Conduit Conversations

Paul's guest on this episode is Wendy Kopp. Wendy is the CEO and Co-founder of Teach For All, a global network of independent organizations in 60 countries across every region of the world that are working to develop collective leadership to ensure all children have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Prior to launching Teach For All in 2007, Wendy founded and led Teach For America – which has proven to be an unparalleled source of long-term leadership for expanding opportunity in the United States. She led the development of Teach For All to be responsive to the initiative of social entrepreneurs around the world who were determined to adapt this approach in their own countries. Wendy has been recognized with numerous awards including the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship and the Schwab Foundation’s Outstanding Social Entrepreneur Award.

The Global Wind Energy Council and The Conduit have partnered this year to drive the conversation ahead of COP27 in Egypt. We’ll look at the transversal issues facing those fighting to tackle climate change, and the topics that will be top of the agenda for world leaders in November. One of those key challenges will be ensuring a just transition; one that takes every region forward to a world powered by renewable energy, and one where everybody has left polluting fossil fuels behind. The partnership’s third podcast looks at Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and how this acts as a barrier to specific groups of people and minorities to joining the green economy. GWEC’s Reshmi Ladwa is joined by Amisha Patel, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Mainstream Renewable Power to discuss this topic from a more personal viewpoint. The conversations looks at some of the real life issues that people face in entering or even maintaining a career in the energy and renewables industry, and how these can be accounted for by a lack of diversity, equity and inclusion.   

On this episode Paul talks to Simon Alexander Ong. Simon is a personal development entrepreneur, coach and public speaker. His clients are from all walks of life but they share one trait; they all believe that the greatest investment you can make is in yourself. His work has seen him invited onto Sky News and BBC Radio London to be interviewed, while Barclays UK featured him in a nationwide campaign asking him questions on how families could embrace better lifestyle habits.

A few hours after Boris Johnson’s resignation as Prime Minister, The Conduit welcomed to the stage the former Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt. Jeremy is Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee and the author of a new manifesto for renewing the NHS, learning from mistakes  and preventing avoidable deaths. Its called Zero and its out now. Jeremy joined Hannah McInnes live at The Conduit to tell us more about this book and his experience as Secretary of State for Health.  The event was held in partnership with the How To Academy, London’s home of big thinking. 

The Global Wind Energy Council and The Conduit have partnered this year to drive the conversation ahead of COP27 in Egypt. We’ll look at the transversal issues facing those fighting to tackle climate change, and the topics that which will be top of the agenda for world leaders in November. One of those key challenges will be ensuring a just transition; one that takes every region forward to a world powered by renewable energy, and one where everybody has left polluting fossil fuels behind. The partnership’s second podcast looks at a topic lots of people wrestle with, but not everyone fully recognises. We're talking about climate anxiety and its effects on society. GWEC’s Reshmi Ladwa is joined by Sacha Wright, Research and Curriculum coordinator at the Force of Nature, to delve into this emerging area of discussion which picks apart attitudes and starts to unravel how climate anxieties affect people and play out into wider society.

The Global Wind Energy Council and The Conduit have partnered this year to drive the conversation ahead of COP27 in Egypt. We’ll look at the transversal issues facing those fighting to tackle climate change, and the topics that which will be top of the agenda for world leaders in November. One of those key challenges will be ensuring a just transition; one that takes every region forward to a world powered by renewable energy, and one where everybody has left polluting fossil fuels behind. The partnership's first podcast looks at one of the threats to the transition: The rise of misinformation. We spoke to the panel of the recent GWEC/Conduit Club event on the subject, about why this problem is spiking, and what organisations are doing about it (or not doing about it, as is often the case).  GWEC’s Reshmi Ladwa and Ben Backwell are joined by Jennie King, who is Head of Civic Action and Education at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and Mai Rosner, who is a campaigner at Global Witness, looking at the Digital Threats to Democracy. 

On this episode Paul talks to Jennie King, Head of Civic Action and Education at the Institute of Strategic Dialogue, leading their efforts to translate research into frontline programming and response. Jennie provides regular briefings for UK government departments and regulators on approaches to media literacy, as well as overseeing the ISD’s growing portfolio on Climate Mis and Disinformation, supporting a worldwide coalition  identifying and analysing counter related harms. This is a fascinating and timely conversation delving deep into the murky world of Mis and Disinformation and its impact on making positive forward momentum against climate change.

In this episode Paul is joined by Juliet Kinsman who has been a journalist and broadcaster for more than 25 years, working in travel for two decades. Juliet was the founding editor of Mr & Mrs Smith, most recently the first-ever Sustainability Editor for Condé Nast Traveller, and is author of ‘The Green Edit: Travel, Easy Tips for the Eco-Friendly Traveller’. Her non-profit consultancy, BOUTECO, works with award-winning brands to help them stand for something and stand out for it through their storytelling. Juliet gives us her insights into sustainable travel, what we should be thinking about when it comes to planning trips, and her top tips on how to travel better.  Show Notes: The Green Edit: Travel: Easy tips for the eco-friendly traveller Juliet’s book on all things sustainable in travel. Intrepid  The world’s largest adventure travel company, headquartered in Australia, was the first in the sector to achieve B Corp status.  Sawday’s The first accommodation platform in the UK to achieve B Corp accreditation, Bristol-based Sawday’s group (which includes glamping directory Canopy & Stars), was founded on principles of social and environmental responsibility. Sheroes Hangout, Agra and Lucknow A cafe set up by a journalist to support victims of acid attacks.   Brownies & Downies, Cape Town WEEVA Future software for hotels to actively measure their true impact. SWAC at the Brando The Brando in French Polynesia, a paradise resort that came up with its own seawater-cooled air-con invention (SWAC), which is powered by the sun’s rays and coconut oil. 

In this episode Conduit Co-Founder Paul Van Zyl is joined by Jean Oelwang, founding CEO of Virgin Unite. Jean has had a remarkable career, working with some of the world’s greatest changemakers. She discusses with Paul how she was able to draw on her unique experience to write her new book, Partnering. Centred on the idea that great partnerships are vital to meaningful lives and successful organisations. This really is a wonderful conversation between peers, a dynamic interaction between two extraordinary people sharing pivotal moments in their lives. You can get a copy of Partnering here.

This episode sees Conduit Co-Founder Paul Van Zyl joined live at The Conduit by Alannah Weston, Chairman of Selfridges Group, a position that she has held since 2019. Alannah’s consistent mission in her role has been to empower talented people to deliver an innovative customer experience within a sustainable and ethical framework. This incredibly eye-opening conversation gave a glimpse into the workings of a company striving for a systems change, steered by a vision of purpose from Alannah.