Rethinking Sustainability, Business, and Belonging with Lorraine Smith

In this episode of CarbonSessions, Olabanji, Kristina and Jenn dive deep with speaker, coach, advisor and writer Lorraine Smith.Lorraine has spent over two decades navigating the world of corporate sustainability. From her early career in ESG reporting with Fortune 500 companies to stepping away from the mainstream narrative, Lorraine now champions a bold new paradigm: industrial healing.Lorraine shares her personal journey of disillusionment with conventional sustainability frameworks and the moment she realized that mainstream ESG wasn’t just ineffective: it was part of the problem. She introduces us to her concept of Matereality, a more grounded and holistic way of evaluating corporate impact that moves beyond surface-level metrics and buzzwords.Together, we explore:The concept of industrial healing vs. mainstream sustainabilityWhat’s missing from traditional ESG narrativesThe dangers of sustainability jargon like “net-zero” and “circular”Her vision of Matereality and why it mattersMindset shifts for business leaders and individualsWhat she teaches in her Practice Change ProgramWhat a life-serving economy could look like by 2036Lorraine invites us to rethink not just business strategy, but our relationship with the systems we live and work in. Whether you’re a sustainability professional, corporate leader, or curious changemaker, this conversation will leave you with more questions—and inspiration—than you came in with.Learn more about Lorraine’s work at https://www.blorrainesmith.com/-----For more information on the project and to order your copy of the Carbon Almanac, visit thecarbonalmanac.orgWant to join in the conversation?Visit thecarbonalmanac.org/podcasts and send us a voice message on this episode or any other climate-related ideas and perspectives.Don’t Take Our Word For It, Look It Up!-----Featuring Carbon Almanac Contributors Olabanji Stephen, Jenn Swanson, and Kristina HorningOlabanji is from Lagos Nigeria. He’s a Creative Director and visual designer that helps brands gain clarity, deliver meaningful experiences and build tribes through Design & Strategy. He founded Jorney - a community designed to help people stay productive, accountable, and do their best work.From Langley in British Columbia, Canada, Jenn is a Minister, Coach, Writer, and community Connector, helping people help themselves.Kristina is currently in Prague (that it is where she is originally from) and her base is US.-----The CarbonSessions Podcast is produced and edited by Leekei Tang, Lilli Querker, Steve Heatherington, and Rob Slater.