E8 S14 Protect What You Love: Building Movements from the Heart
The Social Change Career Podcast
Release Date: 04/10/2025
E10 S14 Building a Purpose Driven Career in Philanthropy
The Social Change Career Podcast
This episode of the Social Change Career Podcast features a thoughtful and practical conversation between Craig Zelizer and , founder of and the Philanthropy Network. Brad’s entry into fundraising was unplanned—driven by financial necessity—but evolved into a decades-long career advising institutions like , the Portland Museum of Art, Suffolk University, and the . In this episode, Brad shares hard-earned lessons on how to build a meaningful and sustainable career in philanthropy, even amid burnout, changing donor landscapes, and rising ethical questions. What the episode covers: • How...
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Ep9 S14 Innovative Finance and Impact: How to Build an Unconventional Career
The Social Change Career Podcast
This episode of The Social Change Career Podcast features , a global finance expert with over 15 years of experience across sovereign debt, venture capital, and impact investing. Her career has taken her from rural Missouri to leading projects across Latin America and Asia—working in English, Mandarin, Spanish, and Portuguese. Bethany’s path challenges conventional ideas of what a finance career looks like and shows how language, agility, and purpose can shape meaningful work. Why Take a Listen Learn how a career can evolve through unexpected roles and geographic pivots—and how to...
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E8 S14 Protect What You Love: Building Movements from the Heart
The Social Change Career Podcast
In this episode, Craig Zelizer talks with , a Dutch social entrepreneur, storyteller, and founder of multiple global movements including Dance for Life, , and . 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...
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Ep7 S14 Women Shaping Industrial Policy and Transformation in the Global South
The Social Change Career Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Craig Zelizer speaks with , a leader in industrial policy, gender equity, and international cooperation. From serving as Colombia’s Vice Minister of Business Development to designing the country’s first industrial policy in two decades, Soraya brings a rich, cross-sectoral perspective on how to build more inclusive and sustainable economies in the Global South. Based in Bogotá, with academic roots in Colombia, Italy, and India, Soraya shares how her experiences in government, academia, and diplomacy have shaped her career—and her deep commitment to bringing...
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E6 S14: Navigate Your Impact Career Amidst Sector Disruption Breathe, Plan & Act
The Social Change Career Podcast
Navigating a career in the ever-changing world of social impact work can be a wild ride, especially now. In this episode of the Social Change Career Podcast, we talk about how to manage with the crisis caused by the devastating and cruel cuts to USAID and other orgs. This session features four leading impact sector experts Caroline Ouwerkerk, Spencer Campbell, Julia Firestone and Craig Zelizer. Whether you're figuring out your next steps or trying to make the most of your current situation, this episode offers insights to help you breathe, plan, and act. Why listen to this...
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E5 S14 Building a Career at the Intersection of Art, Activism, and Collective Liberation
The Social Change Career Podcast
In this episode of the Social Change Career Podcast, Dr. Craig Zelizer sits down with the inspiring . As a visionary leader and founder of impactful organizations like . and and serving as an , Yura shares their compelling journey of weaving together art, activism, and collective liberation to create lasting social impact. Why You Should Listen: Art as Activism: Discover how Yura's work with Liberate Inc. uses the arts to advance racial, social, and climate justice. Learn about their groundbreaking initiatives that empower BIPOC creatives through grants, education, and organizing efforts. ...
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E4 S14 Building a Career at the Intersection of Water, Peace, and Sustainability
The Social Change Career Podcast
Join us for Season 14, Episode 4 of the Social Change Career Podcast, featuring , a global leader working at the intersection of environmental policy, peacebuilding, and youth leadership. Natalia shares her multifaceted career at the intersection of water, peace, and sustainability. She highlights the importance of a long-term vision, nurturing relationships, and pursuing further education, such as her involvement in the . Whether you're just starting your career or looking to pivot into a field focused on making a difference, particulary in sustainability and impact, this is a...
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E3 S14 Boardy, the AI Superconnector: How AI Can Support Your Career in Challenging (and Non-Challenging) Times
The Social Change Career Podcast
Take a listen to Season 14, Episode 3 of the Social Change Career Podcast featuring an AI super connector designed to help people navigate their careers, build meaningful connections, and find opportunities in impact sectors. Why Listen? Learn how AI can support impact professionals in challenging times. Explore the role of AI-driven career networking in fostering real human connections. Gain insights into how Boardy facilitates double opt-in networking to help professionals find aligned collaborations. Hear about the rise of AI in impact careers and how professionals can adapt. ...
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E2 S14: Empowering African NGOs: Building Sustainable Careers in Resource Mobilization
The Social Change Career Podcast
Take a listen to Season 14, Episode 2 of the featuring , a leading nonprofit fundraising consultant with extensive experience mobilizing resources for African NGOs, international organizations, and social enterprises. Why Tune In? Learn practical strategies for resource mobilization and financial sustainability for African NGOs. Explore how local nonprofits can strengthen fundraising capacity to access global funding and thrive. Gain insights into donor cycles, grant writing, and business development tailored for the Global South. Learn the skills needed to build a career connected to...
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E1 S14: Building Impactful Careers Through Purpose-Driven Ventures
The Social Change Career Podcast
Join us for Season 14, Episode 1 of the Social Change Career Podcast which features , an accomplished impact investor and business leader, who shares insights on creating purpose-driven ventures that tackle global challenges while delivering financial returns. Whether you're an aspiring changemaker or a seasoned professional looking to align your career with your values, this conversation offers practical advice and fresh perspectives. Why Take a Listen? Discover strategies for navigating and growing in the evolving field of impact careers. Learn practical advice on aligning your values...
info_outlineIn 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
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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
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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
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Sustainable change requires systems thinking: From individual behavior to corporate accountability and government policy, what levers really shift the needle
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Practical optimism: How to lead without burning out, stay grounded in values, and work in ways that regenerate both the planet and yourself
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Building social movements with soul: Reflections on 40 years of activism and organizing—from HIV prevention to global peacebuilding to climate
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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.