The Sustainability Communicator with Mike Hower

The rule of law and the cost of corporate silence — with Alison Taylor

As the rule of law in the United States comes under strain, many companies have chosen silence. In this episode, Mike Hower sits down with business ethicist and Higher Ground author Alison Taylor to examine what corporate courage actually looks like when legal norms, civil rights, and community safety are being tested. Together, they explore why companies retreat in moments of crisis, the limits of compliance-driven ethics, and the role sustainability and communications leaders can play when speaking up carries real risk. This is a candid conversation about silence, responsibility, and whether business is willing — or able — to stand for the rule of law when it matters most. * Connect [https://www.linkedin.com/in/followalisont/] with Alison Taylor on LinkedIn. * Order [https://www.amazon.com/Higher-Ground-Business-Right-Turbulent-ebook/dp/B0BTMRCCC1] Alison's book, Higher Ground. * Read [https://asbnetwork.org/the-private-sector-will-not-stay-silent-lethal-force-without-due-process-is-unconstitutional/] the American Sustainable Business Network's statement calling for companies to defend the rule of law in America. * Register [https://luma.com/eeslh6bt] for Sustainability Professionals Against Silence  * Pre-order [https://www.amazon.com/Sustainability-Storytelling-Communicate-Better-Business/dp/1398625515/] Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book on crafting compelling, credible, and compliant sustainability narratives (Kogan Page, May 2026) * Follow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehower/] Mike on LinkedIn * Subscribe [https://thesustainabilitystory.substack.com/] to The Sustainability Story on Substack * Got a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact [http://howerimpact.com/contact]

How Chief Sustainability Officers advance sustainability storytelling

In this episode, Mike sits down with Erik Hansen, Chief Sustainability Officer at Workday, to explore how CSOs have evolved into the lead communicators for corporate sustainability. Erik shares insights on building trust through transparency, making the business case for sustainability initiatives, and how companies are increasingly being asked detailed sustainability questions in hundreds of RFPs. The conversation covers practical strategies for working with legal teams on compliant communications, measuring the success of sustainability storytelling, and thinking beyond company silos to advocate for industry-wide change. * Connect [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikdhansen/] with Erik Hansen on LinkedIn. * Learn more [https://www.workday.com/en-us/company/corporate-responsibility/sustainability.html] about Workday's sustainability strategy. * Pre-order [https://www.amazon.com/Sustainability-Storytelling-Communicate-Better-Business/dp/1398625515/] Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book on crafting compelling, credible, and compliant sustainability narratives (Kogan Page, May 2026) * Follow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehower/] Mike on LinkedIn * Subscribe [https://thesustainabilitystory.substack.com/] to The Sustainability Story on Substack * Got a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact [http://howerimpact.com/contact]

How HP engages employees on sustainability

In this episode of The Sustainability Communicator, Mike sits down with Alexandra Talleur, an internal communications lead at HP who specializes in sustainability engagement. While companies often focus on external sustainability communication, internal communication frequently receives less attention. Yet effective employee engagement is crucial for implementing sustainability strategies and maintaining talent. Alexandra shares insights on creating meaningful internal sustainability communications, connecting sustainability to employees' roles, and navigating challenges like the "green gap" between stated values and actions.  * Connect [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandratalleur/] with Alexandra Talleur on LinkedIn * Learn more [https://www.hp.com/us-en/sustainable-impact.html] about sustainability at HP * Pre-order [https://www.amazon.com/Sustainability-Storytelling-Communicate-Better-Business/dp/1398625515/] Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book on crafting compelling, credible, and compliant sustainability narratives (Kogan Page, May 2026) * Follow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehower/] Mike on LinkedIn * Subscribe [https://thesustainabilitystory.substack.com/] to The Sustainability Story on Substack * Got a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact [http://howerimpact.com/contact]

The peaks and valleys of sustainability communication

In this episode, host Mike Hower sits down with Dan Strechay, a seasoned sustainability communications professional who has worked across private companies, public organizations, and NGOs. They discuss the evolution of sustainability communications, how to navigate difficult topics like palm oil and climate change, and the balance between transparency and greenwashing. Dan shares insights from his career journey and offers practical advice for companies looking to communicate authentically about their sustainability efforts. This conversation, recorded in late 2024, remains relevant as sustainability professionals navigate the changing landscape of reporting requirements and stakeholder expectations.   * Connect [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielstrechay/] with Dan on LinkedIn * Check out [https://www.mars.com/sustainability-plan/healthy-planet/net-zero-2050] the Mars Net Zero Roadmap * Pre-order [https://www.amazon.com/Sustainability-Storytelling-Communicate-Better-Business/dp/1398625515/] Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book on crafting compelling, credible, and compliant sustainability narratives (Kogan Page, May 2026) * Follow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehower/] Mike on LinkedIn * Subscribe [https://thesustainabilitystory.substack.com/] to The Sustainability Story on Substack * Got a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact [http://howerimpact.com/contact]

Sustainability storytellers weigh in from GreenBiz 25

At a time when corporate sustainability faces unprecedented headwinds, last week's GreenBiz25 conference proved that sustainability leaders aren't backing down – they're doubling down on their commitments and getting more strategic about their communication. In this special episode of The Sustainability Communicator, Mike Hower sat down with six sustainability leaders from diverse industries to understand how they're navigating these challenging times.  From Aileen Lerch at Allbirds discussing the power of "applied hope," to Elizabeth Eldridge at Kaiser Permanente sharing how they're moving beyond buzzwords to build trust, to Marcella Thompson at CBRE explaining how they're making sustainability visible in the built environment, each conversation revealed how companies are evolving their sustainability storytelling for 2025 and beyond. These candid discussions, recorded live at GreenBiz25 in Phoenix, offer a unique window into how leading companies are balancing compliance, credibility, and compelling narratives in their sustainability communications. * Read [https://howerimpact.com/engage-blog/greenbiz-25-takeaways-telling-a-sustainability-story-that-doesnt-suck] GreenBiz 25 takeaways: Telling a sustainability story that doesn’t suck * Follow the interviewees on LinkedIn: * Aileen Lerch, Allbirds [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aileenlerch/] * Elizabeth Eldridge, Kaiser Permanente [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabetheldridge/] * Marcella Thompson, CBRE [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcellathompson/] * Daniel Pellegrom, Leidos [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pellegrom-335b853/] * Sarah Beaubien, Mondelez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbeaubien/] * Learn more [https://trellis.net/events/greenbiz/] about GreenBiz conferences * Pre-order [https://www.amazon.com/Sustainability-Storytelling-Communicate-Better-Business/dp/1398625515/] Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book on crafting compelling, credible, and compliant sustainability narratives (Kogan Page, May 2026) * Follow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehower/] Mike on LinkedIn * Subscribe [https://thesustainabilitystory.substack.com/] to The Sustainability Story on Substack * Got a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact [http://howerimpact.com/contact]