Life Ensemble

The role of a real estate developer is not only to improve a piece of land or build to increase its monetary value. They are also responsible for designing an environment and community that can promote sustainability, social justice, and equity.

Anyeley Hallová is a real estate developer and the Founder of Adre, a community-driven real estate development company committed to a bold vision of design excellence, development innovation, and environmental stewardship, both in building construction and equitable outcomes.

In today’s episode, Cory and Anyeley talk about how sustainable building developments can impact the community and create wealth. Anyeley shares her sustainability journey, the problems she noticed in the real estate development industry, especially in regard to people of color, and how she was able to build a business that addresses social, environmental, and economic concerns.

 

⭐ SPONSORED BY: Saybrook University & Choice Organics

 

-- --

💌 BETTER WORLD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: The Better World Weekly is a weekly newsletter written and published by Grow Ensemble Founder and Podcast Host, Cory Ames. For the latest insights, analysis, and inspiration for building a better world, join the 1000s of changemakers and social entrepreneurs from all sectors all over the globe who get this email in their inbox every Monday.   Subscribe >>> https://growensemble.com/newsletter/

-- --

📄 Full Show Notes - Links, Transcript, & More

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

• Leave a Review (on Apple Podcasts!) 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Share the Podcast on Twitter or LinkedIn

 

GROW ENSEMBLE:

• YouTube
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

  ABOUT CORY AMES:

• Newsletter
• Twitter

Hydropower was the first and is now the oldest large-scale source of renewable energy that we’ve deployed worldwide. Hydropower offers a unique set of advantages in the context of an entirely decarbonized energy grid. It can offer storage capacity and be more consistent when sources like wind and solar are not available.   Gia Schneider is the CEO of Natel Energy, an innovative company she co-founded with her brother, Abe, in 2009 that is designing and implementing hydropower projects that both produce affordable, clean, and renewable energy and leave the river ecosystems they're set up in better off.   With this conversation, we’ll be working to understand hydropower: its potential, its historic challenges and limitations, and a path forward for wielding this resource efficiently and restoratively.   👉 Since this interview in the fall of 2022, Natel Energy has had some exciting updates:

• Commissioned their first turbine in European waters for Austrian Utility, Energie Steiermark (Natel's third fully-installed project to date)
• Expansion into Africa with a contract to deliver four 1.9 meter fish-safe RHTs to MyHydro for the first of 33 potential projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Publication of study results outlining 100% survival of American eels passing through the RHT in Transactions of the American Fisheries Society

 

⭐ SPONSORED BY: Choice Organics and tentree

 

-- --

💌 BETTER WORLD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: The Better World Weekly is a weekly newsletter written and published by Grow Ensemble Founder and Podcast Host, Cory Ames. For the latest insights, analysis, and inspiration for building a better world, join the 1000s of changemakers and social entrepreneurs from all sectors all over the globe who get this email in their inbox every Monday.   Subscribe >>> https://growensemble.com/newsletter/

-- --

📄 Full Show Notes - Links, Transcript, & More

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

• Leave a Review (on Apple Podcasts!) 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Share the Podcast on 

There are two seemingly contradicting realities of “conscious consumerism”:

1. No matter how “consciously” we buy, we aren’t going to shop our way into a more sustainable and equitable world.
2. The ways we do/don’t spend our money are incredibly impactful.

Maybe this is confusing at first glance, but it becomes clearer when we explore what conscious consumerism is on the individual and collective level.

“Consuming consciously” is INCREDIBLY important. It’s my belief, though, that it’s important in ways that we might not first think.

How/what we consume is a statement about what we believe and affirm is good.

It’s about what values we put above all others.

It’s about which systems and structures of power we support. And, which we choose to reject.

In this episode, with the help of Aja Barber, fashion consultant, stylist, and writer, we’ll explore the nuance behind “buying better,” how we should define conscious consumerism, and offer tactical steps as to how you can do so yourself.

-- -- 💌 BETTER WORLD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: The Better World Weekly is a weekly newsletter written and published by Grow Ensemble Founder and Podcast Host, Cory Ames. For the latest insights, analysis, and inspiration for building a better world, join the 1000s of changemakers and social entrepreneurs from all sectors all over the globe who get this email in their inbox every Monday.   Subscribe >>> https://growensemble.com/newsletter/   -- --
📄 Full Show Notes - Links, Transcript, & More SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

• Leave a Review (on Apple Podcasts!) 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Share the Podcast on Twitter or LinkedIn

GROW ENSEMBLE:

• YouTube
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

ABOUT CORY AMES:

• Newsletter
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Website

 

Magic is all around us, whether we are looking for it or not. 

Unlike the supernatural forces often featured in books and movies, this form of magic operates on the miracles of nature; the wonderful things Mother Nature creates, such as life, and her power to maintain the co-existence of all. 

In today’s episode, Cory explores the existing magic that is happening in our world. He shares his enthusiasm for the miracles of nature and the beauty of life, particularly the mysterious behavior of animals and nature, and how incredible they can truly be if we take a moment now and then to observe them.

⭐ SPONSORED BY: HOLDEN Rings

 

-- --

💌 BETTER WORLD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: The Better World Weekly is a weekly newsletter written and published by Grow Ensemble Founder and Podcast Host, Cory Ames. For the latest insights, analysis, and inspiration for building a better world, join the 1000s of changemakers and social entrepreneurs from all sectors all over the globe who get this email in their inbox every Monday.   Subscribe >>> https://growensemble.com/newsletter/

-- --

📄 Full Show Notes - Links, Transcript, & More

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

• Leave a Review (on Apple Podcasts!) 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Share the Podcast on Twitter or LinkedIn

 

GROW ENSEMBLE:

• YouTube
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

  ABOUT CORY AMES:

• Newsletter
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Website

The Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation podcast is back with exciting, meaningful, and impactful discussions to help make the world a better place!

Listen in to hear about the new approach of sharing stories that matter to learn what is possible in creating sustainable discussions, and understanding the impact of what we can do to save the planet and live in a safe ecotopia.

Grow Ensemble believes in opening minds to the endless possibilities of building the courage to act, protect, and preserve the beauty of the world; because together, we can continue to make a healthier, brighter, and better world to live in.

 

-- --

💌 BETTER WORLD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: The Better World Weekly is a weekly newsletter written and published by Grow Ensemble Founder and Podcast Host, Cory Ames. For the latest insights, analysis, and inspiration for building a better world, join the 1000s of changemakers and social entrepreneurs from all sectors all over the globe who get this email in their inbox every Monday.   Subscribe >>> https://growensemble.com/newsletter/

-- --

📄 Full Show Notes - Links, Transcript, & More

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

• Leave a Review (on Apple Podcasts!) 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Share the Podcast on Twitter or LinkedIn

 

GROW ENSEMBLE:

• YouTube
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

  ABOUT CORY AMES:

• Newsletter
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Website

Check out this latest episode to hear about our plans moving forward for the Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast.

TLDR; We're taking a break for September, but will be back in October telling more stories about all things building a better world. 

But! With a new approach. :) 

-- --

💌 BETTER WORLD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: The Better World Weekly is a weekly newsletter written and published by Grow Ensemble Founder and Podcast Host, Cory Ames. For the latest insights, analysis, and inspiration for building a better world, join the 1000s of changemakers and social entrepreneurs from all sectors all over the globe who get this email in their inbox every Monday.   Subscribe >>> https://growensemble.com/newsletter/ -- -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

• Leave a Review (on Apple Podcasts!) 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Share the Podcast on Twitter or LinkedIn

GROW ENSEMBLE:

• YouTube
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

ABOUT CORY AMES:

• Newsletter
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Website

Overwork and burnout – so prevalent in today’s society that over 60% of employees around the globe suffer from workplace stress, creating billions of additional health costs annually. By re-examining how we work and reducing the number of working hours each week, we can greatly reduce this additional stress and financial burden.

Dr. Alex Pang is the Global Programs and Research Manager for 4 Day Week Global, a non-profit community advocating the 4-day work week, and the Founder of the Silicon Valley-based consulting company Strategy and Rest. Alex has written books that illustrate how individuals and organizations can integrate rest, creativity, and focus. His latest book is "Shorter: Work Better, Smarter, and Less–Here's How."

In today's episode, Cory and Alex talk about the idea of restructuring our overwork and burnout work culture into working fewer hours with more focus and discipline. Alex describes how the future of work can be better if we implement one extra day to rest and recharge.

As one of the leading voices in reducing working hours, Alex is optimistic that we can create a future where people can spend more time with family and friends, do healthy activities, discover new hobbies, and ultimately make the world a better place.

 

⭐ SPONSORED BY: Saybrook University

 

-- --

💌 BETTER WORLD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: The Better World Weekly is a weekly newsletter written and published by Grow Ensemble Founder and Podcast Host, Cory Ames. For the latest insights, analysis, and inspiration for building a better world, join the 1000s of changemakers and social entrepreneurs from all sectors all over the globe who get this email in their inbox every Monday.   Subscribe >>> https://growensemble.com/newsletter/

-- --

📄 Full Show Notes - Links, Transcript, & More

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

• Leave a Review (on Apple Podcasts!) 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Share the Podcast on Twitter or LinkedIn

 

GROW ENSEMBLE:

• YouTube

In any political election—especially major ones, such as the upcoming midterm elections in the United States—it’s important to know where the money to fund various campaigns is coming from. As citizens, we should also understand how that flow of money (both in and out) affects the business community.

John McCrea is the National Business Network Manager of American Promise. This organization advocates the 28th Amendment of the Constitution to protect elections from foreign money and special interests, and pursues freedom for all Americans. 

As a former small business owner, John felt the need to help his fellow entrepreneurs by working with American Promise. He is leveraging his 30+ years of experience working in IT services for small to midsize business owners to help the country to move forward and create a level playing field where all businesses, regardless of size, thrive and bring value to their market.

In this episode, John talks us through the conditions we have right now with unrestrained money in political spending, the ongoing issues in the political system, and its impact on the business community. John also shares some updates on the various actions that American Promise takes to cultivate a better future for Americans.

 

⭐ SPONSORED BY: Saybrook University

 

-- --

💌 BETTER WORLD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: The Better World Weekly is a weekly newsletter written and published by Grow Ensemble Founder and Podcast Host, Cory Ames. For the latest insights, analysis, and inspiration for building a better world, join the 1000s of changemakers and social entrepreneurs from all sectors all over the globe who get this email in their inbox every Monday.   Subscribe >>> https://growensemble.com/newsletter/

-- --

📄 Full Show Notes - Links, Transcript, & More

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

• Leave a Review (on Apple Podcasts!) 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Share the Podcast on Twitter or LinkedIn

 

GROW ENSEMBLE:

• YouTube
• Twitter

The world's hunger crisis continues to worsen, affecting millions of people globally. Most people refer to this problem as a result of climate change, but the reality is that 80% of the problem is caused by soil, and only about 20% by climate change.

Roland Bunch is one of the most well-respected thought leaders in regenerative land development and management, having studied and been in the field for 55 years. He is a former member of the UN Millennium Project Task Force on Hunger and a Co-founder of Better Soil, Better Lives.

He has published dozens of articles and authored the books "Two Ears of Corn: A Guide to People-Centered Agricultural Improvement" in 1982, and "Restoring the Soil" in 2012.

Roland's motto is to imitate the forest. He started an organization and worked with small-holder farmers to do everything they could to mimic a forest-like field and use green manure cover crops to generate more biodiversity.

He has worked as a consultant worldwide in over 50 nations on four continents. During his work, Roland recognized the critical issue of hunger for many small-holder farmers, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa. This led to an investigation into the use of plants for regenerating the soil, now called green manure/cover crops.

During the conversation, Cory and Roland talk about the changes in farming practices that affect soil fertilization and cause drought and floods in some countries. Roland explains how the green manure cover crops are used to fight hunger, particularly in African villages, the timeline of using this approach, and how it can impact the benefactors of the soil.

 

⭐ SPONSORED BY: Saybrook University

 

-- --

💌 BETTER WORLD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: The Better World Weekly is a weekly newsletter written and published by Grow Ensemble Founder and Podcast Host, Cory Ames. For the latest insights, analysis, and inspiration for building a better world, join the 1000s of changemakers and social entrepreneurs from all sectors all over the globe who get this email in their inbox every Monday.   Subscribe >>> https://growensemble.com/newsletter/

-- --

📄 Full Show Notes - Links, Transcript, & More

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

• Leave a Review (on Apple Podcasts!) 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Share the Podcast on 

An impact report is a document essential in measuring a company's impact on people and the planet. It’s a tool that can help businesses align their core values and make informed decisions, providing insight and promoting a culture of accountability and transparency for customers and value chain members.

Annie Agle is the Senior Director of Sustainability and Impact at Cotopaxi, a purpose-driven company that creates outdoor products, apparel, and experiences. As a person who grew up doing outdoor activities and is passionate about methodology and philanthropy, the opportunity of working with a company that values both what she loves and enjoys is a dream come true.

Annie ensures that Cotopaxi's brands are moving in the right direction and destination as she creates as sophisticated reporting as possible that will allow investors, customers, and other businesses to understand the authenticity and effectiveness of Cotopaxi. 

In today's episode, Cory and Annie discuss the significance of impact reporting to a purpose-driven company such as Cotopaxi. Annie explains her role as a sustainability officer and the meaning and purpose of creating impact reports. She shares the actions Cotopaxi implements to take responsibility and accountability for their impact based on their annual reports and how they build a business model that gives moral leeway to prioritize people and the planet alongside profit.

 

⭐ SPONSORED BY: The Social Good Network & Saybrook University

 

-- --

💌 BETTER WORLD WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: The Better World Weekly is a weekly newsletter written and published by Grow Ensemble Founder and Podcast Host, Cory Ames. For the latest insights, analysis, and inspiration for building a better world, join the 1000s of changemakers and social entrepreneurs from all sectors all over the globe who get this email in their inbox every Monday.   Subscribe >>> https://growensemble.com/newsletter/

-- --

📄 Full Show Notes - Links, Transcript, & More

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

• Leave a Review (on Apple Podcasts!) 
• Subscribe to the Newsletter
• Share the Podcast on Twitter or LinkedIn

 

GROW ENSEMBLE:

• <