The Impact Equation

Nick Atkin: AI, Affordable Homes and Yorkshire

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 17:05:16 GMT

As Chief Executive of Yorkshire Housing, Nick Atkin leads the region’s largest provider of affordable, eco-friendly homes. He also chairs major regional partnerships and is pushing the government to treat housebuilding as a national priority. His team is at the vanguard of using data, sensors and AI to make housing services work better for the people living in those homes. In this episode of The Impact Equation, Nick joins Adam and Rafi to talk about why housing matters so much to health, dignity and life chances, and why leaders in the sector cannot afford to get stuck in spreadsheets and slide decks.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

70up

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:06:47 GMT

In their latest wash up episode, Adam and Rafi reflect on recent episodes to explore how systemic change happens at a local and global level. They discuss the "triumph of place-based localism" through Simon Case’s work in Barrow and Claudine Blamey’s community-led flood resilience at Aviva, emphasizing that impact is most effective when rooted in the reality of people's lives. They examine the power of "harnessing capitalism for climate," contrasting Alyssa Gilbert’s focus on scaling innovation at Imperial with Luke Leslie’s investor-led approach to carbon markets and nature-based assets. The conversation also highlights the human side of leadership, from Madlin Sadler’s evidence-based humanitarian work at the IRC and Edward Timpson’s navigating of complex legislative systems for children's services, to Ed Davey’s "clear-eyed hope" regarding international cooperation and land use.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rhea Yadav: 7m users in 40 countries

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:01:00 GMT

This is the first episode in our second series, Scaling Tomorrow's Social Unicorns, with 100x Impact. Rhea Yadav leads impact and strategy at Wysa, the AI-led mental health platform that has supported more than 7 million people across 95 countries. She founded the organisation’s impact business and now works across governments, health systems, NGOs and employers to take evidence-based mental health support into places where care is scarce.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Madlin Sadler: Delivering humanitarian relief across 40 fragile countries

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:09:18 GMT

What does it really take to deliver humanitarian aid in the world’s most fragile places? In this episode of The Impact Equation, we sit down with Madlin Sadler, Chief Operating Officer at the International Rescue Committee - an organisation working at the sharpest edge of conflict, disaster and displacement.

Madlin offers a rare, inside view of what it means to operate in over 40 of the world’s most crisis-affected countries; where systems have broken down, need is accelerating, and resources are shrinking. Madlin shares what it looks like to deliver vaccines to children in remote conflict zones; how humanitarian organisations make impossible decisions when funding is cut; why evidence, cost-effectiveness, and scale matter when lives are at stake; and why, despite everything, she still feels lucky to do this work.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Edward Timpson: how 87 foster children shaped a future Minister

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 11:55:36 GMT

Edward Timpson is the former Children’s Minister, part of the family behind Timpson, and brother of Lord James Timpson, now a Labour prisons minister. In this conversation with Rafi’s former Ministerial boss, Edward reflects on growing up in a family that fostered more than 80 children, alongside one of the UK’s best-known family businesses, recognised for both its high street services and a culture built on trust, kindness and second chances. That experience shaped everything that followed: family law, politics, reform in government, and his work today across children’s services and family care. Edward’s life and career show what stability, love and belief can do in a child’s life. This is an episode about childhood, public service, fostering, politics, and the decisions that can alter a life’s direction.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Leslie: investing in Myanmar mangroves, Sub-Saharan stoves & European soil

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 13:50:12 GMT

Luke Leslie is the co-founder and CEO of Key Carbon, investing directly into businesses generating high integrity carbon credits, from clean cooking stoves in sub-Saharan Africa to regenerative agriculture in Europe and mangrove restoration in Myanmar. Luke explains how Key Carbon has borrowed from royalty and streaming models used in mining, then adapted them for carbon markets. The result is a more hands-on and structured approach that is attracting hundreds of millions of dollars of institutional finance into nature investment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claudine Blamey: from fleeing Iran to the boardroom of British business

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:41:15 GMT

In this episode, Rafi sits down with Claudine Blamey, Chief Sustainability Officer at Aviva. Claudine’s story starts far from the boardrooms of British business. She arrived in London from Tehran as a child, speaking no English. That experience shaped a mindset that has stayed with her throughout her career: nothing is forever, and even the most complex situations can be navigated. Three decades later, Claudine has helped shape sustainability strategy across sectors – from sustainable buildings at British Land to aviation’s first net-zero strategy at easyJet, and now climate and nature strategy at Aviva. In this conversation, she reflects on how her early experiences of migration shaped her resilience and leadership; why insurers have a unique role in managing and pricing climate risk; the growing reality that parts of the UK could become uninsurable due to climate impacts; Why nature restoration could become a major global asset class; And, how sustainability leaders are shifting from ambition-setting to systemic change.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer Kennedy: backing the world's best tech non-profits with FFwd

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:07:22 GMT

This episode we're joined by Summer Kennedy for a special episode looking back at our first series with Fast Forward. In this series, we’ve featured three amazing entrepreneurs backed by Fast Forward, a trailblazing accelerator backing tech nonprofits solving urgent, global problems at scale. Summer quite literally drives Fast Forward forward; shaping the strategic vision and building the systems that get the organisation there. Her path to leadership has been anything but linear: from teaching first grade in Oakland to spearheading tech-for-good initiatives, Summer’s career proves that the most impactful journeys don’t follow a straight line. We reflect on three conversations with Fast Forward investments - Sunny Patel of Vector Cam, Alysia Garmulewicz of Materiom and Michelle Brown of CommonLit.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Davey: from Clarence House to the rainforest

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 17:15:00 GMT

This episode we're not joined by Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, but a pioneer on forests, agriculture and food security who has worked all over the world, from Tibet to Yemen and Colombia. With roots in social justice and anti-poverty campaigning, Ed cut his teeth in efforts around debt, poverty, and development with organisations like Oxfam and the wider Make Poverty History movement before joining the then Prince of Wales – now King – to drive high-level work on forests, sustainable agriculture, and climate through his International Sustainability Unit. Since then, Ed has become a driving force in the world of sustainable food, nature and climate, helping drive the work of the World Resources Institute and advising the Food and Land Use Coalition and its push to transform how the world grows and eats.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lord Simon Case: from Boris to Barrow

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 19:47:18 GMT

Lord Simon Case served four British Prime Ministers as head of the UK's civil service from Boris Johnson in 2020, to Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer. Lord Case held the most senior civil service role just as the government hit a run of shocks: Brexit implementation, Covid, war in Europe, economic turbulence, and rapid technological change. In this episode, he’s candid about what it feels like at the centre of crisis decision-making, and why government too often drifts into a self-obsessed “bubble” that’s disconnected from daily life. He also shares what gave him hope: meeting frontline civil servants, and seeing what changes when power and money are tied to real places. We talk about Barrow Rising; a place-based partnership bringing central government, local government, industry and community together around the long-term transformation of Barrow-in-Furness. What does it take to turn billions of public spend next door into better health, education, and opportunity? And can Barrow become a blueprint others can borrow from?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alyssa Gilbert: climate moonshots in Imperial's greenhouse

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:01:00 GMT

Alyssa Gilbert sits in a rare seat in UK climate innovation: translating world-class science into ventures that can survive the messy reality of markets, regulation, pilots, and procurement. In this episode, Alyssa shares what Undaunted at Imperial College London looks for at the earliest stages, why credibility and communication matter as much as the tech, and what actually helps founders move from “tested in a lab” to “traction in the market”. We also get into the built environment: waste-to-materials, energy management, and the very real barrier of being “the first” in a traditional sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

63up

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:20:20 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frederico Carpantiero: revolutionising prosthetics in the developing world

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:11:04 GMT

This episode is the first in our series with Save the Children Global Ventures, the impact investment arm of Save the Children, backing bold entrepreneurs tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges. In the first episode of the series, we’re joined by Fred Carpinteiro, Founder and CEO of Amparo Prosthetics, a company reimagining prosthetic care for people with limb loss across the world. Amparo is delivering lifetime prosthetic care across 6 continents, using smart technologies to dramatically improve comfort, fit, and user experience for lower-limb prosthetic users. With over 6,000 patients fitted in more than 45 countries, and products now used in 250+ clinics worldwide, Amparo is quietly building one of the most globally distributed prosthetic care platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcap Initiative: the next frontier of investment

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 17:16:05 GMT

In our latest episode of The Impact Equation, we’re joined by Dominic Hofstetter and Ivana Gazibara from the Transcap Initiative, an NGO focused on developing and scaling systemic investing. Most of us start with a pool of capital and ask: what can this money do? Dominic and Ivana flip it: start with the challenge, diagnose the system, then “reprogramme” how money flows to multiple initiatives at once, so capital can actually shift outcomes, not just fund isolated projects. We talk about why “single-asset” investing struggles to deliver systems change, why place-based investing is close (but not always transformative), and their big idea: the “financial backbone”; an actor designed to orchestrate coalitions across philanthropy, public finance, investment capital, insurance and corporate commitments.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Needham: from solar cells in India to gigantic carbon sponges

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:12:39 GMT

In this episode, we go deep into chemistry and mining with Paul Needham, CEO of ARCA, a company using carbon mineralisation to turn mine waste into giant, permanent carbon sponges. In 2025, Arca signed a 10-year deal with Microsoft to remove 300,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere. Certain rocks naturally react with CO₂, pulling it out of the air and locking it away forever as stone. ARCA has found a way to massively accelerate that natural process, transforming mining tailings from an environmental liability into a climate solution. Paul's no stranger to scaling impact: he previously built Simpa Networks, bringing pay-as-you-go solar to hundreds of thousands of people in rural India. In this episode we learn about scaling pay-as-you go solar in India and how carbon mineralisation turns mining waste into carbon removal at scale.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Builder, the Analyst & the Financier: Carbon Markets Roundtable

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 17:00:10 GMT

Carbon markets tend to trigger strong reactions. For some, they’re a vital bridge - a way to fund climate action at scale while the harder work of reducing emissions catches up. For others, they feel like a distraction, or worse, a way of outsourcing responsibility. So rather than arguing for or against them, we wanted to ask a different question: What would it take for carbon markets to actually work - with credibility and scale? In our latest Impact Equation roundtable, we brought together three people working on different parts of the system: Alastair is focused on data and transparency, Shannon is building projects on the ground, and Erika is making the sector investable for serious capital.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hans Stegeman, Chief Economist of Triodos Bank: Rethinking Growth, Economic Systems and GDP

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 17:00:00 GMT

What if the way we think about money is fundamentally wrong? In our latest episode of The Impact Equation, Rafi and Adam sit down with Hans Stegeman, Chief Economist at Triodos Bank - one of the few banks where sustainability isn’t a bolt-on, but the organising principle. Hans’s central critique is this: we haven’t just chosen economic growth - we’ve hard-wired it into everything. Our markets, financial returns, debt system, pensions, and public budgets all depend on the assumption that the economy must keep expanding. The problem is that this version of growth is material by design, and material growth always comes with ecological and social costs. His argument isn’t that progress is bad - it’s that we’ve confused progress with GDP. No amount of “green” investing can fix a system that structurally requires ever-greater extraction, consumption, and future growth just to stay standing. So what does he want to change? Hans calls for an economy, and a financial system, that is less dependent on growth, and that fundamentally success ought to be measured in wellbeing, resilience, and social outcomes, not just economic output. In this episode, Hans challenges us to question our assumptions and what we’ve accepted as “just how the world works”.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elizabeth Boggs Davidsen, CEO, GSG Impact

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 17:55:15 GMT

In this episode, GSG Impact CEO Elizabeth Boggs Davidsen joins the show to share her journey from being mentored by Madeleine Albright to leading global efforts in impact investing. Drawing on her formative years working in conflict zones like Sudan and Afghanistan, Elizabeth explains how those experiences shaped her belief that traditional aid isn't enough and that we need new models to drive change. She dives into her work pioneering a $1 billion "blended finance" fund in Latin America and her time in the Biden administration, before looking ahead to the 2026 launch of the "Impact Economy Index"—a new tool designed to spark a "race to the top" for countries prioritizing people and the planet. It’s a fascinating look at how capital can be a force for good, wrapped in some great advice for anyone starting a career in social justice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gaia Vince, Journalist & Author, Nomad Century

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 22:49:56 GMT

This podcast episode features Gaia Vince, a trailblazing journalist, broadcaster, and award-winning author, discussing the profound intersections of climate change and human migration. In this episode, Rafi explores Vince’s career shift from science journalism to documenting the "front lines" of our changing planet, culminating in the urgent thesis of her latest book, Nomad Century.

You can buy her book here: https://amzn.to/49b8ltk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

56up

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 11:30:00 GMT

Across the previous seven episodes of The Impact Equation, we spoke with Charlotte O'Leary, Nick Wise, Lucy Heller, Stephen Cowan, Lord Browne, participants in the Mining Roundtable, and Tiffany Yu, exploring how lasting impact is built at scale across finance, oceans, education, cities, energy, extractives, and disability rights. Together, these conversations examined the tension between idealism and pragmatism, showing how commercial rigour, financial ingenuity, and institutional design are essential to sustaining impact; why policy alone is insufficient without deep cultural and mindset shifts; and how leaders must commit to the long game amid political, economic, and social volatility. From pensions as a powerful lever for climate action, to AI-driven enforcement against illegal fishing, inclusive urban growth, realistic energy transition pathways, responsible mining for clean energy, and reframing disability through culture rather than charity, the episodes collectively argue that systemic change happens when values, incentives, technology, and human dignity are deliberately aligned - and relentlessly pursued over time.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tiffany Yu, Founder & CEO, Diversability

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 20:43:06 GMT

In this episode, Rafi is joined by Tiffany Yu—a fierce disability advocate, entrepreneur, and changemaker whose work is reshaping how the world understands disability. As the founder and CEO of Diversability, Tiffany has built a thriving global community empowering disabled voices and fostering real inclusion. From a life-changing injury in her childhood to becoming a powerful force on the global stage, including speaking at the World Economic Forum and authoring the groundbreaking book "The Anti-Ableist Manifesto," Tiffany’s journey is one of resilience, vision, and transformative impact. In this episode, we’ll hear how she’s smashing stereotypes, forging change, and challenging us all to build a disability-inclusive world.

Check out her book here: https://amzn.to/4qeCFKi

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can responsible mining accelerate the clean energy transition?

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:01:00 GMT

This episode on The Impact Equation, we dive into one of the biggest tensions of the clean energy transition: the world wants an affordable, renewable future - yet achieving it requires a massive increase in critical minerals like copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt. So how do we mine what we need responsibly, safely and sustainably?

To explore this, we bring together Ro Dhawan (CEO, ICMM), Kirsten Hund (Director of Climate & Nature, Vale Base Metals), and Professor Tim Biggs (Camborne School of Mines). We discuss why the energy transition is impossible without new mines, the trade-offs around coal and critical minerals, the innovations reshaping the sector, the rise of nature-based and “circular” mining, and why trust and social licence will ultimately decide the industry's future. A challenging, timely, and essential conversation for anyone who cares about climate, energy or the materials that underpin modern life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lord John Browne: From BP to investing in the energy transition

Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:49:51 GMT

Lord John Browne was born just after the war in Hamburg to a Hungarian mother who survived Auschwitz and a British father who was a professional soldier. His parents met because his father needed an interpreter; she spoke six languages because, as she said, “in Hungary no one spoke your language, so you learned many.” From that unlikely beginning came a child who travelled the world, was pushed into self-sufficiency, and absorbed the lessons of survival, resilience, and ambition. From that childhood, he rose from a university apprentice at BP to its Chief Executive - leading the mega-mergers that turned it into a global super-major. And in a defining moment, he became one of the very first oil CEOs to say publicly that climate change was real, urgent, and demanded action from his own industry.

Long before “net zero” entered the mainstream, he acknowledged the scientific risks, committed BP to measuring and reducing its emissions, and put Beyond Petroleum on the map - a deeply controversial move at the time that forced competitors, regulators, and investors to rethink the role of big energy in the transition.

Since leaving BP, Lord Browne has shifted from running hydrocarbons to funding the transition beyond them, co-founding BeyondNetZero to back high-growth companies in decarbonisation, efficiency, advanced materials, and climate technology.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 16:15:21 GMT

This is our second live podcast at EdCity, with our friends at Ark. Stephen Cowan, Leader of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, has been a force in local public service since 1998, when he was first elected as councillor for Grove Ward. Since becoming Leader in 2014, he’s driven some of the most ambitious, people-centred policies anywhere in the UK - from free adult social care, to free breakfasts for every primary school child, to an industrial strategy that’s brought billions in investment into the borough. And where better to have this conversation than at EdCity - the £150 million regeneration project jointly shaped by Ark and H&F Council. EdCity blends new schools, affordable homes, community spaces and innovation hubs, standing as a living example of what bold public-third sector partnership can achieve. This is a fascinating, live, and candid conversation with a leader determined to change the world - starting with a small bit of West London.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucy Heller, CEO, Ark

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 18:07:54 GMT

The first of two podcasts recorded live at EdCity. We kicked it off with an amazing guest, Lucy Heller, CEO of Ark and the architect behind one of the most influential education transformations in the UK. Ark began in 2002 with a bold ambition: change life chances for children who need it most. Under Lucy’s leadership, that ambition has become a movement — growing from a single turnaround school to 39 schools, 30,000+ pupils, and a network of 20+ ventures reshaping the wider education system.

In this live conversation, we go into: Lucy’s unexpected path into education, the original spark behind Ark, what really drives school improvement, how Ark scaled impact across communities without losing its soul, and what the future of education looks like.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Wise, Founder & CEO, OceanMind

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 17:01:00 GMT

In this episode we speak to Nick Wise, Founder & CEO of OceanMind, an organisation using AI and satellite analytics to protect our oceans. Nick is a pioneer in applying advanced technology to build more sustainable food systems, tackle illegal fishing, and bring transparency to some of the world’s most complex supply chains.

Before founding OceanMind, Nick spent his career at the intersection of internet security, satellites, and data, and it was during his time at the UK’s Satellite Applications Catapult that a partnership with leading NGOs opened his eyes to the scale of illegal fishing - and the potential of AI to fight it. OceanMind now works with governments, industry, and NGOs globally, bringing visibility to an often hidden world. In this episode, we dive into: How AI and satellite data can protect vulnerable marine ecosystems; The hidden risks inside global seafood supply chains; What it takes to deliver measurable impact where sustainability, technology and international policy collide. Listen in for a fascinating, urgent conversation about the future of our oceans.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlotte O'Leary, CEO, Pensions for Purpose

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 18:35:46 GMT

In this conversation, Rafi sits down with Charlotte O’Leary, CEO of Pensions for Purpose; the collaborative network helping pension funds become a real force for good.

Charlotte’s vision is bold: a world where pensions drive a fairer, more sustainable economy. In this episode, she unpacks how psychology, governance and finance intersect - from fiduciary duty and systemic incentives to the need for new narratives around value, care and human motivation. Their conversation explores how we can shift from being consumers to citizens, and why aligning money with meaning might just be the key to fixing capitalism.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

49up

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In this wash up episode, Rafi and Adam reflect on our seven most recent conversations, featuring pioneers Andrew Voysey, Michelle Brown, Alex Stephany, Phil Burton, Dame Ann Limb, Stephen Muers, and Anna Swaithes. We explore how change is driven by people and the push for local solutions and why social services must leverage AI to be human-centered. We cover an array of topics from Common Lit's edtech bringing reading access to millions and OttoCar decarbonising transport, to using data for regenerative farming to build more resilient food systems. Finally, we look at new ways to fund solutions, exploring how strategic giving from philanthropists is essential to tackling social inequality , and the critical need to connect private, public, and charity funds (what Stephen Muers calls 'trilingual' finance) to scale solutions for impact at scale.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna Swaithes, Chief Sustainability Officer, The Crown Estate

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:31:53 GMT

This week, we talk to Anna Swaithes, Chief Sustainability Officer at The Crown Estate, a true champion of change and collaboration. Her journey into sustainability began with a powerful realisation in her early career that profits couldn't come at the expense of people and the planet. This core belief led her to pioneering roles at Cadbury and SAB Miller. Now, Anna uses the unique position and statutory basis of the new Crown Estate Act 2025 to ensure the Estate's management of its vast assets—from rural land to the seabed—delivers vital environmental and social value, especially by focusing on deep, meaningful nature recovery.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Muers, CEO, Better Society Capital

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:47:45 GMT

This week we are joined by Stephen Muers, CEO of Better Society Capital, a leading UK impact investment institution. Stephen takes us on a journey from his early life in Rugby and his Quaker roots to his distinguished career as a civil servant and his pivotal role at Better Society Capital where he is revolutionising the UK's social impact investment landscape. Together we explore the intricate dance between impact investing and government policy, the vital importance of long-term vision, and the immense potential of place-based investing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dame Ann Limb, Chair, King's Foundation

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:28:08 GMT

ANNOUNCEMENT: Join our live Impact Equation podcast with Ark, exploring their journey, impact on education and social innovation and the vision behind the exciting EdCity project in West London. Thurs Nov 13th 2025, sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/tieark

This episode features Dame Ann Limb, a powerhouse in education, philanthropy, and regional growth. From becoming the UK's youngest college principal at 34 to chairing prestigious organizations like the Lloyd's Bank Foundation and City & Guilds, Dame Ann shares insights on purpose-led living, leadership, and inclusion. Discover what drives her extraordinary capacity for service and her vision for the future of philanthropy and technology.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phill Burton, Co-CEO, Otto Car

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 17:10:37 GMT

Phill Burton is Co-CEO of Otto Car, a company quietly reshaping how London moves. Otto is now Europe’s largest provider of electric vehicles to private-hire drivers, helping over 20,000 drivers get on the road and accelerating the city’s transition to clean transport. Before Otto, Phil helped scale one of the UK’s great consumer success stories - Bloom & Wild - from £2m to £100m+ in revenue, leading across eight countries and every major function from Operations to Marketing. Today, he’s combining that experience with purpose, investing in ventures like Lune, Maeving, Climate X, and Shellworks, mentoring founders through Seedcamp, Tech Nation, and Carbon13, and proving that climate innovation and commercial success can go hand in hand. In this conversation, we dive into: What it takes to scale responsibly; How to build ventures that make systems better; Why purpose and profit don’t need to be opposites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Stephany, Founder & CEO, Beam

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 16:01:00 GMT

Alex Stephany is rethinking welfare for the 21st century. As Founder & CEO of Beam, Alex has built a platform that partners with 100+ government bodies to help thousands of people experiencing homelessness and long-term unemployment into stable homes and jobs. Combining expert caseworkers with smart AI software, Beam’s Magic Notes, is cutting admin for frontline staff and freeing them to do what they do best: supporting people. It’s why Beam has been named one of LinkedIn’s Top 15 UK Startups, with backing from the Mayor of London and some of the UK’s leading tech entrepreneurs. Now, Alex is scaling Magic Notes across the UK and US. Before Beam, Alex scaled JustPark as CEO, raising investment from Index Ventures and closing what was then the UK’s largest equity crowdfunding round. He’s also the author of The Business of Sharing and a mentor to the next wave of social entrepreneurs. His insights have been featured on the BBC, Bloomberg, The Guardian, and NPR, shaping the conversation on tech, homelessness, and social impact. This episode is about leadership, talent, and how to build companies that matter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle Brown, Founder & CEO, Common Lit

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 16:01:00 GMT

We're joined by Michelle Brown, a former teacher who has built one of the most impactful literacy platforms in the world. Michelle is the Founder & CEO of CommonLit, a free online reading program now reaching 30 million+ students across the U.S. and Latin America. Her journey began in the classroom, where she saw first-hand the barriers to literacy. What started as a small library of curated reading material has since grown into a global movement for open education.

Since founding CommonLit in 2014, Michelle has raised over $40 million from leading philanthropists and education innovators, been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic, and become a mentor to the next generation of edtech founders

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Voysey, Chief Impact Officer, Soil Capital

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:07:41 GMT

In this episode we’re joined by Andrew Voysey, Chief Impact Officer at Soil Capital, where he’s helping farmers take practical steps to improve soil health, cut carbon emissions, and build a more sustainable food system. Since 2020, Andrew’s programme has worked with nearly 2,000 farmers across the UK, France, and Belgium, paying them for the real climate benefits their farming creates. Before Soil Capital, Andrew spent a decade at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, where he grew and led their sustainable finance programme. He brings a unique mix of farming knowledge, finance, and innovation to the fight against climate change.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

42up

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:27:38 GMT

In this wash up episode, Rafi and Adam reflect on our seven most recent conversations, featuring pioneers like Paul Ronalds, Mikela Druckman, Nick Temple, Matthew Gould and more. We explore how people-powered systems change is transforming the social and environmental sectors. We also examine how technology, from Greyparrot's AI waste management to VectorCam's disease-fighting tool, is being used to innovate for impact. Finally, we look at new funding models, reshaping how we fund and scale solutions for a better world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunny Patel, Founder & CEO, Vector Cam

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 16:01:00 GMT

We’re joined by Sunny Patel, biomedical engineer, co-founder of VectorCam, and one of the driving forces behind a breakthrough that’s turning heads across global health and even on Bill Gates’s personal blog. Developed at Johns Hopkins, VectorCam is an AI-powered mosquito identification tool that works straight from a smartphone. It can tell you a mosquito’s species, sex, and even where it is in its reproductive cycle - vital intel for tackling diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika. Before VectorCam, this kind of surveillance needed a microscope and years of training. Now, thanks to Sunny and his team, tens of thousands of community health workers can do it in real time, helping health systems act faster and smarter. This conversation is the next in our series with our friends at Fast Forward.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sayyeda Salam, Exec Director, Concern Worldwide

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 16:00:00 GMT

This episode we’re joined by Sayyeda Salam, a remarkable leader whose career has spanned humanitarian aid, international development, and philanthropy.

In September 2024, Sayyeda became Executive Director of Concern Worldwide (UK), bringing her wealth of experience to the fight against extreme poverty. Previously, as Director of Partnerships and Philanthropy at Save the Children, she secured £300m+ for children’s rights, building transformative collaborations with philanthropists, foundations, and the private sector. Her journey has taken her from Jordan and Lebanon to Egypt, Tanzania, and the Gulf; always with a focus on empowering local operations and partners across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Beyond her executive leadership, she also serves as a Trustee of the Refugee Council, underscoring her lifelong commitment to supporting marginalised communities. This episode is a powerful conversation about leadership, global development, and what it really takes to create systemic change for the world’s most vulnerable.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Temple, CEO, Social Investment Business

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 17:45:05 GMT

Nick Temple OBE is at the forefront of the UK’s social economy as CEO of the Social Investment Business. Nick leads an organisation backing charities and social enterprises with the capital and support they need to grow and thrive. His contributions were recognised last year when he was awarded an OBE for services to social enterprise. In this conversation, Nick shares his journey, his philosophy on what makes social investment work, and his vision for the future of the sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Ronalds, CEO, Save the Children Global Ventures

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 16:01:00 GMT

In this episode we’re joined by Paul Ronalds - lawyer, founder, policymaker, NGO leader, and now CEO of Save the Children Global Ventures. Paul’s career has been anything but conventional: Advising on M&A at a top-tier law firm, Co-founding one of Australia’s first e-commerce start-ups, Serving two Australian Prime Ministers at the highest level of government, Leading Save the Children Australia for nearly a decade. Now, at Save the Children Global Ventures, he’s on a mission to rewire how the world funds and scales solutions for children. From edtech and e-health to impact investing and innovative finance, Paul is bringing entrepreneurial energy to one of the world’s oldest NGOs. This is a conversation about how to build systems that last, and what it takes to marry innovation with impact at global scale.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mikela Druckman, CEO & Co-founder, Greyparrot AI

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 17:01:00 GMT

Mikela Druckman is the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Greyparrot - a groundbreaking company transforming waste management through cutting-edge AI and waste analytics. Under Mikela’s leadership, Greyparrot has earned global accolades, making the World Economic Forum’s “Tech Pioneer” list, the Global Cleantech 100, and Fast Company's "Most Innovative Companies" of 2025 all while accelerating progress toward a more sustainable and circular future. Mikela has roots in both business and technology. She was a founding leader at Blippar where she shaped the landscape of computer vision and augmented reality. Named among the UK’s top women digital leaders Mikela has consistently championed diversity, mentorship, and the possibilities of ethical tech. Fluent in multiple languages and a dedicated mentor to emerging startups, Mikela proves that entrepreneurship can be a force for environmental good. Join us as we explore her journey; from building bridges between technology and sustainability to inspiring the next generation of changemakers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthew Gould, CEO, Zoological Society London

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 17:47:07 GMT

We're joined by Matthew Gould, CEO of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), whose career journey reads like a masterclass in strategic leadership across diverse global challenges. From serving as British Ambassador to Israel and holding diplomatic postings in Tehran, Islamabad, Washington, and Manila, to directing the UK's cyber security strategy and leading NHSX through its digital transformation, Matthew has consistently demonstrated how personal passion, public service, and strategic thinking can intersect to make an impact. Now, at the helm of ZSL, he's uniting world-class zoos, cutting-edge science, and global conservation efforts in the fight to protect our planet's wildlife.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Hyde, CEO, Lloyds Bank Foundation

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 17:08:45 GMT

Matt Hyde OBE started out as a young Scout and went on to lead the student movement as Chief Executive of NUS. He then returned to his roots by taking the helm of The Scout Association. Under his stewardship, Scouting grew to record numbers, reached into new communities through the pioneering Squirrel Scouts programme, and placed inclusion and civic duty at the heart of youth engagement. From co-founding The Big Help Out, which mobilised millions into volunteering, to now leading the Lloyds Bank Foundation in support of small and local charities, Matt’s career is a masterclass in creating and growing people-powered movements. He also serves as a trustee at Comic Relief and a patron of UNLOCK, helping people with convictions move forward with dignity and hope.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

35up

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:44:51 GMT

In this wash up episode, Rafi and Adam reflect on our seven most recent conversations, featuring pioneers like Sir Ronald Cohen, Sam Freedman, Louisa Mitchell, and more. We explore how personal resilience fuels public leadership, why breaking down silos is key to lasting change, and how markets must evolve from the invisible hand to the invisible heart. From decentralising government to reimagining healthcare, housing, and childhood itself, this episode distills the big ideas that have defined the series so far. Whether you’ve listened to every episode or are just jumping in, this is the perfect place to catch the highlights.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

100x Wash Up: Scaling Social Unicorns

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 15:48:02 GMT

In this episode we’re wrapping up our Scaling Social Unicorns series with a special episode alongside the brilliant team at 100x Impact Accelerator - Fan, Chief Investment Officer, Amelia who leads 100x’s partnerships and Shanzeh who heads up strategy. 100X exists to back ventures that can change the world, and to learn and share what it really takes to scale. From Uganda to India to Pakistan, we’ve heard from founders reshaping health, education, finance, and justice.

We met Labhya’s cofounder Richa, scaling social-emotional learning across Indian public schools; Batya from Chancen International, pioneering income-linked education finance for underserved students in Africa; Taleemabad’s Haroon, making quality education accessible to millions in Pakistan through EdTech; Intelehealth co-founder Neha, delivering AI-powered healthcare where doctors are scarce; and Nick from One Day Health, launching ultra-low-cost rural clinics in Uganda and beyond. In this episode, we reflect on the breakthroughs, trade-offs, and bold bets it takes to reach millions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Natural World Roundtable, with Tony Juniper CBE, Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, Jessica Smith and Eva Zabey

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 13:11:16 GMT

In this episode we are joined by four of the most insightful voices shaping the future of nature: Tony Juniper CBE – Chair of Natural England, veteran campaigner, and author of Just Earth, shares his views on nature recovery and economic reform. Eva Zabey – CEO of Business for Nature, outlines how leading companies are embedding nature into their strategies, and why policy ambition is essential. Merlin Hanbury-Tenison – Founder of The Thousand Year Trust and author of Our Oaken Bones, speaks from the frontlines of Britain’s rainforest restoration efforts. Jessica Smith – Head of Nature at UNEP FI, explains why finance is the hidden lever and how Earth observation, insurance, and regulation can shift global capital. #TheImpactEquation #NatureRecovery #Biodiversity #BusinessForNature #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Leadership #PodcastDrop

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Freedman, Education reformer & co-author of UK's most popular political substack

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 12:31:59 GMT

We're joined by Sam Freedman - writer, policy advisor, education reformer, and the writer of the UK’s most popular politics Substack. Sam’s career spans the frontline and the engine room of public policy. From lobbying on education reform to advising Michael Gove at the Department for Education, to senior roles at Teach First and Ark, he’s always been focused on making systems work better, especially for those with the least power. Now, as a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and co-author of the brilliant Comment is Freed newsletter with his father Lawrence Freedman, Sam brings clarity, honesty, and pragmatism to a political climate that too often lacks all three. This is a conversation about influence, impact, and what it takes to drive change that actually sticks. Sam doesn’t pull punches.

#ImpactEquation #Leadership #PublicPolicy #Education #Podcast #SystemChange #SamFreedman #Politics #CommentIsFreed

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Insiders: Rizwan Naveed, ex-McKinsey; Holly Alpine, ex-Microsoft; Jo Alexander ex-BP

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 16:55:50 GMT

In this special edition of The Impact Equation, we hear from three insiders turned truth-tellers: Rizwan Naveed, former McKinsey energy strategist, who helped advise the world's biggest companies, and challenged McKinsey’s climate position. Holly Alpine, former sustainability lead at Microsoft, who built global green programmes while grappling with how tech services were being used in the fossil fuel sector. Jo Alexander, former BP executive, who believed in the energy transition, but witnessed the company adjust its boldest climate commitments. These three leaders have left the corporate world behind but not quietly. Now they’re shaping a different kind of change, from the outside in. #TheImpactEquation #CorporateSustainability #ClimateAction #Leadership #ImpactPodcast #Greenwashing #EnergyTransition

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alysia Garmulewicz, Co-CEO & Co-founder, Materiom

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 11:13:01 GMT

We’re thrilled to announce a brand new series of The Impact Equation in partnership with Fast Forward, the leading accelerator backing tech nonprofits solving humanity’s greatest challenges We kick off with Alysia Garmulewicz, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Materiom, whose open platform is pioneering regenerative biomaterials from locally abundant resources. A Rhodes Scholar and systems thinker, Alysia isn’t just reimagining packaging - she’s reimagining the economy. Tune in as we explore what it takes to build for impact at scale, why open data and community matter, and how the tech nonprofit model is changing the rules.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Ronald Cohen, Father of European Venture Capital & Impact Investment

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 19:56:57 GMT

We’re joined by Sir Ronnie Cohen - a man whose vision has shaped two industries: European venture capital and global impact investing. Born in Egypt and forced to flee as a child, Sir Ronnie arrived in the UK with little more than resilience and hope. He went on to become President of the Oxford Union, earn an MBA from Harvard, and co-found Apax Partners, one of Europe’s leading private equity firms. But that was only the beginning. Driven by a deeper mission, Sir Ronnie turned his focus to social investment - founding Social Finance, Big Society Capital, and spearheading a global movement that’s redefining how capital serves humanity. He now serves as Chairman of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment, and his new book “On Impact: A Guide to the Impact Revolution” is a bold call to action for us all - investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, citizens - to place impact at the heart of everything we do. This is a conversation about money, meaning, and what it truly takes to change the world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louisa Mitchell, Co-founder & CEO, AllChild

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 17:05:22 GMT

We’re joined by someone who’s quietly but powerfully changing how we support children and families across the UK. Louisa Mitchell started her journey seeing up close how the system was letting families fall through the cracks. In 2014, she was part of the team that founded All Child, a pioneering organisation focused on early intervention and holistic, community-based care. Today, All Child is rethinking support from the ground up - from schools to policy - and putting children’s wellbeing where it belongs: at the heart of the system. Louisa’s work earned her an MBE in 2023.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28up

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:35:17 GMT

In this wash up episode, Rafi and Adam discuss their reflections and take aways from our most recent 7 guests. We've had some incredible conversations, these are some of our highlights.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Makower, Chair & Co-founder, Trellis Group

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 15:19:53 GMT

This week we’re joined by Joel Makower, one of the original architects of sustainable business. As co-founder of the Trellis Group, Joel has built the world’s go-to platform for people making capitalism work for people and planet. He’s advised Fortune 500s, authored more than a dozen books, and helped shape the global conversation on sustainability. He is equal parts journalist, strategist, and movement builder. Listen in to the conversation to hear his reflections and lessons over the past 40 years.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catherine Howarth, CEO, ShareAction

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 14:50:48 GMT

In this episode, we’re joined by one of the most influential voices in sustainable finance: Catherine Howarth, Chief Executive of ShareAction.

For nearly 20 years, Catherine has been reshaping how pensions and investments serve people and planet - not just profit. Under her leadership, ShareAction has turned quiet shareholder voices into powerful agents for climate action, social justice, and accountability. Before ShareAction, Catherine founded West London Citizens, building power through community organising. Since then, she’s been named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, served on the board of the Scott Trust (owner of The Guardian), and advised the UK government on green finance. She’s been recognised by Yale, the BBC, and was awarded an OBE by King Charles III. In this episode, we unpack: How to challenge financial systems from the inside, what it takes to turn investors into activists, and why finance might be the most underused lever for building a fairer, greener world. #ImpactEquation #SustainableFinance #Leadership #ClimateAction #SocialImpact #ESG #Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clover Hogan, Founder, Force of Nature

Sun, 25 May 2025 09:01:00 GMT

In recent episodes, we’ve explored the power and potential of youth. Few embody that spirit more than this week’s guest, Clover Hogan. At 11, she launched into climate activism. At 16, she witnessed the Paris Agreement being signed. At 19, she founded Force of Nature to help young people turn climate anxiety into action. By 21, she’d delivered a TED Talk seen by millions. Now, still in her early 20s, Clover is a globally respected voice for her generation, equal parts bold, wise, and unafraid. In this episode, we talk about growing up in the climate movement and what it’s like to speak truth to power before you’re old enough to vote.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Gail Bradbrook, Co-founder, Extinction Rebellion

Sun, 18 May 2025 15:11:04 GMT

Dr Gail Bradbrook is co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, a global movement that helped force the climate emergency onto the world’s front pages through nonviolent civil disobedience. Her journey starts in a West Yorkshire mining town. She went on to earn a PhD in molecular biophysics, led national work on digital inclusion, and then founded XR. She’s blocked roads, been arrested, raised two kids, and never stopped fighting for a better future. In this episode, we explore how science and activism collide, what it takes to mobilise a social movement and why we need a shift in consciousness to tackle the challenges of our times.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Batya Blankers, CEO & Co-founder, Chancen International

Sun, 11 May 2025 17:35:37 GMT

What if financial barriers in underserved markets didn’t stand in the way of higher education. That’s the bold idea Batya Blankers and her team a Chancen International are scaling across Africa. From Cape Town to Kigali, they’re rewriting the rules of education finance; giving underserved young people the chance to study now and succeed later, with repayments linked to a fair share of future income. Batya’s journey is extraordinary. An MBA grad from the African Leadership University, with roots in tech and nonprofit leadership in South Africa and Germany. She’s building not just a financing model, but a movement for dignity, and economic growth. This conversation stayed with us because it’s not just about money. It’s about opportunity, ownership, and unlocking Africa’s potential.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Haroon Yasin, Founder & CEO, Taleemabad

Mon, 05 May 2025 12:13:13 GMT

Our guest is Haroon Yasin. By 18, Haroon was already running schools in Islamabad’s slums. What began as a one-room refuge for street children has grown into Taleemabad; a groundbreaking ed-tech company reaching over 10 million children across Pakistan. Taleemabad has digitised and localised the national curriculum, turning it into engaging lessons on TV, tablets, and mobile apps, even designing entire days around how kids really learn. Recognised by Malala Yousafzai and even the late Queen Elizabeth, he’s now scaling systems, not just solutions. This one’s about purpose, scale, and redefining what education can be, especially in the age of AI.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Hook, Global Head of Sustainability Strategy, Uber

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 19:06:19 GMT

This episode we're joined by Christopher Hook, Global Head of Sustainability Strategy at Uber. Chris joined Uber in 2019 to launch its first ever sustainability initiative, the London Clean Air Plan, and now leads sustainability across 70 countries, pushing for nothing less than fully sustainable car journeys and restaurant orders. From building impactful partnerships to helping drivers and restaurants lower their carbon footprint, Chris has become a driving force (literally) behind Uber’s sustainability shift. In this episode we explore; what it means to lead sustainability at global scale, the bold bets Uber is making for the future, how corporate sustainability can go beyond targets to deliver real impact.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21up

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:46:04 GMT

In this wash up episode, Rafi and Adam discuss their reflections and take aways from our most recent 7 guests. We've had some incredible conversations, these are some of our highlights.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Shapiro, CEO, Reall

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 18:14:20 GMT

We’re joined by Ian Shapiro, a true force in international development and CEO of Reall, an NGO revolutionising affordable housing across Africa and Asia.

Ian’s work at Reall isn’t just about buildings; it’s about dignity, jobs, clean water, sanitation, and long-term sustainability for millions of people. Before Reall, Ian’s impact spanned continents: He ran a youth organisation in Nepal, he shaped UK development programmes in India, he led DFID’s global strategy for private investment, and, he managed a £1 billion development fund. From government halls to grassroots partnerships, Ian’s seen what it really takes to drive lasting change. We talk: Why housing is the backbone of development and the power of public-private partnerships.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dame Helen Stephenson, former CEO Charity Commission, Director of Early Years at DfE & Cabinet Office Director

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 13:38:17 GMT

This episode's guest on The Impact Equation is a powerhouse: Dame Dr Helen Stephenson. As the former Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, Helen oversaw 169,000+ charities. She's held top roles across government; from shaping early years policy to championing civil society and innovation at the highest levels.

She’s also brought her magic to the National Lottery Community Fund, the Royal Academy of Dance, and somehow found time to earn a PhD in Philosophy too.

Helen was awarded a CBE in 2014 and made a Dame in the 2024 Birthday Honours for a career dedicated to purpose, public service, and doing things that matter.

Thoughtful, bold, and full of wisdom. Listen in as we dive into leadership, legacy, and what’s next for civil society.

#TheImpactEquation #PodcastDrop #Leadership #CharitySector #SocialImpact #WomenInPublicLife #NewEpisode

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Garrett, Co-founder & CEO, Farewill

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 18:21:47 GMT

We’re joined by Dan Garrett, Chief Growth Officer at Dignity Group, which recently acquired Farewill, the company Dan co-founded back in 2015 with a bold mission: to change the way the world deals with death. Under Dan’s leadership, Farewill became an award-winning provider of wills, probate, and funerals - raising over £1.1 billion in pledged legacy income for more than 1,000 charities across the UK. Now, through a powerful partnership with Dignity, Dan is scaling that vision further, transforming an industry that touches us all. In this episode, we explore how to tackle complex, deeply human problems with design-led thinking, why legacy matters more than we think, and what it takes to change society’s relationship with death.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Nick Laing, Co-founder & CEO, One Day Health

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 17:36:04 GMT

We’re joined by Dr. Nick Laing, co-founder of OneDay Health, on a mission to solve one of the world’s most overlooked crises: 100 million people lack access to quality healthcare. Nick and his team are changing that, one clinic at a time. With just $4,000 OneDay Health can launch a sustainable primary health centre in sub-Saharan Africa. Each clinic serves 4,000 to 8,000 people, offering comprehensive, high-quality care where none existed before. Using smart AI to identify healthcare black holes, they place clinics where they’re needed most. Over 315,000 patients have been treated including 154,000 malaria cases, with 80% of clinics self-sustaining through $1–$2 fees paid by local communities. In this episode we discuss building systems in the toughest conditions, scaling smart, lean healthcare models and what real public health impact looks like.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richa Gupta, Co-founder & CEO, Labhya

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 17:59:02 GMT

We’re joined by Richa Gupta, an educator-turned-social entrepreneur transforming education for vulnerable children. As Co-Founder & CEO of Labhya, Richa is leading a movement that impacts 2.4 million+ children in India through social-emotional learning programs. Richa's work has earned her Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, a spot as one of 17 global UN SDG leaders, and a seat on the UNICEF India board. She’s even caught the attention of Selena Gomez, who recently celebrated Labhya’s work!

In this episode, we dive into how Richa is reshaping education at scale, the power of social-emotional learning and what it takes to drive real, systemic change. With thanks to our friends at 100x Impact Accelerator who have partnered with us on this special series.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brett Wigdortz, Founder, Teach First & Tiney

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 18:27:52 GMT

We're joined by Brett Wigdortz, co-founder and CEO of Tiney, a fast-growing startup transforming childcare. Before that, Brett spent 15 years building Teach First into the UK’s largest graduate recruiter, reshaping education nationwide and earning Brett an OBE for services to education. Brett has also played a key role in expanding Teach For All globally and served as Chair of National Citizenship Service (NCS Trust), the UK’s biggest youth engagement programme. With deep experience in scaling businesses, raising funds, and leading mission-driven organisations, it was a privilege to speak to Brett about all his experiences.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Critchlow, Founder & CEO, Evergreen Life

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 19:25:02 GMT

Stephen Critchlow, founder of Evergreen Life, recently crowned as the UK’s fastest growing software firm in The Sunday Times Tech 100. Evergreen isn’t Stephen’s first rodeo. A pioneering entrepreneur, Stephen started out as a clinical pharmacist and his passion for health drove him to establish Ascribe, a company that revolutionised health IT in 75% of UK hospitals, later selling to EMIS Group. With Evergreen Life, he’s revolutionising patient empowerment by giving users control over their medical records, while also pioneering digital tools for wellness using AI and machine learning. An advocate for preventative healthcare, Stephen’s work is directly shaping the future of NHS care. Stephen is also a prominent social impact investor and philanthropist, supporting youth provision in this country as a founder patron for Onside Youth Zone and a Trustee and founder Patron of Grimsby Youth Zone, as well as overseas as a founder patron for the Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya (CPSK).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14up

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:21:13 GMT

In this short episode, Rafi and Adam discuss their reflections and take aways from our most recent 7 guests. We've had some incredible conversations, these are some of our highlights.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh MacAlister MP, Founder, Frontline

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 18:05:15 GMT

In this episode we're joined by Josh MacAlister, recently elected as the Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington. Before entering politics, Josh dedicated his career to transforming children’s lives, first as a Teach First teacher and then founding the charity Frontline and leading the government’s independent review into the children's services sector. He’s also co-founded SHiFT, tackling youth violence, and chaired Foundations, the What Works Centre for Children and Families. This work was awarded with an OBE in the King’s 2023 New Year’s Honours. With deep experience in policy and frontline impact, we were really excited to dig into Josh’s perspectives on change, leadership, and the future of social care.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Branwen Evans, Director of Sustainability and Policy, Places for People

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:27:55 GMT

In this episode, we’re joined by Branwen Evans, a leader in housing and social policy. Branwen has held senior roles at the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Homes and Communities Agency, focusing on housing strategy and community development. Branwen is now at Places for People, one of the UK’s biggest social enterprises, managing over 245,000 homes and investing millions into building communities — Branwen’s work focuses on how Places for People can change lives every day, creating homes and thriving communities.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lord Deben, former Climate Change Chair & Secretary of State in John Major’s Government

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 18:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we welcome Lord Deben. Entering Parliament as an MP at just 30, he rose through the ranks to become a Minister under Mrs Thatcher and then Secretary of State for the Environment in John Major’s Government. In 1995 he introduced the landmark Environment Act and ended up being described by Friends of the Earth as "the best Environment Secretary we've ever had". Created a life peer in 2010, taking his title from his local river, he became Chairman of the UK’s Climate Change Committee in 2012. A position he held for over a decade. In that time, he supported the Government to pass a net zero emissions law, making the UK the first major economy to do so. Citing Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, her seminal 1962 book on the dangers of pollution, as a major influence on his leadership, he is a Catholic who sees his faith as tightly woven with his social calling.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neha Verma, CEO, Intelehealth

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 18:00:00 GMT

This is the first pod in our "Scaling Social Unicorns" series, in partnership with 100x Impact Accelerator. In this episode, we welcome Neha Verma, cofounder and CEO of Intelehealth, a tele-medicine technology non-profit that delivers health services where there is no doctor. Intelehealth’s approach uses telemedicine and artificial intelligence to bridge critical healthcare gaps in rural and remote regions, connecting patients with qualified healthcare professionals who wouldn’t normally have access to high quality healthcare services. Neha earned an MS in Applied Health Sciences and a PhD in Health Informatics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Neha writes about women in tech, product development, organizational strategy, social impact and nonprofits.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Conway, Sky News Economics Editor and bestselling author

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 14:07:44 GMT

Ed Conway is one of the UK's leading journalists and broadcasters. He is the Economics and Data Editor at Sky News, a regular columnist for The Times, and a prolific blogger on Substack. He's also the recipient of the prestigious Wincott Foundation Journalist of the Year Award and the author of two bestselling books, including Material World, a critically acclaimed exploration of the materials and substances driving our economy and the green transition. 🌍 In this episode, Ed shares insights into the future of economics, the role of storytelling in journalism, and how we can make sense of complex issues. You don’t want to miss it! 🎧

#Podcast #Economics #EdConway #GreenTransition #Journalism #Innovation #Leadership #Sustainability

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ioannis Ioannou, London Business School, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 18:00:00 GMT

In this episode our guest is Ioannis Ioannou, a tenured professor at London Business School and a globally recognised thought leader on the role of business in society.

Ioannis is a graduate of Yale and Harvard, with a Ph.D. in Business Economics from Harvard Business School and has been shaping the conversation around sustainability and corporate responsibility since joining LBS in 2009. His groundbreaking research has been featured in top academic journals, offering profound insights into how businesses can deliver for the greater good. Beyond the classroom, Ioannis advises global corporations on sustainability strategies and is a member of the World Economic Forum Experts Network. Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion with one of the world’s leading voices on purpose-driven leadership and the future of capitalism.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 12:08:26 GMT

In this episode we welcome Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, to our first live podcast. Mete was born in Northern Cyprus to asylum-seeking parents and moved to London as a child. Inspired to give marginalised groups a voice, aged just 20 he founded My Life My Say, a charity to amplify youth voices and engaging young people from underrepresented communities in decision-making. Mete’s campaigning led nearly half a million people to register to vote in the last general election and he received an MBE for services to young people. Mete entered politics aged just 21, as the youngest-ever elected councilor in the London Borough of Hackney, where he served as cabinet member for climate change, environment, and transportation. In July 2024, Mete was appointed Deputy Mayor of London, tasked with overseeing climate action for our city.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7up

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:56:59 GMT

In this short episode, Rafi and Adam discuss their reflections and take aways from our first 7 guests.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Hugh Montgomery, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at UCL and Climate Activist

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 16:25:58 GMT

In this episode we welcome Dr. Hugh Montgomery, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at University College London and Director of the Centre for Human Health and Performance. A distinguished scientist, clinician, and teacher, he has published nearly 600 research papers, discovered the first human fitness gene, and explored survival in extreme environments.

Beyond medicine, Hugh is a skydiver, ultramarathon runner, mountaineer, world record holder, and author. A prominent advocate for addressing climate change's health impacts, he co-chairs the Lancet Countdown on Climate Change and founded Real Zero to advance climate action in healthcare. Hugh has also contributed to vaccine development and advises on AI in biotech. Awarded an OBE, he continues to practice intensive care, embodying a rare combination of expertise and activism.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Hawks, Comedian and Fridge Philosopher

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 07:28:55 GMT

For this very special holiday episode, Adam and Rafi are joined by comedian Tony Hawks, a regular on TV and radio panel shows. Tony came to national prominence with his first book, Round Ireland with A Fridge and has since enjoyed a wonderful and wacky career, finding different ways to bring joy to the world. For his second book, Tony travelled to Moldova in an attempt to beat each member of the national football team in a game of tennis, and ended up establishing the Tony Hawks Centre, a pioneer in children's care provision. Back in the UK, Tony also helped set up Tennis for Free, bringing access to tennis to all, with the help of celebrity pals like Stephen Fry and Hugh Grant. Tony is not only a hugely talented writer and comedian, but he’s one of those rare people with a true zest for life, who have crazy ideas and just go for them - all with the intent to use his media platform to make a positive impact - even though he describes it as “enlightened selfishness”.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:44:12 GMT

Rafi and Adam are joined by Tzeporah Berman, a trailblazing environmental activist, who founded the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. Tzeporah was recently named by Time Magazine as one of the World’s 100 most influential climate leaders in business in 2024, alongside Bill Gates, Greg Jackson of Octopus, and Niels Christensen, CEO of Lego. Previously, Tzeporah co-directed the International Climate and Energy Program at Greenpeace and negotiated major policy victories like the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement and the Canadian Boreal Forest Initiative, which together protected over 40 million hectares of old-growth forests. Tzeporah’s journey began almost by accident in the early 1990s when she was arrested during a highly controversial logging blockade in Canada’s ancient rainforests. What has followed is a 30-year career of powerful environmental advocacy, now as International Program Director at Stand.earth and Chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Prevezer, Co-founder & COO, Ezra Coaching

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 15:36:19 GMT

We welcome Jack Prevezer, Co-Founder and COO of Ezra Coaching, a leading global virtual coaching and learning provider changing the game in professional development. Ezra has been on an incredible growth journey since starting in 2019, and now operates across six continents, 87 countries and has delivered over 600,000 coaching sessions for employees of some of the biggest companies around the world, including the likes of Spotify, Microsoft, AstraZeneca and Kraft Heinz. This year, as part of their mission to improve lives in the workplace, Ezra announced a new, exciting partnership with NY Times bestseller and global leadership guru Simon Sinek, to give away free coaching to thousands of frontline workers in need across healthcare and the education sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tessa Clarke, Co-founder & CEO, Olio

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 21:45:13 GMT

In this episode we welcome Tessa Clarke, Cofounder and CEO of Olio, a free app that connects users with unwanted food in their neighbourhood. Olio now has over 8 million users who have together shared over 200 million portions of food, achieved in large part due to the passion of 125,000 volunteers who are spreading the word in their local communities, and collecting and re-distributing unsold food from local businesses via the app. A farmer’s daughter from North Yorkshire, prior to founding Olio, Tessa’s career started at Boston Consulting Group, and has an MBA from Stanford Business School.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anu Bajaj, Chief Innovative Finance and Investment Officer, Earthshot Prize

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:44:50 GMT

In this episode we welcome Anu Bajaj, Chief Innovative Finance and Investment Officer of the EarthShot Prize, founded by Prince William in 2020 to search, spotlight and scale solutions that can help repair and regenerate the planet in this decisive decade. Prior to the EarthShot prize with a background in banking, Anu founded Baytree Ventures, a marketplace to help grow the market for impact investing in India and led the UK Department for International Development's global policy and interventions in the financial sector, from mobile banking to microfinance and development of capital markets.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kieron Boyle, CEO, 100x Impact and Chair, Impact Investing Institute

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:38:20 GMT

In this episode we welcome Kieron Boyle, a true leader in the impact economy. He’s now Chair of the impact investing institute, the UK's foremost authority on impact investing, and CEO of 100x, the world’s largest impact venture accelerator, dedicated to helping visionary entrepreneurs improve the lives of billions of people through innovative, scalable solutions.

Kieron has established numerous initiatives, including Big Society Capital, now Better Society Capital, and helped to bring the B-Corp move ment to the UK. These contributions have earned him recognition as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and an OBE for services to the sector. In a former life, Kieron held key positions at No.10 Downing Street and the UK Foreign Office.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.