The Futurist Podcast

Welcome back to the Futurist podcast. This conversation was created in collaboration with the episode’s sponsor, Primark.   Primark is committed to making more sustainable fashion affordable for all. Through Primark Cares, the retailer’s sustainability strategy, they have made nine commitments focused on their products, the planet, and the people who make their clothes. These commitments range from making all its clothes from recycled or more sustainably sourced materials by 2030 to halving carbon emissions across its value chain over the next seven years and pursuing a living wage for workers in its supply chain.   Today, I speak with Nick Lambert, Head of Circularity, and Claire Scanlon, Solutions Manager of Circular Design at Primark Cares at Primark HQ, Dublin.   We discuss what circularity means in fashion, the challenges the team faces in closing the loop from a product’s design to its end of life and how Primark is working with organisations and other retailers to find big solutions to fashion’s most pressing issues. Find out more about Primark Cares HERE   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is James McManus, founder of Earth’s Edge and a B Corporation Ambassador. When he’s not scaling mountains or helping others to do so around the world, he’s busy establishing the B Corp community here in Ireland. James shares his own background and connection with nature and how that has inspired the work he does with businesses on a path to becoming B Corp certified.  If you have never heard of the certification and are curious, James explains exactly what it means and how you can get involved with the movement.  B Corp Introductory Event: https://earths-edge.com/introduction-to-bcorp/ B Corp: https://earths-edge.com/b-corp/ Listen to the Futurist episode with Enda Buckley HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guests are Dorothy Maxwell and Brian Minihane, two leading figures in the sustainability movement both professionally and personally here in Ireland.  They joined me to share their experience of switching from fossil fuel transport to electric-powered vehicles. Dorothy speaks about her experience moving to a fully electric car while Brian, a long-time biker, shares his insights into switching to an electric motorbike.  This is a topic I have been wanting to cover for a while, and thankfully Dorothy and Brian offer both practical advice and first-hand experience as well as some clever ideas on how we can all begin to consider clean energy for our personal transport needs.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is Global D&I (diversity and inclusion) Keynote Speaker & Founder of Clothing brand Human Collective Conor Buckley.  I know I say this all of the time, but Conor’s passion, commitment and positivity made this conversation one of my all time favourites. We cover so much in this episode from the challenges to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, to how Conor and his team are battling to build a truly environmentally and socially conscious clothing brand. He shares how the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 sparked a grief and fire in him that inspired him to follow in his mother’s footsteps and take his activism efforts to another level. From the charities Human Collective supports to the way it’s supporting communities in Ireland, he’s proving what can be achieved when your heart and spirit are committed to real change.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is pioneering an unplug staycation experience here in Ireland. Matthew Parkinson is behind the Irish expansion of Slow Cabins, an off-grid staycation destination in hidden locations across the country. While just the first destination only launched this summer, Slow Cabins is already becoming a go-to for those in need of a digital detox or simply to reconnect with themselves in a beautiful location with a log burning fire and a spectacular view. Matthew explains the concept behind the business and why going off grid is becoming ever popular as we become the most plugged in generation ever. There are some sound issues in this episode, so apologies in advance but I promise it’s well worth overlooking the tech difficulties for this conversation Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is Natura&Co’s Vice President of Sustainability, Marcelo Behar. As the world’s largest B-Corp, Natura&Co owns The Body Shop, Avon, Aesop and Natura, brands many of us interact with every day. Marcelo shares what it means to be a B-Corp and how its brands are implementing circularity through its supply chain and helping to protect biodiversity around the world.  Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is Irish designer Aoife McNamara. Based in thatched cottage in Adare, Co Limerick, Aoife is creating a brand that in my opinion encompasses everything exciting about sustainable design. Inspired by nature, Aoife creates beautiful pieces with innovative materials, bringing a whole new meaning to cottage industry. Today, we talk about what started her journey in design and her unique and admirable business ethos.  Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is Emmet Bosonnet, founder of Kopper Kreations. A former engineer, Emmet left a successful career to follow a passion he had to live a more creative and fulfilling life. Today, he creates one-of-a-kind pieces, including lamps and bookends from reclaimed copper, and heads up Raw Materials, an Irish design store in The Chocolate Factory Dublin.  Emmet shares his own personal journey today, from starting his own business, to how real-life connections and physically creating pieces inspire him to traverse the ups and downs of being an independent maker and creator. Emmet is one of the most talented people I have met during my career, and he integrates a sustainable mindset in everything he does, which is a source of eternal inspiration.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Trying to find out what wellness meant to me, both mentally and physically, is what led me to start living a more sustainable life. I’m fascinated with the connection between our own personal happiness and health and how it intersects with finding harmony with nature and the planet. That’s why these next episodes of the podcast will focus on finding balance through nature, beauty, and self-care.  First up in this series is Hannah O’Neil, an old friend and founder of VIBO. Hannah’s journey from burnout to creating this brand has been such an inspiration to me personally, and I know so many of you will find wisdom, insight, and motivation through her words. VIBO is a guide and tool to help uncover what your deepest desires are and develop the tools to actualise them. It’s a fascinating conversation and one that I hope will leave you feeling a little lighter and excited about what the next chapter in your own life can look like. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today I’m joined by Ronan Farrell, founder of Winelab, Ireland's first wine on tap specialist. WineLab offers a range of over 60 high-quality wines and cocktails packaged in one-way kegs. In a bid to lower their carbon footprint, they have created their own closed-loop recycling system in collaboration with OneCircle, offering keg collection and recycling services. WineLab, by its very nature, is a low-waste way to enjoy wine. Eco credentials aside, Ronan really knows his stuff when it comes to tipple. We talk about the virtues and pitfalls of orange and natural wines, how climate change is impacting growers, and what his favourite pours are this summer. I challenge you to get through this episode without developing a thirst, and if you do, check out their monthly subscription wine service First Look Club.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Graham Stonadge is the UK Sales Director at Veg of Lund U.K, a Swedish company whose latest creation is making waves in the plant-based milk space. DUG is a potato-based drink that was launched in the Irish market earlier this year and has major plans to disrupt the dairy market.  Today, Graham explains why DUG is yet another great alternative to traditional milk, what the challenges have been for the unusual beverage’s adaptation and shares some of the exciting and innovative ways potato milk has already enhanced the lives of those who have adopted it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today's episode is a conversation with Katie Lopes, Creative Director of Stripe & Stare. Katie spent 6 years creating the world’s comfiest and most sustainable knickers, and in my humble opinion, she succeeded.  Stripe & Stare’s biodegradable underwear is redefining industry standards and offering a zero-waste solution to a product that can’t be recycled or bought secondhand. Katie shares her journey from retail to brand co-founder and shares her experience of scaling the business with a female team. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dr. Helena McMahon is the co-founder of new skincare and supplement collection called Seabody, which harnesses the power and potency of one of Ireland's most exquisite and abundant resources - seaweed. In this episode, she explains the science behind the brand, its ambitious sustainability agenda, and how she and her team are using world-first technology in Kerry for our skin’s benefit. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For many of us, finding calm, serenity and sometimes sanity comes in the form of being creative. This is certainly a story for Stefanie Bailey Clifford, founder of Glow Circle, an Irish wellness brand that offers inclusive and conscious self-care packages and plant-powered wellness products to enhance your glow from within.  Stefanie shares her very personal journey with us today, and I know you’re going to gain as much compassion, inspiration, and positivity from her story as I did.  Find out more about Glow Circle here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today’s guest is Lex Kiefhaber, founder and CEO of United by Zero and co-host of the Who's Saving the Planet podcast.  Like many of us in the sustainability field, Lex didn’t begin his career in climate action, but today he finds himself at the helm of one of the most exciting tech developments for consumers who want to shop in a more sustainable, transparent way.  Find out more about Lex' work at https://unitedbyzero.com/

Today’s guest is Luke Henning CFO of Circ, the only start-up in the world right now that can recycle and recover both polyester and cotton from fabrics. The technology Circ is using could be one of the solutions to textile waste, which as we know is a major contributor to carbon emissions and pollution.  Luke explains why we haven't figured out how to recycle textiles yet, and what it will take to get there, offers his advice on how we can all lower our environmental impact, and shares, why Patagonia has supported Circ’s mission, to recycle 10 billion garments, which will save more than 100 million trees.  Find out more about Luke's work at https://circ.earth/our-purpose/

When it comes to creating manageable and meaningful change at a grand scale, sometimes the businesses you least expect can be the most forward-thinking. Cue Jane Abernethy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Humanscale. Having begun her career as a designer, Jane recognised how design could directly impact both human and environmental health. At Humanscale, an award-winning designer of ergonomic office furniture, Jane has helped redefine the furniture industry’s standard when it comes to materials, waste management, and energy usage. Jane shares her own career journey and offers invaluable insight into how a large-scale business can change course to become a leader in sustainability. Read Humanscale's 2020 CSR Report here

Stillgarden is not your run-of-the-mill distillery. Homed in Dublin 8, the team here has cultivated a community-led garden from which they are proudly sourcing botanicals for their range of fresh and sustainable libations.  What began as gifting a handful of out-of-work bartenders some grow kits during the first COVID-19 lockdown has blossomed into their Social Botanists Project, with herbs, fruit trees, berries, and more grown, cultivated, and nurtured by the local community, with a little help from Stillgarden’s gardener in residence, Connor Howlett.  Connor joins me today to offer his expertise on how we can all encourage nature to bloom in even the most inhospitable of locations and shares how the ingredients grown at the garden are translated into delicious cocktails and spirits. Warning; you will be thirsty after this chat!  From their tree-planting initiatives and nature walks to group gardening sessions and national pollinator plans, Stillgarden is inspiring residents to get their hands dirty, in the best way.  Find out more about Stillgarden and Connor's work here 

Today's episode offers a deep dive into Dublin’s first net-zero hotel, Wren Urban Nest. Tucked away on St Andrews Lane in Dublin’s city center, this sustainable safe haven, offers guests a holistic, carbon-neutral experience, from the sustainably sourced wine, food, and coffee, to the high-tech systems that allow energy to flow freely and efficiently throughout the building.  To learn more about the engineering and architecture behind the project, I spoke to Patrick Kavanagh and Michael Mullen from BDP, one of Ireland’s leading architecture offices with a reputation for high-quality and sustainable design.  Michael leads the BDP Dublin Studio Architects team and was the lead Architect on the hotel, while Patrick is an Engineering Associate with BDP, was the lead M&E Engineer on this project, and also leads BDP Dublin’s Sustainability team.  With the appetite for destinations like Wren growing, this conversation offers a fascinating insight into the challenges and triumphs of building a carbon-neutral hotel in a Georgian city. Learn more about Wren Urban Nest here 

In 2020, the Agriculture sector was responsible for 37.1% of national Greenhouse Gases emissions in Ireland. Globally, agriculture and agricultural practices consistently come under fire for their role in the climate crisis. But as one of the most impactful players in the emissions reductions race, isn’t it time we worked with the sector to change, rather than shame them into resistance? Enda Buckley certainly thinks so. As Director Of Sustainability at Carbery Group, a leading dairy company based in West Cork, Enda believes communication and dispelling untruths about the industry are the real catalysts for change. He shares some exciting insights into the changes he’s helping to oversee in the farming industry and offers a unique and hopeful take on the future of Ireland’s largest industry. Find out more about Enda's work here