A moment of change

Humour over purity: a better way to talk about the climate. For Stuart Goldsmith, climate action shouldn’t be reserved for only the “purest” among us. In fact, laughing at our imperfections is what opens the door to more climate conversations. For the final episode of the On Purpose podcast series, I sat down with climate comedian Stuart Goldsmith to learn how he uses humour to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time.

As someone early in my career and passionate about the climate, moving into the sustainability space has often brought up a sense of imposter syndrome: the feeling that you should know everything, be vegan and have cared about the climate since the day you were born. Speaking with Stuart helped me remind me what it means to participate in climate work.

In the podcast, Stuart and I delve into topics from resilience to legacy, AI to veganism. Humour won’t solve the climate crisis, but it might just get more of us

talking. Hear the rest of Stuart’s reflections in the full episode of the On Purpose podcast.

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🎙️ A Moment of Change: Creativity for Action: The On Purpose podcast continues its 5th series — exploring how creativity can shift mindsets, inspire action, and help build a more purposeful economy through the use of film. 

Ben Brown and Ciara Doyle are the co-founders of Going Green Media, a planet-first, solution-oriented media brand filming green projects around the world that inspire action. 

With the prevalence of digital media driving climate conversations today, Going Green Media has developed a unique style of storytelling, engaging with millions of individuals online every month.

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Join our host Nikita Shah (recent On Purpose Fellow) as she explores how creativity can amplify voices, challenge narratives, and build community with two incredible changemakers.

Shanzay is a marathon runner who found strength and confidence through long-distance running. Her journey has been shaped by her experiences as a refugee, which taught me resilience and perseverance. Through these experiences, she has seen the power of determination and the importance of community support. For Shanzay, running is not just about races, it’s about growth, hope, and the courage to keep moving forward.

Josie Kyan is a Programme Manager at Breadwinners, where she designed and led the inaugural Creative Advocacy Project; HEY SALAM HOLA BWAKEYE. Drawing on her skills in facilitation, photography, and creative direction, she created a programme that not only challenges negative narratives of refugees in the media but also upskills and empowers its co-creators. The project gave participants the tools to represent themselves on their own terms, while opening doors to work opportunities and internships across the creative industries. Josie works in photography, filmmaking, and charity with a simple belief: everyone should be seen and valued equally. She is currently building a production company, SOME Collective, to elevate this work.

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A Moment of Change podcast episode #2 

Paint the Streets: Street Art and Action in Colombia 

When my OnPurpose cohort came together to relaunch the ‘Moment of Change’ podcast I certainly didn’t think that six months later I’d be hosting and editing an episode about Street Art, let alone one featuring a guest from Colombia, yet here we are. 

Being an OnPurpose associate (now Fellow!) has constantly thrown up new and exciting possibilities, and this is certainly one I’m grateful to have been part of.  

The episode will be released in the coming days, but I wanted to take the chance to share some background on the topic, our guests, Alejandro and Andres, and how this podcast came to fruition. 

When the series title Creativity for Action was selected, I was pretty resigned to playing minimal role in its creation given creativity is far from my strength. A couple of days later though, I was running through one of my favourite places in London, the Leake Street arches (or the “graffiti tunnel” as I like to call it). Here, graffiti artists and muralists (yes, there is a difference I’ve found out!) gather to constantly update the walls with whatever inspires them. Often, political statements will catch my eye and get me thinking about Banksy’s work. Banksy, being the most famous street artist who regularly uses their art to make political statements, the most recent being an artwork on the Royal Courts of Justice building, depicting a judge hammering down a protester, just days after hundreds of Palestine Action protestors were arrested. With a newfound appreciation for what Creativity for Action could mean, I started to think maybe I could host a podcast episode. One about Banksy and the impact street artists try to make. The obvious guest would’ve been Banksy themselves… a little tricky, perhaps! 

A few weeks later I was in Brighton with a fellow OnPurpose associate (Andres) who was in the latest April 2025 cohort. We got onto the topic of the podcast, and he immediately told me about his brother, Alejandro, who is a street artist for impact in Colombia. His passion for his brother’s work and the impact he’s making in communities immediately hooked me, and from there, I knew I had my episode. 

Many months later, I’m proud to say we recorded a wonderful conversation about what Alejandro does in Colombia and I even conquered the art of editing (tracks shifting out of sequence could not conquer me!). 

I won’t spoil the episode but I really hope people enjoy listening and learning about real community work that is making a difference on the ground, as well as bigger pieces of art that make a statement! 

As I learned from the brothers: seguimos siendo niños - We’re still children

And finally, one of my favourite quotes from the episode:  “...you can make an impact with small acts, so just start doing something and the world will change, it doesn't matter if it's a big mural or if you share 2 minutes with a grandma…”. 

Happy listening, 

Andreas

Alejandro goes by the name Agüd for his street art - you can follow him on Instagram or via his website 

https://agud95.com/en-en?srsltid=AfmBOooGshYhJB3zA4aIlW7KVjg6vFZ5xT9lEAMqSEkJm9dE1GkN8vkc

Insta - @agud95

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“Any strategy that gets put forward at this point that doesn't seem at least a bit ridiculous is really not ambitious enough.” – Rob Hopkins

🎙️ …and with that challenge, we’re kicking off our new podcast series A Moment of Change: Creativity for Action. Episode 1 is now live: How Creative Stories Build Communities.

Join our host Rhea Patel as she dives into this challenge with two incredible changemakers using creativity to shake things up:

🎵 Oli Frost – climate satirist whose novelty songs, spoof apps and viral stunts (including the one that got Greta Thunberg doing the Macarena) use humour to cut through the noise

🌱 Rob Hopkins – co-founder of the Transition movement, author, podcaster and imagination activist inspiring communities worldwide

Together, they explore how humour and imagination can spark connection, shift culture, and bring people together in the face of crisis.

We hope you enjoy the episode.

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A Moment of Change is a podcast created by On Purpose London Associates, participants of On Purpose’s Associate Programme.

For Series 4, the team is looking at an area they’re really passionate about: the circular economy. They’ll be talking to inspiring people and organisations, who share with us ‘Stories of Hope’; stories of their work in the circular economy and the incredible impact they have on our world.

Our current food system is the leading cause of soil degradation, water pollution, deforestation and loss of wildlife. In episode 3 of the podcast, Amy and Will speak to Harriet Cherry, Agriculture Relationship Manager at Wildfarmed, a regenerative food brand on a mission to change farming, transform landscapes and regenerate nature.

In this episode we discuss how farming can restore nature’s ecosystems instead of merely extracting from it. How instead of degrading nature, agricultural practices can build natural capital and shift our farming focus from yields to a more holistic view of improving biodiversity. And critically we learn more about why we need to address this now.

Despite the challenges faced in our agricultural and food systems, Harriet leaves us feeling hopeful about the growing regenerative movement that Wildfarmed is part of. She also remind us of the agency that we all have as individuals to create change through our food choices.

For more information about Wildfarmed and the work they do to transform landscapes through regenerative agriculture, visit their website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Moment of Change is a podcast created by On Purpose London Associates, participants of On Purpose’s Associate Programme.

For Series 4, the team is looking at an area they’re really passionate about: the circular economy. They’ll be talking to inspiring people and organisations, who share with us ‘Stories of Hope’; stories of their work in the circular economy and the incredible impact they have on our world.

In this episode, Miranda and Kate are joined by Thami Schweichler, CEO of United Repair Centre (URC). URC are paving the way to transform the clothing industry by putting people first, one repair at a time. They enable clothing brands to make real social and environmental impact with a digital, one-stop shop for circular solutions. 

This discussion explores the current human cost of our throwaway mindset to clothing. We all want to do our best to consume more responsibly, and this conversation highlights the importance of a mindset and behaviour shift towards thinking of clothing as a long-term investment, which can be repaired repeatedly and kept in circulation for as long as possible. We also discuss URC's business model and how technology has the potential to act as a catalyst for wide-scale adoption of circular thinking in business. 

Thami leaves us feeling hopeful about the future of the circular economy, noting increasing collaboration over competition among brands. Plus, he shares practical tips for integrating circular thinking into your daily life.

For more information about URC  and the work they do to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, visit their website. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Moment of Change is a podcast created by On Purpose London Associates, participants of On Purpose’s Associate Programme.

For Series 4, the team is looking at an area they’re really passionate about: the circular economy. They’ll be talking to inspiring people and organisations, who share with us ‘Stories of Hope’; stories of their work in the circular economy and the incredible impact they have on our world.

 In this first episode, Alice, Matt and Sarah speak with Hannah Casey from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation about the diverse ways the organisation is accelerating the transition to a circular economy. They discuss policies that could solve some of the key issues within the circular economy space, how bringing business together can help reduce plastic waste and pollution and what we as individuals can do to become more ‘circular’.

For more information about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the work they do to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, visit their website: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/

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A Moment of Change is a podcast created by On Purpose London Associates. Series 3 of A Moment of Change will discuss systems change with key leaders working in various areas of social and environmental impact, delving into the practicalities of systems change rather than just the theory. 

In this episode, Jonathan Spencer and Felicity Kneeshaw speak to Kali Hamerton-Stove, CEO of The Glasshouse, and Annie Gale, head of the RAW Talent Programme at Cook, on how both organisations are providing training, employment, support and – crucially – hope to people leaving prison.

Cook has recruited nearly 150 vulnerable people into work since the programme started in 2014, while The Glasshouse focuses on plant installation and maintenance to provide opportunities to the 4% of the prison population who are female.

The UK has one of the worst reoffending rates in the western world: ex-offenders particularly struggle to find employment, yet having a job on release from prison roughly halves the likelihood of committing another crime.

Kali and Annie discuss some of the challenges of working within the complex justice system, the impact they are having on both individuals and wider social attitudes, and their hope that other businesses will follow their lead. We also hear first hand from John and Del on how joining Cook has given them a second chance and support network after leaving prison.

If you’d like to see Cook’s Raw Talent Programme in action, or speak to the Glasshouse about plantscaping or workshops, then do get in touch with Annie and Kali.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Moment of Change is a podcast created by On Purpose London Associates. Series 3 of A Moment of Change will discuss systems change with key leaders working in various areas of social and environmental impact, delving into the practicalities of systems change rather than just the theory. 

In this episode, associates Jonny Singh and Javan Pyne are joined in conversation with current OP mentor Ed Short. The trio reflect on their own diverse experiences, and talk about the way mental health issues affect different communities. Traditional ideals around masculinity can be a barrier to engaging with issues around mental health, and we discuss how we can overcome those barriers to better support each other and the people in our lives. 

In an open and powerful conversation, Jonny, Javan and Ed consider how by discussing the experiences of both the military veteran community and the afro-caribbean community we can tell a wider story about approaches to male mental health. They talk about how issues of identity, power, social norms, and vulnerability can affect the way men see themselves, each other, and how they interact with their loved ones and wider communities.

There are a number of resources available if you or someone you know needs support. These include Black Minds Matter, SANDS, Combat Stress, The Ubele Initiative, and The Samaritans. Please do reach out to these fantastic organisations if you feel that things are getting too difficult to deal with on your own.

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