Ever wondered how to turn life’s challenges into a springboard for innovation? Merav Goldman’s story will inspire you to rethink setbacks and redefine creativity.

Episode Summary
In this episode of Founded on Purpose, we sit down with Merav Goldman, founder of the award-winning company All Better Co. Merav shares her entrepreneurial journey, focusing on two powerful themes: how slingshot moments can transform obstacles into opportunities and the art of innovative product design. From navigating parenting challenges to crafting solutions that resonate deeply with her customers, Merav offers invaluable lessons on resilience, creativity, and problem-solving. Tune in to discover how she turned personal experiences into a purpose-driven business that’s making life easier for parents everywhere.

Key Themes and Takeaways

• Slingshot Moments: Learn how Merav reframes setbacks as opportunities to gain momentum, offering actionable advice for turning challenges into growth.
• Innovative Product Design: Hear the story behind "Don’t Scratch That" pen and other innovative first aid products by All Better Co., and how Merav’s unique approach to design addresses real-world problems.
• Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship: Explore how Merav’s personal experiences fueled her mission to create products that solve meaningful problems.
• Lessons from Parenthood: Discover how being a parent informed Merav’s entrepreneurial perspective and her commitment to supporting other parents.

Mentioned Links and Resources

• Connect with Merav Goldman on LinkedIn and Instagram
• Learn more about All Better Co. including their award-winning Don’t Scratch That Pen
• Listen to our interview with Merav's co-founder Stacy Bernstein
• Follow All Better Co. on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
• Join the journey and invest in moms making it better
• Connect with Kt McBratney on LinkedIn and Bluesky
• Building and/or investing with purpose? Sign the Pledge!
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Explore other initiatives from Renew VC

Can we change the world by changing how we consume media? Ashwath Narayanan, co-founder and CEO of Social Currant, thinks so. In this episode, he discusses how purpose-led organizations can further their impact by embracing and investing in the rapidly evolving creator and media landscape.

Episode Summary
Ashwath Narayanan joins host Kt McBratney to talk about his work in the evolving media landscape and how investing in people (creators) rather than platforms (TikTok, Instagram, etc) is a winning strategy for change. He shares the challenges faced by nonprofits in adopting new strategies, and the significance of creativity in impact storytelling. They also touch on the complexities of content strategies and tactics, and the realities of being a content creator. Ashwath shares insights on learning from mistakes, trusting one's instincts as a founder, and the significance of building infrastructure to support the impact ecosystem.

Key Themes:

• Media consumption is a key factor in changing societal behaviors.
• Investing in people is crucial for the impact space and leads to more authentic storytelling.
• Nonprofits are beginning to recognize the value of content creators.
• Building capacity within organizations is crucial for success. Building infrastructure is key to supporting impact organizations.
• The disconnect between decision-makers and media consumers is significant.
• Finding joy in work is essential for sustaining energy. Rest and recovery is essential for sustainable work.
• Trusting your instincts is vital as a founder.

Sound Bites

• "Consumption is how we change the world."
• "Invest in people, not platforms."
• "It's all about connecting with people."
• "Long form never died."
• "You can't do everything all the time."
• "Being a content creator is a real job."
• "The algorithm doesn't listen to you."

Links & Resources

• Learn more about Social Currant
• Connect with Ashwath and Kt on LinkedIn
• Read and subscribe to Keeping it Currant, the newsletter sharing insights on how to navigate the intersection of the creator economy and the political and social impact space.
• Building and/or investing with purpose? Sign the Pledge!
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose

What happens when purpose meets community? In this special live episode of Founded on Purpose, recorded at the vibrant Holiday UnCorporate Party, Paul Armstrong (General Partner at Renew VC) and Madilynn Beck (Founder & CEO of The Better Spot) join host Kt McBratney to explore how helping others shapes careers, communities, and even the future of entrepreneurship. Plus, hear from other inspiring guests as they share their unique takes on purpose and impact.

Episode Summary
In this celebratory live recording at The Better Spot’s UnCorporate Party, host Kt McBratney sits down with Paul Armstrong (General Partner at Renew VC) to discuss his journey as a designer, communicator, and advocate for purpose-driven leadership. Paul shares how his role as a conduit between ideas and people has shaped his career and influenced his approach to impact and innovation.

But this episode goes beyond one conversation. We chat with Madilynn Beck (Founder & CEO of The Better Spot) about her purpose for the new year, and she shares her thought process distilling her professional and personal intentions into a single word. Featuring a diverse array of other voices — including founders, dreamers, and changemakers from the UnCorporate Party — listeners will hear perspectives on purpose that range from helping others and overcoming fear to building legacies and fostering motivation. This collective exploration of purpose offers a thought-provoking close to the year and a hopeful look toward the future.

Key Themes

• Purpose as a guiding force in work and life
• Helping others: from personal values to professional missions
• The evolving role of design and communication in leadership
• Insights from a live, dynamic community of founders and changemakers
• Building legacy and overcoming fear in entrepreneurship
• How purpose connects people and drives impact

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Connect with Kt, Renew VC and featured guests from the episode:
  • Paul Armstrong
  • Madilynn A. Beck
  • Caelyn Phillips
  • Kristin Slink
  • Reiko Jordan Brown
  • Whitney Ward
  • Tanisha Yorick-Allen
  • Nichole Healy
• Building and/or investing with purpose? Sign the Pledge!
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose