Daniel Blackman returns to What the…? to talk about rethinking connection, rebuilding trust, and engaging communities where they are.

In Episode 7 of 3BL’s What the…? video series, host Mary Mazzoni welcomes back Daniel Blackman, Founder of Renaissance94, for his second appearance on our series. This time, Blackman dives into why the sustainability space continues to miss the mark on real engagement and how practitioners can start to rebuild trust and connection across communities.

Full episode here. As sustainability messaging becomes increasingly politicized, Blackman pulls no punches on where the industry has gone wrong. “We’ve seen ESG, we’ve seen sustainability — these have become more about branding than about saving lives,” said Blackman. “It’s been more about branding than about engaging communities.” He emphasizes the importance of shifting the way communicators show up and speak to people beyond their usual circles. “We need to stop speaking at and over people. We need to speak to people where they are.” Key takeaways from the conversation:

• We’re talking — but not connecting. Sustainability professionals must meet communities where they are, both physically and emotionally, rather than delivering messages from afar or with a corporate filter.
• Access and infrastructure matter. Many of the communities most impacted by climate issues lack the infrastructure, like broadband or transportation, to even participate in the conversation.
• Communities want to be part of the solution. Every day, people, especially those directly affected by climate events, have valuable knowledge and lived experience. They should be seen as partners.

Click Here to Watch Episode 7 of What the…? About 3BL  3BL transforms impact and sustainability initiatives into business advantages. Since 2009, we’ve helped 1,500+ organizations — from Fortune 500s to NGOs — connect purpose with performance. Our proprietary platform delivers targeted distribution, strategic insights, and measurable analytics, while our media division TriplePundit provides solutions-focused journalism and brand storytelling support.

In a time of rising tariffs, attacks on diversity, equity & inclusion programs and other sustainability initiatives, U.S. businesses are navigating a deeply uncertain environment. In this episode, Daniela Ballou-Aares, founder and CEO of the Leadership Now Project, joins Mary Mazzoni, VP of Content & Executive Editor at TriplePundit, to discuss how business leaders can make progress without fear of retaliation and protect their competitiveness.

Key Insights:

• Smart Advocacy, Not Silence: Businesses don’t need to go public with every issue. Instead, Daniela urges leaders to engage behind the scenes with local officials, build coalitions, and focus on core non-negotiables, especially where the rule of law or fair competition is at stake.
• Misconceptions About Business Silence: While public statements have decreased since 2016, many companies are quietly advocating through litigation, lobbying, or industry networks. Examples like Costco and Marriott show that firms with deep-rooted values can stand firm on issues like DEI and still thrive.
• Widespread Concern Across Sectors: A recent Leadership Now/Harris poll found that 80% of business leaders have a growing concern about our global competitiveness, with nearly half already seeing negative impacts from executive actions.
• Real-World Impacts on Business: Ballou-Aares highlights how industries like footwear, represented by leaders such as Tom Florsheim, have successfully pushed back against harmful tariffs through coalitions and public advocacy, emphasizing the importance of collective action.
• Advice for Business Leaders: Engage locally, identify allies, and understand where your company can’t afford to compromise. Staying silent is not risk-free, especially when political instability threatens operational stability and market fairness.

Watch the full episode here from our YouTube channel.

Laura Gitman, Chief Impact Officer at BSR, weighs in on this question in our latest “What the…?” episode.

As scrutiny around corporate sustainability rises, companies are starting to question whether bold goal setting is still worth the risk. In the latest episode of 3BL’s “What the…?” video series, Mary Mazzoni sits down with Laura Gitman, Chief Impact Officer at BSR, to discuss how companies can set meaningful, credible goals that drive real progress in today’s charged landscape.

“There’s risk of setting goals. There’s risk of not setting goals,” Gitman explains. “Is it going to get used as evidence in lawsuits? We’re hearing on the other side, concerns that it’s really just seen as greenwashing.” Gitman emphasizes that “The concern around goals is certainly elevated from five or more years ago.”

Gitman offers practical advice for organizations rethinking their approach, including a shift toward fewer, more focused goals, and embracing flexibility and realism over lofty ambition.

A few other highlights from the conversation:

• Public goals aren’t always essential—except when they are. If collaboration or employee engagement is key, going public with your goals can drive alignment and action.
• Realistic over aspirational. Companies are favoring achievable goals tied to business strategy over flashy, high-reaching promises that lack follow-through.
• Refocus, don’t retreat. With 2025 targets expiring, now’s the time to sharpen your strategy, not abandon goal setting altogether.
• Execution matters. A goal without governance, accountability, and a clear plan won’t deliver results.

For companies grappling with how to set goals that are both ambitious and attainable, this episode offers a clear-eyed roadmap forward.

3BL’s ‘What the…?’ series tackles the high-stakes future of trust in business.

In the latest episode of 3BL’s ‘What the…?’ video series, industry leaders break down one of today’s biggest business challenges: trust. With stakeholders demanding more transparency and accountability than ever, brands must rethink how they build credibility— or risk losing their audience entirely.

Featuring insights from John Harper, Chief Executive Officer of FSG, and Noa Gafni, Managing Director of FSG, this conversation uncovers what drives consumer confidence, how companies can navigate reputational risks, and why trust is now a non-negotiable asset when it comes to sustainability and social impact.

“What builds trust is being able to tell that story of the transformed outcomes, what it means for the communities and the customers and other stakeholders that you’re working for, and importantly, what it means for your business,” says Harper.

Watch the episode now.

Key insights from the episode include:

• Trust is earned, not assumed – Consumers and stakeholders demand proof, not promises.
• Authenticity wins – Audiences can spot performative actions a mile away; real impact matters.
• Transparency mitigates risk – Openness about challenges builds resilience and credibility.
• Trust drives business value – Companies that prioritize building trust see stronger engagement and loyalty.

Gafni notes, “If companies were able to rebuild trust with communities, with their employees, with their customers, with their investors and with their stakeholders around these initiatives… that will ladder up to big systemic changes.”

Tune in to the latest episode of What the…? featuring an insightful conversation with Karen Johns, CEO of Net Impact.

In the latest episode of What the…?, 3BL takes an in-depth look at how Gen Z’s evolving expectations are reshaping the workforce, and how companies can adapt to attract and retain this new generation of professionals.

With over 85% of Gen Z workers prioritizing purpose in their careers, employers must move beyond traditional incentives and create environments where young talent can connect their work to a greater mission. In this episode, Karen Johns, CEO of Net Impact, offers strategic insights on how businesses can engage this emerging workforce and build an environment that fosters both personal fulfillment and professional growth.

Watch the episode now.

Key Takeaways for Business Leaders:

• Purpose-Driven Careers: Gen Z is pushing companies to rethink their value propositions. They seek roles that offer purpose and align with their personal values.
• Expanding the Scope of Impact: This generation is not limiting itself to traditional sustainability roles. From finance to accounting, they are pursuing impact-driven careers across diverse sectors.
• Fostering Mentorship and Transparency: Johns emphasizes the critical importance of mentorship and transparency in retaining top talent. Forging authentic relationships and providing clear paths for career development is key.
• Building a Growth-Focused Culture: Companies need to approach young talent with a mindset of long-term growth. Early careers should be seen as opportunities for exploration and development, with room to evolve as both individuals and leaders.

As Johns puts it, “Gen Z doesn’t just want a paycheck—they want to know their work matters.”

The premiere episode of 3BL’s new video series features a candid conversation with Daniel Blackman, founder of Renaissance94

“What the…?” is the question on every business leader’s mind right now. With expectations on corporate sustainability and social impact shifting fast, companies are scrambling to keep up. To cut through the noise, 3BL, alongside solutions journalism publisher TriplePundit, have launched “What the…?”, a bold new video series delivering unfiltered insights into the toughest challenges facing responsible business today.

The premiere episode features Daniel Blackman, founder of Renaissance94, in a candid conversation about the missteps made by sustainability professionals, the challenges of engaging communities on issues like climate action and resilience, and how business leaders can step up in this critical moment. Throughout the discussion, Blackman sheds light on the complex dynamics at play in the sustainability space, emphasizing that too often, strategies are fragmented, and efforts lack the consistency needed for meaningful change.

As Blackman puts it, “We can’t just talk about change every four years during an election cycle. Real impact comes from ongoing dialogue, accountability, and bringing frontline communities into the decision-making process.”

This powerful statement encapsulates the core of the conversation—sustainability is not a momentary focus but a long-term commitment that must be woven into the fabric of everyday business practices.

Watch the premiere episode here.

In a world full of buzzwords and half-answers, we’re here to ask the questions that matter. So if you’ve ever looked at the latest headlines and thought, What the…?, you’re in the right place.