Paul Hawken on Regeneration and What Actually Changes CEOs

Forget fighting the climate. Paul Hawken argues we are part of it—and that single shift can change how leaders, teams, and communities act. We bring Paul into a candid conversation about language, agency, and the practical levers businesses can pull right now to lower risk, save money, and grow life.Paul Hawken has shaped how business leaders approach climate action for over 60 years. "The Ecology of Commerce" inspired, amongst many, Ray Anderson's transformation of Interface. Drawdown became the definitive roadmap for climate solutions. Now Carbon calls for a shift from fighting carbon to fostering life.In this episode, we go deep on:Why "fighting carbon" and "net zero" might be the wrong frame entirelyThe incredible story of meeting Walmart executives in a closed basement for 5 hours - and writing the speech that transformed the companyWhat actually changes leaders and CEOs mind's on climate and social justiceEnjoy the episode, share it with your team, and leave a review to tell us which term you’re retiring first! PAUL HAWKEN'S BOOKSCarbon: The Book of Life (2025) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670480/carbon-by-paul-hawken/Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation (2021)Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming (2017)Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Social Movement in History Is Restoring Grace, Justice, and Beauty to the World (2007)Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution (1999) Co-authored with Amory Lovins and Hunter LovinsThe Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability (1993) PAUL HAWKEN'S PROJECTSProject Drawdown https://drawdown.org/Project Regeneration https://regeneration.org/Paul Hawken's Website https://paulhawken.com/MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEBeyond Zero (Documentary) https://beyondzerofilm.com/Interface - Our Sustainability Story https://www.interface.com/US/en-US/sustainability/our-historyRay C. Anderson Foundation https://www.raycandersonfoundation.org/Lee Scott's Walmart Speech (October 2005) - "Twenty-First Century Leadership" PEOPLE REFERENCEDRay Anderson - Late founder and CEO of InterfaceDamon Gameau - Australian filmmaker (2040, Regeneration) Lee Scott - Former CEO of Walmart Doug McMillon - Current CEO of Walmart Jib Ellison - Founder of Blu Skye Sustainability ConsultingToby Kiers - Researcher on mycorrhizal networks and fungal communicationAndrew Adamatzky - Royal Society researcher on fungal communication patternsTiokasin Ghosthorse - Lakota elderDana Meadows - Systems thinker and authorConnect with us! Support the showYour Hosts:Dan LeveringtonLoreto GutierrezLiked this episode? Subscribe to our podcast to get the latest Sustainability insights every two weeks. And follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.Email us your ideas, feedback and interviewee suggestions at [email protected]