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 chat about how to make your money work for both you and the world. From environmental sustainability to gender equality, learn how to screen out harmful companies and support those actively solving societal issues. Let’s also talk about how to leverage your shareholder voice to drive positive change. Tune in for actionable tips on making your investments a force f...

Send us Fan Mail The philosophy of Effective Altruism captured the minds and wallets of Silicon Valley's elite - using reason and evidence to maximize positive impact. But is this clinical approach to the world’s problems really possible? And what happens now, after the shocking downfall of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, once a leader of the Effective Altruism community? In this episode, let’...

Send us Fan Mail Here’s this week’s letter: I got the day off for Juneteenth and I’m trying to think about ways to honor the holiday and incorporate it into my family’s annual traditions. We have a nice tradition in my family of volunteering on Thanksgiving, we love it, it’s fun, it brings the family together, it reminds us to practice gratitude. We usually spend some time that weekend learning mo...

Send us Fan Mail Do you donate money or volunteer your time for charitable causes? If so, you're engaging in philanthropic activities. But would you actually call yourself a "philanthropist"? According to a recent report from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, there's a major disconnect between the public's understanding of philanthropy and how peo...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how to separate the charities genuinely driving impact from those just paying lip service? In this candid episode, you'll get the inside scoop on a personal vetting process for ensuring your donations create real positive change. You'll gain an insider's perspective on: Cutting Through the Fluff: Learn a litmus test for identifying charities with laser-f...

Send us Fan Mail In a world grappling with climate change and animal welfare concerns, a new investment trend is taking root - vegan investing. This episode dives deep into the rapidly growing world of cruelty-free, plant-based portfolios. We'll explore how vegan ETFs like VEGN are empowering investors to align their money with their values, without sacrificing returns. Whether you're a...

Send us Fan Mail Many Americans are unaware that their retirement savings may be profiting off mass incarceration. In this eye-opening episode, we explore how major corporations and Wall Street firms are making billions by operating prisons and exploiting incarcerated workers. You’ll learn how to use the free Prison Free Funds tool to easily check if your 401(k), IRA or other investment funds are...

Send us Fan Mail Are you passionate about having a positive impact in the world but unsure how to incorporate that into your financial strategy? In this episode, we'll explore how to have a thoughtful conversation with your financial advisor about aligning your investments with your social impact goals. You'll learn: The key questions to ask your advisor to understand their knowledge and...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about the Poor People’s Campaign. This is a revival of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s radical campaign to unite poor people across the country to fight for an “economic bill of rights” including a guaranteed basic income and affordable housing. Fifty years later, the torch has been picked up by Rev. Dr. William Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharris. They have dedi...

Send us Fan Mail This week, host GG Gimja will share the simple process she used to move her investments to a more socially responsible index fund. 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 Surprising Truth About What ESG Investing Actuall...

Send us Fan Mail This week let’s chat about a book that was just released called “The Social Justice Investor” by Andrea Longton. It’s a very smooth read, good for beginners who are just getting started with investing and don’t want to have to check their societal values at the door. Links from today’s episode: The Social Justice Investor by Andrea Longton https://www.thesocialjusticeinvestor.com/...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever thought about hiring a financial advisor? Did you know that there are a growing number of financial advisors and money coaches that are specializing in offering services for clients who want to consider their societal values in their plans for their money? And did you know that there are even financial planners who can help your existing financial planner learn about...

Send us Fan Mail Like many religious texts, the Quran has a lot to say about money! Back on episode 115 we discussed Islamic concepts of giving. In today’s episode, the principles of Islamic investing are covered. Whether you’re a religious person or not, learning about faith based investing principles can provide inspiration for your own journey in finding investments that align with your values....

Send us Fan Mail The best episode ideas come from YOUR suggestions. Is there a topic you'd like to hear about on the show? Please send your ideas to progressivepockets@gmail.com Let’s talk again soon. ICYMI another episode you might enjoy: Episode 103 Most Popular Episodes of 2023 (recorded before the 2024 rebranding of this show) Connect With Genet “GG” Gimja: Website https://www.progressive...

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 With so many of us trying to shop sustainably these days, it can be confusing to know what all of the “free trade” and “socially responsible” tags on products mean. Tune in this week to learn more about the 1% for the Planet pledge that 5,000 companies in over 100 countries have signed. As a bonus, you’ll also learn about a fairly new Planet Impact Fund that has been launched by t...

Send us Fan Mail MacKenzie Scott is famously tight lipped about how she’s making decisions to give away her estimated $40 billion net worth. But researchers at Harvard have analyzed publicly available data to see what trends emerge. Where does she donate? And is any of it applicable to our own giving? Links from today’s episode: MacKenzie Scott’s Giving Pledge to give the majority of her wealth aw...

Send us Fan Mail A common question that comes in from listeners is the soul searching question of “how much should I donate?” There are lots of ways to make that decision, for example, by studying various religious and cultural practices. In today’s episode, the concept of zakat, the third pillar of Islam will be discussed. This is the religious obligation to donate 2.5% of your wealth above a min...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know there are membership organizations for people of means who want to use their money in greater alignment with their values? Whether you are looking for a group to join or looking for free resources online to DIY your own journey towards greater alignment between your money and your values, tune in this week to learn more about: Toniic, Women Donors Network, Solidaire,...

Send us Fan Mail Links from today's episode: https://www.tides.org/accelerating-social-change/philanthropy/five-facts-to-know-about-black-philanthropy/   https://www.blackphilanthropymonth.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madam_C._J._Walker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ellen_Pleasant   Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Today let's discuss the Black Dollar Index. During the racial reckoning in 2020, a group of Black professionals with expertise in healthcare, consumer packaged goods, media, finance, politics, and consulting got together and formed the Black Dollar Initiative. The idea was that this consumer advocacy group could unify the one and a half trillion dollars spent annually by Blac...

Send us Fan Mail This week let's look at a stock that claims to be designed for those of us who want to invest in anti-racist companies; the NACP ETF created by Impact Shares in 2018. The NACP ETF is an interesting model for socially responsible investing. Not only are the holdings screened according to criteria agreed to with the NAACP, but any proceeds that Impact Shares would receive from...

Send us Fan Mail As we kick off Black History Month, this week's episode is about the interesting link between jazz and philanthropy based on research from Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, the nation's only Black full service fundraising consultancy. Tune in to learn about the contributions of Jon Batiste, Wynton Marsalis, and the legacies of Lou Rawls, Ella Fitzgerald and other jazz gre...

Send us Fan Mail This week please enjoy a fascinating episode from Renegade Capital featuring an interview with Rachel Robasciotti, Founder of Adasina Social Capital. In this interview she discusses an approach for financial activism that will surely appeal to social impact investors. Renegade Capital Podcast hosted by Andrea Longton, Ebony Perkins, and Leah Fremouw, is the activist’s podcast for...

Send us Fan Mail Thinking about dipping your toe into ESG investing or socially responsible investing? What are the pros and cons? Tune in this week to find out! Link from today's episode: Pros and Cons of ESG Funds https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/pros-and-cons-of-esg-funds/ Support the show