Coffee with Changemakers

Saving Our Soils, One Food Forest At A Time

Louis De Jaeger is an award-winning entrepreneur, filmmaker, author, and advocate working to protect the very ground we depend on - soil.
Founder of Commensalist and co-founder of the Food Forest Institute, he designs regenerative landscapes from small gardens to private islands and promotes large-scale edible forests that feed people while restoring nature. 
In his latest book, “SOS: Save Our Soils”, Louis explores how soil health underpins human health and a thriving planet.
We discuss his bold campaigns - from persuading the King of Belgium to turn lawns into meadows, to launching a night train company - and why saving our soils is key to safeguarding our future.
Highlights:09:21 Louis' Journey to Change Making18:36 Understanding Food Forests and Their Benefits27:30 Commensalist: Designing Sustainable Landscapes29:10 Cultural Sensitivity in Global Collaboration33:24 Challenges in Communication and Climate Adaptation37:11 Impactful Moments in Environmental Activism38:54 Motivation and Self-Care in a Busy World41:59 Innovative Ventures and Learning from Experience46:51 Finding the Right People for Your Team51:41 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Activism
Follow Louis here: www.louisdj.com & www.commensalist.com

Empowering People With Disabilities Through Affordable Technology

Over 1.3 billion people worldwide live with disabilities - yet most assistive technologies remain expensive and out of reach. Hunny Bhagchandani, founder of Torchit Electronics, is changing that with affordable innovations like the Saarthi Smart Cane, Jyoti AI Smart Glasses, and ENABLE MART, often called the “Amazon for Accessibility.”
His products have already reached half a million people across 40 countries.
From an eye-opening internship at a blind school to being named Forbes 30 Under 30 and pitching on Shark Tank India, Hunny has turned a simple idea into a global movement.
Join us for an inspiring conversation about breaking barriers, building inclusive tech, and championing the Purple Economy to empower 10 million families by 2030.Highlights:
00:00 Transforming Accessibility Through Technology07:31 The Journey of Innovation and User-Centric Design14:26 Scaling Impact: Community and Collaboration21:43 Empowering Lives: Stories of Change26:10 Innovative Assistive Technology for the Visually Impaired30:52 Affordability and Accessibility of Jyoti AI Glasses34:32 Lessons Learned as a Social Entrepreneur37:57 Future Innovations and Goals for Torchit
Follow Hunny and Torchit here: https://mytorchit.com/ 

Art, Activism & Social Change: The Story of The Starving Artist

Dr. Ally Zlatar is an award-winning artist, activist, and academic working at the intersection of art, mental health, and social justice.
Drawing from her own lived experience with an eating disorder, she founded The Starving Artist, an international initiative using creative expression to amplify marginalised voices and drive systemic reform.
She also established the Starving Artist Scholarship Fund, providing financial support to help individuals access inpatient mental health treatment.
In this episode, Ally shares her journey from personal struggles to launching a global movement recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30. We discuss how she uses art to heal, build inclusive communities, and drive meaningful social change.
Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of art to create impact.
Highlights:02:49 The Role of Art in Mental Health05:34 Personal Journey and The Starving Artist08:16 Art as a Medium for Social Change11:10 Building Community Through Art14:06 Challenges in the Art World16:45 Supporting Emerging Artists19:43 Mental Health and Accessibility22:10 Reflections on Growth and Resilience24:57 Future Projects and Advice for Aspiring Change Makers30:37 Closing Thoughts and Personal Insights
Find out more about Ally and The Starving Artist here: https://starvingartist.cargo.site/ 

From Singapore Roots to Tokyo Rooftops: Transforming Cities Through Urban Farming

Robyn Natsuko Shinozaki is the founder of Green Neighbors, a social enterprise reimagining how cities grow food, foster connection, and promote sustainable living. Drawing on her multicultural upbringing in Japan and Singapore, Robyn blends urban farming with community engagement to transform underused city spaces into thriving green ecosystems.
In this episode, Robyn shares her journey from growing up between two cultures to launching Green Neighbors in Tokyo - a grassroots movement that brings people together through foodscaping, sustainability workshops, and local agriculture.
We dive into the challenges of introducing new environmental ideas in Japan, the power of community collaboration, and how urban farming can shift not only landscapes but also mindsets.
Robyn also reflects on the lessons she’s learned as a social entrepreneur, her vision for scaling Green Neighbors, and how food can be a powerful tool for connection and climate action.
Join us for an inspiring conversation about green cities, social impact, and the future of food in urban life.
 
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction to Robyn's Journey
05:10 Roots and Early Influences
09:09 Inspiration from Singapore's Urban Farming
15:27 Starting Green Neighbors
21:05 Challenges in the Japanese Market
27:55 Community Engagement and Workshops
33:25 Impact on Local Communities
39:00 Future Vision for Green Neighbors
43:14 Lessons Learned and Advice
54:02 Conclusion and Contact Information
 
Follow Robyn and her team at Green Neighbors here: https://www.greennbs.com
Follow the Green Neighbors Instagram accounts here: https://www.instagram.com/greenneighbors.co/

The Future Is Youth: Emre Caglar on Purpose and Impact

Emre Caglar is the founder of Youth for a Future, a nonprofit organization working to empower children living in orphanages across Japan through education, mentorship, and self-discovery.
In this episode, Emre shares his journey from launching a student club focused on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) to building a growing youth-led movement for social impact.
We delve into the challenges of working in the nonprofit sector, the emotional weight of leadership, and the deep importance of sustainability and collaboration when creating lasting change. Emre also reflects on how a pivotal experience at the One Young World summit shaped his vision and helped him build a community around youth empowerment.
From quiet moments of connection in Japan’s orphanages to big-picture dreams for the future of education, Emre brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective to social entrepreneurship.
Join us for an inspiring conversation about purpose, resilience, and the transformative power of giving young people the tools to shape their own futures.
Highlights:00:00 Empowering Youth for a Brighter Future
10:06 The Journey of Youth for Future
20:05 Impacting Lives: Stories from the Orphanages
30:10 Challenges and Growth in Nonprofit Leadership
Follow Emre and his team at Youth for Future here: https://www.yfforg.com/Follow Emre’s LinkedIn and Instagram accounts here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emrecaglar2005/
https://www.instagram.com/emre._caglar/

Transforming Climate Finance: How Creattura Makes Impact Investable

Zachary Brown is a Co-Founder of Creattura, a climate tech startup dedicated to reducing methane emissions from rice farming through cutting-edge AI, satellite data, and sustainable agricultural practices. In this episode, Zachary shares his inspiring journey from a self-taught tech enthusiast to a social entrepreneur driving innovation in climate solutions.
He delves into the challenges of integrating technology with agriculture, particularly in addressing the significant environmental impact of rice farming. Zachary also discusses the importance of data-driven solutions, the role of carbon credits in promoting sustainable practices, and the critical need for community engagement in successful climate projects.
Through personal stories, he reflects on the lessons learned from his transition into social entrepreneurship, his motivations for tackling climate change, and his vision for the future of sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia and Japan.
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Zachary on how technology, collaboration, and innovation are shaping a more sustainable future.
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction to Climate Tech and Creattura
02:11 Zach's Background and Journey into Tech
05:41 Life in Zambia and Its Influence
10:27 The Birth of Creattura and Its Mission
16:47 Addressing Methane Emissions from Rice Farming
20:37 Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture
24:09 Utilizing Satellite Technology for Climate Impact
28:00 Harnessing Satellite Data for Agricultural Innovation
32:05 Community Engagement in Agricultural Projects
34:57 Personal Stories of Impact and Inspiration
39:01 Lessons from Social Entrepreneurship
40:58 Ensuring Integrity in Carbon Credits
45:59 Future Projects and Expansions
 
Follow Zachary and his team at Creattura here:
https://creattura.com/

From Food Waste to Agri-Tech Breakthrough: The EF Polymer Story

Narayan Lal Gurjar, the founder and CEO of EF Polymer, has a mission to solve one of agriculture’s most pressing issues—water scarcity. Hailing from a farming community in Rajasthan, India, Narayan’s journey into agri-tech was deeply personal, inspired by his father’s struggles with water shortages.
In this episode, Narayan opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, sharing the challenges, setbacks, and successes in creating a sustainable, food waste-derived solution that helps farmers thrive in water-scarce areas. He reflects on the importance of perseverance and resourcefulness, stressing how crucial these traits were in transforming his idea into a reality. Narayan also touches on the critical role mentorship, education, and community support played in his growth.
Join us for an insightful conversation on innovation, sustainability, and how Narayan’s vision is making a lasting impact on both farmers and the planet. Discover the trials of building a startup from the ground up and the valuable lessons that have shaped his path toward empowering millions of farmers worldwide.
Highlights
00:00 Introduction to Narayan Lal Gurjar and EF Polymer
02:32 Narayan's Early Life and Inspiration
12:10 The Journey of Innovation and Prototype Development
26:30 Overcoming Challenges and Building a Startup
29:18 Innovative Solutions for Water Scarcity
30:54 Overcoming Challenges in Entrepreneurship
41:23 Key Learnings and Reflections
46:56 Scaling and Future Aspirations
48:14 What Not to Do as an Entrepreneur
Follow Narayan and his team at EF Polymer here: https://efpolymer.com/

Turning Risks into Rewards: Impact Investing in Africa

Riki Yamauchi is a venture capitalist at Novastar Ventures, focused on driving sustainable growth through impactful investments in Africa. In this episode, Riki shares his journey from a successful finance career in Japan to becoming a leading advocate for startup innovation in Africa. 
Riki discusses the unique opportunities and challenges of venture capital in Africa, highlighting how startups are innovating to solve local problems and drive positive change. He also reflects on the importance of measuring impact in his investments, the critical role of building trust in the venture capital space, and how young entrepreneurs are shaping Africa’s future.
Join us as Riki shares his personal experiences, lessons learned from navigating a new market, and offers advice to aspiring changemakers looking to make a difference through business and investment.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, sustainable growth, and the transformative potential of venture capital in Africa.
 
Highlights:
 
03:11 Riki's Journey: From Finance to Venture Capital
06:02 Understanding Venture Capital: A New Perspective
15:07 Spotlight on Startups: Innovations in Africa
17:56 Life in Kenya: Surprises and Insights
21:14 Challenges Faced: Personal and Professional Growth
24:05 The Drive for Impact: Riki’s Motivation
26:58 Reflections on Growth: Lessons Learned
29:46 Advice for Aspiring Change Makers
33:09 Future Endeavors: What's Next for Riki and NovaStar
Follow Riki and his team at Novastar Ventures here:https://www.novastarventures.com/