The Caring Economy with Toby Usnik

In this episode of The Caring Economy , Toby Usnik sits down with Hazel Ann Felder, a Gen Z storyteller and strategist whose work bridges fashion, business, and social impact. Hazel shares how being adopted from China and growing up across the U.S., Singapore, and the U.K. shaped her sense of identity, leadership, and belonging. The conversation explores her podcast Clearly Becoming , her perspect...

In this episode of The Caring Economy , Toby Usnik sits down with Laura Turner, Vice President and Head of Community Impact at TIAA, for a conversation about financial security, first-generation student support, and what community impact looks like inside a large institution. Laura reflects on her path from an entry-level HR role to leading community impact at TIAA, and discusses the company’s wor...

In this episode of The Caring Economy , Toby Usnik speaks with Suzanne Curie, CEO of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award USA, about what young people actually need in order to build confidence, direction, and a sense of responsibility in the world. Suzanne reflects on her own path from finance and philanthropy into youth development, then walks through how the Award works across volunteering...

In this episode of The Caring Economy, Toby Usnik sits down with Darlene Goins, President of the Wells Fargo Foundation. The conversation focuses on housing affordability, access to banking, and how philanthropy operates inside a large financial institution. Darlene talks about her background in engineering and data, the realities of financial inclusion, and why stable housing plays such a central...

What happens when survivorship turns into strategy? In this episode of The Caring Economy , Toby Usnik sits down with Matthew Zachary—30-year brain cancer survivor, founder of Stupid Cancer , and one of the most unfiltered voices in American healthcare. Matthew shares how a cancer diagnosis at 21 reshaped his life and led him from patient to founder, media creator, and advocate. Together, they unp...

What if food were treated as care, not convenience? In this episode of The Caring Economy , we sit down with Laura Pensiero , a registered dietitian, chef, and leading voice in the Food Is Medicine movement, to unpack how nutrition quietly shapes nearly every outcome we care about, from long-term health to workplace resilience to healthcare costs. Laura shares her journey from the Hudson Valley to...

What does it take to build resilience when the world isn’t built for you? In this episode of The Caring Economy , host Toby Usnik sits down with veteran journalist and NewsNation anchor Leland “Lucky” Vittert to talk about his deeply personal new memoir, Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism . This is not a conversation about labels or diagnoses. It’s a convers...

Toby Usnik speaks with Father Patrick Ryan about what leadership looks like when institutions face pressure. Drawing from his childhood in a working-class Staten Island neighborhood, Father Ryan shares how community care shaped his early ideas about service. Together, he and Toby explore themes that mirror many of today’s cultural and political dynamics: the search for transparency, the need for i...

How do we tell stories that bring people together when everything else is pushing us apart? Oscar and Tony-winning producer Bruce Cohen , whose credits include American Beauty , Milk , Silver Linings Playbook , and Big Fish , joins The Caring Economy to talk about storytelling as an act of public service. In conversation with Toby Usnik , Bruce reflects on his life’s work — from mentorship under S...

In today’s world of polarization, climate disruption, and rapid digital change, resilience is everything. On this episode of The Caring Economy , we sit down with Asha Varghese , President of the Caterpillar Foundation and Head of CSR at Caterpillar. Asha reflects on her journey from Kerala, India, to rural Kentucky, and how those experiences shaped her approach to corporate leadership and purpose...

How do we secure the future of food in an age of climate chaos? In this episode of The Caring Economy , we sit down with Dr. Cary Fowler — co-recipient of the 2024 World Food Prize and the driving force behind the Svalbard Global Seed Vault . From his roots in the Civil Rights movement to his global mission to protect crop diversity, Fowler takes us on a journey that connects justice, resilience,...

In this episode of The Caring Economy, we have a wide-ranging discussion with Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley President & CEO Laura Washington, who draws on her decades of experience to explore the vital role of community, local philanthropy, and collective care have in our society. She also reflects on how today’s media landscape shapes trust, power, and participation in civic life...

🎙 The Caring Economy welcomes chess educator and lifelong player Jon Rigai to explore what the game of chess can teach us about navigating an AI-driven world. From training tournament players to helping 900-rated beginners find their stride, Jon’s philosophy is rooted in the power of slow, intentional thinking. In an era when AI engines can calculate the “perfect” move instantly, he reminds us tha...

Ross Dickman knows what it means to serve—with intention, with purpose, and with impact. As a U.S. Army veteran and now CEO of Hire Heroes USA, Ross is reimagining the transition from military to civilian life and building career pathways that uplift veterans, military spouses, and people with disabilities. In this episode of The Caring Economy , Ross opens up about the gaps in our current workfor...

In this episode of The Caring Economy , we sit down with John-Michael Cortez, Head of Government and Community Affairs at GFiber (Google Fiber). With experience spanning local government, economic development, and grassroots community organizing, John-Michael shares why broadband access is no longer a luxury — it's a civil right. From closing the digital divide to forming strategic public-private...

How do you build trust in a world where proof matters more than promises? In this episode of The Caring Economy , we sit down with MeiLin Wan, VP at GenuTrace, to explore how DNA technology is revolutionizing transparency in fashion, agriculture, and global supply chains. From verifying organic cotton to holding brands accountable for their sourcing claims, MeiLin shares how traceability is no lon...

What happens when a financial regulator becomes one of the most thoughtful advocates for innovation? In this episode of The Caring Economy , SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce—widely known as “Crypto Mom”—opens up about her unlikely journey from small-town Ohio to the Securities and Exchange Commission, and why she believes regulation should empower, not restrict. Peirce shares candid insights into th...

What We Lose If We Let Go: A Conversation with Walter Dabney On this episode of The Caring Economy , we speak with Walter Dabney , former National Park Service superintendent and lifelong public lands advocate, about the urgent need to protect America's natural heritage. With decades of experience overseeing some of the nation’s most treasured landscapes, Walter shares what’s at stake when pub...

n this episode of The Caring Economy , host Toby Usnik sits down with Felita Harris, Executive Director and Co-Founder of RAISEFashion , to explore how she’s transforming the fashion industry into a more inclusive, equitable space for BIPOC creatives and professionals. With over 25 years of experience at brands like Nordstrom and Donna Karan, Felita has witnessed firsthand the structural inequitie...

In this episode of The Caring Economy , Toby Usnik sits down with Maury Wolfe , Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Impact for Cox Enterprises , to explore how a century-old company is doubling down on impact in a modern world. From bold climate commitments to long-term investments in workforce development, Maury breaks down Cox’s holistic approach to corporate responsibil...

In this powerful episode of The Caring Economy , host Toby Usnik speaks with Dawn Pinnock , President & CEO of the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS). As the first woman and first person of color to lead CUCS, Dawn shares her bold vision for addressing homelessness through integrated care, systemic equity, and community-based leadership. We explore: The evolving face of homelessness in...

n this episode of The Caring Economy , we sit down with R. Adam Smith—seasoned investor, family office advisor, and legacy strategist—to explore how wealth, legacy, and leadership are being redefined for a new generation. Adam brings decades of experience working with founders, families, and next-gen inheritors navigating the emotional and financial complexities of intergenerational wealth. From p...

In this episode of The Caring Economy , we sit down with Michael D. Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps , to explore how national service is shaping the future of leadership, social impact, and civic engagement . With over 200,000 AmeriCorps members serving across 40,000+ communities , the organization is tackling some of the nation’s biggest challenges—from education and disaster relief to public health and...

The data is clear: when women thrive, economies flourish. But are we really putting our money where our values are? In this powerful episode of The Caring Economy , we sit down with Renee Wittemyer , VP of Program & Strategy at Pivotal Ventures , the Melinda French Gates-backed organization reshaping how we fund gender equity and economic opportunity. Renee shares eye-opening insights into how...

What if corporate success wasn’t just about profit but about creating a positive impact on the world? Bob Stiller, founder of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters , built a billion-dollar brand while pioneering corporate social responsibility (CSR) . In this episode of The Caring Economy , Bob shares how he turned a small Vermont coffee company into a leader in sustainability, ethical sourcing, and empl...