Best Chronicle Of Philanthropy Podcasts (2025)

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Introducing "Becoming The Vision" 40:16

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1d ago40:16

40:16

We here at Nonprofits Now have loved joining the vibrant community of philanthropy podcasters. We'd like to introduce you to our friends at Becoming The Vision, a podcast that believes we must change ourselves to change the world. Join hosts Dr. Chera Reid, Efraín Gutiérrez, and Dr. Trinel Torian as they interview visionaries inside and outside of …

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Why Big Philanthropy Is Funding Small Hyperlocal Projects 35:28

1d ago35:28

35:28

As federal Washington burns with division and conflict, some grant makers are trying to repair the country’s social fabric by strengthening communities. Join Rockefeller Brothers Fund president Stephen Heintz and Katie Loudin of the West Virginia Community Development Hub for a discussion of the year-old Trust for Civic Life, an unusual $30 million…

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From Colbert to Trump’s WSJ lawsuit, Axios’ Sara Fischer on media turmoil 28:30

1d ago28:30

28:30

It’s been one of the most consequential weeks ever in the media business, from CBS’ Stephen Colbert cancellation, and Trump's lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, to Congress clawing back more than $1 billion in funding from PBS and NPR. Axios’ Media Correspondent Sara Fischer joins Rapid Response to cut through the conspiracy theories and unpa…

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CATAN: Reid Hoffman’s favorite board game for business leaders 27:11

6d ago27:11

27:11

The board game CATAN has sold 45 million copies worldwide since Klaus Teuber invented it 30 years ago. It’s Reid Hoffman’s favorite board game for business leaders. He sat down with brothers Benjamin and Guido Teuber, who now run the business of CATAN, to talk about how they’ve kept the game evolving, why its core philosophy of strategic collaborat…

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How Starbucks’ CEO is revamping the brand 30:07

7d ago30:07

30:07

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol made waves this week by announcing a new Return-to-Office mandate for corporate workers. It’s the latest in a string of changes the coffee company is making to restore its position in the US and global marketplace. Hear Niccol explain his revamped brand strategy in this conversation from February of 2025. He shares insigh…

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La June Montgomery Tabron: A 'Powerful Journey' Toward Racial Healing 32:06

8d ago32:06

32:06

From its post in America’s heartland, the 95-year-old W.K. Kellogg Foundation has achieved a diversity in grant making that has eluded many foundations: In the past decade, more than 40 percent of its grant dollars have gone to organizations led by people of color. La June Montgomery Tabron, CEO of the Battle Creek, Mich., grant maker, joins Chroni…

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Introducing "Mission Forward with Carrie Fox" 34:46

8d ago34:46

34:46

We love introducing you to meaningful conversations and powerful ideas, and today, we're thrilled to bring you something a little different — a bonus episode from our friends at the Mission Forward podcast. If you haven’t tuned in yet, Mission Forward is all about the people and stories driving social change, and we think you’ll find a lot to love.…

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Trump’s chilling effect on big business, with Harvard Business Review’s Adi Ignatius 38:05

8d ago38:05

38:05

After 16 years as Editor-in-Chief of Harvard Business Review, Adi Ignatius is handing the role over to a new leader, and he joins Rapid Response for a more-than-an-exit interview. A longtime friend and colleague of host Bob Safian, Ignatius shares some of the most critical lessons he’s learned in decades of covering business and leadership, as well…

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How a summer job grew into an ice cream empire, with CEO Ben Van Leeuwen 32:44

13d ago32:44

32:44

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is one of the fastest growing dessert brands in the country. It’s known for its seriously delicious classic flavors and its wacky collaborations. (Kraft Mac and Cheese ice cream, anyone?) Co-founder and CEO Ben Van Leeuwen talks with Jeff Berman to reveal how it grew from his love of simple ingredients and driving an ice cream…

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Author Barbara Kingsolver on How Urban and Rural America Became Enemies 34:59

16d ago34:59

34:59

Why are urban and rural America so at odds? Author Barbara Kingsolver has answers as she joins the second episode of our sister podcast from the Chronicle of Philanthropy: The Commons in Conversation. The Pulitzer Prize winner frequently writes and talks about the origins of — and cure for — what she calls "urban-rural antipathy." Her most recent n…

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Barbara Kingsolver: How Did Urban and Rural America Become Enemies? 34:59

15d ago34:59

34:59

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Barbara Kingsolver frequently writes and talks about the origins of — and cure for — what she calls "urban-rural antipathy." Her most recent novel, Demon Copperhead, aims to dismantle stereotypes of her native Appalachia that she says infect politics and contribute to a mutual loathing between urban and rural Americans…

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PBS fights for its future, with President & CEO Paula Kerger 27:07

15d ago27:07

27:07

PBS President & CEO Paula Kerger joins Rapid Response to take us inside the organization’s financial reality if federal funding is stripped, and how she’s battling to protect iconic programming — from Frontline to Sesame Street. Kerger shares the role of corporate philanthropy in PBS’ future, its relationship with streamers like Netflix, and how sh…

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How Baby2Baby stepped up as LA wildfires raged, with co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof 36:16

20d ago36:16

36:16

Devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles at the start of 2025. Nonprofit Baby2Baby was on the ground leveraging its deep knowledge of how to respond to natural disasters to help families in need. Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof joined host Jeff Berman on stage to reflect on what it was like to use everything they’d learned s…

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Reid Hoffman and Cecilia Conrad on Rebuilding Trust in Institutions 30:24

22d ago30:24

30:24

We're excited to introduce you to the Chronicle of Philanthropy's latest podcast, The Commons in Conversation — a new show that explores how nonprofits and philanthropy can bring Americans together and strengthen fractured communities. The Commons in Conversation uncovers solutions in interviews with advocates, leaders, and thinkers, including phil…

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Canva’s $35B design biz is quietly taking over the workplace, with co-founder & COO Cliff Obrecht 29:40

22d ago29:40

29:40

For over a decade, Canva has made design and publishing more accessible than ever. Now, the company is wrestling with how to harness AI while staying true to its mission of empowering individual creators. Co-founder and COO Cliff Obrecht joins Rapid Response to reveal how Canva is navigating this shift—and why the stakes are so high when it comes t…

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Reid Hoffman's $10 Million Competition to Rebuild Trust in Institutions 30:24

23d ago30:24

30:24

Introducing The Commons in Conversation podcast, an offshoot of The Commons, a special project from the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Our season kicks off with this urgent question: How can we reverse the trend of declining trust in institutions? Philanthropist Reid Hoffman is looking for answers with a $10 million open call for organizations working …

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Building a $1.5B real estate empire, with Spencer Rascoff and Austin Allison 32:53

27d ago32:53

32:53

Zillow co-founder Spencer Rascoff and Dotloop founder Austin Allison both knew that owning a vacation home was a great privilege — and an expensive hassle. They’re leveraging their decades of experience in real estate to reshape how owning a vacation home works with a new business: Pacaso. They join host Jeff Berman to reveal how it became the fast…

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How to Stave Off Burnout 22:06

30d ago22:06

22:06

As federal spending cuts, government policy shifts, and economic turbulence roil the nonprofit world, nearly 90 percent of leaders are worried they’re burning out, according to a new study by the Center for Effective Philanthropy. To help leaders figure out how to avoid exhausting themselves and their staffs, we turned to Sean Goode, an executive c…

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Empowering frontline leaders amid Trump’s massive global aid cuts, with War Child’s Dr. Samantha Nutt 29:05

29d ago29:05

29:05

Even after the fighting stops, the impact of war is felt for generations. Dr. Samantha Nutt, President of War Child USA and Canada, joins Rapid Response to share how the nonprofit is serving families in conflict zones around the world — from Sudan to Afghanistan, utilizing local leaders and community organizers to spark meaningful and long term cha…

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How to raise $172M for the underinvested, with Stacy Brown-Philpot 33:00

1M ago33:00

33:00

After wildly successful stints at Google, as CEO of Taskrabbit, and on prominent boards, Stacy Brown-Philpot decided it was time to start her own venture capital fund. She talks with host Jeff Berman about how she raised $172 million for Cherryrock Capital, why she’s focusing on underinvested founders, and how she owes it all to a six-day silent re…

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Navigating Leadership Challenges 30:38

1M ago30:38

30:38

As leaders at every nonprofit — no matter the size or cause — grapple with challenges to their missions and finances, it’s especially important to tap into the wisdom of executives who have helped their organizations weather previous threats. Barron Segar is one of those leaders. He took over as head of World Food Program USA just a few months befo…

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Reid Hoffman on Trump vs Musk, Zuckerberg’s “superintelligence,” and the next wave of AI 32:31

1M ago32:31

32:31

Amid global conflict, domestic unrest, and AI’s surging impact in all corners of business, it’s getting harder than ever to decipher noise from substance. To help us navigate this challenge, Reid Hoffman returns to Rapid Response, sharing valuable insights about Trump’s public spat with Elon Musk, the crisis in the Middle East, and how his new AI h…

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Advice for grads in the age of AI from Reid Hoffman, Spencer Rascoff & more 23:50

1M ago23:50

23:50

A group of graduating students asked Reid Hoffman the biggest questions looming in their minds as they venture out into their careers. Plus, we asked a dozen incredible CEOs, founders and authors for the one piece of advice they’d give to a new graduate. It’s excellent wisdom whether you’re a new graduate or not. Read a transcript of this episode: …

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Is Dude Perfect the next Disney? 32:53

1M ago32:53

32:53

What started as five friends filming trick shot videos 16 years ago has become a new media empire. Dude Perfect has more than 61 million followers on YouTube alone. CEO Andrew Yaffe talks with host Jeff Berman about how he and the dudes are leveraging the Disney playbook to build a vertically integrated business that spans, content, products, event…

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How Valerie Jarrett Builds a Strong Executive Team 38:05

1M ago38:05

38:05

Valerie Jarrett is no stranger to the tough challenges nonprofit leaders face today. She is now head of the Obama Foundation, which is working to build an extensive library and community center in Chicago. From that perch she collaborates closely with leaders who pursue a wide range of social-change and economic development efforts. Jarrett built m…

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Trump’s impact on crypto future and your portfolio, with Unchained’s Laura Shin 28:25

1M ago28:25

28:25

While the first family engage in their own memecoin ventures, the crypto market is booming. Crypto expert and host of the podcast Unchained, Laura Shin joins Rapid Response to reveal the sector’s emerging economic, political and geopolitical implications. Shin also provides a primer on how to best experiment with crypto today, why Stablecoin is gro…

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Simon Sinek: How to identify great leaders & find your why 36:22

2M ago36:22

36:22

Author Simon Sinek joins host Reid Hoffman for a lively chat about how to identify good leaders, scale ideas, and leverage the “ultimate hack” for success. They also discuss why missionaries beat mercenaries in Silicon Valley and whether AI can ever really be your friend. Simon Sinek’s 15th anniversary edition of “Start With Why”: https://www.pengu…

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The Power of 4 Generations Working Together 30:22

2M ago30:22

30:22

Like all workplaces, nonprofits are now filled with up to four generations of workers as boomers work along with millennials and people in Generations X and Z. Each generation approaches work and careers differently, which leads to struggles at some organizations. But at the best-run nonprofits, leaders are ensuring that differences in work styles …

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Sports biz at a crossroads, from the WNBA to the NCAA to ESPN, with Sarah Spain of Good Game 35:02

2M ago35:02

35:02

Sports business has never had higher stakes—for every league, every team, every streaming service, and every player. Sarah Spain, host of the podcast Good Game with Sarah Spain, longtime ESPN personality and sports journalist, joins Rapid Response to unpack the complexities behind the WNBA’s mainstream moment, the future of ESPN’s streaming, and th…

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Pioneers of AI: Reid Hoffman on AI’s environmental risks and rewards 35:15

2M ago35:15

35:15

Reid Hoffman recently stopped by Pioneers of AI to talk with host Rana el Kaliouby, and we didn’t want you to miss their fascinating conversation on AI’s environmental impact. They discuss AI’s potential for help and harm, explore what sustainable AI could look like, and predict how it could unlock scientific solutions to climate change. Learn more…

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Why great storytellers thrive in business, with Trilith Studios CEO Frank Patterson 28:54

2M ago28:54

28:54

Trilith Studios CEO Frank Patterson joined host Jeff Berman on stage at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta as part of our Masters of Scale live tour in May. Patterson shares insights for thriving as a creative entrepreneur and reveals the philosophy behind the success of Trilith’s growing influence in the entertainment industry. Later in the conversation, …

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OLIPOP’s gutsy play to dethrone Coke and Pepsi, with Ben Goodwin 29:59

2M ago29:59

29:59

OLIPOP’s surging popularity has taken the $60 billion soda industry by storm. As Gen Z and millennials ditch sugary sodas, OLIPOP is leading the pre-biotic beverage trend, sparking the likes of Coca Cola and PepsiCo to enter the fray. OLIPOP’s co-founder, CEO and formulator, Ben Goodwin, joins Rapid Response to share how the brand is navigating the…

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Esther Perel: Build better relationships at work 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

Therapist Esther Perel wants us all to build stronger relationships at work. Her coveted advice is the centerpiece of her books, TED talks and podcast “Where Should We Begin?” During the pandemic, she launched a conversational card game. Now, she joins host Jeff Berman to talk about why she just released a new edition, Where Should We Begin? At Wor…

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Leading Amid Economic Uncertainty 34:42

2M ago34:42

34:42

Nonprofits are facing a series of financial hits — or bracing for them. Federal spending cuts have already forced many organizations to trim programs and lay off workers — and with policymakers considering more far-reaching reductions, additional austerity is likely. Meanwhile, the growing possibility of a recession could spell trouble for nonprofi…

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The enterprise AI revolution is underway, with Box’s Aaron Levie 33:37

2M ago33:37

33:37

The buzz in Silicon Valley around AI agents has many asking: What’s real and what’s hype? Box’s co-founder and CEO, Aaron Levie, joins Rapid Response to help decipher between fact and fiction, taking listeners inside the fast-paced evolution of agents and its impact on the future of enterprise AI. Plus, Levie unpacks how AI is really being adopted …

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Why we keep failing to eradicate this disease, with YouTuber John Green 30:02

2M ago30:02

30:02

John Green has spent his career telling stories — through novels, YouTube videos, and educational projects like Crash Course. Now, he’s on a mission to eliminate tuberculosis: a curable disease that still kills more than a million people every year. In this episode, Green joins host Jeff Berman to talk about how we could scale solutions to this glo…

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Smart Solutions to Hire and Retain Top Talent 31:20

2M ago31:20

31:20

With the prospect of an economic downturn looming ― and the number of nonprofit layoffs on the rise ― many leaders are coping with a jittery workforce and new pressures to keep staff members motivated. These new developments come on top of one of the most challenging staff recruitment landscapes in recent memory, after the Covid pandemic changed ho…

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The one trait every leader needs today, with General Stanley McChrystal 28:34

2M ago28:34

28:34

Amid polarization, AI disruption, and eroding trust in institutions, retired four-star general, Stanley McChrystal, argues that what leaders need now more than ever, is character. Head of the business consulting firm McChrystal Group, Gen. McChrystal returns to Rapid Response to discuss his new book on the subject of character. From AI ethics and m…

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Replay: Banishing burnout, with Arianna Huffington 37:10

2M ago37:10

37:10

To scale sustainably, founders must not neglect their mental health. Arianna Huffington learned this the hard way after collapsing from burnout while leading The Huffington Post. She talked with host Reid Hoffman about how that wake-up call sparked her next venture, Thrive Global, which helps companies build cultures that prioritize well-being. Wit…

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How this first-time founder landed a $630 million exit 30:25

3M ago30:25

30:25

When Ju Rhyu moved to South Korea for a corporate job, she noticed people unapologetically wearing hydrocolloid pimple patches on their faces — on the street, at the office, anywhere. She soon realized no one had cornered the US market yet on this skincare secret, and Hero Cosmetics was born. Rhyu joins host Jeff Berman this week to reveal the less…

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Replay: Bill Gates is ending his foundation — here’s how it began 41:33

3M ago41:33

41:33

Bill Gates announced this week that he will shutter his philanthropic foundation in 20 years – but not before using it to give away $200 billion to fight global diseases. In this archival episode from 2019, he tells host Reid Hoffman the story of how it all started – and how he learned to scale his impact as a philanthropist. In Part 2 of this spec…

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Lessons in Leadership From Women of Color 31:08

3M ago31:08

31:08

As nonprofit leaders grapple with increasingly dire threats to their funding and missions, it’s more important than ever to understand what it takes to lead resilient organizations. For a look at what skills are most important, we hear from Vanessa Priya Daniel, who interviewed 45 social-justice leaders for her new book, Unrig the Game: What Women …

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Musk and DOGE: Inside 100 days of chaos, with WIRED’s Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond 37:06

3M ago37:06

37:06

When Elon Musk stepped into the White House spotlight and brought his DOGE chainsaw, no one was better poised to cover the fallout than WIRED. The tech journalism outlet knew Musk’s playbook from the get-go, from years of covering his companies and his takeover of Twitter. WIRED’s Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond joins Rapid Response to tak…

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Disrupting healthcare job hunting, with Incredible Health’s Dr. Iman Abuzeid 31:43

3M ago31:43

31:43

Dr. Iman Abuzeid didn’t set out to disrupt the healthcare hiring system. But after she began listening more closely — especially to nurses — what she heard was an industry full of friction, delays, and burnout. Fixing that friction became the foundation for Incredible Health, a hiring marketplace now used by more than a million healthcare workers. …

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Two CEOs on How to Get Boards to Help With Fundraising and More 35:10

3M ago35:10

35:10

Two leaders, Kathleen St. Louis Caliento and Nick Grono, join Chronicle CEO Stacy Palmer to explain how they have engaged their board in financial efforts. St. Louis Caliento runs Cara Collective, a Chicago nonprofit that helps low-income people find jobs. Grono heads the Freedom Fund, an organization that pools funds from donors who want to fight …

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Marc Lore wants an AI superapp to plan all your meals 26:04

3M ago26:04

26:04

In his return to Rapid Response, the billionaire entrepreneur, NBA owner, and CEO of Wonder, Marc Lore, told us he plans all his meals with AI – and he loves it. It’s just one part of his vision for transforming our relationship to food and health. His startup Wonder has already acquired Blue Apron, Grubhub and the media brand Tastemade, and he sha…

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Replay: Frustration is your friend, with Adi Tatarko 34:36

3M ago34:36

34:36

Spring cleaning season is in full swing, and this week, we’re revisiting Reid Hoffman’s chat with Adi Tatarko, co-founder and CEO of Houzz, an online platform for home remodeling and design. In this episode recorded in 2021, Tatarko tells the story of founding Houzz with her husband after their own home renovation project turned into a nightmare. T…

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From warzones to boardrooms: José Andrés on leadership learned in the kitchen 32:50

3M ago32:50

32:50

As the founder of World Central Kitchen, renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés has truly mastered the art of leading through crisis. José returns to Rapid Response to share insights from his new book, Change the Recipe — a candid collection of personal stories that doubles as a playbook for navigating uncertainty, breaking rules, and leading w…

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Why happier vets mean healthier pets, with Modern Animal CEO Steven Eidelman 34:46

3M ago34:46

34:46

As CEO and co-founder of Modern Animal, Steven Eidelman is challenging the status quo of veterinary care — an industry long overdue for innovation. In this episode, Eidelman unpacks how Modern Animal is rebuilding the system to better serve vets, pet owners, and their furry companions. With about 600 employees and a rapidly expanding footprint, it’…

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How to Make Headway in a Polarized World 31:07

3M ago31:07

31:07

Tim Dixon, co-founder of More in Common, joins Chronicle CEO Stacy Palmer to offer research-based strategies leaders can use to bridge divides in the workplace and in their communities. More in Common helps political leaders and social-change movements strengthen their coalitions by including unlikely allies. Bridging divides is top-of-mind for non…