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

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that the US has offered tax breaks for charitable donations since income tax rates were increased to fund World War I? What does the IRS recommend to ensure that your donations qualify you for tax breaks? And is all of that effort even worth it? Tune in this week to find out more… Links from today’s episode: Tax deductions for charitable donations | Deloitte https://w...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about Gen Z and how they tend to invest. As digital natives, Gen Z investors tend to be more comfortable with various investing platforms and apps. As investors who have been exposed to more information about the world, Gen Z investors consider their environmental societal values when they decide whether or not to invest in a company. But just how far are Gen...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about a popular book called Decolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva. It is a book about money, giving, and social justice. In today’s episode, we will look at how the history of colonization still affects how wealth is used today, often making inequalities worse. Villanueva’s book challenges us to rethink how we view money and shows us that it can be a tool fo...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about Giving Tuesday going global and how you might plan your own Giving Tuesday this year! Links from today’s episode: Giving Tuesday campaigns from around the globe https://www.givingtuesday.org/blog/global-leaders-local-movements/ ICYMI another episode you might enjoy: Episode#105 Hosting a pop up giving circle for the holidays Connect With Genet “GG” Gimja...

Send us Fan Mail The Indigenous "Land Back" movement in the US and Canada has gained momentum in recent years across many Indigenous groups, representing a broad fight for decolonization, protecting their culture, and taking care of the environment. Today we will talk about the movement and how WE can support these efforts! Links from today’s episode: Landback https://landback.org/ Land...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about some practical suggestions for hosting a Thanksgiving that’s just a little more sustainable. From planning the meal to polling guests before they show up, you’re sure to leave today’s episode with at least one idea you hadn’t considered before! Links from today’s episode: Time Magazine: Thanksgiving Food Waste Is Nothing To Celebrate. But There Are Ways...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode is raw and unedited. It’s a heart to heart about where we go from here. ICYMI another episode you might enjoy: Episode#105 Introducing Progressive Pockets! New name, same great taste Connect With Genet “GG” Gimja: Website https://www.progressivepockets.com Twitter https://twitter.com/prgrssvpckts   Work With Me: Email progressivepockets@gmail.com for brand part...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's replay, let's explore the powerful influence of small-dollar donations in American politics. You don’t need to be a billionaire to make a difference!  Let’s talk about the rapid fundraising that has characterized the early days of VP Kamala Harris’ run for President of the United States and the role that the Win With Black Women collective played in her ea...

Send us Fan Mail Ever think about what your bank is doing with your cash? Whether your bank uses the cash in your checking and savings account to fund fossil fuel companies or gun manufacturers, the reality is that the banks are using their own set of societal values to deploy our cash every single day. In today’s episode, let’s talk about community focused, mission driven banks that might actuall...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Progressive Pockets! This is a podcast where we talk about ways to line up our values and our money. When we think about the things that keep us up at night. Whether that’s climate change, or homelessness, or the systematic oppression of our communities, we usually talk about how we can claim our power when we vote. Some of us might protest, or organize ourselves i...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, let’s chat about charitable giving among Latino Americans, including formal and informal giving, the surprising role of religious giving, and the huge impact of remittances (sending money back to one’s country of origin) from this community. Let’s also talk about cultural differences in how Latine Americans might discuss (or choose not to discuss!) their charitabl...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode is about a fun activity to consider trying with your friends, coworkers, or fellow book club members. You might have heard of giving circles before, where you meet regularly with a group of people and pool your money and then decide collectively where to donate. But have you ever heard of a pop up giving circle? This is a very condensed version of that! No long ter...

Send us Fan Mail Long gone are the days when investors left their societal values at the door. These days, most investors want to invest with their environmental and social values in mind. If you are a financial advisor, you may feel intimidated or skeptical about how to serve clients who want you to incorporate their societal values into their financial plans. This week’s episode provides simple...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about Winners Take All: the Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas. Published in 2018, this book became a New York Times Bestseller and fired off a conversation about whether powerful elites really want to change the root causes of the social problems they claim to care about. Endlessly quotable, provocative, interesting…this book just might...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Progressive Pockets, let's explore the topic of conscious travel, focusing on how to respect local cultures while prioritizing environmental sustainability.  Discover practical tips for engaging with communities, understanding local customs, and avoiding cultural faux pas. We'll also discuss sustainable travel practices, such as supporting local econom...

Send us Fan Mail This week, let's explore how everyday shareholders can wield surprising influence over corporate behavior. Discover the power of your single vote and learn about the impact of attending annual general meetings.  You'll hear about real-world success stories where small shareholders sparked big changes in major companies. From leveraging social media to engage with corpora...

Send us Fan Mail It’s time for another book review! This episode is about a book titled Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World by Janine Firpo. It is an accessible, handy guide to learning more about investing and the practical changes we can make to align our societal values with our investments. You don’t have to be a billionaire to invest your values, this book...

Send us Fan Mail It’s time for the celebrity giving series! Whether you love celebrity gossip or you want to be inspired to shake up your own giving, it can be so much fun to learn where celebrities donate their money. This week let’s chat about Serena Williams! Her giving has evolved over time and gives a sneak peek into the causes she cares most about. Links from today’s episode: The philanthrop...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, let’s explore Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s philanthropy, highlighting their commitment to social causes. Let’s talk about their partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, where they helped to raise funds to support families with sick children and their support of Planned Parenthood.  Let’s also discuss their $200,000 donation to the Time's Up Legal...

Send us Fan Mail Let’s continue the celebrity giving series! Whether you love celebrity gossip or you want to be inspired to shake up your own giving, it can be so much fun to learn where celebrities donate their money. This week let’s chat about Taylor Swift’s giving.  Let’s talk about her contributions to causes like music education, disaster relief, and whether the food pantry donations in conj...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, let's explore the remarkable philanthropic efforts of country music legend Dolly Parton. We'll dive into her most significant charitable initiatives, including the Dollywood Foundation and its flagship program, the Imagination Library, which has distributed millions of books to children worldwide. Let's discuss Parton's commitment to education,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, let's explore the powerful influence of small-dollar donations in American politics. You don’t need to be a billionaire to make a difference!  Let’s talk about the rapid fundraising that has characterized the early days of VP Kamala Harris’ run for President of the United States and the role that the Win With Black Women collective played in her early success...

Send us Fan Mail Usually on this show we talk about the power of our wallets to build the world we want. This week, let’s talk about how we can extend our power just a little bit further, to our places of work. There are lots of ways to serve as a financial ally to the planet and to our community. This week, we’ll talk about five ways that are probably easier than you might think. Practice salary...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s talk about a wildly successful student campaign to convince universities across America to divest from South Africa’s apartheid. This mini history lesson includes efforts from students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Harvard University, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Stanford, the University of California system, UNC Chapel Hill, and more. This...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about using our consumer power for social change. Learn how our everyday purchases can become a force for good, from "buycotts" to boycotts to organized campaigns. Hear real-world examples of consumer-driven change, tackle the challenges of ethical shopping, and reveal strategies for aligning your spending with your values. Whether you're a seas...