Afdhel Aziz

How regenerative agriculture is quietly transforming the way we grow food — and why a billion acres might be the tipping point.

We seem to be in a golden age where authentic representation of Muslims in America are at an all-time high.

Why the nonprofit sector is breaking — and how Givebutter and We Are For Good are betting generosity can fix it.

Ninety million people. That is how many lives Water.org — the global nonprofit co-founded by Gary White and Matt Damon to bring safe water and

J.C. Hall, who found solace in hip hop during his own struggles with addiction and depression, founded Hip Hop Therapy. After traditional therapy failed him, music became his lifeline, a path reinforced by mentor Dr. Edgar Tyson, a pioneer in the field. Hall established his program at Mott Haven Community High School in the South Bronx, building a professional recording studio where students engage in individual and group sessions, expressing themselves through music. This innovative approach has nearly doubled graduation rates and significantly improved student well-being, exemplified by a student who overcame a suicide attempt and stabbing. Hall recently won the $200,000 David Prize and plans to scale Hip Hop Therapy globally, creating a training infrastructure to make it accessible wherever hip hop resonates and oppression exists.

Teardrop Hotels, a unique hospitality company, emerged from a serendipitous missed flight and a deep love for Sri Lanka by its three founding friends. Specializing in transforming existing buildings into soulful luxury boutique properties, they prioritize authentic experiences and genuine service over standardized opulence. With nine hotels and plans for further expansion, Teardrop champions a sustainable tourism model for Sri Lanka, focusing on high-value visitors to preserve the island's charm. The company proudly employs 98% Sri Lankan staff, many in senior roles, and actively supports local communities through partnerships. Teardrop ultimately sells the journey and the island's magic, offering a deeply rooted, community-embedded experience that showcases Sri Lanka's true essence.

Julia Collins launched PlanetHAUS to combat sustainability's branding crisis, where it's often perceived as sacrifice rather than an upgrade. Inspired by Toni Cade Bambara's call to make revolutions "irresistible," Collins recognized that despite advanced data and products, consumer desire for sustainable living was lacking. PlanetHAUS tackles this by leveraging design, consumer culture, and immersive pop-up events to present sustainable choices as an appealing, desirable lifestyle. These curated, home-like experiences demonstrate that planet-friendly products can be beautiful and pleasurable. Initial events garnered immense success, with 100% of attendees reporting a changed perspective on sustainability. Collins aims to expand PlanetHAUS globally, proving that responsible living is an upgrade, not a compromise, thereby seducing people towards a better future.

Will Travis, a former global CEO and brand strategist, founded Elevation Barn in 2018 to address the profound loneliness and lack of purpose high-achieving leaders often experience despite their success. Having personally felt this void after running top creative agencies and pursuing extreme adventures, Travis created a global network. Elevation Barn offers intimate, four-day residential experiences for eight selected leaders in luxurious natural settings. The program focuses on holistic well-being across eight dimensions—mental, spiritual, physical, relationship, career, finance, home, and purpose—rather than just professional success. It emphasizes a "kindred quest" over a solitary hero's journey, helping leaders gain clarity and make transformative life decisions. Members join a trusted community for ongoing support and expeditions, with an organizational consultancy arm, STABLE, also available. Travis aims to provide a platform for deep personal and professional transformation, rejecting mass-market scaling for a more delicate, impactful approach.

Read Princess Catherine’s essay on how nature, creativity, and patient love can help children stay connected, confident, and emotionally whole.

Jean Batthany, former Walmart CCO, developed "The Art of the Pause" after personal and professional burnout. She argues the current corporate system, demanding constant output, causes a global burnout epidemic costing $1 trillion annually. Instead of pushing resilience, Batthany advocates for "regenerative creativity," inspired by farming principles. This means incorporating intentional "fallow" periods and consistent short breaks to foster curiosity and innovation. She challenges leaders to redesign work, protecting time for proactive thinking, as radical rest is crucial for creativity and combating the widespread burnout that stifles progress.