The Negative Space Podcast

Drew Train, CEO of OBERLAND, joins Patricia McLoughlin to talk about how brands can decide when and how to speak up in an election year. Drawing on OBERLAND's new Speak or Surrender Roadmap, they discuss why the fear of retaliation is often larger than the real risk, what people actually want from brands during elections, and how to choose an issue grounded in credibility, community, and values. Drew also shares brands that do this well in their own voice, why humor can help with serious topics, and why silence is a position with real consequences.Learn more:Download the Speak or Surrender Roadmap at https://www.thisisoberland.com/speak-or-surrenderLearn more about the Anthem Awards at anthemawards.com or @anthemawards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if we've been trying to solve the wrong problem? In this episode of The Negative Space, Patricia McLoughlin sits down with Chad Houser, founder and CEO of Café Momentum, to explore how a restaurant became a catalyst for transforming the lives of justice-involved youth. Together, they discuss the power of second chances, the systems that too often hold young people back, and why creating opportunity begins with seeing potential instead of labels.In this episode:How one volunteer experience inspired the founding of Café MomentumWhy justice-involved youth don't need fixing—the systems around them doThe powerful combination of workforce development, education, and mental health support work together to create lasting changeWhy redefining success is essential when supporting young people with different life experiencesWhat it takes to scale a social innovation model while earning trust in new communitiesWhy collaboration—not competition—is critical to creating meaningful social impactHow curiosity can challenge assumptions, shift narratives, and build stronger communitiesCafé MomentumWebsite: https://cafemomentum.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafemomentum/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cafemomentum/ The Anthem AwardsWebsite: https://www.anthemawards.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthemawards/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anthem-awards/Set the new standard for good and enter your impact work into the Anthem Awards before July 31st! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the Dobbs decision, reproductive rights advocates have been navigating a rapidly changing legal and cultural landscape. In this episode of The Negative Space, Patricia McLoughlin sits down with Julia Taylor Kennedy of the Center for Reproductive Rights to discuss how abortion restrictions are impacting healthcare, workplaces, and communities across the country. Together, they explore the power of storytelling, the role businesses can play in advancing reproductive freedom, and how individuals can take meaningful action in a moment that often feels overwhelming.ResourcesThe Price of Safety Report: https://reproductiverights.org/resources/price-of-safety-stories-abortions-denied-careers-disrupted-states-left-behind/ Reproductive Rights World & US Maps: https://reproductiverights.org/maps/ March of Dimes Maternity Care Desert Tracker: https://www.marchofdimes.org/maternity-care-deserts-reportAbortion, Every Day by Jessica Valenti: https://jessica.substack.com/The Center for Reproductive RightsWebsite: https://reproductiverights.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reprorights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-reproductive-rights/The Anthem AwardsWebsite: https://www.anthemawards.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthemawards/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anthem-awards/Set the new standard for good and enter your impact work into the Anthem Awards before July 31st! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Power of a Blank Page with The Strangers ProjectWhat happens when we put down our phones and share our stories with strangers?In the Season 2 premiere of The Negative Space, host Patricia McLoughlin sits down with Brandon Doman, founder of The Strangers Project, and designer and community strategist Exa Kutler to explore the power of human connection in an increasingly disconnected world.What began as a notebook and a simple invitation to write has grown into a traveling community engagement project featuring more than 100,000 anonymous handwritten stories. By creating spaces where people can share their experiences without judgment, prompts, or digital distractions, The Strangers Project offers a rare opportunity for reflection, vulnerability, and belonging.Together, Patricia, Brandon, and Exa discuss the role of anonymity in building trust, the surprising themes that emerge across thousands of stories, and what it means to create meaningful community during a loneliness epidemic. They also explore the challenges of sustaining mission-driven creative work, lessons from bringing the project to Webby Awards Creator Weekend, and the future of preserving these powerful stories for new audiences.In a culture that often rewards speed and performance, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the most impactful thing we can offer is a blank page—and the space to be seen.In this episode:How The Strangers Project grew from a spontaneous idea into a global community initiativeWhy anonymity can foster honesty, empathy, and connectionWhat 100,000+ stories reveal about our shared human experiencesThe role of in-person engagement in an increasingly digital worldThe challenges and opportunities of sustaining long-term social impact workWhat's next for The Strangers ProjectLearn more about The Strangers Project at strangersproject.com and on Instagram @strangersprojIf you're in New York City, you can visit The Strangers Project at the World Trade Center Oculus (Thursday–Sunday, 2:00–6:30 PM)Learn more about the Anthem Awards and The Negative Space at anthemawards.com and on Instagram @anthemawards.Set the new standard for good and enter your impact work into the Anthem Awards before July 31st! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rising sea levels, eroding coastlines and worsening storms threaten communities worldwide, while anti-climate agendas stall critical action. The Surfrider Foundation has spent decades at the intersection of grassroots activism and policy change, fighting to protect our oceans and encourage systemic action. In the face of growing anti-climate action, we’re joined with Surfrider CEO, Chad Nelsen, as we dive into the biggest environmental battles ahead, the power of community-led action and what it will take to hold brands and policymakers accountable.Guest: Dr. Chad Nelsen is the CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, leading the world’s largest grassroots network dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of oceans globally by blending coastal recreation with conservation. Keep up with their work @surfrider on all major platforms and @surfrider.org on Bluesky. Find out more about how they’re creating change and get involved at surfrider.org/! Entries for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards will open on Tuesday, April 8. Follow us @theanthemawards on Instagram and LinkedIn to discover our new categories and how to enter your work. Credits: Hosted by Patricia McLoughlin Written and Produced by Mahlet Sugebo Editorial Lead by Jordana Jarrett Edited by Kate Mishkin  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.