Coffee with Changemakers

Louis De Jaeger is an award-winning entrepreneur, filmmaker, author, and advocate working to protect the very ground we depend on - soil.

Founder of Commensalist and co-founder of the Food Forest Institute, he designs regenerative landscapes from small gardens to private islands and promotes large-scale edible forests that feed people while restoring nature. 

In his latest book, “SOS: Save Our Soils”, Louis explores how soil health underpins human health and a thriving planet.

We discuss his bold campaigns - from persuading the King of Belgium to turn lawns into meadows, to launching a night train company - and why saving our soils is key to safeguarding our future.

Highlights:

Follow Louis here: www.louisdj.com & www.commensalist.com

Over 1.3 billion people worldwide live with disabilities - yet most assistive technologies remain expensive and out of reach. Hunny Bhagchandani, founder of Torchit Electronics, is changing that with affordable innovations like the Saarthi Smart Cane, Jyoti AI Smart Glasses, and ENABLE MART, often called the “Amazon for Accessibility.”

His products have already reached half a million people across 40 countries.

From an eye-opening internship at a blind school to being named Forbes 30 Under 30 and pitching on Shark Tank India, Hunny has turned a simple idea into a global movement.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about breaking barriers, building inclusive tech, and championing the Purple Economy to empower 10 million families by 2030.

00:00 Transforming Accessibility Through Technology

Follow Hunny and Torchit here: https://mytorchit.com/ 

Dr. Ally Zlatar is an award-winning artist, activist, and academic working at the intersection of art, mental health, and social justice.

Drawing from her own lived experience with an eating disorder, she founded The Starving Artist, an international initiative using creative expression to amplify marginalised voices and drive systemic reform.

She also established the Starving Artist Scholarship Fund, providing financial support to help individuals access inpatient mental health treatment.

In this episode, Ally shares her journey from personal struggles to launching a global movement recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30. We discuss how she uses art to heal, build inclusive communities, and drive meaningful social change.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of art to create impact.

Highlights:

Find out more about Ally and The Starving Artist here: https://starvingartist.cargo.site/ 

Robyn Natsuko Shinozaki is the founder of Green Neighbors, a social enterprise reimagining how cities grow food, foster connection, and promote sustainable living. Drawing on her multicultural upbringing in Japan and Singapore, Robyn blends urban farming with community engagement to transform underused city spaces into thriving green ecosystems.

In this episode, Robyn shares her journey from growing up between two cultures to launching Green Neighbors in Tokyo - a grassroots movement that brings people together through foodscaping, sustainability workshops, and local agriculture.

We dive into the challenges of introducing new environmental ideas in Japan, the power of community collaboration, and how urban farming can shift not only landscapes but also mindsets.

Robyn also reflects on the lessons she’s learned as a social entrepreneur, her vision for scaling Green Neighbors, and how food can be a powerful tool for connection and climate action.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about green cities, social impact, and the future of food in urban life.

Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to Robyn's Journey

05:10 Roots and Early Influences

09:09 Inspiration from Singapore's Urban Farming

15:27 Starting Green Neighbors

21:05 Challenges in the Japanese Market

27:55 Community Engagement and Workshops

33:25 Impact on Local Communities

39:00 Future Vision for Green Neighbors

43:14 Lessons Learned and Advice

54:02 Conclusion and Contact Information

Follow Robyn and her team at Green Neighbors here: https://www.greennbs.com

Follow the Green Neighbors Instagram accounts here: https://www.instagram.com/greenneighbors.co/

Emre Caglar is the founder of Youth for a Future, a nonprofit organization working to empower children living in orphanages across Japan through education, mentorship, and self-discovery.

In this episode, Emre shares his journey from launching a student club focused on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) to building a growing youth-led movement for social impact.

We delve into the challenges of working in the nonprofit sector, the emotional weight of leadership, and the deep importance of sustainability and collaboration when creating lasting change. Emre also reflects on how a pivotal experience at the One Young World summit shaped his vision and helped him build a community around youth empowerment.

From quiet moments of connection in Japan’s orphanages to big-picture dreams for the future of education, Emre brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective to social entrepreneurship.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about purpose, resilience, and the transformative power of giving young people the tools to shape their own futures.

Highlights:

10:06 The Journey of Youth for Future

20:05 Impacting Lives: Stories from the Orphanages

30:10 Challenges and Growth in Nonprofit Leadership

Follow Emre and his team at Youth for Future here: https://www.yfforg.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emrecaglar2005/

https://www.instagram.com/emre._caglar/

Zachary Brown is a Co-Founder of Creattura, a climate tech startup dedicated to reducing methane emissions from rice farming through cutting-edge AI, satellite data, and sustainable agricultural practices. In this episode, Zachary shares his inspiring journey from a self-taught tech enthusiast to a social entrepreneur driving innovation in climate solutions.

He delves into the challenges of integrating technology with agriculture, particularly in addressing the significant environmental impact of rice farming. Zachary also discusses the importance of data-driven solutions, the role of carbon credits in promoting sustainable practices, and the critical need for community engagement in successful climate projects.

Through personal stories, he reflects on the lessons learned from his transition into social entrepreneurship, his motivations for tackling climate change, and his vision for the future of sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia and Japan.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Zachary on how technology, collaboration, and innovation are shaping a more sustainable future.

Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to Climate Tech and Creattura

02:11 Zach's Background and Journey into Tech

05:41 Life in Zambia and Its Influence

10:27 The Birth of Creattura and Its Mission

16:47 Addressing Methane Emissions from Rice Farming

20:37 Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture

24:09 Utilizing Satellite Technology for Climate Impact

28:00 Harnessing Satellite Data for Agricultural Innovation

32:05 Community Engagement in Agricultural Projects

34:57 Personal Stories of Impact and Inspiration

39:01 Lessons from Social Entrepreneurship

40:58 Ensuring Integrity in Carbon Credits

45:59 Future Projects and Expansions

Follow Zachary and his team at Creattura here:

https://creattura.com/

Narayan Lal Gurjar, the founder and CEO of EF Polymer, has a mission to solve one of agriculture’s most pressing issues—water scarcity. Hailing from a farming community in Rajasthan, India, Narayan’s journey into agri-tech was deeply personal, inspired by his father’s struggles with water shortages.

In this episode, Narayan opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, sharing the challenges, setbacks, and successes in creating a sustainable, food waste-derived solution that helps farmers thrive in water-scarce areas. He reflects on the importance of perseverance and resourcefulness, stressing how crucial these traits were in transforming his idea into a reality. Narayan also touches on the critical role mentorship, education, and community support played in his growth.

Join us for an insightful conversation on innovation, sustainability, and how Narayan’s vision is making a lasting impact on both farmers and the planet. Discover the trials of building a startup from the ground up and the valuable lessons that have shaped his path toward empowering millions of farmers worldwide.

Highlights

00:00 Introduction to Narayan Lal Gurjar and EF Polymer

02:32 Narayan's Early Life and Inspiration

12:10 The Journey of Innovation and Prototype Development

26:30 Overcoming Challenges and Building a Startup

29:18 Innovative Solutions for Water Scarcity

30:54 Overcoming Challenges in Entrepreneurship

41:23 Key Learnings and Reflections

46:56 Scaling and Future Aspirations

48:14 What Not to Do as an Entrepreneur

Riki Yamauchi is a venture capitalist at Novastar Ventures, focused on driving sustainable growth through impactful investments in Africa. In this episode, Riki shares his journey from a successful finance career in Japan to becoming a leading advocate for startup innovation in Africa. 

Riki discusses the unique opportunities and challenges of venture capital in Africa, highlighting how startups are innovating to solve local problems and drive positive change. He also reflects on the importance of measuring impact in his investments, the critical role of building trust in the venture capital space, and how young entrepreneurs are shaping Africa’s future.

Join us as Riki shares his personal experiences, lessons learned from navigating a new market, and offers advice to aspiring changemakers looking to make a difference through business and investment.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, sustainable growth, and the transformative potential of venture capital in Africa.

Highlights:

03:11 Riki's Journey: From Finance to Venture Capital

06:02 Understanding Venture Capital: A New Perspective

15:07 Spotlight on Startups: Innovations in Africa

17:56 Life in Kenya: Surprises and Insights

21:14 Challenges Faced: Personal and Professional Growth

24:05 The Drive for Impact: Riki’s Motivation

26:58 Reflections on Growth: Lessons Learned

29:46 Advice for Aspiring Change Makers

33:09 Future Endeavors: What's Next for Riki and NovaStar

Dedy Tien is the Founder of the Peduli Learning Center, a nonprofit organisation empowering children in rural Indonesia through education.

Growing up in a remote village without electricity, Dedy’s journey to becoming an education innovator and social entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode, Dedy shares how he transformed his personal challenges into a passion for providing local children with essential skills such as English proficiency, entrepreneurship, and communication.

He delves into the evolution of Peduli Learning Center, discussing the hurdles he faced in building the organisation, as well as the impact it has on the community. 

Dedy also explores the role of mentors and the integration of AI tools like ChatGPT to improve the learning experience for both students and educators.

Join us for a deep dive into the importance of continuous learning, the power of mentorship, and how technology is shaping the future of education in rural communities.

Highlights

06:36 A Growing Interest in Social Entrepreneurship

Follow Dedy & the Peduli Learning Centre here: https://peduli.school/ 

Thomas Chevallier, Co-founder and Director of Plant the Seed, launched a community-run organic farm as a student. Years later, this evolved into an impact-driven business providing end-to-end waste management solutions to South African schools and businesses. 

Plant the Seed has diverted 100,000+kgs of waste from landfills through its innovative ‘Zero Waste Toolkit’, as well as empowering 17,000+ people, including 1,000+ educators, with training in recycling and waste management.

We follow Thomas’ journey from starting a student movement to leading a revolutionary waste management business. He explores the challenges and successes of turning a passion into a business, finding ‘bleeding neck problems’, and how his team uses creative videos and nudges to drive behaviour change in schools.

Join us for an uplifting conversation about entrepreneurship, waste management, perseverance, education, and Thomas’ ongoing mission for a cleaner, greener future.

06:09 Launching the Student Organic Farm

Follow Thomas & Plant The Seed here: https://planttheseed.co.za/