Bernie and the Renegade
You’re forgiven if you thought this would be about U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, as a renegade, or about his cross-country tour traveling partner, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, aka AOC, and frequently known by the same descriptor.
It’s not even about politics, though it tiptoes into those waters, which you’ll read about shortly.
Rather, this story is about conscientiously aligning your spending with your values, whether you’re sitting at the kitchen table purchasing shoes online, a business looking for a B2B supplier, or even a politician on the stump.
And if you’re into irony, I’m guessing you’ll get a laugh out of it.
So, let’s get into it, shall we?
Bernie and AOC recently came to Boise and spoke at a campaign rally as part of their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. An overflow throng of 12,500 people attended the rally with many, many more turned away. I attended and had a grand time – the roar of a red-state crowd as AOC and Bernie took the stage, respectively, is something I’ll never forget.
The next morning while sitting at the reception desk post of my Inspiration Alley coworking space, I saw an unmistakable figure, slightly hunched with a mop of white hair, walk past on the sidewalk outside. Bernie. I hopped up from my desk, chased him down, shook his hand and thanked him for coming. I didn’t bother pestering him for a selfie.
He continued across the street to the new hotel that opened in our neighborhood this year, the Hotel Renegade.
It’s aspirational for most people who stay at a hotel called the Renegade – after all, how many of us are renegades? – but then most of us aren’t Bernie Sanders or AOC, for whom the tag is apt and earned.
So, a lodging choice perfectly on brand for this campaign.
Which is where the hotel stay becomes bronzed in irony.
As you’d imagine, there were plenty of billionaire pejoratives thrown around at the campaign rally – this has been long-time thematic fodder for both Bernie and AOC.
Now, any guesses as to who owns the Hotel Renegade and was their host for the night?
If you guessed “a billionaire” – ding, ding, ding – you're today's winner trivia winner.
But it gets even better.
Because that billionaire is Diane Hendricks, worth an estimated $22 billion and – wait for it – a big-time financial supporter of Donald Trump. She even gave a speech at last year's Republican National Convention.
Now, I’m guessing the “Fighting Oligarchy” camp didn’t have a clue about this. Or if they did, perhaps there was a reason – security, perhaps? Room availability on short notice?
Or maybe a down in the dumps Democrat discount?
But I found it pretty darned rich that Bernie and AOC were spending money and bedding down for the night with a billionaire from the polar opposite ideological camp.
(I also find it curious that many people in Boise think that the Renegade, especially its faux branded “Blue Collar Coffee,” is locally owned. I guess that’s a coup for the Renegade and one more proof point for how the “buy local” movement has been co-opted.)
I’m not perfect with my purchasing, though I try to spend personally and professionally with either local businesses or companies that are creating positive impact – for their communities, customers, workers, and the environment. When you do this, you fuel the finances (and morale) of these businesses and ignite a multiplier effect – compounding your purchase many times over. (I’ve written about the impact multiplier effect and how it activates your supply chain previously in Godspeed.)
So, a chuckle at the irony and a lament just the same. Too often, we don’t consider the impact of our consumerism at all, let alone the power we can exert by directing it to those who deserve it or by withholding it from those who don’t.
Godspeed, friends.
Russ
💬 Think About It
"Perhaps the mission of the university is to train social poets, men and women who, upon learning the grammar and vocabulary of humanity, have a spark, a brilliance that allows them to imagine the unknown." Pope Francis (2023)
💥 Quick Hits
• Music for the environment – I learned about electronic musician and artist Hiroshi Yoshimura when the New York Times covered his posthumous resurgence. Listening to his music takes me to a place where my worries disappear. His song GREEN is like a Sunday afternoon laying on your back in the garden, and Something Blue makes me feel as if I've slipped on a zero-gravity suit.
• Stepping back from DEI pledges – Since we have more than a few readers who operate at the cross section of the environment and advertising here at Godspeed, we feel duty bound to shine a light on ad agency holding companies that are stepping back from their DEI pledges. Looking at you, WPP and IPG.
• We're in hot water here in Idaho – While many know us for our "Famous Potatoes," we might just as well be called the "Hot Springs State." Turns out our commercial geothermal utility in Boise, which heats 500 buildings, is one of the world's largest – and covered as part of the New York Times "50 States, 50 Fixes" series about local solutions to environmental problems.
🤖 AI Will Never Be Able to Write Like Me
In our quest to keep you up to date on advancements in artificial intelligence, we couldn't help but share this post on LinkedIn with you. ⬇️
Find the Most Meaningful Work of Your Career
This issue features company's that all begin with the letter M – our nod to Meaningful work. Our partner One Work has you covered with opportunities that go beyond a paycheck, a cubicle, or a weekly team Zoom call. You'll find purposeful jobs like those below, along with many more companies beyond the letter M at the One Work job board.
• MycoWorks - Get back to your roots at a cool company transforming fungi root systems into leather alternatives used by companies ranging from Hermes to Cadillac. Senior Director, Product and Process Development, Union, SC.
• MissionWired - A company after my own heart. Develop award-winning strategies, tools, and solutions for mission-driven organizations. Copywriter, REMOTE.
• Magic Cabinet - If you've heard of the Magic Bus, well meet the Magic Cabinet. Turn your talents to this company, and you'll find yourself helping nonprofits improve their philanthropic efforts by developing deeper relationships with their communities. Senior Product Manager, San Francisco, CA, or Seattle, WA.
Need help in some way? Have a story idea, question, or request? Perhaps a social entrepreneur we should interview? Let us know – We're here to help. Just reply to this email with whatever you've got. We'll see you next week.