Funny Old World with Juliet Kinsman – Details, episodes & analysis

Funny Old World | Food, Farming & Ploughing through the BS

🌱 What are we actually eating — and what does it cost the earth?
This bite-sized episode digs into ethical food systems, regenerative farming, and what all of us as consumers can actually do. It covers politics, environmental hard truths — and yes, it ends on an erotica note. You've been warned.

Star guests this episode:
🍺 Geetie Singh-Watson — founder The Bull Inn in Totnes and the UK's first certified organic pub. Co-founder of the Riverford Field Kitchen. The poster human for hospitality which can genuinely heal land and community. → bullinntotnes.co.uk

🌾 Ed Faulkner — founder Sapling Spirits. Environmental policy meets award-winning spirits made with regenerative agriculture and minimum waste. (Did you know what's in your glass matters as much as what's on your fork?) → saplingspirits.com

Your host: Juliet Kinsman — journalist, author, broadcaster, Bouteco founder — sharing stories that inspire impact. → bouteco.co/podcasts

Brought to you by The Long Run — the membership organisation for tourism businesses committed to positive impact. → thelongrun.org

📍 MEET US IRL — 21 June 2026, Sea Containers, London, Nature in the City is a live event during London Climate Action Week. Come and continue this conversation with Geetie, Ed and Juliet — with food, drink, and proper debate. Ticket proceeds support Farms for City Children on their 50th anniversary. 

🎟 eventbrite.co.uk/e/nature-in-the-city-at-sea-containers-london-tickets-1987679926166
Next up: Dr Matt Winning (comedian, environmental economist, BBC Radio 4) and Shakira Mobarak, nature-positive storyteller at The Datai Langkawi.

…SOLUTIONS-LED STORYTELLING IN TRAVEL is giving us hope.
In this new episode of a new format, Juliet Kinsman — sustainability expert and solutions-led storyteller — shares lightbulb moments from a 30-year career in journalism and why she believes storytellers are the keystone species for a better world…
Radically honest, as ever, in her talk given for the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Better World Symposium in London, she makes the case for solutions-led storytelling over greenwashed marketing spin, for authentic human authority over AI-generated content, and for a kind of travel writing that doesn't just document the world — it advances the narrative and cultivates empathy. Just watch out for those Passport Bros… What are those? Listen in and find out… A must-listen if you’re anyone sharing stories from your travels.

Follow your host Juliet http://instagram.com/julietkinsman/ founder
or Bouteco http://bouteco.co

For more information, this episode features:
https://www.thedatai.com/sustainability/
https://www.andbeyond.com/
https://uxua.com
http://fogoislandinn.ca
http://shorefastinstitute.org
https://www.instagram.com/mandalaire_finca
http://asylumspeakers.com
https://www.inntravel.co.uk/getmedia/dcc19a67-2875-4ca9-8d6a-5bdfcb0c70e6/travel-writers-manifesto-spread.pdf

Topics covered: sustainable travel · biodiversity · keystone species · solutions-led storytelling · regenerative tourism · the future of journalism · authentic brand communications · impact reporting · the Datai Langkawi · coral bleaching · deforestation · Fogo Island · asylum seekers · Ikigai · AI and human connection

Helpful tips on ways to decarbonise our daily lives, how to measure carbon footprints, pondering the meaning of Net Zero, Juliet and Simon look back at history and grill two experts on our actions in the past, today, and how to work towards a greener world when it comes to greenhouse gases. A snapshot of our expert guests Angela Terry, environmental scientist, the founder of One Home: Positive Solutions, the UK's first one-stop shop on climate action providing independent advice on adapting to and preventing global warming, Angela has more than 25 years of working with renewable-energy solutions. Charlie Cotton, carbon consultant and founder of ecollective, he takes a numbers-based approach to sustainability. Charlie is passionate about helping customers know what their footprint is today, and what it needs to be next year. + + +

Funny Old World is a podcast series of entertaining conversations which make it easier to better understand the causes, symptoms and solutions to the climate emergency. Co-hosted by journalist and sustainability expert, Juliet Kinsman, and asking the all-important questions is broadcaster, Simon London.

“Climate change is an almost comically mild term for this existential crisis we face — it's like calling an invading army unexpected visitors. And so this is why I use climate breakdown or climate chaos.” George Monbiot. A snapshot of our expert guests Mitzi Tan Jonelle, is a full-time climate justice activist based in Manila, Philippines. She is the convenor and international spokesperson of Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines, the Fridays For Future of the Philippines. She is committed to changing the system and building a world that prioritises people and planet, not profit, through collective action. George Monbiot is an environmental activist and author of best-selling books including 'Feral: Rewilding the land, sea and human life', 'Heat: how to stop the planet burning', and 'Out of the Wreckage: a new politics for an age of crisis’ and 'Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet'. + + +

Funny Old World is a podcast series of entertaining conversations which make it easier to better understand the causes, symptoms and solutions to the climate emergency. Co-hosted by journalist and sustainability expert, Juliet Kinsman, and asking the all-important questions is broadcaster, Simon London.

Your Funny Old World hosts — Juliet Kinsman and Simon London — return with special guests from Campaign for Nature and Asylum Speakers to explore the transformative power of exponential storytelling at the nexus between nature and climate justice. They don’t shy from some of the toughest topics — managing to elicit a little laughter along the way. Recorded in Dover Yard at 1 Hotel Mayfair in London.Special guests Katy Roxburgh from Campaign for Nature — helping to protect 30 per cent of the planet by 2030.Giel Malual of Asylum Speakers — model, law student, advocate for refugee rights, South Sudanese speaker.Discover why…Biodiversity is so important in the climate conversation. The water crisis is one of our most urgent challenges today.Better gender equality benefits everyone.Migration and the movement of people affect us all. …And why Juliet has a climate denier to thank for bringing home one of the most important messages: how can we help humanise those people already at the sharp end of the climate crisis?

Thanks to Andy Hughes for audio editing.

1 Hotel Mayfair, 3 Berkeley Street, London W1J 8DL Asylum Speakers — buy the book and listen to the podcast by Jaz OHara which takes you on a journey across the world… without you having to go anywhere.

Event produced by Bouteco | Follow @JulietKinsman

Welcome to this special What the…? LIVE episode of the climate-solutions podcast with stories from sustainable travel recorded in Marrakech at PURE 2024 with Juliet Kinsman, journalist and founder of Bouteco, who returns with broadcaster Simon London who plays quizmaster in this entertaining interactive 40-minute session from Open House at the trade show in Morocco, September 2024. 

Key climate topics are tackled: the importance of biodiversity, water solutions, and gender equality in the context of the power of sustainable travel to do more good, and how to harness the power of comedy and storytelling for impact — with lots of stats, science and heart-tugging stories and a little much-needed laughter along the way.

Experts include Portia Hart, founder of Blue Apple in Colombia and Intrepid’s Zina Bencheikh, a big supporter of the charity Education for All which is what Bouteco’s 2019 documentary Changing Worlds in the Atlas Mountains is all about. Intriguing and inspiring sustainability studies from hospitality in relation to The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Rio Perdido in Costa Rica which features in Small Luxury Hotels’ Considerate Collection,

For more episodes and full information, go to http://bouteco.co/podcasts

What To Do And How To Think in a Crisis https://www.bouteco.co/sustainable-luxury-travel/2023/11/17/guidelines-for-action-after-a-disaster

Make My Money Matter https://makemymoneymatter.co.uk/

Comedy clip from Mark Maron https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ug6py7PoHR8

Cartoon by Tom Toro from The New Yorker https://www.insidehook.com/culture/story-tom-toro-new-yorker-climate-cartoon

Please listen, subscribe, review — and catch up with our first series of Funny Old World — spread the word to help us up climate awareness in a way that we hope also inspires a few smiles.

Edited by Jon Weeks. Sound Engineer Andy Hughes. Published by Mark Machado of 11-29 Media.
Thank you to http://purelifeexperiences.com — Serge Dive, Eve Browning, Isabella Carington, Ariella Durban, Sarah Nevard and all the passionate hoteliers and travel professionals that make PURE such a special place to spark more two-way conversations.

In part two of two extra episodes of these edutaining easy-listening podcasts where the conversationalists aren’t shy about exploring the causes, symptoms and solutions when it comes to the climate, you’ll find Juliet and Simon, as ever, discussing serious topical sustainability stories and cultural affairs while they chat with thought-provoking experts — in this case, thought leaders from the luxury travel industry.Topics included…How Women Are Transforming Conservation with Suzanne Bayly of Classic Portfolio and Nwabisa Mjjoli of WeevaWhy The Best Guest Experiences Also Achieve Impact with Louise Cottar of Cottar's SafarisThe Secrets to Sustainable Luxury Success with Ruth Crichton and Clayton Niemand from GrootbosThe Importance of Having a Sustainability Manager with Prince Ngomane from Tswalu Kalahari

Simon, as ever, asks the burning questions — and is there to ensure every conversation also leads to much laughter — however sober the subject matter!

Funny Old World is powered by Weeva — visit weeva.earth to discover more about this sustainability management platform.

We Are Africa took place in Cape Town's DHL Stadium, May 2023.Connect with us on socials:@julietkinsman @boutecohotels@slondonuk@weareweeva

In this episode we also referenced…Uthando’s work connecting tourism with community development projects https://www.uthandosa.org The book 'Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend' by Christo BrandElizabeth Wathuti https://www.instagram.com/lizwathutiWangari Maathai https://www.instagram.com/wangari_maathai/Vanessa Nakate https://www.instagram.com/vanessanakate1

Maybe you’re wondering: how can international travel ever be sustainable?
Juliet says: "There are 54 countries in Africa, and collectively they are responsible for less than 4% of the world's CO2 emissions — and yet this is the most vulnerable region in the world when it comes to the climate emergency. The UN puts this down to restricted socio-economic growth in the continent: and when it comes to this community of impact-driven luxury travel hosts, their work bringing in visitors from around the world can and does make a huge difference, since the result of those in the Global North making better travel decisions can mean vital wealth distribution in the fight for better socio-economic uplift in communities that are the most vulnerable to climate change.”

In part one of two extra episodes of these edutaining easy-listening podcasts where the conversationalists aren’t shy about exploring the causes, symptoms and solutions when it comes to the climate, you’ll find Juliet and Simon, as ever, discussing serious topical sustainability stories and cultural affairs while they chat with thought-provoking experts — in this case, thought leaders from the luxury travel industry.Tell don’t sell: why storytelling matters, with esteemed journalists Jane Broughton, Harriet Owalla and Noo Saro-Wiwa Let’s clean wash the Greenwash with Julie Cheetham, MD of WeevaRedefining luxury with Melony van der Merwe, Trade Ambassador for Weeva

Maybe you’re wondering: how can international travel ever be sustainable?Juliet says: "There are 54 countries in Africa, and collectively they are responsible for less than 4% of the world's CO2 emissions — and yet this is the most vulnerable region in the world when it comes to the climate emergency. The UN puts this down to restricted socio-economic growth in the continent: and when it comes to this community of impact-driven luxury travel hosts, their work bringing in visitors from around the world can and does make a huge difference, since the result of those in the Global North making better travel decisions can mean vital wealth distribution in the fight for better socio-economic uplift in communities that are the most vulnerable to climate change.”

Simon, as ever, asks the burning questions — and is there to ensure every conversation also leads to much laughter — however sober the subject matter!

Funny Old World is powered by Weeva — visit weeva.earth to discover more about this sustainability management platform.

We Are Africa took place in Cape Town's DHL Stadium, May 2023.Connect with us on socials:@julietkinsman @slondonuk @weareweeva

A snapshot of our guestsIn this hour-long special, Juliet and Simon speak to Climate justice crusaders Kevin Lunzalu in Kenya, co-founder of Kenyan Youth Biodiversity Net and Eyal Weintraub, co-founder of Jóvenes Por El Clima Argentina.Hans Pfister — a straight-talker in how to walk all the eco talk when it comes to sustainability and what it means to be a sustainable business. Hans is the Co-founder, CEO and Marketing Director of the Cayuga Collection of Sustainable Luxury Hotels and Lodges in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua. He has served on the Advisory Board of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World and as the Regional Vice President for Mexico, Central and South America for the Cornell Hotel Society. He has more than 30 years of experience in hospitality in Europe, Asia and the Americas.Sophie Morgan — radically changing the representation of disability, Sophie is a respected advocate for accessibility. Host of Channel 4 television show 'Living Wild: How to Change your Life', as well as ground-breaking documentaries such as Dispatches and Unreported World, the presenter of London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020 Paralympics explains why inclusion is key to every conversation.

Jon Alexander — author of 'CITIZENS: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us', Jon explains how to involve people in the decisions that affect their lives as citizens. The co-founder of the New Citizenship Project began his career with a decade in the advertising industry, before making a dramatic change. Believing humans are collaborative, creative, caring citizens by nature, if we give each other the chance, we can fix things together as citizens.

"The public has an insatiable curiosity to know everything, except what is worth knowing." — Oscar WildeSarah Whitehead is Deputy Head of Newsgathering at Sky News, Sarah was previously Head of International News, and before that worked for the BBC. Jennie King is Head of Civic Action and Education at the Institute of Strategic Dialogue, who provides regular briefings for UK government departments, regulators, UNESCO and is as literate as it gets on media literacy. Jennie oversees ISD's growing portfolio on Climate Mis- and Disinformation, supporting a coalition of 30+ organisations worldwide to identify, analyse and counter related harms. Her writing and commentary have been featured by the BBC, The Guardian, Channel 4 News, Tortoise Media and NPR, amongst others.

If you want to stay informed, we also recommend Covering Climate Now'sClimate Beat newsletter for media analysis, resources, must-read stories and tips on how to best cover the climate emergency.We’d love to hear from you! 

Any sustainability tips to share? Talk to us on Twitter or Instagram #FunnyOldWorld @JulietKinsman @WeAreWeeva