Reimagining Capitalism: Harvard’s Rebecca Henderson on Climate, Inequality & Purpose-Driven Business

Timothy Henry and Raj Sisodia interview Harvard professor and author Rebecca Henderson about her book Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire and why purpose-driven, multi-stakeholder firms can outperform yet remain hard to implement because they require deep investments in strategy, structure, and human systems. To see the full video podcast, check out the Conscious Capitalists YouTube channel hereHenderson connects climate change, inequality, and democratic erosion to shareholder primacy, arguing for stronger democratic institutions, reducing money in politics, and grassroots rebuilding of trust. She emphasizes leaders’ inner work, “kindness and math,” and the ability to disagree respectfully as foundations for high-trust, innovative organizations—especially important in an AI era. Henderson recounts her shift from engineering to organizational change and climate work, lessons from board service, and her teaching evolution from “Reimagining Capitalism” to “Reweaving Ourselves,” including the role of retreats in sustaining courageous leadership.If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Associate Producer & Editor.Thank you for your support!- Timothy & Raj00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:25 Why Purpose Is Hard06:06 Democracy and Money11:57 Imagining a Better Future16:18 Kindness and Math20:49 Rebecca Academic Journey24:10 Reforming Capitalism Rules29:54 Boardroom Lessons35:26 Win Win Mindset36:22 Inner Work for Leaders38:26 Trust as AI Advantage40:43 Teaching Hope and Urgency44:22 Silent Retreats and Renewal48:46 Reweaving Ourselves Course50:42 Changing the System from Within55:50 Next Breakthrough for Conscious Capitalism59:14 Rapid Fire Personal Questions01:04:28 Closing Reflections and Farewell