How Branden Harvey Uses Social Media to Inspire Others and Tell Amazing Stories

In Episode 25 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Branden Harvey, Founder of Good Good Good and the Good Newspaper on using his social media influence to inspire others and tell amazing stories from around the world.

Branden is a traveller and storyteller focused on the good in the world. He’s the host of the podcast Sounds Good, the creator of the Goodnewspaper, a printed newspaper full of good news, and built an online community over more than 250,000 world changers.

Along the journey he has helped brands like Disney, Square, Southwest Airlines, and (RED) tell meaningful stories with heart all over the world. He’s been written about and featured by media including The Washington Post, Seventeen Magazine, Fortune Magazine, and Mashable.

He also tells stories through Instagram, Snapchat. His captions and photos on Instagram have been featured in Fortune Magazine, Mashable, and Esquire and was nominated for a Shorty Award for Snapchatter of the Year. Twice. (he got beat by DJ Khaled, of course.) 😂

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Interview Transcript

Grant: What’s up everybody? This is Grant from Causeartist. Great to be back this week. This week we are chatting with Branden Harvey, the founder of Good Good Good, an ecosystem focused on good news.

His main passion project is the Good Newspaper. I know that sounds weird in 2019, but he’s creating an innovative, creative newspaper that shares stories from around the world, focusing on helpers and people making a positive impact after tragedies or in difficult situations.

Grant: Branden started gaining attention through Instagram and Snapchat by telling stories about other people, and was featured globally on both platforms. He’s worked with major brands like Disney, Southwest Airlines, and Square, and has been featured in Seventeen Magazine, Fortune Magazine, Washington Post, and Mashable.

His background is in photography, which he uses to showcase interesting events worldwide. We talk about his travels and the decision to start a newspaper in a digital age.

2:57

Grant: How did travel impact your journey and lead you to where you are now?

Branden: My background is in photography. I started as a portrait photographer and then moved to humanitarian photography, working with nonprofits and social impact brands to tell stories about the good they were doing.

This work took me around the world. By 24, I had been to six continents. Seeing helpers in every crisis reminded me of Mr. Rogers’ quote: “Look for the helpers.” I wanted to share these stories to give people hope.

5:12

Grant: What was the transition like from traveling and doing what you love to figuring out how to use your talents to make a bigger impact?

Branden: It was a slow evolution. When I started as a photographer, I had a mentor who taught me the business and how to use my platform to make a difference. This motivated me to work with nonprofits.

Sharing stories on Instagram during the early days gained me followers and attention, including features by Forbes, Mashable, and Instagram. This responsibility to do good with my platform led to the creation of Good Good Good, expanding beyond just Instagram to tell more stories.

8:56

Grant: You moved from digital to starting a newspaper. What was the thought process behind that?

Branden: It was a natural evolution. I had already started a podcast and an email newsletter focused on good news. I realized that our brains have a negativity bias, and good news needs a different format to stick.

A print publication seemed like a good way to isolate and highlight good news. The Good Newspaper was born from this idea, aiming to make good news more tangible and impactful.

11:31

Grant: What were you creating on Snapchat that gained you recognition?

Branden: I created one cohesive story each day, whether from my daily life or travels, like in Rwanda. This unique content got me listed as a top Snapchatter and led to consulting for brands like ABC Family and Disney. Despite the digital success, the idea of a newspaper felt right for isolating and emphasizing good news.

14:34

Branden: We launched a Kickstarter for the Good Newspaper and were fully funded in 52 hours, eventually doubling our goal. This validation showed that people needed and wanted good news.

We faced challenges, like finding a printer, but we overcame them with the help of mentors from the newspaper industry.

20:12

Grant: What was the first issue of the Good Newspaper like?

Branden: The first issue featured Devin Allen, a photographer from Baltimore who shot an iconic Time magazine cover during the protests in Baltimore.

After gaining recognition, he used his influence to create a photography program for kids in his community, showing a beautiful cycle of doing good and inspiring others.

23:02

Grant: How does the newspaper engage readers and encourage action?

Branden: At the bottom of every page, we include action steps on how readers can get involved with the stories they just read. This cyclical approach aims to inspire readers to take action, potentially leading to them being featured in future issues for their contributions.

26:58

Grant: Can you share a memorable story from your travels?

Branden: One that stands out is Manny from the Philippines, who, after a typhoon, used his knowledge of coconut trees to help his community rebuild.

He found creative ways to use the trees for financial support and collaborated with communities to meet their needs. It’s a reminder of the impact of unconventional helpers.

31:02

Grant: How do you approach covering stories after tragedies like hurricanes or shootings?

Branden: We first center ourselves emotionally and recognize the immediate needs. We look for first responders and long-term helpers, sharing their stories to highlight ongoing efforts and the rebuilding process.

36:14

Grant: What was the response from the community after starting the Good Newspaper?

Branden: The response was incredibly positive. People appreciated having a dedicated space for good news, which helped them feel more hopeful and inspired to take action.

42:15

Grant: What’s the future of the Good Newspaper?

Branden: We aim to make the newspaper more accessible and reach more people, especially during divisive times. We’re also launching a new website in 2020 to share more stories online. Our goal is to create more one-on-one connections and foster a community focused on good news.

45:17

Grant: What advice do you have for nonprofits looking to improve their storytelling and outreach?

Branden: The biggest mistake is forgetting what it’s like to know nothing about the issue. Start from scratch and provide context to make your story accessible to new audiences. This approach helps engage more people and expands your impact.

49:04

Grant: Are there any emerging platforms you’re excited about for storytelling?

Branden: I love TikTok, though it’s not essential for brands right now. The best platform is the one your audience is on. Focus on creating one-on-one or small group communications, whether through DMs, emails, or Facebook groups. Personal connections are key to making an impact.

51:47

Grant: Thank you for your time, Branden. It’s been great talking with you and learning about the amazing work you’re doing.

Branden: Thank you, Grant. It’s been a pleasure.