In this episode of Social Media for Social Impact, host Dr. Misha Kouzeh interviews Jessica Jackley, founder of Kiva, about how trust, storytelling, and digital platforms can drive social entrepreneurship. Jessica shares how hearing Dr. Muhammad Yunus reframe poverty as a lack of opportunity inspired her to leave her job, travel to East Africa, and help launch Kiva, a platform that allows people to lend directly to entrepreneurs around the world. What began as seven loans totaling $3,000 has grown into more than $2.5 billion in loans globally. She discusses how radical transparency helped Kiva build trust, including lessons from an early fraud case that strengthened the platform’s systems and community support. Jessica also offers advice for social entrepreneurs on ethical storytelling, avoiding trend-driven noise, and building meaningful impact through digital platforms.

00:00 Introduction to Social Media for Social Impact

01:15 Meet Jessica Jackley: Kiva Co-Founder & Social Enterprise Pioneer

02:30 The Early Days of Kiva & The Power of Storytelling

08:30 From $3,000 to $2.5 Billion in Microloans

11:30 Radical Transparency: Kiva's First Fraud Case

17:00 Storytelling Strategy for Social Entrepreneurs

24:00 Co-Creation & Ethical Marketing

28:30 Breaking the Self-Sacrifice Myth

32:45 What's Next: Volunteering & New Book

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajackley.

Check out her latest book: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790033/a-kids-book-about-giving-by-jessica-jackley.

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In this episode of 'Social Media for Social Impact,' host Misha interviews Ben Precourt, LinkedIn's 'Boston Social Impact Guy.' They discuss how LinkedIn and other digital platforms can boost credibility and visibility in the nonprofit and social impact sectors. Ben shares his journey of becoming a key figure in Boston's social impact community through consistent and strategic LinkedIn postings. They explore challenges in the social impact job market, the importance of living wages, and practical tips for networking and building a personal brand on social media. Ben also introduces his new initiative, 'Hype for Good,' aimed at creating a nationwide network of social impact influencers. They conclude with advice on leveraging social media for personal and organizational growth.

00:00 Introduction to Social Media for Social Impact

00:40 Meet Ben Precor: The Boston Social Impact Guy

01:36 Ben's Journey into Social Impact

03:53 Challenges in the Social Impact Job Market

08:59 The Importance of Volunteering

13:09 Using LinkedIn Effectively

23:04 Hype for Good: A New Initiative

24:57 Ben's Career and Future Plans

28:33 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bostonsocialimpactguy

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In this episode of 'Social Media for Social Impact,' host Misha Kouzeh discusses with Felipe Guzman, Patagonia's Social Media Lead, how the brand uses digital platforms to drive environmental activism and community engagement. The conversation covers Patagonia's mission to save the planet, their innovative campaigns like 'Vote Her' and 'Don't Buy This Jacket,' and their approach to staying authentic and values-driven in social media. Guzman shares insights on balancing brand risks, managing online backlash, and cultivating a loyal, values-aligned community. The episode also highlights Patagonia's upcoming 'Work in Progress' report, showcasing the brand's commitment to transparency and continuous improvement in sustainability.

00:00 Introduction: Challenging Consumerism

00:29 Welcome to Social Media for Social Impact

01:29 Patagonia's Mission and Social Media Strategy

02:18 Building Authenticity and Community

08:15 Campaigns and Creative Strategies

17:02 Navigating Online Backlash

21:09 The Power of Community Stories

23:38 Defining Success and KPIs

25:41 Exciting Update: Work in Progress Report

28:19 Tailoring Content Across Platforms

30:52 Final Thoughts and Advice

• Patagonia Work in Progress Report 2025: www.patagonia.com/progress-report

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· Drop comments or questions for future episodes

· Connect with me directly on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkouzeh