S2: Vostel of Berlin #53
Romy interviews Hanna Lutz of social enterprise Vostel in Berlin. Vostel is an online platform matching volunteers with Berlin organizations. Hear about how they found a way to engage tourists, refugees, and everyday talented people to help their city. Episode ends with a great song by Detroit artist, Lando, and his song, Tender.
S2: Mailbag! #52
S2: Scott Francisco & Jessica Robinson, Green Garages #51
In this episode, Jessica and Scott Francisco, Director of Pilot Projects, discover a mutual fascination with the unloved city parking garage and explore what a current design for today’s urban neighborhood might look like. Pilot Projects’ Green Hub concept is an adaptive reuse that reimagines parking structures as vibrant community spaces with parking for bicycles, coworking space, a cafe, and even a rooftop garden with solar panels. Scott and the team partnered closely with a number of community organizations in New York to put this design together, and we hope that a network of parking garages like the Green Hub will eventually be built.
S2: Southwest Solutions of Detroit#50
Romy interviews John Van Kamp of Southwest Solutions. John has been the leader and visionary of Southwest Solutions since 1973 and has successfully established a village of partners to address mental health issues. The incredible collaboration and partnering led initiatives into entrepreneurship and other related systemic change. This is an incredible story of community partnering and change!
S2: Better Life Bags#49
Romy interviews Rebecca Smith with Better Life Bags in Hamtramck of Detroit. Hear the incredible story of how she launched a business of making custom handbags hand-sewn by local women who had previously had cultural barriers to employment. Rebecca shares how she grew, used social media, and created dynamic relationships with her now 16 employees~
S2: Detroit Horse Power#48
What became the most compelling opportunity, in my mind, is horses combined with the research-based therapeutic effects for at-risk youth, among other populations, in need with a large space requirement. They’re big animals, and they take up a lot of space. In most cities, that would be a deal breaker because most cities don’t have large amounts of open space for a large riding center. In Detroit, that actually really matches a big need that’s going to help build a strong foundation for all of the Detroit to have a strong future. Where this wouldn’t be possible hardly anywhere else in the country, horses are uniquely positioned to address two persistent problems for the City of Detroit.
S2: Assemble Sound of Detroit Artist Collaboration#46
S2: Jessica Robinson Intro: Bonfires on the Move#45
Bonfires on the Move! Technology solving mobility issues! Meet the new host of Bonfires on the Move, Jessica Robinson. Jessica and Romy discuss her new segment and the types of guests she will be interviewing. As technology is used to solve mobility issues, Jessica will be bringing front-line trends and fresh ideas to our listeners.…
S2: Hopeful Harvest with Chris Nemeth serving Detroit Food Manufacturing#44
Chris Nemeth of Hopeful Harvest Romy interviews Chris Nemeth of social enterprise Hopeful Harvest on Season 2 episode. Chris gives an important look inside his operation and openly discusses the challenges of launching this type of endeavor and the challenges that arrive when growth happens quickly. Learn about his grand plans, the broader…
S2 – Announcement #41
Season 1: Robert Egger + LA Kitchen#40
For The Love of Social Enterprises! Bonfires Got a Boost from Robert Egger The Bonfires of Social Enterprise concludes its series of stories inspired by Romy’s recent trip to Los Angeles, and her visit with attorney Cecily Jackson-Zapata, of the Sustainable Law Group. This, the final of three episodes, is about the LA Kitchen, which…
Season 1: A Visit to LA’s Downtown Women’s Center#39
Bonfires LA-Downtown Women’s Center Made by DWC – A Few Steps off Skid Row The Bonfires of Social Enterprise continues its series of stories inspired by Romy’s recent visit to LA, and her visit with attorney Cecily Jackson-Zapata, of the Sustainable Law Group. Joe Altepeter, Director of Vocational Education and Social Enterprise at the Downtown…
Season 1: Bonfires-Los Angeles, A Preview#29
A Short Podcast to Preview Upcoming Episodes Recorded in L.A. This is a short podcast from The Bonfires of Social Enterprise, a preview of upcoming episodes about Romy Gingras’ visit to Los Angeles. Romy discusses the inspiring social entrepreneurs whom she met at the invitation of Cecily Jackson-Zapata of the Sustainable Law Group. Jackson-Zapata…
Season 1: Cecily Jackson-Zapata#28
Two Sustainable Business Consultants Rapping About Social Enterprise Los Angeles Attorney Cecily Jackson-Zapata Joins Romy Gingras on Bonfires In This Episode of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise Romy Gingras and Los Angeles based attorney Cecily Jackson-Zapata rap about the business of consulting and advising social enterprise businesses. You’ll be able to listen into a conversation…
Season 1: Elvis & Kresse, London#26
Elvis & Kresse Make Beautiful Things Out of Discarded Fire Hoses The Bonfires of Social Enterprise with Romy Gingras talks with Kresse Wesling, who, with her love, Elvis (James) Henrit own Elvis & Kresse. Kresse says she upcycles instead of recycles. She and Romy talk about why she works with discarded fire hoses and where…
Season 1: Bamboo Detroit#24
Exploring a Collaborative Workspace In Downtown Detroit The Bonfires of Social Enterprise visits with Bamboo Detroit,a business incubator site in a historic Detroit building. Romy talks about why this place has a more “homey” feel to it than other businesses like it, with Bamboo Detroit’s “Community Lady’ Amanda Lewan. Despite it’s name, Detroit Bamboo isn’t…
Season 1: Kicks 4 Kids Foundation#19
How A Teacher Provides Athletic Shoes for Children The Kicks for Kids Foundation Romy visits her friend Chekeita Jones in Pontiac, Michigan. Ms. Jones is a teacher and talks about what inspired her to create the Kicks 4 Kids Foundation, which gives brand named sneakers for needy children. Romy and Chekeita talk about the impact…
Season 1: Gold Cash Gold Restaurant in Detroit#9
