From CSR Myths to Trust-Driven Impact: Highlights from The Trust Show Podcast with Yoram Solomon, PhD

I love a great podcast. There is nothing better than going for a drive or walk and listening to a podcast along the way. My favorites are the ones where, even when I only have five minutes, I come away with pearls of wisdom. That is the case for one of my favorite podcasts — The Trust Show with Yoram Solomon, PhD. Yoram’s podcast is full of real-world wisdom, great storytelling and exceptional insights. I learn something I can pass along to others each time I listen. I encourage you to listen to his podcast, take a peek at his books and invite him to your next corporate retreat.

That is why I was thrilled to be asked to join him on his podcast recently to discuss the recent U-turn in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and ESG (Environmental Social Governance) in the corporate sector. I teach a class on this topic for SMU and have lectured about it recently in a speech I lovingly call: CSR: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Ten years ago, CSR was a feel-good term — companies did good in the community because it had a high ROI. Now, with the culture wars happening from the left and right, many companies and organizations (even nonprofits and government) are pulling back their efforts in CSR, DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion) and ESG. We discuss (and debate — this is why Yoram and I love each other) where CSR/ESG is now, what has happened and how to move forward with community efforts — with authenticity. We delved into how companies can integrate these principles to enhance their societal and environmental impact. Plus, we discussed the importance of authenticity, transparency and local engagement, offering practical examples and strategies for companies to balance profit with purpose in a trust-driven economy.

You can listen to my podcast with Yoram here: S14E6: CSR, ESG and Trust — The TRUST Show — Apple Podcasts

Key moments from the podcast include:

• DEFINITIONS: Yoram and I walked through the dizzying maze of acronyms (CSR, ESG) to define them and anchor them in trust.
• HISTORY & EVOLUTION: I shared the rise and fall of CSR and ESG, plus practical strategies that companies can use to align people, profit, planet and purpose.
• BRAND & ADVERTISING: We talked about Pepsi’s Kendall Jenner commercial as a cautionary tale. We contrasted it with Nike’s Colin Kaepernick commercial to show the difference in their connection to overall corporate strategy.
• MYTHBUSTING: I love mythbusting and in this episode I shared why CSR is not just about Fortune 500 companies and can be as effective — if not more — for small business.
• CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER: I explained why my latest call-to-action for major companies is to hire Chief Impact Officers to move beyond CSR as a marketing strategy and upgrade it into a company-wide strategy.

I love doing podcasts and have have done several in the past. Check them out here:

What Collaboration Means to Success — Energy Weldfab

Total Life Complete Podcast with Brett Cowell — EP20

Once you listen, we’d love to hear from you — what are your thoughts on how for-profit businesses can best support community goals and are they headed in the right direction? And if you host a podcast, let me know — I would love to join you to discuss (& debate!) the latest trends in the social sector.

We hope you are enjoying the last days of summer — take a bit of time to enjoy it while it lasts.