[Help make Beyond the B better for you! Take our new listener survey here]
In this episode of Beyond the B, hosts Ryan Honeyman and Emmy Allison, along with LIFT Economy team member Kevin Bayuk, dive into the newly announced Purpose Pledge and its relationship to B Corp certification. With the Purpose Pledge launching just as Dr. Bronner’s decision to decertify as a B Corp made headlines, there’s been some confusion and speculation about whether the two are at odds.
Ryan, Emmy, and Kevin break down the key differences between B Corp certification and the Purpose Pledge, explaining why these initiatives are not in competition but rather complementary tools for advancing business as a force for good. The conversation covers:
-
What the Purpose Pledge is, who it’s for, and how it works
-
The strengths of B Corp certification as a third-party accountability framework
-
Why LIFT Economy supports both B Corp certification and the Purpose Pledge
-
How these initiatives fit into the larger vision of transforming the economy for the benefit of all life
If you’re a purpose-driven business leader, a B Corp, or just curious about new models for pushing the boundaries of ethical business, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
-
The Purpose Pledge is not a replacement for B Corp certification. It’s a sector-specific, peer-driven framework designed for companies with land- and ocean-based supply chains that want to go even deeper in their impact.
-
B Corp certification remains one of the best accountability tools available. It provides third-party verification, legal accountability, and a globally recognized framework for responsible business.
-
LIFT Economy supports both initiatives because they serve distinct but complementary roles. B Corp certification embeds accountability into company structures, while the Purpose Pledge encourages deep collaboration and policy transformation within industries.
-
This is about systemic change, not just one initiative or certification. To transform capitalism at its roots, we need stronger standards, deeper accountability, and more collaboration.
-
More information on the Purpose Pledge’s commitments is coming soon. Future episodes will explore the specific commitments Purpose Pledge companies are making and how they compare to the updated B Corp standards.
Resources & Links:
- Take our new listener survey: www.lifteconomy.com/survey
-
Learn more about the Purpose Pledge: www.purposepledge.org
We Want to Hear from You
We want to hear from you! Email us at beyond@lifteconomy.com with requests for content, suggestions for future guests, and feedback about our episodes.
Help Us Grow the Show!
We are trying to grow our audience and wanted to ask you a huge favor.
Try to think of one person that might like this show. Then, pull out your phone, and text them something like:
Hey, I think you might like this new podcast Beyond the B. Check it out at lifteconomy.com/beyond. You can subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
Seriously! Take out your phone and try it right now! Then, follow up with them to see how they liked it.
This would be super helpful for us. We deeply appreciate your support. 😊
Gratitude:
Thank you to Corey Lien, Nozomii Torii, and Kirsten G. Bryant for being our monthly contributors at Beyond the B!
