Impact After Hours

Climate action isn’t just for STEM folks. Creatives help solve our biggest climate problems too. How? In this episode, Google.org Head of Sustainability & Climate, Kevin Brege, gives us the 411 on the innovative people in his field, just in time for COP30 in Brazil. We also get some creative travel hacks, stories from his near-pro soccer days, and hear about his best friend’s new novel (a form...

When you were a kid, you were probably told to “stay in school”. But, for many, that isn’t as easy as it sounds . This is where organizations like Give Something Back come in. CEO, Melissa Helmbrecht joins us today to share how they use action - not just  words - to empower young people to overcome their hardships, and create a positive future. She also shares her obsession with physics,...

Can celebrities ACTUALLY help fuel good? According to SixDegrees. Org Executive Director, Stacy Huston - they absolutely can!  Stacy is also the co-creator and executive producer of the Webby award winning podcast, 'Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon”. In this episode, she shares how to navigate the intersection of celebrity advocacy and social impact work, fun behind-the-scenes stories of her podc...

In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay Dahl, author of Cleaning House and Chief Impact Officer at Ritual, to talk about what it really means to build a career in social impact. From activist to lobbyist to author to executive, Lindsay’s path shows how purpose-driven work can take you anywhere. If you’re a book lover, career pivoter, or someone curious about the world of social impact like clima...

How can families protect their children from AI? In this episode we address these kinds of fears with resources. VP of Communications at Common Sense Media, Edda Collins Coleman, shares the challenges and solutions to raising children in a digital world. We also discuss ways to combat anxiety, The Real Housewives fandom and the best time of year to manifest your goals. Common Sense Media Resources...

Pick up a new hobby recently? Well, Natasha Tuck, Director of Sustainability at Dolby Labs, thinks you should. According to her, doing something creative outside of work can boost workplace momentum, and help prevent burnout. In this episode, we discuss her songwriting hobby, her obsessions with Johnny Depp and Timothée Chalamet, and why it took her so long to finally watch “Game of Thrones”.&nbsp...

Patience isn’t the sexiest superpower, but it’s essential if you want to get good at anything. In this episode, we dive into how patience shifts over time—what we have patience for, what we don’t, and how that changes as we grow. Alexander Habib, Head of Sustainability Communications at L’Oreal, believes patience can be an art that evolves with time. Alex is also a photographer and claims that his...

When life gets difficult, we tend to push people away. Our guest, Liz Forkin Bohannon, argues that we should resist that urge and instead seek deeper connections. And that’s exactly what we’re doing today.  Liz is one of the most sought-after public speakers in the country and the founder of Sseko Designs. In this episode, we connect over her passion for making people laugh, why commitment is...

What does climate change have to do with Lord of the Rings ? According to Solitaire Townsend, Chief Solutionist & Co-Founder of Futerra, the classic fantasy is a great example of what real change requires. In this episode, she explains how fiction stories can impact social change, and tells a few vivid (and real) stories of her own. Like the time she was trapped in the Amazon jungle, or when s...

Can failure be a good thing? Pat Mitchell -  Co-founder of TEDWomen and Project Dandelion - says: yes! As long as you keep moving forward. In this episode Pat reveals funny stories from her time as the host of the Emmy-winning talk show “Woman to Woman.” She also shares the questions she’d ask the late Pope, and the pivotal advice from her grandmother that helped her evolve into a “Dangerous...

Tired of settling for subpar vacations?  Well, in this episode, Hazel McGuire, Chief Marketing Officer at Intrepid Travel, shares her top tips to avoid vacation fails - from poor lodging to bad food. We also discuss how to be a responsible tourist, future travel trends, and what she would do in a “Freaky Friday” scenario. Learn more about Intrepid Travel: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us &nb...

For decades, Rebecca Lowell Edwards led communication strategies for organizations like the International Olympic Committee, Organon, and many others. She now runs her own consulting firm, SaltRock Strategies. In this episode, she shares how her superpower – feelings  — have helped her excel in the communications industry, along with the story behind her popular oyster shucking Linkedin post....

Want to share your story more effectively and stand out in both casual and professional settings? This episode is for you. Aman Singh, Global Communications Director for Sustainability at Kenvue, shares her journey of self-expression from when she moved from India to call America home. In addition to being an authentic storyteller, she also knows how to make a simple yet tasty 2-ingredient breakfa...

How often do you truly connect with nature? For Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet, it’s almost every day when she’s out skiing, hiking, or birdwatching. What about when she’s inside? Answer: rollerblading, weightlifting, ice-skating, and of course, working hard to save the planet. In this episode, Kate also shares a few love stories and parenting tips, and leaves us refreshed.  Learn mo...

Looking for the ideal trip itinerary with top restaurants, local gems, and stellar photo ops? Bhumika Regmi, Director of Digital Communications and Creative at the Malala Fund, has you covered. In this episode, we explore the beauty of her work and the joys of her life: matcha ice cream and springtime hangouts. She also reflects on her younger years and her time in Nepal, Mongolia, and Washington...

After turning the Trevor Project into a powerhouse for change, Muneer Panjwani became the CEO of Engage for Good. There, he created the Halo Awards – the highest recognition for social impact initiatives. In this episode, we get into how Queen B herself – Beyonce – inspired the award’s logo and design. We also learn about Muneer’s incredible family, his favorite rom-com and the best type of chocol...

Kathryn Finney – Managing General Partner of Genius Guild – is an expert at building businesses with women and non-binary CEOs. But when she’s not doing that, you’ll probably find her on her podcast, “Build the Damn Thing,” or on a couch watching the “The Real Housewives,” or even on a couple episodes of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (yup, it’s a great story). In this episode, she shares a few s...

PassTheMic, Vow for Girls not Brides, Project Dandelion and Take it Down—these are just a few of the monumental campaigns that Jenifer Willig helped bring to life. But what is the CEO and Co-founder of WRTHY really like off duty? In this episode we get into cute Christmas morning traditions (yes we know it’s only June!) and the impact of an alter ego. Like in every episode, we get into Jenifer’s r...

What would you do if all of your responsibilities were paused for 24 hours? As the Chief Communications Officer at the Gates Foundation, finding time to unwind is crucial, and nothing helps Alex Reid more than a good… READ (sorry we had to!). This episode has book recs for days! If reading isn’t your thing - don’t worry, we also get into the violent, but fun, nature of lacrosse,  real-life su...

How does Ann Shoket, CEO of the Li.st and Founder of 10 Minutes to Togetherness build community when she’s off duty? Through carefully crafted dinner parties, making varieties of great pizza and of course, singing karaoke! As we like to say on this show, what you do off the clock, can have as much impact on people as what you do for work.. Check this episode out to learn how to connect better with...

As Chief Impact Officer at Selena Gomez’s company Rare Beauty and President of The Rare Impact Fund, Elyse Cohen understands the make-up of social impact. But she also understands the importance of wearing an eye mask daily, why lavender oil is a must for a cozy night-time routine, and the three essentials for hosting a great party. Finding all these tips in one space is “rare,” and that’s the “be...

Afdhel Aziz,  Founder and Chief Purpose Officer at Conspiracy of Love, is passionate about helping others find their purpose. By day, he runs the certified BCorp consultancy business, and by night, he’s writing poetry, making films and embracing new things - like producing his first pop music album at the age of 51. He’s just getting started.   Find out what Afdhel is up to here: https://www....

Shakirah Hill-Taylor, Chief Digital Officer at Fenton, loves books and babies. So much so that she became an accomplished author and a really dope doula. But between working at a communications firm for social change, delivering babies, and writing books, what does she have time for? Let’s find out.  Check out The Dope Doula: https://www.instagram.com/the_dope_doula/   Follow Hueman Grou...

Stephanie Benedetto, Founder and CEO of Aloqia, has thrived in several fields. As a kid, she sold homemade applesauce for profit. As a young adult, she became a corporate lawyer. Today, she runs a supply chain inventory business. Now, let’s see if she can answer the tough questions like: “chocolate or vanilla ice cream?” Learn more about Aloqia (formerly known as Queen of Raw) here: https://www.al...

As the Executive Global Director of Sustainability & Impact at R/GA, Bayyina Black is very busy. However, when she’s not making strides at the consultancy, digital design and advertising agency, she’s making movies, booking flights, and singing her heart out at concerts around the globe. Learn more about Bayyina Black here: www.bayyinablack.com Watch Impact After Hours on YouTube: https://www....