Shows
Moving the NeedleLeading Authentically in a Fractured World with Christopher & David GergenWhat does authentic leadership look like in today’s divided world? In this intimate conversation, Moving the Needle co-host Christopher Gergen sits down with his father, legendary advisor and commentator David Gergen, to explore the values that shape courageous, service-driven leadership. From growing up in Durham to navigating the halls of power, the two reflect on trust, collaboration, intergenerational mentorship, and civic responsibility. This is a heartfelt dialogue on what it means to lead with purpose and how we pass that torch to the next generation.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is...2025-07-1455 minMoving the NeedleDebt, Dignity, and Disruption: Financing a New Future for Higher Ed with Dr. Mark Anthony BrownAs the first alumnus to serve as President of Tuskegee University, Dr. Mark Brown brings a powerful blend of personal experience, military leadership, and policy innovation to the future of higher education. In this episode, he reflects on his journey—from growing up with limited means to overseeing a $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio. Dr. Brown offers bold ideas to tackle student debt, including income-contingent financing models and a vision for an “endowment without walls.” His message: higher ed can be a driver of equity—if we’re willing to disrupt the model.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christo...2025-07-0751 minMoving the NeedleFrom Corporate Ladder to Capital Ownership: One Man’s Wealth-Building Journey with Robert JonesWith roots in West Virginia and Detroit, Robert Jones rose through the ranks of corporate America—then turned his attention to closing the racial wealth gap. In this episode, he shares how a growth mindset, powerful mentors, and unwavering family support helped him transition from earning income to owning capital. Now an angel investor with Realm Capital Partners, Robert is focused on assisting others to convert professional success into long-term wealth-building strategies. This is a story of purpose, legacy, and financial transformation.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.If...2025-06-301h 13Moving the NeedleRedefining Wealth: The Blueprint for Black Venture Capital with Kwame AnkuAs founder of the Black Star Fund, Kwame Anku is investing in the future of Black innovation—one transformative founder at a time. In this episode, he shares how his upbringing as a first-generation Ghanaian American gave him a dual lens on American opportunity and systemic barriers. From answering Prince’s provocative question—“Where are the Black Mark Zuckerbergs?”—to backing visionary founders with capital, networks, and belief, Kwame lays out a bold blueprint for closing the wealth gap through ownership, equity, and strategic investment.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by...2025-06-231h 05Moving the NeedlePlace, Power, and Possibility: How Cities Can Ride the Reindustrialization Wave with Bruce KatzBruce Katz has spent decades shaping policy at the intersection of cities, innovation, and inclusive growth. In this episode, he unpacks why now is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for communities to reclaim their place in a reindustrializing America. From reshoring and decarbonization to supply chains and federal investments, Katz shares why intentional, radical collaboration is essential to ensure that underserved communities aren’t left behind. This conversation offers a sharp, systems-level look at how metros can reposition themselves to thrive in the 21st-century economy.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by...2025-06-1647 minMoving the NeedleFrom C Student to CEO: Redefining Success with Felecia HatcherFelecia Hatcher’s journey—from a self-described “C student” to CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition—is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. In this episode, she shares how her early experiences, entrepreneurial hustle, and commitment to building Black startup ecosystems shaped her mission. From launching Code Fever and Black Tech Week to transforming capital access through cultural healing and community building, Felecia challenges conventional narratives of success—and makes the case for creating new pathways rooted in equity, ownership, and belonging.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.2025-06-0931 minMoving the NeedleFuture-Focused, People-Driven: Designing Inclusive Economic Strategies With Tracye McDanielTracye McDaniel brings three decades of expertise to this conversation on the future of economic development. As President of TIP Strategies, she explores the power of foresight, data, and place-based investment in creating inclusive growth. From AI and workforce shifts to underutilized community assets and the untapped role of faith-based institutions, Tracye shares what it takes to move from intention to measurable impact. If you’re ready to build smarter, more equitable strategies, this one’s for you.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.If you...2025-06-0235 minMoving the NeedleReviving the Motor City: Detroit’s Comeback and the Power of Inclusive Growth with Kevin JohnsonDetroit’s comeback is one of the most remarkable economic stories in America—and Kevin Johnson has been at the heart of it. As President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, he shares how the city has gone from bankruptcy to boom, with $5 billion in active investment and a renewed focus on equity. From attracting global companies to stabilizing local businesses, Johnson discusses Detroit’s four-pillar strategy and the partnerships fueling its momentum. This episode is a masterclass in resilience and results.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Ear...2025-05-2640 minMoving the NeedleFrom Education to Economic Opportunity: Leading with Purpose in Pinellas County With Dr. Cynthia JohnsonDr. Cynthia Johnson brings a unique perspective to economic development, rooted in education and driven by equity. She shares how Pinellas County, Florida, responds to disruption through collaboration, innovation, and people-centered strategy. From launching an $11.2M business incubator to building a unified workforce system, Dr. Johnson outlines how local leadership expands opportunity, even in the face of crisis. This episode is a powerful reminder that economic development begins with listening—and leading—with intention.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.If you like our podcast, you...2025-05-1929 minMoving the NeedleThe People's Project: Equity, Growth, and the Atlanta BeltLine With Clyde HiggsIn this episode, Clyde Higgs dives into the $4.5 billion Atlanta BeltLine—a transformative infrastructure project reconnecting 45 neighborhoods while driving job creation, transit access, and affordable housing. Higgs shares how public-private partnerships, inclusive zoning, and land banking are helping ensure long-time residents and legacy businesses benefit from the BeltLine’s growth. This is more than redevelopment—it’s a model for how cities can center people and equity in economic progress.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.If you like our podcast, you'll also like our books:The Fu...2025-05-1230 minMoving the NeedleMeeting the Moment: Redefining Leadership in Economic Development with Nathan OhleRecorded live at the IEDC Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., this special kickoff episode features Nathan Ohle, President & CEO of IEDC. Nathan joins co-host Johnathan Holifield to reflect on the Summit’s theme—“Meeting the Moment”—and what it means for the future of economic development. From building inclusive, resilient economies to equipping leaders at every stage of their career, Nathan shares how IEDC is helping communities navigate rapid change. Tune in for insights on the trends reshaping the field, the value of cross-sector collaboration, and why now is the time to lead boldly.Moving the Needle is...2025-05-0524 min
Moving the NeedleBONUS: Social Entrepreneurship and Moving the Needle, with Forward Impact Solutions' Christopher GergenToday we're sharing an episode of a podcast that shares our mission to move the needle - Inside Impact with Alisa Herr.Christopher Gergen's first entrepreneurial venture—a coffee shop bar in Santiago, Chile—was impactful, but more impactful was the man who walked in and introduced himself as a "cultural entrepreneur." In this episode, hear how that first project inspired him to support founders and transform entrepreneurship in the Triangle as a Founding Partner of Forward Impact Solutions.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.If...2025-01-1553 minMoving the NeedleRevolutionizing Food Systems: Transforming Communities for Generational Wealth Creation, with Tom McDougallToday we explore how a transformed food system can pave the way for generational wealth creation, equity, and a sustainable future for communities.4P Foods is working to revolutionize the food industry by connecting smallholder farmers with local consumers, and CEO Tom McDougall joins us to talk about the need to improve food ecosystems, considering their impact on local economies, the environment, and healthcare. Tom shares his firsthand experiences with the externalities and true costs of the industrial food system, shedding light on the importance of creating alternative strategies.Moving the Needle is hosted by...2024-12-1859 minMoving the NeedleRodney Williams, Changing Access to Capital with SoLo FundsSoLo Funds is the outgrowth of co-founder and chairman Rodney Williams’ lived experience of a mother who regularly needed access to short-term cash to stay current with bills and to maintain household cohesion. Such loans were very limited and costly in his neighborhood. Rodney wanted to develop a community-based lending marketplace for small dollar amounts as an alternative to banks, high-interest credit cards, and predatory lenders that impose unfair, deceptive, or abusive terms on borrowers.SoLo Funds operates a community peer-to-peer lending platform. The company announced 1 million registered users as of 2023, making it reportedly the largest black-owned fi...2024-12-1352 minMoving the Needle$100M in Capital Funding, with Minority Business Accelerator CEO Darrin RedusToday's guest is Darrin Redus, CEO of the Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator within the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Accelerator has recently launched a $100 million transformational equity capital fund to fuel the creation of larger scale minority owned businesses, and Darrin is here to give us all of the details of what that means and the impact it will have in addressing long-standing economic inequities and advancing inclusive prosperity.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.If you like our podcast, you'll also like...2024-12-051h 02Moving the NeedleLyneir Richardson, CEO of Chicago TRENDAs we talk about the racial wealth gap it’s critical to highlight the importance of owning appreciating assets. At the end of 2020, 44% of Black Americans owned their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with almost 75% of White Americans. That difference materially undermines both family wealth creation and prospects for inclusive prosperity. While not the only way, but certainly one of the surest ways to build generational wealth is through ownership of appreciating assets like land, a home, or even commercial property. Today we are joined by someone who’s making it happen. As CEO o...2024-11-2751 minMoving the NeedleJennifer Shieh, US Small Business Administration Director of Ecosystem DevelopmentWhen you’re running a small business, you’ll take all the resources you can get, especially access to capital. But many founders have no idea where to begin to look for funding and wouldn’t even think to look at the federal government. To promote inclusive opportunity and prosperity, America’s Seed Fund - the small business innovation research program - now invests over $4 BILLION a year to over 4000 small businesses across the United States. Jennifer Shieh is the Director of Ecosystem Development at the United States Small Business Administration.Moving the Needle is hosted...2024-11-2552 minMoving the NeedleAaron Walker, CEO of Camelback VenturesMedian Black wealth is 12 times less than median White wealth, and it is estimated that median Black wealth by 2053 will be zero. While there are myriad historic and current reasons for such outcomes, what we know for sure is that entrepreneurship is a potent enabler of wealth creation and driver of inclusive prosperity. Today’s guest on Moving The Needle is Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures based in New Orleans. Camelback’s mission is to increase access to opportunity for entrepreneurs of color and women by investing in their ventures and leadership while advocating for fairness in th...2024-11-1841 minMoving the NeedleRace, Privilege, and a Mission to Close the Wealth Gap: Johnathan Holifield and Christopher Gergen Share Their StoriesChristopher Gergen and Johnathan Holifield come from completely different backgrounds. One was born into power and privilege in a political family in DC. One grew up in the industrial, blue-collar Detroit area where hard work was the norm. Through their careers and personal growth, they've ended up with the same goals - to raise awareness and promote action to strengthen our nation’s economic inclusion, competitiveness, and prosperity - and ultimately move the needle in closing the generational wealth gap in the United States.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by...2024-11-1142 minMoving the NeedleTracy Palandjian, CEO of Social FinanceTracy Palandjian is moving the needle. She's the CEO of Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit that has mobilized $350 million in new investments designed to help 45,000 people realize improved outcomes in education, economic mobility, health, and housing.Any attempts to close economic inequity gaps must begin with a focus on aligning underestimated talent with the economic inequity closing sectors of the economy, then helping them attain ownership stakes in those sectors. Acquisition of in-demand skills provides just such an ownership stake. Earlier this year, Social Finance partnered with Google on a $100M innovative investment...2024-11-0446 minMoving the NeedleNorth Carolina A&T Chancellor Harold MartinThis episode of Moving the Needle features Harold Martin, the esteemed, immediate past Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University. As America's largest-ever historically Black university and one of North Carolina's top three public research universities, NC A&T contributes in diverse and growing ways to the U.S. and North Carolina economies. One of the greatest opportunities to improve economic mobility and generate wealth is quality education. Today, we talk about why historically Black colleges and universities in general - and NC A&T specifically - are national assets worthy of investment, providing returns to ou...2024-10-281h 13Moving the NeedleInvesting in the American Dream, with US Economic Development Administration’s Alejandra CastilloPresident Biden appointed today's guest, Alejandra Castillo, to head the Economic Development Administration. In this role, she leads the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.For Assistant Secretary Castillo, having grown up in New York City and then the Dominican Republic, and as the daughter of entrepreneurs, she knows how small businesses can work with their communities to thrive. Under her leadership, EDA now requires authentic coalition-building across multiple stakeholders - including underestimated humans and communities - to access EDA resources. Listen to...2024-10-2147 minMoving the NeedleEconomic Development and Communities That Get It Right, with IEDC CEO Nathan OhleHistorically there are so many communities that have done a poor job of economic development and inclusive competitiveness, but we're talking about the communities that are getting it right. Plus, what specifically is in the International Economic Development Council's Equitable Economic Playbook?Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council - a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization serving economic development professionals. IEDC’s over 4000 members help create the best on-the-ground conditions in their regions throughout the world for high-quality jobs, vibrant communities, and improved quality of life.Moving the Needle is...2024-10-1457 minMoving the NeedleTrailerWelcome to Moving the Needle, a podcast that explores how innovators and problem solvers are doing transformative work in cities and rural communities to create new pathways for generational wealth creation. Our goal is to lift up solutions that are giving us hope and light the way for policymakers, community leaders, philanthropists, private investors, and engaged citizens who care about equity and economic impact.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and edited and produced by Earfluence.2024-10-1005 minMoving the NeedleRevolutionizing Food Systems: Transforming Communities for Generational Wealth Creation, with Tom McDougallToday we explore how a transformed food system can pave the way for generational wealth creation, equity, and a sustainable future for communities.4P Foods is working to revolutionize the food industry by connecting smallholder farmers with local consumers, and CEO Tom McDougall joins us to talk about the need to improve food ecosystems, considering their impact on local economies, the environment, and healthcare. Tom shares his firsthand experiences with the externalities and true costs of the industrial food system, shedding light on the importance of creating alternative strategies.Moving the Needle...2023-07-1759 minMoving the NeedleEconomic Development and Communities That Get It Right, with IEDC CEO Nathan OhleHistorically there are so many communities that have done a poor job or economic development and inclusive competitiveness, but we're talking about the communities that are getting it right. Plus, what specifically is in the International Economic Development Council's Equitable Economic Playbook?Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council - a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization serving economic development professionals. IEDC’s over 4000 members help create the best on the ground conditions in their regions throughout the world for high quality jobs, vibrant communities, and improved quality of life.Mov...2023-05-1557 minMoving the NeedleInvesting in the American Dream, with US Economic Development Administration’s Alejandra CastilloPresident Biden has appointed today's guest Alejandra Castillo to head the Economic Development Administration, leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.For Assistant Secretary Castillo, having grown up in New York City and then the Dominican Republic, and as the daughter of entrepreneurs, she knows how small businesses can work with their communities to thrive.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.
Thank you to our sponsors:Live...2023-03-2748 minMoving the Needle$100M in Capital Funding, with Minority Business Accelerator CEO Darrin RedusToday's guest is Darrin Redus, CEO of the Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator within the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Accelerator has recently launched a $100 million transformational equity capital fund to fuel the creation of larger scale minority owned businesses, and Darrin is here to give us all of the details of what that means and the impact it will have in addressing long-standing economic inequities.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.
Thank you to our sponsors:Live Oak Bank is on a...2023-02-141h 02
Moving the NeedleBitwise Industries' Irma Olguin Jr and Jake SoberalBitwise Industries fuels the growth of tech economies in underestimated cities, powered by underestimated talent - through workforce development, enterprise tech services, and placemaking in under-invested areas. Bitwise cofounders Irma Olguin Jr and Jake Soberal are truly moving the needle, and today we hear their reasons for starting the company, what they've accomplished so far, and what's on the horizon for the rapidly growing startup. Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.
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Live Oak Bank is on a mission to b...2023-01-0349 minMoving the NeedleRodney Williams, Changing Access to Capital with SoLo FundsRodney Williams saw it firsthand. His mom would get paid on Monday, and the bill would be due on Thursday. With getting to the bank, having the check clear, and having access in her account, sometimes that meant the check would bounce. And the lights would turn off. And the food in the refrigerator would go bad. And there would be a shut off fee PLUS a turn on fee PLUS a bounced check fee. So being late meant a perpetual inability to get ahead. Rodney saw all of this, and is doing something about it, as the co-founder an...2022-12-0652 minMoving the NeedleRace, Privilege, and a Mission to Close the Wealth Gap: Johnathan Holifield and Christopher Gergen Share Their StoriesChristopher Gergen and Johnathan Holifield come from completely different backgrounds. One was born into power and privilege in a political family in DC. One grew up in blue collar Detroit where you had to work hard to survive. Through their careers and personal growth, they've ended up with the same goals - to raise awareness that we're not all on an equal playing field - and ultimately move the needle in closing the generational wealth gap among races in the United States.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.2022-11-2143 minMoving the NeedleBONUS, WorkforceRx Podcast: Johnathan Holifield, Senior Vice President at Bitwise Industries: Opening Economic Opportunities To The UnderestimatedToday we're sharing an episode of a podcast that shares our mission to move the needle - WorkforceRX with Futuro Health.Johnathan Holifield spent many years deeply involved in neighborhood and community development work without really moving the needle until he discovered the game-changing nature of the innovation economy. “The stuff we were doing was good work, but we were focused on largely inelastic career opportunities versus what you find in the tech sector and innovation economy, which are elastic opportunities that really give you social and economic mobility.” As senior vice president of New Economies at Bitw...2022-11-1538 minMoving the NeedleBONUS: Social entrepreneurship and moving the needle, with Forward Impact Solutions' Christopher GergenToday we're sharing an episode of a podcast that shares our mission to move the needle - Inside Impact with Alisa Herr.Christopher Gergen's first entrepreneurial venture—a coffee shop bar in Santiago, Chile—was impactful, but more impactful was the man who walked in and introduced himself as a "cultural entrepreneur." In this episode, hear how that first project inspired him to support founders and transform entrepreneurship in the Triangle as a Founding Partner of Forward Impact Solutions.Inside Impact is hosted by Unity Web Agency CEO Alisa Herr and is produced by Earfluence.
2022-11-0751 minMoving the NeedleJennifer Shieh, US Small Business Administration Director of Ecosystem DevelopmentWhen you’re running a small business, you’ll take all the resources you can get, especially access to capital. But many founders have no idea where to begin to look for funding and wouldn’t even think to look at the federal government. But America’s Seed Fund, the small business innovation research program, now distributes over $4 BILLION a year to over 4000 small businesses across the United States.Jennifer Shieh is the Director of Ecosystem Development at the United States Small Business Administration.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifiel...2022-10-2452 minMoving the NeedleLyneir Richardson, CEO of Chicago TrendAs we talk about the racial wealth gap it’s critical to highlight the importance of owning assets. At the end of 2020, 44% of Black Americans owned their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with almost 75% of White Americans. That’s an unconscionable difference. One of the ways to build generational wealth is through owning assets like land, a home, or even retail property. Today we talk to someone who’s making it happen. As CEO of Chicago Trend, Lyneir Richardson is creating new ownership opportunities within majority communities of color.Mov...2022-10-1051 minMoving the NeedleTracy Palandjian, CEO of Social FinanceTracy Palandjian is moving the needle. She's the CEO of Social Finance, a national impact finance and advisory nonprofit that has mobilized $350 million in new investments designed to help 45,000 people realize improved outcomes in education, economic mobility, health, and housing.Earlier this year, Social Finance partnered with Google on $100M innovative investment program that will upskill and place 20,000 Americans in good jobs and drive $1 billion in wage gains over the next 10 years.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.
Thank you to...2022-09-2647 minMoving the NeedleAaron Walker, CEO of Camelback VenturesMedian Black wealth is 12 times less than median White wealth, and it is estimated that median Black wealth by 2053 will be zero.Our guest today is Aaron Walker, CEO of Camelback Ventures based in New Orleans. Camelback’s mission is to increase access to opportunity for entrepreneurs of color and women by investing in their ventures and leadership while advocating for fairness in their funding. Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield. Trailer and this episode are edited and produced by The Aspen Institute.
Thank you to...2022-09-2641 minMoving the NeedleNC A&T Chancellor Harold MartinOn the first episode of Moving the Needle, we are thrilled to bring you Harold Martin, the esteemed Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University.One of the greatest opportunities to improve economic mobility and generate wealth is quality education. Today, we talk about why Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in general - and NC A&T specifically - are national assets worthy of investment, providing returns to our nation that cannot be replicated or replaced.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield, and is produced by Earfluence.
2022-09-2654 minMoving the NeedleTrailerWelcome to Moving the Needle, a fresh new podcast that explores how innovators and problem solvers are doing transformative work in cities and rural communities to create new pathways for generational wealth creation. Our goal is to lift up solutions that are giving us hope and light the way for policy makers, community leaders, philanthropists, private investors, and engaged citizens who care about equity and economic impact.Basically, this is a podcast about needle moving sh!t.Moving the Needle is hosted by Christopher Gergen & Johnathan Holifield. Trailer and episode 1 edited and produced by The...2022-06-1505 min