Second Nature

What if the wildest version of your life is waiting on the other side of yes?

Sophie Storm Roberts stopped waiting to feel ready—and that single decision cracked her world wide open. From spreadsheets to summits, pub napkins to Paris, she’s swapped the comfort of tech startups for the chaos of ultramarathons, Ironmans, and Alpine epics. Now the founder of Challenge Sophie, she’s proof that you don’t need to be fearless to live boldly—you just need to begin.

This episode is a firestarter. Sophie and Rich get real on fear, courage, and the messy magic of doing things before you feel qualified. They talk about turning anxiety into action, finding freedom in failure, and how one small yes can ripple into a whole new life.

Sophie breaks down her tools for facing fear—awareness, acceptance, and action—and shows us that bravery doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it’s just showing up, signing up, or doing something on your own for the first time. This conversation is a reminder that your next great adventure might start with a single uncomfortable choice.

If you’re waiting for permission—this is it. Hit play, get inspired, and let it spark something wild.

What if nature had a balance sheet—and we finally learned how to read it? Can private investment be the key to restoring our planet’s most fragile ecosystems? And what does the future of biodiversity markets look like?

Alicia Gibson, Director at Finance Earth, joins us to explore the cutting edge of natural capital investment and its role in driving real change for our planet. Alicia takes us on a journey from her childhood along the River Kennett—where her love for the natural world first took root—to her leadership in designing financial mechanisms that support large-scale environmental restoration.

With an 11-fold surge in global natural capital investment over the last four years, Alicia unpacks the opportunities and challenges in this fast-evolving space. She shares how Finance Earth is at the forefront of unlocking private finance for nature recovery and climate resilience, from biodiversity net gain projects to groundbreaking initiatives like saltmarsh carbon credits and financing for sustainable fisheries. She also dives into the critical role of compliance markets, policy alignment, and the need for better evidence and data to build trust and drive investment at scale.

Alicia and Rich discuss why natural capital investment is where conservation and finance collide—and why it’s a market with the potential to reshape how we value and protect our ecosystems. They also tackle the importance of community involvement, ensuring that local stakeholders benefit from restoration projects, and the growing presence of women in leadership roles within the sector.

Tune in now to hear how financial ingenuity is helping to restore the world’s most vital ecosystems.

This episode was recording in 8 Harbord Square, provided by Knight Frank: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/no-8-harbord-square-canary-wharf-london-e14-9th/TGW012191893

John Elkington has spent over four decades shaping the global sustainability movement. Dubbed the “Godfather of Sustainability”, he has advised some of the world’s largest companies, coined influential terms like the Triple Bottom Line, and continuously pushed businesses to think beyond profit.

John sits down with Rich Stockdale in our Shoot Room Sessions on tour, for a thought-provoking conversation about the evolution of environmentalism, the role of activism in business, and what the future holds for sustainability. He reflects on his career, the patience required to shift corporate mindsets, and the challenges of balancing business innovation with environmental responsibility.

They also dive into:

🔹 How John came up with the Triple Bottom Line—and why he later “recalled” it

🔹 Why movements like Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil must be taken seriously by business leaders

🔹 The growing tension between capitalism and sustainability—and how companies must adapt

🔹 How precision fermentation and other breakthroughs could reshape industries

🔹 Why the next big shift may not be economic or political, but spiritual

John doesn’t just challenge businesses—he challenges everything. Whether you’re a sustainability professional, an activist, or a business leader, this episode will make you think differently about the future of our planet.

This episode was recording in 8 Harbord Square, provided by Knight Frank: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/no-8-harbord-square-canary-wharf-london-e14-9th/TGW012191893

Shoot Room Sessions has officially hit triple digits—and we’re celebrating in style with a very special guest. For our 100th episode, we’re joined by OC’s own Rich Stockdale, a transformative leader, environmental pioneer, and the founder of Oxygen Conservation.

Rich takes us on a deeply personal journey, from his early struggles in the north of England to becoming a pioneering entrepreneur, he shares how early setbacks in sport shaped his resilience, how American football changed his mindset, and how he climbed the ranks at the Environment Agency before setting out on his own. Now, with a £200M natural capital portfolio spanning over 43,000 acres, he’s on a mission to make nature a mainstream asset class—proving that conservation and commercial success can go hand in hand.

This is 67 minutes of never-before-heard Rich—raw insights, hard-hitting lessons, and the mindset shifts that got him where he is today.

Episode 100 marks the beginning of a bold new era for Shoot Room Sessions. We’re doubling down on big conversations, fresh perspectives, and inspiring visionaries who are making waves in their industries. This milestone is a testament to our incredible community of listeners, and we can’t wait to bring you even more powerful stories in the future.

A huge thank you to our sponsor, Knight Frank, for making these conversations possible. Their support helps us dive deep into the crucial topics shaping a more sustainable world.

In this explosive episode of The Shoot Room Sessions, we tackle one of the most urgent issues of our time—how food is the key to fixing our broken health and environment. We can’t keep ignoring the fact that our food choices shape everything from our mental health to the future of the planet.

Joining us to dive deep into this conversation is Harriet Bell, the Regenerative Farming Lead at Riverford Organic Farmers. Harriet’s journey from politics to pioneering regenerative farming is a powerful story of how one person can spark change in an entire food system. She’s here to explain why regenerative agriculture is the critical solution we need, and why it’s time to rethink the way we eat to create a healthier, more sustainable future.

With bold insights on food’s political nature, the power of consumer choices, and the need to reconnect younger generations with where their food comes from, this episode is a game-changer. It’s time to listen up—the future of food is in our hands.

What happens when a troubled youth, corporate disillusionment, and a deep love for nature collide? You get James Wallace, Chief Executive of River Action—a driving force in the fight to save Britain's rivers.

In this episode of The Shoot Room Sessions, James shares his powerful journey to leading a national charity dedicated to tackling the freshwater emergency. He reveals hard truths about agricultural pollution, River Action’s legal battles against powerful polluters, and why real change requires collaboration and respectful advocacy.

With experiences ranging from deep-sea exploration to reintroducing beavers in the UK, James's story is one of resilience and purpose. He also opens up about personal loss and the urgent need for systemic, local solutions to safeguard our rivers and communities.

In this episode, Rich Stockdale sits down with Flora Harley, Head of ESG Research at Knight Frank, to explore how climate risk, regulation, and investment trends are reshaping real estate. The property market is shifting fast. Buildings that don’t meet modern sustainability and efficiency standards are becoming stranded assets, and investors who ignore ESG are falling behind.

With over a decade of experience in global property analysis, Flora specialises in ESG, sustainability, and impact investing, helping investors and developers understand what’s next. She breaks down why obsolescence is accelerating, how the retrofit revolution is changing property values, and what Knight Frank’s latest research reveals about the future of real estate in 2025 and beyond.

The future of real estate isn’t just about buildings—it’s about resilience, regeneration, and understanding where value truly lies. Are you ready?

Knight Frank 2025 Wealth Report: https://www.knightfrank.com/wealthreport

In this episode of Shoot Room Sessions, we sit down with Caroline Hopper, lead consultant at Quietroom and a leading voice in responsible investment. From her early career in publishing and marketing to shaping how the financial world talks about pensions, Caroline shares how communication—and a clearer understanding of our money—can drive real change. We dive deep into the £5 trillion power of UK pensions, uncovering why only 36% of people know their pension is even invested and what that means for the future. Caroline reveals the challenges in pension investment, from navigating complex financial structures to convincing asset managers that responsible investing isn’t just ethical—it’s financially smart. She also explores the growing potential of natural capital investment, the debate between engagement vs. divestment, and why so many in finance are waiting to see who moves first instead of leading on sustainability. With a background in ESG strategy, financial education, and impactful campaigns like Make My Money Matter, Caroline highlights the critical role of trustees, policymakers, and individuals in making pensions a force for good.

In this episode of Shoot Room Sessions, we sit down with Kevin Cox, former Chair of the RSPB and a lifelong advocate for nature conservation. From his early days fishing in West London to leading one of the UK’s most influential conservation organizations, Kevin shares how his personal experiences shaped his career in publishing, governance, and land management. We dive deep into the state of UK conservation, discussing the transformation of Wallasea Island, where a once barren landscape became a thriving wetland home to 38,000 birds. Kevin also explores the Devon Swift Project, which is working to reverse a 60% decline in swift populations by installing nest boxes in churches, and the rewilding potential of Dartmoor, challenging national parks to become nature-first landscapes. With a strong belief in the power of governance and partnerships, Kevin highlights why strategy—not just passion—is key to real conservation success. He shares lessons from his leadership at the RSPB, the challenges facing landowners and conservationists today, and why hope, action, and collaboration are essential to restoring our landscapes. Whether you're a conservationist, landowner, or simply passionate about nature, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and real-world solutions for protecting the wild places we love.

In this episode of Shoot Room Sessions, we sit down with Peter Harker, partner at Saffery and head of their Natural Capital team. From his early days exploring the wild landscapes of Northumberland to his passion for kayaking and his unexpected journey into accounting, Peter shares how his personal experiences have shaped his career in natural capital.

We dive deep into the evolving landscape of natural capital, discussing the rise of biodiversity net gain (BNG), carbon credits, and the critical need for clear tax and accounting guidelines in this growing sector. Peter offers insight into the challenges and opportunities facing landowners, the importance of integrity in environmental claims, and how accounting can play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future.

With optimism for the future, Peter highlights the potential for natural capital to transform rural estates and create long-term value for both landowners and the environment. Whether you're a land manager, an environmental investor, or simply interested in the future of sustainable land use, this episode is packed with valuable insights.