Inside Social Innovation

Latest Episodes:

David Funkhouser - TransFair's Work in Fair Trade Aug 04, 2008

Show notes

Coffee price fluctuations over past decades have created extreme financial crises and long-term poverty for thousands of small-scale Latin American farmers. In this Stanford Center for Social Innovation sponsored audio lecture, David Funkhouser of TransFair USA, details how the Fair Trade movement arose as a market-based approach to poverty alleviation and international development. He discusses Fair Trade's function to offer suppliers fair, above-market prices, and TransFair's role in supporting that movement.

https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/david_funkhouser_-_transfairs_work_in_fair_trade

Thulasiraj Ravilla - Aravind: Sustainable Healthcare Jul 30, 2008

Show notes

How did a free eye clinic that started in a house in south India in 1976 grow to become Asia's first international training facility for blindness prevention workers? In this audio interview, host Sheela Sethuraman speaks with Thulasiraj Ravilla from the Aravind Eye Care System. Ravilla concentrates on the innovative approaches that Aravind has developed to become a model for high-quality, low-cost health care.

https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/thulasiraj_ravilla_-_aravind_sustainable_healthcare

Gloria Steinem - Every Woman a Feminist Jul 27, 2008

Show notes

In this audio lecture, Gloria Steinem paints a rich picture of American feminism and social responsibility. From her anecdotes of 1960s activism to her thoughtful analysis of the possibilities for women in political leadership, Steinem continues to advocate that every woman has a part to play in this movement. She promises that any woman who performs one outrageous act to promote simple justice will not only help make the world better, but will be instantly inspired to do more.

https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/gloria_steinem_-_every_woman_a_feminist

Gavin Newsom - Say What You Think, Then Take Action Jul 23, 2008

Show notes

San Francisco's young and charismatic mayor, Gavin Newsom, has suffered his share of punches for taking bold positions on controversial issues. In this Stanford Center for Social Innovation sponsored audio lecture, Newsom tells of the courage and persistence it takes to make real social change as a leader. He outlines progressive reforms in areas such as education, health care, and business, and reflects on the personal and professional price paid for supporting one particularly contentious issue: gay marriage.

https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/gavin_newsom_-_say_what_you_think_then_take_action

Ken Roth - Who's Falling Short on Human Rights? Jul 21, 2008

Show notes

Ken Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, gives a thoughtful perspective on the "State of Human Rights" in the 70 countries where they work. In this audio lecture, he argues the biggest issue in human rights is the lack of leadership from governments that can exert a positive influence. He takes a critical look at the role of the United States and the European Union, in particular.

https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/ken_roth_-_whos_falling_short_on_human_rights

David Galenson - Social Entrepreneurs as Long-Horizon Creatives Jul 13, 2008

Show notes

At what stage in life do innovators make their most significant contributions to social enterprise? In this audio lecture, economist and creativity researcher David Galenson debunks the myth that high achievement is the domain of youth and genius for an audience of social entrepreneurs over the age of 60. Applying lessons learned from lives of artists and leaders, he considers differences in style and time horizons of creative people, emphasizing that social innovation is more about slow burn than flash in the pan.

https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/david_galenson_-_social_entrepreneurs_as_long-horizon_creatives

Vera Cordeiro Rio - Breaking the Cycle of Poverty-Related Illness Jul 07, 2008

Show notes

When Dr. Vera Cordeiro Rio worked at Hospital da Lagoa in Rio de Janeiro, she witnessed a constant admission/re-admission cycle in childcare treatment. To break that cycle, she gathered medical community volunteers to form Renascer, addressing root causes that prevent families from providing adequate care. In this audio interview, join host Sheela Sethuraman as she learns how Cordeiro Rio translated her passion translated into a methodology that is quickly sweeping through Brazil and the world.

https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/vera_cordeiro_rio_-_breaking_the_cycle_of_poverty-related_illness

Marion Nestle - Making Good Eating Choices Jul 06, 2008

Show notes

The question of what to eat to be healthy has spawned a rash of often contradictory advice by "experts." In this audio lecture, sponsored by the Stanford Ethics and Society Program, NYU professor and author Marion Nestle offers simple advice that cuts through the confusion. She highlights the difference between "nutrients" and "food," and suggests how to bring "nutrition" back into the food realm. Her discussion forays into how agriculture and business interact to produce the foodstuffs on our shelves.

https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/marion_nestle_-_making_good_eating_choices

Panel Discussion - Recycling's Role in Environmental Sustainability Jun 28, 2008

Show notes

In this education podcast, a panel of experts debates the importance of recycling in the effort to achieve environmental sustainability. Those against argue that recycling at the household level doesn't lead to the perceived benefits, but instead wastes more money and precious time. Those in favor argue that we are nearing a resource crisis that can be mitigated by the re-use of recycled material. Due to brief profanity, this program may not be appropriate for work or family listening.

https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/panel_discussion_-_recyclings_role_in_environmental_sustainability

Feliciano Reyna - Tackling AIDS in Venezuela Jun 24, 2008

Show notes

Feliciano Reyna talks about his multipronged approach to tackling AIDS in Venezuela. In this audio interview with Design for Change host Sheela Sethuraman, he shares his successes in influencing his government's policies and his strategies for engaging the corporate sector in this effort.

https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/feliciano_reyna_-_tackling_aids_in_venezuela