Moving the Needle Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/moving-the-needle Highlighting innovators doing needle moving sh!t to create generational wealth and inclusive competitiveness. Communities worldwide are at an inflection point. In the devastating wake of COVID, there are unparalleled opportunities to move the needle on realizing truly inclusive prosperity, fueled by dynamic economic growth. In this moment, communities can make bold, strategic, and equitable investments. Needle moving investments not only generate catalytic and sustained community impact, but also provide meaningful financial returns for the impact investors behind them. Moving the Needle is a podcast series featuring conversations with a globally curated mix of policymakers, philanthropists, private investors, and social innovators who are driving break-through investments that move the needle. Hosted by Christopher Gergen and Johnathan Holifield, an uncommon pairing who arrived at the common need for “doing needle moving sh#t” from very different lived experiences. Through the podcast, Gergen and Holifield invite guests to share their own lived experiences and what led them to their transformative investment theses. Designed to be highly interactive, energetic, and personal, the conversation will leave listeners with a deeper understanding of how investment can be channeled for the greater good, inspired by the stories behind the innovation, and excited to learn more about each guest. 2022 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 9e89e8d4-4175-5d7c-ba12-b993ac90d2de yes 429118f0-f31a-11f0-a187-dd3f6b83660a Trailer Trailer en Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:31:02 -0500 Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:31:12 -0500 https://img.transistorcdn.com/ijXV2QJ0DlCgIzRVooUn5pI7NoBdw-o1J0yfN0mIVPo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMxNjk0LzE2NTQ5/MTc1MTAtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Moving the Needle episodic Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Highlighting innovators doing needle moving sh!t to create generational wealth and inclusive competitiveness. Communities worldwide are at an inflection point. In the devastating wake of COVID, there are unparalleled opportunities to move the needle on realizing truly inclusive prosperity, fueled by dynamic economic growth. In this moment, communities can make bold, strategic, and equitable investments. Needle moving investments not only generate catalytic and sustained community impact, but also provide meaningful financial returns for the impact investors behind them. Moving the Needle is a podcast series featuring conversations with a globally curated mix of policymakers, philanthropists, private investors, and social innovators who are driving break-through investments that move the needle. Hosted by Christopher Gergen and Johnathan Holifield, an uncommon pairing who arrived at the common need for “doing needle moving sh#t” from very different lived experiences. Through the podcast, Gergen and Holifield invite guests to share their own lived experiences and what led them to their transformative investment theses. Designed to be highly interactive, energetic, and personal, the conversation will leave listeners with a deeper understanding of how investment can be channeled for the greater good, inspired by the stories behind the innovation, and excited to learn more about each guest. Highlighting innovators doing needle moving sh!t to create generational wealth and inclusive competitiveness. Jason Gillikin No No Leading Authentically in a Fractured World with Christopher & David Gergen 2 2 11 11 Leading Authentically in a Fractured World with Christopher & David Gergen full e894133e-0654-42a5-a986-167eb6d31161 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5b944814 What does authentic leadership look like in today’s divided world? In this intimate conversation, Moving the Needle co-host Christopher Gergen sits down with his father, legendary advisor and commentator David Gergen, to explore the values that shape courageous, service-driven leadership. From growing up in Durham to navigating the halls of power, the two reflect on trust, collaboration, intergenerational mentorship, and civic responsibility. This is a heartfelt dialogue on what it means to lead with purpose and how we pass that torch to the next generation.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


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  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> What does authentic leadership look like in today’s divided world? In this intimate conversation, Moving the Needle co-host Christopher Gergen sits down with his father, legendary advisor and commentator David Gergen, to explore the values that shape courageous, service-driven leadership. From growing up in Durham to navigating the halls of power, the two reflect on trust, collaboration, intergenerational mentorship, and civic responsibility. This is a heartfelt dialogue on what it means to lead with purpose and how we pass that torch to the next generation.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2025 11:05:55 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3327 What does authentic leadership look like in today’s divided world? In this intimate conversation, Moving the Needle co-host Christopher Gergen sits down with his father, legendary advisor and commentator David Gergen, to explore the values that shape courageous, service-driven leadership. From growing up in Durham to navigating the halls of power, the two reflect on trust, collaboration, intergenerational mentorship, and civic responsibility. This is a heartfelt dialogue on what it means to lead with purpose and how we pass that torch to the next generation.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Debt, Dignity, and Disruption: Financing a New Future for Higher Ed with Dr. Mark Anthony Brown 2 2 10 10 Debt, Dignity, and Disruption: Financing a New Future for Higher Ed with Dr. Mark Anthony Brown full b72bd49e-26b3-420c-bab4-62e589bc108b https://share.transistor.fm/s/3caf5da3 As the first alumnus to serve as President of Tuskegee University, Dr. Mark Brown brings a powerful blend of personal experience, military leadership, and policy innovation to the future of higher education. In this episode, he reflects on his journey—from growing up with limited means to overseeing a $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio. Dr. Brown offers bold ideas to tackle student debt, including income-contingent financing models and a vision for an “endowment without walls.” His message: higher ed can be a driver of equity—if we’re willing to disrupt the model.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> As the first alumnus to serve as President of Tuskegee University, Dr. Mark Brown brings a powerful blend of personal experience, military leadership, and policy innovation to the future of higher education. In this episode, he reflects on his journey—from growing up with limited means to overseeing a $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio. Dr. Brown offers bold ideas to tackle student debt, including income-contingent financing models and a vision for an “endowment without walls.” His message: higher ed can be a driver of equity—if we’re willing to disrupt the model.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3117 As the first alumnus to serve as President of Tuskegee University, Dr. Mark Brown brings a powerful blend of personal experience, military leadership, and policy innovation to the future of higher education. In this episode, he reflects on his journey—from growing up with limited means to overseeing a $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio. Dr. Brown offers bold ideas to tackle student debt, including income-contingent financing models and a vision for an “endowment without walls.” His message: higher ed can be a driver of equity—if we’re willing to disrupt the model.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No From Corporate Ladder to Capital Ownership: One Man’s Wealth-Building Journey with Robert Jones 2 2 9 9 From Corporate Ladder to Capital Ownership: One Man’s Wealth-Building Journey with Robert Jones full 1fe3a36a-3d02-47c9-836a-e5068b4f0e12 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f564218d With roots in West Virginia and Detroit, Robert Jones rose through the ranks of corporate America—then turned his attention to closing the racial wealth gap. In this episode, he shares how a growth mindset, powerful mentors, and unwavering family support helped him transition from earning income to owning capital. Now an angel investor with Realm Capital Partners, Robert is focused on assisting others to convert professional success into long-term wealth-building strategies. This is a story of purpose, legacy, and financial transformation.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> With roots in West Virginia and Detroit, Robert Jones rose through the ranks of corporate America—then turned his attention to closing the racial wealth gap. In this episode, he shares how a growth mindset, powerful mentors, and unwavering family support helped him transition from earning income to owning capital. Now an angel investor with Realm Capital Partners, Robert is focused on assisting others to convert professional success into long-term wealth-building strategies. This is a story of purpose, legacy, and financial transformation.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 4388 With roots in West Virginia and Detroit, Robert Jones rose through the ranks of corporate America—then turned his attention to closing the racial wealth gap. In this episode, he shares how a growth mindset, powerful mentors, and unwavering family support helped him transition from earning income to owning capital. Now an angel investor with Realm Capital Partners, Robert is focused on assisting others to convert professional success into long-term wealth-building strategies. This is a story of purpose, legacy, and financial transformation.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Redefining Wealth: The Blueprint for Black Venture Capital with Kwame Anku 2 2 8 8 Redefining Wealth: The Blueprint for Black Venture Capital with Kwame Anku full c6e6b57a-30e1-49d2-b62f-2d49df19adba https://share.transistor.fm/s/0f17ff03 As founder of the Black Star Fund, Kwame Anku is investing in the future of Black innovation—one transformative founder at a time. In this episode, he shares how his upbringing as a first-generation Ghanaian American gave him a dual lens on American opportunity and systemic barriers. From answering Prince’s provocative question—“Where are the Black Mark Zuckerbergs?”—to backing visionary founders with capital, networks, and belief, Kwame lays out a bold blueprint for closing the wealth gap through ownership, equity, and strategic investment.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> As founder of the Black Star Fund, Kwame Anku is investing in the future of Black innovation—one transformative founder at a time. In this episode, he shares how his upbringing as a first-generation Ghanaian American gave him a dual lens on American opportunity and systemic barriers. From answering Prince’s provocative question—“Where are the Black Mark Zuckerbergs?”—to backing visionary founders with capital, networks, and belief, Kwame lays out a bold blueprint for closing the wealth gap through ownership, equity, and strategic investment.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2025 16:40:27 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3914 As founder of the Black Star Fund, Kwame Anku is investing in the future of Black innovation—one transformative founder at a time. In this episode, he shares how his upbringing as a first-generation Ghanaian American gave him a dual lens on American opportunity and systemic barriers. From answering Prince’s provocative question—“Where are the Black Mark Zuckerbergs?”—to backing visionary founders with capital, networks, and belief, Kwame lays out a bold blueprint for closing the wealth gap through ownership, equity, and strategic investment.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Place, Power, and Possibility: How Cities Can Ride the Reindustrialization Wave with Bruce Katz 2 2 7 7 Place, Power, and Possibility: How Cities Can Ride the Reindustrialization Wave with Bruce Katz full 9ca26d88-be23-4dd6-832d-ab44a7b1175e https://share.transistor.fm/s/906aaf00 Bruce Katz has spent decades shaping policy at the intersection of cities, innovation, and inclusive growth. In this episode, he unpacks why now is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for communities to reclaim their place in a reindustrializing America. From reshoring and decarbonization to supply chains and federal investments, Katz shares why intentional, radical collaboration is essential to ensure that underserved communities aren’t left behind. This conversation offers a sharp, systems-level look at how metros can reposition themselves to thrive in the 21st-century economy.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Bruce Katz has spent decades shaping policy at the intersection of cities, innovation, and inclusive growth. In this episode, he unpacks why now is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for communities to reclaim their place in a reindustrializing America. From reshoring and decarbonization to supply chains and federal investments, Katz shares why intentional, radical collaboration is essential to ensure that underserved communities aren’t left behind. This conversation offers a sharp, systems-level look at how metros can reposition themselves to thrive in the 21st-century economy.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 16 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 2878 Bruce Katz has spent decades shaping policy at the intersection of cities, innovation, and inclusive growth. In this episode, he unpacks why now is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for communities to reclaim their place in a reindustrializing America. From reshoring and decarbonization to supply chains and federal investments, Katz shares why intentional, radical collaboration is essential to ensure that underserved communities aren’t left behind. This conversation offers a sharp, systems-level look at how metros can reposition themselves to thrive in the 21st-century economy.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No From C Student to CEO: Redefining Success with Felecia Hatcher 2 2 6 6 From C Student to CEO: Redefining Success with Felecia Hatcher full 7542ea72-4dd2-4747-8155-5ca57c28c4af https://share.transistor.fm/s/66254aba Felecia Hatcher’s journey—from a self-described “C student” to CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition—is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. In this episode, she shares how her early experiences, entrepreneurial hustle, and commitment to building Black startup ecosystems shaped her mission. From launching Code Fever and Black Tech Week to transforming capital access through cultural healing and community building, Felecia challenges conventional narratives of success—and makes the case for creating new pathways rooted in equity, ownership, and belonging.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Felecia Hatcher’s journey—from a self-described “C student” to CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition—is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. In this episode, she shares how her early experiences, entrepreneurial hustle, and commitment to building Black startup ecosystems shaped her mission. From launching Code Fever and Black Tech Week to transforming capital access through cultural healing and community building, Felecia challenges conventional narratives of success—and makes the case for creating new pathways rooted in equity, ownership, and belonging.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 09 Jun 2025 04:09:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 1860 Felecia Hatcher’s journey—from a self-described “C student” to CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition—is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. In this episode, she shares how her early experiences, entrepreneurial hustle, and commitment to building Black startup ecosystems shaped her mission. From launching Code Fever and Black Tech Week to transforming capital access through cultural healing and community building, Felecia challenges conventional narratives of success—and makes the case for creating new pathways rooted in equity, ownership, and belonging.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Future-Focused, People-Driven: Designing Inclusive Economic Strategies With Tracye McDaniel 2 2 5 5 Future-Focused, People-Driven: Designing Inclusive Economic Strategies With Tracye McDaniel full f1a05162-8d3a-496f-a7d5-eff644df4f09 https://share.transistor.fm/s/00e2a281 Tracye McDaniel brings three decades of expertise to this conversation on the future of economic development. As President of TIP Strategies, she explores the power of foresight, data, and place-based investment in creating inclusive growth. From AI and workforce shifts to underutilized community assets and the untapped role of faith-based institutions, Tracye shares what it takes to move from intention to measurable impact. If you’re ready to build smarter, more equitable strategies, this one’s for you.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Tracye McDaniel brings three decades of expertise to this conversation on the future of economic development. As President of TIP Strategies, she explores the power of foresight, data, and place-based investment in creating inclusive growth. From AI and workforce shifts to underutilized community assets and the untapped role of faith-based institutions, Tracye shares what it takes to move from intention to measurable impact. If you’re ready to build smarter, more equitable strategies, this one’s for you.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 2145 Tracye McDaniel brings three decades of expertise to this conversation on the future of economic development. As President of TIP Strategies, she explores the power of foresight, data, and place-based investment in creating inclusive growth. From AI and workforce shifts to underutilized community assets and the untapped role of faith-based institutions, Tracye shares what it takes to move from intention to measurable impact. If you’re ready to build smarter, more equitable strategies, this one’s for you.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Reviving the Motor City: Detroit’s Comeback and the Power of Inclusive Growth with Kevin Johnson 2 2 4 4 Reviving the Motor City: Detroit’s Comeback and the Power of Inclusive Growth with Kevin Johnson full eeb842d3-8ce3-43c8-8636-5161a1ea0dd2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/fe44e3c1 Detroit’s comeback is one of the most remarkable economic stories in America—and Kevin Johnson has been at the heart of it. As President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, he shares how the city has gone from bankruptcy to boom, with $5 billion in active investment and a renewed focus on equity. From attracting global companies to stabilizing local businesses, Johnson discusses Detroit’s four-pillar strategy and the partnerships fueling its momentum. This episode is a masterclass in resilience and results.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Detroit’s comeback is one of the most remarkable economic stories in America—and Kevin Johnson has been at the heart of it. As President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, he shares how the city has gone from bankruptcy to boom, with $5 billion in active investment and a renewed focus on equity. From attracting global companies to stabilizing local businesses, Johnson discusses Detroit’s four-pillar strategy and the partnerships fueling its momentum. This episode is a masterclass in resilience and results.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 26 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 2408 Detroit’s comeback is one of the most remarkable economic stories in America—and Kevin Johnson has been at the heart of it. As President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, he shares how the city has gone from bankruptcy to boom, with $5 billion in active investment and a renewed focus on equity. From attracting global companies to stabilizing local businesses, Johnson discusses Detroit’s four-pillar strategy and the partnerships fueling its momentum. This episode is a masterclass in resilience and results.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No From Education to Economic Opportunity: Leading with Purpose in Pinellas County With Dr. Cynthia Johnson 2 2 3 3 From Education to Economic Opportunity: Leading with Purpose in Pinellas County With Dr. Cynthia Johnson full ccfea4ba-e9ed-4450-b877-f2fd09164b51 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f04b1a8d Dr. Cynthia Johnson brings a unique perspective to economic development, rooted in education and driven by equity. She shares how Pinellas County, Florida, responds to disruption through collaboration, innovation, and people-centered strategy. From launching an $11.2M business incubator to building a unified workforce system, Dr. Johnson outlines how local leadership expands opportunity, even in the face of crisis. This episode is a powerful reminder that economic development begins with listening—and leading—with intention.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Dr. Cynthia Johnson brings a unique perspective to economic development, rooted in education and driven by equity. She shares how Pinellas County, Florida, responds to disruption through collaboration, innovation, and people-centered strategy. From launching an $11.2M business incubator to building a unified workforce system, Dr. Johnson outlines how local leadership expands opportunity, even in the face of crisis. This episode is a powerful reminder that economic development begins with listening—and leading—with intention.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 19 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 1789 Dr. Cynthia Johnson brings a unique perspective to economic development, rooted in education and driven by equity. She shares how Pinellas County, Florida, responds to disruption through collaboration, innovation, and people-centered strategy. From launching an $11.2M business incubator to building a unified workforce system, Dr. Johnson outlines how local leadership expands opportunity, even in the face of crisis. This episode is a powerful reminder that economic development begins with listening—and leading—with intention.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No The People's Project: Equity, Growth, and the Atlanta BeltLine With Clyde Higgs 2 2 2 2 The People's Project: Equity, Growth, and the Atlanta BeltLine With Clyde Higgs full 941e5d7e-dd19-4700-b88f-d8e2306ad2f2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/91ad0ef9 In this episode, Clyde Higgs dives into the $4.5 billion Atlanta BeltLine—a transformative infrastructure project reconnecting 45 neighborhoods while driving job creation, transit access, and affordable housing. Higgs shares how public-private partnerships, inclusive zoning, and land banking are helping ensure long-time residents and legacy businesses benefit from the BeltLine’s growth. This is more than redevelopment—it’s a model for how cities can center people and equity in economic progress.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> In this episode, Clyde Higgs dives into the $4.5 billion Atlanta BeltLine—a transformative infrastructure project reconnecting 45 neighborhoods while driving job creation, transit access, and affordable housing. Higgs shares how public-private partnerships, inclusive zoning, and land banking are helping ensure long-time residents and legacy businesses benefit from the BeltLine’s growth. This is more than redevelopment—it’s a model for how cities can center people and equity in economic progress.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 12 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 1840 In this episode, Clyde Higgs dives into the $4.5 billion Atlanta BeltLine—a transformative infrastructure project reconnecting 45 neighborhoods while driving job creation, transit access, and affordable housing. Higgs shares how public-private partnerships, inclusive zoning, and land banking are helping ensure long-time residents and legacy businesses benefit from the BeltLine’s growth. This is more than redevelopment—it’s a model for how cities can center people and equity in economic progress.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Meeting the Moment: Redefining Leadership in Economic Development with Nathan Ohle 2 2 1 1 Meeting the Moment: Redefining Leadership in Economic Development with Nathan Ohle full 021468f0-9713-4651-aba0-0723e49ea484 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6dcdbd3b Recorded live at the IEDC Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., this special kickoff episode features Nathan Ohle, President & CEO of IEDC. Nathan joins co-host Johnathan Holifield to reflect on the Summit’s theme—“Meeting the Moment”—and what it means for the future of economic development. From building inclusive, resilient economies to equipping leaders at every stage of their career, Nathan shares how IEDC is helping communities navigate rapid change. Tune in for insights on the trends reshaping the field, the value of cross-sector collaboration, and why now is the time to lead boldly.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Recorded live at the IEDC Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., this special kickoff episode features Nathan Ohle, President & CEO of IEDC. Nathan joins co-host Johnathan Holifield to reflect on the Summit’s theme—“Meeting the Moment”—and what it means for the future of economic development. From building inclusive, resilient economies to equipping leaders at every stage of their career, Nathan shares how IEDC is helping communities navigate rapid change. Tune in for insights on the trends reshaping the field, the value of cross-sector collaboration, and why now is the time to lead boldly.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 05 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 1497 Recorded live at the IEDC Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., this special kickoff episode features Nathan Ohle, President & CEO of IEDC. Nathan joins co-host Johnathan Holifield to reflect on the Summit’s theme—“Meeting the Moment”—and what it means for the future of economic development. From building inclusive, resilient economies to equipping leaders at every stage of their career, Nathan shares how IEDC is helping communities navigate rapid change. Tune in for insights on the trends reshaping the field, the value of cross-sector collaboration, and why now is the time to lead boldly.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No BONUS: Social Entrepreneurship and Moving the Needle, with Forward Impact Solutions' Christopher Gergen 1 1 24 24 BONUS: Social Entrepreneurship and Moving the Needle, with Forward Impact Solutions' Christopher Gergen full 122813bf-8aaa-49b5-919a-4dde47a97727 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5d528eec Today we're sharing an episode of a podcast that shares our mission to move the needle - Inside Impact with Alisa Herr.

Christopher Gergen's first entrepreneurial venture—a coffee shop bar in Santiago, Chile—was impactful, but more impactful was the man who walked in and introduced himself as a "cultural entrepreneur." In this episode, hear how that first project inspired him to support founders and transform entrepreneurship in the Triangle as a Founding Partner of Forward Impact Solutions.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Today we're sharing an episode of a podcast that shares our mission to move the needle - Inside Impact with Alisa Herr.

Christopher Gergen's first entrepreneurial venture—a coffee shop bar in Santiago, Chile—was impactful, but more impactful was the man who walked in and introduced himself as a "cultural entrepreneur." In this episode, hear how that first project inspired him to support founders and transform entrepreneurship in the Triangle as a Founding Partner of Forward Impact Solutions.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:23:21 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3194 Today we're sharing an episode of a podcast that shares our mission to move the needle - Inside Impact with Alisa Herr.

Christopher Gergen's first entrepreneurial venture—a coffee shop bar in Santiago, Chile—was impactful, but more impactful was the man who walked in and introduced himself as a "cultural entrepreneur." In this episode, hear how that first project inspired him to support founders and transform entrepreneurship in the Triangle as a Founding Partner of Forward Impact Solutions.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Revolutionizing Food Systems: Transforming Communities for Generational Wealth Creation, with Tom McDougall 1 1 23 23 Revolutionizing Food Systems: Transforming Communities for Generational Wealth Creation, with Tom McDougall full dfe1d0c1-4c3f-4257-b2ab-0d83c2960c8a https://share.transistor.fm/s/18784980 Today we explore how a transformed food system can pave the way for generational wealth creation, equity, and a sustainable future for communities.

4P Foods is working to revolutionize the food industry by connecting smallholder farmers with local consumers, and CEO Tom McDougall joins us to talk about the need to improve food ecosystems, considering their impact on local economies, the environment, and healthcare. Tom shares his firsthand experiences with the externalities and true costs of the industrial food system, shedding light on the importance of creating alternative strategies.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Today we explore how a transformed food system can pave the way for generational wealth creation, equity, and a sustainable future for communities.

4P Foods is working to revolutionize the food industry by connecting smallholder farmers with local consumers, and CEO Tom McDougall joins us to talk about the need to improve food ecosystems, considering their impact on local economies, the environment, and healthcare. Tom shares his firsthand experiences with the externalities and true costs of the industrial food system, shedding light on the importance of creating alternative strategies.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:03:26 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3564 Today we explore how a transformed food system can pave the way for generational wealth creation, equity, and a sustainable future for communities.

4P Foods is working to revolutionize the food industry by connecting smallholder farmers with local consumers, and CEO Tom McDougall joins us to talk about the need to improve food ecosystems, considering their impact on local economies, the environment, and healthcare. Tom shares his firsthand experiences with the externalities and true costs of the industrial food system, shedding light on the importance of creating alternative strategies.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Rodney Williams, Changing Access to Capital with SoLo Funds 1 1 22 22 Rodney Williams, Changing Access to Capital with SoLo Funds full 78e03b2b-d4b0-464a-8460-43c55dbd1ec3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/56764d0c SoLo Funds is the outgrowth of co-founder and chairman Rodney Williams’ lived experience of a mother who regularly needed access to short-term cash to stay current with bills and to maintain household cohesion. Such loans were very limited and costly in his neighborhood. Rodney wanted to develop a community-based lending marketplace for small dollar amounts as an alternative to banks, high-interest credit cards, and predatory lenders that impose unfair, deceptive, or abusive terms on borrowers.

SoLo Funds operates a community peer-to-peer lending platform. The company announced 1 million registered users as of 2023, making it reportedly the largest black-owned financial technology company in the U.S. Let’s explore how Rodney and SoLo Funds are aggregating the power of community to change the game for short-term borrowers in lower-income neighborhoods. 


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> SoLo Funds is the outgrowth of co-founder and chairman Rodney Williams’ lived experience of a mother who regularly needed access to short-term cash to stay current with bills and to maintain household cohesion. Such loans were very limited and costly in his neighborhood. Rodney wanted to develop a community-based lending marketplace for small dollar amounts as an alternative to banks, high-interest credit cards, and predatory lenders that impose unfair, deceptive, or abusive terms on borrowers.

SoLo Funds operates a community peer-to-peer lending platform. The company announced 1 million registered users as of 2023, making it reportedly the largest black-owned financial technology company in the U.S. Let’s explore how Rodney and SoLo Funds are aggregating the power of community to change the game for short-term borrowers in lower-income neighborhoods. 


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:21:52 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3156 SoLo Funds is the outgrowth of co-founder and chairman Rodney Williams’ lived experience of a mother who regularly needed access to short-term cash to stay current with bills and to maintain household cohesion. Such loans were very limited and costly in his neighborhood. Rodney wanted to develop a community-based lending marketplace for small dollar amounts as an alternative to banks, high-interest credit cards, and predatory lenders that impose unfair, deceptive, or abusive terms on borrowers.

SoLo Funds operates a community peer-to-peer lending platform. The company announced 1 million registered users as of 2023, making it reportedly the largest black-owned financial technology company in the U.S. Let’s explore how Rodney and SoLo Funds are aggregating the power of community to change the game for short-term borrowers in lower-income neighborhoods. 


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No $100M in Capital Funding, with Minority Business Accelerator CEO Darrin Redus 1 1 21 21 $100M in Capital Funding, with Minority Business Accelerator CEO Darrin Redus full edec2622-deb6-4fbe-843e-eca01e93b28f https://share.transistor.fm/s/bf28e5f1 Today's guest is Darrin Redus, CEO of the Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator within the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Accelerator has recently launched a $100 million transformational equity capital fund to fuel the creation of larger scale minority owned businesses, and Darrin is here to give us all of the details of what that means and the impact it will have in addressing long-standing economic inequities and advancing inclusive prosperity.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Today's guest is Darrin Redus, CEO of the Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator within the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Accelerator has recently launched a $100 million transformational equity capital fund to fuel the creation of larger scale minority owned businesses, and Darrin is here to give us all of the details of what that means and the impact it will have in addressing long-standing economic inequities and advancing inclusive prosperity.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Thu, 05 Dec 2024 11:26:32 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3741 Today's guest is Darrin Redus, CEO of the Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator within the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Accelerator has recently launched a $100 million transformational equity capital fund to fuel the creation of larger scale minority owned businesses, and Darrin is here to give us all of the details of what that means and the impact it will have in addressing long-standing economic inequities and advancing inclusive prosperity.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Lyneir Richardson, CEO of Chicago TREND 1 1 20 20 Lyneir Richardson, CEO of Chicago TREND full 1cfc0b6d-5d52-4394-8127-65d705034895 https://share.transistor.fm/s/969b81ab As we talk about the racial wealth gap it’s critical to highlight the importance of owning appreciating assets. At the end of 2020, 44% of Black Americans owned their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with almost 75% of White Americans. That difference materially undermines both family wealth creation and prospects for inclusive prosperity. While not the only way, but certainly one of the surest ways to build generational wealth is through ownership of appreciating assets like land, a home, or even commercial property. 

Today we are joined by someone who’s making it happen. As CEO of Chicago Trend, Lyneir Richardson is creating new ownership opportunities within majority communities of color, empowering inclusive ownership and strategic retail to drive neighborhood transformation.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> As we talk about the racial wealth gap it’s critical to highlight the importance of owning appreciating assets. At the end of 2020, 44% of Black Americans owned their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with almost 75% of White Americans. That difference materially undermines both family wealth creation and prospects for inclusive prosperity. While not the only way, but certainly one of the surest ways to build generational wealth is through ownership of appreciating assets like land, a home, or even commercial property. 

Today we are joined by someone who’s making it happen. As CEO of Chicago Trend, Lyneir Richardson is creating new ownership opportunities within majority communities of color, empowering inclusive ownership and strategic retail to drive neighborhood transformation.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Wed, 27 Nov 2024 11:24:15 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3064 As we talk about the racial wealth gap it’s critical to highlight the importance of owning appreciating assets. At the end of 2020, 44% of Black Americans owned their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with almost 75% of White Americans. That difference materially undermines both family wealth creation and prospects for inclusive prosperity. While not the only way, but certainly one of the surest ways to build generational wealth is through ownership of appreciating assets like land, a home, or even commercial property. 

Today we are joined by someone who’s making it happen. As CEO of Chicago Trend, Lyneir Richardson is creating new ownership opportunities within majority communities of color, empowering inclusive ownership and strategic retail to drive neighborhood transformation.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Jennifer Shieh, US Small Business Administration Director of Ecosystem Development 1 1 19 19 Jennifer Shieh, US Small Business Administration Director of Ecosystem Development full 8fdebda6-e16d-4dde-973f-e4fa5a618f70 https://share.transistor.fm/s/41f56286 When you’re running a small business, you’ll take all the resources you can get, especially access to capital. But many founders have no idea where to begin to look for funding and wouldn’t even think to look at the federal government. To promote inclusive opportunity and prosperity, America’s Seed Fund - the small business innovation research program - now invests over $4 BILLION a year to over 4000 small businesses across the United States. 

Jennifer Shieh is the Director of Ecosystem Development at the United States Small Business Administration.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> When you’re running a small business, you’ll take all the resources you can get, especially access to capital. But many founders have no idea where to begin to look for funding and wouldn’t even think to look at the federal government. To promote inclusive opportunity and prosperity, America’s Seed Fund - the small business innovation research program - now invests over $4 BILLION a year to over 4000 small businesses across the United States. 

Jennifer Shieh is the Director of Ecosystem Development at the United States Small Business Administration.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 25 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3136 When you’re running a small business, you’ll take all the resources you can get, especially access to capital. But many founders have no idea where to begin to look for funding and wouldn’t even think to look at the federal government. To promote inclusive opportunity and prosperity, America’s Seed Fund - the small business innovation research program - now invests over $4 BILLION a year to over 4000 small businesses across the United States. 

Jennifer Shieh is the Director of Ecosystem Development at the United States Small Business Administration.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures 1 1 18 18 Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures full 8824dbbb-792a-4cde-ae05-b9063adedc97 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1763e88d Median Black wealth is 12 times less than median White wealth, and it is estimated that median Black wealth by 2053 will be zero. While there are myriad historic and current reasons for such outcomes, what we know for sure is that entrepreneurship is a potent enabler of wealth creation and driver of inclusive prosperity. 

Today’s guest on Moving The Needle is Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures based in New Orleans. Camelback’s mission is to increase access to opportunity for entrepreneurs of color and women by investing in their ventures and leadership while advocating for fairness in their funding.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Median Black wealth is 12 times less than median White wealth, and it is estimated that median Black wealth by 2053 will be zero. While there are myriad historic and current reasons for such outcomes, what we know for sure is that entrepreneurship is a potent enabler of wealth creation and driver of inclusive prosperity. 

Today’s guest on Moving The Needle is Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures based in New Orleans. Camelback’s mission is to increase access to opportunity for entrepreneurs of color and women by investing in their ventures and leadership while advocating for fairness in their funding.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 18 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 2477 Median Black wealth is 12 times less than median White wealth, and it is estimated that median Black wealth by 2053 will be zero. While there are myriad historic and current reasons for such outcomes, what we know for sure is that entrepreneurship is a potent enabler of wealth creation and driver of inclusive prosperity. 

Today’s guest on Moving The Needle is Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures based in New Orleans. Camelback’s mission is to increase access to opportunity for entrepreneurs of color and women by investing in their ventures and leadership while advocating for fairness in their funding.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Race, Privilege, and a Mission to Close the Wealth Gap: Johnathan Holifield and Christopher Gergen Share Their Stories 1 1 17 17 Race, Privilege, and a Mission to Close the Wealth Gap: Johnathan Holifield and Christopher Gergen Share Their Stories full 8236a491-adbe-4423-97df-11b052e79e09 https://share.transistor.fm/s/fc80a813 Christopher Gergen and Johnathan Holifield come from completely different backgrounds. One was born into power and privilege in a political family in DC. One grew up in the industrial, blue-collar Detroit area where hard work was the norm. Through their careers and personal growth, they've ended up with the same goals - to raise awareness and promote action to strengthen our nation’s economic inclusion, competitiveness, and prosperity - and ultimately move the needle in closing the generational wealth gap in the United States.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Christopher Gergen and Johnathan Holifield come from completely different backgrounds. One was born into power and privilege in a political family in DC. One grew up in the industrial, blue-collar Detroit area where hard work was the norm. Through their careers and personal growth, they've ended up with the same goals - to raise awareness and promote action to strengthen our nation’s economic inclusion, competitiveness, and prosperity - and ultimately move the needle in closing the generational wealth gap in the United States.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 11 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 2573 Christopher Gergen and Johnathan Holifield come from completely different backgrounds. One was born into power and privilege in a political family in DC. One grew up in the industrial, blue-collar Detroit area where hard work was the norm. Through their careers and personal growth, they've ended up with the same goals - to raise awareness and promote action to strengthen our nation’s economic inclusion, competitiveness, and prosperity - and ultimately move the needle in closing the generational wealth gap in the United States.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Tracy Palandjian, CEO of Social Finance 1 1 16 16 Tracy Palandjian, CEO of Social Finance full 124ffe8f-dfbd-40ff-a1d9-e2ac85fe1eb6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/cce44245 Tracy Palandjian is moving the needle. She's the CEO of Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit that has mobilized $350 million in new investments designed to help 45,000 people realize improved outcomes in education, economic mobility, health, and housing.

Any attempts to close economic inequity gaps must begin with a focus on aligning underestimated talent with the economic inequity closing sectors of the economy, then helping them attain ownership stakes in those sectors. Acquisition of in-demand skills provides just such an ownership stake. Earlier this year, Social Finance partnered with Google on a $100M innovative investment program that will upskill and place 20,000 Americans in good jobs, driving $1 billion in wage gains over the next 10 years, and providing real ownership interests in the U.S. economy.  

Here’s Tracy Palandjian, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Finance, a national nonprofit that builds innovative partnerships and investments to measurably improve lives, providing enlightening perspective on the acquisition and ownership of skills needed in today’s economy.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Tracy Palandjian is moving the needle. She's the CEO of Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit that has mobilized $350 million in new investments designed to help 45,000 people realize improved outcomes in education, economic mobility, health, and housing.

Any attempts to close economic inequity gaps must begin with a focus on aligning underestimated talent with the economic inequity closing sectors of the economy, then helping them attain ownership stakes in those sectors. Acquisition of in-demand skills provides just such an ownership stake. Earlier this year, Social Finance partnered with Google on a $100M innovative investment program that will upskill and place 20,000 Americans in good jobs, driving $1 billion in wage gains over the next 10 years, and providing real ownership interests in the U.S. economy.  

Here’s Tracy Palandjian, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Finance, a national nonprofit that builds innovative partnerships and investments to measurably improve lives, providing enlightening perspective on the acquisition and ownership of skills needed in today’s economy.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 04 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 2805 Tracy Palandjian is moving the needle. She's the CEO of Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit that has mobilized $350 million in new investments designed to help 45,000 people realize improved outcomes in education, economic mobility, health, and housing.

Any attempts to close economic inequity gaps must begin with a focus on aligning underestimated talent with the economic inequity closing sectors of the economy, then helping them attain ownership stakes in those sectors. Acquisition of in-demand skills provides just such an ownership stake. Earlier this year, Social Finance partnered with Google on a $100M innovative investment program that will upskill and place 20,000 Americans in good jobs, driving $1 billion in wage gains over the next 10 years, and providing real ownership interests in the U.S. economy.  

Here’s Tracy Palandjian, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Finance, a national nonprofit that builds innovative partnerships and investments to measurably improve lives, providing enlightening perspective on the acquisition and ownership of skills needed in today’s economy.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No North Carolina A&T Chancellor Harold Martin 1 1 15 15 North Carolina A&T Chancellor Harold Martin full 12bbf135-a94f-470e-8139-074b28888f52 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a5555779 This episode of Moving the Needle features Harold Martin, the esteemed, immediate past Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University. As America's largest-ever historically Black university and one of North Carolina's top three public research universities, NC A&T contributes in diverse and growing ways to the U.S. and North Carolina economies. 

One of the greatest opportunities to improve economic mobility and generate wealth is quality education.  Today, we talk about why historically Black colleges and universities in general - and NC A&T specifically - are national assets worthy of investment, providing returns to our nation that cannot be replicated or replaced.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> This episode of Moving the Needle features Harold Martin, the esteemed, immediate past Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University. As America's largest-ever historically Black university and one of North Carolina's top three public research universities, NC A&T contributes in diverse and growing ways to the U.S. and North Carolina economies. 

One of the greatest opportunities to improve economic mobility and generate wealth is quality education.  Today, we talk about why historically Black colleges and universities in general - and NC A&T specifically - are national assets worthy of investment, providing returns to our nation that cannot be replicated or replaced.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 28 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 4433 This episode of Moving the Needle features Harold Martin, the esteemed, immediate past Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University. As America's largest-ever historically Black university and one of North Carolina's top three public research universities, NC A&T contributes in diverse and growing ways to the U.S. and North Carolina economies. 

One of the greatest opportunities to improve economic mobility and generate wealth is quality education.  Today, we talk about why historically Black colleges and universities in general - and NC A&T specifically - are national assets worthy of investment, providing returns to our nation that cannot be replicated or replaced.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Investing in the American Dream, with US Economic Development Administration’s Alejandra Castillo 1 1 14 14 Investing in the American Dream, with US Economic Development Administration’s Alejandra Castillo full adafac33-53f8-45a8-81f0-4de5ca65e0c7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3f653e7f President Biden appointed today's guest, Alejandra Castillo, to head the Economic Development Administration. In this role, she leads the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

For Assistant Secretary Castillo, having grown up in New York City and then the Dominican Republic, and as the daughter of entrepreneurs, she knows how small businesses can work with their communities to thrive. Under her leadership, EDA now requires authentic coalition-building across multiple stakeholders - including underestimated humans and communities - to access EDA resources. Listen to Alejandra Y. Castillo, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development talk about leading the Economic Development Administration and driving the U.S. toward inclusive prosperity. 

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> President Biden appointed today's guest, Alejandra Castillo, to head the Economic Development Administration. In this role, she leads the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

For Assistant Secretary Castillo, having grown up in New York City and then the Dominican Republic, and as the daughter of entrepreneurs, she knows how small businesses can work with their communities to thrive. Under her leadership, EDA now requires authentic coalition-building across multiple stakeholders - including underestimated humans and communities - to access EDA resources. Listen to Alejandra Y. Castillo, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development talk about leading the Economic Development Administration and driving the U.S. toward inclusive prosperity. 

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:22:18 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 2860 President Biden appointed today's guest, Alejandra Castillo, to head the Economic Development Administration. In this role, she leads the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

For Assistant Secretary Castillo, having grown up in New York City and then the Dominican Republic, and as the daughter of entrepreneurs, she knows how small businesses can work with their communities to thrive. Under her leadership, EDA now requires authentic coalition-building across multiple stakeholders - including underestimated humans and communities - to access EDA resources. Listen to Alejandra Y. Castillo, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development talk about leading the Economic Development Administration and driving the U.S. toward inclusive prosperity. 

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Economic Development and Communities That Get It Right, with IEDC CEO Nathan Ohle 1 1 13 13 Economic Development and Communities That Get It Right, with IEDC CEO Nathan Ohle full 4a22868b-1b88-4afa-8481-dc126930bfa9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6d4adde1 Historically there are so many communities that have done a poor job of economic development and inclusive competitiveness, but we're talking about the communities that are getting it right.  Plus, what specifically is in the International Economic Development Council's Equitable Economic Playbook?

Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council - a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization serving economic development professionals. IEDC’s over 4000 members help create the best on-the-ground conditions in their regions throughout the world for high-quality jobs, vibrant communities, and improved quality of life.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Historically there are so many communities that have done a poor job of economic development and inclusive competitiveness, but we're talking about the communities that are getting it right.  Plus, what specifically is in the International Economic Development Council's Equitable Economic Playbook?

Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council - a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization serving economic development professionals. IEDC’s over 4000 members help create the best on-the-ground conditions in their regions throughout the world for high-quality jobs, vibrant communities, and improved quality of life.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2024 16:45:47 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3433 Historically there are so many communities that have done a poor job of economic development and inclusive competitiveness, but we're talking about the communities that are getting it right.  Plus, what specifically is in the International Economic Development Council's Equitable Economic Playbook?

Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council - a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization serving economic development professionals. IEDC’s over 4000 members help create the best on-the-ground conditions in their regions throughout the world for high-quality jobs, vibrant communities, and improved quality of life.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Trailer 2 2 Trailer trailer 25205eaf-1cb2-43ad-aad4-bc78e13a7fe0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4a9eb16c Welcome to Moving the Needle, a podcast that explores how innovators and problem solvers are doing transformative work in cities and rural communities to create new pathways for generational wealth creation. Our goal is to lift up solutions that are giving us hope and light the way for policymakers, community leaders, philanthropists, private investors, and engaged citizens who care about equity and economic impact.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and edited and produced by Earfluence.

]]> Welcome to Moving the Needle, a podcast that explores how innovators and problem solvers are doing transformative work in cities and rural communities to create new pathways for generational wealth creation. Our goal is to lift up solutions that are giving us hope and light the way for policymakers, community leaders, philanthropists, private investors, and engaged citizens who care about equity and economic impact.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and edited and produced by Earfluence.

]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2024 12:05:31 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 338 Welcome to Moving the Needle, a podcast that explores how innovators and problem solvers are doing transformative work in cities and rural communities to create new pathways for generational wealth creation. Our goal is to lift up solutions that are giving us hope and light the way for policymakers, community leaders, philanthropists, private investors, and engaged citizens who care about equity and economic impact.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and edited and produced by Earfluence.

]]> No Revolutionizing Food Systems: Transforming Communities for Generational Wealth Creation, with Tom McDougall 1 1 12 12 Revolutionizing Food Systems: Transforming Communities for Generational Wealth Creation, with Tom McDougall full 97a6383e-b982-422c-a57f-2a4b8468ffcd https://share.transistor.fm/s/a44d6f23 Today we explore how a transformed food system can pave the way for generational wealth creation, equity, and a sustainable future for communities.

4P Foods is working to revolutionize the food industry by connecting smallholder farmers with local consumers, and CEO Tom McDougall joins us to talk about the need to improve food ecosystems, considering their impact on local economies, the environment, and healthcare. Tom shares his firsthand experiences with the externalities and true costs of the industrial food system, shedding light on the importance of creating alternative strategies.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Today we explore how a transformed food system can pave the way for generational wealth creation, equity, and a sustainable future for communities.

4P Foods is working to revolutionize the food industry by connecting smallholder farmers with local consumers, and CEO Tom McDougall joins us to talk about the need to improve food ecosystems, considering their impact on local economies, the environment, and healthcare. Tom shares his firsthand experiences with the externalities and true costs of the industrial food system, shedding light on the importance of creating alternative strategies.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 17 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3585 Today we explore how a transformed food system can pave the way for generational wealth creation, equity, and a sustainable future for communities.

4P Foods is working to revolutionize the food industry by connecting smallholder farmers with local consumers, and CEO Tom McDougall joins us to talk about the need to improve food ecosystems, considering their impact on local economies, the environment, and healthcare. Tom shares his firsthand experiences with the externalities and true costs of the industrial food system, shedding light on the importance of creating alternative strategies.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Economic Development and Communities That Get It Right, with IEDC CEO Nathan Ohle 1 1 11 11 Economic Development and Communities That Get It Right, with IEDC CEO Nathan Ohle full 2933f652-139c-4709-a341-50d8e1d6d9d9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/71097129 Historically there are so many communities that have done a poor job or economic development and inclusive competitiveness, but we're talking about the communities that are getting it right.  Plus, what specifically is in the International Economic Development Council's Equitable Economic Playbook?

Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council - a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization serving economic development professionals. IEDC’s over 4000 members help create the best on the ground conditions in their regions throughout the world for high quality jobs, vibrant communities, and improved quality of life.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Historically there are so many communities that have done a poor job or economic development and inclusive competitiveness, but we're talking about the communities that are getting it right.  Plus, what specifically is in the International Economic Development Council's Equitable Economic Playbook?

Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council - a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization serving economic development professionals. IEDC’s over 4000 members help create the best on the ground conditions in their regions throughout the world for high quality jobs, vibrant communities, and improved quality of life.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 15 May 2023 11:00:06 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3452 Historically there are so many communities that have done a poor job or economic development and inclusive competitiveness, but we're talking about the communities that are getting it right.  Plus, what specifically is in the International Economic Development Council's Equitable Economic Playbook?

Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council - a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization serving economic development professionals. IEDC’s over 4000 members help create the best on the ground conditions in their regions throughout the world for high quality jobs, vibrant communities, and improved quality of life.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Investing in the American Dream, with US Economic Development Administration’s Alejandra Castillo 1 1 10 10 Investing in the American Dream, with US Economic Development Administration’s Alejandra Castillo full 1757536f-21a5-47b1-ba0d-9c7d81e89ee5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8e1f776c President Biden has appointed today's guest Alejandra Castillo to head the Economic Development Administration, leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

For Assistant Secretary Castillo, having grown up in New York City and then the Dominican Republic, and as the daughter of entrepreneurs, she knows how small businesses can work with their communities to thrive.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> President Biden has appointed today's guest Alejandra Castillo to head the Economic Development Administration, leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

For Assistant Secretary Castillo, having grown up in New York City and then the Dominican Republic, and as the daughter of entrepreneurs, she knows how small businesses can work with their communities to thrive.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 27 Mar 2023 12:55:48 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 2880 President Biden has appointed today's guest Alejandra Castillo to head the Economic Development Administration, leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

For Assistant Secretary Castillo, having grown up in New York City and then the Dominican Republic, and as the daughter of entrepreneurs, she knows how small businesses can work with their communities to thrive.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No $100M in Capital Funding, with Minority Business Accelerator CEO Darrin Redus 1 1 9 9 $100M in Capital Funding, with Minority Business Accelerator CEO Darrin Redus full 931203f8-fffa-4367-b68b-5c10fe8ec48d https://share.transistor.fm/s/fc04967b Today's guest is Darrin Redus, CEO of the Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator within the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Accelerator has recently launched a $100 million transformational equity capital fund to fuel the creation of larger scale minority owned businesses, and Darrin is here to give us all of the details of what that means and the impact it will have in addressing long-standing economic inequities.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Today's guest is Darrin Redus, CEO of the Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator within the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Accelerator has recently launched a $100 million transformational equity capital fund to fuel the creation of larger scale minority owned businesses, and Darrin is here to give us all of the details of what that means and the impact it will have in addressing long-standing economic inequities.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2023 21:09:00 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3763 Today's guest is Darrin Redus, CEO of the Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator within the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Accelerator has recently launched a $100 million transformational equity capital fund to fuel the creation of larger scale minority owned businesses, and Darrin is here to give us all of the details of what that means and the impact it will have in addressing long-standing economic inequities.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> No Rodney Williams, Changing Access to Capital with SoLo Funds 1 1 7 7 Rodney Williams, Changing Access to Capital with SoLo Funds full b9247548-b80e-454d-b4d6-74e744affc3b https://share.transistor.fm/s/79cce06a Rodney Williams saw it firsthand. His mom would get paid on Monday, and the bill would be due on Thursday. With getting to the bank, having the check clear, and having access in her account, sometimes that meant the check would bounce. And the lights would turn off. And the food in the refrigerator would go bad. And there would be a shut off fee PLUS a turn on fee PLUS a bounced check fee.  So being late meant a perpetual inability to get ahead.  Rodney saw all of this, and is doing something about it, as the co-founder and chairman of SoLo Funds.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Rodney Williams saw it firsthand. His mom would get paid on Monday, and the bill would be due on Thursday. With getting to the bank, having the check clear, and having access in her account, sometimes that meant the check would bounce. And the lights would turn off. And the food in the refrigerator would go bad. And there would be a shut off fee PLUS a turn on fee PLUS a bounced check fee.  So being late meant a perpetual inability to get ahead.  Rodney saw all of this, and is doing something about it, as the co-founder and chairman of SoLo Funds.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Tue, 06 Dec 2022 15:48:30 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3149 Rodney Williams saw it firsthand. His mom would get paid on Monday, and the bill would be due on Thursday. With getting to the bank, having the check clear, and having access in her account, sometimes that meant the check would bounce. And the lights would turn off. And the food in the refrigerator would go bad. And there would be a shut off fee PLUS a turn on fee PLUS a bounced check fee. So being late meant a perpetual inability to get ahead. Rodney saw all of this, and is doing something about it, as the co-founder and chairman of SoLo Funds. Rodney Williams saw it firsthand. His mom would get paid on Monday, and the bill would be due on Thursday. With getting to the bank, having the check clear, and having access in her account, sometimes that meant the check would bounce. And the lights woul No Race, Privilege, and a Mission to Close the Wealth Gap: Johnathan Holifield and Christopher Gergen Share Their Stories 1 1 6 6 Race, Privilege, and a Mission to Close the Wealth Gap: Johnathan Holifield and Christopher Gergen Share Their Stories full da9dd37f-f9e2-4033-9f4e-0f235d43a63b https://share.transistor.fm/s/1f65caa8 Christopher Gergen and Johnathan Holifield come from completely different backgrounds. One was born into power and privilege in a political family in DC. One grew up in blue collar Detroit where you had to work hard to survive.  Through their careers and personal growth, they've ended up with the same goals - to raise awareness that we're not all on an equal playing field - and ultimately move the needle in closing the generational wealth gap among races in the United States.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Christopher Gergen and Johnathan Holifield come from completely different backgrounds. One was born into power and privilege in a political family in DC. One grew up in blue collar Detroit where you had to work hard to survive.  Through their careers and personal growth, they've ended up with the same goals - to raise awareness that we're not all on an equal playing field - and ultimately move the needle in closing the generational wealth gap among races in the United States.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 2581 Christopher Gergen and Johnathan Holifield come from completely different backgrounds. One was born into power and privilege in a political family in DC. One grew up in blue collar Detroit where you had to work hard to survive. Through their careers and personal growth, they've ended up with the same goals - to raise awareness that we're not all on an equal playing field - and ultimately move the needle in closing the generational wealth gap among races in the United States. Christopher Gergen and Johnathan Holifield come from completely different backgrounds. One was born into power and privilege in a political family in DC. One grew up in blue collar Detroit where you had to work hard to survive. Through their careers and No BONUS: Social entrepreneurship and moving the needle, with Forward Impact Solutions' Christopher Gergen 1 1 BONUS: Social entrepreneurship and moving the needle, with Forward Impact Solutions' Christopher Gergen bonus 510f42bc-4878-46fb-9f57-3a2d48937cd0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/cf576e44 Today we're sharing an episode of a podcast that shares our mission to move the needle - Inside Impact with Alisa Herr.

Christopher Gergen's first entrepreneurial venture—a coffee shop bar in Santiago, Chile—was impactful, but more impactful was the man who walked in and introduced himself as a "cultural entrepreneur." In this episode, hear how that first project inspired him to support founders and transform entrepreneurship in the Triangle as a Founding Partner of Forward Impact Solutions.

Inside Impact is hosted by Unity Web Agency CEO Alisa Herr and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Today we're sharing an episode of a podcast that shares our mission to move the needle - Inside Impact with Alisa Herr.

Christopher Gergen's first entrepreneurial venture—a coffee shop bar in Santiago, Chile—was impactful, but more impactful was the man who walked in and introduced himself as a "cultural entrepreneur." In this episode, hear how that first project inspired him to support founders and transform entrepreneurship in the Triangle as a Founding Partner of Forward Impact Solutions.

Inside Impact is hosted by Unity Web Agency CEO Alisa Herr and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2022 14:22:01 -0500 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3118 Today we're sharing an episode of a podcast that shares our mission to move the needle - Inside Impact with Alisa Herr. Christopher Gergen's first entrepreneurial venture—a coffee shop bar in Santiago, Chile—was impactful, but more impactful was the man who walked in and introduced himself as a "cultural entrepreneur." In this episode, hear how that first project inspired him to support founders and transform entrepreneurship in the Triangle as a Founding Partner of Forward Impact Solutions. Today we're sharing an episode of a podcast that shares our mission to move the needle - Inside Impact with Alisa Herr. Christopher Gergen's first entrepreneurial venture—a coffee shop bar in Santiago, Chile—was impactful, but more impactful was the ma No Jennifer Shieh, US Small Business Administration Director of Ecosystem Development 1 1 5 5 Jennifer Shieh, US Small Business Administration Director of Ecosystem Development full 43ac2c85-ddae-4e83-b6d5-6ed6e1f90248 https://share.transistor.fm/s/dbeb2b34 When you’re running a small business, you’ll take all the resources you can get, especially access to capital. But many founders have no idea where to begin to look for funding and wouldn’t even think to look at the federal government. But America’s Seed Fund, the small business innovation research program, now distributes over $4 BILLION a year to over 4000 small businesses across the United States.


Jennifer Shieh is the Director of Ecosystem Development at the United States Small Business Administration.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> When you’re running a small business, you’ll take all the resources you can get, especially access to capital. But many founders have no idea where to begin to look for funding and wouldn’t even think to look at the federal government. But America’s Seed Fund, the small business innovation research program, now distributes over $4 BILLION a year to over 4000 small businesses across the United States.


Jennifer Shieh is the Director of Ecosystem Development at the United States Small Business Administration.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3165 When you’re running a small business, you’ll take all the resources you can get, especially access to capital. But many founders have no idea where to begin to look for funding and wouldn’t even think to look at the federal government. But America’s Seed Fund, the small business innovation research program, now distributes over $4 BILLION a year to over 4000 small businesses across the United States. When you’re running a small business, you’ll take all the resources you can get, especially access to capital. But many founders have no idea where to begin to look for funding and wouldn’t even think to look at the federal government. But America’s Seed No Lyneir Richardson, CEO of Chicago Trend 1 1 4 4 Lyneir Richardson, CEO of Chicago Trend full 7be60686-996f-4331-9220-f76ce25016c2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3c424829 As we talk about the racial wealth gap it’s critical to highlight the importance of owning assets.  At the end of 2020, 44% of Black Americans owned their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with almost 75% of White Americans. That’s an unconscionable difference.  One of the ways to build generational wealth is through owning assets like land, a home, or even retail property. 


Today we talk to someone who’s making it happen. As CEO of Chicago Trend, Lyneir Richardson is creating new ownership opportunities within majority communities of color.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> As we talk about the racial wealth gap it’s critical to highlight the importance of owning assets.  At the end of 2020, 44% of Black Americans owned their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with almost 75% of White Americans. That’s an unconscionable difference.  One of the ways to build generational wealth is through owning assets like land, a home, or even retail property. 


Today we talk to someone who’s making it happen. As CEO of Chicago Trend, Lyneir Richardson is creating new ownership opportunities within majority communities of color.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2022 00:02:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3108 As we talk about the racial wealth gap it’s critical to highlight the importance of owning assets. At the end of 2020, 44% of Black Americans owned their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with almost 75% of White Americans. That’s an unconscionable difference. One of the ways to build generational wealth is through owning assets like land, a home, or even retail property. Today we talk to someone who’s making it happen. As CEO of Chicago Trend, Lyneir Richardson is creating new ownership opportunities within majority communities of color. As we talk about the racial wealth gap it’s critical to highlight the importance of owning assets. At the end of 2020, 44% of Black Americans owned their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with almost 75% of White Americans. That’s an u No Tracy Palandjian, CEO of Social Finance 1 1 3 3 Tracy Palandjian, CEO of Social Finance full e2b950bb-c26d-4d3b-b078-caec1d13ae3a https://share.transistor.fm/s/39708ed7 Tracy Palandjian is moving the needle. She's the CEO of Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit that has mobilized $350 million in new investments designed to help 45,000 people realize improved outcomes in education, economic mobility, health, and housing.


Earlier this year, Social Finance partnered with Google on $100M innovative investment program that will upskill and place 20,000 Americans in good jobs and drive $1 billion in wage gains over the next 10 years.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Tracy Palandjian is moving the needle. She's the CEO of Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit that has mobilized $350 million in new investments designed to help 45,000 people realize improved outcomes in education, economic mobility, health, and housing.


Earlier this year, Social Finance partnered with Google on $100M innovative investment program that will upskill and place 20,000 Americans in good jobs and drive $1 billion in wage gains over the next 10 years.


Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2022 00:20:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 2824 Tracy Palandjian is moving the needle. She's the CEO of Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit that has mobilized $350 million in new investments designed to help 45,000 people realize improved outcomes in education, economic mobility, health, and housing. Earlier this year, Social Finance partnered with Google on $100M innovative investment program that will upskill and place 20,000 Americans in good jobs and drive $1 billion in wage gains over the next 10 years. Tracy Palandjian is moving the needle. She's the CEO of Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit that has mobilized $350 million in new investments designed to help 45,000 people realize improved outcomes in education, economic mob No Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures 1 1 2 2 Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures full 91f15760-634d-48c6-9e4f-7459d3100122 https://share.transistor.fm/s/180c58dc Median Black wealth is 12 times less than median White wealth, and it is estimated that median Black wealth by 2053 will be zero.


Our guest today is Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures based in New Orleans.  Camelback’s mission is to increase access to opportunity for entrepreneurs of color and women by investing in their ventures and leadership while advocating for fairness in their funding.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield. Trailer and this episode are edited and produced by The Aspen Institute.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Median Black wealth is 12 times less than median White wealth, and it is estimated that median Black wealth by 2053 will be zero.


Our guest today is Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures based in New Orleans.  Camelback’s mission is to increase access to opportunity for entrepreneurs of color and women by investing in their ventures and leadership while advocating for fairness in their funding.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield. Trailer and this episode are edited and produced by The Aspen Institute.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2022 00:10:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 2470 Median Black wealth is 12 times less than median White wealth, and it is estimated that median Black wealth by 2053 will be zero. Our guest today is Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures based in New Orleans. Camelback’s mission is to increase access to opportunity for entrepreneurs of color and women by investing in their ventures and leadership while advocating for fairness in their funding. Median Black wealth is 12 times less than median White wealth, and it is estimated that median Black wealth by 2053 will be zero. Our guest today is Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures based in New Orleans. Camelback’s mission is to increase acces No NC A&T Chancellor Harold Martin 1 1 1 1 NC A&T Chancellor Harold Martin full 10799dcc-8983-4e60-956c-c0837d70da45 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5d039994 On the first episode of Moving the Needle, we are thrilled to bring you Harold Martin, the esteemed Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University.

One of the greatest opportunities to improve economic mobility and generate wealth is quality education.  Today, we talk about why Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in general - and NC A&T specifically - are national assets worthy of investment, providing returns to our nation that cannot be replicated or replaced.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> On the first episode of Moving the Needle, we are thrilled to bring you Harold Martin, the esteemed Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University.

One of the greatest opportunities to improve economic mobility and generate wealth is quality education.  Today, we talk about why Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in general - and NC A&T specifically - are national assets worthy of investment, providing returns to our nation that cannot be replicated or replaced.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.


Thank you to our sponsors:

  • Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be America's small business bank and has the privilege of helping thousands of passionate, driven entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. These small business owners aren’t in it for the fortune or the fame. They’re in it to make a difference, just like Live Oak.
  • SHRM has created better workplaces by supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the world of work and society. It’s why they developed the Together Forward@ Work initiative to drive racial inequity out of the workplace. It’s why SHRM made a capital commitment to support minority-owned business enterprises.

If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:

]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 3294 On the first episode of Moving the Needle, we are thrilled to bring you Harold Martin, the esteemed Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University. One of the greatest opportunities to improve economic mobility and generate wealth is quality education. Today, we talk about why Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in general - and NC A&T specifically - are national assets worthy of investment, providing returns to our nation that cannot be replicated or replaced. On the first episode of Moving the Needle, we are thrilled to bring you Harold Martin, the esteemed Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University. One of the greatest opportunities to improve economic mobility and generate wealth is quality edu No Trailer 1 1 Trailer trailer b459ed31-3c42-4fa6-87fa-e096cabba38f https://share.transistor.fm/s/e40f2c32 Welcome to Moving the Needle, a fresh new podcast that explores how innovators and problem solvers are doing transformative work in cities and rural communities to create new pathways for generational wealth creation. Our goal is to lift up solutions that are giving us hope and light the way for policy makers, community leaders, philanthropists, private investors, and engaged citizens who care about equity and economic impact.

Basically, this is a podcast about needle moving sh!t.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield. Trailer and episode 1 edited and produced by The Aspen Institute.

]]> Welcome to Moving the Needle, a fresh new podcast that explores how innovators and problem solvers are doing transformative work in cities and rural communities to create new pathways for generational wealth creation. Our goal is to lift up solutions that are giving us hope and light the way for policy makers, community leaders, philanthropists, private investors, and engaged citizens who care about equity and economic impact.

Basically, this is a podcast about needle moving sh!t.

Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield. Trailer and episode 1 edited and produced by The Aspen Institute.

]]> Wed, 15 Jun 2022 07:26:18 -0400 Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield 338 A podcast about needle moving sh!t. Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield. Trailer and episode 1 edited and produced by The Aspen Institute. A podcast about needle moving sh!t. Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield. Trailer and episode 1 edited and produced by The Aspen Institute. No