Sustainable(ish)

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG....!It is with HUGE excitement that I bring you this very special mini-series of the Sustainable(ish) podcast to celebrate, and to count down to, the launch of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide - everything you need to know to make small changes that make a big difference.This book is pretty much the distillation of the Sustainable(ish) ethos and is being published by Bloomsbury on January 9th 2020 , and to mark such an auspicious occasion I've put together 12 shortish episodes of the podcast, one for each chapter of the book, where I have a good old chinwag with someone relevant to that chapter.We’re onto Day 7 of our 12 Days of Sustainable(ish) which is all about Sustainable(ish) Homes. It’s very fitting then that today I’m taking to Angela Terry who is an environmental scientist and the founder and CEO of One Home where you'll find a wealth of information and support about the choices we can make at home to cut our carbon emissions.None of the actions that Angela and I talk about today are especially exciting – in fact, it could be said that they fall very squarely into the sensible and grown up camp – they have none of the IG appeal of beach cleans, or sexy alternatives to single use plastic, but actually, although it pains my inner rebellious child to say it, it’s these possibly slightly dull grown up things that can actually make a big difference when it comes of our personal carbon footprints.So big girl (or boy) pants at the ready – here we go.Enjoy!Useful linksAll the places you can buy The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide online..!One Home - Website- Facebook- Twitter- Instagram- Ten top tips to have a green home- Why are SUVs so bad for the environment?Solar StreetsHow​'s your insulation looking..?!​What small changes can you make to mean that the heat you're paying for stays IN your home?Let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE 9th JAN 2020 PRE-ORDER NOW!! "The most eco-common sense thing I've read!" […]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG....!It is with HUGE excitement that I bring you this very special mini-series of the Sustainable(ish) podcast to celebrate, and to count down to, the launch of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide - everything you need to know to make small changes that make a big difference.This book is pretty much the distillation of the Sustainable(ish) ethos and is being published by Bloomsbury on January 9th 2020 , and to mark such an auspicious occasion I've put together 12 shortish episodes of the podcast, one for each chapter of the book, where I have a good old chinwag with someone relevant to that chapter.Day 6 and just now just oneweek to go til the The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide makes it’s way into the world! OK, confession time. I am not a planner. Which means that pulling together 12 episodes of the podcast with guests to go out 12 days in a row straight after Christmas was always going to be a challenge. I’m feeling very pleased with myself that I’ve been able to line up 11 amazing guests, but the only chapter I’ve failed with is this one, chapter 6, sustainable(ish) family. But hey, I have a family. And I’ve written a whole chapter in a book about it, so I’m going to give you a sneak peek into some of that chapter with a solo episode sharing some tips for how to get your family on board.Enjoy!Useful linksAll the places you can buy The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide online..!#2minutebeachclean - We bought litter pickers for the kids from here, and they're fab!True Cost MovieBlue Planet IIStory of Stuff- website- the movie (it's only 20mins!)The Sustainable(ish) FB group[049] - Top tips for sustainable parenting[036] - How to talk to our kids about climate changeHow does it work in your family?Does it feel like you're on your own making changes, or are they all on board?Let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE 9th JAN 2020 PRE-ORDER NOW!! "The most eco-common sense thing I've read!" […]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG....!It is with HUGE excitement that I bring you this very special mini-series of the Sustainable(ish) podcast to celebrate, and to count down to, the launch of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide - everything you need to know to make small changes that make a big difference.This book is pretty much the distillation of the Sustainable(ish) ethos and is being published by Bloomsbury on January 9th 2020 , and to mark such an auspicious occasion I've put together 12 shortish episodes of the podcast, one for each chapter of the book, where I have a good old chinwag with someone relevant to that chapter.Day 5 of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide, and we're onto Sustainable(ish) Fashion.I talked in the Plastic-free(ish) episode with Cal Major on Day 3 about plastic being almost a kind of 'gateway drug' into a more wider awareness of sustainability, and I think fashion can be the same. We all wear clothes, so beginning to think a little bit differently about what we wear can be a real eye opener, and a brilliant place to start.In this episode I'm chatting to Jade Doherty, a teacher who has been on her own slow fashion journey since the summer of 2018. Along the way she's amassed over 33k IG followers as she shares pictures of her inventive styling. Don't be put off by the beautiful IG aesthetic, Jade talks a LOT of sense, and in this episode shares a TON of brilliant tips for anyone looking in despair (and maybe a bit of embarrassment - there's no shame here!) at their bulging drawers and wardrobe, and wondering where and how to start. Enjoy!Useful linksAll the places you can buy The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide online..!Jade- @notbuyingnew on InstagramFashion RevolutionProject 333Deadstock Lara IntimatesGood on You app7 easy ways to reduce microfibre pollutionEasy sustainable alternatives to fast fashion​​​How do you feel about your wardrobe? Would fashion be a good place for you to make a Sustainable(ish) start?Let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE 9th JAN 2020 PRE-ORDER NOW!! "The most eco-common sense thing I've read!" […]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG....!It is with HUGE excitement that I bring you this very special mini-series of the Sustainable(ish) podcast to celebrate, and to count down to, the launch of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide - everything you need to know to make small changes that make a big difference.This book is pretty much the distillation of the Sustainable(ish) ethos and is being published by Bloomsbury on January 9th 2020 , and to mark such an auspicious occasion I've put together 12 shortish episodes of the podcast, one for each chapter of the book, where I have a good old chinwag with someone relevant to that chapter.Wow Day 4 already of The 12 Days of Sustainable(ish) which means we’re onto Chapter 4, Sustainable(ish) Food. I wasn’t really sure where to go with this episode – when it comes to sustainable food there are so many different areas to explore. I’m really passionate about food waste, which is a massive contributor to the climate crisis and something we can all take steps to reduce, but I feel a bit like I’ve covered food waste quite a bit already on the podcast with interviews with Olio and CozZo, both brilliant apps that help us all to reduce the amount of edible food hitting the bin. So I was really pleased when I stumbled across Annabelle’s website, The Flexitarian, because it seems like the flexitarian approach, eating more plant-based foods, but not excluding meat and diary, fits in very nicely with the the whole ‘ish’ bit of sustainable(ish).So settle in and listen to Annabelle’s story of how she’s slowly making the switch from the traditionally meat heavy diet of her native France, to a much healthier diet, for both her family and the planet. Enjoy!Useful linksAll the places you can buy The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide online..!The Flexitarian- Website- Facebook- Instagram- Twitter- Pinterest[041] - Use your phone to fight food waste with CozZo[047] - Fighting food waste - why it's important, and how to make it easier with Olio​​What's your approach to food - would a 'flexitarian' diet work for you?Let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE 9th JAN 2020 PRE-ORDER NOW!! "The most eco-common sense thing I've read!" […]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG....!It is with HUGE excitement that I bring you this very special mini-series of the Sustainable(ish) podcast to celebrate, and to count down to, the launch of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide - everything you need to know to make small changes that make a big difference.This book is pretty much the distillation of the Sustainable(ish) ethos and is being published by Bloomsbury on January 9th 2020 , and to mark such an auspicious occasion I've put together 12 shortish episodes of the podcast, one for each chapter of the book, where I have a good old chinwag with someone relevant to that chapter.Today we're onto day 3, chapter 3, which is plastic-free(ish).I’ve been internet stalking (in a non creepy way) my guest today for the last couple of years and have been wanting to have her on the podcast for as long as it’s existed, so to get the chance to chat with her for this book launch mini-series feels very special. Cal Major is an ocean advocate, veterinary surgeon and world record stand up paddle boarder who has done huge amounts to raise awareness around plastic pollution with her paddle boarding adventures around the UK and is a total inspiration. You’ll have to forgive ma little with this episode – I had every intention of keeping all the episodes for this mini series to around 20 minutes, but I knew right from the start that was going to be a challenge when chatting to Cal as she has SO much good stuff to share. So grab a cuppa, or pop this one on if you’ve got a car journey ahead of you, and settle in to enjoy some inspiration and the tale of one incredible woman’s paddle against plastic. Enjoy!Useful linksAll the places you can buy The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide online..!Cal Major- Website- Facebook- Instagram- Twitter- Paddle against plastic- Vitamin Sea film infoSurfers against SewageMid Counties Co-op '1 change' plastic campaignWhat's your 'takeaway' from this episode?Let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE 9th JAN 2020 PRE-ORDER NOW!! "The most eco-common sense thing I've read!" […]

It is with HUGE excitement that I bring you this very special mini-series of the Sustainable(ish) podcast to celebrate, and to count down to, the launch of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide - everything you need to know to make small changes that make a big difference.This book is pretty much the distillation of the Sustainable(ish) ethos and is being published by Bloomsbury on January 9th 2020 , and to mark such an auspicious occasion I've put together 12 shortish episodes of the podcast, one for each chapter of the book, where I have a good old chinwag with someone relevant to that chapter.Today we're onto Day 2, and Chapter 2, which is Zero waste(ish), and I am chatting to my lovely internet friend Lindsay Miles from Treading My Own Path. Lindsay is pretty hot on the zero waste front (whereas I’m pretty hot on the ish bit..!) but manages to do it without making the rest of us feel a bit shit, and to still make it feel do-able. In the book I talk about the IG ideal of the years worth of waste in a jam jar and how intimidating I find that, and I love the bit in our chat where Lindsay talks about the fact that it’s not about the jam jar, it’s about doing what you can with the resources you’ve got. While I think many of us might find the concept of zero waste a bit (a lot!) off putting, I think we can all hopefully sign up to that.Enjoy!Useful linksAll the places you can buy The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide online..!Treading My Own Path- Website- Facebook- Instagram- Twitter- Lindsay's book - Less StuffPlastic Free July - the challenge that set Lindsay onto her zero waste pathEarth Overshoot DayHow are you feeling about your bin and it's contents?!Let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE 9th JAN 2020 PRE-ORDER NOW!! "The most eco-common sense thing I've read!" […]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG....!It is with HUGE excitement that I bring you this very special mini-series of the Sustainable(ish) podcast to celebrate, and to count down to, the launch of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide - everything you need to know to make small changes that make a big difference.This book is pretty much the distillation of the Sustainable(ish) ethos and is being published by Bloomsbury on January 9th 2020 , and to mark such an auspicious occasion I've put together 12 shortish episodes of the podcast, one for each chapter of the book, where I have a good old chinwag with someone relevant to that chapter.Today we're kicking off with Day 1, and Chapter 1, which is conscious consumption, and I am SO delighted to get the chance to chat to Sarah Lazarovic, author, illustrator, and creative about her wonderful creation, The Buyerarchy of Needs, which features very heavily in Chapter 1 of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide. We talk about Sarah's own book, A Bunch of Pretty Things I Did Not Buy, which is half memoir and half instructional manual on how to become more conscious of how much we buy, and she shares some of her top tips for stepping off the treadmill of consumerism. Enjoy!Useful linksSarah Lazarovic- Website- Instagram- Twitter- Sarah's book - A Bunch of Pretty Things I Did Not BuyAll the places you can buy The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide online..!​How are you getting on with a more conscious approach to All The Things?Let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE 9th JAN 2020 PRE-ORDER NOW!! "The most eco-common sense thing I've read!" […]

This episode is going out in the 1st week of December - the Christmas songs are on the radio, the shops are rammed with All The Things, and the pressure is on buy presents for friends and family. And not just to buy presents, to buy the right presents - we all love to gift, and we all love seeing people's faces when they open the gifts we've carefully chosen. But only if we've got it right! And that can be the tricky thing can't it? Finding the right present for the right person, and in budget to boot. It's the Holy Grail of gifting!Apparently around £2.4 BILLION are spent on unwanted gifts each year at Christmas, and that figure is from 2011, so I can only imagine it's actually higher now. £2.4 BILLION!! Just think of all the good that could be done in the world with that money, instead of giving people stuff they don't need or want, because you feel like you should.In this episode I'm chatting to Tara Button from Buy Me Once, who is a huge fan of conscious, thoughtful gifting. Giving gifts that people will want. That will last. And she's sharing some of her top tips for how to do just that.Enjoy!Useful linksBuy Me Once- Website- Facebook- Instagram- Twitter- Tara's 12 rules of Christmas Gifting- Zero Waste Starter Kits/Bundles- One World Football- Wishbone bikeWhere Does it Come From?Isla BikesTop tips for charity shop (and any secondhand!) shopping12 not so fun festive facts12 gifts for kids that aren't 'stuff'[028] - Buy Less Buy Better, with Tara Button from Buy Me OnceSustainable(ish) Facebook group What are your strategies for 'conscious gifting' this year?Let me know in the comments!GET YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO A​ CRAP-FREE CHRISTMAS!Grab a copy of my digital e-guide tackling the big issues around Christmas waste in the home: Advent Calendars & Christmas Cards   Food & Nibbles Gifts, Alternatives & Tricky ConversationsFestive Family Guilt Let's take out the plastic and waste from Christmas Grab your copy now! Instant download check Stacks of ideas, suggestions and clickable resources BUY NOW FOR JUST £6! […]

This episode is hitting the airways just a couple of days before Black Friday 2019. If you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t heard of Black Friday, it’s another delightful American import that has made it’s way over here, and is basically where retailers and manufacturers slash their prices in a bid to get you to buy All The Things in the run up to Christmas.And this episode feels very timely (I’m totally patting myself on the back for this and pretending it was all a very strategic plan, when in reality I got behind with the podcast schedule after half-term, but sssshhhh) as I’m chatting to Ollie at the charity Global Action Plan about their #idontbuyit campaign. This is a campaign aimed at teenagers (and their parents. And in fact is relevant to all of us) to raise awareness around the insidiousness (is that even a word) of advertising, especially online, and the steps they can take to try and consume more thoughtfully.One of the things that is suggested is to time a minute scrolling through Instagram (or Facebook if you’re not on Instagram) and make a note of how many ads and sponsored posts you see, and I would really urge you (teenager or not!) to give this a go and then share the results (you can share with the #idontbuytit hashtag on social media, on any of my social media channels or leave a comment below)– it’s a real eye opener..!Enjoy!Useful linksGlobal Action Plan- Website- Facebook- Instagram- Twitter- Clean Air Day- Twitter- Wellbeing and Consumerism- #idontbuyit campaign- Resources for parents​Sustainable(ish) Facebook groupSo how many ads did you see?Has this made you think in a different way about advertising? Has it helped with some suggestions for how to talk to your kids/teens about it?Let me know! […]

Electric cars - my god it's confusing isn't it?Even just the terminology - EVs, ICE, PHEV... what does it all mean? How do I charge it? Doesn't it take hours to charge? How do I find charge points? What if I haven't got a drive?ALL the questions!Well never fear, in this episode I'm chatting to James and Kate of You Tube fame who I wanted to get on the show after watching one of their reviews where Kate points out that you can get the buggy in the back of the car. That's the sort of stuff we actually want to know. Not complicated geeky talk of miles per kilowatt hour. Well, that and how do we make sure we don't run out of charge...James and Kate are full on EV (electric vehicle) fans, and have test driven loads, so I ask them the questions that we all want to ask, in what is hopefully a kind of beginners guide to all things electric cars. Enjoy!Useful linksJames and Kate- You Tube- Twitter​OLEV - grants for home chargersZappi chargers - 'smart' charger for home chargingZap Map - app for finding electric charging pointsPlug Share - app for finding electric charging pointsPolar - charging networkEco Cars - secondhand EV retailer (highly recommended by James and Kate!)The kids after test driving the Kia e-niroHave you got an EV? Would you consider it for your next car?What other questions do you have? […]