People's Planet Podcast

EoY Wrap Up - Thank You!

Thank you for being with us on this incredible journey! In this episode, we reflected on the transformative power of sustainability in lifting people out of poverty, celebrating the wins of 2024 and the impact of sustainable practices. We revisited highlights from our favourite episodes, like Rich Tricker’s invaluable insights on upskilling people for sustainability success and the importance of practical skills for leaders. Rich’s reminder that knowledge sharing should lead to real-world change resonated deeply with us, inspiring a commitment to fostering action through collaboration and empowering communities to create a ripple effect of positive change. This year has also been a personal journey, teaching us that sustainability is about turning knowledge into meaningful action. Tools like life cycle assessment (LCA) have helped us focus on what truly matters while staying connected to our passions. We’ve learned that small, purposeful steps can drive big impact, and we’ve been reminded of the importance of empowering people to create change. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re eager to invite more inspiring guests, spotlight the real-world impacts of climate change, and explore actionable solutions. We also aim to raise awareness about overlooked issues, showing how focused efforts can lead to meaningful progress. On a lighter note, we found joy in discovering gingerbread chocolate digestives—a festive treat that brought sweetness to the season! Now, we’d love to hear from you—what were your favourite episodes of 2024? What topics should we dive into next year? Your input means the world to us. Thank you for being part of this journey—together, let’s make 2025 a year of action, awareness, and progress!

Ansu Mary Alex on Alternative Cementitious Materials: Insights from a Concrete Technologist

In this episode of the People’s Planet Podcast, hosts Marcel and Usman chat with Ansu, a leading concrete technologist. Ansu discusses the evolving role of concrete in sustainable construction, focusing on reducing its carbon footprint and the importance of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Ansu explains the role of alternative materials like slag and fly ash, and addresses the energy-intensive nature of concrete production. She also highlights how EPDs offer transparency in the industry and details the process of creating them. The conversation includes the application of circular economy principles to concrete and Ansu’s upcoming course on the subject from Cambridge. She shares insights on alkali-activated concrete and calcined clay (metakaolin), and discusses her dual role in academia and industry. The episode concludes with a look at the future of concrete technology and sustainability, with Ansu emphasising the need for continued research. Listeners are encouraged to consider sustainable practices and stay tuned for future episodes on creating a more sustainable planet. To connect, share thoughts, or suggest topics, email us at peoplesplanetpodcast@gmail.com [peoplesplanetpodcast@gmail.com] or find us on Twitter (@peoplesplanet_). Follow us, like the episode, and share—your support helps us move forward! We look forward to hearing from you! Hosts: ⁠Marcelle Batson-Warner⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelle-batson-warner2021/] ⁠Simon Morris⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-morris1/] ⁠Dr Usman Sikander⁠ [https://usmansikander.com/]

Sustainability, does it actually make money?

In this episode, we discussed sustainability in packging industry with Adam Jones, Managing Director of Lyan Packaging Supplies in North Wales, UK. Adam Jones, an engineering graduate, has steered Lyan Packaging Supplies into a formidable force in temperature-controlled packaging. His leadership not only expanded the family business but also revolutionised its sustainability approach through their Icertech division. Under Adam's guidance, Lyan Packaging Supplies has excelled in eco-friendly practices and pioneered recyclable, insulated packaging solutions. Their commitment to sustainability sets a benchmark in the industry. Adam emphasizes the importance of adopting greener technologies across operations, showcasing how sustainability can drive innovation and business success. Beyond environmental initiatives, Adam fosters a culture of innovation within his team, encouraging them to explore cutting-edge technologies to meet client needs effectively. Adam actively engages with industry forums, sharing insights on sustainability and technological advancements. His contributions have cemented Lyan Packaging Supplies' reputation as a leader in sustainable packaging solutions. Key Learnings from Adam's Journey: 1. Sustainability Drives Innovation: Adam shows us that integrating sustainability into business operations not only benefits the environment but also drives innovation and business growth. 2. Leadership in Action: Adam's leadership is a testament to how personal commitment to sustainability can transform a company and inspire industry-wide change. 3. Industry Engagement: By actively participating in industry discussions, Adam demonstrates the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in advancing sustainable practices. As Adam continues to lead Lyan Packaging Supplies into the future, his dedication to sustainable growth and innovation serves as a beacon for others in the industry. Connect with Us: Share your thoughts or suggest topics by emailing us at peopleplanetpodcast@gmail.com or finding us on Twitter (@peoplesplanet_). Your support in following, liking, and sharing our episodes helps us move forward! Hosts: ⁠⁠Marcelle Batson-Warner⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelle-batson-warner2021/] ⁠⁠Simon Morris⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-morris1/] ⁠⁠Dr Usman Sikander⁠⁠ [https://usmansikander.com/] Join us next time as we explore more stories of innovation and sustainability in business!

Empowering People for Sustainable Change: Leadership, Community, and Innovation

Hello and welcome back to the People's Planet Podcast, where we explore sustainability in practice. Today, Simon is your main co-host. We'll discuss the skills and tools needed to lead and deliver sustainability projects with Rich Tricker, Learning and Development Manager at Ashorne Hill. Rich helps others improve their performance and that of their teams. We first met him during our Knowledge Transfer Partnerships training, where his teaching inspired us. He focuses on making complex concepts simple and practical, covering topics like situational leadership, Tuckman's team development stages, and Kotter's change model. Rich recommends "Invisible Women" by Caroline Criado Perez, highlighting data bias and its impact. He stresses the importance of technical knowledge and helping others embrace change. Successful projects create urgency early and make changes habitual by the end. Embedding change involves preparation and understanding emotional responses. Rich uses the conscious competence model: moving from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence. Rich identifies three key leadership qualities: emotional intelligence, tenacity, and patience. Emotional intelligence involves understanding and managing oneself and others. Tenacity means persisting through challenges. Patience involves waiting for the right moment and thinking of the best outcome. Being authentic while adapting to others is crucial. Understanding stakeholders and connecting with them effectively is key. Addressing resistance involves understanding its reasons and using Cialdini's influence levers, combining benefit selling and disturbing to motivate change. To make change stick, continuous reinforcement of benefits and consequences is essential. Rich shares an example from Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing daily commitment and constant reminders of the reasons for change. For sustainability projects, collaboration is key. Understanding the interconnectedness of different aspects and working with various stakeholders, including suppliers, enhances the effectiveness and impact of sustainability initiatives. To connect, share thoughts, or suggest topics, email us at peoplesplanetpodcast@gmail.com or find us on Twitter (@peoplesplanet_). Follow us, like the episode, and share—your support helps us move forward! We look forward to hearing from you! Hosts: ⁠Marcelle Batson-Warner⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelle-batson-warner2021/] ⁠Simon Morris⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-morris1/] ⁠Dr Usman Sikander⁠ [https://usmansikander.com/]

What it means to transfer knowledge?

In this episode of the People's Planets Podcast, we explore the critical role of knowledge transfer in promoting sustainability within organisations, with a focus on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) that link universities and businesses with funding from Innovate UK. Key Points: - Introduction to Knowledge Transfer: - Importance of transferring knowledge for sustainable practices in organisations. - Overview of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). Commercial Perspective (Marcelle): - SMEs need to shift their perception of academia and recognise the benefits of collaboration. - Aligning business needs with academic research goals fosters innovation. Academic Perspective (Usman): - The global challenge of bridging the gap between industry and academia. - Partnerships can involve businesses of all sizes and address diverse issues. - Universities offer technical support, innovative business processes, leadership skills, and sustainable practices. Mutual Benefits of KTPs: - Universities gain practical insights and opportunities for students. - Businesses access cutting-edge equipment and expertise at lower costs. - Successful collaborations, such as Rolls Royce's University Technology Centres, illustrate this synergy. Embedding Sustainable Change: - Effective mechanisms are needed to embed sustainable change within organisations. - KTPs, where associates drive change from within the business, are advocated by Marcelle. - Usman emphasises clear communication and maintaining usable, sustainable knowledge post-project. Practical Advice for Knowledge Transfer: - Usman suggests lunchtime talks to share project results and improve public speaking skills. - Marcelle advises understanding project participants' capacity and expectations to manage responses and keep the project on track. Next Episode Teaser: Join us next week with guest Rich Tricker, who will discuss the leadership skills necessary to embed long-lasting change within organisations. Contact Us: Email: peoplesplanetpodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @peoplesplanet_ Hosts: ⁠Marcelle Batson-Warner⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelle-batson-warner2021/] ⁠Simon Morris⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-morris1/] ⁠Dr Usman Sikander⁠ [https://usmansikander.com/]