How can personal networks be leveraged to help companies become more diverse and inclusive? And how do we solve the problem of hiring in 2023? Our guest today is Ryan Agresta, founder of Candidate, a two-sided marketplace that connects employers and talent via the power of personal referrals.

Ryan is an entrepreneur and Seattle-ite who has been working to cultivate positive change in the world of hiring. He started Candidate in 2020, with a mission to create meaningful connections through the power of diverse, trusted networks.

Ryan's company has truly reinvented the way candidates and hiring managers find each other. The model behind the business works to the benefit of job seekers, hiring managers, and what Candidate calls “connectors” or “referrers." It’s a fresh and fun approach to growing teams that is grounded in human connection and prioritizes much more than what’s included on a resume.

In this episode of Purpose Works, Ryan and host Maren Keeley, co-founder & CEO of Handprint, have a conversation about the complex world of hiring and the challenges talent and companies face when seeking to build new work relationships. Ryan shares his story and offers wise advice for entrepreneurs, as well as some very thoughtful predictions about the future of work.

Connect with Ryan Agresta on LinkedIn
Connect with Maren Keeley on LinkedIn

Got a question or suggestion? Reach out to us at [email protected]

Brought to you by Handprint
Handprint is the meaningful work platform that connects purpose-driven companies with diverse, values-aligned talent. Come visit us at handprint.io to learn more.

Like this show? Please leave us a review - even one sentence helps! We appreciate you!

Resources:

• Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer And Venture Capitalist by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson
• The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living by Russ Harris
• Severance on Apple TV

What are the qualities of a great leader? And how does being of service to others imbue a sense of purpose in our work? Our guest today is John Cuomo, a firefighter, paramedic, and author who has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the fire service.

John served as an Engineer, Lieutenant, and Captain, and then went on to serve as EMS Chief, Battalion Chief, and Training Chief. His new book, Leadership Refined by Fire, is full of wisdom and insight John draws from his own career, as well as his thorough research of the factors that contribute to successful leadership. It's a great read that anyone interested in becoming a better leader can benefit from, regardless of their occupation.

In this episode of Purpose Works, John and host Maren Keeley, co-founder & CEO of Handprint, have a conversation about how great leaders bring their team together through a shared sense of purpose and responsibility, both to those they serve and to each other.

Connect with John Cuomo at www.fdleadership.com
Connect with Maren Keeley on LinkedIn

Got a question or suggestion? Reach out to us at [email protected]

Brought to you by Handprint
Handprint is the meaningful work platform that connects purpose-driven companies with diverse, values-aligned talent. Come visit us at handprint.io to learn more.

Like this show? Please leave us a review - even one sentence helps! We appreciate you!

Resources:

• Leadership Refined by Fire: A Firefighter's Guide to Develop Leadership Skills, Motivate and Inspire Others, and Deliver Exceptional Care for the Public by John Cuomo
• www.fdleadership.com
• Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World by Liaquat Ahamed
• Leadership: How Legendary Speakers Speak: 451 Proven Communication Strategies of the World's Top Leaders by Peter Daniel Andrei
• Hitch-22: A Memoir by Christopher Hitchens

How do companies and their leaders build a caring culture? And what are the benefits of defining and operating from your company’s higher purpose? Our guest today is Tara Jenkins, Founder of Conscious Revolution, a consultancy dedicated to helping CEOs and founders build conscious companies.

Tara’s work is informed by decades of experience in HR and organizational strategy across a variety of industries and sectors. She believes that when businesses operate from a higher purpose, it not only benefits society and the world we live in, but also drives success and bolsters the bottom line. She’s a sharp systems thinker on a mission to help companies become powerful catalysts for driving positive change.

In this episode of Purpose Works, Tara and host Maren Keeley, co-founder & CEO of Handprint, have a conversation about the remarkable virtuous cycle that can be unlocked when companies implement conscious business principles.

Connect with Tara Jenkins on LinkedIn
Connect with Maren Keeley on LinkedIn

Got a question or suggestion? Reach out to us at [email protected]

Brought to you by Handprint
Handprint is a conscious hiring platform that connects talented people with meaningful work and helps purpose-driven companies build diverse, engaged, and values-aligned teams. Come visit us at handprint.io to learn more.

Like this show? Please leave us a review - even one sentence helps! We appreciate you!

Purpose Works is produced and edited by Jeff Uzzel.

Resources:

• Conscious Revolution
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
• Allagash Brewing Company
• The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker

How do you transform an organization into a conscious business? And what role does purpose play in shaping company culture? Our guest today is Peter Matthies, Founder of the Conscious Business Institute, an international consultancy dedicated to helping companies, individuals, and leaders step into a better way to work and live.

After working as a software entrepreneur and venture capitalist, and experiencing great “success” in both, at least by traditional standards, Peter found himself looking in the mirror, admitting that he was hungry for more and yearning for deeper fulfillment. He realized that our world was facing some serious challenges, but the existing models of both leadership and success were not designed to meet them. He knew businesses could be true agents of change, but it would require a new consciousness; a new way of thinking about how we conduct business, and a new definition of success.

These personal epiphanies led him to found the Conscious Business Institute in 2005, and since then, he and his team have been building an end-to-end platform and methodology to take organizations of all sizes all around the world to new levels of inspiration, empowerment, and success. CBI’s work is not just about behavior change; it’s about expanding consciousness. Inspired by down-to-earth business acumen as well as wisdom principles from around the world - Peter and the team at CBI believe that businesses should be places where people come together, belong, and make the impact they’re here to make.

In this episode of Purpose Works, Peter and host Maren Keeley, co-founder & CEO of Handprint, have a conversation about the role of purpose in our lives and work, how organizations can be transformed through culture and leadership development, and the importance of building trust through authenticity.

Connect with Peter Matthies on LinkedIn
Connect with Maren Keeley on LinkedIn

Got a question or suggestion? Reach out to us at [email protected]

Brought to you by Handprint
Handprint is a conscious hiring platform that connects talented people with meaningful work and helps purpose-driven companies build diverse, engaged, and values-aligned teams. Come visit us at handprint.io to learn more.

Like this show? Please leave us a review - even one sentence helps! We appreciate you!

Purpose Works is produced and edited by Jeff Uzzel.

Resources:

• Conscious Business Institute
• CBI Brochure

How do we build equitable and inclusive workplace communities? And how do you create belonging through communication? Our guest today is David Kietzman, Managing Partner and Chief Engagement Officer at Momentum Solutions, an advertising and communications agency based in Los Angeles that specializes in branding, PR, equity & inclusion services, executive coaching, and social media marketing for social impact brands.

David is a community builder, social impact strategist, and problem solver. He teaches and guest lectures at USC, UCLA and other universities in Southern California, and has served on the board of many impact-focused nonprofits including Blue Sky Center and Latin American Indigenous Ministries. On top of all that, he is also a founding member of the Make Change Awards.

In this episode of Purpose Works, David and host Maren Keeley, co-founder & CEO of Handprint, discuss the role of leadership in shaping company culture, how companies can proactively build social impact into the way they do business, and why trust is the foundation of healthy work relationships.

Connect with David Kietzman on LinkedIn
Connect with Maren Keeley on LinkedIn

Brought to you by Handprint
Handprint is a conscious hiring platform that connects talented people with meaningful work and helps purpose-driven companies build diverse, engaged, and values-aligned teams. Come visit us at handprint.io to learn more.

Resources:

• Stranger Things on Netflix
• Only Murders in the Building on Hulu
• Today, Explained
• Freakonomics Radio

How do we co-create a mindful work ecosystem, nurture meaningful relationships with our stakeholders, and help our company thrive? Our guest today is Elizabeth Ross Holmstrom, founder and CEO of Mindful Employer, a conscious leadership development company that provides tools for listening and dialog to improve relationships with all stakeholders: employees, customers, suppliers, community, and the planet.

Elizabeth is an entrepreneur and explorer who loves to find solutions that improve the human experience. At Mindful Employer, she works with business leaders to help them adapt to the rapidly changing world of work. Through a combination of strategic planning, conscious leadership expertise, and a focus on relationship-building, she helps leaders strengthen their self-awareness and adopt a compassionate, relationship-based, stakeholder-centered approach to running and growing their businesses.

In this episode of Purpose Works, Elizabeth and host Maren Keeley, cofounder & CEO of Handprint, discuss the paradigm shift we’re experiencing with work, the moves we must make toward stakeholder capitalism, and the principles of running a responsible business.

Connect with Elizabeth Ross Holmstrom at www.mindfulemployer-us.com
Connect with Maren Keeley on LinkedIn

Got a question or suggestion? Reach out to us at [email protected]

Brought to you by Handprint
Handprint is a conscious hiring platform that connects talented people with meaningful work and helps purpose-driven companies build diverse, engaged, and values-aligned teams. Come visit us at handprint.io to learn more.

Like this show? Please leave us a review - even one sentence helps! We appreciate you!

Purpose Works is produced and edited by Jeff Uzzel.

Resources:

• The Firms of Endearment by Raj Sisodia and David B. Wolfe
• Conscious Capitalism by Raj Sisodia and John Mackey
• Everybody Matters by Raj Sisodia and Bob Chapman
• The Healing Organization by Raj Sisodia and Michael J. Gelb
• Not for Sale by Kevin Hancock
• The Seventh Power by Kevin Hancock
• Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown
• We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle
• Emily Lane
• Zebras Unite

How does a company define their purpose, plan their impact, and share their story authentically? Our guest today is Mike Rowlands, President & CEO of Junxion Strategy, a social impact consultancy that helps visionary leaders build meaningful brands, take bold action to confront the climate emergency and champion social justice.

Mike is an accomplished entrepreneur, consultant and advisor who has spent more than 20 years working to catalyze social responsibility and sustainability with organizations on four continents. As an emcee, keynote speaker, entrepreneur-in-residence, and frequent workshop presenter, Mike regularly hosts events, convenes conferences, and teaches strategy, social impact, brand identity, and entrepreneurial leadership. He’s happiest when hosting juicy, generative conversations with people and groups, in service to life.

In this episode of Purpose Works, Mike and host Maren Keeley, cofounder & CEO of Handprint, discuss the past and present landscape of the responsible business movement and how we can contribute to building better systems as we shift to the Next Economy.

Resources:

• Junxion Strategy
• Give and Take by Adam Grant

Connect with Mike Rowlands on LinkedIn

Like this show? Please leave us a review - even one sentence helps! We appreciate you!

About the host, Maren Keeley:

Maren is a curious and creative social entrepreneur with a passion for purpose, systems thinking, deep conversations, and paving the way for a better future. As the CEO & co-founder of Handprint, she’s on a mission to connect talented people with meaningful work and help purpose-driven companies build diverse, engaged, and values-aligned teams. Previously, Maren co-founded Conscious Company Media, which she exited in early 2018 after selling CCM to the SoCap Group. In her free time, you’ll find Maren hiking with her dogs, cooking, woodworking, listening to other podcasts, tending to her epic houseplant collection, running, and practicing yoga.

Connect with Maren Keeley on LinkedIn

Brought to you by Handprint

Handprint is a conscious hiring platform that connects talented people with meaningful work and helps purpose-driven companies build diverse, engaged, and values-aligned teams. Come visit us at handprint.io to learn more.

Purpose Works is produced and edited by Jeff Uzzel

How do you discover and live in your zone of genius? And what role does purpose play in conscious leadership? Our guest today is Erica Schreiber, CEO of The Conscious Leadership Group, a consultancy that supports leaders and their teams to build trust and create conscious cultures through coaching, consulting, forums, trainings, and speaking.

Erica shares her eclectic journey from being an avid student of anthropology, to starting a yoga therapy practice, becoming a full-time mother, and founding a branding agency. In 2017, she joined CLG, where she joins cofounders in visioning and laying tracks, keeping the organization in alignment and on purpose, and leading the team to execute on vision.

In this episode of Purpose Works, Erica and host Maren Keeley, cofounder & CEO of Handprint, explore the ways in which leaders and individuals bring their own genius and purpose to enrich the spirit of an organization.

Resources:

• 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
• Quiet Storm - The Ron Artest Story
• Grace & Frankie
• Metaphors We Live By by George Lakoff
• American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

Connect with Erica Schreiber on LinkedIn

Like this show? Please leave us a review - even one sentence helps! We appreciate you!

About the host, Maren Keeley:

Maren is a curious and creative social entrepreneur with a passion for purpose, systems thinking, deep conversations, and paving the way for a better future. As the CEO & co-founder of Handprint, she’s on a mission to connect talented people with meaningful work and help purpose-driven companies build diverse, engaged, and values-aligned teams. Previously, Maren co-founded Conscious Company Media, which she exited in early 2018 after selling CCM to the SoCap Group. In her free time, you’ll find Maren hiking with her dogs, cooking, woodworking, listening to other podcasts, tending to her epic houseplant collection, running, and practicing yoga.

Connect with Maren Keeley on LinkedIn

Brought to you by Handprint

Handprint is a conscious hiring platform that connects talented people with meaningful work and helps purpose-driven companies build diverse, engaged, and values-aligned teams. Come visit us at handprint.io to learn more.

Purpose Works is produced and edited by Jeff Uzzel

How do you build impact into your business model from day one? Our guests today are Bryan and Rebecca Papé, co-founders of MiiR, a generosity-driven B Corp that creates thoughtfully-designed drinkware through its social and environmental mission.

Bryan and Rebecca have demonstrated that it is, in fact, possible to succeed with generosity at the heart of their business model. From sourcing, to design, to the wellbeing of their people at MiiR, they’re committed to giving more and taking less, and embracing transparency along the way. MiiR is sold in 62 countries and, since it was founded in 2010, has issued over $3 million in grants, in-kind donations, and sponsorships to their network of non-profit partners.

In this episode of Purpose Works, Bryan, Rebecca, and host Maren Keeley, cofounder & CEO of Handprint, have a thoughtful conversation about the pursuit of purpose beyond profit, how to seed and nurture company culture with intention, and the future of impact-driven business.

Connect with Bryan Papé on LinkedIn
Connect with Rebecca Papé on LinkedIn

Connect with Maren Keeley on LinkedIn

Like this show? Please leave us a review - even one sentence helps! We appreciate you!

Brought to you by Handprint
Handprint is a conscious hiring platform that connects talented people with meaningful work and helps purpose-driven companies build diverse, engaged, and values-aligned teams. Come visit us at handprint.io to learn more.

Resources:

• MiiR
• MiiR: 2021 Impact Report
• MiiR: Responsibility

What’s the future of ESG investing? And how do we finance better outcomes for all? Our guest today is Andrew Rodriguez, cofounder, CEO, and chief investment officer of Change Finance, an impact-focused asset management firm based in Colorado.

Andrew and the team at Change Finance build performance-oriented investment products that seek to promote a more just and sustainable world. Last year they were named a Best for the World B Corp, and at the end of 2021 they announced the launch of the first and only certified carbon neutral exchange traded fund (or ETF).

In this episode of Purpose Works, Andrew and host Maren Keeley, cofounder & CEO of Handprint, discuss the explosive growth of impact investing in the past decade and how ESG funds and company assessments are evolving. Andrew highlights the changes that are on the horizon for ESG investing and why he believes that more rigor and standardized practices are crucial to ensuring more material impact - and exactly what Wall Street is afraid of.

Resources:

• Change Finance
• B Corporation
• An Inconvenient Truth about ESG Investing - Harvard Business Review
• Morningstar removed the ESG label from 1200 different companies - Bloomberg News
• SEC Chief Takes to Twitter to Issue Warning on Greenwashing - Bloomberg News
• ESG & Alpha - Sales or Substance? - Institutional Investor

Connect with guest Andrew Rodriguez on LinkedIn

Like this show? Please leave us a review - even one sentence helps! We appreciate you!

About the host, Maren Keeley:

Maren is a curious and creative social entrepreneur with a passion for purpose, systems thinking, deep conversations, and paving the way for a better future. As the CEO & co-founder of Handprint, she’s on a mission to connect talented people with meaningful work and help purpose-driven companies build diverse, engaged, and values-aligned teams. Previously, Maren co-founded Conscious Company Media, which she exited in early 2018 after selling CCM to the SoCap Group. In her free time, you’ll find Maren hiking with her dogs, cooking, woodworking, listening to other podcasts, tending to her epic houseplant collection, running, and practicing yoga.

Connect with Maren Keeley on LinkedIn

Brought to you by Handprint

Handprint is a conscious hiring platform that connects talented people with meaningful work and helps purpose-driven companies build diverse, engaged, and values-aligned teams. Come visit us at handprint.io to learn more.

Purpose Works is produced and edited by Jeff Uzzel