Wholesome Economics

Nourishing helpful flows of goods and services

Rebecca Henderson, business leader and deep dharma practitioner, spoke with our director Kristin Barker on Sunday, January 26, 2025 and explored new possibilities for economic frameworks. We welcome your support for this program. A recording is available below.

How should we think capitalism in the US and around the world? Is a system that glorifies greed, that is built on the commodification of the natural world and the objectification of individuals – that seemingly thrives on social isolation and the illusion of separateness — compatible with life on earth? Join Kristin Barker as she interviews Rebecca Henderson – an HBS Professor, self-described capitalist, dharma practitioner and author of Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire for a lively conversation about whether capitalism can be reformed and – if not – what the possible alternatives might be. Is it helpful to think of capitalism as “evil”? Is it true? What does the dharma bring to this conversation, and how can we as individuals skillfully engage with our current economic system – as employees, owners, customers and citizens?

Rebecca Henderson is one of 25 University Professors at Harvard, a research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a fellow of both the British Academy and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She also has more than twenty-five years of major public board experience. Rebecca’s research explores the degree to which the private sector can play a major role in building a more sustainable economy. Her publications include Accelerating Energy Innovation: Insights from Multiple Sectors (University of Chicago Press), Leading Sustainable Change: An Organizational Perspective (Oxford University Press) and Political Economy and Justice (University of Chicago Press). She is also the author of Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire which was shortlisted for the FT/McKinsey 2020 Business Book of the Year Award.

     Pieces on One Earth Sangha

This program is donation-based, with no required registration fee. We welcome your contributions to support this program and the work of One Earth Sangha.

Support this Offering

One Earth Sangha and our featured speakers offer these explorations on a donation basis, with no required registration fee. We invite you to participate in the tradition of offering dana, or generosity. Your support makes these gatherings possible, and any amount offered is greatly appreciated.

In lieu of direct support, Rebecca recommends donating to Mothers Out Front.

Support Mothers Out Front

Another way to support us is to share what this exploration has meant to you in a way that we can use in our materials. We invite you to share a “testimonial” here! (select “EcoDharma Exploration Participant” from the dropdown menu.)

Recording

Additional Resources

  • An overview of Rebecca’s academic writing, published work, speaking engagements and resources on her personal website
  • Learn more about Rebecca’s book, Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire
  • Rebecca will be collaborating with Bhikkhu Analayo, Jon Kabat-Zinn and Rhonda Magee to offer an online climate course this coming fall 2025

More EcoDharma Explorations

Upcoming

Turning Toward the Darkness Without Bypass or Collapse

Jess Serrante will share what she's learned in her years of friendship with Joanna Macy and her own experience carrying this lineage forward. Come ready to be tender with yourself and each other. We won't leave with answers — but hopefully with a little more room to carry what's true, together.

Past

Social Transformation Begins Right Here

What can open up for the beleaguered heart and mind when we slow all the way down and just breathe? What does this body already know about the magnificent compassion of this Earth, even as we might struggle to receive it?

Past

Meeting the Paradox of Inaction with Compassion

What if we better understood each other? We have a responsibility to investigate our own perceptions about how others are feeling the challenge of existential crises. What possibilities might such understanding open up for us all?