The Good Money, with Makoto Nishibe

Send us Fan MailWhat if money could finally measure what we truly care about—care, safety, culture, and thriving ecosystems—not just cash in the bank? We sit down with evolutionary economist Makoto Nishibe, head of the Good Money Lab, to explore how economies and the money that powers them can evolve together. Starting with Japan’s “lost decades,” Makoto explains why top-down policies and a single-number view of value failed regional communities, and how plural, adaptive thinking opened the door to community currencies and digital experiments that restore trust and resilience.We unpack the idea of “good money” as a medium designed to serve the good life, not speculation. From QR payments and crypto to Japan’s 200+ digital community currencies, Makoto shows how technology lowers barriers for cities, banks, and citizens to co-create units that reward what matters: local exchange, volunteering, and ecological care. If you’ve ever felt that GDP and net worth don’t capture real prosperity, this conversation offers a practical, hopeful path forward—powered by digital tools, civic design, and a richer moral compass.Listen in! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.