Force Multiplier

For many students, entering college is a rite of passage that resembles hope and excitement. But for many others - especially students of underrepresented communities - this experience is often one riddled with anxiety and worries. Young people have to face big challenges: figuring out how to meet the financial obligations that come with their education, and learning to navigate new spaces often without help or representation. In this final episode of Season Two, we meet two guests that have defied all odds in their educational journey and in turn, have become action leaders in their communities - Aimee Allison and Cheyenne Chandler. Aimee is a writer, democratic organizer, founder and president of “She The People,” an organization dedicated to increasing voter engagement of women of color. After beginning her career in the military, she explains how she made a difficult decision that led her to support some of the biggest political campaigns of the last few years. Then, hear from Cheyenne Chandler, a recent graduate from the University of Kentucky who didn’t crack under immense personal and financial pressures during her studies. Instead, she shares how she was able to use her experiences as a catalyst to fuel her passions, and how she leveraged her university’s resources to help her achieve her goals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s administrators, educators and staff have a long list of job requirements when it comes to educating our youth, but how do we ensure that students first have access to quality education? In this episode, we sit with Eli Capilouto, President of the University of Kentucky and Gordon Matchett, CEO of Take a Hike Foundation, as they explain how they are tackling a variety of issues that plague education access in their institutions. Both share how focusing on the needs of educators and creating safe spaces that are inclusive of all students is the key to ensuring a bright - and safe - future for everyone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a semi post-pandemic world, there’s no doubt that global health is still very much a problem - especially when it comes to inequity and access. Leveling the playing field in places where there are very little resources to go around, or in places that aren’t even aware they desperately need help, can feel overwhelming and near impossible. Especially in the mental health space. Our guests today prove that sometimes giving your time, compassion and skill set towards a cause are priceless resources just as vital as financial contributions.   In this episode, hear from Juan Acosta – a mental health advocate and regional manager at CalHOPE Warm Line at Mental Health Association of San Francisco who began his work at the young age of 13, and Dr. Karry Jose Felix, Chief Surgeon at Doctors Without Borders. Both guests talk about their journey within their organizations, and how they’ve brought their lived experiences to help their communities to create a bigger, lasting impact for health access and change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite feeling the impacts of a global pandemic, many people still view health as a personal issue. But what would happen if we began to look at health from a worldwide lens, one where health is not a luxury, but a fundamental human right?  In this episode, hear from Kim Goldsmith-N’Diaye, Director of Development at Doctors Without Borders and Amanda Ryan-Smith, Chief Development Officer for the Trevor Project. Both guests operate from the philosophy that all people – regardless of location or economic background – deserve quality healthcare. With a scarcity of healthcare access around the globe and a rise in mental health issues amongst younger people, both guests are a testament that a sort of ‘collective caring’ and awareness is the first step towards solving this massive and complicated issue.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"When it comes to taking action to solve climate change, steps like recycling, using less plastic, or saying goodbye to plastic straws – our collective intent usually comes with the hope that we will leave our planet a little better than its current state. But what happens when the answers aren't a fit for all people?" In the first part of our climate action conversation, we spoke with two organizations that are influencing change in their respective industries. In this second part, hear from youth activist Daphne Frias, who explains how climate policies often exclude people with disabilities, and Jo Dodds, president of Australia’s Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action who came close to losing her home in a devastating fire in 2018. They explain how their work is customized to fit the needs of their communities, and how grassroots efforts contribute to a bigger conversation and real change when it comes to matters of preserving the planet.     Tired of the same voices talking about science and the environment? Tune into the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast, a biweekly show that dives into the career paths, research, and big ideas from early career researchers from underrepresented groups. Serious conversations, big laughs, tears, and storytelling—the show takes an unflinching look at the intersection of our environment and social justice. You can listen and subscribe to Agents of Change in Environmental Justice on all major podcast platforms or visit the homepage at https://agentsofchangeinej.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between wildfires, floods and other severe weather discrepancies taking place each year, thinking about the solutions to the issue of climate change is overwhelming. And even when people do their best to do their individual part, it can feel like a drop in the bucket, or like it’s simply not enough. But what action, of any size, has the potential to drive real, global change – influencing leaders and driving focus of the largest climate issue at hand? If we join our voices together, do we have the ability to make change across education, nonprofit, public and private sectors?   In this episode, we hear from Amanda McKenzie, CEO of Australia’s leading climate change communications organization Climate Council, and Derrick Emsley, Co-Founder and CEO of the sustainable clothing brand Tentree -- two individuals who have found their communities and stakeholders to be at the core of their success. Although they sit on different degrees of the climate conversation spectrum, both Amanda and Derrick believe that a combination of technology and effective communication has the potential of giving people privilege to use their voices – creating a ripple effect of positive changes on the planet.     Tired of the same voices talking about science and the environment? Tune into the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast, a biweekly show that dives into the career paths, research, and big ideas from early career researchers from underrepresented groups. Serious conversations, big laughs, tears, and storytelling—the show takes an unflinching look at the intersection of our environment and social justice. You can listen and subscribe to Agents of Change in Environmental Justice on all major podcast platforms or visit the homepage at https://agentsofchangeinej.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Force Multiplier returns for Season 2 — a podcast about solving the world’s greatest challenges through unprecedented collaboration. We pose the question: Can we create true global impact through our own individual actions – further influencing change in our bigger institutions and culture? Do our actions, even if they feel small to us, amount to a collective power? For that may be the only way to truly tackle challenges as big as climate change, education access and global health. Join Baratunde Thurston as he sits with leaders and doers from across the public, private and nonprofit world who are finding new ways to lean into culture, community and the power of technology to drive real change. Force Multiplier is an iHeartRadio Podcast with SalesForce.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 2021, the hottest month in history. Glaciers are retreating around the world, sea levels are rising at alarming speeds, and the intensity and frequency of hurricanes have all increased. Climate change isn't a distant threat - it is happening now. The environmental impacts of our collective human actions include more extreme weather and natural disasters, chronic drought, and economic instability. Failure to act is not an option. Climate action isn't just about declarative statements or lofty announcements; it is about courage, action, and execution. On this final episode of Force Multiplier Season One, we have two reasons to be hopeful, two reasons to believe in the future that looks bright for our planet - Birgit Cameron and Jennifer Morris. Birgit, Co-Founder, and Head of Patagonia Provisions, a division of Patagonia Works, passionately describes the role nature and, specifically, soil plays in saving our planet. With a focus on sustainable ingredients, we learn how supporting regenerative farming practices that rebuild soil health can promote biodiversity and capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere - techniques that can mitigate and potentially reverse climate change. Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy - the largest environmental non-profit organization in the Americas. Jen shares how important it is to deploy solutions that maximize nature's own ability to fight climate change. But change at a meaningful scale cannot be achieved by any one organization. As Jen sees it, tangible, lasting results will only come from radical collaboration—across sectors, across beliefs, across knowledge bases. As a self-proclaimed "impatient optimist," - she believes that the global community can come together and enact the right policies, shift industries toward a more sustainable path, and empower local communities to protect the resources that sustain them. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trigger warning. This content includes references to suicide and other sensitive material.  We need to talk about mental health. To talk about it is to understand it; to understand it is to remove the stigma, and removing the stigma provides a safe space for those suffering to seek help. Did you know that abuse, neglect, and adverse childhood experiences are considered the principal preventable causes of mental illness? In the presence of violence and absence of love, neglected children have chronic activation of the stress response system - something that will derail almost every aspect of their fragile development? Protecting and supporting our children emotionally and mentally from a young age is an urgent and non-negotiable need. Look at mental health in the black community, and you will understand that the roots run much deeper, the abuse and neglect spanning generations. Black Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population - with the stigma and shame of seeking help a massive barrier to protecting our communities. In this episode, we hear from two important and influential guests. Charlamagne Tha God, co-host of the nationally syndicated show, The Breakfast Club, and Benjamin Perks, Head of Campaigns and Advocacy in the Division of Global Communications at UNICEF. Both Charlamagne and Benjamin share a personal passion and urgency for creating awareness around mental health. They may have very different audiences, but their message is clear there is hope, and the cycle can be broken. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reframing our language is an important step to understanding the root cause of social issues in our world today. Homelessness doesn't always mean someone lacks a community, nor does having a home mean someone feels safe. The unhoused include people who have fled their own homes like refugees or people who cannot afford to keep a house. Housing status isn't the only way many would describe their identity, nor does it provide an accurate view of their well-being. It is more complicated, and we must avoid generalizing and oversimplifying. Instead, we must focus on housing stability and why so many Americans live on the edge, one medical bill, one utility bill, or one argument away from becoming unhoused.  For this episode of Force Multiplier, Baratunde is joined in conversation by two guests, Darice Ingram and Matt Rosen. As a program assistant at California State University, East Bay Darice focuses on wellbeing both inside and outside the classroom. Through her work, she provides at-risk students with warm meals, temporary housing assistance, emergency funds, and more, supporting them on their path to graduation. Matt Rosen is the chief program officer for Habitat for Humanity, San Francisco. Matt underscores the importance of looking beyond housing as a commodity and focusing more on building and sustaining communities that our children will enjoy living in. And finally, we hear from Mike King, President, and CEO of Volunteers of America. Mike has seen firsthand the struggles of America's unhoused. Understanding that this life circumstance could happen to anyone and that we should treat everyone with a level of respect and dignity is where we must begin as we look to support those in our communities. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If there are more job openings than there are people unemployed then why are we facing one of the greatest economic growth challenges of our time? If 32 million Americans don't know how to use a computer and half of Americans are not comfortable learning online, then how do we ensure the skills gap doesn’t exclude those most vulnerable of being left behind? While workers are in high demand, the right skills are in short supply. We must bridge this gap by better aligning the educational and learning resources available to workers with the skills needed by businesses. America’s future depends on it. On this episode of Force Multiplier, Baratunde sits with two leaders who are demonstrating the power of developing innovative cross-sector programs and providing flexible learning options for all. Onney Crawley, CMO of Goodwill Industries, shares how one of the most recognizable community organizations is leading efforts to close the opportunity gap by upskilling millions of Americans and helping them get back into the workforce. Dr. Sue Ellspermann, President of Ivy Tech Community College, shares how community colleges are leading the way to create more inclusive higher education systems, while also aligning students' skills with local economic needs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health equity is undoubtedly a global challenge, with some of the most vulnerable communities in the poorest countries bearing the brunt of the injustice. Improving access to basic health care needs, including vaccination against deadly infectious diseases, is a critical step to improving lives and creating a safe world for us all. How does health inequity affect your community? Would you recognize it among your own family, your friends, or your neighborhood? How can local solutions to Covid-19 help us fight the pandemic at a global scale? Health equity isn’t just a distant problem; it is a very local problem. On this episode of Force Multiplier Baratunde sits with two leaders working tirelessly to provide equitable health care for all. Aurélia Nguyen, Managing Director of the COVAX Facility at Gavi, shares how a global coalition of public and private organizations is transforming the lives of individuals, helping to boost the economies of lower-income countries, and making the world safer for everyone. Dr. Dominic Mack, the director of Morehouse School of Medicine National Center for Primary Care, describes how a cross-sector partnership uses critical resources and data on Covid-19, to connect families to culturally and linguistically appropriate information and services. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not just a matter of food. It's a matter of nutrition. If Nutrition is the most powerful determinant of health, then why do over 40 million Americans have trouble putting food on the table? If access to nutritious food is required for optimal growth and development, how do we safeguard our children’s future by addressing hidden hunger in our communities? The good news is that organizations are shifting focus, adopting new policies and programs to promote healthier, more balanced lifestyles, especially for those facing real hunger. On the first Episode of Force Multiplier join Baratunde as he sits with two leaders working across disciplines and sectors to solve nutrition insecurity. Gita Rampersad, Vice President at Feeding America, shares how the country’s largest hunger relief organization is working to provide communities across the country with access to nutritious food. Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell, Superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District describes how an unexpected partnership between an NBA All-Star family, a passionate Spanish Chef and a committed community delivered 15 million meals to families in need, creating a new model for how cross-sector partnerships can tackle our most pressing issues. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Force Multiplier is a new podcast that spotlights the exponential impact we can have on the world by working together. Whether we’re talking about health inequity, nutrition insecurity, or the opportunity gap in education, we are facing unprecedented challenges that require unprecedented collaboration from leaders across disciplines and sectors. Join host Baratunde Thurston as he sits with leaders from across the public, private and nonprofit world who are forging partnerships to tackle some of the toughest challenges facing us today. Force Multiplier is an iHeartRadio original podcast with Salesforce.org. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.