Matters of Consequence: Meaningful Conversations for Curious People

Every business depends on nature, even when those connections are difficult to see. But how can companies understand their impact on biodiversity, identify the ecosystems they rely on, and make better decisions before those systems begin to fail?

In this episode of Matters of Consequence, Michael Hanf speaks with Dr. Debbie Saunders, conservation ecologist, technology entrepreneur, and co-founder and CEO of NatureHelm. Debbie has spent more than 25 years working in conservation, threatened-species recovery, and ecological research. She is also the founder of Wildlife Drones, an award-winning technology company that has changed how researchers track endangered and migratory species around the world.

Debbie shares how her search for a better way to track migratory birds took her from academic research into engineering and entrepreneurship. What began as a practical response to a conservation challenge eventually became a technology used across several countries and for species ranging from Galápagos finches to Burmese pythons.

The conversation then turns to NatureHelm, a biodiversity intelligence platform helping businesses understand, manage, and report on nature-related risks and opportunities. Debbie explains why biodiversity data alone is not enough. Companies also need to understand what that data means, how species support ecosystems, and how those ecosystems connect to supply chains, water, agriculture, raw materials, and long-term business resilience.

Michael and Debbie also explore how artificial intelligence can help organisations analyse complex ecological relationships, evaluate different scenarios, and identify the actions likely to create the greatest positive impact. They discuss why companies must move beyond reporting frameworks and high-level metrics toward meaningful action on the ground, and how stronger biodiversity information can help prevent nature-related claims from becoming another form of greenwashing.

At the heart of the episode is a broader question about how science, technology, entrepreneurship, and business can work together. Debbie reflects on building multidisciplinary teams, creating technology that people can actually use, and learning that innovation only succeeds when it solves a real problem.

Why listen?

• Learn how a conservation scientist became the founder of two biodiversity technology companies.
• Understand why every company depends on ecosystems, regardless of its industry or location.
• Explore how NatureHelm turns complex biodiversity data into practical business intelligence.
• Discover how AI can support nature-related risk assessment and ecological decision-making.
• Hear why biodiversity action must move beyond reporting, compliance, and metrics.
• Learn how regenerative agriculture and land management can strengthen supply-chain resilience.

Whether you work in sustainability, biodiversity, agriculture, supply-chain management, technology, investment, research, or corporate strategy, this episode offers a practical look at the relationship between healthy ecosystems and resilient businesses.

Originally released as an episode of The Future of Sustainability, Season 1.

Keywords: biodiversity, biodiversity intelligence, biodiversity technology, nature-related risk, nature-positive business, NatureHelm, Debbie Saunders, Wildlife Drones, conservation technology, conservation ecology, AI for biodiversity, biodiversity data, ecosystem services, corporate biodiversity, supply-chain resilience, TNFD, regenerative agriculture, migratory species, wildlife tracking, ecological monitoring, biodiversity reporting, greenwashing, sustainable business, business and nature, Matters of Consequence podcast

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

What does it mean to move forward in a world where disruption has become the baseline? Recorded at Nordic Business Forum 2025 in Helsinki, this special episode of Matters of Consequence explores that question with keynote speakers, business leaders, researchers, and innovators from across the event.

The main guests are Dr. Howard Yu, LEGO Professor of Management and Innovation at IMD Business School and recipient of the Thinkers50 Strategy Award, and Peter Hinssen, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, lecturer, and five-time author on innovation, leadership, and digital transformation.

Howard Yu explains why future-ready companies reject the trade-off between short-term performance and long-term transformation. The strongest companies do not simply balance the two. They excel at both. Identify the few capabilities that strengthen both horizons and pursue them with discipline. Budgets are not strategies. Strategy requires choices, trade-offs, and the ability to scale what matters.

Peter Hinssen adds a perspective through his concept of the “never normal”, a world of continuous disruption where stability can no longer be taken for granted. He argues that resilience is not about bouncing back, but about bouncing forward. Using Microsoft’s reinvention under Satya Nadella as an example, Hinssen explores how companies can let go of “yesterwork”, the routines and processes that once delivered results but now hold them back. Leadership in this environment requires curiosity, experimentation, foresight, and the ability to learn at scale.

The episode also brings in perspectives from across Nordic Business Forum. Riina Bhatia, Research Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, discusses planetary boundaries and why economic success must be measured through well-being, education, health, and resource use, not GDP alone.

Atte Jääskeläinen, President of the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, argues that progress begins with an honest understanding of where Finland stands today. Juha Mattsson, Former CEO of Futures Platform, explains why foresight and signal detection only create value when leaders act before certainty arrives.

Sara Makkonen, Commercialisation Associate at Aircohol, calls on leaders and policymakers to give emerging technologies the space to develop, experiment, and occasionally fail. Tarja Koski, Senior Sustainability Manager at Finnair, reflects on the challenge of decarbonising aviation and why progress in hard-to-abate industries requires incremental action and broad collaboration.

Why listen?

• Learn why Howard Yu believes companies must perform and transform at the same time.
• Explore Peter Hinssen’s concept of the never normal and the need to bounce forward.
• Understand how foresight, AI, modular organisations, and scalable learning support reinvention.
• Hear perspectives from Sitra, Futures Platform, Aircohol, Finnair, and VTT.
• Consider why moving forward requires new definitions of business success and societal well-being.

Together, these voices show that moving forward is not about restoring stability or accelerating blindly. It requires clarity of priorities, the courage to dismantle what no longer serves, and the discipline to invest in what matters next.

Originally released as an episode of The Future of Sustainability, Season 1.

Keywords: Howard Yu, Peter Hinssen, Nordic Business Forum 2025, Nordic Business Forum Helsinki, IMD Business School, Thinkers50, future-ready companies, future readiness, never normal, corporate reinvention, business transformation, strategic foresight, scenario thinking, artificial intelligence, AI strategy, modular organisations, digital transformation, innovation leadership, perform and transform, scalable learning, yesterwork, Satya Nadella, Microsoft, Sitra, Atte Jääskeläinen, Futures Platform, Juha Mattsson, Aircohol, Sara Makkonen, Finnair, Tarja Koski, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Riina Bhatia, planetary boundaries, sustainable aviation, Matters of Consequence podcast

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

Can motorsport help fast-track the hydrogen economy? And what does it take to build the world’s first hydrogen-powered off-road racing championship from the ground up?

In this episode of Matters of Consequence, Michael Hanf speaks with Ali Russell, Managing Director of Extreme H. Building on the experience of Extreme E and Formula E, Extreme H is more than a racing championship. It is a test bed for hydrogen innovation, a global media platform, and an experiment in the future of sustainable mobility.

Ali explains how motorsport can accelerate innovation by compressing years of research and development into much shorter racing cycles. Extreme H is designed to test hydrogen fuel cells, vehicle safety, storage, logistics, and refuelling infrastructure under demanding conditions. The aim is not only to prove that hydrogen vehicles can perform, but also to build confidence among manufacturers, investors, governments, and the public.

The conversation examines where hydrogen can make a meaningful contribution to the clean-energy transition. Ali discusses its potential as a way to store and transport renewable energy, as well as its role in heavy industry, logistics, and transport. He is also open about the challenges, including limited infrastructure, production costs, safety concerns, and the need to coordinate investment across an entire ecosystem.

Working with the FIA, Spark Racing Technology, and fuel-cell company Symbio, Extreme H provides a platform where manufacturers can develop and demonstrate hydrogen technologies. The series is structured to attract companies such as Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, General Motors, and BMW, allowing them to test fuel cells, combustion systems, and related technologies while accelerating their path towards commercial applications.

The episode also explores Extreme H’s broader sustainability agenda. Like Extreme E, the championship uses sport and storytelling to draw attention to desertification, deforestation, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and other consequences of climate change. Short-format races, broad media distribution, and teams with one female and one male driver are intended to reach younger and more diverse audiences than traditional motorsport.

Ali reflects on the involvement of motorsport figures and organisations including Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson, McLaren, and Andretti, and why well-known sporting platforms can help introduce millions of fans to new energy technologies.

Why listen?

• Explore the opportunities and limitations of hydrogen in mobility and energy storage.
• Learn how Extreme H is testing fuel cells, safety systems, logistics, and refuelling infrastructure.
• Understand why motorsport can accelerate research and development.
• Hear how automakers, energy companies, regulators, and racing organisations can work together.
• Discover why equality, inclusion, media, and storytelling are central to the championship.
• Consider hydrogen’s potential beyond cars, including trucks, shipping, aviation, and other forms of transport.

This episode is not only about racing. It is about whether sport can create the conditions for wider change in how we think about performance, energy, innovation, and the future of transportation.

Originally released as an episode of The Future of Sustainability, Season 1.

Keywords: Ali Russell, Extreme H, Extreme E, Formula E, hydrogen motorsport, hydrogen-powered racing, hydrogen mobility, green hydrogen, hydrogen fuel cells, clean transportation, sustainable motorsport, motorsport innovation, energy transition, renewable energy storage, hydrogen infrastructure, hydrogen refuelling, sustainable mobility, FIA, Spark Racing Technology, Symbio, Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, General Motors, BMW, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson, McLaren, Andretti, gender equality in motorsport, climate storytelling, Matters of Consequence podcast

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

What if the future of innovation is not about building bigger systems, but about creating solutions that deliver more value with fewer resources?

In this episode of Matters of Consequence, Michael Hanf speaks with Serish Gandikota, an internationally recognised expert in frugal innovation and Frugal AI. Serish is the co-founder of InnoFrugal and co-leads the Frugal AI Hub at Cambridge Judge Business School. His work focuses on making innovation more inclusive, efficient, affordable, and sustainable.

As artificial intelligence develops at extraordinary speed, the gap between those who can access advanced technologies and those who cannot is also growing. Much of the AI debate focuses on larger models, greater computing power, and faster performance. Frugal AI asks a different question: does the system solve the right problem with the least possible waste and the greatest practical value?

Serish introduces five principles of Frugal AI: compute efficiency, climate-aware design, cultural and linguistic inclusion, affordability, and local relevance. He explains why technology must be designed around the realities in which people live, including limited connectivity, infrastructure, budgets, literacy, and access to devices.

The conversation draws on examples from India, Africa, and Europe. These include voice-based AI for people who cannot read, mobile-first tools for low-connectivity environments, and solutions designed for municipalities and public institutions with limited resources. The central idea is simple: technology should adapt to its context, rather than expecting people and communities to adapt to the technology.

Michael and Serish also discuss the hidden costs of AI. Organisations often focus on the initial investment while underestimating long-term energy use, maintenance, infrastructure, and operational costs. Serish explains why total cost of ownership must become part of responsible AI planning and how work at Cambridge is helping organisations evaluate these trade-offs.

A central theme is mindset. Frugal innovation requires moving beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and working closely with local communities, governments, startups, and other partners. Lasting impact does not come from launching a product alone. It depends on trust, adoption, local relevance, and the ability to scale what works.

The episode also introduces the Frugal AI Hub and its Adoption Labs, which connect local challenges with startups using Frugal AI methods to develop practical and scalable solutions.

Why listen?

• Understand what Frugal AI is and why it matters.
• Explore the global innovation gap and the importance of local context.
• Learn how compute efficiency, affordability, and climate-aware design shape responsible AI.
• Discover practical examples from India, Africa, and Europe.
• Understand the full financial, energy, and operational costs of AI systems.
• Hear how policy sandboxes, inclusive procurement, and local partnerships can support adoption.

Whether you work in AI, innovation, sustainability, policy, technology, or public-sector transformation, this episode offers a practical alternative to the assumption that progress must always mean greater scale and complexity.

Originally released as an episode of The Future of Sustainability, Season 1.

Keywords: Serish Gandikota, frugal innovation, Frugal AI, InnoFrugal, Frugal AI Hub, Cambridge Judge Business School, artificial intelligence, responsible AI, inclusive innovation, compute efficiency, climate-aware AI, affordable technology, local innovation, digital inclusion, AI sustainability, total cost of ownership, low-connectivity technology, voice-based AI, Adoption Labs, policy sandboxes, inclusive procurement, sustainable technology, emerging markets, Matters of Consequence podcast

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

This short preview introduces the Waves Gathering, taking place 11–13 September in Finland. Host Michael Hanf is joined by organizers Thomas Holm and Sara Lindeman to share what makes Waves unique, the themes of unlearning, collaboration, and finding new pathways, and why this gathering matters now.

Learn more: www.wavesgathering.com

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

How can climate journalism cut through the noise, overcome climate fatigue, and help people understand a rapidly changing world?

In this episode of Matters of Consequence, Michael Hanf speaks with Graihagh Jackson, Senior Broadcast Journalist at the BBC and presenter of The Climate Question, the BBC World Service programme exploring climate change through science, policy, economics, and personal stories.

Graihagh shares how her interest in nature led her to study physical geography and science communication before moving into radio. She explains how The Climate Question combines rigorous reporting with storytelling to make climate change more accessible.

Climate change competes for attention with inflation, healthcare, immigration, and the economy. It can also feel abstract and emotionally exhausting. Graihagh explains why the programme focuses on human stories, showing how people and communities experience climate change and respond to it.

The conversation explores episodes on electric mobility in Delhi, child marriage in Bangladesh, and communities in Malawi receiving support from the Loss and Damage Fund after a cyclone. These stories connect climate change with air pollution, public health, migration, poverty, gender inequality, and economic development.

Graihagh also discusses the BBC’s principle of informing rather than influencing. The BBC is not impartial about established climate science, but it remains impartial about the political and societal choices made in response. Its role is to communicate facts, examine solutions, and help audiences form their own views.

Michael and Graihagh examine how journalists can communicate urgency without leaving audiences powerless. Solutions, humour, unexpected questions, and actionable information can help people remain engaged rather than turning away.

They also discuss listener questions, which reflect different experiences and priorities around the world, and journalism’s responsibility to challenge misinformation, hold governments and companies accountable, and connect climate change with reporting on health, business, politics, and the economy.

Why listen?

• Learn how the BBC makes climate journalism accessible and relevant.
• Explore how storytelling can help overcome climate fatigue and news avoidance.
• Understand the difference between informing audiences and influencing them.
• Hear how climate change connects with healthcare, migration, poverty, and inequality.
• Consider journalism’s role in countering disinformation and holding institutions accountable.

Whether you work in journalism, communications, sustainability, policy, or climate action, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how trusted reporting can help people understand one of the defining issues of our time.

Originally released as an episode of The Future of Sustainability, Season 1.

Keywords: Graihagh Jackson, The Climate Question, BBC, BBC World Service, climate journalism, climate communication, climate storytelling, climate fatigue, news avoidance, climate misinformation, climate disinformation, climate change reporting, solutions journalism, environmental journalism, electric mobility India, Delhi electric vehicles, child marriage Bangladesh, climate migration, Loss and Damage Fund, Malawi climate change, climate finance, BBC climate podcast, sustainability communication, Matters of Consequence podcast

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

What changes when women can decide whether, when, and how many children they want to have?

In this episode of Matters of Consequence, Michael Hanf speaks with Aino Försti-Smith, Head of Communications at Bayer Finland and Board Member at UN Women Finland, about the strategic importance of women’s health, reproductive rights, and access to contraception.

Aino explains how her commitment to women’s health grew from meeting a colleague working with girls in Kenya who had become mothers far too young. That encounter made the human consequences of limited reproductive choice impossible to ignore and shaped the direction of her work.

The conversation explores Bayer’s more than 100-year history in women’s health, from early research into sex hormones to the development of modern contraceptives. It also looks at the significance of Bayer’s Turku operations, where hormonal intrauterine systems are developed and manufactured for markets around the world.

A central focus is Bayer’s goal of providing 100 million women in low- and middle-income countries with access to modern contraception by 2030. Aino discusses the three elements behind that ambition: expanding production, adapting pricing to local purchasing power, and building strong partnerships with organisations such as the United Nations Population Fund, the Gates Foundation, and The Challenge Initiative.

Access, however, is not only about making products available. Aino explains why education, cultural acceptance, local knowledge, and trust are essential. Examples from Kenya, Egypt, and India show how reproductive health programmes must be designed with governments, health workers, teachers, parents, community leaders, women, and men.

The episode also examines the wider impact of contraception. When women can make decisions about pregnancy, they are more likely to stay in school, work, gain economic independence, and support healthier families. The benefits extend beyond individual women to entire communities and future generations.

Michael and Aino also discuss the persistent underinvestment in women’s health research and the commercial as well as societal case for change. Aino highlights the Women’s Health Hub Finland and the role public-private partnerships can play in accelerating innovation and improving health outcomes.

Why listen?

• Understand why reproductive health is central to gender equality and sustainable development.
• Learn how access to contraception affects education, employment, and economic independence.
• Explore why local partnerships and community engagement determine whether solutions succeed.
• Hear lessons from reproductive health initiatives in Kenya, Egypt, and India.
• Consider the role of companies, governments, and international organisations in advancing women’s health.
• Learn why investing in women’s health is both a social responsibility and a strategic opportunity.

Behind every target and statistic is a person. Aino’s message is that empowering even one woman to take control of her future can create an impact that lasts for generations.

Originally released as an episode of The Future of Sustainability, Season 1.

Keywords: Aino Försti-Smith, Bayer Finland, UN Women Finland, women’s health, reproductive health, reproductive rights, contraception, family planning, gender equality, women’s empowerment, access to medicine, Bayer, United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Challenge Initiative, Women’s Health Hub Finland, Turku, maternal health, public-private partnerships, sustainable development, Matters of Consequence podcast

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

Can capitalism become a force for good? And can the choices we make in a supermarket help reshape global supply chains?

In this episode of Matters of Consequence, Michael Hanf speaks with Paul Rice, founder and former CEO of Fair Trade USA and author of Every Purchase Matters. Paul has spent more than 25 years working to transform global supply chains into engines of equity, sustainability, and shared value.

Paul’s journey began in Nicaragua, where he worked with coffee farmers in remote mountain communities. After seeing the limits of top-down development aid, he encountered a different idea: “trade, not aid.” Rather than treating farmers as recipients of charity, fair trade offered them a better price and a stronger position in the market.

Paul helped establish Nicaragua’s first fair trade coffee cooperative with 24 farming families. The cooperative later grew to thousands of members, enabling communities to invest in education, clean water, healthcare, and environmental restoration. The experience changed Paul’s view of markets and convinced him that capitalism could be redesigned to create value for people, businesses, and the planet.

After returning to the United States, Paul founded Fair Trade USA in an Oakland warehouse in 1998. He describes the early scepticism from companies that doubted consumers would pay more for ethical products or believed fair trade was simply charity. Early partners such as Equal Exchange, Ben & Jerry’s, and Starbucks helped move the idea into the mainstream.

The conversation explores Fair Trade USA’s partnerships with companies including Walmart, Patagonia, Whole Foods Market, Costco, Chobani, Williams Sonoma, and e.l.f. Beauty. Paul explains why fair trade must work for businesses if it is going to work for farmers and workers. More resilient supply chains, better worker retention, stronger productivity, product differentiation, and increased consumer trust all form part of the business case.

One example comes from Walmart’s fair trade tomato programme. Workers reported better conditions, farms improved retention and productivity, and sales increased without raising the consumer price. For Paul, this illustrates how sustainability can move from a side initiative into the core business model.

Michael and Paul also discuss the gap between what consumers say and what they buy. Paul identifies three factors that can close it: availability, affordability, and storytelling. Sustainable products must be easy to find, accessible across income groups, and connected to the people and places behind them.

Why listen?

• Hear how Paul Rice helped build Fair Trade USA from a small nonprofit into a major ethical sourcing movement.
• Understand why fair trade is based on market access and dignity rather than charity.
• Explore how ethical sourcing can strengthen supply chains and create business value.
• Learn from partnerships with Walmart, Starbucks, Patagonia, Whole Foods Market, and other major brands.
• Discover how availability, price, trust, and storytelling influence consumer behaviour.
• Consider how individual purchasing decisions can shape corporate action and global markets.

Paul’s message is ultimately one of hope and responsibility. No single purchase will transform the world, but millions of purchasing decisions can influence companies, support farmers and workers, and move markets in a more sustainable direction.

Originally released as an episode of The Future of Sustainability, Season 1.

Keywords: Paul Rice, Every Purchase Matters, Fair Trade USA, fair trade, ethical sourcing, conscious capitalism, sustainable supply chains, consumer choice, responsible consumption, coffee farmers, social enterprise, trade not aid, shared value, fair trade certification, Walmart, Starbucks, Patagonia, Whole Foods Market, Costco, Chobani, Williams Sonoma, e.l.f. Beauty, Ben & Jerry’s, ethical products, supply chain resilience, sustainable business, Matters of Consequence podcast

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

How can a global motorsport championship reduce its impact while continuing to deliver speed, performance, and excitement?

In this episode of Matters of Consequence, Michael Hanf speaks with Marc de Jong, Head of Business Development at the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), about how WRC is integrating sustainability, innovation, and social impact into the future of rallying.

Marc has worked with the WRC Promoter for 25 years and leads projects related to partnerships and sustainability. Drawing on his background at Nissan and the UK think tank Energy Efficient Motorsport, he explains why motorsport must become part of the solution to environmental and societal challenges.

The conversation explores WRC’s sustainability roadmap and its five central pillars: climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, innovation, positive social impact, and responsible management. These priorities reflect the particular nature of rallying, which takes place on public roads and passes through forests, mountains, rural communities, and protected landscapes across five continents.

Marc discusses WRC’s introduction of 100% sustainable fuel in 2022 and the lessons learned from deploying it across different countries, infrastructures, and regulatory systems. He also reflects on the introduction of hybrid technology and why motorsport offers a unique environment for developing, testing, and communicating technologies under extreme conditions.

The episode looks beyond the rally cars themselves. Logistics, broadcasting, event infrastructure, and travel account for much of the championship’s overall impact. By connecting events to a remote broadcast centre in Helsinki through Tata Communications, WRC has reduced the number of people and equipment transported to each rally.

Marc also shares examples of local impact. At the Safari Rally Kenya, WRC works with the University of Nairobi to protect wildlife, monitor waterways, and reduce disruption to the surrounding ecosystem. In Mexico, a mobile medical unit provides healthcare to remote communities along the rally route throughout the year.

Michael and Marc discuss how WRC uses its global audience to introduce technologies such as sustainable fuels, connected mobility, telemetry, and fossil-free plastics. With billions of television and social media engagements, rallying can help make unfamiliar innovations visible and relevant to consumers.

Why listen?

• Understand WRC’s five-pillar sustainability strategy.
• Learn how sustainable fuels and hybrid technologies are tested through rallying.
• Explore why logistics and broadcasting matter as much as emissions on the stages.
• Hear how WRC supports biodiversity and communities in Kenya and Mexico.
• Discover how motorsport can develop, validate, and communicate new technologies.
• Consider how fans can become ambassadors for more sustainable mobility.

Whether you follow rallying, work in sustainability, or are interested in how established industries can transform, this episode offers a practical look at the relationship between performance, responsibility, and innovation.

Originally released as an episode of The Future of Sustainability, Season 1.

Keywords: Marc de Jong, FIA World Rally Championship, WRC, Rally Finland, sustainable motorsport, sustainable fuel, hybrid rally cars, motorsport innovation, WRC sustainability roadmap, climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, Safari Rally Kenya, Rally Mexico, University of Nairobi, FIA Environmental Accreditation, sustainable logistics, remote broadcasting, Tata Communications, connected mobility, telemetry, fossil-free plastics, sustainable mobility, Matters of Consequence podcast

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

Can art create the space for conversations that facts and arguments alone often fail to open?

In this episode of Matters of Consequence, Michael Hanf speaks with Peppi Stünkel, founder of Team Creativity Finland and co-founder of the global exhibition I WAS BORN A GIRL. Peppi’s journey has taken her from the gaming industry and international business to environmental work in Cambodia and Mexico, where her experience with grassroots organisations strengthened her commitment to social justice, gender equality, and environmental protection.

Peppi explains how I WAS BORN A GIRL grew from a collaboration with artist and poet Minna Pietarinen. Inspired by Malala Yousafzai and the continued denial of basic rights to women and girls, they created an exhibition combining portraits, poetry, and personal stories to make human rights visible.

The exhibition presents women who have challenged barriers around the world. Each portrait represents a different right, including education, political participation, peace, security, and a life free from violence. The goal is not only to raise awareness, but to create hope. As Peppi puts it, fear can paralyse, while hope can lead to action.

The project first opened in Mexico City in 2023 at the National Museum of the Cultures of the World. Initially planned for one month, it remained for five months and attracted 26,000 visitors. It has since travelled internationally, including exhibitions in Africa, South America, Finland, and at the United Nations in Geneva.

Peppi reflects on how the exhibition has connected with women and men across cultures. Visitors have recognised their own experiences in the artwork and poetry, while local partners have used the exhibition to begin conversations about gender-based violence, education, political rights, and equality. In Namibia, one organisation even created a discussion event specifically for men.

The conversation also explores the importance of collaboration. Finnish embassies, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, UNFPA, Plan International, local governments, NGOs, and cultural institutions have helped each exhibition respond to its local context. A virtual version now makes the work accessible globally and gives organisations supporting women a tool they can use without the cost of hosting a physical exhibition.

Michael and Peppi also discuss Team Creativity Finland and the role of art in business. Through collaborative painting, teams can address change, conflict, and difficult emotions in a different way. Titles and roles begin to disappear, people communicate more openly, and challenges become easier to discuss when they are placed on a canvas rather than kept inside.

Why listen?

• Discover how art and poetry can make human rights personal and accessible.
• Hear how I WAS BORN A GIRL developed from an idea into a global exhibition.
• Explore why hope can be more effective than fear in inspiring action.
• Understand how exhibitions can create safer spaces for conversations about gender equality and violence.
• Learn why involving men, families, institutions, and local communities matters.
• Consider how collaborative art can strengthen communication and trust inside organisations.

This episode is about the power of creativity to help people see, feel, and discuss what might otherwise remain unspoken. It shows how one exhibition can become a platform for recognition, connection, and action.

Originally released as an episode of The Future of Sustainability, Season 1.

Keywords: Peppi Stünkel, I WAS BORN A GIRL, Team Creativity Finland, Minna Pietarinen, gender equality, women’s rights, human rights, art activism, social impact art, poetry, gender-based violence, Malala Yousafzai, UNFPA, Plan International, United Nations Geneva, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Finnish embassies, creative leadership, collaborative art, art in business, team development, social justice, Matters of Consequence podcast

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