The Conscious Capitalists

We're so excited to have probably one of the most interesting guests, Dorie Clark, a renowned expert on personal branding, career reinvention, and thought leadership. She's also a sought after speaker, consultant, author of several best selling books, including Reinventing You, Standout, and The Long Game. They delve into the concept of 'the long game mindset,' discussing its importance in today's fast-paced business environment. From the pressures of short-term thinking to achieving work-life balance and fostering an innovative company culture, Dorie also shares her journey from academia to becoming a thought leader, touching on her involvement with Broadway and the impact of AI on creativity.Tune in to learn valuable insights on how to navigate your career and make a meaningful impact.**If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor.Thank you for your support!Time Stamps00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest Dory Clark02:30 Defining the Long Game Mindset04:26 Challenges of Conscious Leadership12:27 Dory Clark's Early Career and Education16:57 The Importance of Purpose in the Workplace20:05 Generational Perspectives on Work and Purpose23:37 AI's Impact on the Workplace and Future Careers26:38 Navigating the Future of Creativity with AI27:27 The Cognitive Revolution and Thought Leadership28:03 Advice on Thought Leadership and Conscious Capitalism28:46 The Recognized Expert Formula31:19 AI's Role in Thought Leadership35:35 Evolutionary Biology and System Change37:43 Reflections on the Political Landscape40:49 AI's Impact on Healthcare and Longevity43:13 Dory Clark's Journey into Musical Theater45:30 The 20% Time Rule for Creative Growth50:02 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

Check out an old episode from our vault with Charles Conn, who spoke at the CEO Summit (October 22-24) in Austin, Texas. This week join the chairperson of Patagonia, Charles Conn, as we discuss the change in ownership at Patagonia- a company now responsible to the planet!  Charles says “We (Patagonia) think companies should stand for something. And we're not afraid to say that we don't think companies should be neutral creators of profit that distribute that profit to shareholders”.  Now the Board and executives at Patagonia need to ask explicitly, how is this good for the planet!  Hear Charles talk about his views on the need for long-term thinking and how we need to look at the 'full cost' of the products we consume- what is the actual footprint of our consumption? As conscious consumers, we need to focus on owning fewer things but better things- Patagonia strives to make the best raincoat- and make it to last and be reused and recycled too!**If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor.Thank you for your support!- Timothy & Raj

In this episode, we talk to Tracey Massey, former President of Mars Pet Food and current COO of NielsenIQ, about the power of purpose-driven leadership. Tracey shares her experience in aligning business strategy with a strong sense of purpose, revealing how this approach led to remarkable growth at Mars Pet Food. Now, she discusses her new role at NielsenIQ and explores the rise of conscious consumerism—where consumers prioritize ethical brands and sustainable practices in their purchasing decisions. Discover why purpose matters in today’s marketplace and how businesses can thrive by staying true to their values.**If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor.Thank you for your support!- Timothy & RajTime Stamps00:00 Introduction to Conscious Capitalism00:52 Meet Tracy Massey: A Leader with Purpose02:36 The Mars Pet Food Journey: Purpose in Action06:12 Expanding Horizons: From Pet Food to Veterinary Care08:34 Transition to Nielsen IQ: Data-Driven Leadership12:04 Understanding Conscious Consumerism14:36 The Rise of Conscious Consumerism15:34 Packaging and Messaging: The Key to Consumer Trust17:31 The Role of Data in Social Responsibility20:54 Navigating Political and Consumer Expectations21:39 Global Consumer Insights22:34 Conscious Leadership Journey25:46 Mars Leadership Development Program30:08 Creating Psychological Safety33:15 Empowering Women Leaders40:20 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace40:32 Closing Remarks and Future Events

Check out an old episode from our vault with Pete Stravos, who will be speaking at the CEO Summit (October 22-24) in Austin, Texas. Click here to register and learn more about it.Pete Stravos at KKR is leading the way in driving outstanding returns through a focus on employee ownership and building great cultures. Simple formula- challenging to implement! Drive engagement and align incentives for success--- make front line workers care about the outcome and give them life changing opportunities to build financial wealth. The opportunity is huge! Only 20% of employees are actively engaged at work, the average turnover rate in the US is 40 % per year, and the Treasury Department estimates 70% of American workers are financially illiterate. Into this world comes Stravos with a plan to address these ills and make great returns for his investors. As he says, hard core capitalist love this because of the returns- they don’t have to buy into the philosophy. But those that understand the benefits of doing business this way love it!Peter summarizes, “We will exit 8-10 straight 3x deals, which I think in the history of private equity has never been done. I don't think any industry vertical at any firm ever will say, you know, 10, straight triples! And so I think it's going to be hard for people to say that this is hurting investors, that its’ doing anything other than driving great returns. **If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor.Thank you for your support!- Timothy & RajTime Stamps00:00 Welcome to The Conscious Capitalists00:36 Introducing Pete Stavros01:44 The Importance of Employee Ownership04:33 Challenges and Misconceptions06:12 Personal Journey and Influences09:14 Implementing Employee Ownership13:25 Success Stories and Examples21:48 Ownership Works Initiative24:17 Documenting the Journey28:23 Sponsor Message: 2024 Conscious Capitalism CEO Summit29:14 Balancing Long-Term Investments in Private Equity30:31 Success Stories: Ingersoll Rand and Employee Engagement32:04 The Importance of Purpose and Mission in Business35:18 Due Diligence and Leadership in Private Equity39:15 Employee Ownership and Its Impact50:09 Challenges and Opportunities in Public Markets52:03 Recruitment and Retention at KKR56:40 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

Have you ever considered the reality of what it means to be sustainable? Vincent Stanley of Patagonia has always had that as his main mission.He discusses the company's journey, from innovative initiatives like the Footprint Chronicles to adopting organic cotton, and the impact of the mission statement 'We're in business to save our home planet.' In this exclusive conversation, we touch on the importance of company culture, storytelling, and the need to integrate human and environmental values into business practice. Through examples and philosophical discussions, Vincent highlights the potential for businesses to create positive social and environmental change.**If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor.Thank you for your support!- Timothy & RajTime Stamps00:00 Introduction to Conscious Capitalism00:40 Meet Vincent Stanley of Patagonia02:02 Defining a Responsible Company05:20 Challenges and Innovations in Sustainability10:27 Patagonia's Commitment to Truth and Integrity14:30 Influencing Other Companies21:30 Patagonia's Mission and Ownership Changes25:39 Balancing Business and Environmental Goals29:47 The Role of Philosophy and Storytelling37:34 Advice for Conscious Business Leaders46:34 Engaging the Next Generation56:31 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

Do you think about how AI is going to shape our future in business?Victor Cho might have the answer! As a longtime member of the Conscious Capitalist community, he is a CEO/Advisor and Board Member (best known for his work with Emovid) with a deep passion for building online customers experiences that truly delight (Net Promoter 80+) and define markets. Victor's philosophy of considering society as a crucial fourth stakeholder in business, alongside employees, customers, and shareholder is grounded in his emphasis on transperancy, empathy, diversity and integrity.In this episode, he explains his operational framework for maximizing positive societal impacts, minimizing negative ones, and fostering transparency as well as the transformative potential of AI in business.**If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor.Thank you for your support!- Timothy & RajTime Stamps00:00 Welcome to The Conscious Capitalists00:23 Introducing Victor Cho01:44 Victor's Journey to the Fourth Stakeholder Philosophy04:05 Operationalizing Societal Impact06:09 Frameworks for Positive Business Impact14:15 The Role of Data and Collaboration19:29 AI and Social Responsibility22:42 AI's Impact on Business Models23:16 Cost Reduction and Efficiency24:15 Intelligence as a Service25:20 AI in Asynchronous Video Communication27:23 AI's Role in Conscious Capitalism31:15 The Future of Work with AI36:54 Leadership in the Age of AI38:14 The Importance of Suppliers and Authenticity42:03 Conclusion and Further Resources

Have you ever thought about how you can solve the world's problems with your ideas? Dr. Jay Jakub believes that businesses can better position itself to solve the bigger problem; whether it be social, or environmental. He recounts the origins of the Economics of Mutuality (EOM) from his time as  Senior Director for External Research at Mars, Inc., and how he learned first-hand that businesses can shift from profit-centric models to purpose-driven practices that leverage social, human, and natural capitals.Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of stakeholder vs. shareholder capitalism, the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI) and the vital role of business schools in fostering a broader, purpose-driven curriculum to drive folks to embrace a more conscious approach to business.**If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor.Thank you for your support!- Timothy & RajTime Stamps00:00 Merging Companies for Mutual Transformation01:12 Meet Dr. Jay Jakub: A Leader in Economics of Mutuality02:40 Understanding Economics of Mutuality04:07 Core Elements of Economics of Mutuality07:59 The Origins of Economics of Mutuality at Mars10:50 Implementing Stakeholder Capitalism18:55 Case Study: Novo Nordisk's Purpose Transformation23:08 Mars' Application of Economics of Mutuality26:29 Purpose-Driven Business Strategies29:48 Healing Business Through Mutual Value Creation32:12 Sponsor Message: 2024 Conscious Capitalism CEO Summit33:02 Personal Journeys and Faith34:32 Transition from Government to Business35:35 Advice for CEOs on Conscious Capitalism38:10 Challenges of Short-Term Market Focus43:04 Private Equity and Purpose-Driven Investments46:16 Navigating ESG and Compliance49:48 Stakeholder Orientation and Decision-Making52:33 Business Education and Conscious Capitalism01:02:29 Impact of AI on Economics of Mutuality01:05:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

From Olympian to a backdoor entry into private equity, Ryan Heckman shares his story as a blue-collar PE executive aiming to elevate the industry. He began his career in private equity and, after nearly 20 years, transitioned to leading a successful startup. He later sold this business to a private equity firm.Now, as a co-founder of the groundbreaking private equity firm Rallyday, Ryan describes how they began by identifying everything wrong with the private equity world and then developing innovative approaches to address these issues. At Rallyday, they focus on being business builders rather than just investors. They view founders as their core customers, providing them with the love and support they need to build thriving businesses for the long term.Meet Ryan Heckman, a conscious leader who advocates for “Monster" leaders who are aggressively humble.**If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor.Thank you for your support!- Timothy & RajTime Stamps00:44 Introduction to the Conscious Capitalists01:03 Meet Ryan Heckman: A Journey in Private Equity03:02 From Athlete to Private Equity Executive05:33 Building and Selling a Business08:06 Founding Rally Day Partners09:27 Innovations in Private Equity15:46 Employee Ownership and Development20:18 Challenges and Opportunities in Private Equity25:15 Exiting Investments with Purpose27:31 Preparing for the Sale: Early Work and Employee Retention27:54 Ensuring Continuity of Purpose and Values Post-Sale29:24 Sponsorship Announcement: 2024 Conscious Capitalism CEO Summit30:14 Redefining Greatness: From Good to Great to Goodness32:16 The Importance of Courage in Leadership32:56 Lessons from an Olympic Athlete: Embracing Failure and Thriving36:57 The Concept of Thriving in Business and Community39:33 Stewardship and the Infinite Game42:11 Monster Leaders and Aggressive Humility47:08 Conscious Leadership and Community Development52:54 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

Profit is essential for business, but what happens when it comes at the expense of society? Join us as we dive into this pressing issue with Chris Marquis, author of "The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profit and Socializes Costs." Marquis unpacks how companies often "socialize their costs" through harmful side effects and externalities, leaving society to pick up the tab.We explore the dark side of corporate profit-making, with the opioid crisis and Purdue Pharma serving as prime examples of how businesses can hide their negative impacts. Imagine a car's exhaust pipe feeding directly into the passenger compartment—that's the stark reality of pollution externalities affecting everyone, not just the polluters.But instead of pointing fingers, Marquis advocates for a transformation of our systems and markets. He emphasizes the need to evolve our practices to account for the true and total costs of doing business while preserving the best aspects of our market-based capitalist system. Tune in to discover how current business models contribute to environmental degradation, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and extreme social inequality, and why these practices are unsustainable in the long run. With Chris Marquis, we explore innovative ways to capture conscious businesses' true costs and profits, ensuring that profit remains beneficial and ethical.**If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor.Thank you for your support!- Timothy & RajTime Stamps00:00 Introduction to Profiteering and Externalities00:44 Welcome to the Conscious Capitalists Podcast01:22 Introducing Special Guest: Chris Marcus02:33 Critiquing Capitalism and Celebrating Its Potential04:27 The Legacy of Jack Welch and Shareholder Capitalism09:20 The Sociological Perspective on Business24:09 The Role of Business Schools in System Change33:31 The Urgency of Climate Action and Systemic Change36:28 Exploring Chinese Business and Authoritarianism42:08 Defining the Responsibility of Business43:48 The Concept of Regenerative Business Models48:38 Chris's Personal Journey and Pittsburgh's Transformation50:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Creating an inspiring company selling blankets? You bet!Bob Dalton, the CEO of Sackcloth and Ashes, embarked on a mission with a unique one-to-one business model: for every blanket sold, another is donated to a homeless shelter. His passion and creativity lead to innovative production methods, collaboration with Indigenous designers, and active engagement with grassroots movements across the country.One of his innovations is rethinking packaging - using it to inspire local grassroots connections and pay it forward by reusing the blanket boxes to donate items to homeless shelters.Inspiring and creative, Bob Dalton is an out-of-the-box entrepreneur. He will also be a speaker at The Conscious Capitalism CEO summit in October 2024.**If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor.Thank you for your support!- Timothy & RajTime Stamps00:00 Introduction and Personal Transformation00:43 Welcome to the Conscious Capitalists01:01 Introducing Bob Dalton and Sackcloth Ashes02:08 The Inspiration Behind Sackcloth Ashes04:14 Building the Business from Scratch06:11 The Meaning Behind the Name08:47 Impact and Redemption10:17 Marketing and Growth Strategies16:17 Empowering Local Communities32:23 Leadership and Future Vision