.jpg)
Activism, Meet Impact.
If you're passionate about people + planet, you're in the right place. Novel Hand is where activism meets impact. We believe that you can make an impact- in your career, in your relationships, and with your actions. We share sustainable and equitable solutions to humanitarian issues to help you do good. // On the full-length podcast, we talk with activists and leaders about how they create sustainable and equitable impact with new episodes every Wednesday morning. On Handful, our team tells you what we know about humanitarian issues in a condensed format-- each episode is shorter than a song, but long enough that you'll learn something new. New episodes come out sporadically. // We're talking about everything social impact and humanitarian issues, from the environment to education to poverty, with a focus on sustainability and equity. Learn more at novelhand.com/novel-hand-podcast // Read our daily articles on the Journal at novelhand.com/the-journal
Episodes
142 episodes
Voluntourism and Redefining ‘Service’ with Rose Capin
So we went to the trouble of writing a series on voluntourism, but what does implementing these lessons look like in practical volunteer work? Today on the podcast, Grace speaks with special guest Rose Capin about her roles at Va...
•
35:16
.jpg)
Calling All Voluntourists 🧳
We've all seen a photo on Instagram of a white woman holding an orphan-- and most of us have pretty strong opinions about it. But there's a more difficult question here: how should we interact with humanitarian issues around the world? ...
•
4:07
.jpg)
Are ‘Climate Pledge Friendly’ Products on Amazon Really Sustainable?
Last week, I started reading about the health benefits of matcha, and decided that I needed to try it. So like every other zombie consumer out there, my fingers typed ‘amazon.com’ into the search bar without my brain even realizing ...
•
7:16
.jpg)
Are You Drinking Coffee From Trash? Alex Morgan of EcoRate
Your morning coffee might be hurting the environment. When we talk about coffee and sustainability, we often focus on the farming practices of coffee growers. But just as important is the waste that's produced at the point of consumptio...
•
24:03
.jpg)
If You Eat Chocolate, You Need to Know About This Lawsuit
At the end of last month, a Chicago-based nonprofit filed suit against Hershey's and the Rainforest Alliance. Corporate Accountability Lab alleges that Hershey's and it's sustainability certification are violating consumer protection la...
•
15:40
.jpg)
Avocados, Cultural Identity + White Saviorism
We're learning about AVOCADOS this month: where they come from, how they affect the environment, and why it matters. On today's episode, Natasha talks with Mattie Gottbrath of the Global Citizenship Program at Washington University abou...
•
24:10
.jpg)
Activism, Meet: True Crime + Gabby Petito, 'The Bachelor' and AOC's Met Gala Dress
What is the role of true crime in our society? Will the Bachelor franchise ever get it right? Is AOC actually a capitalist?On Activism, Meet, we're breaking down all of these issues and more. We're exploring the intersection of...
•
27:36
.jpg)
Green Gold: How Avocados Affect People + Planet
We're learning about avocados: where they come from, who grows them, how they impact the environment, and so much more. This October, Natasha is exploring the human and environmental side of avocados. In today's episode, Alexa and Natas...
•
28:15
.jpg)
Wealth Justice + Financial Trauma with Jasmine of BlackFem
This month on Impactfull, we're supporting BlackFem and their work to ends wealth injustice. Katherine talks with Jasmine of BlackFem about what wealth justice is, how financial trauma affects marginalized communities and what impact lo...
•
15:21
.jpg)
Activism, Meet Reality TV: Where 'The Activist' Goes Wrong
Would you compete over social and humanitarian issues? Last week, CBS announced a new reality show, 'The Activist,' which pits advocates against one another for the opportunity to go to the G20 Summit in Italy this October.After...
•
22:56
.jpg)
What is Income Inequality? Plus, Inequality in Austin, TX
In September, we're learning about income inequality, wealth justice and wage gaps. Read the first article in the series: https://novelhand.com/an-introduct...
•
22:18
.jpg)
What is the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act?
The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act (or BFFPPA, as it's affectionately known) could radically transform how we produce and manage plastic waste in the United States-- if it gets passed. But what all does this bill actually include? For th...
•
20:57
.jpg)
Introducing Alexa in ATX
I just moved to Austin, and I'm taking you with me!Alexa here. Over the next few months, I’ll share how I’m getting to know Austin and becoming a more engaged citizen. My experience is Austin-specific, but what I’m doing is critical ...
•
11:21
.jpg)
Is Going Zero Waste Actually Possible?
Several Novel Handers share our experiences attempting to go plastic free. It's not as easy as you might think-- but it just might be worth it!Grace shares about switching to more sustainable shampoo and cleaning products. Emma has expe...
•
14:08
.jpg)
Ocean Plastics and You
Nonprofit Director Katherine sits down with Emma F., our Environment and Sustainability Editor, to talk about plastic pollution in the ocean and some of our favorite nonprofits working to keep our seas clean. Ocean Conservancy...
•
12:45
.jpg)
What's the Problem with Plastic? Jennifer Congdon of Beyond Plastics
Plastic is everywhere... and it's a problem. Emma Fagan sits down with Jennifer Congdon of Beyond Plastics to chat about why plastic is a problem (hint: it never really breaks down) and how we can be part of the solution. They discuss e...
•
21:20
.jpg)
Welcome to Activism, Meet Impact
I’m Alexa, your occasional host and constant supporter in this journey to turn our activism into sustainable and equitable impact. If you care about people and the planet, you’re in the right place. Each month we cover a new topic, from chocola...
•
1:10
.jpg)
You Can Help Climate Refugees. Here's How.
Today on the podcast, Nonprofit Director Katherine and Refugees and Migration Editor Grace sit down to discuss our July Impactfull partner, Climate Refugees, and to wrap up an excellent month of learning and impact. Using a people-drive...
•
9:32

Displacement Trends, Policymaking, & Research in Climate Migration with Kayly Ober
Natasha sits down with Kayly Ober, senior advocate and program manager of the Climate Displacement Program for Refugees International for the third episode of our Impactfull series on climate refugees. Kayly has over a decade of exp...
•
29:02

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Climate Migration with Prof. Jonathan Gilligan
What does it mean to take an interdisciplinary approach to research and policy for an issue as complex as climate refugees and climate-driven migration? For Prof. Jonathan Gilligan, it looks like drawing on expertise across fields - ran...
•
59:22

Climate Migration in Bangladesh with Kelsea Best
Grace introduces our newest Impactfull series on climate refugees by sitting down with Kelsea Best, a PhD candidate in the Earth and Environmental Science department at Vanderbilt University. Kelsea studies environmental and clima...
•
38:17

Green America: Campaigning Corporations for Change in the Cocoa Industry
Nonprofit Director Katherine interviews Todd Larsen of Green America about how they campaign large cocoa companies to change their business practices. They discuss the Chocolate Scorecard, why changing business models from the top down is so di...
•
27:55
.jpg)
Doc of Choc: Trade Justice and Chocolate with Dr. Kristy Leissle
Today I’m sharing my conversation with professor and cocoa scholar Dr. Kristy Leissle. She literally wrote the book when it comes to the cocoa and chocolate industry-- her book Cocoa explores the cocoa world from a variety of angles.&n...
•
37:38
.jpg)
Child Labor in Chocolate: Ayn Riggs of Slave Free Chocolate
This week, we're focusing on child labor in the cocoa industry. I spoke with Ayn Riggs, the founder of Slave Free Chocolate. Ayn is advocate for greater accountability and transparency in the cocoa and chocolate industry. Through Slave ...
•
35:59
.jpg)
1.56 Million Children & A Supreme Court Case: Child Labor in the Cocoa Industry
Perhaps the most important aspect of the chocolate industry is who grows cocoa. Child labor is an endemic problem in the cocoa industry. According to a recent study conducted by NORC and the US Department of Labor, about 1.56 millio...
•
5:54
.jpg)