Better Good with Scott M. Curran

Scott M. Curran

Discover how the best do good—and how you can too. Scott M. Curran sits down with the innovators reimagining how the world does good—bringing you conversations you won’t hear anywhere else: candid stories, proven strategies, and actionable insights listeners can use in their lives, careers, and missions. Dive inside the playbook of the world’s top social impact leaders—so anyone can learn to do more good, better.

  1. 1d ago

    Dina Benadon: The Untold Story of Walt Disney's Birthplace

    What if the story of Walt Disney didn't begin with Mickey Mouse, Disneyland, or Hollywood—but inside a small house on Chicago's West Side? Before Walt Disney became one of the most influential creative visionaries in history, he was a child growing up in a home designed by his mother, Flora Disney, and built by his father, Elias Disney. More than a century later, that same house is being restored and transformed into a place dedicated to inspiring imagination, creativity, and innovation in future generations. Dina Benadon is the Co-Founder of Walt Disney Birthplace and CEO of Super 78, an award-winning creative studio developing immersive attractions and entertainment experiences for theme parks around the world. On this episode of BETTER GOOD, Scott M. Curran sits down with Dina to explore the remarkable story behind the restoration of Walt Disney's childhood home, the family influences that helped shape his imagination, and how preserving an important piece of Disney history can inspire future generations. Dina shares how she and her team discovered the historic home in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood, purchased the property, and began the challenging process of restoring it to its original appearance. Along the way, they uncovered fascinating details about Walt's earliest years, including the creative influence of his mother, the entrepreneurial spirit of his father, and the environment that helped nurture his imagination. They discuss how Walt Disney Birthplace has evolved beyond historic preservation into a nonprofit organization focused on childhood creativity, education, innovation, and community engagement. Dina also takes listeners behind the scenes of Super 78, where her team creates immersive entertainment experiences and groundbreaking theme park attractions. From interactive animated characters to flying theater experiences, she explains how technology, storytelling, and imagination can come together to transport audiences into entirely new worlds. Scott and Dina explore the enduring influence of Walt Disney, the origins of Disneyland, the creative philosophy behind Disney Imagineering, and why Walt's willingness to take risks, embrace failure, and pursue seemingly impossible ideas remains relevant today. They also revisit memorable moments from Walt Disney Birthplace, including community celebrations, events with Disney legend Dick Van Dyke, collaborations with D23, and efforts to introduce children to the power of imagination through creative educational experiences. Beyond Disney history, Dina shares the personal experiences that shaped her belief in helping others, including her grandmother's extraordinary acts of compassion while surviving World War II. Together, Scott and Dina examine a bigger question: How can we preserve the imagination and curiosity of childhood—and use those qualities to create a better future? This is a conversation about Walt Disney, Disney history, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, historic preservation, childhood education, philanthropy, and the power of believing that extraordinary things are possible. Guest: Dina Benadon, Co-Founder of Walt Disney Birthplace & CEO of Super 78 Host: Scott M. Curran Better Good is a podcast series where you'll meet the visionaries and doers tackling the toughest challenges of our time. With moving stories and practical takeaways, Scott M. Curran brings listeners into the art and science of doing good through conversations with the social-impact leaders reshaping how we change the world. Whether you lead a global workforce, run a fast-growing nonprofit, or are simply driven to make a difference, Better Good offers the ideas, inspiration, and tools to leave the world better than you found it. The world's biggest problems won't wait. Neither should you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Oct 14

    Alex Amouyel: How Newman's Own Turns 100% of Profits Into Purpose

    What if businesses could do more than generate profits—and actually build doing good into the way they operate? Alex Amouyel is the President and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation, the philanthropic organization continuing the legacy of legendary actor and philanthropist Paul Newman. Built on the belief that business can be a powerful force for good, Newman's Own directs 100% of its profits and royalties to charitable purposes. Since 1982, more than $600 million has been contributed to organizations working to improve lives and strengthen communities. On this episode of BETTER GOOD, Scott M. Curran sits down with Alex to explore how businesses can create meaningful, lasting social impact, what separates authentic corporate responsibility from greenwashing, and why the way a company is structured can determine whether its mission survives for generations. Alex explains the unique business model behind Newman's Own, where a foundation owns the food company and its profits support charitable grants benefiting children facing adversity. She discusses how this structure helps preserve Paul Newman's philanthropic vision and why building purpose into a company's ownership and governance can create lasting change. Alex and Scott also examine other purpose-driven businesses, including Patagonia and Rolex, and how foundations, trusts, and alternative ownership models can help organizations maintain their missions beyond the lifetimes of their founders. They explore the challenges of greenwashing and purpose washing, how consumers can distinguish meaningful social impact from marketing, and why transparency, fair wages, responsible supply chains, and measurable results matter when evaluating a company's commitment to doing good. The conversation also examines the Purpose Pledge, a framework encouraging businesses to go beyond minimum standards and incorporate responsible practices into their operations, leadership, and long-term strategies. Alex and Scott discuss why companies must still create products people love, remain competitive, and build financially sustainable businesses while pursuing a greater purpose. They also explore a bigger question: What if the future of business isn't simply about how much money companies make, but how they use their success to benefit the world? This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, philanthropy, corporate responsibility, leadership, ethical business practices, sustainability, social impact, and building organizations designed to make a lasting difference. Guest: Alex Amouyel, President & CEO of Newman's Own Foundation Host: Scott M. Curran Better Good is a podcast series where you'll meet the visionaries and doers tackling the toughest challenges of our time. With moving stories and practical takeaways, Scott M. Curran brings listeners into the art and science of doing good through conversations with the social-impact leaders reshaping how we change the world. Whether you lead a global workforce, run a fast-growing nonprofit, or are simply driven to make a difference, Better Good offers the ideas, inspiration, and tools to leave the world better than you found it. The world's biggest problems won't wait. Neither should you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Sep 30

    Amanda Litman on Building the Next Generation of Political Leaders

    What happens when a new generation decides it’s time to stop waiting for change—and starts running for office themselves? Amanda Litman is the co-founder and president of Run for Something, an organization that recruits and supports young progressive candidates running for state and local office. Since launching in 2017, Run for Something has helped elect more than 1,650 leaders across nearly all 50 states, building one of the largest pipelines of young political candidates in the country. On this episode of BETTER GOOD, Scott M. Curran sits down with Amanda to explore what it takes to build the next generation of political leadership—and why some of the most consequential opportunities for change can begin at the local level. Amanda shares the story behind Run for Something, what she has learned from recruiting and supporting thousands of first-time candidates, and why school boards, city councils, state legislatures, and other down-ballot offices can play such an important role in shaping communities and the future of American politics. Before launching Run for Something, Amanda served as National Email Director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, where she oversaw a digital fundraising operation that raised $330 million from more than 3 million donors. She is also the author of When We’re in Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership, a book exploring how Millennials and Gen Z can approach leadership as they increasingly move into positions of responsibility. Her earlier book, Run for Something: A Real-Talk Guide to Fixing the System Yourself, explored the practical realities of running for state and local office. Amanda and Scott discuss generational change, leadership, political organizing, civic engagement, the challenges facing first-time candidates, and what Amanda has learned from building an organization designed to develop political leaders from the ground up. They also explore a bigger question: What happens when the next generation finally gets the opportunity to lead? This is a conversation about leadership, public service, civic engagement, local government, generational change, and the people preparing to shape what comes next. Guest: Amanda Litman, Co-Founder & President of Run for Something Host: Scott M. Curran Better Good is a podcast series where you'll meet the visionaries and doers tackling the toughest challenges of our time. With moving stories and practical takeaways, Scott M. Curran brings listeners into the art and science of doing good through conversations with the social-impact leaders reshaping how we change the world. Whether you lead a global workforce, run a fast-growing nonprofit, or are simply driven to make a difference, Better Good offers the ideas, inspiration, and tools to leave the world better than you found it. The world's biggest problems won't wait. Neither should you. #Podcast #AmandaLitman #Leadership #CivicEngagement #LocalGovernment #PublicService #GenZ #Millennials #SocialImpact #BetterGood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Sep 16

    Radio Host by Day, Rescue Pilot by Night | DJ Fred of The Fred Show

    What happens when one of America’s most recognizable radio personalities steps away from the microphone and into the cockpit to save animals? Fred, host of The Fred Show, is known to millions of listeners through his nationally syndicated morning radio show and iHeartRadio. But outside the studio, Fred is also a licensed pilot who volunteers his time and aircraft to help transport rescue animals across the country—giving dogs and other animals a chance to reach shelters, foster families, and forever homes. On this episode of BETTER GOOD, Scott M. Curran sits down with Fred to explore a side of his life most listeners never get to see: his work as a volunteer rescue pilot with Pilots N Paws and his commitment to animal rescue and philanthropy. For Scott, the story is also personal. Fred personally flew two of Scott’s special-needs rescue dogs to him, turning their shared commitment to animal rescue into a friendship and providing a powerful example of what can happen when someone uses the skills and resources they already have to help others. Fred shares what it’s like balancing life as a nationally syndicated radio personality with his passion for aviation, animal rescue, volunteering, and giving back. He and Scott discuss the experiences that shaped Fred’s desire to help, what happens during an animal rescue flight, and why sometimes making a difference starts with simply asking: What can I do with what I already have? They also explore Fred’s career in radio, his life beyond The Fred Show, flying, philanthropy, and the causes he has supported throughout his career. This is a conversation about animal rescue, aviation, radio, volunteering, philanthropy, purpose, and finding your own way to do good. Guest: Fred, Host of The Fred Show Host: Scott M. Curran Better Good is a podcast series where you'll meet the visionaries and doers tackling the toughest challenges of our time. With moving stories and practical takeaways, Scott M. Curran brings listeners into the art and science of doing good through conversations with the social-impact leaders reshaping how we change the world. Whether you lead a global workforce, run a fast-growing nonprofit, or are simply driven to make a difference, Better Good offers the ideas, inspiration, and tools to leave the world better than you found it. The world's biggest problems won't wait. Neither should you. #Podcast #AnimalRescue #TheFredShow #Dogs #Radio #Aviation #Inspiration #Philanthropy #Volunteering #SocialImpact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Sep 2

    Warwick Sabin: What Democracy Loses When Local Journalism Dies

    In the 20th century, local newspapers ran on 30 to 40 percent profit margins, and journalism was a thriving industry. But the internet dismantled that model in less than a generation. Advertising migrated to Google and Facebook, and classified ads moved to Craigslist. In parallel, subscriptions collapsed. Profits dissolved; so did newsrooms. Now roughly 50 million Americans have limited or no access to credible local news. This is most acute in the rural South. On this episode of BETTER GOOD, Scott M. Curran (https://www.scottmcurran.com/) is joined by Warwick Sabin, president and CEO of Deep South Today (https://www.deepsouthtoday.org/), for a conversation about why the collapse of local journalism is one of the most overlooked threats to American democracy—and what a new nonprofit model is doing to rebuild it in the communities that need it most. Warwick explains how Deep South Today united several Southern newsrooms into a single organization, and one publication even won a Pulitzer Prize. He makes the case that nonprofit journalism is like nonprofit healthcare: Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic don't sacrifice quality by removing the profit motive, and neither does Deep South Today. He also reflects on his career and what it means to show up for civic life at a moment when local institutions and democratic accountability are both under pressure. This episode explores themes of local journalism, press freedom, civic infrastructure, nonprofit media, democracy, and what it means to build institutions that serve the public good rather than the bottom line. Guest: Warwick Sabin Host: Scott M. Curran Executive Producers: Aaron Shulman & Kieron Banerji Production by Echo Studios Check out our Podcast: https://www.linktr.ee/scottmcurran Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:51 Early Memories of Doing Good 00:08:27 Meeting the President and Moving to Arkansas 00:12:41 Southern Hospitality and Finding Home 00:16:20 Leadership Lessons from College 00:33:01 Why the South and Why Local Journalism Matter 00:34:43 The Collapse of Local News and Its Consequences 00:38:30 Building Nonprofit News for the Deep South 00:45:29 Investigative Journalism That Saves Lives 00:54:39 The Future: Scaling Local News Across the South Better Good is a podcast series where you'll meet the visionaries and doers tackling the toughest challenges of our time. With moving stories and practical takeaways, Scott M. Curran brings listeners into the art and science of doing good — through conversations with the social-impact leaders reshaping how we change the world. Whether you lead a global workforce, run a fast-growing nonprofit, or are simply driven to make a difference, this show offers the ideas, inspiration, and tools to leave the world better than you found it. The world's biggest problems won't wait. Neither should you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Warwick Sabin: What Democracy Loses When Local Journalism Dies

  6. Aug 19

    Nirvan Mullick: The Man Behind the Caine’s Arcade Viral Video

    In 2012, a filmmaker named Nirvan Mullick drove to a used auto parts store in East Los Angeles to buy a replacement door handle for his car. Inside, a nine-year-old boy named Caine Monroy had spent months building an elaborate cardboard arcade out of his father's spare boxes, complete with prize tickets, a custom staff shirt, and a fun pass that got you 500 turns for two dollars. Nirvan was Caine's first and only customer that summer. It also happened to be the last day of summer. None of what followed—a short film, a flash mob, millions of viral views, the hundreds of thousands of dollars raised for Caine's education, the global movement for children’s creativity—happened without one person recognizing a perfect moment in the making. On this episode of BETTER GOOD, Scott M. Curran (https://www.scottmcurran.com/) is joined by Nirvan Mullick, documentary filmmaker and creator of Caine's Arcade, for a conversation about what it means to notice what everyone else drives past—and what can happen when you do. Nirvan walks through the full story of Caine’s Arcade, and also shares the two-word concept of “perfect moments,” which can change how we think about time, attention, and the possibilities hiding inside everyday moments. Nirvan offers an inside look at two documentaries he's been working on for years: one about Rick Doblin and the decades-long effort to take MDMA through the FDA, and another about Lawn Chair Larry, a Vietnam vet who, in 1982, strapped 42 helium balloons to a Sears lawn chair and flew 16,000 feet above Los Angeles to live out a dream. This episode explores themes of creativity, attention, imagination, social entrepreneurship, and how the best things we do often begin with a single unremarkable moment of showing up. Guest: Nirvan Mullick Host: Scott M. Curran Executive Producers: Aaron Shulman & Kieron Banerji Production by Echo Studios Check out our Podcast: https://linktr.ee/scottmcurran Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: The Boy Who Built an Arcade from Cardboard 00:03:04 Early Memories of Doing Good 00:05:18 From Filmmaker to Documentary Storyteller 00:07:08 What a Trip: Following Rick Doblin and Psychedelic Medicine 00:15:50 Larry's Launcher: The Lawn Chair Balloon Pilot 00:27:37 The Day Everything Changed: Meeting Caine 00:30:46 Organizing the Flash Mob and Creating a Perfect Moment 00:34:06 Going Viral and Starting the Imagination Foundation 00:39:20 The Global Cardboard Challenge and Lasting Impact 00:46:54 The Philosophy of Perfect Moments 00:51:21 The One Second Film: A Lifetime in 24 Frames 00:55:49 A Perfect Moment with His Father 00:57:50 It Doesn't Matter What You Start With, Only That You Start 00:59:13 Tracking Perfect Moments: A Daily Practice 01:00:19 Giving Yourself Permission to Develop Your Gifts Better Good is a podcast series where you'll meet the visionaries and doers tackling the toughest challenges of our time. With moving stories and practical takeaways, Scott M. Curran brings listeners into the art and science of doing good—through conversations with the social-impact leaders reshaping how we change the world. Whether you lead a global workforce, run a fast-growing nonprofit, or are simply driven to make a difference, this show offers the ideas, inspiration, and tools to leave the world better than you found it. The world's biggest problems won't wait. Neither should you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Nirvan Mullick: The Man Behind the Caine’s Arcade Viral Video

  7. Aug 5

    What One Solar Light Unlocks for Families in Poverty

    Hundreds of millions of people around the world have to rely on kerosene and disposable batteries to light their homes after dark. This carries real costs in health, safety, and money. For many families, lighting consumes up to 30 percent of the household budget, roughly the equivalent of an American mortgage payment. The alternatives are open flames that burn children, carcinogens that damage lungs, and total darkness after sunset that shuts down education, entrepreneurship, and basic security. Yet safe, reliable solar light exists. Getting it to the right families—and pairing it with the financial literacy to turn savings into economic opportunity—is the mission of Nancy Economou and Watts of Love. On this episode of BETTER GOOD, Scott M. Curran (https://www.scottmcurran.com/) is joined by Nancy Economou, founder and CEO of Watts of Love, for a conversation about what it means to follow a calling you have no formal credentials for, and bringing safe light to people around the world. Nancy traces her path from selling jewellery at Cartier, to nearly two decades as a stay-at-home mother of five boys, to a trip to the Philippines in 2009 that she returned from unchanged. She tells how Watts of Love evolved from three lights in a suitcase into an organization operating in more than fifty countries, with close to half a million homes lit and a growing corps of trained local leaders ready to scale the mission further. She explains how pairing a durable solar light with a financial literacy curriculum has turned a product into a pathway out of generational poverty. And she makes the case that meaningful impact rarely begins with a perfect plan. It begins with noticing something you can't un-see and acting. This episode explores themes of energy access, social entrepreneurship, financial literacy, local empowerment, and creating independence rather than dependency. Guest: Nancy Economou Host: Scott M. Curran Executive Producers: Aaron Shulman & Kieron Banerji Production by Echo Studios Check out our Podcast: ➡️ https://linktr.ee/scottmcurran Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:03 Early Memories of Doing Good 00:06:08 From Cartier to Stay-at-Home Mom 00:07:50 The Scale of Watts of Love Today 00:10:50 The Philippines Trip That Changed Everything 00:12:40 The Moment Watts of Love Was Born 00:14:45 The Hidden Cost of Living in Darkness 00:18:17 Designing the Perfect Solar Light 00:23:29 The Leper Colony and Universal Design 00:30:06 The First Three Lights and Ruth's Story 00:34:26 The Birth of Financial Literacy 00:40:07 The Box Becomes a Bank 00:44:33 Transformation in 60 Days 00:47:33 The Power of Local Partnership 00:50:11 Bringing Light Home: Disasters in the US 00:53:42 Lessons on Dignity, Hope, and Agency 00:56:01 Choose the Crazy Dream Better Good is a podcast series where you'll meet the visionaries and doers tackling the toughest challenges of our time. With moving stories and practical takeaways, Scott M. Curran brings listeners into the art and science of doing good — through conversations with the social-impact leaders reshaping how we change the world. Whether you lead a global workforce, run a fast-growing nonprofit, or are simply driven to make a difference, this show offers the ideas, inspiration, and tools to leave the world better than you found it. The world's biggest problems won't wait. Neither should you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    What One Solar Light Unlocks for Families in Poverty

  8. Jul 22

    The Hidden Key to Solving the World’s Global Water Crisis.

    Every morning, more than 2 billion people start their day without access to safe water. For many, that means hours of walking, waiting, and carrying—before the rest of the day can begin. The disease, poverty, and lost education that follow are all preventable. The world has the technology. Infrastructure often already exists nearby. What's missing, for hundreds of millions of families, is the few hundred dollars it costs to connect to it. That's the problem Vedika Bhandarkar has spent years solving, and what Matt Damon’s organization water.org has built around it may be the most underreported development success story of our time. On this episode of BETTER GOOD, Scott M. Curran (https://www.scottmcurran.com/) is joined by Vedika Bhandarkar, President and COO of water.org, for a conversation about the most scalable solution to the global water crisis that most people have never heard of. Vedika traces her path from more than two decades in investment banking to leading the financial strategy behind water.org's WaterCredit model, which pairs every dollar of philanthropy with $20 of lending by local financial institutions. That model has now reached more than 85 million people across the world, with a 98% loan repayment rate that challenges every assumption about who is and isn't "bankable." She explains how water access is the key that unlocks every other development goal—from education and health to gender equality and economic mobility—and makes the case that the water crisis, unlike so many global challenges, is not only solvable but already being solved. This episode explores themes of global development, microfinance, financial inclusion, systems-level change, and what it looks like to redeploy your career skills toward one of the world's most urgent problems. Guest: Vedika Bhandarkar Host: Scott M. Curran Executive Producers: Aaron Shulman & Kieron Banerji Production by Echo Studios Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:32 Early Memories of Doing Good 00:05:08 Understanding the Global Water Crisis 00:07:54 The Hidden Cost of Water Scarcity 00:10:29 Zipporah's Story: Water as a Catalyst for Change 00:16:43 Why Traditional Approaches Don't Scale 00:20:51 The Power of Microfinance and Water Credit 00:31:49 Water's Connection to Every Global Challenge 00:35:27 Scaling the Solution: Infrastructure and Investment 00:44:06 Call to Action: Government, Business, and Philanthropy 00:46:18 Get Blue Movement and Individual Action 00:48:08 The Vision: A World Where Water Scarcity is Unimaginable Better Good is a podcast series where you'll meet the visionaries and doers tackling the toughest challenges of our time. With moving stories and practical takeaways, Scott M. Curran brings listeners into the art and science of doing good — through conversations with the social-impact leaders reshaping how we change the world. Whether you lead a global workforce, run a fast-growing nonprofit, or are simply driven to make a difference, this show offers the ideas, inspiration, and tools to leave the world better than you found it. The world's biggest problems won't wait. Neither should you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Hidden Key to Solving the World’s Global Water Crisis.
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About

Discover how the best do good—and how you can too. Scott M. Curran sits down with the innovators reimagining how the world does good—bringing you conversations you won’t hear anywhere else: candid stories, proven strategies, and actionable insights listeners can use in their lives, careers, and missions. Dive inside the playbook of the world’s top social impact leaders—so anyone can learn to do more good, better.

Information

  • Creator
    Scott M. Curran
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit

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