Speaking of Purpose

Benevity
  • 5.0 (6)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Speaking of Purpose is where big questions meet bold conversations. We sit with the tough questions, challenge assumptions, and uncover the deeper forces shaping business, leadership, and legacy. In each episode, we explore how purpose fuels resilience - within companies, individuals, and communities - through insightful interviews, candid conversations, and research-backed insights. Because in today’s world, impact isn’t a nice-to-have...it’s a business imperative. New episodes every other week.

  1. 12/17/2025

    Force of Nature: Building a Sustainable Business of the Future with L’OREAL Canada

    A company's values are what truly drive its value. In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, Maya Colombani, Chief Sustainability, Human Rights and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at L’ORÉAL Canada, shares how her company’s sustainability strategy drives innovation, talent development and financial growth. From integrating sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion and social impact into every part of the business to building partnerships with Indigenous communities, Maya shows what it looks like to be a force for good and a global market mover.

    48 min

  2. 12/03/2025

    Purpose, Profit, and Public Pressure

    Shareholder, consumer and employee activism are top of mind for CEOs. Some companies are bending under pressure, while others are doubling down. So who really holds the power? In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, we sit down with Andrew Jones of the Conference Board to explore how today’s most resilient companies are embracing their communities and harnessing stakeholder influence to better navigate risk, build brand trust, and align values with long-term success. Plus, we look at the latest data on activism to what it means for the future of business.

    39 min

  3. 11/19/2025

    The Truth about Trust-Based Philanthropy

    Trust-based philanthropy has been a growing movement for the past five years, but it hasn’t come without its fair share of naysayers and skeptics. In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, we talk to Shaady Salehi, Co-Founder & Executive Director at the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project as the initiative enters its next phase of growth. In this conversation, we tackle the myths, the benefits, the opportunities and what it takes to forge nonprofit partnerships that in fact enable funders to realize their investment goals, if they are willing to practice a bit of flexibility and… trust!  Show Notes: Learn more about Trust-based philanthropy →  https://www.trustbasedphilanthropy.org/ Dive into Benevity’s State of Corporate Purpose report → https://benevity.com/state-of-corporate-purpose-2025  Learn more about Unite in Advance → https://nonprofitquarterly.org/unite-in-advance-philanthropy-coalition-launches-solidarity-campaign/  Learn more about Meet the Moment → https://www.trustbasedphilanthropy.org/meet-the-moment

    50 min

  4. 11/12/2025

    Meet the Benevity CEO Shaping the Future of Corporate Purpose

    In this rare episode of Speaking of Purpose by Benevity, host Sona Khosla sits down with the new CEO of Benevity, Soraya Alexander. They talk about everything from building community and connection through giving, obsessing about unlocking more generosity, the role of technology and the opportunity for AI to make us intentional about being human, and the need to protect corporate purpose in this moment. In this joy-filled, laughter-infused conversation, you’ll delight in getting to know Soraya Alexander–the woman behind the title. Show Notes: Learn more about Benevity’s CEO announcement → https://benevity.com/press-releases/benevity-names-soraya-alexander-chief-executive-officer

    45 min

  5. 11/05/2025

    The Fork in the Road for Nonprofit Funding

    Nonprofits are facing a turning point. As government funding shifts and donor behavior evolves, the sector stands at a fork in the road. Forced to rethink how it stays financially healthy and mission-focused. In this episode of Speaking of Purpose, we’ll unpack the growing strain on nonprofit budgets, the risks of relying solely on private philanthropy, and the rise of community-led giving models. We explore the warning signs, the opportunities, and what it will take to build lasting resilience in a changing funding landscape. Show Notes: Explore Charity Navigator → https://www.charitynavigator.org Support GlobalGiving → https://www.globalgiving.org Do Good Research Study → https://dogood.umd.edu/news/new-research-reveals-linkages-between-volunteerism-social-connections-0 Read Civic Participation Study → https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6765.12586 USAID Stop-Work Order → https://www.usaidstopwork.com/ Visit ACLU → https://www.aclu.org Learn About PEPFAR → https://www.state.gov/pepfar Check Malaria Data → https://malariaatlas.org/news/new-malaria-data-warns-millions-at-risk/ Browse NOAA Data → https://www.noaa.gov See what we’ll lose without Nonprofits → https://fortune.com/2025/09/07/nonprofits-youll-miss-them-when-theyre-gone/

    46 min

  6. 10/22/2025

    Cisco’s Bold Approach to Setting Impact Goals

    The way you think about goal-setting in business is about to change. In this episode of Speaking of Purpose by Benevity, we're joined by Charu Adesnik, Executive Director of Cisco Foundation and Director of Social Impact and Innovation for Cisco Systems. We deconstruct the company’s audacious goal to positively impact one billion lives within 10 years, which they exceeded ahead of schedule.Tune in to hear Charu and Sona talk about executive commitment, using business to drive impact, dealing with the unexpected, having the grace to test, and learn and what it means to authentically scale a  vision to “power an inclusive future for all.” Show Notes: Cisco Networking Academy → https://www.netacad.com/ Cisco’s 40years of Impact → https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/about/purpose/index.html Benevity’s State of Corporate Purpose Report → https://benevity.com/state-of-corporate-purpose-2025 Learn more about Cisco's 1 billion lives initiative → https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/about/purpose/social-impact/one-billion-lives.html netacad.com Cisco Networking Academy: Learn Cybersecurity, Python & More Cisco Networking Academy is a skills-to-jobs program shaping the future workforce. Since 1997, we have impacted over 20 million learners in 190 countries.  https://www.netacad.com/ Cisco Cisco Purpose - Power an Inclusive Future for All Learn how Cisco's Purpose aims to combine our technology, our people, and our broader ecosystem to power an inclusive future for all.  https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/about/purpose/index.html benevity.com State of Corporate Purpose 2025 The corporate purpose landscape is in a state of significant flux, with nearly two-thirds of companies redefining their purpose strategy in the past year. Cisco Positively Impacting 1 Billion Lives Cisco changed over one billion lives for the better through social impact investments with 100+ global non-profit partners, and Cisco Networking Academy programs.

    45 min

  7. 10/08/2025

    Patagonia's Former CEO Gives a Leadership Masterclass

    In this episode of Speaking of Purpose by Benevity, Rose Marcario, former CEO of Patagonia, joined us on stage at Benevity Live! for a leadership masterclass. Rose shares how bold, values-driven decisions and business strategy can coexist—and succeed.  Hear how this iconic CEO made decisions under pressure, how courageous leadership starts with small steps, and how nature is a perfect metaphor for resiliency. Learn more about the Enacting Purpose Initiative → enactingpurpose.org  🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

    30 min

  8. SEASON 4 TRAILER

    Welcome to Speaking of Purpose

    What if purpose wasn’t just a buzzword, but the key to resilience in business, life, and leadership? Speaking of Purpose is where we sit with the big questions, challenge the old narratives, and uncover the deeper forces shaping the way we work and lead. Each episode features candid conversations with inspiring changemakers—unpacking insights that matter, breaking down the research, and sharing real stories of impact.  If you believe in work that makes a difference, in leadership that lasts, and in businesses that walk the talk, this is your space.

    1 min
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Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Speaking of Purpose is where big questions meet bold conversations. We sit with the tough questions, challenge assumptions, and uncover the deeper forces shaping business, leadership, and legacy. In each episode, we explore how purpose fuels resilience - within companies, individuals, and communities - through insightful interviews, candid conversations, and research-backed insights. Because in today’s world, impact isn’t a nice-to-have...it’s a business imperative. New episodes every other week.

Information

  • Creator
    Benevity
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Speaking of Purpose... 2024 | Benevity Inc.
  • Show Website
    Speaking of Purpose