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Episodes
Welcome to Impact in the 21st Century.
This is a show about innovators, entrepreneurs, founders, and authors, and the positive impact they create.
Each episode, Host Aaron Friedland sits down with these inspiring guests to unpack how they found their purpose,
the work they're doing to make a positive difference, and what it takes to lead a more impactful life in the 21st century.
Impact in the 21st Century is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.
Each episode is recorded from https://waterfall.farm/
Learn more at www.simbifoundation.org/podcast
Episodes
Sep 4, 2025
Sep 4, 2025
1hr 14 min
Dr. Patricia Wright is a world-renowned primatologist, conservationist, and National Geographic Explorer whose groundbreaking work has redefined our understanding of lemurs and their fragile habitats. As the founder of Centre ValBio in Madagascar, she has discovered new species, championed biodiversity, and empowered local communities to protect one of the planet’s most unique ecosystems. Her passion for lemurs and tireless advocacy for conservation have made her a global icon in the fight to preserve our natural world.
In this captivating episode, Dr. Wright takes us deep into the rainforests of Madagascar, sharing:
- The thrill of discovering new lemur species and what these findings reveal about biodiversity
- The urgent need to protect Madagascar’s ecosystems from deforestation and climate change
- How Centre ValBio blends cutting-edge science with community-driven conservation
- The profound lessons lemurs teach us about resilience, adaptation, and survival
- Herelectronics
This is an inspiring conversation for anyone passionate about wildlife, conservation, and the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystems.
🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?
Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.
👤 Who hosts the podcast?
Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation.
🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good?
Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.
This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.
Jul 23, 2025
Jul 23, 2025
36 min
Rita is a visionary member of Project Kamp, a Portugal-based research community dedicated to prototyping a sustainable way of living in harmony with the planet. As a key collaborator in this innovative experiment, Rita has helped transform a 9-hectare plot of abandoned land and kick start a research place for sustainable practices, from upcycling plastic waste with Precious Plastic to building communal spaces with recycled materials. Her work embodies a bold reimagination of how humans can live, eat, and connect within nature.
In this inspiring episode, Rita shares the journey of Project Kamp and her insights on sustainable living, including:
- The spark behind Project Kamp and its mission to rethink modern living
- The challenges and triumphs of transforming raw land into a sustainable community
- How Project Kamp’s connection to Precious Plastic drives innovative plastic recycling
- Lessons on sustainable food systems, community cooperation, and living closer to nature
- A vision for a future where humanity thrives in balance with the environment
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about sustainable living, community-driven innovation, and the power of collective action to reshape our world.
🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?
Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.
👤 Who hosts the podcast?
Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of Simbi Foundation.
🦻 Who Makes It Sound Good?
Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.
This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.
May 22, 2025
May 22, 2025
52 min
Alberto Manguel is the acclaimed author of A History of Reading, The Library at Night, and dozens of other works exploring literature, memory, and the profound human need for stories. A lifetime reader and former Director of the National Library of Argentina, Manguel has lived a life shaped by books - reading to Jorge Luis Borges as a teenager, curating libraries across continents, and writing deeply about the roles books play in our personal and collective lives.
In this episode, Manguel offers a masterclass on the power of reading in shaping empathy, identity, and civilization itself. We explore:
- What it means to read deeply in a distracted age
- How libraries function as the “memory of humanity”
- Why stories hold the key to understanding ourselves and our societies
- His reflections on the current state—and future—of reading
This is a timeless conversation for lovers of language, ideas, and the written word.
🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?
Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.
👤 Who hosts the podcast?
Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and the Founder of Simbi Foundation.
🦻Who Makes It Sound Good?
Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.
This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.
Apr 18, 2025
Apr 18, 2025
42 min
Hylton is the CEO of Discovery Bank, a trailblazer in digital banking and behavioral economics. With a background in actuarial science and a deep passion for innovation, Hylton has helped shape Discovery’s vision of a shared-value ecosystem—one that rewards people for living healthier and more financially responsible lives.
In this episode, Hylton shares the journey of building Discovery Bank from the ground up, the power of incentives to change behavior at scale, and how technology, when aligned with purpose, can redefine financial services. From tackling inequality to enabling better money habits through gamified banking, Hylton’s insights are both practical and inspiring.
We also dive into his personal motivations, the future of finance, and why South Africa is uniquely positioned to pioneer inclusive banking solutions that make a real difference.
🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?
Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.
👤 Who hosts the podcast?
Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and the Founder of Simbi Foundation.
🦻Who Makes It Sound Good?
Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.
This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.
This episode is sponsored by RBC.
Mar 3, 2023
Mar 3, 2023
53 min
Episode #22 of Impact in the 21st Century features the inspiring Dr. Charles Owubah.
Dr. Charles Owubah is the CEO of Action Against USA, an organization working to end the global hunger crisis.
Originally from Ghana, Dr. Owubah began his humanitarian work with a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Natural Resource Management and Policy from Purdue University.
From academia and consultancy, Dr. Owubah spent 20 years working at World Vision before moving to Action Against Hunger, where he heads the executive team, providing strategic direction to more than 1,600 staff across 8 countries and facilitating the organization’s support for millions of people around the world experiencing hunger.
In this episode, hear from Dr. Owubah about the true scale of the global hunger crisis, his own experiences growing up hungry, the work of Action Against Hunger to provide nutrition and food services in emergency contexts, and the importance of sustainability.
Learn more about Action Against Hunger USA: https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/
This episode is sponsored by RBC.
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What is Impact in the 21st Century?
Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.
Who hosts Impact in the 21st Century?
Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Executive Director of Simbi Foundation.
Stream Impact in the 21st Century on your favourite streaming platform:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/impact-in-the-21st-century/id1529033008
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7F6IBSN7Ysz6wl622eK5lN
Google podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL3NpbWJpZm91bmRhdGlvbi9mZWVkLnhtbA?sa=X&ved=0CAIQ4aUDahcKEwiAoLbL3-HrAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
Jan 31, 2023
Jan 31, 2023
52 min
Episode #21 of Impact in the 21st Century features impactful guest Danny Glenwright.
Danny Glenwright is the President and CEO at Save the Children Canada, where he is spearheading multiple international projects seeking to provide access to essential food, clean water, healthcare, medical treatment to children around the world.
Also on the board of directors for the Canadian Network of Women and Children’s Health and the Humanitarian Coalition, Danny is passionate about human rights and equality for all. With a history of human rights work and journalism which has taken him to over 70 countries, a master’s degree in international development, and a long list of contributions to Al Jazeera, VICE, Reuters, and other media outlets, Danny is an inspiration to listen to and learn from if you’re interested in making the world a better, fairer place.
In this episode, hear about Danny’s work at Save the Children Canada, what inspired him to pursue a career in the human rights sector, his perspectives on why aid fails in so many cases, and where wealthy governments need to step up to help make change sustainable.
Learn more about Save the Children Canada: https://www.savethechildren.ca
Learn more about the Pledge for Change: https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/pledge-for-change-2030/
This episode is sponsored by RBC.
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What is Impact in the 21st Century?
Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast created by Simbi Foundation, a non-profit organization working to support the next 3.5 million refugee learners with solar-powered classrooms called BrightBoxes. This podcast celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.
Who hosts Impact in the 21st Century?
Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, Executive Director of Simbi Foundation, and innovator of the BrightBox solution and the unique reading platform Simbi.
Stream Impact in the 21st Century on your favourite streaming platform:
Learn more about our podcast at www.simbifoundation.org/podcast
Dec 7, 2022
Dec 7, 2022
52 min
Alyssa Carson is a space enthusiast, Astrobiology undergraduate student at the Florida Institute of Technology, author of “So You Want to Be An Astronaut”, and has spoken at multiple TED talks.
Alyssa, now 21 years old, has attended Space Camp 7 times, Space Academy 3 times, Robotics Academy once, and was the youngest to graduate from Advanced Space Academy. She was also the first person in the world to attend all 3 NASA Space Camps, and the first to complete NASA’s Passport program by visiting 14 NASA Centres across the US. She has since been selected as one of seven ambassadors representing Mars One, a mission seeking to establish a human colony on Mars in 2030.
Alyssa is also passionate about education and spends many hours speaking to students in schools across North America, inspiring them to get involved in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
In this episode, you can hear Alyssa (or “Blueberry”, as per her call sign) discuss her lifelong goal of getting to Mars, what Mars has to offer us as a species, and what greater space exploration might reveal about how we can improve life and ecosystems here on earth.
Learn more about Alyssa: https://nasablueberry.com/about/
Buy Alyssa’s book “So You Want to Be an Astronaut”: https://www.amazon.ca/So-You-Want-Be-Astronaut/dp/173135794X
Watch Alyssa’s TED talk: https://youtu.be/_VhmI11ToiE
This episode is sponsored by RBC.
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What is Impact in the 21st Century?
Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast created by Simbi Foundation, a non-profit organization working to support the next 3.5 million refugee learners with solar-powered classrooms called BrightBoxes. This podcast celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.
Who hosts Impact in the 21st Century?
Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, Executive Director of Simbi Foundation, and innovator of the BrightBox solution and the unique reading platform Simbi.
Stream Impact in the 21st Century on your favourite streaming platform:
Learn more about our podcast at www.simbifoundation.org/podcast
Nov 1, 2022
Nov 1, 2022
1hr 4 min
Episode #19 of Impact in the 21st Century features incredible guest Allen Lau.
After migrating to Canada aged 19 and graduating with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at University of Toronto, Allen went on to co-found Wattpad, an online reading community where members can read and write original stories. With 90 million monthly users, Wattpad aims to dissolve the barriers between readers and writers, and build meaningful, engaged communities brought together by the power of stories.
In this episode, hear the impactful, mission-driven story behind Wattpad’s founding, how Allen persevered in the face of failure, his advice on how you can build strong reading habits, and his insights into what the future of reading and technology holds.
Sign up to Wattpad for free and start writing or reading: https://www.wattpad.com/
Read the National Assessment of Educational Progress report on US declining reading levels in the aftermath of the pandemic: https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/highlights/reading/2022/
This episode is sponsored by RBC.
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What is Impact in the 21st Century?
Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast created by Simbi Foundation, a non-profit organization working to support the next 3.5 million refugee learners with solar-powered classrooms called BrightBoxes. This podcast celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.
Who hosts Impact in the 21st Century?
Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, Executive Director of Simbi Foundation, and innovator of the BrightBox solution and the unique reading platform Simbi.
Stream Impact in the 21st Century on your favourite streaming platform:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/impact-in-the-21st-century/id1529033008
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7F6IBSN7Ysz6wl622eK5lN
Google podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL3NpbWJpZm91bmRhdGlvbi9mZWVkLnhtbA?sa=X&ved=0CAIQ4aUDahcKEwiAoLbL3-HrAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ
Learn more about our podcast at www.simbifoundation.org/podcast
Sep 23, 2022
Sep 23, 2022
42 min
Marc Tarpenning is an acclaimed American engineer, technology entrepreneur and a co-founder of Tesla Inc. Marc worked with Tesla as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Vice President of Engineering for several years before he moved on to advise other companies like Berkely SkyDeck.
In this episode, Marc discusses the story of how his environmental concerns in 2003 led to him co-founding Tesla, the evolution of technology and engineering over the past 20 years, and how you too can find meaning in your career.
Learn more about Marc: https://marctarpenning.com/
This episode was mixed and mastered by Musa Habib.
This episode is sponsored by RBC.
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What is Impact in the 21st Century?
Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast created by Simbi Foundation, a non-profit organization working to support the next 3.5 million refugee learners with solar-powered classrooms called BrightBoxes.
This podcast celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.
Who hosts Impact in the 21st Century?
Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, Executive Director of Simbi Foundation, and innovator of the BrightBox solution and the unique reading platform Simbi.
Stream Impact in the 21st Century on your favourite streaming platform:
Learn more about our podcast at www.simbifoundation.org/podcast
Jul 27, 2022
Jul 27, 2022
50 min
Seth Klein is the acclaimed author of 𝘈 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘞𝘢𝘳: 𝘔𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘌𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺. An expert in climate policy, Seth spent 22 years as the founding director of the British Columbia office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. He is now the Team Lead and Director of Strategy with the The Climate Emergency Unit, a 5-year project of the David Suzuki Institute that Seth launched in early 2021. Seth is also a policy consultant, speaker, researcher, writer and Simon Fraser University professor.
In this episode of Impact in the 21st Century, hear Seth discuss corporate greenwashing, the actions our governments need to take to effectively combat the climate crisis, and what you can learn from the Second World War about mobilizing our societies to protect our planet.
Buy A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency: https://ecwpress.com/collections/books/products/a-good-war
Get Involved with The Climate Emergency Unity: https://www.climateemergencyunit.ca/join
Learn more about Seth: https://www.sethklein.ca/
This episode was mixed and mastered by Musa Habib.
Thumbnail Photo Credit: Josh Berson
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What is Impact in the 21st Century?
Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast created by Simbi Foundation, a non-profit organization working to support the next 3.5 million refugee learners with solar-powered classrooms called BrightBoxes. This podcast celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it. In this special series, we’re focusing on the people working to protect our natural world, innovate greener technologies, and ensure that nobody is left behind in the process.
Who hosts Impact in the 21st Century?
Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, Executive Director of Simbi Foundation, and innovator of the BrightBox solution and the unique reading platform Simbi.
Stream Impact in the 21st Century on your favourite streaming platform:
Learn more about our podcast at www.simbifoundation.org/podcast