Synergos Cultivate the Soul: Stories of Purpose-Driven Philanthropy

About Synergos Cultivate the Soul: Stories of Purpose-Driven Philanthropy

Cultivate The Soul explores the intersection of philanthropy, contemplative practices, self-reflection and spirituality. Hosts Gretchen Ki Steidle and Melissa Durda are joined by leaders in philanthropy who discuss how they are bringing inner work to outer action and the impact this creates for charities, foundations, and other nonprofits. Presented by Synergos, a global organization helping solve complex issues around the world by advancing bridging leadership, which builds trust and collective action.

Publisher

MouthMedia Network

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

8 Jun 2021

Latest episode

15 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

57 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Jan 2026

   KinMaker Philanthropy with Suzanne Bowles, Founder of Cattail Strategy

   Suzanne Bowles is a philanthropy strategist, collaboration designer, and post-capitalist systems architect devoted to helping funders and movements meet this moment of profound transition with integrity, courage, and relational depth. She is the founder and Chief Strategist of Cattail Strategy, a consultancy that supports philanthropic organizations, funding collaboratives, and cultural stewards to scale equitable systems change rooted in relationship, reciprocity, and regeneration. Suzanne is also the co-founder of Indigenous Commons. Over more than two decades, Suzanne has played a central role in the transition of over $100 million to grassroots, Indigenous-led, and systems change initiatives across the globe. Her work spans economic democracy, climate justice, regenerative economies, and just transitions, supporting a wide range of partners—from values-aligned foundations and philanthropists to frontline movements and multi-sector collaborations. She is a founding contributor to influential initiatives including Indigenous Commons, FEST (Financing Ecosystems for Transformation), Catalyst Now, Common Good Finance, CoFundEco, and the Alliance for Economic Democracy. Suzanne’s practice is grounded in the belief that lasting systems change begins within—through shifts in relationship, identity, and worldview. She co-creates new frameworks with her clients that integrate strategic rigor with inner and ancestral development. A trusted ally to many Global South, Indigenous, and BIPOC movements, Suzanne is known for her long-term commitment, ethical clarity, and ability to bridge worlds—linking philanthropic capital with the wisdom, leadership, and lived experience of those most impacted by extractive systems. Through her KinMaker Return journeys and programs, she invites philanthropists to engage giving as a spiritual, relational, and ancestral one—repairing Western cultures of separation while aligning resources with planetary and future-generation needs. Suzanne walks this path as both practitioner and learner, guided by conscious generosity and a deep practice of inter-being. In times of collapse and possibility, her work creates space to grieve what is ending, listen deeply to one another, and co-create the conditions for life-affirming systems to emerge. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

2. 

   30 Dec 2025

   Transformational Philanthropy with Xavi Ginesta, Founder, Humanitas Foundation

   Xavi Ginesta founded Voxel in 1998, a Barcelona-based company that became a global leader in electronic invoicing and payments for the travel industry. Voxel was recognized as the third best workplace in Spain by the Best Workplaces ranking in 2019 and 2020. Xavi’s professional journey has always been closely intertwined with a personal commitment to fostering a more conscious worldview. This dedication led him to become CEO of the Spanish chapter of Conscious Capitalism in 2019 and to co-author the book Humanitas with Sergi Torres in 2022. That same year, he co-founded The Festival of Consciousness, a landmark event that ultimately inspired his decision to sell Voxel in 2024 and fully align his personal and professional paths through the creation of the Humanitas Foundation. The Humanitas Foundation supports initiatives rooted in transformational philanthropy. Unlike traditional impact philanthropy, which seeks to solve systemic problems without altering the system itself, transformational philanthropy addresses the underlying mindset that gives rise to those problems—aiming for deep inner impact as a catalyst for systemic outer change. Xavi holds a degree in Telecommunications Engineering by La Salle School of Engineering (Ramon Llull University) and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from New York University (NYU). See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

3. 

   11 Dec 2025

   Interpersonal and Reparative Philanthropy, with Hilary Giovale, author of Becoming A Good Relative

   Hilary Giovale is a mother, writer, facilitator, and community organizer who holds a Master’s Degree in Good and Sustainable Communities. She has taught improvisational dance and has served on the boards of philanthropic, human rights, and environmental organizations. Descended from the Celtic, Germanic, Nordic, and Indigenous peoples of Ancient Europe, she is a ninth-generation American settler. For most of her life these origins were obscured by whiteness. After learning more about her ancestors’ history, Hilary began emerging from a fog of amnesia, denial, and fragmentation. For the first time, she could see a painful reality: her family’s occupation of this land has harmed Indigenous and African peoples, cultures, lands, and lifeways. With this realization, her life changed. How can I become a good relative? This inquiry guides Hilary’s work, including her writing, teaching, and reparative philanthropy. Divesting from settler colonialism and whiteness, she seeks to follow Indigenous and Black leadership in support of healing, mutual liberation, and equitable futures. She is the author of the award-winning book Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing, and Repair (https://www.brightsidebookshop.com/book/9798987663172). Go deeper with Hilary’s Guide to Making a Personal Reparations Plan (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G-ufl_8ixdquMGrDziiBUBAANYKXrN7eHtjiE5aKTfw/edit?usp=sharing), and find a copy of her book here (https://www.goodrelative.com/book). 100% of book proceeds go to the Decolonizing Wealth Project and Jubilee Justice. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Who has been a guest on Synergos Cultivate the Soul: Stories of Purpose-Driven Philanthropy

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• David Evans Shaw
• Kristine Tompkins
• Camille Massey
• Teresa Corção
• Alexa Firmenich

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

48

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.