Purpose, Inc.

A Recipe for Success: Why Corporations Should Partner With Their Critics with Bob Langert

Bob Langert, author of The Battle to Do Good: Inside McDonald’s Sustainability Journey, joins the podcast to discuss his 25-year career as head of CSR and Sustainability for McDonald’s. Bob shares the strategy he used to partner with McDonald's critics at major environmental and sustainability organizations, and how he worked with these groups to find common ground and solutions.

Disclosure is Not the Same Thing as Action with Alison Taylor of Ethical Systems

Alison Taylor, executive director of NYU-based research collaborative Ethical Systems, returns to the podcast to broaden our understanding of the ethical, moral and conceptual boundaries around ESG, purpose and DEI. Alison makes the case that an organization cannot be everything to everyone, setting out a framework for how companies can prioritize issues to address divergent stakeholder interests. We also discuss the difference between reporting DEI metrics and actually closing the widening racial and gender gaps.

 

Embedding Purpose and ESG into the Muscle of the Business with Bruce Simpson of McKinsey

Bruce B. Simpson, Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company, joins the podcast to deliver thought provoking analysis and critique of the state of corporate purpose and ESG. Bruce argues that “longtermism” is where shareholder and stakeholder interests actually converge; how employees, investors and consumers are taking to social media to voice their opinions and challenge management to embrace change; why embedding ESG “into the muscle” of the organization is the key to driving change, creating business value, and delivering new sustainable business models that will outperform competitors.

 

Materiality: The Key to ESG Priorities and Board Effectiveness with Anthony Goodman of Korn Ferry.

Anthony Goodman, Senior Client Partner & Head of the Board Effectiveness Practice at Korn Ferry, rejoins the podcast to discuss how Engine No. 1, a purpose-driven investment firm with a small stake in ExxonMobil, won 3 executive board seats by identifying the company's failure to evolve and pushing for a move towards renewables. We also break down how climate has come roaring back to the forefront of corporate governance agenda, why inclusion is just as important as diversity in the boardroom and within the organization, and the future of ESG.

Putting Sustainability, ESG and DEI on the Menu with Caitlin Leibert of Chipotle

Caitlin Leibert, Director of Sustainability for Chipotle Mexican Grill, joins the podcast to talk about Chipotle's sustainability mission surrounding food & animals, people, and the environment. From the farm,  to the kitchen, the boardroom and the customer experience, Caitlin takes us on a journey that shows how Chipotle integrates sustainability, ESG and DEI initiatives in every aspect of the business.

Social Justice and Sanitation with Kim Worsham of FLUSH

On today's episode of Purpose, Inc., Michael Young speaks with Kim Worsham, Founder and Principal of FLUSH, about the social, economic, racial and gender issues surrounding sanitation in communities from Africa, India, and the United States. Kim works with organizations and their stakeholders to implement greater access to clean water and sanitation in rural communities and major cities.

The Crisis in Corporate Identity with Pamela Rucker

In our latest podcast, Michael Young speaks with Pamela Rucker, a renowned speaker and trainer on innovation, digital transformation and corporate strategy. Pamela discusses the crisis in corporate identity, critiques corporate culture practices, and highlights the importance of cognitive diversity within organizations especially during this year’s battles with the pandemic and for social justice.

 

Changing the World One Internship at a Time with Ahva Sadeghi of Symba

Today on the podcast I speak with social entrepreneur Ahva Sadeghi, CEO and co-founder of Symba about how she and her team are removing barriers and leveling the playing field in corporate internships. Post-COVID, many internships were cancelled and all have gone remote— and 71% of internships still go to white candidates. Symba has built the industry standard tech stack to help organizations find talent the best talent from anywhere and give interns broader access to the new world of remote work.

Bringing Purpose to Politics: In This Together with Bill Shireman and Trammell S. Crow

We can’t meet a global health crisis, a climate crisis, an economic crisis or any future crisis as a divided nation. We’re not enemies. We’re a family with differences to work through. Polarization is our real enemy. Today on the podcast, Bill Shireman and Trammell S. Crow who have spent their lives and careers bringing sworn enemies to the table to find common ground and develop win-win solutions. Bill and Trammell launched a cross-partisan campaign and co-authored a book called IN THIS TOGETHER. We talk about the problems of amplified divisions in our political and civic life, the lack of respectful dialogue, thoughtful deliberation, evidence-based problem-solving—and what to do about it.

Kicking-off Season 2: A look back, a big thank you and a look ahead

Welcome to Season 2 of the Purpose, Inc. In this episode Michael recaps the key takeaways from the 22 thoughtful and provocative conversations he had with his guests in Season 1. Michael also outlines the issues, ideas and topics he wants to focus on in Season 2 around corporate purpose, sustainability, ESG, racial justice and stakeholder capitalism.