Track Two Podcast

In this special series, host Sarah Howard takes on bipartisan climate action in an election year. Regardless of the election results, one thing is clear: a bipartisan pathway is the only road to the necessary climate policies we all need for our collective future. This series highlights those on the frontlines, working to make that a reality for all of us. In this episode, Sarah sits down with And...

In this special series, host Sarah Howard takes the Track Two Podcast on the road doing interviews with leaders from various industries about this fast-growing term: ESG. Continuing the series from Davos, this time Sarah is on the ground in Egypt at COP27.  In this episode, Sarah sits down with Melissa Kopolow , the VP of Sustainability at The Albright Stonebridge Group. Building on the conversati...

In this special series, co-host Sarah Howard takes the Track Two Podcast on the road doing interviews with leaders from various industries about this fast-growing term: ESG. It was a headline topic at the annual gathering, as climate change and social issues continue to rise on the agenda of leadership conversations everywhere. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Jacques-Philippe Piverger , foun...

In this special series, co-host Sarah Howard takes the Track Two Podcast on the road doing interviews with leaders from various industries about this fast-growing term: ESG. It was a headline topic at the annual gathering, as climate change and social issues continue to rise on the agenda of leadership conversations everywhere. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Gene Hoffman , COO & Preside...

In this special series, co-host Sarah Howard takes the Track Two Podcast on the road doing interviews with leaders from various industries about this fast-growing term: ESG. It was a headline topic at the annual gathering, as climate change and social issues continue to rise on the agenda of leadership conversations everywhere.  In this episode, Sarah speaks with Nisaa Jetha , a sought-after and l...

In this special series, co-host Sarah Howard takes the Track Two Podcast on the road doing interviews with leaders from various industries about this fast-growing term: ESG. It was a headline topic at the annual gathering, as climate change and social issues continue to rise in the agenda of leadership conversations everywhere.  In this episode, Sarah speaks with Harald Neidhardt, the founder and...

How do journalists navigate changing public perceptions of factual shared reality? How is political polarization influencing trust in the media, and the credibility of reporters? Accountability, transparency, and the power of investigative reporting are highlights of the conversation with reporter Liz Essley Whyte . Together, Joanne and Sarah talk with Liz about her work at the Center for Public I...

Where do refugees come from and where do they go? In honor of World Refugee Day, this bonus episode explores the words we use to describe the human experience of active situations where people are forced to flee their home because of war, violence, or persecution.

What breeds public distrust in the media, and how does it impact journalists and society as a whole? Controversies, corruption, and the role of the free press in bringing truth to light and holding power accountable are highlights of "part two" with guest Kerry Paterson of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Together, Joanne and Sarah talk with Kerry about how CPJ offers journali...

What does it mean to promote press freedom and defend the rights of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal? Join Joanne and Sarah in conversation with Kerry Paterson of the Committee to Protect Journalists as they discuss why freedom of the press is important to democracy, and why we should be concerned about the repressive global trend of jailing journalists as a resul...

How do freelance journalists build trust in places far from their home country of origin? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah are joined by Nick St. Oegger , a documentary photographer and fellow native Californian. Together they explore how Nick followed his curiosity and found his higher purpose in photography and life aboard covering stories about cultural heritage in the Western Balkans. His wor...

How does photojournalism foster a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of the world? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah are in conversation with Elodie Mailliet Storm exploring how access and intimacy can generate ‍iconic images that tell the story of a moment in time. From celebrity portraiture to the archives of tomorrow, and challenges of media coverage, Elodie shares her expertise and wisd...

What’s missing in today’s news? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah are in conversation with Mikhael Simmonds of the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit media group training journalists to rigorously report on responses to social problems. Solutions based stories are highly effective ways to reach ordinary people and help them understand problems and challenges, along with potential ways to re...

How has the collapse of local journalism contributed to the erosion of civic engagement, community, and trust in facts? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah are joined by Kevin Grant of the GroundTruth Project. Together they reflect on the role of the press in a healthy democracy and explore journalism as a foundational building block for healthy societies. In his role as Chief Content Officer of Rep...

How do societies manage imbalances and create responsive solutions to prolonged complex crises or large-scale social problems — especially ones amplified by social media? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah are in conversation with Anna Bulkah, an expert in civil society resilience and synthetic media. Hear how Anna's research and experience in Estonia and Ukraine shaped her interest in the rol...

For people who depend on gig apps to earn a living, how do the exponential technologies that power the gig economy shape culture, society, and life locally and around the world? Workers have exposed broader shortcomings, revealing a strain on the foundational conditions necessary for an equitable and just society. In this bonus episode, Joanne and Sarah are in conversation with Robbie Warin, produ...

Our economies, government structures, and the cities we live in are all designed by people. The current reality of global inequality, where some people suffer for the benefit of others is something people can take action to change. What role do you have in giving and taking? How do you decide which actions to take to move toward a more equitable future where everyone can thrive? In this episode, J...

When crisis strikes, what role do humanitarian aid organizations play in serving the most vulnerable members of society? What type of lived experiences influence a person’s desire to dedicate their career to this type of work? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah are in conversation with Kathryn Bolles of Save the Children. Kathryn shares her unique journey into social justice work including stories...

How do you lead, socialize, and compel change through community with community? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah are in conversation with Ken Ikeda of the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR). Together they explore stories about the people and experiences that inspired Ken to become an advocate for a talent network of independent producers and media makers. Hear about Ken's vision for...

What role do nonprofit leaders have in challenging racial and economic injustice, and protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society, and how does this relate to gun violence in urban cities? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah are in conversation with Wayne Clarke of the Oakland Impact Center and the City of Oakland's Ceasefire Strategy. Hear Wayne's appr...

How do the stories we write help us understand our world and make connections to others? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah are in conversation with Grant Faulkner, author and Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo generates deep and meaningful engagement in writing communities to transform ideas into the written word. The interview explores how writing taps into our imaginat...

How are generous private contributions from corporations, foundations, and individuals applied to a portfolio tackling the root causes of complex and interconnected global issues to create a better future for all? What type of public charity is entrusted with these contributions to social change leaders in local communities and around the globe? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah are in conversatio...

How do relationships and trust play a role in activating people's desire to take bold action when faced with adversity? Who in your community has the social capital to efficiently organize and deploy disaster response resources, and keep hope alive? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah interview Nick Haley, a youth advocate and civic leader in the heart of California’s Wine Country. Through heal...

What is the responsibility of freedom? Which guiding principles of philanthropy can be applied to build the conditions necessary for a thriving society? As the world increasingly looks to philanthropists to put humanity on a path to progress, Sarah and Joanne explore the story of Jamia Jowers and her journey through the halls of power, often serving as a representative stakeholder on behalf of tho...

Do you believe in your ability to make a meaningful difference in the lives of strangers in distress? What role can you play in creating societal change, and rekindling a spirit of love and hope for humanity? In this episode, Joanne and Sarah are in conversation with Kerry Rodgers, an artist, educator, activist, and social impact entrepreneur in San Francisco. Kerry talks about her work, influence...