E8 S14 Protect What You Love: Building Movements from the Heart

In this episode, Craig Zelizer talks with Ilco van der Linde, a Dutch social entrepreneur, storyteller, and founder of multiple global movements including Dance for Life, MasterPeace, and Ocean Love. From organizing some of the largest public festivals in the Netherlands to driving emotional, community-rooted innovation for ocean protection, Ilco shares what it takes to build movements that not only spark change but sustain it.

This conversation explores personal and planetary transformation, how movements scale, and why love—and not fear—is often the most powerful catalyst for action. Whether you're leading a social enterprise, working in climate, or figuring out how to live with purpose, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom, strategy, and inspiration.

Why take a listen

• Ocean Love Innovation Awards: What it means to build the most inclusive global initiative to spark solutions for our oceans—open to individuals and teams from any background, anywhere in the world

• Turning pain into purpose: How Ilco's experience as a diver witnessing coral bleaching and plastic-filled oceans led him to launch a new global platform

• Sustainable change requires systems thinking: From individual behavior to corporate accountability and government policy, what levers really shift the needle

• Practical optimism: How to lead without burning out, stay grounded in values, and work in ways that regenerate both the planet and yourself

• Building social movements with soul: Reflections on 40 years of activism and organizing—from HIV prevention to global peacebuilding to climate

• Advice for impact careers: Ilco shares tips for launching bold projects, building teams, attracting funding, and learning to live with financial and emotional uncertainty

Resources from the podcast

Ocean Love Innovation Award
Open to applicants worldwide until September 30, 2025. Seeking creative, actionable ideas that protect oceans, rivers, biodiversity, or marine life.
More info and to apply: https://oceanlove.news

Ocean Love on Instagram
For visual stories, campaign updates, and community calls: https://www.instagram.com/oceanlovenews

Mandela House, Amsterdam
A hub for social change, community, and cultural programming built on the values of Ubuntu. Visitors welcome.
Website: https://mandelahuisje.nl

Dance for Life
Global youth movement using music and dance to promote sexual and reproductive health.
https://www.dance4life.com

MasterPeace
Creative peacebuilding movement in over 50 countries connecting young people through music, art, and dialogue.
https://masterpeace.org

WaterBear Network
Free streaming platform focused on environmental films and documentaries.
https://waterbear.com

Sea Shepherd
Mentioned during the episode as a partner in ocean protection and direct action.
https://seashepherd.org

Project Drawdown
Cited as a source for climate solution frameworks.
https://drawdown.org

Carbon Collective
Example of climate-aligned investing referenced in the conversation.
https://www.carboncollective.co

Global Alliance for Banking on Values
For those interested in ethical banking and investment.
https://www.gabv.org

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BIO

Ilco van der Linde is a Dutch social entrepreneur, storyteller, and movement builder. He is the founder of the Bevrijdingsfestivals (Liberation Day Festivals), which attract over 1 million annual visitors in the Netherlands. He co-founded dance4life, active in 30 countries, and MasterPeace, a global peacebuilding initiative in 50 countries

He also founded the Mandela House in Amsterdam, a hub for community and social impact; authored Be a Nelson (Lemniscaat); and writes for The Optimist magazine and National Geographic Travel. His latest initiative, OceanLove, along with the OceanLove Innovation Award, is a global platform mobilizing emotional connection and action to protect the ocean. The work is rooted in one core belief: people protect what they love—and lasting change starts from the heart.