Podcast Summary: 10 Things You Should Know about Stakeholder Capitalism – Televerde (Oct 17, 2020)

Main Theme

This episode tells the powerful story of Kristen Swansinger, a formerly incarcerated woman whose life was transformed through her work with Televerde—a company operating call centers inside women's prisons. The episode uses Kristen’s journey to highlight the broader theme of stakeholder capitalism’s sixth competency: dismantling systemic discrimination in corporate hiring practices, particularly “banning the box” for formerly incarcerated individuals. Through Kristen’s voice and experiences, the show questions societal assumptions about second chances and spotlights the business and moral imperatives of inclusive hiring.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kristen’s Background and Struggle with Recidivism

• Kristen opens up about her repeated incarceration and the sense of hopelessness that accompanied her return to prison. ([01:30])
  • She describes the reality of prison life, limited job options, and the overwhelming impact of a life-changing letter from her daughter:
    • “I just knew at that point that my daughter needed me and I needed to make changes. I didn’t want my daughter to go down my route.” (Kristen, [03:36])

2. Discovery and Application to Televerde

• Incarcerated women can only access menial and low-wage jobs (e.g., kitchen, laundry) unless they join Televerde.
• Televerde is described as the “posh of jobs in prison”—offering meaningful skills, empowerment, and a pathway to growth. ([05:15])
  • Applying to Televerde is competitive; it requires a clean disciplinary record, a diploma or GED, and a persuasive application.
  • Emotional moment: Kristen recalls seeing her name on the interview list and crying, recognizing her first step towards reuniting with her kids. ([08:17])

3. Training and Televerde’s Transformative Workplace

• Intense onboarding—12-hour training days condensed into 2 weeks.
• Televerde’s culture: Empowerment, trust, and real-world experience with clients such as Republic Services and Pulse Secure.
  • Kristen shares her imposter syndrome and fear when moved to the more technically demanding Pulse Secure account ([10:53]):
    • “I really thought that the company itself was setting me up to fail. I had no confidence in myself.”
• Supportive leadership: A pivotal conversation with a manager, Mr. Doyle, restores her confidence: - “Swanee, we didn’t choose you because we think you’re gonna fail. We know you could do it. We provide you with the tools to succeed and grow. You can do it or we just really wouldn’t have chosen you.” (Mr. Doyle, [11:40])

4. Realizing Self-Worth and Beyond

• Kristen finds deep self-worth, stating, “I realized who I was and my self-worth.” ([12:50])
• She is selected to share her story (in absentia, due to incarceration) at the Conscious Capitalism Conference, centering the importance of "banning the box"—removing the felony disclosure requirement on job applications.
  • She discusses the hopelessness that comes from always checking the “felony box” and never being given a chance. ([13:20])
  • “Because I say yes, you don’t give me the opportunity to meet me and to hear my story or ask, why do I have a felony? What am I going to do to ensure that I’m never going to have a felony again?” (Kristen, [13:57])

5. Reintegration and Reuniting Family

• Upon release, with Televerde’s ongoing support, Kristen moves to Ohio for a fresh start. She successfully transitions to working at Pulse Secure remotely and is amazed at receiving full benefits.
  • “I’m sitting here working for a company that’s a multimillion dollar company. And then I filled out a benefit package. The company actually pays for your benefits. You know, I wasn’t used to that, so I was like, this is amazing.” (Kristen, [15:12])
• Emotional reconnection: Kristen reunites with her daughter after 17 years, exemplifying hope and the multi-generational impact of second chances. ([16:15])

6. The Challenge to Business Leaders

• Kristen urges leaders to challenge their assumptions, keep open minds, and give second chances:
  • “Don’t judge a book by its cover. Look at the application that does say felon. Keep an open mind. Give people opportunities. Because I can guarantee you, if you were to give me a chance, I would definitely take your company to levels that you never knew that I could actually do.” (Kristen, [17:54])
• Hosts Amanda and Nathan contextualize “the box” and explain that all companies are complicit in systemic discrimination—yet they have the power to change this dynamic. ([18:15]–[18:44])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I needed to find a job that was going to support me. You could work in the kitchen, work in the laundry…you’re going to get 10 cents an hour…It barely covers your hygiene.” (Kristen, [04:18])
• “Televerde is like the posh of jobs in prison. It’s all about success…proving to yourself that you can make goals and you can achieve those goals.” (Kristen, [05:25])
• “I realized that these people are just here to help…They’re not going to hold my hand necessarily, but they’re going to give me everything that I need and it’s my choice.” (Kristen, [12:46])
• “The lesson that I think that business leaders should definitely learn from my story is: Don’t judge a book by its cover…If you were to give me a chance, I would definitely take your company to levels that you never knew.” (Kristen, [17:54])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------| | 00:06 | Setting up the high-stakes conference storytelling | | 01:12 | Kristen Swansinger’s introduction | | 01:30 | Kristen’s background and prison experience | | 05:15 | Televerde opportunity and intense application | | 08:17 | Getting interviewed and her emotional reaction | | 10:53 | Transitioning to challenging work with Pulse Secure | | 11:40 | Mr. Doyle’s encouragement and pivotal moment | | 12:46 | Gaining self-worth and confidence | | 13:20 | The challenge of “banning the box” | | 15:12 | Transition to full employment and benefits | | 16:15 | Reunion with her daughter after 17 years | | 17:54 | Kristen’s closing advice to business leaders | | 18:15 | Hosts contextualize systemic discrimination |

Tone

The episode is deeply human, candid, and hopeful. Kristen’s voice is authentic, vulnerable, and resilient, while the hosts maintain an empathetic and passionate tone, weaving Kristen’s individual experience into the broader narrative of stakeholder capitalism and systemic change.

Conclusion

This episode of “10 Things You Should Know about Stakeholder Capitalism” brings to life the stakes and impact of inclusive hiring through Kristen’s firsthand experience. It urges listeners—especially business leaders—to recognize the untapped potential in those routinely excluded by the status quo, and to see “banning the box” not just as a moral imperative, but as a smart business strategy fully aligned with stakeholder capitalism’s highest ideals.