The Plucky Bamboo Podcast

What if the way we scale sustainability businesses is all wrong? In this episode, I speak with Alejandro Crawford - co-founder of RebelBase and co-author of One Size Fits None - about how founders can build regenerative systems that actually work in the real world. We explore why traditional ideas of scale fall short, how to protect your flexibility as a leader, and why the best solutions often co...

Home upgrades shouldn’t be this hard - and yet for millions of homeowners trying to electrify, save money, or improve comfort, the process is confusing, time-consuming, and painfully outdated. Grant Gunnison, Founder of Zero Homes, knows this firsthand - and he’s on a mission to fix it by combining deep construction know-how with smart technology that removes friction for homeowners and contractor...

When it comes to cleantech, good ideas aren’t enough - if you want real impact, the economics have to work first. Grizz Deal, co-founder of IXWater, has built nine companies by taking unused government lab tech and turning it into real businesses that solve huge industrial problems - like turning toxic wastewater into usable water for a fraction of the cost. In this episode, Grizz shares what most...

What if the most valuable part of your product... isn’t what you built first? In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast, Chris speaks with Cory Vanderpool, founder of Sprk - a company on a mission to give energy upgrades like solar panels real value in real estate transactions. With over a decade in the solar industry, Cory saw deals collapsing, value being lost, and no one bridging the gap bet...

“Sustainable” isn’t enough, not if we’re still poisoning the planet. In this episode, I’m joined by Jonathan Appel , co-founder and CEO of Eden , a company developing regeneration tech that turns pollution into clean fuel, water, and fertiliser - with zero waste. But this conversation goes far beyond the tech. We dig into the real challenges sustainability founders face when trying to scale someth...

In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast , I sit down with Joe Phoenix , founder and CEO of Givinga — a fintech company powering corporate giving strategies from the inside out. We talk about the stuff most leaders don’t admit publicly: Why ESG can’t be a box-ticking exercise anymore How to delegate without dropping the ball What really builds trust at scale (hint: it’s not just messaging) And...

Most sustainability founders are trying to balance two conflicting truths: the pressure to grow and the responsibility to stay true to their values. In this episode, Daniel Walton, founder of OLPRO, shares his hard-earned lessons from building one of the UK’s most recognisable sustainable outdoor brands. From navigating greenwashing fears to earning B Corp certification and adapting to fast-changi...

What happens when your sustainability solution works - but the market isn’t ready? In this episode, Eyal Harel, CEO of BlueGreen Water Technologies, shares how their proven water remediation tech saw explosive success in Israel… and nearly took the company under when they tried to scale too fast into global markets. We talk about: How a single algal bloom caused $2.7B in economic damage Why climat...

Most sustainability companies talk about circularity — but few actually build systems that make it happen at scale. In this episode, Mikey Pasciuto, Co-Founder of Scrap, shares how his team turned a dorm-room idea into a fast-growing waste data company working with municipalities, brands, and stadiums to reduce landfill, improve packaging, and cut waste at the source. We discuss: ✅ The real reaso...

What happens when a sustainability company stops selling the mission—and starts selling real results? Thomas Grinnan, CEO of Data Company One, shares how his team transformed their business by connecting purpose to profit. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why apps alone don’t change behavior—and what does ✅ How to build a value proposition that actually leads to ROI ✅ The real reason many susta...

Scaling a purpose-driven business is hard — but it shouldn’t feel like a constant uphill battle. In this episode of the Plucky Bamboo Podcast , Chris speaks with Danielle Heward , founder of Optimo and expert in operational strategy for sustainability and social impact businesses. They dive into what really holds back mission-led companies as they grow - and spoiler alert: it’s not a lack of purpo...

What do you do when your buyers don’t care about carbon, but you’re running a sustainability business? In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Podcast , Chris speaks with Stuart Pearce , Founder and Managing Director of SmarTech Energy - a company that helps manufacturers and commercial businesses cut energy use, reduce costs, and meet compliance. But Stuart’s not just another energy consultant. Over...

Most sustainability businesses don’t fail because of their mission—they fail because they struggle with client acquisition, scaling, and navigating complex sales cycles. Too often, leaders assume sustainability sells itself, when in reality, companies that win don’t just “do good”—they make it easier for customers to choose them. That’s exactly what Kathleen Egan, CEO of EcoMedes, has spent her ca...

Most sustainability businesses don’t struggle because they lack purpose. They struggle because sustainability isn’t always an urgent priority for their customers. If your clients don’t feel the pain, they won’t take action. That’s exactly what Ian Ormerod, CEO & Founder of Switch to Zero, has learned while helping businesses measure, reduce, and act on their carbon footprint. Through his exper...

Most sustainability businesses aren’t failing because of their mission. They’re failing because of the way they hire, build systems, and scale. Too often, leaders focus on short-term wins instead of designing a business that’s profitable, inclusive, and truly sustainable in the long run. That’s exactly what Lisa Baker, Head of Experience Design & Sustainability at Mima, helps companies get rig...

Most mission-driven businesses struggle with a tough balance: making an impact while staying financially sustainable. But what if you could do both, without compromising on either? That’s exactly what Lucy Brophy Fernandez, Managing Director of Raleigh International, has done. After the organization went into voluntary liquidation, Lucy led its rebirth - building it from the ground up while stayin...

Most sustainability messaging either preaches to the choir or alienates the people who need to hear it most. But what if we could reframe the conversation so sustainability is a shared priority? That’s exactly what Lewis Jamieson, co-founder of Music Declares Emergency, is working to change. Through his work with artists, labels, and the wider music industry, he’s proving that collaboration and be...

Most sustainability strategies look great on paper - until they meet the real world of corporate decision-making. What does it really take to build a business that’s profitable, resilient, and aligned with deep, unwavering values? That’s exactly what Mac Macartney has spent decades exploring. As a leadership expert and founder of Embercombe, Mac has worked with major corporations to embed sustaina...

Most sustainability efforts live in spreadsheets, reports, and boardroom discussions. But what if sustainability was something people could feel, experience, and connect with? That’s exactly what Jim Holland, co-founder of Carma, is doing. Instead of just tracking impact, Carma helps businesses make sustainability tangible by integrating tree-planting and nature-based solutions directly into their...

Making Sustainability the Default: How Wild VC is Changing the GameMost businesses still see sustainability as a “nice to have”. But what if it was the only option they were given? That’s exactly how John Bayly, founder of Wild, transformed how brands approach sustainability. Instead of waiting for clients to choose the greener option, his team made it the default. The results? Better impact, more...

We fail fast here." In this episode of The Plucky Bamboo Growth Podcast , Amanda Spicer, COO and Co-founder of Your Eco, shares the leadership and business strategies that have driven their rapid growth in the renewables sector. She explains why hiring people "10 times better" than you is key to scaling, how fostering a "fail fast, but safely" culture builds trust, and why...

Welcome to the Plucky Bamboo Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Rob Malin, founder of When In Rome Wine, to uncover how sustainability and profitability can work hand-in-hand. Rob shares his journey of disrupting the wine industry with innovative, eco-friendly packaging and a commitment to decarbonization. Key takeaways include:- Using verifiable climate impact data to gain a competitive ed...

Welcome to the Plucky Bamboo Podcast! In this (very first!) episode, I sit down with Simon Lusby, Managing Director of City Science, to explore the innovative ways sustainability leaders tackle growth challenges. From building data-driven solutions for decarbonization to scaling impact as a small business, Simon shares practical strategies and actionable insights that any sustainability business l...