Recorded at the Nobel Peace Center during Oslo Innovation Week for the Peace of Mind Podcast series, this Modern Idealist episode explores how humanity can survive and thrive in the digital age. Hosts Valerie Leung and Meryn Zumbo Willets speak with Pardis Shafafi, anthropologist practitioner and previously the Global Responsible Business Lead at Designit Oslo, whose rare profile combines humanitarian work, journalism, and ethical innovation. Together, they unpack the paradox of a world that is both advancing and unraveling, asking how we can face complexity, show up purposefully, and take concrete action in our lives and workplaces to drive meaningful change.
In this conversation, Sophie, co-founder and CEO of Morescope, shares her journey into the climate action space, discussing her background, the importance of technology in decarbonization, and the challenges posed by EU regulations. The discussion highlights the intersection of individual actions and corporate responsibility, emphasizing the need for a shift in mindset towards sustainability. Sophie also addresses the opportunities and challenges in the sustainability landscape, advocating for a future where sustainable business practices are integral to success.
In this conversation, we're joined by our guest, Sahibzada Mayed (they/them), where they discuss their journey as a first-generation immigrant and the complexities of navigating identity, land, and decolonization. They reflect on the importance of reconnecting with ancestry, unlearning sanitized histories, and the role of research in reclamation. The dialogue explores the nuances of cultural appropriation versus appreciation, the violence of colonization, and the need for resistance. Mayed emphasizes the significance of connecting across experiences to foster true solidarity and imagines new futures rooted in collective liberation.
In this episode of the Modern Idealist Podcast, hosts Valerie and Meryn reconnect after a hiatus, sharing personal updates and reflections on motherhood, travel, and the complexities of modern life. Valerie discusses her journey into motherhood and the challenges of the fourth trimester, while Meryn shares her travel experiences and insights on cultural immersion. The conversation delves into the importance of political awareness, personal agency, and the need for inclusivity in discussions about societal issues. As they kick off Season Two, they express excitement for exploring new topics and fostering meaningful conversations with their audience.
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Join us as Samira Khan, a seasoned expert from Salesforce and Microsoft, delves into the essential fusion of social innovation and responsible AI. Samira shares her journey from witnessing social injustices to becoming a leader in sustainability, emphasizing the need for holistic, interdisciplinary approaches. She discusses the impact of parenthood on her views, the importance of up-skilling for the AI era, and her hopes for global innovation. Discover how unified strategies in tech and ethics can drive meaningful change.
As of 2021, the top 1% of households in the United States held 32.3% of the country's wealth, while the bottom 50% held just 2.6%. Additionally, the top 20% of the wealthiest Americans possessed 80% of all financial assets. Meryn and Valerie dive into the macro and micro perspectives on wealth and privilege. Whether you are in the top 1% or the top 20%, there is no escaping the harsh question: on whose shoulders do we stand to gain the wealth and enjoy the privileges that we have?
Valerie and Meryn's take on the tragedy of the commons. In a world of free markets (with good intentions), we've gotten so competitive that we've forgotten we all live in the same world sharing resources (beyond land and natural resources) and that we ultimately face the same problems.
We question if we've been over gamified in today's societal standards that hurt the economy and ultimately hurt ourselves. Will we be able to break our of it as a group and what can we do as individuals?
Petter Reistad CEO and co-founder of Celsia, a sustainability management and reporting software company aiming to make regulatory sustainability reporting simpler, talks to Valerie about how Celsia has been navigating this emerging field. What the wins have been, and what hidden hurdles remain to be overcome. Since the recording of this episode, Celsia has been acquired by ISS Corporate. Petter elaborates on the importance of better quantifying sustainability, how the market is developing, and why he stays hopeful for this field of quantifying sustainability.
Welcome back to another episode of Modern Idealist, a podcast for career driven professionals striving to make an impact in today’s fast paced society. I’m Valerie Leung. And we’ve brought on a very smart and data-driven friend of Modern Idealist today, Tony Senanayake, is a Chief Strategy Officer at Fortify Health, a non-profit that provides micronutrient-rich wheat flour to combat iron-deficiency anemia. He's passionate about development economics, public policy, and using data and evidence to amplify impact for people on the ground. He talks to us about data driven development and how he has been working with data driven methods to ensure and further his impact. If you stick around to the second half of the episode, we get into how development work, which often receives philanthropy funding, looks out on the ground.
*SUBSCRIBE TO US!* ✅ @Modern Idealist on Spotify / Apple Podcast / Google Podcast ✅ Instagram: ModernIdealistPodcast ✅ Linkedin: Modern Idealist Podcast *CONNECT WITH US!* Tell us what you enjoyed and what you want to hear more on! ✨ Email: ModernIdealistPodcast@gmail.com ✨ SHARE WITH A FRIEND *RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE EPISODE* Doctors Without Borders Video, Anti-racism: When you picture Doctor Without Borders, what do you see?
Book: Poor Economics, by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo Banerjee
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
Suggested: Listen on 1.2x! Welcome back to another exciting episode, where we delve into the raw and honest experiences of individuals living and working abroad. In this episode, we'll explore the international life in Norway, focusing on navigating relationships, work, and dating, and providing personal tips and insights on how to thrive abroad, particularly in Norway and the Nordic region. Join us as we uncover the joys and challenges of building a life as foreigners.
Valerie meets up with Bjørn Kjetil Mauritzen, Head of Sustainability from Hydro, a Norwegian aluminum and renewable energy company. It is also one of the world’s largest aluminum company. We discuss the hot topics of industrial sustainability, holistic value chain approaches and innovations applied in the heavy industries towards sustainability. Aluminum production is deeply complex as it has heavy carbon emissions, it is extractive of raw material, and could create toxic chemicals in production that results in polluting local waters. On the other hand, it is known to be the greener metal compared to the other metals as it is largely recyclable, and has a big recyclable potential. In addition, Bjørn shares his intriguing personal journey, tracing their transition from the world of crude oil trading to their current pivotal role in industrial sustainability.
Through this enlightening episode, we gain invaluable insights into the strategic approach adopted by the Hydro company to navigate the intricate landscape of sustainability while maintaining profitability. Our guest unveils the very tangible challenges encountered along the way, with a particular focus on the intricate interplay between aluminum and key industries such as electric vehicle (EV) batteries, renewable energy, and the elusive realm of consumer behavior.
With EVs revolutionizing the automotive sector, we unravel the vital relationship between aluminum production and the quest for sustainable battery technologies. Bjørn Kjetil offers a wealth of knowledge on the concerted efforts being made to ensure that aluminum production processes and supply chains align seamlessly with sustainable practices, mitigating the environmental impact associated with EV battery manufacturing.
But our exploration does not stop there. We shed light on the profound significance of fair trade within the aluminum industry, as our guest emphasizes the critical need for inclusive practices that extend benefits to all stakeholders. The path to a greener and fairer aluminum industry is to prioritize the well-being of communities, workers, and marginalized groups.
Join us in discussion as we peel back the layers of industrial sustainability challenges, delve into the innovative and value chain opportunities that lie within, and continue the progression towards a fairer trade for all stakeholders concerned.
Correction of the New York's tax free bagel: https://www.npr.org/2023/04/19/1170715220/tax-free-bagel-loophole-sandwich-tax
In this episode of the Modern Idealist Podcast, we sit down with Verel Rodrigues, a climate activist, engineer and environmental campaigner to hear his perspectives on corporate activism. We discuss the need for social momentum vs technology because, as Verel rightly says, while the technology is already available, we're still missing the political will to affect change. Verel discusses how can climate-conscious companies build momentum and that we needn't look further than the oil and gas industry for strategies they've used to gain political favour. For Verel, campaigning with Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion was a way for him to deal with climate anxiety, however, he sheds light on the many ways people can be activists without taking to the streets. He destigmatizes what activism truly is to give us a fresh perspective on how to use it in the workplace. The conversation then turns towards the expansion of human consciousness and the concepts of time, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of how fast we can make things happen when the will is there. We hope that you're both enlightened by Verel's insights and that you take with you some concrete ways to build momentum in your organisation, regardless of your role.
How to find Verel:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verelrodrigues/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/verelrodrigues
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verelrodrigues/
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Books and resources that were mentioned on the show:
The Good Ancestor by Roman Krznaric
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
For 3 Pathways for Civilization graph, go to our Instagram @ModernIdealistPodcast
In this episode, we focus on content for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) specialists and professionals, and our guest Vikram walks us through a 5-day outreach sprint that he has come up with. Vikram has an impressive background working with major international organization bodies for responsible (sustainability and social) businesses, including the UN PRI, Textile Exchange, Finance UNEP Initiative, Access to Nutrition Index, SustainAbility and many others. He shares his insights on why organizations are increasingly interested in improving their DEI practices and the opportunities he sees in using data and storytelling to help DEI professionals.
Vikram designed the 5-day outreach sprint specifically to assist DEI professionals who are often limited in capacity or in need of some outreach tips. The technique uses a simple data collection-to-data storytelling approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches, to create connections with new clients. We discuss the importance of growing the DEI market and the need for more companies to work on improving DEI practices in a measurable way.
Through this conversation, DEI professionals will learn valuable outreach techniques and insights that can help them create meaningful conversations within organizations. Join us as we explore the world of DEI and discover new ways to promote inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.
5-DAY OUTREACH SPRINT: https://73bit.com/DataDrivenDEI
Free Prototype Scorecard Checklist: https://73bit.com/spcc
Vikram's podcast, Sustainability Scores: bitly.com/73bitOnSpotify
How to find Vikram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikramshettyc/ or vikram@73bit.com
*SUBSCRIBE TO US!* ✅ @Modern Idealist on Spotify / Apple Podcast / Google Podcast ✅ Instagram: ModernIdealistPodcast ✅ Linkedin: Modern Idealist Podcast *CONNECT WITH US!* Tell us what you enjoyed and what you want to hear more of! ✨ Email: ModernIdealistPodcast@gmail.com ✨ SHARE WITH A FRIEND
Sources that were mentioned on the show:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90829346/collaboration-is-vital-for-innovation
This episode is part 2 of our last episode. In the second part, we're going macro, we’re also going to give our thoughts and reflections on some of the big bold predictions for 2023. Specifically, we will be referring to a list that Linkedin published at the end of 2022 called, Big Ideas 2023, 23 bold predictions of the year ahead. This was recorded in January 2023, and there are 20 predictions on there, and we’ll take the first 5 in today’s episode.
Linkedin Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/big-ideas-2023-23-bold-predictions-year-ahead-linkedin-news-europe/?trackingId=zWQuC9iQSSCiugVgU5ZSpw%3D%3D
