Beyond the B: Latest on the B Corp Movement

What does it mean to build a truly fair workplace—and how do the new B Corp standards define it? In this episode, we’re joined by Bernard Gouw, Senior Manager of Social Standards at B Lab, to explore the Fair Work topic. Bernard unpacks how the new requirements balance ambition with flexibility, from family living wages and collective bargaining to pay transparency and stakeholder engagement. He also reflects on the hard tradeoffs, why some outcomes are prioritized over others, and what he believes is the single most powerful lever for change.

View the show notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/new-standards-unpacking-fair-work-w-bernard-gouw

In Part 3 of our “Are B Corps Too Woke?” series, we sit down with Annie Korver and Hayley Roulstone from Rise Consulting, an Indigenous-owned firm advancing Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. Annie and Hayley offer a powerful invitation to center rights-holders, not just stakeholders, and to embrace a relational approach to impact rooted in trust, reciprocity, and lived experience.

View the show notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/are-b-corps-too-woke-part-3-annie-korver-hayley-roulstone

Part 1 w/ Raj Aggarwal: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/are-b-corps-too-woke-part-1-raj-aggarwal

Part 2 w/ Nathan Stuck: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/are-b-corps-too-woke-part-2-nathan-stuck

In this three-part series, we examine the B Corp community’s evolving relationship with justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI)—celebrating progress and grappling with uncomfortable truths.

In Part 2, we’re joined by award-winning B Corp leader, educator, and author Nathan Stuck to explore the complex intersection of business, purpose, and politics in today’s polarized climate. 

In this episode, he offers insight into the ongoing conversations around DEI and urges a return to outcome-driven work over performative gestures.

View the show notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/are-b-corps-too-woke-part-2-nathan-stuck

Part 1 w/ Raj Aggarwal: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/are-b-corps-too-woke-part-1-raj-aggarwal

Part 3 w/ Rise Consulting: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/are-b-corps-too-woke-part-3-annie-korver-hayley-roulstone

In this  three-part series, we examine the B Corp community’s evolving relationship with justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI)—celebrating progress and grappling with some uncomfortable tensions that have emerged in recent years.

In Part 1, Raj Aggarwal—founder of Provoc and long-time B Corp leader—joins to explore whether the B Corp movement’s approach to JEDI needs any changes. Drawing from his deep involvement in B Lab’s early inclusion efforts, Raj shares stories of transformation, struggle, and resilience within the community, while grappling with critiques of performative DEI and the challenges of building authentic, relational change in a politically polarized time.

View the show notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/are-b-corps-too-woke-part-1-raj-aggarwal

Part 2 w/ Nathan Stuck: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/are-b-corps-too-woke-part-2-nathan-stuck

Part 3 w/ Rise Consulting: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/are-b-corps-too-woke-part-3-annie-korver-hayley-roulstone

As the B Corp movement grows across Asia, leaders in Japan, China, and Singapore are finding creative ways to adapt global standards to local cultures, business norms, and social priorities. This episode explores the challenges and breakthroughs of building a values-driven business movement in this important and fast-growing region.

View the show notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/b-corps-in-asia

In this episode, Ryan Honeyman is joined by Erinch Sahan (Doughnut Economics Action Lab) and Vincent Stanley (Patagonia) for a candid, thought-provoking conversation about the ongoing tensions within the B Corp movement. From Nespresso to Dr. Bronner’s, we examine the question of whether multinationals threaten the credibility of the B Corp community—or whether they are essential to scaling impact. Together, we examine the fault lines between purpose and profit, ownership and extraction, and integrity versus storytelling—raising timely questions about the future direction, identity, and integrity of the B Corp movement.

View the show notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/b-corp-tensions-erinch-sahan-vincent-stanley

In this episode, Grace Son, Senior Manager on the Standards Team at B Lab Global, unpacks the new Government Affairs and Collective Action (GACA) impact topic within B Lab’s updated standards. Drawing from her experience in finance and four years at B Lab, Sun explains how these requirements push companies beyond individual actions toward systemic change through responsible lobbying, collective action, and tax transparency.

View the show notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/new-b-corp-standards-government-affairs-collective-action-grace-son

B Lab has released its first-ever brand awareness report--providing valuable insights into the current state of recognition for B Corps worldwide. In this episode, we delve into the findings with two influential leaders from B Lab: Charlotte Levitt, the Global Director of Marketing and Communications, and Michele Bradley, the Data Analytics Manager on B Lab's Insights Team.

View the show notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/b-corp-brand-awareness

Many people have an opinion about Nespresso becoming a Certified B Corporation. But very few have ever heard their side of the story. In this episode with Lucy Bai, Sustainability Manager for Nespresso US, we strive for a balance of genuine curiosity about the things Nespresso is doing well, and tough but fair questions about places where there is concern.

View the show notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/nespresso-b-corp

The new B Corp standards have finally arrived! In this episode, Ryan Honeyman and Emmy Allison share their first impressions and key takeaways from the 1,130-page update. What’s changed? What’s stayed the same? And what does it all mean for companies striving to build a more just and regenerative economy? Join us as we explore the early implications, the process behind the changes, and what to watch for as implementation begins.

View the show notes: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/new-b-corp-standards-key-takeaways