Modern Idealist

Recorded at the Nobel Peace Center during Oslo Innovation Week for the Peace of Mind Podcast series, this Modern Idealist episode explores how humanity can survive and thrive in the digital age. Hosts Valerie Leung and Meryn Zumbo Willets speak with Pardis Shafafi, anthropologist practitioner and previously the Global Responsible Business Lead at Designit Oslo, whose rare profile combines humanitarian work, journalism, and ethical innovation. Together, they unpack the paradox of a world that is both advancing and unraveling, asking how we can face complexity, show up purposefully, and take concrete action in our lives and workplaces to drive meaningful change.

In this conversation, Sophie, co-founder and CEO of Morescope, shares her journey into the climate action space, discussing her background, the importance of technology in decarbonization, and the challenges posed by EU regulations. The discussion highlights the intersection of individual actions and corporate responsibility, emphasizing the need for a shift in mindset towards sustainability. Sophie also addresses the opportunities and challenges in the sustainability landscape, advocating for a future where sustainable business practices are integral to success.

In this conversation, we're joined by our guest, Sahibzada Mayed (they/them), where they discuss their journey as a first-generation immigrant and the complexities of navigating identity, land, and decolonization. They reflect on the importance of reconnecting with ancestry, unlearning sanitized histories, and the role of research in reclamation. The dialogue explores the nuances of cultural appropriation versus appreciation, the violence of colonization, and the need for resistance. Mayed emphasizes the significance of connecting across experiences to foster true solidarity and imagines new futures rooted in collective liberation.

In this episode of the Modern Idealist Podcast, hosts Valerie and Meryn reconnect after a hiatus, sharing personal updates and reflections on motherhood, travel, and the complexities of modern life. Valerie discusses her journey into motherhood and the challenges of the fourth trimester, while Meryn shares her travel experiences and insights on cultural immersion. The conversation delves into the importance of political awareness, personal agency, and the need for inclusivity in discussions about societal issues. As they kick off Season Two, they express excitement for exploring new topics and fostering meaningful conversations with their audience.

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Join us as Samira Khan, a seasoned expert from Salesforce and Microsoft, delves into the essential fusion of social innovation and responsible AI. Samira shares her journey from witnessing social injustices to becoming a leader in sustainability, emphasizing the need for holistic, interdisciplinary approaches. She discusses the impact of parenthood on her views, the importance of up-skilling for the AI era, and her hopes for global innovation. Discover how unified strategies in tech and ethics can drive meaningful change.

As of 2021, the top 1% of households in the United States held 32.3% of the country's wealth, while the bottom 50% held just 2.6%. Additionally, the top 20% of the wealthiest Americans possessed 80% of all financial assets. Meryn and Valerie dive into the macro and micro perspectives on wealth and privilege. Whether you are in the top 1% or the top 20%, there is no escaping the harsh question: on whose shoulders do we stand to gain the wealth and enjoy the privileges that we have?

Valerie and Meryn's take on the tragedy of the commons. In a world of free markets (with good intentions), we've gotten so competitive that we've forgotten we all live in the same world sharing resources (beyond land and natural resources) and that we ultimately face the same problems.

We question if we've been over gamified in today's societal standards that hurt the economy and ultimately hurt ourselves. Will we be able to break our of it as a group and what can we do as individuals?

Petter Reistad CEO and co-founder of Celsia, a sustainability management and reporting software company aiming to make regulatory sustainability reporting simpler, talks to Valerie about how Celsia has been navigating this emerging field. What the wins have been, and what hidden hurdles remain to be overcome. Since the recording of this episode, Celsia has been acquired by ISS Corporate. Petter elaborates on the importance of better quantifying sustainability, how the market is developing, and why he stays hopeful for this field of quantifying sustainability. 

Welcome back to another episode of Modern Idealist, a podcast for career driven professionals striving to make an impact in today’s fast paced society. I’m Valerie Leung. And we’ve brought on a very smart and data-driven friend of Modern Idealist today, Tony Senanayake, is a Chief Strategy Officer at Fortify Health, a non-profit that provides micronutrient-rich wheat flour to combat iron-deficiency anemia. He's passionate about development economics, public policy, and using data and evidence to amplify impact for people on the ground. He talks to us about data driven development and how he has been working with data driven methods to ensure and further his impact. If you stick around to the second half of the episode, we get into how development work, which often receives philanthropy funding, looks out on the ground. 

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Book: Poor Economics, by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo Banerjee

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention