I Want to Change the World

Janai Gilmore
  • 5.0 (16)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Biweekly

Hi! My name is Janai, and I’m the host of the "I Want to Change the World" podcast. That thought, “I want to change the world”, has been a guiding force behind so many decisions in my career and in my life, in general. But what does it really mean? In this podcast I pick at the questions that continue to follow me as I follow the question, “what does it looks like for me- and for all of us who feel called to the task- to actually change the world?” Tune in to to hear me (and sometimes guests!) share stories, ideas, lessons learned, and unanswered questions from my journey.

  1. Ep 29: Becoming an Activist w/ Christy McGillivray

    Apr 26

    Ep 29: Becoming an Activist w/ Christy McGillivray

    Normally on the podcast, listeners hear me interviewingpeople. But in Episode 29, the tables have turned! I had the honor of being interviewed by Christy McGillivray, Executive Director of Voters Not Politicians (VNP), a Michigan-based nonpartisan advocacy organization. Even though in our conversation Christy was the one askingquestions to learn from me, I definitely felt like a student!  While I’m pretty new to activism, Christy has been in the game a long time. Even as a student, she was organizing, working to shift power to the people least cared for in our society. And that’s been a thread throughout her career, whether as an educator or organizer, or in her role today, leading an organization that engages thousands of volunteers (including me!) to effect structural and systemic democracy reform that restores political power back to the people. Note: The conversation that you hear in the podcast is anedited version of a 45-minute video interview, Unpacking Power: Janai Gilmore on Philanthropy, Class, and Collective Action that I originally did for the VNP Substack channel. After you listen to this interview and become excited tolearn more about Christy and her work at Voters Not Politicians: Visit www.votersnotpoliticians.com andcheck out the VNP Substack at https://substack.com/@notpoliticiansFollow Christy on  LinkedIN @Christy MCheck out the VNP IG @votersnotpoliticians to stay up to date on ways you can take action to strengthen democracy.And, as you will have heard me mention ad nauseam in this episode, check out www.MopUpMichigan.org to learn how you can support the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics campaign! Connect with me, too!   LinkedIN @Janai GilmoreSubscribe to my newsletter: https://janai-gilmore.kit.com/

    42 min
  2. Ep 28: Beyond Philanthropy w/ Michael Gast

    08/18/2025

    Ep 28: Beyond Philanthropy w/ Michael Gast

    In Episode 28, I am excited to share my interview with Michael Gast. Mike has spent 20+ years organizing wealthy people like himself to invest not only their dollars but really their whole selves into creating an economy and social contract that works for everyone.   Through the writing and conversations that he puts out into the world as director of a multimedia project called “Organize the Rich”, Mike invites progressives/changemakers/do-gooders (read: all people who want to create a more just, equitable, and humane economy and society) to see beyond the myth that nonprofits are THE WAY to changethe world   the allure of the American individual upwardmobility journeythe idea that organizing/being organized is the sole responsibility of working classthe taboo of talking about money and socialclass. After you listen to this interview and become super curiousabout Mike’s work, you’ll want to: Check out his Substack at https://organizetherich.substack.com/Follow him on LinkedIN @Michael GastTune into his podcasts: Organize the Rich Radio onSpotify or Apple Podcasts Connect with me, too! LinkedIN @Janai GilmoreSubscribe to my newsletter: https://janai-gilmore.kit.com/

    40 min
  3. Ep 27: "We Gotta Tell the Truth." w/ Mark Greer

    05/19/2025

    Ep 27: "We Gotta Tell the Truth." w/ Mark Greer

    As I’ve contemplated my next career move since returninghome from Ghana, I’ve had to contend with competing thought bubbles floating in my head: “Sign me up to support the revolution!” “Sign me up for financial security!” “Sign me up to drive radical, progressive change in our society!” “Sign me up for the middle class living I thought lie aheadof me once I got this master’s degree!” How do I make these seemingly competing (if not downrightcontradictory!) desires fit neatly together? Is it even possible? In Episode 27, I am fortunate to be joined by Mark Greer,II, who is exceptionally well-qualified to help me unpack these questions. 'Duality' must be Mark’s middle name. Like me, he’s a native Detroit east sider from a working-class family AND he’s a private school graduate with a degree from theUniversity of Michigan. He started his career as a community organizer, AND he holds an MBA. He has worked in justice-centering spaces where he and hispeers openly advocated for reimagining systems like capitalism AND he’s worked at foundations and corporations attached tocompanies that actively reinforce those same systems. I can’t imagine a better person to offer insights into navigating the trade offs and nuances that we, as “professional do-gooders”, face as we build our careers in the social impact sector. Of course, after hearing Mark’s thoughtful reflections on the podcast, you’ll want to know more about him! Learn about his work as a Philanthropic Advisorwith Phila Engaged Giving, where he and his colleagues work with high-net-worth individuals and other donors to them “transform their wealth into justice” https://philagiving.com/mark-greer Read a piece he recently authored: TransformingWealth into Justice: A Call to High-Net-Wealth Changemakers https://philagiving.com/blog/2025/3/3/transforming-wealth-into-justice-a-call-to-high-net-wealth-changemakers Follow him on LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlgreer?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app As always, I would love to hear what this episode brings up for you! Feel free to drop me a line: In the comments on Spotify On LinkedIN On Instagram @missjanaiashley Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter, subscribe to the podcast, review, and share!

    43 min
  4. Ep 26: "We Will Win" w/ Amber Hamilton

    03/31/2025

    Ep 26: "We Will Win" w/ Amber Hamilton

    “We are going to change the world. We will win. It's just not going to happen tomorrow.I may not happen the day after tomorrow — but we will win.” In Episode 26, it is my pleasure to share my interview with Amber Hamilton, President and CEO of the Memphis Music Initiative/ Philanthropy Disruptor/ Freedom Fighter.   The words that she shared with me were soul food. I’m talking greens, hot water cornbread, and black-eyed peas. In 2025, that’s the kind of rich, hearty food that I need to sustain myself for the battles ahead. I’m not just talking about the fight against the destruction of valued American institutions and of the social safety net which once upon a time made America at least closer to greatness than it is today. I’m talking about the fight against fear and the temptation to silently acquiesce to a new normal which those who are opposed to justice, democracy, unity, and the common good are trying to establish. Of course, after listening to her brilliance on the podcast, you’ll want to know more about Amber and the great work she supports through Memphis Music Initiative! Listen to her TEDxMemphis Talk: A Poker Game and the Quest for Liberation Read about her: Amber HamiltonFollow her on LinkedIN I would loveto hear what this episode brings up for you. Feel free to drop me a line:  In the comments on SpotifyOn LinkedINOn Instagram @missjanaiashley Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter, subscribe to the podcast, leave me a review,and share!

    38 min

  5. 02/28/2025

    Ep 25: How to Cope with Being Human, Part Two

    A LOT has happened since I last started exploring the question“How do we cope with being human?” in my last episode. Chaos and craziness have been unfolding in my country, theUnited States – from the antics of the Trump administration to natural disasters in multiple parts of the country. To say nothing of what’s going on in the broader world (e.g., war in Congo and Sudan, the rightward- political shift in Europe, and the devastating fallout of the dismantling of USAID). In this political/social moment I believe it’s more important than ever for those of us who want a more equitable, humane world to remind ourselves of strategies that we can turn to when we do find ourselves falling into a space of overwhelm, cynicism, resignation, or despair. As you listen to Episode 25, “How to Cope with Being Human –Part Two” and hear me share the last three of my five strategies for how to cope with being human, I invite you to reflect on how YOU cope. Feel free to share your reflections with me: in the comments on Spotify in my inbox at janai@gilmorefacilitationllc.com via LinkedIN @Janai Gilmore via Instagram @missjanaiashley Last but not least, podcast references: A First Hand Account of What Homelessness in America is Really Like by Patrick Fealey (Nov 14, 2024)    The Source of Self Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations by Toni Morrison (Jan 2020) James Baldwin - Frontline Prophet by Sabrina Nelson Please don’t forget to review, share, and subscribe to thepodcast!

    23 min

  6. 12/28/2024

    Ep 24: How to Cope with Being Human, Part 1

    Before we’re “do-gooders” who want to change the world, we’re human beings. To be a human being means that we have to cope with our own anxieties, insecurities, and disappointments, no matter what’s going on in the world outside of our heads. To be a human being means that we live in a world that we didn't choose and that we have to cope with what author/coach Bina Patel calls “The F*ckery”: all the isms and systems and ways that humans harm other humans. How do we cope with being human —without completely succumbing to cynicism, resignation and despair? In this episode, I share two of my five strategies. Stay tuned for the next three in episode 25 ;). As you listen to episode 24 “How to Cope with Being Human – Part One”, I invite you to reflect on how YOU cope. I’d love to hear your strategies! Please share them with me: in the comments on Spotify in my inbox at janai@gilmorefacilitationllc.com  via LinkedIN @Janai Gilmore or via Instagram @missjanaiashley.

    21 min

  7. 03/08/2024 ·  Bonus

    Quick Update: Hello from Detroit!

    I'm back home! You can sign up for my newsletter at: https://janai-gilmore.ck.page/d54a8f40a1

    3 min
  8. Ep 23: The Question of Fulfillment

    01/31/2024

    Ep 23: The Question of Fulfillment

    In episode 23, I welcome you back to the classroom to explore questions which led me to take myself back to "Do Gooder School" in the first place: "Do I want to go back into the nonprofit/social impact space for the next step in my career post-sabbatical?" “Do I need to be a professional do gooder to feel like I'm making an impact in the world?” "If I decide to go back into the social impact space, how can I do it in a way in which I maintain a sense of joy in the work and avoid burnout?" I’m fortunate that this time around I get the chance to reflect on these questions through a conversation with my dear friend, Kyla Carlsen. Today she serves as the Interim Executive Director (ED) of the nonprofit organization Co.act Detroit (*when the current ED isn't away on sabbatical, she serves as Senior Director of Program Strategy & Innovation). However, the journey that led her from a career in corporate banking and private wealth management to leading an organization in the social impact space was unconventional, to say the least! Kyla's winding career path has led to her navigating different spaces – corporate, government, and nonprofit. This gives her a unique perspective that led to rich reflections on the questions listed above. Beyond her day job, Kyla's passion for equitable economic development, raising funds for good causes, connecting with people, and nurturing her own creativity leads her to all kinds of endeavors and adventures. You can keep up with her on IG @kylasc and on LinkedIN. You can now subscribe to my newsletter to stay up to date on my latest podcast episodes, workshops, and random musings.

    41 min
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About

Hi! My name is Janai, and I’m the host of the "I Want to Change the World" podcast. That thought, “I want to change the world”, has been a guiding force behind so many decisions in my career and in my life, in general. But what does it really mean? In this podcast I pick at the questions that continue to follow me as I follow the question, “what does it looks like for me- and for all of us who feel called to the task- to actually change the world?” Tune in to to hear me (and sometimes guests!) share stories, ideas, lessons learned, and unanswered questions from my journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Janai Gilmore
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Janai Gilmore
  • Show Website
    I Want to Change the World