The Butterfly Effect – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

Samantha, Founder of The Good Factory and I talk about how an accident she had sparked her interest in Sustainability in the Fashion sector and some of the challenges she has faced supporting the transition of fashion supply chains to become more sustainable. Samantha talks frankly about her take on where the industry is and how collective human behaviour can give us hope for the future, amongst a fear inducing reality we all find ourselves in during this defining decade. Not only that, but Samantha also touches on some of the common barriers women in this space can find themselves in working in a male dominated world.  

Samantha can be reached at sam@thegoodfactory.co.uk; thegoodfactory.co.uk .  

Ever thought about assessing your personal impact in this Defining Decade? Not sure where to start? Well let me suggest you take a look at my quiz. It’ll give you feedback on whether you are on track to make the impact you know you are capable of; one you can be proud of. 

It only takes 4 minutes, and you get customisable feedback: Click on this link: ⁠https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com 

Join me as I talk to Claire Thew and Clare Blunt from Venture Zero about the work that they do to inspire people to contribute to a healthier and more sustainable world. They explain their journey to setting up their business and how the values of the business reflect what they deem to always have been important to them. Packed full of things to try like a Ta Da List, they both share how motherhood has shaped the passion they have for their work. I’m sure you’ll be eager to find out more about the Ta Da List amongst many other thoughts and ideas about how they manage the emotions of working in this space. Grab the dog and set out on a walk whilst immersing yourself in this conversation – it’s a cracker! 

Claire Thew can be reached via clairethew78@gmail.com. Clare Blunt via clare.blunt@venturezero.co.uk. 

Ever thought about assessing your personal impact in this Defining Decade? Not sure where to start? Well let me suggest you take a look at my quiz. It’ll give you feedback on whether you are on track to make the impact you know you are capable of; one you can be proud of. 

It only takes 4 minutes, and you get customisable feedback: Click on this link: ⁠https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com 

Join Abby Chicken and I in the latest podcast where we talk about how Abby acknowledges the challenges of working in the sustainability field and being a mother who is passionate about making a difference as she puts it ‘because it matters’ and because she had the privilege to find her way into this sector mid-career. Abby shares her go to strategies for looking after herself and managing the emotions of working in this space. This episode is jam-packed full of honest and passionate stories, highlighting how sustainability is everyone’s business not just the sustainability department!  

Pop those earphones in and take that walk you’ve been promising yourself whilst letting this conversation sink in! Abby can be reached at Abby.chicken@openreach.co.uk

Enjoy! 

Are you going all out to have an impact but quite frankly feeling like you're on the road to burnout? 

Take this Defining Decade Quiz and get tips on how you can steer yourself away from these risks and build yourself back stronger. It will take you less than 4 minutes to complete. 

Click on this link: ⁠https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com 

Discover how Tessa Clarke, Co-founder & CEO of OLIO, balances staying sane and success in this episode of The Butterfly Effect. Tessa shares practical steps she takes to maintain her well-being while offering an easy accessable solution to reduce food waste, through the OLIO app. Learn how this innovative leader manages stress and stays focused on her mission to reduce food waste whilst being a mother, a wife and a human.

This episode offers valuable insights into staying grounded while pursuing ambitious goals. Tune in to hear Tessa's inspiring journey and actionable advice for making a difference without burning out.

If you haven’t already, please download the Olio App and start starting food you are going to throw away - https://olioapp.com/en/download-olio/

Tessa can be reached at tessa_cook@hotmail.com; olioex.com . I hope you enjoy the episode!

Are you going all out to have an impact but struggling to manage the emotions of working in this space in this defining decade?

Take this Defining Decade Quiz and get tips on how you can improve this in 2024. It will take you less than 3 minutes to complete!

Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com

I am thrilled to be able to share a conversation I had with Elena Domms, CEO of Earth Plus on her journey from being born and raise in the artic, working at Mastercard for 11 years and having 2 kids, before taking the step into her impactful and purposeful role at Earth Plus. Elena is the CEO and is leading a bold mission to help companies remove carbon and clean soils with the power of nature. Elena shares what she is working on to develop herself as well as the strategies she has found that helps her manage the emotions of working in this space. In this open and honest discussion you’ll hear Elena be very candid about her mental health and the challenges she faces by doing this work. Her advice to find what works for you, which is key to us all having impactful careers in Sustainability. Elena makes reference to 2 keynotes which you can find here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc41lZMK6rI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoSyjnCMZPk&t=143s

You can reach Elena directly at www.elenadoms.com

Find out if you are on track to achieve the impact you want to by taking the Defining Decade Quiz. Uncover the key actions you need to take to achieve the impact you'll be proud of in this defining decade, one your kids will also be proud of. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete!

Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com

Join us on "The Butterfly Effect," where I explore the transformative journeys of women leading the charge in sustainability. In this episode, we meet Jess Wilkes-Ball, Senior Sustainability Manager at Mills & Reeve, who shares her personal journey from her early days inspired by the natural world to her current role driving ambitious emissions reductions initiatives. Jess's story is one of resilience, finding peace in nature, and her shift towards a career that integrates her passion for the environment with her professional life. Listen as Jess discusses the impact of forest bathing, the challenges of balancing life as a working mother, and how she navigates the complexities of sustainability in today's fast-paced world.

Are you going all out to have an impact but struggling to manage the emotions of working in this space in this defining decade? Take this Defining Decade Quiz and get tips on how you can improve this in 2024. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete!

Click on this link: ⁠⁠https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com⁠

Welcome to "The Butterfly Effect," hosted by Frances Lee-Rogers.

In this episode, we are joined by Hannah Keartland, a freelance Impact Officer experienced in guiding business leaders through the sustainability transition. With a background as an accountant and extensive experience in project management and innovation within charitable sectors, Hannah has dedicated her career to creating impactful change. This conversation dives deep into the strategies that integrate sustainability into core business operations and explores how Hannah navigates the challenging emotional pressures of making a global impact. Tune in as Hannah shares her journey from finance to becoming a dedicated Impact Leader in this space.

Are you on track to create the impact you want to and make your children proud?

Find out if you are on track to achieve the impact you want to by taking the Defining Decade Quiz. Uncover the key actions you need to take to achieve the impact you'll be proud of in this defining decade, one your kids will also be proud of. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete!

Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com

Welcome to "The Butterfly Effect," hosted by Frances Lee-Rogers. In this insightful episode, we explore the influence of female leadership in sustainability with Dr. Erin Gill, Global Marketing Director at Arup. Erin shares her journey from being a journalist focused on energy and climate issues to a leader shaping global sustainability strategies. This episode delves into the emotional resilience required of us at this time in history and offers Erin’s view into how her personal experiences and historical events can shape our responses to global challenges we face. Join us as Erin discusses the pivotal moments in her career, the ongoing challenges of climate change, and how to maintain hope and effectiveness in the face of global ecological challenges.

Find out if you are on track to achieve the impact you want to by taking the Defining Decade Quiz. Uncover the key actions you need to take to achieve the impact you'll be proud of in this defining decade, one your kids will also be proud of. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete!

Click on this link: https://definingdecadequiz.scoreapp.com