Advertise on podcast: Purpose 360 with Carol Cone

What can five iconic purpose-driven companies teach us about building a mission that lasts? In this newly re-edited Purpose 360 compilation, we revisit standout conversations with leaders from Bombas, Just Ice Tea, Patagonia, Seventh Generation, and Tony’s Chocolonely to uncover six lessons for keeping purpose intact through growth, disruption, and change. Featuring Seth Goldman, David Heath, Jeffrey Hollender, Douglas Lamont, Jason LaRose, and Vincent Stanley, the episode explores what happens when purpose is truly put to the test with insights and examples from some of purpose’s leading companies. Together, these stories offer six practical lessons on building purpose into the business, confronting uncomfortable truths, scaling intentionally, earning stakeholder trust, proving that impact can drive performance, and protecting purpose for the long term. Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM. Full Show Notes and Resources: https://trustory.fm/purpose360/built-with-purpose-what-five-iconic-companies-teach-us/ (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Staying On Course (02:21) - Start with the Mission Then Build the Business Around It (05:54) - Responsibility Is Not a Destination, It Is a Practice (11:38) - The Mission Gets Real When Growth Puts It Under Pressure (16:25) - When the Business Breaks, Relationships Reveal What Was Really Built (20:26) - Impact Has to Be Good Business, and Good Business Has to Deliver Impact (24:21) - If the Mission Matters, Protect It Beyond the Current Leader (31:13) - Wrap Up

Corporate purpose has faced one of its toughest pressure tests yet. But beneath headlines of retreat, Benevity’s State of Corporate Purpose report reveals a field that is proving remarkably resilient and evolving in important ways. In this episode of Purpose 360, Carol Cone welcomes Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity, for a timely conversation about what the data tells us about the state of purpose today. Drawing on Benevity’s research and unique view into corporate and employee action, Sona shares why purpose remains deeply supported inside companies even as political and regulatory pressures reshape how organizations fund, communicate, and execute the work. The result is a picture of a field entering its next chapter: more focused on trust and authentic storytelling, more thoughtful about the opportunities and risks of AI, and increasingly connected to broader business and talent priorities. For impact leaders who have spent the past several years navigating uncertainty and scrutiny, the conversation offers an encouraging takeaway: purpose has endured, and leaders now have an opportunity to move from defense to offense. Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM. Full Show Notes & Resources View on YouTube (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Sona Khosla • Benevity (03:04) - Sona’s Background (04:39) - Benevity (06:27) - Perspectives and Insights (08:17) - The Report (09:40) - Genesis of the Report (10:13) - Headline (12:32) - The First Two Key Trends (13:34) - Quiet Period (16:16) - The Third Trend (18:15) - The Fourth Trend (21:22) - Integrating AI (21:42) - The Fifth Trend (25:23) - Volunteerism Events (27:51) - Figuring Out Your Focus (30:09) - Speed Round (31:03) - Last Thoughts (32:13) - Wrap Up

For years, sustainability leaders have helped companies set ambitious targets. Now comes the two harder challenges: delivering on them and proving their business value. In this episode of Purpose 360, Carol Cone welcomes Ann Tracy, Chief Sustainability Officer of Colgate-Palmolive, for a robust and inspiring conversation about what the next era of sustainability leadership demands. Drawing on more than three decades across engineering, manufacturing, global operations, and sustainability, Ann shares how she has learned to turn sustainability from a set of commitments into an enabler of business strategy. Ann explains why the strongest sustainability leaders speak the language of growth, resilience, risk, and financial value; how her “win-win-win” philosophy connects consumer benefit, business success, and impact at scale; and why knowing where your organization should lead is critical to making meaningful progress. She also takes listeners inside Colgate-Palmolive’s journey to reinvent its toothpaste tube—and the decision to share that technology to help move an entire industry forward—while offering lessons on empathy, partnership, pragmatism, and what it takes to lead change across a global organization. Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM. Full Show Notes & Resources View on YouTube (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Ann Tracy, Colgate-Palmolive (04:13) - Ann’s Background (06:08) - Wide Involvement Level (07:45) - Their Purpose (09:26) - Sustainability (11:50) - Swords and Shields Philosophy (13:56) - Longevity and Scale (15:16) - Win-Win-Win Framework (16:55) - Recognizing the Brand (20:09) - Recyclable Toothpaste Tube (24:05) - Communication (25:44) - Empathy (27:24) - AI (28:51) - Lightning Round (30:47) - Last Word (31:47) - Wrap Up

For too many Black women, accessing mental health care has historically been limited by cost, stigma, and a lack of culturally competent providers. The Loveland Foundation was created to change that, and in just a few years, has built one of the nation's most innovative models for expanding equitable access to therapy. Host Carol Cone welcomes Sharlene Kemler, CEO of The Loveland Foundation, for an inspiring conversation about reimagining mental health through community, partnership, and listening. Sharlene shares how the Foundation evolved from a birthday fundraiser into a national organization and the work they’re doing now to strengthen the entire mental health ecosystem—from investing in therapists' well-being and professional development to continuously improving programs based on participant feedback. Together, Carol and Sharlene explore why culturally competent care matters, how authentic partnerships create lasting impact, and why supporting both those seeking care and those providing it is essential to making mental health access truly sustainable. Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM. Full Show Notes & Resources View on YouTube (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Loveland Foundation (02:56) - Learning from Parents (05:07) - The Joy Guru (05:52) - Story of The Loveland Foundation (08:16) - Reimaging Mental Health Care (12:25) - Culturally Competent Care (13:01) - Finding Them (14:50) - Therapy as Accelerant (16:06) - Supporting Their Therapists (19:30) - Camp Loveland (22:21) - Finding the Right Partner (22:54) - Current Partners (23:16) - DEI (25:16) - Amplification of the Cause (26:33) - Advice to Young People (27:39) - Rapid Fire Questions (29:15) - Last Word (31:49) - Wrap Up

Artificial intelligence is moving faster than most organizations can adapt. But amid the excitement, one critical question often gets overlooked: What is guiding the decisions AI helps us make? In this episode of Purpose 360, Carol Cone welcomes Kristian Merenda, Partner at Carol Cone ON PURPOSE, and Balaji Ganapathy, Founder and CEO of Social Positive, for a timely conversation about why it’s critical for purpose to be the ultimate guide for AI. The conversation explores why AI adoption is fundamentally a culture transformation rather than a technology implementation, how organizations can avoid "purpose drift" as automation expands, and why leaders should stop asking, "Can AI do this?" and instead ask, "Should AI do this?" From responsible governance and employee trust to experimentation, human judgment, and the future of leadership, this conversation challenges conventional thinking about AI and explores how purpose can help organizations use AI responsibly while keeping people, values, and long-term impact at the center. Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM. Full Show Notes & Resources (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - CCOP AI Handbook (02:53) - Meet Kristian and Balaji (05:30) - Defining Purpose (06:46) - Purpose in the Age of AI (08:23) - The Case for Purpose (12:17) - How to Have the Conversation with the C-Suite (16:13) - The Guide and Purpose Drift (18:54) - Adoption (21:48) - Shaping the Culture Using Purpose (25:56) - Looking Forward (31:28) - Last Comments (33:59) - Wrap Up

Which came first: the business or the purpose? For most companies, the answer is the business. But Tony's Chocolonely turned that formula upside down. In this episode of Purpose 360, Carol Cone welcomes Douglas Lamont, CEO of Tony's Chocolonely, for a fascinating conversation about one of the world's most purpose-driven companies. Founded by investigative journalists determined to expose child labor and exploitation in the cocoa industry, Tony's wasn't created to sell chocolate—it was created to prove that chocolate could be made differently. Douglas shares how Tony's has transformed that original act of advocacy into a global brand while staying relentlessly focused on its mission. He explains why the company calls itself an impact company, how its sourcing model and Mission Lock governance structure protect purpose at scale, and why transparency, collaboration, and creativity are essential to driving systemic change. Whether you're leading a purpose-driven business, building one from the ground up, or simply curious about how business can become a force for good, this conversation offers practical leadership lessons and an inspiring vision for what's possible. Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM. Full Show Notes & Resources View on YouTube (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Tony's Chocolonely • Douglas Lamont (03:16) - Childhood Influences (05:32) - Favorite Flavor (06:07) - Origin Story (10:28) - Becoming the Company It Is Today (11:42) - Shifting Careers (12:45) - How They Fight Exploitation (18:42) - Five Principles (20:11) - Reporting Good and Bad (21:33) - Advice for Building Brand (22:29) - Two Governance Tracks (25:31) - Marketing (29:34) - The Name (31:07) - Advice to Young People (33:21) - Advice for Social Entrepreneurs (34:11) - Rapid Fire Questions (36:58) - Last Word (38:04) - Wrap Up

What can a national litter study tell us about human behavior, environmental stewardship, and the future of America's communities? In this episode of Purpose 360, Carol Cone welcomes David Scott, Senior Vice President of Impact and Analytics at Keep America Beautiful, to discuss the organization's newly released National Litter Study—one of the most comprehensive analyses of litter and waste behavior in the United States. The findings reveal encouraging progress, including a 34% decline in litter along roadways and waterways since the previous study. But the research also uncovers important challenges, from rising tire waste and cardboard litter to significant concentrations of debris along America's coastlines. Together, Carol and David explore what the data reveals about changing consumer habits, why litter is fundamentally a behavioral issue, and how cleaner communities contribute to stronger local economies, safer neighborhoods, and healthier environments. David also shares practical insights into the proven strategies that help reduce litter, the role of shared responsibility, and why community engagement remains one of the most effective tools for creating lasting change. Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM. Full Show Notes & Resources Here View on YouTube Here (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - David Scott, Keep America Beautiful (02:39) - David’s Background (04:18) - Their First Litter Study (06:02) - The Litter Study (08:53) - Coastal Areas (12:01) - Change in Consumption (14:29) - Litter Bugs (15:17) - Impact of Cleaner Places (17:07) - Key Messages (19:12) - When Seeing Someone Litter (20:15) - Social Cleanups (22:11) - Last Thoughts (24:02) - Wrap Up

Long before sustainability, ESG, and stakeholder capitalism entered the business mainstream, Jeffrey Hollender was building a company founded on the belief that business could serve both people and the planet. In this episode of Purpose 360, Carol Cone welcomes Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder and former CEO of Seventh Generation, and her fellow pioneer of the purpose movement for a candid conversation about his new book, Built for a Better World, and the remarkable story behind Seventh Generation. Together they explore the realities of building a mission-driven company before the market was ready, the role of transparency in earning consumer trust, the challenges of scaling culture during rapid growth, and the difficult lessons Jeffrey learned about investors, governance, and leadership. Jeffrey also reflects on employee ownership, activist business leadership, and the boardroom decisions that ultimately led to his departure from the company he founded. Along the way, he shares why today’s purpose-driven businesses must think beyond products and profits to address the broader impact they have on people, communities, and the planet. Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM. Full Show Notes & Resources Here View on YouTube Here (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Jeffrey Hollender (03:49) - Jeffrey’s Background (07:03) - Seventh Generation (09:51) - The Early Years (11:06) - The Name (12:59) - Built for a Better World (16:45) - Albertson’s Example (19:31) - Role of Employees (21:26) - Company Machinations (23:58) - Moderating Growth (26:58) - Learning Through Activism (29:13) - Going Too Radical (31:12) - Working with a Board (33:51) - Getting Terminated (35:56) - The Role of Family (38:37) - What Companies Get Wrong About Purpose (40:53) - Speed Round (42:17) - Last Words (43:07) - Wrap Up

This special episode of Purpose 360 was recorded live at the Engage for Good conference, and host Carol Cone continues her conversations with leaders shaping the future of corporate purpose, nonprofit partnerships, employee engagement, and social impact strategy. Carol Cone is joined by Bryan Klopack of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Nathan Measom of the American Red Cross, Deborah Barge of The Trevor Project, Sarah Knott of Hasbro, and Kari Hayden Pendoley of Impact Savvy. At Engage for Good, they join leaders across philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, and corporate purpose to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore how organizations can create more meaningful and integrated approaches to impact. These featured leaders share how they build partnerships that create value for both businesses and communities, engage employees as powerful drivers of purpose, and respond to evolving social needs with creativity and commitment. They discuss workforce development, mentorship, mental health, disaster response, and stakeholder engagement, but they return repeatedly to one central idea: lasting impact starts with listening, grows through authentic relationships, and strengthens through long-term commitment. Together, these conversations capture the candid, practical, and forward-looking insights for anyone who wants to strengthen communities, engage stakeholders, and advance purpose in a rapidly changing environment. Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM. Full Show Notes & Resources (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Engage for Good Conference Part 2 (02:21) - Bryan Klopack • Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (14:55) - Nathan Measom • American Red Cross (19:21) - Deborah Barge • Trevor Project (30:36) - Sarah Knott • Hasbro (31:14) - Wrap Up (32:18) - Kari Hayden Pendoley • Impact Savvy

Social impact is moving out of standalone CSR departments and into the center of how organizations think about leadership, culture, talent, and innovation. Recorded live at the Engage for Good conference, this special episode of Purpose 360 brings listeners inside conversations shaping the present and future of the industry. Engage for Good brings together leaders across philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, and corporate purpose to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore how organizations can create more meaningful and integrated approaches to impact. Host Carol Cone sits down with Nancy Molenda and Brittany Cruickshank of Mattel, Karoline Katus of the Obama Foundation, Navid Ladha of OnPurpose Careers, and Jorge Alvarez of Active Minds for conversations about embedding social impact into business strategy, cultivating values-based leadership, redefining mission-driven careers, and building long-term partnerships rooted in trust and collaboration. Together, the conversations capture the candid, practical, and forward-looking insights that emerge when leaders committed to social impact come together to share what’s working, what’s changing, and what’s next. Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM. Full Show Notes & Resources (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Engage for Good Part 1 (02:35) - Nancy Molenda & Brittany Cruickshank • Mattel (15:28) - Karoline Katus • Obama Foundation (19:49) - Navid Ladha • OnPurpose Careers (23:58) - Jorge Alvarez • Active Minds (35:38) - Wrap Up

Balaji Ganapathy returns to Purpose 360 as a leader with decades of experience shaping one of the world’s most purpose-driven organizations and a renewed vision for what comes next. Longtime listeners will recognize his journey from building impact at Tata Consultancy Services to scaling global social initiatives. Now, he is launching his own venture, Social Positive. But throughout his career, one throughline remains: purpose is not a side effort. It plays the same role technology once did, serving as the ultimate driver of innovation, growth, and long-term relevance. We invited Balaji to share the insights he’s gained from more than two decades of leading purpose at scale, and to unpack what it truly takes to turn intention into impact. He challenges leaders to rethink purpose as a growth engine while outlining the four critical gaps holding back progress today: from misaligned funding and execution challenges to measurement limitations and barriers to scaling proven solutions. He also introduces Social Positive’s approach, including a practitioner-led community, data-driven insights, and an AI-enabled decision tool, all designed to help leaders better align resources, strategy, and action. Listen for insights on: Why “purpose is the new tech” still holds trueCreating shared measurement across partnersLeading with a “society first” mindsetUsing AI to accelerate social impact work Resources + Links: Watch this episode on YouTube!Balaji Ganapathy’s LinkedInSocial PositiveThe CollectiveImpactScapeRika (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Balaji Ganapathy (02:47) - Balaji’s Backstory (05:12) - Learning from Previous Roles (08:20) - Is Purpose Still the New Tech? (10:53) - Shifting the C-Suite (13:17) - Partnership Success (16:29) - Social Positive (23:01) - AI Native Impact Consulting (28:18) - Opportunities in Asia (30:34) - Suggestions for Young People (31:37) - Speed Round (33:13) - Last Word (34:51) - Wrap Up

Bombas was already thriving—scaling rapidly, achieving billions in sales, and donating more than 200 million items to people experiencing homelessness—when founder David Heath recognized that the company’s next phase of growth would require a different kind of leadership. He made the intentional decision to step aside as CEO, and Jason LaRose, a seasoned operator with experience scaling brands, was thoughtfully brought in—first as president, then as CEO—creating a seamless transition rooted in shared respect for Bombas’ purpose, culture, and product excellence. We invited David Heath and Jason LaRose to share what it really takes to navigate a founder-to-CEO transition while preserving the soul of a purpose-driven company. They discuss the importance of humility, trust, and deep respect for what’s already been built, as well as the discipline required to scale without disrupting culture or diluting mission. From Jason’s intentional “listen-first” leadership approach to David’s continued role as a strategic partner, their conversation reveals how purpose can act as a north star through change and growth. They also explore how Bombas continues to innovate, expand into new categories and channels, and grow its giving network, all while proving that purpose isn’t a tradeoff to profitability, but a driver of it. For purpose-driven leaders, it’s a compelling story of how one leader passes purpose to the next—and how impact can grow without losing what matters most. Listen for insights on: Recognizing when founder leadership must evolveBuilding trust before stepping into CEO roleScaling operations without compromising mission integrityProtecting culture during periods of rapid growthResources + Links: Watch this episode on YouTube!David Heath’s LinkedInJason LaRose’s LinkedInBombas Impact ReportBombas Giving Partner DirectoryPrevious Purpose 360 Episode: The Love That Bombas Socks Made (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet David and Jason from Bombas (02:56) - Backstories (05:35) - How They Met (07:32) - The Germ of the Idea (10:13) - Jason’s Start (14:30) - Dave’s Role (16:46) - CEO Advice (18:30) - First 60 Days and Volunteering (20:41) - Expand Products (22:31) - Superior Production (24:18) - Moving Into Retail (25:55) - Giving Partners (28:17) - Looking to the Future (30:12) - Message to Young People (33:28) - Fast Track Questions (38:42) - Last Word (39:45) - Wrap Up

Many companies today are choosing silence over visibility when it comes to their social and environmental commitments. What might appear as retreat or inconsistency is, in fact, something more deliberate. Christopher Marquis describes this phenomenon as “strategic hibernation,” or a calculated pause in external communication driven by political tension, stakeholder scrutiny, and shifting expectations. Rather than abandoning purpose, companies are pulling back publicly while continuing the work internally, protecting their capabilities, talent, and long-term investments. But this creates a critical tension: how to navigate risk without eroding trust or losing momentum on the very issues that define a company’s impact and identity. We invited Christopher Marquis, Author and Sinyi Professor of Chinese Management at the University of Cambridge, to unpack this moment and what it means for purpose-driven leaders. Christopher explores why strategic hibernation is not the same as “green hushing,” and outlines how organizations can remain disciplined in communications while actively maintaining their core assets and preparing for when conditions shift. He shares insights on how companies can continue investing in sustainability and social impact behind the scenes, why internal alignment and values-based leadership matter more than ever, and how leaders can thoughtfully assess political risk without compromising their long-term mission. Listen for insights on: Maintaining employee trust during uncertaintyProtecting culture as a strategic assetWhen to re-engage publicly on issuesGlobal perspectives on corporate silenceResources + Links: Christopher Marquis’ LinkedInHarvard Business Review: Is This a Moment for Strategic Hibernation?Christopher Marquis’ Website (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Chris Marquis (01:59) - Chris’ Background (02:52) - Why This Work (04:46) - Strategic Hibernation (09:14) - Three Ways (11:43) - Regional Differences? (13:23) - Advice to CEOs and Boards (14:44) - Internal Comms (16:53) - AI’s Role (18:36) - Being Socially Responsible (19:40) - Speed Round (21:05) - Last Word (21:53) - Wrap Up

Baltimore faces a set of deeply interconnected challenges: aging and unsafe housing, high energy costs for families with limited means, and a generation of underemployed youth struggling to access meaningful work. These overlapping issues reveal a systemic gap highlighting an opportunity to rethink how housing, workforce development, clean energy, and economic mobility can be addressed together. We invited Brendan McCluskey, President at Trident Builders, to share how his team is tackling these challenges through a bold and collaborative model. Brendan explains how Trident Builders is transforming vacant homes into energy-efficient housing using modular construction and solar technology while creating training and job pathways for underemployed youth. He also shares how partnerships across business, nonprofits, and community leaders are helping scale solutions. This discussion offers a compelling look at how one company is rethinking the role of business in solving complex social problems and how leaders across sectors can identify opportunities within their own work to build solutions that strengthen communities. Listen for insights on: Supporting small, community-based developers to keep wealth localCollaborating across sectors in addressing systemic community challengesConnecting environmental sustainability with economic mobility Watch this conversation on YouTube! Resources + Links: Brendan McCluskey’s LinkedInTrident BuildersThe Bmore Co-Op (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Brendan McCluskey, Trident Builders (02:45) - About Brendan (04:52) - Lessons from Parents (06:15) - Baltimore (07:21) - Revenue vs. Sustainable Systems (09:47) - 10,000 Small Businesses (11:33) - BMore Co-op (15:56) - Parts and Problems (18:26) - Equity (20:29) - Helping the Youth (22:31) - Modular Manufacturer (23:34) - Selecting the Right Partners (24:58) - Using Solar (27:50) - Example Project (29:47) - Advice for Young People (30:30) - Integrating AI (31:11) - Quick Takes (33:06) - Last Word (33:35) - Wrap Up

Playspaces are often dismissed as “nice-to-haves” with their colorful swings, slides, and monkey bars, but KABOOM! was founded on the urgent belief that they are an essential community infrastructure. The organization’s origin traces back to a tragic moment when two children lost their lives playing in an abandoned car because there was nowhere safe to play in their neighborhood. That devastating inequity sparked a movement to ensure that where a child lives does not determine whether they have access to safe, joyful play. Today, as KABOOM! celebrates 30 years, the organization has evolved from building individual playgrounds to advancing a data-driven, systems-level strategy to end playspace inequity for good. We invited Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!, to talk about why play is a critical investment in children’s futures and how meaningful, lasting impact happens when communities shape the solutions themselves. In this episode, Lysa shares how KABOOM!’s co-creation model ensures that playgrounds are designed with kids and neighbors, not simply delivered to them, leading to deeper stewardship and significantly higher usage. She also explores how collective action by residents, municipal leaders, and corporate partners helps scale long-term transformation. And importantly, she highlights the environmental and public health dimensions embedded in today’s playground design. At its core, this work makes clear that designing for children is one of the most powerful strategies for shaping stronger communities and a more equitable future. Listen for insights on: Co-creating with residents for lasting neighborhood ownershipBuilding cross-sector partnerships that endureEmbedding climate resilience into community infrastructure Watch this episode on YouTube!Resources + Links: Lysa Ratliff’s LinkedInWhat Is Playspace InequityThe City of Uvalde and KABOOM! (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Lysa Ratliff from KABOOM! (02:43) - Lysa’s Background (04:42) - Parental Influence (06:22) - KABOOM!’s Origin Story (08:38) - Why Access Matters (11:28) - Pivot Points (15:59) - The Co-Creation Process (18:56) - Build Day (20:56) - Uvalde Story (24:19) - Creating an Ecosystem (27:37) - Long-Term Partners (30:45) - Environmental Action (37:41) - Integrating AI (38:50) - Rapid Fire Questions (40:03) - Last Word (41:36) - Wrap Up