Better World Radio

It started as a community experiment on a rural island in the Pacific Northwest. Back then, members of the Buy Nothing Project gathered once a week to share home-baked goods and bounty from their gardens. In just two years the project expanded to become the world's most organized "gift economy," with 781 groups in 13 countries and more than 170,000 members. The Buy Nothing mission is to offer people a way to give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude through a worldwide network of hyper-local gift economies in which the true wealth is the web of connections formed between people who are real-life neighbors. We interview one of the founders of the project and two group admins who give us some insight into how these groups actually work, and how communities worldwide are being impacted by this exciting new movement. This month's episode:1. Buy nothing, give freely: We interview one of the founders of the Buy Nothing Project and find out how this movement is changing the way we interact with our neighbors. 2. Better world roundup, (or: a man, a plan, and a shoe): A new invention enables shoes to grow with you, providing sturdy, long-lasting footwear to needy children worldwide. Also, how two teens are creating affordable mobile housing for Seattle's homeless community.  3. Who's on first?: Some wisdom from Jon Siegel, TisBest Executive Director.As mentioned in the show, 7 vetted charities doing relief work in Nepal following the earthquake. 

1. Can money buy happiness? TisBest's Karli Anne Christiansen talks with Harvard professor Michael Norton about money, happiness, and your business. (Michael Norton's TED talk: How To Buy Happiness) 2. Better world roundup: A birthday party goes viral, and how giving it all away is changing the face of one of America's most popular companies. 3. What's a house for?: Some words of wisdom from Jon Siegel, TisBest Executive Director.

Each month we'll share stories from people who are working to create a better world, along with interviews, heartwarming current events from around the globe, updates from the TisBest team, and more.  1. Taking a stand against a global problem: We talk with Jeremy Vallerand from Rescue Freedom International, an organization that focuses on providing safe homes and restorative care for victims of human trafficking. One of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world.    2. Better world roundup: Don't call it a comeback (or maybe we should?). Eagles are reportedly returning from the brink of extinction, and how listening to the radio and taking a bold step of compassion changed someone's life for the better.    3. How to pick your outfit and influence friends: Some wise fashion (and life) advice from Jon Siegel, TisBest Executive Director.   To subscribe to the show and receive automatic updates anytime a new one posts simply click here for iTunes, or us this RSS link to subscribe in your pod catcher of choice. If you have any problems subscribing or would like to contact us regarding the show drop us a line anytime at podcast@tisbest.org.

1. It was crazyJon Siegel and Karli Anne Christiansen tell us how a TisBest experiment brought an old idea back to life.2. Better world roundup (or: pizza for world peace)How a photo turned into a campaign to send kids to Harvard, and the story of a restaurant that's changing the world one slice of ...read more... 

Kirk Smalley from Stand for the Silent talks about his 11 year old son Ty, who took his own life after being bullied. A man travels to New Zealand and receives a humbling gift. Volunteer pilots fly dogs to no-kill shelters when time runs out ... read more ...