High-Impact Growth

By Dimagi

A podcast for social entrepreneurs, global development funders, nonprofit leaders and anyone grappling with the challenge of how to build solutions that are both immensely impactful and also achieve h... more

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FAQs about High-Impact Growth:

How many episodes does High-Impact Growth have?

The podcast currently has 76 episodes available.

High-Impact Growth episodes:

May 08, 2023A New Era for Development with Raj Kumar of Devex: Shifting from a Project Mindset to an Investment Mindset
Global development is evolving quickly in the face of social, economic, and political changes. Jonathan Jackson sits down with Raj Kumar, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Devex, a leading independent online news platform for development professionals, to discuss how 2023 marks the start of a new, more challenging development era. With growing competition between China and Russia and the West, a new set of economic circumstances, and overwhelming humanitarian needs, development professionals need to get more value for money. And this requires a change in mindset and how things are done - shifting from a project-based mindset to a collaborative, results-driven investment mindset.

Topics discussed:
Why and how we need to shift from a project-based to an investment-based mindset

The role of Devex in changing the development sector

How funding for development is changing and needs to change

The potential of philanthropy in funding development work

How technology deployed thoughtfully in support of the people closest to the challenges is poised to unlock significantly more value

Prioritizing results over projects for better resource allocation

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Twitter:⁠https://twitter.com/dimagi/⁠
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Youtube:⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt8JcRhWywkVJRR_YWv4OhA⁠

If you enjoy this show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share your favorite episodes with friends.

Hosts: Jonathan Jackson: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanljackson/⁠
Amie Vaccaro: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/amievaccaro/ ⁠

Related resources:
“From the editor-in-chief: 3 ways 2023 may define a new development era” by Raj Kumar on Devex: https://www.devex.com/news/from-the-editor-in-chief-3-ways-2023-may-define-a-new-development-era-104723

“Could this app transform delivery of last-mile health services?” by Catherine Cheney on Devex: https://www.devex.com/news/could-this-app-transform-delivery-of-last-mile-health-services-104113

Devex: https://www.devex.com/

The Business of Changing the World by Raj Kumar: https://pages.devex.com/the-business-of-changing-the-world.html

Devex Book Club podcast: https://pages.devex.com/devex-book-club.html

GatesNote on AI: https://www.gatesnotes.com/The-Age-of-AI-Has-Begun

Co-Develop: https://www.codevelop.fund/

Dimagi’s Big Break: Receiving Instrumental Core Funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with Tim Wood, Former Senior Program Officer https://sites.dimagi.com/high-impact-growth-podcast/gates-foundation-funding
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53min
May 01, 2023Undersupported, Unrecognized and Vital: 3 Community Health Workers supported by Lwala Community Alliance Speak Out
Jonathan Jackson and Amie Vaccaro sit down with three Community Health Workers, supported by the Lwala Community Alliance, as they share first-hand their journey into community health, their day-to-day, the impact of digital tools on their work, and the importance of salaried Community Health Workers in creating greater access to critical health services worldwide. This is part 2 in a two-part series on the important work Lwala Community Alliance is doing in transforming the community health landscape in Kenya. A must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the important work of Community Health Workers.
Some topics covered in this conversation include:
The critical role of technology in supporting essential service delivery

A day in the life of 3 Community Health Workers in their communities

Top challenges faced by CHWs - from difficult clients to weather conditions

The importance of paying, training, supervising and supporting CHWs

Policies for a safer and more conducive working environment for CHWs
Related Resources:
Lwala Community Alliance: https://lwala.org/

Community Health Impact Coalition: The Problem: A Dual Human Rights Issue https://joinchic.org/resources/the-problem-a-dual-human-rights-issue/
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32min
April 25, 2023The Four Pillars of Community-Led Health: Insights from Julius Mbeya, Co-CEO at Lwala Community Alliance
Jonathan Jackson sits down with Julius Mbeya, Co-CEO of the Lwala Community Alliance, to discuss their approach to addressing health challenges in Kenya. By using a community-led health model, they are able to provide quality, affordable healthcare to underprivileged communities, and reduce maternal and under-five deaths. This is part one in a two-part series on the important work Lwala Community Alliance is doing in transforming the community health landscape in Kenya. A must-listen for anyone interested in innovative digital approaches to healthcare to effect lasting impact.
Some topics covered in this conversation include:
A breakdown of Lwala’s community-led health model

The path to providing affordable healthcare to communities in informal settlements

How and why Lwala is digitizing its Community Health Workers

Reducing maternal and under-five deaths

The importance of data collection and longitudinal tracking understand impact over time an to create an evidence base

Working with the government to bring interventions to scale
Related Resources:
Lwala Community Alliance: https://lwala.org/

Community Health Impact Coalition: The Problem: A Dual Human Rights Issue https://joinchic.org/resources/the-problem-a-dual-human-rights-issue/
...more
26min
April 17, 2023Reducing health inequities through digital innovation with Olukunle Akinwusi of FIND & Erica Troncoso of Jhpiego: Dispatches from the Global Digital Health Forum 2022
Jonathan Jackson sits down with Olukunle Akinwusi, Technical Officer for Digital Access at FIND & Erica Troncosco, Technical Advisor and Portfolio Lead for Frontier Technology Solutions at Jhpeigo, at the Global Digital Health Forum, to discuss the value of innovation in improving health equity through thoughtful diagnostics, involving the user in the design process, investing in the digital literacy of the Frontline Worker, and engaging country stakeholders to ensure buy-in.

Some topics covered in this conversation include:
The importance of diagnostics in improving access to care and curbing disease prevalence

Addressing the biggest diagnostic gaps at various levels of care

The experiences and lessons learned from working on digital health projects

Balancing the use of technology with ensuring that those new technologies are actually helping Frontline Workers provide better care

The value of innovation and involving the user in the design process

The need for investment in health worker digital literacy and the accessibility of infrastructure in more remote settings for digital health interventions

The importance of engaging the countries or stakeholders in which the solution or innovation will be designed, understanding the context of use, and getting user buy-in
Related Resources:
FIND: https://www.finddx.org

Jhpiego: https://www.jhpiego.org

Principles for Digital Development: https://digitalprinciples.org

Design Under the Mango Tree - Dimagi’s approach to designing with users: https://www.dimagi.com/blog/20-years-of-designing-under-the-mango-tree/

Solving Hard Problems, Designing Under the Mango Tree, and Taking a Product Approach: Lessons Learned from the Making of CommCare featuring Dr. Brian DeRenzi, Clayton Sims, Cory Zue and Dr. Neal Lesh: https://sites.dimagi.com/high-impact-growth-podcast/making-commcare

Dimagi’s 5 Year Strategy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13O7SKwrQiMXM04zmB3jLxOEkCC0TF3UiJ7qwJm4mF_g/edit

Dimagi’s High-Impact Growth Framework: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v_ial9hXI7Hy0c_T4A1uX-VOgx4DNeKNC_o_PZy4F2k/edit
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16min
April 03, 2023Building digital as a horizontal foundation: Insights from growing Dimagi's marketing team
In today’s episode we flip the script and Jonathan Jackson interviews Amie Vaccaro to discuss her career journey, her experiences, and the lessons learned so far in growing the marketing team at Dimagi. The potential of digital to support iNGOs and governments can only be really unlocked when it becomes a foundational layer that supports all aspects of the organization’s work horizontally. We often see digital projects failing when they are focused on one specific vertical or silo and not able to add value across an organization. Amie has been on a parallel journey building marketing as a horizontal and foundational team at Dimagi and together Jonathan and Amie unpack some of the lessons Amie has learned that are applicable to anyone leading a digital shared service within an organization.

Some topics covered in this conversation include:
The challenges of standing up a new horizontal shared service in an organization

How to sequence value creation to build trust and autonomy over time

Partnering with leadership to understand and guide strategic direction

Balancing execution work with high-level strategic work

Empowering a team to say no and prioritize tasks

Related resources:

Simeon Yosefe, Malawi’s head of digital health, on the High-Impact Growth Podcast: https://sites.dimagi.com/high-impact-growth-podcast/gdhf-22/simeon-yosefe
Coaching program that Amie mentions: https://joinflourish.com/
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39min
March 28, 2023Reflections on Starting this Podcast
High-Impact Growth podcast co-hosts Jonathan Jackson and Amie Vaccaro reflect on 9 months of podcasting, from finding their voice, to key insights, tools, and insider tips for those considering starting a podcast. Some topics covered in this conversation include:
What it means to share non-obvious perspectives - why they matter and the tradeoffs

How to think about planning for your podcast - from choosing a co-host to creating the space for your podcast to evolve

Key podcasting tools to consider when starting out (including Descript, Riverside and Anchor.fm which is now Spotify for Podcasters)

Building out a podcasting team - roles to consider

Balancing the drive for perfection against getting your story and perspectives out
Related resources:
Reid Hoffman in conversation with ChatGPT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ATm9GxM3-n0

Podcast hosting platform: https://anchor.fm/

Descript podcast editing tool: https://www.descript.com/

Riverside online recording studio: https://riverside.fm/

B2B Podcasting Course from SweetFish Media: https://sweetfishmedia.com/course/b2b-podcasting/

Gimlet Academy: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/gimlet-academy
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18min
March 15, 2023How to double the impact of your team with Liz Wiseman, author of Multipliers
Jonathan Jackson and Amie Vaccaro sit down with Liz Wiseman, researcher, executive advisor, and author of New York Times bestseller Multipliers and three other books to learn about multiplier leadership. In this candid conversation, Liz discusses the research behind Multipliers and how to apply it within global health and development to ensure you are fully realizing your team’s potential.

Some topics covered in this conversation include:
A breakdown of the Multipliers leadership style and how to utilize it within any team environment to create 2x the impact

Multipliers vs Diminishers vs Accidental Diminishers- where does your leadership style fall?

Decoupling intent from outcome when it comes to management

Creating a culture of empowerment where multiplier managers thrive

How power dynamics and organizational culture feed into diminishing tendencies

Finding the time to have a multiplier approach especially in a high-pressured environment

Striking the balance between empowering and micro-managing
Related resources:
Liz Wiseman’s profile & books - https://thewisemangroup.com/who-we-are/our-team/liz-wiseman/
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45min
March 06, 2023Prioritizing better jobs for Frontline Workers in the digital health community with Jonathan Jackson: Dispatches from the 2022 Global Digital Health Forum
Jonathan Jackson unpacks the session he led at the Global Digital Health Forum called “Is the Digital Health Community Creating Better Jobs for Users?” In it, he discusses the idea of introducing a 10th Principle for Digital Development 'Make the users’ job better.' Creating better jobs for better outcomes is at the heart of Dimagi’s work and 5 year strategy.

Some topics covered in this conversation include:
Why supporting and elevating the Frontline Worker is critical to the future of the digital health community (and Dimagi’s 5 year strategy)

What would adding a 10th Principle for Digital Development look like?

How prioritizing the end user influences the quality of the work they’re doing

The tradeoffs and nuances inherent in prioritizing the Frontline Worker when digitizing a health program
Related resources:
Principles for Digital Development: https://digitalprinciples.org
Announcing our five-year strategy for High-Impact Growth: https://www.dimagi.com/blog/dimagis-5-year-strategy/
...more
12min
February 27, 2023Meeting the Need for Global Mental Health Care with Digital featuring Lauren Magoun: Dispatches from the Global Digital Health Forum
Jonathan Jackson sits down with Lauren Magoun, Dimagi’s Senior Health Strategy Specialist, at the Global Digital Health Forum to discuss the realities of the global mental health crisis, the lack of access to mental health care, and the innovative work Dimagi is driving to develop digital solutions that enable frontline providers to address the gap in mental health care.
Some topics covered in this conversation include:
Enabling non-specialist frontline providers to provide mental health care

The power in taking a protocolized approach to mental health treatment

An exploration of the ways that we can leverage digital innovation to scale mental health care programs

The impact of an integrated treatment program - incorporating mental health treatment into treatment programs for other illnesses for example

How digital can augment vs replace humans in mental health care

How the global health and development community is thinking about mental health
Related resources:
Vikram Patel, Sangath - https://sangath.in/our-people/dr-vikram-patel/

How Digital Solutions Can Help Scale Mental Health Care: https://www.dimagi.com/blog/digital-solutions-scale-mental-health-care/

Applications of Digital Technologies in Mental Health - #MQScienceFestival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmu1PQ1YrQw&list=PLVmwIEfrcKqnGhas9Vy4CmPEvG9xVvQdr&index=1&t=478s

Resilience working group and guide: https://sites.dimagi.com/guidebook-resilience-message-program

World Health Organization - depression stats: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

Poverty, depression, and anxiety: Causal evidence and mechanisms; Science: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aay0214

Epidemiology of maternal depression, risk factors, and child outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries; The Lancet: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S221503661630284X

Bending the curve: The impact of integrating mental health services on HIV and TB outcomes: https://unitedgmh.org/knowledge-hub/bending-the-curve-the-impact-of-integrating-mental-health-services-on-hiv-and-tb-outcomes/
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21min
February 20, 2023How will advances in AI impact global health and development with Clayton Sims: Dispatches from the Global Digital Health Forum 2022
Jonathan Jackson sits down with Clayton Sims, Dimagi’s Chief Technology Officer, at the Global Digital Health Forum, to discuss the opportunities, realities & future of artificial intelligence in the global health and development space.

Some topics covered in this conversation include:
Exploring the highest impact use cases of AI for global health and development including language models, image processing, biometrics, diagnostics, chatbots, and threat detection.

How AI tools can create more autonomy and expand the skillsets of an individual

Looking at ChatGPT training data and structures, and the impact of minimal global vetting on the global development space

The ethics around AI - and the impact it may have on data sharing

Exploring the future of AI from an infrastructure standpoint
Related resources:
GDHF 2022 - The Model is the Message - Clayton Sims - https://youtu.be/KaoXwfwNeBo

GDHF 2021 Lightning Talk - Impossible is Normal - Clayton Sims- https://youtu.be/kzNXPsIlVaQ

GDHF 2020 Lightning Talk - No One Else is Coming - Clayton Sims - https://youtu.be/PV3xWirg8S0

ChatGPT by open.ai - https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/
...more
23min

FAQs about High-Impact Growth:

How many episodes does High-Impact Growth have?

The podcast currently has 76 episodes available.