🎧 Podcast Episode: Challenging Assumptions: From Activism to Mining Entrepreneurship

Produced by: Swann Skein
Featuring: Beth Borody & Emma Johnson

In this episode, Emma Johnson is joined by Beth Borody, Founder and CEO of Maven Exploration, entrepreneur, business builder, and passionate advocate for women in mining. Beth's journey into the industry is anything but conventional. Having grown up in West Africa and spent her formative years strongly opposed to the natural resources sector, she went from fundraising for Greenpeace and challenging the industry's social licence to becoming one of mining's most influential voices for community engagement, inclusion, and responsible development. 

Drawing on experiences that span Niger, Ghana, and Canada, Beth reflects on how exposure to different cultures, communities, and lived realities challenged many of her early assumptions about mining. The conversation explores how curiosity, humility, and a willingness to question deeply held beliefs can transform both careers and perspectives.

Together, Emma and Beth discuss the pivotal moments that changed Beth's view of the industry, the importance of community-centred leadership, and why successful mining projects depend as much on human connection and trust as they do on technical expertise. They also examine the role that empathy, cross-cultural understanding, and stakeholder engagement play in creating meaningful and lasting impact.

The discussion explores mining's evolving reputation and the growing influence of authentic storytelling in shaping public perception. Beth shares her views on the industry's relationship with social media, why genuine voices often resonate more strongly than corporate messaging, and how transparency can help bridge the gap between mining companies and wider society.

The conversation also delves into entrepreneurship, resilience, and Beth's commitment to advancing opportunities for women in mining. Together they discuss the progress that has been made, the systemic challenges that remain, and why building supportive networks, fostering inclusive leadership, and addressing issues such as parental leave and women's health are critical to the industry's future. 

This episode offers an inspiring perspective on growth, leadership, and the power of challenging assumptions. Beth's story demonstrates that some of the most meaningful change occurs when we remain open to new evidence, embrace complexity, and have the courage to step forward and help shape the future of an industry from within.

Join us as we challenge assumptions, provoke thought, and seek fresh perspectives on the future of mining and beyond.
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🎧 Podcast Episode: Changing the Way We See Mines: Art, Perception and Landscape

Produced by: Swann Skein
Featuring: Federico Winer & Jo Forrest

In this episode, Jo Forrest is joined by Federico Winer, Argentine visual artist and creator of ULTRADISTANCIA, a globally recognised satellite-art project that transforms views of the Earth into contemporary artworks. Over the past decade, Federico's work has attracted international recognition through exhibitions, collaborations with Google, and a unique body of work that explores the relationship between landscape, technology, human intervention and perception. In an unexpected evolution of the project, his work has also developed a strong connection with the mining industry.

Through the lens of art, Federico invites us to see mines not simply as industrial operations, but as landscapes, patterns and visual expressions of human activity. The conversation explores how changing perspective can challenge assumptions, spark curiosity and create new ways of understanding familiar subjects.

Together, Jo and Federico discuss the origins of ULTRADISTANCIA, how an internationally recognised artist found himself engaging with the mining sector, and whether art and visual storytelling can influence how industries are perceived by society.

The discussion goes beyond traditional mining narratives, examining the role of creativity, technology and observation in shaping public understanding. It also explores how different disciplines can contribute to the industry's future and why innovation sometimes begins not with a new technology, but with a new way of seeing.

This episode offers a thoughtful and unconventional perspective on mining, reminding us that some of the most valuable insights can come from outside the industry's traditional boundaries.


Join us as we challenge assumptions, provoke thought, and seek fresh perspectives on the future of mining and beyond.
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🎧 Podcast Preview: Oil Shale – The Strategic Resource Not Only for Energy

Produced by: Swann and Skein
Featuring: Hando Sutter & Jonathan Molyneux

In this episode, Jonathan Molyneux is joined by Hando Sutter, former CEO of Estonia’s national energy company, Eesti Energia, and a leading figure in European industry, to examine one of the most misunderstood resources in the global energy and materials landscape: oil shale.

Hando challenges long‑held assumptions about mining and fossil resources, offering a more nuanced perspective shaped by decades of operational and leadership experience. Drawing on Estonia’s century‑long history with oil shale, the conversation explores how modern mining has evolved into a full‑cycle, highly disciplined activity balancing energy security, innovation, environmental responsibility, and community engagement. Hando also reframes oil shale’s future role, not primarily as a fuel to be burned, but as a strategic input into the chemical value chain and the circular economy.

The discussion highlights why resource‑rich nations must rethink how they approach domestic supply, why public perceptions often lag behind technological reality, and why mining’s future depends on cross‑disciplinary thinking, responsible leadership, and honest engagement with society.

This episode offers a pragmatic, future‑focused view of how natural resources can support both economic resilience and sustainable development.

Join us as we challenge assumptions, provoke thought, and seek fresh perspectives on the future of mining and beyond.
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🎧 Podcast Preview: You Can’t Report Your Way to Trust – Mining and Social Licence

Produced by: Swann and Skein
Featuring: Kate King & Emmanuel Henry

In this episode, Kate King and mining executive Emmanuel Henry unpack one of the sector’s most difficult truths: trust isn’t built in annual reports — it’s earned on the ground. Emmanuel challenges outdated perceptions of mining and highlights the gap between public narratives and the lived reality of responsible operators. Drawing on experiences from Sweden to Peru to the Congo, he shares powerful stories of communities defending mines they believe in, and others pushing back when well‑intentioned social programmes missed the mark.

The conversation explores why genuine social licence depends on humility, cultural understanding, listening before acting, and allowing communities — not corporate messaging — to be the real judges of impact. Emmanuel argues that mining’s future hinges on sincerity over slogans, and on leaders who are willing to show up, adapt, and build relationships that stand up in moments of crisis.


Join us as we challenge assumptions, provoke thought, and seek fresh perspectives on the future of mining and beyond.
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🎧 Podcast Preview – The Mining Sector - A View from The Top

Produced by: Swann and Skein
Featuring: Nick Cooke-Priest & Mark Cutifani

In this episode, Nick Cooke-Priest sits down with Mark Cutifani, one of mining’s most influential voices, for a candid conversation on the future of mining.
Together, they explore the sector’s pivotal transition in the age of AI, robotics, and critical minerals, and why leadership is the golden thread running through every challenge. From redefining sustainability and embracing circular economy principles to navigating geopolitical pressures and restoring trust with communities, Mark shares decades of insight on how mining can evolve—and when revolution is required. Expect thought-provoking perspectives on education, government engagement, and the strategic choices shaping the industry’s next chapter.

Join us as we challenge assumptions, provoke thought, and seek fresh perspectives on the future of mining and beyond.
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🎧 Podcast Preview - State of Play:  Mining in the Age of Geopolitics

Produced by: Swann and Skein
Featuring: Jos Simson & Dr Fiona Perrott-Humphrey

This episode dives into the seismic shifts shaping today’s mining industry. Dr Fiona Perrott-Humphrey and Jos Simson explore how the energy transition is redefining corporate strategy, the growing influence of governments in commodity markets, and the geopolitical tightrope companies must walk between major powers. The conversation also tackles restoring trust in mining, attracting next-generation talent, and why scale and collaboration may be critical for navigating an era of unprecedented challenges.

Join us as we challenge assumptions, provoke thought, and seek fresh perspectives on the future of mining and beyond.
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🎧 Podcast Preview: Mineral Security as National Security

Produced by: Swann and Skein
Featuring: Kate King & Kwasi Ampofo

This episode explores how mineral resources are becoming central to national security strategies. Kate King and Kwasi Ampofo discuss the geopolitical importance of critical minerals, Africa’s role in global supply chains, and the need for collaborative approaches to resource governance. The conversation highlights infrastructure, innovation, and talent as key levers for shaping a more secure and strategic future in mining.

Join us as we challenge assumptions, provoke thought, and seek fresh perspectives on the future of mining and beyond.
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In this inaugural episode of Swann Skein, John Murray — founder of the Swann Group — reflects on the journey that began over three decades ago. Revisiting the landmark publication Unearthing Wisdom, John shares how conversations with 20 senior mining leaders in 2013 sparked a tradition of deep inquiry into the future of the resources sector.

Now, in a world reshaped by geopolitical shifts, technological disruption, and global uncertainty, Swann returns to the conversation — this time through the lens of a new generation of voices. From AI and food security to sovereign wealth funds and the evolving role of mining in emerging economies, this series will explore the pressing questions shaping the next three to five years.

Join us as we challenge assumptions, provoke thought, and seek fresh perspectives on the future of mining and beyond.

Join us as we challenge assumptions, provoke thought, and seek fresh perspectives on the future of mining and beyond.
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