When people talk about climate action, it's usually doom, gloom, and existential dread. Justdiggit flips that script. In this episode, Puff sits down with Merel Rikveld, Head of Communications at Justdiggit, to dig into the movement that's turning degraded land green again, and doing it at scale. Merel shares how local communities in Kenya, Tanzania and Senegal are restoring land, bringing back millions of trees, and even reshaping cultural dynamics through grassroots leadership. We get into the tech behind it - from satellite imagery to digital regreening, and the creativity that turns data into stories people can actually connect with. If you want a climate conversation that's hopeful, grounded, and obsession-worthy, this one's for you! If you want to help make more "earth smiles", donate here: https://justdiggit.org/donate/
From Google Docs to doing good. 💚 In this episode, Puff sits down with Addie Achan, founder of The Kaleidoscope Project, to unpack what it really takes to build AI that drives meaningful change. Addie shares her journey from software engineer at Google to building AI models for The Trevor Project, leading AI strategy at Fast Forward, and now helping philanthropies and investors make ethical, evidence-based funding decisions. It's an honest, practical look at how purpose-led teams can build AI that actually serves people and planet - join the conversation!
What do AI adoption, purpose-led orgs, and a taco hat have in common? 🌮 Turns out, it's the perfect recipe for an honest (and slightly chaotic) chat about where AI for good is heading. Join the convo to get the inside scoop from Duncan and Matt at 3 Sided Cube before our new AI Adoption report drops on 12 November. This one's got it all, the data, the debates, and....taco's. They dive into: What 89% of purpose-led orgs are doing with AI Why the hype's giving way to hands-on experimentation Where AI for good is making real impact (and where it's not) And of course, a rousing game of Stat or Cap 🎧 Tune in for laughs, insights, and your first look at what's next in AI adoption.
When a crisis hits, how do you lead - and innovate - at the same time? In this episode of Igniting Change, Puff sits down with Jamie Lesueur, Head of Emergency Operations at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), to explore how technology is reshaping humanitarian aid from the inside out. From new digital tools that deliver faster, fairer assistance to the power of trust in complex emergency networks, Jamie shares what it really takes to rethink crisis response for a more connected world. It's a raw, honest look at innovation under pressure, and what happens when humanity and technology work together to save lives.
Wildfires are one of the fastest-growing natural threats on the planet, and the race to detect them earlier has never been more urgent. In this episode of Igniting Change, Puff talks with Neal Spungen, Founder of Detect Wildfires, about the technology, teamwork, and human story behind innovations in wildfire detection. From sensors that spot smoke in seconds to the partnerships driving faster, smarter response, this episode explores how tech can protect lives, communities, and ecosystems from the world's most relentless natural disaster. Because fighting fire with tech isn't science fiction, it's happening now, at first spark.
How do you lead digital transformation when human rights are on the line? In this episode of Igniting Change, we sit down with Paul Smith, Chief Information Officer at Amnesty International, to unpack what it really takes to modernise technology inside one of the world's most values-driven organisations. Paul shares his journey from the corporate world into the nonprofit sector, why leading with empathy matters, and how Amnesty is using data, cloud and AI responsibly to power global change while protecting the people behind the mission.
Meet Roo, a chatbot built to protect privacy, share facts, and give hope when access to care is under attack. In this episode of Igniting Change, Puff talks with Nicole Levitz, Senior Director of Digital Interventions and Insights at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, about Roo's creation and how it's helping millions of people find trusted answers about sexual and reproductive health online. This conversation is about more than AI - it's about designing technology that stands up for truth, trust, and women's health.
Maps aren't just lines and dots. In the right hands, they're tools for resilience. In this episode of Igniting Change, we sit down with Nicole Siggins, researcher and civic technologist, to talk about the messy, human process of turning community data into tools that actually make a difference. Nicole shares lessons from years of work at the intersection of mapping, research, and civic infrastructure, where mentorship is scarce, partnerships can be tricky, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
Caring for a child comes with huge responsibility. And when emergencies happen, every second matters. In this episode of Igniting Change, Emma speaks with Jill Hernandez from the American Red Cross about how the organisation is reimagining childcare training and launching a brand-new Childcare App with 3 Sided Cube. Together they explore how the Red Cross supports tens of thousands of caregivers every year, why modernising this training was overdue, and how tech can give caregivers the confidence to act, whether that means handling everyday care or stepping up in a life-threatening moment. This is a story about empowerment, community, and the tools that make care safer for everyone. 👉 Download the Childcare App: available now on the App Store and Google Play
Season 8 of Igniting Change kicks off with a candid conversation on America's gun violence epidemic, and the tech that's helping fight it. We recorded this episode with Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organisation in the U.S., after hearing them share a sobering reality: America is the only country in the world with more guns than citizens. With a population of 331 million, that's a statistic that says it all. Puff sits down with Nick Suplina, Senior VP for Law & Policy at Everytown. Nick talks openly about America's gun violence crisis, the gaps in data that keep progress stalled, and how Everytown is using AI to change the story.
What do Nike ads and methane leaks have in common? Not much — unless you're Pooja Munsshi. To wrap up Season 7, we're joined by Pooja from the UN Environment Programme's International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), who left a high-flying marketing career to take on one of the planet's most urgent climate challenges. We talk career pivots, building data platforms that people actually use, and how to turn transparency into action. This one's packed with insight for anyone working in tech, climate, or just wondering what it takes to step into something that really matters. Thanks for being part of another season of Igniting Change, see you for Season 8! 💚
In this episode of Igniting Change, we catch up with Virtual Doctors, the charity using smartphones to link rural clinicians in Zambia and Malawi with volunteer doctors across the globe. James and Daniel join us to talk about: Evolving their app for real-world impact The challenges of scaling telemedicine in low-resource settings Onboarding 60 new clinicians in just three weeks Why UK-based doctors are choosing to volunteer — and how you can too 💚 Learn more or donate: virtualdoctors.org
What do you do when global funding gets pulled overnight, and people still need care? Leah Ekbladh, Executive Director of Digital Square, joins us for a chat about the messy business of making digital health systems sustainable, equitable, and country-owned. You'll hear: 💻 Why many global tech pilots fail (and how to avoid the graveyard) 🌱 What it means to truly localise innovation 🧠 How to shape digital tools that scale and stick 💸 What funders get wrong—and what needs to change 📣 And how you (yes, you) can support global health solutions, no code required This is tech for good with teeth—full of hard-earned lessons, humour, and hope.
What do you get when you mix a backend dev, a front-end wizard, a pile of AI tools and a challenge involving… cats? Absolute chaos—and some very questionable furry drumsticks. In this gloriously unhinged episode, Cube's own Kev and Tom take on an internal challenge: build an AI-powered cat avatar maker in a single day. No pressure, right? 💻 Expect: Image generation mishaps (we're looking at you, furry eggs) UX chaos and jQuery throwbacks Brilliant moments of AI magic And a healthy dose of panic, laughter, and front-end sass They explore tools like ChatGPT, Cursor, Adobe Firefly and Perplexity—all while trying to make something user-friendly, vaguely cat-shaped, and surprisingly… it works? Whether you're here for the tech, the humour, or just to hear Tom slowly unravel, this episode is packed with all the fun and expertise you've come to expect from 3 Sided Cube's award-winning crew. 🐾 Try the result yourself: Purrsonamaker.com 🎥 Want to see Tom's descent into madness? Head to our YouTube for the video version!
War zones. Mass displacement. Millions in need. When crisis hits, traditional humanitarian systems move too slow, but what if tech could flip the script? In this episode, we sit down with Chutima Tantakasem, Head of Digital Solutions at the UN World Food Programme in Ukraine, to talk about how her team is tearing down outdated processes and using digital tools to deliver aid faster, smarter, and with more dignity for the people who need it most. We get into: 💥 QR codes that slash aid delivery time from 3 weeks to just 72 hours 🔗 Blockchain stopping fraud and making sure every dollar gets where it should 🛠️ The future of digital humanitarian aid—AI, automation, and data-driven decisions 🤯 What happens when charities stop playing it safe and start thinking like tech companies This isn't just about faster aid, it's about a complete rethink of how we respond to crisis. 🎧 Hit play and find out how innovation is changing humanitarian aid for good.
What if charities could move as fast as startups? What if AI could actually help, instead of just being another buzzword? Enter Jim Snape, Deputy Director of Technology at the National Deaf Children's Society, who's ditched slow processes, flattened hierarchies, and embraced AI, all in the name of making a bigger impact. In this episode of Igniting Change, we get into: - How Jim's team got rid of bureaucracy bloat and put decision-making in the hands of the people who actually do the work - AI in nonprofits: What's real, what's nonsense, and how to make it work for you - The remote-first revolution, why flexible work isn't just a perk but a game-changer for charities - Why quarterly planning beats waiting years for progress This one's for leaders who want to shake things up, nonprofits who need to move faster, and anyone wondering if AI is worth the hype. 🎧 Listen now and get inspired to do things differently!
With iOS 19's massive overhaul on the horizon, AI is clearly Apple's next big frontier. But before we get swept up in what's next, let's talk about what's already here: Apple Intelligence. In this episode, Greg and Sam put Apple's latest AI tools to the test: 📩 AI-powered email writing – adios Grammarly? 📸 Photo editing wizardry or just clever AI washing? 🧠 Siri + ChatGPT – a dynamic duo or a frustrating mess? Are these advancements truly game-changing, or is it all just smoke and Apple marketing mirrors? And what about the features that haven't landed yet? We're talking usability, accessibility, cognitive load, and the future of AI integration in Apple's ecosystem. Hit play to find out what's exciting, what's frustrating, and what we're really waiting for...
Running a global nonprofit, transforming education with tech, and raising kids? That's no small feat…right?! For International Women's Day, we're joined by Lauren Lichtman and Navya Akkinepally, the co-executive directors of Learning Equality, to talk about co-leadership, making education accessible without the internet, and how motherhood has shaped the way they lead. 💡 What does it take to share leadership without stepping on toes? 🌍 How can tech bring quality learning to students without internet access? ⚡ What lessons from parenting carry over into leading a team? This episode is about trust, resilience, and what leadership really looks like behind the scenes—as co-leaders, as women, and as parents. 🎧 Listen now #IgnitingChange #TechForGood #IWD2025 #EducationForAll #WomenInLeadership
Thirty years since the Beijing Declaration, where are we on gender justice? And why does it feel like progress is slipping backwards? For International Women's Day, we're joined by Amina Hersi, Head of Gender Rights and Justice at Oxfam International, for a raw and urgent conversation about the state of gender equality, the power imbalances that keep progress slow, and the feminist movements still pushing forward against all odds. 💡 Why are 252 men wealthier than all the women in Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean combined? 🌍 What does the rise of right-wing agendas mean for gender justice? ⚡ How are grassroots feminist movements leading real change in the Global South? This episode is fierce, unfiltered, and necessary. It's about the realities of power, money, and resistance—and why global solidarity is more urgent than ever. 🎧 Listen now #IgnitingChange #IWD2025 #GenderJustice #FeministSolidarity #TechForGood
How do we tackle some of the biggest challenges facing children today? In this episode of Igniting Change, we sit down with Thomas Davin, UNICEF's Global Innovation Director, to talk about the bold ideas, emerging tech, and next-gen problem solvers shaping the future of child welfare. From AI-driven education to climate entrepreneurs under 30, Thomas shares how UNICEF is backing big ideas with real impact—because with 225 million kids out of school, change isn't optional. It's urgent.