Next Economy Now: For the Benefit of All Life

Tom Chi has worked in a wide range of roles from astrophysical researcher to Fortune 500 consultant to corporate executive developing new hardware/software products and services. He's played a significant role in established projects with global reach (Microsoft Outlook, Yahoo Search), and scaled new projects from conception to significance (Yahoo Answers from 0 to 90 million users).Tom has pioneered and practiced a unique approach to rapid prototyping, visioning, and leadership that can jumpstart innovative new ideas as well as move large organizations at unprecedented speeds. These approaches have benefitted over a dozen industry-leading companies. He most recently served as head of product experience at Google X developing technology such as Google Glass and Google's self-driving cars.His current focus is delving into human development issues with social entrepreneurs around the globe, rebooting the fundamental frameworks of entrepreneurship itself, and teaching a limited number of workshops to select organizations. Recently he founded an investment firm, At One Ventures, that finds, funds, and grows teams to catalyze a world where humanity is a net positive to nature.---LIFT Economy Newsletter Join 7000+ subscribers and get our free 60 point business design checklist—plus monthly tips, advice, and resources to help you build the Next Economy: https://lifteconomy.com/newsletter --- Next Economy MBAThis episode is brought to you by the Next Economy MBA.What would a business education look like if it was completely redesigned for the benefit of all life? This is why the team at LIFT Economy created the Next Economy MBA (https://lifteconomy.com/mba).The Next Economy MBA is a nine month online course for folks who want to learn key business fundamentals (e.g., vision, culture, strategy, and operations) from an equitable, inclusive, and regenerative perspective.Join the growing network of 250+ alumni who have been exposed to new solutions, learned essential business skills, and joined a lifelong peer group that is catalyzing a global shift towards an economy that works for all life.Learn more at https://lifteconomy.com/mba.---Show Notes + Other LinksFor detailed show notes and interviews with past guests, please visit https://lifteconomy.com/podcastIf you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps expose these ideas to new listeners:https://bit.ly/nexteconomynowTwitter: https://twitter.com/LIFTEconomyInstagram: https://instagram.com/lifteconomy/Facebook: https://facebook.com/LIFTEconomy/YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/LifteconoSend us a textJoin Next Economy Living, beginning October 2025! By joining a cohort, you’ll learn how to deepen personal security and resilience practices to thrive and flourish amidst ecological and economic collapse. The training is designed to support you to deepen your changmaking while also taking care of your material and financial needs. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/NextEconomyLiving Interested in designing a world that works for the benefit of all life? Join our fall cohort of The Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th, and use discount code PODCASTMB@ to save 10% on tuition!Learn more at  lifteconomy.com/mba. Support the show

Today we have a powerful and important conversation with Vanessa Roanhorse, the CEO of Roanhorse Consulting and the Co-Founder of Native Women Lead. Our guest has dedicated her life to building wealth and power for indigenous women, investing in community initiatives, and firmly putting people back at the center of this conversation.For detailed show notes and interviews with past guests, please visit https://lifteconomy.com/podcast---LIFT Economy Newsletter Join 7000+ subscribers and get our free 60 point business design checklist—plus monthly tips, advice, and resources to help you build the Next Economy: https://lifteconomy.com/newsletter --- Next Economy MBAThis episode is brought to you by the Next Economy MBA.What would a business education look like if it was completely redesigned for the benefit of all life? This is why the team at LIFT Economy created the Next Economy MBA (https://lifteconomy.com/mba).The Next Economy MBA is a nine month online course for folks who want to learn key business fundamentals (e.g., vision, culture, strategy, and operations) from an equitable, inclusive, and regenerative perspective.Join the growing network of 250+ alumni who have been exposed to new solutions, learned essential business skills, and joined a lifelong peer group that is catalyzing a global shift towards an economy that works for all life.Learn more at https://lifteconomy.com/mba.---Show Notes + Other LinksFor detailed show notes and interviews with past guests, please visit https://lifteconomy.com/podcastIf you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps expose these ideas to new listeners:https://bit.ly/nexteconomynowTwitter: https://twitter.com/LIFTEconomyInstagram: https://instagram.com/lifteconomy/Facebook: https://facebook.com/LIFTEconomy/YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/LifteconomyMusic by Chris Zabriskie: https://chriszabriskie.com/Send us a textJoin Next Economy Living, beginning October 2025! By joining a cohort, you’ll learn how to deepen personal security and resilience practices to thrive and flourish amidst ecological and economic collapse. The training is designed to support you to deepen your changmaking while also taking care of your material and financial needs. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/NextEconomyLiving Interested in designing a world that works for the benefit of all life? Join our fall cohort of The Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th, and use discount code PODCASTMB@ to save 10% on tuition!Learn more at  lifteconomy.com/mba. Support the show

Roxy Manning joins Next Economy Now to talk to us about her work in non-violent communication and commitment to building a more equitable and compassionate future. Roxy is an Afro-Caribbean immigrant to the US, a licensed clinical psychologist, a trainer at the Center for Nonviolent Communication, and a lead consultant for the Center for Efficient Collaboration. For detailed show notes and interviews with past guests, please visit https://lifteconomy.com/podcast---LIFT Economy Newsletter Join 7000+ subscribers and get our free 60 point business design checklist—plus monthly tips, advice, and resources to help you build the Next Economy: https://lifteconomy.com/newsletter --- Next Economy MBAThis episode is brought to you by the Next Economy MBA.What would a business education look like if it was completely redesigned for the benefit of all life? This is why the team at LIFT Economy created the Next Economy MBA (https://lifteconomy.com/mba).The Next Economy MBA is a nine month online course for folks who want to learn key business fundamentals (e.g., vision, culture, strategy, and operations) from an equitable, inclusive, and regenerative perspective.Join the growing network of 250+ alumni who have been exposed to new solutions, learned essential business skills, and joined a lifelong peer group that is catalyzing a global shift towards an economy that works for all life.Learn more at https://lifteconomy.com/mba.---Show Notes + Other LinksFor detailed show notes and interviews with past guests, please visit https://lifteconomy.com/podcastIf you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps expose these ideas to new listeners:https://bit.ly/nexteconomynowTwitter: https://twitter.com/LIFTEconomyInstagram: https://instagram.com/lifteconomy/Facebook: https://facebook.com/LIFTEconomy/YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/LifteconomyMusic by Chris Zabriskie: https://chriszabriskie.com/Send us a textJoin Next Economy Living, beginning October 2025! By joining a cohort, you’ll learn how to deepen personal security and resilience practices to thrive and flourish amidst ecological and economic collapse. The training is designed to support you to deepen your changmaking while also taking care of your material and financial needs. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/NextEconomyLiving Interested in designing a world that works for the benefit of all life? Join our fall cohort of The Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th, and use discount code PODCASTMB@ to save 10% on tuition!Learn more at  lifteconomy.com/mba. Support the show

Our guest today is Janine Firpo, a champion of the rising tide of women in the world of investing. Janine's mission is to consolidate and spread her knowledge to help other women to take control of their money--thus aiding positive change in the world.  She has worked at the World Bank and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and she is here to tell her personal story and share some of the amazing wisdom she has accrued in her professional career. ---LIFT Economy Newsletter Join 7000+ subscribers and get our free 60 point business design checklist—plus monthly tips, advice, and resources to help you build the Next Economy: https://lifteconomy.com/newsletter --- Next Economy MBAThis episode is brought to you by the Next Economy MBA.What would a business education look like if it was completely redesigned for the benefit of all life? This is why the team at LIFT Economy created the Next Economy MBA (https://lifteconomy.com/mba).The Next Economy MBA is a nine month online course for folks who want to learn key business fundamentals (e.g., vision, culture, strategy, and operations) from an equitable, inclusive, and regenerative perspective.Join the growing network of 250+ alumni who have been exposed to new solutions, learned essential business skills, and joined a lifelong peer group that is catalyzing a global shift towards an economy that works for all life.Learn more at https://lifteconomy.com/mba.---Show Notes + Other LinksFor detailed show notes and interviews with past guests, please visit https://lifteconomy.com/podcastIf you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps expose these ideas to new listeners:https://bit.ly/nexteconomynowTwitter: https://twitter.com/LIFTEconomyInstagram: https://instagram.com/lifteconomy/Facebook: https://facebook.com/LIFTEconomy/YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/LifteconomyMusic by Chris Zabriskie: https://chriszabriskie.com/Send us a textJoin Next Economy Living, beginning October 2025! By joining a cohort, you’ll learn how to deepen personal security and resilience practices to thrive and flourish amidst ecological and economic collapse. The training is designed to support you to deepen your changmaking while also taking care of your material and financial needs. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/NextEconomyLiving Interested in designing a world that works for the benefit of all life? Join our fall cohort of The Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th, and use discount code PODCASTMB@ to save 10% on tuition!Learn more at  lifteconomy.com/mba. Support the show

Bex Kwan and Jenna Peters-Golden both work at AORTA (the Anti Oppression and Resource Training Alliance), a worker-owned cooperative devoted to helping movements renew a stronger sense of liberatory vision, values, and purpose. On this episode, we hear about our guests' passion for facilitation, the limits of personality in this work, and their thoughts on the craft and power of facilitation. For detailed show notes and interviews with past guests, please visit https://lifteconomy.com/podcast---LIFT Economy NewsletterJoin 7000+ subscribers and get our free 60 point business design checklist—plus monthly tips, advice, and resources to help you build the Next Economy: https://lifteconomy.com/newsletter---Next Economy MBAThis episode is brought to you by the Next Economy MBA.What would a business education look like if it was completely redesigned for the benefit of all life? This is why the team at LIFT Economy created the Next Economy MBA (https://lifteconomy.com/mba).The Next Economy MBA is a nine month online course for folks who want to learn key business fundamentals (e.g., vision, culture, strategy, and operations) from an equitable, inclusive, and regenerative perspective.Join the growing network of 250+ alumni who have been exposed to new solutions, learned essential business skills, and joined a lifelong peer group that is catalyzing a global shift towards an economy that works for all life.Learn more at https://lifteconomy.com/mba.Send us a textJoin Next Economy Living, beginning October 2025! By joining a cohort, you’ll learn how to deepen personal security and resilience practices to thrive and flourish amidst ecological and economic collapse. The training is designed to support you to deepen your changmaking while also taking care of your material and financial needs. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/NextEconomyLiving Interested in designing a world that works for the benefit of all life? Join our fall cohort of The Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th, and use discount code PODCASTMB@ to save 10% on tuition!Learn more at  lifteconomy.com/mba. Support the show

We are joined by Black mother, grandmother, lover, professor, and activist, Dr. Zoe Spencer. Zoe is a published author who currently teaches at Virginia State University, where she is dedicated to educating and opening the minds of her students, in order to build a better and more equitable future. She has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of oppressed people. To view the show notes and more, visit http://lifteconomy.com/podcast.Send us a textJoin Next Economy Living, beginning October 2025! By joining a cohort, you’ll learn how to deepen personal security and resilience practices to thrive and flourish amidst ecological and economic collapse. The training is designed to support you to deepen your changmaking while also taking care of your material and financial needs. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/NextEconomyLiving Interested in designing a world that works for the benefit of all life? Join our fall cohort of The Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th, and use discount code PODCASTMB@ to save 10% on tuition!Learn more at  lifteconomy.com/mba. Support the show

Today, we are joined by Dr. Jennifer Harvey to discuss the question of raising children who will grow up to have anti-racist values. If white parents cannot help their children make sense of racism, systemic oppression, and white supremacy, they will grow up to perpetuate this system rather than dismantle it. For detailed show notes and interviews with past guests, please visit https://lifteconomy.com/podcastSend us a textJoin Next Economy Living, beginning October 2025! By joining a cohort, you’ll learn how to deepen personal security and resilience practices to thrive and flourish amidst ecological and economic collapse. The training is designed to support you to deepen your changmaking while also taking care of your material and financial needs. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/NextEconomyLiving Interested in designing a world that works for the benefit of all life? Join our fall cohort of The Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th, and use discount code PODCASTMB@ to save 10% on tuition!Learn more at  lifteconomy.com/mba. Support the show

Today, LIFT Partners Kevin Bayuk and Ryan Honeyman chat about the topic of decentralization and how this manifests to varying degrees within the blockchain and cryptocurrencies.We start off with some simple definitions, clarifying the differences and relationships between the concept of a decentralized ledger, the blockchain, and the cryptocurrencies that use it. The important questions here are around who benefits from these systems and platforms, and whether it is possible to create cryptocurrencies and decentralization that serve more people. This raises the important theme of governance and how it can decide the fate of a technology or company.The last part of our chat is spent looking at historical and contemporary examples of decentralization, and how these can inform our vision of what a decentralized world might look like. One of the most valuable ideas here is to position new technologies as ethical tools to build cornerstones of a more equitable world, with less self-interest and wealth accumulation.---Key Points From This Episode:A quick definition of terms; decentralized ledger, blockchain, and bitcoinThe opportunities and challenges of reducing the exploitation associated with intermediariesLooking at some of the more equitable examples of cryptocurrency such as FairCoin.A litmus test for blockchain projects; avoiding self-interested wealth accumulationThe exciting work being done by the team at Regen Network on the Terra Genesis projectConsidering a few historical examples of successful decentralized communitiesContemporary initiatives that are running against mainstream economic trendsImagining a future of locally-reliant economies and the language necessary for this---Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:FairCoin — https://fair-coin.org/Holochain — https://holochain.org/Regen Network — https://www.regen.network/team/Nori — https://nori.com/ For All the People — https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781604865820NEXTSYSTEMS — https://nextsystems.com/---LIFT Economy NewsletterJoin 7000+ subscribers and get our free 60 point business design checklist—plus monthly tips, advice, and resources to help you build the Next Economy: https://lifteconomy.com/newsletter---Next Economy MBAWhat would a business education look like if it was completely redesigned for the benefit of all life? This is why the team at LIFT Economy created the Next Economy MBA (https://lifteconomy.com/mba).The Next Economy MBA is a nine month online course for folks who want to learn key business fundamentals (e.g., vision, culture, strategy, and operations) from an equitable, inclusive, and Send us a textJoin Next Economy Living, beginning October 2025! By joining a cohort, you’ll learn how to deepen personal security and resilience practices to thrive and flourish amidst ecological and economic collapse. The training is designed to support you to deepen your changmaking while also taking care of your material and financial needs. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/NextEconomyLiving Interested in designing a world that works for the benefit of all life? Join our fall cohort of The Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th, and use discount code PODCASTMB@ to save 10% on tuition!Learn more at  lifteconomy.com/mba. Support the show

We are excited to welcome the CEO of Evolve Oakland, David Jackson, to the show today to talk about his work, philosophy towards positive impact, and the important work that is happening and still needs to be done right now. David anchors his life with three 'Ps'; purpose, passion, and profession, and it was through the marriage of these that he found his calling at Evolve, helping marginalized people of color grow business and become their best selves.In our conversation, we hear about the time that David spent working with the Golden State Warriors, the development of his message of having faith, fun, and fight, and also how he and Evolve have reacted to the pandemic to rebuild what was lost. David's dedication to creating pathways to Black ownership is truly inspiring, and the priority he places on this area sheds much light on the hurdles that we have yet to overcome as a society.David aims to create gathering spaces for Black folks, with an eye on a future without the lack that is still so prevalent in today's world. He talks about collectivism and mobilization, and what exactly is needed to build this future. We also get into some of David's favorite things to do and read, and the fountains from which he currently draws inspiration.Key Points From This Episode:David's professional history and entrepreneurial journey leading to his work with Evolve. Unpacking what Evolve does, its model, and how it serves the community.The impact of the last year and the pandemic on Evolve and the work they do.Next steps for Evolve and their current move to downsize and relocate.White supremacy, anti-blackness, and a vision for the future; things that keep David up at night.David's most recommended book: The Medici Effect by Frans Johansson. Creating a space to call home and financial partnership; the biggest priorities for David and Evolve. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-jackson-582a2451https://evolveoakland.com/https://www.instagram.com/evolveoaklandhttps://www.facebook.com/evolveoakland/The Medici Effect: https://bit.ly/2U3DYSJDarcelle Lahr: https://www.mills.edu/faculty/darcelle-lahr.phpLIFT Economy NewsletterJoin 7000+ subscribers and get our free 60 point business design checklist—plus monthly tips, advice, and resources to help you build the Next Economy: https://lifteconomy.com/newsletterNext Economy MBAThis episode is brought to you by the Next Economy MBA.What would a business education look like if it was completely redesigned for the benefit of all life? This is why the team at LIFT Economy created the Next Economy MBA (https://lifteconomy.com/mba).The Next Economy MBA is a nine month onlSend us a textJoin Next Economy Living, beginning October 2025! By joining a cohort, you’ll learn how to deepen personal security and resilience practices to thrive and flourish amidst ecological and economic collapse. The training is designed to support you to deepen your changmaking while also taking care of your material and financial needs. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/NextEconomyLiving Interested in designing a world that works for the benefit of all life? Join our fall cohort of The Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th, and use discount code PODCASTMB@ to save 10% on tuition!Learn more at  lifteconomy.com/mba. Support the show

In today’s episode of Next Economy Now, your host, Ryan Honeyman, gets together with Erin Heaney, executive director of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). https://surj.org/Erin shares about her family history of involvement in activism, from the struggles in Northern Ireland to Union groups in America, and how her queer identity has connected her to her work in social justice reform. Erin explains that while SURJ was founded relatively recently in 2009, its mandate strives to respond to a call from The Black Panthers, made in the 1960s, on white folks to address racism in their communities. The conversation centers on the important work being done at SURJ and the role that white folks can play in social justice reform by supporting solutions that have been set by those most affected by white supremacy. Erin unpacks the importance of discussing race and class concurrently in activism and reform work, and how racism and white supremacy have undermined every single social justice movement in the USA by weaponizing racial divides. ---LIFT Economy NewsletterJoin 7000+ subscribers and get our free 60 point business design checklist—plus monthly tips, advice, and resources to help you build the Next Economy: https://lifteconomy.com/newsletter---Next Economy MBAThis episode is brought to you by the Next Economy MBA.What would a business education look like if it was completely redesigned for the benefit of all life? This is why the team at LIFT Economy created the Next Economy MBA (https://lifteconomy.com/mba).The Next Economy MBA is a nine month online course for folks who want to learn key business fundamentals (e.g., vision, culture, strategy, and operations) from an equitable, inclusive, and regenerative perspective.Join the growing network of 250+ alumni who have been exposed to new solutions, learned essential business skills, and joined a lifelong peer group that is catalyzing a global shift towards an economy that works for all life.Learn more at https://lifteconomy.com/mba.---Show Notes + Other LinksFor detailed show notes and interviews with past guests, please visit https://lifteconomy.com/podcastIf you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps expose these ideas to new listeners:https://bit.ly/nexteconomynowTwitter: https://twitter.com/LIFT_EconomyInstagram: https://instagram.com/lifteconomy/Facebook: https://facebook.com/LIFTEconomy/YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/LifteconomyMusic by Chris Zabriskie: https://chriszabriskie.com/Send us a textJoin Next Economy Living, beginning October 2025! By joining a cohort, you’ll learn how to deepen personal security and resilience practices to thrive and flourish amidst ecological and economic collapse. The training is designed to support you to deepen your changmaking while also taking care of your material and financial needs. Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/NextEconomyLiving Interested in designing a world that works for the benefit of all life? Join our fall cohort of The Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th, and use discount code PODCASTMB@ to save 10% on tuition!Learn more at  lifteconomy.com/mba. Support the show