Episode 12: Wasted Potential: Circular Systems with Taylor Zehren

Episode 8: Money, Meaning, and the Women Changing the Game with Jolyne Caruso-FitzGerald

In this episode of The Hopeful Pioneers, Ali sits down with Jolyne Caruso-FitzGerald—Chair of Align Impact’s Board, former UBS Vice Chair, and a powerful advocate for women and next-gen leadership. Jolyne reflects on four decades in finance, from the early days of hedge funds to advising billionaire family offices today. She shares her front-row insights on the great wealth transfer, the evolving role of financial advisors, and why family legacies must be built on intention, not just inheritance. You’ll hear about: * The professionalization of family offices—and where they’re headed * How women are shifting the private wealth landscape * The future of wealth advisory in the age of AI * Why impact investing isn’t a trend—it’s the future * And what it looks like to pass the baton across generations This conversation is a powerful reminder that legacy isn’t just about what we leave behind—it’s about how we show up now. Listen now and join the conversation about what’s possible when we steward power with purpose, invest in the next generation, and treat legacy as something we live—not just something we leave. The Hopeful Pioneers is produced by Align Impact [https://www.alignimpact.com/], a firm dedicated to helping families and executives align their resources with their values to create meaningful change. Also available on Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hopeful-pioneers/id1808985717] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4FH46TdZ0pvAdGWVsV3Y86?si=203d027dff804499] Disclaimer: The personal ideas and opinions expressed on The Hopeful Pioneers podcast and Substack may not reflect the views of Align Impact. All content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon or construed as investment, legal, tax, financial or other advice. Likewise, nothing should be construed as a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by Align Impact to buy or sell securities or other financial instruments. Information posted is subject to change at any time without notice or obligation to update. Investment in securities involves the risk of loss, and there is no guarantee of future returns. A professional advisor should be consulted if you have investment questions. Align Impact does not provide personalized investment advice through podcasts or social media. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fieldguidespod.substack.com [https://fieldguidespod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 14: Reclaiming Your Story Through Art with Spandita Malik

What does it mean to create art that doesn’t just represent stories, but returns agency to the people at the center of them? In this episode of The Hopeful Pioneers, Ali sits down with Spandita Malik [https://spandita-malik.com/], a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores gender, power, and collective authorship. Spandita shares her journey growing up in India, choosing a creative path within cultural structures that didn’t always encourage it, and how her work has evolved over time. Now splitting her time between New York and rural communities across India, Spandita works closely with women who have survived gender-based violence. Through photography and embroidery, she invites participants to shape their own representation—redistributing power and returning authorship to the women themselves. You’ll hear about: * How anger and shame evolved into care, trust, and collaboration * How the camera can be a shield, and photography as a source of strength * Why shared authorship and embroidery are central to her work with survivors * Where Spandita finds hope in the midst of heavy, complex stories Listen now and join the conversation about power, agency, and what it looks like to make art with responsibility and care. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fieldguidespod.substack.com [https://fieldguidespod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 13: A City Built on Service with Laura Rog

In this episode, Ali sits down with Laura Rog, Chief Service Officer of New York City. Laura leads NYC Service, the Mayor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism. She shares how volunteerism functions as essential, often unseen infrastructure of the city — supporting nonprofits, strengthening communities, and helping New Yorkers feel more connected to one another in a city that can feel overwhelming at times. Drawing on her experience working across city agencies, nonprofits, and community partners, she reflects on how service builds agency, belonging, and trust at the local level. Laura shares about: * How service brings people power into government * The growing pull toward hyper-local engagement * The role volunteering plays in addressing loneliness and polarization * And why people remain our greatest asset Listen now and join the conversation about what’s possible when service becomes a shared responsibility, community is built through action, and hope is found in the everyday acts that hold a city together. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fieldguidespod.substack.com [https://fieldguidespod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 12: Wasted Potential: Circular Systems with Taylor Zehren

There are parts of life we rarely talk about — not because they aren’t important, but because they are uncomfortable to address. Human waste is one of them. It’s universal, it’s everyday, and yet it remains one of the most overlooked systems shaping our environment. I first came across Taylor Zehren, Founder & CEO of Wasted, when I saw her pitch last month, and I remember thinking how skillfully she got the uncomfortable giggles out of the room. Porta-potties aren’t exactly cocktail-hour conversation… but within minutes, she had everyone leaning in. She took a taboo topic, and reframed it as an overlooked opportunity for circularity, climate action, and community wellbeing. In under 30 minutes, we cover: * Why nature doesn’t create “waste” — and how Wasted is modeling that in the real world * The surprising nutrient value in our wastewater * How circular systems can solve both environmental and economic challenges * What it looks like to build a values-driven business in a very unexpected industry Taylor brings clarity, humor, and a refreshing dose of possibility to a topic most people avoid. Hope you enjoy this one — it’s a reminder that innovation often starts in the places we overlook most. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fieldguidespod.substack.com [https://fieldguidespod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 11: From Striving to Surrender: Caleb Campbell on Redefining Success

What happens when success stops being enough? In this episode, Ali sits down with Caleb Campbell — Inspirational Keynote Speaker, Coach, Military Veteran, and Former NFL Athlete — for a raw and moving conversation about transformation, surrender, and the courage it takes to stop performing and start becoming. From the NFL to the U.S. Army to life after the uniform, Caleb shares how chasing achievement nearly cost him everything—and how choosing truth over performance became the doorway to a deeper, freer way of living. Together, he and Ali explore what it means to let an old version of yourself die so a new one can emerge, and how real leadership begins when we stop striving for belonging and start living from love instead of fear. Tune in to hear: * How surrender can become your greatest strength * The difference between striving and becoming * What real courage looks like beyond achievement * Why breaking open can lead to deeper wholeness * How faith, leadership, and healing intersect in growth This conversation is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and remember that sometimes the breakdown is the beginning. Listen now and join the conversation about how we might show up when we stop performing for belonging, tell the truth about who we are, and let authenticity—not achievement—lead the way. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fieldguidespod.substack.com [https://fieldguidespod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]