On this week’s episode of the AshokaTECH Podcast, host Alex Budak interviews Ben Rattray, the founder of Change.org.

Founded in 2005, Change.org seeks to be the central platform informing and empowering movements for social change around the most important issues of our time.  From homelessness to genocide, health care to human trafficking, global warming, and more, Change.org leverages technology and social media to connect people with one another and organizations to advance their common causes.

Alex gets Ben’s take on how technology is changing the game for non-profits, strategies for striking a balance between being a competitive organization while not being motivated solely by profits, and what his experience suggests to counter critiques of so-called online “slacktivism.”

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“It’s critical to identify the best, most high-impact and sustainable ideas…throughout the world.” — Julia Novy-Hildesley, Executive Director, Lemelson Foundation

In advance of the Tech 4 Society event convening in Hyderabad, India later this week, AshokaTECH Podcast host Alex Budak interviews Julia Novy-Hildesley, executive director of the Lemelson Foundation. As a sponsor of the Tech 4 Society event — which brings together leading social entrepreneurs, showcasing tech solutions and innovations revolutionizing social change throughout the world — the Lemelson foundation continues its tradition of supporting innovation and invention throughout the wold.

In addition to the Tech 4 Society event, Alex asks Julia about her recent research on the “innovation engine” model for growth, her thoughts on where social-tech is headed in the next decade, and how we can ensure that a diverse group of future inventors are creating the next great innovations for the world.

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Have feedback on the podcast, or a guest you’d like to see interviewed? Get in touch! Enjoy the podcast? Consider leaving a comment and a rating on iTunes to spread the word to other changemakers around the world.

“Earthquakes don’t kill people…poorly built buildings do.” — Elizabeth Hausler

On this week’s episode of the AshokaTECH Podcast, host Alex Budak interviews the founder of Build Change, Elizabeth Hausler, an expert on sustainable building practices to prevent earthquake damage.  Alex asks her for her thoughts on the recent tragedy in Haiti, and how similar catastrophies might be avoided in the future.  Elizabeth has faced similar challenges following earthquakes in India, China and Indonesia, and provides poignant commentary on the challenges that now face Haiti, as well as advice on engaging the community.

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Have feedback on the podcast, or a guest you’d like to see interviewed?  Get in touch! Enjoy the podcast?  Consider leaving a comment and a rating on iTunes to spread the word to other changemakers around the world.

On this week’s episode of the AshokaTECH Podcast, host Alex Budak interviews social entrepreneur Howard Weinstein, who is giving the gift of hearing to thousands in the developing world.

But the social change doesn’t stop there.  Weinstein has created a sustainable business model in which hard-of-hearing kids from Botswana and Brazil train others in how to use and tune the devices — creating jobs and long-lasting impact in communities around the world.

Alex and Howard discuss the motivation behind social enterprise, tips for engaging a community, and how to take an idea and make it replicable across Geographies.

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After just two episodes, I’m thrilled to say that the Ashoka Tech Podcast has been selected by The School for Social Entrepreneurs blog as a “Top 10 Podcast for Social Entrepreneurs!“  Thanks so much — I’m honored to be included among the other outstanding shows.

This week’s episode of the Ashoka Tech Podcast features an interview with Ghanaian social entrepreneur Bright Simons who leverages mobile technology and SMS messages to help improve health and safety in West Africa. Bright sits down with host Alex Budak, as they discuss his work at the intersection of public health and technology, as well as the promise that mobile telephones hold for African development.

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You can check out the official release on the Ashoka Tech Blog, here.