanics in Philanthropy, the Hispanic Federation, and several advisory boards, including WorkingNation and Inicio Ventures. Hector currently resides in South Florida. Linkedin: HectorDMujica Sources and Websites from Episode  https://www.google.org/ https://hipfunds.org/ Chapters [0:00:00] Introduction to the podcast and guest, Hector Mujica [0:01:29] Discussion about the most playful person Hector knows [0:06:36] Explanation of Google.org and Hector's role in economic opportunity [0:11:17] Reflection on the importance of play in difficult work [0:13:06] Importance of diversity, inclusion, and justice in philanthropy [0:16:27] How play can help maintain focus on long-term objectives [0:18:13] The role of play in different cultures and communities [0:20:25] Challenges and rewards of working in philanthropy [0:24:11] The importance of lived experience and proximity in philanthropy [0:28:56] Influence of upbringing and parents on Hector's desire to make a difference [0:35:23] Ways to support Google.org and other organizations mentioned [0:37:46] Invitation to slow down and celebrate the joy of play

This is a PlayFull Rewind Episode, a “best of” from Year 1 of bringing fun to the serious work of changing the world.Listen in as Kristine and Sarah discuss:Why New York is the world’s ultimate playgroundPhilanthropy, playfulness, and promoting gender equity around the world with women at the centerHow joy improves giving – Sarah says: “Philanthropy is joy, and no number of zeroes are required”Why every problem is a woman’s problem and every solution needs a woman’s touch – as Sarah says, “inspire and encourage women to step into their resource power… owning the power they have and the change that they can realize when they come together”How Women Moving Millions balances its members’ interests while elevating what they hear from leaders on front line who tell us what they need to do the work – Sarah says: “We don’t need to make it up, let’s hear from the experts and have them tell us what works, what they’re seeing, what could be possible.”Curiosity and ambiguity is ok; embrace and center possibility as the key to making changeKey Takeaways:America Ferrera had it right. The challenge to incorporate play amid serious work creates tension, especially for women – Sarah says: [It’s like the actress’ quote in the Barbie movie]: “For women, experiencing barriers to professional growth, it’s like be confident but not assertive, not make any mistakes, but don’t be a perfectionist, be adaptable, be playful, be serious - [this tension] contributes to attitudes and beliefs that hold women back from being who they fully are.”In the vibrant global community of Women Moving Millions, play becomes a catalyst for breaking down barriers, fostering collaboration, and infusing joyPlay breaks down barriers from folks with different lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, as an important part of movement buildingClimate, healthcare, migration, education, these and all problems impact women first, most, and most severely. Women are also the key to solving these challenges.Women Moving Millions leverages the playful spirit of its diverse members, using innovative approaches like speed-dating and creative ice-breakers to create a supportive and joyful space for women to explore challenges, experiment with philanthropy, and drive positive change.Foster a culture of possibility in leadership, draw inspiration from role models, mentors, and contemporaries, recognize the importance of play and humor, to break barriers and promote a more inclusive and authentic work environment. Sarah’s Call-to-Action:"Contribute whatever you can to your local women's foundation. They are the backbone of the movement. If you don't know where it is or if you have one [where you live], Google it, find it. They need your support now more than ever." — Sarah Haacke Byrd About Sarah Haacke Byrd: Sarah Haacke Byrd is a seasoned executive and philanthropy leader, currently holding the position of CEO at Women Moving Millions. With over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has demonstrated expertise in providing leadership to dynamic organizations, supporting growth and sustainability, and managing key stakeholder relationships. Sarah's commitment to social impact is evident in her work at Women Moving Millions, where she has mobilized over $160 million in new funding to date, contributing to the organization's impressive track record of moving a billion dollars since its founding in 2007. As a recognized figure in the sector, Sarah has a deep understanding of global issues affecting women and girls and a proven ability to drive large-scale social change through strategic programs and initiatives.Connect with Sarah Haacke Byrd:  Website: womenmovingmillions.orgEmail: shaackebyrd@womenmovingmillions.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-haacke-byrd-9b53b417Connect with Kristine:Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_i

This is a classic rewind episode with Hector Mujica. Google does everything big. So it’s no surprise they chose a guy with a big resume, a big agenda, and most of all, a big heart to run a huge initiative in their most consequential market! Meet Hector Mujica, Head of Economic Opportunity for the Americas for Google.org. As he leads Google’s philanthropic efforts to create a just economy in Canada, the US, and the 33 countries of Central and South America, he’s learned a thing or two about play and how to bring people together around problems of staggering size.We eat ice cream from a black-woman-owned, vegan ice cream shop in Oakland while we talk change, justice, and score-card how we think philanthropy is doing in its efforts to seed and sustain real change. Join us!About Hector:Hector Mujica Head of Economic Opportunity, Google.org, Americas Hector Mujica leads economic opportunity efforts at Google.org—Google’s philanthropy—across the Americas. Within his role, he looks after a $100M+ grantmaking portfolio that supports interventions which aim to provide pathways to digital economy jobs for individuals with multiple barriers to employment. Hector also serves on Google’s Latino Leadership Council, where he helps to steward Google’s social impact ventures with the Latino community. Hector has spent the last decade advancing social justice through philanthropy and public policy. Prior to Google, Hector’s experience ranged from investment banking at Oppenheimer & Co, constituent casework at the Office of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and diplomatic relations at the Economic Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Hector holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from Florida International University, a Professional Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a Master of Public Affairs from the Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley. Outside of work, Hector Co-Chairs the Latino Digital Success Task Force at the Aspen Institute, and serves on the Board of Directors of Hispanics in Philanthropy, the Hispanic Federation, and several advisory boards, including WorkingNation and Inicio Ventures. Hector currently resides in South Florida. Linkedin: HectorDMujicaSources and Websites from Episodehttps://www.google.org/https://hipfunds.org/

This is a classic rewind episode with Jenny Flores. Small Business Robin Hood Having built a career in banking, Jenny Flores knows a thing or two about money. And as her work has been almost entirely focused on breaking down barriers to access, Jenny knows even more about how money harms or helps, depending on who’s holding it.As the Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy for Wells Fargo, Jenny masterminded a plan that moved $420 million from the bank’s bottom line into the hands of small business owners impacted by COVID. Having joined Wells only weeks into the pandemic, conceiving and selling this idea internally was no small feat.But as someone who wakes up every morning with an inner voice declaring she’s got another chance to “dream big,” it’s all in a day’s work. Settle in for some talk of impact and equity, but not without due time for her thoughts on play, ice cream, and the glory of a roly-poly bug.About Jenny: Jenny Flores is Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy for the Wells Fargo Foundation, one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S. In 2020, the Foundation accelerated economic opportunity and success in underserved communities with a strategic focus on housing affordability, small business growth, and financial health, while also responding to the urgent needs of COVID-19. With more than two decades of experience in banking, impact philanthropy, employee engagement, and corporate citizenship, Flores is responsible for combining financial resources with business expertise to help underserved and diverse entrepreneurs expand their contribution to the economy and their ability to provide jobs. She also leads Wells Fargo’s $420 million Open for Business Fund to support the immediate and long-term needs of small businesses that were negatively impacted by the effects of COVID-19.  Most recently, she served as Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Bank of the West, where she led the company’s strategy for small business engagement and environmental sustainability, including the creation of a new $30 million investment fund with community development financial institutions and the development of a $1 billion commitment to renewable and clean energy. Prior to her role with Bank of the West, Flores spent a decade in community development at Citigroup and also held roles at the Congress of California Seniors, Greenlining Institute, and the California State Legislature. An active community leader, Flores is based in San Francisco and serves on the Board of Directors for the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), Harlem Grown, Chair of the Venture Capital Disruption Committee of How Women Invest and volunteers as a mentor for start-up entrepreneurs through the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s Milestone Maker program. She is also a member of the Mastercard Strive USA Advisory Committee. She received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California–Berkeley and an MBA from the FW Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.How you can connect with Jenny Flores: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenny-flores-2672982 Sources and Websites from the episode: Welcome to C2C | Kindergarten to Collegestories.wf.com/meaningful-investments-and-support-keep-small-business-doors-open 

This is a classic rewind episode with Gregg Bishop.9/11. Stories about those for whom September 11 was a fork in the road are many. Gregg Bishop is the first changemaker I’ve met who reacted to that fateful day by leaving the corporate world for the nonprofit sector.And aren’t we glad he did?!This week’s episode gives us a peek into Gregg’s professional life, as Executive Director of the Brooklyn Social Justice Fund and philanthropic adviser to Joe and Clara Tsai, who have pledged $50 million to fuel social, racial, and economic justice efforts in NYC’s southernmost borough – among other game-changing giving.He also shares with us about time working for the City of New York, his penchant for flying across country in the middle of the week to hit a concert for a band he loves, and the transformative nature of a good question.Resources Mentioned:Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation: https://twitter.com/thejctf Creme & Cocoa Creamery: https://www.cremeandcocoa.com/ Visible Hands: https://www.visiblehands.vc/ Marcy Lab School: https://www.marcylabschool.org/ Hack Diversity: https://www.hackdiversity.com/ Connect with Gregg Bishop:  Website: https://www.bksjf.org/ Website: https://www.greggbishop.nyc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greggbishop/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/greggbishopnyc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greggbishop Connect with Kristine:Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_incLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/ Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Amy Javaid came face to face with the reality that she had it good, and many did not, early in life. Like many guests on The PlayFull Podcast, Amy turned her a-ha into a to-do, and got busy helping others. Decades later, as CEO of A Wider Circle, she’s still at it, making the world better through play, compassion, and dignity. As a great wrap to our CEO series, listen in and learn how Amy leads a national movement to reduce furniture poverty, a glaring issue that gets little attention. And you’ll hear how she uses play – like hiding rubber ducks throughout the agency’s 35,000-square-foot warehouse – to delight clients and staff and make a game out of filling empty homes with “donations with dignity.”Listen in as Kristine and Amy discuss:How A Wider Circle is a leading force in the movement to end furniture povertyWhat it means to donate items in “dignity condition” What being a management consultant has in common with making sure people have beds to sleep on and a comfortable place to eat a meal after a long day at workHow the hotel industry’s Covid-rebound has created a huge pipeline of furniture donationsKey Takeaways:70% of people who call A Wider Circle for help are sleeping on the floorA Wider Circle does not means-test or require clients sign up for case management; all you need to do to “qualify” is ask for helpThe U.S. lags behind Europe and Canada in measuring the scope and impact of furniture poverty, but the negative impacts of being furniture-deficient are many, including mental and physical health issues, poor self-esteem, loneliness, etc.Be creative! Find ways, like (rubber) duck hunting, that bring fun and joy to your team members and clients "Everyone can do something, and together we can do a lot of somethings. How great is that!?!" — Amy Javaid About Amy Javaid: Amy Javaid currently serves as the President and CEO of A Wider Circle, a social service nonprofit based in Silver Spring, MD. With a staff of more than 60 and thousands of volunteers each year, A Wider Circle seeks to support those experiencing poverty through an array of services and programs. Amy joined A Wider Circle in 2017 and took on several roles during her tenure including in workforce development, neighborhood partnerships, and development. In early 2021, Amy became Interim President and CEO and in July 2021 became President and CEO. Amy has spent her career in the management, project design, development, implementation, and monitoring of programs for an array of marginalized and vulnerable populations. Specifically, she has led programs in the health, education, and workforce development fields. She has also supported nonprofits in realms including program design, monitoring, and impact as well as on governance, fundraising, strategic planning, and operations. During her tenure at A Wider Circle, Amy has filled an array of roles. She began with Workforce Development before branching out to launch the Partnership to Independence (P2I) five-year wraparound program and the Neighborhood Partnerships program. She also oversaw the development and build-out of A Wider Circle’s Ward 8 Hub located in Washington Highlands. Previously, Amy worked for Deloitte, the Academy for Educational Development, several smaller nonprofits, and with a variety of clients. She has managed portfolios with total contract values in excess of $40 million, led teams of up to 100 staff members, and implemented client-level interventions in rural, urban, domestic, and international settings. Amy is originally from Boston and currently resides in Washington D.C. with her family.Resources Mentioned:TurboHaul: https://www.turbohaul.com/ Connect with Amy Javaid:  Website: https://awidercircle.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-javaid-250068138/ Connect with Kristine:Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_incLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/