Stanford Social Innovation Review Podcast

In this panel discussion, social entrepreneurship is the common thread uniting a leader of a multibillion-dollar private equity fund, a dot-com carbon cowboy, and one of the original Schwab social entrepreneurs. All of them are harnessing business to build a better world. Paul Fletcher, Dan Whaley, and Nic Frances give their Stanford audience a glimpse into the personal side of being a social entrepreneur. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/the_climate_of_capital_change_-_social_entrepreneurship_personal_pathways

In this audio lecture, Michael Pollan and John Mackey take their year-long blog discussion live in front of an audience of Berkeley foodies. In response to Pollan's critiques of Whole Foods' practices, Mackey describes some of agriculture's less savory practices, lays out his vision for a more sustainable and humane food system, and unveils Whole Foods' new consumer-education initiatives. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/john_mackey_michael_pollan_-_the_past_present_and_future_of_food

In the field of philanthropy, are foundations' grantmaking and reporting processes aligned with nonprofits' strategies? In this panel discussion exploring data from a Center for Social Innovation study on nonprofit accountability practices and the costs of conflicting demands, experts debate ways in which evaluation requirements may help or hinder mission delivery. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/council_on_foundations_annual_conference_-_philanthropy_and_nonprofit_acoun

One of the biggest challenges in nonprofit management is hiring and retaining talented executive leaders. In this conversation with Stanford Social Innovation Review managing editor Eric Nee, Thomas Tierney shares findings from the Bridgespan Group's study on the "leadership deficit." Tierney talks about how this crisis is affecting nonprofits, and what organizations can do to address the problem. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/tom_tierney_-_nonprofit_management_and_the_leadership_deficit

One of the greatest human rights abuses is sex trafficking. Millions of women and girls each year are tricked, trapped, bought, sold, and forced into service in sex industries. In this audio lecture, Dechen Tsering explores the causes of trafficking and the techniques used by traffickers. She advocates a holistic approach to stop this grave violation against women and describes the work Global Fund for Women undertakes in Southeast Asia and around the world toward this end. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/dechen_tsering_-_human_rights_and_sex_trafficking

Combining idealism with a genuine love of business, John Sage cofounded the social enterprise company Pura Vida, one of the largest distributors of fair trade organic coffee in the world. In this University podcast, he discusses his mission to improve the lives of people in coffee-growing regions. Sage explains how Pura Vida works at the intersection of the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, showing how the two can be blended to generate both revenues and social good. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/john_sage_-_social_enterprise_fair_trade_and_coffee

When it comes to environmental sustainability issues, former EPA head Carol Browner asserts that failing to halt global warming will make us the first generation to bequeath to the next generation a problem that can't be fixed. In this audio lecture, warning of the perils that could await, she urges her Stanford Graduate School of Business audience to seek nonpartisan, business friendly solutions to the looming crisis. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/carol_browner_-_environmental_sustainability_and_global_warming

Starbucks has taken environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility seriously in its work with coffee farmers. In this audio lecture, Dennis Macray discusses how the United States' leading coffee retailer is reshaping its business practices and reinventing the international coffee trade. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/dennis_macray_-_social_responsibility_and_international_coffee

Nonprofit management now requires the innovative use of information technology. In this Stanford podcast, nonprofit technology consultant Paul Lamb explores how the web is transforming nonprofits and NGOs. He looks ahead to the potential that ubiquitous mobile computing, virtual worlds, user-generated content, and social networking have to upend traditional constraints and to open new doors. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/paul_lamb_-_nonprofit_managment_and_the_web

Patagonia has found corporate social responsibility to be a profitable strategy. In this audio lecture, Yvon Chouinard, founder,  offers a slew of counterintuitive business tips on how to save the environment while making money. This self-proclaimed "reluctant business man" reveals himself to be a business visionary. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/yvon_chouinard_-_corporate_social_responsibility_and_profits

Microfinance is bringing the world's poor the kind of service that used to be reserved for bank customers in developed countries. Drawing on the work and philosophy of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, Alex Counts talks in this audio lecture about microfinance's social and financial impact to an audience of Stanford MBA students. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/alex_counts_-_microfinance_controversies_and_promises

How is California, home of the technology revolution, preparing the next generation of students to lead the charge of innovation?  In this University podcast, Senator Joe Simitian and Professor Michael Kirst argue that school financing in California is neither adequate, efficient, nor equitable. Speaking at the Stanford School of Education, they discuss the challenges of financing California's K-12 schools in a rapidly changing environment with diffuse accountability and dilute authority. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/joe_simitian_and_michael_kirst_-_financing_california_schools

In 2005, Wal-Mart's CEO announced a corporation-wide environmental sustainability initiative to go green. The company would take drastic measures to cut down on waste, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, thus generating savings that would be passed on to the customer. Andrew Ruben, who spearheads the effort supported by consultant Jib Ellison, explains to a Stanford MBA audience in this University podcast why Wal-Mart is engaging in sustainability. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/andrew_ruben_and_jib_ellison_-_promoting_environmental_sustainability

In the world of social enterprise, why do some ideas survive and others die? Stanford Graduate School of Business Professor Chip Heath reveals the secret in this audio lecture. He provides frameworks and advice to help social innovators launch their endeavors. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/chip_heath_-_social_enterprise_and_great_ideas

When nonprofits set out to look for funding they usually start with a PowerPoint presentation and hard-to-articulate data about the issue they are trying to address. In this audio lecture, Andy Goodman argues that all they have to do is tell a story. Goodman addresses social innovators over the age of 60. His ambition is nothing less than to inspire the generation of baby boomers to contribute their experience to a better world. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/andy_goodman_-_storytelling_for_good_causes

Social entrepreneurship is now a path for many in the second half of life, proving that retirement can be a time of creativity, invention, and contribution, not decline. In this audio lecture, social innovator Marc Freedman discusses the huge untapped resource in potential retirees who are finding new ways to use their experience to tackle important social problems. Freedman shares the story of the creation of The Purpose Prize, a three-year initiative to invest in these new pioneers. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/marc_freedman_-_social_entrepreneurship_and_the_encore_career

Can businesses deliver strong returns to shareholders while also promoting the health of people and the planet? In this audio lecture recorded at Bridging the Gap, the 2005 Stanford Net Impact conference, Gary Hirshberg, the phenomenally successful pioneer of the organic foods industry, utters a resounding yes. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/gary_hirshberg_-_social_entrepreneurs_invent_the_future

Why should a grantee invest $50,000 in computing infrastructure and add staff to comply with the reporting requirements of a $16,000 grant? The inherent tensions between the high resource costs of evaluation and the demands of service delivery are a challenge for nonprofits and foundations alike. In this audio lecture, Denise Gammal presents the results from Stanford Center for Social Innovation's large-scale study on nonprofit management to foundation professionals. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/denise_gammal_-_the_nonprofit_accountability_trap

The most popular form of tax-exempt organization is the 501(c)3, which can accept tax-deductible contributions. In this audio lecture recorded at the Nonprofit Boot Camp, Joe Kroll discusses the benefits and responsibilities of 501(c)3 status. He covers situations that may jeopardize it, as well as filing requirements for employees and independent contractors. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/joe_kroll_-_the_abcs_of_tax-exempt_status

Managing technology is no longer optional; it is a critical piece of any nonprofit's business plan. In this audio lecture recorded at the 2007 Nonprofit Boot Camp, information technology consultant John Kenyon offers guidance on what small and medium-size organizations require to get the most out of their tech investment. Using a work systems framework, Kenyon explores the choices needed to minimize risks and strike the right balance between people, data, and technology. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/john_kenyon_-_what_nonprofits_must_know_about_technology