Riveo Impact Lab

Hosted by Elin Barton, Emily Adams

Business Marketing EducationInterviews guests

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to the Riveo Impact Lab , the podcast where we dive into the stories and strategies of trailblazing entrepreneurs and small business owners who are redefining what it means to build a successful business. If you’re ready to balance impact and income, compete with the big players, and lead with purpose, this podcast is for you. Each episode delivers: Expert Insights : Learn from inspiring guests who lead the way in sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. Practical Advice : Get actionable tips and tools to create meaningful change in your business. Real-World Stories : Discover how small businesses are overcoming challenges, innovating, and making a difference in their communities. At Riveo Creative, we’re committed to sustainability and ethics in our own work, and we’re here to share both our journey and those of our incredible guests. Together, we’ll tackle the opportunities and challenges of building a business that leaves a lasting positive impact. Join us for honest conversations, expert advice, and real-world inspiration to help you create a legacy you can be proud of. Subscribe now to the Riveo Impact Lab !

Listen to episodes

20 recent

August 13, 2026Episode 837 min

Digital Equity: A Conversation with Aaron Page

Send us Fan Mail What does digital equity really look like—and how can organizations make accessibility part of their foundation rather than an afterthought? In this episode of the Riveo Impact Lab podcast, we speak with Aaron Page, Vice President of Accessibility at Allyant and a blind technologist with extensive experience in digital accessibility. Aaron explains why true digital equity goes beyond providing accommodations: accessible websites, mobile apps, PDFs, and digital services should simply work for people with disabilities from the start. Drawing on his professional expertise and lived experience as a screen-reader user, Aaron discusses the business and human impact of proactive accessibility. He also explores the risks associated with inaccessible third-party technology, the importance of evaluating accessibility during procurement, and why organizations should include people with disabilities in testing and decision-making. You’ll also hear practical ways businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, and government organizations can begin improving digital accessibility—including inventorying digital assets, adding a skip-to-main-content link, creating a meaningful accessibility statement, and establishing a way for users to report barriers. Accessibility is not a box to check or a destination an organization reaches once. It is an evolving journey—and small, intentional steps can create meaningful impact over time. Listen to learn: • What digital equity means and how it differs from accommodation • Why proactive accessibility supports better business operations • How third-party platforms can create accessibility and liability risks • Why lived-experience testing is essential • Practical first steps toward more accessible digital experiences • How accessible design benefits organizations, customers, and communities The Riveo Impact Lab is produced for you by Riveo Creative . For more Riveo Impact Lab content, including the video versions of all our episodes, please visit https://riveocreative.com/riveo-impact-lab/ .

July 9, 2026Episode 737 min

Sustainable Entrepreneurship for Thriving Communities

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Riveo Impact Lab, Elin speaks with Megan Carras, Chief Development and Communications Officer and Head of Sustainability at WACIF, and Geneva Greene, Sustainable Entrepreneurship Consultant for WACIF. Together, they explore how the Washington Area Community Investment Fund is helping small businesses access the capital, technical assistance, and community connections they need to grow. Megan and Geneva share how WACIF’s work supports entrepreneurs across the Greater Washington region, with a special focus on sustainability, equitable access to opportunity, and the role small businesses play in building stronger communities. The conversation also highlights WACIF’s Sustainable Entrepreneurship Program, the growing green economy, and why supporting local small businesses can create ripple effects far beyond a single purchase or partnership. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, sustainability, and what it really takes to make business more equitable and possible for everyone. The Riveo Impact Lab is produced for you by Riveo Creative . For more Riveo Impact Lab content, including the video versions of all our episodes, please visit https://riveocreative.com/riveo-impact-lab/ .

June 11, 2026Episode 640 min

Making a Better World: Tom Hering and Benefit Corporations for Good

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Riveo Impact Lab, Elin sits down with Tom Hering, co-founder and managing partner of Benefit Corporations for Good, to explore what it really means for businesses to put their values into action. Tom shares the story of his career journey, from copywriter, creative director, and brand strategist to advocate for purpose-driven business. Drawing on decades of experience in storytelling, marketing, and community impact, he explains how benefit corporations create accountability around people, planet, and profit, and why certification can be a powerful tool for companies that want to prove they are doing good — not just say they are. Together, Elin and Tom discuss the difference between benefit corporations and traditional B Corp certification, why values-aligned business practices matter, and how small businesses can create meaningful impact in their communities. This conversation is a hopeful and practical look at how organizations of all sizes can build a more conscientious, purpose-driven future. The Riveo Impact Lab is produced for you by Riveo Creative . For more Riveo Impact Lab content, including the video versions of all our episodes, please visit https://riveocreative.com/riveo-impact-lab/ .

May 15, 2026Episode 535 min

Local Impact Through Global Food: A Conversation with Sabine Langer

Send us Fan Mail Sabine Langer will be the first to tell you she’s not a cook. But as the founder of Global Cafe in Memphis, Tennessee, she has helped create something much bigger than a restaurant. In this episode of the Riveo Impact Lab , Sabine shares the story of how Global Cafe began as a desire to support immigrants and refugees and grew into a social enterprise serving authentic international cuisine, creating permanent employment opportunities, and building bridges across cultures. From navigating the early days of entrepreneurship to pivoting during the Covid-19 pandemic, Sabine reflects on the grit, partnerships, and community support that made Global Cafe possible. She also shares powerful stories of employees buying homes, becoming U.S. citizens, and finding economic empowerment through meaningful work. This conversation explores what it means to build a business with love at the center — one that feeds people, creates opportunity, breaks down barriers, and helps change hearts and minds along the way. The Riveo Impact Lab is produced for you by Riveo Creative . For more Riveo Impact Lab content, including the video versions of all our episodes, please visit https://riveocreative.com/riveo-impact-lab/ .

April 9, 2026Episode 439 min

Embracing AI with a People-First Approach: Insights from Dee C. Marshall

Send us Fan Mail What does it really look like to adopt AI in a way that puts people first? In this episode, we sit down with Dee C. Marshall, CEO and Managing Partner of AI Training Plus, to talk about workforce transformation, human-first AI adoption, and the future of work in an increasingly AI-powered world. With a background spanning leadership development, workplace culture, and equity, Dee brings a grounded and thoughtful perspective to one of the biggest shifts businesses are facing today. She shares why AI adoption is not just about technology, but about people, policy, trust, and long-term business impact. In this episode, you’ll hear about: -What “human-first AI adoption” really means -Why businesses need an AI ethics policy now -How AI can support—not replace—human creativity and critical thinking -Common concerns leaders have around AI implementation -Why small businesses need to start their AI journey sooner rather than later Tune in as we explore how businesses can approach AI responsibly, prepare their teams for change, and build a future where innovation and human value go hand in hand. The Riveo Impact Lab is produced for you by Riveo Creative . For more Riveo Impact Lab content, including the video versions of all our episodes, please visit https://riveocreative.com/riveo-impact-lab/ .

March 12, 2026Episode 335 min

Sustainability Is Good for Business: A Conversation with Mary Fehlig

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean for a business to live its values—and why does sustainability matter even more now? In this episode of the Riveo Impact Lab , Elin sits down with Mary Fehlig , Founder and President of The Fehlig Group , to explore how sustainability, ethical business practices, and commercial success are far more connected than many people realize. With more than 30 years of experience helping organizations navigate responsible business practices, Mary brings both a long-view perspective and a deeply practical approach to what it means to build a business that benefits people, planet, and profit. From her early work helping companies understand corporate responsibility before it was part of the mainstream conversation, to guiding businesses through today’s shifting political and cultural landscape, Mary shares why sustainability isn’t just a trend or compliance exercise—it’s a business imperative. In this conversation, we explore: Why sustainability must benefit the business in order to endure How responsible business practices have evolved over the last three decades Why small businesses have more power and impact than they may think The role of values in shaping business decisions and long-term success How supply chains, consumer expectations, and purchasing power are driving change Why language like ESG and DEI can become complicated—and how to bring the conversation back to what really matters If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or leader trying to make sense of sustainability in a changing world, this episode offers both encouragement and clarity. Because building a better business doesn’t mean doing everything at once—it starts with recognizing the impact you’re already making, and choosing to build from there. 🎧 Listen now and discover how values-driven business can create meaningful impact—for your company, your community, and the future. The Riveo Impact Lab is produced for you by Riveo Creative . For more Riveo Impact Lab content, including the video versions of all our episodes, please visit https://riveocreative.com/riveo-impact-lab/ .

February 12, 2026Episode 238 min

Making the Impossible, Not Impossible: A Conversation with Mick Ebeling

Send us Fan Mail What if the world’s “impossible” problems aren’t impossible at all—just waiting for someone to refuse to accept them? In this episode of the Riveo Impact Lab , Emily sits down with Mick Ebeling, Founder and CEO of Not Impossible Labs —an innovation studio dedicated to solving society’s “absurdities” through technology and storytelling. A three-time recipient of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of the Year, Mick has built a career around one core belief: if something feels unacceptable, do something about it. From creating a $100 eye-tracking device that allowed a paralyzed artist to create again, to launching the world’s first 3D-printing prosthetics lab in a refugee camp, to addressing food insecurity through their groundbreaking platform Bento, Mick shares how bold ideas begin with helping one person—and grow from there. In this conversation, we explore: What Mick means by identifying “absurdities” in society Why being a doer matters more than being a commentator The philosophy of “help one, help many” How storytelling amplifies impact What “frictionless innovation” looks like in action Why impact isn’t just what you do for others—but what it does for you If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or simply someone who feels overwhelmed by the scale of the world’s problems, this episode will leave you inspired—and equipped—to start where you are. Because sometimes, making an impact begins with refusing to walk past what doesn’t make sense. 🎧 Listen now and take one small step toward making the impossible… not impossible. The Riveo Impact Lab is produced for you by Riveo Creative . For more Riveo Impact Lab content, including the video versions of all our episodes, please visit https://riveocreative.com/riveo-impact-lab/ .

January 15, 2026Episode 143 min

Leading with Responsibility: Chandra Chea on Decision-Making, Power, and People

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Chandra Chea for a candid and thoughtful conversation about leadership, lived experience, and the weight of decision-making. Chandra shares her personal journey, the moments that shaped her perspective, and how navigating complex systems has influenced the way she leads, listens, and advocates for others. Together, we explore what it means to lead with empathy while still making hard calls, how identity and experience inform leadership styles, and why representation and accountability matter—especially when decisions have real human impact. This episode invites listeners to reflect on power, responsibility, and the kind of leaders we need moving forward. Whether you’re a leader, changemaker, or someone thinking deeply about impact and equity, this conversation offers insight, honesty, and practical wisdom. The Riveo Impact Lab is produced for you by Riveo Creative . For more Riveo Impact Lab content, including the video versions of all our episodes, please visit https://riveocreative.com/riveo-impact-lab/ .

November 20, 2025Episode 339 min

Beyond Profit: How Beth Bengtson is Redefining Business for Social Impact

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Riveo Impact Lab , Elin sits down with Beth Bengtson , founder of Working for Women , to explore what it truly means for small businesses to become a force for social good. Beth shares her journey—from the high-powered world of 1990s Wall Street to discovering a deeper purpose in elevating women’s economic mobility. Together, they unpack the roots of her passion for purpose-driven business, the global experiences that shaped her worldview, and the pivotal moments that fueled her commitment to gender equity. Beth explains how Working for Women is changing lives by creating economic pathways, building supportive communities, and reshaping the narrative around financial independence for women—especially those from marginalized backgrounds. She and Elin also dive into the practical side of social impact: how even the smallest businesses can integrate purpose into their operations, why community matters more than ever, and the cultural shift happening around women, money, and empowerment. Filled with inspiring stories, strategic insights, and a powerful call to action, this episode reminds us that impact begins with intention—and that small businesses can be catalysts for big change. The Riveo Impact Lab is produced for you by Riveo Creative . For more Riveo Impact Lab content, including the video versions of all our episodes, please visit https://riveocreative.com/riveo-impact-lab/ .

September 10, 2025Episode 244 min

From Pugs to Policy: Nancy Levine Stearns on Purpose and Impact

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean when corporations talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion? Are companies backing away from these commitments—or doubling down? In this episode of Riveo Impact Lab , host Elin Barton sits down with journalist and author Nancy Levine Stearns to uncover the truth behind corporate DEI in 2025. From Costco’s bold stand against anti-DEI proposals to shareholder votes at Apple, Merck, and Target, Nancy shares her front-row insights into why boards and investors are overwhelmingly backing inclusion. Together, they explore: The myths and misinformation fueling the “DEI is dead” narrative Why shareholder votes show the opposite story How diversity strengthens business outcomes for companies of all sizes What small businesses can learn from multinational corporations The role of journalism in holding companies accountable—and offering hope Nancy also reflects on her own journey—from corporate HR to authoring The Dao of Pug to documenting today’s high-stakes debates in business. Her message is clear: courage is contagious, and impact happens when values meet action. 👉 Tune in to discover how corporations, consumers, and communities are shaping the future of belonging—and why every voice matters. The Riveo Impact Lab is produced for you by Riveo Creative . For more Riveo Impact Lab content, including the video versions of all our episodes, please visit https://riveocreative.com/riveo-impact-lab/ .