In this episode of Built for Good, host Kian Alavi sits down with Michael Sheldrick, Co-founder of Global Citizen. Michael shares his journey from a struggling student in Australia to leading one of the world’s most impactful advocacy organizations focused on ending extreme poverty.

The conversation explores how Global Citizen was built by turning awareness into action—mobilizing millions of people through campaigns, partnerships, and cultural moments like large-scale concerts. Michael breaks down the power of bold, audacious goals and why clarity of mission, not perfection, is what drives momentum.

Key themes include overcoming apathy, the importance of taking action without having all the answers, and the concept of “policy entrepreneurship”—how individuals outside of government can influence real policy change. Michael also discusses the growing challenges of loneliness, declining civic engagement, and the need for “radical connection” to rebuild trust and collective action.

The episode also dives into how Global Citizen is evolving—leveraging technology, AI, and new funding models to increase transparency and efficiency in philanthropy. Michael shares insights into their latest global campaign tied to the World Cup, aiming to raise $100 million for education and literacy initiatives.

This episode offers actionable insights for community builders, nonprofit leaders, and anyone looking to create meaningful impact—showing that change starts with small actions, clear goals, and the willingness to begin.

Explore Global Citizen: https://www.globalcitizen.org/

Get the book From Ideas to Impact by Michael Sheldrick: https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Impact-Playbook-Influencing-Implementing/dp/1394202342
 
Explore the World Happiness Report 2025
https://worldhappiness.report/news/world-happiness-report-2025-people-are-much-kinder-than-we-expect-research-shows

Donate to the Global Citizen Education Fund: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/projects/fifa-global-citizen-education-fund/

Timestamped Overview
00:00 The importance of meaningful action and living with purpose
01:16 Introduction to Michael Sheldrick and Global Citizen
02:30 Early life, academic struggles, and a pivotal turning point
05:03 First exposure to global inequality and desire to create impact
05:38 Founding Global Citizen and early campaign experiments
07:17 The power of ambitious goals and taking action without certainty
09:10 Clarity over perfection: why bold ideas attract support
10:47 Early campaigns and mobilizing support through storytelling
12:42 Overcoming paralysis and the importance of simply starting
14:51 Understanding “policy entrepreneurship” and influencing change
18:46 How individuals can shape policy outside of government
20:06 Apathy, youth disengagement, and the loneliness epidemic
24:58 Declining civic engagement and the need for community spaces
27:04 Radical connection and making generosity visible
29:02 Building community to move from despair to hope
30:25 Global Citizen’s World Cup campaign and $100M education goal
33:58 Ensuring transparency and impact in philanthropy
36:29 Using AI and technology to scale funding and accountability
39:25 Building trust and reducing friction in nonprofit funding
40:19 Navigating stakeholder alignment and managing trade-offs
41:38 “Pragmatic idealism” and creating change through collaboration