The Social Impact Journal cover art

The Social Impact Journal

The Social Impact Journal

Written by: Jack Farren
Listen for free

About this listen

The Social Impact Journal is a podcast talking to changemakers who are driving social impact across the world. In the journal, we aim to share stories, lessons and experiences from our guests to inspire our listeners to begin or continue working towards social impact.

© 2025 The Social Impact Journal
Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • #57 - Community Led Innovation in Hudson New York with Gigi Danziger, Investor and Philanthropist
    Sep 16 2025

    In this episode, Jack speaks with Gigi Danziger, an impact investor and founder of initiatives in Hudson, New York that champion community-led innovation. Gigi shares the story of how the HudsonUP initiative began — the first small-city Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilot in the U.S. — and reflects on the evidence and lessons learned so far.


    We dive into:

    • Why Hudson became the testing ground for UBI and how the idea emerged.
    • The design of the pilot: 128 participants receiving $500/month for five years.
    • Key findings: improved mental and physical health, increased employment, and a rise in entrepreneurship.
    • Insights on building trust in communities where outside promises have often gone unfulfilled.
    • Broader community initiatives beyond UBI — from medical debt relief, to affordable housing with steward ownership.
    • Gigi’s philosophy on community, and purpose as foundations for thriving.
    • Advice for others looking to replicate hyper-local, community-driven solutions in their own contexts.

    🌐 Learn more:

    • The Spark of Hudson
    • HudsonUP (UBI)
    • Wally Farms

    Resources & Links

    • 📑 HudsonUP Study Findings (Year 4) — Jain Family Institute
    • 🐦 HudsonUP on X
    • 📸 The Spark of Hudson on Instagram


    Stay Connected

    • LinkedIn: SIJ Media
    • Instagram: @thesocialimpactjournal
    • Twitter: @sijpodcast
    • Tiktok: @thesocialimpactjournal

    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • #56 - How Can Your Organisation Become Fundable and Findable with Kevin L. Brown, MIGHTY ALLY
    May 1 2025

    In this conversation, Jack met with Kevin L. Brown, Founding Partner and CEO of Mighty Ally.

    Kevin is a writer, a speaker, and CEO of the nonprofit hybrid Mighty Ally. He initially spent 15 years building private sector brands - from Apple to adidas, Formula One to fintech startups. And in his first four corporate gigs, Kevin helped each company scale towards acquisition, including one he co-founded. Then, a passion for the orphan crisis (his why) led to living in Uganda, followed by South Africa, Mauritius, and Malaysia. In 2017, he co-founded Mighty Ally — Uganda’s second-ever B Corp.

    Kevin is an Acumen East Africa Fellow, plus an advisor for two grantmakers: Roddenberry Foundation and Greenwood Place. He served on the board of Impact Hub, won a Valiente Award at SXSW and a NEXT Award for Startup of the Year, was named an Executive Influencer by Billboard Magazine, and proudly sports a torn Achilles from the Ironman World Championship.

    Three daughters from Uganda and China fuel his work to end poverty and injustice. Years ago, he and his high-school sweetheart wife sold their house, car, and everything they owned. And they set out as a nomadic family of five — with only a backpack and suitcase each — to live on every continent together by 2030.

    The episode covered:

    - The challenges faced by nonprofits, particularly the 'nonprofit starvation cycle.'
    - The 'Fundable and Findable Framework,' emphasizing the importance of brand clarity and effective communication in fundraising.
    - Kevin's insights on targeting donor groups, the role of AI tools in experimentation, and the significance of a well-designed website.
    - Reflecting on Kevin's journey of writing his new book also reflects on the journey of writing his book, 'Fundable & Findable: The Brand-New Way to Fix Your Nonprofit Fundraising.'

    Connect with Kevin on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinlbrown/
    Learn more about his new book here: https://fundablefindable.org/

    Chapters

    00:00 From Private Sector to Social Impact
    02:46 Understanding Nonprofit Challenges
    06:08 The Fundable and Findable Framework
    08:52 Communications and Clarity in Fundraising
    11:47 Targeting Donor Groups Effectively
    14:57 Experimentation and AI Tools in Nonprofits
    17:53 The Journey of Writing 'Fundable and Findable'
    20:53 Insights from the Book Launch at Skoll
    24:04 Key Principles for Nonprofit Success
    26:55 Crafting a Clear Mission Statement
    30:04 The Importance of Your Website
    33:14 Building a Budget-Friendly Website
    35:48 Final Thoughts on Nonprofit Fundraising



    Keep up-to-date with our socials here:

    Linkedin: the-social-impact-journal
    Instagram: @thesocialimpactjournal
    Twitter: @sijpodcast
    Tiktok: @thesocialimpactjournal

    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • #55 - Building Leaders to Transform the Economy with Tom Rippin, Founder and CEO at OnPurpose
    Feb 3 2025

    In this conversation, Tom Rippin shares his journey into social entrepreneurship, detailing his transition from academia to the commercial sector and ultimately to founding On Purpose, a program designed to train individuals for purpose-driven careers. He discusses the challenges and successes of launching the program, the growth it has experienced, and the evolving training needs of its associates. Rippin emphasizes the importance of integrating social and commercial skills to create impactful change.

    In this conversation, Tom Rippin discusses the structure and evolution of the On Purpose program, focusing on how it prepares individuals for transformational change in their careers and the economy. He highlights the importance of community, mentorship, and practical training in fostering leaders who can navigate complexity and drive systemic change. Rippin shares success stories of alumni who have made significant impacts in various sectors, emphasizing the need for a shift in values towards sustainability and health in organizations. He concludes with an inspiring message about the power of individual action in creating a better future.


    Chapters
    00:25
    Journey into Social Entrepreneurship

    07:45
    The Birth of On Purpose

    12:00
    Launching the First Cohort

    18:20
    Growth and Expansion of On Purpose

    22:14
    Training and Development Needs

    24:05
    Overview of the Program Structure

    29:00
    Understanding Transformational Change

    32:04
    Alumni Success Stories and Impact


    Connect with Tom on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomrippin/

    Learn more about OnPurpose here: https://onpurpose.org/en/


    Keep up-to-date with our socials here:

    Linkedin: the-social-impact-journal

    Instagram: @thesocialimpactjournal
    Twitter: @sijpodcast
    Tiktok: @thesocialimpactjournal


    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
No reviews yet