Impact at Scale

Impact at Scale

By Hosted by Zal Dastur and Produced by Michael Waitze MediaBusinessEntrepreneurship
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Impact at Scale episodes

  • EP 98 - Hannah Jones - CEO The Earthshot Prize - The World Cup for Environmental Solutions

    This episode of Impact at Scale features Hannah Jones, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, fresh off the heels of the recent awards ceremony in Singapore. Founded by Prince William, the Earthshot Prize draws inspiration from President John F. Kennedy's moonshot challenge, aiming to tackle seemingly impossible environmental goals within a decade.

    Hannah's conviction and passion during the conversation is infectious, and you can feel her enthusiasm for what the future holds and how we will get there.


    Our discussion with Hannah shed light on the Earthshot Prize's global impact, instilling a sense of hope for a sustainable future. Hannah's extensive experience at Nike, where she championed sustainability and innovation, prepared her well for her current role as CEO of Earthshot.


    We explored the prize's function as a platform for a worldwide movement of optimism and action on sustainability, the meticulous search and selection process that uncovers countless potential solutions, and her aspiration to create a World Cup moment for environmental solutions, sparking global action. We even talk about what it is like to work with Prince William and his passion for the prize.



    Some of the topics Hannah covered

    • Earthshot Prize's Mission
    • Search and Selection Process
    • Journey to the Earthshot Prize
    • Social Tipping Points
    • Green Growth in Singapore:

    • Other Titles We Considered

      1. We have to turn anger into action and a sense of agency.
      2. We are the Google search engine for all environmental solutions."
      3. Climate change is going to make COVID look easy.
      4. It always seems hard until it isn't

      5. 52 min
      6. EP 97 - Dale Rickert and Jan Willem Bolderdijk - We Need a Cultural Change in Our Economic Models

        Impact at Scale got to have an insightful conversation with Dale Rickert, Global Head of Product, GREENTECH FESTIVAL and Jan Willem Bolderdijk, Professor of Sustainability & Marketing at the University of Amsterdam.


        This was a wide-ranging conversation that covered many different topics. We examined cultural tipping points and their importance in the fight against climate change. There was also a lively discussion on the ethical and cultural aspects of marketing and consumption in a sustainable future.


        This conversation was a fantastic melding of theory and practical application of behavioral change as they see it in the real world. It was an insightful discussion for anyone interested in how we change the global mindset on sustainability.


        Some of the topics Dale and Jan covered:

        • Social Tipping Points
        • Storytelling and Marketing
        • Intention-Behavior Gap
        • Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Change

        • Some other titles we considered for this episode

          1. Culture eats strategy for breakfast
          2. Change instigated by those who don’t have a lot of power
          3. People will speak out when they feel there’s institutional support
          4. 47 min
          5. EP 96 – Vikas Garg – Founder abillion – How Do You Inspire People Through Collective Action?

            Impact at Scale had the opportunity to meet and discuss all things food with Vikas Garg, founder of abillion. abillion serves as a social media platform, consumer review platform, and marketplace focused on sustainability. Vikas discusses the platform's mission to inspire a billion people to make sustainable choices. The platform focuses on food, injecting purpose and values into consumer choices.


            Vikas explains that the inspiration behind abillion stemmed from his observation of the misinformation and data misuse on social media platforms, leading him to create a platform where every action creates a positive impact. He highlights the platform's community-driven approach and efforts to ensure accurate and reliable information. Garg emphasizes the importance of sustainability in food choices, noting meat production's inefficiencies and environmental impact.


            Some of the topics that Vikas covered


            • Being Mission Driven
            • Sustainability in Food Choices
            • Power of Community and User-Generated Content
            • Educating Users on Impactful Choices

            • Other Titles We Considered

              1. Inspire a billion for the planet
              2. Help people make responsible decisions
              3. I'm a big believer in movements
              4. Red meat is a type one carcinogen right up there with tobacco
              5. 43 min
              6. EP 95 - Mathew Howe - Founder Grobrix - This is About Employee Wellness More than Food

                Impact at Scale sat down for a coffee with Matthew Howe, Founder of Grobrix. Grobrix offers an innovative urban farming service for businesses. Grobrix is a Lego-inspired, modular growing system that seamlessly integrates into any office environment. The company takes care of everything, from installation and maintenance to harvesting the crops, allowing employees to enjoy the benefits of fresh, local produce without the hassle.


                Matthew, a former banker who turned his passion for sustainability into a thriving business, sees that Grobrix is more than just a convenient source of greens. It's a powerful tool for promoting sustainability, health, and employee engagement. In a world increasingly disconnected from our food source, Grobrix fosters a sense of connection with where our food comes from.


                Some of the topics that Mathew Covered:

                • From Finance to Farming
                • Design inspiration from Lego
                • Beyond Convenience: Sustainability and Impact
                • The Future of Urban Farming

                • Some other titles we considered for this episode:

                  1. A cross between a gardener and a personal trainer
                  2. Making everyone an urban farmer



                  3. 35 min
                  4. EP 94 – Helena Wasserman – Founder of Unstoppable – Beyond Unicorns: How New VCs are Redefining Sustainable Growth

                    I had an insightful conversation with Helena Wasserman, CEO of Unstoppable, on the Impact at Scale Podcast. We delved into her journey from the tech world to the climate space and discussed Unstoppable's mission to support climate founders. She felt hopeful about the talent joining the climate movement and the importance of having a clear vision for positive change.


                    Helena also suggested books that make people feel empowered to create a change.

                    Saving the Planet Without the Bullshit by Assaad Razzouk and

                    The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres


                    Some of the Topics Helena Covered:

                    • Climate Investment Trends
                    • Changing Definitions of Growth
                    • Unstoppable's Mission
                    • Vision for Change

                    • Other Titles We Considered for this Episode:

                      1. Investing in the Future: Climate Solutions & Scaling Change
                      2. From Deforestation to Regeneration
                      3. The Talent Shift: Why Climate is Attracting the Best Minds
                      4. Vision & Action: Fueling the Fight Against Climate Change
                      5. 20 min
                      6. EP 93 – Ben Horton – Dir Earth Observatory Singapore – It Is What We Do Now That Determines the Future of the Earth

                        In this episode of Impact at Scale, Zal Dastur, your host, dives deep into the sobering reality of climate change with Ben Horton, Director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore. We confront the stark truth of science's struggle to communicate the urgency of the crisis to policymakers and the public. Ben unpacks the daunting challenges of prioritizing carbon reduction in decision-making, emphasizing the critical need for a swift transition to renewable energy.

                        Beyond technical solutions, the conversation delves into the psychological dimension, exploring the role of behavioral change in addressing the crisis. Ben emphasizes the importance of education, political will, and long-term thinking as essential weapons in this existential battle.

                        This episode is a stark call to action, urging us to move beyond despair and embrace the power of collective action in the face of climate change.


                        Some of the topics that Ben covered

                        • Science's Failure on Climate Change
                        • The Challenges of Behavioral Change
                        • Short-Term Thinking and Lack of Political Will
                        • The Importance of Choice and Making Sustainable Decisions
                        • Every decision we make needs to take carbon into account
                        • Some other titles we considered for this episode

                          1. When an ice sheet melts, it doesn't have a conscious
                          2. There is no vaccine for climate change
                          3. 2023 is the best year we will get for decades

                          4. 51 min
                          5. EP 92 - Erik Haug - Founder Light CoCreative - Fixing the Foundations of Humanity

                            In our latest episode, Impact at Scale delves into a transformative conversation with Erik Haug, the Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Light CoCreative. This global innovation and impact collective is on a mission—dedicated to pioneering sustainable solutions that address the fundamental needs of humanity.


                            Erik's passion for sustainability and climate action is palpable. With an extensive background, he collaborates with some of the world's titans to reshape their business models into forces for positive change, harmonizing profitability with planetary health.


                            At the heart of Erik's vision is a profound belief: true human potential can only be realized when basic needs—food, water, and healthcare—are met. His commitment shines through in LIGHT CoCreative, a company exclusively aligned with organizations sharing the same path toward meaningful impact.


                            Some of the Topics Erik covered:

                            • Looking long-term vs short-term
                            • The power of purpose-driven talent
                            • Changing consumer preferences
                            • Solving basic needs first

                            • Some other titles we considered for this episode:

                              1. We need visionary leadership
                              2. It is easy to get off course when our compass isn't aligned
                              3. The next generation of consumers is leading the way
                              4. In a cooperative way, we need to be competitive
                              5. 39 min
                              6. EP 91 – Sebastian Mueller – Cofounder of Ming Labs – Change is a Threat When Done To Me; Change is an Opportunity When Done By Me

                                Impact at Scale sits down with Sebastian Mueller, co-founder of Ming Labs, a design and tech consultancy passionate about empowering businesses to drive positive change for the planet.


                                Sebastian believes businesses are a powerful force for good and seeks to help companies understand how to utilize their influence for a more significant impact within their industries. He dives into the intersection of design, technology, and sustainability, sharing insights for businesses to become powerful catalysts for a more sustainable future.


                                Some of the topics Sebastian covered

                                • Turning a business toward sustainability
                                • How do you own change?
                                • The impact of tech on the planet
                                • Changing business models in sustainability

                                • Some other titles we considered for this episode:

                                  1. The internet has been built with speed, not with energy efficiency
                                  2. You cannot have sustainability without the digital side
                                  3. Every single industry is going to look different in 20 years
                                  4. 33 min
                                  5. EP 90 – Milena Nikolova – Partner and Board Member of AeraVC – The Immense Economic Opportunity of Climate

                                    Impact at Scale had an energetic and lively chat with Milena Nikolova, a Partner and Board Member of AeraVC an early-growth VC focusing on investing in the next generation of start-ups that will transform the world.

                                    Milena shared with us how a trip to the hottest place on the planet in the name of philanthropy changed her life and she gave up a very promising banking career.


                                    Some of the topics that Milena covered:

                                    • Finding fulfillment through philanthropy
                                    • What climate change will feel like
                                    • Myths of Climate Investment
                                    • Climatetech 2.0

                                    • Some other titles we considered for this episode:

                                      1. Even if there is a 2% chance the scientists are right, the choice is in your hands
                                      2. Most of us are already feeling the impacts of climate change
                                      3. If we do not take action today, it is going to be immeasurably harder tomorrow
                                      4. We need 7 trillion a year
                                      5. 38 min
                                      6. EP 89 - Jonah Goldman - Founder North Cascade Venture - Solve Problems that are Solvable

                                        Have you ever wondered what it's like to work closely with Bill Gates for over a decade? Or what the future of energy looks like? In this week's episode of The Impact at Scale Podcast, we go deep with Jonah Goldman, the ex-Managing Director at Breakthrough Energy, One of Bill Gates's investment companies to discuss all of this and more.

                                        Jonah shares his insights on the current state of venture investing, the technologies that are exciting him at the moment, and the changes he would like to see in order to solve the climate crisis. He also provides a unique perspective on global climate events and the levers that move power.


                                        Some of the topics that Jonah covered:

                                        From political advocacy to planet advocacy

                                        • Taking the leap with the Gates Foundation
                                        • lessons from working with Bill Gates
                                        • Changing capital structures to adapt to climate needs
                                        • Building the engines to reinvent the entirety of our physical economy
                                        • The relationship between government and fossil fuels
                                        • Some other titles we considered for this episode:

                                          1. Venture isn't designed to build hard things
                                          2. We need to innovate the world's capital structures
                                          3. It is not climate it is the entirety of our physical economy
                                          4. Making energy cheaper for the end consumer is always a good policy goal
                                          5. The progress we have made has been pretty significant

                                          6. 50 min

                                          About Impact at Scale

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