In this episode of Social Media for Social Impact, host Dr. Misha Kouzeh interviews Kristin Paul, a marketing leader whose career spans Zimmerman Advertising, Deutsch LA, The Walt Disney Company, Amazon, and SoFi Stadium. Kristin shares how the most powerful campaigns don't just sell—they cross into culture. From the viral simplicity of Hulu's "Hulu Has Live Sports" to a live MrBeast gaming event that raised money for charity during Amazon Prime Day, Kristen breaks down what it really takes to build moments that resonate. She discusses the difference between chasing virality and recognizing it when it's happening, why authentic creator partnerships matter more than polished briefs, and how brands like Oreo and Wendy's earn cultural relevance through speed and trust. Kristin also shares her philosophy on purpose-driven partnerships at SoFi Stadium, the underrated power of engagement over impressions, and the skills the next generation of digital marketers need to thrive.

00:00 Introduction to Social Media for Social Impact

00:49 Meet Kristin Paul: Marketing Leader Across Entertainment, Sports & Tech

01:10 From Advertising to Amazon: Kristin's Career Journey

03:18 Inside SoFi Stadium: Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter & the Power of a Signature Moment

08:45 Hulu Has Live Sports: The Campaign That Became a Meme

09:19 When You Know You've Crossed Into Culture

10:00 Measuring Cultural Impact Beyond Views & Impressions

10:45 Virality You Can't Plan: The Mandalorian & Baby Yoda

13:30 Purpose-Driven Partnerships at SoFi Stadium

16:47 Authentic Creator Partnerships vs. Scripted Briefs

18:41 The Oreo Moment: Why Speed & Trust Win

20:02 The MrBeast Prime Day Collab & Charity Tie-In

24:20 Designing Campaigns Across Generations & Platforms

27:14 The Underrated Metric: Engagement Over Impressions

31:45 Navigating Pressure in High-Visibility Campaigns

33:00 Always Ask Why: Purpose Behind Every Campaign

36:00 AI in Marketing: Efficiency Without Losing Creativity

38:15 Skills for the Next Generation of Digital Marketers

Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-paul-53266546.

I'm happy you're here! Like the show?

· Leave a rating and review on your favorite platform

· Drop comments or questions for future episodes

· Connect with me directly on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkouzeh

What happens when a filmmaker-turned-marketer finds his way into biotech? Francis Ukpolo, Marketing Lead at Amgen and founder of Afro Theory, joins Misha Kouzeh to pull back the curtain on healthcare marketing — the regulatory guardrails, why pharma turns off social media comments, and how a single conference moment can drive patient outcomes.

00:00 Introduction & Meet Francis Ukpolo

3:39 From Filmmaker to Healthcare Marketer

5:28 Inside Omnichannel Marketing at Amgen

9:52 The Regulatory Reality of Healthcare Marketing

13:33 When Clinical Data Goes Viral

15:57 How Afro Theory Was Born

21:43 AI, Creators & the Future of Social Media

25:48 Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Francis

Connect with Francis on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/francisukpolo

Check out Afrotheory: www.afrotheory.com

Follow Francis on Instagram: www.instagram.com/fresh_pepper

I'm happy you're here! Like the show?

· Leave a rating and review on your favorite platform

· Drop comments or questions for future episodes

· Connect with me directly on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkouzeh

In this episode of Social Media for Social Impact, host Dr. Misha Kouzeh interviews Jessica Jackley, founder of Kiva, about how trust, storytelling, and digital platforms can drive social entrepreneurship. Jessica shares how hearing Dr. Muhammad Yunus reframe poverty as a lack of opportunity inspired her to leave her job, travel to East Africa, and help launch Kiva, a platform that allows people to lend directly to entrepreneurs around the world. What began as seven loans totaling $3,000 has grown into more than $2.5 billion in loans globally. She discusses how radical transparency helped Kiva build trust, including lessons from an early fraud case that strengthened the platform’s systems and community support. Jessica also offers advice for social entrepreneurs on ethical storytelling, avoiding trend-driven noise, and building meaningful impact through digital platforms.

00:00 Introduction to Social Media for Social Impact

01:15 Meet Jessica Jackley: Kiva Co-Founder & Social Enterprise Pioneer

02:30 The Early Days of Kiva & The Power of Storytelling

08:30 From $3,000 to $2.5 Billion in Microloans

11:30 Radical Transparency: Kiva's First Fraud Case

17:00 Storytelling Strategy for Social Entrepreneurs

24:00 Co-Creation & Ethical Marketing

28:30 Breaking the Self-Sacrifice Myth

32:45 What's Next: Volunteering & New Book

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajackley.

Check out her latest book: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790033/a-kids-book-about-giving-by-jessica-jackley.

I'm happy you're here! Like the show?

· Leave a rating and review on your favorite platform

· Drop comments or questions for future episodes

· Connect with me directly on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkouzeh

In this episode of 'Social Media for Social Impact,' host Misha interviews Ben Precourt, LinkedIn's 'Boston Social Impact Guy.' They discuss how LinkedIn and other digital platforms can boost credibility and visibility in the nonprofit and social impact sectors. Ben shares his journey of becoming a key figure in Boston's social impact community through consistent and strategic LinkedIn postings. They explore challenges in the social impact job market, the importance of living wages, and practical tips for networking and building a personal brand on social media. Ben also introduces his new initiative, 'Hype for Good,' aimed at creating a nationwide network of social impact influencers. They conclude with advice on leveraging social media for personal and organizational growth.

00:00 Introduction to Social Media for Social Impact

00:40 Meet Ben Precor: The Boston Social Impact Guy

01:36 Ben's Journey into Social Impact

03:53 Challenges in the Social Impact Job Market

08:59 The Importance of Volunteering

13:09 Using LinkedIn Effectively

23:04 Hype for Good: A New Initiative

24:57 Ben's Career and Future Plans

28:33 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bostonsocialimpactguy

I'm happy you're here! Like the show?

· Leave a rating and review on your favorite platform

· Drop comments or questions for future episodes

· Connect with me directly on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkouzeh

In this episode of 'Social Media for Social Impact,' host Misha Kouzeh discusses with Felipe Guzman, Patagonia's Social Media Lead, how the brand uses digital platforms to drive environmental activism and community engagement. The conversation covers Patagonia's mission to save the planet, their innovative campaigns like 'Vote Her' and 'Don't Buy This Jacket,' and their approach to staying authentic and values-driven in social media. Guzman shares insights on balancing brand risks, managing online backlash, and cultivating a loyal, values-aligned community. The episode also highlights Patagonia's upcoming 'Work in Progress' report, showcasing the brand's commitment to transparency and continuous improvement in sustainability.

00:00 Introduction: Challenging Consumerism

00:29 Welcome to Social Media for Social Impact

01:29 Patagonia's Mission and Social Media Strategy

02:18 Building Authenticity and Community

08:15 Campaigns and Creative Strategies

17:02 Navigating Online Backlash

21:09 The Power of Community Stories

23:38 Defining Success and KPIs

25:41 Exciting Update: Work in Progress Report

28:19 Tailoring Content Across Platforms

30:52 Final Thoughts and Advice

• Patagonia Work in Progress Report 2025: www.patagonia.com/progress-report

I'm happy you're here! Like the show?

· Leave a rating and review on your favorite platform

· Drop comments or questions for future episodes

· Connect with me directly on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkouzeh

In this episode of Social Media for Social Impact, host Dr. Misha Kouzeh welcomes Tim Parsons, Senior Advisor at Idealist, for an insightful conversation about transforming social media into a space for genuine community and social action. Tim shares his journey from facilitating community service programs to advocating for social impact with a focus on belonging and empathy. They discuss the importance of creating intentional online communities, reducing urgency, and fostering human connections through social media. Tim highlights innovative initiatives like Idealist's transformative role and The Nonprofit Hive’s community-building efforts. They also touch on the potential and challenges of generative AI in enhancing human connection and the importance of cultivating hope, agency, and belonging. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leveraging digital platforms for meaningful social change.

00:00 Introduction to Social Media for Social Impact

0:41 Meet Tim Parsons: Purpose-Driven Leadership

01:31 Tim's Journey: From Retail to Global Impact

05:00 The Role of Idealist in Social Impact

11:00 Building Intentional Relationships Online

21:10 Highlighting Impactful Organizations

24:20 Advice for Building Community and Belonging

28:26 Generative AI and Human Connection

34:38 Hope, Agency, and Belonging 36:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

For more information about Tim's work and Idealist, visit www.linkedin.com/in/rookzero and www.idealist.org.

Additional mention: https://thenonprofithive.com

I'm happy you're here! Like the show?

· Leave a rating and review on your favorite platform

· Drop comments or questions for future episodes

· Connect with me directly on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkouzeh

In this episode of 'Social Media for Social Impact,' host Misha interviews Dorien Morin-Van Dam, founder of More in Media and host of Strategy Talks. They discuss the importance of storytelling in social media, especially for purpose-driven brands. Doreen shares her path from stay-at-home mom to strategist for small businesses and nonprofits, and she dives into the practical ways she uses AI for content planning and analytics. She also breaks down smart ad strategies, continuous testing, and the role community building plays in long-term success. Listeners will walk away with actionable tools and tips for managing content, crafting better stories, and using social media as a force for good.

00:00 Introduction to Storytelling in Social Media

00:38 Meet Doreen Morin-Van Dam: Founder of More in Media

01:36 Doreen's Journey into Social Media Management

03:34 Expanding Horizons: From Local to B2B

05:22 The Role of AI in Social Media Strategy

10:30 The Power of Storytelling for Purpose-Driven Brands

16:18 Essential Social Media Tools and Analytics

23:47 Effective Ad Planning and Organic Reach

31:02 Networking and Community Building

33:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

For more information about Dorien's work, visit www.moreinmedia.com and tune into her podcast: Strategy Talks: https://www.moreinmedia.com/strategytalks

I'm happy you're here! Like the show?

· Leave a rating and review on your favorite platform

· Drop comments or questions for future episodes

· Connect with me directly on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkouzeh

In this episode of "Social Media for Social Impact," host Misha Kouzeh talks with Helen Zarayan, a Gen Z leader at UCLA, about how her generation is using social media for real-world change. Helen discusses the importance of accountability online, sharing how Gen Z rejects performative activism in favor of true impact. She addresses stereotypes about Gen Z, explaining how platforms are used for education, social justice, and building community—not just for trends. The conversation also covers the influence of viral campaigns like the American Eagle and Gap ads, the pressure to build a personal brand, and the need for boundaries with screen time. Helen closes with advice for young people on using social media intentionally and persevering through challenges.

00:00 Introduction & Meet Helen Zarayan

06:00 How Gen Z Uses Social Media for Connection & Activism

10:54 Social Media’s Role in Professional & Academic Life

14:59 Breaking Stereotypes: Social Media Beyond Memes

21:16 Social Media Campaigns: American Eagle vs. Gap

24:21 Building a Personal Brand on Social Platforms

29:22 Social Media, Screen Time & Setting Boundaries

33:27 Advice for Using Social Media for Impact

For more information about Helen’s background, connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helen-zarayan-751768217.

I'm happy you’re here! Like the show?

· Leave a rating and review on your favorite platform

· Drop comments or questions for future episodes

· Connect with me directly on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkouzeh.