On this episode of The PlayFull Podcast , host Kristine Michie welcomes Vanessa Wakeman, founder of The Wakeman Agency, for a rich and candid conversation rooted in strategy, courage, and language. Vanessa brings decades of communications leadership to this episode, but it’s her ability to blend intention with imagination that truly resonates. Whether you're navigating high-stakes messaging, questioning how to show up bravely in your work, or looking to bring more play into serious change-making...
Jul 17, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Kristine Michie welcomes longtime policy strategist and justice advocate Robert Raben in this Brave Voices episode of The PlayFull Podcast . Together, they explore how humor, faith, strategy, and emotional grounding can sustain meaningful work during times of cultural and political pushback. This is a deeply human and refreshingly unfiltered conversation about staying present, playful, and principled in complex times. Whether you’re navigating burnout or seeking renewed clarity, this episode inv...
Jul 10, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 109
In this heartfelt group episode of The PlayFull Podcast , Kristine Michie brings together three powerful changemakers to reflect on the anniversaries of Marriage Equality and the Stonewall Uprising. Through stories that span decades of activism, personal transformation, and community celebration, these leaders explore the deep roots of LGBTQ+ resistance—and the power of joy, love, and play to push movements forward. Whether you're in philanthropy, advocacy, or simply seeking inspiration, this ep...
Jul 03, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 108
In this rich and timely episode of The PlayFull Podcast, host Kristine Michie reconnects with Glen Galaich of the Stupski Foundation for a bold and deeply reflective conversation. Drawing on the insights of many in the philanthropy space navigating choppy waters, Glen dissects what it means to show up differently in this moment of societal and sectoral reckoning. Listeners will find inspiration, clarity, and a challenge to reimagine execution, collaboration, and impact with urgency, courage, and...
Jun 26, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 107
On this episode, Kristine Michie sits down with activist, strategist, and co-founder of the 22nd Century Initiative, Scot Nakagawa , joining our chorus of brave voices. With decades of experience confronting white supremacy, fascism, and authoritarianism, Scot shares his deeply rooted belief in joy, humor, and community as vital tools for resistance. Listeners will find both inspiration and grounding in Scot’s stories and strategies for building a just, vibrant future, while protecting body, min...
Jun 19, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 106
In this powerful continuation of The PlayFull Podcast’s Brave Voices series, host Kristine Michie brings together a chorus of extraordinary changemakers—visionaries in gender justice, philanthropy, political peacebuilding, and social innovation—for a deeply honest, spirited conversation. What unfolds is a rare and refreshing look at how bravery, playfulness, discomfort, and connection intersect in the lives and leadership of women transforming the world. For listeners navigating this moment’s ch...
Jun 12, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 105
In this moving kickoff to The PlayFull Podcast’s new “Brave Voices” series, host Kristine Michie is joined by Edgar Villanueva—author, activist, and founder of the Decolonizing Wealth Project—for a vulnerable, powerful conversation about truth-telling, repair, and joyful resistance. With deeply personal stories and bold new initiatives, Edgar and Kristine invite listeners into a visionary conversation about healing our systems and ourselves. This is a must-listen for changemakers ready to root t...
Jun 05, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 104
We had to rewind this episode from just a few months back because Nancy’s reporting on DEI has become the Bible for those following this issue. In just the last week, Amazon, McDonald’s, and Merck shareholders and boards have all resoundingly rejected proposals to retreat or scale back on their diversity and equity initiatives! They join other powerhouses like John Deere, Yum! Brands, Levi’s, Costco, and Berkshire Hathaway, to name a few! Through relentless reporting and a mix of humor, history,...
May 29, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Summary In this audience-favorite rewind episode, we explore the power of play, joy, and inclusive storytelling for driving transformative social change with Ada Williams Prince. Known widely for her work with Melinda French Gates and Pivotal Ventures, our guest is a visionary nonprofit leader who has stepped out on her own, continuing to champion the voices and experiences of women and girls of color to build a more just and equitable world. She shares how protecting spaces for marginalized com...
May 22, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 102
While many call today’s guest the father of play, Dr. Stuart Brown credits Aristotle and even our hunt-and-gather ancestors with first recognizing play as a way to get things done and make their world more livable. Nonetheless, modern play research (and inspiration for The PlayFull Podcast!) began with Dr. Brown, who has been studying play for as long as this host has been alive! His interest in play began in 1968 when he was tapped to investigate the mental state and life story of a mass murder...
May 15, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 101
In this milestone 100th episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie closes the Just Transition series in conversation with philanthropic futurist Trista Harris. Together, they offer a masterclass in harnessing imagination, possibility, and joy—even (especially!) in uncertain times. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, navigating systems change, or simply trying to stay lit from within, this conversation invites you to reclaim your future and your sense of play. Let your perspective—and your ...
May 08, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 100
On this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, host Kristine Michie welcomes Dimple Abichandani, a seasoned advocate and new author (her book, A New Era of Philanthrop y, is out this week!), for a deep and energizing conversation. Together, they explore how philanthropy must evolve for a just future, weaving in ancestral wisdom, collective action, and moral imagination. Listeners will find a rich blend of history, hope, and actionable inspiration for how joy, play, and transparency can transform how w...
May 01, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 99
In this episode, Kristine Michie explores philanthropy's critical challenges with Aaron Dorfman and Senowa Mize-Fox from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP). They expose systemic gaps in funding: climate funders over-indexing on big orgs and tech solutions, foundations retreating from 2020 commitments, and the chronic under-resourcing of frontline organizations. For funders, nonprofit leaders, and movement builders, this conversation offers a powerful blueprint for more acc...
Apr 24, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 98
In this episode, Kristine Michie talks with Chris Lawrence, Chief Program Officer at the Interledger Foundation, about reimagining financial access in a digitally connected world. They explore what it means to create systems that move with people—across borders, crises, and communities—through open protocols and inclusive design. From artist-led explorations of money to refugee wallets and cross-border remittance tools, the episode shows how creativity, tech, and advocacy intersect to serve the ...
Apr 17, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 97
In this episode, Kristine Michie sits down with Erin Axelrod from LIFT Economy to explore the mechanisms and practices that support the growth of a non-extractive, regenerative economy. Challenging traditional business paradigms, Erin explores how worker-owned enterprises, B-Corps movement, and even potluck dinners can transform economic systems to benefit all life - not just humans, but entire ecosystems. Blending examples of serious systemic change with a playful approach and homemade ice crea...
Apr 10, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 96
In this compelling episode, Kristine Michie sits down with Laurin Leonard, CEO and co-founder of R3 Score, to explore how businesses can make smarter, fairer hiring decisions. Laurin shares how outdated background checks create unnecessary barriers to employment for millions of Americans—and how her innovative approach is helping companies expand opportunities while managing risk. From addressing workforce shortages to breaking cycles of economic exclusion, this conversation is a must-listen for...
Apr 03, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 95
On this episode, Kristine Michie welcomes media veteran and optimism advocate Bill Burke for a conversation that will shift how you see the world. From leading TBS at age 29 to running The Weather Channel and now launching The Optimism Institute, Bill has spent his career exploring the power of storytelling, leadership, and play. He unpacks how optimism isn’t blind positivity but a practice—one that can transform individuals, workplaces, and even the broader social landscape. If you’ve ever felt...
Mar 27, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 94
In this episode, Kristine Michie sits down with entrepreneur, activist, and change-maker Kat Gabrielle, a powerhouse in funding and supporting marginalized founders. Through personal stories, including a traumatic but transformative experience with racial violence, Kat shares how she embraced radical visibility and built The Well Work, a platform connecting Black women and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to crucial funding resources. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating systemic barriers in ...
Mar 20, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Join Kristine Michie in this PlayFull exploration of how AI tools can be trained to be allies for the progressive movement. With guests Aram Fischer from Change Agent AI and Mikka Kei MacDonald from Community Change, this conversation cracks open how values-aligned tech can dismantle power imbalances, challenge the dominance of corporate giants, and invite more people to the table. If you've ever felt like tech was something built for someone else — this episode will have you whistling a new tun...
Mar 13, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 92
Host Kristine Michie interviews leaders Dino Foxx, Lora Smith, and Fernando Abarca about reimagining philanthropy to better serve communities. They discuss trust-based funding, breaking outdated rules, and how play and creativity fuel social change. This inspiring episode challenges conventional philanthropy, envisioning equitable resource flow, housing justice, and joyful movement work. Key Takeaways: Justice Funders is committed to a 100-year transition vision, guiding philanthropy toward a ju...
Mar 06, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 91
Join host Kristine Michie as she welcomes Blair Glencorse, co-founder of Accountability Lab, to discuss how play, storytelling, and unexpected partnerships can drive social change. From red-carpet celebrations for ethical leaders to using music and sports to fight corruption, Blair shares how moving from shame to fame might be the magic we need to create the just world we envision. Through his Integrity Icon Awards, which “names and fames” honest government officials, to collaborations with musi...
Feb 27, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Nonprofit and philanthropic leaders dedicate themselves to service, but navigating corporate responsibility, social justice, and DEI backlash can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Kristine Michie sits down with ESG expert, corporate recruiter, and media professional Nancy Levine Stearns to discuss the current landscape of corporate DEI. In spite of mounting pressure—from activist shareholders to government intervention—many companies are actually doubling down on their commitments, proving tha...
Feb 20, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 89
In this special Valentine’s Day gathering, host Kristine Michie welcomes back former guests to continue the conversation on what fuels their work. These leaders in philanthropy, activism, and social impact have shared their stories before, but in this episode, they reflect on the power of love—not just as a feeling, but as a deliberate choice that shapes leadership, fuels resilience, and sustains meaningful change. From embracing joy in the fight for justice to navigating uncertainty with courag...
Feb 18, 2025•27 min
In this episode, Kristine sits down with Julia Roig of The Horizons Project to explore how “weaving” is the secret sauce to effective partnering, organizing, and collaborating. And in this moment, it’s what will help us sustain our movement and save democracy. They dive into the power of connection, the role of courageous action, and why play is essential in serious work. If you're looking for inspiration, fresh strategies, and a reminder that joy fuels resilience, this episode is for you! Key T...
Feb 13, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Kristine Michie brings together a dynamic group of changemakers to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead for those working to protect democracy, equity, and justice. This episode dives into the evolving landscape of power, the importance of community, and how joy can be an act of resistance. Whether you are in the nonprofit world, government, or grassroots organizing, this episode offers inspiration, practical wisdom, and a reminder that solidarity is crucial, play is practical – and lo...
Feb 06, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 87
Listen in as Kristine and Dale discuss: The 50K local journalists that have lost their jobs in the last 10 years and why this is a foundational problem for community and democracy Local news gives us local things to talk about; this is vital to growing community connections The many ways philanthropy can support local news, both for-profit and nonprofit Why systems change always includes narrative change Press Forward: a funder collective that gives philanthropy a way to support local news Key T...
Jan 30, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 86
Listen in as Kristine and Joseph discuss: What avocado toast has to do with narrative change Who’s worthy of investment and what we lose when we don’t realize it How to center and insist on joy Somersaulting as a management tool Why work in cities is powerful The vision of Living Cities that everyone in an American city can live an abundant, economically sustainable, thriving, connected and healthy life Key Takeaways: We need to have the means, the hope, and the will to see and invest in each ot...
Jan 23, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 85
In this episode you’ll meet Jean Oelwang, CEO of Virgin Unite, who’s had the privilege to work (and play!) with global luminaries like Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela, Peter Gabriel, and Desmond Tutu, using joy and fun to crack the code on solving the world’s biggest problems. You’ll hear inside scoop on how her boss, Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson, prefers pranks and practical jokes to Power Points, and how together they’re uncovering what’s unacceptable and turning it upside down. And finally, ...
Jan 16, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 84
In this episode, global philanthropic star Latanya Mapp shares how decades of play and purpose infuse her leadership style and help her shine bright as CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Tales of voices lifted in song, a passion for the clarinet, and a penchant for Play-Doh fill our conversation and make clear Latanya is no stranger to play! She has used it for years to get things done and bring people together. Listen in as Kristine and Latanya discuss: How you can accelerate impact by a...
Jan 09, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 83
In this episode: We first met Lyft CEO David Risher one year ago when he joined us for a free-wheeling discussion about growing and sustaining a culture of play in corporate America. Listen in as he reveals that his time running an international nonprofit was great preparation for leading the global ride share company – and try to guess which one he declares more playful! As we step into the expected challenges of 2025, examples of valiant and generous leadership will be more needed than ever. N...
Jan 02, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 82
