E14: The Contrarian's Guide to Social Impact: Liam Black's Journey

E17 There Are No Returns On a Broken Planet - Why Capital Needs a New Story with Sana Kapadia

In this episode of Storytelling for Social Impact, Ravinol Chambers sits down with Sana Kapadia, Chief Catalyst at Heading For Change and an investor working at the intersection of finance, gender and climate, for a conversation that goes far deeper than impact as a concept. They talk about what happens when you stop treating these issues as separate. Because gender, climate, inequality and finance - they’re not different conversations. They’re the same system, seen from different angles. And if we don’t start thinking that way, we’ll keep solving symptoms instead of causes. One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is around measurement. In impact, we often default to numbers, how many people reached, how much capital deployed. But Sana makes the case that without lived experience, those numbers can be misleading. Real impact isn’t just what we can count. It’s what actually changes in people’s lives. The conversation also goes somewhere more uncomfortable. What does this mean for us personally? It’s easy to talk about systems, capital, and change at a distance. It’s harder to ask: what is enough for me? What am I willing to change? Because until that question is faced honestly, progress will always be limited. There’s no shortage of solutions. Across the world, people are already building better models, more local, more inclusive, more connected. The challenge isn’t imagination. It’s whether we’re willing to shift how we think, measure and act before the cost of inaction becomes too high. This is a conversation about impact, yes. But more than that, it’s a conversation about responsibility and how the story needs to change to inspire us to take up that responsibility. 00:00 Welcome 02:02 Sana's Journey Into Impact 03:10 Intersectionality in Finance 05:28 Rethinking Luxury and Enough 08:08 SDGs Gender and Climate 11:08 Measuring Impact Better 16:12 Gender Climate Fund Examples 21:35 Unintended Consequences and Norms 23:52 Storytelling Campaigns That Work 27:46 Beyond the Bubble 28:22 Humour in Impact 30:17 Perfection and Burnout 31:37 Reporting Overload 34:49 Rethinking Risk Returns 38:18 Local Evidence and Nuance 41:13 Fixing the Plumbing 44:22 Cost of Inaction 45:56 Everyday Power to Act 48:43 Reconnect with Nature 53:55 Solutions and Storytelling 55:51 Final Reflections and Thanks * Heading for Change | Accelerating proven climate and biodiversity solutions with women as agents of change [https://www.headingforchange.org/] * Sana on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanarkapadia/] * Ravinol on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravchambers/] * Purpose Driven Storytelling Agency & Video Production Company [https://www.beinspiredfilms.co.uk/]

E16 Doing Good by Doing What You Do Best with Zahid Torres-Rahman, OBE

In this episode of Storytelling for Social Impact, Ravinol Chambers speaks with Zahid Torres-Rahman OBE, co-founder of Business Fights Poverty, about a simple but powerful idea: the most effective way for organisations to contribute to social progress is often by doing what they already do best. Zahid has spent decades working at the intersection of business, development and social impact. Through Business Fights Poverty, he has helped connect thousands of leaders across companies, NGOs and institutions who are trying to tackle complex global problems together. What emerges from this conversation is a refreshing perspective on impact. Not a model driven by grand statements or corporate slogans. But one grounded in collaboration, humility and practical action. Ravinol and Zahid explore why the biggest barriers to solving social problems are rarely technical. More often, they are about relationships, trust and the ability to connect people across sectors who would not normally sit at the same table. They also discuss the role storytelling plays in this process. Stories help us see the human dimension behind abstract challenges. They help organisations communicate purpose in ways that feel real rather than performative. And they help leaders recognise where their work intersects with something larger than themselves. Some of the themes explored in this episode include: • Why business has a unique role to play in addressing social and environmental challenges • The idea that impact often comes from doing what you already do well, not trying to become something new • Why collaboration between businesses, NGOs and governments is essential, but often difficult • The importance of human relationships and trust in driving meaningful change • How storytelling can bring clarity, alignment and shared purpose to complex issues At its heart, this conversation is about a shift in mindset. Moving away from the idea that solving global problems belongs to one sector alone. And towards a recognition that real progress happens when people bring their different strengths together. As Zahid reflects in the episode, the goal is not perfection. It is progress, built through collaboration and grounded in the belief that each organisation can contribute something meaningful when it leans into what it does best. Whether you work in business, social impact, communications or leadership, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into how purpose, partnership and storytelling can come together to drive change. 00:00 Reconnecting After Covid 00:59 Human First Collaboration 03:40 Origin of Business Fights Poverty 05:00 From Finance to Impact 06:08 Do What You Do Best 08:16 B Corp and Mainstreaming Impact 12:49 Beyond Jargon to Kindness 14:13 Recapturing the Narrative 18:24 Stories With Agency 23:21 Comms That Cuts Through 31:56 Kindness and AI 34:10 Kindness Builds Trust 34:53 Self Acceptance And Growth 38:26 Come As Yourself 39:52 Choosing SDG 17 - Partnerships 42:50 Five Bridges To 2045 45:27 Peer Circles And Bridge Builders 50:22 Human-Centred Solutions 55:57 Trust Through Honest Storytelling 59:06 Campaigns That Cut Through 01:02:52 Unlearning Gender Norms 01:05:48 Where To Find Business Fights Poverty * Ravinol on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravchambers/] * Purpose Driven Storytelling Agency & Video Production Company [https://www.beinspiredfilms.co.uk/] * Zahid on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahidtorresrahman/] * Collaborating for Social Impact - Business Fights Poverty [https://businessfightspoverty.org/]

E15 The Alchemy of Storytelling: Reframing Risk as Opportunity in Innovative Finance with Rafia Qureshi

In this episode, host Ravinol Chambers engages in a compelling discussion with Rafia Qureshi, who shares her journey from venture capital to social impact investing. They reminisce about their shared history and delve into the dynamics of philanthropy, innovative finance, and gender equality in the context of global challenges. Rafia shares her passion for gender equality rooted in her personal experiences in Pakistan. The conversation underscores the transformative potential of storytelling in shifting perceptions of risk, bridging capital silos, and catalysing systemic change. Key themes include the necessity of collaborative capital, the importance of redefining risk in philanthropy, and the role of narratives in making complex issues relatable and investible. 00:00 Introduction and Reconnecting 00:39 Journey into Social Impact 02:16 The Shift to Corporate Philanthropy 05:16 Personal Connection to Gender Equality 07:52 Global Upbringing and Career Path 10:15 The Power of Storytelling in Philanthropy 15:09 Women in Social Impact and Climate Change 20:44 Rewriting Narratives in Global Finance 27:45 The Evolution of Philanthropy 28:27 The Power of Storytelling in Investment 29:08 Water Equity: A Success Story 29:58 Show and Tell: Building Trust 33:17 The Role of Narratives in Unlocking Capital 41:28 Embracing Failure in the Social Sector 48:30 The Importance of Storytelling Across Organisations 52:17 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections * Lebec - Mainstreaming Innovative Finance [https://lebec.co/] * Rafia's Linkedin profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafia-qureshi-7331b92/] * Be Inspired Films - Purpose Driven Video Production Agency [https://www.beinspiredfilms.co.uk] * Ravinol's Linkedin profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravchambers/]

E14: The Contrarian's Guide to Social Impact: Liam Black's Journey

In this insightful episode of the Storytelling for Social Impact Podcast, host Ravinol delves into the power and nuances of storytelling in driving social change. Guest Liam Black, a seasoned social entrepreneur, shares his journey and the lessons learned from scaling Furniture Resource Center (FRC) into a profitable social enterprise, to now sitting on boards to share his experience, and mentoring others for success. Discussion topics include the importance of financial sustainability for impact-driven businesses, avoiding groupthink, the significance of authenticity in storytelling, and how to craft compelling narratives for diverse stakeholders, including investors, customers, and employees. Liam also sheds light on the evolving landscape of social enterprises, the rise of the B Corporation movement, and the importance of addressing inequality. Tune in to discover practical advice on leveraging storytelling to make meaningful societal impacts and hear personal anecdotes that highlight the trials and triumphs of purposeful entrepreneurship. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:36 Guest Introduction: Liam Black 01:17 The Power of Storytelling in Business 01:39 Catching Up with Liam 03:07 Liam's Journey in Social Enterprise 09:44 The Importance of Profit in Social Enterprises 17:29 The Cat's Pajamas Initiative 23:04 Challenges and Realities of Social Enterprises 32:29 The Role of Storytelling in Social Impact 33:14 Memorable Campaigns and Stories 35:14 The Power of Personal Storytelling 37:24 Phases of Life and Career 39:49 Authenticity in Storytelling 48:31 Challenges running a Social Enterprise 58:21 Liam's challenge to us all to think about our own impact story 01:00:58 Closing Remarks and Call to Action * Ravinol's Linkedin profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravchambers/] * Be Inspired Films Purpose Driven Video Production Agency [https://www.beinspiredfilms.co.uk] * Liam's Linkedin profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-black-03763a8] * Barnardo's TV Advert [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16mw5JCry2s] - Excellent advert which never got televised due to the swearing. But it brilliantly captures the essence of their work.

EP13: Beyond the Hook: Building Places of Belonging with Ala Ho

In this episode of the Storytelling for Social Impact Podcast, host Ravinol Chambers sits down with Ala Ho, founder of design agency And Human, for a thoughtful, wide-ranging discussion about integrating the human touch into brand storytelling amidst the rise of AI or whatever new tech comes along. Ala shares insights into successful and unsuccessful campaigns, including American Eagle and Kit Kat, highlighting the importance of brands knowing what they stand for in the face of criticism and learning to spot cultural trends in the sales data. They also delve into the intricacies of marketing tactics, short vs. long-form content and discuss the power of brands to create meaningful connections and foster community. The conversation wraps up with practical advice for organisations on creating spaces that facilitate genuine belonging. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:37 Guest Introduction: Ala Ho and And Human 00:53 The Importance of Human Element in Branding 01:59 Discussion on Cities and Homelessness 03:49 Branding and Personal Belonging 08:02 Short Form vs. Long Form Content 14:04 Polarization and Social Media 19:03 Brands and Sustainable Development Goals 20:53 Eras of Marketing and Branding 26:01 Campaigns: Successes and Failures 28:36 The Fear of Cancel Culture 29:45 Brand Authenticity and Credibility 30:41 The Wildfire of Outrage in Internet Content 31:58 The Reality Behind Social Media 35:46 The Importance of Email Lists 37:17 The Human Touch in Marketing 39:02 AI & Personalisation in Communication 42:18 Effective Messaging for NGOs 48:26 Creating Meaningful Brand Connections 51:35 Parting Nuggets and Final Thoughts * American Eagle: Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK8s3iqL99c] - Ala references this advert created by American Eagle, and the controversy surrounding it. In particular, what was interesting was how they responded confident in their own values. * The reason KitKat took off in Japan [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dFOwFuj6w6g] - Ala references this interesting trend Kitkat noticed in their sales data that led KitKats to become the most popular good luck symbol for students taking big exams. * Be Inspired Films website [https://www.beinspiredfilms.co.uk/] - We help organisations communicate clearly so people notice them, understand them and choose them, using our Impact Storytelling System™. We define your core story and link it to your strategy. We train your people to tell that story clearly and consistently across every channel. We create cinematic content that helps you win the moments that matter. * Ravinol Chambers on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravchambers/] - I help purpose-led organisations use video to win the moments that matter across purpose, recruitment, growth, culture, events & impact. | Monk-turned-Moviemaker | Award Winning Founder | Certified B Corp 2015 | * andhüman | Home [https://www.andhuman.co/] - We build brands people can't stop talking about — using the BelongingOSTM to unite strategy, identity, and experience into growth systems that spark connection, loyalty and advocacy. * Ala Ho on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaho/] - Founder of andhuman | Building brands people can’t stop talking about | Polymath advocate | Lecturer