Moving the Needle

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 [https://4pfoods.com/] is working to revolutionize the food industry by connecting smallholder farmers with local consumers, and CEO Tom McDougall [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-mcdougall-3512835/] 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 [https://www.earfluence.com/]. Thank you to our sponsors: * Live Oak Bank [https://www.liveoakbank.com/] 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 [https://www.shrm.org/] 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 [https://togetherforwardatwork.shrm.org/] 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: * The Future Economy and Inclusive Competitiveness: How Demographic Trends and Innovation Can Create Economic Prosperity for All Americans [https://www.amazon.com/Future-Economy-Inclusive-Competitiveness-Demographic/dp/0692877703], by Johnathan Holifield * Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives [https://www.amazon.com/Life-Entrepreneurs-Ordinary-Creating-Extraordinary/dp/0787988626], by Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek

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 [https://www.iedconline.org/store/publication/a-playbook-for-equitable-economic-development/]? Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council [https://www.iedconline.org/] - 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 [https://www.earfluence.com/]. Thank you to our sponsors: * Live Oak Bank [https://www.liveoakbank.com/] 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 [https://www.shrm.org/] 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 [https://togetherforwardatwork.shrm.org/] 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: * The Future Economy and Inclusive Competitiveness: How Demographic Trends and Innovation Can Create Economic Prosperity for All Americans [https://www.amazon.com/Future-Economy-Inclusive-Competitiveness-Demographic/dp/0692877703], by Johnathan Holifield * Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives [https://www.amazon.com/Life-Entrepreneurs-Ordinary-Creating-Extraordinary/dp/0787988626], by Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek

President Biden has appointed today's guest Alejandra Castillo to head the Economic Development Administration [https://www.eda.gov/], 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 [https://www.earfluence.com/]. Thank you to our sponsors: * Live Oak Bank [https://www.liveoakbank.com/] 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 [https://www.shrm.org/] 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 [https://togetherforwardatwork.shrm.org/] 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: * The Future Economy and Inclusive Competitiveness: How Demographic Trends and Innovation Can Create Economic Prosperity for All Americans [https://www.amazon.com/Future-Economy-Inclusive-Competitiveness-Demographic/dp/0692877703], by Johnathan Holifield * Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives [https://www.amazon.com/Life-Entrepreneurs-Ordinary-Creating-Extraordinary/dp/0787988626], by Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek

Today's guest is Darrin Redus, CEO of the Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator [https://minoritybusinessaccelerator.com/] 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 [https://www.earfluence.com/]. Thank you to our sponsors: * Live Oak Bank [https://www.liveoakbank.com/] 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 [https://www.shrm.org/] 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 [https://togetherforwardatwork.shrm.org/] 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: * The Future Economy and Inclusive Competitiveness: How Demographic Trends and Innovation Can Create Economic Prosperity for All Americans [https://www.amazon.com/Future-Economy-Inclusive-Competitiveness-Demographic/dp/0692877703], by Johnathan Holifield * Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives [https://www.amazon.com/Life-Entrepreneurs-Ordinary-Creating-Extraordinary/dp/0787988626], by Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek

Bitwise Industries [https://bitwiseindustries.com/] fuels the growth of tech economies in underestimated cities, powered by underestimated talent - through workforce development, enterprise tech services, and placemaking in under-invested areas.  Bitwise cofounders Irma Olguin Jr [https://www.linkedin.com/in/irmalolguinjr/] and Jake Soberal [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeasoberal/] are truly moving the needle, and today we hear their reasons for starting the company, what they've accomplished so far, and what's on the horizon for the rapidly growing startup. Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence [https://www.earfluence.com/]. Thank you to our sponsors: * Live Oak Bank [https://www.liveoakbank.com/] 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 [https://www.shrm.org/] 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 [https://togetherforwardatwork.shrm.org/] 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: * The Future Economy and Inclusive Competitiveness: How Demographic Trends and Innovation Can Create Economic Prosperity for All Americans [https://www.amazon.com/Future-Economy-Inclusive-Competitiveness-Demographic/dp/0692877703], by Johnathan Holifield * Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives [https://www.amazon.com/Life-Entrepreneurs-Ordinary-Creating-Extraordinary/dp/0787988626], by Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek