Our Top 10 Sustainability Podcasts for Business Leaders
In the spirit of making things easy for you, we’ve put together a carefully curated list of the top 10 most insightful and educational sustainability podcasts. And with so many companies and employees still working from home or adopting hybrid work-from-home models, this is the perfect way to continue your professional development from the comfort of your home office. If you have ventured back to the office, here are some podcasts to keep your commute time entertaining.
#1: GreenBiz 350 Podcast
If it’s making headlines in sustainable news, you can be sure that GreenBiz 350 is dissecting it with an inimitable mix of wit, clarity, and vast industry knowledge. Hosts Joel Makower and Heather Clancy, both titans of the sustainability field, approach their topics with a fact-based optimism that can’t help but inspire hope.
Recommended Episodes: Larry Fink’s CEO missive; no small potatoes, Talking net zero, an ESG journey, and Talking circularity, a 'nature-positive' future
Available On: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud
#2: A Sustainable Mind Podcast
A Sustainable Mind Podcast started out as Marjorie Alexander’s master’s thesis project and has grown into a place where earth-conscious individuals, ecopreneurs, environmental activists, sustainability enthusiasts, and conscious consumers tune-in to hear guests and changemakers talk about companies and projects that are changing the planet for the better. Marjorie's goal is for the podcast and topics to be relatable for everyone regardless of age or education – from a middle school student to retiree. Episodes end with actionable advice and resources for the listener.
Recommended episodes: The Democratization of Energy – Understanding your power bill, energy regulation, and the shift to decentralized clean energy and Sustainable Healthcare
Available On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
#3: Sustainability Defined
Sustainability is a relatively broad concept. Over at the Sustainability Defined podcast, they know this well. Hosts Jay Seigel and Scott Breen have a lofty goal: to push ambiguity out of the conversation.
Each episode, they break down an aspect of sustainability in clear, measured terms with the help of a guest expert. Whether you are a sustainability pro or are new to the topic, this podcast will help you learn something new!
Recommended episodes: Carbon Pricing with Dr. Marc Hafstead (Resources for the Future), and Racism and the Modern Environmental Movement with Faith Briggs (Global Works Community Fund)
Available On: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
#4: How to Save a Planet
Overwhelmed by the topic of climate change like the rest of us? Join journalist and host, Alex Blumberg, as he and the self-proclaimed “crew of climate nerds” as they share inspiring stories, tips on how to get out of this mess, as well as leave you with personal calls to action to address climate change.
Recommended episodes: A Storm is Brewing, Is it Climate Change? and The Earth Gets Left Off the Balance Sheet. Let’s Fix That
Available On: Spotify
#5: Sustainababble
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by analytical discussion and you can’t take any more experts throwing facts and figures around, then we’ve got just the podcast for you. Sustainababble is a rare blend of comedy, industry knowledge, and thought-provoking insight. Hosts David Powell and Oliver Hayes will make you laugh, blissfully unaware that you’ve been learning all along.
Recommended Episodes: Food Waste, Circular Economy, and History of the Climate Crisis
Available On: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
#6: America Adapts
Hosted by Doug Parsons, America Adapts features scientists, activists, policymakers and journalists covering the latest topics in how people and industries are adapting to climate change. This podcast explores sustainability challenges we are currently facing, and different ways society is (or could be) tackling those challenges. This podcast covers difficult topics in an educational and refreshingly optimistic way!
Recommended episode: Transformative Climate Adaptation in the United States - with Dr. Susanne Moser and Dr. Linda Shi and “Climatopias” + PBS Tackle Climate Adaptation
Available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
#7 The Sustainability Agenda
The Sustainability Agenda podcast has Fergal Byrne hosting a killer lineup of sustainability experts and thought leaders to take on some of the biggest questions in the industry today. Discussions are piercing and tactical, yet manage to retain an accessible, down-to-earth quality that makes for great listening. Learn how some of the top sustainability professionals are devising innovative solutions to long-standing challenges.
Recommended Episodes: Sir Richard Cohen, “the father of social investment,” discusses his new book, Impact, Reshaping capitalism to drive real change, Interview with Professor Daniel Aldrich on resilience and the importance of social capital in post-disaster recovery, and Innovation Forum Founder Toby Webb on building resilient smallholder supply chains and sustainability trends within the food industry
Available On: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
#8: The Impact Report
The Impact Report is unique in that it brings students, alumni, and faculty in Bard College’s MBA in Sustainability Program together with leaders in business and social entrepreneurship. Most of the discussion centers on innovation in sustainability across the globe. Learn about novel strategies being implemented all over the world — they might just help you see your own challenges in a new light.
Recommended episodes: Building Sustainability into a Legacy Company and Putting Sustainability at the Core of Businesses
Available On: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
#9: Think: Sustainability
Think: Sustainability is a podcast that digs deep into the impact of consumption across all areas of life. Hosts pursues questions that cover the scope of industry, technology, and human life. Learn about innovative approaches and emerging tech that can help you work smarter.
Recommended Episodes: Kids and Climate Change, Building Resilient Food Systems, and Sustainable Fashion
Available On: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
#10: The Sustainable Futures Report
Sustainability coach Anthony Day’s The Sustainable Futures Report is a well-researched podcast detailing how you can handle being in the middle of resource depletion, a climate change emergency, and an energy crisis… and still find a way to be profitable. Learn how you can fine-tune your sustainability initiatives to be in true concert with your cash flow.
Recommended Episodes: Neutral or Net Zero and A Chicken Can’t Lay a Duck Egg
Available On: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
ESG Extra –
Behind the Money
At the end of 2021, Behind the Money by The Financial Times, released a 5-part ESG series produced in partnership with the Financial Times Moral Money team and hosted by Manuela Saragosa. Because of this series around the hopes and hype surrounding ESG and sustainable investing, we wanted to add it to our top list.
Recommended episode: Inside ESG: Is the $1.7tn wave of sustainable investing hope or hype? and Inside ESG: Can businesses really marry profit and purpose?
Available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Listen, Learn, Lead
That’s a wrap! We hope these resources offer you the motivation and knowledge to leverage the increased global focus on ESG and sustainability into an opportunity for your personal and professional growth.
Looking for more virtual learning opportunities? Check out our blog, “EHS & Sustainability Conferences You Don’t Want to Miss in 2022” and “Stay On Top of Energy Transition With These Top 10 Podcasts"
