Social Change Leaders Podcast

“Take courage, friends. The way is often hard, the path is never clear, and the stakes are very high. Take courage. For deep down, there is another truth: you are not alone.”— Wayne B. Arnason In this joint episode of the Social Change Leaders Podcast and Spark Good Podcast, longtime collaborators and friends Stephanie Malon-Rufi and Traci Warnberg-Lemm reunite to name the moment we’re living in — and talk honestly about how we need to keep showing up. This podcast discusses what it’s actually been like living and working in Minnesota during recent ICE activity and community disruption — from the perspective of two people embedded in civic life, small business, and community leadership — and how this moment is reshaping their work in 2026. This episode is a conversation about: What daily life has felt like in the Twin Cities in recent weeks Stories from schools, neighborhoods, restaurants, and small businesses that aren’t making headlines The collective fear, grief, and anxiety many communities are carrying The powerful local networks forming across Minnesota — urban and rural Why this moment feels like an end to the “casual citizen” era How meaningful work, leadership, and community care are deeply connected How Stephanie and Traci are showing up in their work in 2026 Both hosts also share how their thinking has evolved since last year — and why they believe new civic muscles, leadership capacities, business practices, and connections are essential for this moment and into the future. About Traci’s Work — Social MotionDrawing on 20+ years in government, coaching, training, and civic engagement, Traci is focusing her 2026 work through Social Motion on: Monthly podcast conversations on social change leadership, democracy, race, resistance, and systems change Monthly “Civic Chats” — part civic education, part community, part re-imagining what building up democracy means now and into the future Coaching for individuals, teams, and organizations inside public systems (education, health, government, nonprofits) Coaching skills training to build leadership capacity, trust, and momentum across systems 🔗 Social Motion About Stephanie’s Work — Spark GoodThrough Spark Good Consulting & Coaching, Stephanie works primarily with small business owners who want to build sustainable businesses that positively impact their communities. In 2026, she is focusing on: Consistent podcasting and weekly communication to support business owners High-touch 1:1 coaching to help owners build financially and emotionally sustainable businesses Supporting leaders to move from reactive to proactive leadership Focus + Flow — a virtual community for accountability, strategy, and sustainable CEO habits 🔗 Spark Good

The Social Change Leaders Podcast is back! Host Traci Warnberg-Lemm returns with fresh insights on the intersection of leadership, civic engagement, and coaching. In this episode, she explores how coaching skills can enhance civic dialogue, and what practical tools leaders can use to strengthen their impact. Plus, Traci shares reflections from listeners on how their passions contribute to social change and provides free resources to help leaders navigate complex times with resilience and clarity. 🎧 Tune in to: ✅ Hear listener insights on skills they have that contribute to solving our biggest challenges ✅ Explore self-care, joy and nervous system regulation needed for resilient leadership ✅ Learn why leadership and civic engagement need a coaching approach ✅ Discover how deep listening and meaningful questions can bridge differences, foster collaboration and transform all types of conversations ✅ Gain practical coaching tools to engage more effectively in civic life ✅Hear how practicing better communication and inquiry can improve personal and professional relationships. Resources & Links: 👉 Grab your FREE download, Civic Action without the Burnout - HERE 👉 Quiz: Should You Consider Hiring a Coach – Link to 5 minute quiz HERE 👉 1:1 Coaching with Traci - Link HERE for more information 👉Learn more about Civic Remix Conversations (in March 2025) – HERE 🌎 Connect with Traci Warnberg-Lemm → www.socialmotion.co

📢 “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” – Gandhi Episode Summary: The Social Change Leaders Podcast is back! After a hiatus, host Traci Warnberg-Lemm returns with renewed purpose, fresh insights, and a deep commitment to supporting social impact leaders like you. In this episode, Traci shares personal and professional updates, reflects on the challenges shaping our world today, and offers a powerful coaching question to help you clarify your impact. Plus, she extends an invitation to build a thriving community of change makers as we navigate 2025 together. 🎧 Tune in to:✅ Discover the evolution of the Social Change Leaders Podcast over the past five years and its exciting future✅ Gain insights from Traci’s personal and professional journey—stories of loss, travel, and transformation✅ Understand the biggest leadership and social impact challenges emerging today✅ Explore how a strong community of equipped, empowered change leaders can shape the future✅ Reflect on a powerful coaching question designed to help you refine your purpose and contribution✅ Learn how to get involved in a growing network of like-minded leaders ready to make a difference 🔥 Ready to step into your full potential as a leader in social change? This episode is for you. Resources & Links: 🌎 Connect with Traci Warnberg-Lemm → www.socialmotion.coListen to the Spark Good Podcast by Stephanie Malon-Rufi → www.sparkgood.net

You can't see the whole picture when you're stuck in the middle of it. - Anonymous   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  The Social Change Leaders Podcast is back after a 6 month break! In this episode, Stephanie and Traci share reflections, lessons and reminders during the ‘pauses’ in their lives.   They discuss what has helped them sustain their efforts and expand their vision. In their conversation, they discuss: What Stephanie and Traci have been up to the last 6 months What Traci and Stephanie have discovered /  re-discovered for themselves What is next for Traci, Stephanie and the Social Change Leaders Podcast   Mentioned in today’s conversation: Social Change Leaders Quiz Traci, Social Motion Stephanie, Spark Good  

We are weaving the future on the loom of today  - Grace Dawson Do you see and think about the different systems impacting your social change efforts?  With the current challenges we face now as we emerge from a global pandemic, social change can feel even more out of reach.  It is important to understand the integration of systems when addressing our biggest community challenges.  Co-host Traci Warnberg-Lemm shares some observations about the emerging landscape of system change and how to maximize your impact as we move into 2023.   In this episode you will:  Learn what ESG is and how social change leaders can have more impact  Consider how to deepen your personal equity learning and practices and more effectively push for systemic change Hear how social innovators and social change leaders can better map and change systems to have more impact Hear about new research from the University of Maine that suggests that social change may depend on the relationship between beneficial behaviors and policies. Understand why looking deeper at systems helps us better address our own biases and limited understanding   In this episode we reference: Spark Good, Stephanie - Spark Good Social Motion, Traci - Social Motion  Article: New research shows what it takes to make society change for the better    

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net As a social entrepreneur, do you find sales challenging?  Does setting prices and then talking about them make you cringe?  Take a listen to this episode where co-host, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, has a conversation with Kat Luckock, founder of Share Impact,  about her work with social entrepreneurs specifically in the area of sales.  Through the conversation with Kat you will: Learn about how Kat first started working in the social enterprise field Understand why sales can be so challenging for social entrepreneurs and the work Kat does to work through the mindset blocks Listen to the importance of messaging in the sales process Hear about Kat’s focus on revenue generation, especially sales, which has led to the development of her aligned sales strategy. Learn about how Kat approaches working with her clients on pricing More about Kat Luckock:  Kat Luckock, Founder of Share Entrepreneur Coach, is passionate about helping social enterprise Founders & Leaders achieve their vision for social + environmental change with sustainable income streams, confident sales and a clear strategy. She is expert at helping you communicate your purpose and social impact in a way that attracts ready-to-buy customers, clients and partners. She provides coaching, mentoring and training to help women generate revenue and sales in a fully aligned way to who they are and build their business with a strategy that works for them and the way they want to live their life (which is often not “conventional”). She hosts the Creating Social Impact podcast.   Kat Luckock, Share Impact  

“What really draws me to this business is the power we have as women to change the world.”   - Casey Gromer     More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net As you continue to grow your business, do you struggle with how to grow your team?  Do you know how to use team members the most effectively? How can you build an effective team even for a small business?  We get into all of these topics and more on this episode with C-Suite Boutique Founder and CEO, Casey Gromer.  Co-host, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, has a conversation with Casey about her work building a business catering to women CEOs by offering a custom business blueprint, strategic growth planning and fractional integrator services.  Through our conversation with Casey you will: Learn about what a fractional integrator does and how it may benefit your business Understand the difference between a visionary leader versus a fractional integrator style leader Hear Casey’s unique approach to delegating, something many entrepreneurs often get wrong Learn tips for making you first hire(s) and how to set them up for success in your business Listen to best way to use your team even if you are a start-up business Understand how part-time expert help can be invaluable as you grow your business Hear Casey’s passion to changing the way we ‘do business’ recognizing that many of the systems supporting business growth are broken and don’t support  the additional responsibilities many women have within their households and communities    More about Casey Gromer:  Casey is host of Female Founders Breaking Boundaries podcast where she encourages women to ditch traditional, male-dominated business advice in favor of more realistic, workable ways of running their business while still achieving success. As founder of C-Suite Boutique, Casey and her team currently serve women entrepreneurs as Fractional Integrators.  Casey Gromer, C-Suite Boutique Casey Gromer on LinkedIn

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Do you experience entrepreneurial burnout? Are you constantly running around wearing all the hats and putting out fires? This episode is a replay of a workshop that co-hosts Stephanie Malon-Rufi and Traci Warnberg-Lemm presented as part of Twin Cities Start-up Week.  In this episode, they  walk you through an assessment tool that will help you identify: areas in your business that need better systems in place the types of support you need to keep the business on the right track good time management skills that work and how to maintain good boundaries if you are properly managing your health and well-being In this episode we reference: Free download: Building a Business That Doesn’t Burn You Out Spark Good, Stephanie - Spark Good Social Motion, Traci - Social Motion

“The number-one thing that you will have to sacrifice to be great, to achieve what you are capable of, and to execute your plans, is your comfort.” -Brian P. Moran & Michael Lenningston, 12 Week Year More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net    Have you started to think about planning your 2023?   Now is the time to decide when you will be doing this important part of getting ready for the new year.   In this episode, co-host Stephanie Malon-Rufi goes solo and talks about the annual planning process she does for herself and with her clients. In this episode, you will: Understand why reflection is a powerful planning tool Learn about the importance of reconnecting and refining your vision Hear about the book 12-Week Year and some of the key takeaways Stephanie recommends implementing in your planning and execution process Understand the necessity of setting goals along with a detail action plan Hear key tips to stay on track with your action plan and how to measure your progress Learn about the personalized annual planning package Stephanie is offering to listeners this year! In this episode we reference: 2023 Annual Planning Package with Spark Good Spark Good, Stephanie - Spark Good

“Start every morning with deliberate thinking and thanks giving!!!” -Invajy   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Have you fallen out of practice with your gratitude routines and habits? This is the time of year when we take time to connect with loved ones, get ready for the holiday season, and reflect on the things we have gratitude for.  Sometimes in life, we have to ‘dig a bit deeper to final gratitude.  If you have traditionally had a gratitude practice you may have fallen out of practice with it. In this episode we discuss a few ways to spread gratitude to others which puts us in the mindset of appreciation and can help us feel more grateful as well.  In this episode, we reference:  Episode #062: Being Grateful Because of 2020 Episode #011: The Importance of Building a Practice of Gratitude Traci Warnberg-Lemm, Social Motion Stepahnie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good Is Your Business Impacting Social Change? Quiz

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  The Social Change Leaders Podcast is 3 years old!  To celebrate, some of our former podcast guests are back giving social change leaders updates, lessons learned and some inspiration. In this episode, we will hear from Nancy Meyer, Elaine Rasmussen, Brenden Kumasari and Ann Price to share updates on their work in the social change landscape and ecosystem to effectively do social change, fund it, communicate the value, and evaluate community efforts.  In this episode we referenced: Episode #024: Moving the Money: Connecting Investors and Underestimated Entrepreneurs Episode #070: Better Communication to Scale Your Idea and Have More Impact: Expert Tips from Brenden Kumarasami Episode #116: Engaging Communities to Evaluate Social Change   Episode #120: ‘INTRA’preneurship - Leading Organizational Change from Within Community Possibilities Podcast: Understanding the Why and How of Social Change with Traci Warnberg Lemm Stephanie Malon-Rufi: Social Enterprise as a strategy for social change Traci Warnberg-Lemm, Social Motion Stepahnie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good Is Your Business Impacting Social Change? Quiz  

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  The Social Change Leaders Podcast is 3 years old!  To celebrate, some of our former podcast guests are back giving social change leaders updates, lessons learned and some inspiration. In this episode, we will hear from Carl Young, Bukata Hayes and Stacy Wells who all share updates on the work they are doing in the community around racial equity and how the equity leadership space has evolved. In this episode we referenced: Episode #5: A Community Based Approach to Mental Wellness Episode #8: Increasing a Community's Consciousness and Capacity to Address Race Episode #40: Thoughts from Minneapolis: How did we get here? Where do we go from here? Traci Warnberg-Lemm, Social Motion Stepahnie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good Is Your Business Impacting Social Change? Quiz  

The Social Change Leaders Podcast is 3 years old!  To celebrate, some of our former podcast guests are back giving social change leaders updates, lessons learned and some inspiration. In this episode, we will hear from Felicia Boone, Sarah Turino and Jory Mickelson who all shared updates on how they are integrating wellness, self improvement and continuous learning while doing social impact work.     In this episode we referenced: Episode #30:  Wellness + Self Care Series: Finding your Body-Mind-Spirit Connection Episode #32:  Wellness + Self Care Series: Writing as Self Care Episode #78:  Tilling the Soil for Equity Leadership Jory Mickelson Poem/Song Traci Warnberg-Lemm, Social Motion Stepahnie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good Is Your Business Impacting Social Change? Quiz

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net    Awaken your spirit to adventure; Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk; Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, For your soul senses the world that awaits you.                                       John O’Donahue   How do you renew yourself and your life? How do you deal with new rhythms in your personal & professional life? Co-host Traci Warnberg-Lemm shares some of her thoughts about an article she stumbled across about self-renewal and shares some important questions social change leaders should ask themselves when new rhythms show up in life.  In this episode you will: Hear how all leaders have times in life where they are in need of self-renewal, clarity or re-inventing Listen to Traci discuss an article by Jordan Kassalow about the power of self-renewal   Consider how renewal for social change leaders and social entrepreneurs might require different lenses and questions  Ask yourself a few questions that may trigger some new thinking, ideas to help you refresh and renew your role as social change leader In this episode:  Social Motion, Traci - Social Motion  Article, The Power of Self Renewal

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish.  They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry.”   Bill Drayton   Is your business impacting social change?  Did you know that it can?  In this episode, co-host Stephanie Malon-Rufi talks about how a social impact business is a growing model becoming more widely used.  However, not all know how to integrate this model into their own business.  In this episode you will: Understand what a social impact business is Learn about how a traditional business model differs from a social impact one Hear how growing consumer trends make a social enterprise a financially good move Learn three actions you can take immediately to create more social impact in your business Take Stephanie’s New Quiz - Is Your Business Impacting Social Change In this episode we referenced: Stepahnie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good Is Your Business Impacting Social Change? Quiz 5 C's For Successfully Building a Social Change Business: https://www.socialchangeleaders.net/episode/126 https://www.socialchangeleaders.net/episode/127 https://www.socialchangeleaders.net/episode/128  

“The gap between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems.”                                                              -Gandhi More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  The Social Change Leaders Podcast is three years old!  We look back at some of our lessons learned, and share our reflections on what are some practices and things that have helped us sustain this effort. In our conversation, we discuss: How we met and determined to launch a podcast over 3 years ago Some of the stats from the podcast including listeners from 86 countries around the globe Bulleted list of some of our lessons learned from doing 3 years of podcasting   Mentioned in today’s conversation: Social Change Leaders Quiz Traci, Social Motion Stephanie, Spark Good

Note to self: Don’t measure your progress using someone else’s ruler.                                                             -Anonymous       More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net     Are you feeling the end-of-the-year crunch? Do you have some goals that you haven’t finished yet or maybe haven't even started working on?  It is the last quarter of the calendar year and for many this is a time when we start to push to get our goals accomplished.  In this episode, Stephanie and Traci talk about how to approach this last stretch of the year so that you can accomplish important goals but also so you don’t burn out.  Through these tips you will: Learn the importance of celebrating accomplishments  Understand how to prioritize Know how to be realistic Be challenged to think about how you spend your time Learn about how to measure your progress Be encouraged to write down your action steps and timeline Think about how you will stay accountable to this work   To learn more: Traci Warnberg-Lemm, Social Motion Stephanie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net    "The big aha for me, having studied populations of the long-lived for nearly a decade, is how the factors that encourage longevity reinforce one another over the long term. For people to adopt a healthful lifestyle, I have become convinced, they need to live in an ecosystem, so to speak, that makes it possible. ... The power of such an environment lies in the mutually reinforcing relationships among lots of small nudges and default choices."   -Dan Buettner     Do you consider the impact of ecosystems in your personal and professional life?  Co-host Traci Warnberg-Lemm shares some of her thoughts and observations from her month in Greece in this solo episode. She shares how the culture in Greece has mutually reinforcing habits and practices that support health and wellness in individuals and communities.  Listen as she considers how her lessons, observations and insights from Greece might challenge us all to build similar ecosystems. On this episode you will: Hear a little bit of history about the Greek God Asklepius and why the symbol of snakes are used in modern day medicine Listen as Traci shares a bit about the Mediterranean diet and how it is central to life in Greece Understand a bit about the Greek ‘hours of common silence’  Hear stories of modern Greek hospitality and how that value has roots in ancient civilization  Hear about the value of spending time outdoors Listen as Traci shares a few unique Greek traditions and its impact on creating community connections and linkages Consider what ecosystems might better support mutually reinforcing relationships To learn more about Traci: Social Motion, Traci - Social Motion 

Everybody wants what it looks like, not everybody wants what it feels like.  - Jesse Ross Jr.   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net How can real change be made to move us to more equitable and inclusive workplaces?  What does knowledge of self have to do with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work?  Listen to our inspiring conversation with Jesse Ross, CEO of Mr. Jesse Ross.  Jesse is a DEI consultant, executive coach, and international speaker.  He is also a community activist living and doing the work in Minneapolis. In our conversation you will hear: About Jesse’s background in organizational development as well as human development and how he uses that in the DEI consulting work now How DEI work within organizations and companies requires expertise in change management, conflict resolution and interpersonal communications  Jesse describe the importance of self cultural awareness and the blind spots we all have How Jesse supports teams in organizations he consults with Jesse explain the value of approaching challenges and change with curiosity  Jesse’s perspective on the importance of change happening inside ourselves and then looking to others before trying to adapt and change Jesse describes the importance of having clarity on one’s own core values     More about Jesse : Website, Jesse Ross Jesse is a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant, executive coach, and international speaker who has delivered over 400 speaking engagements at colleges, conferences, and corporate and nonprofit companies, with a large number of Fortune 500 companies. Jesse offers training, workshops, evaluations, assessments, and strategy development for your school, business or organization. Jesse has been engaging his audience with his Morning Minute call-to-actions on his Instagram and LinkedIn page since before our world went into civil unrest. Jesse Ross’ Black Wealth Redistribution Project  

Radical simply means grasping at the roots. -Angela Davis More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net   Is the social impact of your business more of something that makes you feel good or is it integral to your work?  How integrated are your social change efforts into your business operations?  In this episode, co-host, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, addresses how you can go deeper with your social change work and how you can more closely align it with your business vision.  In this episode, Stephanie discusses: The three main ways you can have impact through your business The need to think about the bigger social change that you want to be a part of with your business The concept of ‘effective altruism’ and how it relates Why you might want to rethink you food drive activity for something that has deeper impact and a greater connection to your work and vision How you need to put ‘skin in the game’ with your social impact Five questions to help you think about how your can better integrate your social impact with your business   In this episode, we reference:  Stephanie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good SCLP Episode #92: Collaborating to Promote Equity and Transform Healthcare, A Conversation with Ivelyse Andino, Founder of Radical Health More about Stephanie Malon-Rufi Stephanie Malon-Rufi, Owner of Spark Good, is a business consultant and leadership coach working with entrepreneurs who want to build their businesses to be a vehicle for social change.  Stephanie has a passion for sparking good in the world with having  20+ years of experience working with social enterprises, start-ups and nonprofits and an MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship. She specializes in the areas of strategic business planning, revenue growth, marketing & communications and helping entrepreneurs be the leaders they want to be.  She also co-hosts the Social Change Leaders Podcast, geared for social innovators with tips, actionable ideas, and stories to inspire from the front lines of social change. 

If you don’t build a social business model that includes paying yourself (the leader), then you are not building a sustainable business model.   - Stephanie Malon-Rufi More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net   Do you bring home a regular paycheck from your social business?  Do you have a plan to be paid regularly from your social business?  Do you want to have a sustainable business that lasts and can grow?  Many social entrepreneurs do not pay themself or do not pay themself enough.  In this episode, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, owner of Spark Good, goes solo and talks about why it is critical to have a plan to begin paying yourself from your social business.  You can earn a living and use your business as a vehicle for social change! In this episode, Stephanie discusses: Common reasons social business owners do not pay themself Some simple questions to ask yourself if you are not paying yourself at all or not paying yourself enough How to start paying yourself (or paying yourself more) Why it is important to pay yourself if you want a sustainable and strong social business Some resources to help you get started   In this episode, we reference:  Download the Social Business Check-Up Stephanie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good SCLP Episode #137: Conquering Your Money Mindset Blocks

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net     "If I had more time I would have written a shorter letter."    - Mark Twain  Are you confident when talking about the social impact you are trying to make? Do you struggle with making a clear and concise statement about the work you are doing?  Putting a persuasive pitch together that is short and interesting can be a challenging task, but we make it simple for you.  We have created a template called the Social Impact Pitch to help you create an effective and good pitch about the work you are doing to bring positive change to the world. In this episode you will: Learn about what a social impact pitch is and how it will benefit you and the work you are doing Hear why taking some time to develop a social impact pitch is important Discover the key elements of a social impact pitch so you can create one for yourself  Get some tips on important things to keep in mind when developing your social impact pitch Learn how the social impact pitch can be the beginning of an ongoing conversation and a relationships Learn a few tools to use once you have your social impact pitch that will improve your delivery and confidence To learn more: Traci Warnberg-Lemm, Social Motion Stephanie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good Social Change Leaders Podcast episode #12, How to Increase Your Confidence and Maximize Your Impact, a conversation with Polly Meyer, Executive Presence Coach Get the “Social Impact Pitch” download.

It is necessary to do a systems analysis of your life.  Look at where you gain power and where you lose power. - Frederick Lenz   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Do you struggle to get it all done?  Do you find that some of the important work is ignored because you are reacting to the urgent matter of the day?  What are some of your favorite systems? If you have some good systems for yourself or if you are looking for some new ideas to refresh them, this is an episode for you. Co-hosts Traci and Stephanie share some of their main systems to help them stay on track in work and in life. On this episode you will: Understand the importance of developing good systems in your work and life. Hear Stephanie share some of her preferred systems including a ‘Friday Box’ and her favorite online task management tool Hear Traci share some of her favorite choices for systems including a simple travel / life binder and a ‘moxie box’ to support your efforts in doing things that require a bit more courage Consider what systems you use that have worked well for you and how might you incorporate more of those systems in your life  To learn more about Traci and Stephanie:  Spark Good, Stephanie - Spark Good Social Motion, Traci - Social Motion 

In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.  - Dietrich Bonhoeffer More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Hello and Welcome to SCL podcast. The summer is quickly winding down and we wanted to pause this week to remind all of us to make sure we are all enjoying and appreciating these last few weeks of the summer. So here is an encore episode for you with some tips and ideas about how to refresh your gratitude practice.  It is that time of year when we take time to connect with loved ones, get ready for the holiday season, reflect on the past year and often talk about gratitude.  The reality is that as we are finishing out 2021, we are still in the midst of a global pandemic and still experiencing the challenges that it brings.  These days it might feel like you really need to ‘dig deep’ to find all you are grateful for right now.  If you have traditionally had a gratitude practice you may have fallen out of practice with it.  These days can be hard.  In this episode we remind ourselves about why this practice is important and offer some new questions to help prompt you to think about the different ways you are grateful. In this episode, we reference:  Episode #162: Being Grateful Because of 2020 Episode #011: The Importance of Building a Practice of Gratitude  

Get in the Game - By building civic engagement and advocacy into your life and work, we can collectively close the gap between where we are and where we want to be. More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Would you like to gain confidence in your advocacy skills so you can have more impact on the issues you care about?  Are you concerned about the state of public life? Policy and civic engagement and advocacy enables all types of organizations to address the root causes of social problems and to create lasting, systemic change. Advocacy is an important tool in system change. In this third episode of the 3-part series we delve into the world of civic action.   In this episode we: Consider your civic strengths and determine where your civic ‘sweet spot’ is and how to lean into that Prepare you to confidently speak to a civic issue that matters to you Learn how to map some key people and organizations for you to partner with and have more impact Hear a bit about partner effectively with government on issues you care about Make a plan for you to ‘get in the game’ and have more impact in the months and years ahead In this episode, we reference: For more information on Traci, you can visit Social Motion FREE - Get In the Game: The Change-Makers Guide to Civic Advocacy LINK HERE

I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change.  I am changing the things I cannot accept   Angela Davis   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Would you like to gain confidence in your advocacy skills so you can have more impact on the issues you care about?  Are you concerned about the state of public life? Policy and civic engagement and advocacy enables all types of organizations to address the root causes of social problems and to create lasting, systemic change. Advocacy is an important tool in system change. In this second episode of the 3-part series we delve into the world of civic skills.   In this episode we: Learn what civic engagement and advocacy is and why your voice is important in those discussions  Learn what civic skills are and how they are important in today’s world Understand the various ways social change leaders can engage in civic advocacy  Download a short civic assessment to discover your strengths and areas for improvement as a social change leader engaged in civic advocacy  Set the groundwork for you ‘get in the game’ more deeply  In this episode, we reference: For more information on Traci, you can visit Social Motion FREE - Get In the Game: The Change-Makers Guide to Civic Advocacy LINK HERE

“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” -Angela Davis  More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Would you like to gain confidence in your advocacy skills so you can have more impact on the issues you care about?  Are you concerned about the state of public life? Is your voice as a social change leader being heard in the public and civic arena?  Are you taking aligned actions to create system change? Advocacy is an important tool in system change. In this first episode of the 3-part series Traci: 1) discusses the importance civic engagement and advocacy and the unique role social change leaders play, 2) guides you through simple steps to get clarity and begin taking action on issues important to you, and 3) shares simple habits and tools so you can create social change by building civic advocacy into your life and work.     In this episode we: Learn what civic engagement and advocacy is and why your voice is important in those discussions  Understand how civic advocacy is aa key tool in bringing about system change Are reminded that challenges we face today are not entirely new and you are not alone in your frustration  Hear how social change leaders as professionals seeking common good need to have your voices heard in civic areas Understand why social change leaders are at a high risk for burnout, health issues and breakdowns in relationships Reflect on what currently keeps you grounded, healthy and well as well as discover new self-care practices you may want to create as you engage in civic advocacy  Clarify what ‘hot button’ issues that you want to focus on and be an effective advocate for Discover your advocacy ‘WHY’    In this episode, we reference: For more information on Traci, you can visit Social Motion FREE - Get In the Game: The Change-Makers Guide to Civic Advocacy LINK HERE Stanford Social Innovation Review - The Connection Between Inner Well-Being and Social Change LINK HERE

“The more clarity and focus you have around what you are offering the world, the easier it will be to authentically sell and have a positive social impact.”   - Stephanie Malon-Rufi   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net   Do you use your business as a vehicle for social change? Have you clearly defined your target audience(s)? Are you crystal clear on what exactly you are selling and the social impact you are seeking?  It can be tempting to create and customize offers so that *everyone* can buy, but this can make your marketing efforts and sales process messy and undefined.  In this episode, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, owner of Spark Good, goes solo and walks you through a set of 6 simple and powerful questions to get clarity on your offers.  Get the free ‘Social Business Check-up” download now and listen to this episode to help you get clarity on the who, what, when, where, why and how of your social business offers so you are generating more revenue and having an impact.    In this episode, we reference:  Download the Social Business Check-Up Stephanie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good   More about Stephanie Malon-Rufi Stephanie Malon-Rufi, Owner of Spark Good, is a business consultant and leadership coach working with entrepreneurs who want to build their business to be a vehicle for social change.  Stephanie has a passion for sparking good in the world with having  20+ years of experience working with social enterprises, start-ups and nonprofits and an MBA with focus on entrepreneurship. She specializes in the areas of strategic business planning, revenue growth, marketing & communications and helping entrepreneurs be the leaders they want to be.  She also co-hosts the Social Change Leaders Podcast, geared for social innovators with tips, actionable ideas, and stories to inspire from the front lines of social change. 

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net In this second part of the two-part series, listen to more interviews from the Midtown Global Market, a multicultural food destination in south Minneapolis.  Inspired by national, well-known public markets like Seattle’s Pike’s Place, the Midtown Global Market also serves as a community business incubator. Currently, the Midtown Global Market houses over 40 businesses with over 22 cultures represented. In this second part of the series, we talk with Mostafa, owner of Dar Medina and Trung Pham, owner of Pham’s Rice Bowl. Hear their personal journeys and their experiences as entrepreneurs in the Midtown Global Market.     Through our conversation you will: Meet Trung Pham and learn about his journey from a corporate job in Seattle to becoming a business owner at the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis Discover how Trung Pham’s business background and Asian cultural heritage launched Pham’s Rice Bowl and how he has incorporated customer feedback into his business decisions  Understand how Trung embraces a positive mindset has sustained him during many challenges such as start-up,the housing crisis 2008, the challenges of the COVID pandemic, supply chain issues, George Floyd civil unrest, etc.  Hear Trung’s advice for those just starting out with a business idea  Learn how Trung partnered with Second Harvest Heartland on a community effort with 12-15 other  restaurants that created over 2.5 million meals for families in need and employed new staff  Meet Mostafa and learn about his journey from being an entrepreneur in Morocco to moving to the U.S.  and how a visit to visit to the Midtown Global Market  launched his dream of opening a business Learn about Dar Medina, a Moroccan owned family operation built on a great love for the people and tribes of Morocco, and a passion for keeping the traditions of Morocco alive in the rapidly modernizing world Understand specifically how Mostafa supports 21 families in Morocco that make handicrafts such as shoes, jewelry, leatherwork, purses and backpacks Learn about the shipping challenges Mostafa’s faced during COVID and how he addressed them     More about Midtown Global Market Midtown Global Market Friends of the Midtown Global Market Neighborhood Development Center Dar Medina Pham's Rice Bowl

The Midtown Global Market has an authenticity that we want to maintain and we hope is the ultimate draw.  - Mike Temali, Founder Neighborhood Development Center More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net In this 2- part series, you will hear several interviews highlighting the story and the impact of Midtown Global Market, a multicultural food destination in south Minneapolis. Inspired by national, well-known public markets like Seattle’s Pike Place, Midtown Global Market is similar in concept but is different because the market also serves as a community business incubator. Currently, Midtown Global Market houses over 40 businesses with over 22 cultures represented.  In this episode, we speak with Mike Temali to learn the history of the market.  Mike is Founder and President of the Neighborhood Development Center, a non-profit which co-owns, develops and manages the Midtown Global Market.   Through our conversation you will: Learn about the origins and founding of the Midtown Global Market  Listen to Mike discuss how the vacant building was originally a home to a lot of pigeons and turned into a thriving business center for Minneapoils residents Hear about the private, government and nonprofit entities that partnered together to launch this community business incubator for entrepreneurs within the community  Learn about how the business owners of the market survived COVID pandemic as well as the riots right outside the market that occurred following the murder of George Floyd  Listen to Mike describe the engagement of a variety of systems and groups within the community such as various communities of color/culture, the business community, customer communities, etc.  Discover and hear about the future plans for the Midtown global market including a beauty node More about Midtown Global Market Midtown Global Market Friends of the Midtown Global Market Neighborhood Development Center

“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing. ” — Arundhati Roy More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Given the events of the recent weeks, we wanted to replay an episode we both found great encouragement from - about how social change can happen when there does not seem to be shared beliefs or perspectives. In this encore episode, Nisha Anand shares what she has learned about finding common ground and creating shared solutions that can and do lead to transformation. Enjoy this encore episode with Nisha Anand, CEO of Dream Corps.   Can we create social change with others who do not share the same beliefs or perspectives?  In our conversation today with Nisha Anand, she talks about how we can do this and why we should.  Nisha is an Indian-American activist and the CEO of Dream Corps,  a nonprofit that works to bring people together across racial, social, and partisan lines to create a future with freedom and dignity for all.  In our conversation you will: Hear about Nisha’s activist background which originated in high school  Learn about Dream Corps’ mission and how the organization seeks to address the toughest problems by creating shared solutions Listen to Nisha describe her understanding of how to use love as a force for good,  how it supports inclusion and why it is vital for leaders  Learn about the framework Dream Corps uses, called the ‘4 corners of power’  Hear some stories about the way Nisha used connection and common ground to make big strides in creating social change Listen to  the story behind one of the best pieces of advice she has learned from her mentor, Van Jones, ‘Hope it’s your fault and it usually is.’  Hear Nisha’s thoughts on what qualities are important for today’s leaders Learn Nisha’s tips for social change leaders today including…. More about Nisha  Nisha Anand is an Indian-American activist, mom of two teenagers, and leader for racial justice. Once a radical grassroots activist arrested in Burma for passing out pro-democracy leaflets, Nisha’s expansive organizing experience and work with mentors like Van Jones, solidified her belief in the power of working with ‘unlikely partners to find real solutions. As Dream Corps’ CEO, Nisha leads a diverse group of people who are learning, like her, the value of unconventional relationships. Nisha’s journey from punk-rock protester to common ground champion is documented in her TED talk, The Radical Act of Choosing Common Ground.   Nisha Anand DreamCorps

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net     “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”   - Maya Angelou      What do empathy and emotional intelligence have to do with social change leadership?  As we are finding our way to the other side of the COVID pandemic and are in what many call “The Great Resignation,” we look at how empathy and emotional intelligence can be leaders' greatest tools for creating healthy and sustainable workplaces and communities.  While we are not experts on this, we wanted to share a few things we have discovered and share ten habits and actions we can all be doing to build our empathy and emotional intelligence muscles.  Today was talk about: What emotional intelligence and empathy are and  is and why it is important  Some of the benefits to being an empathetic leader Why leaders might want to adopt practices and habits that make them more emotionally intelligent and empathetic  Ten ideas for habits and practices that build our  emotional intelligence and empathy ‘muscles’ Referenced in This Episode:  Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman   Brene Brown Empathy is the Most Important Leadership Skill According to Research  Simon Sinek’s Speech about Empathy To learn more about: Traci Warnberg-Lemm, Social Motion Stephanie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good  

“We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.”  ― Arianna Huffington More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net   Do you know if your social business is having the impact you want?  Is it creating the positive social change you envisioned?  Is it serving you as the founder and business owner?  Do you know what you need to strengthen?   In this episode we answer these questions.  Host Stephanie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good, takes her experience and expertise to provide a tangible 6-part framework to narrow in on key areas.  The Social Business Check Up will help you identify and work on key areas to strengthen your business.  Mid-year is a great time to do this review, but it can really be anytime.  Whether you identify as a social entrepreneur, social enterprise owner or social business founder, this episode is for you.   And be sure to download the workbook that goes with this episode! On this episode you will: Understand how a check-up is different than an organizational or business assessment Listen to why a social business check-up is important Hear what you should review and reflect on as you begin this process Learn about the 6 key areas you should be reviewing to determine what needs strengthening in your business Get a set of questions within each of the 6 areas to help you evaluate and set action steps for yourself End with key priorities that have emerged for you   In this episode, we reference:  Download the Social Business Check-Up  Episode #003: What is a Social Enterprise Episode #043: Taking Time to Work ‘On not In’ Your Social Enterprise Episode #023: The Importance of Coaching for Social Innovators Stephanie Malon-Rufi, Spark Good

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net ‘Pay Yourself First’  What happens when individuals and families are supported in building asset ownership?  What practices might have the biggest impact and normalize wealth building? Can saving for a sunny day help reduce poverty and build generational wealth? This is what we discussed today with Wacinque A.K. BeMende, the founder of KaizenRhino. We talk about his experience and passion for everyone understanding personal finance as well as how we can address issues of poverty by creating an investment class. Through our conversation with Wacinque you will:   Listen to Wacinque discuss how an early teacher taught him the power of compounding interest  Learn how former US enslaved troops in Nashville had a bank in 1864 that helped black troops save money for the future; a story that inspired Wacinque Hear about Wacinque’s background working in the finance industry and what he learned about the value of an income producing account Understand a few foundational wealth building ideas that everyone benefits from including owning an income producing account for supplemental income Hear Wacinque share his ideas about how to help normalize wealth building with dividend stocks in order to produce supplemental income  Learn how consumers can buy stock in products they use regularly that pay dividends and help build wealth Discover how using the philosophy of ‘Build Right, Build Over Time’ could shift and undo generations of poverty  Hear Wecinque explain how experience is more important than knowledge and the importance of saving for a ‘sunny’ day More about WACINQUE -  Wacinque A.K. BeMende the Founder of KaizenRhino. Wacinque served 40 years in the military and volunteered with programs serving unbanked and low income families with tax preparation, financial coaching and debt reduction. He has extensive knowledge and has been an adjunct instructor in personal finance. His entrepreneurial passion that led him to design the Global Permanent Investment Account. We are talking with Wacinque about his passion for everyone understanding personal finance and how we can address issues of poverty by creating an investment class.  Asset Ownership Standard Petition http://chng.it/KQczCdfyP Email: [email protected] Book: Triumph of the Optimists link  HERE

"Leading by building learners is one of our best tools for system change and social transformation."   -Traci Warnberg-Lemm   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Do you use learning to support your social change efforts?  Do you know if those learning activities are effective?  Are you cultivating system change through learning? In this episode we explore learning as a leadership tool for system change. In the episode, you will: Hear why learning is important to system change Learn why we often ‘miss the boat’ with learning and learn some things to do about it  Discuss how to use formal learning to support system change Get information about a quiz available to assess your skills in developing learning activities  Learn about informal learning Have an opportunity to consider how your learning programs and training activities may or may not be having the impact you desire Learn some simple ways social change leaders can get better at designing learning  and why they should Hear a key question to ask to better cultivate system change through learning   In this episode, we reference: For more information on Traci, you can visit Social Motion To take the short Quiz, LINK HERE

  "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  - Margaret Mead   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net What happens when you engage marginalized communities to ask adolescent girls what they want to see changed?  What happens when you work with them and partner with local organizations to begin addressing the social change they want to see?  In our conversation today, we talked about just this!  We speak with Julia Lynch, Founder of Global Girl Project.  Julia identifies as a queer woman of color who believes in the power of girls and women to create the change they want to see in their communities.  We talk about the approach of Global Girl Project to work with marginalized adolescent girls specifically in countries in the Global South.  Through our conversation with Julia you will: Learn about Global Girl Project’s approach to working with girls of the Global South through asking the girls what it is they want to see changed especially when it comes to addressing gender and racial inequities Listen to how this initial inquiry leads to the girls creating their own community event to highlight the change they want to see Hear how Global Girl Project uses the Blended Learning Leadership Initiative as an entry point to the more work they do with the girls Understand the meaning of the term Global South and how it replaces the colonial term ‘developing countries’ Hear how Global Girl Project strategically collaborates with organizations embedded in these communities  Understand how the Global Girl Project helps the girls to realize both their own voice and the power that they have, both needed in order to create change. Discover how Global Girl Project does development by leveraging solutions that come directly from the community      More about Julia Lynch I am queer woman of colour who believes in the power of girls and women to create the change they want to see in their communities. I am the founding director of Global Girl Project, which is an international NGO that mobilizes the most marginalized girls in our world to become agents of social change. I am a boat dweller, a Capoeirista and a believer in the power of being of service to others and stepping outside your comfort zone to create true and meaningful change. Global Girl Project Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.    Sheryl Sandberg     More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net When was the last time you reflected on your role as a leader? Do you know what type of social change leader you are? In this episode, we talk about what makes a leader, the 5 types of social change leaders and give you a chance to reflect on your own leadership. It is important that social change leaders find time to self reflect on a regular basis.  On this episode you will: Understand how today’s problems and challenges are complex and require skilled and well-rounded social change leaders that can be flexible and nimble. Hear what defines a leader is and how it does not need to involve a title or running a large organization Consider the characteristics and tips for the five types of social change leaders including The innovative social change leader The operational social change leader The strategic social change leader The collaborative social change leader The  innovative social change leader Have an opportunity to reflect with five key questions geared for social change leaders Hear how coaching can support social change leaders to be more effective and have more impact  In this episode, we reference:  What Type of Social Change Leader Are You Quiz -  LINK HERE Leadership Coaching - Click here to download Spark Good, Stephanie - Spark Good Social Motion, Traci - Social Motion  Social Change Leaders Podcast episode #10 on Mindset for Social Innovation www.socialchangeleaders.net/episode/010

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care Theodore Roosevelt    More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net    Are you struggling to effectively manage change?  Podcast co-host Traci Warnberg-Lemm and Sarah Horst, Change Effectiveness Partner at Hennepin Healthcare shared their thoughts during the 2022 Minnesota Department of Health Learning Days Conference. They discuss the human side of change and how it has impacted our work and personal lives during COVID. Listen as Traci and Sarah share observations, lessons learned, funny stories and suggestions for managing change as individuals, teams, and organizations.  In this episode you will: Learn more about the role of leaders in managing change Hear about change  patterns and the ‘arc of change’ from the William Bridges Transition Model Revisit time-tested change management resources and receive tips for applying them  Understand how change can depend on the quality of the relationships we have  Hear about the importance of leaders paying attention to loss, endings and letting go prior to implementing change  Understand some ways to manage the messiness of change and why focusing on everyday improvement helps Revisit the importance of leaders being humble and open In this episode we referenced: Social Motion  William Bridges Transition Model

“Strategic planning is the continuous process of making present entrepreneurial (risk-taking) decisions systematically and with the greatest knowledge of futurity; organizing systematically the efforts needed to carry out these decisions; and measuring the results of these decisions against the expectations through organized, systematic feedback.”   -Peter Drucker   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net    Do you have a strategic plan for your social business?  Do you think that strategic plans are only needed for large corporations or nonprofits?  In this episode, co-host Stephanie Malon-Rufi explains why EVERYONE needs a strategic plan, plus the benefits of strategic planning and what you need to think about when you do it.  In this solo episode, she covers: How to define some key terms.  Strategic plan, business plan, business strategy, strategic planning –- what do they all mean?   Why do her clients all have a strategic plan but not all have a business plan How a strategic plan actually guides your day-to-day work and decision making Key benefits for your as a leader to have a strategic plan The topics you cover while doing strategic planning   Connect with Stephanie: Spark Good Website Stephanie’s LinkedIn Profile   Work with Stephanie: Spark Session Spark 1:1 Coaching Spark Day

"If you hang around four broke people, you're sure to be the fifth!"  - Nathaniel Johnson More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  How is your relationship with money?  Does even bringing up the subject of money make you a little antsy?   In this episode we have an energizing conversation with Natalie Bullen, a wealth and money mindset coach and the CEO of Unapologetic Wealth.  Natalie talks about how we need to be more empowered and confident in talking about money and, most importantly, in receiving it.  For leaders who are from ‘helping professions’ or who are in the nonprofit world or for many entrepreneurs, there can be a scarcity mindset around money.  This shows up as “there isn’t enough money” or “I can’t have any more money.”  These are the types of mindset blocks that Natalie helps to break down.  In this episode, you will: Learn the importance of not ‘going it alone’ when building wealth  Listen to the influence of Natalie’s parents (who were Black Panthers when she was a child) and their influence on who she is today Hear Natalie talk about her opinions on apologizing and why ‘Unapologetic Wealth’ became her business name  Understand the importance of joy and abundance in creating a positive money mindset  Hear Natalie talk about about common blocks people have around building wealth including unworthiness Learn a few ways to address money blocks you may be dealing with in your life such as forgiving yourself for past mistakes and not harboring resentment  Hear Natalie’s understanding of how to allow space for things to grow  Understand why you cannot ‘budget’ your way into wealth but rather you need to focus on how to bring more money in   More about Natalie Bullen Natalie Bullen is a wealth and money mindset coach from Mobile, AL. As the owner of Unapologetic Wealth LLC, she teaches women service-based entrepreneurs to prioritize peace and profit and view sales as service so they can step into the wealth they deserve and desire. An anti-hustle and pro-abundance coach, she shuns traditional personal finance values rooted in shame, guilt and fear and encourages followers to dream bigger, increase their prices and magnify their gifts. Website Instagram Facebook

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net    If, as a leader, you are not creating hope and helping people see the way forward, chances are, no one else is either.”                          -From book Strengths Based Leadership     What is hope?  What does hope have to do with you as a leader?  Inspired by the overlapping of three major faiths celebrating holy seasons simultaneously this year, we see one of the common threads in them is hope.  And while hope is not a strategy, it is a key component in leadership.  Today was talk about: What hope is and why it is important  Why leaders need to adopt hopefulness as part of their leadership The four core beliefs all hopeful people share What leaders can do to motivate others who they lead Five questions to consider about how you can better use hope in your leadership   To learn more about: Traci, Social Motion Stephanie, Spark Good

You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.                                                                       - Angela Davis   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  When was the last time you collaborated to change a system?  With the challenges of the pandemic, distrust in leaders and political polarization, system change can often feel out of reach.  But think about who you can collaborate with on that path of radical transformation.  A critical element of system change is collaboration. In this episode, Traci discusses some tips to change systems through effective collaboration. In this episode you will: Learn more about the role of system change Hear about what ‘upstream’ approaches mean Understand how success in any collaboration between organizations rests on the quality of relationships  Reflect on the importance of remembering that we all are part of systems and interact with them and can support system change  Understand the importance of good communication and common language Hear more tips including how to effectively get to the root cause of issues In this episode we referenced: Social Motion  Ep. #125: Think in Systems: A New Paradigm For Social Change Leadership

Clarity is power.  The more clear you are about what you want and what you need to get there, the more likely you are to achieve it.   Stephanie Malon-Rufi   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Do you ever feel overwhelmed that you feel stuck from moving forward?  Do you have a headache thinking of everything you have to do?  What are the ways that you help yourself through it?  In this episode, Stephanie Malon-Rufi shares her process that she uses for herself and with her clients.  She shares the three parts of what she suggests everyone do when they are in complete overwhelm and looking for clarity: Breathe, Everything Out and Evaluate. We referenced ways to connect with Stephanie: Spark Good Website SCLP Ep. #096: A Mid Year Check-in With Your Social Enterprise   Work with Stephanie: Spark Session Spark 1:1 Coaching Spark Day

"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change,  I am changing the things I cannot accept." -Angela Davis   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net With a long history of health inequities in the U.S. is it possible to bring real change and health justice to our communities?  Can social entrepreneurship be part of this solution?   In this episode we have an inspiring conversation with Dr. Omolara Thomas Uwemedimo where we dive into the way she is guiding indigenous women and women of color to lead and create health justice, health impact, health equity, and build a health justice movement.  And how she is using the social enterprise model to do this.   In our conversation you will: Learn about Dr. Omolara’s origins in New York with Nigerian immigrant parents leading to her early career as a pediatrician Hear about the health crisis that led to Omolara to learn about ‘weathering,’ how it impacts black women and how it led her to begin her business Melanin and Medicine. Learn about the factors such that seem to be a ‘perfect storm of medical underserved’ such as social, political, economic exclusion caused by racism that puts stress on individuals above and beyond other groups.  Hear how Dr. Omolara started her new business moved to support women to move from work life integration to social entrepreneurship Learn about Omolara’s framework about ways that social entrepreneurs can get funding outside of their own wallet and outside of traditional investors for equity models. Listen as Dr. Omolara discusses how she leads from the inside out and the mindset that requires  Learn how Dr. Omolara started a sustainable business that scaled rapidly in the first 18 months Get Dr. Omolara’s advice on the importance of being grounded in your values and knowing your expertise     More about Dr. Omolara: Dr. Omolara Thomas Uwemedimo is a business development and funding coach for women of color in healthcare and is a serial entrepreneur, growing 2 companies to multi-six figures in revenue in less than 18 months. During her intrapreneurial career as a pediatrician for over 15 years, researcher & professor for over a decade, she secured $2 million in grant funding and has led inter-professional teams to build and scale healthcare delivery and research programs to achieve health equity for marginalized youth and families. Her work has been defined by a passion for social justice, serving as an advocate and working as a global physician across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Melanin & Medicine Podcast 

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."                                       - Leo Tolstoy More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net    When was the last time you thought about how a big system change is needed?  Are you expanding your focus from isolated symptomatic issues and leading with a broader systems view? When was the last time you did some reflecting on your ability to lead system change?  With the challenges of the pandemic, distrust in leaders and political polarization, social change can often feel out of reach.  Leading system change is going to challenge you in ways you may not be aware of.  In this episode, Traci asks listeners a series of reflective questions about their readiness to do the heavy lifting and hard work of system change. In this episode you will:  Learn about system thinking is and why is is important for social innovators and social change leaders  Hear how addressing root causes with more grit and vigor is required to address today’s challenges Reflect on questions about your readiness to do system change. Understand how changing systems is going to require leaders to  Deepen your sense of empathy Gain new or freshen up your skills in things like collaboration Be more humble  Challenge your views and practices in equity and your image of yourself Be willing to learn and create places where people can be learning together   In this episode we referenced: Social Motion  Ep. #125: Think in Systems: A New Paradigm For Social Change Leadership

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net How does your purchase of vegan food, beauty and fashion products support changing our world?  Did you know that vegan products in all of these industries are growing rapidly, especially in food?   In this episode, we have an inspiring conversation with Jenny Stojkovic, founder of the Vegan Women Summit.  We talk about veganism as a fast growing segment in the food industry because of its environmental benefit (compared to meat based food production) and because of advances in food technology.  We also address women founders of businesses in food tech who receive less than 3% of venture capital funding; Jenny is seeking to change that.  Lastly, we discuss the need to empower sustainability-minded women founders in the food tech industry.   In our conversation you will: Hear about Jenny’s background working in Silicon Valley and the funding inequities she observed with women in the food tech industry Listen to Jenny talk about how animal free innovation is the future of food, beauty and fashion industries  Learn about the various factors that are leading to growth in plant-based space including heightened awareness about the food system and supply chains Hear how Jenny is working to build a more sustainable world and kinder food system by empowering women through the Women Vegan Summit Hear how the Vegan Women Summit has grown into a powerful and network of female entrepreneurs, investors, CEO’s and vegan influencers  Listen to Jenny’s advice for social change leaders who have an idea and a passion they want to explore More about Jennifer : Jennifer Stojkovic has built her career as an internationally-recognized community relations leader for the world’s largest tech companies in the capital of innovation, San Francisco.  During her career in tech, Jennifer became increasingly interested in blending her passion for change in the food system with her experience and network in Silicon Valley.  Jennifer launched VWS in early 2020 with a sold-out global conference, the Vegan Women Summit. Focused on building equitable and diverse representation of women leaders from around the world and partnering with major tech brands, VWS is the world’s first events and media organization dedicated to building a kinder food system and empowering female leadership.  Learn more about Vegan Women Summit here.

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Are you using your evenings to prepare yourself for restorative nights and productive days?  Your evening routines can help you sleep better, stay true to your intentions and make the most of your days.  In this episode, Stephanie and Traci talk about the common elements of their own evening routines, rituals and habits you may want to incorporate into the end of your day.  They also share a few key questions to ask yourself to help shape your evening routine. In this episode we reference: Stephanie’s business Spark Good Traci’s business Social Motion Episode #011: The Importance of Building a Practice of Gratitude Ep. #124: Getting the Most Out of Your Day: How to Set-up Your Morning Routine

More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net How can real change be made to move us to more equitable and inclusive workplaces?  What does knowledge of self have to do with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work?  Listen to our inspiring conversation with Jesse Ross, CEO of Mr. Jesse Ross.  Jesse is a DEI consultant, executive coach, and international speaker.  He is also a community activist living and doing the work in Minneapolis.    In our conversation you will: Hear about Jesse’s background in organizational development as well as human development and how he uses that in the DEI consulting work now Listen to how DEI work within organizations and companies requires expertise in change management, conflict resolution and interpersonal communications  Listen to Jesse describe the importance of self cultural awareness and the blind spots we all have Learn how Jesse supports teams in organizations he consults with Hear Jesse explain the value of approaching challenges and change with curiosity  Understand Jesse’s perspective on the importance of change happening inside ourselves and then looking to others before trying to adapt and change Listen to Jesse describe the importance of having clarity on one’s own core values     More about Jesse : Website, Jesse Ross Jesse is a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant, executive coach, and international speaker who has delivered over 400 speaking engagements at colleges, conferences, corporate and nonprofit companies, with a large number of Fortune 500 companies. Jesse offers trainings, workshops, evaluations, assessments, and strategy development for your school, business or organization. Jesse has been engaging his audience with his Morning Minute call-to-actions on his Instagram and LinkedIn page since before our world went into civil unrest.    

“Awareness is the greatest agent for change”  - Eckart Tolle More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Can you really have a business that creates social change?  Yes, you can!  Are there some elements to this type of business that are different?  Yes, there are!  Creating a business AND having social impact may sound challenging but it is possible.   In this third of a three-part series, Stephanie Malon-Rufi (owner of Spark Good) reviews the 5 key areas (or the 5 C’s) that all social entrepreneurs need to know and pay attention to as they develop and grow their market-based business.  Stephanie expands on the fourth and fifth C’s; Change and Care.   In this episode you will:  Hear about the 5 C’s to successfully build a social change business: Competition, Cha-ching, Community, Change and Care Listen to Stephanie talk about the fourth “C” Change  Learn about how change extends beyond your business model and goes into your business process, can disrupt industry standards and how advocacy is also a key tool for change. Listen to Stephanie talk about the fifth “C” Care Understand how care is all about you, the owner/founder.  Care for self is critical when you are leading a business for social change. We referenced ways to connect with Stephanie: Spark Good Website LinkedIn Profile Instagram page SCLP Ep. #003: What is a Social Enterprise and Social Entrepreneurship? SCLP Ep. #035: Can You really Make Money Doing Good? Her First $100K SCLP Ep. #088: Building a Triple Bottom Line Business Work with Stephanie: Spark Session Spark 1:1 Coaching Spark Day

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid of standing still.   - Chinese Proverb   More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net  Can you really have a business that creates social change?  Yes, you can!  Are there some elements to this type of business that are different?  Yes, there are!  Creating a business AND having social impact may sound challenging but it is possible.   In the second of a three-part series, Stephanie Malon-Rufi (owner of Spark Good) reviews the 5 key areas (or the 5 C’s) that all social entrepreneurs need to know and pay attention to as they develop and grow their market-based business.  Stephanie expands on the second and third C’s; Cha-ching and Community.   In this episode you will: Hear about the 5 C’s to successfully build a social change business: Competition, Cha-ching, Community, Change and Care Listen to Stephanie talk about the second “C” Cha-Ching….also known as money. Learn about the the 5 sections of Cha-Ching: knowing your numbers, pricing, profit, funding and money mindset. Listen to Stephanie talk about the third “C” Community….also known as money. Understand the 3 types of Communities to have: Network, Partners/Collaborators and Experts/Support.   We referenced ways to connect with Stephanie: Website LinkedIn Profile Instagram page