The Purpose Brief – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

The Purpose Brief

James Johnston

Business

News

Frequency: 1 episode/32d. Total Eps: 8

The Purpose Brief explores social good and how we can make the systems and people surrounding it work better.

This isn’t surface-level debate, the podcast creates space for deeper, thoughtful conversations with practitioners, funders, trustees, and public leaders who are tackling complex social challenges in the real world. Every month James Johnston focuses on practicalities, proven approaches, and the connections that help scale impact.

If you’re a civic-minded person who wants to understand how social good really happens and how you can make a difference, then The Purpose Brief is for you.

Read moreCollapse

Site

RSS

Apple

Data updated on 02/09/2026

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://www.resolutepurpose.co.uk/
12 shares
https://plunkett.co.uk/
2 shares
https://nathanchappell.com/
2 shares

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 68%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

What is ESG…. really?

Season 1 · Episode 7

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 • Duration 51:29

ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) has become one of those business buzzwords that everyone uses, plenty of people argue about, and far too few people can explain without reaching for another acronym.

So what does it actually mean when it leaves the strategy document and lands in the real world?

James is joined by Justine MacArthur, an independent consultant working across people, culture and HR, and Dane Wadsworth from JZ Flowers, to look at what responsible business looks like in practice.

There are no neat answers here. Instead, there are real examples: choosing between air and sea freight, measuring social impact, persuading people across an organisation to get on board and tracing the journey of flowers from more than 1,600 growers.

The conversation also challenges some familiar assumptions. People don't necessarily dislike change, they deeply resentment change done to them. Sustainability isn't just about spreadsheets, initialisms and reporting. It needs to become part of how a business operates.

ESG can feel like a minefield of frameworks, regulations and competing demands. This episode cuts through some of that noise and asks a more useful question: how do you build a business that is resilient, responsible and fit for the future without losing sight of the people who make it work?

In this episode

Why ESG has become so loaded and why stripping away the jargon matters
How purpose, leadership, HR and sustainability connect
What JZ Flowers' approach to sourcing, carbon, traceability and operational efficiency looks like in practice
How to communicate sustainability without drowning people in jargon
The tension between carbon reduction, cost, waste, freight and supply-chain realities
Why traceability and fair-trade premiums matter to customers
The challenges charities face when funding rules restrict what “social value” can mean
Why governance matters, and what happens when sustainability depends on the people at the top

LINKS

Justine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justine-macarthur/

Dane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dane-wadsworth-thurnham-mchem-hons-276b01103/

About Resolute Purpose: https://www.resolutepurpose.co.uk/

Read moreCollapse

The Purpose behind a Yorkshire Vineyard: Sustainability, Family and the Future of English Wine

Season 1 · Episode 6

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 • Duration 55:47

England's wine industry is booming, and Yorkshire is proving it has a place on the map.

In this episode of The Purpose Brief, James speaks to two brothers, Jack and Kit Fletcher, who are behind Ryedale Vineyards to discover how one family turned an ambitious idea into one of Yorkshire's pioneering vineyards.

From climate change and technology to sustainability and succession planning, this conversation explores what it really takes to grow a business that's rooted in purpose and place.

It's a story about caring for the land, building a regional identity, and creating a legacy that will outlast the people who planted the first vines.

In this episode

How a family project became one of Yorkshire's pioneering vineyards
Why English wine is gaining global recognition
The surprising advantages of growing grapes in the North of England
The realities of running a modern vineyard, from weather and tariffs to labour shortages
How technology, automation and innovation are changing winemaking
Why sustainability and look after nature makes business sense
Building a business that contributes to the visitor destination economy
Preparing the next generation through apprenticeships and knowledge sharing
Creating a business that balances commercial success with long-term stewardship of the land

Whether you're interested in sustainable business, rural entrepreneurship, family enterprises or simply curious about the rise of English wine, this episode offers practical lessons on building a business with purpose, resilience and a long-term vision.

LINKS

Pay a Visit: https://www.ryedalevineyards.co.uk/

Purchase Products: https://www.ryedalevineyards.co.uk/shop

The Community-Owned Businesses Keeping Rural Britain Alive

Season 1 · Episode 5

Monday, July 6, 2026 • Duration 58:11

What happens when a village refuses to lose its last shop or pub?

This episode looks at how communities across the UK are creating and running businesses together for their own benefit, from village shops and pubs to farms, cafés and community hubs.

James talks to George Ogier from Plunkett UK, a national charity which empowers rural neighbourhoods to set up and run community-owned businesses, and Colin Pollock who was instrumental in setting up a community shop in Bishop Wilton in East Yorkshire.

They talk about why community ownership works, how these businesses are funded and governed, and the practical steps involved in getting a project off the ground.

You'll also hear how these ventures help keep essential services local, create jobs, reduce isolation and give people a stronger voice in shaping the places they live.

In this episode

Why community-owned businesses have a remarkable track record, with a five-year survival rate of 98%.
The role community businesses play in protecting local services and bringing people together.
Examples ranging from pubs and shops to farms, distilleries and multi-purpose community hubs.
How local supply chains and local employment strengthen rural economies.
Practical advice on starting a community-owned shop or pub, from community consultation to funding and governance.
What the future could look like for community ownership as rural communities face growing challenges.
How community benefit societies work, including the principle of one member, one vote.
The story of Plunkett UK and more than a century of supporting rural community businesses.

Resources

Plunkett UK https://plunkett.co.uk/
Community Benefit Societies Act 2014: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/14/contents

Tackling Men’s Mental Health Through Community Action

Season 1 · Episode 4

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 • Duration 48:46

James sits down with Matty Lewis, a social entrepreneur and founder of Menfulness, to explore how mindfulness, community, and purpose-driven leadership can create meaningful impact.

Focused on tackling the stark realities of men’s mental health, Matty shares his personal journey into social entrepreneurship and how a grassroots idea has grown into a powerful movement across Yorkshire. From creating safe spaces for conversation for men to championing positive masculinity, this is a story of action, empathy, and community at its core.

The conversation also highlights how businesses can play a role in driving change, from innovative approaches to CSR through the Fortus Foundation, to initiatives like Go Give One, which make supporting local causes more accessible and impactful.

This episode is about breaking stigma, building connection, and proving that small, consistent actions can lead to life-changing outcomes.

In this episode, we explore:

• The reality of men’s mental health and why it matters now more than ever

• Matty’s journey and the growth of Menfulness across Yorkshire

• The importance of safe spaces and community-led support

• How the Fortus Foundation is rethinking charitable giving

• Real stories of change from mental health support to speech therapy initiatives

This is a powerful and hopeful conversation about purpose, people, and the role we all play in creating positive change.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introducing Matty Lewis and the focus on men's mental health

02:00 - Personal motivation behind improvement efforts in Yorkshire

03:24 - The evolution of Menfulness and its community impact

06:05 - Why North Yorkshire is critical for mental health initiatives

The Rowntrees: York's great philanthropists and what we can all still learn from them

Season 1 · Episode 3

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 • Duration 52:25

How did a small family of Quaker confectioners in York change the way we think about business forever?

James explores the fascinating history of the Rowntree family with Nick Smith from the Rowntree Society. From Joseph Rowntree’s pioneering "Living Wage" experiments to the complex colonial history of the cocoa trade, we explore how a legacy of faith-led social responsibility evolved into a global blueprint for modern social justice and corporate purpose.

What You’ll Learn:

The Quaker Root: How the Rowntree family’s faith drove their radical views on worker welfare and poverty.
More Than Chocolate: Joseph Rowntree’s role in creating the foundations for modern philanthropy.
The Ethical Conflict: Navigating the "bitter" side of the confectionery industry’s colonial past.
York’s DNA: How the Rowntree influence still shapes community development and social policy in the UK today.

LINKS

https://www.rowntreesociety.org.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therowntreesociety

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rowntreesociety/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rowntreesociety

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therowntreesociety

Find out more about The Purpose Brief: https://www.resolutepurpose.co.uk/

Philanthropy, Identity, and the Role of Fundraisers with Professor Beth Breeze OBE

Season 1 · Episode 2

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 • Duration 32:25

In this episode of The Purpose Brief, James Johnston chats to Professor Beth Breeze OBE, and they explore how philanthropy really works and how it’s changing.

Drawing on decades of research, Beth reflects on generosity among the wealthy, and why giving is rarely just about money.

Instead, philanthropy often sits at the intersection of identity, influence, responsibility, and a desire to make a difference, sometimes in ways that can spark controversy and debate. The conversation explores what happens when wealth and goodwill meet in the real world, and how ideas of responsible business and responsible wealth are shaping modern philanthropy.

They also touch upon the identity of donors, the critical role fundraisers play in building relationships and trust, and why public perception and collaboration matter for sustaining a healthy culture of giving. It’s a grounded, thoughtful conversation about philanthropy as a force for good and the responsibilities that come with it.

LINKS

Order 'Rich Expectations' Now from the Directory for Social Change

More about Harris Manchester College: https://www.hmc.ox.ac.uk/

More about James: https://www.resolutepurpose.co.uk/

Read moreCollapse

AI Driven Good with Nathan Chappell

Season 1 · Episode 1

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 • Duration 48:50

In the first episode of The Purpose Brief, James Johnston talks to world leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) expert Nathan Chappell about purpose, generosity, and the growing role of AI in helping not-for- profits scale fundraising.

They discuss how AI can strengthen small teams, why ethics and transparency matter in the use of technology, and how we all need to adapt to rapid technological change.

This chat also highlights the continued importance of human connection and curiosity in building trust, community, and impact and some tips for how to minimise your screen time.

A thoughtful starting point for exploring how social good can evolve, and scale, in a changing world.

LINKS:

More about Nathan: https://nathanchappell.com/

More about James: https://www.resolutepurpose.co.uk/

Any thoughts on the show, please email us at hello@resolutepurpose.co.uk

Read moreCollapse

The Purpose Brief

Season 1

Friday, January 16, 2026 • Duration 01:42

The Purpose Brief is a monthly podcast hosted by James Johnston, exploring social good and how we can make the systems and people surrounding it work better.

This isn’t surface-level debate, the podcast creates space for deeper, thoughtful conversations with practitioners, funders, trustees, and public leaders who are tackling complex social challenges in the real world. Each episode focuses on practicalities, proven approaches, and the connections that help scale impact.

If you’re a civic-minded person who wants to understand how social good really happens and how you can make a difference, then The Purpose Brief is for you.

Read moreCollapse

The Purpose Brief – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

The Purpose Brief – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other14

LinkedIn2

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other14

LinkedIn2

Instagram1