Brand on Purpose

Craig Minassian, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the Clinton Foundation, joins Aaron in-studio to discuss the mission and work of the Clinton Foundation and Craig’s longstanding relationship with the Clintons from his time as assistant press secretary in the Clinton White House and with the 2008 presidential campaign. Craig and Aaron explore how Craig helped the Foundation navigate unprecedented false attacks during the 2016 election and perfected storytelling in a thunderstorm, President Clinton’s unique ability to reach across the aisle and bring diverse groups of people together to solve the world’s problems, the organization’s incredible variety of global initiatives and programs, and how the Foundation has pioneered a new way for corporations to change and do good. Tune in to hear why Craig is optimistic that the polarization of today will eventually fade away and return to civil discourse. Learn more and get involved at clintonfoundation.org. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Lindsay Hand, Ashley McGarry, Katrina Waelchli, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I scream, you scream we all scream for a more just world. Rob Michalak, Social Mission Special Projects Director and self-proclaimed “Village Elder” at Ben & Jerry’s, joins Aaron to explore the concept of linked prosperity and how business can create justice in the world. Rob and Aaron discuss how Ben & Jerry’s became the pioneer in putting purpose alongside product and mission and how the company’s 1997 progressive values statement about advancing new models of economic justice is more true today than when it was written. Listen in to learn the value of standing for something whether or not everyone likes it and how you can raise the bar on business decisions. Rob also shares his favorite flavor. Learn more about Ben & Jerry’s at benjerry.com and on Instagram at @benandjerrys.    Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Lindsay Hand, Ashley McGarry, Katrina Waelchli, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doug Michelman, president of the 1Million Project Foundation and chairman of the Sprint Foundation, joins Aaron to discuss the tech company’s mission to help one million high school students who lack unreliable internet access reach their full potential by providing free devices and wifi. Aaron and Doug talk about what Doug learned working with values-led Levi Strauss early in his career, his experience spearheading Visa’s CSR initiative right before the company’s 2008 IPO, and launching the 1Million Project with President Obama in 2016 with only a PowerPoint presentation to back it up. Tune in to find out the most important piece of advice Doug received from former Sprint CEO and current SoftBank CEO, Marcelo Claure, and why it’s hard to give things away for free – even to those who need them. Learn more about the 1Million Project at 1millionproject.org and on Twitter at @1MillionProject. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Lindsay Hand, Ashley McGarry, Katrina Waelchli, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Shumpert, vice president of recycling & reuse at Savers, joins Aaron in the studio to discuss the thrift chain’s over 60-year dedication to sustainable retail – before it was mainstream. Tony and Aaron talk about how Savers keeps the average cost of an item at $4, the importance of stakeholder collaboration to tackle big issues, both of their feelings about “green-washing” and the rise of the conscious consumer, and where all the unsold clothing goes (spoiler alert: not in a landfill). Listen in to hear what made Tony pass on job opportunities at Starbucks and Target to join Savers. Learn more about Savers at savers.com and valuevillage.com. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Lindsay Hand, Ashley McGarry, Katrina Waelchli, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wan Kim, Global CEO of Smoothie King, joins Aaron to discuss how the international smoothie chain works to inspire others to #RuleTheDay by living a healthy and active lifestyle. Wan talks about how the company has grown since he purchased it from the founders in 2012, the importance of the One-Question Filter-Test initiative, why aligning everything with the company mission is imperative for success, and how Smoothie King’s authenticity separates itself in the industry. Listen in to hear how Wan’s unhealthy college lifestyle led to a lifetime love for smoothies. Learn more about Smoothie King one its website at smoothieking.com and on social at @SmoothieKing. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Lindsay Hand, Ashley McGarry, Katrina Waelchli, Parker Jenkins and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Martinez-Valle, CEO of Orbia (formerly Mexichem), joins Aaron to discuss the company’s recent transformation and commitment to a purpose of advancing life around the world. Daniel and Aaron dive into Daniel’s economic background and experience during the 1994 Mexico tequila crisis, the importance of “nested purpose,” and why the transformation included a new living logo (ImpactMark) that changes as the company evolves. Listen closely to learn about how Daniel and his team came up with the name “Orbia.” Learn more about Orbia at orbia.com, on Twitter and LinkedIn @orbia, and on Instagram @weareorbia. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Lindsay Hand, Ashley McGarry, Katrina Waelchli, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Tannen, CEO and founder of Boll & Branch, joins Aaron to talk about the world’s first Fair Trade-certified luxury bedding company. Aaron and Scott discuss the “ah-ha” moment that led to the creation of the company, how Boll & Branch enhances the lives of cotton farmers in India, and the ways the company stays relevant and authentic in a crowded market. Listen in to hear how the name “Boll & Branch” came to be – and how to build a brand that even presidents love. Learn more about Boll & Branch at bollandbranch.com and on Instagram at @bollandbranch, and connect with Scott on LinkedIn at @Scott Tannen and Twitter at @ScottTannen. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Lindsay Hand, Ashley McGarry, Katrina Waelchli and Mathew Passy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gloria Gilbert Stoga, president of Puppies Behind Bars, joins Aaron to talk about the nonprofit that trains prison inmates to raise service dogs for wounded veterans and first responders. Aaron and Gloria discuss the People Magazine article that inspired Gloria to quit her job and start a nonprofit, the challenges of working with prisons and raising over 1,200 dogs, and how dogs can bring people from such different backgrounds and life experiences together. Listen in to hear about how Gloria’s view of inmates has shifted over the past 20+ years. Learn more about Puppies Behind Bars at puppiesbehindbars.com and on social at @puppiesbehindbarsorganization (Instagram/Facebook) and @pbborganization (Twitter). Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Lindsay Hand, Ashley McGarry, Katrina Waelchli, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pam and Mike Davis, founders of Our Green House, join Aaron to talk about how the eco-friendly baby basket company works to both provide a gift for new parents and save the environment, elephants, gorillas and turtles all at the same time. Pam and Mike discuss the parenting fears that led to the creation of the company when their kids were young, how they prioritize being a family-first brand, and how the rising popularity of sustainability and environmentally-friendly products impacted the company. Listen in to hear about Pam’s close encounter with a gorilla on a trip to Africa that ultimately inspired the creation of the brand. Learn more about Our Green House on its website at www.ourgreenhouse.com and on social at @ourgreenhouse. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Lindsay Hand, Ashley McGarry, Katrina Waelchli, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Powers, President & CEO of Deckers Brands, joins Aaron to talk about how the multi-billion-dollar global footwear and lifestyle company comprised of UGG, Koolaburra by UGG, HOKA ONE ONE, Teva and Sanuk, gives back to the community, the environment and its employees. From his prior experiences at Timberland and Converse, Dave learned the importance of creating an emotional connection through storytelling and how prioritizing the consumer and environment during all decision making creates a successful company. Listen closely to find out what Dave’s favorite shoe is and whether or not he has a favorite brand. Learn more about Deckers on its website at www.deckers.com, and each of the brands on Instagram at @UGG, @koolaburra, @hokaoneone, @teva and @Sanuk. Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Jeff Maldonado, Lindsay Hand, Ashley McGarry, Katrina Waelchli, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices