In this episode, I chat with Abby Chicken, Head of Sustainability at Openreach and Vice Chair of the Surrey Wildlife Trust, about how businesses can truly embrace sustainability beyond the token gestures.

Abby shares how companies can partner with conservation organisations, engage employees meaningfully, and make biodiversity a core part of their strategy—even if you're running a warehouse or an office. We also dig into how nature connection boosts mental health, employee retention, and even financial performance.

Whether you're an executive, an employee looking to spark change, or just someone wanting to make your workplace greener, this episode is full of actionable ideas to bring sustainability to life, one small (but impactful) step at a time. Don't miss Abby's tips on making changes that stick!

Here are the highlights:

(1:40) Challenges in Engaging Businesses on Biodiversity

(6:15) Building Bridges Between Industry and Charities

(11:46) Carbon Literacy and Its Impact

(27:28) Lessons Learned and Key Takeaways

(33:16) Making Sustainability Efforts Stick

(45:21)Addressing Common Excuses and Misconceptions

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Connect with Abby:

Abby Chicken | LinkedIn

Home | Surrey Wildlife Trust

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Emma Burlow | LinkedIn

In this episode, I unpack the power of simplifying your message to create real impact. It’s not about bombarding people with information but boiling things down to what truly matters—making your message simple, sticky, and shared.

I’ll walk you through why complicated messages fail and how cutting out the noise helps your ideas land (and stick). We also explore how small, meaningful actions can lead to big shifts when done intentionally.

From behaviour nudges to celebrating outcomes, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you share your work more effectively and amplify its impact. Let’s make sustainability stick.

Here are the highlights:

(2:03) Impactful Messaging

(4:44) The Importance of Simplicity

(8:00) Making Messages Stick

(14:03) The Role of Sharing

Links:

BJ Fogg Tiny Habits

https://youtu.be/jsbF9z6adAo?si=3IjiZGyEU8ZddEuU&t=26

Book Tiny Habits By Bj Fogg | New | 9780753553244 | World of Books

Or try your local library for a copy.

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Emma Burlow | LinkedIn

In this episode of "Straight Talking Sustainability," we tackle one of the biggest puzzles in modern business—why is circularity so challenging to implement? From rethinking ownership to reusing, repairing, and recycling, we explore the many loops that make up a circular economy and why so few businesses get it right. You’ll hear real-world examples of success and struggle, from pioneering companies embracing change to the systemic barriers holding others back.

We’ll also share actionable advice on how businesses can shift from wasteful, linear models to thriving circular systems that create value and build customer loyalty. Whether you're curious about circular design or wondering how to make reuse the default in your own business, this episode is packed with insights to inspire and motivate.

Here are the Highlights:

(02:55) The 10 R Strategies and Their Importance

(06:49) Barriers to Circular Business Models

(10:42) Consumer Behavior and Market Trends

(15:33) Mainstreaming Circularity

(19:17) Practical Steps for Implementing Circularity

Helpful Links:

R10 The Circular Economy: The 10R’s Model

CE100 CE100 | Lighthouse Sustainability

145 podcast episodes from circular businesses

Circular Economy Podcast with Catherine Weetman

Book a Power Hour with Emma

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Emma Burlow | LinkedIn