Straight Talking Sustainability
Episodes
know when to hold 'em
05 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to this week's episode of Straight Talking Sustainability! Host Emma Burlow takes inspiration from "The Gambler" song to explore when to push,...
Why Poor Design Still Blocks Progress with Dr Vicky Lofthouse
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this practical product design episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Bur...
Why Sustainability Fails Despite People Caring: Remove Friction With Defaults Not More Awareness
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this grounding and practical solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow tackles the frustrating value-action gap (why 80% of...
Why Being Called Inspiring Is Not A Compliment with Joanna Yarrow - Speak Up Woman Series
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this revealing Speak Up Woman episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Joanna Yarrow, former IKEA sustainability...
Why Do Some Sustainability Ideas Thrive Whilst Others Flop? Lessons From Evolutionary Biology and Memes
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this intellectually stimulating solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow draws unexpected connections between Richard Dawk...
How To Reuse Corporate Surplus: Connecting Business Waste With Charities That Need It
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this practical and inspiring episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Cathy Benwell, co-founder of A Good Thing,...
Why Won't It Stop Raining? The Case for Global Wetting AND Global Warming
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this timely and practical solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow challenges decades of climate communication focused on ...
How To Navigate Your Sustainability Career When Something Needs To Change
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this deeply practical and liberating episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Claire Osborne, accredited climate...
What Are The 5 Pillars of Net Zero? A Simple Maturity Framework To Show Where You Are and What Comes Next
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this practical and clarifying solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow cuts through net zero jargon by introducing the Fiv...
Is Climate Anxiety Actually Healthy? Understanding Climate Psychology and Workplace Splitting with Steffi Bednarek
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this profound and paradigm-shifting episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Steffi Bednarek, Director of the Ce...
How Does System Change Actually Work? The 3 Rules That Accelerate Net Zero Without Going Solo
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this essential and clarifying solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow demystifies one of sustainability's most intimidati...
How To Reach Thousands Of Businesses Through Authentic Sustainability Marketing
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this insightful and energising episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Crista Buznea, Head of Sustainability Ma...
The Science of Friction-Free Sustainability Wins
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this practical and uplifting solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow kicks off 2026 with a powerful reframe for sustainab...
Don't Waste Good Food: Fighting Food Insecurity and Climate Crisis in the Caribbean with Sian Cuffey-Young
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Sian Cuffey-Young, founder of SAEL Enviro...
From Drained to Driven: A Year‑End Straight Talking Reset
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful year-end compilation episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow revisits the three solo episodes that resonated mos...
Inside B&Q's Net Zero Transformation: From Plant Pots to Supplier Collaboration, How to Make Sustainability Stick
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this practical and inspiring episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Sanita Garley, Net Zero Transition Plan Le...
Top 5 Carbon-Cutting Switches: Simple Actions That Slash Your Carbon Footprint (Plus £275 in Savings and Bonuses)
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this action-packed solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow delivers exactly what sustainability-conscious listeners have ...
Building a Career in Sustainability: Why Mastery Beats Passion and How to Navigate the Skills Gap with Nick Valenzia
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this career-focused episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Nick Valenzia, co-founder of Leafr (the world's lar...
The 80-25 Rule: Why You Only Need to Activate 25% of Your Workforce to Transform Sustainability Culture
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this game-changing solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow reveals the counterintuitive strategy that's transforming how ...
The Untapped Power of Volunteering: How Community Action Transforms Climate Anxiety into Local Impact with Ben Luger
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspiring and deeply personal episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Ben Luger, Marketing Project Special...
One Year of Straight Talking Sustainability: Anniversary Special Featuring the Most Powerful Insights from Nicola Jones, Briony Pete, Andy Middleton, Jen Gale, and Phil Korbel
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this landmark anniversary episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow celebrates one year of the podcast by revisiting the most im...
Carbon Reporting for the Missing Middle: How Medium-Sized Companies Can Navigate Supply Chain Pressure Without Breaking the Bank
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this practical and reassuring episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow reconnects with long-time colleague Kirsteen Harrison fr...
Mind the Gap: How to Close the Target Action Gap and Turn Your Workforce Into Net Zero Champions
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful and practical solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow tackles the most frustrating challenge facing corpora...
How Corporate Sustainability Leaders Can Stop Spinning Their Wheels and Drive Real Change with Julia Vol
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this insightful and practical episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Julia Vol, an independent sustainability ...
Dismantling the China Excuse: Eight Powerful Responses to "But What About China?" in Climate Conversations
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this passionate and fact-packed solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow tackles one of the most common conversation stopp...
Building Bridges Between Corporate Leadership and Social Innovation: How Match for Impact is Transforming the Sustainability Talent Gap
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this ground-breaking episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Silja Chouquet, former pharmaceutical executive tu...
52 Sustainability Hacks Finale: From E-Waste to Ethical Pensions, the Ultimate Autumn Action Guide
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this practical and empowering final episode of the 52 Simple Sustainability Hacks series, host Emma Burlow delivers the last actionable tips (numbe...
Steel's Carbon Reduction Revolution: How Tata Steel UK is Leading the Net Zero Industrial Transformation
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspiring episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Nicola Jones, a 26-year veteran of the steel industry an...
From Zero Waste Pioneer to Reusable Packaging Revolution: How Catherine Conway is Solving the £136 Million Plastic Packaging Problem
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this ground-breaking episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Catherine Conway, the visionary founder of the UK'...
Red Flag Words and Sustainability Conversations: The Trojan Mouse Strategy
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this tactical and transformative solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow delivers a game-changing challenge that could re...
Breaking Through the Sustainability Authority Barrier with Life Coach Tamsin Acheson
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this deeply personal and transformative episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Tamsin Acheson, a life coach an...
Norway's Sustainability Secret: How Oil Money Built One of the World's Greenest Countries
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this thought-provoking solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow returns from her travels to Oslo, Norway, with some uncomf...
Making Sustainability Irresistible: Communication, Mindset, and Leadership with Virginia Cinquemani
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this transformative episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow interviews Virginia Cinquemani, a sustainability communication exp...
Climate Change Is Everywhere: Why Sustainability Is Closer Than You Think
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this reflective solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow shares powerful insights from her holiday experiences that reveal...
Women in Sustainability, ESG Leadership, and Corporate Environmental Strategy with Sharon Oranekwu
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this empowering episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow interviews Sharon Oranekwu, an award-winning ESG consultant and sustai...
Is Climate Change a Big Joke? Comedy, Climate, and Corporate Change with Stuart Goldsmith
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this thought-provoking episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with climate comedian Stuart Goldsmith to explore the...
From Stuck to Starting: How to Move Forward with Your Sustainability Goals
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this empowering solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow tackles a challenge familiar to many sustainability professionals...
Moving Past Green Guilt - Rethinking Engagement, with Green Jujitsu Creator Gareth Kane
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, Emma sits down with Gareth Kane, sustainability author and creator of the “Green Jujitsu” enga...
Commitment over Passion: The Power to Keep Going With Your Sustainability Goals
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, Emma delves into the profound difference between passion and commitment in the world...
Scaling Carbon Literacy with Phil Korbel, Co-Founder of the Carbon Literacy Project
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this energising and honest conversation, Emma and Carbon Literacy Project co-founder Phil Korbel dive into what truly makes carbon literacy impactf...
52 Simple Sustainability Hacks for 2025 - Summer
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week I’m sharing part of our summer series - 12 simple sustainability tips (numbers 27–38) that are easy to action even when you’re in holi...
Getting Past 'Yes... in Principle'. Sustainability Leadership with Briony Pete
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I’m speaking with Briony Pete - leadership coach and engagement specialist - about why change doesn’t start with strategy; it starts wi...
I'm Not Recruiting For A Cult
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, I share what happened when someone told me, “You need better evidence if you want to convince us.” It made me realise - we’...
Inside Track on new B Corp Standards with Ellie & Jessica of Twelve
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Straight Talking Sustainability, I’m diving into one of the biggest shake-ups in the sustainability world - the B Corp standards reset....
Big News!!
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve officially done it - Lighthouse is now a certified B Corp! This episode is a bit of a behind-the-scenes on what that really means, why I...
Speak Up Woman 2 with Caroline Harvey
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspiring conversation, Emma welcomes global communications coach Caroline Harvey to explore why so many women - especially in STEM and sustai...
Playing The Long Game
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this solo episode, I’m talking about something I know so many of us in the sustainability space are feeling right now - things feel loud, divisiv...
Finding your Sustainability Superpower with Jarvis Smith
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I sit down with the brilliantly bold Jarvis Smith - founder of My Green Pod and the PEA Awards - to talk about what it really means t...
Tackling Sustainability Overwhelm
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling totally swamped by sustainability? You're not alone. In this episode, I’m getting straight to the point about why so many of us ar...
Walking the AI Tightrope with Rebecca Allen
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI is everywhere right now, but what does it really mean for sustainability?In this episode, Emma sits down with Rebecca Allen, a business strategist ...
Somebody Else's Problem Field
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m digging into the idea that sustainability is always “someone else’s problem” - the government, big business, China, consu...
Awards that Money Cant Buy with Karen Sutton, Founder Global Good Awards
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m joined by Karen Sutton, founder of the Global Good Awards, for an eye-opening conversation about what really goes on behind the...
Is Sustainability Really a Sacrifice?
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We keep hearing that people won’t take action on sustainability because it means sacrifice. But is that actually true - or just an outdated story we...
The Missed Opportunity of Food Waste with Tessa Clarke, CEO Olio
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talk a lot about recycling, plastic, and Net Zero - but what if I told you that food waste is a bigger climate issue than fashion and aviation comb...
How to Survive a Conversation with a Climate Denier
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever found yourself stuck in a conversation with someone who thinks climate change is a hoax? In this episode, I break down exactly how to handle clim...
Find Your How with Katie Carey
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Katie Carey, an ESG and sustainability expert with 17 years of experience working with major brands like Ama...
52 Simple Sustainability Hacks - Spring
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to refresh your sustainability efforts! In this episode, I’m sharing 52 easy, impactful hacks to help yo...
Will You Tolerate This? With Jane Davidson
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what real leadership in sustainability looks like? Jane Davidson doesn’t just talk about change - she makes it happen. From ...
Speak up Woman!
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why are women in sustainability less visible on LinkedIn, despite leading incredible work in the industry? In this episode, I take a look at a Li...
Behind the Label with Sam Taylor
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fast fashion isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a community issue, too. In this week’s episode, I sit down with Sam Taylor to expose the h...
Top 5 Things People Say to Avoid Taking Climate Action (and how to solve them)
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do so many businesses hesitate to take real action on climate change? In this episode, I break down the five most common excuses people use t...
Green Dopamine with Richard Dickson
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if going green wasn’t just good for the planet—but also great for business? In this episode, I sit down with Richard Dickson, co-founder...
Perfect Storm 2: Critical Mass & Dominoes
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do you create lasting change in sustainability initiatives? In this week’s episode, I explore the concept of critical mass and why it’s the se...
Perfect Storm 1: 6 Elements & 5 Whys
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why is sustainability so hard to implement effectively? In this episode, I break down the “Perfect Storm” of challenges faced by sustainability pr...
Bending the Climate Curve with Jenny Morgan
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if tackling climate change isn’t just about CO2? In this episode, I sit down with Jenny Morgan, a leading expert in sustainability, to explore ...
Straight Talking Books - Black Gold by Jeremy Paxman
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I review Black Gold by Jeremy Paxman, a fascinating exploration of how coal shaped Britain’s history and economy. From its pivotal ...
52 Simple Sustainability Hacks for 2025 - Winter
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about simplifying sustainability with practical tips you can start using today. I’m sharing 13 simple hacks to help reduce your ...
Birds, Bees (Biodiversity) and Business with Abby Chicken
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with Abby Chicken, Head of Sustainability at Openreach and Vice Chair of the Surrey Wildlife Trust, about how businesses can t...
Simple, Sticky, Shared
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I unpack the power of simplifying your message to create real impact. It’s not about bombarding people with information but boiling...
Hidden in Plain Sight - Why is circularity so hard?
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "Straight Talking Sustainability," we tackle one of the biggest puzzles in modern business—why is circularity so challenging to i...
Unleashing Ambition: Conversations with Sustainability Catalyst Andy Middleton
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I sit down with Andy Middleton, an innovative leader in sustainability and a true advocate for long-term thinking.From his roots in t...
Should we Cancel COP?
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I tackle the ongoing debate surrounding COP conferences—are they a productive force for climate action or an outdated exercise in b...
Confessions of A Carbon Literacy Trainer
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m opening the door to the behind-the-scenes world of carbon literacy training. Over the years, I’ve trained more than a thousan...
Communities of Influence - With Jen Gale
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m joined by Jen Gale, a sustainability advocate who knows what it’s like to navigate the everyday challenges of green living.&n...
Your Influence Is Your Superpower
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we're tackling one of the most overlooked tools in your sustainability arsenal: your personal influence. Ever feel like you're “too...
Sustainability - Why Bother?
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m breaking down the essential question every business deals with: “Why should we bother with sustainability?” From practical ...
Trailer
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Straight Talking Sustainability I'm your host, Emma Burlow.If you're feeling lost in all the sustainability talk or struggling to see real ...