Sex, Soap, & Alcohol cover art

Sex, Soap, & Alcohol

Sex, Soap, & Alcohol

Written by: Brands On A Mission - Myriam Sidibe
Listen for free

About this listen

Sex, Soap & Alcohol is a podcast about the everyday industries that quietly shape our lives and the bold ideas that can transform them into engines of dignity and impact. Hosted by Prof. Myriam Sidibé, public health scholar, marketing expert, and TED speaker, the show explores how business models can shift systems, unlock scale, and deliver change.


Each theme is an entry point into deeper conversations:


  • Sex explores gender equity, reproductive rights, consent, and how safe spaces and smart communication can transform futures.
  • Soap uncovers the role of hygiene in dignity, public health, neglected diseases, and the untold power of brands in advancing wellbeing.
  • Alcohol tackles toxic masculinity, gender-based violence, social norms, and the fine line between marketing responsibility and harm.


Episodes are shaped by five lenses: purpose, partnership, power, profit, and dignity. Together, they reveal how unlikely collaborations, from boardrooms to barbershops, can reframe what it means to do good business.


Born from a TED Talk that sparked global curiosity, Sex, Soap & Alcohol centers voices from the Global South and beyond, highlighting stories of radical collaboration, cultural nuance, and business-as-unusual approaches to systemic change.


This is a show for the doers and decision makers who believe frameworks alone won’t save us, but bold business models might. It is for leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and policymakers ready to see that profit and purpose are not opposites; they are multipliers.


Real stories. Real systems. Real change.

© 2026 Sex, Soap, & Alcohol Economics
Episodes
  • Global Handwashing Day: On a mission to create a movement

    Global Handwashing Day: On a mission to create a movement
    Feb 10 2026

    In this episode of the Sex, Soap and Alcohol podcast, host Professor Myriam Sidibé reflects on the inception and global impact of Global Handwashing Day, a movement that began over 15 years ago at Unilever with a simple bar of soap. The podcast features Marianne Yarrow, a PR expert who helped launch the campaign, and Janet Mbugua, one of the first ambassadors. They discuss the challenges and successes of creating a global awareness day, the importance of advocacy, and how to sustain such movements. The conversation covers their personal experiences, the branding versus authenticity debate, and tips on creating and maintaining meaningful advocacy campaigns.

    00:00 The Birth of Global Handwashing Day
    00:52 Reflecting on the Journey: From PhD to Global Movement
    01:39 Early Challenges and Breakthroughs
    03:25 Building a Coalition: The Role of Brands and Partnerships
    07:20 The First Global Handwashing Day: A Milestone Achievement
    11:56 Embedding the Campaign into Culture and Business Strategy
    13:47 Comparing Global Handwashing Day to Other International Days
    17:14 Personal Reflections: Becoming an Ambassador
    23:48 Maintaining Authenticity in Advocacy
    25:47 The Impact of COVID-19 on Handwashing Awareness
    26:40 Secrets to Sustaining Advocacy and Creating Movements
    36:29 Golden Rules for Creating Effective Advocacy Days

    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • Tony’s Chocolonely: On a Mission To End Exploitation In Cocoa

    Tony’s Chocolonely: On a Mission To End Exploitation In Cocoa
    Dec 3 2025

    Professor Myriam Sidibé, Founder of Brands and a Mission, sits down with Pascal Baltussen, Chief of Impact & Operations at Tony’s Chocolonely, to explore how a small act of journalism evolved into a global movement aiming to make all chocolate 100% exploitation-free.

    They discuss Tony’s origin story, the five sourcing principles that guide their ethical practices, and their commitment to ensuring a sustainable and fair supply chain.

    Highlighting the importance of coalition-building and impact-driven business models, Pascal shares insights on balancing commercial success with social responsibility.

    This episode emphasizes actionable steps for achieving systemic change and justice in the cocoa industry.

    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Sex, Soap & Alcohol Teaser

    Sex, Soap & Alcohol Teaser
    Sep 18 2025

    Welcome to Sex, Soap & Alcohol, a podcast that dares you to unleash your inner Chief Mission Officer. Hosted by Prof. Myriam Sidibé, public health scholar, TED speaker, and founder of Brands on a Mission, this show explores how business can be a force for dignity, equity, and real impact.

    In this teaser, we invite you to see how bold business models, courageous partnerships, and strategic innovation can transform trillion dollar industries from menstrual health to toxic masculinity into engines of lasting change. From boardrooms to barbershops, the stories you will hear prove that profit and purpose are not opposites they are multipliers.

    This is a call to philanthropists, funders, social innovators, and every business owner to step into your power, act boldly, and join our mission to impact #TheNextBillion. Unleash your inner Chief Mission Officer and help create systems that deliver dignity and impact at scale.

    Real stories. Real systems. Real change.
    Show More Show Less
    2 mins
No reviews yet