Brand on Purpose

The Trevor Project CEO & Executive Director, Amit Paley, discusses his career trajectory at The Trevor Project, the impetus for the organization, and how it became the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ young people. Inspired by the Academy Award-winning short film, “Trevor,” The Trevor Project was established after discovering there was no organization that provided resources for LGBTQ young people in the United States. Since launching its 24/7 phone lifeline in 1998, the organization has connected over 400,000 young people across more than 100 countries and six continents. In the episode, Aaron and Amit discuss the importance of raising public awareness and increasing support for LGBTQ individuals, how The Trevor Project is challenging current anti-LGBTQ legislation, and how the organization navigated the pandemic. Tune in to hear about Amit’s experience as a former foreign correspondent for The Washington Post and learn more about The Trevor Project at thetrevorproject.org.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hive Brands Co-Founders Thomas Ellis and Katie Tyson discuss their experience building a startup company, the challenges they’ve faced and how their backgrounds individually led them to co-create Hive Brands. Prior to Hive Brands, Thomas and Katie were exposed to the startup world early-on and noticed the extreme challenges that came with building a scalable business model. With a combined desire to create positive impact, Thomas and Katie were driven to create a marketplace that directly aligned with consumer values. In the episode, Aaron, Thomas and Katie discuss the curated brands on the Hive Brand platform, the process of vetting these brands, and how the company’s “Hive Five” criteria was developed. Tune in to learn more about the Hive Brand business model and visit hivebrands.com for more information.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pela Founder Jeremy Lang dives into his experience growing up on the Canadian prairies, shares the innovation behind Pela’s signature Flaxstic material, and discusses how his upbringing inspired the creation of Pela. Every year, more than 1.5 billion plastic phone cases are sold, and most of them end up in landfills. To combat this never-ending disposal problem, Jeremy spent years learning about plastic and experimenting with new materials to try to find an alternative to plastic that could be used in everyday products. In the episode, Aaron and Jeremy discuss the lack of infrastructure for compostable products, and how Pela is successfully democratizing waste management with its at-home composting machine. Tune in to hear how Pela is moving toward a more sustainable circular economy, and learn more at pelacase.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shannon Farley, Co-founder and Executive Director of Fast Forward, shares the inception and growth of the organization and the importance of investing in technology that accelerates social impact. Before the company’s founding in 2014, Shannon came to the realization that the technology industry kept solving problems for the market and neglected solving for issues that impact basic human rights. Aaron and Shannon discuss the first organization to go through the accelerator program, why Fast Forward decided to focus on the nonprofit model, and how technology failed society during the pandemic. Tune in to hear how Shannon’s experience at Georgetown impacted her perception of the nonprofit world and learn more at www.ffwd.org.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Co-founder & Chief Expansion Officer of Too Good To Go Lucie Basch dives into her career within the food industry, discusses the creation of the Too Good To Go digital platform, and reveals how vital fighting food waste is for the environment. When Lucie began working in the food industry, she quickly realized the immensity of food waste and that this issue wasn’t talked about enough in society. With 40% of the planet’s food ending up in the trash, Lucie’s vision of a better food system was clear. Aaron and Lucie discuss the business model behind Too Good To Go, the receptivity of the company per market, and how Too Good To Go gives back to its charity partners. Tune in to hear how consumers can join the food waste fighting movement, and learn more at toogoodtogo.comProduction Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CEO & Founder of Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers David Griswold discusses his experience working in the coffee business for 25+ years and how Sustainable Harvest has helped change how farmers and buyers interact. Ever since David was approached by a coffee bean farmer in Mexico, he was on a mission to learn the coffee importing business from the inside out. Although David faced many challenges in the beginning of his journey, he was able to construct a business model that was unique and that catered to farmers that were utilizing his coffee beans. Aaron and David talk how Sustainable Harvest pioneered the relationship-coffee model, how the company fosters sustainability and why it’s so important to pay attention to coffee labels. Listen in to hear about David’s connection to Ben & Jerry’s and learn more at sustainableharvest.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Them Founder Chloe Freeman dives into their acting career, the inspiration behind For Them, and how they are challenging heteronormativity. While working in the media production industry, Chloe realized that there was a severe lack of gender diversity. With a mission to shed light upon those that are underrepresented, Chloe was determined to help the underlying needs of the gender-diverse community by creating a whole new category of holistic wellness. Aaron and Chloe discuss For Them’s nine dimensions of wellness, their experience within the media industry as a non-binary individual, and how the company is redefining wellness products + services for queer individuals. Tune in to hear Chloe’s advice for people dealing with gender dysphoria, and learn more at forthem.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and Certified Fund Raising Executive Diane Lebson discusses her experience working in the philanthropic world and offers her expertise on what it truly means to volunteer. Author of “For A Good Cause: A Practical Guide to Giving Joyfully”, Diane has dedicated herself to giving back and mentoring others who are looking to dive into the nonprofit realm. Diane and Aaron discuss the skills and experiences she cultivated over more than twenty-five years as a nonprofit executive, the foundation behind her book, and how to navigate the day-to-day activities associated with doing good through philanthropy. Tune in to hear Diane’s advice on how to ask others to donate, and grab a copy of her book on Amazon.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hanahana Beauty Founder and CEO Abena Boamah-Acheampong delves into the challenges that she’s faced within the beauty industry and shares how Hanahana Beauty became a consciously clean skincare, beauty, and wellness brand. As a creative entrepreneur and mental health advocate, Abena wanted to focus on showcasing black women on a global scale. With the help of shea butter and the Katariga Women's Shea Cooperative in Ghana, her dreams became reality. Abena and Aaron dive into the misconceptions that lie within the beauty industry, talk about why shea butter is an integral part of Ghanaian culture, and how Hanahana Beauty uplifts women of color. Tune in to hear how Abena is bringing realism into the conversation around sustainability and learn more at hanahanabeauty.com.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, Anna Lamm and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pop Culture Collaborative CEO Bridgit Antoinette Evans unearths the intersection of pop culture storytelling and social change and discusses the basis of why the organization was created. Having launched in 2017, the Pop Culture Collaborative is an established network of philanthropic leaders, primarily women of color, who invest in the infrastructure of the pop culture world for social change. Aaron and Bridgit discuss the evolution of public sentiment and how it affects the social change field, the challenge to navigate pop culture and it’s progression and the importance of being actively curious and critical of pop culture content. Tune in to hear why Bridgit has dedicated her life to drive cultural change in society and learn more at popcollab.org.Production Credits: Aaron Kwittken, Dara Cothran, Haley Sacotte, Nina Valdes, Maria Bayas, Michael Grubbs, and Mathew Passy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices