Making Good Money

I first came across Chidi at an online social impact conference and immediately thought of my friend Julia back home - both of them are pros at navigating two worlds: communities affected by generations of extraction AND spaces of power and capital.Chidi is a 43-year-old English teacher at Horace Mann, one of the most elite private schools in the country. He's also the founder and CEO of NewComm, a learning community where high schoolers from historically marginalized neighborhoods in the Bronx use Black literature as a foundation for understanding society, then choose real projects to work on with $10,000 grants to make them happen.We talked about what it's like to live in both of those worlds, how he actually raises the money and what the numbers look like, and whether it's possible to enjoy the fundraising and operational side of mission-driven work, because, lezbehoneeest, most of us in this space find it painful, and I wanted to know how Chidi doesn't.My big takeaway: let’s create our own playbook to learn from when it comes to purpose and money!Chidi’s LinkedInNewComm websiteOh and go on Facebook and find your local “Buy Nothing” community!Hosted by Elina Ashimbayeva - follow me on my adventures with money and impact on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and InstagramMusic by ⁠Mark Michele⁠Edited by ⁠Jemilah Ross-Hayes

Breanna Lee is 21, studying at Northwestern, whom I met through stalking (khm-khm doing research) on AI ethics. She interned with Tech Justice Law, researching algorithmic harm and gaps in Big Tech's trust and safety efforts.In our interview, we talk about Tedio, a book series and mobile app she set out to create to help parents raise kids who can consciously refuse fast dopamine.We talked about what it actually costs to pursue this kind of work - her parents' retirement savings in Korea going toward her American university degree, the cultural expectations around studying film and philosophy, how she funds Tedio, and the honest reality of trying to build a sustainable life in AI ethics.We also got into whether ethical social media is even possible, the tools that actually help you scroll less (it's not your willpower), and what it's like to do all of this and still feel like you're procrastinating. Ha!When I was in Chicago for one day, Breanna showed me the Bean, and we ate very disappointing deep-dish pizza.Shout out to cool 21-year-olds!Resources: Breanna’s LinkedInHer start-up, TedioCommon Sense Media, a child’s digital safety advocacy and education organisation Maka Kids, a streaming app for kids with no addictive algorithms Actions you can take around AI safety and ethics Tech Justice Law, an impact litigation and advocacy organization bringing justice to individuals and communities harmed by tech productsWatch the AI Doc or if you want to listen to an episode instead, listen to this with Tristan Harris One Sec, an app I use to help me block Instagram (and other apps) Hosted by Elina Ashimbayeva - follow me on my adventures with money and impact on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and InstagramMusic by ⁠Mark Michele⁠Edited by ⁠Jemilah Ross-Hayes

Ashlyn Baum spent five years bootstrapping a due diligence platform for NGOs and public sector organisations in New Zealand before moving back to the US, having a baby, and taking a tech job.We get into what happens when purposeful work stops providing the security you need, why people in the impact space have an allergic reaction to sales and fundraising, how AI is reshaping her thinking on money and career longevity, and what "success" actually means when you're caught between the corporate machine and the work that matters.Hosted by Elina Ashimbayeva - follow me on my adventures with money and impact on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and InstagramHere is Ashlyn's LinkedInMusic by ⁠Mark Michele⁠Edited by ⁠Jemilah Ross-Hayes

James Dong was the first person I was suggested for this podcast. I read a 41-page doc on his approach to work & values and was like… umm… yes please, can we talk?!He studied at Berkley, consulted at Bain & Company, worked in early-stage nebulousness at a number of tech startups, and launched Last Minute Gear.Last Minute Gear was an outdoor gear rental shop. James has just closed it down after 10 years of operating, and this episode is all about that.We talk about the necessary switch from scale-everything to going-local-and-small. How much James paid himself, how he operated, what he learned about triple-bottom-line businesses, and whether ‘sustainable businesses’ even exist.James is incredibly thoughtful, and I can guarantee that he will make you reflect on how you live your life. Enjoy! ✨Useful links and resources:James’ Approach to Work docHis LinkedIn@blackforager and the specific link about anti-trespass lawsThe study on food waste % in the US from USDAA great recent read on what's going on with Buy NothingTriple bottom line business explanationHosted by Elina Ashimbayeva - follow me on my adventures with money and impact on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and InstagramMusic by ⁠Mark Michele⁠Edited by ⁠Jemilah Ross-Hayes

I’ve been an avid goer to all the events NYC has to offer since moving here recently. I bumped into today’s guest, Victoria at two events, which, you know, feels like universal serendipity in a huge city.Victoria runs a bunch of hyperlocal ventures and initiatives around planning and historic preservation issues across Red Hook, Brooklyn. And she sustains herself by running a real estate company, Realty Collective. It feels like ethics and real estate do not belong in the same sentence but that’s why I wanted to interview Victoria! In a world of huge real estate conglomerates like Compass, how does one operate a small, local, community-connected business?Resilient Red HookRealty CollectiveHosted by Elina Ashimbayeva - follow me on my adventures with money and impact on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and InstagramMusic by ⁠Mark Michele⁠Edited by ⁠Jemilah Ross-Hayes