This week we’re joined by Joel Makower, one of the original architects of sustainable business. As co-founder of the Trellis Group, Joel has built the world’s go-to platform for people making capitalism work for people and planet. He’s advised Fortune 500s, authored more than a dozen books, and helped shape the global conversation on sustainability. He is equal parts journalist, strategist, and movement builder. Listen in to the conversation to hear his reflections and lessons over the past 40 years.

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In this episode, we’re joined by one of the most influential voices in sustainable finance: Catherine Howarth, Chief Executive of ShareAction.

For nearly 20 years, Catherine has been reshaping how pensions and investments serve people and planet - not just profit. Under her leadership, ShareAction has turned quiet shareholder voices into powerful agents for climate action, social justice, and accountability. Before ShareAction, Catherine founded West London Citizens, building power through community organising. Since then, she’s been named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, served on the board of the Scott Trust (owner of The Guardian), and advised the UK government on green finance. She’s been recognised by Yale, the BBC, and was awarded an OBE by King Charles III. In this episode, we unpack: How to challenge financial systems from the inside, what it takes to turn investors into activists, and why finance might be the most underused lever for building a fairer, greener world. #ImpactEquation #SustainableFinance #Leadership #ClimateAction #SocialImpact #ESG #Podcast

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In recent episodes, we’ve explored the power and potential of youth. Few embody that spirit more than this week’s guest, Clover Hogan. At 11, she launched into climate activism. At 16, she witnessed the Paris Agreement being signed. At 19, she founded Force of Nature to help young people turn climate anxiety into action. By 21, she’d delivered a TED Talk seen by millions. Now, still in her early 20s, Clover is a globally respected voice for her generation, equal parts bold, wise, and unafraid. In this episode, we talk about growing up in the climate movement and what it’s like to speak truth to power before you’re old enough to vote.

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Dr Gail Bradbrook is co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, a global movement that helped force the climate emergency onto the world’s front pages through nonviolent civil disobedience. Her journey starts in a West Yorkshire mining town. She went on to earn a PhD in molecular biophysics, led national work on digital inclusion, and then founded XR. She’s blocked roads, been arrested, raised two kids, and never stopped fighting for a better future. In this episode, we explore how science and activism collide, what it takes to mobilise a social movement and why we need a shift in consciousness to tackle the challenges of our times.

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What if financial barriers in underserved markets didn’t stand in the way of higher education. That’s the bold idea Batya Blankers and her team a Chancen International are scaling across Africa. From Cape Town to Kigali, they’re rewriting the rules of education finance; giving underserved young people the chance to study now and succeed later, with repayments linked to a fair share of future income. Batya’s journey is extraordinary. An MBA grad from the African Leadership University, with roots in tech and nonprofit leadership in South Africa and Germany. She’s building not just a financing model, but a movement for dignity, and economic growth. This conversation stayed with us because it’s not just about money. It’s about opportunity, ownership, and unlocking Africa’s potential.

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Our guest is Haroon Yasin. By 18, Haroon was already running schools in Islamabad’s slums. What began as a one-room refuge for street children has grown into Taleemabad; a groundbreaking ed-tech company reaching over 10 million children across Pakistan. Taleemabad has digitised and localised the national curriculum, turning it into engaging lessons on TV, tablets, and mobile apps, even designing entire days around how kids really learn. Recognised by Malala Yousafzai and even the late Queen Elizabeth, he’s now scaling systems, not just solutions. This one’s about purpose, scale, and redefining what education can be, especially in the age of AI.

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This episode we're joined by Christopher Hook, Global Head of Sustainability Strategy at Uber. Chris joined Uber in 2019 to launch its first ever sustainability initiative, the London Clean Air Plan, and now leads sustainability across 70 countries, pushing for nothing less than fully sustainable car journeys and restaurant orders. From building impactful partnerships to helping drivers and restaurants lower their carbon footprint, Chris has become a driving force (literally) behind Uber’s sustainability shift. In this episode we explore; what it means to lead sustainability at global scale, the bold bets Uber is making for the future, how corporate sustainability can go beyond targets to deliver real impact.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.