The Eco Enthusiast

In September 2021 Richard Muscat boarded a train to Cambridge to join Carbon13’s second Climate Tech cohort. Carbon13 is a venture builder whose stated mission is to create high-growth startups that each have the potential of reducing carbon emissions by ten million tons annually. He was excited. He was finally ‘officially’ turning his talents towards a meaningful task — fighting climate change. So why did he quit his mission less than a year later? Today we learn about the shipping industry, degrowth, and the idea of embracing our imagination to dream of future beyond capitalism.

Today's episode is a bit different. It's me being interviewed by Shane O'Conner from Charter For Compassion, a non-profit focused on cultivating a more compassionate world. We speak about my children's book THE GIRL WHO BECAME A TREE. A lovely easy-going conversation about reconnection, transformation, and trees. Amazon Spain THE GIRL WHO BECAME A TREE Amazon AUS THE GIRL WHO BECAME A TREE

William Grönlund is the spokesperson for the Swedish climate-focused political party The Climate Alliance. He is also an active member of Fathers Rebellion. William has dedicated his life to ensuring a future for his four children in this defining decade. In today's episode, we discuss his journey to climate action and what might be stopping other fathers, and parents, from stepping up to fight for their kids.

Ellie Jackson is the visionary behind the bestselling children's book series, Wild Tribe Heroes. Through captivating tales of courage and compassion, Ellie's books shine a light on pressing environmental issues such as plastic pollution, climate change, and habitat loss. Meet The Wild Tribe Heroes! Duffy the Sea Turtle, Marli the Puffin, Nelson the Whale, Buddy the Orangutan, Hunter the Polar Bear, Sunny the Koala, and Ziggy the Bee—all beloved characters in Ellie's remarkable series. These endearing creatures embark on journeys of resilience and hope, inspiring young readers to become champions of change. Ellie's books are more than just stories—they're powerful tools for education and empowerment. Each tale gently imparts valuable lessons about environmental stewardship in a positive and inspiring manner, complete with happy endings and practical ideas for a sustainable future. As the bestselling children's book series on plastic pollution, climate change, and habitat loss, Wild Tribe Heroes has captured the hearts of readers around the world. From Duffy's courageous journey to Marli's spirited adventures, Ellie's stories resonate with children and adults alike, sparking conversations and igniting a passion for protecting our planet. Join Ellie and The Wild Tribe Heroes on an extraordinary adventure—one where imagination meets activism, and every page is a testament to the power of storytelling in creating positive change. From her humble beginnings in Cornwall to receiving accolades from environmental icons like Sir David Attenborough and Prince Charles, Ellie's journey is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come. Get ready to be inspired, uplifted, and empowered as Ellie shares her insights, experiences, and hopes for a world where every child becomes a steward of our precious planet. Tune in as we celebrate the power of storytelling to ignite change and join the movement to create a healthier, more vibrant world for all. Don't miss this captivating conversation with Ellie Jackson, where the magic of storytelling meets the urgency of environmental action.

Thea Ormerod is the honorary President of ARRCC, the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. With a background in social work and a heart dedicated to making a difference, Thea has been instrumental in bringing together voices from diverse faith communities to tackle the urgent issue of climate change. Not only is Thea a leading figure in climate activism, but she's also deeply committed to addressing global poverty and inequality. As a grandmother of eleven grandchildren, she carries with her a profound sense of responsibility to leave behind a world that is sustainable and just for future generations. Join us as we delve into Thea's journey, her insights on faith-driven climate action, and how we can all play a part in creating a better world. Stay tuned for an enlightening conversation filled with wisdom, passion, and hope. www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

Dr. Weli achieved global recognition when his innovative interpretation of kangaroo behavior won the prestigious "Dance Your PhD" competition. Picture this: drag queens, twerking, ballerinas, a classical Indian dancer, all woven together in a four-minute masterpiece titled "Kangaroo Time." It's a celebration of diversity and a brilliant translation of complex research into the universal language of dance and music. Dr. Weli took on the challenge of communicating scientific findings through performing arts with gusto, and his victory speaks volumes about the power of creativity in science communication. Join us as we delve into Dr. Weli's journey from studying animal behavior at the Australian National University to becoming a sensation in the scientific and artistic communities. We'll explore his groundbreaking research on kangaroo dynamics and how it reflects our own human experience of diversity and conformity. Beyond his scientific endeavors, Dr. Weli's story is one of courage and self-discovery. A queer immigrant from Brazil, he brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, drawing parallels between his own journey and the behaviors he studies. And there's more to Dr. Weli's story than just science. Since leaving academia, he's embarked on a new path as a singer-songwriter, infusing his music with the same passion and creativity that earned him acclaim in the scientific world. So, tune in as we uncover the magic behind Dr. Weli's "joyful madness" and explore the boundless possibilities when science meets art. This is an episode you won't want to miss. KANGAROO TIME www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

Dan Sherrard-Smith is the founder of MotherTree. MotherTree makes it easy for individuals and value-led organisations to reduce their financial carbon emissions and save money by focusing on pensions, banks, and bills.Before launching MotherTree, Dan was on the founding team of Look After My Bills, which saved the UK public £127m and achieved the best-ever deal on Dragons’ Den.MotherTrees aim is to shift £1bn into the green economy by 2025. They currently represent £290m and have found routes to reduce 26,000t in carbon emissions. www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

EV enthusiast Ben Newman has owned three Telsas and was the NSW rep for the Tesla Owners Club of NSW, Australia. Today's episode debunks a mountain of EV myths that have possibly been slowing down the way forward to a cleaner future. https://www.tesla.com/about https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6T9xIeZTds www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

Zack Theony of ⁠After Always Apparel⁠ is a fashion designer and social media influencer making a difference. Transforming thrifted items into what has been described as high fashion meets loungewear he reminds his followers that there is no away to throw our things and that our clothes can and should always say something about our luminous spirit.

Miriam Wanjiku is a climate mum and fierce protector of nature. After being inspired by her daughter's environmental activism, Miriam has come alive and out of her shell through a deep care for her homeland of Kenya. Miriam and her daughter Ramina are among a growing number of active citizens who refuse to sit by as global north corporations poison one of their continent's greatest lakes. www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

After growing money for massive companies like Loreal and Nestle, former Account Manager ⁠Erin Remblance⁠ is now pushing for a future of DEGROWTH. Erin is a freelance writer for Illuminum and one of the creators of ⁠(Re)Biz⁠. A fascinating story of how a mother's concern for her children's future created a radical redirection in the hope of triggering a social tipping point. (Re)biz https://www.rebiz.io/ www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

Meet Renae McLennan, the driving force behind a family camping trip around Australia, and the twist? Not a single drop of fossil fuels is in sight. This is an electric adventure, where every mile is a step toward a sustainable future Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElecTrekAustralia Website / Blog: https://www.electrekking.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electrekking/ www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

Nicole Rosow is the director of Sustainability at ⁠IE University⁠, Madrid. It has recently become one of the first carbon-neutral universities in Europe. Today we learn about how Nicole achieved this goal and how she and her team are on a mission to reach net zero by 2030 via their ten-year plan. Music: Emma Davis & Aidan Roberts www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

"Never fly again? Go vegan? It was too hard. But I still cut my emissions by 61% and it made life simpler and better" I was intrigued by this Guardian article by Jo Cla, a Greens MP in the ACT Australia, and I knew I had to get her on to share her carbon-cutting wisdom. "I'm a hedonist, so if you're going to get someone to carbon counting, it's me." ---------------------------------------- Jo Clay Instagram Music 'Meetings' By Aidan Roberts and Emma Davis

Two years ago, ⁠Gregory Andrews⁠ was Australia's high commissioner in West Africa, but for the last couple of weeks, he has been on a climate hunger strike out the front of the Australian Parliament House in Canberra. He lasted 16 days without food demanding our leaders take radical climate action. This is his story.

How do we celebrate a magical Christmas and consider sustainability and the deeper meanings of the silly season? Today I chat with two mothers to nut it out, clinical psychologist and founder of ⁠Mothers Rebellion ⁠Sara Nilsson Lööv and parenting coach ⁠Denise Suarez⁠. Music: Emma Davis & Aidan Roberts ⁠THE ECO ENTHUSIAST ⁠ ⁠FUROSHIKI⁠ ⁠30 million trees used for wrapping paper⁠

We are starting with some shorter episodes of The Eco Enthusiast. I will be speaking about my own eco-journey and trending environmental news. This week, I went on my first slow travel adventure and in this episode, I speak about the cost, travel time, stress levels, sense of adventure, and the importance of living in and publicly expressing our values. The ferry company I used for this trip was exceptional. If you are making any trips within Spain I highly recommend Balearia www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com MUSIC: Emma Davis & Aidan Roberts

You may not know the name Tom Brown, but you have most probably seen his meme. A retired engineer, 80 years old, who has single-handedly saved 1200 apple species from going extinct. The meme has been shared far and wide on the interwebs, and he has received countless comments, shares, and likes. He doesn't know how many because he doesn't use social media. He didn't even know his photo had been taken. He just does what he does because it's the right thing to do. I learned a lot from this wonderful Eco Enthusiast. Don't miss this conversation with the determined Tom Brown. www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com Music: Emma Davis & Aidan Roberts

Today I chatted with Thomas Nelson a man who has created a social media account with 1.6 million followers speaking solely about ....nature. GIVE A SHIFT ABOUT NATURE. I love this page and I follow along and enjoy the educational tips and humour. In today's talk, I learned about the importance of DIRT and doing things with LOVE. MUSIC: Emma Davis & AidanRoberts

Rachel Yates is a British clinical psychologist and mother. Just after the birth of her daughter she became aware of our climate emergency and decided to blend her experience and expertise as a psychologist, her climate concern, and her growing interest in parenting to create CLIMATE PARENTING: Cool parenting on a warming planet. This six-week course helps parents connect with their climate emotions and discover their unique role in our climate emergency. I had a wonderful time chatting with Rachel about the mental blocks stopping the everyday parent from engaging in climate action and the great importance of parents stepping up to the huge, but sometimes invigorating and character-solidifying challenge. BIRTH AT THE END OF THE EARTH: My journey from eco-anxiety to eco-action

Today I chatted with Anne Beate Hovind, the woman who commissioned and created FUTURE LIBRARY. In 2014, 1000 spruce saplings were planted in a forest just north of Oslo. Each year until 2114 a writer is asked to submit a piece of writing. The catch? No one can read the piece until 2114 when the spruce trees will be felled and the manuscripts will be printed into books. A stunning piece of conceptual art that plays with time, patience, and nature. Active hope, and a gift to the next generation. MUSIC: Emmis Davis & Aidan Roberts BOOK: Birth At The End Of The Earth www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

Today we chat with comedian Lisa Timmons who is on a mission to destroy celebrity worship culture one lipdup at a time. MUSIC: Aidan Roberts & Emma Davis www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

Sara Nilson Lööv is a clinical psychologist, climate activist, and mother. Last summer, in Sweden, she created ⁠MOTHERS REBELLION⁠. In one year the movement has swept across 25 countries and six continents. Mothers from all over the world, finally embrace and publicly declare their grief as a call to action. MUSIC: Emma Davis & Aiden Roberts PROSE: Maria Backman www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

Amanda Lewis was an overachieving, burned-out book editor most familiar with trees as dead blocks of paper. A dedicated "indoorswoman," she could barely tell a birch from a beech. But that didn't stop her from pledging to visit all of the biggest trees in British Columbia, a Canadian province known for its rugged terrain and gigantic trees. The "Champion" trees on Lewis's ambitious list ranged from mighty Western red cedars to towering arbutus. They lived on remote islands and at the center of dense forests. The only problem? Well, there were many. . .Climate change and a pandemic aside, Lewis's lack of wilderness experience, the upsetting reality of old-growth logging, the ever-changing nature of trees, and the pressures of her one-year timeframe complicated her quest. Burned out again―and realizing that her "checklist" approach to life might be the problem―she reframed her search for trees to something humbler and more meaningful: getting to know forests in an interconnected way. In this episode, we discuss her fantastic book ⁠Tracking Giants: Big Trees, Tiny Triumphs, and Misadventures in the Forest ⁠ Poem: 'The Peace Of Wild Things' https://onbeing.org/poetry/the-peace-of-wild-things/ Music: 'Meetings' by Emma Davis and Aiden Roberts

 Australian Parents for Climate Action is taking Energy Australia to court. If they win...it will be a global game-changer.  An incredible story of community action driven by parents' love for their children. If you would like to sign their open letter please click here. Music: 'Meetings' by Emma Davis and Aidan Roberts. www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

I was led to today's guests in a roundabout way. I came across the captivating story of Gina Chick, a woman who triumphed in the challenging survivalist show Alone Australia. Spending over 60 days alone in the unforgiving Tasmanian wilderness, Gina showcased a unique approach. Instead of battling nature, she seemed to flow with it, connecting and thriving in harmony. That's how she won. Gina's journey and website led me to her women's program, an eight-day rite of passage called Dirt Time that she created with today's guest, Karina Bontes. Dirt Time isn't about survival. It's about reconnection. Gina and Karina, developed Dirt Time as a path that encourages women to know themselves on a deeper level and rediscover their connection with the earth. I had the privilege of sitting down with Karina to explore this transformative experience that she is offering Australian women.

Today I chat with Dr. Jun Yao, a professor at the University of Massachusetts, We discuss his team's incredible accidental scientific discovery. When attempting to create a device to measure the humidity in the air...one of the students forgot to plug it in. The device, which was producing an electrical signal regardless. In May, the team published a paper declaring that they had successfully generated a small but continuous electric current from humidity in the air. MUSIC: 'Meetings' by Aidan Roberts & Emma Davis

Pilots turned climate protestors, George Hibbard and Todd Smith take us on a turbulent journey. Once living their dreams as masters of the skies, these two men made the difficult decision to relinquish their wings, seeking a higher purpose, a purpose that transcends individual achievement, money, and social status. Former Thomas Cook pilot, Todd Smith, is now a member of Extinction Rebellion and former Easy Jet pilot, George Hibberd, now works with Just Stop Oil. In today's episode, I learned how the aviation industry silences and gags its employees, I came to understand just how polluting the airplanes truly are, and most importantly I learned that sacrificing something great for something we know to be right can lead to a profound connection to other human beings and the world around us.

Emily Cunningham is a respected expert at the forefront of driving positive change for our ocean and all of us that depend on it. She has a strong track-record in the development of pioneering projects that engage people with our ocean and its protection; and has secured over £5m in funding for inclusive marine and coastal conservation projects in the UK. Emily is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and previously served as a Trustee of the UK’s leading marine charity, Marine Conservation Society. Emily is a co-founder of the #Motion4theOcean initiative. Alongside fellow ocean experts, Dr Pamela Buchan and Nicola Bridge, Emily co-authored a model “Motion for the Ocean” – an evidence-based blueprint for local ocean action.  14 councils, together serving over 2 million people, have so far made an Ocean Recovery Declaration using the Motion for the Ocean – positive news for ocean health and the coastal communities that depend on it. MUSIC: Aidan Roberts

Behaviour change specialist Anna Hughes has worked in sustainable transport since 2008, at first focussing on bikes with Sustrans, and now on aviation with Flight Free UK. A lifelong environmentalist, she stopped flying more than ten years ago and this was where her adventure truly began. Her favourite flight-free trip was cycling the length of France to swim in the Mediterranean. She is now on a mission to encourage all of us to take the pledge to forgo flying for one year so we too can experience the incredible benefits of slow travel while protesting against the destruction caused by the fossil fuel industry. MUSIC: Emma &Aidan Roberts POETRY: Dr Willo Drummond is a Sydney poet, researcher, sessional lecturer, and supervisor in creative writing who lives and writes on Dharug and Gundungurra land. With interests spanning the ecological and cognitive humanities, she writes about creativity, human and non-human animals, gender, disenfranchised grief, and the fragile landscapes of identity. Willo was shortlisted for the Arts QLD Val Vallis award in 2022 and placed second Tom Collins Poetry Prize in 2021. Her debut collection Moon Wrasse was published by Puncher & Wattmann in March 2023.

Dr Elizabeth Cripps is a writer, philosopher, mother, and activist. She’s a former journalist and currently a senior lecturer in political theory at the University of Edinburgh. As well as publishing extensively on climate justice and parenting ethics for an academic audience, she is the author of two ‘popular philosophy’ books: What Climate Justice Means and Why We Should Care (Bloomsbury, 2022) and Parenting on Earth: A Philosopher’s Guide to Doing Right by Your Kids – and Everyone Else (MIT Press, 2023). Elizabeth has written opinion pieces for the Guardian and the Big Issue and done various radio and podcast interviews, including for the BBC. Today we discuss what it means to be a "good" responsible parent during an ecological emergency. I hope you enjoy this episode with Dr Elizabeth Cripps. MUSIC: Emma Davis & Aidan Roberts PROSE: Jill Brown www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

Have you ever visited Bali, enjoyed the gorgeous landscape and the energy of the beautiful people, and thought...I'll just pretend not to see the huge plastic waste problem? I'll just crop this section out of my Instagram photos. Happy days! Many people travel to countries like Indonesia and ignore and/or contribute to this epic issue. That's what makes today's guest so exceptional... Kelly Bencheghib, co-founder of Sungai Watch has dedicated the last 14 years of her life to solving this overwhelming problem. With her two brothers, these French-born siblings have organized over 550 community cleans ups and have installed 180 river barriers collecting over 1000 tons of plastic from Balinese rivers and are now turning that plastic into furniture. They have cleaned up mangroves, are seeing animals now coming back to their native habitats, and recently transformed an illegal dumping ground into a bed of 1600 toxin-sucking sunflowers that will clean up the soil.  In 2021 Kelly was selected as one of Grazia magazine's most influential women in the category of HOPE and her tranquil energy and persistence shine through this conversation. Sungai Watch's work is a testament to the power of running with her young idealistic visions and energy. It shows what can happen when you let your adult self take your idealism seriously.   MUSIC: Emma Davis & Aidan Roberts

Joining us today is regenerative farmer Amy O'Brien. Amy's journey began in November 2019 when her family’s conventional farm was ravaged by the Black Summer Fires. Rather than being defeated by this tragedy, Amy and her partner embarked on an inspiring quest for change. Going against the advice of conventional farmers, they have embraced regenerative practices to bring this farm back to life in the short space of a few years.  Amy's story is a testament to resilience and innovation. Recognizing the challenges brought on by climate change, her dream is for the farmland to be altered from a monoculture of beef cattle to an abundant ecosystem that will sustain their family and the community. What sets Amy apart from other regenerative farmers is her passion and expertise in the area of food science. It was wonderful to get her insights on why regenerative agriculture is important to creating a thriving and vibrant world. You can find more information about Amy's farm here. Poetry: Beth Spencer 'The Angel of the Forest Has a Migraine' from The Age of Fibs. Forest Angel: Allana Beltran http://www.allanabeltran.com/weld-angel.html Music: Emma Davis & Aidan Roberts 'Meetings'.

Today we are speaking with a mother and women's health specialist Giselle Rouvier. Giselle specializes in fertility, prenatal, postnatal, and menopause coaching. Giselle's personal experience with getting pregnant naturally at the age of 37 led her to discover the importance of feeling connected to your body during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum phase. She now has a deep interest and enthusiasm for everything related to the magic and mystery of the female body. She believes it's never too late to find this work and that both men and women getting in tune with their natural cycles and energy flow can bring a profound shift to the world's current unbalanced state. Today's conversation, I believe, touches on the root of our ecological crisis...how we think about ourselves, each other, women, and women's bodies.Could a more compassionate and sustainable treatment of our own energy cycle lead to better treatment of Mother Earth and its citizens? BOOK: Wild Power by Alexandra Pope, Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer POETRY: Magdalena Ball: ‘Blue Gum’ -  http://www.magdalenaball.com MUSIC: Aidan Roberts & Emma Davis www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com Join our Facebook group here

Karen Mustin is a conservation scientist and mother. Karen's career in conservation has taken her to various parts of the world, each providing unique experiences and insights. She started her journey by studying the impacts of climate change on bird populations using theoretical models and empirical studies of birds at the University of Aberdeen. She then worked at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland, researching the economic and biodiversity impacts of hunting in the Scottish Highlands. In January 2011, Karen moved to Brisbane, Australia, just four days after catastrophic flooding hit the area, to take up a post-doc at the University of Queensland. While in Australia, she worked on various conservation projects such as connectivity restoration in fragmented habitats, monitoring of birds, climate change, and conservation of migratory shorebirds. She was then lucky enough to get a post-doc position in the state of Amapá, in the far north of Brazil, where she spent two years working on varied projects, often relating to the sustainable use of non-timber forest products. While there she fell head over heels in love with the region, Brazil, Brazilians (one in particular!), and Latin America in general." More recently, between January 2017 and January 2018, Karen was a Marie Curie Research Fellow in the Conservation Conflicts Research Group. She studied the links between governance, equity, and biodiversity outcomes in protected areas, and she continues to maintain strong links with the group while working on her projects in collaboration with other team members. Karen is currently a Visiting Lecturer in the Post-Graduate Program in Animal Biology at the Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil. Her extensive experience and expertise in conservation science have made a significant impact in the field, and her work continues to inspire others to protect the natural world. We chatted to Karen about her journey to becoming a conservation scientist, how it feels to be a scientist and a mother during ecological collapse, and what all of us can do to help protect the lungs of our home. MUSIC: Aidan Roberts & Emma Davis ⁠www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com ⁠ Join our Facebook group ⁠here⁠

Tony Rinaudo is a world-renowned expert on sustainable land management and restoration, and his innovative work, patience, and passion, have led to the restoration of over 6 million hectares of degraded land in Niger alone without planting a single tree. To put that in perspective ….6 million hectares is about the size of Ireland.  His pioneering work on developing the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) technique has transformed the lives of millions of farmers across Africa, Asia, and Australia. Tony’s incredible work has seen him nominated for the Right Livelihood Award, also known as the "Alternative Nobel Prize,". Tony now serves as the climate advisor for World Vision where he helps develop strategies for addressing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities around the world. I first learned about Tony through his incredible book "The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis," which chronicles his journey in Africa where after years of trying and failing to plant trees…he stumbled upon The Forest Underground, tree stumps with strong roots that if encouraged and allowed to grow instead of being burnt and slashed in traditional farming practices, could flourish in harsh climates and create healthy soil on croplands.  He and his wife Liz dedicated 20 years of their lives to this service in Africa, living through and supporting citizens through the devastating 1984 famine. The dedication faith, perseverance, and empathy of these two humans over this time were what led to this worldwide farming revolution.    In today's episode, I learned how Tony persevered through the harshest of conditions, desperate to change the mindset of the local farmers who weren’t interested in his “crazy white farmer” technique of strengthening crops - trees! I also learned how his faith helped strengthen his resolve, and we delved into Christian scriptures that highlight the request for Christian followers to care for earth.  So sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired by Tony Rinaudo on The Eco Enthusiast. Music by Aidan Roberts & Emma Davis www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com THE ECO ENTHUSIAST FACEBOOK GROUP

Dr Gretchen Miller is an internationally recognised media professional with over 20+ years of experience as a presenter, interviewer, and documentary producer on Australia's 'ideas' network ABC RN. Gretchen chooses to focus her work towards the public good: climate, environment, science, and social justice storytelling, and has recently completed a PhD in this arena. In this chat with Gretchen, we learn about her accidental career as an environmental journalist, her major work Homeland, what drove her to document the everyday women who changed the face of Australian politics, and why she believes embracing the art of listening could save the world. MUSIC: Aidan Roberts & Emma Davis ⁠www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com ⁠ Join our Facebook group ⁠here⁠

Rebecca Wynn is a mother and climate activist who is making waves in the UK with her work in two incredible organizations: Mother's Rise Up and Our Kids' Climate. Through their work, Mother's Rise Up has been targeting Lloyds of London Insurance with a unique and powerful tactic: Love. In 2022, they created a joyful Mary Poppins flash mob spectacle out the front of Lloyd's of London complete with stunning costumes and professional dancers, encouraging fossil fuel enablers to stop and think about what they're doing to their children's future, and maybe even go fly a kite. Check out this fantastic eco-action here We had the opportunity to chat with this mother about her journey to becoming a climate activist, her work with these organizations, and the importance of using creative and unexpected tactics in the fight against climate change. During our conversation, we delved into the urgency of ending fossil fuel use not just to address the pressing issue of climate change, but also to reduce the deadly air pollution levels in our cities. The work of organizations like Mother's Rise Up and Our Kids' Climate is vital in driving awareness and action on these critical issues, and we hope that our conversation will inspire listeners to join the fight for a better, more sustainable future for all. www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com Music by Emma Davis & Aidan Roberts

Author, nature lover, mother, and businesswoman Sarah Spencer turned her passion for regenerative design into a mission to help people design their lives and businesses sustainably. Sarah's journey began when she discovered permaculture and transformed her smallholding into a thriving food forest using patterns and principles from nature. In 2015 a severe illness forced her to re-evaluate her life, and she used her expertise to design her way back to health. Now, Sarah has created THINK LIKE A TREE, a course and book that shares nature-inspired solutions. Sarah shares her inspiring story and the wisdom she's gained on how to use nature-inspired design to create a healthy, resilient life and a better world. Music: Emma Davis & Aidan Roberts  www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

James Forbes is the CEO of the Jane Goodall Institute Australia. With over twenty years of experience in the charity sector, James has dedicated his career to promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development. After spending years in the corporate world, he made the courageous decision to follow his passion and align his career with his values. James took a significant pay cut to join the non-profit sector, but his decision led to a fulfilling and impactful career. He was shortlisted as not-for-profit executive of the year in 2022. Through his leadership, the Jane Goodall Institute has been at the forefront of innovative and impactful initiatives to protect endangered species, empower local communities, and inspire the next generation of conservationists. Music: Emma Davis & Aidan Roberts www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com

Mariana Gramunt is a passionate advocate for sustainability and the co-founder of T-Neutral, an organization dedicated to reducing textile waste and creating a circle of co-responsibility between producers, waste reduction projects, and consumers. Together with her sister, Mariana has developed a groundbreaking methodology that has gained global recognition, including an appearance at the World Economic Forum. Mariana's dedication to sustainability is not limited to her work with T-Neutral. As a mother, she is also committed to teaching her children about the concept of "enough." Through her example and teachings, Mariana is inspiring a new generation of environmentally conscious individuals who will play a vital role in creating a more sustainable future for all. Music: Emma Davis & Aidan Roberts  www.theecoenthusiastpodcast.com