EP 0.1 Introducing Design Economics with Dr. Paula Seymour of Flagler College
Join host Vinny Tafuro and guest Dr. Paula Seymour, Assistant Professor and Program Director of Social Entrepreneurship at Flagler College, as they explore how design thinking can revolutionize economics for the 21st century. Learn about the three tenets of design economics and hear how visionary thinkers like Hazel Henderson, Marilyn Waring, Riane Eisler, and Kate Raworth have shaped this approach to creating more sustainable, human-centered economic solutions.
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Connection to Design Economics Tenets
Connect with the show:
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Connection to Design Economics Tenets
The Three Tenets of Design Economics
- Acknowledging Change: Recognition that economic paradigms have lifespans and must evolve with society
- Embracing Creativity: Economics must refrain from punishing creativity and embrace interdisciplinary approaches
- Cultivating Literacy: Economic literacy is essential for a free, equitable, and flourishing society
Key Pioneering Thinkers Discussed
- Hazel Henderson: Critiqued GDP limitations, advocated for environmental considerations in economics
- Marilyn Waring: Developed time-use surveys showing unpaid care work as the largest segment of the economy
- Riane Eisler: Created partnership vs. domination framework for economic systems
- Kate Raworth: Developed Doughnut Economics balancing human needs with planetary boundaries
Practical Applications
- B Corporations as a market-based implementation of design economics principles
- Transparency and accountability in business as drivers of economic literacy
Key Quotes
"We find, support and share data-driven and design-centered economic ideas aligned with the three tenets of design economics... our vision is nurturing economic systems that cultivate rather than restrict our human potential." - Vinny Tafuro
"Putting the needs of users first and observing how the user interacts with their environment and then generating ideas and prototyping and designing around the human needs is, again, an integral part of being a social entrepreneur and recognizing that we are not just designing to design, we're designing to bring about change for the greater good." - Dr. Paula Seymour
"Practical men who believe themselves to be quite exempt from intellectual influence are usually the slaves of some defunct economist." - John Maynard Keynes (quoted by Vinny Tafuro)
"We're claiming to be truly sustainable, as businesses, as societies, but we're doing better with the environment... but we can't figure out the people. It's like, how do we measure it? And everybody's so scared to venture into the realm of the social side, what it means to be sustainable." - Dr. Paula Seymour
"Economic literacy supports democracy. A well-informed citizenry is essential for a functioning democracy, and economic decisions affect education, healthcare, infrastructure, environmental policies, and citizens need this literacy to be able to hold leaders accountable." - Dr. Paula Seymour
"How can you accommodate for two-thirds the largest part of your society if you don't even know it's there?" - Vinny Tafuro
Connect with the show:
★ Support this podcast ★
Creators and Guests
Host
Vinny Tafuro
Vinny is a visionary, futurist, writer, entrepreneur, communications theorist, and economist. A polymath and curious by nature, he is a pioneering advocate for the twenty-first-century economy that is disrupting society’s rigid institutions and beliefs. Vinny’s economic and foresight projects explore the societal and economic shifts being catalyzed by human culture as a result of technology, corporate personhood, and evolving human cognition. An engaging and energetic speaker, Vinny presents on a variety of topics both professionally and through community outreach. He enjoys an active and blended professional, academic, and personal life, selecting challenging projects that offer opportunities for personal and professional growth. He is the author of Corporate Empathy and Unlocking the Labor Cage.
Guest
Paula Seymour, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Social Entrepreneurship Program Director Paula Seymour is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Social Entrepreneurship Program Director at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. Paula encourages socially and environmentally conscious entrepreneurs and business leaders to consider a circular economic approach that embraces the triple bottom line. She inspires compassionate and conscious leaders to create prosperous and inclusive ‘life economies’ through spiritual decision-making, embodying conscious leadership for systems change, regeneration, and organizational renewal. Paula earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and has a Master’s Degree in International Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Women, Gender, Spirituality, and Social Justice. Paula also completed her Ph.D. in Religion with a focus on Women’s Spirituality. Her academic research explores women, gender, spirituality, gender-based violence, and environmental and social justice.
