Progressive Pockets: a podcast about the untapped power of our wallets to build the world we want
A podcast at the intersection of social impact and personal finance that covers questions of how we might spend, donate, and invest more in line with our values. Hosted by Genet "GG" Gimja Formerly known as the Spend Donate Invest Podcast
Episodes
This week let’s chat about Radfund, a group of friends in Brooklyn that decided to pool their money to donate together in 2015. Ten years later, the group is still going strong and they’ve learned a lot about the pros and cons of donating together. This week’s episode is about their lessons learned and what it has been like.
Links from today’s episode:
Rad Fund NYC
ICYMI another epis...
There’s rich and then there’s ultra wealthy. Did you know that thousands of Americans have over $500 million in assets? Many of these Americans say they want to donate more of their money than they actually do, but they keep getting stuck.
Today’s episode outlines the reasons why.
Links from today’s episode:
Four Pathways to Greater Giving | The Bridgespan Group | November 2018
It’s tough to know how much to donate! In the past, religion made that decision easy, with lots of guidelines about various types of giving.
But in our modern lives, many of us are not particularly religious. So this week’s episode has five different ways you might make that decision for yourself.
ICYMI another episode you might enjoy:
Episode#119 Investing According to Islamic Principles (recorded before the 2024 r...
This week let’s talk diamonds! Did you see the movie Blood Diamonds in 2006? The movie ended in a dramatic scene where world leaders gathered together to try to do better.
Did it work? What’s the latest with buying diamonds these days? Are there options that are better for the planet and our people?
Tune in this week to talk through the growing trend in buying lab-grown diamonds, certified diamonds, and recycled diamond...
This week let’s chat about how you might convince your job to start an employee donation matching program so that your charitable giving can go twice as far.
You’ll learn a simple three step plan to find a couple of allies, figure out who the decider is, and how to pitch your idea. Your colleagues will be thrilled that their donations will go farther, and your organization will be glad to have an employee perk that do...
Ever notice how almost everyone in America calls themselves “middle class”? But what does that really mean? Do you see yourself that way? Let’s talk about the technical definition and the messier, lived experience of being middle class today—and why getting clear on this matters if we want to build communities that truly understand and support one another.
Links from today’s episode:
Are you in the American middle ...
This week let’s chat about all of the reasons why some shoppers have decided to take a break from Amazon. Whether the environmental impact makes you uneasy, the treatment of their workers, or just the ease of impulse shopping- whatever rubs you the wrong way, you might be looking for ways to reduce your reliance on Amazon.
Today let’s talk about a baby step you may have never considered before- buying your books on Boo...
Think about a community issue that’s important to you. It could be a public health issue, it could be a matter of safety in your community, it could even be the overall happiness of your community. When it comes to donating towards those causes, there are three different ways you can tackle the same problem: research, services, or advocacy.
In today’s episode, let’s talk about what it means to tackle an issue from tho...
This week, I will share the simple process I used to move my investments to a more socially responsible index fund including the steps I followed and the mistakes that I made!
Links from today’s episode:
How to choose the best index fund | Forbes
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/how-to-choose-the-best-index-fund/
ICYMI another episode you might enjoy:
Episode 76 The Surprising Truth About What ESG Invest...
Today’s episode is the last installment of the first ever climate month here at Progressive Pockets. Did you enjoy the series?
So far we have discussed how to deal with climate anxiety, how to create an outdoor space that’s sustainable but cute, how to move your cash to a more climate friendly bank. Today let’s chat about how to make our retirement accounts a little more earth friendly.
Whether you are a new investor or...
Do you ever wonder what your bank is doing with your cash? They keep some of it in reserves, of course, in case you need to withdraw it. But they also make a lot of decisions- about who to lend it to, which companies and politicians to back, and where they will invest your cash to make their own profits.
That’s a lot of decisions! And it’s possible that your bank isn’t making decisions that line up with your ...
This is the second episode of the climate month series! Today’s topic is rethinking our outdoor spaces to be a little more sustainable while still being beautiful and functional for our lives.
Whether you have a balcony or a sprawling lawn, whether you have never thought about sustainability in your landscaping or you’ve already implemented a few ideas, you’ll probably find at least one suggestion in today’s ...
Welcome to the first ever climate month series on Progressive Pockets. As we dive into this series, let’s start by acknowledging a feeling many of us are having right now. According to the American Psychological Association, a staggering two-thirds of us are experiencing climate anxiety.
In today’s episode, let’s explore practical strategies for reframing our approach to climate change. Let’s talk about how t...
Are you ready for climate month at Progressive Pockets? Let’s talk about dealing with climate anxiety. Let’s dig into banks and retirement accounts that actually care about the environment. Let’s talk about sustainable landscaping... that’s still cute.
Sound good? Subscribe to Progressive Pockets wherever you listen to podcasts.
Love the book recos on this show? Check out the Progressive Pockets Bookshelf:
This week let’s chat about a great book by Ha-Joon Chang, it’s called 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism. The book is easy to read, even if you don’t have a background in economics, or even if you’re a little suspicious of the field.
ICYMI another episode you might enjoy:
Episode#118 Maybe banks don’t have to suck: an intro to CDFIs
Love the book recos on this show? Check out the Progressive Pockets...
Have you heard people talking about The Great Wealth Transfer and wondered what they were talking about? Do you feel like something’s missing from the conversation?
Dive into today’s episode for a quick summary of what’s happening and what no one’s talking about.
Links from today’s episode:
What is the “great wealth transfer,” and who’ll benefit from it? | Marketplace | December 2024
https://www.marketplace.org/2024/...
Links from today's episode:
These U.S. Companies Are Not Ditching DEI Amid Trump’s Crackdown | Time Magazine March 2025
https://time.com/7261857/us-companies-keep-dei-initiatives-list-trump-diversity-order-crackdown/
Which US companies are pulling back on diversity initiatives? | AP News February 2025
https://apnews.com/article/dei-diversity-equity-inclusion-lawsuits-f2f5e9136ac95d9466ee91c97c7e3be1
Vi...
How are you feeling today? Are you one of millions of Americans who are feeling stressed and on the verge of current events burnout?
Today’s episode is about self care for times like these. Pour a mug of something warm and grab a notebook. The work of building a better world is challenging, and requires that we find opportunities for rest, joy, pleasure, and community.
Links from today’s episode:
Promoting self car...
This week let’s chat about a wonderful new book by Jasmine Rashid, “The Financial Activist Playbook.” The book covers 8 strategies for everyday people to flex the power of their wallets. The book covers banking, shopping, donating, investing, and earning in ways that can feed our collective well being.
Tune in to hear more about the book and find out how to get your own copy today.
Links from today’s episode:
T...
This week, let’s chat about the beautiful legacy of philanthropy within the jazz community. Let’s talk about community building work by artists like Jon Batiste, Wynton Marsalis, Ella Fitzgerald and others.
Links from today’s episode:
Jazz and Philanthropy | Bridge Philanthropic Consulting
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