The Negative Space Podcast

Drew Train, CEO of OBERLAND, joins Patricia McLoughlin to talk about how brands can decide when and how to speak up in an election year. Drawing on OBERLAND's new Speak or Surrender Roadmap, they discuss why the fear of retaliation is often larger than the real risk, what people actually want from brands during elections, and how to choose an issue grounded in credibility, community, and values. Drew also shares brands that do this well in their own voice, why humor can help with serious topics, and why silence is a position with real consequences.Learn more:Download the Speak or Surrender Roadmap at https://www.thisisoberland.com/speak-or-surrenderLearn more about the Anthem Awards at anthemawards.com or @anthemawards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if we've been trying to solve the wrong problem? In this episode of The Negative Space, Patricia McLoughlin sits down with Chad Houser, founder and CEO of Café Momentum, to explore how a restaurant became a catalyst for transforming the lives of justice-involved youth. Together, they discuss the power of second chances, the systems that too often hold young people back, and why creating opportunity begins with seeing potential instead of labels.In this episode:How one volunteer experience inspired the founding of Café MomentumWhy justice-involved youth don't need fixing—the systems around them doThe powerful combination of workforce development, education, and mental health support work together to create lasting changeWhy redefining success is essential when supporting young people with different life experiencesWhat it takes to scale a social innovation model while earning trust in new communitiesWhy collaboration—not competition—is critical to creating meaningful social impactHow curiosity can challenge assumptions, shift narratives, and build stronger communitiesCafé MomentumWebsite: https://cafemomentum.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafemomentum/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cafemomentum/ The Anthem AwardsWebsite: https://www.anthemawards.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthemawards/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anthem-awards/Set the new standard for good and enter your impact work into the Anthem Awards before July 31st! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the Dobbs decision, reproductive rights advocates have been navigating a rapidly changing legal and cultural landscape. In this episode of The Negative Space, Patricia McLoughlin sits down with Julia Taylor Kennedy of the Center for Reproductive Rights to discuss how abortion restrictions are impacting healthcare, workplaces, and communities across the country. Together, they explore the power of storytelling, the role businesses can play in advancing reproductive freedom, and how individuals can take meaningful action in a moment that often feels overwhelming.ResourcesThe Price of Safety Report: https://reproductiverights.org/resources/price-of-safety-stories-abortions-denied-careers-disrupted-states-left-behind/ Reproductive Rights World & US Maps: https://reproductiverights.org/maps/ March of Dimes Maternity Care Desert Tracker: https://www.marchofdimes.org/maternity-care-deserts-reportAbortion, Every Day by Jessica Valenti: https://jessica.substack.com/The Center for Reproductive RightsWebsite: https://reproductiverights.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reprorights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-reproductive-rights/The Anthem AwardsWebsite: https://www.anthemawards.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthemawards/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anthem-awards/Set the new standard for good and enter your impact work into the Anthem Awards before July 31st! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Power of a Blank Page with The Strangers ProjectWhat happens when we put down our phones and share our stories with strangers?In the Season 2 premiere of The Negative Space, host Patricia McLoughlin sits down with Brandon Doman, founder of The Strangers Project, and designer and community strategist Exa Kutler to explore the power of human connection in an increasingly disconnected world.What began as a notebook and a simple invitation to write has grown into a traveling community engagement project featuring more than 100,000 anonymous handwritten stories. By creating spaces where people can share their experiences without judgment, prompts, or digital distractions, The Strangers Project offers a rare opportunity for reflection, vulnerability, and belonging.Together, Patricia, Brandon, and Exa discuss the role of anonymity in building trust, the surprising themes that emerge across thousands of stories, and what it means to create meaningful community during a loneliness epidemic. They also explore the challenges of sustaining mission-driven creative work, lessons from bringing the project to Webby Awards Creator Weekend, and the future of preserving these powerful stories for new audiences.In a culture that often rewards speed and performance, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the most impactful thing we can offer is a blank page—and the space to be seen.In this episode:How The Strangers Project grew from a spontaneous idea into a global community initiativeWhy anonymity can foster honesty, empathy, and connectionWhat 100,000+ stories reveal about our shared human experiencesThe role of in-person engagement in an increasingly digital worldThe challenges and opportunities of sustaining long-term social impact workWhat's next for The Strangers ProjectLearn more about The Strangers Project at strangersproject.com and on Instagram @strangersprojIf you're in New York City, you can visit The Strangers Project at the World Trade Center Oculus (Thursday–Sunday, 2:00–6:30 PM)Learn more about the Anthem Awards and The Negative Space at anthemawards.com and on Instagram @anthemawards.Set the new standard for good and enter your impact work into the Anthem Awards before July 31st! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rising sea levels, eroding coastlines and worsening storms threaten communities worldwide, while anti-climate agendas stall critical action. The Surfrider Foundation has spent decades at the intersection of grassroots activism and policy change, fighting to protect our oceans and encourage systemic action. In the face of growing anti-climate action, we’re joined with Surfrider CEO, Chad Nelsen, as we dive into the biggest environmental battles ahead, the power of community-led action and what it will take to hold brands and policymakers accountable.Guest: Dr. Chad Nelsen is the CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, leading the world’s largest grassroots network dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of oceans globally by blending coastal recreation with conservation. Keep up with their work @surfrider on all major platforms and @surfrider.org on Bluesky. Find out more about how they’re creating change and get involved at surfrider.org/! Entries for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards will open on Tuesday, April 8. Follow us @theanthemawards on Instagram and LinkedIn to discover our new categories and how to enter your work. Credits: Hosted by Patricia McLoughlin Written and Produced by Mahlet Sugebo Editorial Lead by Jordana Jarrett Edited by Kate Mishkin  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a country reeling from mass shootings—with only thoughts and prayers offered—Moms Demand Action is on the frontlines of the fight for gun safety. With a powerful network of over 400 chapters nationwide, they’re challenging the very systems that perpetuate gun violence at the root. We spoke with Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action, to spotlight their work in tackling America’s gun crisis, the push for school safety and the fight to protect hard-won progress, despite the shift in the new administration's stance. Guest: Angela Ferrell-Zabala serves as the first-ever Executive Director of Moms Demand Action where she leads the largest grassroots network in the gun violence prevention space.Keep up with Angela @FerrellZabala on Instagram, Threads and X and @ferrellzabala.bsky.social. Find out more about how Moms Demand Action is creating change and get involved at momsdemandaction.org. Entries for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards will open on Tuesday, April 8. Follow us @theanthemawards on Instagram and LinkedIn to discover our new categories and how to enter your work.Credits: Hosted by Patricia McLoughlin Written and Produced by Mahlet Sugebo Editorial Lead by Jordana Jarrett Edited by Kate Mishkin  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From banned books to restricted speech in schools, censorship is surging—with stories that live outside the mainstream being cast to the margins. With Project 2025 and the new administration pushing for deep-rooted information control, the danger isn’t just in banned books—it’s in the ideas they hold. Nick Higgins of Brooklyn Public Library broke down how this legacy institution is fighting back, protecting free access to knowledge, and defending the fundamental right to think critically.Guest: Nick Higgins is the Chief Librarian at Brooklyn Public Library in charge of public service across Brooklyn and leads the development of transformative library services across the borough.Resources: Books Unbanned Program Borrowed and Banned PodcastKeep up with Brooklyn Public Library @bklynlibrary on Instagram and LinkedIn. Find out more about how they’re creating change and get involved at bklynlibrary.org/! Entries for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards will open on Tuesday, April 8. Follow us @theanthemawards on Instagram and LinkedIn to discover our new categories and how to enter your work. Credits: Hosted by Patricia McLoughlin Written and Produced by Mahlet Sugebo Editorial Lead by Jordana Jarrett Edited by Kate Mishkin  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Internet’s tides are changing—social media is not what it used to be back in 2008. As the digital world shifts, social media platforms are now more than just virtual spaces, but battlegrounds for privacy and autonomy. Tracy Chou, founder of Block Party, is on a mission to take the power back from corporate algorithms and give it to users. We spoke with Chou to lay bare the chaotic evolution of online safety, the role AI plays in reshaping the digital world and how we can build a more responsible, human-first internet.Guest: Tracy Chou is an entrepreneur and software engineer well-known for her work advocating for diversity and inclusion in tech, who founded the startup Block Party to safeguard online privacy.Keep up with Tracy @triketora on all major platforms and @exhaustedfemalefounder on Instagram and Threads. Find out more about how Block Party is creating change and get involved at blockpartyapp.com! Entries for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards will open on Tuesday, April 8. Follow us @theanthemawards on Instagram and LinkedIn to discover our new categories and how to enter your work.Credits: Hosted by Patricia McLoughlin Written and Produced by Mahlet Sugebo Editorial Lead by Jordana Jarrett Edited by Kate Mishkin  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the earth quakes or sociopolitical issues arise, World Central Kitchen is on the frontlines—often even before journalists. Powered by a global supply chain of advocates and (yes) chefs, it’s been a pioneering force in humanitarian aid since 2010. From serving up life-saving meals in crisis zones to navigating aid in regions like Gaza, we sat down with Linda Roth, CCO of WCK, to explore the complexities of delivering vital relief where it’s needed most.Guest: Linda Roth is an Emmy-award-winning broadcast journalist turned purpose-driven communications expert who leads campaigns with tremendous geopolitical impact. Keep up with World Central Kitchen @WCKitchen on Instagram, X, Youtube and TikTok and @wck.org on Bluesky. Find out more about how they’re creating change and get involved at wck.org! Entries for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards will open on Tuesday, April 8. Follow us @theanthemawards on Instagram and LinkedIn to discover our new categories and how to enter your work. Resources: The World Central Kitchen CookbookChefs for GazaCredits: Hosted by Patricia McLoughlin Written and Produced by Mahlet Sugebo Editorial Lead by Jordana Jarrett Edited by Kate Mishkin  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a post-Roe reality, the fight for reproductive freedom hasn’t stopped—it just got a new look. With abortion access under attack, digital censorship silencing providers, and legal gray zones complicating care, the abortion pill has become a frontline tool for autonomy. Francine Coeytaux, one of the original founders of Plan C, joins us to unpack the realities of self-managed care and hidden barriers threatening the future of reproductive healthcare.  Guest: Francine Coeytaux is a woman’s health advocate and public health specialist who Co-Founded Plan C, a nationwide campaign to normalize the modern option of at-home abortion using pills.  Resources: Plan CPlan C DocumentaryKeep up with Plan C @plancpills on Instagram. Find out more about how they’re creating change and get involved at plancpills.org! Entries for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards will open on Tuesday, April 8. Follow us @theanthemawards on Instagram and LinkedIn to discover our new categories and how to enter your work. Credits: Hosted by Patricia McLoughlin Written and Produced by Mahlet Sugebo Editorial Lead by Jordana Jarrett Edited by Kate Mishkin  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.