Why Trust Is the Real Currency of Social Media for Social Impact

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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