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Corporate Unplugged
Small Acts of Kindness can Change the World
Right now, says Nipun Mehta, founder of Service Space, an incubator of gift economy projects that inspire people to be the change they wish to see, the world needs a little more kindness. And yes, with so many challenges happening globally, it might feel like such an insignificant act isn’t going to affect anything but says Nipun, that’s how history changes.
25 years ago, in Silicon Valley, Nipun started Service Space as an experiment with friends. Today it’s a global ecosystem with around 1.5 million members. And they've not only delivered millions of dollars in service for free, but they're also regenerating a gift culture.
In this incredibly insightful conversation, Vesna and Nipun discuss how small acts of kindness can change the world. To find out more, download and listen to this episode.
On today’s podcast:
- What we can learn from the gratitude economy
- The future potential of AI
- Aligning AI with heart intelligence
- The 1,000 km journey to himself
- The long term solution for business
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150. Innovating Children's Futures
32:41||Season 2, Ep. 150Thomas Davin is the Global Innovation Director at UNICEF. With over two decades of experience in international development and humanitarian work, in this episode of Corporate Unplugged Thomas shares his insights on leveraging innovation to address global challenges affecting children.He emphasizes the critical role of young people as active contributors to climate innovation and highlights UNICEF's efforts to empower youth through initiatives like climate accelerators, which support young innovators in developing impactful solutions. UNICEF's strategic approach to identifying and scaling innovative solutions has stretched to cover 160 countries. Thomas explains how his team identifies key problems affecting children, such as the learning crisis where a significant percentage of children cannot comprehend texts they read. By vetting and adopting successful solutions from various regions, UNICEF aims to address these challenges effectively.Thomas discusses the importance of building future leaders through programs like Upshift, which equips young people with skills in critical thinking and problem-solving. This initiative has reached over 1.5 million adolescents globally, fostering a generation of adaptable and innovative thinkers poised to shape the future.Throughout the episode, Thomas reflects on the power of collaboration and co-creation in solving complex global problems. He underscores the need for bold thinking and unlearning conventional approaches to drive meaningful change.Thomas powerfully expresses his passion for social justice and his vision for a future where every child has equal opportunities for quality education and health. He advocates for hope and empathy as essential elements in addressing global challenges and building a more equitable world.In this episode: UNICEF's focus on accelerating impact for children globally through innovative solutions.Identifying key problems, vetting solutions, and facilitating adoption and scaling of effective interventions.Importance of storytelling and highlighting successful local examples to inspire replication.UNICEF's "Upshifts" curriculum empowering young entrepreneurs and changemakers.Co-creation and "unlearning" as powerful tools to unlock new perspectives.Thomas's personal commitment to social justice and equal opportunities for all children.Advice to leaders on being bold, daring, and continuously challenging themselves and their teams.149. The Alchemy of Vibration and Music
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41:15||Season 2, Ep. 148Phoebe Tickell is a renegade scientist, systems thinker, and social entrepreneur that sums her work up as an ‘‘imagination activist’. In this episode, Vesna and Phoebe discuss the critical role of creativity and perception in shaping the world around us. We delve into the challenges of fostering imagination and creativity within organizations, highlighting the need for psychological safety, non-hierarchical work environments, and interventions that integrate art and creativity into leadership and decision-making. Phoebe shares her personal journey from the world of science and technology to the realm of moral imagination, driven by a desire to address societal issues at a deeper level.She envisions a future where living on Earth is safe, free, and abundant, with restored ecosystems and a life-centric economy. This important discussion explores the potential for organizations to become instruments of change, prioritizing people's well-being and the planet's health over traditional metrics of success. On this podcast with Phoebe Tickell you will hear about:The power of moral imagination in shaping the world and driving collective action.The importance of acknowledging the full spectrum of emotions, including our shadow sides, to create more textured and life-affirming futures.Strategies for building work environments that nurture creativity and innovation, such as fostering psychological safety and non-hierarchical structures.Phoebe’s personal journey from the world of science to the realm of moral imagination, driven by a desire to address societal issues at a deeper level.The potential for organizations to become instruments of change, prioritizing people's well-being and the planet's health over traditional metrics of success.147. The Need for Transformational Change for Growth
44:27||Season 2, Ep. 147New Zealand born business philosopher and entrepreneur, Christopher Evatt, was raised with the understanding that we should leave everybody and everything better than when we found it, and we should work for the good of the whole. But the problem is, we humans have been labouring under an illusion of separation, both individually and collectively. We’re all connected, says Christopher, our society, companies, organisations, the planet; we’re all one living system.In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Christopher discusses our need to evolve and grow, to raise our consciousness and understanding of our interconnectedness, both within individuals and organisations. But more importantly, we need to learn to clear our own energy system, to embrace the power of thought, intention, and beliefs to make wise choices and grow in wisdom.To learn more, download and listen to this episode today. On today’s podcast:● Personal growth, collective dysfunction, and planetary transformation● Consciousness, growth, and personal development● Bridging generations for business success● Businesses need a quantum understanding to thrive● We are all leaders146. How To Become What You Might Have Been
31:07||Season 2, Ep. 146Don’t stress about where you are in life, says Eda Çarmıklı, a proud utopian and firm believer, that it’s never too late to become what you might have been. You're going to get to where you need to be, or perhaps you’re already there. Just open your eyes and trust that life will bring you the right people, the right communities, and the right collaborations, when you’re ready. Eda’s the co-founder of the global collaborative platform, Joint Idea; lifelong laboratory growth program Life Works Labs; and social tribe, Love Mafia. She’s also a second generation shareholder in Nurol Holding, an industrial conglomerate in Turkey operating in construction, infrastructure, machinery, energy, investment, banking and tourism. In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Eda talks about the hurdles life presents us so that we can become what we were meant to be. “Just flow and see where life takes you. Don’t force things, don’t try to wear jackets that don’t fit you, just let it go and enjoy life as it is; just trust life that it may not deliver you what you want, but exactly what you need.” On today’s podcast: ● Personal growth, vulnerability, and utopia● Learn to voice your truth● Leadership, growth, and sustainability in a family-owned business● Exponential humanity and learning to listen● Collective intelligence, love, and compassion in business145. Resilience Thinking and Human Impact on the Planet
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