From Exploitation to Empowerment: Rebuilding Communities Through Ethical Enterprise

After six seasons, four years, and 64 episodes, co-hosts Dave Raley and Carly Berna close this chapter of the Purpose & Profit Podcast. In this finale, they reflect on the journey, share personal highlights, and revisit the lessons that have shaped the show.Together, Dave and Carly highlight six key themes that surfaced across conversations with nonprofit and business leaders. From cultivating strong leadership and building a culture of learning to adapting models, embracing recurring support, and encouraging entrepreneurial spirit, this episode distills the insights that have defined Purpose & Profit. They also share favorite memories and what the podcast has meant to them.Thank you for listening, supporting, and sharing Purpose & Profit over the years.Discover more episodes of Purpose & Profit Podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VIRTUOUS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IMAGO CONSULTING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVID AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DICKERSONBAKKER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHARE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SYNERGY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Scott Holthaus.

What if solving trafficking and poverty required more than aid projects or skills training? What if the key was access to markets, to choices, to dignity?In this episode of the Purpose & Profit Podcast, hosts Dave Raley and Carly Berna sit down with Erik Olson, CEO of Dignity Made. With two decades in international development and social enterprise, Erik has built a redemptive business that transforms the coconut supply chain in the Philippines. By addressing exploitative debt practices and creating dignified jobs, Dignity Made is breaking cycles of poverty and providing choice to families long denied it.From nonprofit projects that hit a ceiling to building a sustainable enterprise, Erik shares lessons on economic solutions, ethical supply chains, and the ripple effects of dignified work. Key Topics They Cover:• Why economic problems demand economic solutions.• The role of choice and dignity in breaking exploitation cycles.• How asset-based community development guides sustainable enterprise building.• Balancing mission-driven storytelling with product credibility in the market.• The meaning of redemptive business and why it requires sacrifice.• The ripple effect of job creation on local economies and infrastructure.Discover more episodes of Purpose & Profit Podcast ⁠here⁠.Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:⁠⁠⁠⁠VIRTUOUS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IMAGO CONSULTING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVID AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DICKERSONBAKKER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHARE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SYNERGY⁠⁠⁠⁠Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Scott Holthaus.

After six seasons, four years, and 64 episodes exploring the intersection of purpose and profit, co-hosts ⁠Dave Raley⁠ and ⁠Carly Berna⁠ share a big update: the Purpose & Profit Podcast is ending (for now!).This episode explains why the show is taking a step back, what to expect in the coming weeks, and what is next for the hosts.Stay tuned for:• An inspiring conversation with Eric Olson of Dignity Made.• A finale episode where Dave and Carly share favorite stories, biggest lessons, and insights from four years of podcasting.Thank you for listening, supporting, and sharing the Purpose & Profit Podcast.Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUSFAITHSEARCH PARTNERSIMAGO CONSULTINGAVID AIDICKERSONBAKKERSHARESYNERGYSpecial thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Scott Holthaus.

Is your organization stuck in its ways, or evolving with purpose?In this special Season 6 finale of the Purpose & Profit Podcast, co-hosts ⁠⁠Dave Raley⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Carly Berna⁠⁠ return to the mic — just the two of them — for a deep, candid conversation about one of the most important (and misunderstood) dynamics in any mission-driven organization: the difference between your mission and your model.Whether you're leading a nonprofit, scaling a startup, or rethinking your business strategy, this episode is a must-listen. Dave and Carly unpack why confusing your mission with your model can lead to stagnation, and how the most innovative leaders learn to pivot without losing purpose.Key Topics Include:Mission vs. Model: Why your mission should be timeless, while your model must evolve. Using examples like Subway, Krispy Kreme, and Apple, the hosts explore how outdated models can undermine even the best intentions.The S-Curve of Innovation: Dave explains the S-curve lifecycle and how organizations must continually create new curves to avoid decline, and ultimately, irrelevance.Blockbuster’s Big Miss (and Other Cautionary Tales): What leaders can learn from once-dominant brands that failed to adapt, and why even beloved nonprofit models may be overdue for reinvention.Barriers to Change: From founders clinging to “what used to work” to sacred cows and organizational blind spots, they reveal the most common reasons leaders resist necessary change.How to Know When It’s Time to Shift: It’s not just about revenue decline. Learn the key internal and external signals that it's time to rethink your model before it's too late.Practical Innovation Frameworks: Dave shares a four-step method — Identify, Prototype, Launch, Scale — to help organizations test and implement new models with confidence.This is a powerful conversation for leaders who want to future-proof their mission and spark new growth. Don’t miss it!Discover more at purposeandprofitpodcast.com/podcast.And stay tuned for Season 7, coming soon with something new: video! We’re adding a visual layer to the podcast, so you'll be able to watch conversations with guests on YouTube. We can’t wait to share what’s coming next!Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:⁠⁠⁠VIRTUOUS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IMAGO CONSULTING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVID AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DICKERSONBAKKER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHARE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SYNERGY⁠⁠⁠Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

What if the key to nonprofit success isn’t just more funding, but better systems, leadership, and innovation?In this episode, hosts Dave Raley and Carly Berna sit down with Dan Bentley, Managing Director of Impacto Consulting and host of the Innovate for Impact podcast. Dan’s work helps nonprofits break free from “survival mode” and become high-performing, impact-driven organizations. Drawing from both his for-profit background and nearly a decade of consulting in the social sector, Dan shares practical strategies for building resilient, innovative, and empowered teams, especially in the face of limited resources.Together with Dave and Carly, Dan outlines the critical mindset shifts and organizational changes required to create meaningful, scalable impact.Key Topics They Cover:What “survival mode” looks like in nonprofit organizations,and how to break out of itWhy resource constraints actually fuel innovation in the nonprofit sectorThe four pillars of innovative organizations:Ambition FocusedCreative LeadershipClient CentricityEmpowered PeopleWhy “Empowered People” is often the weakest link, and what to do about itLessons nonprofits can teach the for-profit world about adaptability, systems, and solving real-world problemsThe power of systematized innovation and frontline empowerment, with examples from organizations like the Starlight Children’s FoundationDan’s personal journey – from corporate insurance to international travel to founding Impacto ConsultingPlus, don’t miss the lightning round, where Dan shares the most random item on his bucket list, his surprising past in Australian hip hop, and the one cause he’d donate a million dollars to.Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:⁠⁠VIRTUOUS⁠⁠⁠⁠FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS⁠⁠⁠⁠IMAGO CONSULTING⁠⁠⁠⁠AVID AI⁠⁠⁠⁠DICKERSONBAKKER⁠⁠⁠⁠SHARE⁠⁠⁠⁠SYNERGY⁠⁠Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

What does it take to tell stories that truly move people and move them to action? In an era flooded with misinformation and short attention spans, how do brands and causes break through the noise with truth, authenticity, and impact? In this episode of Purpose & Profit Podcast, we explore those questions and more with a journalist who’s spent her life on the front lines of global storytelling.Dave Raley and Carly Berna welcome to the show award-winning journalist and host of Big [If True], Molly Thomas. Known for her fearless reporting on humanitarian crises and her drive to expose disinformation, Molly brings deep wisdom on what it means to tell authentic stories that resonate across cultures, causes, and contexts.From refugee camps to misinformation rabbit holes, Molly shares her experiences bringing attention to stories the world too often forgets. This conversation is a masterclass in how brands and causes can build trust, communicate with emotional intelligence, and inspire action without manipulation.Key Topics They Cover: 1. Purpose Over Trends: Why brands should align with causes that reflect their deepest convictions, not fleeting headlines.2. Building Trust in an Age of Misinformation: Practical ways for organizations to maintain credibility and clarity.3. Emotional Entry Points: How to help audiences connect personally to distant or difficult issues.4. Spotting the Fake: Lessons from Big [If True] on navigating scams, hoaxes, and disinformation, and how this shapes public trust in brands and causes.5. Discovering Your "Holy Discontent": How to identify the issue that keeps you up at night, and use it as a compass for impact.6. The Role of Sensory Storytelling: Using sounds, smells, and context to craft immersive, relatable stories.7. Empowering vs. Exploiting: How to avoid manipulative storytelling by highlighting agency and dignity.8. Why Being Present Matters: The value of slowing down, observing deeply, and leaving room for unexpected human stories.9. Repurposing Powerful Narratives: How to get long-term value from emotionally rich stories without overexposure.10. Music & Messaging: How background music shapes emotional response, and the ethical weight that carries.Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:⁠VIRTUOUS⁠⁠FAITHSEARCH PARTNERS⁠⁠IMAGO CONSULTING⁠⁠AVID AI⁠⁠DICKERSONBAKKER⁠⁠SHARE⁠⁠SYNERGY⁠Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

What does it look like to build a company—and a life—rooted in both purpose and profit? In this episode of Purpose & Profit Podcast, we sit down with William Norvell, a top 1% podcaster, investor, and trusted advisor to faith-driven entrepreneurs. William brings a wealth of experience, from co-founding Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Faith Driven Investor, to his current work with Forte, a company on a mission to democratize mental health in the workplace.With an MBA from Stanford and a unique journey that spans investment banking, private equity, and startup leadership, William offers a candid, wisdom-filled conversation about faith, business, and the complex human decisions leaders must make. Whether you're a mission-minded entrepreneur or nonprofit leader looking to create sustainable impact, this episode is full of practical insights and vision for a better future.You’ll Learn:How William’s journey—from Alabama to Stanford—shaped his views on leadership, purpose, and wealth.Why values-based investing is more than a trend, and how to align your portfolio with your convictions.The origin story of Faith Driven Entrepreneur and the gap it sought to fill in the faith and business world.Why William believes nonprofit CEOs have one of the toughest jobs, and how financial sustainability can shift the paradigm.What it means to run a Public Benefit Corporation and how that changes decisions from the boardroom to the break room.A raw take on early team dynamics and how to handle tough leadership decisions with both grace and clarity.A bold vision for the future, where businesses are inherently purposeful and nonprofits are free from constant fundraising.Discover more episodes of Purpose & Profit Podcast here. Get to know your co-hosts, Dave Raley and Carly Berna.Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUSFAITHSEARCH PARTNERSIMAGO CONSULTINGAVID AIDICKERSONBAKKERSHARESYNERGYSpecial thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

¥In this episode of Purpose & Profit, co-hosts Dave Raley and Carly Berna sit down with Brady Josephson, VP of Marketing & Growth at charity: water, to explore what it really takes to be disruptive—not just in marketing, but within an organization’s culture and strategy.Brady shares behind-the-scenes stories from the bold and sometimes controversial Dreamers campaign, as well as the inspiration and vision behind The Experience Lab—a multi-year, high-investment initiative designed to transform donor engagement. He also discusses how charity: water is reducing friction in decision-making, empowering “doers,” and embracing internal disruption to stay agile as they grow.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to cut through the noise and define meaningful disruption.What happens when bold campaigns spark internal pushback, and why that’s not always a bad thing.The mindset and structure needed to keep a growing nonprofit flexible and innovative.Why elevating execution and empowering teams can be just as disruptive as any marketing campaign.Learn more about Brady at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradyjosephson/Meanwhile, dive deeper into charity: water’s misison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradyjosephson/Discover more episodes of Purpose & Profit Podcast at: purposeandprofitpodcast.com Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUS: Virtuous.orgFAITHSEARCH PARTNERS: FaithSearchPartners.comIMAGO CONSULTING: Imago.ConsultingAVID AI: AvidAI.comDICKERSONBAKKER: DickersonBakker.comSHARE ShareTalent.coSYNERGY: SynergyDMS.comSpecial thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose and Profit, we sit down with nonprofit innovator, author, and branding expert, David Rhode, for an engaging and insight-packed conversation about what it really takes to lead and grow a nonprofit organization in today’s world.David shares how his early career at Procter & Gamble shaped his strategic mindset, offering key branding lessons that translate surprisingly well to the nonprofit space. He dives into the philosophy behind his award-winning book, Passion Isn’t Enough, revealing why heart alone isn’t enough, and what you need to pair it with to truly make an impact.You’ll learn:Why nonprofits need to “stay in their lane” when building their brand, and how doing less can actually mean doing moreHow David’s “3 Ps of Nonprofit Branding” (including People, Process, and Proof) offer a roadmap for smaller organizations with limited resourcesCreative, low-budget ways nonprofits can measure and communicate their impactHow to navigate the balance between mission-driven passion and the demands of operations, fundraising, and board dynamicsPlus, don’t miss the lightning round where David reveals the surprising skill he wishes he had, his favorite guilty pleasure show, and the random bucket list item he still wants to check off.Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, aspiring changemaker, or branding nerd, this episode is full of wisdom, wit, and practical takeaways.Learn more about David at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rhode-1129183/Check out Dave’s book: Passion Isn’t Enough: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Leaders: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLLBB3W2Meanwhile, discover more episodes of Purpose & Profit Podcast at: purposeandprofitpodcast.com Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUS: Virtuous.orgFAITHSEARCH PARTNERS: FaithSearchPartners.comIMAGO CONSULTING: Imago.ConsultingAVID AI: AvidAI.comDICKERSONBAKKER: DickersonBakker.comSHARE ShareTalent.coSYNERGY: SynergyDMS.comSpecial thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

In this episode of Purpose & Profit, co-hosts Carly Berna and Dave Raley sit down with Kenny Jahng—strategic advisor, digital agency founder, and AI expert—who has dedicated his career to helping mission-driven leaders cut through the noise and build meaningful engagement with their audiences. With an impressive background that spans business, ministry, and nonprofit leadership, Kenny shares key insights from his Art of Engagement framework, which helps organizations clarify their message and connect with the right people.Through this conversation, Kenny breaks down the Authority Pillar—a critical component of engagement that focuses on defining your WHY, WHAT, and WHO. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit or a purpose-driven business, you’ll find actionable advice to help you refine your message, build trust, and ultimately drive greater impact.Also in this episode, Kenny talks about:His Background & Expertise – How his journey in business, ministry, and digital strategy has shaped his approach to engagement.The Art of Engagement Framework – A strategic model for helping organizations build clarity and connection with their audiences.The Authority Pillar: Defining Your Engagement StrategyThe WHY – Establishing a clear purpose to create meaningful engagement.The WHAT – Identifying the key message that resonates with your audience.The WHO – Showcasing testimonials and case studies that build trust and credibility.Practical Next Steps – How both nonprofits and businesses can implement these principles to strengthen their outreach and engagement.Learn more about Kenny Jahng at: linkedin.com/in/kennyjahng/.Dive deeper into The Art of Engagement Framework at: artofengagement.org.Find out more about Purpose & Profit Podcast at: purposeandprofitpodcast.com.Purpose & Profit Podcast is brought to you by:VIRTUOUS: Virtuous.orgFAITHSEARCH PARTNERS: FaithSearchPartners.comIMAGO CONSULTING: Imago.ConsultingAVID AI: AvidAI.comDICKERSONBAKKER: DickersonBakker.comSHARE ShareTalent.coSYNERGY: SynergyDMS.comSpecial thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.