Agape Capitalism: Can Ethics & Profit Coexist in Business?

Episode notes

Guests: Jim Grote, founder of Donato’s Pizza, & Tom Grote, Chief Catalyst, Edge Innovation Hub What if the future of capitalism depends on something most business leaders rarely talk about, and even disdain: love? In this episode, Jim and Tom Grote, leaders behind Donatos Pizza and the Grote Company, share their decades-long experiment in Agape Capitalism, a business model grounded in the principles of unconditional love, the Golden Rule, and long-term responsibility. This isn’t theory. Over multiple industries—including food service and global manufacturing—they’ve built highly profitable organizations while prioritizing people, community, and purpose. In this episode, we explore: What “love” actually means in a business context—and how to operationalize it Why ethical leadership becomes essential during disruption and uncertainty How companies can navigate automation and AI without leaving people behind The shift from competition to “coopetition” and industry-wide responsibility, and The evolving role of business in feeding the world and supporting planetary health.