While the American dream is still alive, it’s no longer accessible to everyone. It has become harder to raise a family, earn a livable wage, and create generational wealth. What can we do to help more Americans believe in this dream again and improve their financial lives? Good jobs, and more of them, may be the solution. In this episode of our special EMERGE Everywhere Workplace mini-series, Transfr Inc. Founder and CEO Bharani Rajakumar and bestselling author of “The Pursuit of Happyness” Chris Gardner discuss why the American dream feels out of reach for many, how good jobs can turn around this outlook, and what organizations can do to help Americans obtain a good job.

The lessons learned and insights gained from FinX, a unique workshop that illuminates the challenges faced by financially vulnerable consumers.

As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s recent rule effectively banning noncompete agreements sends shock waves across the business world, this often misunderstood employment tool is in the spotlight. Typically considered the sole province of executives, nearly 1 in 5 workers are subject to a noncompete – including some fast food workers. So are these agreements essential to protect a company's proprietary assets, or are they a blunt tool whose utility has been overextended to create anti-competitive practices? If the noncompete ban stands, what might this mean for workers, their financial health, and our broader economy? In the opening episode of our special EMERGE Everywhere Workplace mini-series, host Matt Bahl, head of workplace financial health, dives into the details of noncompetes with University of Maryland Associate Professor Evan Starr, whose research directly informed the FTC’s rulemaking. Note for Listeners: Since we recorded this episode, multiple conflicting lower court rulings have risen which all but guarantees noncompetes will be taken to the Supreme Court. Regardless, this episode focuses on the past, present, and potential future of noncompetes and their financial health impacts.

Our 20th anniversary celebration brought together hundreds of leaders to reflect on our successes and chart a bold course for the future.