#101: When a Movement Becomes a Brand | Kyle Lierman, CEO of Civic Nation

About this episode

How do you turn civic engagement into a brand people actually want to join?

Kyle Lierman, CEO of Civic Nation and former Obama White House staffer, joins Jason Harris to talk about leading large-scale movements—It’s On Us, When We All Vote, Made to Save—and the organizing principles that make them work.

Kyle shares how his time at the White House shaped his leadership philosophy, why Gen Z is the most pivotal generation for social change, and how cause-driven campaigns can harness creativity and data to move millions without losing their humanity.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Organizing and branding share the same goal: building trusted relationships at scale
✅ Great movements have a sprint mentality—urgency drives innovation and impact
✅ Gen Z controls the culture for a 30-year block; win their trust, and you shape the future
✅ Build where people want to be, not just where they already are

Memorable Moments:

💡 “Put your head down, do your job incredibly well for six months, and then you can do anything.”
💡 “We’re making one plus one equal five—organizing power plus creative storytelling.”
💡 “Gen Z has the power to bring an issue to the forefront in a way no other generation does.”
💡 “Our job isn’t to give people medicine—it’s to build the kind of community they want to join.”

Brought to you by Mekanism.