Planet VIP Podcast

In this conversation, acclaimed artist and award-winning filmmaker Deborah Anderson shares how her gifts as a channel and spirit weaver shape her creative work, from Women of the White Buffalo , which gives voice to Lakota women and their resilience, to her upcoming project The Lost Language of Her , a journey listening deeply to Mother Earth and the wisdom of elders across the Americas. We also e...

Architect Joe MacDonald — founder of Urban A&O, former Harvard professor, and early pioneer of regenerative design — shares how innovations from net-zero data centers to smart cities and eco-resorts are redefining sustainable architecture worldwide. Drawing on his journey from working with Zaha Hadid to leading a firm that embeds SDGs into every project, he shows how transformative, low-carbon...

In this episode, Explorer and Founder of Global Warrior, Jim McNeill, shares his journeys from frontline polar expeditions to the depths of the ocean and his ambitions to explore deserts, mountains, and jungles, revealing how the planet's five extreme environments expose the real impacts of climate change and inspire action. Through his Ice Warrior and Ocean Warrior projects, Jim reveals how ordin...

Ava Lee of Global Witness discusses the alarming scale of online abuse targeting land and environmental defenders worldwide. Drawing on insights from a 2025 global survey, she highlights the urgent need for platform accountability and better protection for those fighting for people and planet.

In this episode, Dr. Jacqueline Kerr , behavioral scientist and systems change expert, unpacks the complexity of Scope 3 emissions — the often-overlooked category that accounts for up to 90% of a company’s total emissions. Jacqueline brings crystal-clear insight into why Scope 3 matters more than ever, and how leaders across all functions — not just sustainability — can take meaningful, collaborat...

Ecosystems Revivalist & CEO of One Billion Tress for Africa, Tabi Joda brings the Great Green Wall of Africa to life — not just as a reforestation project, but as a movement of hope, agency, and climate resilience. Through powerful storytelling, he shows how restoring land can restore dignity, livelihoods, and the future of an entire continent.

What if a new outfit and one conversation could change a woman’s future? That’s the reality at Smart Works , a UK charity helping unemployed women find the confidence, clothing, and coaching they need to succeed in job interviews and transform their lives. Karishma Navsaria , Philanthropy Manager at Smart Works and former J.P. Morgan wealth advisor, shares how the charity is unlocking economic opp...

What does climate change look like through the eyes of those living it? In this moving episode of the Shades of Life Impact Podcast, Ingrid Lung speaks with award-winning filmmaker Deej Phillips about The Weight of Water , his documentary on water scarcity and cultural resilience in Southeast Asia. Deej shares how storytelling rooted in human experience can spark empathy, action, and a deeper unde...

In 2024, over half the world voted in an unprecedented global election year — shaping the future amid climate, conflict, and economic uncertainty. Richard Mudariki, a Zimbabwean artist and founder of ArtHARARE, tell us about his bold exhibition inspired by it “The 2025 Artist General Election.” As the world watched Trump’s inauguration, Richard posed a radical question: What if artists ran the wor...

Benjamin R. Nathan, an award-winning filmmaker and founder of "ALL OF US FILMS," shares how to harness the power of storytelling to inspire transformative action for individuals and the planet. He now offers mentorship to impact-driven entrepreneurs and creatives eager to use their talents for positive change.

In this special ‘Earth Day’ podcast, meteorologist and climate change journalist Jaclyn Whittal discusses how climate change intensifies extreme weather events, sharing insights from her extensive experience with tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires, while highlighting the profound human costs associated with these disasters.

Join Neelam Mistry-Thaker, a Personal Stylist & Creative Consultant, as we explore the connection between personal style, confidence, and sustainability, revealing how our fashion choices influence overproduction and waste while offering insights into building a more mindful wardrobe.

Akhila Kosaraju, the Founder of “What If Design” shares essential design and communication strategies to help organizations focused on social and environmental issues effectively scale their impact, secure funding, and build trustworthy brands.

In the latest episode of the ‘Shades of Life’ Impact Podcast, lead designer Monica Mecchella emphasizes that "waste is a design flaw," highlighting the critical role of responsible design in sustainability. With approximately 80% of a product’s environmental impact determined during the design phase, Monica explores why fewer than 10% of products meet sustainability standards, shares her top 10 pr...

Laura Shape is a pioneer in environmental fine art, who transforms invasive species into compelling artworks to raise awareness about ecological crises. As the first artist to engage the public on this issue through art, Laura discusses three specific invasive species — the Burmese Python in Florida's Everglades, invasive Carp in the Mississippi River Basin, and the Lionfish in Caribbean reefs — a...

A passionate polar activist and climate journalist, Grace Cordsen explores the importance of sustainable travel in the Arctic and Antarctic, emphasizing how to minimize environmental impacts while maximizing benefits for the places we visit. As the Explorers Club develops its first sustainable policy to honour over 121 years of exploration since it was founded in 1904, Grace reflects on wildlife e...

In this episode, Joey Li, CEO & Co-Founder of Leiho, shares her journey in running a purpose-driven business for homeless and underserved communities. She discusses her diverse upbringing across Hong Kong, Singapore, LA, and London, the challenges of social enterprises, and the importance of purpose in entrepreneurship. The conversation covers co-founding dynamics, obstacles for female founder...

With ESG and sustainability in mind, we explore the importance of embracing feminine energy in leadership and how it contrasts with traditional masculine models that often prioritise individualism and pressure. Join us as Lis Best, an Executive Coach and Founder of the Girls Club Collective, shares insights on the balance of these energies, highlighting the benefits for personal fulfilment and our...

Join us for the inaugural episode of the ‘Shades of Life’ podcast in 2025, featuring Dr. Stephen Ambrose, a renowned fauna ecologist with over 40 years of experience. He discusses the urgent issue of the 6th mass extinction, emphasizing the need for wildlife preservation and the importance of early education about nature. Dr. Ambrose shares insights from his journey, the threats facing wildlife, a...

In our final episode of Season One of the Shades of Life Podcast, we welcome Poppy Mason-Watts, Chief Growth & Impact Officer at WaterBear, often dubbed as “The Netflix of Nature”. Discover the major changes coming to the platform in 2025 as it celebrates its 4th birthday, connecting millions of imperfect activists through impactful documentaries, and the exciting opportunities it will offer t...

In this episode, Siri Østvold shares her experiences from an expedition to the Great Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Ocean, where the crew measured microplastic pollution in one of Earth's most remote areas. Despite being 1,000 miles from land, they discovered alarming traces of humanity, as the ocean is expected to have more plastic than fish by 2050. Join us as Siri recounts the challenges fa...

Ed Pycraft and Emilie Østergård Jaspers are the visionary Co-Founders of Star Seed, a pioneering regenerative waterless skincare brand. Star Seed stands out in the beauty industry with its commitment to regenerative living. This innovative luxury skincare brand is a great business case example of what can be done when you take a staple product like an everyday beauty cream but create formulations...

Can “One Week” & The Power of Community Transform the Status Quo into Climate Action? That’s what the people behind “The Week” have set out to do… and it’s working! The Week is a powerful initiative inviting friends, family, colleagues, or community members to come together and watch three climate-related documentaries over the course of a week. Robb Ryerse, the US Program Director at The Week...

How to scale your business for net positive impact with People + Planet centred design and marketing? We are answering this question with Marie Geneste, Co-Founder of The C Collective, a consultancy on a mission to help entrepreneurs amplify their people- and planet-friendly solutions by crafting exceptional customer experiences. Whether you’re a traditional business looking to transition toward r...

Millions of children experience hunger every day and following World Food Day last week, we’re raising awareness of this issue but also solutions with Thérèse Nichols, the Founder of OnePlate. OnePlate is an extraordinary global charity that partners with foodies, chefs, cafés, and restaurants to fund sustainable food projects in Africa and Asia, helping to nourish and nurture children in great ne...