Prosper Podcast

Encore of Taking the Risk Out of African Investment

Enjoy our encore presentation from Season 4, Taking the Risk Out of African Investment with Matt Hangen. In this episode of Prosper, host Andreas Widmer and Rebecca Teti welcome Matt Hangen, CEO of Water4, to discuss his journey from a troubled youth in Alabama to leading a project that provides sustainable piped water solutions in Africa. The conversation explores the innovative business model of Water4, which combines philanthropy with entrepreneurship and the power of the free market to overcome the limitations of conventional NGO approaches while uplifting women and families. You won't want to miss this powerful episode. Learn more about the innovative work of ⁠Water4.org⁠ [https://www.water4.org/]. Matt Hangen is reading ⁠The Courage to Be⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Be-Third-Terry-Lectures/dp/030018879X/ref=sxts_b2b_ccp_search_w_op?content-id=amzn1.sym.210cd1ea-e44d-496c-802a-e2b84397e3ce%3Aamzn1.sym.210cd1ea-e44d-496c-802a-e2b84397e3ce&crid=3VNCUWSR4JDJU&cv_ct_cx=Paul+Tillich&keywords=Paul+Tillich&pd_rd_i=030018879X&pd_rd_r=fd66a4dc-85b9-49e5-872f-3cd4cc6cf61f&pd_rd_w=jY9Bk&pd_rd_wg=6OxNS&pf_rd_p=210cd1ea-e44d-496c-802a-e2b84397e3ce&pf_rd_r=G8GW82NWFZ3KMP3DCSP1&qid=1758911081&s=books&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=paul+tillich+%2Cstripbooks%2C67&sr=1-1-d27bdacb-ad14-3372-97fb-5f5070035007]. Join us for the ⁠Fall Meeting of the Family Business Consortium⁠ [https://business.catholic.edu/centers-and-initiatives/family-business-center/family-business-events/fall-family-business-meeting.html]. Find out what the Ciocca Center can offer you at ⁠cioccacenter.com [http://cioccacenter.com/]

Encore of Business Solutions for Women in the Workplace (ft. Regina Bethencourt)

As we gear up for Season 5, we thought we'd like to revisit some of our "greatest hits" over the last few seasons. All the way back in Season 2, we were joined by Regina Bethencourt, CEO of Tenuto Consulting. We discussed risk-taking, the journey of the entrepreneur, and support systems that help to build better work environments for everybody. Check out this great conversation and the rest of Prosper's library while Season 5 is in the works.Guest Regina Bethencourt, CEO of Tenuto, details how, not liking what she saw at a top NY marketing firm, she created her own company to provide a flexible work environment catering to the needs of parents, particularly mothers, who want to do challenging, excellent work as they care for their growing families. You'll also hear insights on building a competitive advantage in business through human connection and finding the right talent for flexible work. The discussion also touches on the entrepreneurial journey, the importance of taking risks, and the support systems that can help individuals succeed and build a more humane workplace for everyone. To register for the Dan Cellucci presentation on Feb. 27, 2025, ⁠please follow this link⁠ [https://advance.catholic.edu/index.cfm/events:register/home/eventId/712]. To learn more about The Busch School of Business' unique approach to Human Resources, please contact Prof. Tracy Phillips: ⁠phillipstr@cua.edu⁠ [phillipstr@cua.edu] Contact Regina's company at ⁠tenutoconsulting.com ⁠ [https://tenutoconsulting.com/] Find out more about the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship at Catholic University's Busch School of Business at ⁠CioccaCenter.com⁠ [http://cioccacenter.com/] Resources mentioned in the conversation: * Regina mentions ⁠The Five Hour Work Week⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Hour-Work-Week-Learn-Enjoy-ebook/dp/B0B5VWR14T]. * Find more about Patrick Lencioni at ⁠workinggenius.com⁠ [http://workinggenius.com/]. * Rebecca mentions Regine Pernoud's ⁠Women in the Days of the Cathedrals [https://www.amazon.com/Women-Days-Cathedrals-R%C3%A9gine-Pernoud/dp/0898706424/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3B76AIYWID8XE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vmUDMQ2osXA6EkRYPTb3Q7gcVmZ8KFCQbvZrQgq7YngsiLK8UPG07rUaggNdNOtbt61jlDASNw4d-aT1nT_EdmDUR3uHxiGOcAvhNDtgqJKsbL2s17LA9ug0OP2hbvnAarhihx5tiBBwdY2rkicMA24YYS-JwGoIaZ8zWdNS_2nG-KUmDwUVz_wu9xsydG-nnRZsb9MytJqjIL5hNYLDcYcZ9WCbdZICs-7qqJOi5kQ.O-wZaZuymzNwoqpB8yis9lqxEtxg6Ju1srZzzhVf40I&dib_tag=se&keywords=women+in+the+days+of+the+cathedral&qid=1739823259&sprefix=women+in+the+days+of+the+cathedral%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1] Prosper Podcast is a production of the⁠⁠Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship⁠⁠ [https://business.catholic.edu/faculty-and-research/entrepreneurship-center/index.html] at Catholic University of America

Encore of Entrepreneurship & Low Income Communities

This week, we give thanks for the life of our friend Robert L. Woodson, Sr., who passed away on May 19. Of the many pieces of wisdom he shared with us, telling stories of radical grace and forgiveness in order to help form solutions to our culture’s problems was among the most profound. Revisit our episode with him from Season 4 today. Meet Robert L. Woodson Sr., the founder of the Woodson Center, a veteran of the American Civil Rights Movement, and an advocate of poverty alleviation and disadvantaged communities. From growing up in segregated Philadelphia to building a national movement for change, Woodson invites us to see people not as problems, but as untapped potential ready to prosper. We explore how business, virtue, and redemption can transform lives and communities. * Mr. Woodson is currently reading ⁠The Future Once Happened Here: New York, D.C., L.A., and the Fate of America's Big Cities: Siegel, Fred⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Future-Once-Happened-Here-L/dp/1893554104/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.a3b8jzlqlKBfpXp27z0yHyciLUOBPYzoHD9IynBnBnuZvlKPNflnRdlCEwuVZ3KJiLFelgj5vDNA_z_6LLEncsn5uGthHo04A5B8suxwsqfH8BC4daHbmcbOYsbTf545aopyu-Uxt81TcxB7LrrDPcsnQoY4m2T8IkEC88BRdk0Z1r8WbjceLnlFz_UWrzLmJmV23fbWM7evmfgA-zkUt62wV7sQbJaRGnn3_2fLw5M.v_Uixw1ZyjUGzBy4XNHrQqBu1zvPOnLPiR4MZaITjr8&dib_tag=se&hvadid=776973555505&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9007539&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=10408219062997225094--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10408219062997225094&hvtargid=kwd-911774402&hydadcr=9369_13873965&keywords=the+future+once+happened+here&mcid=c58fe991a7bd35a88cbe78c005b2d06b&qid=1762026644&sr=8-1]. * He is an accomplished writer of many good books, including ⁠The Triumphs of Joseph: How Todays Community Healers Are Reviving Our Streets and Neighborhoods⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Triumphs-Joseph-Community-Reviving-Neighborhoods/dp/1416567860] ⁠, Lessons From the Least of These: The Woodson Principles⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Least-These-Woodson-Principles/dp/1642936472/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yO0MveM0KX0viXu6iEyoO7P8S01UYInMVLlh1MDbs8uIcFHRDfVsZuNqGtHSofy-.tEQD2IXjxPwDT29irnN7tMk9BCy2UOBJUymGOMbytgA&dib_tag=se&hvadid=777184066015&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9007539&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=11332416900079906828--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11332416900079906828&hvtargid=kwd-1039301956453&hydadcr=22135_13655742&keywords=lessons+from+the+least+of+these&mcid=2148f58c78123c0e88df773265fab0d0&qid=1762026909&sr=8-1] ⁠Red, White, and Black: Rescuing American History from Revisionists and Race Hustlers⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Red-White-Black-Rescuing-Revisionists/dp/1642937789] * His number one bestseller is called ⁠A Pathway to American Renewal: Red, White, and Black Volume II⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Pathway-American-Renewal-White-Black/dp/B0D2WB2RQ3/ref=pd_lpo_d_sccl_2/139-1037323-8004601?pd_rd_w=Mb9vq&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=WRZ22J2HS75EYZAZ25KX&pd_rd_wg=2IaWP&pd_rd_r=f5071b6a-0322-490d-b897-446698f3fcd3&pd_rd_i=B0D2WB2RQ3&psc=1]. * You can learn more about the wonderful work done by the Woodson Center, as well as view informational cartoons, at ⁠Woodson Center⁠ [https://woodsoncenter.org/], as well as view informational videos produced by The Woodson Center at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@WoodsonCenter/shorts⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@WoodsonCenter/shorts] * Check out this article, recommended by Mr. Woodson, about Piney Woods by Jason Riley, ⁠The Enduring Success of Piney Woods School - WSJ⁠ [https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-enduring-success-of-piney-woods-school-100d281c] * Find out what the Ciocca Center can offer you at ⁠The Ciocca Center⁠ [https://cioccacenter.com/].

Business and Identity

Meet Fr. Corwin Low OP, tech pioneer, former IBM entrepreneur, president of the International Dominican Foundation, leads Apostolate to Evangelize Silicon Valley, and is director of mission advancement for the Angelicum in Rome. Father Corwin shares his journey from co-authoring the Internet Starter Kit for Windows 95 and working with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen to discovering the Catholic faith through a series of providential encounters in Rome. He offers profound insights on integrating faith into a modern corporate culture, the importance of reclaiming one's identity in the workplace, and the current revival of Thomistic philosophy at the Angelicum in Rome. * Learn more about Fr. Corwin Low's ministry at the Angelicum [https://angelicum.it/]. * Find out what the Ciocca Center can offer you at The Ciocca Center [https://cioccacenter.com/]. * Join us for Spring 2025 Meeting: Family Business Consortium - The Busch School of Business [https://business.catholic.edu/centers-and-initiatives/family-business-center/family-business-events/spring-2025-meeting-of-the-family-business-consortium.html].

The "Poverty Trap" and breaking the cycle of poverty

Meet Michael Matheson Miller, the Chief of Strategic Initiatives and Senior Research Fellow at the Acton Institute, Director of the Center for Social Flourishing and the Poverty Cure Initiative, the Director and Producer of the award-winning documentary film, Poverty, Inc., and host of the Moral Imagination podcast. He deep dives into human dignity, faith, and the "enterprise solutions" that actually break the cycle of poverty. Mr. Matheson Miller also speaks on his new film, "Poverty Trap," which we are very excited about. He also discusses his real-world experiences and expert insight on poverty today. Specifically, failures of dependency to the restorative power of work. * Michael Matheson Miller is currently reading Chastity: Reconciliation of the Senses (Audible Audio Edition): Erik Varden, John Sackville, Bloomsbury Continuum. [https://www.amazon.com/Chastity-Reconciliation-of-the-Senses/dp/B0FGQKY889/ref=sr_1_3?adgrpid=193183515304&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YF1BAXobI2vHvKby8XH3Jy7mDuU0Om_HqwhwBtHTpUnhErb44HqGTLUlkSOq8u04th0P6F_cb2o0iMSPxWWFYd9a1NSVAqScsH2V7ee8EQSTdHd3zYyN2m69IVEfH1Gvxe3Tm-KwbY2_n57MDhEPFK8Tci9_Or7j2obCICljifwbC7NsevRkkOyKnEra4-KCX1SocmZMIWCtJGIIeCFZqQ.-V_MBpLSyKppNC40IWEkhzL4BPHzYPwk4LznjTVuSl0&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779633320967&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9007539&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=9504939434813143863--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=9504939434813143863&hvtargid=kwd-1967697025598&hydadcr=1002_1015238925_2462888&keywords=bishop+erik+varden&mcid=4272f650ceb13234b093a68b2772ad15&qid=1771726077&sr=8-3] * As well as A Student's Guide to Political Philosophy: Political Theory Guide (Guides to Major Disciplines) [https://www.amazon.com/Students-Political-Philosophy-Guides-Disciplines/dp/1882926439]. * He is also reading Quo Vadis: Sienkiewicz, Henryk, Kuniczak, W.S. [https://www.amazon.com/Quo-Vadis-Henryk-Sinkiewicz/dp/0781805503] * Find out more about Michael Matheson Miller by listening to his podcast, The Moral Imagination - Michael Matheson Miller [https://www.themoralimagination.com/]. * Check out Mr. Matheson Miller's film Poverty, Inc. [https://www.povertyinc.org/] * Find out what the Ciocca Center can offer you at The Ciocca Center [https://cioccacenter.com/]. * Join us for Spring 2025 Meeting: Family Business Consortium - The Busch School of Business [https://business.catholic.edu/centers-and-initiatives/family-business-center/family-business-events/spring-2025-meeting-of-the-family-business-consortium.html].