In this episode, I meet with Vicky Murray, a freelance sustainability advisor passionate about empowering individuals and organisations to turn their sustainability visions into reality. Through her expertise in facilitation and vision-building, Vicky has helped many navigate this dynamic and vital field.

Vicky reflects on her sustainability journey, beginning with the inspiration of her mother’s activism and leading to a pivotal moment during her university years at Cardiff, where she discovered her passion for building a career in sustainability. Vicky forged her own path into the field, funding international volunteering through a corporate day job and eventually progressing to roles as a corporate sustainability manager, in-house consultant, and now, a thriving freelancer. In this conversation, Vicky candidly discusses managing the emotional challenges of working in sustainability. She highlights the importance of peer support, community, and rest in navigating the demands of this field. Vicky also offers insights into her leadership approach, emphasising the value of futures thinking and the importance she places on intuition.

Finally, she opens up about the delicate balance of managing her career, personal life, and the importance of stepping back, not away, to recharge when needed. This episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and a heartfelt exploration of what it takes to thrive in sustainability.

Vicky made reference to the following resources in the conversation:

· The Uncomfortable Conversations Peer Learning Journey: you can join the waitlist for the next cohort here: https://forms.gle/CRNjUYZjF5DGVQka8

· Sustainability as the World Needs Training from ArkH3: https://www.arkh3.com/blog/tag/sustainability-as-the-world-needs

· Tricia Hersey’s Nap Ministry: https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/

· Mac Macartney’s The Children’s Fire: https://macmacartney.com/writer

· Amisha Tala Oak’s book on Intuition: https://amisha.co.uk/intuition/

· Lisa Bogle’s Shandara Energy Weaving: https://www.shandara.com.au/

Vicky can be reached at vicky@vickymurray.earth or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/murrayvicky/

If the themes in this discussion resonated with you and you’d like some help to make some changes, book some time in my diary here to discuss.

In this inspiring episode, Elspeth Jones, founder of Wild Counsel, shares her transformational journey—from a successful career as a commercial barrister to becoming an environmental lawyer—culminating in the creation of Wild Counsel.

Elspeth talks candidly about the emotional challenges and pressures of working on the climate and nature crisis, offering thoughtful insights into self-care and the pivotal role leaders play in cultivating a supportive and empowering environment for those around them.

The conversation also explores Elspeth’s personal growth as a leader, navigating self-doubt, and embracing the idea that leadership does not require perfection. She reflects on the value of authenticity, building trust, and fostering genuine connections as the foundation for effective and impactful leadership.

Finally, Elspeth offers a fresh perspective on managing energy—not just time—when balancing work, family, and hobbies, to create a more fulfilling life.

Elspeth can be reached at wildcounsel@gmail.com

If the themes in this discussion resonated with you and you’d like some help to make some changes, book some time in my diary here to discuss.

Sam Ridsdale, Head of Account Operations at Hitachi Energy, joins me for the first episode of 2025. In this conversation, Sam explains how she accidentally came to work in the energy sector and what drives her to do the work she does.

Sam and I explore how we have an ability to make a difference and a responsibility to do so, how what we tell ourselves can limit us if we let it, as well as uncover the strategies Sam uses to stay sane.

Sam talks openly about the challenges she faces in trying to ensure she doesn't work too much, which, she explains, is tricky because she enjoys what she does so much. However, she recognises that the need to recharge her batteries doing other activities is also important.

It's an in-depth discussion which I have no doubt will strike a chord with you on several levels and is well worth a listen.

Sam can be reached at linkedin.com/in/sam-ridsdale

If the themes in this discussion resonated with you and you’d like some help to make some changes, book some time in my diary here to discuss.