Craft:Impact

Hosted by Benita Singh and Harper Poe

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Feb 2025

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About the show

As one of the world’s largest employers after agriculture, the craft sector needs to have real conversations on how we can collectively drive more measurable impact - and what that means. Each month, we connect with an impact leader who sheds material insight on how we can do better. We also give voice to artisans and grassroots organizations doing the real work of driving impact on the ground.

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5 recent

February 25, 2025Episode 544 min

El Camino Travel / Katalina Mayorga: Exploring the Craft + Tourism Connection

In this episode, we explore the deep connection between craft and tourism—how immersive, on-the-ground experiences can not only shift consumer mindsets but also create meaningful, positive impacts for craft communities. We view tourism as a key driver in building thriving artisan ecosystems and were thrilled to chat with Katalina Mayorga, Founder and CEO of El Camino Travel, about her journey leading a global travel company.Take a listen to our conversation where we discuss: The craft + tourism connection Quantifiable economic impact for artisan communities through tourism Socially responsible travel USAID Beauty of curiosity El Camino Travel (www.elcamino.travel)Follow us @craft.impact, LinkedIn, or visit our website, www.craftimpact.orgMusic by Sloe Pink

June 25, 2024Episode 447 min

Threads of Life: Preserving Traditions. Building Livelihoods

As one of the world’s largest employers, the craft sector needs to have more meaningful dialogue on how we collectively drive more measurable impact - and what that can mean for millions of craftspeople around the world. In our fourth conversation, Harper and Benita sit down with William Ingram, CEO of Threads of Life to talk about their work with textile and natural dye artisans across Indonesia. Take a listen to our conversation where we discuss: Transitioning from gift to market economies The role of non-profits in the craft sector Quality vs Quantity model Cultural Allyship Measuring impact in hidden economies Threads of Life Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit our website, ⁠⁠Craft:Impact ⁠⁠ Music by ⁠⁠Sloe Pink⁠⁠

April 24, 2024Episode 31 hr 1 min

The Anou: Re-Centering Craft Around the Artisan

As one of the world’s largest employers, the craft sector needs to have more meaningful dialogue on how we collectively drive more measurable impact - and what that can mean for millions of craftspeople around the world. In our third conversation, Harper and Benita sit down with Hamza Cherif D'Ouezzan, Managing Director of The Anou and Rachida Ousbigh, founder of Cooperative Tiglmamin and member of the management team of The Anou to talk about their artisan direct model. Take a listen to our conversation where we discuss: The role of the middleman Who reaps the benefits of mark-up in artisan sourcing Community organizing vs. top down traditional international development models The need for design intervention Sustainability in the craft sector The Anou Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit our website, ⁠Craft:Impact ⁠ Music by ⁠Sloe Pink⁠

January 16, 2024Episode 246 min

Erin Remblance: A Case for De-Growth

As one of the world’s largest employers, the craft sector needs to have more meaningful dialogue on how we collectively drive more measurable impact - and what that can mean for millions of craftspeople around the world. In our second conversation, Harper and Benita sit down with climate activist and degrowth thought leader, Erin Remblance, to talk about what exactly degrowth is and why we shouldn't be scared of it. Take a listen to our conversation where we discuss: What is degrowth? What are some alternatives to economic growth in solving the bottom-line issue for the craft sector, which is to get more money into the hands of global artisans? Kerala Model Capitalism and the Commons Buen Vivir Kudumbashree Some links to references from show below: Earth Overshoot Jason Hickle Timony Parrique Julia Steinberger Samuel Alexander Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit our website, Craft:Impact Music by Sloe Pink

November 29, 2023Episode 140 min

Kevin Starr: Impact Accountability and the Craft Sector

As one of the world’s largest employers, the craft sector needs to have more meaningful dialogue on how we collectively drive more measurable impact - and what that can mean for millions of craftspeople around the world. In our first conversation, Harper and Benita sit down with thought leader Kevin Starr, CEO of the Mulago Foundation to talk about how the craft sector can do a better job of achieving and measuring impact. Kevin’s latest piece in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Don’t Feed the Zombies, is a must-read for anyone working in social enterprise. Take a listen to our conversation where we discuss: What is a “zombie” in the social impact space How we can do a better job of using craft to achieve measurable change in peoples’ lives How Kevin Starr and Mulago Foundation evaluate impact in the craft sector How to support craft organizations in Palestine and Israel Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit our website, www.craftimpact.org Music by Sloe Pink