How to Change the World

If your marketing isn't working the way it used to, it's easy to assume the answer is to do more. More posts. More emails. More campaigns. More everything. In this episode, host Catherine breaks down why that instinct often leads to burnout instead of results and offers a clearer way to diagnose what's actually going on. She introduces the two root issues behind most marketing challenges: a brand clarity problem or a marketing reach problem, and explains how they can feel the same but require completely different solutions. Catherine walks through how to identify which problem you have, what it looks and feels like inside your organization, and what to do next. She also shares why more effort isn't always the answer, how to focus your time and energy more effectively, and why choosing what not to do is just as important as what you do. If your team is working harder than ever but not seeing the results you need, this episode will help you understand where to focus so your efforts actually move the needle. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!

If you've ever wondered what it takes to keep imagining a better world while everything around you feels on fire, this conversation is for you. For the 200th episode of How to Change the World, Luis Ávila returns to the podcast to talk about immigration advocacy, power-building, and what this moment demands of changemakers. We explore the long arc of immigrant rights work in Arizona and across the country, what has shifted in the movement over the last two decades, and why Luis believes every major leap forward in human rights begins with someone imagining a world that does not exist yet and deciding to fight for it anyway. We also talk about what communities need right now, why being in community matters as much as strategy, and how leaders can hold both defense and vision at the same time. If you care about immigration, movement-building, and how to keep going when the work feels overwhelming, this episode is for you. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!

If you've ever wondered how leaders keep going when the work never feels finished, this conversation offers a look behind the curtain. Claire Louge, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, joins me to talk about what it looks like to lead change today. In this movingly honest conversation, Claire shares her personal journey moving from chronic self-doubt to developing self-trust, and why transparency has become one of her core values. We explore how her personal journey shaped the way she leads and why she believes leadership should be more accessible, human, and honest. Claire also breaks down what prevention of child abuse actually looks like, including why "the root cause of child abuse and neglect is unsupported people" and how we shift from a culture of surveillance to a culture of support by getting families what they need, when they need it, in their own communities. If you care about building a world where families flourish and children can be who they are and offer their strengths to the world, this episode is for you. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!

If you care about ethical fashion, women's leadership, and what it looks like to build change that lasts, this episode is for you. Julie Colombino-Billingham, founder of luxury fashion brand Deux Mains, joins me to share how a background in disaster response and a life-changing season in post-earthquake Haiti led her from short-term aid to focusing on long-term economic freedom for Haitian people through incredible craftsmanship. We talk about the moment a Haitian woman told her, "I don't need water, but I need a job," and how that single sentence reshaped her understanding of what people actually need to rebuild. Julie walks me through how Deux Mains grew from tire sandals made in a tent into a fair trade, women-led brand now selling in Nordstrom and creating stable jobs for Haitian artisans. We also unpack what redefined "luxury" can mean when it's rooted in transparency, living wages, sustainable choices, and partnerships that adapt without compromising core values. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!

2026 is poised to be a chaotic year in politics and elections – with high-stakes consequences. So, what better time to analyze and predict the year ahead with Javelina's resident political experts? In this episode, I'm joined by Javelina political strategists David Waid and Justin Plumb to unpack what they're already seeing in early 2026 — from fractures within both parties, to how campaigns are thinking about authenticity, to the role AI will (and won't) play in reaching voters. We get into voter turnout, midterm dynamics, wedge issues, and why some of the most effective candidates may be the ones who blend heart with strategy. We also share our own bold predictions (some serious, some not-so-serious) about the races, actors, and surprises that may define this cycle — and what this moment is signaling about politics more broadly. If you've been trying to make sense of the political landscape, this conversation offers insight, context, and a reminder that even unpredictable cycles have patterns worth watching. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!

If it feels like corporations have more influence than elected officials right now… you're not imagining it. Authors Seth Levine and Elizabeth MacBride join me to unpack their new book, Capital Evolution: The New American Economy — and the argument that we're living through a major transition in American capitalism. They break down how the last 50 years of "shareholder-first" thinking helped concentrate wealth and opportunity, why we're now in a messy in-between era, and what they believe could come next: a more "dynamic capitalism" that still values markets, but expands ownership and opportunity, encourages longer-term thinking, and redefines the relationship between business, government, and the public. We also talk about what accountability looks like when business is a primary actor in society, where the line is between corporate values and politics, and why our fractured information environment (and AI) makes it harder to see what's actually real. If you've been trying to make sense of the economy, power, and what's shifting beneath our feet — this conversation offers language, context, and a few reasons to stay clear-eyed (and hopeful). 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!

What if a 10-week, after-school program led by older students could move the needle on a statewide literacy crisis? Sophie Allen Etchart, founder and CEO of Read Better Be Better (RBBB), shares how a simple, peer-led reading model — pairing middle school leaders with younger readers — is helping Arizona students beat the odds in a state where 61% of third graders aren't reading at grade level. Sophie shares how she built Read Better Be Better from testing the curriculum with a kid in her neighborhood to a recent study by an independent education group confirming that students in their programs outperform their peers on key literacy measures. Now, the program stands as a Tier II evidence-based option schools can include in their literacy plans. If you care about focusing school boards on what works, championing the science of reading, and finding leadership by looking around — not up — this conversation offers a hopeful, practical roadmap for systems-level change. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!

What if your morning coffee could strengthen entire communities? Dr. Arisbe Mendoza, Director of Global Impact at Fairtrade International, shares how everyday purchases — your morning coffee, chocolate bar, or bottle of wine — can create ripple effects across communities worldwide. From living-income pricing and climate-resilient farming to gender equity and co-ownership by 1.9 million farmers and workers, Arisbe reveals how Fairtrade is redefining what ethical trade can achieve — and why October's Fair Trade Month is the perfect time to reflect on the impact of our everyday choices. Whether you're leading a social impact organization, working toward sustainability goals, or just rethinking your weekly grocery list, this conversation shows how small, intentional actions can add up to systemic change. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!

How do you build a content strategy that actually works — without burning out or getting lost in the noise? Do you ever feel like you're churning out content with knowing if it's truly working? In this episode, I sit down with Kristen Neuendorff, the content strategist behind many of Javelina's client projects, to talk about creating content with purpose. We cover how changemakers can align their content with their mission and bigger goals, even when resources are limited. Kristen shares simple frameworks, practical tools, and real examples from the field — including how we repurpose content, prioritize the right platforms, and use storytelling to create deeper connections. Whether you manage your organization's social media or want to refine your own personal strategy, this conversation will leave you with actionable ideas you can put into practice today. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!

Too often, marketing Return-on-Investment (ROI) gets reduced to dollars in and dollars out. In this solo episode, Catherine challenges that narrow view and explores why the impact of marketing is about so much more. From building community and awareness to shifting culture and shaping long-term behavior, she reframes marketing as a powerful tool for changemakers that goes far beyond short-term revenue. Along the way, she shares client stories and a surprising lesson she picked up from a Swiss athletic brand — all pointing to the same truth: the best return on marketing is measured in relationships, not just transactions. Whether you're leading a nonprofit, reporting to a board, or simply trying to prove the worth of your work, this conversation will help you expand the way you see ROI — and make the case for marketing as an essential driver of change. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!

How do we create real change in a world that feels stuck? A powerful framework to define decision-making roles - especially when the stakes are high. In this episode of How to Change the World, host Catherine Alonzo sits down with renowned facilitator, author, and systems change expert, Adam Kahane to talk about how we move forward when collaboration feels harder than ever. With decades of experience helping unlikely allies work across deep divides, Adam shares lessons from his new book "Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems" and reflects on the power of radical engagement: showing up, staying curious, and choosing to work together—even when it's uncomfortable. From navigating burnout to embracing progress that isn't always visible, this conversation offers grounded insight for anyone committed to change. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking.

A powerful framework to define decision-making roles - especially when the stakes are high. "It's one of the best ways to make sure your team is ready for whatever comes next." In this episode of How to Change the World, host Catherine Alonzo breaks down one of the most essential tools for changemakers today: the decision tree. At a time when organizations are having to respond quickly in a rapidly changing landscape, Catherine explains why clarity in decision-making is more critical than ever. You'll hear real-world examples of where the decision tree worked — and where it didn't — and learn how to use it to drive faster, more meaningful action in moments of pressure or uncertainty. This is the kind of clarity that will help your team not just respond, but respond well. Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!

When people see you everywhere, they start to believe in your legitimacy. In this episode of How to Change the World, host Catherine Alonzo sits down with two PR powerhouse - Shanté Micah and Josh Moody, co-founders of visibility intelligence company Good News - to break down what it really takes to get your message in front of the media, and why visibility is essential for changemakers today. Shanté is a veteran PR strategist and author of PR Power Play, known for helping entrepreneurs and changemakers turn powerful stories into earned media wins. Josh is a systems architect and digital marketing strategist who has built scalable PR tech used by hundreds of founders to boost credibility, drive inbound leads, and expand their influence. Together, they break down why visibility matters now more than ever - and how to build it intentionally. From pitching smarter to automating the behind-the-scenes grind, this conversation offers practical insights for anyone ready to grow their impact through media. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your reach, this episode will help you trade hustle for strategy - and start showing up where it counts. Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!