Is it possible to stay true to your values while working and living in a capitalist system? In this episode of the Curious and Cultured podcast, we dive into the roots of capitalism, what it was originally meant to do, and where it’s gone off track. We talk about how businesses and individuals can find balance between making money and making a difference—and whether other systems offer better answers. If you’ve ever questioned how purpose fits into profit, or what a better version of capitalism could look like, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we take a critical and constructive look at capitalism—exploring its original intentions, its current challenges, and the possibility of aligning it more closely with human values and social purpose. We examine how individuals, organizations, and societies can strive for ethical coherence within an economic system that often prioritizes profit over people. Is capitalism inherently flawed, or simply in need of reform? Can alternative ideologies offer viable solutions, or do they fall short in practice? Join us as we unpack the tensions between purpose and profit, values and growth—and envision what a more conscious, values-driven economy could look like.

Here are links to what we mentioned in the episode:

https://grassrootsyogaandmeditation.com/internalised-capitalism-redefining-self-worth-beyond-productivityhttps://www.weforum.org/stories/2012/04/the-end-of-capitalism-so-whats-next/ https://medium.com/illumination-curated/alternatives-to-capitalism-07f78fb8873fhttps://www.opendemocracy.net/en/transformation/has-america-always-been-capitalist/

https://degrowth.info/en

https://doughnuteconomics.org/about-doughnut-economics#what-is-doughnut-economicshttps://participatoryeconomics.info/https://theconversation.com/after-capitalism-what-comes-next-for-a-start-ethics-44975https://theconversation.com/after-capitalism-what-comes-next-for-a-start-ethics-44975 https://www.futuresplatform.com/blog/whats-next-for-capitalism https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/neofeudalism-the-end-of-capitalism/https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2024/04/10/dysfunctional-capitalism-in-africa-and-the-theory-of-squanderation/https://www.stellenboschbusiness.ac.za/news/2022-05-13-africapitalism-imagining-future-capitalism-africahttps://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/01/09/the-capitalist-revolution-africa-needs

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