Shegerian’s Impact Podcast features individuals in the business world that try to bring positive impacts on a daily basis, including Shanique Bonelli-Moore, chief diversity and social impact officer at The Clorox Company. Photo via Impact Podcast

Though the medium is relatively new, with the first modern podcast published online in 2003, one Central Valley business leader has been cultivating his own following as the format has grown in popularity.

John Shegerian co-founder and CEO of Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), a Fresno based IT and electronics disposition provider and cybersecurity-focused hardware destruction company, has been publishing his podcast for 14 years.

With ERI as the largest electronic waste recycler in the country, it made sense the show launched with a focus on environmental stewardship.

“The Impact Podcast with John Shegerian” traces its roots to terrestrial radio when Shegerian launched the “Green is Good” show in 2009. It shifted to the web in 2011.

Today, the podcast revolves around thought-leader guests sharing their first-hand accounts of how they are able to make the world a better place each day.

 

“Our goal with the Impact Podcast is to bring success stories from people and companies that work every day to make our world a better place — and to deliver to our audience a diverse assortment of in-depth, first-hand conversations and shared stories from a literal ‘Who’s Who’ of circularity, sustainability and corporate responsibility all-stars from many of the world’s leading brands,” Shegerian said.

Guests include figures in areas of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment, sustainability and corporate responsibility from many leading global brands.

All episodes are recorded in Shegerian’s ERI office in Fresno. He has recorded interviews with more than 2,000 guests. More than 200 episodes are available online on platforms including Apple, Spotify, YouTube and their website, impactpodcast.com.

Guests on the show include leaders from major brands including Samsung, Best Buy, General Motors, Texas Instruments, FedEx, eBay, Mastercard, Kraft and more.

The podcast has also featured guests working for social change, including Martin Luther King III, former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann and the late actor Ed Asner.

The Impact Podcast is also a Webby Awards winner, which honors excellence in internet content and is presented annually by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

In one of the most recent episodes, published on Jan. 21, Shegerian spoke with Adam Gromis, Uber’s global leader for electrification policy. Gromis grew up in Fresno.

Shegerian said he feels honored and privileged to be able to provide a unique forum where the audience gets a front-row seat to hear “influential and game-changing guests” sharing their insights and personal stories.

Paul Williams, vice president of communications and media relations at ERI, executive produces the podcast. He said Shegerian is an engaging and enthusiastic host, with guests really enjoying their time on the podcast.

“We field literally hundreds of requests from major brands each month, so the only real challenge we have is getting all the great guests booked in a timely fashion,” Williams said.

Williams said they follow news cycles closely, routinely reaching out to companies making a positive impact.

He said they recently taped interviews with leaders from PepsiCo, Hasbro, IBM, Kia, Hilton, Verizon, Levi Strauss and more.

Williams said that podcasts offer an opportunity for companies to take a deeper dive with listeners, and to share information about initiatives and projects that are making the world better.

“With the Impact Podcast, we are very proud to be providing a forum for that good news that so many people crave today. These are inspiring stories that may not have seen the light of day in traditional media due to time constraints, Williams said.

Williams said “the sky is the limit” for the Impact Podcast, especially as podcasts continue to grow in popularity.

Shegerian said they took a gamble on podcasts after the success of his “Green is Good” radio show, aiming to reach a larger audience with a more flexible format. But he isn’t surprised that podcasts have become so popular, as they provide unique access to conversational and meaningful content on demand.

“It’s a great, user-friendly medium, and we are excited to be part of it,” Shegerian said.  “Fast forward to now — and our risk paid off — we are reaching hundreds of thousands of listeners, hosting globally renowned guests, and we have even been recognized by the Webbys for our work.”