Craig Kielburger on Starting a Global Movement at 12, the Oprah Effect, Rising Through a Pandemic, and Scaling Social Impact Through Legacy+ and the My Legacy Podcast

How does a 12-year-old boy reading the comics end up interrupting a Prime Minister, partnering with Oprah, and leading a global movement for child rights?In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, we sit down with Craig Kielburger, co-founder of the WE organization and Legacy Plus. Craig shares his extraordinary journey from a suburban kid in Canada to a world-renowned social entrepreneur who has worked with everyone from Mother Teresa to the Dalai Lama.Craig opens up about the surreal moments of his youth—like jamming with John Denver and getting grilled by Oprah’s team on fiduciary oversight at age 15. We also dive deep into the challenges of 2020, where he faced a political firestorm that brought his charity to its knees, and the conscious choice he made to rise up and keep believing in humanity.Plus, we talk about his latest venture, Legacy Plus, where he helps other leaders and icons—including the King family—build their own movements to create a world fueled by love and connection.Craig has spent more than three decades in the non-profit sector empowering people and organizations to create meaningful impact. He co-leads Legacy+, a collective of strategists, creators, and innovators who build authentic movements and legacy projects with measurable results for companies, foundations, and public figures. A New York Times bestselling author of 10 books, Craig holds a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, an MBA, and a Master's in Human Development. His work in education and human rights has been recognized with 15 honorary doctorates and degrees.Key Takeaways:How a 12-year-old Craig saw a headline about child slavery and decided to act, leading to a journey through Asia and a confrontation with the Prime Minister of Canada.The hilarious and humbling story of how Oprah Winfrey agreed to fund his charity—but only if he got adult supervision (enter his "ancient" 19-year-old brother, Marc)The critical lesson Craig learned from eBay’s Jeff Skoll about why nonprofits need business plans and revenue streams to be sustainable.Craig gets vulnerable about the devastation of 2020, when political controversy and the pandemic threatened everything he built.Why his work today with Legacy Plus is focused on first principles—compassion, connection, and building a beloved community.Craig’s story is a testament to the fact that you are never too young to start, and never too successful to face a challenge that tests your core values. If this episode inspired you to find your own cause, please rate, review, and share it with a friend!CONNECT WITH CRAIG KIELBURGER:WebsiteSocialsPlaylistCONNECT WITH SHANNON:FacebookInstagramLinkedIn Shannon | LinkedIn NBJVTheme Song: No Boxes Just Versel by Thane Kreiner (Suno)