"AFP’s Peacemaker of the Year, NAFCM’s DG Mawn, Recognizes the Divisive Tensions in the Country and Sees a Path to Greater Harmony http://12dec23.s4g.biz AI Episode Summary Devin Thorpe introduces DG Mawn as a great peacemaker and the US peacemaker of the year. MAFCM (National Association of Mediation) was founded almost 30 years ago by community mediators inspired by the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The organization focuses on creating opportunities for peace, justice, and engagement in communities. MAFCM formed associations throughout the country to amplify voices and aggregate wisdom. The organization has nine hallmarks, including anchoring in the community, relating with alternative systems for justice, and working to make systems responsive to the community. The current challenging time in the United States is characterized by deep divisions, but the country has always had significant tensions. The key to bridging these divisions is recognizing shared values, such as the desire to be heard, to be safe, and to be connected. DG Mawn's superpower is helping people remember who they are, who they want to be, and that they can be who they want to be. The superpower is cultivated by being still, listening, and journaling to reflect on thoughts and learnings. To connect with DG Mawn and learn more about MAFCM, visit the organization's website and consider joining as a member or supporter. http://superpowers4good.com"

"Trista Harris Says We Can Build a Better Future Using Strategic Planning and Visioning Tools http://14dec23.s4g.biz AI Episode Summary In this episode, Devin Thorpe interviews Trista Harris, the President of FutureGood, about the future of good and philanthropy. Trista shares her experience of attending a futurist conference where she saw a robot designed to replace humans on a production line. She believes that robotics and artificial intelligence can free humans from repetitive work and allow them to focus on more meaningful tasks. Trista mentions the challenges of ensuring a more equitable future and emphasizes the need to tax these tools appropriately and redistribute the wealth generated. Devin discusses the impact of technology on his own life and how it is changing at an unprecedented rate. Trista highlights the potential of artificial intelligence in the social sector, particularly in fundraising and customization of donor communications. She cautions against organizations using these tools to replace human workers entirely and advocates for a reduction in work hours with fair compensation through universal basic income. Trista shares her experience of interviewing Richard Branson, who she admires for his philanthropic work, and how it inspired her to write her book, ""FutureGood."" Trista Harris talks about her consultancy, FutureGood, which helps visionary leaders build a more equitable future through strategic planning, visioning work, and teaching futurism skills. Trista’s superpower is helping people predict and shape the future. She shares a success story of a politician who was able to transform her community through her leadership, facilitated by FutureGood retreats and training programs. http://superpowers4good.com"

"Philanthropist Russell Fugett Launches Equity Endowment to Both Make Grants and Invest in Diverse Founders and Communities Like Baltimore http://on.s4g.biz/16jan24 AI Episode Summary 1. Devin Thorpe introduces Russell Fugett, the CEO and founder of Equity Endowment, highlighting Russell's commitment to community building and social justice. 2. Russell explains that Equity Endowment, founded in 2023, aims to close the racial wealth gap by operating at the intersection of finance and philanthropy, using a two-pronged investment and grant strategy. 3. The organization’s strategy includes creating an endowment fund to invest with minority fund managers and then using the proceeds to grant to non-profits focusing on entrepreneurial development and small business enablement. 4. Equity Endowment has a partnership with the Urban League in Baltimore, being one of their first grant recipients. 5. The current focus of Equity Endowment is to generate public support and funding, primarily through tax-deductible donations. Russell also notes future plans for a for-profit arm that could generate investment returns and fuel their charitable work. 6. Russell shares his family’s entrepreneurial history, including his late uncle, Reginald F. Lewis, who was instrumental in a billion-dollar deal acquiring Beatrice Foods in 1987 through complicated international transactions. 7. When asked about his superpower, Russell identifies his ability to handle complexity in both business endeavors and interpersonal relationships, leveraging emotional intelligence and understanding of diverse viewpoints. 8. Russell recounts challenging scenarios, such as negotiating to acquire an American division of a Japanese company, where his superpower was essential. 9. Emphasizing the need for emotional and spiritual fortitude in tackling complexity, Russell highlights the importance of faith, family support, and practicing core values such as love and generosity in achieving goals. 10. To learn more about Equity Endowment or connect with Russell Fugett, he directs listeners to visit the organization's website (equityendowment.org), subscribe to their newsletter, and follow their social media platforms, including Instagram and YouTube, where they post weekly updates and other content. http://superpowers4good.com "

"Integrity Global Partners CEO Cheri Sugal Explains How Ordinary Investors Can Participate In Nature-Restoring Projects That Improve Health and Prosperity for People http://11jan24.s4g.biz AI Episode Summary 1. Devin Thorpe, the host of the ""Superpowers for Good"" show, introduces his guest Cheri Sugal, CEO and founder of Integrity Global Partners. 2. Cheri discusses Integrity Global Partners' crowdfunding efforts on Raise Green for a large-scale landscape restoration project in Malawi aimed at aiding over 100,000 households and restoring natural ecosystems. 3. The project in Malawi includes agricultural land management and the distribution of cookstoves to local communities to reduce deforestation and carbon emissions as well as improve health and economic well-being. 4. The cookstoves provided are mobile, allowing for outdoor cooking, which has significant health benefits as it minimizes smoke inhalation in enclosed spaces. 5. The goal of Integrity Global Partners is to address the shortfall in funding for nature-based solutions and facilitate the flow of capital from developed countries to projects in the Global South through carbon markets and offsets. 6. Cheri stresses the importance of carbon markets, noting that investments in nature-based solutions in the Global South are cost-effective and essential for meeting climate goals. 7. Technological advancements have improved the accuracy and transparency of monitoring and measuring the impact of nature-based projects, resolving many past criticisms of carbon markets. 8. Cheri's superpower is compassion, which has been cultivated through her experiences working with remote communities worldwide, listening to their needs, and finding solutions that improve their livelihoods while addressing the nexus between climate change, poverty, and biodiversity loss. 9. Cheri emphasizes the importance of translating complex financial and carbon markets into terms that indigenous people and local communities can understand, fostering informed participation from these communities. 10. The interview concludes with Cheri providing information on how to find and support their crowdfunding initiative on the Raise Green website or through the Integrity Global Partners website. http://superpowers4good.com "

"Author Sam Daley-Harris Updates the Book That Helped Save Millions http://09jan24.s4g.biz AI Episode Summary 1. Devin Thorpe, the host of the Superpowers for Good show, introduces his guest, Sam Daley-Harris, an influential figure in social change, the author of Reclaiming Our Democracy, and the founder of RESULTS, an anti-poverty lobby. 2. Sam shares his origin story, beginning with a background in music and two impactful deaths that occurred during his high school and college graduations, leading him to ponder his life's purpose. 3. His journey shifted when he attended a presentation on ending world hunger organized by The Hunger Project, which inspired him to get involved after realizing hunger solutions existed, but people were not acting on them. 4. Sam's advocacy work started with educating high school students about political will and engaging citizenship, subsequently creating RESULTS based on the disconnect he saw between public awareness and political action. 5. RESULTS focuses on child survival issues and has been a significant influence in reducing the global child death rate by 66% over the past 40 years through continuous lobbying and advocacy. 6. A personal story of success is recounted, where Sam received written gratitude from Jim Grant, the then-head of UNICEF, for the advocacy work RESULTS volunteers did to increase the Child Survival Fund. 7. Sam details the reasons for updating his book ""Reclaiming Our Democracy"" in response to the current challenges faced by democracy and the public's eagerness for ideas on making a difference. 8. The puzzle piece on the cover of his book symbolizes that the ""missing piece"" in democracy is the citizens themselves, awakening to their power to make a difference. 9. Sam's superpower, ""being in on the joke,"" refers to his awareness and conviction that individuals do have power and can make a significant impact on state, national, and global issues despite common skepticism. 10. The book Reclaiming Our Democracy provides guidance on transformational advocacy, highlighting the importance of organizational enrollment and community building, skill development, and enabling individuals to experience breakthroughs in advocacy. http://superpowers4good.com "

"Alphonso Mayo Founded Mentoring Mentors to Help Youth Achieve Success, Realizing That Youth Becoming Leaders Leads to the Best Outcomes http://04jan24/s4g.biz AI Episode Summary 1. Alphonso Mayo, also known as ""Mayo,"" is the CEO and founder of Mentoring Mentors, a nonprofit in Maryland that focuses on inspiring young people to become the best versions of themselves. 2. Mentoring Mentors initially served high school athletes but later shifted to a near-to-peer mentorship model where young people are trained to mentor even younger individuals. 3. The organization's current mission is to develop the next generation of community leaders with a focus on exposure, personal/social/emotional development, and leadership development. 4. Mayo's own challenging upbringing in Baltimore, characterized by poverty, a lack of exposure, and familial struggles, deeply influences the work he does with youth today. 5. After overcoming his own obstacles, including learning to read while mentoring first and second-graders, Mayo became the first in his family to attend college, showing the power of mentorship and perseverance. 6. Mayo believes in creating a family-like atmosphere for young people, offering consistent and lifetime mentorship to help them navigate life's challenges and inspire them to achieve more. 7. As a former athlete, Mayo discovered his speaking abilities unexpectedly during a football game, realizing he could influence and inspire his teammates effectively. 8. Mayo advises that to use our voices effectively and reach our potential, we should write our plans down, not be afraid to fail, eliminate distractions, and be okay with incremental improvements (the 1 percent rule). 9. To support Mentoring Mentors, Mayo invites viewers to visit the website at www.mentoring-mentors.org to donate and become monthly supporters. 10. Mayo can be reached on social media platforms by typing in his name. His personal Instagram handle is @20mayo_mayo, and he invites people to directly email him at AlphonsoMayo@mentoring-mentors.org for strategic support and collaboration. http://superpowers4good.com"

"PiZetta Media CEO Michael VanZetta Reaches Tens of Thousands Targeting Active Members of the Military, Veterans and First Responders http://02jan24.s4g.biz AI Episode Summary 1. Devin Thorpe, the host of the ""Superpowers for Good"" show, introduces his guest, Michael VanZetta of PiZetta Media, who has a background in TV broadcasting and focuses on people and their stories, particularly in relation to social impact and mental health. 2. Michael shares that after working in local TV and seeing the focus on negative events rather than people, he started his own platform to tell stories of non-profits and individuals, especially those on mental health journeys, as he personally lives with bipolar disorder. 3. They discuss the importance of focusing on people rather than events in news stories, as personal stories can provide ongoing interest and emotional impact compared to transient news events. 4. Both hosts have had General Gregg Martin on their shows, a person with a bipolar disorder diagnosis who has transitioned from a military career to helping others, demonstrating how personal challenges can resonate and connect with others going through similar experiences. 5. Michael mentions interviewing various guests, including famous personalities like Montel Williams and individuals from smaller non-profits, emphasizing that talking to people involved in meaningful causes is what he enjoys most. 6. Michael has been running his show for about a year, with over 250 episodes produced, and he highlights his focus on military and veteran stories, expressing empathy for the challenges they face transitioning to civilian life. 7. Asked about his superpower, Michael identifies with having a lot of empathy, which he feels is key to understanding and listening to others, both in his professional work and personal life. 8. Michael advocates for building trust as a means to foster empathy, emphasizing that by trusting in people's inherent goodness, one can be more open to listen to and understand others. 9. To connect with Michael and his show, he directs viewers to his YouTube channel at PiZetta Media, with over 43,000 subscribers, to his LinkedIn profile (Michael Vanzetta and PiZetta Media), Facebook at PiZetta Media, and his website at PizettaMedia.com, even offering his phone number for direct contact. 10. Devin concludes by commending Michael's work on mental health and social impact, wishing him continued success in his endeavors to make a positive difference in the world. http://superpowers4good.com"

"LendForGood’s Cameron Neil Explains the Power of All-of-Us Being the Largest Untapped Impact Investment Fund on Earth http://28dec23.s4g.biz AI Episode Summary 1. Cameron Neil is the CEO and founder of LendForGood, an Australian crowdfunding portal that specializes in debt deals for mission-driven companies. 2. LendForGood is designed to democratize impact investment, making it accessible to ordinary people, not just high-net-worth individuals or sophisticated investors. 3. The platform provides a way for individuals and organizations to collaborate and support impact enterprise founders who are creating positive change in their communities but struggle to access capital from mainstream markets. 4. LendForGood utilizes debt as a simple and flexible financial tool, providing a more inclusive option for funding impact businesses, including those that may not be structured to offer equity. 5. Debt deals offer clarity and certainty with defined repayment terms, appealing to both borrowers and lenders and providing an alternative to equity investment. 6. Cameron highlights the importance of community involvement in crowdfunding and the potential to build local community wealth by allowing individuals to invest in local initiatives they care about. 7. Crowdfunding platforms like LendForGood enable people to make investment decisions based on personal values and connection to causes, considering the emotional and impact-oriented aspects of investing. 8. Cameron identifies his superpower as being a builder and creator, having a track record of constructing intangible organizations and systems that mobilize people toward social change. 9. He recounts his work in building the Fair Trade movement in Australia and New Zealand and how it shifted mindsets about what business can achieve, influencing consumer expectations, business practices, and even legislation. 10. To those looking to initiate change or build something new, Cameron advises building a support network of individuals with diverse skill sets and adopting a lean startup methodology—starting small, learning quickly, and gaining momentum. To learn more about LendForGood or connect with Cameron, individuals can visit LendForGood.com, which accepts global participants or connect with Cameron on LinkedIn. http://superpowers4good.com"

"Archimage President and Founder Used Design Skills to Build Educational Video Games http://26dec23.s4g.biz AI Episode Summary 1. Richard Buday is the founder and president of Arc Image, an architectural firm that has ventured into video gaming. 2. Richard's firm was an early adopter of computers in architecture, which caught the attention of companies like Autodesk. This led to their involvement in animation software and, subsequently, video gaming. 3. Arc Image developed ""serious video games"" with Baylor College of Medicine to promote healthy behaviors, including a game designed to assist single-parent moms with children's eating and exercise habits. 4. Richard reflects on architecture's role in society and advocates for incorporating narrative transportation theory into building design, making architecture more meaningful and communicative. 5. Discussing the dangers of aging condo buildings, specifically high-rises, Richard points to the collapse of a tower in Florida as a symptom of homeowner association boards failing to address necessary repairs and maintenance due to psychological and social dynamics. 6. Richard writes about various topics, including the challenges of maintaining aging condominiums and their reliance on homeowner boards for critical decision-making and funding. 7. He sees his superpower as the ability to apply inductive reasoning: taking a solution and finding problems it can solve. This has allowed him to explore new directions in technology and architecture. 8. Richard advises others to learn inductive reasoning skills and understand narrative transportation theory, which can powerfully influence behaviors for good or ill. 9. To read Richard's writings on architecture and his views on persuasive design, he directs readers to Common Edge.org, where most of his articles are published. 10. Richard Buday can be reached for further discussion and inquiries about his work through his email at arbor_day@archimage.com and his website archimage.com. He is open to engaging with interested individuals on relevant topics. http://superpowers4good.com"

"How Will Wiseman and Climatize are Democratizing Impact Investments with as Little as $5 http://s4g.biz/16may24 1. Will Wiseman is the CEO of Climatize, involved in Crowdfunding for climate solutions. 2. Will was inspired to start Climatize after witnessing the 2019 climate strikes in Barcelona and realizing traditional activism was insufficient. 3. Climatize is an SEC-registered funding portal enabling anyone to invest in renewable energy projects with as little as $5. 4. Since launching in May 2023, Climatize has catalyzed nearly $3.5 million in investments into 11 projects across seven states. 5. These projects are projected to avoid emissions equivalent to 65 million vehicle miles. 6. Crowdfunding allows investors to see the tangible impact of their money, different from traditional ESG investments. 7. Climatize has a strong trust factor with investors, resulting in an average check size of $6,000, compared to the industry average of $2,000. 8. Projects on Climatize are often funded quickly, some in as little as two hours. 9. Will attributes his success to aligning his skills with his passions and his ability to self-teach. 10. To encourage investment, new users can receive a $10 credit on Climatize, enabling them to start investing right away. http://superpowers4good.com "

"Aunnie Patton Powers Explains How Good Due Diligence and Portfolio Construction Can Help Investors Earn Solid Returns From Slower-Growth Social Enterprises http://21dec23.s4g.biz AI Episode Summary The podcast features Aunnie Patton Power, an author, Oxford professor, and expert on impact investing. Aunnie's book, Adventure Finance, focuses on creating funding journeys that blend profit and purpose, exploring alternative funding options beyond traditional avenues. The book addresses founders and funders interested in mission-driven funding and offers various options for them. Aunnie highlights the importance of understanding oneself and the organization when embarking on a funding journey. One key message from the book is that there are funding options beyond traditional routes, allowing organizations to align with their values and mission without compromising. The conversation shifts to impact investing and the need for investors to create toolkits, including various funding options tailored to specific challenges like supporting female entrepreneurs. Aunnie emphasizes the importance of impact-linked incentives in funds, urging investors to design strategies that align with their mission and goals. The discussion delves into due diligence and portfolio construction, stressing the need for thoughtful scrutiny and diversification to achieve better-than-venture returns with lower risk. Aunnie shares insights into her superpowers, including her ability to convene and facilitate discussions, as well as her fearlessness in pursuing innovative and radical ideas in the field of impact investing. Aunnie discusses a recent accomplishment, challenging the impact investing industry to adopt impact-linked compensation, and shares ongoing research on the subject, aiming to change the conversation and make impact-linked compensation more prevalent in the field. http://superpowers4good.com"

"Folla Capital CEO John Panaccione Says Debt Financing Is a Great Tool for Small Issuers http://19dec23.s4g.biz AI Episode Summary 1. Devin Thorpe hosts the Superpowers for Good Show and introduces John Panaccione, CEO and founder of Folla Capital, emphasizing John's dedication to supporting the veteran community. 2. John's firm, Folla Capital, is an SEC-registered broker-dealer investment banking firm that helps small businesses and entrepreneurs develop capital strategies and facilitates capital raising, particularly focusing on minorities, women, and veterans. 3. John expresses his dislike for the term ""crowdfunding,"" preferring to describe the capital raising process as using internet technology to leverage various SEC exemptions to fund businesses. 4. Folla Capital has successfully completed several capital raises using different SEC regulations, including Regulation D for accredited investors and Regulation CF (crowdfunding) for general public investment. 5. John highlights an innovative debt offering through Folla Capital that enables Rally Point Grill, owned by prior-service Marines, to raise capital as if they are the bank for their franchises, allowing both investors and franchisees to benefit from the capital raised. 6. Devin discusses the importance of investment crowdfunding in filling funding gaps that banks can't, highlighting the diversity of crowdfunding's role in different stages of companies' growth. 7. John believes in the value of debt offerings as opposed to equity for small businesses, as it allows investors to potentially see returns without waiting for a company sale. 8. An example of a complex convertible bond offering is mentioned, starting at $10 million for funding a manufacturing facility in western Virginia, with an intention to roll into a $40 million Regulation A offering down the line. 9. John credits his military background with the paratroopers as a source of his 'superpower,' which he sees as the never-quit attitude and a strong focus on teamwork honed by his experiences that lead towards finding solutions during tough times. 10. John emphasizes the significance of building a strong team of advisors and mentors, especially in entrepreneurship, to foster resilience and suggests that those new to business should not go it alone and instead learn from experienced individuals. http://superpowers4good.com"

"Filmmaker Catherine Gray’s New Documentary Highlights the Challenges for Women in the Venture Capital Arena and the Women Working to Fund Female Founders http://on.s4g.biz/18jan24 AI Episode Summary 1. Catherine Gray is a film producer and advocate for funding women who aims to raise awareness about the lack of venture capital received by women, which is only 2 percent. 2. Her film, Show Her the Money, which she discusses with host Devin Thorpe, intends to educate people about venture capital, its importance, and why investing in it or obtaining funding from it is significant. 3. The film highlights three sectors of women: women starting their own venture capital funds, women investing in these funds, and women entrepreneurs who receive funding from these female-founded funds. 4. Catherine emphasizes the critical role women play in venture capital and innovation, as funding disparities can potentially impede technological advancements and opportunities for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community. 5. She launched a 50-city tour around the country and the globe to showcase the film and inform the public about what venture capital is and the importance of having a diverse range of people involved in it. 6. Catherine points toward a need for more women and underrepresented groups to be at the decision-making table in venture capital to ensure a future that includes their needs, ideas, and solutions. 7. The film also explores the expected rise in investable assets controlled by women, reaching $30 trillion by the end of the decade, and the potential impact these investments could have. 8. Catherine identifies her superpower as connecting people, something she finds joy in and considers the key to successful fundraising and fulfilling one's purpose. 9. She encourages a positive perspective on fundraising and believes it should be seen as an adventure rather than a drudgery, focusing on building relationships and connecting with like-minded individuals. 10. Catherine Gray can be reached on LinkedIn and through her company, She Angel Investors; her film's website is showherthemoneymovie.com, where viewers can find screening schedules and hosting information. She also hosts a podcast called Invest in Her, focused on connecting female founders and funders. http://superpowers4good.com "

"Jobs for America’s Graduates CEO Janelle Duray Explains How JAG Helps Youth Finish School and Find High-Potential Jobs http://16nov23.s4g.biz AI Episode Summary JAG stands for Jobs for America's Graduates, a national program that supports young people in graduating high school and launching successful careers. JAG's mission is to empower young people with the skills and support to succeed in education, employment, and life. The program was created to reach young people facing challenges that hindered their success in high school and to connect them with opportunities in their communities. JAG focuses on trauma-informed care, project-based learning, and employer engagement to support students in their education and career development. Janelle Duray has been with JAG for 13 years and recently became the CEO, bringing her experience in the public and nonprofit sectors to the organization. JAG works closely with Fortune 500 executives, governors, and employers to provide opportunities for students and build diverse talent pipelines. Lifelong learning and adaptability are crucial in preparing young people for a future influenced by AI and technological advancements. Janelle's superpower is not shying away from large challenges and being driven to be part of the solution. She emphasizes the importance of balance and enjoying the present while working towards future goals. JAG has focused on positioning students as the flagship of the organization, investing in their leadership skills, and giving them a platform to advocate for themselves and their future. To learn more about JAG, donate, or get involved, visit their website at jag.org or follow their social media channels @JAGNational. http://superpowers4good.com"

Executive Director Jasmine Graham Explains Innovative Programs Helping Residents Save Money, Improve Homes, and Participate in the Clean Energy Transition http://s4g.biz/03 tl;dr: Mid-Hudson Energy Transition helps communities access renewable energy, lower costs, and strengthen resilience. Community Choice Aggregation enables bulk renewable energy purchases, saving residents and small businesses money. The Home Upgrade Grants program addresses structural issues to help low-income families decarbonize their homes. The HELP Fund allows community members to invest in clean energy with tailored returns and protections. Empathy and inclusion guide Jasmine Graham’s leadership, ensuring no one is left behind in transitions. http://superpowers4good.com #ImpactCrowdfunding #DiverseFounders #SocialEntrepreneurs #CommunityCapital #ImpactInvestors #RIC #InvestmentCrowdfunding #SuperCrowd #climatesolutions