Purpose 360 with Carol Cone

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Jun 2026

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Business is an unlikely hero: a force for good working to solve society's most pressing challenges, while boosting bottom line. This is social purpose at work. And it's a dynamic journey. Purpose 360 is a masterclass in unlocking the power of social purpose to ignite business and social impact. Host Carol Cone brings decades of social impact expertise and a 360-degree view of integrating social purpose into an organization into unfiltered conversations that illuminate today's big challenges and bigger ideas.

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June 16, 2026Episode 22844 min

The Making of Seventh Generation with Jeffrey Hollender

Long before sustainability, ESG, and stakeholder capitalism entered the business mainstream, Jeffrey Hollender was building a company founded on the belief that business could serve both people and the planet.In this episode of Purpose 360, Carol Cone welcomes Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder and former CEO of Seventh Generation, and her fellow pioneer of the purpose movement for a candid conversation about his new book, Built for a Better World, and the remarkable story behind Seventh Generation. Together they explore the realities of building a mission-driven company before the market was ready, the role of transparency in earning consumer trust, the challenges of scaling culture during rapid growth, and the difficult lessons Jeffrey learned about investors, governance, and leadership.Jeffrey also reflects on employee ownership, activist business leadership, and the boardroom decisions that ultimately led to his departure from the company he founded. Along the way, he shares why today’s purpose-driven businesses must think beyond products and profits to address the broader impact they have on people, communities, and the planet.Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM.Full Show Notes & Resources HereView on YouTube Here (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Jeffrey Hollender (03:49) - Jeffrey’s Background (07:03) - Seventh Generation (09:51) - The Early Years (11:06) - The Name (12:59) - Built for a Better World (16:45) - Albertson’s Example (19:31) - Role of Employees (21:26) - Company Machinations (23:58) - Moderating Growth (26:58) - Learning Through Activism (29:13) - Going Too Radical (31:12) - Working with a Board (33:51) - Getting Terminated (35:56) - The Role of Family (38:37) - What Companies Get Wrong About Purpose (40:53) - Speed Round (42:17) - Last Words (43:07) - Wrap Up

June 9, 2026Episode 22735 min

Live From Engage for Good Part 2

This special episode of Purpose 360 was recorded live at the Engage for Good conference, and host Carol Cone continues her conversations with leaders shaping the future of corporate purpose, nonprofit partnerships, employee engagement, and social impact strategy.Carol Cone is joined by Bryan Klopack of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Nathan Measom of the American Red Cross, Deborah Barge of The Trevor Project, Sarah Knott of Hasbro, and Kari Hayden Pendoley of Impact Savvy. At Engage for Good, they join leaders across philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, and corporate purpose to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore how organizations can create more meaningful and integrated approaches to impact.These featured leaders share how they build partnerships that create value for both businesses and communities, engage employees as powerful drivers of purpose, and respond to evolving social needs with creativity and commitment. They discuss workforce development, mentorship, mental health, disaster response, and stakeholder engagement, but they return repeatedly to one central idea: lasting impact starts with listening, grows through authentic relationships, and strengthens through long-term commitment.Together, these conversations capture the candid, practical, and forward-looking insights for anyone who wants to strengthen communities, engage stakeholders, and advance purpose in a rapidly changing environment.Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM.Full Show Notes & Resources (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Engage for Good Conference Part 2 (02:21) - Bryan Klopack • Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (14:55) - Nathan Measom • American Red Cross (19:21) - Deborah Barge • Trevor Project (30:36) - Sarah Knott • Hasbro (31:14) - Wrap Up (32:18) - Kari Hayden Pendoley • Impact Savvy

June 2, 2026Episode 22636 min

Live From Engage for Good Part 1

Social impact is moving out of standalone CSR departments and into the center of how organizations think about leadership, culture, talent, and innovation. Recorded live at the Engage for Good conference, this special episode of Purpose 360 brings listeners inside conversations shaping the present and future of the industry.Engage for Good brings together leaders across philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, and corporate purpose to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore how organizations can create more meaningful and integrated approaches to impact.Host Carol Cone sits down with Nancy Molenda and Brittany Cruickshank of Mattel, Karoline Katus of the Obama Foundation, Navid Ladha of OnPurpose Careers, and Jorge Alvarez of Active Minds for conversations about embedding social impact into business strategy, cultivating values-based leadership, redefining mission-driven careers, and building long-term partnerships rooted in trust and collaboration. Together, the conversations capture the candid, practical, and forward-looking insights that emerge when leaders committed to social impact come together to share what’s working, what’s changing, and what’s next.Purpose 360 is produced by TruStory FM.Full Show Notes & Resources (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Engage for Good Part 1 (02:35) - Nancy Molenda & Brittany Cruickshank • Mattel (15:28) - Karoline Katus • Obama Foundation (19:49) - Navid Ladha • OnPurpose Careers (23:58) - Jorge Alvarez • Active Minds (35:38) - Wrap Up

May 19, 2026Episode 22536 min

Purpose is the New Tech with Balaji Ganapathy

Balaji Ganapathy returns to Purpose 360 as a leader with decades of experience shaping one of the world’s most purpose-driven organizations and a renewed vision for what comes next. Longtime listeners will recognize his journey from building impact at Tata Consultancy Services to scaling global social initiatives. Now, he is launching his own venture, Social Positive. But throughout his career, one throughline remains: purpose is not a side effort. It plays the same role technology once did, serving as the ultimate driver of innovation, growth, and long-term relevance.We invited Balaji to share the insights he’s gained from more than two decades of leading purpose at scale, and to unpack what it truly takes to turn intention into impact. He challenges leaders to rethink purpose as a growth engine while outlining the four critical gaps holding back progress today: from misaligned funding and execution challenges to measurement limitations and barriers to scaling proven solutions. He also introduces Social Positive’s approach, including a practitioner-led community, data-driven insights, and an AI-enabled decision tool, all designed to help leaders better align resources, strategy, and action.Listen for insights on:Why “purpose is the new tech” still holds trueCreating shared measurement across partnersLeading with a “society first” mindsetUsing AI to accelerate social impact work Resources + Links:Watch this episode on YouTube!Balaji Ganapathy’s LinkedInSocial PositiveThe CollectiveImpactScapeRika (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Balaji Ganapathy (02:47) - Balaji’s Backstory (05:12) - Learning from Previous Roles (08:20) - Is Purpose Still the New Tech? (10:53) - Shifting the C-Suite (13:17) - Partnership Success (16:29) - Social Positive (23:01) - AI Native Impact Consulting (28:18) - Opportunities in Asia (30:34) - Suggestions for Young People (31:37) - Speed Round (33:13) - Last Word (34:51) - Wrap Up

May 5, 2026Episode 22441 min

The Next Chapter at Bombas with David Heath and Jason LaRose

Bombas was already thriving—scaling rapidly, achieving billions in sales, and donating more than 200 million items to people experiencing homelessness—when founder David Heath recognized that the company’s next phase of growth would require a different kind of leadership. He made the intentional decision to step aside as CEO, and Jason LaRose, a seasoned operator with experience scaling brands, was thoughtfully brought in—first as president, then as CEO—creating a seamless transition rooted in shared respect for Bombas’ purpose, culture, and product excellence.We invited David Heath and Jason LaRose to share what it really takes to navigate a founder-to-CEO transition while preserving the soul of a purpose-driven company. They discuss the importance of humility, trust, and deep respect for what’s already been built, as well as the discipline required to scale without disrupting culture or diluting mission. From Jason’s intentional “listen-first” leadership approach to David’s continued role as a strategic partner, their conversation reveals how purpose can act as a north star through change and growth. They also explore how Bombas continues to innovate, expand into new categories and channels, and grow its giving network, all while proving that purpose isn’t a tradeoff to profitability, but a driver of it. For purpose-driven leaders, it’s a compelling story of how one leader passes purpose to the next—and how impact can grow without losing what matters most.Listen for insights on:Recognizing when founder leadership must evolveBuilding trust before stepping into CEO roleScaling operations without compromising mission integrityProtecting culture during periods of rapid growthResources + Links:Watch this episode on YouTube!David Heath’s LinkedInJason LaRose’s LinkedInBombas Impact ReportBombas Giving Partner DirectoryPrevious Purpose 360 Episode: The Love That Bombas Socks Made (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet David and Jason from Bombas (02:56) - Backstories (05:35) - How They Met (07:32) - The Germ of the Idea (10:13) - Jason’s Start (14:30) - Dave’s Role (16:46) - CEO Advice (18:30) - First 60 Days and Volunteering (20:41) - Expand Products (22:31) - Superior Production (24:18) - Moving Into Retail (25:55) - Giving Partners (28:17) - Looking to the Future (30:12) - Message to Young People (33:28) - Fast Track Questions (38:42) - Last Word (39:45) - Wrap Up

April 21, 2026Episode 22323 min

A Moment of Strategic Hibernation with Chris Marquis

Many companies today are choosing silence over visibility when it comes to their social and environmental commitments. What might appear as retreat or inconsistency is, in fact, something more deliberate. Christopher Marquis describes this phenomenon as “strategic hibernation,” or a calculated pause in external communication driven by political tension, stakeholder scrutiny, and shifting expectations. Rather than abandoning purpose, companies are pulling back publicly while continuing the work internally, protecting their capabilities, talent, and long-term investments. But this creates a critical tension: how to navigate risk without eroding trust or losing momentum on the very issues that define a company’s impact and identity.We invited Christopher Marquis, Author and Sinyi Professor of Chinese Management at the University of Cambridge, to unpack this moment and what it means for purpose-driven leaders. Christopher explores why strategic hibernation is not the same as “green hushing,” and outlines how organizations can remain disciplined in communications while actively maintaining their core assets and preparing for when conditions shift. He shares insights on how companies can continue investing in sustainability and social impact behind the scenes, why internal alignment and values-based leadership matter more than ever, and how leaders can thoughtfully assess political risk without compromising their long-term mission.Listen for insights on:Maintaining employee trust during uncertaintyProtecting culture as a strategic assetWhen to re-engage publicly on issuesGlobal perspectives on corporate silenceResources + Links:Christopher Marquis’ LinkedInHarvard Business Review: Is This a Moment for Strategic Hibernation?Christopher Marquis’ Website (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Chris Marquis (01:59) - Chris’ Background (02:52) - Why This Work (04:46) - Strategic Hibernation (09:14) - Three Ways (11:43) - Regional Differences? (13:23) - Advice to CEOs and Boards (14:44) - Internal Comms (16:53) - AI’s Role (18:36) - Being Socially Responsible (19:40) - Speed Round (21:05) - Last Word (21:53) - Wrap Up

April 7, 2026Episode 22235 min

The Baltimore Blueprint with Brendan McCluskey

Baltimore faces a set of deeply interconnected challenges: aging and unsafe housing, high energy costs for families with limited means, and a generation of underemployed youth struggling to access meaningful work. These overlapping issues reveal a systemic gap highlighting an opportunity to rethink how housing, workforce development, clean energy, and economic mobility can be addressed together.We invited Brendan McCluskey, President at Trident Builders, to share how his team is tackling these challenges through a bold and collaborative model. Brendan explains how Trident Builders is transforming vacant homes into energy-efficient housing using modular construction and solar technology while creating training and job pathways for underemployed youth. He also shares how partnerships across business, nonprofits, and community leaders are helping scale solutions.This discussion offers a compelling look at how one company is rethinking the role of business in solving complex social problems and how leaders across sectors can identify opportunities within their own work to build solutions that strengthen communities.Listen for insights on:Supporting small, community-based developers to keep wealth localCollaborating across sectors in addressing systemic community challengesConnecting environmental sustainability with economic mobility Watch this conversation on YouTube!Resources + Links:Brendan McCluskey’s LinkedInTrident BuildersThe Bmore Co-Op (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Brendan McCluskey, Trident Builders (02:45) - About Brendan (04:52) - Lessons from Parents (06:15) - Baltimore (07:21) - Revenue vs. Sustainable Systems (09:47) - 10,000 Small Businesses (11:33) - BMore Co-op (15:56) - Parts and Problems (18:26) - Equity (20:29) - Helping the Youth (22:31) - Modular Manufacturer (23:34) - Selecting the Right Partners (24:58) - Using Solar (27:50) - Example Project (29:47) - Advice for Young People (30:30) - Integrating AI (31:11) - Quick Takes (33:06) - Last Word (33:35) - Wrap Up

March 24, 2026Episode 22143 min

Where Every Kid Can Play with Lysa Ratliff

Playspaces are often dismissed as “nice-to-haves” with their colorful swings, slides, and monkey bars, but KABOOM! was founded on the urgent belief that they are an essential community infrastructure. The organization’s origin traces back to a tragic moment when two children lost their lives playing in an abandoned car because there was nowhere safe to play in their neighborhood. That devastating inequity sparked a movement to ensure that where a child lives does not determine whether they have access to safe, joyful play. Today, as KABOOM! celebrates 30 years, the organization has evolved from building individual playgrounds to advancing a data-driven, systems-level strategy to end playspace inequity for good.We invited Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!, to talk about why play is a critical investment in children’s futures and how meaningful, lasting impact happens when communities shape the solutions themselves. In this episode, Lysa shares how KABOOM!’s co-creation model ensures that playgrounds are designed with kids and neighbors, not simply delivered to them, leading to deeper stewardship and significantly higher usage. She also explores how collective action by residents, municipal leaders, and corporate partners helps scale long-term transformation. And importantly, she highlights the environmental and public health dimensions embedded in today’s playground design. At its core, this work makes clear that designing for children is one of the most powerful strategies for shaping stronger communities and a more equitable future.Listen for insights on:Co-creating with residents for lasting neighborhood ownershipBuilding cross-sector partnerships that endureEmbedding climate resilience into community infrastructure Watch this episode on YouTube!Resources + Links:Lysa Ratliff’s LinkedInWhat Is Playspace InequityThe City of Uvalde and KABOOM! (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Lysa Ratliff from KABOOM! (02:43) - Lysa’s Background (04:42) - Parental Influence (06:22) - KABOOM!’s Origin Story (08:38) - Why Access Matters (11:28) - Pivot Points (15:59) - The Co-Creation Process (18:56) - Build Day (20:56) - Uvalde Story (24:19) - Creating an Ecosystem (27:37) - Long-Term Partners (30:45) - Environmental Action (37:41) - Integrating AI (38:50) - Rapid Fire Questions (40:03) - Last Word (41:36) - Wrap Up

March 10, 2026Episode 22031 min

Sustainability Didn’t Die in 2025 with Andrew Winston

Sustainability is at a pivotal moment. Amid political backlash, greenhushing, and growing scrutiny of ESG and DEI, many have questioned whether the movement has lost momentum. We invited Andrew Winston, globally respected sustainability advisor, bestselling author, and recently named #1 management thinker in the world with Paul Polman by Thinkers50, to share his perspective on where sustainability truly stands. Drawing on his recent Fortune article, “2025: The Year Sustainability Didn’t Die,” Andrew explains why critics have misread the signals. While companies may be quieter publicly, the underlying drivers of climate impacts, demographic shifts, market forces, and technological innovation continue to accelerate action across sectors and geographies.This conversation explores where meaningful progress is unfolding, from China’s rapid expansion in clean energy and electric vehicles to investments in decarbonization and electrification. Andrew examines why sustainability is often held to a higher ROI standard than other business investments, how leaders can better articulate long-term value creation, and what courage looks like in today’s climate of uncertainty. This conversation ultimately centers on a deeper question facing every executive: Is the world better off because your business is in it?Listen for insights on:Why sustainability continues despite political backlashMaking a stronger ROI case for sustainabilityBalancing AI innovation with decarbonization goals Resources + Links:Watch this conversation on YouTubeAndrew Winston’s WebsiteFortune: 2025: the year sustainability didn’t dieNet PositiveAndrew Winston's Books (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Meet Andrew Winston, Winston Eco-Strategies (04:14) - Andrew’s Background (06:12) - Evolution of Sustainability (08:23) - Purpose and Sustainability (09:25) - Fortune Article (11:09) - CEO Characteristics (13:40) - Flourishing (14:27) - AI and Energy Demand (18:17) - ROI Metrics (20:38) - Courage Is Critical (23:09) - Health and Sustainability (24:07) - Deciding Where to Invest (25:23) - Truly at Risk (27:52) - One Non-Negotiable (28:49) - Last Word (29:55) - Wrap Up

February 24, 2026Episode 21930 min

What CEOs Are Thinking Today with Alan Murray

In a moment defined by disruption and accelerating change, Carol Cone sits down with one of the world’s most seasoned CEO observers to decode what’s really keeping leaders up at night. Alan Murray, journalist, former CEO of Fortune, and now Founding President of the WSJ Leadership Institute, has spent decades in candid conversation with the heads of the world’s largest organizations. What emerges from this exchange is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how today’s CEOs are navigating geopolitical instability, AI transformation, cultural division, and fragile trust. Drawing on insights from hundreds of top executives, Murray makes a compelling case: the greatest challenges facing CEOs are no longer purely strategic or technological but are profoundly human.At the heart of the discussion is a powerful tension shaping the C-suite: while AI dominates boardroom agendas, the real work lies in culture, trust, and human alignment. Murray also shares why empathy has emerged as a defining leadership competency, how purpose and moral clarity are becoming competitive differentiators, and why organizations that successfully engage and inspire their people will outpace those that rely solely on technological advantage. This is a deeply strategic dialogue about leading through volatility, humanizing organizations in an AI-driven era, and building cultures resilient enough to thrive amid constant change.Listen for insights on:Turning AI ambition into measurable valueDifferentiating through talent and not just techReframing empathy as strategic leadershipPreparing young leaders for human-centered workResources + Links:Watch the full conversation on YouTubeAlan Murray’s LinkedInThe WSJ Leadership InstitutePodcast: WSJ Leadership Institute Presents: Leaders (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Alan Murray (02:10) - Alan’s CEO Leadership Title (04:26) - Leadership Institute Backstory (05:14) - Shape of the Institute (08:02) - Conversation with CEOs Today (09:37) - The AI Revolution (11:23) - Balancing This New World (14:29) - Empathy (17:47) - Balancing Humanity with Technology (18:57) - Moral Leadership (20:46) - Becoming More Human and Humanized (21:55) - Reinforcing the People Part (23:45) - Evolving the Culture (24:27) - Most Presing Social Issues (26:34) - Advice for Young People (28:34) - Last Word (29:22) - Wrap Up