Impact&Agency

At Impact&Agency, we’re more than storytellers—we’re guides for those ready to make a difference. At Impact+Agency we embody the spirit of The Explorer ?? and The Sage ?? —curious, wise, and always seeking transformation. We don’t just share ideas; we push boundaries, challenge norms, and ignite action. Ready to fuel your impact journey? Sign up for our newsletter and join a community that’s turning purpose into progress. #DaringConversations #RealImpact #MakeADifference #ImpactAgency ?? https://lnkd.in/gThCq_cJ

Spoiler alert: There’s no perfect time to start. Waiting until you’re 100% ready? You’ll be waiting forever. The real first step is giving yourself permission to start messy, unsure, and maybe even a little scared. Progress isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about taking action before you do. So, if you’ve been holding back on that big idea, project, or goal… consider this your sign. ?? Start where you are. The rest will follow. ?? What’s one thing you’ve been waiting to start? Drop it in the comments—we'd love to cheer you on! ?? #ImpactandAgency #JustStart #ProgressOverPerfection #GrowthMindset

The interview with Darwyne K. Lang chronicles his journey in the insurance industry, from reluctantly joining his father’s business to transforming his philosophy after a life-altering experience in 1992. His encounter with a terminally ill client, Mary, highlighted the profound impact of helping others, reshaping his approach to prioritize serving clients over sales. This shift led his company to unprecedented success, proving that service-driven practices build trust and growth. Darwyne emphasizes listening to life’s lessons, believing in oneself, and setting meaningful goals. He reflects on the importance of family, legacy, and gratitude while sharing motivational insights and advice for entrepreneurs. Read his full story ?? https://lnkd.in/gsaF8Ycr

John Rapley describes political economy as a holistic approach to economics that integrates history, literature, and human behaviour, contrasting it with the rigid, math-driven models that dominate the field. His career, spanning academia and real-world experiences in Jamaica and South Africa, has shaped his belief in understanding economics through lived realities. He critiques the discipline’s narrow focus and failure to predict crises like 2008, emphasizing the value of behavioural psychology in challenging outdated assumptions. Rapley links this disconnect to rising populism and distrust in institutions, advocating for intellectual humility and inclusive narratives that rebuild trust and address systemic inequalities. Truth, he argues, is found through both empirical rigour and real-world empathy. Read more about igniting conversations with John Rapley ?? https://lnkd.in/giYNjMPi

?? What Would You Put in a Box for a Mentee? In every issue, we ask one interviewee to share 5 items they would include in a box for a mentee. Recently, we posed this question to John Rapley, and his answer was thoughtful and inspiring: John: "I wouldn’t put items in the box myself because inspiration is deeply personal. Instead, I’d guide mentees to include these five things: 1?? A Book or Film That Shaped Them If they don’t have one yet, it’s time to start exploring! In my teaching, I would ask students to choose a book that changed their lives. Their task was to critically analyze it—not to diminish its value, but to truly engage with it. The process often gave them confidence, sparked their imagination, and sometimes even transformed their perspectives. 2?? An Object Treasured by a Predecessor A keepsake from the past—a parent’s favorite mug, a grandparent’s prayer beads, or a cherished photo—serves as a reminder of their inheritance and connection to those who came before them. 3?? A Picture of a Descendant This symbolizes the legacy they will leave behind. It could be a child, a niece or nephew, or even a mentee. It’s about staying mindful of the impact we make on future generations. 4?? A Song That Transports Them We all have that one song that takes us to another state of being. Choosing a song helps us reflect on the moments and emotions that ground us or lift us higher. 5?? A Notebook In our digital age, writing by hand has become rare, but it’s invaluable. Whether it’s jotting down ideas, sketching thoughts, or summarizing lessons, notebooks slow us down and deepen our engagement. They help us reflect and extract wisdom we might otherwise miss." John’s approach is a powerful reminder to stay curious, honor the past, and remain intentional about the future. What would you put in your box? #Mentorship #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration #ImpactandAgency

Carrie Kerpen’s entrepreneurial journey began with a bold idea—a sponsored wedding that combined creativity, media savvy, and purpose. This led to co-founding Likeable, a social media agency, and later, The Whisper Group, focused on closing the “exit gap” for women entrepreneurs. Carrie shares insights on building sellable businesses, embracing risks, and finding white space opportunities. Her mission is to empower women to create wealth and take ownership of their success. Read more about The Whisper Group and Carrie’s story ?? https://lnkd.in/gy9R6igh

i&a: How would you describe being a political economist? What does that mean? John Rapley : “Political economy predates modern economics and offers a more holistic approach to understanding economic systems, blending insights from history, politics, and society. Unlike the narrow focus of some mathematical models, political economy values narrative explanations alongside quantitative methods. Alfred Marshall famously said to “burn the maths” once you’ve used it to refine your ideas, emphasizing the importance of expressing conclusions clearly and narratively. Political economy encourages reading widely—history, literature, even literary criticism—to gain a richer perspective. After the 2008 financial crisis, there’s been growing recognition that economics lost its broader context, which political economy seeks to restore. For me, it was a natural fit, allowing me to explore multiple disciplines without abandoning any of them.”

This issue we celebrate beginnings - the ones we plan and the ones we stumble into. We're thrilled to feature Carrie Kerpen in our Transformer Spotlight and John Rapley as both our Ignitor and Trailblazer.