Henry K. H. Wang emphasizes the importance of individual lifestyle changes for sustainable practices and environmental protection. He discusses his role in training teachers and students in Hong Kong to develop projects for environmental conservation, highlighting the success of the Ocean Park's coral restoration program. Henry points out the need for increased recycling, noting that Hong Kong's rate is only 32-34%, compared to 70% in China, and 80% in San Francisco. He also mentions the concept of sponge cities in Thailand to combat flooding and the role of mangrove trees in preventing erosion. Additionally, Henry addresses the issue of plastic pollution in our oceans and how they are affecting marine life. He suggests practical steps that everyone can do to save our planet.

Henry K. H. Wang: “Every one of us can change our lifestyle, so we can do more in creating a sustainable way to take care of the planet. Some cities around the world, particularly those near rivers, suffer from flooding every year. For example, Thailand has many cities, including Bangkok, which suffer from these floods. They have successfully introduced, as part of new smart city development, the concept of a sponge city. Thailand is restoring the green lands, gardens, and parks that they had created in the past. 

There's a type of tree that can be placed along the edge of water and the roots are not in the ground, they're curled at the edge of the water. These trees, mangrove trees, help with erosion. 

So, nature can be used to strengthen a city to become more resistant to flooding.”

*

Have a listen as I interview my special guest Henry K. H. Wang. Find out what climate change really means.

Henry K. H. Wang discusses his journey from starting at the bottom of corporate life to becoming a corporate leader and board member, emphasizing the importance of giving back by sharing his knowledge with younger generations and international organizations like the G20 and B20. He highlights his involvement in climate change and sustainability initiatives, contributing to policy recommendations that influence global government policies. 

Henry values donating knowledge over wealth, aiming to leave a lasting impact through his books, lectures, and speeches. We both agree on the significance of giving back and the various forms it can take.

Henry K. H. Wang: “There are different ways of donating. I enjoy sharing my knowledge. Many billionaires pledge to give away their wealth before they die. I want to give away all my knowledge before I die. When I die and am cremated, all my knowledge will become carbon molecules, so that's not going to be much use to anybody. But things I've written, lectures I've given, the six books I’ve written and hopefully the seventh, together with the 100 papers and speeches I've written will benefit students.”

*

Have a listen as I interview my special guest Henry K. H. Wang. Find out what climate change really means.

Henry K. H. Wang, a climate change expert based in Hong Kong, discusses his extensive career and contributions to climate action. Henry has worked with major corporations and been appointed by the Prime Ministers of the UK and China to bilateral climate working groups. He has also advised G20 leaders and B20 CEOs on climate, energy, and sustainability. 

Henry has authored six books, three on successful business negotiations and management and three on energy, climate change, and sustainability–with a seventh on carbon neutrality in the works. In this episode, Henry emphasizes the urgent need to address climate change, citing extreme weather events like wildfires, typhoons, and flooding as evidence of its impact. He highlighted the complexity and global nature of climate challenges, stressing the importance of international cooperation and preparedness.

Henry K. H. Wang: “I was born in Hong Kong, did my university education in the UK, and then had the fortune of joining one of the biggest companies in the world, working in different locations in Europe and Asia. I’ve also worked in the Middle East. 

In my 40 years of corporate life, I was very fortunate to be the director for strategy, guiding these major enterprises towards their successful development. 

I was lucky to be involved with climate change for the past 20 years. 

I found this to be a great area for me to devote a lot of my time and energy.” 

*

Have a listen as I interview my special guest Henry K. H. Wang. Find out what climate change really means.

Theofanis Varvoglis: “Hugging is a physical expression of warmth and safety, involving total vulnerability. Hugging is like a handshake, which historically served as a non-aggression signal. You couldn't draw your sword if you were shaking someone's hand. With hugging you are extra vulnerable and not only signally non-aggression, you are intimately sharing yourself with another. 

Hugging is a step beyond smiling, eye contact, and a handshake because it builds deeper trust and initiates intimacy. 

Intimacy is difficult without trust. 

Physical interactions create a sense of completeness and happiness. Engagement with others is essential for emotional well-being and trust. Emotional fuel is necessary to run through life effectively. We can build trust and connection through various forms of engagement. 

As humans, we desperately want to connect and understand one another.”

Have a listen as I interview my special guest Theofanis Varvoglis. Find out how learning to enjoy life can enhance your life.

Theofanis Varvoglis: “I believe that smiling is a signal of openness and positivity, and the first step to trust. Smiling creates bridges between people, fostering feelings of safety and warmth.

As humans we have a need for social interaction and love. 

Love guides our decisions and makes life meaningful. 

Life is a mystery and love is its purpose. 

I also believe that love has a significant impact on business success, as it often leads to quality and value. 

It's important to stay authentic and loving in all aspects of one's life.” 

Have a listen as I interview my special guest Theofanis Varvoglis. Find out how learning to enjoy life can enhance your life.

Theofanis Varvoglis: “Greece is pretty open about religion. It has a strong cultural aspect to it and identifies us culturally, not as much religiously. In my younger years, I said, "If Christ said all these things, why don't we keep them? Why don't we do the things he says? I tried to do the things he said. 

As a child I believed. 

As humans we are very strict about death. I'm not talking about killing in general. We are very strict about it as a society, this makes sense to me. But nature is not that way. Nature feels death is a necessary thing.

If I were dying and saying goodbye to everybody, I'd want them to know that if I had treated them wrongly, it wasn't because I intended to. ‘I tried. I did my best. I didn't mean to harm you.’

People in general try. They don't set out to attack you or harm you. It’s their limitations that get in the way and have this impact. So when you see someone failing, they aren't being lazy. Don't think they are mal-intended. Think that they are trying and doing the best they can.”

Have a listen as I interview my special guest Theofanis Varvoglis. Find out how learning to enjoy life can enhance your life.

Theofanis Varvoglis: “Why am I here? What am I doing here? What is my purpose? I always had the feeling that my job here was to improve myself. I had this thing about learning through life. The mystery of life to me is like a school. I’ve always felt transitional, I’m coming to go, and that must be why I felt it was so important to learn about myself. The more I learn, the more certain I become that I cannot interpret anything. 

Like the old adage, the more I learn ‘the less I know’. 

I was very opinionated as a child and as a young man. I had clear opinions. I used to believe that there's no life after death, which my father also believed. Now I can't even understand how I thought that. I can't understand how someone can even imagine there is no life after death. I was a rational person and used logic. I wasn’t much into believing in religion as described by society.”  

Have a listen as I interview my special guest Theofanis Varvoglis. Find out how learning to enjoy life can enhance your life.

Simon Haigh: “We are what we think and who we associate with. Everything starts with our thoughts. Then it goes to our feelings and eventually our behaviors, which can result in physical symptoms. So why not have a positive outlook? When I went through therapy, a number of years back, I was guided to imagine meeting the child version of myself. The boy Simon, who was confused, scared, and full of fear. The boy with a good brain, who had all of those things dragging him down. I was told to go up to him, put my arms around him, and give him a big hug. 

Then stand back and visualize his face. 

See the look of relief on his face. The look of 'oh, I'm not by myself anymore'. So, give yourself a hug. Sometimes we need to give ourselves a break. 

It's so important to have at least one person in your life who you can share your thoughts, worries, and concerns with. It can be somebody different from your spouse. Somebody you really trust; somebody who's not going to judge you. I have a good mentor, he's a sponsor to me like in the program in relation to addiction. I talked to him once a week, I talk to him every Thursday night. We tell each other how we're feeling, what's happened for us this week. Particularly our specific challenges. If you don't tell somebody you really trust, about the things that are worrying you, the chances are they are going to build inside you and create fear. Just let it out. just let it out. 

By doing that, the other person might be benefiting from it as well.” 

Have a listen as I interview my special guest, Simon Haigh. Find out how learning to enjoy life can enhance your life.

Simon Haigh: “Coming from a very dark place in my life, I realized that I didn't love myself. I treated myself like a vehicle. As I came out of that, I started to love and respect myself. If you can't be honest with yourself, you're not your own best friend. It's important to support yourself, as well as listen to yourself. Listen to your body and listen to your heart. It's not easy because our ego gets in the way. The mind starts whispering, ‘Simon, this is a load of rubbish! You don't need to be doing this stuff’. It's important to push that voice away, and be pure of thought. 

We can wash away resentment by focusing on the things we are grateful for.

There are many reasons why people fall into addiction. Typically, fear, anger, and resentment. For me it was resentment. Carrying resentment, that negative feeling about other people, is a complete and utter waste of time. It's feeding cancer in your body. We can wash away resentment by focusing on the things we are grateful for.

Find a common ground with people and build rapport. See the good in people. When you meet someone, do your best to make them feel better for having met you. 

Really put forth the effort and tell people you love them. And make sure you are doing the same for yourself.”

Have a listen as I interview my special guest, Simon Haigh. Find out how learning to enjoy life can enhance your life.

Simon Haigh: “The day after my last drink I went for a swim in an open air swimming pool in Perth, Western Australia. I went under the water and heard a voice. I didn't see flashing lights or anything. There was no other human being under the water. So there was no other voice. And I definitely didn't say anything. But I heard a distinct voice, a very calm voice. The words were very clearly audible. 'Simon, you never need to worry again'. Something shifted in me and I'm convinced that was the day I got in touch with my higher power. 

Now, if I make mistakes, I learn from those mistakes. 

I do my best; I don't live in the past and I don't get hung up on the future. 

I live in the moment; a bit like what Eckhart Tolle says in his book, "The Power of Now". Basically, live your best life and wake up to the fact that this is your best life. The future is the future, the past is the past. That's why today is our present. It's a present to be present. 

Life is precious. Enjoy every moment, even the difficult moments.”

Have a listen as I interview my special guest, Simon Haigh. Find out how learning to enjoy life can enhance your life.