Straight Talking Sustainability

R – Regulate
E – Empathise
S- Stay Curious
E – Explore
T – Take Boundaries
In this episode, Emma shares hands-on advice for handling conversations with climate change deniers, especially in professional settings. Drawing on a real-life training experience with a group of engineers, she introduces her “RESET” model—a practical framework for navigating challenging interactions without losing your composure or confidence.
Key Topics
Why conversations about climate are difficult and often avoided 02:22
Emotional triggers and the importance of self-regulation 04:22
The “RESET” approach for managing climate denial:
R: Regulate yourself – Pause, breathe, slow down, and control your body language to prevent being triggered 04:22
E: Empathize first – Acknowledge good questions and the other person's perspective without jumping to correct or lecture 06:21
S: Stay curious – Ask clarifying questions and explore which aspects the other person is unsure about, rather than reacting defensively 08:32
E: Explore their thinking – Use your expertise when relevant and clarify uncertainties for the benefit of the whole group 12:22
T: Take boundaries – Set clear limits and keep the space constructive without agreeing to falsehoods 15:46
Why expertise is not required to respond effectively; your role is to facilitate safe and respectful discussion 19:52
The goal: Diffuse defensiveness, stay respectful, and make everyone else in the room feel safe and heard 21:01

Takeaways
You don’t need all the answers; regulate yourself, stay curious and respectful 22:40
The RESET model helps you stay grounded in difficult conversations and maintain a constructive environment for all 23:13
Most important: Holding the space and lowering defensiveness is more valuable than “winning” the argument 21:01

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When trolls explain science to scientists
How to Respond to Climate Change Deniers | Rainforest Alliance
How to Talk to a Climate Denier Part 1 EP22
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In this episode, Emma sits down with Adam Bastock, founder of Small 99 and the grassroots movement People Planet Pint. The conversation dives into Adam Bastock's journey from digital marketing to sustainability, the origins and evolution of People Planet Pint, and the critical role of community-led action in making real, lasting change.
Key Topics
Adam Bastock's Background & Motivation
Started in digital marketing, specializing in SEO for SMEs (01:25).
Noticed sustainability advice, like digital marketing, was often aimed at big companies and hard for small businesses to implement (01:41).
Frustration with lack of SME-focused sustainability guidance inspired the creation of Small99 (02:55).

Small99 & People Planet Pint (PPP)
Small99: Aims to empower small businesses to decarbonize rapidly thanks to their nimble decision-making (03:07).
People Planet Pint: Born from the realization that business owners are more likely to gather in pubs than formal training rooms—turning the traditional networking and learning model on its head (06:38).
Lessons from experimentation: Tech tools like to-do lists and online calculators weren’t as effective for SMEs as community and peer support (06:07).

Community, Behaviour Change, & The Magic of the Pub
Real, lasting behavior change happens in informal, social spaces—over a pint, not in a classroom (09:08).
Events like PPP remove the threat and formality of standard sustainability events, providing a "safe space" for networking and support (18:35).
Mini games and monthly themes have proven a powerful way to spark conversations and learning (10:48, 30:07).

Failures and Learnings: People Planet Pastry
Attempted morning meetups ("pastry"), but found them less accessible, often attracting a more privileged, professional crowd (10:29).
Realized morning networking isn't for everyone—validated the pub as the most inclusive, accessible space (11:16).

The Role of Technology & AI
Tech (including AI) can now generate carbon reduction plans for free, making human-to-human connection the true unique value PPP offers (13:51).
Nothing yet replaces the spark of real conversation and shared experience in the pub (14:15).

Working With the National Emergency Briefing
PPP complements the National Emergency Briefing: watch the hard-hitting film, then come to the pub to share, vent, and act (18:28).
Emphasis on being welcoming and non-threatening for those who might feel out of place at activist-run events (20:14).

Impact & Growth
Since 2021, PPP runs about 80 events monthly, with more than 35,000 registrants (22:54).
Dream: To become the "Parkrun of sustainability"—consistent, safe, locally run events driving exponential growth and deeper community (24:09).

Expanding the Movement
Looking to break out from the sustainability sector regulars to engage the "quietly concerned"—people who care about climate but don’t feel part of the movement yet (28:19).
Open to partnerships, sponsorships, and new chapter (location) hosts—especially brands and influencers with wide reach (29:55).

How To Get Involved
Attend your local People Planet Pint event—bring a friend for the most impact (36:48).
Interested in hosting or partnering? Connect with Adam Bastock via LinkedIn or at small99.co.uk (40:11).
Help PPP reach 200,000: listeners, partners, and sponsors wanted!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, share, and subscribe so more people can find ways to take practical, community-driven climate action.
Send in your guest suggestions for the upcoming 100th episode!
LINKS
https://small99.co.uk/find-people-planet-pint-near-you/
https://small99.co.uk/action-box/
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In this special episode, the usual host Emma is interviewed by her colleague and co-founder of Not Sustainable, Rebecca Watson. The tables are turned as Emma shares her journey, expertise, and reflections on her 30-year career in sustainability. The conversation covers her background, the evolution of her work, her approach to training and advisory, and her motivation for supporting individuals and organisations in delivering meaningful sustainability action.
Highlights & Key Topics
Emma’s Background & Career Path
Started in sustainability in 1997, with a degree in Environmental Science and early experience in conservation and compliance (01:08)
Pivoted to work in climate and set up Lighthouse Sustainability, focusing on training and advisory work (01:55)

Approach to Training
Majority of Lighthouse’s work is carbon literacy training, including workshops, short courses, and "train the trainer" programmes (04:00)
Emphasis on building capacity in organisations by embedding skills internally (05:11)

Ideal Clients & Advisory Work
Works with a variety of organisations, from SMEs to large corporates (e.g., B&Q, BT, Openreach) (07:02)
Focused on helping organisations cut through complexity and set meaningful priorities (08:23)

Strategic Impact & Board-Level Support
Helps organisations integrate sustainability strategically, not just as an add-on (10:24)
Experience as a board member and strategic advisor, including roles such as CSO (13:13)

Hearts & Minds: The Importance of Motivation
Sustainability training is about engaging people’s values and motivations, not just technical knowledge (22:38)

Advice for Listeners
Don’t get stuck in the weeds: focus on what's material and significant (32:02)
Start where you are, leverage your influence, and don’t hesitate to seek external support or coaching (33:01)

Additional Resources
Not Sustainable Not Sustainable
The Carbon Literacy Project: carbonliteracy.com

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In this episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, Emma welcomes Lucy Hawthorne, founder of Climate Play, to unpack how play—especially using LEGO—can be a powerful tool in making sustainability engagement more effective and enjoyable. They discuss the neuroscience of play, overcoming cynicism, and practical facilitation techniques to unlock creativity and connection in sustainability journeys.
Key Topics
Lucy Hawthorne's journey from environmental campaigning to play-based sustainability facilitation 02:11
The limitations of traditional moralistic and fear-based sustainability approaches 02:46
Introduction to LEGO Serious Play as a facilitation method 06:45
How using LEGO unlocks new ways of thinking, connection, and imagination 08:52
The science: neuroscience of play and embodied cognition 08:56, 19:51
Overcoming organizational resistance to play-based methods 12:34, 14:50
A live micro LEGO exercise exploring the "Three Horizons" future-thinking tool 19:24
How facilitation via play can level hierarchies and increase inclusive participation 26:36
The importance of imagination and creating positive, strengths-based visions of the future in sustainability work 31:03
Expanding play-based facilitation across sectors—business, academia, coaching, and more 35:09
Playfulness as a mindset: responding to uncertainty and experimenting beyond the status quo 38:21

Standout Quotes
"What if sustainability wasn’t so miserable?" — Lucy Hawthorne 13:56
"The LEGO is the method, but the mindset is about being willing to experiment and see opportunities." — Lucy Hawthorne 38:21

Connect with Lucy Hawthorne
Website: climateplay.org

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In this episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, Emma discusses the emotional and practical impacts of climate change amidst record-breaking heat in the UK. She dives into the ways misinformation and social media can fuel anxiety and helplessness, and highlights how the People's Emergency Briefing provides both vital information and a sense of community. Emma reflects on her own skepticism about community events, the key lessons from the briefing—including the economics, health, and security implications of climate change—and actionable steps listeners can take to get involved and inspire real change.
Key Topics
Climate anxiety, doomscrolling, and the emotional toll of environmental crises
Misinformation on social media and the importance of community
The People's Emergency Briefing: format, impact, and key speakers (celebrities, scientists, military strategist, NHS doctor, energy economists, and more)
The economics of the UK energy transition: why renewables make sense
Health impacts of climate change, with input from NHS professionals
Security and global threats posed by the climate crisis
The importance of shifting from just facts to community-led action
Practical ways to get involved: attending and hosting screenings, workplace discussions, and community-building

Resources & Links
People’s Emergency Briefing: nebriefing.org
Map of screenings (mainly UK, with some international)
Information on how to host your own screening
Workplace version coming soon (about 30 minutes)
Write to your MP: Follow the call to action to urge Parliament to debate a National Emergency Briefing, modeled on COVID updates
Lighthouse Sustainability: lighthouse-sustainability.co.uk
Connect with Emma on LinkedIn Emma Burlow | LinkedIn

Actions You Can Take
Attend a Screening: Find a local showing of the People’s Emergency Briefing or watch online.
Host Your Own Event: Bring the film to your school, workplace, church, or community group.
Spread the Word: Share the film and the podcast with friends, colleagues, and on social media.
Engage in Positive Community Building: Use social media as a tool for connection rather than division.
Invite Global Perspectives: If you're outside the UK, reach out to Emma to share how climate change is affecting your region.

Connect & Share
Send your ideas for future episodes to Emma
Share the episode with anyone who’d benefit from it
Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your preferred platform

Let's keep learning and taking action together!
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