Discover the untamed expanse of our planet's high seas with Dr. Olive Heffernan, a distinguished science journalist and author, as she navigates through her latest work, "The High Seas: Ambition, Power, and Greed on the Unclaimed Ocean" Dr. Heffernan’s unique perspective, fueled by her upbringing in the coastal town of Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, and her transition from fishery scientist to authoritative voice in science journalism, promises to immerse you in the legal and ecological intricacies ...

Discover why businesses are taking the lead in societal trust, with David Bersoff from the Edelman Trust Institute sharing insights from their latest Trust Barometer Report. You'll learn why companies now outscore governments, media, and NGOs in trust ratings and how they are stepping up to address global challenges where traditional institutions fall short. We tackle the complexities behind these trust metrics and explore the evolving expectations placed on businesses to champion social issu...

Can global brands really lead the charge against climate change, or are they just playing a part in a much bigger distraction? Join us in a thought-provoking conversation with Auden Schendler, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company, as he pulls back the curtain on corporate sustainability efforts. With a bold critique, Auden challenges the traditional focus on individual carbon footprints, arguing it often distracts from the systemic changes necessary to dismantle the...

Unlock the secrets of ESG and sustainability investing with Professor Todd Cort from the Yale School of Management. Explore the nuanced differences between ESG investing, impact investing, and corporate sustainability efforts, and understand how they cater to various stakeholder concerns and investor motivations. This episode promises to clarify how corporate sustainability impacts stakeholders like customers and employees, while ESG investing focuses on the financial materiality of environme...

Unlock the secrets of sustainable development through the lens of behavioural science with our special guest, Liam Smith, Director of BehaviourWorks Australia. Discover how understanding human behaviour can accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of incentives in driving change. From the highs and lows of solar panel adoption to the balance between financial motivations and intrinsic environmental values, this episode offers compelling insights into h...

Discover how deeply entrenched beliefs in the free market's supremacy have shaped our society, often to our detriment. Today, we sit down with Professor Naomi Oreskes to discuss her latest book, "The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market," where she unravels the historical and contemporary implications of this ideology. From climate change to the opioid crisis, Naomi explains why understanding the balance between market strengths and the neces...

In this episode, Nick Romeo, a journalist and an author, discusses some of the ideas from his recent book, The Alternative: How to Build a Just Economy. He discusses widening wealth inequality and the climate crisis and argues that these are urgent challenges with existing global solutions. He emphasizes that policy choices, not natural laws, shape economic systems and critiques business models relying on underpaid workers, advocating for fair wages and worker well-being as measures of succes...

Can embedding sustainability into your business strategy really boost your bottom line? Join us as Tensie Whelan, an expert in sustainable business practices, reveals how the Return on Sustainability Investment (ROSI) framework can drive financial performance through operational efficiency, innovation, and risk mitigation. She shares compelling examples from the apparel and automotive sectors, demonstrating that genuine commitment to environmental and social issues isn't just good for the pla...

In Warming Up: How Businesses Should Respond to Climate Change, Professor Jonatan Pinkse discusses the challenges in green transition and the culture war at our doorstep. Why are some businesses reluctant to come aboard the green transition? Why is ESG facing pushback? How is the push for green transition helping the rise of the political right? Pinkse, professor of sustainable business at King's Business School (London), presents the business case for sustainability and explains wh...

Get ready to challenge your preconceptions about business and sustainability with our latest episode featuring Matt Morrison, co-founder of All Good Bananas and Karma Drinks. Learn how Matt and his team turned the hyper-competitive industries of bananas and soft drinks into platforms for good, emphasizing ethical practices and sustainable supply chains. Discover how their mission to be beneficial for both growers and the land has attracted a dedicated consumer base, proving that purpose-drive...

Sustainability in the coffee industry is more complicated than it seems. Join us as we uncover coffee supply chains with Carl Cervone, a leading authority on coffee sustainability. From the unique perishability of freshly harvested beans to the long-lasting nature of processed green coffee, Carl takes us through the journey of coffee from farm to cup. Learn about the significant impact of smallholder farmers and understand the economic landscape they navigate.We touch on the key sustainabilit...

Ever wonder how corporate sustainability has evolved from a fringe concept to a core business strategy? Join me as I engage in a compelling conversation with Chris Coulter, Chief Executive of GlobeScan. Chris takes us through the transformative journey from the foundational 1987 Brundtland Report to groundbreaking initiatives like Marks and Spencer's Plan A and Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan. Chris provides an insider's perspective on how companies have transitioned from merely minimising...

Embark on a journey of discovery with Professor Jeffrey Sachs, a luminary in the realm of sustainable development, as we discuss the transformative role businesses must adopt in our rapidly changing world. This podcast delves into the necessity for companies to transcend their traditional profit-centric paradigms and wholeheartedly embrace social equity, environmental preservation, and global collaboration. Sachs eloquently challenges the dated Milton Friedman doctrine, advocating for a corpo...

Welcome to the Business and Society Podcast, where we discuss the role of business in society with influential thinkers. We are a monthly podcast, launching our inaugural episode on the 14th of May, 2024. Please don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Spotify and Apple. See you soon!If you want to follow this podcast, please subscribe to the Business and Society with Senthil Nathan on Apple and Spotify. We welcome your comments and suggestions at [email protected].