Progressive Pockets: a podcast about the untapped power of our wallets to build the world we want

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s talk diamonds! Did you see the movie Blood Diamonds in 2006? The movie ended in a dramatic scene where world leaders gathered together to try to do better. Did it work? What’s the latest with buying diamonds these days? Are there options that are better for the planet and our people? Tune in this week to talk through the growing trend in buying lab-grown diamonds,...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about how you might convince your job to start an employee donation matching program so that your charitable giving can go twice as far.  You’ll learn a simple three step plan to find a couple of allies, figure out who the decider is, and how to pitch your idea. Your colleagues will be thrilled that their donations will go farther, and your organization will b...

Send us Fan Mail Ever notice how almost everyone in America calls themselves “middle class”? But what does that really mean? Do you see yourself that way? Let’s talk about the technical definition and the messier, lived experience of being middle class today—and why getting clear on this matters if we want to build communities that truly understand and support one another. Links from today’s episo...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about all of the reasons why some shoppers have decided to take a break from Amazon. Whether the environmental impact makes you uneasy, the treatment of their workers, or just the ease of impulse shopping- whatever rubs you the wrong way, you might be looking for ways to reduce your reliance on Amazon. Today let’s talk about a baby step you may have never cons...

Send us Fan Mail  Think about a community issue that’s important to you. It could be a public health issue, it could be a matter of safety in your community, it could even be the overall happiness of your community. When it comes to donating towards those causes, there are three different ways you can tackle the same problem: research, services, or advocacy. In today’s episode, let’s talk about wh...

Send us Fan Mail This week, I will share the simple process I used to move my investments to a more socially responsible index fund including the steps I followed and the mistakes that I made! Links from today’s episode: How to choose the best index fund | Forbes https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/how-to-choose-the-best-index-fund/   ICYMI another episode you might enjoy: Episode 76 The Surp...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode is the last installment of the first ever climate month here at Progressive Pockets. Did you enjoy the series? So far we have discussed how to deal with climate anxiety, how to create an outdoor space that’s sustainable but cute, how to move your cash to a more climate friendly bank. Today let’s chat about how to make our retirement accounts a little more earth fri...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever wonder what your bank is doing with your cash? They keep some of it in reserves, of course, in case you need to withdraw it. But they also make a lot of decisions- about who to lend it to, which companies and politicians to back, and where they will invest your cash to make their own profits. That’s a lot of decisions! And it’s possible that your bank isn’t making deci...

Send us Fan Mail This is the second episode of the climate month series! Today’s topic is rethinking our outdoor spaces to be a little more sustainable while still being beautiful and functional for our lives. Whether you have a balcony or a sprawling lawn, whether you have never thought about sustainability in your landscaping or you’ve already implemented a few ideas, you’ll probably find at lea...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the first ever climate month series on Progressive Pockets. As we dive into this series, let’s start by acknowledging a feeling many of us are having right now. According to the American Psychological Association, a staggering two-thirds of us are experiencing climate anxiety. In today’s episode, let’s explore practical strategies for reframing our approach to climate c...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready for climate month at Progressive Pockets? Let’s talk about dealing with climate anxiety. Let’s dig into banks and retirement accounts that actually care about the environment. Let’s talk about sustainable landscaping... that’s still cute. Sound good? Subscribe to Progressive Pockets wherever you listen to podcasts. Love the book recos on this show? Check out the Prog...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about a great book by Ha-Joon Chang, it’s called 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism. The book is easy to read, even if you don’t have a background in economics, or even if you’re a little suspicious of the field. ICYMI another episode you might enjoy: Episode#118 Maybe banks don’t have to suck: an intro to CDFIs Love the book recos on this show? Ch...

Send us Fan Mail Have you heard people talking about The Great Wealth Transfer and wondered what they were talking about? Do you feel like something’s missing from the conversation? Dive into today’s episode for a quick summary of what’s happening and what no one’s talking about. Links from today’s episode: What is the “great wealth transfer,” and who’ll benefit from it? | Marketplace | December 2...

Send us Fan Mail Links from today's episode: These U.S. Companies Are Not Ditching DEI Amid Trump’s Crackdown | Time Magazine March 2025 https://time.com/7261857/us-companies-keep-dei-initiatives-list-trump-diversity-order-crackdown/ Which US companies are pulling back on diversity initiatives? | AP News February 2025 https://apnews.com/article/dei-diversity-equity-inclusion-lawsuits-f2f5e913...

Send us Fan Mail How are you feeling today? Are you one of millions of Americans who are feeling stressed and on the verge of current events burnout? Today’s episode is about self care for times like these. Pour a mug of something warm and grab a notebook. The work of building a better world is challenging, and requires that we find opportunities for rest, joy, pleasure, and community.  Links from...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about a wonderful new book by Jasmine Rashid, “The Financial Activist Playbook.” The book covers 8 strategies for everyday people to flex the power of their wallets. The book covers banking, shopping, donating, investing, and earning in ways that can feed our collective well being. Tune in to hear more about the book and find out how to get your own copy today...

Send us Fan Mail This week, let’s chat about the beautiful legacy of philanthropy within the jazz community. Let’s talk about community building work by artists like Jon Batiste, Wynton Marsalis, Ella Fitzgerald and others.  Links from today’s episode: Jazz and Philanthropy | Bridge Philanthropic Consulting https://bridgephilanthropicconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Iconic-Impact-__-Jazz-...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about three ways to be more generous this year! Whether you have five minutes or you have more time, you'll find an idea in this episode that inspires you to become the more generous person that you want to be in 2025. ICYMI another episode you might enjoy: Episode#136 Where does Dolly Pardon donate her money? Love the book recos on this show? Check out t...

Send us Fan Mail Links from today’s episode: The History and Social Work Legacy of the Black Panther Party 2022, International Journal of Education and Human Developments https://ijehd.cgrd.org/images/vol8no1/1.pdf   Black Panther Party Alumni Legacy Network https://bppaln.org/   The Black Panther Party: Challenging Police and Promoting Social Change, National Museum of African American History an...

Send us Fan Mail Too often, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy has been simplified to a few memorable phrases from his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. But did you know that Dr. King held some pretty radical money beliefs? Dr. King advocated for social justice and economic equality for all Americans and his ideas still resonate today. This is one of the most popular episodes of...

Send us Fan Mail This week it has finally started to rain in LA and the fires are almost completely contained. As we think about how we can help, please consider supporting the most vulnerable and least supported populations affected by the fires. If you are still considering where to give, here are 8 specific places to consider: https://www.progressivepockets.com/p/la-fires-where-to-donate/   In...

Send us Fan Mail Looking for healthy alternatives to going down the inauguration rabbit hole today? You’re not alone! Tune in to hear some practical self-care strategies to help you navigate today. We’ll explore practical techniques for managing stress, setting boundaries, and finding moments of peace. Whether you’re an activist, a concerned citizen, or just looking for ways to recharge, you’ll li...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in the coming year? Today’s episode will help you reflect on your achievements from last year and guide you in making intentional choices about how you spend, donate, invest and bank in 2025. Together, we’ll explore ways to support local businesses, give generously to causes you care about, and invest in companies that align with your valu...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s reminisce on the official Progressive Pockets predictions for 2024 and make some new predictions for 2025. In the meantime, please reach out with topics you’d like to hear covered this year on the show! ICYMI another episode you might enjoy: Episode#123 Poor People’s Campaign Connect With Genet “GG” Gimja: Website https://www.progressivepockets.com Twitter https://...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode is a quick recap of the most popular episodes of 2024. Whether you’re a new listener or you want to take a walk down memory lane, enjoy these top picks of the year! Previous Recap Videos Episode#103 Most Popular Episodes of 2023 Episode#62 Most popular episodes of 2022 Most popular episodes of 2024: Episode#147 The surprising truth about what ESG actually means...