The Solve Effect

MIT Solve
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The Solve Effect is a podcast by MIT Solve that hosts leaders, visionaries, and barrier-breakers intent on wielding technology for good. Each episode explores the journeys of people rewriting the rules for global problem solving—from questioning the ethics of data to tackling bias in AI to applying traditional knowledge in the modern world. Join us in inspiring action to global problem-solving!

Episodes

  1. A Social Impact Visionary: Nazanin Ash on Welcome.US, Collective Power, and Mutual Flourishing

    DEC 3

    A Social Impact Visionary: Nazanin Ash on Welcome.US, Collective Power, and Mutual Flourishing

    What does it take to build a system of welcome that reflects the best of who we are? In this episode of The Solve Effect, we sit down with Nazanin Ash, CEO of Welcome.US, to explore how millions of Americans are reshaping what safe, legal immigration can look like—one act of welcome at a time. Under Nazanin’s leadership, Welcome.US has mobilized 2 million sponsors across all 50 states, helping nearly 800,000 newcomers rebuild their lives in the United States. But her work isn’t only about resettlement—it’s about reimagining what belonging can mean in a pluralist democracy. This episode explores: How tech-enabled sponsorship scaled faster than traditional government systems Why communities across the country are now “competing to welcome” newcomers What mutual flourishing looks like for sponsors, newcomers, and entire towns A partnership across government, civil society, and the private sector unlocks capacity at national scale Nazanin’s story reminds us that welcoming demonstrates collective power and shows how, when people are empowered to help one another, entire communities thrive. Full transcript available here.  - - - -  Join our CrowdSolve mailing list for more social impact news: ⁠https://solve.mit.edu/newsletters⁠  Make sure to follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠.   Email us at ⁠thesolveeffect@solve.mit.edu⁠

    22 min
  2. An Aerospace Architect: Dr. Ariel Ekblaw on Extraterrestrial Solutions to Earthly Issues

    NOV 24

    An Aerospace Architect: Dr. Ariel Ekblaw on Extraterrestrial Solutions to Earthly Issues

    What does it mean to design for life beyond Earth without losing our humanity? In this episode of The Solve Effect, we sit down with Dr. Ariel Ekblaw, founder and CEO of the Aurelia Institute and General Partner of the Aurelia Foundry Fund, to explore how space innovation can make life on Earth more sustainable. From leading MIT’s Space Exploration Initiative to advising NASA on the next decade of lunar activity, Ariel has dedicated her career to shaping humanity’s future in space. But her vision isn’t about escape—it’s about expanding what’s possible for all of us. Together, Hala and Ariel explore: How space research can protect and restore Earth’s ecosystems Why beauty and belonging matter—even in orbit What it takes to build bridges between science fiction and sustainable reality Ariel’s story reminds us that exploration isn’t about leaving home, it’s about learning how to care for it better. Full transcript available here.  - - - -  Join our CrowdSolve mailing list for more social impact news: ⁠https://solve.mit.edu/newsletters⁠  Make sure to follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠.   Email us at ⁠thesolveeffect@solve.mit.edu⁠

    27 min
  3. A Visionary Healthcare Innovator: Dr. Mohamed Aburawi on Tech, Healthcare, and Impact Investing

    OCT 1

    A Visionary Healthcare Innovator: Dr. Mohamed Aburawi on Tech, Healthcare, and Impact Investing

    What does it mean to innovate when lives depend on it? In this episode of The Solve Effect, host Hala Hanna sits down with Dr. Mohamed Aburawi, a Harvard-trained surgeon and founder of Speetar, a cloud-based telehealth platform born in the midst of Libya’s civil war that went on to serve millions across five countries. Today, through Atarona Ventures, Mohamed is scaling that impact across health, education, finance, and climate. From ironing his white coat on his first night in the U.S. to building hospitals in the cloud, Mohamed shares how scarcity shaped his vision for resilient, community-driven solutions. Together, Hala and Mohamed explore: Why the “adversity advantage” can produce more durable innovations than abundance How trust—not just technology—determines whether solutions scale The untapped power of diaspora capital and participatory investing Why invisible data may hold the key to more equitable AI Mohamed’s story proves that the future of innovation will be built not only in centers of abundance, but also in growth markets where failure is not an option. - - - -  Full episode transcript: https://solve.mit.edu/articles/a-visionary-healthcare-innovator-dr-mohamed-aburawi-on-tech-healthcare-and-impact-investing Join our CrowdSolve mailing list for more social impact news: ⁠https://solve.mit.edu/newsletters⁠  Make sure to follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠.   Email us at ⁠thesolveeffect@solve.mit.edu⁠

    23 min
  4. A Tech Maximalist: Atif Javed on Human Connection Through Technology

    SEP 3

    A Tech Maximalist: Atif Javed on Human Connection Through Technology

    What happens when a childhood experience becomes the seed for a global movement? In this episode of The Solve Effect, host Hala Hanna sits down with Atif Javed, co-founder and Executive Director of Tarjimly, a nonprofit that connects tens of thousands of volunteer translators with refugees and displaced people worldwide. From interpreting for his grandmother as a child immigrant to building a tech-enabled platform that ensures refugees are heard in moments of crisis, Atif shares how personal experience shaped his mission. Together, Hala and Atif explore: Why Tarjimly chooses humans over algorithms in an AI-driven age How nonprofits can build financial sustainability amid political and philanthropic headwinds What it takes to transform lived experience into scalable impact Why Atif believes each of us should find “the one problem we can wake up every day determined to solve” Tarjimly is proving that the most powerful technology amplifies human connection rather than replacing it. A full transcript for this episode is available here. - - - -  Join our CrowdSolve mailing list for more updates: ⁠https://solve.mit.edu/newsletters⁠  Make sure to follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠.   Email us at ⁠thesolveeffect@solve.mit.edu⁠

    20 min
  5. Take on the Taboo: Lessons from Legacy-founder, Khaled Kteily

    AUG 6

    Take on the Taboo: Lessons from Legacy-founder, Khaled Kteily

    How does a painful accident turn into a startup pushing the needle on male fertility? On the latest episode of The Solve Effect, Khaled Kteily, founder of Legacy, opens up about turning personal panic into a global mission: destigmatizing male fertility and making family planning more accessible. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation about startup grit, love, legacy, and why the future of family includes everyone. A transcript of this episode is available here. - - - -  Join our CrowdSolve mailing list for more updates: ⁠https://solve.mit.edu/newsletters⁠  Make sure to follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠.   Email us at ⁠thesolveeffect@solve.mit.edu⁠

    31 min
  6. Wired for Change: Katrin McMillan on Connectivity in the Age of USAID Cuts

    JUL 2

    Wired for Change: Katrin McMillan on Connectivity in the Age of USAID Cuts

    Over 260 million children are out of school, but what if the answer isn’t more classrooms, but more connection? In this episode of The Solve Effect, Hala is joined by Katrin McMillan, founder of Hello World, to discuss her bold approach to digital education access. From solar-powered internet hubs to co-creating with communities in Uganda and Nepal, Katrin shares how Hello World is changing the game for global learning—and why true impact starts with listening. - - - -  Join our CrowdSolve mailing list for more updates: ⁠https://solve.mit.edu/newsletters⁠  Make sure to follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠.   Email us at ⁠thesolveeffect@solve.mit.edu⁠

    42 min
  7. A Textile Titan: Margie Yang

    JUN 4

    A Textile Titan: Margie Yang

    What does a 72-year-old textile titan have to do with saving our water supply? Host Hala Hanna talks with long-time Solve advisor Margie Yang, Chairman of the Esquel Group, about generational leadership, navigating crisis, and finding innovation in unlikely spaces. Tune in now wherever you listen, and don’t forget to subscribe, download, and like to support the show!  - - - -  Find a transcript with links from this episode here. Join our CrowdSolve mailing list for more updates: ⁠https://solve.mit.edu/newsletters⁠  Make sure to follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠.   Email us at ⁠thesolveeffect@solve.mit.edu⁠

    27 min

  8. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Introducing The Solve Effect

    Conversations with leaders, visionaries, and barrier-breakers, intent on using technology for good. Each episode explores the journeys of people rewriting the rules for global problem-solving, from questioning the ethics of data to tackling bias in AI to applying traditional knowledge in the modern world. First episode airs on June 4, 2025.  - - - -  Join our CrowdSolve mailing list for more updates: https://solve.mit.edu/newsletters  Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Email us at thesolveeffect@solve.mit.edu

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Solve Effect is a podcast by MIT Solve that hosts leaders, visionaries, and barrier-breakers intent on wielding technology for good. Each episode explores the journeys of people rewriting the rules for global problem solving—from questioning the ethics of data to tackling bias in AI to applying traditional knowledge in the modern world. Join us in inspiring action to global problem-solving!

Information

  • Creator
    MIT Solve
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © MIT Solve
  • Show Website
    The Solve Effect

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