Futurist

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

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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

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Today’s guests are Dorothy Maxwell and Brian Minehane, 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. 

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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. 

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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

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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