As we deal with the effects of climate change, many of us want to know more about the past, present, and future of our environment. The climate change conversation has grown around the world because of news, protests, social media, movies, and books. But let’s not forget the humble conscious podcasts that are also inspiring others to take action.
Podcasts are universally praised for being a pleasant and effective means of both learning and being in the here and now, especially for those who are time-poor. From explaining eco-jargon to discussing organic gardening to discussing the intersection between racism and the outdoors with conservation efforts, the environmental movement has spawned a plethora of conscious podcasts in recent years.
Fuel your fire to fix the world through some sustainable listening with a couple of fun, witty, and hugely intelligent sounds bites. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite thought-provoking and conscious podcasts. Without further ado, here is our round-up from our favourite world-changers who delve into topics like sustainability, conscious living, clean energy, and climate change.
Live Wide Awake
We couldn’t compile a podcast guide without including Live Wide Awake from Green Is the New Black’s founder, Steph L Dickson. Digging deep into climate change, sustainability, and spirituality, this podcast encourages listeners to wake up and become empowered and conscious about the world around them, as well as their own lives. Exploring the vital link between human well-being and planet health, Live Wide Awake emphasises that healing is an inside-out job. Each episode features a super-conscious guest, from the director of A Plastic Ocean to intersectional activists.
Our Future Nature
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Our Future Nature Podcast, where the spotlight is on the visionaries accelerating solutions for a more sustainable planet. No dwelling on problems here; this podcast is all about unveiling innovative solutions.
Take a journey with the host, entrepreneur, conservationist, filmmaker, and GITNB’s CEO, Sean Lee-Davies. With a history of directing and producing shows for esteemed platforms like National Geographic, TVB, and Channel News Asia, Sean brings a wealth of experience. As a presenter, he has had the privilege of interviewing iconic personalities, ranging from Marc Jacobs and Leonardo DiCaprio to Jackie Chan and David Beckham. This podcast isn’t just informative; it’s a riveting exploration of the individuals shaping the world we aspire to create.
Sustainababble
The downside of this podcast is that it’s over. However, the silver lining is that you’ve got a treasure trove of over 200 episodes to binge-listen to. Plus, the content remains relevant no matter when you decide to dive in. Well-researched, accessible, and hilarious, Sustainababble is a comedy podcast about the environment. Led by Ol and Dave—”professional tree huggers”—the show sifts through eco myths and climate confusion in order to get to the truth, all while cracking jokes and keeping things casual with its loose, chatting-to-a-mate style.
Do you believe that fashion and fairness can go hand-in-hand? So does Kestrel, Conscious Chatter’s host. Kestrel is a style maven, former People Tree employee, and big believer in the ability to create and purchase clothing that’s ethical without compromising style or standards. Conscious Chatter runs the gamut when it comes to industry topics, discussing our present and our future in a variety of areas (from sustainable materials to racism) with guests from a whole array of professional backgrounds. Its tagline says it all: ‘100% Intentional Fashion. Unlearn, relearn, and repeat’.
The Angry Clean Energy Guy
“There is so much to be angry about if you’re a clean energy kind of guy” – reads the tagline of Assaad Razzouk’s weekly podcast, which he records in Singapore where he is a clean energy entrepreneur, investor and art gallery owner. Indeed, looking around, there is a lot to be angry about, and Razzouk opens the dialogue on these issues. The show gives examples and context for topics like climate change, solar or wind power, plastic pollution, deforestation and reforestation, environmental degradation, wildlife, the oceans, and more. Acknowledging the crisis isn’t enough anymore, so Assaad gives suggestions on how we can all be a little bit more environmentally responsible, or what we like to call #LittleGreenSteps. Episodes are short and sweet, coming in under 30 minutes on a weekly schedule.
#impact
Austrian-born but Hong Kong-based Regina Larko launched #impact in 2017 as a platform to talk about things that matter. Born out of frustration with the way the media often portrayed stories surrounding social impact grimly, Regina now uses her platform to tell impactful stories in a light and refreshing way. Her listeners are instead more likely to feel inspired by the individuals that Regina sits down with. The biweekly podcast covers topics ranging from environmental pollution to human rights violations, the sacrifices and hardships of underprivileged and forgotten communities, and discrimination and inequality. Each episode is under an hour and will arm you with the knowledge you need to fuel your own #LittleGreenSteps.
Basilic
This one is for our French-speaking followers. Basilic is a passion project started by a French expat who called Hong Kong home. Hosted by Jeane Clesse, you will listen to stories from founders like Lamazuna, one of France’s first zero-waste businesses, and interviews with the conscious spa manager of Revīvō. Taking it one step further, Jeane focuses the dialogue on putting social entrepreneurs and good initiatives in the limelight while bridging the gap between France and Asia. And yes, the podcast is in French, so you’d best start practising the language of Molière. Episodes come out sporadically and are easy to listen to at around 30 minutes.
In 2018, Kamea Chayne (a GITNB Green Warrior), the brain behind the Conscious Fashion Collective directory and Thrive: An Environmentally Conscious Lifestyle Guide to Better Health and True Wealth, launched her own podcast, Green Dreamer. The show connects with listeners who are interested in reaching equilibrium, wellness, and alignment with themselves and the Earth. So far, Kamea has spoken to over 300 changemakers via this inclusive, intersectional podcast, with topics ranging from supporting tribal communities to addressing light pollution.
GreenBiz 350
The podcast GreenBiz 350 provides a comprehensive look at environmental responsibility in the corporate and technological spheres. Joel Makower and Heather Clancy conduct in-depth interviews with business leaders whose organisations are making strides toward sustainability through green finance, clean technology, and the circular economy.
Get up to speed and join a global conversation about the issues that really matter. Not all episodes are climate-related, but those that are are well worth a listen. Hear from the brightest minds as they delve into challenging climate issues and what we can do about them.
This BBC Radio 4 podcast has been running since 2007, taking a closer look at the impact of humans on the environment. You can expect to hear about a wide range of topics, from animal rescues during bushfires to the use of robots in farming. Each episode will feature an interview with an expert or a panel discussion in which the host asks several knowledgeable guests what they think.
Sustainable Asia
Radio Hong Kong host Marcy Trent Long partners with China Dialogue and other NGOs for this hugely insightful podcast about the critical issues that China and Asia are facing in regard to sustainability. Marcy gives in-depth coverage on matters like plastic marine pollution, overfishing, and illegal marine trade. Under its umbrella, Sustainable Asia has a few podcast series: 1986, which investigates overfishing; The Plasticity Podcast, which talks about the future of plastic; Eight Million, which examines China’s role in tackling the ocean plastics challenge; and Trash Talk, which looks at recycling in Hong Kong, etc. Episodes are a bit sporadic but worth it.
The Response
With a focus on natural disasters and, more specifically, how different communities respond to them, The Response explores approaches to (and products of) disaster relief in different places and sectors—think everything from structural racism in the Grenfell Tower fires to radical methods of disaster relief in New York. It also hosts Q&As with a variety of experts and sensitively retells the stories of those on the ground, many of whom have never been given a platform on which to share their experience.
Sustainable World Radio
For budding gardeners and farmers out there, Sustainable World Radio’s got you. This podcast is ideal for anyone looking to grow their own food (we’re loving the Grow Your Own Apothecary Garden episode!) or learn more about permaculture, ecology, urban farming, plants, and beyond. With the help of experts, the show highlights the importance of nature and how we can both live alongside it and learn from it.
Bioneers: Revolution from the Heart of Nature
It can be easy to forget that sustainability is about people as much as the environment. Offering something different from most mainstream sustainability podcasts, Bioneers focuses on the stories of grassroots leaders and the people at the heart of the movement. Each episode is brimming with compassion, depth, and empathy and combines humanity with real solutions (what the non-profit organisation is known for).
Sourcing Matters
Examining the hows and whys of sourcing food, this podcast is hosted by Aaron Niederhelman, a fishmonger, healthy-eating advocate, and CEO of OneHealthAg (a company aiming to modernise the meat supply) and the non-profit farm-of-the-future. Each episode features a guest and covers a different food-related issue, from the organic label to food waste.
Sustainability Defined
For a wide range of topics under the sustainability umbrella, Sustainability Defined is a great offering. The environmentalists and regular guys Jay Siegel and Scott Breen host the educational show. With the help of a professional in the field, they explain and define a wide range of sustainability concepts, from energy storage to sustainable beer. It’s even included in course curriculums at universities across America.
TILclimate
If bite-size lessons are your bag, try TILclimate (TIL stands for ‘today I learned’). The award-winning podcast, produced by MIT, offers digestible takeaways on weighty topics and concepts such as nuclear power and the difference between electricity and energy. It’s straightforward but informed, featuring an expert (often an MIT researcher or expert) in that arena. Basically, anything you’ve ever wondered about the climate movement but felt too embarrassed to ask will likely be discussed on this show.
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