

Next Economy Now: For the Benefit of All Life
LIFT Economy
Next Economy Now highlights the leaders that are taking a regenerative, bio-regional, democratic, equitable, racially-just, and whole-systems approach to creating the new economy. Popular guests include Vincent Stanley (Patagonia), Winona LaDuke (White Earth Reservation), Frederic Laloux (Reinventing Organizations), Autumn Brown (AORTA), Kate Raworth (Doughnut Economics), and Aaron Tanaka (Center for Economic Democracy). Learn more at www.lifteconomy.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 4, 2023 • 45min
Alli Myatt: The Equity Practice and Bringing Humanity Back Into the Workplace
Joining us today to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is Alli Myatt, co-founder of The Equity Practice, a racial equity consulting firm that supports organizations by helping them incorporate liberatory principles into their talent practices so that everyone can thrive. For more than two decades, Alli has helped teams and organizations reimagine their workspaces, and in today’s conversation, we talk with Alli about her work in DEI, how she founded The Equity Practice, and why working across cultures and building belonging takes practice (even for her). We discuss identity's instrumental role in our ability to thrive at work, how patterns of oppression can show up in an organization, and the powerful shifts that can happen when we realize what is possible at work.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/alli-myatt/Send us a textJoin our fall cohort of the Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th! Join an alumni community of 700+ entrepreneurs, activists, and artists working to transform our economy for the benefit of all life. Plus, save 20% on tuition when you register before August 11th, 2025.Learn more ➡️ http://lifteconomy.com/mba Current federal policy decisions are affecting businesses and workers in our community in big ways. Actions like the recent tariffs and funding freezes have real-world consequences. American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is collecting stories to push for smarter, more sustainable policies. Add your voice to the movement: https://bit.ly/ASBNTellYourStorySupport the show

Jun 27, 2023 • 37min
abdiel j. lópez: Exploring the Just Transition Investment Framework
Joining us today is abdiel j. lópez, the Director of Capital Activation at Justice Funders, to guide us through building a just and regenerative economy. Justice Funders is a philanthropy partner that envisions a world that recognizes the inalienable rights of all and honors the sacredness of natural resources. They assert that philanthropy must redistribute wealth, democratize power, and shift economic control to communities, rejecting traditional charity and investment narratives. Justice Funders seeks to resource movements that fight oppressive systems and create new, local, and resilient economies that build wealth in low-income communities. They are guided by the Just Transition principles and are re-imagining philanthropy's role in creating a world that works for all.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/abdiel-lopez/Send us a textJoin our fall cohort of the Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th! Join an alumni community of 700+ entrepreneurs, activists, and artists working to transform our economy for the benefit of all life. Plus, save 20% on tuition when you register before August 11th, 2025.Learn more ➡️ http://lifteconomy.com/mba Current federal policy decisions are affecting businesses and workers in our community in big ways. Actions like the recent tariffs and funding freezes have real-world consequences. American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is collecting stories to push for smarter, more sustainable policies. Add your voice to the movement: https://bit.ly/ASBNTellYourStorySupport the show

Jun 20, 2023 • 49min
Pieter Van Midwoud: Combating Climate Change the Ecosia Way
To help us unpack the benefits of reforestation is Pieter Van Midwoud, the Chief Tree Planting Officer at Ecosia. After finishing his studies, Pieter developed a certification scheme for forest carbon projects and joined Ecosia as their first tree-planting officer, creating a varied portfolio of reforestation efforts. Ecosia, a search engine with millions of users, plants trees worldwide using its ad revenue. Over 150 million trees have been planted to date, helping promote landscape restoration, community nourishment, wildlife protection, and carbon neutrality.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/pieter-van-midwoudSend us a textJoin our fall cohort of the Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th! Join an alumni community of 700+ entrepreneurs, activists, and artists working to transform our economy for the benefit of all life. Plus, save 20% on tuition when you register before August 11th, 2025.Learn more ➡️ http://lifteconomy.com/mba Current federal policy decisions are affecting businesses and workers in our community in big ways. Actions like the recent tariffs and funding freezes have real-world consequences. American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is collecting stories to push for smarter, more sustainable policies. Add your voice to the movement: https://bit.ly/ASBNTellYourStorySupport the show

Jun 13, 2023 • 42min
MBA Series Ep. 21: Marketing | Approach & Messaging
Join Shawn Berry and LIFT Economy Marketing Lead Jeanette Morelan to find out what marketing looks like in the Next Economy, from iterative design grounded in reality to responsive audience research and user testing, factual and emotional messaging, authentic storytelling, and more. Although we use some of the same tools as business-as-usual marketing, Next Economy business principles inform a slower and more intentional approach to commerce.For show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba21Send us a textJoin our fall cohort of the Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th! Join an alumni community of 700+ entrepreneurs, activists, and artists working to transform our economy for the benefit of all life. Plus, save 20% on tuition when you register before August 11th, 2025.Learn more ➡️ http://lifteconomy.com/mba Current federal policy decisions are affecting businesses and workers in our community in big ways. Actions like the recent tariffs and funding freezes have real-world consequences. American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is collecting stories to push for smarter, more sustainable policies. Add your voice to the movement: https://bit.ly/ASBNTellYourStorySupport the show

Jun 6, 2023 • 43min
Frederic Laloux: Shifting the Cultural Norm to Climate Action
Frederic Laloux is a renowned author, speaker, and organizational transformation expert who has made significant contributions to the field of management and leadership. He is best known for his groundbreaking book Reinventing Organizations, which provides readers with a revolutionary concept that challenges conventional management paradigms. More recently, his work focuses on combating climate change and motivating people to take action. He achieves this through the non-profit organization The Week, which provides a transformative path from awareness to action through a compelling three-part documentary, fostering emotional resonance and community engagement for impactful change.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/frederic-lalouxSend us a textJoin our fall cohort of the Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th! Join an alumni community of 700+ entrepreneurs, activists, and artists working to transform our economy for the benefit of all life. Plus, save 20% on tuition when you register before August 11th, 2025.Learn more ➡️ http://lifteconomy.com/mba Current federal policy decisions are affecting businesses and workers in our community in big ways. Actions like the recent tariffs and funding freezes have real-world consequences. American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is collecting stories to push for smarter, more sustainable policies. Add your voice to the movement: https://bit.ly/ASBNTellYourStorySupport the show

May 30, 2023 • 41min
Nikishka Iyengar: The Invisible Hand of Real Estate
The real estate market is undoubtedly one of the most powerful and overlooked forces in shaping our cities and communities. Without truly addressing this area of the economy, it is hard to imagine real reform, especially toward a more equitable future. Nikishka Iyengar, the Founder and CEO of The Guild, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is on the show to talk about her work in this sphere. For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/nikishka-iyengarOUT NOW: The Next Economy MBA, a book by the team at LIFT Economy featuring case stories from The Guild & our learnings from our MBA program.Send us a textJoin our fall cohort of the Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th! Join an alumni community of 700+ entrepreneurs, activists, and artists working to transform our economy for the benefit of all life. Plus, save 20% on tuition when you register before August 11th, 2025.Learn more ➡️ http://lifteconomy.com/mba Current federal policy decisions are affecting businesses and workers in our community in big ways. Actions like the recent tariffs and funding freezes have real-world consequences. American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is collecting stories to push for smarter, more sustainable policies. Add your voice to the movement: https://bit.ly/ASBNTellYourStorySupport the show

May 23, 2023 • 42min
Nia Evans: Building a Community-Based, Democratically-Instituted Economy
Poverty, gentrification, unemployment, homelessness, unequal access to food and healthcare, and other challenges facing our communities are all interconnected. Today’s guest believes that we need an equally complex solution. Meet Nia Evans, Executive Director of the Boston Ujima Project, a Black-led, democratic, member-run organization that was born from a shared desire to find real solutions to racial wealth inequality.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/nia-evansOUT NOW: The Next Economy MBA, a book by the team at LIFT Economy featuring case stories from Boston Ujima Project & our learnings from our MBA program.Send us a textJoin our fall cohort of the Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th! Join an alumni community of 700+ entrepreneurs, activists, and artists working to transform our economy for the benefit of all life. Plus, save 20% on tuition when you register before August 11th, 2025.Learn more ➡️ http://lifteconomy.com/mba Current federal policy decisions are affecting businesses and workers in our community in big ways. Actions like the recent tariffs and funding freezes have real-world consequences. American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is collecting stories to push for smarter, more sustainable policies. Add your voice to the movement: https://bit.ly/ASBNTellYourStorySupport the show

May 16, 2023 • 50min
MBA Series Ep. 20: Operations II - Operation Projection and Financial Systems
What comes up for you when you hear the words ‘profit and loss statement’ or ‘balance sheet’? Fear, anxiety, stress, or even anger are common answers to that question. Although there tends to be an aversion to wanting to understand financial systems, there are a number of intuitive financial concepts we use in our daily experience. But the language around them can confuse and intimidate the public, creating barriers leading to problems later on.This episode imagines what may change if universal financial literacy becomes the norm. It explores what is necessary to develop the necessary expertise to successfully navigate financial systems without dedicating oneself to in-depth study. Next, a distinction is made between compliance and management accounting and their corresponding timelines.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba20Send us a textJoin our fall cohort of the Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th! Join an alumni community of 700+ entrepreneurs, activists, and artists working to transform our economy for the benefit of all life. Plus, save 20% on tuition when you register before August 11th, 2025.Learn more ➡️ http://lifteconomy.com/mba Current federal policy decisions are affecting businesses and workers in our community in big ways. Actions like the recent tariffs and funding freezes have real-world consequences. American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is collecting stories to push for smarter, more sustainable policies. Add your voice to the movement: https://bit.ly/ASBNTellYourStorySupport the show

May 9, 2023 • 28min
Esha Chhabra: Harnessing the Power of Regenerative Business To Heal the World
Esha Chhabra is an accomplished author who specializes in writing about sustainability, international development, and the emergence of purpose-driven brands. Over the past ten years, she has made significant contributions to numerous national and international publications, establishing herself as a prominent voice in her field. Her writing offers insightful perspectives and nuanced, thought-provoking analyses of pressing issues. Her latest book, Working to Restore, sheds light on the businesses which have restorative and regenerative practices at their core; serving as a shining example for other visionary enterprises. In our conversation, we unpack her book's overall theme and ideas and how a shift in mindset can help change the world. For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/esha-chhabraSend us a textJoin our fall cohort of the Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th! Join an alumni community of 700+ entrepreneurs, activists, and artists working to transform our economy for the benefit of all life. Plus, save 20% on tuition when you register before August 11th, 2025.Learn more ➡️ http://lifteconomy.com/mba Current federal policy decisions are affecting businesses and workers in our community in big ways. Actions like the recent tariffs and funding freezes have real-world consequences. American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is collecting stories to push for smarter, more sustainable policies. Add your voice to the movement: https://bit.ly/ASBNTellYourStorySupport the show

May 2, 2023 • 40min
MBA Series Ep. 19 Operations I: Organization Structure, Roles, and Tasks
In today’s episode of the Next Economy MBA Series, we take a look at part one of our session on operations, which includes organizational structure, roles, and tasks. Ultimately, what we suggest is taking a both/and approach; in other words, consider both the vision, values, and impact you want to see in the world and find some clarity around organizational structure. Who is doing what? What is your team formation? How can you collaborate and ultimately achieve better outcomes to make the world a better place?For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/mba19Send us a textJoin our fall cohort of the Next Economy MBA, beginning September 30th! Join an alumni community of 700+ entrepreneurs, activists, and artists working to transform our economy for the benefit of all life. Plus, save 20% on tuition when you register before August 11th, 2025.Learn more ➡️ http://lifteconomy.com/mba Current federal policy decisions are affecting businesses and workers in our community in big ways. Actions like the recent tariffs and funding freezes have real-world consequences. American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is collecting stories to push for smarter, more sustainable policies. Add your voice to the movement: https://bit.ly/ASBNTellYourStorySupport the show