The Impact Boom Podcast's Mission To Share Authentic Stories And Build The Business For Good Movement
The Impact Boom Podcast for the past eight years has been fortunate enough to have brought you weekly interviews with leaders deeply passionate about growing the business for good movement. From Taiwan to Tanzania, the Impact Boom team has followed the journey of social entrepreneurs creating change in their communities. To advocate for this movement’s adoption, the Impact Boom Podcast was created to elevate the voices of individuals challenging the status quo.
Sharing the stories of people using business as a mechanism to instigate systemic environmental and social impact we have featured hundreds of purpose led change makers throughout our journey. The podcast is our way of giving back to the movement and advocating for its adoption globally, and through featuring a range of guests, we have managed to reach a diverse audience and serve as a gateway for listeners to understand social enterprise and innovation.
Since releasing our first episode, our guests have spanned a myriad of demographics, cultural and professional backgrounds all connected by one purpose, to serve people, place and planet. Regardless of how an impact professional is positively contributing to the lives of others, the Impact Boom Podcast champions them. To date, we have featured leaders of social enterprises, non-profits, governments, industry bodies and accelerators, presenting their unique perspectives and learnings gained throughout their careers. The biggest challenge has always been distilling these values, beliefs, and lessons into digestible 20-30 minute episodes, but one thing we have never compromised on is our vision to produce human centred stories and helping our guests to share their insights through authentic, heart and soul led conversations.
We believe authentic conversations are crucial to inspiring collaboration and cooperation within the purpose led business movement. While we love to celebrate our diversity, the one thing we love more is understanding how our lived experiences, dreams, and ideas can bring us together and accelerate achieving a more equitable and sustainable future. Since Episode 1, Impact Boom has seen listeners tune in from 200 countries globally, and currently we are ranked in the top 3% of podcasts globally in terms of listenership.
As an Australian based social enterprise intermediary, we believe lessons and insights should be derived from listening to diverse lived experiences, which is why we prioritise sharing the stories of guests from dynamic backgrounds. Through authentic conversations, we strive for our guests to share their voice, values and beliefs directly from the heart. Impact Boom continues to proudly partner with accelerators and capacity building programs to inspire and support the growth of the Australian social enterprise movement., and we are privileged to be working with individuals and organisations who are changing the world through embracing innovation, entrepreneurship and business.
to celebrate 500 episodes, we will reflect on the impact boom Podcast’s eight year journey leading up to now, the team’s deep passion for sharing the stories of changemakers and how we will continue to advocate for the meaningful adoption of social enterprise and business for good globally.
Highlights from the interview (listen to the podcast for full details)
Tom Allen, Impact Boom
In 2016, I hit a crossroads having spent a few years back in Australia after almost 10 years working in purpose driven business throughout Europe. There were a few glaring problems and key opportunities to shift the landscape. Patterns that had emerged and visible ways to catalyse growth of the business for good movement in Australia and beyond. But at the time, my personal growth had plateaued.
I no longer really felt challenged whilst running the strategic design consultancy Seven Positive that I'd set up on return to Australia, and that had primarily worked with impact driven organisations and governments, and on the side I was convening and lecturing at QUT and Griffith University, and this was really rewarding work, but it also highlighted key skills and expertise that were needed for future generations.
A number of board positions, including at QSEC the Social Enterprise Network of Logan and UQ Ventures also kept me on my toes, but in that moment of plateauing and a need for growth, I thought that perhaps maybe an MBA would help, but after spending time at seven to eight information evenings at different universities, none of the programs were appealing, and none really gave me the confidence that I'd actually add to my skill set or my network.
But having previously done my Masters overseas, one of the key takeaways was the lessons learnt and the connections made amongst others in the program. I set out to design my own growth experience; what would it look like if I were to come up with a list of people who I respected and admired, global leaders in the social impact space. People I could sit down with one a week for a year was my initial commitment to have a good yarn and just ask lots of questions and begin to establish some authentic relationships with people that I trusted and admired.
The list quickly grew and I quickly got the first 10 meetings set up and it was literally the day prior to that first lunch that I thought hang on a second, if I'm having these conversations, why don't I record them and then share them with others in my network? Podcasts at the time weren't really that big, but I thought, "actually, why don't I just create a podcast out of this?" Fast forward and Episode 1 of Impact Boom's podcast was released officially on January the 1st, 2017, and we quickly grew to a global audience and the website began to get some serious traffic.
Then within six months, a local government approached us and they were keen to activate the community to teach them entrepreneurship skills and get some great outcomes for their city. Now I'd already set up and run a variety of programs in different formats, but this was the opportunity for us to launch our first Elevate + Accelerator, and we launched that and soon after we then merged the Seven Positive business and Impact Boom.
From a systems perspective, there were a variety of key gaps holding back growth of the movement nationally and internationally. What I'd observed and what the conversations were telling me was that these primarily revolved around awareness.
Awareness that business could be used to tackle social, cultural, and environmental problems, as well as a lack of education for founders and for people looking to set up purpose driven organisations, and there weren't quite the right policy environments in the different areas of government.
Now at the time I was observing the traction that Alex Hannant, a great colleague of mine was having over in New Zealand in the lead up to the Social Enterprise World Forum that they were hosting there, and it quickly became clear that we needed the same catalyst in Australia, so the seed was planted and that began a five year project to bid for and successfully secure, then run the Forum with many partners coming on board and Luke Terry of White Box Enterprises taking on the event license.
Ultimately, alongside a lot of other hard work done over many years by sector leaders, it served as a great catalyst to see other states forming peak bodies and work towards a federal strategy and peak began. Now, there's still a very long way to go in building the movement and despite a strong sense of unity and collegiality in the sector over many years, recent times have shown just how trust can be eroded so quickly and progress slowed as increased funding and new players emerge with different value sets and agendas.
When we fast forward to now, after eight years we've hit the 500th episode and we've featured over 750 global leaders on the website. That's a minimum of one interview every week since launching, which is something I'd never imagined achieving.
I thought we'd get to 100 episodes, but in that time we secured the Australian Social Enterprise World Forum, we've grown to that global audience, we've worked intensely in our programs alongside more than 335 purpose driven organisations all around Australia and beyond, and we've also had the privilege of working alongside hundreds more during shorter term advisory engagements.
We've engaged with governments and organisations globally, and we've gathered more than 20,000 people at our events and leadership retreats, also raising almost $6 million in funding for clients and built strong relationships to help shift the dial globally.
Now with the support of many values aligned partners, and they're growing quickly, we built and launched the Business For Good Network, which is the community of communities catalyzing change on the platform and app for the globe's leading purpose driven organisations, intermediaries and professionals. It is perfect for existing or new communities of practice who are looking to better collaborate, share learning resources, and connect with their local communities, so check out bfgn.co, and we'll look forward to finding ways to collaborate with you and your organisation as well.
But, where to next? We've still got a long way to go and the urgency for systems change hasn't disappeared.
If you're a values-aligned organisation; a philanthropist, a government body, a corporate, or someone who is looking to create value for your community; we are here to help.
If you're a purpose-driven organisation, we would love to help you grow and expand and take your impact to the next level, so get in touch with us.
To finish, I would like to send a huge and sincere thank you to all of the Impact Boom team members who over the years, have been on this journey, they've been on the ups and downs. They've provided support, time, their skills and expertise to make all of this knowledge sharing and gathering reality. I'd also like to thank all of our funders, our partners, colleagues over the years who have made this a reality. It's through our partnerships that we can create so much value, and we are just so looking forward to the next eight years ahead working alongside you, working alongside your community and taking the business for good movement to the next level.
Arianna Petra Watson, (think) enough, South Australian Social Enterprise Council (SASEC)
The Impact Boom Podcast was basically part of my introduction to social enterprise in Australia. When I arrived here, I learnt about the Impact Boom Podcast and then listened to every single episode. I loved hearing about all these wonderful people doing all great things, and I still refer everyone who's interested in social enterprise to this podcast as it is the social enterprise podcast for Australia.
It's always provided an important reminder that many people care in such a real and intentional way, and they do this through entrepreneurship. It also reminds everyone there are others out there doing this work, and it clearly paints a picture of the kind of world I want to live in. I hope the Podcast keeps going, inspiring others, asking questioning, and amplifying the voices of wonderful Australian changemakers. Thank you, Impact Boom.
Javier Casanova, Business For Good Network
Congratulations Tom, Indio and Sarah for no less than 500 amazing episodes of the Impact Boom Podcast; well done team! When I first arrived in Brisbane from Barcelona, the podcast was my first connection to the purpose-led space in Australia. It was the best introduction to the social enterprise sector, and then thanks to meeting Tom and joining the Impact Boom team, I became part of this exciting growing movement.
For me, Impact Boom was literally life changing, and I feel so lucky to have met so many incredible people who are changing the world. Most of them have already been in one of the Podcast’s 500 episodes, proof that it is an extremely valuable resource.
I can guarantee that anyone who listens to the 500 episodes will get a deep understanding of the business for good space, so if this is your first episode, I would say go to Episode 1, click play and start your journey.
In the social enterprise sector, we need to learn from each other, and the best way to do this is by listening to the stories of experienced changemakers and purpose led leaders inspiring us to thrive in our impact journey. I especially enjoy discovering their motivations and story behind why they have committed their lives to being purpose led, and it's also great to know more about the people who have been building this sector in Australia for more than a decade.
I feel there is an epidemic of burnt out changemakers, and I believe the sector needs more conversations around how we can take care of ourselves and each other. I'd love to see some specially recorded episodes about changemaker wellbeing, because we can do business for good the same way we do business as usual, and burning out should become something from the past.
I'm excited about what's to come from the Australian social enterprise sector, and I'm sure Impact Boom will keep playing a key role in its development. Keep it up team, let's go for Episode 1000!
Steve Williams, Mind Flow Grow
Today I'm joining you from Meanjin Brisbane on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera people. I'm proud to have been Impact Boom’s first guest way back in Episode 1, and ever since I've listened keenly and been so impressed with the range of social entrepreneurs, innovators, and designers internationally who have been on the program.
For me, my practice has changed over the years to be much more trauma informed and design led by continuing to use the people centred frameworks I've been passionate about my whole career. The podcast has helped me integrate new ideas and reflect as I listen to other people's stories of success and failure. A huge congratulations to Tom and the team for this massive milestone of 500 episodes.
Nikoline Arns, CitizenLab.tech
I'm Nikoline Arns from citizenlab.tech. I was a part of Impact Boom when it began, and congratulations on making 500 episodes! It all started in 2017, and Episode 47 was the first of 10 interviews I conducted. I've been on the other side of the conversations as a guest for another two episodes. It was the start of a community, so for me personally this is a great deal. Impact Boom was and is a crucial part of defining and putting social enterprise on the map.
Apart from sharing knowledge (which is fundamental), I feel the Impact Boom Podcast creates the consciousness that we are not alone, and there is incredible power in knowing there are others out there that are struggling with the same issues you do. We are all working hard to build a world based on social values.
Hearing the stories of the humans who make social enterprise happen makes us all stronger by knowing we can do it too, and what I hope is yet to come is cross cultural accessibility and engagement of this rich, diverse knowledge outside of the social enterprise bubble. For example, with the tech startup world, DAOs, ReFi and Web3 technology in general are domains which could benefit and add value to this sector, so I would love to see more intersections and less echo chambers. This is especially for not just technology like AI but also new concepts, economic and governance systems that could be used by social enterprise business models.
Amy Orange, Collab4Good, South Australian Social Enterprise Council (SASEC)
I love this podcast, I've been given a top fan badge on Facebook because of how much I love listening to the incredible work changemakers across the social enterprise sector are doing. I love the depth of the interviews and getting to know the values and stories behind these changemakers and what they're trying to do. These podcasts Impact Boom have put out are so valuable, and I can't wait to stay tuned for the next 500 episodes to keep hearing the amazing emerging stories of changemakers and social enterprises. Big congratulations to Impact Boom and thank you for the amazing contribution you make to our Australian social enterprise sector.
Sarah Ripper, Impact Boom
To me the podcast is a place to connect and a space where there's an amplification of voices who are doing great work in their communities. It gives people an opportunity to learn from each other, celebrates unique pathways and perspectives, and plants seeds of inspiration so we can all live into our purpose and story. It nudges us to expand how we know ourselves, what's possible and how we can co-create that.
It’s helping the social enterprise movement because stories are important, and listening to the stories behind people and organisations is insightful because it lifts the hood so to speak on the inner workings, lessons learned, and situations people find themselves in. It also highlights that growth is non-linear and that whilst planning has its place and is important, so is agility and asking for support. Community and understanding the importance of listening to that silent, still voice as an inner radar of guidance is critical.
Craig Fairweather, The Mill House Ventures
When I Googled ‘best social enterprise podcasts in the world’, it responded by telling me that from thousands of podcasts on the internet ranked by relevancy, authority, social media followers, and freshness, Impact Boom is number two! I was chuffed to be invited on recently and marvelled at Tom's easy going, knowledgeable approach which makes the discussion interesting and dynamic, keeping the guest and audience engaged throughout. The social enterprise sector is on the up and up, and this podcast will continue to be a great communication piece for all of us with a real interest in learning about the cool people doing business for good. Massive congrats on the anniversary and here's to 500 more.
CAMILLE SOCQUET-CLERC
I was lucky to be interviewed for the Impact Boom Podcast as the founder of Bloom Impact Investing, a climate impact start-up.
The Impact Boom Podcast is a beacon of hope for change makers, because it's reminding us that a lot of beautiful people are not turning a blind eye on what needs to be changed in this world. It's a huge source of inspiration for me, and behind every guest there is someone with strength, intelligence, and resilience.
In terms of its contribution to the social enterprise sector, it is helping all actors by providing a huge diversity of thinking and lived experiences. It provides us with a voice to changemakers who are the closest to the problem they are solving, whether in the social or environmental space. That is a beautiful thing, because we all live busy lives, and the podcast is an incredibly efficient way to dive into many different issues. This is through the window of the leaders in the social enterprise space who are understanding issues with nuance, empathy, and passion. Congratulations to Impact Boom for reaching the 500th episode.
Christie Gazal, Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program
A massive congratulations Impact Boom on your 500th podcast episode, what an incredible achievement! As the program coordinator of the Hatch Taronga Accelerator Program, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating closely with Impact Boom to help shape environmental start-ups. The Impact Boom Podcast has offered an incredible platform for me to tap into the social enterprise ecosystem and learn from incredible experts about the opportunities, challenges and exciting advancements in the sector.
I've always been impressed by the Podcast's unique ability to present perspectives that challenge the status quo and to think about the sector and innovation in new ways. Leading with purpose is a crucial component of how our accelerator program supports founders, and the Podcast has always ensured innovation for good is at the forefront.
I can't wait to see what is in store for the next 500 episodes and to continue witnessing how the Podcast creates a community of social and environmental changemakers. Thank you, Impact Boom, for everything you've done for the ecosystem.
Luke Faccini, Sponge & GoodnOrth
I am super excited to be co-hosting our Reignite Retreat with Impact Boom, but it's also important to celebrate 500 episodes of their podcast. This is such an important podcast for the business for good community, because it shines a light on the efforts people in this community are making, which is an inspiration to those with the spark of an idea or who are needing a little push to do something that's been brewing in them. I'm also excited to see what the next 500 episodes does to accelerate this business for good community, because doesn't this world need it?
Lucy Watson, AMP Foundation
I'm so proud of the fact that Impact Boom is our delivery partner for both our Spark and Ignite Tomorrow Makers program. Our Tomorrow Makers Spark program is designed to help social entrepreneurs grow their ideas and our Tomorrow Makers Ignite program supports social entrepreneurs in their start-up phase. Congratulations to Impact Boom on 500 episodes of their podcast series, this is an amazing achievement.
What I love about the Podcast is it features both local and global change makers, giving an insight not only into what's going in the Australian social enterprise sector, but across the globe. Without this podcast series, I would never have access or know about most of these people and their stories.
We've also had many of our Tomorrow Makers alumni featured on the Podcast including Erika Gleeson, Nick Steiner, Amar Singh, and Helen Black. This is incredible as it also allows them to share their stories and shine a light on how they are creating a positive social change. I'm excited for the next 500 episodes to come, I can't wait to hear more insights, ideas, be inspired, and of course see more of our Tomorrow Makers featured.
