GoodGeist

Send us Fan MailHas the public has “moved on” from climate change as some commentators might like us to believe? The data tells a different story. We sit down with Dr Susie Wang, climate and environmental psychologist and co-founder of Climate Barometer, to unpack what UK voters and MPs actually think about net zero, renewable energy, and climate action, when you track attitudes over time instead of chasing one-off headlines.Susie tells us that at worst climate concern is plateauing, not plummeting and that there exists a major perception gap, with both the public and politicians underestimating how much backing exists for net zero and for local clean energy projects like onshore wind and solar, plus the grid upgrades needed to make them work.We also explore why “NIMBYism” is often overstated, what eco-populism can look like in Green politics, and how a focus on fairness, trust, and everyday local issues can strengthen climate communication without constantly shouting about climate targets. Well worth a listen if you want to tune into where people's heads are at on climate! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIs your balcony the most overlooked piece of green space in your life? It might also be the easiest place to start changing how you feel, day to day. We sit down with Manchester garden designer Jason Williams, known online as The Cloud Gardener, who lives in an 18th floor apartment and turned a glass-fronted, south-facing balcony into an oasis that’s part pantry, part wildlife stopover and part mental health reset. Jason shares the  learning curve of balcony gardening and container growing: why “normal” gardening tips often fail in high-rise microclimates, how heat build-up can push temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above street level, and how choosing plants for your space stops the cycle of disappointment. We get into what he grows, how flowers affect yield, why flies can be underrated pollinators, and how small ecosystem thinking, right down to balcony ponds and organic feeding, makes a big difference. We also explore the National Trust's Sky Gardening Challenge, now open across the UK, including the One Pot Power category that helps complete beginners start with a single container and build confidence. Jason explains why simple, positive communication matters when climate headlines feel bleak, and how balcony gardens become deeply personal spaces where people reconnect with nature at home. Listen in, and picture yourself in Jason's balcony oasis! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWildflowers can feel like a “nice extra” until you see what they do to a street, a skyline, and the way strangers talk to each other. In this episode we’re joined by Polly Moseley and Richard Scott from Scouse Flowerhouse, to explore how Liverpool’s wildflower gateways and brownfield meadows create real, measurable change: more biodiversity, stronger pollinator corridors, and a renewed sense of pride in places once written off as derelict.We unpack the Northern Flowerhouse vision for the North of England, rooted in collaboration between community groups, gardeners, artists, academics, and land practitioners. Along the way we share the principles that keep this work human and repeatable: create curiosity, deal in beauty, bring science and arts into unlikely places, and treat gatherings as moments of celebration rather than meetings to endure. It’s sustainability communication in the most direct form, because people protect what they help make.AND we find out about their plans for a Northern Flowerhouse Assembly, due to land in Liverpool on 18 June 2026. Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailA new global day is being launched for something no city or region could  function without: public transport. We sit down with Mohammed Mezgani, Secretary General of UITP, to unpack the story behind World Public Transport Day on 17 April 2026 and why a simple celebration can become a serious lever for sustainable transport and better urban mobility.Mohammed takes us from his childhood in Tunisia, where the bus to school meant friendship and freedom, to decades of public transport advocacy across more than 70 countries. Along the way, we get practical about what drives real modal shift. It is not about blaming people for choosing cars or taxis. It is about political will, investment, and systems that feel effortless: dense networks, frequent and reliable service, integrated modes, and a user experience that works for occasional riders as well as daily commuters. And above all, it's about connecting people to each other, and to the places that give them joy. A world, of public transport. So if you care about sustainable cities, public transport policy, and how to make everyday travel happier and cleaner, this positive and progressive conversation is for you. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review. Thanks! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailNuclear power: the sensible, grown-up answer to the climate crisis? Once you look past the slogan of 'carbon-free', the story becomes harder to sell and impossible to keep local. We sit down with Pinar Demircan, coordinator of nuclearfree.org, to unpack the risks and reality behind the nuclear industry's pitch that promises so much but that could cost the Earth. We follow Pinar’s route into anti-nuclear activism, from the emotional weight of Hiroshima in Turkish poetry to the lived reality of Chernobyl’s regional impact and the shock of Fukushima. From there, we dig into why nuclear is being pushed again right now: COP messaging, plans to expand capacity, the energy hunger of AI data centres, and the financial and geopolitical currents that make big nuclear projects attractive to states and industry.Pinar also describes first hand Fukushima’s landscape of contaminated soil, constant monitoring, and deep public mistrust, then connects that reality to today’s security claims. We ask what “national energy security” can mean when reactors depend on cooling water in a warming climate, and when nuclear sites can become targets in conflict. Share with a friend who still thinks nuclear is “clean”, and leave us a review with your take: is nuclear a climate solution or a long-term liability?Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailPlastic waste is not just something we step over on the street or on a beach. It is a material that has quietly rewritten ecosystems, economics, and even human biology and once you notice that, it becomes impossible to treat something like “marine litter” as a simple tidy-up job.We sit down with Sedat Gündogdu, a marine biologist and environmental researcher whose work focuses on plastic and microplastic pollution, plastic waste trade, and the social and political forces that keep plastic production growing. Together we unpack the idea of the Plastocene, a grounded way to understand the Anthropocene through the one material that has become a permanent global signature. We follow the thread back through industrial growth and wartime scale-up, then forward into daily life where plastic shows up in far more than bags and bottles.We talk about why plastic recycling so often functions as greenwashing, how it shifts responsibility from producers to consumers, and why that comforting story still works. Sedat also breaks down the main routes of exposure to microplastics and chemical additives through food, drinking water, air, and even medical settings and why systemic regulation matters more than perfect personal habits.Listen in, and share with someone who still trusts the recycling myth.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIf you're feeling a bit beaten up by the relentless negative news coverage on net zero and climate action, guess what? The data tells a more complicated and more hopeful truth. We sit down with Becca Massey-Chase, Head of Citizen Engagement at IPPR, to unpack their new research on public opinion, media narratives and the real risks to climate progress. If you care about climate action, democracy and what happens next for UK climate policy, this conversation sharpens the picture fast. We look into the perception gap: why politicians can believe voters have soured on ambitious decarbonisation even when the public remains broadly supportive. Becca explains how right-wing populism and partisan media try to reframe net zero as ideology, and why many of those attacks do not “land” unless they tap into something deeper: distrust in institutions and low confidence that government can deliver. We also talk about what climate communication can learn from this, including why messages around energy security and energy independence resonate. And is if all of that wasn't enough, we the switch to transport decarbonisation, where the same dynamics show up in miniature. Low traffic neighbourhoods, ULEZ, active travel and electric vehicles get dragged into culture war narratives, even as most people just want safe, reliable ways to get around. Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailThe world is  changing, and the tricky question is whether business is shaping that change or sleepwalking into it. We sit down with Sam Baker, a director at Business Declares, to talk about the 'polycrisis' of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, widening inequality, and the way these shocks reinforce one another in daily life, markets, and politics.We find out how Sam has moved from consulting and corporate strategy to a deeper reckoning sparked by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. We talk about how “purpose-led business” can stall when it reaches the hard part: changing the business model rather than polishing the story. If competition rewards short-term profit and GDP growth, what happens to leaders who prioritise long-term resilience, real impact, and a just transition?We also challenge the reflex to double down on fossil fuels during geopolitical disruption, and explore a clearer alternative north star: private sufficiency and public abundance within planetary boundaries. If you care about sustainability, ESG, net zero, and the future of business, subscribe, share this conversation, and leave a review. What part of the current system do you think needs to change first?Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWhat if we treated wetlands, rivers and forests with the same seriousness as bridges, tunnels and treatment plants? We sit down with Prof Anusha Shah, the engineer, former ICE President, and founder of Plan for Earth, to explore how putting nature at the heart of decisions can transform cities, infrastructure and public health.Anusha shares the personal path from the lakes and landscapes of Kashmir to global practice, then maps for us a clear shift from “less harm” to regenerative growth. We look at the hard data on biodiversity loss and breached planetary boundaries, and then pivot to solutions: protecting remaining ecosystems, restoring damaged ones, transforming food and material systems, and reconnecting people with urban nature. Water threads through everything—too much, too little, too dirty—so we talk catchments, upstream‑downstream design, and why most climate risk is really water risk.The conversation gets practical as nature becomes critical infrastructure, managed as an asset class with registers, metrics and maintenance. We dig into funding gaps, the trillion‑scale value of ecosystem services, and how blended finance can scale what works. Then, looking to COP31, we call for a move from pledges to proof: phasing out fossil fuels, mobilising climate finance, and accelerating adaptation and restoration.If you’re an engineer, planner, investor or policymaker, this is a blueprint for action. You’ll leave with a playbook to mainstream nature‑positive design, examples you can adapt, and a renewed case for careers that combine data and storytelling to deliver healthier places.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we sit down with the amazing urbanist and cultural heritage expert Dr Banu Pekol to rethink our notion of 'home' as a human right, as a store of memory, and as a foundation for belonging. From Istanbul’s Sulukule to Cape Town’s District Six, Banu analyses how, when housing policy ignores people, renewal becomes removal and communities become museums while lives are uprooted.She maps out for us a clear and compelling, five-part agenda for the future of our homes. First, prevent displacement, because losing your home collapses health, education, safety, and livelihood. Second, pursue fair decarbonisation: cut emissions without pushing retrofit costs onto those least able to pay. Third, prioritise maintenance, repair, and reuse—the future of housing is already built, and repair protects both carbon and community. Fourth, adopt mediation-first governance that treats conflict as normal and useful; pre-filing eviction programmes show how early dialogue prevents harm. Fifth, design with candour about power: architecture is never neutral, so participation must be a design requirement, not a tick-box.We also confront climate risk to cultural heritage, from Venice’s rising tides to Timbuktu’s desertification, and explore practical adaptation that serves living cities. Throughout, Banu returns to a simple truth: homes are not just assets. They hold routines, relationships, and identity. Repair before you replace. Protect people before postcards. Build systems where tenants, caretakers, and children are partners in care.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWhat if the secret to national wealth isn’t faster growth or smarter tech, but a fairer invitation to participate? We sit down with Dr Hermann Stern to unpack the Prosperity Gate—a striking pattern in World Bank data showing that most countries grind along a poverty “brick” until they expand political inclusion enough to trigger a steep rise in income per capita. Once through the gate, each step toward broader participation correlates with bigger gains, reframing prosperity as the outcome of social invention and open institutions rather than luck or resources.Together we trace the evidence: how universal schooling, healthcare access, labour standards and the right to start and scale a business create the conditions for innovation to spread. Hermann explains why outliers like oil states can mask the rule, and why countries without resource windfalls—think the Baltics—outperformed larger, richer neighbours by betting on inclusive rules instead of extractive control. And as if that wasn't enough... for sustainability and ESG, Herman offers a candid diagnosis. Expecting firms to act like saints collides with fiduciary duty; the real lever is the societal framework that aligns private incentives with public goals. The takeaway is clear and hopeful: inclusion is not charity, it’s a growth strategy. Countries can backslide when participation narrows, but they can also surge ahead when people feel secure enough to learn, spend and build. Have a listen! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailEver wondered why so many people say they love nature yet so little seems to change? We sit down with Savita Wilmott, CEO of the Natural History Consortium, to unpack the stubborn care–to-action gap and share practical ways to move from saying you love nature to doing something about it.We dig into the Festival of Nature as a living case study. By keeping it free, thematic, and woven into a city’s cultural calendar, the Consortium brings nature into everyday life while tracking confirmed behaviours during festival week—tree planting, bird boxes, meeting decision‑makers, and joining local groups. No comfort pledges. Just actions that stick because the follow‑through is built in. Savita highlights research showing that care does not guarantee action, and points to behaviour‑first campaigns that prove action can also spark care. We also explore how the field is changing. Over twenty years, the Consortium's Communicate conference has watched channels transform—from early social media to AI, search, and influencer dynamics—while the timeless basics hold steady: framing that resonates, trusted messengers, and meeting audiences where they are. Citizen science also emerges in our chat as both a hands‑on way to engage and a serious data engine, with an often‑invisible backbone of expert volunteers who verify records and make the magic happen. Enjoy the episode! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailBillionaire wealth is hitting historic highs while one in four people face hunger—so what exactly is growth doing for the rest of us? We sit down with Prof. Öner Günçavdı to unpack the mechanics behind inequality and global economics. Starting in Turkey and widening to global trends, we trace how housing, education, and healthcare drift out of reach when asset values dominate policy, and why a recent report from Oxfam’s on inequalities reads less like a headline and more like a diagnosis.The conversation pulls apart two big drivers: the rules we live by and the tech we build. When institutions prioritise asset protection, growth becomes a numbers game detached from human welfare. Add technology concentrated in a few hands—platforms, patents, and data—and you get profits without shared prosperity. We explore what a different path looks like: participatory budgeting that gives communities real control; fair taxation and windfall measures that link extraordinary gains to public good; and housing policies tied to incomes, not speculation. We don’t dodge geopolitics either, asking whether global forums and interventions protect people or just portfolios.Join us for a clear-eyed, practical journey from problem to possibility, and learn how democratic tools can turn growth into well-being instead of a scoreboard for the few.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Ümit Şahin—physician, public health scholar, and long-time climate advocate—as he traces his journey from medical school to air pollution research and climate policy, showing why health is the most human lens for energy choices. He dismantles the idea that nuclear can deliver on time or at scale, pointing to rising costs, long lead times, and unresolved waste, while renewables and efficiency deliver rapid, affordable cuts now. We dig into discourse power: how calling fossil fuels “hydrocarbons” sanitises harm, how “unabated” creates loopholes, and how the term “sustainability” drifted from survival ethics to a growth-friendly label. Then we turn to COP politics. With shifting geopolitics and frayed multilateralism, COP31 in Turkey emerges as a crucial mitigation COP. Ümit  outlines a focused playbook: push an explicit fossil fuels transition, accelerate electrification of transport and heat, tighten 2030 targets aligned with 1.5 degrees, and audit false solutions against costs and timelines. He calls for disciplined framing, health-forward benefits that voters feel, and cross-border collaboration between Turkish NGOs and the global movement. We close on urgency with hope, inspired by youth leadership that turns climate from a future worry into a present demand.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn our first episode of 2026 we sit down with Chris Annous from More in Common to look at how values-based research can bridge divides—and why pride in place may be the most underrated lever for social and climate progress right now. Chris shares how his team’s segmentation moves beyond left-versus-right to reveal seven distinct worldviews, and how that map helps leaders speak to what people actually care about rather than what the loudest voices demand.The heart of the episode is a surprising finding: across backgrounds and politics, people name their local parks and green spaces as their biggest source of pride. When those spaces feel neglected, it becomes a daily reminder that nothing works. When they’re cared for, it’s proof that improvement is possible. We also touch on lessons across Europe, where similar pressures play out with national nuance, and preview Chris’s work on men and masculinity, highlighting a “crisis of provision” that is reshaping political identities.If you care about sustainability, public trust and campaigns that actually move people, this conversation offers a practical playbook rooted in real lives. Have a listen, subscribe, and share with a colleague.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIt's time for some GoodGeist year-end reflections from our co-host Damla and Steve. We take you across 2025’s most revealing sustainability moments, from radical listening that halted deforestation by focusing on community health, via an off-grid box turning sunlight into clean water within hours, to city-scale transport fixes that make streets safer, air cleaner, and commutes saner. It's 25 minutes of practical optimism, gathering stories that prove change is built locally and scaled through trust, clarity, and good design.Our tour spans continents and disciplines. We revisit the ethnography of behaviour change, new money concepts and sustainable finance, and the thorny dilemmas of philanthropy and concentrated wealth. Guests challenged language itself: when “sustainability” feels poisoned by greenwash, how do we reframe for honesty and impact? From “belly’s not bins” to cocoa that respects farmers and forests, food became a lens for agency at home and accountability in supply chains. We also dig into retrofit and property innovation, the unglamorous but essential work of upgrading what we’ve already built to cut carbon, bills, and cold homes. And the closing truth we carry into 2026? No-one can be sustainable alone. Hold the line with us, share this conversation, and if it moved you, subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more people can find it.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWant a sustainability claim that inspires without inviting a regulator into your inbox? We sit down with Steve Meyer, director of Carbon Blue Solutions, to explore how. From mangrove forests and seagrass meadows to desert halophytes, Steve first of all explains why blue carbon stores CO2 for millennia and how that changes the maths on offsets, resilience, and coastal protection.Then we shift to the communications frontier and EcoApprase, an AI-assisted tool that scores green claims on clarity, evidence, scope, and risk. It flags risky phrases like planet-friendly and net zero without boundaries, offers practical rewrites, and stays current with fast-moving case law so marketers can publish with confidence.We talk with Steve about how, across the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India, we see the same pattern: bold sustainability stories need proof, baselines, and clear KPIs. India’s rapid enforcement and real-world pollution pressures are accelerating adoption, while “recyclable” claims face a tougher test when local facilities don’t exist. The message is simple: creativity thrives under discipline, and defensible claims help teams avoid both greenwashing and greenhushing. And along the way, Steve shares what keeps him motivated—watching genuine builders get the backing to scale solutions that matter.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWhat if a walk could change how a city works? We sit down with walking artist, activist, and academic Morag Rose to explore psychogeography as a living practice—one that uses curiosity, conversation, and gentle mischief to reclaim streets from noise, ads, and exclusion. From dérives guided by pigeons and dice to community-led wanders across Manchester, Morag shows how moving side by side can dissolve hierarchies, surface hidden histories, and open a path toward more just, accessible and sustainable places.We dig into the Loiterers Resistance Movement and its simple, radical premise: the streets belong to everyone Morag challenges the myth of the lone flâneur by centring collective walking and a feminist ethic of care. We talk accessibility and crip time, acknowledging that bodies move at different speeds and that true inclusion requires benches, toilets, lighting, and safe routes as standard, not extras.Morag’s new book, The Feminist Art of Walking, and her monthly First Sunday invitations offer a blueprint for community-led exploration that turns urban design into a shared conversation. If you’ve ever wondered who public space is really for, this conversation hands you the map to redraw it together.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailThe airport‑as‑engine of growth story is powerful, but the data tells a different story. We sit down with Denise Auclair, who leads the Travel Smart campaign at Transport & Environment, to unpack a new Europe‑wide study that tracks the real relationship between air traffic and prosperity across 274 regions. The headline is striking: in much of northern and western Europe, economic growth tends to drive more flying rather than flying driving growth. Once networks mature, extra frequencies deliver diminishing returns, and the old promise of expansion starts to look like a costly habit.We explore why aviation’s emissions are so hard to tackle and we also dig into tourism balances: when cheap flights pull residents abroad, local economies can lose more than they gain, especially when a small group of frequent flyers accounts for a large share of trips.Join us as we map a practical route to sustainable travel with Denise: clearer evidence, better choices, and systems that reward time, health, and climate, not just passenger counts. Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we sit down with Golden’s founder and CEO, Sam Fankuchen, to explore how AI, ethics, and interoperability can transform volunteering from good intentions into measurable, scalable impact. Sam’s story begins with a near loss on 9/11, a moment that reshaped his purpose and his focus on removing friction so more people can contribute meaningfully and safely.We look at the state of AI and how to create an ethical framework for its use, with guardrails and evals that keep outputs accountable. We also discover that if you want to stay ahead in an AI-driven world, you need to absorb the very latest innovations on a daily basis. Sam explains why agents are changing the resource equation for nonprofits and public agencies—automating research, fundraising, policy mapping, and programme audits while keeping humans in the loop. The result is a “shadow organisation” that scales capacity without sacrificing trust.If you lead a team or support a cause, this conversation offers a playbook for ethical AI adoption, cross-sector collaboration, and systems thinking that actually moves the needle. Have a listen to our latest GoodGeist! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailDirect (sort of) from the bustling floor of Ecomondo in Rimini we have a great  conversation with Filippo Nani, president of FERPI in Italy and veteran strategist in public relations. Together with Filippo we explore how credible communications can unlock real progress on sustainability, from major strategic decisions to building stakeholder trust, with the stories that inspire action across industries.Filippo traces his path from journalism and government spokesperson to agency leadership, revealing how narrative craft and public accountability shape the green economy. We unpack the persistent “green vs growth” myth and examine why investors, banks, and customers increasingly reward companies that commit to measurable, transparent climate strategies. The theme is clarity over hype: no easy fixes, but real momentum where incentives, proof, and purpose align.We also dive into the changing craft of communications. How AI, used well, gives practitioners more time for strategy and better tools for research and analysis. Anchored by FERPI’s Venice Pledge, Filippo argues for ethical AI practices, disclosure to stakeholders, and keeping humans at the centre of every decision.Listen in to a great conversation about the future of communications - and sustainability - in Europe. Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we chat with activist and former architect Kasper Benjamin Reimer Bjørkskov as he shares his journey from major architecture studios to founding No Objectives, a nonprofit using design, marketing, and policy interventions to turn 'minority rights into majority action'.We dig into playbooks that move the needle: a municipal carbon budget calculator that treats emissions like money, so councils can plan within science‑based limits; Denmark’s (beautifully designed!) Reduction Roadmap, which rallied companies to demand binding caps aligned with the Paris Agreement; and a new method to quantify offsite biodiversity loss in supply chains, paired with obligations to restore the areas harmed. Along the way, Casper makes the cultural case for aesthetics as strategy. If the next economy looks worse, people will resist it. If it looks and feels better, the centre follows.The heart of the conversation challenges language that has lost meaning. In a degenerative system breaching planetary boundaries, nothing is “sustainable” in isolation. Sustainability is an outcome, not a pathway. Regeneration is the work: restoring living systems while deepening democracy and shifting power over production. Listen in and if this episode sparked new thinking, follow the show, share it with a friend who cares about climate and culture, and leave a review to help others find us! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we're talking to Yunus Arıkan, Director of Global Advocacy at ICLEI, to look at how local government is at the centre of global climate action, and why the path to 1.5°C runs through streets, budgets, and everyday choices. From the Earth Summit and Local Agenda 21 in the nineties to COP30 in Belém, we connect the dots between global agreements and real change on the ground.We explore the three essentials every city needs to deliver: skilled teams that can steer investment, deep community engagement that builds consent and momentum, and visible leadership that models that shift. Our conversation challenges the myth that only global capitals lead on the transition. Small and mid-sized cities often move faster, delivering zero-waste systems in Malaysia for example, or rapid fleet electrification at the scale of Guangzhou. The lesson is clear: innovation is not a postcode; it’s a mindset backed by governance.Listen in if you care about sustainable urban planning, climate policy, and how to turn big goals into real outcomes – this conversation with Yunus offers practical insights and honest hope.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWhat if money could finally measure what we truly care about—care, safety, culture, and thriving ecosystems—not just cash in the bank? We sit down with evolutionary economist Makoto Nishibe, head of the Good Money Lab, to explore how economies and the money that powers them can evolve together. Starting with Japan’s “lost decades,” Makoto explains why top-down policies and a single-number view of value failed regional communities, and how plural, adaptive thinking opened the door to community currencies and digital experiments that restore trust and resilience.We unpack the idea of “good money” as a medium designed to serve the good life, not speculation. From QR payments and crypto to Japan’s 200+ digital community currencies, Makoto shows how technology lowers barriers for cities, banks, and citizens to co-create units that reward what matters: local exchange, volunteering, and ecological care. If you’ve ever felt that GDP and net worth don’t capture real prosperity, this conversation offers a practical, hopeful path forward—powered by digital tools, civic design, and a richer moral compass.Listen in! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Greenpeace veteran Steve Warshal to hear how bold actions, smart science, and sharp strategy turn radical ideas into real‑world results. Steve takes us inside the environment movement’s highs and lows, the cramped rooms where direct actions were weighed, and the quiet moments where patient resilience mattered more than headlines.We talk about why legislation is the true endgame, how corporate “fear and greed” can be harnessed for climate progress, and what happened when Greenpeace launched a business‑facing newsletter that reframed sustainability as competitive advantage. Along the way, we revisit campaigns against CFCs, the Brent Spar showdown with Shell, PVC phase‑outs that centred human health, and the long road to a global oceans treaty. Listen in for amazing insights from someone who has been there for some of the most iconic campaign moments of the last 40 years. Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we chat with broadcaster and property expert Kunle Barker to unpack a practical, hopeful blueprint for net zero in the real world. From the state of decarbonisation to the retrofit reality, Kunle explains why we won’t build our way to 2050 targets and how policy, funding, and design can unlock action at scale.We explore the power of “carbon budgets” for everyday life—clear, kilo-by-kilo guidance that helps people choose high-impact steps without the guilt spiral. Then we zoom out to neighbourhood scale with “zero-bill streets,” where fabric-first upgrades, rooftop solar, and shared systems bring costs down and comfort up when delivered across entire terraces. Then nature takes centre stage as infrastructure, not ornament. Kunle shares how nature-based solutions cool overheated streets, manage stormwater, improve mental health, and even lift property values. We talk biophilic design plus CyanLines—a bold plan to connect Manchester’s green and blue assets into a citywide network you can actually walk. If you care about sustainable cities, healthier homes, and practical climate action, this conversation will give you ideas you can use today—from personal carbon choices to street-by-street transformation. Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we're with Alessia Trabucco, Clean Mobility Coordinator at Generation Climate Europe, as she reveals how young voices are reshaping climate policy across the continent. Alessia explains how Generation Climate Europe brings together over 300 organisations across 46 countries to campaign for young peoples' perspectives to be recognised. Their successful campaign for a Commissioner on Intergenerational Fairness at the European Commission shows how strong and persistent advocacy can create lasting institutional change. Beyond policy work, Alessia highlights the emotional reality facing young Europeans—with 80% expressing worry about climate change and many experiencing eco-anxiety. She emphasises that clean mobility represents both environmental and social sustainability, affecting access to education, jobs, and overall life satisfaction. We also talk about her work on ASSIFERO's Climate Philanthropy Programme, and Alessia reveals how foundations worldwide are being encouraged to integrate climate considerations regardless of their primary focus.Ready to join the climate conversation? Follow us for more discussions with sustainability leaders who are turning concern into action.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we're talking to Sait Beyazyürek of NeedsMap, in a fascinating look at how to transform disaster relief through innovative digital solutions that connect those in need with those who can help.NeedsMap functions as a digital marketplace for social good. Rather than commercial transactions, the platform facilitates the exchange of essential items and services using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to pinpoint exact locations of needs. This revolutionary approach proved crucial during Turkey's devastating 2023 earthquakes and also helped with Spain's 2024 floods in Valencia, where WhatsApp chatbots and real-time mapping tools helped coordinate relief efforts with unprecedented efficiency.Beyond disaster response, NeedsMap addresses structural inequalities through data-driven decision-making, ensuring aid reaches marginalised communities including refugees and low-income families. Their work demonstrates how resilience and adaptability, forged through Turkey's experiences with multiple crises, can benefit humanitarian efforts worldwide.Listen in to discover how we might use our technological expertise to address the pressing humanitarian challenges of our time.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this exciting episode we talk to Dana Clouston, Head of Sustainable Finance at Barclays Business Bank, as she takes us on a journey from her roots in New Zealand agriculture to her current position at the forefront of sustainable finance innovation.Dana shares how Barclays is working toward becoming a net-zero bank by 2050 through three key strategies: supporting clients on their transition journey, providing financing for green initiatives, and scaling climate tech solutions. We cover small businesses—which make up 99% of UK businesses and contribute about half of the country's business emissions— and how they often struggle to prioritise sustainability amidst their day-to-day operational demands. We also talk about the Willow Review, co-chaired by Barclays, which offers a practical five-point plan for SMEs: switch to sustainable materials, reduce travel, minimise waste, adopt renewable energy, and partner with sustainable suppliers. And then finally we talk about nature and farming, and how regenerative farming represents a growing movement with profound implications for both business resilience and environmental recovery, one that's worth the investment. Listen in!  Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode Karen Vancluysen, Secretary General of Polis Network, takes us on a journey through the evolving landscape of sustainable urban mobility. With over 21 years of experience working with European cities on transport innovation, Karen shares powerful insights on how municipalities are navigating the transition to more sustainable, equitable mobility systems. En route she powerfully debunks the false dichotomy between economy and ecology, explaining how green growth is not just environmentally necessary but economically essential: "If we don't invest now, the bill will be much bigger later," she says. We also cover the importance of innovation in policy responses, as well as in technology, and our conversation touches on how cities can overcome polarisation and resistance to change. Karen shares practical strategies for winning hearts and minds, including the power of temporary interventions that let citizens experience car-free spaces before making permanent decisions. Listen in to hear how cities are reclaiming their streets, reshaping transport systems, and creating more liveable urban environments for all.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailHow do we create cities where people and not cars take centre stage? Mobility expert Gerwin de Boer takes us on a journey through the compellingly logical world of sustainable transportation planning.De Boer approaches sustainable mobility not as an ideological crusade but as the only sensible solution for creating liveable urban spaces. Working with Goudappel, the Netherlands' premier mobility consultancy, he's helped transform Dutch cities through practical planning that prioritises people over vehicles, a blueprint for more functional, vibrant communities that Goudappel have exported across the world.Our conversation explores how increasing urbanisation actually creates the perfect conditions for sustainable transportation. When cities are compact and well-designed, the need for extensive travel diminishes naturally. We discover how cultural contexts shape mobility choices—from extreme temperatures affecting cycling adoption to varying levels of government regulation influencing implementation strategies.Ready to reimagine how we move through our cities? Listen now and join the conversation about creating urban spaces where sustainable mobility becomes the obvious choice.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we talk to Tamsyn Hyatt, Director of Evidence at Frameworks UK, and talk about how strategic communications can drive meaningful social change. With a rich background spanning history, law, science, and activism, Tamsyn has dedicated her career to making complex social issues understandable through the power of framing and narrative.The conversation unlocks what framing actually means in practice—making deliberate choices about how we communicate ideas to tap into different ways of thinking that already exist within all of us. Tamsyn introduces us to "cognitive polyphagia," our ability to hold contradictory understandings of the world and toggle between them depending on context. Through concrete examples like reframing justice in England and Wales, she demonstrates how positioning the rule of law as an enabler rather than merely preventative builds stronger public support.At the heart of this episode is Frameworks UK's groundbreaking "Moving Mindsets" project, which maps the deep patterns of thinking people use to reason about health, wealth, and government. Their research reveals we're at an inflection point where individualism remains dominant but is being challenged by more systemic mindsets. Most excitingly, they've discovered that mindsets cluster together, with certain "linchpin mindsets" activating others within the same cluster. Listen now to discover how understanding and shifting mindsets could be the key to building a more just and sustainable world.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWhat drives someone to dedicate their life to tackling the climate crisis? For Simon Stiell, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Climate Change , it's deeply personal. His tiny Caribbean island home was devastated by Hurricane Beryl just one year ago—a stark reminder of climate change's human toll that fuels his work on the global stage. In this episode we talk to Stiell alongside Mert Fırat the UNDP Goodwill Ambassador of UNDP Turkey.This powerful conversation takes us from Stiell's hurricane-ravaged community to Turkey's promising renewable energy landscape. While acknowledging we're at a climate tipping point with accelerating impacts worldwide, Stiell highlights some remarkable progress that offers hope: renewable energy costs dropping below fossil fuels, technological advances, and encouraging leadership from various nations. The green transition offers substantial economic rewards—potentially saving $3 billion annually by reducing fossil fuel dependency while creating jobs, enhancing energy security, and improving export competitiveness.We get the powerful reminder from Stiell that "Climate change does not respect borders... It is marching forward and humankind is directly impacted by it, and it's humankind to actually address it."Listen to this great conversation on GoodGeist with someone at the very leading edge of climate action. Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailSustainability and positive social change don't just happen by accident – they require strategic communication that cuts through the noise and inspires action. In this episode we're talking to Adeela Warley, Chief Executive of Charity Comms, as we explore the vital role communications plays in driving meaningful impact for charitable causes.Adeela reveals how her passion for purpose has evolved into a powerful career dedicated to positive change. With over 20 years of experience and an OBE for services to charity communications, she offers unique insights into what makes campaigns truly resonate.From the groundbreaking Big Ask climate campaign that led to the UK's world-first Climate Change Act to innovative approaches like Breast Cancer Now's AI-powered Gallery of Hope and Bite Back's cheeky "Commercial Break" campaign against junk food advertising, Adeela unpacks the DNA of successful initiatives that drive change.And looking toward the future, Adeela identifies key trends reshaping charity communications: the ethical challenges of AI and evolving social media landscapes, the rising influence of Generation Alpha with their hunger for activism, and the charity sector's shift from doom narratives to solution-focused messaging that empowers people with agency.Have a listen! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailThis week we're talking to Georgia Yexley, founder of Loud Mobility, who joins us to challenge everything you thought you knew about how we move around, including feeling joyful about sustainable journeys! Georgia's journey tracks from a Beijing-based bike-share pioneer to founding her fourth micromobility startup and reveals someone who understands that meaningful change happens when we focus on removing barriers rather than lecturing people about their choices. Her refreshingly human-centred approach rejects what she calls "toxic paternalism" in favour of creating experiences people actually want.The She's Electric campaign exemplifies this philosophy perfectly – free, fun e-cycle events in local parks with music, refreshments, and space for children to play. The results speak volumes: 60% of participants identify as women or non-binary, and a similar percentage are taking their first-ever e-cycle ride. As Georgia puts it: "We don't tell people what's best for them. We ask, then we co-create."Beyond specific initiatives, Georgia makes a compelling case for reconceptualising transport as a universal public good – similar to how we view education or healthcare. Perhaps most provocatively, Georgia challenges our societal discomfort with the concept of "fun" in transportation. In a world facing mental health crises and disconnection, shouldn't we be intentionally creating more joyful experiences? We kind of agree! Listen in to this episode to hear Georgia's take on inclusive, loud and sustainable mobility.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we talk to Dr. Victoria Harvey as she takes us deep into the conflicted heart of the advertising industry, where creative professionals increasingly find themselves torn between profit-driven briefs and our shared and planetary future. Our conversation with Viki comes just two weeks after she published an expert briefing as part of a UK parliamentary debate on banning fossil fuel advertising. The debate was sparked by a petition led by Chris Packham that generated over 110,000 signatures. Viki talks about how her disillusionment with advertising's climate inaction led her to pursue groundbreaking research at the University of East Anglia and then onto becoming active in influencing the entire sector. And she doesn't mince her words about the industry's moral responsibilities, delivering the powerful challenge: "If your brand is contributing to the climate crisis, change it. If you can't change it, ditch it." Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when we stop viewing clean energy projects in Africa as charity and start seeing them as critical infrastructure investments? In this thought-provoking conversation, Isona Shibata, Head of International Programmes at Ashden, the climate solutions charity, challenges our fundamental understanding of sustainability finance.Drawing from her fascinating journey from architecture in the Niger Delta to leading international programmes, Isona reveals how unreliable energy access fundamentally undermines all other sustainability efforts. Her lightbulb moment came when she realised that "the energy efficiency of a building was kind of irrelevant if you didn't have reliable access to energy in the first place."We find out about Ashden's Powering Clean Energy Investment programme and the recognition that small-scale renewable energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa deserve the same long-term investment horizon as traditional infrastructure. For thousands of communities across Africa, decentralised off-grid solutions will be the primary route to electricity for generations – making these investments no less significant despite their smaller scale.Have a listen to this fascinating set of insights into how to make sustainable energy progress happen in Africa. Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailMeet Jodie Wu, a pioneering clean tech entrepreneur in Africa who reveals for us the transformative power of sustainable innovation.When Jodie graduated from MIT and packed her bags for Africa, she thought she'd be gone for six months. Sixteen years later, she's still there, having built multiple successful social enterprises that are revolutionizing access to clean energy and water in remote communities. As CEO of OffGridBox, she's developed a containerised solution that can be rapidly deployed to bring solar power and clean water to areas conventional infrastructure can't reach.While global investment in renewable energy has surpassed $1.3 trillion, a mere fraction of that reaches healthcare facilities—despite 60% of health  centres in sub-Saharan Africa functioning without reliable electricity. Off-Grid Box bridges this gap by providing 24/7 solar power to rural health facilities, enabling life-saving equipment to function consistently rather than relying on expensive, unreliable diesel generators.Also via W Power, Jodie's creating pathways for female engineers to gain technical experience and leadership roles in energy projects across the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond.Listen in to discover how a simple solar-powered box is saving lives, empowering communities, and proving that climate solutions can be delivered today—even in the most challenging contexts.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we talk to two remarkable women who are helping to revolutionise transportation across Africa, proving that climate solutions can be powerful economic engines when communities are put at the centre of innovation.Claire Bakhita from GoGo Electric is transforming Uganda's massive motorcycle taxi industry, where 1.5 million riders form the backbone of daily mobility. By replacing conventional motorcycles with electric alternatives, riders save a staggering 40% on operating costs – money that goes directly to supporting families and building futures. "We're creating local jobs in battery swapping, vehicle assembly, maintenance and customer support," Claire explains.Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, Lisa Mare and Mobility for Africa have developed  a solar-powered electric tricycle specifically designed for rural women who have been overlooked by traditional transportation systems. With a remarkable 400kg carrying capacity and 100km range, these vehicles are doing far more than moving people and goods. "It's doubling and tripling incomes," Lisa reveals, pointing to concrete evidence that sustainable mobility directly translates to economic empowerment.Ready to support Africa's clean mobility revolution? These proven, scalable solutions deliver both measurable climate benefits and transformative social impact. As Claire aptly puts it: "When we focus on the people, when it's about getting more money in their pockets, meeting their basic needs – that makes our business model even more sustainable."Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailOur sustainability and communications experts from across Europe gather for a special Good Geist roundtable discussion at the offices of our Rome agency, Silverback. We talk about our relationship with the natural world,  how traditional economic models fail us and about the frameworks that place planetary boundaries as the foundation upon which our societies and economies must operate. Urban sustainability emerges as a vibrant topic, with our roundtable sharing experiences from cities across Europe. "Cities are the point where politics meets reality," notes one expert, describing the challenges of implementing sustainable transport and energy systems when faced with immediate citizen feedback. The group emphasises that effective communication must help people visualise possibilities: "If you don't know what is possible, you don't know that you want it."From playful campaigns that engage children to finding joy in nature, we explore how positive emotions aren't just personally sustaining but essential for effective change-making. As Michael from TippingPoints beautifully summarises: "Flood the city with confidence" rather than despair.Join us for this thoughtful group conversation that weaves together multiple perspectives on building a better future.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailJoin us for a fascinating conversation with Thomas Coombs, human rights communicator, founder of Hope-Based Communications and former Head of Brand at Amnesty International.  "We were ticking all those boxes," Thomas reflects on his early career in cause-based media relations. "Getting huge amounts of media coverage, but where was the compassion and empathy?" he asks. This disconnect sparked his journey toward developing a methodology that would offer a new perspective on how human rights organisations communicate, if not for anyone involved in cause-related communications.The  insights driving Hope-Based Communications come from neuroscience: our brains are predictive machines that favour familiarity and reject the unfamiliar. For social movements, this means constantly showing people the world we want to create, not just highlighting what we oppose. "The story we tell today is the action people take tomorrow," Thomas emphasises, placing effective communication at the heart of social transformation.Despite today's challenging global landscape—with human rights backlashes, climate crisis, and ongoing conflicts—Thomas maintains that hope becomes most essential in dark times. His grounded form of hope acknowledges reality while maintaining conviction that positive change remains possible through collective action.Listen now to discover how you can transform your approach from merely raising awareness to fundamentally changing attitudes, behaviours, and culture.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when art meets activism? Can creativity truly change the world? These questions are all part of our conversation with Yana Buhrer Tavanier, co-founder and executive director of Fine Acts—a groundbreaking global nonprofit creative studio for social impact.Yana's remarkable journey begins with frustration. Despite a decade as an award-winning investigative journalist exposing human rights abuses across Eastern Europe, she felt powerless to create meaningful change. This led her to activism, where she discovered that traditional advocacy methods weren't engaging the public effectively. We hear about how Fine Acts has evolved into a creative powerhouse commissioning hundreds of artists annually. Their flagship initiative, The Greats, now stands as the world's largest platform for free, adaptable social impact artwork, featuring contributions from over 2,600 artists.What makes Jana's approach truly revolutionary is its scientific foundation. Drawing from behavioral science and neuroscience research, Fine Acts designs its creative work around a crucial insight: while many campaigns rely on fear, guilt, or sadness, these emotions often cause audience shutdown. Instead, they focus on hope as the most powerful catalyst for engagement—whether through humour, joy, or providing actionable solutions.Listen now to discover how creativity, hope, and play can transform how we approach our world's most pressing challenges—and perhaps find your own inspiration to join the movement of creative activists making real change happen.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we talk to Shehnaz Kıymaz Bahçeci, a gender equality activist from Berlin, and Constanza Pauchulo, a human rights lawyer specialising in feminist economics from Malaysi. They help us to explore vital feminist economy questions through their work on the Gender Equality and Macroeconomics (GEM) Starter Kit. Their unique perspectives shaped by research and activism offer a revelatory look at how economic policies shape our everyday lives and how feminist economics provides a transformative alternative."Feminist economy is the economy that actually works for everyone, with everyone's human rights," explains Shehnaz. Unlike conventional economics focused narrowly on GDP growth, feminist economics counts all value creation – including unpaid care work predominantly performed by women and the cooperative social activities that sustain communities.Constanza brilliantly connects abstract macroeconomic concepts to our lived experiences: "We're talking about the price of food, how food is produced, healthcare, education, housing, childcare... Are we getting money from individual taxes or taxing the wealthy and large corporations?" Both our guests frame the current moment as a critical juncture. Are we witnessing backlash against progress, or the breakdown of a dysfunctional system that requires fundamental reconstruction? Join us, and find out! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when passion for sustainability combines with culinary creativity? Meet Corin Bell, Executive Director of Open Kitchen, who is busy revolutionising how we think about food waste, sustainability, and community wellbeing. With a team she describes as "wizard-level chefs" playing "the culinary equivalent of jazz," Open Kitchen creates ever-changing menus from ingredients that would otherwise go to waste, complemented by locally-sourced, sustainable produce.Beyond the inspiring story of Open Kitchen itself, our conversation expands into an exploration of city-wide food systems. Corin articulates a compelling vision for more decentralised, local food networks that could transform urban sustainability while addressing critical issues of access and affordability.Corin also challenges  the very concept of "consumer choice" in our food system–she reframes the discussion around "food environments" rather than individual responsibility, highlighting how economic structures, marketing, and accessibility fundamentally shape what we eat. Ready to rethink your relationship with food? Have a listen to our latest episode.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we talk to Sophie Zinkevich, who has a refreshingly practical approach to one of climate action's most challenging puzzles: how do we keep flying without destroying the planet? As co-founder of Carbon Neutral Fuels, this chemist-turned-entrepreneur is pioneering sustainable aviation fuel that could transform how we think about air travel emissions.The power-to-liquid technology Sophie's company is developing combines carbon dioxide captured directly from the air with water and renewable electricity to create jet fuel that's chemically identical to conventional options but without the net carbon footprint. During our fascinating conversation, Sophie breaks down complex chemical processes with clarity and enthusiasm, explaining how her company's journey began at COP26 and has rapidly progressed to selecting a site for their first production facility.  The road ahead isn't without obstacles – economic challenges remain the primary hurdle for power-to-liquid fuels, with production costs currently higher than conventional jet fuel and significant capital investment required for facilities. Yet Sophie's optimism is contagious as she shares how dropping renewable energy prices and creative applications of the technology could soon make sustainable aviation fuel economically viable at scale.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailWhat if architecture focused on touching as many lives as possible, rather than creating exclusive spaces for the privileged few? Becca Thomas, Creative Director of New Practice (part of Civic Group), brings this refreshing perspective our latest episode."A building isn't anything until you put people in it," says Becca. This simple yet profound statement encapsulates her human-centered approach to creating spaces that truly work for diverse communities. As an architect who proudly admits she'd be happy never designing another façade, Becca focuses instead on how people use spaces and making them accessible to everyone.The conversation explores the true meaning of placemaking – that sweet spot where considerate urban design meets the authentic needs of citizens. We also delve into Becca's preference for retrofit and renovation over new builds, and her vision for vibrant ground-floor spaces filled with "super risky, weird stuff" instead of corporate chains.Join us for a conversation that will change how you see the buildings and spaces around you.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we're talking once again to Thomas Kolster, founder of Goodvertising and author of "The Hero Trap," who joins us to discuss groundbreaking research conducted with the WARC consultancy.WARC have analysed ten years of data around award-winning ad campaigns and their themes to look at how many of those campaigns were about ethical or progressive issues. The data-crunching shows that between 30-39% of the most effective global advertising campaigns have featured social or environmental messaging throughout the 2014-2024 period. So far from being a passing trend, purpose-driven marketing has demonstrated remarkable staying power and effectiveness, which couldn't come at a more critical moment as brands face pressure to dial back their environmental commitments amid political polarisation.Thomas unpacks why emotions drive effectiveness in this space, highlighting how climate messaging often falls flat by focusing on technical aspects rather than human stories. "Why do we always go down this guilt trip when we talk about climate?" he challenges, pointing to the need for reframing these narratives.If you're navigating purpose in your brand strategy, this episode offers some data-backed reassurance that you're on the right track, AND practical creative guidance for the road ahead.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we're chatting to Danielle and Vicky Heward, the founders of Optimo, a consultancy that's on a mission to help progressive organisations work smarter, not harder.They look holistically at the four pillars of successful operations: people who are engaged and motivated, clear processes everyone understands, technology that supports (not dictates) those processes, and metrics that track progress toward your North Star. This framework helps mission-driven leaders step back from day-to-day firefighting to focus on strategic leadership. We also talk more personally about the risk of burning out when you're driven by a cause, and the delicate balance between passion and wellbeing that all purpose-driven professionals need to navigate. All that, plus practical top tips on how to manage your work and projects to make the world a better place. Listen in! Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we talk to Josh Wheeler, the founder of BeBroadcast and author of a recent report that has tracked an astonishing 45,000 mentions of climate change in the UK broadcast media over six months, uncovering patterns that help explain why public engagement remains challenging despite growing climate impacts.We talk to Josh about climate coverage that employs alarmist language, audience disengagement and tactics to create the sustained attention and action climate issues need. Drawing from his extensive experience in broadcast media, Wheeler proposes solutions that challenge conventional approaches. Rather than simply amplifying alarming messages, he advocates for integrating climate themes into mainstream entertainment and everyday contexts. "We have to make climate part of the story, as opposed to the story," Wheeler suggests.Listen in to hear Wheeler's roadmap for sustainability communicators seeking to move beyond fear-based messaging toward narratives that connect with audiences on personal levels. Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we talk to Allison Kopf from TRACT, a revolutionary platform mapping and tracking global commodity supply chains to create greater transparency across the world's food systems.From her physics studies at Santa Clara University to pioneering indoor farming in North America, to data-led innovation for sustainability, Alison's journey demonstrates how technology entrepreneurship can drive sustainable change when guided by clear environmental values.Our conversation dives deep into EU sustainability regulations that are transforming how companies track deforestation and emissions, creating both challenges and opportunities. It also takes a fascinating turn toward AI applications in agriculture - from automating crop registration to detecting disease and mapping supply chains - revealing how technology can help sustainability teams focus on meaningful impact. And - finally - we close talking about what all of this might mean for the future of value chains and, even capitalism itself, in an AI-led technosphere. Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.