Capitalism for Good - Between the Interviews

SNAPping into Place

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Note from Andrea: Even though there are just a couple resources listed in this episode, I don't feel right about gatekeeping it, so here's a not-so-fun bonus Between the Interviews episode for all.

Hey folks. So listen. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how the mission & purpose of this Capitalism for Good project overlaps with the world at large. Part of that overlap is obvious. The purpose is the people making a positive impact on their community. Part of it is personal, like how incredibly grateful I am that I’m not currently working at a government adjacent company any more. My heart goes out to all of those that are in that world. Part of it is a zoomed out perspective on things like SNAP benefits in jeopardy. It is really disheartening to watch the lives of so many people in our country’s community be used as pawns in a government game. I understand why we’re here. But I don’t like it.

The impacts of these decisions will have ripple effects on the rest of our economy and will continue to touch our communities long after they are (hopefully) resolved. The de facto delayed impact of these actions mean that while they might be in the headlines today, they’ll likely have a direct impact after implementation and will then ripple out to the broader community later. For example, if we look at SNAP benefits as of November 3, 2025: approximately 42 million people in the United States receive SNAP benefits to supplement their nutrition (as the program title “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” suggests). While rulings came down last Friday in favor of these benefits continuing, the logistics of the program mean that arrangements needed to send this funding to the 12% of the population who are beneficiaries of the program in order for them to be received on time need arranging. Additionally, it's likely safe to factor in some additional time for the legality tangle that the head of our country is known for favoriting. Note that those pulling the levers of the logistics are also government employees and/or contractors directly or indirectly impacted by the current government shutdown.

SNAP benefits are used to purchase food. Food is largely sold at grocery stores. Grocery stores largely need to purchase food by vendors to be delivered to the store on a given date (and those vendors also need to prepare downriver by gathering and organizing said deliveries). Planning for a reduction in customer spending by, let’s just say 12% on average, let’s assume that most grocery store inventory purchasers bought 12% less inventory (aka food) for this next shipment. Assuming that they expected 12% less customers in their store, they also scheduled 12% less hours for those stocking inventory and/or to man check out counters. Also assuming that most of those stocking inventory and working check out counters are hourly workers, they’re now expecting to work 12% less hours and, thus, making 12% for this pay period. These employees also need to purchase food and now have a reduction in their income that will likely correlate to a reduction in the amount spent, not only on food, but also on other necessary and discretionary spending. That means that other retailers and service providers in the community that typically plan for an average customer...

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Capitalism for Good Goes Green

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Being new, trying to figure things out, being the least smart person in the room doesn’t always feel good to me personally, but is the best way for me to feel like I’m always learning and growing.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the conversation with Tiera Barber and her point about opening up a candle making retail business where she teaches classes on candle making without ever having done it before. She talks about just knowing in her core that it was the right thing to do. She was led by her gut, her intuition, and what she calls her discernment that helped guide her belief that it was just the right thing to do.

That’s a lot like where I am right now. I’ve been working on this Capitalism for Good project for a couple years now and it’s been out in the world for almost an entire year since I posted the first podcast episode. So many things have changed. I’ve changed locations. My life situation has changed. My goals have changed. And none of this is surprising. I’m a human just doing what all humans do by evolving. So I’m not exactly sure what it’ll look like, but I’ve got some very specific long term visions and some personal goals that are my parameters. I’ve started writing about those in a blog on the Capitalism for Green Patreon which was the first step of me showing how I'm attempting to put all of the things I’m learning in Capitalism for Good into practice. If you haven't been following along there, then you know that this Capitalism for Good project has shaped so much of where I am now. Specifically, it’s shaped my confidence and idea that I can really replicate what others have done in a really tangible and specific way.

As I was researching and vetting all of these different folks that might be good fits for the project making sure that they come from a variety of fields, backgrounds, demographics, experiences, and have all these different perspectives to bring to the table with the obvious overlap of making a positive impact on their community, I kept finding myself being naturally drawn to 2 very specific types of business leaders: 1. Those that lead sustainably manufactured goods and 2. Those that have refill and zero waste shops.

If I let my own personal interest overhaul the project, I would have diverted it completely toward those two categories even though I knew that the misison & vision of it was something more broad where I really learn and showcase folks from all different fields. Especially those which I personally wouldn’t have thought of at the beginning. I wanted that variety and that approachability that touches a broader range of interests and people to prove that we all can really make a positive impact no matter our role in making a spending money.

So me as a human was popping into all these refill and zero waste stores as I was all over the US and following them on social media and emailing and, yes, interviewing some of them for Capitalism for Good. I’ve also talked a little bit about how I’ve been spending more time in the Kansas City suburbs where I grew up and where my parents still live trying to reconfigure what the next few years of my life might look like. So as I’ve been resubmerging myself in midwest suburban culture, I’ve tried to better understand the trends, needs, and wants of this community that I’ll likely be spending a lot more time around in...

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When Anti-Procrastination Doesn’t Work

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Hi folks. So listen. I am a pretty good compartmentalizer mixed with a pretty good anti-procrastinator who loves a good routine. It’s what keeps me sane when life gets chaotic. Part of that routine is completing as much as possible at the moment. I’m a wash-the-dishes-as-you-go kind of woman because the last thing I want is another task on the to-do list if I can help it. It also helps me feel accomplished while not putting too much pressure on myself to do more. Because I already feel like I did what I could in the day, even if there are things that I didn’t get to. Anyway…this isn’t a productive self-help book here. It’s just the background to explain why it’s Tuesday, October 14 and I’m getting a little nervous that I don’t know what the next early release interview episode will be. Because it hasn’t been scheduled. And even though there’s still time for it to come together and I have a plan B (and also a plan C, D, E, and F because I like to have options) for what I’ll do if it doesn’t, I still prefer not to let it get this close to the wire.

Which brings me back to an exchange I had with Dan Gomer during another time when the details were coming together in less-than-ideal way (and honestly, when is it actually really all coming together in an ideal way?). We were getting ready to record and I was explaining to him about the poor internet connection when recording Anastasia and Tierra’s episodes to warn him that there was a chance I might need to relocate as I was figuring out where it’s best to record in my new temporary location. And I’m over here giving him too much information about why I was in a different spot, specifically the walk in closet in my parent’s bedroom, because I’m a true believer in it being better to tell on yourself than set some unrealistically high expectation that I don’t meet and then we’re all annoyed and you’re no longer listening or reading or watching or however you’re choosing to interact with this project. And one of the options I had at that time was to just reschedule until I had it all figured out and polished up.

I could have pushed pause on this whole project. It certainly would be more professional if I chose to do that. But I keep coming back to this one thing: real life.

One of the core ideas I had about this whole project was that I wanted to get the real life transparently honest look behind the experiences of the people I spoke to in these 100 interviews. Yes, I want all the ways in which they were successful so that I could follow in their footsteps and learn from them. But I also want to see what it’s really like. It helps me in those challenging times when things aren’t coming together the way that I want to. It puts it into perspective that calms that anxiety that I have in the back of my mind fueled by focusing on all the ways in which I could be better, do better, and make something better. Tierra recently talked about comparison and competition vs. combining forces with those in her industry so they could all be stronger together. Shannon talked about how there are chairs and tables for everybody. There’s no singular right way to go about doing something and there’s no true secret key to success. But there’s knowledge, information, and experiences that can inform your decision between the options of plans A-F (and beyond) so you can use your discernment (another nod to Tierra here) to make the decision that’s best for...

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Ben Higgins…was on The Bachelorette?? (living under a rock edition)

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Listen. I’m not the biggest TV watcher out there. In fact, I didn’t buy my first TV until I was in 30s and I gave it away within a year of purchasing it. I’m even more out of the loop when it comes to reality TV. So it’s safe to say that I’m a bit under a rock when it comes to pop culture related to TV…Or, I prefer to describe myself as a 90 year old grandma that has recently chosen to hook herself to the quiet birdwatching bandwagon with her 70+ year old dad on the front driveway (where I actually am currently sitting while typing this).

My second caveat is that I get a lot of recommendations (THANK YOU!) for businesses and folks that I should look into for the Capitalism for Good project. I spend a lot of time creeping around, looking at Instagrams and websites and asking the folks around me if they know about the people in their cities. It’s a baseline built out of “is this person actually an a-hole? Or are they actually known for being pretty great?” kind of vibe check. I try not to go tooooooo deep because then the overbearing side of me takes over and tries to control the conversation leading the guest into what I want them to talk about. It’s better for us all if I let my curiosity lead us into the conversation in a genuine way where I get to learn about these folks and their stories in real time.

That’s how Generous Coffee Co. made it on my obnoxiously big spreadsheet, but I’d failed to write down who told me about it. So, here I am, googling away and watching Instagram and sure enough, the company passes the vibe check. Community give backs = big check. Accessibility & inclusion = check. Stable enough to be around for a bit = check. People seem to like them and support them = check. I open up my email and type away. I get forwarded to Ben Higgins, the Co-Founder. He agrees & books a time to talk to me.

Cue phase 2 of research: I do some googling to check out his LinkedIn and see if any articles pop up namedropping him. And lo and behold, there are lot of clips. And articles. And all sorts of things because he’s made a name for himself in The Bachelor world. So I call up the biggest The Bachelor fan I know, Shannon Masterson, also of Interview #1 in the Capitalism for Good project fame, to ask her what she knows about Ben & Generous Coffee Co. and she uses her most practiced big-sister voice to say “Yeah. I know. I told you about him. You shut it down saying that reality TV isn’t your thing…” So here I am to eat my words that dismissed him because of this piece of his background. And also to ask some questions about why Shannon Masterson recommended him and ask some questions that she wants to know so she can follow in his footsteps a bit.

And man am I eating my words here today because I’m truly, honest to god, blown away by Ben. I mean, all of the folks in the Capitalism for Good project are worthy of praise and have so much for us all to learn from and Ben is no different. I just had no idea about the breadth and depth of his dedication to capitalize on his values for such a positive impact. There’s so much there that we didn’t even scratch the surface.

Things I want to talk to him more about: Accessibility. Inclusion...

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Duos, Partners, Buddies, Yin & Yang…People x2?

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:00:00 GMT

I’m drilling down more from people into the value of having a person, partner, duo, buddy, a yin to your yang. Someone to lean on and be in the trenches with you. Because sometimes you just need to not be alone.

Nothing happens in a vacuum. Even those of us that individual sports & lone wolfs out there (including me, a self-described introvert who just happens to love talking to people), aren’t entirely alone as we wander through life. It takes people. More importantly, it takes good people that mean well, try hard, and do the right thing to support one another. As evidenced by the last third of this episode, this hits home especially for me. It doesn’t always take a lot of time or a heavy lift to make a positive impact on those around you. Sometimes it’s just setting a good example. Sometimes it’s just listening. Sometimes it’s not gatekeeping the lessons you’ve learned. Sometimes it is a heavy lift. Sometimes it is going out of your way to be helpful to someone. Sometimes it does take effort. My point is that it comes in all different shapes, sizes, volumes, and even morphs over time and through changing circumstances. Regardless, it matters. It’s impactful. The way we treat people is meaningful. The way we interact with our community is powerful, even when it doesn’t feel that way.

Alright. That’s enough. Let’s go leave this place better than we found it.

Shout outs to:

Angela Houska (hello.haveaseat & Good Spirits & Co.)
Gabby Butcher - The Bakers House
Mollie Bliss - Garcia Properties
Melanie Hellmann - organization philosopher and business jack of all trades

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25% Check In

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Bittersweet Paradox

This is the more personal introverted side of the house that involves some introspection about how we’re all humans behind all this. We all have our own shit and these times in life that really threaten to derail everything that we do and all that we’ve worked for and everything we’ve built so far. I’m talking about those rough dark times that try to consume everything around is and are just the most difficult. I’m a firm believer in the idea that we all have our most difficult times and those most difficult times should never be compared to one another.
So there’s a podcast component where we’ll talk to some folks about their dark times and the light that exists simultaneously. Episodes will come out when they come out. There’s no schedule. Because life doesn’t happen on a schedule.
Subscribe if you’re interested and want to know when a new episode drops.
Hit me up if you are interested in telling your own story.
There’s also a weekly Writing Club where I post my actual real life journal entries along with a current day reflection & a writing prompt for you to think or write about (but only if you want to).
There’s no pressure with Bittersweet Paradox.

Capitalism for Green

This one’s fun for me. I’ve had this longstanding big business dream that merges with what I want my life to look like when I’m old and wrinkly and fully gray. I also have some really strong opinions and non-negotiables related to what goes into the foundation of everything I do.
Capitalism for Green is me using the lessons that I’m learning through Capitalism for Good to build my dream business that gives back to the community in a way that feels right from top to bottom every step of the way. And in the spirit of Capitalism for Good, I’m documenting it along the way from the very beginning. From the actual step 1. We’ll start with a weekly blog where I outline the big picture full idea. Then we’ll move into pulling some other folks in to help me build along the way.
The short term goal is to open a store in middle America that pushes the envelope of what a sustainable store looks like.
So if you want to see Capitalism for Good come to life, consider checking out the Capitalism for Green project.
There’s a Patreon page set up for both of them where you can customize what you want out of them.
And do you have thoughts, recommendations, suggestions, and requests? Also great. Please send those to me. I want to know what you think.

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Asking for Feedback

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

If you're anything like me, it's not always easy or comfortable to ask for feedback because that means that you're opening yourself up to looking head on at what you worked so hard to do your best at. Call it being a perfectionist. Call it trying too hard. Call it a disconnect with reality. Call it whatever you want. I’ll openly admit that I’m an overachiever always doing too much and being too loud. I’m not good at the in between and I certainly don’t want to be bad at something. So, that leaves shooting for the moon with almost literally everything I do. I’m looking as far into the future as I can. I, quite literally, have detailed budgets and plans drafted that go through 2055…that I look at, edit, and follow. I would say that I’ve lost my mind, but I think I’ve always kind of been like this so that would mean that I never really had it in the first place. Which might be true….

Once again, I digress. But you get the picture, right? When I’m working on the Capitalism for Good project, I’m doing my best to look into the future, to put myself in other people shoes, and to do my absolute best to appear like I have my shiz together when I very clearly don’t because I’m doing so many of these things for the first time (except for the asking people questions part…that piece I’ve been practicing since I could speak). This all brings to my point that I try really hard to balance being open about the fact that I have so much to learn and that I’m often the least experienced and knowledgeable person in the room (both physical and virtual) while presenting that in a prepared and professional way. Now, I’ve had a lot of practice being the least experienced and knowledgeable person in the room. I’m the youngest in my family and spent so much of my early life being just that. Young and playing catch up with everyone in the room. Cue, the questions. If I could just soak up all the knowledge, then I could actually catch up and would eventually not be the least experienced and knowledgeable person in the room.Combine that with some sheer determination and overconfidence and that pretty much sums up who I am as a human.

As I grew up, I learned to love sport and practiced being coachable. I might have started out being the least talented person on the team when I began, but then I combined all the all the aspects I outlined above to use being coachable to my advantage. I might not have been the tallest or strongest or fastest athlete, but I could listen and learn with the best of them. Which finally brings me to right now, in this project, and in life, as a human, I try to be an overconfident try hard that is coachable so that I continue to grow. Which, in practice, looks like me asking for feedback, even when I don’t want to face the fact that I fell short even when I tried so hard not to. Feedback is an important part of the process. It’s an important part of evolution. It’s an important part of natural selection.

What I’m reading/watching/consuming: Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand

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What is a "break" really?

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

This week is audio only as I attempt to learn how to take a break. And by that I mean, I tried to actually take a break, but really just fell down some more rabbit holes to build out what I want the future to be. And then took some action. So really, I suppose, it wasn't a break at all. The break was just from posting videos. So audio only this week mostly because maybe that's the break that I needed without realizing it until I'm trying these words right now.

Who else can relate to the benefit of slowing down only to realize that in those "breaks" and those "pauses," your brain actually just fills in all the space with inspiration and ideas and solutions to the problems that exist in our lives? Because that's what mine does. It's crazy how I spent so many years of my life checking boxes and looking at all the items on my to-do list that I've accomplished. I've made lists of all of the jobs I've had, places I've visited, places I've lived, goals I've accomplished...you name it, I've made a list and felt accomplished (or, if I didn't feel accomplished, then I made a goal to tackle so that I would).

I worked through vacations, worked multiple jobs at one time, multi-tasked, resisted taking breaks, felt uncomfortable taking breaks, felt unproductive taking breaks. And now that I'm intentionally trying to take breaks, I find that I'm even more productive and prolific than I ever was before. How? Seriously. The logic seeking part of my brain wants to understand that. It honestly doesn't make full sense to me.

Now I try to learn my lessons about listening to my body and my brain to take breaks when warranted. And then in those breaks, I end up writing, planning, and filling them up with even more ideas and plans than before. So out of this last "break" (if we can even call it that), comes the next step in the Capitalism for Good universe: Capitalism for Green. It's the next step to get me to my ultimate goal (put a pin in that for later) and is the chronicling of me putting into practice all of the things that I'm learning through the Capitalism for Good interview project. And by "chronicling" I mean really showing from step 1, from the very beginning, from idea to figuring out how to put the idea into action, and sharing what that's like.

Does that bring up questions about what that means? Send them my way. I have lots of questions, too. Lots of them. But I also have determination to figure out the answers to my own questions, so why not throw yours in the mix also.

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Communities of Businesses Supporting Businesses

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

This concept of businesses supporting businesses is proof that we're stronger together.

As I've neared the 1 quarter mark of the completion of the interview goal, I've been trying to find a concise way to put into words the proof that communities of businesses are stronger together. I've got a collection of 23 examples of people who have shared how it a work for them, but I struggle to sum up the "why" behind it.

Logically, it makes sense to me that if a business partners with another, they'll cross-promote between each of their individual audiences and customer bases. That will expand their reach to a likely overlapping target demographic. There's also the theory behind the path of the dollar that if a company focuses on providing:

A) a solution (ex: refill shops/sustainable brands/technology support), OR

B) show love of their community (ex: Charlie Hustle, Series Six, STL STyLe)

then, people in that community are likely to buy their products/services. Those purchases bring in revenue that, in part, pays the paychecks and health benefits of the neighbor that works at the company. Both pay taxes that, arguably, fix your roads and fund educators and support staff salaries. Those things are the investments into the future generations of your communities. It supports the value of your hope that you may have purchased as an investment into your family.

This is the value of small and local business.

Beyond that, if one of those companies (or, imagine, all of those companies...) chooses to partner with another local business (like Series Six & Charlie Hustle have done with local restaurants, nonprofits, and other local businesses), then they each get the benefit of that cross-promotion I mentioned earlier with potentially overlapping target demographics. It also serves as some free marketing for each of them. Especially for an apparel company where the t-shirt itself can serve as a walking advertisement for the apparel company as well as the partnering businesses (or maybe even sports team). That saves both companies money while also potentially increasing profits for both.

This allows the company increased revenue to:

re-invest in their internal community through increased employment, higher salaries, better benefits for employees...
re-invest in their larger external community. This could be:
a donation to a local charity (ex: children's hospital, crisis support, environmental or socially responsible efforts) that serves, protects, and/or improves your community.
volunteer efforts as a company team with the gift of time.
donation drive (ex: gift collection for the holiday season or item drive for a local domestic violence shelter)
straight % profit share with local charity (ex: 3% of all proceeds go to [insert charity name].

It also doesn't necessity have to be directly to a charity to give back to your community. Support can look a lot of different ways. For a previous rabbit hole about the inner-workings of how nonprofits operate & addressing common misperceptions, see the Making Sense of...

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Technically Complex

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

This week's Thought I Can't Get Out of My Brain: Leveraging the tools we have for good.

Much like the word "capitalism" or "business" or "money" can be a turnoff for some, I've found that "technology" and "AI" and "social media" or "the internet" can be a turn off as well.

I get it. I also have been known to fall into that same bucket as well. I can also be somewhat of a luddite who resists screens, was a proud minimally active social media user and the kind of person who takes pride in not knowing really what ChatGPT is while preferring tangible books over e-readers.

...did I lose the other half of you when I described myself in a little bit of a holier-than-thou way? Yeah, me too. I can annoy myself sometimes with how quickly I can get on a soapbox and how comfortable I can be standing on one.

So, when someone opportunities arose to drive into tech and AI in terms of sustainability efforts, I was weary to say the least. With limited experience, not all positive plus the murmurings of headlines of concerns about data privacy and environmental impacts of data centers powering AI, I was ready to decline the opportunity with a proud stance of "Sorry. Not the right fit."

But in my quest to embrace my slow burn side and foster my inner life long learner, I decided to leverage my strengths. I asked a lot of questions. Like, a lot. I read a lot. I observed. I dabbled. I listened. I tried to absorb enough information to feel relatively competent asking some tough questions. I armed myself with knowledge.

Then, I ultimately did decide to seize the opportunity to talk tot some of these subject matter expert leaders to have some more in-depth, some philosophical, and some transparent conversations that address some existing concerns, but also highlight the potential to use some of this technology for good.

...much like how I hijacked "capitalism" and "business" topics to leverage those for positive impacts in this project.

I'm not about to, by myself, address or clear up any of those mainstream AI or tech concerns, because I'm still at a junior level of my understanding, but I will shine a spotlight on those I perceive as having good intentions and how have put in the time and effort to hone their skills well beyond what I could ever hope t you. You'll hear from some of those leaders in the Capitalism for Good interviews.

It's probably no surprise here that my "what I'm reading/listening to/watching/learning" section here is generally focused on diving into the things we each know little about. it's not a singular recommendation, but an encouragement to leverage the resources, especially the people who are subject matter experts, you have in your life in order to learn more and better understand a topic.

As my good friend, Melanie, likes to say, "let experts be experts."

Alright. That's enough. Let's go leave this place better than we found it.

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Shifting Thought Process

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

THANK YOU for your interest, support, and interaction as we shine a spotlight on those that are using their business to make a positive impact on their internal & external communities. Please, spread the word. Share the love. And support these fine folks that are pushing the envelop in the greatest of ways.

And thank you for sticking with me here (or joining, if this is your first time with the Capitalism for Good project), as I evolve, grow, and learn in real time here out in the open. With 23 (out of 100!) interviews now completed, this project has been the vehicle to gather so much information and wisdom. Naturally, that means that I've shifted the way I approach the project. In a really good way.

When I started this project to interview 100 business leaders making a positive impact, I was driven primarily to find the rare business leader that isn't fueled by greed, self-promotion, wasteful consumerism, you name it, at the expense of taking advantage of their employees and customers. I saw unethical decision making being driven solely by chasing profits. I saw so much harm. And I was determined to change it. I wanted to take down that culture through revolution. Can you tell I was burnt out and frustrated to the point of being so tunnel-visioned that I could only really see the negative? And also maybe I was being a little (a lot) dramatic?

The good news is that my vantage point leads to a much more positive approach these days. I have all 23 of the folks I've interviewed for the Capitalism for Good project to thank for that. It turns out that there are so many people out there that are doing really great things. Like, so many. An overwhelmingly inspiring amount. And each one of them is doing things in their own way and putting their own spin on it. There are these communities that they've built that are networks of companies and loyal customers sharing knowledge, problem-solving, establishing non-profits, putting on festivals, celebrating talents, and everything that makes you feel good about the state of the world.

I'm not sure if was my algorithm, my negative thought process spiral of a mentality, or a combination of both plus some other factors, but I didn't hear how many people where actively doing the work well before I thought of the phase "Capitalism for Good." They were already living it. In fact, there were countless people in the generations before us that were already living it. And there will continue to be countless more in the coming generations that will keep up the hard work of combating the loud voices of those that are only in it for themselves, regardless of the toll that it takes on the rest of the global community. And for that, I'm grateful. I'm grateful to be welcomed in the existing communities lifting one another up and thankful for those that have taken the time out of their lives to let me pepper them with questions. I'm proud to be able to shine a spotlight on them. I'm happy to talk about them to anyone that will listen. I'm deeply appreciative for everything that I've learned along the way. And I'm so excited for all of the folks that I'll meet in the future that will continue to fuel my fire of positivity here.

Thank you for sticking with me through the dark periods that fueled the start and thank you for helping me find the light. Together, we can build better community...

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Reverse, Reverse

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

I did it. I finally finished Phil Knight's memoir, Shoe Dog, about his experience creating Nike. It's not uncommon for me to take several months (or years for some books, if I'm being honest) to finish a book. I'm often flipping between 5 or so all from pretty different genres. Some I fly through and I take my time with others. Without a deadline, I can savor or devour a book depending on what feels right at the time.

Shoe Dog has been with me for a good part of 2025. Veronica Hernandez and I talked about it way back in Interview #4 when I interviewed her back in April.

I got a particular spark of inspiration almost at the very end when he writes about encouraging young people to "seek a calling" instead of just a job. That hit me both as something that's been sticking out to me as I interview folks for Capitalism for Good as well as personally as I reflect on changes I, myself, have made in the last few years to build a career that better fits my life. It seems to be guiding people to fulfillment. Purpose. Meaning.

I'm often looking for the themes and through lines that separate some of these leaders I'm interviewing from the perception that frustrated s os much that I started this project to prove that there is a different and more beneficially impactful way tot think about how we make and spend our dollars.

When I've been frustrated or opposed to the decisions of my company's leadership or didn't understand the logic behind what I was being asked to do at work, I often heard a similar phrase "it's just a job" or "just do you job." Similarly, if I didn't agree with a way that. company was donating money to a current administration to keep them in good light or if I didn't think they were doing gn enough to combat climate change or plastic waste build up, I'd often here, "that's just business." It's not dissimilar to, "it's not personal,. It's just business." And if I'm being honest, I get it.

I was never really the employee that appreciated team-building efforts or happy hours or forced social time. Often, the events popped up in jobs where I felt a lot of deadline pressure, stress from both above & from clients, and was already driven to work long hours to keep up in the way that I wanted to advance and "succeed." I'd say, "don't take time away from normal work hours to thank me for doing my job. Give me more support, money, or time back in my personal life."

The boundaries between work and perusal life needed to be more clear & firm to be in order to be worthwhile in my brain. I felt that it was important to establish these boundaries so clearly because I needed to separate from the stress that didn't agree with me. Or that I didn't agree with. So, in order to protect my peace & sanity, the boundary needed to be clear and the clash felt big when my work and personal life were competing or conflicting.

In situations like Phil is describing, and the work environment that a lot of our leaders culture, they clash between the internal personal values and the external work values driven by someone whose values may or may not line up with yours in a complimentary way don't feel as different. It's not an earth shatteringly novel idea, but the practice and prioritization of finding a work situation that aligns so well with your values doesn't always come easy. For some, the impact and the trade of...

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The Power of the People

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

It’s been so interesting to listen to all these leaders speak. I just wrapped up Interview #17 about a half hour ago. And much like the 16 before her, Sami talks about the people that made a profound impact on her and her ability to be where she is now. The people that keep a company running on a daily basis seems to be a prominent theme thus far in the interviews with business leaders. It’s obvious really, that without employees to keep things running, a business can’t function. If we dig a little deeper though, it seems to be more than just bodies in seat filling roles. It’s truly valuing the employees that make up a team and leveraging the skills and talents of the people in a way that’s fulfilling for all.

Shannon said - if you need something, just ask. And talked about

Lindsey is in business with her sister and has her to lean on. As do Jeff & Randy of STL Style.

Whitney started a business with her best friend.

I lean on those in my circle all the time.

Sami & Greg talk about partnering with charities and giving back to communities through their apparel companies.

Keith owns a company based on only selling products made by the people in his community.

Marissa talks about the importance of the local farmers they get their food from and how supporting people in rural cities does wonders for their local communities.

Kyle, Emma, Kate all founded companies that are dedicated to improving the global community.

Whitney gave a million shout outs including at least one that we’ll hear from in the future.

Wade name dropped his employees and joked about how they’re nicer and more loved than he is.

Veronica talked about when she meets with people about advertising, she takes the time to understand them and their goals. In fact, everything she’s doing and learning seems to be led by uplifting the people.

Connor built his whole expansive career in so many different fields, including I think more that he didn’t even mention, on connecting with other people and working hard to learn more.

Josh puts people and what’s right before business.

Cathy has pivoted to focusing her business on laughter wellness, which I attended today and can truly vouch for how great of a community she’s building there. It’s so heartwarming.

It’s easy to get a little tunnel vision sometimes, but it’s so important to be connected to the people. Take the time to prioritize your people. Whether you are in business or a customer of business. Consider the people. Need help? Reach out to your people.

What I’m reading:

Slow Time Between the Stars - John Scalzi's

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Logistics Scmigistics

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

This week is another true “behind the scenes” and “what goes on while I attempt to make, publish, and improve this project.”

I’ve learned SO much recently. Have I mentioned that I am not naturally gifted in the graphic design, artistic, visual field? This is newwwwwww territory to me and I’m well aware that it shows. I’ve got some big dreams about handing some of these things over to a subject matter expert at some point. For now, we’re all stuck with me though.

There’s also a lot that I still don’t know much about. Like YouTube thumbnails. Does it undermine my credibility to say out loud that I only very recently learned what that word means? …oh well. It’s the truth. So obviously I haven’t mastered the art and value of it. But I’m looking and learning and absorbing. More to come there.

I’m testing out some things, like a newsletter. I just sent out my first one for the entire CFG umbrella. That reminds me, do you know that the Capitalism for Good project is produced under the umbrella of my company, CFG? It’s a community-based consulting company helping provide some guidance, analysis, strategic planning, execution, and promotion for community based initiatives. Want to join the email list for the next one I send out? Join the email list here. I digress. I leaned on a skill that I do feel competent in and wrote up a newsletter with all the new things that are going on in the company (hint hint: Bittersweet Paradox).

Long story short: I’m working on continuing to evolve and learn more, hopefully for the better. You tell me. Seriously, you tell me. I’d really love to hear from you.

What I’m listening to: Baseball on the radio. I’m really leaning into my inner grandparent with my baseball vibes here. Picture this: I’m sitting on a lawn chair in the driveway listening to baseball on the radio. No real hurry. Just enjoying being outside and vaguely listening to a game with some really talented players that are accomplishing things that I could only ever dream of. That seems like the good life. Most of the time, I’m actually just listening to baseball on the radio playing through my iPhone while I furiously type a zillion emails and google my heart out. But now you know where I’d rather be.

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Curating Community

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

This is my reflection after Kate. There are so many things that stuck out to me. Namely:

This idea of taking control over your life and doing things your own way to aid in happiness. It was an interesting perspective when talking to her that she had this take on curating your community. She said that she was happy with where the company and her personal life was now, so she didn’t have these big lofty goals to scale. Her perspective on being content and satisfied with what you’ve built and created in your own life and your own space.

I relate to her so much when she talks about being lucky to be surrounded by some really great women and people. That can have a profound impact on the way in which you live your life. In the same way, we’re also kind of curating our own lives by choosing those that we’re keep close to us. I always think about how amazing it is that I’ve been surrounded by so many wonderful people that I’ve collected throughout all these stages of my life.

What I’m listening to: Armchair Expert with a friend. It’s a great natural way to talk through the things in our lives through the vehicle of this shared interest of a podcast. Shout out Ashley for being

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Set the Foundation

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Episode 3 - Video version first aired on 01/27/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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Bittersweet Paradox Launch

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In a lot of ways, Bittersweet Paradox was the first creative project idea that came to mind. It was a time when it really dawned on me in real time that I was in the middle of a tough situation much like we’ve all experienced in our own way. It wasn’t just a momentary time of pain like when you accidentally kick the leg of your bed in the middle of the night and the corner splits your baby and second toe so hard that you feel it in your stomach. It was more like one of those times when you open your eyes in the morning and your first thought is “how am I going to get through this? I don’t want any of this to be happening.” I was lucky that in those months (years?) of that time, I had a community of folks that I’d collected throughout my life that had also experienced (or were actively experiencing) their own version of the toughest days. The commiseration in that community was relatable and comforting in a way that I still can’t articulate well.

In this recognition of what we all had in front of and behind us was that life still goes on. There’s the chaotic storm that demands our attention, but there’s life outside of it.

There are still birds chirping (and getting stuck on my parents screened in porch refusing to find their way out of the many open doors. There are still hospital staff that are little rays of sunshine ushering us through the healthcare nightmare. There are still children living their best lives climbing the rocks at the park as many times as their parents will allow. There are still jokes to be made. There are still embarrassing mistakes (and clumsy moments, if you’re me) to laugh at. There are still moments of levity despite the darkness threatening to overtake the rest of our focus.

Both of these things can be true at once. A bittersweet paradox of life, if you will.

Thus, the idea for Bittersweet Paradox was born. Fueled by supportive friends (shout out Ashley & Sara) that are willing to participate and listen to me talk endlessly about my idea, my life, my sadness, my whatever and also willing to share their own experiences. I was searching for something that fit this crossover between the highs and lows of our lives and I couldn’t find it. So, with the help of those in it with me, we created it.

But, I was also stuck when it came to figuring out the logistics and framework of it.

So I diverted my attention to CFG and the Capitalism for Good project.

About a week ago, I decided it was time to use what I learned with the Capitalism for Good project and launch Bittersweet Paradox into the world (hopefully to not explode upon takeoff like an unnamed man’s current track record…). I also decided that If I was going to ask people to share about a time when the dark storm was looming large over their lives (but also the bright moments that occur...

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FAQs (the behind the scenes version)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

I know, I know, I know. This is a deep dive all about FAQs. Outrageous, right? Well, so am I. So here we are going deep on why I prioritized making a FAQ page, why I posted about it on social media, and how it fits into the greater story.

Long story short: I chose to put some of the Capitalism for Good episodes behind a paywall and I stand by that decision.

Long story long: I wanted to structure this project in a way that gave the spotlight completely to the leader on the other side of the conversation. I didn’t want it to be interrupted. I especially didn’t want it to be interrupted by a third party company pushing you to spend your money with them. I didn’t want the advertiser to be in charge of the experience. In fact, I want the person listening, watching, reading, or following along in whatever way works best for them to be in charge of the experience. Putting some of the episodes (and other bonus content) behind a paywall through a choose-your-own-adventure subscription model allows for that.

Have another idea of how we can make this project work in a way that upholds the integrity of the project. I’m all ears! Message me your idea and let’s talk about it!

More FAQ’s here.

What I’m reading/watching/consuming: Russian Doll

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Would You Do Severance?

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:00:08 GMT

In the last couple weeks, I’ve really been extra reflective with this project as I’ve gone through the first 10 interview transcripts to find topics for the 10% check in and then do some internal evaluation with where the project stands. You know, what I like, what I want to change, re-evaluating goals…all that good stuff. I do think I underestimated how much of a mental workout that part is.

I have made a couple changes and have identified a few things that I’m not sure that I love but haven't figured out a good replacement or way to move forward. The good news is that I feel good with the internal framework and logistical organization of how I make this project happen behind the scenes (things like: how I film, what I’m offering in the Patreon tiers, when and how I’m writing the 2 blog posts, show notes, and social media posts, how I’m working on the print version, etc.). I’m also continuing to find ways to improve and get better (easter egg: I’ll talk about social media and Canva in the future).

What have I am watching: Severance - I don’t often watch shows when they first come out (again, I’m alright being a slow burn) and often wait some years after a show ends to see if it still stands up to the test of time and is still highly recommended, but this is one that really caught my attention and hooked me in. I think about it a lot when considering if my “work persona” (innie) is different from my “home persona” (outie). I don’t know that I like the idea that I’m a different person in each. One of the things I’m learning recently is how to better merge the two together. Not in the way that I don’t have boundaries between the two, but more in that I’m finding ways to lean on the strengths of my personality in work and also in my personal life. For example, I love to ask people questions. I’m truly curious and have this need to better understand the world around me. When my dad was in the hospital, I remember my mom saying to me at one point “I just don’t know what questions I should be asking.” I realized that I’ve honestly never related to that. I’ve never had the thought, “what should I be asking now?” I just actually have questions. I think one of my strengths is that I can pinpoint what I don’t know and then ask an expert to fill it in for me. I honest to god asked someone a couple weeks ago to explain to me how the internet worked. And bless than patient man for actually walking me through it like I was a student in his class. Shout out Rob. Thank you for that. You’re too nice for putting up with my nonsense.

I’m digressing here though. My point is that I spent a lot of my younger years trying things out and pushing myself outside of my boundaries. Which is great. I don’t want to ever stop doing that. But I have started to attempt to shift to leaning into the parts of myself that I find the most valuable. And also finding the ways to mine value out of the ones that I’ve historically been embarrassed by (see the “We’re Getting Over Embarrassment Here” Between the Interviews episode…). It’s truly embarrassing how much I pepper people with questions. Remember when I said that I’ve been called aggressively friendly? I get it...

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10% Check in! (10 interviews down & 90 to go)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

10 down & 90 to go!

First 10 interviews:

Break Down of Field

1 Tech
1 OT/Nonprofit Founder
3 Sustainable Brands
1 Sports Management
1 Food Industry
1 Zero Waste Store
2 Local Stores
Ratio of men vs. women
Men = 4
Women = 6
“According to Catalyst’s latest report, women occupied merely 41 or 8.2% of the CEO positions at S&P 500 companies in 2023.”

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Overflowing with Gratitude Today

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Today is a rare day where I don’t have a lot of words to say aside from saying “thank you” over and over again. Taking last week’s theme of turning embarrassment into excitement by capitalizing on the less polished side of life and of myself, here’s a true behind the scenes look at what I’m thinking and feeling at this moment in time: Overflowing with gratitude. Thankful for every single person in my community. Thankful for all the leaders that are gracious enough to take the time to speak with me and share all of their experience and knowledge with others. Thankful for anyone that is following along with the Capitalism for Good project. Thankful for anyone injecting the world with some much needed positivity. Just flat out thankful. So thankful.

Since I apparently can’t think of anything else aside from that today, I’ll spare you from the desire the keep repeating it again (as well as the tears that won't stop making their presence known) and I'll move it along.

What am I learning, listening to, reading, and watching: the wonderful people around me that make up this beautiful community that I’m lucky to be a part of. There’s so much inspiration, positivity, and wisdom to gather from the good people in this world and I would encourage anyone else to learn from those that you see out there doing it the right way. Learn from them. Grow with them. Evolve together. That’s what it’s all about, right?

I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m putting my dollar: my community (is anyone surprised by that answer today? Trust me, it’s worth it. We each have the power to contribute and make a positive impact. You don’t have to be the richest. You don’t have to be the smartest. You don’t have to be the most charismatic. You don’t have to be the prettiest. You can make a positive difference by just being your own person.

Ok. Alright. That’s enough. Let’s go leave this place better than we found it.

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We're Getting Over the Embarrassment Over Here!

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

This episode is just what the title suggests: I'm working on turning my embarrassment into excitement.

The story about me being such a terrible french horn player that I ultimately quit primarily because I refused to practice. Even worse, I refused to practice regularly because I was so embarrassed about being bad. I dreaded practicing and dreaded having anyone think that I wasn't naturally Jon Batiste (shout out Jon Batiste, a true musical genius of our time). I have to admit that I'm still embarrassed by so much. I'm now attempting to embrace that embarrassment and not let it hold me back from chasing new ventures.

So if I'm going to truly talk about showing what it's like to build something from the start and to learn new skills from the ground up, then that means that I actually have to showcase my embarrassment and, even further, capitalize on it. Instead of deleting things like the livestream that I attempted for the first time or leaving the dream of this project because it's the first time I've every truly chased a dream like this on my own, I'm actually doing it despite the embarrassment (or maybe because of the embarrassment?). You might say that I'm channeling the plants that I love growing. They start small. Some were cut off from the larger plant they were once part of. They were then put in water on their own and then slowly started growing their own roots, finding their way into their new homes, and growing their own leaves being whole plants themselves. Perhaps I relate to these plants more than I realized. Just like how much I love watching them grow and evolve, I'm opening up this process for you to watch me grow and evolve with this project.

Lesson that I keep relearning the hard way: Life is messy. People are dynamic. The world is grey. While Veronica (Interview 4/100) used Nike to spark her creativity to pursue a career in sports marketing and sports management, Kyle Parsons (Interview 7/100) used Nike as an example of companies not focused on sustainable manufacturing. The reality is that both things can be true. Nike can both be a company inspiring greatness, but it can have room for improvement in its use of sustainable materials.

That's also why I build in the grey-ness of life into strategic plans when working with companies through CFG, LLC. (Hit me up if you're interesting in how we might be able to work together to further your business's community involvement!) Trust me, I love a plan. I also recognize that plans need to change (cue my road trip analogy).

What I’m watching: my plants grow. I know, I know, it’s a typical millennial woman activity, but I love that it’s a tangible look at something actually grows (sometimes it’s a failure and dies) and evolves. If that’s not a metaphor for this entire Capitalism for Good project, especially the parts that are beyond the 100 leader interviews, I don’t know what is.

I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m putting my money: bamboo tissues, toilet paper, and toothbrushes (and really any item that I can find to swap out plastic for a compostable and biodegradable bamboo products). Shout out to Emma (Interview 5/100) for also using bamboo to make their sustainable toothbrushes at MABLE.

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Lessons Learned

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

I’ve learned so much since this project began to take shape about a year ago (but really, what is time?). This week’s recent lessons have been in some practical items like adding a frame around a video and now how to make that frame look a little more visually appealing (easter egg: it’ll likely change again as I understand more about design…hopefully for the better!).

At the same time, I’ve been thinking a lot around the shout out that Emma Grose (CEO & Co-Founder of MABLE & HAY! Straws) had for local zero waste stores. I had admittedly not known about a zero waste store in Louisville, KY where I’m based, but I did know of a couple that were in the Kansas City area. I found one, Peace of the Earth, and lucked out enough to meet the owner when I went to check it out. The nerdy part of me was thrilled when she immediately opened up to me about how difficult it is to open and operate a store like this. She mentioned how others in the city had tried to open similar stores, but rather quickly went out of business. Her store was able to stay open because she had both a refillery shop and a more traditional retail shop to balance each other out.

While opening a brick & mortar store of any kind is likely a difficult venture, it seems to be especially difficult for sustainable businesses. One recent hurdle that we’d discussed and I’ve seen play out for a handful of zero-waste stores is where products are imported from. It’s no secret that manufacturers and retailers have been facing new challenges due to the chaotic changes to import tariffs, but to dig a little deeper into that is how some countries have prioritized sustainable products and manufacturing well beyond the capabilities of the US. Canada, the US’s neighbor to the north, has a country-wide goal of reducing plastic waste by 30% 2030. The incentives and focus on eliminating plastic waste allows for an increased production of plastic-free and zero-waste items which the US directly benefits by importing and selling these products. As we know, this raises the cost of these types of products in the US, and, unfortunately, forces many of those zero-waste shops out of business. As I’ve been researching zero waste stores for upcoming interviews, I’ve witnessed a handful of shops throughout the United States announce that they’re closing their doors in May 2025.

While it’s tough to see companies that prioritize sustainable activities and manufactured goods struggle to the point of closing up shop, there are still reasons to be hopeful. In the conversation with Kyle Parsons (Founder of Indosole) talked about the push...

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What's New?

Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The goal is still the same: Interview 100 business leaders making a positive impact on their internal and external communities. This is not meant to be a definitive black & white guide to which companies to support, but an opportunity to explore what’s going on out there and for us all to learn together.

We’re about 7% of the way through with 4 released on the main feed (there are more early releases on the Patreon…more about that later).

So what is new since I started this?

Mentions - I’ve added a list companies and organizations mentioned that includes links and is organized by episode. It’s on my website (capitalism-for-good.com) under the blog & transcripts tab (direct link here). If there’s an associated referral code or discount code, it’ll also be there. I’m learning a lot as I go, so I’m sure this list will evolve. As always, if you have recommendations or requests, please let me know!
Referral & discount codes - There’s just a couple that have come up along the way so far, so those are posted with the associated company by episode.
Social media - I’m still a grandma when it comes to social media, but I’m learning and I’m trying! There are now several associated accounts for however you interact best: Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. I’m a real grandma when it comes to social media, so I’m using repurpose.io to help me with that. There’s a discount referral code in the mentions page if you’re also interested in checking it out.
Between the Interviews episodes - These will be largely posted on the Patreon (put a pin in this) on Mondays and will have both an audio & video option available. The main free feed available on all major podcast platforms will still include all 100 interviews.
Patreon - The project is supported through the Capitalism for Good Patreon (you may also support directly via the bio site link). Thank you to anyone that’s supported so far! It...

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Women in Leadership

Mon, 25 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

If you thought that perhaps I might not bring up women in leadership roles again throughout this project, unfortunately, you were sorely incorrect. As a woman myself, it’s something that I can’t unsee. I’ve been working on write ups, reflections, and social media posts for the interview with Veronica Hernandez, GM of the Modesto Nuts, a men’s minor league baseball team, and I can’t stop thinking about how less than 8% of the General Managers in minor league baseball are women. I found her name in a list of 14 women in leadership in minor league baseball in an article that was championing and celebrating these women. Don’t get me wrong, these women deserve to be recognized and celebrated. I’m so happy to here that there are a handful of them out there, but 8% is not enough. Even for a men’s baseball team. Sports operations are so much more than just the players, so I look forward to this evolving into greater representation of women in leadership in the future.

I’m curious, what are your thoughts about why there is still such a comparatively low number of women in business leadership positions? And how can we change that?

What have I been watching: Good Hang with Amy Poehler - I linked the YouTube channel for this podcast because I particularly love the video version of this one. There are so many more visual comedic elements to the show that come through the video version (and I admittedly have not listened to it any other way). If you’re looking for something that’s truly heartwarming and funny, I highly recommend it.

I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m putting my dollar: Peace of the Earth Refillery in Louisville, KY as well as all refillery and zero-waste stores (shout out to Emma Grose for this recommendation in her interview episode!).

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Why So Many Shout Outs

Tue, 19 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Veronica Hernandez (GM of the Modesto Nuts) said it best when she was talking about “non-needy” conversations. Even her decision to say yes to me interviewing her could be considered her agreeing to a “non-needy” conversation that was based around simply being curious, learning, and listening. So often, we get sucked into this traditional structure relying on large companies occupying large sections of the advertising market that we may have come to expect all conversations involving companies being sales opportunities. And while, yes, I can honestly admit that these interviews are a platform for promotion, however, the core goal is more of spreading the mentality of these leaders in a way in which we can learn from them. Then, secondarily, if folks choose to give the respective company their business,

Emma Grose (CEO & Co-founder of MABLE & HAY! Straws), talks about her management philosophy being focused on pointing out the wins and the things that are going well whenever possible. Leading from a place of encouragement instead of with an iron fist and fear that seems to only notice the things that could be better.

Infinity Song’s Hater’s Anthem is a great song and an even better example of a satirical look at the Mean Girls culture that permeates our world. It’s also an example of the opposite of what I’d like to promote. If anything, I’m a hater of haters.

What have I been watching: The Kentucky Derby - I currently live in Louisville, KY, so the Derby celebrations are difficult to avoid. Non-locals may be surprised to learn that the city turns this one race on one day into an almost month and a half long festival celebration all over the city. There’s an air show. There’s a fireworks show. There’s a gala. There are fashion shows. There are

I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m putting my dollar: The local tourist economy. Just like a stay-cation is a great way to escape without actually fully escaping, jumping into the fun of your local community event that draws tourists can also be fun for locals and a great way to give your money right back to your local industry workers.

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Lucky #3 Reflection

Mon, 18 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

So. Many. Themes. Already.

It’s all about the people that surround you. Cheering them on. Learning from them. Trusting them to use their strengths to be successful.

Continue to go back to your values, the mission, and what you want your legacy to be. Shannon talked about this when she said, “Find your lane. Get in it and feel good about it.” And Andrew Bolton talked about it when he said, “ If you are doing good work and you are doing good for somebody else, the money will follow.”

There will always be highs and lows, but you just have to keep things moving. (Easter Egg: Emma Grose from MABLE & Hay! Straws has a similar outlook). When the store and office were shut down during COVID, they found a way to keep all of the employees on the payroll for 2 whole years. It’s clear that he prioritizes the people working for Charlie Hustle and made a conscious decision to find a way to keep them on board and working toward the common goal.

Embrace the pivot (just like the Friends Episode)! Sometimes we start down a pathway and then decide to make a left turn. Pivots are ok and they’re even better when you take the skills and lessons learned from the path you’ve taken so far to the new pathway that you’re walking down.

What have I been reading (and what have I been writing): The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad is a book of essays and writing prompts that combine a wide range of thought-provoking and unexpected writings by people of all kinds with each ending in a writing prompt giving the reader a chance to be involved in the creative process right alongside each of the authors. This book has been a great way for me to get out of my own head for a bit and look at life through a different lens. 10/10 highly recommend.

I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m putting my dollar: The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad (and really any book or piece of art she’s made)

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Making Mistakes

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Mistakes. We all make them. They almost always suck. We try not to, but they happen. The key is how we handle them. It’s tough to admit when we’ve made a mistake, but the impact on our reputation is difficult to outrun. The way we address mistakes tells our internal and external circles both about who we are as people and also what we expect from them.

As a millennial woman from middle America, I struggle sometimes walking the line between being a self-reporter wanting to show that I’m taking accountability for my own missteps and unintentionally amplifying mistakes by shrinking behind them. In personal and professional life, I’ve found myself, often without even realizing it, inserting “my apologies” out of attempted curtesy and engrained “politeness” when an apology isn’t really warranted. I’ve been actively practicing catching myself before I say or type those things to consider if I’m truly sorry for actually making a mistake to be corrected or if I’m finding myself attempting to play the part of a polite and palatable woman.

Can anyone else relate?

What I’m reading: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight tells the story about the idea conception and start of Nike. If you’re into stories about how companies got their start, the motivation behind the inception, and hurdles faced along the way, I highly recommend this book.

I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m putting my dollar: Shopping local is a great way to support your community. Today, I specifically shout out both Quills Coffee and Chik’n & Mi in Louisville, KY for being great local businesses that I’ve recently been to.

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Rethinking Creative (Cash) Flow

Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Here’s my caveat to my thoughts & reflections for this week: remember, I’m new to this game.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the way in which our society has set up channels to fund creative endeavors. The more I think about it, the weirder it seems to me that we have this large powerful revenue stream of creatives being paid by potentially unrelated advertisers gaining their revenue from customers. For anyone that’s been in the creative field for a while, this is likely speaking the obvious out loud here: why aren’t we, as consumers of creative projects, paying creators directly? Why is an unrelated 3rd party needed, and often, the flashy revenue stream?

For any creators that have successfully built through direct from consumer sales without 3rd party advertisers, hit me up! I’d love to talk to you about your experience in doing that, lessons learned, unexpected hurdles, and advice to others. The dream would be to put all of our effort together to change the tide so that it’s easier and more accessible for creatives to be paid directly for their work whether we’re talking about a writer, actor, makeup artist, social media creative, painter, etc.

What’s been your experience? And what are your thoughts about all of this?

What I’m listening to: Speaking of creatives, I have refueled my love for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, especially those that are new to me. I love discovering new musicians that I otherwise wouldn’t have heard of and being able to hear their personalities show through. I also recommend Sofar Sounds for a similar reason. They’re small pop up concerts in many different cities and have also been a great venue for discovering new (to me) artists. Check them out if they have shows near you!

I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m putting my dollar: Last week, I went to watch a live podcast with my sister and would highly recommend checking out these folks, especially the musicians! No Small Endeavor with guest Malcom Gladwell + musicians: Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, Alicia Enstrom, Ruby Amanfu

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Making Decisions

Tue, 05 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

We all make decisions differently. I can be incredibly analytical and thrive when I’m in a position to look at the entire road map, assess the options by gathering as much information as is reasonable, identifying the destination as well as the potential risks & associated resources, and then handing over that plan for a champion executor. At the same time, part of that information assessment phase is that I listen to my gut & intuition. While so much of my information gathering is fact-based, that repeatedly tested attention to my physician gut reaction has proven to be a valuable source of information. That’s what works for me and is what makes me feel good about the lane I’m in (call back to the interview with Shannon Masterson where she advises to “Find your lane. Get in it and feel good about it.”

While that’s what works for me in my personal and professional life, that’s not the way everyone operates best. The key is to understand and value the processes that others around us make to make decisions. By trusting that there’s value in the way others work best and allowing each of them to thrive in their own way and in their own lane, we’re recognizing and adding to the confidence behind their decisions. There’s value in everyone playing their own role aligned to their strengths. How do we continue to capitalize on everyone’s individual strengths in building better community to benefit the greater good (even just by 1% more).

How do you go about making decisions?

What have I been listening to: Not Gonna Lie podcast with Kylie Kelce - talk about a woman who values the choices and decisions of others. I imagine that she and I live very different lives with very different experiences, but her relatability is unmatched by any other podcast I’ve listened to. She’s a champion for women, individualized confidence, and reasonability through self-awareness. I’m a proud Real One.

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: Tickets to sports games, especially those that are in minor leagues! Major league teams in most sports get a lot of the hype and attention, but there’s so much to cheer for in the minor leagues. There’s talent and entertainment in smaller markets that is very cool to watch as they follow their passion and skill. Shout out to the Louisville Bats, Memphis Redbirds, Springfield Cardinals, Tacoma Rainiers, Toledo Mud Hens, and Quad Cities River Bandits.

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Hometown Pride

Mon, 04 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

I was just visiting KCMO, which I called home many years ago, and found myself bursting with nostalgic pride while being there and showing my friends and loved ones around town. In this episode, I give examples of experiences I’ve had while shopping local and also how “shopping local” has expanded into online communities with proceeds still directly benefiting geographic localities. Whether it’s purchasing a t-shirt from your favorite local restaurant in your old town, wearing a baseball hat with your favorite basketball team on it, or buying a one-of-a-kind painting from a local artist, shopping local can really lift up your community members and can lead to connections with others. Even better, these connections with others are almost entirely unique to small businesses and are largely not common with larger chain businesses.

What have I been reading: Small Ball BIg Dreams by Joel Goldberg (shout out to him & KC Slugerrr being so friendly and fun when I lucked out to find the author signing books when I was on the hunt to buy that book from a local KCMO bookstore!)

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: Made in KC & The Bunker - I could go on & on about my favorite places in Kansas City, but these two are both places that I just purchased items from when I was visiting last. Highly recommend clothes, jewelry, books, shoes, planters, etc

Bonus shout outs to: Tony Packo’s in Toledo, OH, Beer Kitchen in Kansas City, MO (Westport), Harpo’s in Kansas City, MO (Westport)

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Recycle Bin

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

What started as something in the zeitgeist of my childhood became a frequent topic of discussion and then I tool that I’ve since used many times to understand other people in a different way. On the surface, the recycle bin analogy distinguishes between those who don’t believe that all recycling is truly recycled so they they choose to always throw away their trash and those who always choose the recycle bin in hopes that there’s at least a chance that it will end up being recycled. When we dig a little deeper, we can find so many more options and so many more complexities in the “why” behind that decision.

What’s your stance?

What have I am reading: Wirecutter - it’s another tool in the toolbox when making purchase decisions.

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: Local boutiques - I just went shopping for a dress to wear for a wedding I’m going to this weekend. A few that I lucked out with this weekend are Mamili, Peplum, and Magnolia & Fig in Louisville, KY.

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Slow Burn

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:00:20 GMT

In the words of Kacey Musgraves, “I’m alright with a slow burn.” I moved at turbo speed for so much of my life figuratively and literally running as fast as I could. For many years of my late teens and early twenties, I lived with the goal of “never saying no to anything unless I could think of 3 good reasons to not do it.” Let me tell you, I lived a full life during that time. I also didn’t sleep much and thrived being fueled by caffeine, anxiety, and forward motion. I don’t regret a moment of it, but my goals and mantras have since evolved into finding ways to simplify, slow down, and to find enjoyment from saying no.

What I learned was that there is so much value in not getting caught up in the whirlwind of life when it’s not necessary. There’s value in doing without manufactured stress and arbitrary deadlines that aren’t always necessary. Life’s stressful enough; why create more stress? What I found was by making small decisions and making small changes, I ended up saving myself money, time, and stress. I carried that over to my work life and learned to prioritize thoughtful analysis and strategic planning over just checking the box. It turns out that strategic planning can actually help check the boxes when it’s done right.

What am I reading: The Joy of Missing Out by Tanya Dalton - The FOMO vs. JOMO comparison was a frequent topic at a recent trip to watch the Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Weekend in Evansville, IN - Go SIUE and Go Jayhawks! (really channeling my love for Ted Lasso here with Coach Barone being the real life Ted Lasso & the real life Jason Sudekis being a fellow big Kansas fan here) - in comparing introverts with extroverts and finding ways that we’re all different or similar. We’re all different and we all have different ways that we feel fulfilled. In the last decade, I’ve really leaned into the JOMO part of myself and it’s served me well.

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: I’m not. By that I mean that, I’m relatively frugal. I don’t often buy single use things or even things that don’t need purchasing. I’m talking about reusing glass jars and bottles as storage containers and vases. I’m talking using old towels and t-shirts with holes in them instead of paper towels. It’s probably been more than a decade since I’ve spent money on paper towels or napkins. If there’s not a real need or desire for it, generally I’m not buying it.

Now, again. I’m not over the top. I try to keep my life pretty simple and 10-15 years later, I’m happy to report that while life can get stressful and can get to be a lot, I don’t feel it the way I used to. I credit that a lot to purposely simplifying as I’ve aged. It didn’t happen overnight. It happened slowly over more than a decade. I have a strong desire to not stress over things that don’t absolutely need to be stressed over because I’ve learned that there’s so much in life that is unexpected and deserves the stress. The last thing I want to do is manufacture more stress.

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Return on Investment

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Today, I do some back of the napkin math to examine the cost of turnover vs. investing into employees and when it might make sense to choose one over the other. We use the lens of different financial business models and how they may be guided by flashy buzzwords and arbitrary deadlines expedited by manufactured urgency. Ultimately, is chasing the flashy thing really worth it in the end or would a differently focused investment give way to longevity and stability fueling better results? How do you calculate the return on investment?

What have I have been listening to: The Dollop (both a regular listen and attending live podcast recording shows) - It’s well researched, hilarious, entertaining, thought provoking, and I never fail to learn something new from it. The host, Dave Anthony, reads a true historical story to his friend, Garreth Reynolds. The relatability of the co-host reacting to the outrageous twists in turn at the same time the listener is reacting is genius.

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: Rareform

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What is Capitalism for Good?

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Business Karma. This idea that if we choose the greater good or we choose to prioritize people when making business decisions, that it will often be a benefit back to us. It may take some time. It may be a delayed benefit, but sometimes that benefit might even come back multiplied.

While the focus of the Capitalism for Good project is through the lens of discussions with business leaders, I would argue that we all, regardless of our positions or titles, have the opportunity to be leaders through our actions. No matter who we are working for. No matter what our field is. No matter if we aren’t even working for the company. We can all conduct ourselves as leaders in a given situation.

You never know when that good business karma may come back around later. It could increase your return on investment many times over. There’s also a chance that it might not, but how much does it hurt to try?

What have I read: Mantras/quotes/affirmations. Sometimes I just need to give myself a quick pep talk and having a handful of options at my fingertips to help keep me going forward is so valuable to me. One of my recent favorites is, “you have been here before and you can do it again.” What are your pep talks that you give yourself?

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: Trader Joe’s! Seriously, I’ve been to Trader Joe’s all over the United States and I’m so impressed that regardless of where I am geographically, the culture is still the same. There’s always a friendly and helpful team of staff with some reliably great produce and products. More times than not, I’m choosing a Trader Joe’s if that’s an option.

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Going Gray

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

One thing that I’m cognizant of is that by putting the word “good” in the name of this project, it may seem to imply that there’s either a “good” or a “bad” way to make and spend money. It could seem like there’s a judgement of a right vs. a wrong way. Especially as a woman with some strong views of the world, I wholeheartedly believe that there are lines to be drawn in the sand and a time to speak up when they are crossed. I also wholeheartedly believe that much of life is more of a spectrum of gray than a simple either/or choice of black or white.

I never intend to make someone feel like they’re being judged by me for any of the decisions they make. We all have to make decisions. We all have to weigh the pros and cons. Sometimes we choose not to weigh the pros and cons because it makes more sense to us to not think too long about a decision. After all, the saying “time is money” exists for a reason.

The point is, life is complicated. While in this project I focus on making good choices in how we make and spend our dollars, that “good choice” is complex. This is not intended to be a judgement of choices, but rather a dig into the intentionality of the choices we make and the impact of those choices on the world around us. Perhaps an encouragement to think even just a beat more about the choices we make. Perhaps an encouragement to just strive for 1% better, whatever that means to each of us at a given time.

What have I read: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano is a beautiful story of the complexities of the lives of each of the women in a family. It’s messy, heartfelt, dramatic (but not overly so), heavy while being light, and very well written.

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: Physical books purchased at a local bookstore. Two of my favorites are Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, KY and KD’s Books in Lee’s Summit, MO.

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Why does any of this matter?

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Using one of my favorite analogies about choosing which bin to put your trash in might seem like you just have two choices in front of you - trash vs. recycling bin - but perhaps the world is less black & white and really you have many more options than just the two right in front of you. Further, maybe the truly the option with the most value to you in the long run is the one that takes a couple more moments to consider and a little more time and energy on the front end.

What have I read: Atomic Habits by James Clear where he presents many examples of how the compound interest of just striving for 1% better regularly has an exponentially positive impact (and also what can happen when you don’t). Sometimes a decision about something seemingly small can have much larger impacts than they appear on the surface.

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: directly to the creator! Specifically, tipping the live music at the bar/restaurant, buying artwork from the artist at the market, following Andrew Hickey’s A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs on Patreon

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Making Sense of Nonprofit Nonsense

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

When talking about the Capitalism for Good project, I often get recommendations for nonprofit organizations, companies with give-back programs & associated foundations, and community-based companies focused on serving a specific underserved population. These are great! I’ll be highlighting some of these in future interviews with business leaders because I truly want to promote those that are focused on the greater good. These organizations aren’t the only ones that have the ability to do so though.

In this episode, I focus on clearing up some misconceptions around these organizations, bring in government organizations to the conversation, and explain how the context, functionality, and details of how organizations operate are key to achieving higher rates of effectiveness and efficiency. Specifically focusing on the desire to use both donations and taxpayer dollars to “directly serve clients” and when this phrase all too often does the exact opposite watering down the ROI of that donation or taxpayer dollar. This is a lesson in overhead rates and indirect cost rates as well as how nonprofits can increase the ROI on clients served by looking beyond commonly thought of “direct costs.”

References: NOT-OD-25-068: Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement; NIH = National Institutes of Health; CFR = Code of Federal Regulations; Indirect Cost Rates; IDC = Indirect Costs; ROI = Return on Investment; KY IEP Advocate’s All Things Special About Education podcast

What I'm reading: Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell because its (and The Tipping Point) examination of examples of when a tipping point was reached to make a change in our world, both positively and not-so-positively.

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: travel is a priority to budget my time and money because it fills my cup.

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Episode 4: Business Karma

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:00:20 GMT

In an effort to continue to set the foundation for the Capitalism for Good project, this is who I am: I’m a millennial woman acknowledging that many generations of people prior to and up to my lifetime have successfully fought to change the landscape of the world in which I live. Today, I call out a few key pieces of government actions that have shaped the lens in which I view the world: The 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Women’s Business Ownership Act in 1988.

Regardless of whether these and other similar pieces of legislation legally protect the basic human rights of all people in the United States continue to exist into our future, we must act as if they do. Regardless of what the government does or does not mandate, we must act with civility. One of the key themes of this podcast is focused on using how we make and spend our dollars to support the greater good and how we promote “better business karma” by prioritizing people and the greater good.

What I'm watching: NPR & KCUR - fact-based and unbiased information news sources are key to understanding the world around us. Local and national public radio are committed to this through transparency and are free to all.

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: NPR & KCUR - National Public Radio exists on the donations of its listeners and supporters to keep this access to reliable and accurate information available to all. This is a two-for-one answer with both what I’m listening to and reading as well as where I’m spending my dollars.

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Episode 3: Set the Foundation

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:00:48 GMT

Stick with me here as I connect the way we use our dollar to how we make our dollar with government and politics. I know politics is a hot topic here in the United States after the transition of presidential power, so take us through an adjacent path exploring how choosing where to spend our money can potentially impact our lives in other ways (ex: implications of government & politics).

This is meant to be less of an endorsement of a specific candidate or political party, but more of an encouragement to use our dollars, when feasible, to promote what’s important to us. Money is power, but not just in that when we make more money, we have more power. It’s also the power of the control over where we spend our dollar.

It’s also meant to be an explanation of the way in which I view the world. I am deeply interested in the way our inherent motivations guide our actions as well as how we evolve with additional experiences and information. In my experience, talking about tough topics, especially those that may superficially seem different from my own stance, often gives way to greater understanding, empathy, and respect. I understand that this is not the lens through which everyone else views the world, but in this episode, I present my rather rosy-colored lens of people, politics, power, and players. And I’d love to better understand the lens through which you view the world.

What I'm watching: Kansas City Chiefs

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: Charlie Hustle

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Episode 2: Introduction & Vision Reflection

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:24 GMT

The culture of a company is important. There's a popular saying that "people don't leave companies, they leave bad bosses." This has been true for me at several points in my career. I've even dropped clients in my own business because of the way they behaved. I've also experienced the opposite where I've followed a great boss to a new job and I've had employees in one job join me again later (and with the new skills and experienced they picked up the last time they were with me).

The folks I shout out in this episode are examples of strong contributors to a solid and appealing culture that keeps me as a returning customer whose dollar can be counted on by each of their respective establishments. I'll also strongly recommend each of them to anyone that I hear of looking for a new service provider. That word of mouth recommendation is FREE advertising. The more free advertising that's done for you, the more that leaders can reinvest in their companies and employees perpetuating this cycle of positivity.

In the two examples of negative experiences I had with former employers and bosses, I ultimately left. More specifically, I left willingly, loudly, and without an ounce of regret.

Culture matters. People matter. Values matter.

What I'm reading: Give Her Credit by Grace L. Williams

I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: Small business experts with hearts of gold. In the first Capitalism for Good interview with Shannon Masterson, we shout out two talented hairstylists that we are repeat customers of: Jen at Hello Gorgeous Hair Design and Madi at Helm Salon in Kansas City, MO. In this Between the Interviews episode, I also add a shout out to Demi at Lumi Skin Bar + Aesthetics. As my friend, Melanie, often says "let experts be experts." These skin & beauty experts combine inclusion and building others up in a such a positive way. AND they're good at their jobs.

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Between the Interviews - Episode 1

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:12:04 GMT

"Let's leave this place better than we found it."

Welcome to the Between the Interviews of the Capitalism for Good Podcast project! This first Patreon episode will outline the future of these behind the scenes...

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SNAPping into Place

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Episode 41 - Video version first aired on 11/03/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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25% Check In

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Episode 36 - Video version first aired on 09/29/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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10% Check in! (10 interviews down & 90 to go)

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Episode 23 - Video version first aired on 06/16/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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What's New?

Tue, 20 May 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Episode 19 - Video version first aired on 05/19/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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Lucky #3 Reflection

Tue, 06 May 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Episode 16 - Video version first aired on 04/28/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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Making Mistakes

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Episode 15 - Video version first aired on 04/20/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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Why does any of this matter?

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 10:00:00 GMT

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Slow Burn

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Episode 10 - Video version first aired on 03/16/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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Return on Investment

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Episode 9 - Video version first aired on 03/18/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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What is Capitalism for Good?

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Episode 8 - Video version first aired on 03/02/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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Business Karma

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Episode 4 - Video version first aired on 02/02/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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Going Gray

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Episode 7 - Video version first aired on 02/24/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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Why does any of this matter?

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 11:00:42 GMT

Episode 6 - Video version first aired on 02/16/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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Making Sense of Nonprofit Nonsense

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Episode 5 - Video version first aired on 02/10/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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Episode 2

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Episode 2 - Video version first aired on 01/20/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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Episode 1

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Episode 1 - Video version first aired on 01/12/25

The interview series can be found on all major podcast platforms by searching "Capitalism for Good" or through the links below.

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