The Idealist.org Podcasts

Questions with Rafa Cancel of La Asociación Nacional de Derecho Ambiental (ANDA)

In this Questions With episode, we hear from Rafa Cancel of the organization La Asociación Nacional de Derecho Ambiental [http://blog.andapr.org/] (ANDA).   After witnessing the activism against the US Navy's use of the island of Vieques as bomb training site, Rafa was inspired to provide the people of Puerto Rico with the legal tools to protect their environment.   His organization is the first environmental law center in Puerto Rico, connecting residents with the resources and people to legally engage businesses and government.Rafa is also a 2008 Echoing Green [http://www.echoinggreen.org/] fellow.  Echoing Green "invests in and supports outstanding emerging social entrepreneurs to launch new organizations that deliver bold, high-impact solutions."

Questions with Mirna Guha of Project OBO

In this Questions With episode, Douglas speaks with Mirna Guha, the founder of Project OBO: Our Bodies, (Our) Opinions [http://hi-in.facebook.com/group.php?gid=79391082157] in India. Originally working on issues related to sexual and domestic abuse, Mirna found that many problems originated in a lack of communication about gender, sexuality and identity. She explains how she is now trying to create workshops and safe spaces for young people in Kolkata to come together to discuss issues of sexual identity, abuse and gender stereotypes through conversation and art.

Questions with Adarsh Kumar of Livelihoods Equity Connect

A continuing problem in developing countries is that small business people, like farmers and craft workers, still live in poverty and cannot expand their businesses. In this episode we speak with Adarsh Kumar, who started the group AICA [http://www.aiacaonline.org] which helps connect producers in India with larger markets. In addition to this work, he wanted to do more and started a new venture, Livelihoods Equity Connect (LEC). With LEC, he hopes to create a new development model that helps these producers expand their businesses while also providing practical management advice. Adarsh tells us about his project, starting a new organization and his hope for the organization.

Questions with Heather Cronk of the New Organizing Institute

In this Questions With episode, Douglas speaks with Heather Cronk about her work at the New Organizing Institute [http://www.neworganizing.com/] (NOI).  NOI is progressive training organization focused on utilizing online outreach strategies, from micro-blogging to video.  Heather talks about how she entered this career and some advice she has for nonprofits and advocacy groups to effectively use new communication technologies.

Questions with Nancy Mahon of the M·A·C AIDS Fund

In the latest Questions With podcast, Douglas speaks with Nancy Mahon the Executive Director of the MAC AIDS Fund [http://www.macaidsfund.org/] and Senior Vice President at MAC Cosmetics [http://www.maccosmetics.com/]. The MAC AIDS Fund is the charitable arm of MAC Cosmetics which raises money for HIV/AIDS programs through their Viva Glam [http://www.maccosmetics.com/giving_back/fergie.tmpl] line of products. Nancy talks about her professional path from law clerk to HIV/AIDS work as well as why and how her company continues to contribute to the fight against the disease.