A Little Bit Radical: Business | People | Planet (Standing on Giants)

Elizabeth Osta is Director of Data Management for The Heineken Company. Her illustrious career has included stints at Barclays, dunnhumby, Mckinsey, L’Oreal, and P&G. She is a visiting fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School and advises a number of exciting startups.

Today she leads a large team of data professionals across 85 countries, helping the Heineken company draw the critical insights needed to perform at its best.

In this conversation Elizabeth discusses:

• How her very non-radical background led her to develop a taste for adventure and excitement
• How to embrace the ‘Art of the Possible’ in work and life
• Finding the ‘one number’ to get buy in for your ideas
• Storytelling with the right balance of rational and emotional techniques
• The opportunities as we move into a ‘Tech Winter’
• Embracing the principles of community building to power a winning work culture and leverage collective talent
• The responsibility of employers to provide enjoyment and tackle loneliness

Elizabeth on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-osta-b0a79b3b

Rob on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Standing on Giants on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/standing-on-giants/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

We all know The Body Shop's fantastic products, but did you know about their long history of activism? Campaigning for change across issues as diverse as animal testing, climate justice, domestic violence, and even human rights abuses in the Niger Delta, The Body Shop doesn't shy away from standing up for what's right. Alice Mazzola is Global Head of Activism for The Body Shop. In this interview, she discusses:

• How her parents encouraged discussion around political and social issues
• Her educational background in Middle Eastern studies and Arabic
• Rethinking activism at The Body Shop - recognising the different 'styles' of change-maker
• How campaigns require a broad range of skills and strengths
• Her feeling of becoming less radical with age but how her young team keep her connected to radical ideas
• The Youth Collective - a 12 person board of under 30s acting as an advisory panel to the company
• The role of a Head of Activism
• A guiding principle of 'talk about what's not being talked about right now'
• The Body Shop's playbook for activism
• 'Be Seen, Be Heard', their latest campaign focussed on getting young people more engaged in politics
• How the campaign has lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 in Malaysia
• The value in not taking the easy road
• How The Body Shop engages customers in their activism work through their stores and colleagues
• Should every company have an activism department?
• Her advice to businesses starting on their journey to being a force for good
• How she wants to see the return of kind debate across society
• Why she's never been on Twitter
• Why we should all join a debating club

Alice on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicecrabtree/

Visit: https://www.thebodyshop.com/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

In this episode, we are joined by Daniele Fiandaca, founder of Token Man, an initiative aimed at creating more inclusive workplaces by engaging men in the conversation. Daniele shares insights from his own life experiences that shaped his approach to work and diversity, including his educational background and early family influences.

Daniele opens up about the formative experiences of his childhood and education, discussing how these shaped his perspectives on work and personal drive. He reflects on the impact of his parents, particularly his father's immigrant background and his mother's artistic influence, which blended a unique mix of creativity and fiscal pragmatism in his approach to life and business.

Throughout the episode, Daniele discusses the importance of redefining workplace norms and inclusivity. He shares the challenges and triumphs of launching Utopia, a culture change business, and how the shift to virtual engagements during the lockdown spurred innovative ways to maintain connection and effectiveness. Daniele also touches on his earlier work with Token Man and the personal and professional shifts required to foster true inclusivity in work environments.

Key highlights include:

• Daniele's journey from accounting to award-winning creativity in advertising.
• The role of mentorship and leadership in fostering inclusive environments.
• Practical insights on how businesses can effectively engage men in diversity and inclusion efforts.

• Understanding the importance of inclusion in the workplace and the critical role men play in diversity efforts.
• The power of vulnerability and personal stories in leadership.
• Innovative approaches to maintaining engagement and effectiveness in virtual settings.
• The need for systemic change in corporate cultures to embrace true diversity.

Is the world waking up to refillable? From local refill stores, to refill stations in supermarkets, the movement is gathering momentum. Ahead of the curve on this was Phill Kalli of FillRefill, a company committed to making cleaning products for home, hair and body that are good for you and the planet. As the name suggests, all of FillRefill’s products are refillable, making them a great example of a circular economy business. 

He discusses:

• His Dad, a maverick chemist and manufacturer who took on ‘big soapers’
• How he came to reinvent the family business as a consumer facing brand
• How a lot of the solutions to our waste problems existed 100 years ago
• His first career in the music business, managing an up and coming band ‘Vincent Vincent and the Villains’
• The lessons he’s taken from the music industry into his current work
• Transforming an established business into a brand fit for the modern age
• Tough decisions he’s made, including stopping supplying Chlorine Bleach, their biggest selling product 
• How he avoids feeling insecure about not understanding the chemistry of his business
• The difference between a FillRefill product and the mass market products in the supermarket - from factory to end consumer
• His refreshing take on ‘big soap’
• The decision to make their formulations public and give people the opportunity to buy raw materials and make their own products
• The latest product he’s really excited about
• How he feels the Government could do more to support the transition away from single use and support small businesses that are accelerating that 

Visit: www.fillrefill.co

Phill on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipkalli/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

We all know that getting the best people in the right positions is key to success in business. It's bad news then, that the latest research shows that hiring is broken. If you're a woman you need to submit 30% more applications to get to an interview. People of colour need to submit 50% more applications vs their white counterparts. 

Linnea Bywall is Head of People and Operations at Alva Labs - a platform helping businesses hire without the usual CVs, cover letters, and years of experience. Instead, candidates are anonymously assessed on their personality and talents, getting matched with roles accordingly.

A trained psychologist and former NCAA athlete, Linnea brings fascinating insights into the world of HR, People and Culture. In this conversation we cover:

• Her radical athletics coach who inspired her
• Her background as a psychologist and how that informs her work
• How identifying your purpose and what matters to you can give you the confidence to take risks and take a stand
• How from a psychological perspective, the idea of 'normal' is fading away
• The pressure of being in charge of hiring at a company that specialises in hiring
• Her best practice hiring process with no CVs, cover letters, or years of experience
• Bringing data into hiring to combat the unreliability of 'gut feel'
• How unconscious bias training is great for awareness but unlikely to create real change in company processes

Alva Labs: https://www.alvalabs.io

Linnea on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linneabywall/

Rob on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Standing on Giants on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/standing-on-giants/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, host Rob Fawkes talks with Matt Herbert, co-founder and co-CEO of Tracksuit, the brand tracking platform revolutionising how brands measure their impact. Matt shares his journey from an outdoorsy upbringing in New Zealand to co-founding a global tech company. They discuss the challenges of scaling a startup, enabling creativity through data, and making conscious personal choices that align with one’s values. This conversation provides inspiring insights into modern marketing, leadership, and the importance of action in turning ideas into reality.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Matt’s Entrepreneurial Roots: How growing up with a trailblazing father in New Zealand shaped Matt’s fearless and innovative mindset.

• The Tracksuit Story: How Matt and his co-founders bootstrapped their brand tracking platform and validated it with real customer needs before securing venture capital.

• Revolutionising Brand Tracking: How Tracksuit is making brand performance data accessible to all businesses, not just corporate giants.

• Balancing Brand and Performance Marketing: The importance of combining long-term brand building with short-term sales activation to drive sustainable growth.

• Startup Leadership: Lessons from co-leading a fast-growing startup, including empowering teams, hiring exceptional talent, and keeping the company mission clear.

• Conscious Personal Choices: Matt’s journey to veganism and how personal values can drive meaningful change.

• Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: The power of starting small, talking to people, and embracing a bias for action.

Memorable Quotes:

• "The world of startups is littered with ideas that never got validated. Talk to people, ask for feedback, and make things happen."

• "Brands need a common language to show their impact and secure their seat at the boardroom table."

• "Sustainable growth comes from converting demand today and building demand for tomorrow."

Further Reading and Resources:

• The Long and the Short of It - Les Binet and Peter Field’s seminal work on marketing effectiveness.

• Future Demand - James Herman’s book on the importance of brand building for modern businesses.

Follow Matt and TrackSuit:

• Matt Herbert on LinkedIn: Matt Herbert LinkedIn

• TrackSuit Website: TrackSuit

Stay Connected with Rob and 'A Little Bit Radical':

• Rob Fawkes on LinkedIn: Rob Fawkes LinkedIn

A Little Bit Radical Newsletter: Sign Up Here

Matt Semmelhack, founder of Boox, is on a mission to reinvent our relationship with cardboard shipping boxes. Boox is a reusable box and shipping system designed to make reuse fun and cool. The conversation explores Matt's background, the urgency around climate change, and the need for systemic change in waste and packaging. They discuss the challenges of reducing waste in the e-commerce industry, the concept of reduce, reuse, recycle, and the importance of making reuse easy and affordable. Matt shares insights into the circular economy and the chicken-and-egg problem of building the infrastructure for reusable products. He highlights the importance of reducing waste and the environmental impact of single-use packaging. Matt also emphasises the need for convenience and ease of use in order to encourage consumer participation in reuse. He shares the growth of Boox and the validation they have received from both large companies and small businesses.

We discuss:

• Boox is a reusable box and shipping system designed to make reuse fun and cool.
• The e-commerce industry generates a staggering number of packages each year, with cardboard boxes being the most commonly used.
• The current approach to waste and packaging focuses too much on recycling and not enough on reducing and reusing.
• The challenge is to get consumers to participate in the reuse process and make it easy and affordable.
• Building the infrastructure for reusable products is a chicken-and-egg problem that requires collaboration between companies and consumers. Reusable packaging systems can help reduce waste and the environmental impact of single-use packaging.
• Convenience and ease of use are crucial in encouraging consumer participation in reuse.
• Validation from both large companies and small businesses is important for the growth and success of sustainable initiatives.
• Adopting secondhand clothing is a simple and impactful change that anyone can make to reduce waste.

Matt on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattsemmelhack/

Visit: boox.eco

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

We order over 6 billion takeaways a year in the UK. Many of those are ordered on Deliveroo. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, and operating in 10 countries.  Our guest, Elena Devis, is former Head of Vegan Category at Deliveroo, now a consultant in the plant based space. In this conversation she discusses:

• Her adventurous spirit from a young age, including travelling overseas by herself at 13
• Her first exposure to the word ‘vegan’ and the steep learning curve from her meat and fish heavy diet in Valencia, Spain
• The changes in her health she saw upon going vegan
• How she feels there’s ‘less ego’ in her decisions now as she’s got older
• Her pragmatic approach to lifestyle change as opposed to an absolutist approach
• Her time at Deliveroo over 5 years of huge growth and evolution
• The importance of great leaders
• How she created her own role as Head of Vegan Category at Deliveroo
• Her approach to working with partners to adopt new ideas and new dishes
• How to fight for the role and projects you want in a large business with the right data, stakeholders, and proposition
• How ‘being human’ is the most important thing about being a manager
• How PMS and the menstrual cycle affects women at work and how men can best support their colleagues
• How her manager’s approach to her PMS was life changing and the importance of menstrual leave
• Her passion for meditation

Elena on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenadevisgimenez/

Visit: https://www.plant-futures.com/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

What do Hulk Hogan, Swampy the eco-warrior, and crushing rocks in Canada have in common? They’re all part of the wonderfully radical story of Ben Wynn, founder of GLAD Climate Club, and our guest on this episode of A Little Bit Radical.

Ben tells host Rob Fawkes how he went from nearly impaling a famous protester on a sledgehammer stake (true story) to building a scalable climate movement that lets anyone contribute to greenhouse gas removal for the cost of a coffee. Along the way, we talk about why tree-planting isn’t enough, the real reason climate comms fail, and how enhanced rock weathering might just save us all.

It’s hopeful, clever, and a little bit radical—just the way we like it.

In this episode:

• How a near-death encounter with Swampy (yes, the Swampy) made Ben rethink his career

• Why construction was too slow for him—and climate change is way too urgent

• How GLAD Climate Club lets anyone remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere

• Enhanced rock weathering explained (yes, it’s a thing—and it’s amazing)

• Why tree-planting won’t save us (and what might)

• Why we need hope and inspiration, not fear and shame, to drive climate action

• How your £1 a week actually works—and where the money goes

• The cathedral mindset: building something that will outlive you

• Why imitation is innovation (and how to copy creatively)

• Ben Wynn on LinkedIn
  

In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, host Rob Fawkes talks with Bruce Taylor, the Founder and President of Enviro Stewards, an engineering consultancy focused on sustainable development. Bruce shares his journey from a traditional engineering career to founding a company that not only improves business efficiency but also significantly contributes to global sustainability efforts. The conversation explores the challenges and triumphs of leading decarbonisation projects for major companies like Unilever and Maple Leaf Foods, as well as Bruce's deep commitment to international development work in countries like South Sudan and Uganda.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Bruce’s Early Life and Career Path: How feeling like an outsider as a teenager and a “pre-life crisis” in his mid-20s shaped his approach to life and work.
• Founding Enviro Stewards: The motivations behind starting his own company, integrating volunteer work into the business model, and encouraging his employees to do the same.
• Decarbonization Strategy with Unilever: Insights into spearheading Unilever’s ambitious goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2027, and how deep conservation measures can drive significant savings and sustainability.
• Success Stories and Challenges: The strategic approach Bruce uses to help companies like Maple Leaf Foods and others achieve carbon neutrality while saving millions.
• International Development Work: The impact of Enviro Stewards' projects in South Sudan and Uganda, focusing on long-term sustainability and capacity building rather than traditional charity models.
• Leadership in Sustainability: The critical role of leadership and overcoming inertia in achieving sustainability goals, and the importance of empathy and understanding company culture.
• Global Responsibility: Why it’s crucial to think beyond local investments and consider the broader global impact, especially in developing countries disproportionately affected by climate change.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Sustainability isn’t just about reducing harm—it’s about creating a positive impact that benefits both the environment and society.”
• “Deep conservation first is the best way to go because that’s what generates the savings to pay for the rest of the journey.”
• “The problem with Africa is in our head—the way we think about helping can actually create damage if we’re not careful.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Bruce Taylor’s TEDx Talk: Watch here (Include link to the TEDx talk)
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Follow Bruce and Enviro Stewards:

• Bruce Taylor on LinkedIn: Bruce Taylor LinkedIn
• Enviro Stewards Website: Enviro Stewards

Stay Connected with Rob and 'A Little Bit Radical':

• Rob Fawkes on LinkedIn: Rob Fawkes LinkedIn
• A Little Bit Radical Newsletter: Sign Up Here

David Schluter, founder of Fluid IT, shares his journey from his early life influences to founding his company and the challenges he faced along the way. He discusses the importance of mental health and his experience with burnout, as well as the impact of hiring people from challenging backgrounds. He also highlights the role of Lord Evans, former head of MI5, on his advisory board. In this conversation, David shares his experiences of running a business as a vehicle for change. He discusses the journey of one of his employees, Gary, who overcame significant challenges to become an exceptional manager. David emphasizes the importance of taking a chance on people and how they can pay you back in unexpected ways. He also highlights the joy and freedom of doing business differently, focusing on kindness and cultural development. David believes that business should bring life and positive impact throughout the entire journey, not just at the end. He advocates for treating people generously and embracing slow business as the way forward.

Key Takeaways

• Reflecting on your journey and finding your reason for continuing is important in business.
• Creating a supportive work environment where people can bring their authentic selves is powerful.
• Hiring people from challenging backgrounds can provide opportunities for growth and transformation.
• Having an advisory board with diverse perspectives can provide valuable insights and accountability.

David on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dschluter/

Visit: https://www.fluid-it.com/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Host: Rob Fawkes

Producer: Lukas Blasberg

How do you build a business with kindness at its heart? How do you give your employees a voice in your decision making? How do you do great work and create a great place to work at the same time? Jenny Kitchen is co-founder and CEO of Yoyo Design. Boasting an impressive list of clients, Yoyo regularly produce groundbreaking creative work. What's more, they are a B Corp and in the top 5% of B Corps globally for 'Workers' - meaning they are one of the world's leading employers. In this conversation we discuss:

• Jenny's upbringing in rural France and how it shaped her
• Founding Yoyo at just 24
• Her membership of Extinction Rebellion and how it has shaped her approach to business and leadership
• Yoyo the company and her work
• Her favourite project, partnering with Spotify and University of Southampton
• The power of not sticking to a specific sector
• How she turned down a company that didn't align with Yoyo's values and the fallout
• How she embeds democratic principles into the operations of Yoyo
• Her methods to ensure she hears the truth from her team in feedback sessions and 'closes the loop'
• Her burning desire to be kind without people pleasing
• How treating your people well drives business results
• The need to break the toxic idea that successful business requires suffering
• How to take your first steps in developing a more progressive work culture
• Her little bit radical idea to introduce universal wage caps and the cap she's imposed at Yoyo

Jenny on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-kitchen/

Yoyo Design: https://yoyodesign.com/

Rob on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Standing on Giants: https://www.standingongiants.com/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

Sophie Lee, founder of Electric Peach, shares her journey of becoming a radical entrepreneur and the importance of questioning the status quo. She discusses her rebellious nature from a young age and how it has evolved into a more considered approach to making a social and environmental impact through her work.

Sophie also opens up about her personal struggles with addiction and how it has shaped her empathy and passion for de-stigmatising conversations around mental health and addiction.

She shares the story of firing her clients and the transformative effect it had on her business.

Overall, Sophie emphasises the need to be true to oneself and stand up for what is right. As the founder of Electric Peach, she shares her journey of rebranding her business and the work she's proud of, including a research project for the UN on the climate crisis.

She discusses the importance of changing the narrative around the climate crisis to inspire action and the need for personalised communication. Sophie also shares her thoughts on being a B Corp and the challenges of upholding holistic impact.

She offers advice on supporting colleagues struggling with addiction and emphasises the importance of creating a safe and non-judgmental environment.

Key takeaways:

• Questioning the status quo and challenging the way things have always been done is essential for creating positive change.
• Personal struggles and experiences can shape empathy and a passion for making a difference in areas like mental health and addiction.
• Firing clients who are not aligned with your values and goals can lead to transformative opportunities and growth.
• Being true to oneself and standing up for what is right is a radical act that can have a significant impact. Changing the narrative around the climate crisis is crucial to inspire action.
• Personalised communication that speaks to individuals' needs and lives is more effective than a blame-focused approach.
• Being a B Corp is about prioritising social and sustainable impact, but there are challenges in upholding holistic impact.
• Creating a safe and non-judgmental environment is key to supporting colleagues struggling with addiction.
• Allowing ourselves and others to shine fully as we are and embracing diversity is a radical change for the world.

Sophie on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophieturton/

Visit: https://electricpeach.co.uk/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, host Rob Fawkes speaks with Halima Begum, CEO of Oxfam GB, about her journey from grassroots activism to leading one of the world’s most impactful humanitarian organisations. Halima shares her vision for Oxfam’s future, her personal story of resilience and leadership, and her thoughts on the systemic changes needed to address inequality and injustice worldwide. This powerful conversation explores the challenges of modern philanthropy, the importance of empowering communities, and how to maintain hope and momentum in the face of global crises.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Halima’s Personal Journey: Growing up in East London as the daughter of Bangladeshi immigrants and how her upbringing shaped her passion for social justice.

• Leadership at Oxfam: How Halima is steering Oxfam towards tackling systemic inequality and addressing the root causes of poverty.

• Empowering Communities: Why listening to the voices of those impacted by poverty and inequality is key to meaningful change.

• The Future of Philanthropy: Halima’s take on the role of large organisations like Oxfam in a rapidly changing world.

• Radical Ideas for Change: How redistribution, climate action, and addressing corporate responsibility are central to creating a fairer world.

• Advice for Aspiring Changemakers: Halima’s reflections on the importance of staying true to your values and finding allies in your mission.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Empowering communities starts with listening to their stories and letting them lead the change."

• "Philanthropy isn't about charity—it’s about justice and addressing the systems that perpetuate inequality."

• "The world doesn't change with complacency; it changes when people act on bold, radical ideas."

Further Reading and Resources:

• Oxfam GB Website: Learn More About Oxfam’s Work

Follow Halima and Oxfam:

• Halima Begum on LinkedIn: Halima Begum LinkedIn

Stay Connected with Rob and 'A Little Bit Radical':

• Rob Fawkes on LinkedIn: Rob Fawkes LinkedIn

• A Little Bit Radical Newsletter: Sign Up Here

In this conversation, James, the Director of Growth and Product at B Lab UK, discusses the B Corp movement and its impact on businesses. He explains that B Corps are companies committed to using business as a force for good, prioritising social and environmental performance alongside profits. James shares his personal journey towards becoming more radical and the importance of engaging with others to drive change. He highlights the need for businesses to consider the impact on all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and describes the shift from a shareholder value-led lens to a stakeholder value-led lens.

James also discusses the growth of B Lab and the increasing number of B Corps worldwide. The conversation explores the B Corp movement and its focus on governance and stakeholder engagement. Tony's Chocolonely is highlighted as an example of a company innovating with its governance model. The discussion also delves into the evolution of B Corp standards and the challenges in implementing new standards. The importance of aligning personal values with business goals is emphasised, and the concept of the veil of ignorance is introduced as a way to design a more just society. The conversation concludes with advice for those starting a radical idea, encouraging them to bake their values into their business from the start.

We discuss:

• How B Corps are companies committed to using business as a force for good, prioritising social and environmental performance alongside profits.
• Engaging with others and compromising are essential for driving meaningful change.
• Businesses need to consider the impact on all stakeholders, not just shareholders, to create long-term prosperity.
• The B Corp movement is growing rapidly, with an increasing number of businesses worldwide becoming B Corps.

James on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-ghaffari-7b526b55/

Visit: https://bcorporation.uk/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

If the internet was a country, it would be the 6th biggest consumer of energy on earth. If you're thinking about reducing the carbon footprint of your business, have you thought about your company website? 

Vineeta Greenwood is the co-founder of Wholegrain Digital - an agency helping businesses build low-carbon websites. She's also the co-founder of websitecarbon.com, a simple calculator to evaluate the emissions of any website on the internet. 

In this conversation, Vineeta talks about:

• The influence of her father and mother on her radical approach to business
• The importance of failure in business for building resilience
• Her journey to becoming more radical as an adult
• Starting a business with her life partner and best friend Tom
• Using a first principles approach to website design
• Her people-first approach to leadership and being 'picky' with who to hire
• Leading the mission to lower the emissions of the internet
• The future of the internet
• Her passion for composting toilets!

Vineeta on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vineetagreenwood/

Wholegrain Digital: https://www.wholegraindigital.com/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Standing on Giants on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/standing-on-giants/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

We love snacks! Especially in the UK, where 97% of us snack at least once a day. Over half of us snack 5 times a day! On a mission to transform the way we snack in public spaces and workplaces, Healthy Nibbles was founded by Sara Roberts, our guest today. A fiercely impressive entrepreneur and leader, she discusses:

• How her early life was full of radical moments, including moving to New Zealand as a child and a tragic bullying incident which disrupted her school years
• How she dealt with frustration and resentment in her early years
• How she went slightly off the rails and stopped clubbing by the time most people were starting…
• Learning to have empathy for her bully, and leading with empathy as an adult 
• Building a truly diverse team around values 
• Her husband of 30 years and business partner of 20
• How the idea for Healthy Nibbles came to her in a hospital ward whilst her father was receiving cancer treatment 
• The unique customer experience of buying and eating a healthy snack at a Healthy Nibbles site 
• The exciting features of a Healthy Nibbles machine
• The holistic approach to eating well at work and the need for more education
• The ‘Wellbeing Windfall’ for employers that prioritise their team sleeping well and eating well
• How to save £2,000 per annum per employee through healthy snacking 
• How to achieve ‘High Performance’ with ‘High Safety’ 
• Health and wellbeing as a strategic imperative 
• Her tips for moving forward with a programme of well-being and avoiding a ‘tick box’ exercise 

Sara on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraeroberts/

Visit: https://www.healthynibbles.co.uk/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

Thank you so much to everyone who has listened to 'A Little Bit Radical' so far, we're frankly overwhelmed with how well it's going! We have more of the good stuff in season 2 with more big names in business who do things differently. Including:

• Guy Singh-Watson - Riverford
• Alex Beasley- Patagonia
• Katie Wilson - Octopus EVs
• Wai Foong Ng - Matchable
• Donald More - One + All
• Sara Roberts - Healthy Nibbles
• Rich Kenny - Techbuyer and Interact

And many many more!

Celia Gaze, founder of The Wellbeing Farm, shares her journey of creating a unique and sustainable hospitality venue. She discusses the challenges of the hospitality industry, her background in the NHS, and the impact of stress and burnout. Celia explains how she transformed a rundown farm into The Wellbeing Farm and the importance of the B Corp movement in the industry. The Wellbeing Farm offers weddings, corporate events, and parties, with a focus on sustainability and community engagement. Celia discusses the importance of sustainability in the hospitality industry and the need for businesses to be more ethical and meaningful. She emphasises the need for improved working conditions for hospitality workers and highlights the Burnt Chef Project, which aims to address the challenges faced by workers in the industry. Celia also shares her journey to becoming a B Corp and the positive impact it has had on her business. She discusses the implementation of sustainable practices, such as waste management and sourcing local products. Celia advocates for the Better Business Act and calls for businesses to prioritize the well-being of staff, the community, and the planet. She encourages individuals with radical ideas to start small, seek advice, and test their ideas before fully committing.

Takeaways:

• The hospitality industry is facing challenges in terms of worker shortages and the need for reform.
• Stress and burnout are prevalent in the industry, and it is important to prioritise well-being and work-life balance.
• Creating a sustainable and unique hospitality venue requires resilience, creativity, and a commitment to making a positive impact.
• The B Corp movement provides a framework for businesses to prioritise sustainability, community engagement, and ethical practices. Sustainability in the hospitality industry encompasses the well-being of people, finances, and the community.
• Improving working conditions in hospitality is crucial, and businesses should prioritise the well-being of their staff.
• Becoming a B Corp can have a positive impact on a business and its sustainability efforts.
• Implementing sustainable practices, such as waste management and sourcing local products, can contribute to a more ethical and meaningful business.
• The Better Business Act is an important step towards transforming society and encouraging businesses to prioritise the well-being of staff, the community, and the planet.
• Individuals with radical ideas should start small, seek advice, and test their ideas before fully committing.

Celia on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celiagaze/

Visit: https://thewellbeingfarm.co.uk/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

Many of us are conscious of making better choices in life, but what about better choices in death? Our guest today is Sarah Jones, founder of Full Circle Funerals. As well as offering a wide range of funeral options to suit each individual, Sarah commissioned the first piece of independent research into the environmental impact of the funeral industry. She discusses:

• The impact of moving around a lot as a child, never spending longer than 2 years at any school
• The influence of her Dad on her radical nature
• Her path to funeral directing through vascular surgery and social care
• The importance of looking after both the person that has died and their family when it comes to funeral care
• The therapeutic potential of a funeral
• Her rejection of a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to funeral care
• How she crowdsourced funding from the industry to commission the first independent research into the environmental impact of our funerals
• The most and least eco-friendly funerals you can have
• The lack of regulation in the funeral industry
• How to make cremation (which accounts for more than 70% of body disposal in the UK) more sustainable
• Her thoughts on whether we are 'good at dying' in the UK
• Her vision of 'death literacy' and how we could talk about death, dying and bereavement more openly
• How to understand grief better and show up for people experiencing it

Sarah on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-jones-fullcirclefunerals/

fullcirclefunerals.co.uk

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

Food waste. An issue that is becoming almost impossible to ignore, and for good reason. Some studies estimate that 2.5 billion tonnes of food are wasted every year. That's enough for 5.8 TRILLION meals. Olio, is an app using the power of community to tackle this huge problem. Olio connects you with your local community to share excess food through an easy-to-use app, for free. Olio has facilitated the sharing of 75 million portions of food in 62 countries to date. We're joined by Anne-Charlotte Mornington, Olio's Head of Impact and founding team member. She discusses:

• How learning about history inspired her to make the world a better place and create a lasting impact
• The importance of identifying your strengths and sticking with them, as opposed to focussing on learning new skills
• How Olio works and the impact created by the app's users to date
• Some of the amazing stories of people connecting through the Olio app
• Her role as Head of Impact
• Her 2 big projects at Olio, involving carbon credits and food insecurity studies
• What a 'carbon credit' is and how new financial and legal imperatives for climate action are around the corner
• Her desire for every job to be a climate job
• The 8 million people in the UK who are food insecure and how Olio's data is supporting critical research
• The need for aspirational and joyful experiences in climate action to move away from 'climate anxiety'
• The importance of community in creating solutions for the world's biggest problems

Anne-Charlotte on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-charlotte-mornington-96371353/

Olio: https://olioex.com/ 

Rob on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Standing on Giants on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/standing-on-giants/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

*Remember to follow A Little Bit Radical to help us land more awesome guests!*

Matchable volunteering is revolutionising the way companies volunteer. Far from the days of painting fences and picking up litter, Matchable finds you a perfect volunteering opportunity for your interests, skillset, and time available. Boasting clients like Primark, Lululemon and Dentsu, Matchable has created over £2m+ of impact value through volunteer partnerships. Today we're speaking to Foong, the founder, who shares her journey so far including:

• Her traditional asian upbringing and her 'tiger mum'
• Being sent to a French school in London. The only Asian kid, and the only non-French speaking kid
• Her mum's unique approach to pocket money
• The discipline her childhood gave her and how that's been useful in her career
• How she 'lived someone else's idea of success' with a career in a Big 4 accountancy firm
• The ultimate rebellion against her parents to become a startup founder
• The genesis of Matchable and the mission to revolutionise company volunteering
• How she's motivated by helping people find their purpose through volunteering
• How she set about becoming a founder and what a founder looks like today
• Her fear of public speaking
• The challenges involved in being a founder and how you're expected to do EVERYTHING
• Her approach to hiring and empowering people to own their area of the business
• The experience of volunteering through Matchable
• Reducing the volunteer matching journey from 3 months, to 3 minutes
• The focus on UX
• The range of organisation available on the platform - from traditional charities to more innovative impact startups
• Providing more flexibility to employees around their volunteering - opportunities from 30 minutes of contribution and encompassing a range of skills
• When the CEO of Dentsu volunteered to write a blog for one of their impact organisations
• The benefits for businesses of running a volunteering programme from ESG KPIs, to employee retention, to learning and development
• The hidden load of emotional labour that can land on leaders

Foong on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wai-foong-ng/

Visit: wearematchable.com

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

Timpson has been a fixture on our high streets since 1865 in the UK. In recent years, they've received acclaim for their approach to hiring ex-offenders. Now, 10% of their workforce have been given an opportunity after a criminal conviction. A unique 'upside-down' company, Timpson eschews many traditional business practices. For example, they don't have a marketing and communications department. In this episode we meet Janet Leighton, Director of Happiness at Timpson. She discusses:

• How she’s gained a reputation for being ‘bonkers’
• How her natural optimism gives her resilience
• How important it is to be yourself at work
• How belief in people and being kind and considerate is a key to maintaining optimism in the face of challenges
• What has kept her at Timpson for 20 years
• How Timpson functions without  a marketing and comms team 
• How to get an email reply from James Timpson, the CEO
• Timpson’s unique ‘upside down management’ style 
• Her road to the role ‘Director of Happiness’
• How happiness isn’t soft and fluffy
• Their radical ‘in-house’ approach to everything
• The day to day of a ‘Director of Happiness’, including what Janet was dealing with on the day of recording
• How Janet deals with colleague issues from financial risk, to suicide
• The importance of colleague wellbeing in business performance
• How she feels the solution to financial wellbeing is not necessarily as simple as paying people more
• What led Timpson to pay for colleagues family funerals
• Timpson’s work with offenders and their approach to recruiting ex-offenders
• Workers joining the company via ‘release on temporary licence’
• How best to support ex-offenders entering the workforce 
• How they don’t use CVs and are only interested in ‘what you’re doing today, and what you want to do tomorrow’
• The state of UK prisons 
• Some of the success stories from the prison recruitment programme
• Her offer of help to any business who’s interested in starting a programme for people with prison lived experience 

Janet on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-leighton-8109891a/

Visit: https://www.timpson.co.uk/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

How do we protect ourselves in a world where cyber threats are not just possible, but inevitable? In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, host Rob Fawkes speaks with Steve Durbin, CEO of the Information Security Forum (ISF), a global, not-for-profit organisation helping businesses manage cybersecurity risks.

Steve shares his unconventional leadership journey, from growing up in Kenya and developing an instinct for questioning the status quo to leading one of the most influential cybersecurity organisations in the world. He talks about risk management, human behaviour in cybersecurity, and why you should aim to be the least attractive target for cybercriminals.

🔍 Cybersecurity is risk management: Why it’s about managing risk, not eliminating threats altogether.🌍 Growing up in Kenya: How experiencing different cultures shaped Steve’s approach to leadership.🤔 Trusting your gut in cybersecurity: Why instincts and intuition matter—even in a data-driven industry.🚨 Cybercrime-as-a-Service?! How criminals can buy hacking tools online, complete with 24/7 customer support.🛑 Making yourself ‘unattractive’ to hackers: Why being a boring, low-value target is actually the best cyber defence strategy.👥 The people factor: Why cybersecurity isn’t just a tech issue—human behaviour plays a bigger role than we think.📱 Steve’s radical idea: Put down your phone and actually experience the world instead of just documenting it.

🗣️ "Every time you go online, you're stepping into the Wild West. Be prepared."🗣️ "People think cybersecurity is about technology—it’s actually about people and behaviour."🗣️ "The best cybersecurity strategy? Be so unappealing that hackers move on to someone else."

• Steve Durbin on LinkedIn:Steve Durbin LinkedIn

• Information Security Forum (ISF) Website:ISF Website

• Rob Fawkes on LinkedIn:Rob Fawkes LinkedIn

In this episode, we discuss:Memorable Quotes:Follow Steve and the ISF:Stay Connected with Rob and 'A Little Bit Radical':A Little Bit Radical Newsletter:Sign Up Here

Our guest today is Erik Porter, Chief Risk Officer at Wagestream. Wagestream is a technology that gives your employees control over when they get paid, giving them access to pay as they earn it. Not only that, Wagestream includes a number of financial wellbeing tools including spending and saving tracking, as well as access to personal financial coaching, making it a great solution to promote financial health. Erik himself has had a very illustrious career in finance which has taken him around the world. He has been at the forefront of promoting financial wellbeing in the UK through a number of charities. After advising Wagestream since founding, Erik was brought on board full-time to  lead the risk operations of this 'little bit radical' business. He discusses:

• How a student exchange programme to former East Germany opened his eyes to how different many people's lives were in other parts of the world
• The difficulties he faced on his return with his peers
• How a part-time job at Citi Bank led to a lengthy career in finance
• The aggressive tactics he witnessed in debt collection at the start of his career in the USA
• Being the 'only guy in the room' fighting for the customer and the toll it took
• His 'second act' as a trustee of a debt charity, working at Citizen's Advice, and volunteering at food banks
• Wagestream as a tool for financial capability
• Their role helping low income workers through streaming income, savings habits and financial coaching
• His controversial opinion on financial education in schools
• Wagestream's 'just in time' education model
• His definition of Financial Wellbeing from Chris Budd
• What is it about money that is so taboo?
• The need to 'decolonise' financial education

Erik on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/portererik/

Wagestream: https://wagestream.com/en/

Rob on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Standing on Giants on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/standing-on-giants/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

How did you sleep last night? Would you like to sleep better? Chances are you answered that with a resounding yes! Kaveh Memari is the Founder of sofi.health, a startup combining ancient plant medicine with cutting edge A.I. to improve your sleep and state of calm. Through a tailor-made spray, Sofi responds to your ongoing needs and feedback, using machine-learning to adjust dosage and blend as you go. Kaveh discusses:

• His experience in 10 different schools in 4 different countries before the age of 9

• The importance of being able to make friends quickly

• The ‘pandemics pre-pandemic’ of poor sleep and stress

• How he hopes he’ll ‘never become an adult’ and his approach to ‘play not work’ 

• His team at Sofi - where everyone is a ‘one off’

• How the Sofi product was developed with a group of customers ’Pioneers’ 

• The Sofi product - using ancient plant medicine, combined with cutting edge machine learning and data, to tackle poor sleep and stress

• How to personalise products at scale

• The initial pilot with Valerian in 2022 and how they mapped 300 unique responses 

• The staggering results from their first trial 

• The potential impact if we could stop prescribing the wrong medication on a global scale

• The science and safeguards in place to avoid dependency and addiction on Sofi products

• The Sofi moonshot

• How he stays resolute in the face of adversity and being told his idea will never work

• His answer to the moral question of collecting huge amounts of health data 

• The power of mixing disciplines: from biochemistry to medical herbalism

Find out more at sofi.heatlh

Follow Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

One + All make children's school uniforms, brilliant quality ones too. When you dig beneath the surface at One + All though, you'll find a seemingly never ending list of 'little bit radical' changes and initiatives. 100% employee owned, certified B Corp, pay differential limits, certified carbon neutral...the list goes on and on. It wasn't always like this though, the man that sent One + All on its journey to being a more radical business is Donald Moore. In this conversation he discusses:

• How he's proud of 'not being very bright' as it has led him to keep things simple in business
• His distaste for traditional economics and business schools
• How he's always viewed getting fired as inevitable
• The moment in the wake of the 2008 financial crash triggered a complete shift in company strategy towards a people-centred approach
• How the shift increased profits five fold as well as customer and colleague satisfaction
• Employee ownership and how it works
• How to prevent your business from ever being sold against your wishes
• His campaigns against 'fat cats' and executive pay
• How they approach 'reward' at One + All, giving proportionally more benefits to the lowest paid
• How supporting their team with financial wellbeing set them up to cope with the cost of living crisis
• His campaigning on poverty and how misunderstood the issue is, including by B Corp companies
• The reality of poverty in the UK today, from children pretending to eat at school, to the surprise items that are the most shoplifted
• How all employers should pay the real living wage, but also take an active interest in what their lowest paid are dealing with on a daily basis
• How he hates the term 'HR'

Donald on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-moore-26235521/

One + All: https://oneandall.co.uk/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

Andy Shovel, co-founder of a plant-based sensation, THIS, discusses his journey to entrepreneurship and his radical approach to animal advocacy.

He shares how his early life experiences and relationship with his parents shaped his independent thinking and led him to become a serial entrepreneur.

Andy also highlights his privilege and how important it is for more entrepreneurs and business owners to acknowledge the advantages they've had in founding a business.

He delves into his awakening to animal cruelty and the development of plant-based products that taste like meat. Lastly, he discusses the company's irreverent and controversial marketing strategies.

Andy discusses his approach to using humour in marketing to lower defences and promote plant-based products. He shares examples of controversial campaigns and the challenges of balancing the interests of meat eaters and vegans.

Andy also introduces his new venture, A Bit Weird, an animal advocacy charity that aims to tackle the cruelest aspects of animal treatment. He emphasises the importance of reframing how people see animals and addresses the need for stricter regulations in pet ownership.

Takeaways

• Independence and a different worldview from his parents shaped Andy's radical thinking.
• Entrepreneurship often requires a certain level of privilege and advantages.
• Andy's awakening to animal cruelty led him to start a plant-based business.
• Creating plant-based products that taste like meat requires extensive research and development.
• The company's marketing strategies aim to shock and entertain while promoting plant-based food. Using humour can help lower defences and make people more open to considering new ideas.
• Balancing the interests of meat eaters and vegans can be challenging due to their opposing worldviews.
• Controversial campaigns can generate backlash, but they can also lead to a net reduction in animal suffering.
• Animal advocacy should focus on challenging speciesism and reframing how people see animals.

Andy on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-shovel-92533414/

Visit: this.co

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, Rob speaks with Clare Jones, CEO of Polarsteps, a popular travel app that allows users to plan, track, and relive their travel experiences. Clare, a former Chief Commercial Officer of What3Words, shares her journey from a childhood influenced by activism to becoming the leader of a travel-focused tech company. They discuss Polarsteps’ mission to encourage mindful travel, Clare’s experiences with transformative travel, and her thoughts on broader issues like Universal Basic Income (UBI).

In this episode, we discuss:

• Clare’s Background and Activism: Growing up with activist parents and how it shaped her views on social responsibility, ethics, and leadership.

• Becoming CEO of Polarsteps: Her journey to leading Polarsteps and why it felt like a natural fit.

• Polarsteps and Responsible Travel: How Polarsteps helps users travel in a more responsible and adventurous way, from discovering unique destinations to respecting local communities.

• Travel’s Transformative Power: Clare’s experiences with travel that deeply impacted her, both personally and professionally, and her advice on exploring new places mindfully.

• A Radical Vision for UBI: Clare’s interest in Universal Basic Income, inspired by her work with disadvantaged communities, and why she believes UBI could be a solution for supporting individuals in society.

• Advice for Aspiring Change-Makers: Encouraging people to share their ideas widely, gather support, and take steps toward making a positive impact.

Further Reading and Resources:

• Byway Travel - Clare’s sister’s company offering flight-free travel options across Europe.

• GiveDirectly - An organisation exploring the benefits of Universal Basic Income in communities worldwide.

Follow Clare and Polarsteps:

• Clare Jones on LinkedIn: Clare Jones LinkedIn

• Polarsteps Website: Polarsteps

Stay Connected with Rob and 'A Little Bit Radical':

• Rob Fawkes on LinkedIn: Rob Fawkes LinkedIn

• A Little Bit Radical Newsletter: Sign Up Here

Coming Soon: 'A Little Bit Radical' - a business podcast from Standing on Giants! 

Think you're radical? No? Maybe you'd like to be? Well, we've found that no radical thinker thinks they’re radical. They just think it’s common sense. And often, it is. We want to encourage people to believe in their idea that's ‘a little bit radical’ and help make it happen. 

In each episode we meet a business leader who is just a little bit radical. These are people who are doing things differently, taking risks, and challenging the status quo to bring about exciting change to their business and the world. 

In each episode we dive into:

Little Bit Radical You- What about this guest's background and early years has led them to be a little bit radical?

Little Bit Radical Work- Each guest works for an exciting company. Whether a startup on the bleeding edge of progress, or a much-loved household name, they'll share how their radical ideas and approach have brought about meaningful change and results in their organisation.

Little Bit Radical World: We step outside the world of work and look outwards to hear what changes these radical thinkers would like to see in the world. 

'A Little Bit Radical' promises to be a series of fascinating conversations hosted by Rob Fawkes from Standing on Giants. 

Standing on Giants is an agency helping businesses around the world engage through community. Current clients include Airbnb, Lenovo, Heineken, and O2.

Standing on Giants  linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/standing-on-giants/

For each guest we donate £10 to BEAM: https://beam.org/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

Richard Dickson, co-founder of Play It Green, discusses the importance of questioning the status quo. He shares his experience with neurodiversity and how it has shaped his perspective. Richard also talks about becoming more radical and overcoming challenges in his personal and professional life, including stepping into the MMA ring in his 40s. He introduces Play It Green and its mission to help businesses reduce their environmental footprint, repair the planet through tree planting, and re-gift funds to good causes.

Chapters

(00:01) Sustainable Business and Neurodiversity Journey

(13:10) Creating a Climate Positive Workforce

(21:19) Promoting Sustainability in Business Communities

(28:37) Systemic Change for a Sustainable Future

Richard on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardiandickson/

Visit playitgreen.com

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

Doing Good Works is a business that aims to tackle not one, but two huge issues in our society. First, they create sustainable branded merchandise, tackling the huge waste from corporate events, brand giveaways and company 'stash'. The way they do it, is even more exciting - providing opportunities to those who've been through the foster system. 30% of their workforce at any one time, is made up of former foster youth. 

In this conversation we're joined by George Amodio, Director of International Relations for Doing Good Works. He discusses:

• His reflections on his own privilege and a journey of discovery to becoming aware of 'little bit radical' ideas
• Using the internet to grow his compassion
• The unusual story of how he came to be employed at Doing Good Works via Vietnam and COVID
• The founding story of Doing Good Works
• The mission of the company to find employment for former foster youth
• The little bit radical approach to company swag at Doing Good Works
• How to approach hiring a diverse range of talent and the support companies can offer to disadvantaged groups
• The astonishing statistics around people who've been through the foster system
• How he believes public transport is the key to sustainable travel, not electric cars or self-driving cars

George on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-amodio/

Doing Good Works: https://doinggoodworks.com/ 

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Standing on Giants on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/standing-on-giants/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

How much coffee have you drunk today? We had the pleasure of sitting down with Holly Kragiopoulos, co-founder of Northstar Coffee, who shared her powerful story of forging a new path for the coffee industry amid looming shortages and environmental challenges. Our conversation traversed her personal journey, from the influence of her father's research to her transformative experiences in Australia, and how these have shaped her approach to the business and parenthood.

We discuss:

(00:01) Rethinking Coffee, Work, and Parenthood

(07:32) Coffee Supply Chain and Motivation

(18:48) Challenges Facing the Coffee Industry

(30:59) The Impact of B Corp Accreditation

(36:25) Importance of Empathy and Accountability

Holly on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-kragiopoulos-53501156/

Visit: https://www.northstarroast.com/en-gb

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

Tony Jamous, CEO and founder of Oyster, discusses the mission of his company to democratise access to global job opportunities and the shift towards remote and distributed work. He shares his personal journey growing up in Lebanon during a civil war and how it shaped his perspective on fear and courage. Tony emphasises the importance of reducing consumption patterns and reconnecting with oneself and the environment. He also highlights the need for leaders to prioritise the well-being and flexibility of their teams, and the potential for AI to transform the hiring process.

Key Takeaways

• Oyster aims to make global employment the default by 'softwareising' the global employment market and making global hiring as easy as local hiring.
• Reducing consumption patterns and reconnecting with oneself and the environment can lead to improved mental health, happiness, and well-being.
• Leaders should prioritise the well-being and flexibility of their teams and create a culture that makes people successful no matter where they live.
• The shift towards remote and distributed work has the potential to create more equal opportunities and redistribute wealth from the rich West to the developing world.
• AI can transform the hiring process by making it easier for businesses to find talent globally and for job seekers to access job opportunities worldwide.

Tony on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teljamou/

Visit: https://oysterhr.com/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear: podcast@standingongiants.com

Sally runs Something Big, a B Corp, employee-owned agency based in Surrey that punches above its weight. Having won briefs against agency heavyweights like Ogilvy, Something Big specialises in employee communications with a particular focus on DEI initiatives. Clients include DHL, Telefonica, and IAG. In this conversation we discuss:

• How she’s always been the ‘odd one out’ from her school days 
• Her experience of being the only female in a team of 24 men
• Why she had to keep her relationship with her husband secret for over a decade
• How she’s embraced being uncool in an agency world of cool people
• The significance of turning 50 for her
• Her work at Something Big and their specialism in employee comms, workplaces, and DEI
• Her personal connection to DEI through her experience as a woman in a male-dominated workplace
• How the Barbie movie signifies a huge amount of progress in gender equality, but also highlights how there’s more to do
• How to run DEI programmes in a huge company that spans 220 countries
• How to build a client relationship 25 years long
• What it takes to be the world’s best workplace
• The problem with agencies who are ‘in it for themselves’ rather than for the client
• Winning a brief against Ogilvy
• The piece of work she’s most proud of 
• The nuts and bolts of employee ownership
• Building psychological safety in her business by example
• Dismantling a blame culture
• The potential commercial windfall from looking after people properly
• How community building could improve our society through citizen engagement

Connect with Sally on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somethingbig/

Visit: https://somethingbig.co.uk/

Connect with Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

In this episode, we speak to Shelley Macintyre, CMO of allplants. Shelley is a marketing powerhouse, having risen through the ranks at Unilever and Coca Cola, before joining challenger gin brand Sipsmith. Now at allplants, she's leading a transition in the way we eat: getting more plants into our diet and reducing ultra-processed food. Allplants is one of the most exciting scale ups in the UK, delivering delicious plant-based meals to people's doors.  In this episode Shelley discusses:

• Being a 'nosy parker' as a child and how that informs her curiosity as an adult
• How an incident with handbags prompted her interest in marketing and retail
• How her children inspire her to be more radical 
• How the benefit of experience allows her to shoulder the risk of failure
• Her principles for strong leadership
• How you build a challenger brand
• How her little boy provided the prompt to look at her personal impact and career trajectory 
• How allplants is leading the charge against ultra-processed food in all its guises
• Her experience in creating behavioural change through marketing and the responsibility that comes with that
• Allplants' campaign to fight holiday hunger through 'Not at School Dinners' matching donations to provide thousands of meals for school children in North London
• Her work with WACL and their mission to achieve 50% female representation in the boardroom
• The importance of mentoring and the value for both mentee and mentor
• Her passion for volunteering

Visit allplants here: allplants.com

Shelley on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-macintyre/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

What does playing in a punk band and leading a digital agency have in common? Quite a lot, it turns out. In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, host Rob Fawkes sits down with Sepas Seraj, Founder of Pixeled Eggs, a purpose-driven digital agency working with organisations like the Earthshot Prize, World Cancer Research Fund, and the Royal Foundation for the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Sepas shares his journey from growing up in Iran and moving to the UK, to playing in punk bands, and eventually building a digital agency that helps mission-driven organisations thrive. This conversation covers creativity, collaboration, and the lessons he’s brought from the rehearsal room into the workplace.

🎸 From Punk to Pixels: How playing in bands shaped Sepas’ approach to leadership and creativity.🌍 A Purpose-Driven Business: The journey to founding Pixeled Eggs and why they focus on mission-driven clients.💡 Lessons from the Earthshot Prize: How working with Prince William’s environmental initiative embodies the agency’s values.💻 The Digital World’s Evolution: From pre-social media days to today’s digital chaos—what’s changed, and what’s stayed the same?🤝 Long-Term Client Partnerships: Why great digital work happens over time, not in quick wins.🎤 Radical Thinking: Why everyone should embrace collaboration, get off their backside, and just start something.

🗣️ "Work should feel like being in a band—you and a few people in a room, making something great together."🗣️ "We focus too much on what divides us and not enough on what brings us together."🗣️ "Great digital projects are like gigs—lots of practice, then a big moment where it all comes together."

• Sepas Seraj on LinkedIn: Sepas Seraj LinkedIn

• Pixeled Eggs Website: Pixeled Eggs

• Rob Fawkes on LinkedIn: Rob Fawkes LinkedIn

• A Little Bit Radical Newsletter: Sign Up Here

In this episode, we discuss:Memorable Quotes:Follow Sepas and Pixeled Eggs:Stay Connected with Rob and 'A Little Bit Radical':

One of the biggest emitters in our world is the internet. In this episode we speak to Richard Kenny, MD of Interact. Interact are a real David in a world of Goliaths, developing some of the most innovative approaches to reducing the energy consumption of the world's data centres. They recently beat Microsoft to the award for Energy Impact at the Data Centre Design awards. Rich is down to earth and full of great stories in this conversation. We discuss:

• Buying, rebuilding, and selling his first computer aged 9
• Becoming one of the first professional MMA fighters in the UK and how his experience influenced his later career
• The importance of 'controlling the controllable'
• His studies and early career in international development and poverty alleviation
• Techbuyer's ethos around refurbishment and the circular economy
• Their breakthrough in disproving Moore's law - that computer chips do not double in performance and efficiency every two years
• The data centre industry's blind spot for their own hardware and the efficiencies that can be created by optimising and reconfiguring
• How the streaming of music hit 'Despacito' used the same energy as 4 African nations
• Whether you should consume data on 4g, 3g, WiFi, and how many photos you should be taking
• His optimism for the future driven by innovative technology
• His love of his home county of Yorkshire and the burgeoning tech sector that's growing there
• His wish for political change through getting more diverse people into power
• How the most important jobs are not remunerated as such in his view

Follow Rich on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-kenny-6b46a250/

www.techbuyer.com

Rob on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

Fiona Ras-Jones, founder of Mission Works, supports businesses with a purpose and those who want one to deliver impact through profitably solving a social or environmental challenge. In this conversation, Fiona shares her journey from being awakened to social and environmental challenges in her early life, to taking action through exploring different paths. She discusses the challenges of scaling social enterprises and the need for support and infrastructure. Fiona also highlights the importance of purpose-driven businesses and the birth of Mission Works.

In this conversation, Fiona Ras-Jones discusses the B Corp movement and the importance of going beyond B Corp certification. She explains that B Corp is more than just a box-ticking exercise and highlights its comprehensive approach to social and environmental impact. Fiona also introduces Mission Works and the concept of mission-led businesses, which aim to profitably solve social or environmental challenges. She emphasises the need to define and measure the problem a business is trying to solve and offers advice on getting started with a radical idea.

Key Takeaways

• Mission Works supports businesses with a purpose to deliver impact through profitably solving a social or environmental challenge.
• There is a need for support and infrastructure to help social enterprises scale.
• Purpose-driven businesses have the potential to make a significant impact.
• Fiona's journey highlights the importance of being awakened to social and environmental challenges and taking action to create positive change.
• B Corp is a comprehensive certification that goes beyond social and environmental impact and includes governance, worker treatment, community engagement, and customer relations.
• B Corp should be seen as a starting point for businesses, not the end goal. There is much more beyond B Corp in terms of deep impact and continuous improvement.
• Mission-led businesses have a clearly defined and measurable problem they aim to solve, and they align their business model and strategy to achieve impact and profitability.
• When exploring a problem to solve, businesses should consider their unique abilities, industry expertise, customer needs, and social and environmental challenges within their industry.
• Mission-led businesses can achieve both purpose and profit, and there is an imperative to grow in order to create a larger positive impact.
• It is important to focus on product-market fit and start with a minimum viable product that solves a problem, and then iterate and add more ethical, social, and environmental benefits over time.

Fiona on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-ras-jones/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

Can marketing change the world? Paul Skinner, is determined to find out. Paul is the founder of MarketingKind and Pimp My Cause. Both organisations use the power of marketing, and marketers, to make a positive impact across a range of social and environmental issues. Paul is also the author of two books: 'The Purpose Upgrade' and 'Collaborative Advantage'. In this conversation we cover:

• How a health scare for his father impacted his childhood
• His uncle, the nuclear physicist, who encouraged him to think differently
• His thoughts on how we all become less radical with age, and his practice of meditation as a counter current to that
• How you can get involved in MarketingKind
• Marketing as a discipline rather than a department within a business
• How marketing can contribute to so much more than a small set of commercial objectives
• How human beings choose options that give us a better life story, than life outcome
• How Collaborative Advantage challenges the dominant narrative of Competitive Advantage as a business strategy
• How his book 'The Purpose Upgrade' challenges the idea of purpose as a fixed goal for an organisation
• How the pandemic may have helped us to redefine success and be more adaptive in a crisis prone world
• The story of a coal-mining business which has pivoted to become a food business
• The early days of Amazon and how the staff negotiated the established book business
• The steps to take to upgrade your organisation's purpose
• How we could learn from the story of 'Berlin Iron' from the Prussian war of liberation
• His advice for implementing radical ideas

Paul on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-skinner-a73b8921/

MarketingKind.org

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

What if every job was part-time and flexible by default? Sounds radical, right? Well, that’s exactly what Nyree Ambarchian, Co-Founder of Jack & Grace, is making a reality.

In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, host Rob Fawkes speaks with Nyree, who left a rigid, outdated workplace behind to build an agency that prioritises people, planet, and profit—in that order. From salary transparency to flipping the 9-5 norm on its head, Nyree shares how her team is rethinking work entirely.

They also discuss how unwritten workplace rules (aka "microplastics" in our daily lives) shape our careers without us even noticing—and how we can unpick them to build something better.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The ‘microplastics’ of work: How unspoken rules shape our behaviour—and why we don’t question them enough.
• How parenthood changed everything: Why becoming a mum made Nyree realise that the rules of work were the problem, not her.
• Why all jobs at Jack & Grace are part-time by default: And why employees have to actively request full-time hours instead.
• Salary transparency: Why Jack & Grace shares salary bands openly and how it challenges workplace inequalities.
• Saying NO to bad clients: Why they only work with organisations that align with their values—and how they assess potential clients.
• Convincing her husband, a police officer, to go part-time: Proof that flexible work can (and should) apply to all industries. Burying your pants in the ground?! The campaign that helped kids understand soil health in a hilarious way.

Follow Nyree and Jack & Grace:

• Nyree Ambarchian on LinkedIn: Nyree Ambarchian LinkedIn

• Jack & Grace on LinkedIn: Jack & Grace LinkedIn

Stay Connected with Rob and 'A Little Bit Radical':

A Little Bit Radical Newsletter:⁠ Sign Up Here⁠

Rob Fawkes on LinkedIn:⁠ Rob Fawkes LinkedIn⁠

You've probably heard of Patagonia. Their products adorn outdoor enthusiasts and conscious clothes buyers across the world. Often held up as THE responsible business, Patagonia champion progressive causes and activism across the world. Most radically, in September 2022, Patagonia's founder Yvon Chouinard, announced that he was transferring ownership of the company into a trust which would use profits to tackle the climate crisis. Alex Beasley, General Manager UK, Ireland and Nordics, joins us for this conversation. He discusses:

• How 'saying no' to his father was a big moment in his early life
• The huge value of going to university beyond the subject you study
• How he still considers himself 'an engineer' after studying Civil Engineering, despite not working in that industry
• How Patagonia unlocked his 'little bit radical' nature
• Why he doesn't like job titles
• The importance of collaboration, listening, and amplifying each other's strengths to solve big challenges
• The history of Patagonia, its mission: 'In business to save our home planet'
• The 'For profit, not-for-profit model'
• The 1% for the Planet programme and the details of how Patagonia fund hundreds of small impact projects every year
• The story of how Patagonia's energy in the UK came to be produced entirely on the roof of Streatham Tube Station in London
• How Patagonia encourages Autonomy on both an individual and business level
• How the culture of Patagonia is implemented across the globe
• How Patagonia can be put on a pedestal, and how they want to 'knock the pedestal away'
• The importance of curiosity to be successful
• Patagonia's founder Yvon Chouinard, his manifesto for work culture 'Let My People Go Surfing', and his decision to give away his business for the benefit of the planet
• The moment Yvon announced this decision to the company, and where Alex was...
• Patagonia's vision of a circular economy and the decisions they make to champion that
• The huge campaign Patagonia supported to protect the River Vjosa from 260 dams and keep it as the last remaining free flowing river in Europe
• How he feels our economic paradigm needs to change - you can't have infinite growth on a finite planet
• His criticism of the word 'consumer' and 'consumerism'

Alex on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-beasley-60bb2723/

Visit: patagonia.com

Rob on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

Drink beer, give water. This is the simple idea behind Brewgooder, a craft beer using its profits to support clean water projects in the developing world. To date, Brewgooder drinkers have funded over 100 million litres of clean drinking water. They're a certified B Corp and were named as a 'Best for the World' company in 2022. In this conversation, we're joined by Alan Mahon, founder and executive chair of Brewgooder. He discusses:

• How his Mum was an inspiration to him growing up
• How a disaster on holiday and his first job at a sandwich shop led to the idea for Brewgooder
• His evolution from 'naive founder' to 'informed idealist' 7 years into the business
• Brewgooder's position as a purpose-led brand and how they have influenced the wider industry
• 'Beerwashing' not 'Greenwashing'
• The future of the B Corp movement
• The collaborative model at the heart of Brewgooder 
• His idea for the next generation to be equipped and educated as much in their own mental health and values, as in functional academic skills
• His advice for people starting their own purpose-led businesses

Alan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-mahon-7659b15a/

Brewgooder: https://www.brewgooder.com/

Rob on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Standing on Giants on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/standing-on-giants/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

 *Use code RADICAL10 for 10% off a standard ticket for Aspire Leadership's public courses.*

In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, host Rob Fawkes speaks with Pradeep Jeyaratnam-Joyner, Head of Company Development at Aspire Leadership, a B Corp consultancy focused on leadership, communication, and workplace culture. Pradeep shares his journey from growing up in Stoke to training as an actor, and how those experiences shaped his views on leadership, inclusion, and the power of storytelling. This insightful conversation explores what it means to be a leader today, the challenges leaders face in a changing world, and how storytelling and inclusion can transform workplace cultures.

In this episode, we discuss:

Pradeep’s Unconventional Path: From a South Asian upbringing in Stoke to acting school and eventually a career in leadership development.

Lessons from Acting: How acting taught Pradeep about resilience, self-awareness, and the dynamics of human interaction, and how these lessons translate to leadership.

The Leadership Landscape: How the role of leaders has evolved in recent years, including the challenges of enabling teams, creating psychological safety, and navigating external pressures like climate change and societal expectations.

The Power of Storytelling: Why stories are fundamental to human connection and how leaders can use storytelling to foster understanding, build trust, and create a shared vision.

Inclusion and Cultural Change: Pradeep’s thoughts on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and the importance of creating space for differing perspectives.

Radical Ideas for the World: Encouraging people to volunteer as trustees for small charities and why good governance is vital for local organisations.

Memorable Quotes:

"Leadership doesn’t always come from the top—it can come from anywhere in an organisation."

"Great storytelling isn’t just about the end of the story; it’s about showing how you got there."

"If we can learn to work with differing perspectives, we can work with any kind of diversity."

Further Reading and Resources:

The Gift by Lewis Hyde - A book exploring the nature of giving and art in society.

Aspire Leadership Website: Aspire Leadership

Follow Pradeep and Aspire Leadership:

Pradeep Jeyaratnam-Joyner on LinkedIn: Pradeep Jeyaratnam-Joyner LinkedIn

Aspire Leadership on LinkedIn: Aspire Leadership LinkedIn

Stay Connected with Rob and 'A Little Bit Radical':

Rob Fawkes on LinkedIn: Rob Fawkes LinkedIn

A Little Bit Radical Newsletter: Sign Up Here

In this conversation, Jo Haywood, founder of Skylark Media, discusses her journey as a former BBC producer and her mission to use video as a force for good. She shares her early inspiration from her biologist mother and her desire to make a positive impact on the environment. Jo reflects on her work producing groundbreaking films on climate change in the early 90s and the challenges of raising awareness at a time when few people cared about the issue. She then explains how she founded Skylark with the goal of changing the purpose of business to prioritise people and the planet. Jo highlights some of Skylark's impactful campaigns and videos, including their work with Buglife and their films on hydrogen power.

Jo discusses her award-winning collaborations, the importance of building a different type of media business, and the value of B Corp certification. She shares insights on overcoming established thinking, empowering employees, and the need for radical innovative thinking. Jo also emphasizes the importance of finding happiness without consuming power and the need to educate women for a more sustainable society. Her advice for someone with a radical idea is to be ready, shoot, and aim, and to not get caught up in overthinking and delaying action.

Key takeaways from this conversation:

• Video can be a powerful tool for storytelling and raising awareness about important issues.
• The mission and values of a business should come before the work. It's important to have a clear story and purpose behind your work.
• The environmental movement has gained traction over the years, and businesses are now recognising the value of incorporating sustainability into their messaging.
• Videos have the potential to make a significant impact, whether it's securing funding for a cause or influencing government decisions. Collaborations and awards can bring recognition and success in the media industry.
• Building a different type of media business requires a systemised approach and a focus on customer service.
• B Corp certification can lead to positive changes in working practices and a more sustainable business.
• Overcoming established thinking and giving everyone a voice can foster innovative thinking and drive positive change.
• Finding happiness without consuming power and educating women are important for a more sustainable society.

Jo on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johaywood/

Visit: https://www.skylarkmedia.co.uk/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, host Rob Fawkes speaks with Will Ascott, Co-Founder of Free Movement Skateboarding, a grassroots organisation using skateboarding as a tool to empower young people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds in Athens.

Will shares his journey from a childhood love of skateboarding to founding Free Movement, which has since provided thousands of young people—including refugees, second-generation migrants, and Greek youth—with a space to build confidence, community, and resilience. This episode dives into the challenges of running a small charity, the impact of skateboarding as a social tool, and why building social cohesion is key to a more inclusive future.

🛹 From Skater Kid to Social Entrepreneur: How Will’s early love of skateboarding shaped his vision for using it as a tool for empowerment.

🌍 Free Movement Skateboarding: How the organisation brings together young people from refugee, migrant, and Greek communities.

🚐 A Mobile Skate Park: Running skate sessions in public squares, playgrounds, and schools—anywhere that provides a safe space for young people.

🏛 Challenges of Working in Athens: The barriers to supporting refugee youth, navigating government restrictions, and the urgent need for public skate parks.

💡 The Power of Social Cohesion: Why it’s not about forcing people to “integrate” but about creating shared experiences and mutual understanding.

📢 Running a Small Charity: The reality of funding cycles, bureaucracy, and keeping a mission-driven project alive.

🔮 The Future of Free Movement: Will’s vision for a permanent skate park and youth centre in Athens.

Memorable Quotes:

🗣️ "Skateboarding is more than a sport—it’s a way to bring people together across cultures, backgrounds, and experiences."

🗣️ "Social cohesion isn’t about making people assimilate—it’s about giving them a shared identity while letting them keep their own."

🗣️ "People need time for positive recreation in their lives. Work shouldn’t take over everything."

• Free Movement Skateboarding Website: Visit Here

• Short Film - A Mobile Community by CHPO Sunglasses

If you’d like to help Free Movement Skateboarding continue their incredible work, donate here:

👉 Donate to Free Movement Skateboarding

Follow Free Movement

In the mid-80s, Guy Singh-Watson left his cushty job as a management consultant to return to his roots (quite literally) as a he ploughed a few acres of his parents' farm and started growing organic vegetables. Over the 30 years since, Riverford Organic Farms has grown to become the most recognisable name in organic produce in the UK, turning over £100m + per year. The list of 'little bit radical' aspects to Guy and Riverford is extensive, from pioneering 'direct-to-consumer' veg boxes in the 90s, to becoming an employee owned business, to being a proud B Corp. A famously self-assured and opinionated figure, Guy doesn't hold back in this interview where he covers:

• How his childhood on a farm encouraged him to think creatively, practically, and entrepreneurially
• His parents' radical ideas on farming and the world which influenced him
• His very unusual 8th birthday present
• How he continues to become more radical as he gets older and is determined to challenge what he sees as terrible governance
• His views on Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg and the Conservative government
• From milking cows, to opening the New York office of a Management Consultancy within a year of graduating
• The early days of Riverford
• His hideous experience selling to supermarkets and
• The 'freaks from the fringes' who inspired him to switch to a direct-to-consumer model
• The community-led marketing approach which grew the business in the early days
• His dislike of the word 'professional' and how he reveres 'competence'
• How capitalism needs to be regulated and his admiration for the B Corp movement
• How the 'customer is not always right'
• Riverford's environmental policies and his frustration with over-focus on plastics
• The importance of fully understanding how your product fits into your customers' lives
• Employee ownership and his motivations for handing over ownership of Riverford to its employees
• Whether every business could be employee-owned
• His desire for a political shift to re-distribute wealth to those who need it most
• Our need to reclaim the sense patriotism and collectivism that founded the NHS and the welfare state

Keep up with Guy's latest blogs on 'Wicked Leaks' https://wickedleeks.riverford.co.uk/author/guy-singh-watson/

Visit the Riverford website: https://organic.riverford.co.uk/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Standing on Giants: standingongiants.com

Want to appear? Email: podcast@standingongiants.com

To celebrate B Corp month, we've cut together a highlights show from some of the brilliant B Corps that appeared on season one of A Little Bit Radical. B Corps are a community of businesses that prioritise people and planet, as well as profit. Every March, the community comes together to celebrate everything it means to be a B Corp. In this episode, you'll hear highlights from:

• Shelley Macintyre (allplants)
• Anne Charlotte Mornington (Olio)
• George Amodio (Doing Good Works)
• Erik Porter (Wagestream)
• Vineeta Greenwood (Wholegrain Digital)
• Alan Mahon (Brewgooder)

Listen in to see how all these businesses #GoBeyond

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

Robbie Hearn founded Standing on Giants with Vincent Boon after the two met on the startup team at giffgaff. A disruptor in the UK telco market, giffgaff was founded in 2009 on the 'little bit radical' idea to have no call centres, no stores, just an online community. What followed was beyond Robbie and Vincent's wildest dreams. This community of customers would answer each other's support questions, refer new customers, solve technical issues and even generate marketing material. 

Inspired, they founded Standing on Giants to bring this innovative community-first model to other businesses. Standing on Giants now works with household names like Airbnb, O2, Lenovo, Heineken and Tesco Bank to build thriving online communities of customers, employees, and stakeholders. In this conversation Robbie discusses:

• A radical move in his childhood that built resilience 
• His ambition to become more radical as he gets older (like Willie Nelson)
• How President Obama's election campaign inspired giffgaff
• The power of 'Customer Respect'
• How the giffgaff community saved the company by manufacturing and distributing 150,000 micro-sims 
• What inspired him to co-found his own company
• His proudest moment as a company founder
• The B Corp movement and making Standing on Giants a 'different kind of business'
• Growing a company without taking external investment
• How he would shake up politics
• 'Leap and the net will appear': a mantra for turning your idea into a reality

Robbie on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbie-hearn-0539313/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Standing on Giants on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/standing-on-giants/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

How is your mental health right now? According to MIND, 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health challenge this year. For this episode, we meet Paul Smith, MD of JAAQ at Work. JAAQ is a free online platform that provides access to experts in mental health, wellbeing, disability, diversity and many more topics. Founded by Danny Gray, the platform also features the stories of high profile celebrities, sportspeople, and music stars - opening up about their struggles with mental health.  Paul discusses:

• How he feels his was a ‘lazy’ child and that it was quite a surprise that he ended up being a radical thinker
• His passion for football and his burgeoning career as a professional for Reading FC and Ipswich
• Rob’s first career as a professional actor and how that compares to pursuing professional sport
• How identity is tied up with our careers and the problems with that
• His career in recruitment and what led him to found his own company with two of his colleagues
• The story of JAAQ. Changing the world of mental health one question at a time
• JAAQ’s founder Danny Gray and his struggles with body dysmorphia
• The offering of JAAQ at Work, improving mental health for workplaces
• His struggles with transitioning from founder to employee
• The user experience of JAAQ
• The importance of getting the right expertise and the JAAQ advisory board
• The opportunity for businesses that prioritise wellbeing
• The scale of the challenges facing HR leaders 
• The importance of intersectionality and the importance that the platform can help people ask questions they wouldn’t ask in the workplace for fear of embarrassment
• How he feels that no one business has really smashed it out the park on mental health yet
• The JAAQ video that’s made the biggest impact on his life 

Paul on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psmith0/

Visit JAAQ.org

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

Join us for this inspiring episode as we dive into the fascinating world of Emma Locke, Change and Communications Lead at Perfetti Van Melle. Emma shares her unique insights on driving diversity, equity, and inclusion in a global company, her passions outside of work, and how these experiences shape her approach to leadership.

We discuss:

• (00:01) Introduction to Emma Locke and Her Commitment to Diversity
• (01:07) Emma's Early Life Experiences Shaping Her Strong Character
• (03:14) The 'People First' Mentality in Business
• (04:18) Emma’s Passion for Cars and Motorbikes
• (10:03) Leading a Business: Similarities to Motorbike Riding
• (20:49) Initiating Diversity and Inclusion Programmes
• (30:37) Addressing Menopause in the Workplace
• (35:58) The Importance of Kindness and Compassion in Leadership
• (40:22) Wrapping Up: Reflections on Leadership and Change

Connect with Emma:

• Emma Locke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmallocke/

Learn more about Perfetti Van Melle:

• Visit: https://www.perfettivanmelle.com/

Connect with Host Rob:

• Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Interested in joining the conversation?

• Reach out at: podcast@standingongiants.com

Surf’s up! Often called the ‘British Patagonia’, Finisterre are one of the most respected names in sustainable fashion. Headquartered in St Agnes, Cornwall, Finisterre produce long-lasting, repairable products inspired by the sea. We’re joined by CMO Bronwen Foster Butler for this episode. She discusses:

• The dramatic circumstances of her birth in the Canadian wilderness
• The effect of having a peculiar name and how she ‘likes to play in the edges’ of life
• How she became a parent to a daughter during COVID and how that provided an impetus to become more radical 
• Her experience in a previous role of being asked ‘whether she wanted a promotion, or to become a parent’
• Finisterre’s approach to flexibility and inclusion
• Working for a boss who is a CEO and a RNLI helmsman
• Her commitment to ‘how you get the job done’ not ‘when you get the job done’
• ‘Sea Tuesdays’ - where the whole team get an hour to connect with the sea
• The founding story of Finisterre and the mission to create products that serve cold-water surfers, whilst preserving the ocean
• The very first product the founder, Tom, created
• Their partnership with the last Merino Wool shepherd in the U.K.
• How the wetsuit industry is partly responsible for ‘Cancer Alley’ in the USA, with the production of chloroprene - connected to Neoprene
• How they are reinventing wetsuits, moving away from petrochemical neoprene, to YULEX rubber
• Launching the world’s first YULEX wetsuit rental programme
• Finisterre’s repair service - a challenge to fast fashion
• The shocking reality of where most of our charity shop clothes go
• Her reaction to the U.K. government rolling back environmental policy
• Dealing with Climate Anxiety
• Her approach to leading her team through their Pride campaign, in the face of online trolling

Bronwen on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronwen-foster-butler-73a31923/

Visit: finisterre.com

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to get in touch? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

Amy Polly is the self-styled 'Mindfulness Rebel'. In a world of very serious, very blue, mental health information, she is a welcome shot of pink. She's the former Strategic Lead for Mental Health & Wellbeing for the Fire Service, and has since worked with organisations like Heineken, Bupa, Sweaty Betty, National Grid and many others. She's on a mission to make mindfulness more accessible and inclusive and joins us for this conversation where we discuss:

• Her grandfather’s addiction to alcohol and how it informed her behaviour to always try and make people smile
• The importance of her supportive parents and having a support network
• How she’s embraced thinking differently as an adult
• How she left a solid, 19 year career in accountancy to start working for herself in mindfulness and wellbeing
• The shift she felt working for the Fire Service, contributing to a bigger picture 
• The extreme challenges of creating wellbeing programmes in the Fire Service
• The measures she brought in to support fire fighters
• The basics of creating a mentally healthy workforce and how it’s not the things you might think
• Her connection to mindfulness and how it became a passion of hers as a proactive measure for wellbeing
• Personal days and bringing the human elements to business
• How Mindfulness isn’t ‘hippy dippy stuff’, it’s brain training
• Some myth busting around Mindfulness
• Amy leads Rob through a mindfulness exercise 
• Rob’s reflections after the exercise
• Her advice to leaders for embedding wellbeing in their businesses
• How motherhood is the hardest thing she’s ever done and her ‘Mindfulness for Mums’ programme
• The loneliness of being a mum and the taboo of talking about birth trauma
• Rob shares a rather unfortunate parenting story and how it informed his perspective on parents in business
• The ‘return to the office’ push and the potential negative impacts for some of the workforce

Follow Amy on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amypolly/

Visit: amypolly.com

Follow Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Sign up the the 'A Little Bit Radical' Newsletter here: https://share.hsforms.com/1wJzfsT5RR7melJbfDfpsLw4sran

Hannah Keartland, an outsourced Chief Impact Officer, discusses the importance of flexibility and adaptation in achieving impact goals. Hannah also highlights the role of inclusive culture in driving sustainability and innovation.

She shares her journey from the finance sector to impact-focused work and the importance of financial sustainability in the charity sector. Hannah provides insights into the financial argument for creating social and environmental impact and the role of finance directors in driving change. She concludes by discussing her work as an outsourced Chief Impact Officer, helping businesses navigate their responsible business journey.

The conversation explores the importance of understanding the full impact of leadership decisions and taking responsibility for reducing negative impacts and increasing positive impacts. It highlights the need for leaders in politics and business to consider the ripple effects of their actions. The lack of responsibility in business leadership is also discussed, with examples of companies not following through on sustainability policies. The conversation concludes with advice on getting started with radical ideas, emphasising the importance of research, connecting with others, and staying true to one's vision.

Takeaways

• Flexibility and adaptation are crucial in goal setting and achieving long-term success.
• Inclusive culture and diverse teams are essential for driving sustainability and innovation.
• Financial sustainability is crucial for organisations to make a lasting impact.
• Finance directors play a vital role in creating sustainable businesses and driving change.
• Governance and leadership are key drivers of systemic change for sustainability.

Hannah on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahkeartland/

Visit: https://www.keartland.co/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

Without people you don’t have a business. Higson, are a people consultancy, working with organisations to create progressive work cultures with high productivity and high happiness. Augusta Vivian, is the founder and joins us for this interview where she discusses:

• How she feels we are all entitled to have fun at work
• Her personal values of fun, kindness, curiosity, and stubbornness and how her early life shaped those
• How to go about defining your personal values
• Her entrepreneurial Great Aunt who broke the mould as a woman on her own in business 
• Her experience of being told ‘what to wear to be successful’
• Her work at Higson to help businesses become more happy, productive workplaces
• The common blindspots that businesses face when creating a positive work culture
• The real benefit of unlimited holiday vs an annual allowance
• How to create your company values and design the behaviours within your org to live up to them
• The importance of practicality and pragmatism with any cultural change work
• What she’s most proud of in her Founder’s journey
• How she approaches Strategy at Higson and regularly reviews it
• The importance of feedback in all directions with radical candour
• The charities Higson supports with 20% of profits every year 
• The new phase for Higson: becoming a certified Carbon Literate organisation

Augusta on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustavivian/

Visit: https://consulthigson.com/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

Designing campaigns for Patagonia, Selfridges, BMW, and Penguin Books, Forster Communications is an award-winning communications agency.  Our guest today is Peter Gilheany, Board Director at Forster. An employee-owned B Corp, Forster are a great example of how to live your values. They’ve turned down lucrative briefs from companies that refuse to declare a climate emergency, and have even set sustainability goals for their existing clients in order to continue working together. He discusses:

• His working class Irish background and his parents ‘relaxed’ attitude to their 5 children
• How he and his siblings have all forged their own paths
• The difference between being a ‘strategic’ or ‘tactical careerist 
• How there is a huge need to challenge what is seen as ‘received wisdom’
• The narrow view of what a ‘good career’ is 
• The story of Forster Communications and the founder Jilly Forster, former Head of Communications for the Body Shop
• Employee Ownership and how it works at Forster
• The pieces of work that best embody Forster Communications
• How to walk the talk on tackling the climate emergency for any business
• The stringent targets they set for themselves, their community, and their clients
• What happened when they told their clients to publicly declare a climate emergency and set net zero targets
• A leap into the unknown around a social housing project that led to incredible results
• His surprising response to being labelled a ‘lifestyle business’
• Who knows how to communicate about climate change better? Extinction Rebellion or the average PR agency?
• His take on Greenwashing
• How to turn down briefs that don’t align with your values
• The campaign he’s ashamed of and wouldn’t take today
• The pervasive hangover within business that you can either be financially successful, or morally good 
• The evolution in the charity sector over their corporate social responsibility
• The future of the charity sector, financially unstable, but ideologically free to campaign and speak truth to power

Peter on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgilheany/

Visit: https://forster.co.uk/

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? podcast@standingongiants.com

In this episode, host Rob Fawkes speaks with George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift, a campaign advocating for fairer paternity and secondary caregiver leave in the UK. George shares his personal story, from growing up with a feminist activist mother to leading campaigns for refugees and working in the tech sector at Meta. They discuss the urgent need for change in the UK’s parental leave policies, the challenges of launching a grassroots campaign, and how fatherhood shaped George’s perspective on equality and family life.

In this episode, we discuss:

• George’s Activist Roots: Growing up with a trailblazing feminist mother and how it influenced his passion for campaigning.

• Fatherhood and Parental Leave: George’s personal experiences during his paternity leave and the stark contrast between his opportunities and the statutory offer in the UK.

• Launching The Dad Shift Campaign: The mission to address the UK’s woefully inadequate paternity leave policies and the creative stunt used to grab public attention.

• Global Comparisons: Lessons from countries like Sweden, where shared parental leave policies help bridge the gender gap and support families better.

• Why Employers Should Care: The benefits of improved parental leave policies for businesses, from attracting and retaining talent to enhancing productivity.

• Advice for Aspiring Campaigners: Why starting, learning, and finding allies is key to building momentum for change.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Radicalism, candour, and kindness are muscles you have to build—and the only way to build them is to start."

• "The gender pay gap is a double bind—we can only solve it if more fathers take paternity leave."

• "Supporting families at critical moments isn’t just good for employees, it’s good for business too."

Get Involved:

• Sign the Dad Shift Letter to Labour: Visit The Dad Shift

Further Reading and Resources:

• The Fatherhood Institute: Advocating for gender equality in parenting.

• Pregnant Then Screwed: Fighting for parents' rights and better workplace policies.

• Richard Reeves' Book - Of Boys and Men: Exploring modern male challenges and solutions.

Follow George and The Dad Shift:

• George Gabriel on LinkedIn: George Gabriel LinkedIn

• The Dad Shift Website: The Dad Shift

Stay Connected with Rob and 'A Little Bit Radical':

• Rob Fawkes on LinkedIn: Rob Fawkes LinkedIn

• A Little Bit Radical Newsletter: Sign Up Here

Blair Glencorse is the Founder and Executive Director of Accountability Lab, a global NGO focussing on empowering citizens to make changes they know are necessary in their communities. A global expert in citizen engagement and anti-corruption, Blair has a unique approach to improving governance and accountability across the world. Whether it's 'naming and faming' honest and trustworthy government officials through X Factor style 'Integrity Icon', or publishing the annual strategy in a rap song. He discusses:

• 'Positive deviance' - what it is and why it's been important to him since childhood
• The problem with the way we set up incentives in our society
• The 'Integrity Icon' project and how it made honest government officials famous - starting in Nepal
• His experience at the World Bank and how the idea for Accountability Lab came from his work with people in Nepal
• How most frontline issues, be it lack of education or clean water, stem from a lack of accountability in leadership
• The mission of Accountability Lab today and his role
• Why they chose to publish their strategy in hip-hop form (listen to a clip!) and the problem with most corporate strategy documents
• Their engagement with musicians, artists and technologists to amplify their ideas through culture
• How accountability will be good for business in the future
• His approach to 'radical transparency'
• The balance between collaboration and competition across multiple sectors, especially when it comes to anti-corruption and climate issues
• The emergence of 'Chief Integrity Officers' and the importance of balancing ethics with compliance to avoid corporate scandals
• His advice for a new Chief Integrity Officer and how to embed ethics throughout a culture
• The organisations whose example we should try and follow
• A success story from 'Integrity Icon', increasing female representation in regional government in Pakistan
• His approach to leadership as a collective effort within a flat structure
• Defining organisational values and how to embed values-led decision making

Blair on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairglencorse/

Accountability Lab: https://accountabilitylab.org/

Accountability Lab's annual strategy hip-hop track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnjXPevXlu4

Rob on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-warren/

Want to appear? Email podcast@standingongiants.com

In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, Rob is joined by Jambu Palaniappan, the CEO of Checkatrade, to discuss the evolution of the platform, the future of the UK tech sector, and his journey from Silicon Valley to leading a British startup. Jambu shares insights into the challenges and opportunities within the home improvement industry, his leadership philosophy, and how he balances ambition with effective decision-making. This conversation also delves into Jambu’s views on encouraging entrepreneurship in the UK and the importance of being comfortable with failure and ambiguity.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Jambu’s Background and Journey to the UK: From growing up in Silicon Valley to his early career at Uber, and what led him to Checkatrade.
• Leadership at Checkatrade: How Jambu approaches leading a well-established British brand with a focus on innovation, radical candour, and empowering his team.
• The Future of Checkatrade: Plans for expanding the platform’s value for both consumers and trade members, including the launch of a new consumer app and improved lead management tools for trades.
• UK Tech Sector and Entrepreneurship: Jambu’s optimistic view on the UK’s potential in tech innovation and the need for a cultural shift towards embracing risk and failure.
• Balancing Work and Life: Jambu’s personal routines, including fitness and family time, that help him maintain balance and focus as a leader.
• Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: The importance of writing down ideas to gain clarity and seeking feedback from industry experts to build conviction.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Comfort with ambiguity will get you really far—it's something we as a society need to get better at."
• "We have a responsibility to think bigger, to ask how we can create 10 times or even 100 times more value."
• "There's a lot of power in writing things down; it brings clarity and helps you gain conviction in your ideas."

Follow Jambu and Checkatrade:

• Jambu Palaniappan on LinkedIn: Jambu Palaniappan LinkedIn
• Checkatrade Website: Checkatrade

Stay Connected with Rob and 'A Little Bit Radical':

• Rob Fawkes on LinkedIn: Rob Fawkes LinkedIn
• A Little Bit Radical Newsletter: Sign Up Here