Disruptors for GOOD | Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprises

Causeartist
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Disruptors for GOOD is a podcast that showcases global social entrepreneurship and social enterprises committed to ethical fashion, impact investing, climate mitigation, sustainable travel, and businesses generating positive global impact. Through in-depth interviews, Grant Trahant, the founder of Causeartist, engages with innovative and impactful startups and brands worldwide.

  1. FEB 2 · BONUS

    Thrive Market Case Study - The $1.2 Billion Company Revolutionizing Healthy Food Access

    The modern retail landscape is currently defined by a structural tension between consumer demands for convenience, the escalating necessity for sustainable practices, and the persistent inflationary pressures affecting household food security. Thrive Market has emerged as a seminal case study in resolving these tensions through a membership-based, digital-first model that integrates social impact directly into its financial architecture. Founded in 2014, the organization was conceptualized not just as a commercial enterprise but as a movement to democratize access to healthy living, specifically targeting the geographic and monetary barriers that have historically rendered organic and non-GMO products the exclusive domain of affluent, urban demographics. By operating as a hybrid of a wholesale club and a specialty health store, frequently articulated as "Costco meets Whole Foods", Thrive Market has successfully bypassed traditional retail markups, offering a hyper-curated catalog of over 6,500 products at prices 25% to 50% below traditional retail. Full case study ---------------------------------------- Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet. Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention. By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

    5 min

  2. JAN 22 · BONUS

    Eileen Fisher: Impact Business Case Study

    Eileen Fisher is an American fashion brand founded in 1984 by designer Eileen Fisher, known for its minimalist women’s apparel and pioneering commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Over four decades, the company has grown from a small startup (launched with just $350) into a medium-sized global enterprise with hundreds of millions in annual sales. The brand is particularly recognized for its use of organic and natural fibers, timeless designs, and innovative programs that promote circular fashion and social responsibility. Uniquely, Eileen Fisher (the person) still owns about 60% of the privately held company, while roughly 770 employees own the remaining 40% through an employee stock ownership plan. This shared ownership structure reinforces the company’s people-centered ethos. In 2015, Eileen Fisher became a certified B Corporation, voluntarily meeting high standards of social and environmental performance; as of 2025 it has been recertified four times, reflecting continuous improvement in its sustainability score. This case study examines how Eileen Fisher has integrated sustainable and ethical practices into its business model, its expansion beyond the U.S., and the latest developments up to 2025 that position the brand as a leader in responsible fashion. Full case study ---------------------------------------- Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet. Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention. By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

    5 min

  3. JAN 21 · BONUS

    The Fight for Power: A New Film Investigating the Surge in Our Energy Bills

    This Sundance, you’ll have the chance to experience a first look at the film’s sizzle — and to sit with other creators, funders, civic leaders, and artists wrestling with these questions at Power House, a warm and intentional gathering hosted by Powerlines.org just steps from Main Street. Over hot food and drinks, these conversations go beyond festival noise into how stories truly intersect with democratic life, citizen power, depolarization, and collaborative problem-solving. The Fight For Power isn’t just a film to watch, it’s a lens on what’s at stake for communities, for accountability, and for civic engagement in 2026 and beyond. To watch the sizzle and be part of this Sundance experience, RSVP at www.thefightforpowerfilm.com Full post here. ---------------------------------------- Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet. Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention. By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

    4 min

  4. JAN 20 · BONUS

    Meet KENT, Building Super Natural Basics Without Plastic

    In a fashion industry built on shortcuts, KENT has taken the harder road on purpose. Founded by Stacy Grace, KENT is a super natural basics brand focused on one simple but radical idea, underwear and essentials should be made entirely without plastic. No spandex. No polyester. No hidden synthetics. Just organic, plant based materials that are healthier for people and capable of returning to the earth at the end of their life. While many brands claim sustainability, KENT operates with a stricter definition. Every product is designed from fabric to thread to elastic using 100 percent natural materials, with the explicit goal of creating basics that can be composted instead of sitting in landfills for centuries. ---------------------------------------- Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet. Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention. By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

    4 min

  5. JAN 15 · BONUS

    Meet GIV Gowns: Why Patient Dignity Starts With What You Wear

    Healthcare has not changed its patient attire in over a century. That is not an exaggeration. While medicine, technology, and clinical standards have advanced at a remarkable pace, the patient gown has remained largely untouched, often becoming a quiet barrier to care rather than a support for it. Shawn Gibbs knows this firsthand. After 15 years in clinical practice, he repeatedly heard the same story from patients. People delayed or avoided care because they felt exposed, embarrassed, or powerless the moment they were handed a standard medical gown. Over time, that pattern became impossible to ignore. What started as individual patient conversations turned into a clear systemic failure. GIV Gowns was born from a simple but uncomfortable truth. Dignity matters in healthcare. Confidence matters. What a patient wears can influence whether they show up, how open they are during an exam, and how effectively a provider can do their job. GIV is building what Shawn calls a new gold standard for patient attire, designed with real human experience in mind, not institutional convenience. Read full interview ---------------------------------------- Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet. Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention. By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

    4 min
  6. A Conversation With Kate Williams, CEO of One Percent for the Planet

    JAN 13

    A Conversation With Kate Williams, CEO of One Percent for the Planet

    For nearly 25 years, One Percent for the Planet has quietly reshaped how businesses think about responsibility, strategy, and long term stewardship. What began as a simple commitment has grown into a global network spanning more than 100 countries and hundreds of millions of dollars in certified environmental giving. In this episode of Disruptors for GOOD, I sit down with Kate Williams, the organization’s CEO, to unpack how the model really works, why progress matters more than perfection, and what it takes to keep climate action grounded, practical, and nonpartisan. This conversation goes beyond surface level sustainability talk. It digs into how businesses of all sizes can meaningfully participate, how philanthropy becomes strategy when done right, and why steady commitments often outlast trends, politics, and fatigue. ---------------------------------------- Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet. Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention. By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

    30 min
  7. From Advocacy to Innovation: Jerry Golden, Chief Policy Officer at Lyft

    JAN 6

    From Advocacy to Innovation: Jerry Golden, Chief Policy Officer at Lyft

    Transportation has always shaped how societies function. Who can move, how easily they can get from one place to another, and at what cost often determines access to work, healthcare, education, and community. In the digital age, rideshare platforms have quietly become part of that infrastructure. In a recent conversation, I sat down with Jerry Golden, Chief Policy Officer at Lyft, to unpack how transportation policy, technology, and social responsibility intersect. The discussion covered Golden’s unconventional career path, the realities of policymaking in a fast moving sector, Lyft’s expanding role in disaster response and accessibility, and how autonomous vehicles may reshape the future. ---------------------------------------- Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet. Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention. By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

    32 min

  8. JAN 1 · BONUS

    Causeartist Next: Nominate a Social Entrepreneur

    For over a decade, Causeartist has published the annual Social Entrepreneurs to Watch list. If you know a founder building a real solution, put them on our radar. What is Causeartist Next?Causeartist Next is our annual list of social entrepreneurs building companies that put impact next to profit, not behind it. We cover founders creating practical solutions across climate, food, health, education, financial inclusion, ethical supply chains, and more. Check out the lists from past years: 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 / 2021 / 2022 / 2023 / 2024 / 2025 Frequently asked questions Is nomination required to be included?No. We also source founders through interviews, research, and referrals. Nominations help us find people we might miss. Do you charge to be featured?No. If someone asks you for money to get on the list, it is not us. Can I nominate myself?Yes. Self nominations are welcome and encouraged. 😀 When does the 2026 list publish?Deadline for nominations is January 20th. We publish in early February and share the list for all of 2026 via our website, newsletter, and social accounts. Nominate here ---------------------------------------- Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet. Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention. By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

    2 min
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Disruptors for GOOD is a podcast that showcases global social entrepreneurship and social enterprises committed to ethical fashion, impact investing, climate mitigation, sustainable travel, and businesses generating positive global impact. Through in-depth interviews, Grant Trahant, the founder of Causeartist, engages with innovative and impactful startups and brands worldwide.

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