6 Lessons from 6 Seasons of Purpose & Profit 🎙️
What do Seinfeld, Game of Thrones, and the Purpose & Profit Podcast have in common?
Each came to a natural end in its own time — and ended with a finale.
I just hope that the Purpose & Profit finale is received better than some of those television endings. 🤞
After six seasons of exploring the surprising ideas at the intersection of causes and brands, my co-host Carly Berna and I have decided to bring the show to a close — at least for now.
This week was bittersweet, as we aired the final episode of the Purpose & Profit Podcast.
🎧 Listen to the finale episode here:
The Purpose & Profit Finale: Insights, Highlights, and Lessons Learned
Above: After six seasons, incredible interviews and insights at the intersection of causes and brands, this week saw the series finale of the Purpose & Profit Podcast.
Over the years, Carly and I have interviewed leaders from both sides of the purpose and profit spectrum — from brands like Blockbuster, Borders, Chick-fil-A, Disney, and the NBA and NFL, to nonprofits like charity: water, International Justice Mission, Compassion International, and Union Rescue Mission. Each conversation shed light on insights about leadership, innovation, generosity, and growth.
As we reflected on what we’ve learned, six lessons rose to the surface — lessons we’ll carry forward with us. I thought it fitting to share those here…
Six Lessons from Six Seasons of the Purpose & Profit Podcast
1. Cultivate a Strong Leadership and Learning Culture
The best organizations start with leaders who listen, learn, and lead by example. Again and again, we’ve seen that culture and strategy rise or fall together — and both begin at the top. From "7 Habits of Highly Effective Nonprofit Leaders" to our conversation with Ted Vaughn about how culture builds brands, we’ve learned that effective leaders empower teams, encourage experimentation, and foster a safe and curious culture.
💡 Takeaway: When leaders invest in their own growth and that of their people, they create the conditions where mission and morale both flourish.
2. Focus on Long-Term, Recurring Support
One of the clearest themes we’ve explored is sustainability — not just in mission, but also in revenue. The subscription economy has transformed business, and it’s also transforming generosity. Drawing on insights from Robbie Kellman Baxter’s work on subscription and membership models, and Lessons from The Rise of Sustainable Giving, we’ve seen that recurring support isn’t just a financial model — it’s a model for scaling impact.
💡 Takeaway: When leaders and organizations invest in sustainability, everyone wins, from beneficiaries to supporters.
3. Spot and Correct Assumptions — Be Willing to Pivot
Some of the most painful leadership lessons come from what we thought we knew. Across episodes — from stories of the invention of stuffed-crust pizza with Ken Calwell to Stewart Severino’s reflections on breaking barriers and confronting assumptions — a pattern emerged: beloved ideas can blind us. Great leaders challenge assumptions early and often. They test, listen, and adapt before circumstances force change.
💡 Takeaway: The organizations that thrive are those humble enough to pivot while staying anchored to purpose.
4. Keep Mission Constant but Let Your Model Evolve
Your mission is the “why” that never changes; your model is the “how” that must. In one of our favorite themes — “Your Model Is Not Your Mission” — guests like Tami Heim from Borders Bookstores, the Christian Leadership Alliance, and Tom Beck from Blockbuster to Compassion International — we were reminded that innovation often means letting go of what once worked. Whether it’s Borders, Blockbuster, or your own beloved program, clinging to an outdated model can suffocate impact. The key is holding purpose tightly and methods loosely.
💡 Takeaway: Your mission shouldn’t change, but if you are going to truly accomplish it over time, your model will need to adapt.
5. Build an Entrepreneurial Culture
Across sectors, the most dynamic organizations think like startups — focused, agile, and bold. Leaders like Sheeba Philip, a growth advisor with experience at brands such as Oreo and International Justice Mission, and Chick-fil-A’s David Farmer taught us that discipline fuels creativity and that “healthy discomfort” sparks innovation. The takeaway: build a culture that embraces prototyping and smart risks.
💡 Takeaway: Combine the clarity of strategy with the freedom to experiment — and you’ll find new ways to turn purpose into progress.
6. Learn from Each Other Across Sectors
At its core, the show has always been about cross-pollination of ideas at the intersection of purpose and profit. We’ve learned from Disney Imagineers Mel McGowan and Theron Skees, NBA Cares’ Taylor Smalley, professional sports philanthropy advocate Kayla Bradham, advertising executive Jon Lee, social entrepreneurs, and nonprofit changemakers — and the magic happens where worlds collide. When corporate leaders embrace empathy and nonprofits adopt business agility, everyone wins.
💡 Takeaway: The best ideas often emerge from the intersections of different disciplines and different industries.
Across six seasons, one message rings clear: Effective leaders never stop learning. The organizations that thrive are those that pair clear purpose with constant curiosity — staying rooted in mission while open to change.
While the Purpose & Profit Podcast is concluding for now, I plan to continue sharing lessons at the intersection of purpose and profit through The Wave Report for years to come. 🌊
It wouldn’t feel right to end this Wave Report without some acknowledgements.
👏 Abigail for fearlessly producing the podcast for the past several seasons.
🎉 Alli for helping get the show off the ground.
🎙️ Barry for making the show sound professional from day one.
💐 Cam for producing a series of incredible events around the nation.
🙌 Carly for texting me going on five years ago that our industry needs better, and for being up for every step of the journey.
🚦 Jenna for coordinating the traffic during a critical season of the show.
🎨 Joel for using your gifts to create a powerful brand.
💪 Scott for stepping in and bringing fresh energy, helping us to finish strong for now.
🙏 Steve for believing in us that the show would be a blessing to the sector.
And to our sponsors over the years who believed in us – Avid (Erik), DickersonBakker (Andrew), FaithSearch Partners (Bob), Masterworks (Bryan and Steve), NextAfter (Jeff and Tim), Share (Matt), Synergy (Bart), and Virtuous (Gabe) – THANK YOU for investing in the bringing these insights into the world. 💜
Until next week… Surf’s Up! 🏄♂️
- Dave