Helplines Reimagined, with Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt of Tech Matter's Aselo
Tech Matters
In this special episode of the Tech Matters Podcast, we dive into the inspiring story of , a groundbreaking contact center platform designed to empower child helplines worldwide. Aselo is revolutionizing how organizations provide counseling, resources, and care through modern, purpose-built technology. Join us as we explore the journey of Director of Product and Operations Dee Luo and Executive Director Nick Hurlburt, the visionary leaders behind Aselo, who share how they transitioned from the tech industry to building a social enterprise that’s making a global impact. Aselo is now...
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Season Two wrap-up: What We Heard and Where To Next
Tech Matters
In wrapping up Season Two, Jim extends his heartfelt gratitude to our devoted listeners and the extraordinary tech nonprofit leaders who've shared their impactful stories. Furthermore, this season wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of our major donors, including the , , the , and . Jim leaves us with a call to action: technologists and social sector workers alike are invited to pivot their skills towards meaningful impact. RATE, WRITE, SUBSCRIBE Be sure to leave us a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts! Wicked problems require more...
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The Balcony and the Dance Floor: Jim's Journey Towards a Better Deal for Data
Tech Matters
For our final episode of season 2, this time it's Jim who sits on the other end. Our special guest host is his longtime mentee — and CEO of — . What led to the decision to prioritize social impact over the stereotypical Silicon Valley (attempt at) wealth for its own sake? Guided by Nithya's insightful questioning, Jim's narrative takes us through the early experiences that shaped his sense of empathy without ever losing his innate curiosity for science and technology. As they discuss the evolution of social entrepreneurship, the significance of data sovereignty, Jim...
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Mapping the Global Supply Chain, with Natalie Grillon of Open Supply Hub
Tech Matters
is more than just a database; it's a movement towards a more ethical and sustainable future. By crowdsourcing data and providing a unique identifier for facilities, they've created a system that benefits everyone from brands to auditors and even the workers themselves. Today's conversation covers the inception of Open Supply Hub and its evolution. Executive Director recounts her time in Uganda, working with an agricultural development company as part of a global fellowship with . This experience, coupled with her exposure to the aftermath of the heart-breaking , fueled her...
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Bridging the Education Gap: Talking Points' Heejae Lim on Tech-Driven Family Engagement
Tech Matters
Dive into the heart of social tech innovation with , the trailblazing founder and CEO of . Heejae recounts the inception of her groundbreaking app, which stands out as a rare success story in a sea of well-intentioned but often ineffective educational apps. TalkingPoints isn't just another tool in the edtech arsenal; it's a game-changer, using AI to bridge language gaps, fostering meaningful connections between teachers and non-English-speaking parents, and ultimately improving educational outcomes for students—particularly those from underserved communities. This episode is an...
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Uniting Data Science and Social Good, with DataKind co-founder Jake Porway
Tech Matters
"What could the nonprofit sector do if every nonprofit had Google's engineering team?" (J. P.) In this thought-provoking episode, we sat down with , the visionary co-founder of , to explore the transformative potential of harnessing data science for the nonprofit sector. Jake takes us through the journey of the organization from its early days of hackathons to its evolution into a beacon for long-term, impact-oriented projects. Today, DataKind is made of many chapters worldwide, as data scientists and social workers meet to face challenges in their home countries. But we asked...
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Exposing Global Corruption: Tech For Investigative Journalism, with Drew Sullivan of OCCRP
Tech Matters
"It takes a network to fight a network" (D. S.) In the labyrinth of global corruption and organized crime, a beacon of truth shines through the data-driven work of the (OCCRP). This episode takes a deep dive with co-founder as he shares the story behind the most comprehensive database on international corruption. By aggregating billions of data points, from public records to leaked documents, OCCRP empowers journalists worldwide to uncover the intricate networks of criminal activity. But the journey wasn't simple. Drew recounts the organic evolution into a robust, that...
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Fortifying Truth in the Age of Deepfakes: Lessons from Yvette Alberdingk Thijm, ex-Director of Witness
Tech Matters
“Seeing is no longer believing. You need to fortify the truth.” (Y.A.T.) Generative AI, deepfakes… we’ve known the risks for a while, but the dangers feel ever closer given the amazing advancements of orgs like OpenAI. Meanwhile, human rights activists have faced these risks for years (think of doctored videos, misleading evidence, or the total absence of context). was ahead of its time by giving people tools to document human rights violations (departing from conventional notions of “acquiring data”) and prioritizing authenticity, personal security, and...
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Part 2 - Overcoming the Market (Failure), with Owen Barder of PxD
Tech Matters
Picking up where we left off with , Jim digs deeper into how tech enters the discussion, in particular what has been doing to tackle major sustainable agriculture challenges in developing countries. Key topics: When to do AB testing (à la Facebook) vs. a full-blown Randomized Control Trial (the typical government approach); the fact that data helps flag a problem, but you still need to dig deeper to understand exactly what that problem is; and the fact that farmers today, especially in developing countries, are operating under more uncertainty than they need to. > ...
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Part 1 - Overcoming the Market (Failure), with Owen Barder of PxD
Tech Matters
Throughout Owen's journey, one central question has been: How do you navigate market failure, especially when the stakes are sky-high? The typical choice between government intervention vs. private investment vs. third sector solutions often can't cut it. Owen and innovators like him don't have all the answers, but are able operate at the highest institutional level, crafting and implementing new models that go beyond a single ideology in order to tackle some of the most formidable global economic challenges. With a distinguished career as a civil servant in the UK Treasury, the UK...
info_outlineAs we learned from Nithya Ramanathan in Season 1, data = money = power. To understand what this means for our future, and what we can actually do about it, we're coming back strong with a whole new lineup of interviews in Season 2. You'll hear from Jake Porway, co-founder of Datakind, Yvette Alberdingk Thijm of Witness, Owen Barder of Precision Development, and many more about the importance of human-centered design, field-based learning, and the needs, challenges, and power of data for good. Tune into the biweekly Tech Matters podcast by following and subscribing on your favorite platform!