Millennial Masters

This week’s Millennial Master is Will Polston, high-performance strategist and author of North Star Thinking.

Will once believed money was the key to happiness. That belief made him rich early, but left him unfulfilled.

After a life-altering “lightning moment” at a Tony Robbins event, he uncovered what was really driving him: the desire to help others unlock their potential.

Since then, Will’s coached thousands of entrepreneurs, built multiple businesses, and developed a framework to help people find their North Star and finally stop tolerating the wrong life.

🔗 Find Will on LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube

Takeaways from Will’s episode

1️⃣ Money was never the problem

Will thought financial success would fix everything. It didn’t. His obsession with wealth was rooted in childhood, watching his dad’s potential go unrealised. That moment shaped his drive far more than the money itself ever could.

2️⃣ Distractions ruin performance

Your results depend on what you’re willing to remove. Will defines peak performance as your full potential, minus whatever gets in the way. Focus is built through subtraction, not just more effort.

3️⃣ You get what you tolerate

Unhappiness often comes from staying in the wrong place for too long. Will challenges clients with one simple question: “Are you willing to keep tolerating this?” The longer the wait, the harder the recovery.

4️⃣ Purpose isn’t found, it’s made

Waiting for clarity doesn’t work. Will created his purpose by identifying what energised him, what problems he could solve, and what future felt meaningful. That became his North Star, and the filter for every decision since.

5️⃣ Small actions shift your direction

After a major career setback, Will didn’t launch a business overnight. He just posted one quote each day. Then he built on that. Every result since started with that tiny move and a choice to keep going.

📖 Will’s book recommendations

The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale — A short but powerful audio-book that shaped Will’s view of success. It reframed success as the pursuit of a meaningful goal, not a fixed destination.

Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr Maxwell Maltz — Will credits this book for introducing him to the concept of visualisation and self-image. It helped him understand how mental rehearsal creates real-world results.

The Hero by Rhonda Byrne — Less well known than The Secret, this book triggered a second lightning moment. It reminded Will that making an impact doesn’t require perfection — it starts with sharing what you know, where you are.

North Star Thinking by Will Polston — His own book captures the full framework he uses with clients to build clarity, direction, and momentum. If you’re stuck, drifting, or just ambitious but unsure, this lays out the system.

➕ Also see Will’s full curated list of 300+ books by category

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Intro to Will Polston

02:29 The pursuit of happiness: money vs fulfilment

08:20 Early entrepreneurial spirit

12:53 The turning point: discovering personal development

22:15 From income to impact: finding purpose

24:11 Common founder challenges: clarity, action, accountability

27:24 Knowing when it’s time to change

29:29 Myths of success

30:31 Designing a life of fulfilment

34:00 Habits of peak performers

35:51 Who you surround yourself with

41:24 Long-term vision and passion

42:38 Ikigai and the power of your North Star

44:52 Manifestation and taking action

49:30 Focus and productivity

53:29 Advice to Will’s younger self

55:54 Books that shaped Will’s thinking

57:39 How to create your North Star

From Afghanistan to burnout to Better Happy, Mike Jones has lived every extreme.

After five years in military intelligence (including two tours with Special Forces), Mike chased fulfilment across Thailand, Nepal, and Australia… only to find himself building a business that drained the life out of him.

In this episode, we unpack how hustle culture broke him, and how he rebuilt a business (and mindset) that actually works.

🔗 Find Mike on LinkedIn and YouTube

Takeaways from Mike’s episode

1️⃣ Working harder isn’t the answer, working on the right things is

Mike says most founders aren’t lazy. They’re just busy fools. “It’s actually trying to work hard that’s holding them back.” Strategy beats sweat.

2️⃣ Burnout sneaks up slowly then hits like a truck

Mike didn’t realise how burnt out he was until months after shutting his gym. “It was only two months later I realised how bad I was.”

3️⃣ Success without sacrifice is possible if you stop selling your time

“The real shift,” Mike says, “is selling outcomes, not hours.” It’s how he broke free from the founder trap and built a scalable, sustainable business.

4️⃣ The workplace is the new religion

With declining community and belief systems, Mike argues that people now seek meaning, purpose and belonging through their work. Leaders need to step up.

5️⃣ If your business can’t run without you, you don’t own a business, you own a job

Mike’s mantra: the business must work for you, not the other way round. That means systems, ownership mindset, and ruthless clarity on what not to do.

📖 Mike’s book recommendations

The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama – shifted his view of what happiness really is

The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku – perspective from a Holocaust survivor

The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman – spirituality in story form

Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley – essential reading for building a scalable, asset-driven business (which I’ve previously broken down)

The Happy Business Revolution by Mike Jones – his own playbook for building a business that works for you (and featured in my book club)

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Intro to Mike Jones

02:35 From military to mindfulness

11:10 The entrepreneurial journey begins

19:23 Recognising burnout and seeking change

23:10 Building a new business model

25:00 Corporate partnerships and personal branding

29:56 Why the workplace has become the new religion

37:16 Finding purpose in work beyond money

41:42 Is success without sacrifice possible?

📺 Watch the full episode on Substack or 🎧 listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Millennial Masters is brought to you by Jolt ⚡️ The UK’s top web hosting service

This week’s Millennial Master is James Augustin, Founder of Particle Execution

From launching a Pokémon lucky dip at school to building one of Dubai’s fastest-growing AI automation agencies, James is proof that grit, speed, and a sharp offer can get you far, even with no funding, no safety net, and no plan B.

After cutting his teeth during COVID with a non-profit tech platform and a student consultancy, he moved to Dubai in search of autonomy. Three years on, he’s built and exited startups, scaled communities, and now runs Particle Execution, helping businesses automate operations using AI — fast.

In this episode, James shares how he builds offers that sell themselves, why AI isn’t as complex as most think, and the real reason freedom, not funding, has always been his North Star.

🔗 Find James on LinkedIn and Instagram

Takeaways from James’ episode

1️⃣ The first sales strategy? Feedback, not pitching

James recommends asking your network for feedback on your offer rather than trying to sell right away. It builds trust, validates your idea, and often leads to warm leads without the hard sell.

2️⃣ AI doesn’t replace humans, it removes the boring bits

From customer support to sales outreach, most AI automation should run quietly in the background, giving humans more time to do high-value work. “Humans should be doing things that are innately human,” James says.

3️⃣ Before automating, fix your broken systems

Trying to automate chaos only leads to faster chaos. James insists every business needs to first document their processes clearly, step-by-step, with ownership, before AI can improve efficiency.

4️⃣ Offers that scale must be razor-sharp

Instead of saying “we’ll transform your whole business,” James learned to zoom in on one painful process (like sales or onboarding) and quantify its ROI. “Make it so easy to define the return that it becomes a no-brainer.”

5️⃣ Success isn’t freedom unless you own your time

Despite scaling a paid community and holding equity, James felt flat. Why? He didn’t have full control of his time, money, or location. That realisation pushed him to build Particle on his own terms.

📖 James’ book recommendations

Disciplined Entrepreneurship by Bill Aulet – A must-read for startup founders, especially those building tech or innovation-led businesses. James says it saved him from rebuilding an entire product that didn’t have product–market fit.

$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi – For crafting irresistible offers.

$100M Leads by Alex Hormozi – For learning to build scalable marketing engines.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Introduction to James Augustin

02:19 From Schoolyard Ventures to Entrepreneurial Dreams

04:56 Navigating University and Early Business Ventures

07:46 Lessons from Early Entrepreneurship and COVID Innovations

10:35 The Leap to Dubai: Seeking New Opportunities

13:03 Building in Dubai: The YP Club and Personal Growth

15:45 Finding Autonomy: The Decision to Leave YP Club

18:29 Sabbatical Adventures: From Dubai to Bali

20:31 Sales Strategies: Turning Outreach into Success

28:05 Transforming Mindsets in Marketing and Sales

31:20 The Power of AI Automation in Business

34:22 Debunking Myths About AI in Business

38:22 Mapping Processes for Effective AI Implementation

40:29 Augmenting Human Roles with AI

42:03 User Experience in AI Interactions

46:04 Life and Business in Dubai

51:58 Balancing Work and Personal Life

55:45 Books That Shape Entrepreneurial Mindsets

📢 To sponsor the Millennial Masters podcast, get in touch on [email protected].

🎙️ Know someone who I should interview for the podcast? Email me on [email protected]

📺 Watch the full episode on Substack or 🎧 listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Millennial Masters is brought to you by Jolt ⚡️ The UK’s top web hosting service

What if pageants were less about looks and more about legacy?

Jasmine Foley is International Ms 2024 and founder of Empress Media Academy, where she helps women build their brand, voice and confidence through pageantry.

But behind the crown is a story of anxiety, resilience, and ambition. From panic attacks in her early 20s to creating workshops, launching a business, and mentoring future leaders, Jasmine’s journey is a powerful example of how inner work leads to real-world impact.

🔗 Find Jasmine on LinkedIn and Instagram

Takeaways from Jasmine’s episode

1️⃣ Confidence isn’t loud, it’s learned

Despite growing up performing, Jasmine felt anxious and insecure off-stage. It wasn’t until she learned to separate thoughts from truth that she found real confidence.

2️⃣ Pageantry is more than the stage

From strategy interviews to empowerment plans, Jasmine reveals how most of the scoring happens long before the gown comes on. It’s not about image, it’s about impact.

3️⃣ Motherhood changed the mission

After having her daughter, Jasmine felt a deeper urgency to lead by example. Her ambitions didn’t shrink, they became more focused and intentional.

4️⃣ Purpose is a compass, not a title

Winning titles opened doors, but Jasmine says the real prize is having a platform to help others. Empress Media Academy and Raising Them Resilient are her ways of paying it forward.

5️⃣ Saying no is part of growth

Whether it’s social media distractions or requests that don’t align, Jasmine is unapologetic about boundaries. Focus, structure and clarity are her tools for protecting what matters.

📖 Jasmine’s book recommendations

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo —A mindset manual for handling setbacks with grit and optimism. Jasmine uses it as a reminder that there’s always a solution if you stay resourceful.

Be Seen by Jen Gottlieb — Practical advice on visibility, branding and storytelling—especially for women wanting to show up powerfully in their space. Jasmine loves how Jen blends personal growth with public presence.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Introduction to Jasmine Foley

02:13 Overcoming Anxiety and Finding Confidence

07:34 First Steps in Pageantry

11:04 Preparation and Strategy for Pageants

12:54 The Role of Image and Empowerment

14:27 Life After Winning a Title

16:27 Opportunities Through Pageantry

20:46 Motherhood and Ambition

24:00 Challenging Misconceptions of Pageantry

25:16 Balancing Family and Career

28:45 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Goals

34:41 The Impact of Technology on Daily Life

38:25 Navigating Social Media and Authenticity

42:06 Empowering Women Through Pageantry

47:10 Building Resilience and Staying Focused

50:09 Finding Inspiration and Role Models

📢 To sponsor the Millennial Masters podcast, get in touch on [email protected]

🎙️ Know someone who I should interview for the podcast? Email me on [email protected]

📺 Watch the full episode on Substack or 🎧 listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Millennial Masters is brought to you by Jolt ⚡️ The UK’s top web hosting service

--------------

Most brands try to fake authenticity, but Rob Smith built his on it.

Rob and his brother James didn’t have a background in drinks, big investors, or industry connections. What they had was a gap year discovery in New Zealand, a real problem to solve, and the drive to figure it out.

The result? Arrowtown: a challenger drinks brand that’s carving its own path against industry giants. That’s proof that a brand with purpose, built on values and sustainability, can carve out its place.

🔗 Find Rob on LinkedIn

Takeaways from Rob’s episode

1️⃣ Authenticity is your unfair advantage

Big brands spend millions trying to fake what independent founders have naturally: a real story and genuine passion. Lean into it.

2️⃣ Persistence opens doors

It took Rob and his brother years of knocking before major retailers took them seriously. The lesson? Keep showing up.

3️⃣ Outsource what slows you down

Instead of building a factory, they partnered with manufacturers so they could focus on growth and sales.

4️⃣ Sustainability is more than a buzzword

Consumers want brands that actually care. Arrowtown ties its mission to removing plastic from the ocean, giving buyers a reason to choose them over bigger players.

5️⃣ Learn from those ahead of you

Rob used LinkedIn to connect with founders in the space, getting advice that saved him from costly mistakes. Never be afraid to ask.

📖 Rob’s book recommendations

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie — A timeless classic on building relationships, communication, and winning people over. Rob swears by its principles and even used one to land a wholesaler deal.

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday — A deep dive into Stoic philosophy and how challenges can be opportunities in disguise. Perfect for founders who need to develop resilience and long-term thinking.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Introduction to Rob Smith

02:13 A Trip to Arrowtown

05:24 Navigating the Beverage Industry

08:55 Overcoming Challenges During COVID-19

10:38 Rebranding and Legal Challenges

13:17 Sustainability and Purpose-Driven Business

15:46 Funding and Growth Strategies

18:12 Scaling Up and Distribution

22:20 Competing with Industry Giants

29:01 The Dynamics of a Family Business

32:14 Learning From Peers

35:37 Rob's Books Recommendations

36:45 The Power of Listening

37:42 Resilience and Stoicism in Business

40:35 The Journey of Sacrifice

42:27 Finding Balance in Chaos

📢 To sponsor the Millennial Masters podcast, get in touch on [email protected].

🎙️ Know someone who I should interview for the podcast? Email me on [email protected]

📺 Watch the full episode on Substack or 🎧 listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Millennial Masters is brought to you by Jolt ⚡️ The UK’s top web hosting service

Stefan Husanu’s story is anything but conventional. Arriving in London with no qualifications and barely any money, he took whatever work he could find — hustling his way from construction sites to running his own business. But Stefan didn’t stop there. Spotting a gap in the market, he built DropTop, a game-changing remote work solution that Pith & Stem is now selling worldwide.

His journey is a masterclass in creating your own opportunities, embracing failure, and proving that naivety isn’t a weakness, but a superpower. If you think success is reserved for those with a head start, Stefan’s story will make you rethink everything.

🔗 Find Stefan on LinkedIn and Instagram

Takeaways from Stefan’s episode

1️⃣ Naivety is a superpower

Not knowing how tough something will be can be an advantage. If you only see the first peak, you’ll keep climbing.

2️⃣ Your past doesn’t define your future

From a police cell in Greece to launching a global brand, Stefan proves reinvention is always possible.

3️⃣ The right people make the business

Finding and empowering the right team has been crucial to scaling his ventures.

4️⃣ Opportunities aren’t given, they’re built

Stefan went door-to-door looking for work, then spotted a gap in the market and created his own success.

5️⃣ Go all in on solving real problems

Drop Top was all about fixing remote work struggles, and that’s why it’s thriving.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Introduction to Stefan Husanu

01:49 From Arrest to Aspiration

04:48 First Steps in London

07:56 Finding a Place in Construction

11:10 Building a Business

15:02 Decoupling from Manual Work

17:07 The Breakthrough Moment

19:09 The Impact of COVID-19

22:44 Creating a Product for Remote Work

25:24 Turning Ideas into Reality

30:22 Manufacturing Challenges in the UK

35:06 Customising the DropTop Experience

37:09 From Prototype to Production

40:44 Overcoming Manufacturing Challenges

43:10 Reviving the Business

45:15 Remote Working and Trust

53:28 Key Traits for Hiring People

57:24 Balancing Multiple Ventures

01:01:38 Establishing Routines for Success

01:08:17 Lessons from Entrepreneurship

01:13:07 Advice to My Younger Self

01:16:25 The Sacrifices of Success

📖 Stefan’s book recommendations

Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley — A must-read for anyone looking to become an industry leader. Stefan rates this highly for its insights on building authority and influence in business.

Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley — Another game-changer from Priestley, this book helped Stefan understand demand creation and how to make people want what you offer.

Everyone keeps mentioning these, so I broke them down for my book club here.

Deep Work by Cal Newport — A masterclass in focus and productivity, teaching how to eliminate distractions and do meaningful, high-impact work.

Alex Hormozi’s free resources — While not a book, Stefan highly recommends Alex Hormozi’s materials, saying they offer insanely valuable business insights for free, often better than what others charge for.

Subscribe for more features and episodes on MillennialMasters.Net

📺 Watch the full episode on Substack or 🎧 listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

— Millennial Masters is brought to you by Jolt ⚡️ The UK’s top web hosting service

What happens when Disney sends you a cease and desist? Most people panic. Amy Morris built a global entertainment empire.

She went from performing on cruise ships to launching Pop Up Global, taking on an entire industry, rewriting the rules for performers, and scaling worldwide.

We get into the hustle behind it all: dealing with industry gatekeepers, breaking into Dubai’s entertainment scene, and the real sacrifices of building something massive.

If you want to know what it really takes to go from side hustle to global success, this is the episode for you.

Takeaways from Amy’s episode

1️⃣ A legal threat can be a launchpad

When Disney hit Amy with a cease and desist, she didn’t panic, she pivoted. That forced shift turned Pop Up into a scalable brand.

2️⃣ Your industry isn’t set in stone, disrupt it

The entertainment world was stuck in its ways. Amy saw the gaps, built a fresh approach, and won contracts that bigger, older players had ignored.

3️⃣ Take risks before you feel ready

Amy wasn’t “big enough” to pitch for a cruise line contract, but she did it anyway. That bold move landed her biggest break and changed everything.

4️⃣ Pay and culture matter more than perks

Amy rebuilt the performer experience: fair pay, mental health support, and a culture that puts people first. Now, top talent seeks her out.

5️⃣ If you want to be exceptional, you have to be the exception

Amy’s journey proves that standing out means doing things differently. That mindset turned her side hustle into a global entertainment brand.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Introduction to Amy Morris

02:14 The Journey Begins: From Performer to Entrepreneur

05:04 Cruise Ship Chronicles: A Year of Hard Work

05:58 The Birth of Pop-Up Princesses: A New Venture

09:35 Facing Challenges: The Disney Cease and Desist

11:44 The Big Break: Partnering with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

15:18 Creating a Supportive Work Environment

19:14 From Pop-Up Entertainment to Global Expansion

20:28 Relocating to Dubai: A New Chapter

24:04 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Business

26:11 Overcoming Industry Challenges and Misconceptions

28:21 Addressing Pay Inequality in the Industry

31:37 Creating a Culture of Collaboration

34:24 Building a Unique Company Culture

35:40 The Power of Friendship in Business

37:58 Prioritizing Employee Well-being

40:02 Finding Work-Life Balance

44:27 Taking Risks in Business

45:52 Navigating Life Abroad

47:27 Influential Resources for Growth

49:16 The Sacrifices of Entrepreneurship

51:17 Advice to My Younger Self

📺 Watch the full episode on Substack or 🎧 listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Millennial Masters is brought to you by:— Jolt ⚡️ The UK’s top web hosting service— Offwork 🏖️ The employee perk that actually gets used

This week, Millennial Masters takes you beyond the stratosphere with Joshua Western, co-founder and CEO of SpaceForge — the company making space manufacturing a reality.

It all started with a pub chat, a £10 company registration fee, and a wild idea: what if we could use the conditions of space to create next-level materials?

Fast-forward seven years, and Josh has built one of the UK’s most exciting deep-tech startups, secured millions in funding, and scaled a team of 70+ people, all while navigating the relentless challenges of the space industry.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Introduction to Joshua Western

02:19 From Kitchen to Cosmos: A Unique Journey

15:11 The Birth of Space Forge: Innovation in Space Technology

27:47 Funding the Future: Navigating Investment Challenges

36:38 Scaling Up: Building a Cohesive Team Culture

44:15 Innovative Hiring Practices

46:25 Remote Work and Hybrid Models

49:18 The Co-Founder Dynamic

53:20 Maintaining Balance in a Startup

59:11 Insights on Reading and Learning

01:02:14 Role Models and Inspirations

01:05:53 AI's Impact on Spaceforge

01:08:05 Sacrifices on the Startup Journey

01:13:06 Lessons from the Startup Experience

Takeaways from Josh’s episode:

1️⃣ Funding is a long gameJosh didn’t just pitch investors — he built relationships years before raising money. His advice? Start early, nurture connections, and don’t just show up when you need cash.

2️⃣ Your first 50 hires will make or break youScaling from 2 to 50 was smooth. But 50 to 60? That was the real challenge. Culture, structure, and process all shift, so get them right early or risk chaos.

3️⃣ Failure isn’t the enemy, ignoring it isSpaceForge has a “failure of the month” award: not to shame mistakes, but to learn from them. If you’re not openly fixing problems, they’ll just keep happening.

4️⃣ Find investors who truly get your businessJosh wasted time with “deep tech” VCs who only funded SaaS. The lesson? Make sure your investors actually understand your market, or you’ll be stuck educating them instead of growing.

5️⃣ Passion can’t be taught, but skills canWhen hiring, Josh doesn’t just look at CVs — he looks for people who love solving problems. If you’ve got the right mindset, you can learn anything.

Subscribe for more episodes and features on MillennialMasters.Net

📺 Watch the full episode on Substack or 🎧 listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Millennial Masters is brought to you by:— Jolt ⚡️ The UK’s top web hosting service— Offwork 🏖️ The employee perk that actually gets used

This week’s Millennial Master is Jack Good, founder and CEO of Reuseabox.

What started as a scrappy eBay hustle selling second-hand cardboard has turned into a full-fledged environmental business. Jack’s journey is all about resilience, learning from mistakes, and hiring the right people, not just the most talented ones.

His secret? Every problem is a business opportunity, and scaling isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about being willing to adapt.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Introduction to Jack Good

03:09 The Entrepreneurial Spark

05:23 From Rejection to Innovation: The Birth of a Business

08:05 Navigating Early Challenges: Lessons from the Trenches

10:10 Hiring for Success: Building the Right Team

14:24 Mistakes to Avoid: Insights for New Entrepreneurs

16:54 Scaling Up: Transitioning from Startup to Growth

20:01 Embracing Problems: The Entrepreneur's Mindset

22:30 Culture and Impact: Building a Purpose-Driven Business

26:04 Innovating for the Future: Tracking Environmental Impact

32:23 B Corp Certification and Its Impact

37:44 Sustainability and Business Practices

40:02 Personal Habits for Business Success

48:11 Learning from Others and Continuous Improvement

53:50 Sacrifices and Lessons Learned

Takeaways from Jack’s episode:

1️⃣ Hiring isn’t about talent, it’s about mindsetSkills can be taught, but the right attitude and resilience are what drive real impact. Jack now prioritises problem-solvers over perfect CVs.

2️⃣ Fix it once, fix it foreverEvery mistake is a lesson, but only if you put systems in place to prevent it from happening again. This “crap filter” mindset helped Jack build a business that keeps improving.

3️⃣ Test fast, fail cheapJack spent two years and £5,000 building a marketplace that flopped. The lesson? Always validate ideas before sinking time and money into them.

4️⃣ Scaling is about removing yourselfThe more Jack delegated, the faster the company grew. His new focus? Finding the right people and getting out of their way.

5️⃣ Sustainability is a competitive edgeReuseabox didn’t start as an environmental business—but once Jack framed it that way, it unlocked bigger clients and more impact.

📖 Jack’s book recommendations

Essentialism by Greg McKeown – for cutting out the noise and focusing on what truly moves the needle

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson – a masterclass in vision, product obsession, and leadership

Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson – an unfiltered look at risk-taking, ambition, and relentless problem-solving

The House of Gucci by Sara Gay Forden – a fascinating look at how family dynamics can make or break a business

📺 Watch the full episode on Substack or 🎧 listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Millennial Masters is brought to you by:* Jolt ⚡️ The UK’s top web hosting service* Offwork 🏖️ The employee perk that actually gets used

Alice Casiraghi is a designer in the circular economy, an expert in sustainable food systems and climate tech, and a master lecturer on how to rethink business for a greener future.

Alice isn’t just talking about sustainability — she’s redesigning the way we think about waste, business, and the world around us. Instead of fixing problems after they happen, she believes we need to stop creating them in the first place.

🔗 Find Alice on LinkedIn and Instagram

Takeaways from Alice’s episode:

1️⃣ Why recycling won’t save us — and what willRecycling is the last resort, not the solution. The real game-changer? Designing waste out of the system from the start.

2️⃣ Business needs a circular rethinkMost businesses focus on profit first and impact later. The future belongs to those who make sustainability profitable from day one.

3️⃣ Consumers, companies, and governments are all connectedIt’s not just up to individuals or businesses. System-wide change needs all three working together, from policy shifts to better business models.

4️⃣ The economy isn’t broken, it’s outdatedOur post-WWII growth model was built for a different time. Now, we need to rethink how we produce, consume, and design everything.

5️⃣ Stay curious or stay stuckThe biggest barrier to change? Not asking questions. Challenge assumptions, look outside your industry, and rethink what you take for granted.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Introduction to Alice Casiraghi

03:17 A Passion For Design & Sustainability

04:19 Challenges in Sustainability and Circular Economy

06:21 The Historical Context of Climate Change

09:53 Starting Points for Sustainable Design

11:38 Recycling: A Misunderstood Solution

14:14 Innovative Reuse Initiatives

18:10 The Role of Legislation in Sustainability

23:32 Collaboration Over Competition in Global Sustainability

28:21 The Meat Debate: Veganism vs. Sustainable Practices

32:34 The Feminist Perspective on Animal Farming

33:29 The Environmental Impact of Fishing Practices

34:35 Consumer Responsibility in a Profit-Driven Industry

36:21 The Role of Citizens, Government, and Businesses

40:10 Education and Reskilling for Sustainability

43:03 Rethinking Business Models for Sustainability

46:57 Habits For Sustainability

51:19 Lessons from Space for Earth Sustainability

56:30 Global Innovations in Sustainability