Storytelling For Social Impact

Ravinol Chambers
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Storytelling For Social Impact gives you expert insights and practical tools to help you break through the noise and avoid common pitfalls with your storytelling, creating a greater impact as a result.

  1. E16 Doing Good by Doing What You Do Best with Zahid Torres-Rahman, OBE

    6D AGO

    E16 Doing Good by Doing What You Do Best with Zahid Torres-Rahman, OBE

    In this episode of Storytelling for Social Impact, Ravinol Chambers speaks with Zahid Torres-Rahman OBE, co-founder of Business Fights Poverty, about a simple but powerful idea: the most effective way for organisations to contribute to social progress is often by doing what they already do best. Zahid has spent decades working at the intersection of business, development and social impact. Through Business Fights Poverty, he has helped connect thousands of leaders across companies, NGOs and institutions who are trying to tackle complex global problems together. What emerges from this conversation is a refreshing perspective on impact. Not a model driven by grand statements or corporate slogans. But one grounded in collaboration, humility and practical action. Ravinol and Zahid explore why the biggest barriers to solving social problems are rarely technical. More often, they are about relationships, trust and the ability to connect people across sectors who would not normally sit at the same table. They also discuss the role storytelling plays in this process. Stories help us see the human dimension behind abstract challenges. They help organisations communicate purpose in ways that feel real rather than performative. And they help leaders recognise where their work intersects with something larger than themselves. Some of the themes explored in this episode include: • Why business has a unique role to play in addressing social and environmental challenges • The idea that impact often comes from doing what you already do well, not trying to become something new • Why collaboration between businesses, NGOs and governments is essential, but often difficult • The importance of human relationships and trust in driving meaningful change • How storytelling can bring clarity, alignment and shared purpose to complex issues At its heart, this conversation is about a shift in mindset. Moving away from the idea that solving global problems belongs to one sector alone. And towards a recognition that real progress happens when people bring their different strengths together. As Zahid reflects in the episode, the goal is not perfection. It is progress, built through collaboration and grounded in the belief that each organisation can contribute something meaningful when it leans into what it does best. Whether you work in business, social impact, communications or leadership, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into how purpose, partnership and storytelling can come together to drive change. 00:00 Reconnecting After Covid 00:59 Human First Collaboration 03:40 Origin of Business Fights Poverty 05:00 From Finance to Impact 06:08 Do What You Do Best 08:16 B Corp and Mainstreaming Impact 12:49 Beyond Jargon to Kindness 14:13 Recapturing the Narrative 18:24 Stories With Agency 23:21 Comms That Cuts Through 31:56 Kindness and AI 34:10 Kindness Builds Trust 34:53 Self Acceptance And Growth 38:26 Come As Yourself 39:52 Choosing SDG 17 - Partnerships 42:50 Five Bridges To 2045 45:27 Peer Circles And Bridge Builders 50:22 Human-Centred Solutions 55:57 Trust Through Honest Storytelling 59:06 Campaigns That Cut Through 01:02:52 Unlearning Gender Norms 01:05:48 Where To Find Business Fights Poverty Ravinol on LinkedinPurpose Driven Storytelling Agency & Video Production CompanyZahid on LinkedinCollaborating for Social Impact - Business Fights Poverty

    1h 7m
  2. E15 The Alchemy of Storytelling: Reframing Risk as Opportunity in Innovative Finance with Rafia Qureshi

    FEB 1

    E15 The Alchemy of Storytelling: Reframing Risk as Opportunity in Innovative Finance with Rafia Qureshi

    In this episode, host Ravinol Chambers engages in a compelling discussion with Rafia Qureshi, who shares her journey from venture capital to social impact investing. They reminisce about their shared history and delve into the dynamics of philanthropy, innovative finance, and gender equality in the context of global challenges. Rafia shares her passion for gender equality rooted in her personal experiences in Pakistan. The conversation underscores the transformative potential of storytelling in shifting perceptions of risk, bridging capital silos, and catalysing systemic change. Key themes include the necessity of collaborative capital, the importance of redefining risk in philanthropy, and the role of narratives in making complex issues relatable and investible. 00:00 Introduction and Reconnecting 00:39 Journey into Social Impact 02:16 The Shift to Corporate Philanthropy 05:16 Personal Connection to Gender Equality 07:52 Global Upbringing and Career Path 10:15 The Power of Storytelling in Philanthropy 15:09 Women in Social Impact and Climate Change 20:44 Rewriting Narratives in Global Finance 27:45 The Evolution of Philanthropy 28:27 The Power of Storytelling in Investment 29:08 Water Equity: A Success Story 29:58 Show and Tell: Building Trust 33:17 The Role of Narratives in Unlocking Capital 41:28 Embracing Failure in the Social Sector 48:30 The Importance of Storytelling Across Organisations 52:17 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections Lebec - Mainstreaming Innovative FinanceRafia's Linkedin profileBe Inspired Films - Purpose Driven Video Production AgencyRavinol's Linkedin profile

    51 min
  3. E14: The Contrarian's Guide to Social Impact: Liam Black's Journey

    JAN 4

    E14: The Contrarian's Guide to Social Impact: Liam Black's Journey

    In this insightful episode of the Storytelling for Social Impact Podcast, host Ravinol delves into the power and nuances of storytelling in driving social change. Guest Liam Black, a seasoned social entrepreneur, shares his journey and the lessons learned from scaling Furniture Resource Center (FRC) into a profitable social enterprise, to now sitting on boards to share his experience, and mentoring others for success. Discussion topics include the importance of financial sustainability for impact-driven businesses, avoiding groupthink, the significance of authenticity in storytelling, and how to craft compelling narratives for diverse stakeholders, including investors, customers, and employees. Liam also sheds light on the evolving landscape of social enterprises, the rise of the B Corporation movement, and the importance of addressing inequality. Tune in to discover practical advice on leveraging storytelling to make meaningful societal impacts and hear personal anecdotes that highlight the trials and triumphs of purposeful entrepreneurship. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:36 Guest Introduction: Liam Black 01:17 The Power of Storytelling in Business 01:39 Catching Up with Liam 03:07 Liam's Journey in Social Enterprise 09:44 The Importance of Profit in Social Enterprises 17:29 The Cat's Pajamas Initiative 23:04 Challenges and Realities of Social Enterprises 32:29 The Role of Storytelling in Social Impact 33:14 Memorable Campaigns and Stories 35:14 The Power of Personal Storytelling 37:24 Phases of Life and Career 39:49 Authenticity in Storytelling 48:31 Challenges running a Social Enterprise 58:21 Liam's challenge to us all to think about our own impact story 01:00:58 Closing Remarks and Call to Action Ravinol's Linkedin profileBe Inspired Films Purpose Driven Video Production Agency Liam's Linkedin profileBarnardo's TV Advert - Excellent advert which never got televised due to the swearing. But it brilliantly captures the essence of their work.

    56 min
  4. EP13: Beyond the Hook: Building Places of Belonging with Ala Ho

    12/07/2025

    EP13: Beyond the Hook: Building Places of Belonging with Ala Ho

    In this episode of the Storytelling for Social Impact Podcast, host Ravinol Chambers sits down with Ala Ho, founder of design agency And Human, for a thoughtful, wide-ranging discussion about integrating the human touch into brand storytelling amidst the rise of AI or whatever new tech comes along. Ala shares insights into successful and unsuccessful campaigns, including American Eagle and Kit Kat, highlighting the importance of brands knowing what they stand for in the face of criticism and learning to spot cultural trends in the sales data. They also delve into the intricacies of marketing tactics, short vs. long-form content and discuss the power of brands to create meaningful connections and foster community. The conversation wraps up with practical advice for organisations on creating spaces that facilitate genuine belonging. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:37 Guest Introduction: Ala Ho and And Human 00:53 The Importance of Human Element in Branding 01:59 Discussion on Cities and Homelessness 03:49 Branding and Personal Belonging 08:02 Short Form vs. Long Form Content 14:04 Polarization and Social Media 19:03 Brands and Sustainable Development Goals 20:53 Eras of Marketing and Branding 26:01 Campaigns: Successes and Failures 28:36 The Fear of Cancel Culture 29:45 Brand Authenticity and Credibility 30:41 The Wildfire of Outrage in Internet Content 31:58 The Reality Behind Social Media 35:46 The Importance of Email Lists 37:17 The Human Touch in Marketing 39:02 AI & Personalisation in Communication 42:18 Effective Messaging for NGOs 48:26 Creating Meaningful Brand Connections 51:35 Parting Nuggets and Final Thoughts American Eagle: Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans - Ala references this advert created by American Eagle, and the controversy surrounding it. In particular, what was interesting was how they responded confident in their own values.The reason KitKat took off in Japan - Ala references this interesting trend Kitkat noticed in their sales data that led KitKats to become the most popular good luck symbol for students taking big exams.Be Inspired Films website - We help organisations communicate clearly so people notice them, understand them and choose them, using our Impact Storytelling System™. We define your core story and link it to your strategy. We train your people to tell that story clearly and consistently across every channel. We create cinematic content that helps you win the moments that matter.Ravinol Chambers on Linkedin - I help purpose-led organisations use video to win the moments that matter across purpose, recruitment, growth, culture, events & impact. | Monk-turned-Moviemaker | Award Winning Founder | Certified B Corp 2015 |andhüman | Home - We build brands people can't stop talking about — using the BelongingOSTM to unite strategy, identity, and experience into growth systems that spark connection, loyalty and advocacy.Ala Ho on Linkedin - Founder of andhuman | Building brands people can’t stop talking about | Polymath advocate | Lecturer

    59 min
  5. EP12: Lighting Up Africa: Richard Turner's Journey with Solar Aid

    11/02/2025

    EP12: Lighting Up Africa: Richard Turner's Journey with Solar Aid

    12 EP12: Lighting Up Africa: Richard Turner's Journey with Solar Aid In this episode of the Storytelling for Social Impact Podcast, Ravinol delves into the significance of storytelling in amplifying social impact. Guest, Richard Turner, Fundraising Director at Solar-Aid, shares insights from his extensive experience in renewable energy fundraising. Richard shares Solar-Aid's mission to provide sustainable energy to every household in Africa, their innovative market-catalysing strategies, and the importance of adapting narratives to different stakeholders. The episode highlights a landmark achievement in Malawi and explores the six-step approach to effective renewable fundraising, emphasising the power of enabling others to tell your story. Be Inspired Films - Purpose Driven Video Agency - Helping purpose-driven organisations turn video storytelling into measurable results through their Impact™ Storytelling System. Build Trust. Drive Growth. Create Impact Strategy consultancy Storytelling & video training Cinematic multi-channel content creationToday, 100% of Kasakula is connected to solar | SolarAid - SolarAid has successfully provided solar lamps to every home in the Kasakula community in Malawi through its "Light a Village" program, which began on August 26, 2025. This initiative, which included 8,813 households, schools, and a health clinic, uses an Energy-as-a-Service model where families pay a small daily fee for solar systems with maintenance included. The program aims to demonstrate that universal energy access is achievable and to strengthen local capacity by training local agents for installation and maintenance. Sticky Marketing book by Grant Leboff - Richard mentions Grant Leboff's book as an early inspiration for the emphasis they put on enabling others to tell your story for you at Solar Aid. 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Meet Richard Turner: CEO of Solar Aid 01:13 The Mission of Solar Aid 02:40 Challenges and Solutions in Renewable Energy 03:24 The Role of Philanthropy in Solar Aid's Success 05:09 Achieving 100% Energy Access in Malawi 06:52 The Broader Impact of Solar Energy 09:08 Sustainable Business Models for Solar Energy 11:07 Innovative Approaches to Solar Energy Distribution 21:44 Celebrating Milestones and Future Goals 23:29 Sponsor Message: Be Inspired Films 27:23 The Economic Model of Solar Aid 35:35 The Importance of Solar Energy in Africa 36:36 Challenges and Barriers to Solar Projects 37:39 Sustainable Business Models for Solar Solutions 38:35 Fundraising Strategies and Insights 39:51 The Role of Individual Philanthropists 41:06 Scaling Up Solar Projects 42:32 The Power of Storytelling in Fundraising 46:42 Renewable Fundraising Approach 56:04 Understanding and Engaging Your Audience 01:06:09 Future Vision and Expansion Plans 01:09:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1h 11m
  6. EP11: Why Story Wins Capital with Audrey Selian

    10/05/2025

    EP11: Why Story Wins Capital with Audrey Selian

    The best story wins the capital. In this episode of The Storytelling for Social Impact Podcast, Ravinol speaks with Audrey Selian, an experienced impact investor and connector for good. Audrey shares her journey from corporate America into impact investing, the importance of storytelling in securing finance and the nuances of investing in developing regions like India. Audrey also delves into her personal background, sharing how her Armenian heritage has influenced her approach to impact investing, and discusses various systemic challenges and potential solutions in the field of social impact finance. Audrey Selian on Linkedin Impact for Breakfast meetings Artha Impact 00:00 Introduction 01:51 Audrey Selian's Early Career 05:01 Graduate School and Shift to Impact Work 09:40 Navigating the Impact Investment Space 18:17 Cultural Influences and Sensitivity in Impact Work 29:48 Reflecting on Corporate Storytelling Gone Wrong 30:19 Challenges in Impact Investment 31:19 The Success Story of Ajaita Shah and Frontier Markets 33:43 The Role of AI in Marketing 34:35 The Importance of Effective Storytelling 35:29 Navigating the Competitive Funding Landscape 39:04 The Fragmented Nature of Impact Finance 40:16 Choosing an SDG: Personal Reflections 41:08 The Critical Role of Partnerships 46:03 The Need for Leadership and Collaboration 54:39 Balancing Disruption and Tradition 59:35 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

    1h 2m
  7. EP10: Future-Proofing Fundraising: Insights on AI and Storytelling with Howard Lake

    09/07/2025

    EP10: Future-Proofing Fundraising: Insights on AI and Storytelling with Howard Lake

    In Season 2 of the 'Storytelling for Social Impact' podcast, we delve into impactful storytelling techniques to drive social change. This episode features an insightful conversation with Howard Lake, a pioneer in the fundraising space with a career spanning over 40 years. We discuss the role of emotion in impactful storytelling, the balance between professional and emotional communication, and the evolving landscape of digital and AI tools in the nonprofit sector. Howard shares his experiences from pioneering digital fundraising to exploring AI's potential in today’s social impact initiatives, emphasising the importance of alignment, curiosity, and authentic narratives. 00:00 Introduction to Season Two 01:26 Meet Howard Lake: A Fundraising Pioneer 03:51 Howard's Early Career and Innovations 10:41 The Role of Emotion in Fundraising 16:22 Challenges and Changes in the Charity Sector 20:41 The Importance of Board Buy-In 26:31 Memorable Campaigns that stood out 28:07 The Power of 'Save Everyone' 28:41 Human Cost and Unexpected Stories 29:18 Making Others the Hero 31:02 The Importance of Storytelling in Charities 31:46 External Support and Fresh Perspectives 37:43 Challenges and Mental Health in Fundraising 47:56 The Role of AI in Fundraising 55:35 Final Thoughts and Takeaways Follow the podcast for new episodes and leave a review to keep us going Claire House [home of the story about Jack]Giving X Ltd | LinkedInGiving X Ltd - LinkedinFundraising.AI - Building a Responsible and Beneficial AI Community for Fundraising - Check out the future of fundraisingHoward Lake - Linkedin - Get in touch with HowardRevolutionise research - Leading source of fundraising researchGreat Fundraising Organizations [book] - Howard mentions this book by Alan Clayton a few times as a great resource

    57 min
  8. Season One Was Just the Start – Leave a Review to Help Us Grow

    05/04/2025 · BONUS

    Season One Was Just the Start – Leave a Review to Help Us Grow

    Hi listeners, I hope you are enjoying the lovely sunshine we have been blessed with and are appreciating the flowers in bloom in this lovely spring season. We are taking a break after season one until September, but we have a small favour to ask you. If you have been enjoying the podcast please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, it is very encouraging for us to hear your thoughts and also helps us to grow the podcast. We are currently planning season two, please share any ideas or topics you have for us to cover and any great guests we should have on. Until we see you next in September, have a wonderful summer! Oh and to ake sure you know when we publish next, make sure you follow the show on your podcast platform.

    2 min
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About

Storytelling For Social Impact gives you expert insights and practical tools to help you break through the noise and avoid common pitfalls with your storytelling, creating a greater impact as a result.

Information

  • Creator
    Ravinol Chambers
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Ravinol Chambers
  • Show Website
    Storytelling For Social Impact