ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What happens when creativity stops being just an aesthetic choice and becomes a real engine for change?
In this Podcast Interview on the Shift Happens Podcast, Justin Ahrens, founder of the branding agency Rule29 and the mind behind the mantra "make creative matter," shares how 30 years of Creative Leadership reshaped his thinking about the true purpose of design. He opens up about a trip to Africa that forced him to confront an uncomfortable question: what can I actually do here with the skills I have? That question sparked Wheels for Water, a project that started with a $40,000 fundraising goal and ended up generating over $1 million, bringing clean water, sanitation, and education to roughly 20,000 people. That experience went on to reshape the agency itself, putting Purpose-Driven Branding at the center of its strategy, culture, and business decisions.
The conversation also covers his books, "Life Kerning" and his newest release, "Being Humankind," along with the question he poses on stages around the world: do you believe you can change the world?
Host: Kamila Adamatti | Guest: Justin Ahren
Role: President & Chief Creative Officer
Company: Rule29
