Capitalism for Good

Lindsey McCoy is the founder and CEO of Plaine Products, a company selling refillable hair and body products, is an example of a leader that took an idea, found a partner (her sister), and made it happen. This circular product business model seems like it’s from the future of sustainable products. It’s simple: buy a hair and/or body product from Plaine Products either online or in store, order another when you’re ready for a refill, rinse out the empty one and put it in the same box the new one came in, and then ship it back to be cleaned and reused again. Her realistic approach to building a business on her own terms while determined to make a positive impact on the global community. A lot of people would advise a company to wait until they hit a revenue goal before incorporating a donation component. Plain Products did that from the get go. A lot of people would advise to opt for a cheaper product. Plaine Products refused to skimp on quality. A lot of people would advise to seek out investors to increase capital. Again, Plaine Products did not. And it’s paying off. She walks us through the process of finding product and packaging manufacturers that were a good fit for the company, what it’s like to partner with your sister (a real yin & yang combo), business structure and management philosophies, the impact of building in donation components to the financial structure, embracing imperfections (a lesson I sorely need to learn), and more. There’s so much to learn and inspiration to gain from this interview with Lindsey and I can’t thank her enough for taking the time to talk with me. Shout outs to: 1% for the planetBiteEverestBluelandDipMentions | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & Transcripts The Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Marissa Gencarelli, Co-Founder of Yoli Tortilleria, is making and selling tortillas as an ode to her roots in Mexico. This conversation starts with her talking about speaking to a group at Kemper Museum about how consumers have a choice to be a buy from companies that align with your values. While others may say things like “keep politics out of my food,” it’s her view (and mine) that we can’t separate those two. The good news is that it’s clear that Yoli’s values of community, family, and the idea that “corn is life” drive their growth and sticking to those values has served them so well. She tells the story about how she started with cooking in her home to get her mind off the stress of life and the magic grew from there. She and her partner (both in business and in life), Mark, juggled newborn children, full time jobs, and all the hectic aspects of life as Yoli rocketed into the Kansas City market. It’s all the lessons from her journey that helped shape what Yoli is now. Marissa comes from a long line of strong females and her ability to take those lessons and strengths from her family tree to educate the community how diverse and high quality Mexican food can be by making food fun. Let me tell you from my experience, she’s doing a great job of making food fun.Her background in the corporate world helped to set the strategy and details that prepare them for all the complications and details of the opportunities for expansion that popped up, especially early on. A thoughtful structure that involves cross-training, flexible hours, and teamwork both supports the employees that keep Yoli running on a daily basis and helps those employees grow in their own careers and personal lives. Her honest view of how to run a business while being smart and intentional about giving back to the community was insightful. So many business leaders have a tough time saying no when donation requests come in, especially for those within their nonprofit neighbors. She makes a great point about considering the aligning of values and return on investments by specifically choosing to partner with nonprofits and community partners that are directly associated with the values and purpose of Yoli. They focus their partnerships on women (specifically building the confidence of young women), local farmers, and entrepreneurs to allow for a higher return on investment into the community. Shoutouts: Kemper MuseumGirls on the RunGirl ScoutsZero FoodprintAngie Long, Co-Owner of KC CurrentCorrection: I mention that Marissa is the 3rd woman to be interviewed, but she, in fact is #4! (Shannon, Veronica, Emma, and now: Marissa). Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & Transcripts The Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

You’re going to buy shoes anyway, so why not buy from a brand that is actively working to clean up our planet? Indosole is a recycled footwear brand based in Bali, Indonesia with a global initiative and its founder, Kyle Parsons, talks about the impact of sustainable manufacturing and what it’s like to evolve from idea to implementation while continuously improving. Originally from the United States, he was naturally drawn to everything Bali has to offer. During one early visit, he broke a flip flop and the replacement launched the idea for what is now Indosole. While the idea of repurposing old tires for the soles of shoes might have been more common in the area, what sets Indosole apart is the higher quality that has developed over many iterations. Shout out to: Sungai Watch Patagonia (back in the shout outs again!)Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & TranscriptsThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Let’s hear it for a true blue hometown business like Made in KC. Made in KC is a local retailer exclusively selling goods that are made in Kansas City (just like its name!). Keith Bradley, Co-Owner of the store, talks about his experience starting and growing a business of selling goods exclusively made by those in Kansas City (see: the name of their store). Does it come with its own challenges? Yes. Does this locally owned business still remain connected to the global economy? Yes. Is it also thriving by lifting up the people that live right in its own neighborhood? Absolutely yes. Shout out: restaurant workers! Keith talks about how looks to those in the restaurant industry as folks that are working tirelessly to build strong stable businesses to feed our neighborhoods in a challenging environment. Under the same family businesses, they also own Front Range Cafe, Outta the Blue, Sandlot Goods, and Rainy Day Books.Bonus shout out: New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce (because, can we really post a podcast and not mention the Kelce’s or the Swift’s?) and to Porky’s in Grain Valley, MO. Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & TranscriptsThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Emma Grose, CEO & Co-founder of MABLE and HAY! Straws with both brands focused on designing and manufacturing sustainable products like toothbrushes (both manual and electric toothbrush heads), straws, cutlery, floss, cotton swabs, and stir sticks. What’s even better, both brands have built in community give-back programs so you can feel even better about purchasing these products. We talk about her experiences getting started and the lack of female representation in the venture capital world, the importance of sustainability and community give-back programs, how she found the confidence to be the strong leader she is now, and the difficulties of running sustainably-manufactured brands in today’s volatile world (especially in the United States). Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & TranscriptsThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

You’re going to buy shoes anyway, so why not buy from a brand that is actively working to clean up our planet? Indosole is a recycled footwear brand based in Bali, Indonesia with a global initiative and it’s founder, Kyle Parsons, talks about the impact of sustainable manufacturing and what it’s like to evolve from idea to implementation while continuously improving. Originally from the United States, he was naturally drawn to everything Bali has to offer. During one early visit, he broke a flip flop and the replacement launched the idea for what is now Indosole. While the idea of repurposing old tires for the soles of shoes might have been more common in the area, what sets Indosole apart is the higher quality that has developed over many iterations. Shout out to: Sungai Watch & Patagonia (back in the shout outs again!)Use code CFG for 10% off your purchase at IndosoleEarly and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & Transcripts The Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

The goal is still the same: Interview 100 business leaders making a positive impact on their internal and external communities. What's New?Mentions - I’ve added a list companies and organizations mentioned that includes links and is organized by episode. It’s on my website (capitalism-for-good.com) under the blog & transcripts tab (direct link here). Referral & discount codes - There’s just a couple that have come up along the way so far, so those are posted with the associated company by episode. Social media - Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Patreon - The project is supported through the Capitalism for Good Patreon (you may also support directly via the bio site link). Thank you to anyone that’s supported so far! It allows the project to keep going and without the bias of traditional advertisers. Those choosing to subscribe through the Patreon will gain access to the weekly Between the Interviews episodes, early releases of the Interviews, behind the scenes and bonus content, merchandise, and more. If you have questions about how any of this works, hit me up! And personally - I’ve truly loved the conversation that this project starts with others that are following along. What am I watching: Royals baseball - my love for Kansas City and sports analogies goes beyond Chiefs football. I’m also a long standing Royals baseball fan. This weekend, they’re playing the other Missouri team, the Cardinals and have also been reminiscing about past World Series wins by bringing in former players to celebrate and honor their accomplishments. I know nostalgia is a little oversaturated in the zeitgeist these days, but I’m not sick of it. It’s a good reminder to celebrate the hard work and big (and small) wins in our respective lives. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m spending my money: Food to cook at home! I love the activity of cooking, specifically without a recipe. One of my favorite meaningless challenges for myself is to make a meal out of whatever is in the kitchen. The other day I used up sweet potatoes & zucchini. I shredded those, added an egg and some gluten free rice flour, tossed in some paprika and pepper and voila. Well, technically, it didn’t bind together the way I wanted it to, so then I also added a little pancake mix and then fried them in a skillet with some butter. The point is, I caught up with a handful of friends via Marco Polo while I worked my magic and made enough for lunch and froze the leftovers so I could eat them today.The Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Veronica Hernandez, General Manager of the Modesto Nuts tells a great story of her journey starting as an unpaid intern for two different teams and the working her way up to her current position as woman GM in minor league baseball. She’s a wealth of advice from finding ways to make sacrifices to get to where you want to go, to the importance of curating a network around you, and not being discouraged by imperfection.Shout outs to: Jesse Cole from the The Savannah Bananas and California Rural Legal Assistance FoundationEarly and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & Transcripts The Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

So. Many. Themes. Already. It’s all about the people that surround you. Cheering them on. Learning from them. Trusting them to use their strengths to be successful.Continue to go back to your values, the mission, and what you want your legacy to be. Shannon talked about this when she said, “Find your lane. Get in it and feel good about it.” And Andrew Bolton talked about it when he said, “ If you are doing good work and you are doing good for somebody else, the money will follow.”There will always be highs and lows, but you just have to keep things moving. (Easter Egg: Emma Grose from MABLE & Hay! Straws has a similar outlook). When the store and office were shut down during COVID, they found a way to keep all of the employees on the payroll for 2 whole years. It’s clear that he prioritizes the people working for Charlie Hustle and made a conscious decision to find a way to keep them on board and working toward the common goal. Embrace the pivot! Sometimes we start down a pathway and then decide to make a left turn. Pivots are ok and they’re even better when you take the skills and lessons learned from the path you’ve taken so far to the new pathway that you’re walking down. What have I been reading (and what have I been writing): The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad is a book of essays and writing prompts that combine a wide range of thought-provoking and unexpected writings by people of all kinds with each ending in a writing prompt giving the reader a chance to be involved in the creative process right alongside each of the authors. This book has been a great way for me to get out of my own head for a bit and look at life through a different lens. 10/10 highly recommend. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m putting my dollar: The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad (and really any book or piece of art she’s made)Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & TranscriptsThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Want something that will make you feel good about the world around you? This interview about a KC based apparel company and its president with a heart of gold will help you with that. We talk about the journey that brought him to his current position as the head of Charlie Hustle, the importance of giving back to the community, and what it’s like leading a strong stable team in times of chaos. When asked who he saw out in the community doing things the right way, he gave a shout out to Patagonia & Ruby Jean’s Juicery. Additional shout outs: Chase McAnulty (founder), The Big Slick (May 30 & 31, 2025), Buck Mason, Children’s Mercy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Girls on the Run, Kansas City Rose Society, KC Pet Project, Made in KC, Marine Layer, Nelson Atkins Museum, Rally House, Red Card KC, Royals Foundation, Scheels, United Way, Veterans Community Project, 1K for KC, and, of course, Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift. Check out Charlie Hustle (specifically their Communi-TEES)!BioSite (with links to listen & more)The Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Mistakes. We all make them. They almost always suck. We try not to, but they happen. The key is how we handle them. It’s tough to admit when we’ve made a mistake, but the impact on our reputation is difficult to outrun. The way we address mistakes tells our internal and external circles both about who we are as people and also what we expect from them. What I’m reading: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight tells the story about the idea conception and start of Nike. If you’re into stories about how companies got their start, the motivation behind the inception, and hurdles faced along the way, I highly recommend this book. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but here’s where I’m putting my dollar: Shopping local is a great way to support your community. Today, I specifically shout out both Quills Coffee and Chik’n & Mi in Louisville, KY for being great local businesses that I’ve recently been to. Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & TranscriptsThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Andrew Bolton is the CEO of Tech Rescue, LLC, a company offering 24/7 on demand tech support to its customers. He and his company pride themselves on providing personalized attention and support when people are frustrated and looking for help. A large part of the customer base is older adults who are using technology to both access basic things like healthcare as well as enjoying their favorite gaming hobby, so they operate with the basic belief that “every call is from somebody's most important person in their life…This is somebody's meemaw. This is somebody's pawpaw. This is somebody's father. Somebody's mother, somebody's sister, somebody's brother. I take that very seriously. So when there's a concern, you get a call from me.“Andrew Bolton is a real-world example of good business karma in practice. He followed through on providing a service better than the competition, focusing on the people and community, and then the money followed. If you or someone you know is looking for on-demand 24/7 tech support, I would highly recommend Tech Rescue (you can also contact them via phone at 855-250-8586). In the theme of Capitalism for Good, he also gave a shout out to supporting the local Goodwill and Red Cross chapters both in your area and in other areas impacted by natural disasters. Giving back to the community, especially those needing true help and support is so important. Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & TranscriptsListen to and watch the full extended interview on Patreon here.The Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Using one of my favorite analogies about choosing which bin to put your trash in might seem like you just have two choices in front of you - trash vs. recycling bin - but perhaps the world is less black & white and really you have many more options than just the two right in front of you. Further, maybe the truly the option with the most value to you in the long run is the one that takes a couple more moments to consider and a little more time and energy on the front end. What have I read: Atomic Habits by James Clear where he presents many examples of how the compound interest of just striving for 1% better regularly has an exponentially positive impact (and also what can happen when you don’t). Sometimes a decision about something seemingly small can have much larger impacts than they appear on the surface. I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: directly to the creator! Specifically, tipping the live music at the bar/restaurant, buying artwork from the artist at the market, following Andrew Hickey’s A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs on Patreon.Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.More information at: https://www.capitalism-for-good.com/Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more)The Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

In the words of Kacey Musgraves, “I’m alright with a slow burn.” I moved at turbo speed for so much of my life figuratively and literally running as fast as I could. For many years of my late teens and early twenties, I lived with the goal of “never saying no to anything unless I could think of 3 good reasons to not do it.” Let me tell you, I lived a full life during that time. I also didn’t sleep much and thrived being fueled by caffeine, anxiety, and forward motion. I don’t regret a moment of it, but my goals and mantras have since evolved into finding ways to simplify, slow down, and to find enjoyment from saying no. What I learned was that there is so much value in not getting caught up in the whirlwind of life when it’s not necessary. There’s value in doing without manufactured stress and arbitrary deadlines that aren’t always necessary. Life’s stressful enough; why create more stress? What I found was by making small decisions and making small changes, I ended up saving myself money, time, and stress. I carried that over to my work life and learned to prioritize thoughtful analysis and strategic planning over just checking the box. It turns out that strategic planning can actually help check the boxes when it’s done right.What am I reading: The Joy of Missing Out by Tanya Dalton - The FOMO vs. JOMO comparison was a frequent topic at a recent trip to watch the Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Weekend in Evansville, IN - Go SIUE and Go Jayhawks! (really channeling my love for Ted Lasso here with Coach Barone being the real life Ted Lasso & the real life Jason Sudekis being a fellow big Kansas fan here) - in comparing introverts with extroverts and finding ways that we’re all different or similar. We’re all different and we all have different ways that we feel fulfilled. In the last decade, I’ve really leaned into the JOMO part of myself and it’s served me well. I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: I’m not. By that I mean that, I’m relatively frugal. I don’t often buy single use things or even things that don’t need purchasing. I’m talking about reusing glass jars and bottles as storage containers and vases. I’m talking using old towels and t-shirts with holes in them instead of paper towels. It’s probably been more than a decade since I’ve spent money on paper towels or napkins. If there’s not a real need or desire for it, generally I’m not buying it. Now, again. I’m not over the top. I try to keep my life pretty simple and 10-15 years later, I’m happy to report that while life can get stressful and can get to be a lot, I don’t feel it the way I used to. I credit that a lot to purposely simplifying as I’ve aged. It didn’t happen overnight. It happened slowly over more than a decade. I have a strong desire to not stress over things that don’t absolutely need to be stressed over because I’ve learned that there’s so much in life that is unexpected and deserves the stress. The last thing I want to do is manufacture more stress. Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & TranscriptsThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I do some back of the napkin math to examine the cost of turnover vs. investing into employees and when it might make sense to choose one over the other. We use the lens of different financial business models and how they may be guided by flashy buzzwords and arbitrary deadlines expedited by manufactured urgency. Ultimately, is chasing the flashy thing really worth it in the end or would a differently focused investment give way to longevity and stability fueling better results? How do you calculate the return on investment? What have I have been listening to: The Dollop (both a regular listen and attending live podcast recording shows) - It’s well researched, hilarious, entertaining, thought provoking, and I never fail to learn something new from it. The host, Dave Anthony, reads a true historical story to his friend, Garreth Reynolds. The relatability of the co-host reacting to the outrageous twists in turn at the same time the listener is reacting is genius. I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: RareformEarly and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & TranscriptsThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Business Karma. This idea that if we choose the greater good or we choose to prioritize people when making business decisions, that it will often be a benefit back to us. It may take some time. It may be a delayed benefit, but sometimes that benefit might even come back multiplied. While the focus of the Capitalism for Good project is through the lens of discussions with business leaders, I would argue that we all, regardless of our positions or titles, have the opportunity to be leaders through our actions. No matter who we are working for. No matter what our field is. No matter if we aren’t even working for the company. We can all conduct ourselves as leaders in a given situation. You never know when that good business karma may come back around later. It could increase your return on investment many times over. There’s also a chance that it might not, but how much does it hurt to try?What have I read: Mantras/quotes/affirmations. Sometimes I just need to give myself a quick pep talk and having a handful of options at my fingertips to help keep me going forward is so valuable to me. One of my recent favorites is, “you have been here before and you can do it again.” What are your pep talks that you give yourself? I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: Trader Joe’s! Seriously, I’ve been to Trader Joe’s all over the United States and I’m so impressed that regardless of where I am geographically, the culture is still the same. There’s always a friendly and helpful team of staff with some reliably great produce and products. More times than not, I’m choosing a Trader Joe’s if that’s an option. Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & TranscriptsThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

In an effort to continue to set the foundation for the Capitalism for Good project, this is who I am: I’m a millennial woman acknowledging that many generations of people prior to and up to my lifetime have successfully fought to change the landscape of the world in which I live. Today, I call out a few key pieces of government actions that have shaped the lens in which I view the world: The 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Women’s Business Ownership Act in 1988. Regardless of whether these and other similar pieces of legislation legally protect the basic human rights of all people in the United States continue to exist into our future, we must act as if they do. Regardless of what the government does or does not mandate, we must act with civility. One of the key themes of this podcast is focused on using how we make and spend our dollars to support the greater good and how we promote “better business karma” by prioritizing people and the greater good. What I'm watching: NPR & KCUR - fact-based and unbiased information news sources are key to understanding the world around us. Local and national public radio are committed to this through transparency and are free to all. I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: NPR & KCUR - National Public Radio exists on the donations of its listeners and supporters to keep this access to reliable and accurate information available to all. This is a two-for-one answer with both what I’m listening to and reading as well as where I’m spending my dollars. Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.More information at: https://www.capitalism-for-good.com/InstagramThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

One thing that I’m cognizant of is that by putting the word “good” in the name of this project, it may seem to imply that there’s either a “good” or a “bad” way to make and spend money. It could seem like there’s a judgement of a right vs. a wrong way. Especially as a woman with some strong views of the world, I wholeheartedly believe that there are lines to be drawn in the sand and a time to speak up when they are crossed. I also wholeheartedly believe that much of life is more of a spectrum of gray than a simple either/or choice of black or white. I never intend to make someone feel like they’re being judged by me for any of the decisions they make. We all have to make decisions. We all have to weigh the pros and cons. Sometimes we choose not to weigh the pros and cons because it makes more sense to us to not think too long about a decision. After all, the saying “time is money” exists for a reason. The point is, life is complicated. While in this project I focus on making good choices in how we make and spend our dollars, that “good choice” is complex. This is not intended to be a judgement of choices, but rather a dig into the intentionality of the choices we make and the impact of those choices on the world around us. Perhaps an encouragement to think even just a beat more about the choices we make. Perhaps an encouragement to just strive for 1% better, whatever that means to each of us at a given time. What have I read: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano is a beautiful story of the complexities of the lives of each of the women in a family. It’s messy, heartfelt, dramatic (but not overly so), heavy while being light, and very well written. I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: Physical books purchased at a local bookstore. Two of my favorites are Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, KY and KD’s Books in Lee’s Summit, MO. Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.Instagram | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & TranscriptsThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Stick with me here as I connect the way we use our dollar to how we make our dollar with governmentand politics. I know politics is a hot topic here in the United States after the transition of presidential power, so take us through an adjacent path exploring how choosing where to spend our money can potentially impact our lives in other ways (ex: implications of government & politics). This is meant to be less of an endorsement of a specific candidate or political party, but more of an encouragement to use our dollars, when feasible, to promote what’s important to us. Money is power, but not just in that when we make more money, we have more power. It’s also the power of the control over where we spend our dollar. It’s also meant to be an explanation of the way in which I view the world. I am deeply interested in the way our inherent motivations guide our actions as well as how we evolve with additional experiences and information. In my experience, talking about tough topics, especially those that may superficially seem different from my own stance, often gives way to greater understanding, empathy, and respect. I understand that this is not the lens through which everyone else views the world, but in this episode, I present my rather rosy-colored lens of people, politics, power, and players. And I’d love to better understand the lens through which you view the world. What I'm watching: Kansas City ChiefsI'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: Charlie HustleEarly and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.More information at: https://www.capitalism-for-good.com/InstagramThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe

Using one of my favorite analogies about choosing which bin to put your trash in might seem like you just have two choices in front of you - trash vs. recycling bin - but perhaps the world is less black & white and really you have many more options than just the two right in front of you. Further, maybe the truly the option with the most value to you in the long run is the one that takes a couple more moments to consider and a little more time and energy on the front end. What have I read: Atomic Habits by James Clear where he presents many examples of how the compound interest of just striving for 1% better regularly has an exponentially positive impact (and also what can happen when you don’t). Sometimes a decision about something seemingly small can have much larger impacts than they appear on the surface. I'm not telling you what to do, but here's where I'm putting my dollar: directly to the creator! Specifically, tipping the live music at the bar/restaurant, buying artwork from the artist at the market, following Andrew Hickey’s A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs on Patreon.Early and bonus shows as well as curated discussions and merch are available on Patreon.More information at: https://www.capitalism-for-good.com/InstagramThe Capitalism for Good Podcast is all about how we make and spend our money to benefit the greater good (and how that benefits us right back). We talk to business leaders about how they are using their businesses, both small and large, to make a positive difference in their communities. This is the intersection of money, time, energy, and bandwidth considering how to balance these for now and for the future’s “now.”There’s also a Between the Interviews sub-series and other perks available on the Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Get full access to Andrea’s Substack at capitalismforgood.substack.com/subscribe