Ripple Effects

Forever Projects, hosted by So Invested
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Ripple Effects is an eight-part documentary style series hosted by Soph Dicker from So Invested, following Australian founders and VC operators on a transformative two-week journey in Tanzania - climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and immersing themselves with the local work of the Forever Projects team to see how income generation breaks the poverty cycle for women. The series parallels the mountain of business building, exploring purpose, friction, fear of failure, perspective shifts, and the power of investing in women.

Episodes

  1. 25/11/2025

    Reflection: a practice for success

    What happens when you step so far outside your normal life that you’re forced to see it differently? For Bill Gates, it was “Think Weeks” - two weeks alone in a cabin with nothing but time to just sit and think. For our group, it was two weeks in Tanzania: disconnected from society while hiking Mt Kilimanjaro and acutely present while visiting the businesses of women creating sustainable lives for themselves. In this final episode of Ripple Effects, we explore reflection as a practice - not just something you do once a year, but a way of living with more intention. We look at ancient philosophy, modern routines, and the deeply personal reflections from participants as they decide which of Sahil Bloom’s Five Types of Wealth they want to focus on in the year ahead. What to expect in this episode - The concept of Think Weeks and why they are important to carve into your year - How to find a reflection practice that suits your routine- Why reflection is a fundamental trait for success - The life changing reflections that came out of the two week immersion trip - Final sign offs Voices you’ll hear: Solai Valliappan: Angel Investor, Founder of Chai and Capital and Board Chair of Forever Projects (+ many other things!) Mark Dombkins: Founder of Forever Projects Jess Walker: Venture Investment Principal at Wollemi Capital, Founder of UNA diamond and the Neon Lab, and Non Executive Director of Forever Projects Andrea Gardiner: CEO of Jelix Ventures and co-founder of WinVC Kaday Conteh: Board Member of Forever Projects, Senior Legal Counsel at Northern Star Resources & Co Founder of Society of African Australian Lawyers Will Richards: Founder of Overnight Success and Senior Associate at Encour Caleb Maru: Founder and CEO of Tech Safari Soph Dicker: Co founder of So Invested To try at home: Jenny Martino’s goal setting approach: value-driven goals with weekly, monthly check-ins The Elephants framework by Nick Crocker: SWOT analysis Create your own “Think Week” or Think Day: set aside a day where you don’t access technology and purposefully think about the bigger picture Do a Five Types of Wealth check-in: Rank yourself 1–5 on: - Time wealth: “I consistently direct attention to the priorities that matter most” - Social wealth: “I’m the partner/friend/family member I would want to have” - Mental wealth: “I have a clear sense of purpose guiding my decisions” - Physical wealth: “I move regularly and feel strong in my body” - Financial wealth: “I know what ‘enough’ looks like for me” Pick one wealth to focus on for the next 12 months Design a reflection ritual: What’s one micro habit you can start this week? A weekly walk with a notebook, one page of journaling every second day, a 4-minute voice note check-in or monthly call with a friend to review how you’re tracking Mentions Bill Gates’ - The internet tidal wave memo Marcus Aurelius - Meditations Elinipa: The incredible Tanzanian artist who has kindly allowed us to use her music across the series If someone in your network would love these conversations, please share along. Help us create Ripple Effects. This series is brought to you by Forever Projects, hosted by Soph Dicker, from the podcast So Invested - smart and unfiltered chats about money, business and building a life you are So Invested in. Inspired to join Forever Projects next Tanzania Immersion Trip in July 2026? Find out more and register your interest here.

    28 min

  2. 18/11/2025

    Investment in women: the true ripple effect

    Some stories don’t just move you, they rewire something in you. Week two of the trip, on the ground at the Forever Projects site, one of the clearest truths of emerges: when you invest in a woman, the impact multiplies. This episode explores that transformation, from crisis to stability, from survival to self-actualisation, and why empowering women creates ripple effects that extend far beyond any single moment of support. What to expect in this episode - A conversation on the linear relationship between money and happiness (up to a certain point) - Stories of gender bias experienced by participants in their careers - Why funding for female led start ups is so low and how to change the statistic - Incredible tales of transformation from the women in Tanzania, from hopelessness to hope - Tangible actions you can take to invest in women on a daily basis Voices you’ll hear: Mark Dombkins: Founder of Forever Projects Jess Walker: Venture Investment Principal at Wollemi Capital, Founder of UNA diamond and the Neon Lab, and Non Executive Director of Forever Projects Andrea Gardiner: CEO of Jelix Ventures and co-founder of WinVC Solai Valliappan: Angel Investor, Founder of Chai and Capital and Board Chair of Forever Projects (+ many other things!) Kaday Conteh: Board Member of Forever Projects, Senior Legal Counsel at Northern Star Resources & Co Founder of Society of African Australian Lawyers Mentions Elinipa: The incredible Tanzanian artist who has kindly allowed us to use her music across the series If someone in your network would love these conversations, please share along. Help us create Ripple Effects. This series is brought to you by Forever Projects, hosted by Soph Dicker, from the podcast So Invested - smart and unfiltered chats about money, business and building a life you are So Invested in. Inspired to join Forever Projects next Tanzania Immersion Trip in July 2026? Find out more and register your interest here.

    40 min

  3. 11/11/2025

    Perspective: moments that change your life

    There are few moments in life that pull you so far out of your day-to-day that you can’t help but see everything differently. Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro is one of those moments. A 12-hour, all-night climb that pushes every limit: physical, emotional, and mental. But it’s also a perspective reset. A reminder that without our physical wellbeing, the other forms of wealth - mental clarity, time, relationships, energy - all become harder to enjoy. In this episode, we explore the power of perspective. We introduce two new types of wealth from Sahil Bloom’s Five Types of Wealth framework: Physical Wealth and Time Wealth, and look at how both anchor the way we live, work, and build. What to expect in this episode - How physical wealth underpins enjoyment of every other time of wealth- Creating boundaries to avoid burnout - Frameworks to help you re-design your time and energy - The lessons that come from gaining new perspective - How Perspective is earned through discomfort Voices you’ll hear Will Richards: Founder of Overnight Success and Senior Associate at Encour Caleb Maru: Founder and CEO of Tech Safari Solai Valliappan: Angel Investor, Founder of Chai and Capital and Board Chair of Forever Projects (+ many other things!) Morgan Biggar: Head of People and Culture at Zembl Soph Dicker: Co founder of So Invested Mentions Elinipa: The incredible Tanzanian artist who has kindly allowed us to use her music across the series Annie Duke’s “Quit”: build a kill list to know when to stop what’s no longer serving you. Morning Pages (from The Artist’s Way): write three pages of unfiltered thought each morning to clear mental space Tim Ferriss’ DEAL framework: Define, Eliminate, Automate, Liberate - design time around what you value most If someone in your network would love these conversations, please share along. Help us create Ripple Effects. This series is brought to you by Forever Projects, hosted by Soph Dicker, from the podcast So Invested - smart and unfiltered chats about money, business and building a life you are So Invested in. Inspired to join Forever Projects next Tanzania Immersion Trip in July 2026? Find out more and register your interest here.

    40 min

  4. 04/11/2025

    Vulnerability: overcoming the fear of failure

    It’s 6:00pm at Kibo Huts (4,700m) - the last stop before our midnight summit push. The air is thin; the nerves are real. The fear isn’t just about failing to reach the top - it’s about what failure might mean after coming this far, with so many people cheering us on. Before any big climb (career, company, or mountain), the biggest inhibitor often isn’t fear itself, but the anticipation of it and the imagined judgment that follows. This episode explores fear of failure, how external perception magnifies it, and the resilience tools that help us move anyway. From list-making our way back to truth, to reframing exposure as curiosity, to practicing vulnerability as a strategy for trust - we unpack how to try, learn, and keep going. What to expect in this episode - Exploring the fear of failure and why we fear judgement - Techniques to seperate real and imagined external judgement - Discussion of Brene Brown’s work around critics in the arena - Why vulnerability in brand building is important- Tangible advice for when you are feeling stuck, or are in fear of failing Voices you’ll hear Alice Harris: Freelance Social Media specialist Janey Martino: Co Founder of Smiling Mind, Founder of Kintsugi Way and CEO of KIC Mark Dombkins: Founder of Forever Projects Jess Walker: Venture Investment Principal at Wollemi Capital, Founder of UNA diamond and the Neon Lab, and Non Executive Director of Forever Projects Dr Dan: Expedition & Wilderness Medicine To try at home Two-list reset (5 mins): Write True vs Story I’m telling myself. Cross out the stories. Decide one next step. Arena filter: Whose feedback actually counts for this decision? Write 3 names; mute the rest. Curiosity script: Begin the next risky share with “Here’s what I’m learning…” and invite input. Vulnerability rep: Share one honest obstacle with a teammate/friend today and ask for perspective. Mentions Elinipa: The incredible Tanzanian artist who has kindly allowed us to use her music across the series Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability Ted Talk The Lean Startup: Eric Ries’ book about building efficient businesses Kintsugi Way: Janey Martino’s coaching platform If someone in your network would love these conversations, please share along. Help us create Ripple Effects. This series is brought to you by Forever Projects, hosted by Soph Dicker, from the podcast So Invested - smart and unfiltered chats about money, business and building a life you are So Invested in. Inspired to join Forever Projects next Tanzania Immersion Trip in July 2026? Find out more and register your interest here.

    36 min

  5. 28/10/2025

    Community: how to build an abundant network

    Night four under Mawenzi Peak, 4,300m - the question that keeps surfacing: what really sustains you when the climb gets hard? This episode reframes success not as individual grind, but as collective growth. From Tanzanian reciprocity (“I help you today, you help me tomorrow”) to founder circles back home, we explore how community, built on shared values, generosity, and presence - becomes the true engine of abundance and ultimately growth, either professionally or personally. What to expect in this episode - Redefining success: shifting from individual output to collective strength - Social wealth: the three pillars - breadth (community), depth (trust), and earned status (respect built over time) - Abundance in action: lessons from Tanzanian communities and early-stage founders- How to build your network with intention - Privilege as a resource: how to use access and knowledge to level the playing field - The value-aligned room: why who you surround yourself with determines your trajectory Voices you’ll hear Sophia: local Forever Projects team member Will Richards: Founder of Overnight Success and Senior Associate at Encour Solai Valliappan: Angel Investor, Founder of Chai and Capital and Board Chair of Forever Projects (+ many other things!) Pam Stevenson: Head of People & Talent at OIF Ventures Morgan Biggar: Head of People and Culture at Zembl Jess Walker: Venture Investment Principal at Wollemi Capital, Founder of UNA diamond and the Neon Lab, and Non Executive Director of Forever Projects Chris Mimm: Lead Software Engineer at MyPass Global To try at home Map your abundance: List five people who make you better and five people you could elevate in return. Give first: Offer advice, share a resource, or make an intro- without expecting a return Audit your rooms: Are you in circles that stretch you or ones that keep you safe? Practice reciprocity: Find one small way to “help today so someone else can help tomorrow.” Mentions Elinipa: The incredible Tanzanian artist who has kindly allowed us to use her music across the series Harvard Study of Adult Development: proof that relationships predict health and longevity Solai’s blog post: Immersing yourself into the Australian startup ecosystem The Start Up Podcast: hosted by Chris Saad and Yaniv Berstein The High Flyers Podcast: hosted by Vidit Agarwal Pioneers community: Airtree’s community of women and gender diverse people If someone in your network would love these conversations, please share along. Help us create Ripple Effects. This series is brought to you by Forever Projects, hosted by Soph Dicker, from the podcast So Invested - smart and unfiltered chats about money, business and building a life you are So Invested in. Inspired to join Forever Projects next Tanzania Immersion Trip in July 2026? Find out more and register your interest here.

    32 min

  6. 21/10/2025

    Friction: why discomfort is key to value creation

    Altitude creates literal and physical friction - as the air thins, each step comes with more resistance as you climb. Friction on a climb translates to the barriers and hurdles you face as you build in business and as so many have noted before - if you’d known how hard entrepreneurship is, would you have started in the first place? In the third episode of Ripple Effects, we use the mountain as a lens to examine friction in building: early hurdles, team selection, context gaps, culture, and the new temptation to engineer a life (and company) so smooth that it stops creating value. We contrast Australia’s increasingly frictionless technology tools and systems with the fundamentals-first frictions founders face across Africa and ask a simple question: Where is resistance actually the point? What to expect in this episode - Why naivety is an essential element to building a business - Difference in friction between Australian and African contexts - Building teams in business and how this can both add and alleviate friction - How technology is engineering frictionless environments - How deliberate tension strengthens companies, careers and our personal lives - Practical ways to add back healthy tension Voices you’ll hear Jess Walker: Venture Investment Principal at Wollemi Capital, Founder of UNA diamond and the Neon Lab, and Non Executive Director of Forever Projects Caleb Maru: Founder and CEO of Tech Safari Local founders in Tanzania: Daniel Albert (Guardian Angel), Anderson (Ari Studio) & Gloria Kaya (Living Luha) Pam Stevenson: Head of People & Talent at OIF Ventures Solai Valliappan: Angel Investor, Founder of Chai and Capital and Board Chair of Forever Projects (+ many other things!) To try at home Add one deliberate friction: call a client instead of emailing, or write by hand for 15 minutes. First-principles hour: start a task from scratch without templates or AI; note what you learn. Mentions Elinipa: The incredible Tanzanian artist who has kindly allowed us to use her music across the series Catalyser: startup accelerator for high-performing migrant and refugee entrepreneurs Diary of CEO: Law 14 speaks on friction Bellroy: not sponsored but these bum bags are quite literally Mary Poppins bags!! If someone in your network would love these conversations, please share along. Help us create Ripple Effects. This series is brought to you by Forever Projects, hosted by Soph Dicker, from the podcast So Invested - smart and unfiltered chats about money, business and building a life you are So Invested in. Inspired to join Forever Projects next Tanzania Immersion Trip in July 2026? Find out more and register your interest here.

    35 min

  7. 14/10/2025

    Purpose: the force behind a climb

    Today we begin the ascent of the world’s highest free-standing peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. At any true starting line - launching a company or scaling a mountain - the same question surfaces: What is your why? In other words, what’s the purpose that will keep you moving when the air gets thin? In this episode, we look at why the startup ecosystem is so rich in purpose, why purpose matters, and how to define or redefine your own. You’ll hear founders and operators share how a clear why attracts your tribe, underpins resilient companies, and balances passion with practical necessities like capital. All while leaning into our first type of wealth from Sahil Bloom’s framework on how to redefine success: Mental Wealth. What to expect in this episode: - Why is purpose important, either professional or personally - Frameworks to help you define purpose - A perspective on how purpose can change across your life seasons - Rituals or habits you can implement to move toward your purpose Voices you’ll hear: Will Richards: Founder of Overnight Success and Senior Associate at Encour Solai Valliappan: Angel Investor, Founder of Chai and Capital and Board Chair of Forever Projects (+ many other things!) Pam Stevenson: Head of People & Talent at OIF Ventures Mark Dombkins: Founder of Forever Projects Caleb Maru: Founder and CEO of Tech Safari Dr Dan: Expedition & Wilderness Medicine Mentions: Elinipa: The incredible Tanzanian artist who has kindly allowed us to use her music across the series Leadership coach Ben Crowe: check out some of Mojo Crowe’s perspective resources here Five Types of Wealth: reference to the wealth explored in today’s episode, Mental Wealth To try at home: Five-minute Ikigai sketch: list 3–5 bullets under each circle (love / good at / world needs / paid for) Ritualise space: commit to 10 minutes of journaling each morning for one week Micro-service today: do one small thing for someone else; notice how it shifts your sense of “why” If someone in your network would love these conversations, please share along. Help us create Ripple Effects. This series is brought to you by Forever Projects, hosted by Soph Dicker, from the podcast So Invested - smart and unfiltered chats about money, business and building a life you are So Invested in. Inspired to join Forever Projects next Tanzania Immersion Trip in July 2026? Find out more and register your interest here.

    36 min

  8. 14/10/2025

    Introduction: How a group of founders ended up in Tanzania

    A decade ago, Mark Dombkins and his wife Anna moved to Tanzania with their family, driven by a desire to adopt. During the process, they was confronted with a hard reality - stories of women having to seperate from their babies because of circumstances outside their control, such as the inability to lactate, illness or poverty. Mark and Anna found themselves asking a critical question:“What would have needed to change in our kids’ biological mothers’ stories so that abandonment and malnourishment could have been avoided in the first place?” That question became the foundation for Forever Projects: a non-profit dedicated to helping women in Tanzania break the cycle of poverty by creating sustainable income opportunities. Fast forward to July 2025. Mark had a new vision: to bring together a group of Australian founders and venture capital operators, to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and witness firsthand how empowering women to generate income doesn’t just change individual lives - it transforms entire communities. This is the introductory episode of an eight-part documentary-style mini-series. It takes you behind the scenes of a two-week immersion in Tanzania - from summiting the world’s highest free-standing peak to spending time on the ground with the Forever Projects team. The goal of this series? To document the raw and reflective moments that occur when you step away from our day-to-day realities and the noise that comes with it, to gain new perspectives that we can implement in our own contexts. Each episode will challenge you to stop, to reflect and ask where more perspective could fit into your routine. What to expect from each episode: - Tangible frameworks and actionable insights - Advice and reflections from founders with lived experience - Curated prompts to inspire reflection and growth Who this series is for: Founders, operators, career changers or climbers, or anyone seeking fresh perspective. Whether you’re passionate about self-development, social impact, or women’s empowerment - this series is for you. Mentions: Forever Projects - to learn more about the incredible work that the team are doing on the ground in Tanzania, please visit the website here Five Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom - a framework we explore throughout the series. I’d highly recommend you add this to your reading list.If someone in your network would love these conversations, please share along. Help us create Ripple Effects. This series is brought to you by Forever Projects, hosted by Soph Dicker, from the podcast So Invested - smart and unfiltered chats about money, business and building a life you are So Invested in. Inspired to join Forever Projects next Tanzania Immersion Trip in July 2026? Find out more and register your interest here.

    28 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

Ripple Effects is an eight-part documentary style series hosted by Soph Dicker from So Invested, following Australian founders and VC operators on a transformative two-week journey in Tanzania - climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and immersing themselves with the local work of the Forever Projects team to see how income generation breaks the poverty cycle for women. The series parallels the mountain of business building, exploring purpose, friction, fear of failure, perspective shifts, and the power of investing in women.

Information

  • Creator
    Forever Projects, hosted by So Invested
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Forever Projects, hosted by So Invested
  • Show Website
    Ripple Effects