200 Episodes Later: What I’ve Learned from Hosting Purpose 360

When we hit “record” on the very first episode of Purpose 360, my podcast in unlocking the potential of social purpose to ignite business and social impact, I had no idea the journey we were about to take. Our first show was with Alex Thompson of REI to discuss their breakthrough idea encouraging people to "Opt Outside" as REI closed their stores on Black Friday. While my interview technique was rough in the beginning, I knew there were stories worth telling: powerful, brave, innovative stories about the intersection of business and social impact. What I didn’t know was how much I would learn along the way as a passionate purpose guide and a podcast host.

As the Purpose 360 team and I celebrate our 200th episode, I can’t help but reflect on our journey, to share not just the lessons I’ve learned about podcasting, but insights about what it takes to lead with purpose today.

1. The Best Ideas Often Come from Friends Who Know You Best

In 2018, I was speaking with my friend and colleague Joe Waters from Selfish Giving about the evolution of social impact in business. At one point in the conversation, Joe stopped me and said, “Carol, your career has put you in the front-row seat of what works, what doesn’t, and why. You should start a podcast so that other companies—especially the aspirational ones—can benefit from what you know.”

Joe lit the spark and, with the help of my original producer Kristin Kenney, that spark became Purpose 360.

2. Learning to Podcast is Learning to Listen Differently

When we began, the podcasting world was very different. We had to figure out the method behind the medium: how to tell stories in a way that informs and inspires, in a format that honors both our guests and audience.

Early episodes were sometimes sprawling—so full of insight and curiosity that we split them into multiple parts. But my second and current producer, Anne Hundertmark, dove into listener metrics, finding that our listeners didn’t have a lot of time but craved our insights. That led us to sharpen our storytelling, prioritizing 25–35-minute episodes packed with clear and succinct takeaways. Within months of reducing episode length, our listenership more than doubled.

3. Preparation is a Form of Respect

Every episode starts with hours of research. Our team spends 5–8 hours developing a detailed overview on each guest and their organization. I then dive deep by listening to their previous interviews, reading their stories, and understanding how they create impact.

This preparation isn’t just about being informed. It’s about asking better questions. It’s about surfacing stories that matter. And, above all, it’s about honoring the time and trust our guests—and our listeners—give us.

4. Storytelling Is a Skill—And a Superpower

Meeting masterful storytellers is one of the greatest joys of hosting Purpose 360. We seek out guests who are bold, clear, and candid—those who can reflect on their impact with humility and heart.

The best guests don’t just talk about their success; they open up about the struggles, the pivots, and the unexpected moments that made them better leaders and their organizations more impactful. They know that vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s what makes their insights relatable and replicable.

Great stories move us. Great storytellers change us.

5. A Focus on Issue, Inspiration, and Impact

When we choose guests, we look for three things:

●      An issue they are committed to solving,

●      An inspiring journey or insight, and

●      Impact with real, measurable, and replicable results.

This lens helps keep our episodes grounded and purposeful. Whether we’re highlighting urgent calls to action, authors, or breakthroughs in research, we aim to provide content that can be immediately applied by other organizations on their own journeys.

Some guests have joined us more than once—not only because their work continues to evolve, but because their stories embody this trifecta of issue, inspiration, and impact. Leaders like Paul Polman, Martin Whittaker, and Shannon Schuyler have returned to share fresh insights, new data, and hard-earned lessons that help our listeners stay ahead in a rapidly shifting landscape. Their continued contributions are a testament to the power of purpose in progress.

6. Stay Relevant, Stay Real

We don’t podcast in a vacuum. When the world shifts, we shift with it. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we created Humanity at its Best, shifting the podcast to focus on individuals and organizations who were helping make sense of the chaos. When new data emerges, we dissect it—always with an eye toward helping our listeners lead with greater clarity and confidence.

Purpose isn’t static and neither are we. Starting with our 200th episode with Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever, we’ll begin releasing video interviews on YouTube for listeners interested in watching conversations with our guests.

7. Purpose Is a Practice

This podcast was never about me exploring whether purpose works—I already knew that it does. But I also knew that the way it’s executed matters. Over 200 episodes, we’ve heard from leaders who didn’t just talk about purpose, but how they embedded it into their strategy, operations, and culture.

Through their stories, we’ve seen purpose not as a campaign or a tagline, but as a consistent, evolving business strategy—one that requires clarity, courage, and persistence. Purpose, done right, doesn’t just elevate companies. It creates sustained impact.

8. From Purpose Champion to Journalist

This podcast has taken me places I never imagined. Most recently, I was invited to attend the One Young World Summit in Montreal as a journalist. It felt full circle. Journalism was one of my first passions, and Purpose 360 has allowed me to return to it—with a new lens, a deeper purpose, and a bigger platform.

And Finally… 9. You Never Stop Learning

I’ve worked in purpose for decades, and yet every guest, every story, every insight continues to stretch me, our team, and our listeners. This podcast has made me a better listener, a better thinker, and—hopefully—a better guide for those who are walking this path alongside us.

That’s right—no lesson number 10. Because I’m not done yet! Purpose is evolving, business is evolving, and so is this podcast. As we enter a new era of Purpose 360—and the next 200 episodes—I fully intend to keep listening, uncovering insights, and making new friends—one episode at a time.

To Our Guests, Our Listeners, and Our Team: Thank You

None of this happens alone. To the guests who have filled 200 episodes with your stories, thank you for your vulnerability, candor, and wisdom. To our listeners, you are the heartbeat of this show. Your curiosity and commitment keep us going and I encourage you to share your comments and ideas for the show with us. And to our production team—especially Kristin, Anne and Pete Wright and Andy Nelson—thank you for your brilliance, heart, and steadfast commitment to what we’re building together.

Here’s to the future of Purpose 360.

About Purpose 360

Business is an unlikely hero: a force for good working to solve society’s most pressing challenges, while boosting the bottom line. This is social purpose at work. And it’s a dynamic journey. Purpose 360 is a masterclass in unlocking the potential of social purpose to ignite business and social impact. We illuminate the growing impacts of purpose, from engaging employees and fostering deeper consumer loyalty to inspiring product innovation and increasing market share. Listen to episodes here.