In this episode, I meet with Vicky Murray, a freelance sustainability advisor passionate about empowering individuals and organisations to turn their sustainability visions into reality. Through her expertise in facilitation and vision-building, Vicky has helped many navigate this dynamic and vital field.
Vicky reflects on her sustainability journey, beginning with the inspiration of her mother’s activism and leading to a pivotal moment during her university years at Cardiff, where she discovered her passion for building a career in sustainability. Vicky forged her own path into the field, funding international volunteering through a corporate day job and eventually progressing to roles as a corporate sustainability manager, in-house consultant, and now, a thriving freelancer. In this conversation, Vicky candidly discusses managing the emotional challenges of working in sustainability. She highlights the importance of peer support, community, and rest in navigating the demands of this field. Vicky also offers insights into her leadership approach, emphasising the value of futures thinking and the importance she places on intuition.
Finally, she opens up about the delicate balance of managing her career, personal life, and the importance of stepping back, not away, to recharge when needed. This episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and a heartfelt exploration of what it takes to thrive in sustainability.
Vicky made reference to the following resources in the conversation:
· The Uncomfortable Conversations Peer Learning Journey: you can join the waitlist for the next cohort here: https://forms.gle/CRNjUYZjF5DGVQka8
· Sustainability as the World Needs Training from ArkH3: https://www.arkh3.com/blog/tag/sustainability-as-the-world-needs
· Tricia Hersey’s Nap Ministry: https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/
· Mac Macartney’s The Children’s Fire: https://macmacartney.com/writer
· Amisha Tala Oak’s book on Intuition: https://amisha.co.uk/intuition/
· Lisa Bogle’s Shandara Energy Weaving: https://www.shandara.com.au/
Vicky can be reached at vicky@vickymurray.earth or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/murrayvicky/
If the themes in this discussion resonated with you and you’d like some help to make some changes, book some time in my diary here to discuss.
In this inspiring episode, Elspeth Jones, founder of Wild Counsel, shares her transformational journey—from a successful career as a commercial barrister to becoming an environmental lawyer—culminating in the creation of Wild Counsel.
Elspeth talks candidly about the emotional challenges and pressures of working on the climate and nature crisis, offering thoughtful insights into self-care and the pivotal role leaders play in cultivating a supportive and empowering environment for those around them.
The conversation also explores Elspeth’s personal growth as a leader, navigating self-doubt, and embracing the idea that leadership does not require perfection. She reflects on the value of authenticity, building trust, and fostering genuine connections as the foundation for effective and impactful leadership.
Finally, Elspeth offers a fresh perspective on managing energy—not just time—when balancing work, family, and hobbies, to create a more fulfilling life.
Elspeth can be reached at wildcounsel@gmail.com
If the themes in this discussion resonated with you and you’d like some help to make some changes, book some time in my diary here to discuss.
Sam Ridsdale, Head of Account Operations at Hitachi Energy, joins me for the first episode of 2025. In this conversation, Sam explains how she accidentally came to work in the energy sector and what drives her to do the work she does.
Sam and I explore how we have an ability to make a difference and a responsibility to do so, how what we tell ourselves can limit us if we let it, as well as uncover the strategies Sam uses to stay sane.
Sam talks openly about the challenges she faces in trying to ensure she doesn't work too much, which, she explains, is tricky because she enjoys what she does so much. However, she recognises that the need to recharge her batteries doing other activities is also important.
It's an in-depth discussion which I have no doubt will strike a chord with you on several levels and is well worth a listen.
Sam can be reached at linkedin.com/in/sam-ridsdale
If the themes in this discussion resonated with you and you’d like some help to make some changes, book some time in my diary here to discuss.
Join Hayley and I in exploring her journey from a career in Fintech to purposeful climate work as Co-Founder @ openstead. We dive into how she navigates the emotional landscape of working in sustainability including how she believes embracing hope while acknowledging the overwhelming reality of the climate crisis is key.
Hayley shares powerful insights on building resilience, finding community, and redefining your personal impact beyond traditionally what ‘success’ means in the world. She offers advice worth reflecting on. I hope you enjoy the episode!
The podcast references two further resources which are detailed below:
Climate Connection Terra.do: Climate Education, Green Skills, and Climate Careers
Hayley can be reached at lhy.hayleyl@gmail.com
If you’re feeling stuck and have lost the energy and passion that you used to have in bucket loads, why not start my assessing the foundations in my quiz? It’ll help you see where you are off track so you can take immediate action to start to work towards becoming, confident, purposeful and proud once again. Follow this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
In this episode of The Butterfly Effect, I talk to Emma Burlow, about her 30 years in Sustainability. As the Founder of Lighthouse Sustainability, Director of Revolution ZERO and go to person for Sustainability in Business, Emma talks openly about the challenges she has experienced working in this sector.
It's a great conversation in which we talk about the work she focuses on now but also how she made her way to where she is. Emma shares some great tips on how she keeps herself sane and is able to navigate the emotions of working in this space. She also offers a practical solution to feeling like you are banging your head against a brick wall, something I know you'll resonate with.
It's one full of interesting views and ideas you can experiment with and consider in your work and life. I hope you enjoy it!
You can reach Emma at emma@lighthouse-sustainability.co.uk or
her website: lighthouse-sustainability.co.uk
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Are you feeling unsure of your impact?
Not sure if you're on track to reaching your potential so you can make that difference at a time where the world needs us all to stand up and be counted?
Then why not take my quiz? It'll give you a report specific to you that can help you identify what you can do right away. Follow this link https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Join Sarah Daly and I as we discuss the world of Sustainability Leadership. We learn from Sarah her strategies for switching off after a day of working in this space and what she sees as some of the leadership challenges we face as a global society. Sarah shares how, as a Top 35 LinkedIn Sustainability Influencer, she is not afraid to share views that get people to stop and think and what drives this approach. This episode really does pack a punch, offering some great opportunities for reflection and growth. I hope you enjoy it!
Sarah can be reached at linkedin.com/in/sarahdalysustainability
Ever thought about assessing your impact in this Defining Decade? Not sure where to start? Well let me suggest you take a look at my quiz. It’ll give you feedback on whether you are on track to make the impact you know you are capable of; one you can be proud of.
It only takes a few minutes, and you get customisable feedback. Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Anna Bright, Chief Executive at Sustainability West Midlands, and I talk about what mechanisms she uses to manage the emotions of working in this space, at this time in history.
Discover Anna's inspiring journey from working in sustainability in the water industry to becoming the Chief Executive of a successful not for profit. We dive into how her childhood shaped her habits in sustainable living and Anna shares what she does to unwind from a work day whilst, at the same time, commuting to and from work!
This chat is loaded with insights on sustainability actions and making a difference. Don't miss out—watch now and share with friends!
Anna can be reached at enquiries@swm.org.uk
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Ever thought about assessing your impact in this Defining Decade?
Not sure where to start? Why not take a look at my quiz?It’ll give you feedback on whether you are on track to make the impact you know you are capable of; one you can be proud of.
It only takes a few minutes, and you get customisable feedback. Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
In this episode, we delve into the inspiring stories and impactful work of two phenomenal women, Mamta Borgoyary, Executive Director at She Changes Climate and Bianca Pitt, co-founder of She Changes Climate.
Join us as we explore their journeys, delve into their motivations, and navigate the complex emotions tied to the climate crisis. We'll also examine the role of nature, self-care, and community in combating overwhelm and maximizing our impact. This conversation offers invaluable insights and will leave you feeling optimistic, inspired and calm. This is a special extended episode celebrates New York Climate Week! Enjoy!
Mamta can be reached at mamta@shechangesclimate.org
Bianca can be reached at beate@worksmithhr.com
Not sure where to start to know what to do to maximise your impact? Well let me suggest you take a look at my quiz. It’ll give you feedback on whether you are on track to make the impact you know you are capable of; one you can be proud of.
It only takes a few minutes, and you get customisable feedback. Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Michaela, Head of ESG at Severfield a steel fabricator in the north of England, talks about her journey working in construction, and now in the steel as an expat and the challenges she faced. We talk about imposter syndrome, being a women in a male dominated industry as well as growing her inner self confidence.
Micheala shares some great tips for meeting the business where that are at when implementing sustainability strategies, along with sharing her unique leadership style which she implements simply to lead healthy, productive teams. Micheala talks from the heart about supporting and mentoring other more junior women, this episode has a real practical application of embedding sustainability, you won’t want to miss out on.
An inspiring and thought-provoking view of hope, optimism and practical actions for wellbeing. I invite you to join us for this 30-minute conversation.
Micheala can be reached at mskodova@yahoo.com
Ever thought about assessing your impact in this Defining Decade? Not sure where to start? Well let me suggest you take a look at my quiz. It’ll give you feedback on whether you are on track to make the impact you know you are capable of; one you can be proud of. It only takes a few minutes, and you get customisable feedback.
Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Hannah Temple, Founder at TealCo joined me on The Butterfly Effect recently and quite frankly shifted my thinking during the conversation!
As a Regenerative Organisation Specialist Hannah shares her views and her work helping organisations to use nature as a guide and support the people within those organisations find their way back to the way we, as humans, want to be in the world. Hannah shares her journey to where she is how and gives practical advice on how you can use nature as a guide to help restore, replenish and think about your work differently.
To listen to Hannah’s Podcast ‘A Thriving Future’: https://www.tealco.org/podcast
Hannah can be reached at https://www.tealco.org/
Ever thought about assessing your personal impact in this Defining Decade? Not sure where to start? Try my quiz. It’ll give you feedback on whether you are on track to make the impact you know you are capable of; one you can be proud of.
It only takes 4 minutes, and you get customisable feedback: Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Samantha, Founder of The Good Factory and I talk about how an accident she had sparked her interest in Sustainability in the Fashion sector and some of the challenges she has faced supporting the transition of fashion supply chains to become more sustainable. Samantha talks frankly about her take on where the industry is and how collective human behaviour can give us hope for the future, amongst a fear inducing reality we all find ourselves in during this defining decade. Not only that, but Samantha also touches on some of the common barriers women in this space can find themselves in working in a male dominated world.
Samantha can be reached at sam@thegoodfactory.co.uk; thegoodfactory.co.uk .
Ever thought about assessing your personal impact in this Defining Decade? Not sure where to start? Well let me suggest you take a look at my quiz. It’ll give you feedback on whether you are on track to make the impact you know you are capable of; one you can be proud of.
It only takes 4 minutes, and you get customisable feedback: Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Join me as I talk to Claire Thew and Clare Blunt from Venture Zero about the work that they do to inspire people to contribute to a healthier and more sustainable world. They explain their journey to setting up their business and how the values of the business reflect what they deem to always have been important to them. Packed full of things to try like a Ta Da List, they both share how motherhood has shaped the passion they have for their work. I’m sure you’ll be eager to find out more about the Ta Da List amongst many other thoughts and ideas about how they manage the emotions of working in this space. Grab the dog and set out on a walk whilst immersing yourself in this conversation – it’s a cracker!
Claire Thew can be reached via clairethew78@gmail.com. Clare Blunt via clare.blunt@venturezero.co.uk.
Ever thought about assessing your personal impact in this Defining Decade? Not sure where to start? Well let me suggest you take a look at my quiz. It’ll give you feedback on whether you are on track to make the impact you know you are capable of; one you can be proud of.
It only takes 4 minutes, and you get customisable feedback: Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Join Abby Chicken and I in the latest podcast where we talk about how Abby acknowledges the challenges of working in the sustainability field and being a mother who is passionate about making a difference as she puts it ‘because it matters’ and because she had the privilege to find her way into this sector mid-career. Abby shares her go to strategies for looking after herself and managing the emotions of working in this space. This episode is jam-packed full of honest and passionate stories, highlighting how sustainability is everyone’s business not just the sustainability department!
Pop those earphones in and take that walk you’ve been promising yourself whilst letting this conversation sink in! Abby can be reached at Abby.chicken@openreach.co.uk
Enjoy!
Are you going all out to have an impact but quite frankly feeling like you're on the road to burnout?
Take this Defining Decade Quiz and get tips on how you can steer yourself away from these risks and build yourself back stronger. It will take you less than 4 minutes to complete.
Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Discover how Tessa Clarke, Co-founder & CEO of OLIO, balances staying sane and success in this episode of The Butterfly Effect. Tessa shares practical steps she takes to maintain her well-being while offering an easy accessable solution to reduce food waste, through the OLIO app. Learn how this innovative leader manages stress and stays focused on her mission to reduce food waste whilst being a mother, a wife and a human.
This episode offers valuable insights into staying grounded while pursuing ambitious goals. Tune in to hear Tessa's inspiring journey and actionable advice for making a difference without burning out.
If you haven’t already, please download the Olio App and start starting food you are going to throw away - https://olioapp.com/en/download-olio/
Tessa can be reached at tessa_cook@hotmail.com; olioex.com . I hope you enjoy the episode!
Are you going all out to have an impact but struggling to manage the emotions of working in this space in this defining decade?
Take this Defining Decade Quiz and get tips on how you can improve this in 2024. It will take you less than 3 minutes to complete!
Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
I am thrilled to be able to share a conversation I had with Elena Domms, CEO of Earth Plus on her journey from being born and raise in the artic, working at Mastercard for 11 years and having 2 kids, before taking the step into her impactful and purposeful role at Earth Plus. Elena is the CEO and is leading a bold mission to help companies remove carbon and clean soils with the power of nature. Elena shares what she is working on to develop herself as well as the strategies she has found that helps her manage the emotions of working in this space. In this open and honest discussion you’ll hear Elena be very candid about her mental health and the challenges she faces by doing this work. Her advice to find what works for you, which is key to us all having impactful careers in Sustainability. Elena makes reference to 2 keynotes which you can find here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc41lZMK6rI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoSyjnCMZPk&t=143s
You can reach Elena directly at www.elenadoms.com
Find out if you are on track to achieve the impact you want to by taking the Defining Decade Quiz. Uncover the key actions you need to take to achieve the impact you'll be proud of in this defining decade, one your kids will also be proud of. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete!
Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Join us on "The Butterfly Effect," where I explore the transformative journeys of women leading the charge in sustainability. In this episode, we meet Jess Wilkes-Ball, Senior Sustainability Manager at Mills & Reeve, who shares her personal journey from her early days inspired by the natural world to her current role driving ambitious emissions reductions initiatives. Jess's story is one of resilience, finding peace in nature, and her shift towards a career that integrates her passion for the environment with her professional life. Listen as Jess discusses the impact of forest bathing, the challenges of balancing life as a working mother, and how she navigates the complexities of sustainability in today's fast-paced world.
Are you going all out to have an impact but struggling to manage the emotions of working in this space in this defining decade? Take this Defining Decade Quiz and get tips on how you can improve this in 2024. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete!
Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Welcome to "The Butterfly Effect," hosted by Frances Lee-Rogers.
In this episode, we are joined by Hannah Keartland, a freelance Impact Officer experienced in guiding business leaders through the sustainability transition. With a background as an accountant and extensive experience in project management and innovation within charitable sectors, Hannah has dedicated her career to creating impactful change. This conversation dives deep into the strategies that integrate sustainability into core business operations and explores how Hannah navigates the challenging emotional pressures of making a global impact. Tune in as Hannah shares her journey from finance to becoming a dedicated Impact Leader in this space.
Are you on track to create the impact you want to and make your children proud?
Find out if you are on track to achieve the impact you want to by taking the Defining Decade Quiz. Uncover the key actions you need to take to achieve the impact you'll be proud of in this defining decade, one your kids will also be proud of. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete!
Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Welcome to "The Butterfly Effect," hosted by Frances Lee-Rogers. In this insightful episode, we explore the influence of female leadership in sustainability with Dr. Erin Gill, Global Marketing Director at Arup. Erin shares her journey from being a journalist focused on energy and climate issues to a leader shaping global sustainability strategies. This episode delves into the emotional resilience required of us at this time in history and offers Erin’s view into how her personal experiences and historical events can shape our responses to global challenges we face. Join us as Erin discusses the pivotal moments in her career, the ongoing challenges of climate change, and how to maintain hope and effectiveness in the face of global ecological challenges.
Find out if you are on track to achieve the impact you want to by taking the Defining Decade Quiz. Uncover the key actions you need to take to achieve the impact you'll be proud of in this defining decade, one your kids will also be proud of. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete!
Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
In this episode of The Butterfly Effect, I am joined by Amber Nuttall, the founder and lead creative of the Extreme Hangout, a climate action events platform with a vision to give young changemakers a voice, popularise the climate movement and inspire environmental action. We talk about how she creates space for engagement and community to develop to create better conversations alongside COP summits. Amber’s passion for our planet began in childhood and she shares her experience of seeing change in the environment in her own lifetime, she discusses her decision to stand up and be counted in the conversation around the environment, and to encourage different voices to speak up.
危機 The Chinese word for ‘crisis’ (wēijī) is written with two characters that individually translate to ‘danger’ and ‘opportunity’, when placed together to form the word wēijī indicates a perilous situation when one should be especially wary.
Want to know more about Amber and Extreme Hangout go to https://www.extremehangout.org/
Are you going all out to have an impact but struggling to manage the emotions of working in this space in this defining decade? Take this Defining Decade Quiz and get tips on how you can improve this in 2024. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete!
Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com
Dr Maria Caserio and I talk about all things sustainability in design and green infrastructure, reflecting on her experience of international projects over the last 20 years. We touch on the idea we all have as humans that when we get to a certain goal or destination, we think we’ll be happy and that this can cause use to not appreciate the beauty that is around us, everyday.
Maria shares how she tries to represent communities in her design as well as sharing that you have to trust in yourself and the decisions you make working in this space. Don’t miss out on hearing Maria’s perspectives and her wealth of knowledge in this episode. Maria can be reached mcaserio.sites@gmail.com. Are you on track to create the impact you want to and make your children proud?
Find out if you are on track to achieve the impact you want to by taking the Defining Decade Quiz. Uncover the key actions you need to take to achieve the impact you'll be proud of in this defining decade, one your kids will also be proud of. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete!
Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com