Sustainable(ish)

To celebrate and mark the launch of The Sustainable(ish) Guide to Green Parenting, my new book, coming out this week, there's a little flurry of five parenting(ish) podcasts coming your way this week!Kicking off with this chat with Ellie Jackson, who is the author of The Wild Tribe Heroes series of children’s books. I’ve been a huge admirer of Ellie and her books for a long time, but hadn’t realised just how much amazing stuff Ellie is doing, and how her books aren’t just gorgeously illustrated and nice stories, they’re actually being used as a tool for real action on the ground, and that children around the world are being inspired to make positive changes because of them. We chat about:Ellie’s home life and the challenges of home schooling 4 kids whilst running a business and writing a new bookWhat inspired her to get get startedWhere she gets her story ideas fromHow we can talk to our kids about the climate crisis and the state of the planet without overwhelming and scaring themThe impact that Ellie's books have hadHow schools and parents can use the books to start these gentle conversations with our kids, and empower them to take action.Enjoy!Useful linksWild Tribe Heroes- Website- Buy the Books- Teaching resources- Books into schools project- How to do a beach clean- Facebook- Twitter- InstagramThe Sustainable(ish) Guide to Green Parenting- On Hive- On Bookshop- On Waterstones - On Amazon- It should also be available as an audio book but I can't see a link yet!Isn't Ellie amazing?!Have you read any of the Wild Tribe Heroes books?Are you inspired to get some now for your kids and/or school?Let me know ! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times […]

GAH! I think this episode might actually be one of the most terrifying ones (for me!) yet...What could be so terrifying?Am I interviewing Greta? Or Sir David Attenborough?Sadly no. I'm actually interviewing myself. About book number two - The Sustainable(ish) Guide to Green Parenting - which is out on March 18th. I was going to say that I'm equal parts terrified and excited, but that would be a lie. I'm 100% terrified..!Putting your heart and soul into something and then letting the whole world 'mark your homework' feels pretty uncomfortable. And to add to that, I decided that in this episode I wanted to answer your questions about the book, and I am now feeling horribly self-indulgent and  narcissistic making this episode all about me and my book.These are all genuine questions sent in on social media, here goes...Is it aimed at parents with kids of a certain age, or is it applicable from birth? (Gina)Parents of what age kids? (Sylvia)Is the guide aimed at new parents or can parents with kids of any age find good point to dive in and get some tips and ideas? (Claire)Can I ask who is it aimed at, parents who currently don't do any kind of green parenting, or those who already walk/bike, reuse, use cloth nappies etc. (Fran)Is is a similar format to your first book? (Suz)How much overlap is there with your first book - will those who've read that still find more in this book? (Mareli)What's the difference between this book and your last? (Rachel)How on earth did you manage to write a book in the middle of lockdown whilst homeshooling and providing 574 sustainable(ish) snacks a day? (Ida)How on earth did you write a book during lockdown with 2 kids at home??? (Tamasin)I'd love to know the basic things like the topics of the chapters ad how easy it is to pick actions that work for the age of our child? Also does it include ideas or tips for how to give appropriate messaging to different ages, as well as the people that help you raise your child such as a partner, grandparent, teacher etc.? (Sarah)What has this book got that others haven't? (Debs)Tune in for the answers...!Useful linksThe Sustainable(ish) Guide to Green Parenting- On Hive- On Bookshop- On Waterstones - On Amazon- It should also be available as an audio book but I can't see a link yet!The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide (book 1!)- On Hive- On Bookshop- On Waterstones- On AmazonWhat other questions have you got?Let me know ! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times […]

It’s starting to feel like spring is springing isn’t it?We’re into March, I’ve seen daffodils poking out when we're out on our daily walks, and I even went out without a coat on the other day – wild times...!And with the longer days and warmer weather, many of us will be looking forwards to spending more time outdoors and maybe indulging in a spot of gardening. Good for the mind, body and soul. And good for the planet too right? After all, what can be greener than getting your hands dirty and growing stuff.Well……it turns out that sometimes gardening might not be all that green.I know, is nothing sacred any more? Why does everything have to be so blooming complicated? What on earth can possibly be wrong with gardening?!!!Listen in to my chat with Sally Nex, the author of How to Garden the Low Carbon way as we chat about:Why gardening might not be as green as we assumeThe wonder of soil and how we can help itThe huge potential that our gardens have to help wildlife, ecosystems and the climate crisisWhy we need to dig less (or not at all!)Why we need to mow lessWhat compost we should chooseHow we can use less plastic in our garden (and why we should worry about it)And lots more!Useful linksSally Nex- Website- Twitter- InstagramHow to Garden the Low Carbon Way- On Hive- On BookshopKiss the Ground No Dig Gardening- Festival session with Stephanie Hafferty- Charles Dowding - No Dig website[038] - Everything you ever wanted to know about wormeries (podcast episode)[025] - A beginners guide to grow your own (podcast episode)[075] - How organic systems can help the climate crisis (podcast episode)Do you garden? What did you learn?Will this episode change anything you do in the garden?Let me know ! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times"Absolutely love this book - should be mandatory reading"Online review […]

We’re talking pensions! I know! Exciting stuff right!!I never imagined that I would get excited about pensions but this episode has proved me wrong. Don’t get me wrong, pensions are still pretty high up on the boring adult-ing scale of things but the potential that our pensions have to create a better world has blown me away a little!Because did you know, that your pension, that you probably think very little about, other than when you see the section on your pay slip each month telling you how much has been taken out for it, could be investing your hard earned money in fossil fuels?So we’re busting our guts trying to make the world a better place with the choices that we’re making, and all the while our pension money could be working directly against us. See! Now you’re getting interested right? And maybe not a little enraged!The good news is that change is afoot. I’m chatting to Henna and Kenneth from an organisation called Make My Money Matter – a people-powered campaign fighting for a world where we all know where our pension money goes, and where we can demand it’s invested to build a better future.We chat about...The $2.5 hole in funding for the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)The £3 TRILLION sat in the UK's pension pots and what they might be fundingWhat Make My Money Matter does and the impact it's having and wants to haveHow to find out who your pension is with and where it might be investedHow we can influence investors and pension providers to divest their investments from fossil fuelsThe power of 'activism', 'clicktivism', and template lettersAnd lots more...!Useful linksMake My Money Matter- Website- Facebook- Instagram- Twitter- Sign the petition- Be a Net Zero Hero - find out where your pension provider are investing your money (and then take action!)UN SDGsPension Tracing ServiceThe Good Pensions Guide from Good with MoneyEthical Consumer guide to ethical pensions[013] - Be good and do good with your money (podcast episode)The Knackered Mums Eco ClubThe Sustainable(ish) Guide to Green Parenting Wow!!Where is your pension? Do you know?Are you off to find out?Let me know how you get on! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times"Absolutely love this book - should be mandatory reading"Online review […]

You'll be relived to hear we have a  guest! So you don’t have to listen to me rambling on endlessly. And it’s a cracker of a guest!I’ve been stalking Zoe on line for years, after first coming across her annual Me Made May challenge online, and I was SO excited to find out that she’s written an actual book! All about mending and loving our clothes, a subject very close to my heart as a reformed mender who never even thought she would be able to sew on a button!We chat about...Making your own clothesWhy making your own clothes might not necessarily be the most sustainable optionThe problems with fast fashion, including Zoe's own experiences of working within the fast fashion industryZoe's brilliant book - Mend It, Wear It, Love It - available now!!The importance of caring for the clothes we already ownWhat equipment you need to get started mending (you don't need a sewing machine!)How to get startedWhether there's any kind of stigma around wearing mended clothesAnd lots more...!Screenshot of Zoe during our Zoom - wearing clothes she's made herself!Useful linksZoe's blog and social media- So... Zo, what do you know? blog- Me Made May- Zoe on InstagramZoe's book: Mend it, Wear it, Love itTRAIDWardrobe ArchitectRana Plaza Fashion Revolution[079] Repair what you wearRepair what you wear websiteThe Knackered Mums Eco ClubDo you mend?Are you tempted to have a go?Do let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times"Absolutely love this book - should be mandatory reading"Online review […]

Another solo episode from me this week, as I haven’t been able to conjure up any extra time or headspace for getting guests organised – I’ve been super busy getting ready for The Knackered Mums heading back on out on Eco Tour – this is my FREE 5 day eco challenge that’s kicking off on Monday 15th Feb. Do come and join us – it’s probably the most fun you’re going to be able to have in half-term. AND you get to slash your carbon footprint at the same time as whinge about how tired you are and how hard it is to get your kids off their screens, with a bunch of similarly knackered types. Excited to say that I have not one but TWO interviews in the diary for next week, so we should be back on a roll with some fabulous guests from next week!It’s Valentines Day in just a couple of days time, and I’m well aware that if you do celebrate it, then this episode may well be too late if you’re an organised type.Bear it in mind for next year if that’s the case, and don’t stop listening if you don’t celebrate Valentines Day (we gave up on it years ago!) because I’m going to be sharing some fascinating stats and some alternative gifts that are a great way to say ‘I love you” or “thank you” or “you’re really rather brilliant” at any time of the year.Giving ‘stuff’ has become our way of saying I love you hasn’t it? And who doesn’t love a present?But the problem with Valentines’ gifts, and indeed most gifts is that that although they might say “I love you” to the recipient they aren’t usually saying “I love you’ to either the people who made the gift, or to the planet.We are at peak stuff, we are using up resources at an astonishing rate, the people who make much of  our stuff are being exploited, and most of us are struggling to find anywhere to put anymore stuff in our homes. Oh, and our landfills are full to bursting.God I’m SUCH  a party pooper aren’t I?Never fear – this isn’t a whole episode about how terrible everything is, there is some good news –there ARE some fabulous ways we can do Valentines (and indeed other gifts) that don’t cost the earth (see what I did there).Enjoy...!Useful linksThe Knackered Mums (Eco) Tour5 days of easy eco-action, a LOT of fun, and endless GIFs - come and join us![069] - Say it with British Flowers (podcast)Tony's Chocoloney Sweet Solution campaignEthical Consumer ethical chocolate guideTED IDEAS: The steep price we pay for cheap chocolateGeorge Monbiot: The Gift of DeathArbikie Nadar climate positive ginThe Climate Coalition Show the Love CampaignSustainable(ish) Facebook groupDo you Valentine?What are your thoughts on some of those stats?Do let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times"Absolutely love this book - should be mandatory reading"Online review […]

Episode 88 of the podcast is a solo episode!I’d love to pretend that this was planned, but the reality is that my already poor organisational and forwards planning skills have taken a bit of a battering whilst attempting the home schooling/keeping a business afloat/saving the planet juggle and I’m not going to lie, I failed miserably to get a guest organised for this week.Hence also why this is going out a day later than usual – apologies to the many thousands of you that I know will have been obsessively hitting ‘refresh’ on your podcast app waiting for a new episode to drop (in case you can’t detect the irony in that sentence, please note that was said very tongue in cheek…!)In this episode I share with you one of my favourite Greta quotes:"Of course we need hope. But the one thing we need more than hope is action. Because once we start to act, hope is everywhere."OMG, she's so eloquent and generally amazing isn't she?So in this episode I dive on into the taking action bit - because it sounds super simple doesn't it? Take action, but anyone who has ever tried to get fit, or change any kind of habit, will tell you, just because it's simple doesn't mean it's easy.How can we make it as easy as possible to take action?Useful linksThe Knackered Mums (Eco) Tour5 days of easy eco-action, a LOT of fun, and endless GIFs - come and join us!Sustainable(ish) Facebook groupIf the Knackered Mums Tour isn't your thing, but you'd love a friendly supportive online space to help keep nudging you to take action, do come and check out the FB group.What sort of action taker are you?How can you make it easier for yourself?Do let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times"Absolutely love this book - should be mandatory reading"Online review […]

In this episode I have a treat in store for you if you're looking around the world and feeling a little....erm....despairing?! If you're looking at your kids and wondering what their future will hold, and worried that when they're old enough to understand what's going on that they'll be viewing their own futures with trepidation and despondency rather than the excitement that we probably felt as we embarked on our adult lives.Rachel (aka The Crap Activist on Instagram) in an inspiration. She told me she had massive imposter syndrome coming on the podcast following on from last week's episode with Sian Berry, but genuinely what she has done and been doing has inspired me, and I'm pretty sure it will inspire you too.She was worried about the future her kids were facing, and how that potentially affected their mental health. So she went a step beyond worrying, and decided to spend a year doing one thing a day to make the world a better place. To be a better citizen of the world.And she's only gone and bloody well done it (we recorded this episode on day 365 of her year!), during a pandemic, she's managed to bring the rest of the family along for the ride too. She's shown her kids that she thinks their future is worth fighting for. That it's worth making some changes, and maybe some sacrifices for. She's shown them that we can all be activists. That we don't have to simply put up with, and despair about, the status quo, but that we can take steps to empower ourselves and to create positive change.And she's done it with humour and honesty about the good bits AND the not-so good bits - it's not a curated Insta perfect story, thank goodness...It's so important that the stories we share, the people we celebrate, the people we admire, aren't just the Greta's and David Attenborough's (although clearly they're doing amazing stuff). There are millions of awesome crap activists out there, having a go, getting it wrong, trying again. Who are changing the world without the recognition and accolades and applause. Enjoy this episode, let me know what you think and if you're inspired to take action and indulge in a little everyday activism, crap or otherwise..!Useful linksThe Crap Activist- InstagramAdidas recycled plastic trainersThe Knackered Mums Eco ClubSustainable(ish) Facebook groupWow! Are you inspired to indulge in a spot of imperfect eco-action after listening?Do let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times"Absolutely love this book - should be mandatory reading"Online review […]

Hmmm politics....I don't know about you but I think it's pretty easy to feel disengaged from politics - lots of (mostly) white, (mostly) men, working things for their own advantage and dragging their heels on stuff that would and could make a real difference. When it comes to the climate especially it feels like there's a lot of hot air and not a lot of action.Which is why it was so refreshing to chat in this episode to Sian Berry, co-leader of The Green Party. The Knackered Mums in the Knackered Mums Eco Club get to come along to listen in to the podcast recordings live, and then ask a few questions at the end. I LOVED this comment after the event “she was human and encouraging and passionate and that gave me hope.”Politics can feel like it's this big world of smoke and mirrors and that it's very difficult to effect change as an individual. It was great to chat to Sian and to hear that this doesn’t have to be the case – she gives us all lots of ideas for how to get involved, as busy people, and how we can have an impact on both local and national politics. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording this – do share your thoughts on the comments below or get in touch via social media.Enjoy!Useful linksSian Berry- Website- Facebook- Instagram- TwitterSian's books- 50 ways to help the planet- Junk for JoyThe Green Party- Website- Manifesto- Facebook- Twitter- InstagramThe Knackered Mums Eco ClubSustainable(ish) Facebook groupHow are you feeling after listening to this?Do let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times"Absolutely love this book - should be mandatory reading"Online review […]

Happy New Year!Although 2021 clearly didn’t get the memo, and is looking suspiciously like 2020 at the moment – how are you coping with it all? I have to say that I’m realising there’s a very good reason, in fact lots of very good reasons, why I’m not a teacher, and we’ll just leave that there….Lots of us have hopefully made New Years resolutions to be a bit more sustainable(ish) this year but my goodness it can be confusing sometimes to figure out what’s the ‘right’ or the ‘greenest’ thing to do can't it? There’s so much information out there on the interweb super highway, often contradictory, that sometimes it all gets so confusing that we end up feeling completely bamboozled and the easiest thing is to do nothing. Which is why I’m really excited to be chatting in this episode to Georgina Wilson-Powell, founder and editor of Pebble magazine, and now published author! Is it Really Green? came out last week, and dives into over 140 of the commonest eco conundrums, like which is better for the environment, washing up by hand or using a dishwasher, and what’s the environmental impact of loo roll. It really is a fab book (I’ll post a link to it in the show notes ), very dip in and out-able which for those of us juggling all the things right now is just the ticket. Enjoy this chat!Useful linksIs it Really Green?- Hive- Bookshop- And available in all good bookshops Pebble Magazine- Website- Facebook page- Pebble Pod Facebook Group- Instagram- TwitterThe Knackered Mums Eco ClubSustainable(ish) Facebook groupWhat 'eco-dilemmas' do you have?Do let me know in the comments! AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times"Absolutely love this book - should be mandatory reading"Online review […]