Project Good Podcast

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Project Good is a social impact podcast interviewing experts and advocates about the pressing problems that we face globally and hearing how they suggest we move forward in the future.

Jul 7

The Practical Utopian

In this episode of the Project Good Podcast, host Annmarie Hylton welcomes author and climate advocate Guy Dauncey, who describes himself as a “practical utopian” and “realistic dreamer,” to discuss how to face climate change, political division, economic anxiety, and social fragmentation without despair. Guy argues that renewable solutions are advancing rapidly, yet fossil fuels persist due to profit and propaganda, and he frames capitalism as a culture of selfishness masked by “scientific” economics. Drawing on human history, he contrasts domination with cooperation and emphasizes democracy, economic democracy, and community action as paths forward. He previews his book The Economics of Kindness, proposing social purpose charters for businesses, stronger worker rights, cooperative ownership in workplaces and housing, fairer taxation of extreme wealth, and “circles of hope” that rebuild trust through local relationships and collective organizing. 00:00 Welcome to Project Good 01:55 Meet Guy Dauncey 03:34 Practical Utopian Mindset 08:57 Kindness Meets Economics 15:57 Democracy and Economic Power 26:49 Is Selfishness Human Nature 34:05 Ending Capitalism Blueprint 38:36 Housing Crisis and Public Housing 43:00 Democracy And Central Banks 48:31 Community Wealth Trust 01:13:47 Closing Resources Guy Dauncey is an author, climate advocate, systems thinker, and self-described "practical utopian." For more than forty years, he has explored what it will take to create a future that is not only sustainable, but also more just, compassionate, and deeply human. Through his books, speaking, and advocacy, Guy has challenged the idea that hope is simply a feeling. Instead, he argues that hope is something we build through action, imagination, and a willingness to rethink the systems that shape our lives. Check out his new book The Economics of Kindness out this July 2026.
Jun 16

Prison Reform

Host Annmarie Hylton introduces the Project Good Podcast’s June focus on prison reform, outlining longstanding criticisms of California’s prison system and recent reform efforts. She interviews Keith Wattley, founder and executive director of Uncommon Law, about what drew him into criminal justice reform and why he built a legal model centered on partnership, people-first language, and clients’ agency to tell their stories to the parole board. Wattley argues that punishment is often chosen over healing, that trauma and disconnection commonly underlie harm across society, and that accountability means acknowledging harm and taking steps to repair it. He discusses racial and wealth disparities as policy choices, cautions against simplistic comparisons to Scandinavian models, and describes how proximity to incarcerated people shifts stereotypes. Wattley highlights that people released from long and life sentences have extremely low violent recidivism (under 1%) and calls for healing-focused policies and community-based alternatives to incarceration. 00:00 Welcome to Project Good 01:02 Meet Keith Wattley 03:20 Why Reform Work 07:55 Beyond Labels and Systems 10:54 Trauma and Healing 14:10 Redemption and Accountability 24:27 Race Policy and Targeting 29:48 Models Beyond America 34:21 Training New Advocates 43:29 Recidivism Myths and Money 50:31 Healing Community Action 01:00:52 Closing and Resources Keith Wattley (he/him), Founder and Executive Director, received his B.A. in Psychology from Indiana University and his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law. He has been advocating for the rights of people in prison and on parole for more than 25 years. Prior to launching UnCommon Law in 2006, Keith was a staff attorney at the Prison Law Office, a nonprofit law firm in Berkeley. At UnCommon Law, he has focused on helping people transform their lives and demonstrate to the parole board that they can safely be released from their life sentences. He has also engaged in impact litigation and individual cases involving unlawful prison and parole conditions, and he has trained hundreds of lawyers, law students and others in advocating for the rights of incarcerated people. In 2018, Keith was selected as one of the Obama Foundation’s inaugural Fellows, recognizing his unique legal model and vision, and in 2020, he was awarded the James Irvine Foundation's Leadership Award. Keith has been active on several boards of directors, and served as co-chair of the Institutional Review Board (human subjects committee) for the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. He was also a member of the Founding Board of Directors for the Prison University Project (San Quentin’s College Program) and a member of the Board of Directors for Legal Services for Prisoners with Children. Keith currently teaches a course titled "California Prisons and Discretionary Parole" at UC Berkeley School of Law where he also supervises the Post-Conviction Advocacy Project.
May 29

Leadership with a Spiritual Impact

Host Annmarie Hylton introduces the Project Good Podcast’s May theme, “leadership with a spiritual impact,” describing a global crisis of meaning, ethical leadership, information overload, and a shift from transactional to transformational leadership. She interviews Reverend Kevin Taylor—pastor, leadership advisor, and author of A Charge to Keep—about his upbringing in Ann Arbor, an exchange trip to Japan, attending Tuskegee University, and how urban ministry led him into education administration and governance. Taylor argues America’s spiritual roots matter most in how values show up in leadership, voting, and policy, and says fear and polarization keep people from naming beliefs while disagreeing respectfully. He calls for seeking common ground, improving inclusion, and rethinking outdated institutions like the size of Congress and the Supreme Court. He frames faith as a guide for humane workplace decisions, urges AI governance and accountability, and explains his book’s practical lessons on lonely leadership, mentorship, pacing, and integrity. Taylor closes by encouraging civic responsibility, learning from U.S. history, “changing your square,” and confronting climate-driven migration and resource challenges with shared humanity and hope. 00:00 Welcome to Project Good 01:55 Meet Reverend Kevin Taylor 04:27 Kevin’s Journey and Calling 08:53 Faith, Politics, and US Values 14:47 Fear, Identity, and Speaking Up 28:12 Finding the Happy Middle 34:34 What Leaders We Need Now 41:05 Faith at Work and Hope 44:29 AI, Governance, and the Future 51:09 Why He Wrote the Book 59:06 Leading Yourself Forward 01:06:03 Closing and Where to Learn More Rev. Kevin T. Taylor is a pastor, leadership advisor, and the author of A Charge to Keep, a book exploring the real weight of authority and the decisions leaders must carry alone. Drawing from years of experience in ministry, executive leadership, and organizational governance, Kevin helps leaders think more clearly about responsibility, courage, and the cost of leadership. His work focuses on helping leaders move the decisions they’ve been carrying into action with clarity and integrity. Kevin is passionate about conversations that help leaders steward influence faithfully and lead with greater wisdom. You can find out more about Rev. Taylor at https://revkttaylor.com/
May 7

Fair Trade

Host Annmarie Hylton opens the Project Good Podcast’s May focus on fair trade, noting widespread global economic anxiety and trade’s historic injustices, then interviews Dr. Arisbe Mendoza, Director of Global Impact Advocacy and Partnerships at Fairtrade International. Mendoza shares how growing up amid inequality in Mexico and later living in Brazil shaped her work, and explains fair trade’s origins from 1940s alternative trade through the first label in 1988 and the founding of Fairtrade International in 1997, with independent auditing by FLOCERT. She outlines how standards protect producers via minimum price floors, premiums democratically invested in communities, and audits covering both producers and traders, while noting products must also be sold under fair trade conditions. The conversation covers certification for cooperatives and labor organizations, producer-network support, a women-led Indonesian coffee co-op using premiums for agroforestry and community health, alignment with SDGs, challenges from EU due-diligence rules like deforestation requirements, and ways consumers can help by buying Fairtrade-labeled products and participating in Fair Trade Month. 00:00 Welcome to Project Good 01:58 Meet Dr Mendoza 04:02 Her Story and Roots 07:05 Trade Policy and Prices 08:24 Fair Trade Origins 13:59 Standards and Protections 18:39 Certification and Audits 23:47 How the Premium Works 25:46 Indonesia Women Coffee Co-op 33:46 Fair Trade and the SDGs 40:03 Deforestation Rules and Advocacy 47:07 What Consumers Can Do 49:23 Why Fair Trade Matters 52:52 Closing and Resources Guest Bio Dr. Arisbe Mendoza is the Director of Global Impact, Advocacy and Partnerships at Fairtrade International. In her role she leads global advocacy, partnerships & program implementation, and impact teams driving alignment and global initiatives to deliver meaningful improvements for over 2 million Fairtrade producers across 70 countries. Her focus is on building strong collaborations, leveraging data and insights to inform strategy, enhancing fair sustainability compliance across the supply chain, and scaling effective programs that deliver impact to producers. During her earlier career she focused on research, spending over 10 years leading projects on biodiversity, climate change, and socio-economic vulnerability, primarily in Brazil and Mexico and published 20 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Ecological Economics and Food Chain.
Mar 18

Human Rights & Women in Iran

Annmarie Hylton introduces Project Good’s March focus on human rights and women in Iran, highlighting protests fueled by repression, gender inequality, and the death of Mahsa Amini. She interviews Iranian human rights activist Zolal Habibi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, whose activism is shaped by her father’s death in the 1988 massacre. Habibi argues Iranians have fought dictatorship for over a century and reject both war and appeasement, emphasizing an organized resistance and “resistance units” inside Iran. She outlines the NCRI’s 10-point plan and a transition roadmap including a six-month interim government, elections, and a new constitution, stressing gender equality, abolition of the death penalty, and separation of religion and state. Habibi describes women’s long-building leadership role, predicts major change in 2026, and suggests ways outsiders can help through awareness, accountability, and support resources. 00:00 Welcome to Project Good 00:27 Iran Protests Context 01:55 Meet Zolal Habibi 03:38 Finding Strength in Activism 11:01 Why Iranians Keep Fighting 16:35 History of Foreign Interference 20:47 Resistance Units on the Ground 22:37 Roadmap After Regime Change 28:57 War and No Appeasement 36:33 Youth and Rejecting Monarchy 44:51 Why Women Lead the Movement 57:00 Crystal Ball for 2026 01:01:27 How the World Can Help 01:05:11 Closing and Resources Guest Bio Zolal Habibi serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), where she advocates globally for a free, secular, and democratic Iran. With over two decades of dedicated activism, she has become a fierce advocate on behalf of the voiceless inside Iran, regularly appearing in international forums, human rights conferences, and live broadcasts across major media platforms. Zolal's activism began in her teens, profoundly shaped by the loss of her father—a respected Iranian writer and political dissident—who was killed by the regime during the 1988 massacre. This personal tragedy ignited a lifelong commitment to ensuring that no other family suffers such loss, and that the voices of Iran's political prisoners, dissidents, and freedom-seekers are heard on the world stage. Her work has directly contributed to securing international recognition of the 1988 massacre as a crime against humanity and the safe relocation of 3,000 at-risk dissidents from Iraq, demonstrating her ability to translate advocacy into tangible, life-saving outcomes.
Mar 9

Facing Reality

Annmarie Hylton introduces the Project Good Podcast’s theme, “2026 facing reality,” and interviews Robin Harris, a certified hypnotherapist, interfaith minister, and technologist focused on protecting human potential. Harris argues that beyond acknowledging global structural pressures, people must take responsibility rather than outsourcing power to institutions and technology, which she says is eroding critical thinking and compassion while deepening fear and polarization. She calls for responsible innovation that accounts for real community costs (jobs, electricity, water, local impacts like data centers), warns against seeking political “saviors,” and predicts 2026 will be a pivotal year when political and AI failures could force new laws and renewed civic engagement. Harris urges individuals to pursue self-discovery and unique potential over failing cookie-cutter paths, and advises leaders to prioritize “humanity first” and win-win solutions. 00:00 Welcome to Project Good 00:55 Meet Robin Harris 02:58 Tech Outsourcing and Human Decline 05:32 Responsibility Over Institutions 07:51 Responsible Innovation and Accountability 12:21 Generations and Legacy 17:34 Boiled Frog and Broken Narratives 21:36 The Oh Crap Wake Up Moment 29:01 Information Silos and Trust in Government 33:07 When Reality Hits Home 38:59 Critical Mass Awakening 45:29 Find Your Unique Path 54:27 Humanity First Closing
12/30/2025

Globalization and Cultural Appropriation

In this episode of the Project Good podcast, host Annmarie Hylton explores the intricate topics of globalization and cultural appropriation with guest Professor Rina Arya. Professor Arya, a critical cultural theorist, shares her personal and academic journey examining the significance of cultural identity, migration, and marginalization. They discuss the power imbalances that arise when elements of marginalized cultures are adopted without proper understanding or respect, highlighting how globalization can both connect and exploit cultures. The conversation delves into how individuals and organizations can engage in ethical and informed cultural exchange. Professor Arya also provides insight into her forthcoming book on cultural appropriation, as well as her existing work exploring the lived experiences of South Asian psychiatrists in the UK. 00:00 Introduction to Project Good Podcast 00:26 Exploring Globalization and Cultural Appropriation 01:37 Interview with Professor Rina Arya 03:24 Personal Experiences with Cultural Appropriation 09:55 Defining Cultural Appropriation 14:24 The Impact of Cultural Appropriation on Food 22:01 Challenges of Equal Cultural Exchange 29:13 Reflecting on Cultural Plunder and Identity 29:27 Unraveling Historical Injustices 30:14 Awareness and Repatriation Efforts 33:13 Generational Perspectives on Cultural Identity 36:15 The Role of Social Media in Cultural Appropriation 40:31 Cultural Pride and Hybrid Identities 44:50 Power Dynamics and Global Shifts 52:27 Upcoming Book: Reclaiming the Debate on Cultural Appropriation 55:34 Final Thoughts and Collective Responsibility Professor Rina Arya is a critical and cultural theorist, Professor and Head of School of the Arts at Hull University and the co-author of the book Journey to the Centre of the Self which showcases the experiences of South Asian psychiatrists in the UK and provides insight into the significance of cultural identity, migration and marginalisation on their lives and work. Professor Arya initially studied Art History at the University of Leicester which was followed by a MA in Theology at the University of Leeds and a PhD at the University of Glasgow on the expression and experience of the sacred in ‘Death of God’ culture resulting in her 2012 monograph Francis Bacon: Painting in a Godless World which was long-listed for the W. M. Berger Art History Prize.Her research areas include abjection and disgust, theology and visual art, the sociology of the sacred and visual religious studies. You can purchase Dr. Arya’s book Journey to the Centre of the Self Exploring the Lived Experiences of South Asian Psychiatrists on Amazon and Cambridge University Press by going to Cambridge University Press https://www.cambridge.org/out and look out for her forthcoming Book Reclaiming The Debate on Culture Appropriation in the UK on Amazon
12/11/2025

Identity Violence

In this episode of the Project Good Podcast, host Annmarie Hylton engages in a profound discussion with Jai-Ayla Sutherland, Program Manager of Mass Violence and Atrocities at the Stanley Center for Peace and Security. The conversation delves into the roots and persistence of identity-based violence, exploring frameworks for building more inclusive societies. Jai-Ayla shares her journey from Wyoming to working on international security issues and emphasizes the importance of community engagement, structural equality, and evidence-based prevention strategies. The episode provides an in-depth look at current global challenges, the role of identity in conflicts, and the necessity of collaborative and inclusive policy solutions to foster peace and resilience. 00:00 Welcome to Project Good Podcast 00:57 Introducing Jai-Ayla Sutherland 02:51 Jai-Ayla's Journey into International Relations 06:47 Understanding Identity-Based Violence 30:48 Community and Law Enforcement Collaboration 41:19 Global Perspective on Identity and Climate Change 48:33 Message to the Younger Generation 51:51 Conclusion and Call to Action Jai-Ayla Sutherland is a Program Officer for mass violence and atrocities at the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, where she supports efforts to build resilience to the worst kinds of violence by working with representatives from government, civil society, and the private sector to develop networks and promote evidence-based prevention strategies. She has worked in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, and has experience conducting research on the roots of violent conflict in Africa and the Middle East and analyzing structural needs and policy approaches to preventing mass atrocities. She has a masters in international security from the University of Denver along with a degree in international relations from the University of Southern California. For more than 65 years, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security has brought together members of the global community to exchange ideas, foster innovation, and take collective action. The Stanley Center drives policy in three issue areas: mitigating climate change, avoiding the use of nuclear weapons, and preventing mass violence and atrocities. To learn more about identity based violence, visit ibmv.org

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Project Good is a social impact podcast interviewing experts and advocates about the pressing problems that we face globally and hearing how they suggest we move forward in the future.

Creator

projectgoodpodcast
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

83
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Project Good Podcast

Project Good Podcast

Episodes

The Practical Utopian

Prison Reform

Leadership with a Spiritual Impact

Fair Trade

Human Rights & Women in Iran

Facing Reality

Globalization and Cultural Appropriation

Identity Violence

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