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Tech Matters

Tech Matters

Written by: Jim Fruchterman
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 In a landscape where the tech industry's reputation often precedes it, veteran social entrepreneur and Tech for Good pioneer Jim Fruchterman, along with many extraordinary change-makers, have been rewriting the narrative by using their tech skills to build a better world and drive positive social change. Through in-depth interviews unveiling the workings of some of the most transformative social impact organizations, you'll discover how individuals have harnessed the power of technology to confront the world's most pressing challenges. Prepare for a wealth of insights about how to enter the Tech for Good field, best ideation practices, effective exit strategies, ethical use of data, funding wisdom, and more. Whether you're part of a nonprofit, the tech sphere, government sector, or at the helm of social change, our podcast is your compass to ensure that, when designing software, you're putting people first. -- Hosted by Jim Fruchterman. Production: Gabriele Sha. Sound Engineering: Phil Kadet.Tech Matters © 2021 Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Design as a Lifeline, Jonathan McKay on Supporting LGBTQI+ Youth with SameSame

    Design as a Lifeline, Jonathan McKay on Supporting LGBTQI+ Youth with SameSame
    Jan 21 2026
    In this episode of Tech Matters, we sit down with Jonathan McKay, the founder of SameSame, a social enterprise dedicated to providing mental health support and access to services for LGBTQI+ youth. During the conversation, we explore Jonathan's journey from graphic design and for-profit marketing to the social sector with SameSame, using anonymity to create safe, accessible pathways for young LGBTQI+ people. Listeners will learn about the unique challenges in the mental health nonprofit world and why technology—when used ethically—is a lifeline for those who'd otherwise live with no support at all.

    Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/design-lifeline-jono-mckay-supporting-lgbtqi-youth-samesame

    JONATHAN MCKAY [Co-Founder & President]

    Jonathan is a designer and social entrepreneur dedicated to the intersection of technology, media, and social justice. At SameSame, he leads strategy and product design to create digital lifelines for marginalized communities, building on a career that includes serving as Chief Creative and Programmes Officer at Girl Effect. With a professional background that spans high-level corporate branding to large-scale humanitarian initiatives with UNICEF and the Ford Foundation, Jonathan has successfully launched digital platforms reaching over 50 million people in 40 countries.

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    50 mins
  • The Farmer-to-Farmer Playbook, with Rikin Gandhi of Digital Green

    The Farmer-to-Farmer Playbook, with Rikin Gandhi of Digital Green
    Jan 7 2026
    Inspired by astronauts and grounded in the realities of rural India, the founder of Digital Green shares a 15-year journey of using technology to support smallholder farmers. In this episode, we hear how a Microsoft Research project grew into a global nonprofit working with governments and NGOs, first by using low-cost farmer-to-farmer videos, and now by building AI-powered advisory tools in local languages. We dig into what actually works in the field, how costs dropped for farmers using Digital Green's tools, and why partnership, farmer agency, and careful tuning of AI models matter more than flashy tech.

    Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/the-farmer-to-farmer-playbook-with-rikin-gandhi-of-digital-green

    RIKIN GANDHI [Co-Founder & CEO]

    Rikin was trianed in computer science and aerospace engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and MIT. After working for Oracle and Microsoft Research, he co-founded the non-profit Digital Green in 2008, using digital technology for agricultural extension in South Asia and Africa.

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    45 mins
  • Helplines Reimagined, with Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt of Aselo [added commentary]

    Helplines Reimagined, with Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt of Aselo [added commentary]
    Dec 17 2025
    In this special episode, we revisit the origin story of Aselo, the open-source contact center platform transforming how child helplines operate around the world. Jim talks with Aselo's leaders, Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt, about modernizing helplines by integrating calls, texts, and social media to meet young people where they are. From global partnerships to the careful use of AI, this conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what it takes to build trustworthy, privacy-first technology for children in crisis.

    Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/helplines-reimagined-dee-luo-nick-hurlburt-aselo/

    DEE LUO [Director of Product & Business Operations]

    Dee has worked in Product Management building SaaS business software at Yext, a New York-based technology company, and has worked on pro bono projects for international social enterprises. She's been a fellow of the MovingWorlds Institute and joined Tech Matters in 2020 to lead product management for Aselo.

    NICK HURLBURT [Executive Director]

    Nick began his career developing early AI software at Amazon, and later managed software teams at Sift. He spent six years in conflict relief in Burma and South Sudan, capturing human rights, migration, and multi-sector program data. He joined Tech Matters in 2019 and now leads the technology development for the Aselo helpline project.

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    If you like what you hear, leave us a 5 star rating on your favorite platform.

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    Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-matters/
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    33 mins
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