The Kroc Pod

In this episode, we sit down with Sage Dobby to explore how innovative thinking can transform everyday products into powerful tools for environmental change. Sage is an entrepreneur, an MA candidate in Social Innovation, and a passionate advocate for sustainability. As the winner of USD’s 7th Annual Fowler Business Concept Challenge, she shares the story behind her venture creating biodegradable, plastic-free hair ties made from discarded pineapple leaves. She discusses the inspiration behind her idea, how the Kroc School has opened doors to new opportunities, and the role of the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit—in guiding her work. With a background in STEM and a deep love for innovation, Sage is driven by a mission to make the world a more beautiful and sustainable place.

In this episode, 2025 Kroc School Women Peacemakers Fellow Lilian Olivia Orero, a Gender and Technology Lawyer from Kenya, shares the experience that inspired her to found SafeOnline Women Kenya (SOW-Kenya). She discusses the growing crisis of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), including online harassment and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and how these forms of abuse disproportionately impact women and girls in digital spaces. She explains how SOW-Kenya works to bridge the digital gender gap through digital safety training, policy advocacy, and the development of the AI-powered #SafeHer app, an innovative tool that enables survivors to report abuse and access support. Orero’s passion for both advocacy and technology shines bright and her dedication to uplifting women shines brighter.

In this episode, 2025 Kroc School Women Peacemakers Fellow Dr. Estefanía Castañeda Pérez, a professor at USC and lifelong transborder commuter, shares her research and lived experiences navigating life between the U.S. and Mexico. She unpacks how violence at the border is not only physical, but also structural and psychological, shaped by state power, discretionary enforcement, and immigration policies that deeply impact transborder commuters’ sense of belonging and inclusion. Estefania explores transborder justice as a framework that centers the fragmented realities of living between two nations, reflects on the importance of giving back to her community, and emphasizes the need to amplify women’s voices in peacemaking, drawing from her experience as the first Transfronteriza selected for the Women Peacemakers Fellowship at the KROC IPJ. Estefania is looking for transborder commuters willing to participate in a confidential interview to discuss their border crossing experiences for a research study from the University of California (USC) Department of Political Science and International Relations. If you are interested fill out this survey to check eligibility: https://qualtricsxmqjfdk6cf6.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bqiLX2XfbSyzByK

We kick of Season 7 of the Kroc Pod with a blockbuster -- in this episode, Kroc School Alumni Ryan Shipley shares his transformative journey from incarceration to becoming a leader in social justice through the Sisu Freedom Foundation. Shipley, the winner of the 2025 Necla Tschirgi Civic Engagement Award, discusses the challenges faced by system-impacted individuals during reentry, the importance of education in reducing recidivism, and the need for community support. Ryan emphasizes the significance of lived experience in leadership roles and advocates for a shift in language to better represent those affected by the justice system. He also outlines future plans for the Sisu Foundation and offers advice for young people looking to create change in their communities.

What happens when the system gets it wrong? In this episode, we dig into the haunting realities of wrongful convictions with Amanda Knox, one of the most well known exonerees of our time and Professor Justin Brooks, founder of the California Innocence Project. Together with other leading voices in law and interrogation techniques, we unpack the hidden mechanics behind false confessions, implicit bias, and the 4,000 documented wrongful convictions in the U.S. since 1989.

What happens when Earth itself starts to wake up? In this episode, Kroc School Prof. Topher McDougal joins us to talk about his new book Gaia Wakes, where he explores the idea of Earth’s emergent consciousness and the possibility of a global AI-powered governance system. From the collision of economics and ecology to the Butlerian Jihad of the Dune series, McDougal pushes us to rethink humanity’s role in an AI-dominated future. In this wide-ranging episode, we dive into Luddites, the idea of a grand bargain between humans and AI, and what it really means to have — or be — a soul. In this episode we discuss: The four radical evolutionary upgrades (so far…) Humans as natural phenomena Why our future may demand a new relationship with technology The ethical risks of being domesticated by our own tools

For our Season 6 premiere episode we examine what it really looks like when business leaders put people and planet before profit. In this episode, we dive into the rise of socially responsible businesses in San Diego with Jeff Blanton and Abraham Chen. From conscious capitalism to B Corps and social innovation, they share how a new wave of companies is reshaping the way we think about success. If you’ve ever wondered how business can become a true force for good, this conversation will give you inspiration—and practical insights—for the road ahead. In this episode we discuss: How profit works best when it serves a bigger purpose Why strong leadership drives every B Corp The rise of San Diego as a hub for social innovation Ways that consumers can shape companies

What does it mean to hold space at the edge of life? In this episode, we sit down with two experienced death doulas to explore how they guide individuals and families through death, dying, and grief. We unpack the emotional, spiritual, and practical layers of end-of-life care—and what it means to show up with presence, compassion, and clarity. Whether you're navigating personal loss, exploring a calling in death care, or simply curious about how we can face death more honestly—this conversation is a powerful entry point. In this episode we discuss: Destigmatizing conversations about death How grief is both personal and unpredictable Why death education should be taught in schools When “I’m sorry” is the wrong thing to say

Explore Dr. Lailatul Fitriyah's journey through inter-religious education and feminist theology. Hear her insights on bridging Islam and Christianity, challenging stereotypes about Muslim women, and why feminist theology and dialogue matter for peace and activism. In today's episode we discuss: Muslim and Christian feminist theologians share similar concerns about patriarchal violence How Islamic feminism differs from Western feminism Stereotypes about Muslim women How Feminist theology uses religious texts to empower women Why women often lead peacebuilding efforts in conflict-torn societies

In this episode, we explore how innovation can unlock solutions to complex social challenges, emphasizing the power of collaboration between NGOs, governments, and private industry. Our guest, Paola Santana — a lawyer, public procurement expert, and tech entrepreneur from the Dominican Republic — shares her inspiring journey from public service to building tech startups in Silicon Valley.