Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast

What does social progress actually look like inside one of the world's most watched and most misunderstood economies? Michael Green sits down with Sofía Ramírez Aguilar, Director of México ¿Cómo Vamos?to dig into where Mexico really stands on quality of life, what the Social Progress Index reveals across all 32 states, and why the story is far more nuanced than the headlines suggest. 

From the happiness paradox to the three cri...

In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative, speaks with Dr. Amit Kapoor, Chairman of the Institute for Competitiveness, about the challenges behind India’s rise and why measuring progress requires looking beyond GDP.

Dr. Kapoor explains how India’s development story is shaped by social progress indicators, environmental pressures, and shifting global economic...

Brazil is ranked 52nd in the world for social progress but behind that number are 5,570 municipalities each fighting their own hidden crises. In this episode, Michael Green sits down with Melissa Wilm from IPS Brasil to uncover four on-the-ground stories of what happens when data meets real communities.

From two rival Brazilian capitals turning competition into collaboration, to a small Amazon town where malnutrition had nothin...

Is the loneliness epidemic a policy failure?

In this episode of the Beyond GDP Podcast, Michael Green speaks with Kim Samuel, founder of the Belonging Forum, about the growing crisis of social isolation, and why belonging may be the missing metric in public policy.

While GDP measures economic output, it tells us little about whether people feel included, represented, or connected. 

New data from the Belonging Barometer shows:

• 21% of ...

Most of our societal problems stem from an outdated dominance-based system and the solution isn’t more of the same. For episode 1 of season 2 of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, our host Michael Green sits down with Riane Eisler, President of the Center for Partnership Systems, and distinguished scientist, futurist and author of The Chalice and the Blade and The Real Wealth of Nations. 

In this episode, we discuss the overlo...

Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative, explains the fundamental distinctions between the Social Progress Index and the Human Development Index, shedding light on how social and environmental factors are measured differently from traditional economic metrics.

Michael shares the origin and purpose of the Human Development Index introduced in 1990, its indicators, and its limitations. He provides insight into w...

Over the past year, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts have faced severe backlash, especially in the United States, prompting many organizations to quietly abandon their initiatives. Some claim “mission accomplished.” The data says otherwise.

In Episode 5 of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green sits down with Elmira Bayrasli, former diplomat, author, professor, and CEO of Interruptrr, to challenge ...

The world got Ukraine wrong. Why was Ukraine underestimated and Russia overestimated for decades? It’s not just a military question, it's a social progress story.

In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green sits down with Orysia Lutsevych, Head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House, to reveal the surprising civic strength that has defined Ukraine's identity and fueled its resilience.

Befor...

Let's explore Costa Rica's remarkable social progress and the factors contributing to its success. Our special guest, Jaime Garcia, discusses the historical context, the role of institutions, and the importance of education and health in driving social welfare. The conversation also addresses current challenges and the need for a more equitable distribution of social progress across the country. 

The insights sha...

In this episode, we challenge the foundational purpose of modern business, asking a provocative question: Is your hard-earned pension money funding the very companies that undermine your long-term health and the stability of the planet? Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative, is joined by Catherine Howarth, CEO of ShareAction, to expose this ultimate investment paradox, where the shareholders, the true owners of the w...

What are the successes and challenges of Philanthrocapitalism? We highlight the evolving role of wealthy individuals and businesses in addressing social and environmental issues, the impact of political changes on philanthropy, and the future of social progress in a rapidly changing world. The conversation focuses on the need for a shift away from GDP-centric thinking towards a more holistic approach to societal well-being. 

What wi...

Learn the shifting perspectives on economic growth and the limitations of GDP as a measure of national success. Discover the origins of GDP, Gross Domestic Product,  its role in guiding global economic development, and the reasons why it falls short in capturing true societal progress.

From the historical context of the Great Depression and Simon Kuznets to the modern challenges of sustainability and equity, Michael Green...