The 5Cs is taking a wee break

Nope, we're not rolling in the grass, dancing on the beach, or even swimming in the ocean. We've officially hit the pause button – giving you time to breathe and us time to plot world domination. (Kidding! Sort of.)

Plot twist: We're actually busier than a golden retriever at a tennis ball factory!

Behind the scenes, we're recording like mad scientists preparing for Year Four. YEAR FOUR, people! Who knew talking about the little beast called Climate Change and its love affair with Business would keep us going this long?

Spoiler alert: It's because of YOU.

1. Meet Your Host IRL (Well, Sort Of)

Friday, September 12th at noon EST – I'm pulling back the curtain! Join me, Charlene Norman, on Zoom for a no-holds-barred Q&A. Bring your burning questions, wild ideas, or just come say hi.

Sign up here for the Zoom link

Fine print: Private event, no recording, maximum fun guaranteed.

2. Binge-Watch... Er, Listen

Missing our Saturday morning coffee chats? I've rescued some fan favourites from the vault:

What is Climate Anxiety? (Spoiler: It's real)

Finding Hope in the Darkness (Plot twist: There actually is some)

Beyond GDP: Exploring Alternatives (Economics gets exciting)

Climate Change is No Joke: Let's Laugh at Our Ignorance (Because sometimes you've got to laugh or you'll cry)

Season Four drops September 6th – mark your calendars, set your alarms, tell your dog (they're excellent at reminding you about important things).

PSA from Your Friendly Neighbourhood Podcaster:

Yes, sunshine feels amazing after our long winter hibernation, but let's not become human jerky, shall we? Keep that water bottle closer than your phone, slather on the sunscreen like you're frosting a cake, and remember – your pets are wearing fur coats in this heat. They're not impressed.

Have you rated yourself on your Stewardship capabilities? Take the Stewardship Quiz today!

The 5Cs podcast, book and community are about shining a light on a better path. Think of it as a global village of business people giving Planet Earth a hand up. You can find Charlene Norman on LinkedIn and here. Consider subscribing for more thoughts from the 5Cs on Substack.

Host Charlene Norman is recovering from hand surgery this month. To help ease her guilt in NOT being able to produce a new episode and to answer the questions about the 5Cs origin story, she has pulled out the original first four episodes. Listen in as she candidly admits her mistakes, discusses why she got into it and then decide for yourself if the podcast has morphed apppropriately.

In this the final episode of the series, she looks at the progress made over the last sixty years.

Key Highlights

-The Generational Backdrop: 1950s–1970s

-The Slow Burn of Climate Awareness

-Misinformation and Missed Opportunities

-From Science to Policy: The Long Road

-International Agreements: Progress and Pitfalls

-The Youthquake: Gen Z and Greta Thunberg

-Actionable Steps

-Leading with Compassion and Clarity

Have you rated yourself on your Stewardship capabilities? Take the Stewardship Quiz today!

The 5Cs podcast, book and community are about shining a light on a better path. Think of it as a global village of business people giving Planet Earth a hand up. You can find Charlene Norman on LinkedIn and here. Consider subscribing for more thoughts from the 5Cs on Substack.

Host Charlene Norman is recovering from hand surgery this month. To help ease her guilt in NOT being able to produce a new episode and to answer the questions about the 5Cs origin story, she has pulled out the original first four episodes. Listen in as she candidly admits her mistakes, discusses why she got into it and then decide for yourself if the podcast has morphed apppropriately.

In this the third episode in the series, she continues to search for who is to blame.

Key Highlights

-Who Are the Boomers, the Joneses, and Gen X?

-The Competitive Edge: How Boomers Shaped Work Culture

-Gen X: The Latchkey Generation’s Resilience

-The Ripple Effects: Society, Equity, and the Environment

-Key Takeaways for Business Leaders

Have you rated yourself on your Stewardship capabilities? Take the Stewardship Quiz today!

The 5Cs podcast, book and community are about shining a light on a better path. Think of it as a global village of business people giving Planet Earth a hand up. You can find Charlene Norman on LinkedIn and here. Consider subscribing for more thoughts from the 5Cs on Substack.

Host Charlene Norman is recovering from hand surgery this month. To help ease her guilt in NOT being able to produce a new episode and to answer the questions about the 5Cs origin story, she has pulled out the original first four episodes. Listen in as she candidly admits her mistakes, discusses why she got into it and then decide for yourself if the podcast has morphed apppropriately.

In this the second episode in the series, she begins with a look at who to blame

Key Highlights

Generational Lessons: From the Greatest Generation to Boomers

The Unintended Consequences of “Me First”

Actionable Strategies

1. Reframe Success: From Individual Gain to Collective Good

2. Foster Community Engagement

3. Prioritize Long-Term Impact Over Short-Term Wins

4. Embrace Self-Reflection and Personal Responsibility

5. Lead with Empathy and Transparency

Conclusion: Building a Legacy of Compassion

Have you rated yourself on your Stewardship capabilities? Take the Stewardship Quiz today!

The 5Cs podcast, book and community are about shining a light on a better path. Think of it as a global village of business people giving Planet Earth a hand up. You can find Charlene Norman on LinkedIn and here. Consider subscribing for more thoughts from the 5Cs on Substack.

Host Charlene Norman is recovering from hand surgery this month. To help ease her guilt in NOT being able to produce a new episode and to answer the questions about the 5Cs origin story, she has pulled out the original first four episodes. Listen in as she candidly admits her mistakes, discusses why she got into it and then decide for yourself if the podcast has morphed apppropriately.

The original premise was about reimagining capitalism so that profit and compassion can not only coexist but thrive together. This requires four pillars:

1. Environmental Accountability

2. Respect and Kindness

3. Accountability to Stakeholders

4. Community-Centric Offerings

In addition, two key issues need to be addressed

1. Wage Gap disparity between executive and employee pay must be closed. This isn’t just about optics; it’s about fairness and social stability.

2. Environmental Justice comes into play in that businesses must internalize the true costs of their environmental impact, rather than passing them on to society.

The Bottom Line:

Reimagining capitalism is not just about “doing well by doing good.” It’s about fundamentally rethinking the rules of the game to ensure that profit never comes at the expense of people or the planet. AND it's smart business. Because

-Talent Magnet: Top performers want to work for companies with purpose and integrity.

-Customer Loyalty: Consumers are increasingly values-driven and will pay a premium for ethical brands.

-Risk Mitigation: Companies that ignore social and environmental risks face regulatory, reputational, and operational threats.

-Long-Term Value: Sustainable, stakeholder-focused companies outperform their peers over the long haul.

This is NOT about perfection or utopia. It’s about making better choices—day in and day out—that move us closer to a world where business is a force for good.

Have you rated yourself on your Stewardship capabilities? Take the Stewardship Quiz today!

The 5Cs podcast, book and community are about shining a light on a better path. Think of it as a global village of business people giving Planet Earth a hand up. You can find Charlene Norman on LinkedIn and here. Consider subscribing for more thoughts from the 5Cs on Substack.

Climate change. For many business leaders and executives, the term conjures images of melting glaciers, dire scientific reports, and a sense of overwhelming scale. It’s easy to feel that the problem is too big, too abstract, and too far removed from our daily lives. But what if there's a different way?

The host, Charlene Norman, of Good Stewardship; Lasting Impact explores how personal experience and storytelling might transform the way we approach climate change. Here are the main themes covered in this episode.

1. Make Climate Change Personal: Start with Your Own Weather Diary

2. Connect the Dots: Understand the Long Game of Nature

3. Shift the Narrative: It’s Not About Saving the Earth—It’s About Saving Ourselves

4. Build Community Through Storytelling and Relationships

5. Be a Bridge Builder: Inspire Action for Future Generations

Conclusion: YOUR Story Matters—Now Share It

Have you rated yourself on your Stewardship capabilities? Take the Stewardship Quiz today!

The 5Cs podcast, book and community are about shining a light on a better path. Think of it as a global village of business people giving Planet Earth a hand up. You can find Charlene Norman on LinkedIn and here. Consider subscribing for more thoughts from the 5Cs on Substack.

This is the final of the series: Unpacking Climate Change: The Science, the Myths, and the Urgency of Action.

With guest Thomas Schueneman of Global Warming is Real. Listen to Tom here, and sign up for his newsletter here.

The Key Takeaways:

Triple Bottom Line:

It’s time to think beyond profit. Tom and I discussed the importance of considering people and the planet alongside financial performance. It’s not just good ethics; it’s good business.

Circular Economy:

Imagine leasing washing machines instead of selling them. When they wear out, companies reclaim and recycle parts. This model reduces waste and promotes sustainability. Intrigued? You should be!

Packaging Responsibility:

Plastic waste is a massive issue. Tom urges businesses to take charge of their packaging choices. Let’s stop shifting the recycling burden to consumers and start exploring sustainable alternatives.

Emotional Engagement:

Facts and figures can be overwhelming. Tom suggests connecting with people on an emotional level by discussing local environmental changes. It’s about making climate change relatable and urgent.

Building Trust:

Trust is key. By discussing relatable topics like pollution, we can gradually introduce broader climate issues. It’s about building rapport and fostering meaningful conversations.

Have you rated yourself on your Stewardship capabilities? Take the Stewardship Quiz today!

The 5Cs podcast, book and community are about shining a light on a better path. Think of it as a global village of business people giving Planet Earth a hand up. You can find Charlene Norman on LinkedIn and here. Consider subscribing for more thoughts from the 5Cs on Substack.

This is the third episode of the series: Unpacking Climate Change: The Science, the Myths, and the Urgency of Action.

With guest Thomas Schueneman of Global Warming is Real. Listen to Tom here, and sign up for his newsletter here.

Thus far, we have covered the original scientific research reports and how they were co-opted to initiate the trend towards the misinformation and false narratives we see today. We’ve also examined how the mixed messaging and confusing communications have successfully numbed the average consumer and business leader. And today, we jump into equally provocative topics.

The Key Highlights are --

-The Chicken Little Effect: Why Clarity Matters

-The Human Response: Doom, Denial, and Everything In Between

-Electric Vehicles: Not the Silver Bullet

-The Recycling Conundrum: Progress and Pitfalls

-Consumerism and the Great Acceleration

-Overwhelm and Adaptation: The Modern Dilemma

-Actionable Advice: Small Steps, Big Impact

-Collective Commitment for a Sustainable Future

Have you rated yourself on your Stewardship capabilities? Take the Stewardship Quiz today!

The 5Cs podcast, book and community are about shining a light on a better path. Think of it as a global village of business people giving Planet Earth a hand up. You can find Charlene Norman on LinkedIn and here. Consider subscribing for more thoughts from the 5Cs on Substack.