Katya Fels Smyth on the Equal Measure Podcast

FFI Founder & CEO Katya Fels Smyth shared about our mission transition on the Equal Measure Podcast. Topics covered in this conversation included:

• Wellbeing injustice fuels systemic disparities — Katya Fels Smyth frames unequal access to well-being as the root cause of health, wealth, social, and environmental inequities. She believes everyone should have the opportunity to feel whole.
• Systems change requires long-term, values-driven work — Short-term funding and power-hoarding in philanthropy undermine meaningful transformation. FFI chose to close rather than compromise its integrity.
• Polarization stems from zero-sum thinking — Many see well-being and belonging as limited resources, but Katya argues they can grow when shared. Bridging divides requires storytelling, joy, and a collective commitment to change.
• Hope lies in our human wiring and growing networks — Our evolutionary drive for well-being persists despite societal dysfunction. Katya believes real change will come through distributed leadership and community-rooted movements.

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