600. 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter: Own Your Narrative (Dr. Tim Lampkin)

InnovationCommunityTrends That Matter

Feb 3

Written By Sabrina Li

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Overview

Meet Dr. Tim Lampkin, founder of the economic justice org Higher Purpose Co. We’re in our 2025 Social Impact Trends That Matter Series, and Dr. Tim is here to share how we can own our narratives this year. 📝

In this episode, Dr. Tim shares his personal journey of shifting the stories his team was telling themselves - and the communities they serve in Mississippi. He walks us through practical tips for analyzing existing narratives, crafting a bold vision for the future, and using storytelling as a strategic tool (not just a marketing tactic).

Most importantly, he emphasizes the importance of moving from surface-level "storytelling" to deeper "truth-telling" that taps into our shared humanity. ❤️

Your organization is a beacon of hope and a hub of knowledge and resources for your community. This episode is your toolkit to take control of the narrative around your mission this year. We got this friends. 🤝

💡 Learn

How to analyze the existing stories and preconceived notions about your organization and the communities you serve, in order to identify gaps and opportunities.
Strategies for crafting a bold, collective vision for the future narrative you want to create for your organization and mission.
Techniques for moving beyond just "storytelling" to deeper "truth-telling" that taps into the humanity and liberates your community.
Today’s Guest

Dr. Tim Lampkin, Founder and CEO of Higher Purpose CO.

“Liberation only happens when we’re honest and when we move slightly deeper. We go from storytelling to truth telling. ”

— Dr. Tim Lampkin, Founder and CEO of Higher Purpose Co.

Episode Transcript

Download Full Episode Transcript Here

Episode Highlights

The Inner Work of Narrative Change (2:34)
Challenging Preconceived Notions (6:46)
Storytelling is Liberation (10:29)
Impact on Relationships with Donors (19:37)
Practical Tips for Owning Your Narrative This Year (23:00)
Dr. Tim’s One Good Thing: “Remember the story you first told yourself and allow that to be the thing that guides you on this journey.” (27:32)

Powerful Quotes

“I had to really talk to myself in a different way. And so that's one of the things I had to do as a leader, understanding that I already had everything I needed, and understanding that this narrative that I had been told for decades was not the narrative that I was willing to accept." -Dr. Tim

"I think oftentimes we see headline stories in the media and we think, okay, that's just another sensational story. But I had to really bring that down to the local level. You know, what's happening in our state is basically a cycle that has worked for so many years, that has kept folks in impoverished communities and underestimated communities always being the center of the story, but not the center of the resources." -Dr. Tim

"Lean more into the framing of abundance and community.” - Dr. Tim Lampkin

“We need to practice talking kindly and loving to ourselves.” - Dr. Tim Lampkin

“Storytelling is part of your strategy.” - Dr. Tim Lampkin

"How do we create those connections where storytelling is not just a bridge that binds us, but it's this. It's a bridge that liberates us to your early point. And I think the liberation only happens when we're honest and we move move slightly deeper, from storytelling to truth telling." -Dr. Tim

“Truth telling allows us to really unlock true humanity and stop trying to hide behind and it allows us to get more connected to people"." - Dr. Tim Lampkin

“We’re very much so alike than we are different.” - Dr. Tim Lampkin

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