Ep 19 Beauty: Time For A Mak-‘eco’-ver

Today we talk about building sustainability into your business, with special guests Adam Doffman and Zac Huddart from Lola’s Cupcakes. Lola's is iconic in London and UK-wide for their fresh, handcrafted and delicious cakes.

Lola's didn’t start out with sustainability at its core, but is now doing a lot of work in this area. It is a great example of a company pivoting its operations to be more sustainable, despite it being challenging to do so. Other companies could draw inspiration from this, which made us want to get them on the podcast even more!

We discuss how an established business begins switching to a more sustainable model. Where do you start? And what brought about the shift? We also ask Adam and Zac for their view on working for a values-led company like Lola's, for those who might be looking to gain a similar experience.

Check out Lola's sister company Next Day Solar, as mentioned in the episode. Next Day Solar is making solar power accessible to everyone who wants to play a part in creating a better future.

Tell us what you think about the episode or the topics covered at podcastswitch.com or @podcastswitch.

Today we discuss physical activity and the links it has to social impact. We start by discussing the intersection of yoga, yoga philosophy and social impact, as there are links there which Lydia, as a yoga teacher, has come to realise through her training. We then move to other ways in which physical activity and sports can have socially positive effects.

A couple of links to initiatives we mention in the episode:

• GoodGym - Helping the community while getting a workout
• Fight for Peace - Combines boxing and martial arts with personal development and education for kid. Teaching peaceful, fun conflict without the need for violence.
• Equality - LGBTQ+ sports leagues and clubs around the world are a demonstration of the socially-connecting and educational power of sports, for example Queer Surf Club.
• You can  try a gym powered by human energy - Terra Hale in London runs the lights and speakers on pedal power - one class generates enough energy to supply a computer for a day.

Tell us what you think at podcastswitch.com or @podcastswitch.

Today we haven’t chosen an easy topic, but it's an extremely vital one: Mental Health. 

We are grateful that this topic is not new, as over the past few years mental health is slowly coming into the everyday conversation (from workplaces addressing it, to parents and children communicating about it more, to governments increasing funding in it). However, we want to use this platform to expand the dialogue and also dive into how mental health is fundamental to achieving the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs) and how it intersects with sustainability as a whole.

On today’s episode we will discuss:

• A quick refresher on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Connections between mental health and the SDGs
• How mental health is essential in achieving the SDGs and vice versa

Check out the SDGs at https://sdgs.un.org/goals.

Tell us what you think at podcastswitch.com or @podcastswitch.

We've talked on the show about spending power and the impact that buying more sustainable products can have on the planet and society. However, what about the impact of our 'wealth', i.e. the money we hold in bank accounts, investments, pensions, etc?

Our wealth has a significant impact on carbon emissions, for example. You can create 27 times more impact on carbon emissions/climate change through your savings/investments than you can by cutting out meat from your diet and stopping flying COMBINED!!!?

And since 68% of UK savers want their investments to consider people and planet alongside profit, in this episode we break down how wealth can have a negative impact, why it matters and how to switch it up and use your wealth for social good as much as possible.

Check out https://makemymoneymatter.co.uk/ - a movement to ensure the money invested in UK pensions is used to build a better world.

If you’re looking to change who you bank with, I recommend using the UK Government’s Current Account Switch Service.

Bronwyn King TED talk - Oncologist talks about pension: https://www.ted.com/talks/bronwyn_king_you_may_be_accidentally_investing_in_cigarette_companies#t-35173

ShareAction: A charity working towards an investment system that truly serves savers and communities, and protects our environment for the long term.  https://shareaction.org/

A great blog outlining comparisons between different banks, with our former podcast guest Besma Whayeb: https://www.curiouslyconscious.com/2020/02/best-ethical-banks-current-accounts-uk.html/

PLEASE NOTE: Ashna and Lydia are not financial advisors. They do not have any professional or academic training in finance or investments. All of the content of the episode is based on their own amateur research, opinion and personal experience.

--

What is Switch?

The reason we started Switch is because we want sustainable living to be mainstream. The podcast acts as a small piece in the puzzle towards this goal by opening up the conversation on sustainability, helping people to feel more positive, empowered and effective in how they can improve the planet and society.

Say hello at www.podcastswitch.com or follow us on social media @podcastswitch.

--

The reason we started Switch is that we want sustainable living to be mainstream. The podcast acts as a small piece in the puzzle towards this goal by opening up the conversation on sustainability, helping people to feel more positive, empowered and effective in how they can improve the planet and society.

One key thing we haven’t actually touched on much though is how we can all open up a conversation at home, with our loved ones, friends, at school, work, and so on. It’s not just about being empowered with knowledge if you want to make change, it’s also about having the confidence and permission to speak honestly with those around you.

So, in this episode, we unpack our own challenges on this issue and discuss things we think are helpful when you want to discuss your values on sustainability or anything else in a constructive way.

Tell us what you think/let us know your tips at podcastswitch.com or @podcastswitch.

Welcome back to Switch Podcast. This new season we are exploring our core foundations and how sustainability intersects with them. In season 1 & 2 we put a spotlight on some of our biggest environmental challenges such as plastic waste, food systems, fast fashion; and brought in guests who were doing some pretty cool things to tackle these. 

This season we will be looking into more conceptual topics and diving a bit deeper as we talk about things like relationships, careers, communities, and how we can push for a more sustainable/ holistic way of living.  

This weeks topic is all about careers and how to get the job that is aligned to your values.

Areas to explore:

• Our career paths and what drove us to make the decision we did
• The passion vs. income dilemma 
• Privileges associated with the above dilemma 
• Why now could be a good time

Tell us what you think/let us know your tips at podcastswitch.com or @podcastswitch.

This week we’re joined by Sarah from TALA, which makes sustainable active/casual-wear that is super stylish! We’re actually in love with this brand…

They are inclusive. Their collections are for every body, designed to make everyone feel comfortable and empowered with high-performance designs and flattering fits. And we think their instagram reflects this - it feels like it’s celebrating everyone of all ethnicities, sizes and abilities.

They are also sustainable, with all their products made with recycled or upcycled materials. Their packaging is also recycled and recyclable, and the tags are made from 100% plantable paper.

They are also affordable, transparent about every aspect of their supply chain and the sustainability of each item, and they are constantly researching and trialling the best in sustainable materials.

Right now, it feels like marginalised groups across the globe are demanding respect, justice and equal rights and are finally being heard - from the Black Lives Matter movement to trans-gender rights activism. People will not stand oppression by patriarchal power structures any longer. 

But in among this fight, are some voices not being heard? Patriarchal dominance, which presupposes masculine attributes are more valuable than any others, has led to the marginalisation women, children, queer people, and people of colour. But interestingly, there is another 'group' adversely affected... Nature. The degradation of nature (land and animals) and most environmental issues are a result of generations of patriarchal aggression and domination toward the environment - treating it as a commodity to be controlled and consumed.

Ecofeminism is an ideology and movement that sees climate change, gender equality, and social injustice more broadly as intrinsically related issues, all tied to masculine dominance in society.

How interesting. We had never realised that the environmental fight is so closely linked to other social injustices, and by helping one we are helping the others. We dissect what ecofeminism is, our views towards it and what we can do to help.

Enjoy x

Hello! Welcome to the first in a series of collaborative episodes with Switch and The Wise Consumer. Madeleine (AKA The Wise Consumer) uses her podcast to sit down and chat with entrepreneurs from all walks of life whose mission it is to use their businesses as forces for good. A woman after our own hearts!

In our first collab episode, we discuss how we - meaning both ourselves and wider society - can come together to make the world a better place. 

In particular, we discuss the urgent need for compassion, understanding and trying to be better in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. It’s important for us to come together more than ever. We talk about what we are learning and reflecting on, how we can move forward together and what actions we can take to help become better allies. 

We hope you enjoy this episode. We aren't perfect but we are learning, growing and coming together with our voices and actions.

Check out The Wise Consumer at: https://thewiseconsumer.com/ 

How do you get a whole industry to change its practices?

This week we’re so excited to be joined by Kerry Bannigan, Founder of the Conscious Fashion Campaign which engages global fashion industry events - e.g. trade shows, fashion weeks, conferences - to commit to the achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

The Conscious Fashion Campaign increases awareness and inspires action in fashion companies en masse by targeting big industry events (with a captive audience!). By working with the event organisers and initiatives, sustainability principles are embedded throughout the events’ marketing, operations and logistics. This, in turn, puts out the message to the fashion industry involved that sustainability is important, educates them in why, and encourages them to form partnerships committed to taking action at scale. Fashion is an influential sector, the global industry being worth 3 trillion dollars, so if it gets behind the SDGs it has a big impact.

Today we talk firstly about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and how they translate into the fashion industry. Second, we discuss what it takes to influence a whole industry. 

Website: www.consciousfashioncampaign.com 
Facebook: @consciousfashioncampaign 
Twitter: @consciousfash
Instagram: @consciousfashioncampaign 

#SDGFashion