It started when Chris LaFranchi was six years old. His uncle dunked his head into a California tide pool, and a water world fascination began that day that ultimately led him to his current calling. Decades later, that moment of childhood wonder is the foundation of One Reef Worldwide Stewardship, a nonprofit he founded that partners directly with Indigenous Pacific Island communities across seven countries to protect coral reefs, preserve ancient cultures, and build resilience in the face of a changing climate.
In this episode, Monica sits down with Chris for a wide-ranging conversation about following a spark across a lifetime, what Pacific Island elders taught him about humility and conservation, and why helping other people succeed became his greatest source of energy. He also opens up about the very real challenges of building a nonprofit from scratch, including moments of inspiration and moments of self doubt and learning to unlearn everything his formal education had told him about solving problems.
If you have ever felt called toward something bigger than yourself and wondered whether you are the right person to pursue it, this one is for you.
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