In this episode of the Project Good Podcast, host Annmarie Hylton welcomes author and climate advocate Guy Dauncey, who describes himself as a “practical utopian” and “realistic dreamer,” to discuss how to face climate change, political division, economic anxiety, and social fragmentation without despair. Guy argues that renewable solutions are advancing rapidly, yet fossil fuels persist due to profit and propaganda, and he frames capitalism as a culture of selfishness masked by “scientific” economics. Drawing on human history, he contrasts domination with cooperation and emphasizes democracy, economic democracy, and community action as paths forward. He previews his book The Economics of Kindness, proposing social purpose charters for businesses, stronger worker rights, cooperative ownership in workplaces and housing, fairer taxation of extreme wealth, and “circles of hope” that rebuild trust through local relationships and collective organizing.

00:00 Welcome to Project Good
01:55 Meet Guy Dauncey
03:34 Practical Utopian Mindset
08:57 Kindness Meets Economics
15:57 Democracy and Economic Power
26:49 Is Selfishness Human Nature
34:05 Ending Capitalism Blueprint
38:36 Housing Crisis and Public Housing
43:00 Democracy And Central Banks
48:31 Community Wealth Trust
01:13:47 Closing Resources

Guy Dauncey is an author, climate advocate, systems thinker, and self-described "practical utopian." For more than forty years, he has explored what it will take to create a future that is not only sustainable, but also more just, compassionate, and deeply human. Through his books, speaking, and advocacy, Guy has challenged the idea that hope is simply a feeling. Instead, he argues that hope is something we build through action, imagination, and a willingness to rethink the systems that shape our lives. Check out his new book The Economics of Kindness out this July 2026.