Stories for the future

This episode is about something that hit harder than I expected when I lost my job in oil and gas: Not the income. Not the office.But the identity.Who was I if I wasn't “Veslemøy, the geophysicist”?What was I supposed to say at parties, in my bio, or when someone casually asked, “So, what do you do?”In this solo episode, I talk about how I’d unknowingly tied my self-worth to my job title — and what happened when that label disappeared.You’ll hear how I started peeling back the layers, reconnecting with parts of myself I’d shelved for years, and learning how to sketch a new identity from the inside out.🧰 This episode is part of The Quiet Pivot Companion PackA simple Notion-based toolkit designed to support you if you’re navigating a career pivot — especially if it wasn’t entirely by choice.In today’s episode, I reference a couple of the tools:The Identity Sketch Pad and the mind hack I like to call Put Your Professional Identity on the Shelf📦 Want the Companion Pack?You can get it two ways:🔑 Paying Substack subscribers get full access: vklavenes.substack.comOr if you prefer a one-off download instead; go to storiesforthefuture.com/pivotI really hope you will find this valuable - wheter going all in with the Pivot Pack, or just by listening to the podcast episodes. Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.com

If you've ever felt torn between making a difference and making a living, this episode is here to help you reframe that tension - and start building something more sustainable. Both for the planet. And for yourself.My guest today is Judith Hartlmaier, co-founder of Positive Impactpreneur — a business built on a powerful mission: to support the supporters.Judith works with solo practitioners, consultancies, and support organizations in the impact sector — helping them blend revenue with regenerative, systems-oriented work. In other words, she helps the helpers design businesses that actually work — for their clients, the world, and their own sanity.We talk aboutWhy pricing your work fairly is part of the impactWhat blended value creation actually means (and why you need it)How to create ripple effects in complex systemsThe real reason many well-intentioned changemakers burn out - and what to do insteadHow to show up in a chaotic world and still build something that lastsWhether you’re an impact-driven solopreneur, a facilitator in transition, or a curious systems-thinker, this episode is packed with insights, clarity, and hope for the regenerative economy we know is possible.About Judith Hartlmaier:Judith is a regenerative strategist, systems thinker, and founder of Positive Impactpreneur — a consultancy and accelerator helping service-based changemakers build financially sustainable, systemically impactful businesses. Through programs like the Catalytic Change Accelerator and the Impact–Revenue Alignment Program, she supports solo practitioners and support organizations in designing outcome-driven learning journeys that blend deep impact with solid revenue. With a background spanning consulting, education, the arts, and entrepreneurship, Judith is all about connecting the dots, reframing challenges, and helping leaders thrive in a future-focused, regenerative economy..As part of celebrating 5 years of Positive Impactpreneur, they are sharing their insights on solving the Impact-Revenue Paradox, the challenge of balancing meaningful work with financial sustainability. The free 5-part masterclass is particularly designed for impact-driven service professionals.It includes: ✔ Proven frameworks for embedding Impact–Revenue Alignment into your business ✔ A 90-day roadmap to land high-impact, well-paid bespoke projects ✔ Downloadable guides, self-assessments & checklists to apply the insights right away ✔ A few slots for booking a free Impact-Revenue Alignment Audit🔗 Connect with Judith:🌐 Website: positiveimpactpreneur.com🎓 Free Masterclass: The Impact Revenue Paradox💼 LinkedIn: Judith Hartlmaier🎧 If you liked this episode, consider subscribing, sharing it with your fellow changemakers - or leaving a review. And as always, come say hi or join the conversation over at Stories for the Future on Substack.Let’s keep building bridges - and businesses - that are good for more than just the bottom line.Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.comMentioned in this episode:Thanks to Creative Space for supporting this episode! Visit getcreativespace.com

Welcome to a new mini series on Stories for the Future! I call it The Quiet Pivot.Ever find yourself in that weird limbo where your job just doesn’t vibe with who you are anymore? That’s what I like to call the "Quiet Pivot," and yes, I’ve been there. After saying goodbye to the oil and gas industry in 2016, I experienced that unsettling space where the old me didn’t fit, but the new me was still trying to find a new direction. In this miniseries, I’m diving into those transitions, sharing stories, and offering tools to help navigate this tricky terrain. So whether you’re facing a career shake-up, feeling like a square peg in a round hole, or just wondering what’s next, you’re definitely not alone—and you don’t have to have it all figured out just yet! Let's explore this journey together, shall we?Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.comTakeaways: The Quiet Pivot is all about navigating that confusing space between past identities and future possibilities when work stops making sense. You're not alone in feeling like your career has become a puzzle with missing pieces; many are navigating similar waters, so let's figure it out together! It's totally okay not to have everything figured out right away; remember, life isn't a race, it's more like a casual stroll through a fun park! Change often feels scary, but it can lead to amazing opportunities and connections that you never knew existed; embrace the unexpected and stay curious! This podcast aims to provide practical strategies and emotional support for anyone in a career transition, helping you rediscover who you are beyond your job title. Join me on this journey of exploration where we'll tackle the challenges of change with humor, curiosity, and a ton of uplifting stories! Come join me on Substack and be ready when I publish The Quiet Pivot Companion Pack:vklavenes.substack.com

Holly Smith is shaking things up in the world of impact investing, and trust me, you don’t want to miss this one! At just 25, she’s already made quite the splash, transitioning from a psychology background to making a dent in the world of sustainable finance. Now based in Singapore, Holly’s not just talking the talk; she’s part of running a venture studio that’s all about driving positive change, alongside hosting monthly impact investing coffee mornings for changemakers.If you’ve ever thought finance was just for the experts, consider this your wake-up call! We’re diving into how money can be a powerful tool for good, and Holly’s here to show us that finance is not the enemy; it’s all about who uses this as a tool and how. And that's not all. I promise, you'll be both inspired and impressed. Enjoy! Connect with Holly on LinkedIn.Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.comFor more writing, all podcast updates and behind-the-scenes stuff, go to vklavenes.substack.com

Burnout can hit hard, especially when you're doing what you think is your dream job. In this conversation with Danielle Droitsch, we dive deep into her journey through decades of climate and conservation work, and how she found herself hitting that famous wall. She opens up about the importance of rediscovering your purpose and aligning your career with your strengths to truly find fulfillment. We also explore the emotional toll of navigating today’s chaotic political landscape and how resilience, health, and action are key to staying afloat. If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck in a rut or questioning your path, this episode is packed with insights and strategies that might just light your way forward. Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.comLinks referenced in this episode:time4wellbeing.comReach out to Danielle on LinkedIn For more on career change, impact work, Future Fluency and everything related to how we move towards a better future, head over to Stories for the Future on Substack!Mentioned in this episode:Thanks to Creative Space for supporting this episode! Visit getcreativespace.com

Exploring the world of rooftop solar, we dive into how we can make clean energy not just a dream but a financially viable reality. Today I chat with Noaa Cohn, the VP of Product at InRange, where they’re shaking up the old-school solar mindset. We’ll uncover how they’re aligning the interests of landlords and tenants to roll out solar installations that not only benefit the environment but also make economic sense. If you're curious about how data-driven decisions can drive the energy transition forward, you should give this a listen! Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.comWant to support the podcast production? You can do that here.Takeaways from this episode: We dive into solar energy's untapped potential on commercial rooftops, highlighting its financial viability and environmental impact. Noaa Cohn from Inrange shares her journey from tech to climate impact, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making in sustainability. We explore the unique challenges of aligning landlord-tenant incentives for rooftop solar installations while ensuring everyone benefits financially. The conversation highlights the role of community and individual action in combating climate anxiety, encouraging small, local initiatives for greater impact. The episode emphasizes the importance of building networks and connections in the climate space to share knowledge, opportunities, and support each other. Links referenced in this episode:InRangeConnect with Noaa on LinkedInClimatebasestoriesforthefuture.comvklavenes.substack.comMentioned in this episode:Creative SpaceThis episode is supported by Creative Space. Find out more at getcreativespace.comCreative SpaceThis episode is supported by Creative Space. Find out more at getcreativespace.com

Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.comMy guest today is Siddharth Sareen, an award-winning Research Professor working at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Norway. Highlights: We explore the energy transition in Norway, emphasizing the need for systemic changes over individual actions, with a global perspective. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration across sectors, blending academic knowledge with artistic expressions to drive societal change. Siddharth's interdisciplinary approach integrates environmental science with social equity, revealing the complex layers of energy governance and its implications for justice. The podcast delves into the Beyond Oil conference, discussing its evolution from focusing on solutions to adapting to changing climate futures and societal challenges. A key takeaway is the role of storytelling and art in communicating complex issues, making academia accessible and relatable to the wider public. Siddharth shares insights on energy poverty in Norway, emphasizing that even in a wealthy country, many people face significant challenges related to energy access. Links referenced in this episode:Siddharth on LinkedInBeyond Oil Conferencevklavenes.substack.comMentioned in this episode:getcreativespace.com

Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of climate solutions with Pepin van Dijk. Pepin’s work with Carbon Fix is all about finding those bold, early-stage ideas—what we like to call "moonshots"—that can actually make a dent in our carbon problem. We chat about the importance of collaboration and how even in these chaotic times, innovative thinking can lead to impactful changes. Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.comTakeaways: In this episode, we emphasize the importance of collaboration and innovation in tackling climate change, as we explore various perspectives and solutions. Pepijn van Dijk, our guest today, shares his journey through the worlds of business, politics, and humanitarian work, highlighting the interconnectedness of these fields. We discuss the concept of 'moonshots'—bold, early-stage ideas that, if successful, could significantly impact climate solutions and sustainability efforts. The conversation underscores that in these chaotic times, it's crucial to focus on action over talk, bridging the gap between ambition and tangible efforts. Pepijn elaborates on his work with Carbon Fix, where they fund innovative projects aimed at carbon reduction and sustainable practices, emphasizing the need for systemic change. Lastly, we reflect on the power of storytelling in making complex climate issues relatable and inspiring action, as it's stories that truly resonate with people. Links referenced in this episode:carbonfix.orgPepijn van Dijk on LinkedInvklavenes.substack.comstoriesforthefuture.comMentioned in this episode:CS longCheck out Creative Space at getcreativespace.com

Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.com and follow me on Substack at vklavenes.substack.comIn this episode we’re diving deep into the world of political polarization and media literacy.Join me as I chat with David Beckemeyer, the host of the Outrage Overload podcast, who brings some insightful perspectives on how we can navigate through the noise of outrage culture. Takeaways:This episode emphasizes the importance of exploring different viewpoints to tackle polarization effectively, encouraging listeners to move beyond binary thinking. David Beckemeyer shares insights on political polarization and media literacy, highlighting strategies to reduce toxic outrage in our lives. Building bridges through honest conversations and understanding is essential for fostering connections in a divided world, as discussed in this episode. The podcast advocates for critical thinking when consuming media, urging people to be mindful of the information they engage with to avoid emotional manipulation. David's journey into podcasting stems from a desire to understand and address the societal impacts of outrage and polarization, making this work more relevant than ever. Links referenced in this episode:The Outrage Overload PodcastConnect with David: outrageoverload@gmail.com or on LinkedIn

Today, I'm excited to share some big news that’s been brewing in my mind for a while now. I'm broadening the scope of Stories for the Future beyond just energy and climate talk, diving into the juicy stuff about how we can shift our thinking and break out of those echo chambers. It’s not just about transitioning energy systems anymore; it’s about transitioning how we relate to each other in this increasingly divided world. I’ve realized that so many of us are stuck in “us versus them” mentalities, whether it’s in politics or discussions around sustainability, and I want to explore how we can find common ground instead.Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.