Hi friend,

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — the one where we SLAM our laptops shut and forget what day it is for the next two weeks. 🤗 So I’ll keep this letter short and sweet.

First of all — thank you! Launching Issue Space in September was a true leap of faith. Would social impact pros lend their voices to these conversations in a public space? And would other folks listen? Would my own voice be embraced?? 🙈 

Intimidating stuff! But the hundreds of you on this mailing list are proof that we’re starting something special. An honest, irreverent, imperfectly optimistic space for changemakers of all kinds. I’m so grateful you’re a part of it.

And I have an invitation for you!

2025 is sure to throw us some curveballs. Are we ever optimistic about creating a world that’s wonderful for all of us? Yes. But we know — lives will change, some devastatingly, as people get caught in the world’s power struggles. Ideologies will continue to clash. Resources will be stretched to nothingness in some areas, and swell to unbelievable scales in others. For those of us working in social change, our impact opportunities and professional futures may have never looked less clear.

So…let’s hang out and talk through it?

On January 16th, we’re holding Space to explore The Evolving State of Impact Work. No lectures, no crystal balls (this time), and no IRL doom-scrolling — just a thoughtful, communal exploration about how our work might, and should, evolve in the year(s) to come and how we can support each other, practically and in community, through it all.

January 16th, in person in NYC.

Save the date! Event link to follow.

I’m so thankful for the stories, hard questions, laughs, and inside jokes we’ve shared this year. I’m wishing you and your loved ones the very best for the personal and professional chapters ahead!

With love and gratitude,

Podcast Gems

We’re still thinking about…

✨ When social entrepreneur Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg described herself as an “angry architect” of changemaking organizations, an approach she’s found effective — and exhausting. Have you ever followed righteous anger to your next career move in the social impact space? And can you see our work running on rage in the era ahead? (Episode 9: “Affinity & Beyond”)

✨ When attorney and advocate Brittany K. Barnett shared that she’s allowed her role in impact work to evolve since experiencing major burnout. “While I will forever be committed to freedom,” Brittany says, “I am excited that I’m giving myself permission to show up in different ways.” Changing, but not quitting, the work the world needs sounds like a perfect comeback, if you ask us. (Episode 10: “When the Good Fight Fights Us”)

…

You can catch up on the Issue Space podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and these other fine platforms.

And With That…

💜 

Join the Space

💌 Are you on the mailing list to receive this letter? If not, sign up here.

🎧 Hear the Issue Space podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and these platforms. We feature diverse social impact pros on the lived experience of social change work.

🤝 Wanna team up? Brands or organizations who might connect with our community can send partnership inquiries to [email protected].

🗣️  Have an insight about life in the business of impact or an idea for the Space? We’d love to hear from you! Hit that button and get in touch! 👇