This episode of The Story I’m Telling Myself features Nathan Stuck, the "Social Impact Guy" and founder of Profitable Purpose Consulting, for a deep dive into the evolution of mission-driven business.

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In this provocative conversation, host Rita Ernst and Nathan explore the choice between being an "Arsonist or an Architect" when it comes to systemic change and reimagining capitalism.

From "B Corp Guy" to Social Impact Visionary, Nathan shares his personal epiphany of moving beyond being just the "B Corp guy". While he remains a staunch advocate for B Corp certification as the gold standard, he realized that focusing solely on ideological purity was causing him to lose sight of the forest for the trees. By shifting his narrative to focus on social impact, he has embraced a philosophy of progress over perfection, allowing him to help companies at any stage of their journey toward becoming better corporate citizens.

Key Discussion Points:

• Arsonist vs. Architect: Why the "easy way out" of cancellation and "burning it all down" fails to move the needle, and why the "real work" involves the constructive, often difficult task of building a legacy within existing institutions.
• Reimagining Capitalism: How to move beyond a "check-the-box" approach to DEI and ESG to create a stakeholder-focused capitalism that rewards innovation and risk while maintaining ethical guardrails.
• The Business Case for Good: Nathan explains how social impact is a powerful economic engine, driving employer branding, talent retention, and consumer loyalty, ultimately creating a tangible ROI on doing good.
• Navigating Moral Nuance: A look at controversial examples like the Salvation Army and Nespresso, and a discussion on which "sins of the past" are truly irredeemable versus which organizations simply need a hand to do better.
• The Power of Small Actions: From picking up a bag of trash to rotating team-led volunteer activities, Nathan and Rita discuss how small, consistent deeds build the "beloved community".

Why You Should Listen

If you have ever felt paralyzed by the fear of doing it wrong or found yourself trapped in a righteous, judgmental space, this episode is your wake-up call.

Learn how to meet the system where it is—much like the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg—and use your intellect and business to push it toward a more equitable future.

Connect with the Guest

Nathan Stuck is the founder of Profitable Purpose Consulting, Executive Director of Be Local Georgia, and a lecturer at the University of Georgia. You can connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about building a mission-driven enterprise.

Watch his TEDx TalkGrab his book