12 EP12: Lighting Up Africa: Richard Turner's Journey with Solar Aid

In this episode of the Storytelling for Social Impact Podcast, Ravinol delves into the significance of storytelling in amplifying social impact.

Guest, Richard Turner, Fundraising Director at Solar-Aid, shares insights from his extensive experience in renewable energy fundraising. Richard shares Solar-Aid's mission to provide sustainable energy to every household in Africa, their innovative market-catalysing strategies, and the importance of adapting narratives to different stakeholders.

The episode highlights a landmark achievement in Malawi and explores the six-step approach to effective renewable fundraising, emphasising the power of enabling others to tell your story.

• Be Inspired Films - Purpose Driven Video Agency - Helping purpose-driven organisations turn video storytelling into measurable results through their Impact™ Storytelling System.

00:00 Introduction

00:37 Meet Richard Turner: CEO of Solar Aid

01:13 The Mission of Solar Aid

02:40 Challenges and Solutions in Renewable Energy

03:24 The Role of Philanthropy in Solar Aid's Success

05:09 Achieving 100% Energy Access in Malawi

06:52 The Broader Impact of Solar Energy

09:08 Sustainable Business Models for Solar Energy

11:07 Innovative Approaches to Solar Energy Distribution

21:44 Celebrating Milestones and Future Goals

23:29 Sponsor Message: Be Inspired Films

27:23 The Economic Model of Solar Aid

35:35 The Importance of Solar Energy in Africa

36:36 Challenges and Barriers to Solar Projects

37:39 Sustainable Business Models for Solar Solutions

38:35 Fundraising Strategies and Insights

39:51 The Role of Individual Philanthropists

41:06 Scaling Up Solar Projects

42:32 The Power of Storytelling in Fundraising

46:42 Renewable Fundraising Approach

56:04 Understanding and Engaging Your Audience

01:06:09 Future Vision and Expansion Plans

01:09:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The best story wins the capital.

In this episode of The Storytelling for Social Impact Podcast, Ravinol speaks with Audrey Selian, an experienced impact investor and connector for good.

Audrey shares her journey from corporate America into impact investing, the importance of storytelling in securing finance and the nuances of investing in developing regions like India.

Audrey also delves into her personal background, sharing how her Armenian heritage has influenced her approach to impact investing, and discusses various systemic challenges and potential solutions in the field of social impact finance.

Audrey Selian on Linkedin

Impact for Breakfast meetings

Artha Impact

00:00 Introduction

01:51 Audrey Selian's Early Career

05:01 Graduate School and Shift to Impact Work

09:40 Navigating the Impact Investment Space

18:17 Cultural Influences and Sensitivity in Impact Work

29:48 Reflecting on Corporate Storytelling Gone Wrong

30:19 Challenges in Impact Investment

31:19 The Success Story of Ajaita Shah and Frontier Markets

33:43 The Role of AI in Marketing

34:35 The Importance of Effective Storytelling

35:29 Navigating the Competitive Funding Landscape

39:04 The Fragmented Nature of Impact Finance

40:16 Choosing an SDG: Personal Reflections

41:08 The Critical Role of Partnerships

46:03 The Need for Leadership and Collaboration

54:39 Balancing Disruption and Tradition

59:35 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

In Season 2 of the 'Storytelling for Social Impact' podcast, we delve into impactful storytelling techniques to drive social change.

This episode features an insightful conversation with Howard Lake, a pioneer in the fundraising space with a career spanning over 40 years. We discuss the role of emotion in impactful storytelling, the balance between professional and emotional communication, and the evolving landscape of digital and AI tools in the nonprofit sector.

Howard shares his experiences from pioneering digital fundraising to exploring AI's potential in today’s social impact initiatives, emphasising the importance of alignment, curiosity, and authentic narratives.

00:00 Introduction to Season Two

01:26 Meet Howard Lake: A Fundraising Pioneer

03:51 Howard's Early Career and Innovations

10:41 The Role of Emotion in Fundraising

16:22 Challenges and Changes in the Charity Sector

20:41 The Importance of Board Buy-In

26:31 Memorable Campaigns that stood out

28:07 The Power of 'Save Everyone'

28:41 Human Cost and Unexpected Stories

29:18 Making Others the Hero

31:02 The Importance of Storytelling in Charities

31:46 External Support and Fresh Perspectives

37:43 Challenges and Mental Health in Fundraising

47:56 The Role of AI in Fundraising

55:35 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Follow the podcast for new episodes and leave a review to keep us going

• Claire House [home of the story about Jack]
• Giving X Ltd | LinkedInGiving X Ltd - Linkedin
• Fundraising.AI - Building a Responsible and Beneficial AI Community for Fundraising - Check out the future of fundraising
• Howard Lake - Linkedin - Get in touch with Howard
• Revolutionise research - Leading source of fundraising research
• Great Fundraising Organizations [book] - Howard mentions this book by Alan Clayton a few times as a great resource

Hi listeners, I hope you are enjoying the lovely sunshine we have been blessed with and are appreciating the flowers in bloom in this lovely spring season.

We are taking a break after season one until September, but we have a small favour to ask you.

If you have been enjoying the podcast please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, it is very encouraging for us to hear your thoughts and also helps us to grow the podcast.

We are currently planning season two, please share any ideas or topics you have for us to cover and any great guests we should have on.

Until we see you next in September, have a wonderful summer!

Oh and to ake sure you know when we publish next, make sure you follow the show on your podcast platform.

Storytelling For Social Impact

8 E8: Relationship-Driven Impact: Building Communities and Connections with Vinay Parmar

In this episode of the Storytelling for Social Impact podcast, we welcome Vinay Palmer, a globally recognised thought leader in customer experience, to discuss the critical elements of fostering meaningful relationships between organisations and their customers.

Vinay and our host Ravinol Chambers delve into topics such as the evolving role of AI, the importance of consistency, and the principle of serving customers with genuine care.

Vinay shares personal anecdotes and professional insights, emphasising the value of trust, collaboration, and proactive communication.

The conversation extends to community dynamics, examining how modern changes impact traditional structures and the importance of maintaining social cohesion.

Practical tips for improving customer service and community engagement are shared, making this episode a comprehensive guide for organisations looking to build lasting connections with their customers.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:36 Reconnecting with Vinay Palmer

01:37 The Importance of Community and Relationships

04:32 AI and Technology in Customer Experience

07:10 Consistency and Customer Loyalty

10:30 Designing a Seamless Customer Journey

19:09 Building Trust and Authenticity

29:12 Leadership and Customer-Centric Culture

30:26 The Power of Customer Stories

33:55 Empowerment in Organisations

37:54 Community and Changing Dynamics

43:52 Faith, Tradition, and Personal Growth

51:35 Building Trust and Long-Term Relationships

59:33 A Touching Personal Story from Vinay to Conclude

Vinay Parmar

With over 30 years of hands-on expertise, Vinay has seen firsthand how unforgettable customer interactions can transform businesses and organisations from the inside out.

Vinay's Website

Storytelling For Social Impact

7 E7: The Art Of Making Your Voice A Force For Good with Andrea Pacini

Andrea Pacini

In this episode of the Storytelling for Social Impact Podcast, host Ravinol Chambers welcomes guest Andrea Pacini, an author, speaker, and presentation coach.

Andrea discusses his book, 'Confident Presenter,' and shares practical tips on overcoming the fear of public speaking, creating impactful presentations, and connecting with the audience.

They explore the importance of quality education and how Andrea's company sponsors underprivileged kids' education.

Andrea also emphasizes the significance of familiarity, structure, and compelling messaging in effective presentations, highlighting the use of visuals and the power of pacing and pauses.

Listeners will learn actionable strategies to improve their communication skills and make a positive impact through their presentations.

Andrea also shares a link to download his Confident Speaker Toolkit - https://bit.ly/PresentToolkit 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:19 Andrea's Background and Mission

01:33 Sustainable Development Goals Discussion

05:41 Challenges in Public Speaking

06:22 Building Confidence in Presenting

10:12 Effective Presentation Structure

15:04 The Curse of Knowledge in Communication

16:46 The Power of Silence and Pacing

22:13 Engaging Presentation Openings

24:18 Starting with a Promise

25:07 Effective Presentation Structures

27:55 Engaging Introductions

29:39 Rehearsing for Success

43:39 Visual Aids in Presentations

46:45 Final Thoughts and Resources

Andrea's Website

Andrea Pacini is the author of Confident Presenter, a presentation coach and Head of Ideas

• Download The Confident Presenter Toolkit
• Presentation Skills Web Class - 3 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite
• Discover Your Presentation Score and become a more credible, confident and convincing presenter.
• Andrea's Book: 'Confident Presenter: Inspire your audience. Increase your influence. Make an impact.'
• Made To Stick Book: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Storytelling For Social Impact E6: How Simple Drawings Started a Global Conversation with Jonah Sachs

In this episode, our host Ravinol Chambers introduces Jonah Sachs, a notable author, speaker, and pioneer in viral marketing, discussing his groundbreaking work and perspectives on storytelling for social impact.

The conversation features an in-depth look at 'The Story of Stuff,' a seminal animation by Sachs company that addressed sustainable consumption and gained massive popularity (over 60 million views before YouTube).

Sachs shares insights on the importance of relatable storytelling, humour, and authenticity in captivating audiences, as well as methodologies for making complex topics engaging and digestible.

The episode also delves into how myths and legends can be harnessed to create contemporary meaning and the role of intelligent disobedience in challenging and transforming traditional narratives.

Listeners are encouraged to leave a review to help grow the podcast community focused on impactful storytelling.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:28 Meet Jonas Sachs: a Pioneer in Digital Marketing

01:33 The Story of Stuff: A Case Study

03:42 The Impact and Legacy of The Story of Stuff

14:28 Exploring Myths and Legends in Modern Storytelling

23:29 Intelligent Disobedience and Challenging the Status Quo

28:24 Conclusion and Community Call to Action

Jonah Sachs

Jonah's Website

Jonah Sachs is an American storyteller, writer, designer and entrepreneur. He is the author of Winning the Story Wars: Why Those Who Tell—and Live—the Best Stories Will Rule the Future and Unsafe Thinking: How to Be Nimble and Bold When You Need It Most.

Storytelling For Social Impact E5: Master Your Media Transform Your Life with Jodie Jackson

In this episode of the Storytelling for Social Impact podcast, your host Ravinol Chambers dives deep with Jodie Jackson, author and founder of the News Literacy Lab, on how to navigate the overwhelming digital media landscape.

They discuss avoiding common pitfalls in storytelling, the impact of media on mental health, and practical strategies for managing one's media diet.

Jodie shares insights on the importance of balancing negative news with positive, solution-focused journalism, and introduces her course 'Master Your Media, Master Your Mind'.

The discussion emphasizes the need for awareness, the benefits of slow journalism, and the significance of choosing and curating media content that empowers rather than drains the audience.

The importance of understanding biases and maintaining humility in knowledge is highlighted, aiming to help listeners take control of their media consumption for improved well-being.

00:00 Welcome to Storytelling for Social Impact

00:46 Introducing Jodie Jackson

01:35 The Impact of News on Mental Health

03:05 Understanding the Negativity Bias

05:20 The Power of Solutions Journalism

09:17 Challenges in Journalism and Audience Engagement

24:36 Hope as a Tool for Storytelling

29:44 Practical Tips for Media Consumption

32:05 Positive Storytelling in Media

32:35 Sponsor Message: Be Inspired Films

34:06 Balancing Media Consumption

35:22 Master Your Media, Master Your Mind

36:37 The Impact of Media on Wellbeing

39:24 Practical Tips for Managing Media Diet

48:57 The Concept of Slow News

54:14 Navigating Media Bias and Perspectives

58:26 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Jodie Jackson

Jodie's Website

@masteryourmind_withjodie on Instagram

Jodie Jackson is an impactful author, international speaker and an innovator in the world of media literacy. Her powerful book, "You Are What You Read: Why Changing Your Media Diet Can Change the World" has contributed to a widespread movement towards a more constructive media.

• The Week UK | All you need to know about everything that matters - Slow news weekly
• The Conversation UK is your most reliable trusted news. Written by academics. - Great source of news with a bit more depth
• Why Slow Journalism Matters | Delayed Gratification - Check out this site for slow journalism
• Balanced News site with views from all sides - Balanced News site with views from all sides
• Master Your Media, Master Your Mind | Online Course for Mental Health - Check out Jodie's latest course

Storytelling For Social Impact E4: Rewriting Life’s Script: Unlocking Potential Behind Bars with Simeon Quarrie

In this episode of 'Storytelling for Social Impact,' host Ravinol speaks with Simeon Quarrie, an award-winning entrepreneur, global speaker, filmmaker and founder of VIVIDA, about using storytelling for social change.

Simeon chose SDG16 'Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions' as well as SDGs 4 and 10 "Quality Education' and 'Reduced Inequalities' respectively.

They discuss Simeon's transformative work with young offenders in prisons, emphasizing the power of storytelling to help them reframe their lives and see new possibilities. The dialogue also covers the 'In Your Shoes' program, which uses immersive storytelling to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Through personal anecdotes and examples, they explore the importance of empathy, understanding different lived experiences, and the potential for immersive storytelling to drive meaningful social impact beyond just words.

00:00 Introduction to Storytelling for Social Impact

00:34 Meet Our Guest: Simeon Quarrie

01:25 Exploring Storytelling in Prisons

02:46 Transformative Experiences in Youth Prisons

04:39 Empowering Young Offenders Through Filmmaking

08:07 The Power of Storytelling in Rehabilitation

11:12 Building Connections and Changing Perceptions

14:01 Challenges and Insights from Working with Youth Offenders

21:03 Reframing Stories and Creating New Futures

30:56 Exploring Storytelling Structures

31:28 The Hero's Journey in Battle Scenes

33:07 Shorter Stories Within the Whole

33:59 Reframing Personal Stories for Growth

34:49 Engaging Youth Through Storytelling

35:43 Harnessing the Power of Story

37:22 Diversity and Inclusion: In Their Shoes

40:35 Crafting Characters for Empathy

43:57 Understanding Lived Experiences

54:57 The Power of Curiosity and Respect

01:00:23 Think, Feel, Act: A Framework for Change

01:01:55 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Simeon Quarrie

@simeonquarrie on Instagram

Simeon's Website

Award Winning Storyteller, Technologist, and Empathy Builder. Simeon Quarrie, founder of VIVIDA, is a respected industry leader merging storytelling, technology, and innovation to drive societal change. As the founder of VIVIDA, he has developed unique approaches to building empathy within organisations, such as the transformative initiative ‘In Their Shoes’. Using immersive technology and storytelling, Simeon enables individuals to experience life from the perspective of a person of Black heritage, driving powerful behavioural change working with organisations like HSBC and the Civil Service.

Storytelling For Social Impact E3: The $1 Billion Joke That Changed The Face Of Men's Health with Mark Leruste

In this episode, host Ravinol welcomes Mark Leruste, founder and CEO of Storycast, to explore the profound impact of storytelling on social causes.

Mark chose SDG3 'Good Health & Wellbeing' with a particular focus on Men's Health sharing insights from his time as Country Director at Movember.

Mark recounts his journey from creating a viral video resume to spearheading Movember's European efforts, emphasizing the pivotal role of personal storytelling in marketing and advocacy.

The discussion covers the alarming statistics around men's mental health, the societal hesitations men face in seeking help, and Movember's transformative approach using moustaches to raise awareness and funds.

You will learn how Movember went from a fun joke amongst friends to a global health initiative, raising over $1 billion, and some of the complexity of implementing disruptive campaigns and shifting masculine ideals.

They also delve into personal reflections on politics, empathy, and the importance of sharing personal stories for leadership and personal growth, drawing insights from both historical and modern advertising campaigns.

Through personal anecdotes and case studies, Mark and Ravinol underscore the liberating and impactful nature of embracing and sharing one’s authentic stories to make a difference.

00:00 Introduction

00:45 Meet Mark Leruste: Storytelling Expert

02:17 Mark's Journey with Movember

05:13 The Power of Personal Stories

07:50 Shocking Statistics on Men's Health

11:09 Challenges Men Face in Seeking Help

16:40 Movember's Origin Story

22:17 Successful and Unsuccessful Campaigns

30:13 Gillette's Take on Modern Masculinity

32:17 Exploring Gender Roles and Masculinity

34:19 The Impact of Controversial Campaigns

35:05 Self-Awareness and Personal Growth

35:24 Reflecting on Historical Contexts

37:30 Debating Participation Trophies

39:28 Understanding Political Perspectives

43:53 The Power of Personal Stories

56:58 The Importance of Authenticity

01:03:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mark Leruste

Mark is a leadership and communication expert, bestselling author of Glow in the Dark (Hachette UK), award-winning host of The Unconventionalists® podcast and former 7-figure fundraiser.

Mark's Website

• Glow In The Dark Book - Mark's great book on how sharing your personal story can transform your career and change your life.
• Be Inspired Films - Purpose Driven Video Production Company - Award-winning social-purpose Video Production Agency bringing out the heart in stories that matter.