Stories for the future: Recent Episodes

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🎙️ Episode Summary

A short update on how a project changed shape after taking part in the Energiomstillerne program by cCHANGE.

I went in with a plan to build a coalition connected to this podcast. I came out with a different approach. Not a new intention, but a shift in how to move forward.

This episode is about:

Letting go of the idea of building something from scratch

Paying attention to where energy and momentum already exist

Returning to a book project I had put aside

Exploring the human side of the energy transition

I also share reflections on Life After Oil, a UK-based initiative creating space for people transitioning out of oil and gas.

🔗 Links

Energiomstillerne (cCHANGE):https://www.cchange.no/pages/energiomstillerne

Earlier episode with Dina Hestad from cCHANGE: https://vklavenes.substack.com/p/what-norways-energy-transition-needs-537

Life After Oil:https://lifeafteroil.net/

Website:https://storiesforthefuture.com

Substack:https://vklavenes.substack.com

💬

If this resonates, I’d really like to hear from you. You can reply on Substack or reach out via my website.

Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

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Before diving into more guests and technologies, I wanted to pause and ask:

What do I actually want this season to do?

In this short solo episode, I share:

• Why collaboration in the energy transition is often misunderstood

• Why it’s less like rowing in sync — and more like rafting

• What this season will focus on

• And how the podcast will evolve going forward

The energy transition doesn’t just need better technology. It needs better conversations.

🌊 Read the Substack Post

I recently wrote about the difference between rowing and rafting — and why real collaboration doesn’t mean moving in perfect sync.

👉 Not Rowing. Rafting. https://vklavenes.substack.com/p/not-rowing-rafting

What’s Coming This Season

• Monthly deep dives into concrete energy solutions

• Conversations across difference (not debates)

• Short reflections on leadership, complexity, and mindset

• Occasional spotlights on people working at the intersection of inner development and outer impact

If this season works, I hope we become a little less certain — and a little more capable of building something together.

Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

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This is a short, unscheduled episode.

No guest. Just me.

I’m sharing why I built Future Vision, a simple tool designed to help you explore a possible future before you commit to it.

If you’re navigating a career pivot, building something new, questioning your direction, or standing at a crossroads, this tool helps you:

• Step into a future scenario

• Notice what excites you

• Spot blind spots and assumptions

• Feel what aligns, and what doesn’t

It’s not about prediction. It’s about clarity.

Until March 8. 2026, Future Vision is available free to all Substack subscribers. After that, it moves into the paid Future Fluency space.

If you’re curious, this is your window.

👉 Try it here: https://vklavenes.substack.com/p/what-if-you-could-see-your-future

If you use it, I’d genuinely love to hear what you think!

— Veslemøy

Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

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Geothermal energy is often described as a stable, low-emission energy source. Yet in countries like Norway, it rarely features in public conversations about the energy transition.

In this episode of Stories for the Future, I sit down with Stian Engebretsen, Product Manager at Aspen Technology and a long-time geothermal enthusiast, to explore what geothermal energy actually is, how it works, and why it deserves closer attention.

We talk about:

• What geothermal energy is.

• The difference between traditional geothermal and newer technologies like enhanced geothermal systems.

• What is happening in Norway today. And what is holding geothermal back.

• How advances in modelling, simulation, and drilling technology are changing what’s possible.

• Who should be paying attention to geothermal. From engineers and energy professionals to policymakers and curious outsiders.

This episode is the first monthly deep dive of the season. A format designed to slow down, go deeper, and build shared understanding across different perspectives in the energy transition.

Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

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What if mistakes aren’t something to hide or avoid. but something we can actually work with?

In this episode of Stories for the Future, I’m joined by Andrea Wodniok for a playful, honest conversation about messiness, inner critics, and learning to screw up happy.

Andrea works with applied improv, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the Hero’s Journey. She helps people with public speaking, communication, creativity, and confidence. always with a strong focus on playfulness, presence, and being human.

Together, we explore:

• Why we’re often so afraid of getting things wrong

• What improv can teach us about courage and uncertainty

• How ACT helps loosen the grip of the inner critic

• Why mistakes don’t define us. but often help us grow

• And how a little more playfulness might help us treat both ourselves and each other better

This episode is part of the Creative Space series, where I speak with members of the Creative Space community about meaningful work, good lives, and navigating change with curiosity and care for both people and planet.

🔗 Links & resources

Andrea Wodniok

• Website

• LinkedIn

Creative Space

• Learn more about the community: https://creativespace.community

Listen & join the conversation on Fountain

• Listen on Fountain and comment on the episode: https://fountain.fm/show/HCauLD0VwNtnLP8CZ5KU

On Fountain, you can comment directly on episodes, join the listener community, and support the podcast simply by listening.

🌱 About Stories for the Future

Stories for the Future is a podcast about breaking out of echo chambers, building bridges, and finding meaningful work in a changing world.

You can find me and my work here:

• Podcast & website

• Substack

If this episode resonated, feel free to share it with someone who might need a reminder not to take everything so seriously. And, as always. don’t be afraid to screw up happy.

Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

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In this episode I sit down with Charles Odom, solo founder of Painted Circle, a purpose-driven travel platform that’s reimagining how we book — and experience — travel.

Charles shares why being intentional with our travel choices matters now more than ever, how the traditional tourism model is broken, and what it means to travel in a way that benefits both you and the communities you visit. You’ll also hear the story behind Painted Circle, the surprising economics of travel commissions, and why travel can be one of the most powerful tools we have in a divided world.

This is the first episode in a new mini-series spotlighting members of Creative Space — a global community for solopreneurs, coaches and creatives.

💡 What We Talk About:

1. The meaning of intentional travel

2. The hidden costs of online booking platforms

3. Why Painted Circle doesn’t take commissions from tour operators

4. How to create travel memories that truly last

5. The ups and downs of solopreneurship — and the power of community

🔗 Links & Resources:

1. 🌍 Painted Circle – Travel with Purpose

2. 💸 Use code STORIES for a discount on the Travel Pass

3. 🧠 Creative Space Community

4. 🎙️ Learn more about the podcast: storiesforthefuture.com

5. 📝 Subscribe to Veslemøy’s newsletter: vklavenes.substack.com

🗣️ Let’s Connect:

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or drop me a message. I’d love to hear your thoughts — and your own stories of intentional travel.

Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.

Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

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Geothermal at GeoEnergy 2025, Bergen, Norway

A special episode recorded in Bergen, Norway

Did you know the heat beneath our feet could power communities almost anywhere in the world?

In this episode, I take you with me to GeoEnergy 2025, a conference dedicated entirely to geothermal energy — from shallow systems to deep wells and next-generation closed-loop designs.

I share my own journey into geothermal, what I learned at the conference, and short conversations with people working across the field. If you’re curious about geothermal or work in oil & gas and wonder how your subsurface skills can transfer: this one’s for you.

🔊 Voices from the Episode

Featuring short interviews and insights from:

• Bjarte Lønøy, GEAN – Geothermal Energy Association of Norway

• Kirsti Midttømme, NORCE

• Kim Gunn Maver, Green Therma

• Jesper Moberg, Norsk Retningsboring

• Øystein Klemetsdal, SINTEF Digital

What You’ll Learn

• What geothermal energy actually is (in simple language)

• Why Norway has huge potential — and big drilling challenges

• New closed-loop systems (“underground thermos bottles”)

• How oil & gas skills translate directly into geothermal

• Why visibility, communication, and scale matter

• How digital twins can accelerate deployment

💛 Thank You

Huge thanks to GEAN, and especially Bjarte Lønøy and Kirsti Midttømme, for welcoming me into the geothermal community at GeoEnergy 2025.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone curious about the future of energy.

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

Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

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🎙️ Episode: Get Off the Fence – Leadership Lessons for a Warming World

What happens when leadership replaces drama with disciplined choice?

This week, I sit down with Charles Sheppard — author, professor of leadership, and founder of World Bridge University — to explore how systems thinking can help us move from confusion to clarity in the face of climate change.

Charlie has spent decades helping people and organizations escape the Drama Triangle — the cycle of Victim, Rescuer, and Adversary — and replace it with The Leadership Triangle: Visionary, Catalyst, and Coach. Now he’s applying that same framework to the climate crisis.

We talk about why so many people still sit on the fence, how disinformation and social media shape our beliefs, and what it means to lead — in our families, workplaces, and communities — when the stakes couldn’t be higher.

💬 In this episode:

• Why leadership and systems thinking are key to tackling the climate crisis

• How to reach the “middle 60%” who still sit on the fence

• The role of language, storytelling, and education in climate communication

• What we can learn from his new venture, World Bridge University

• How AI (and even biotech!) fit into his vision for a better future

🌍 About Charles Sheppard
Charles Sheppard is a Professor of Leadership, author of Get Off the Fence and Save Your Drama for Your Mama, and founder of World Bridge University. He’s also the cofounder of Arjuna Therapeutics, a biotech company developing breakthrough cancer treatments — and a passionate advocate for systems thinking, education reform, and climate leadership.

🪴 Connect with Charles

• Website

• Book: Get Off the Fence – Amazon

• LinkedIn

• World Bridge University

• Arjuna Therapeutics

🌟 If you enjoyed this episode
Please share it with a friend or colleague who’s ready to get off the fence.

And if you haven’t yet, subscribe to Stories for the Future on your favorite platform — or join me on Substack for behind-the-scenes reflections and future fluency insights.

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

Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

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In this special episode of Stories for the Future, I moderate a panel at the Beyond Oil Conference 2025: Changing Climate Futures conference in Bergen.

Our theme: Actionable Hope in a Changing Climate Future.

We talk about what hope does when the world feels like it’s unraveling — and what it looks like when hope becomes something you act on.

In this episode you’ll hear voices from science, media, creative arts and strategy — and come away with ideas for how to lean into hope, not just as a feeling, but as a modality of change.

👥 Panel & Conference Links
Here are the people on the panel and links to their work so you can dive deeper:

• Kikki Flesche Kleiven — Director of the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Bergen. Marine geologist by training; leads a large interdisciplinary climate‑research centre.

• Petter Gulli — Founder & Chief Hope Officer at 12YEARS; an outspoken climate optimist, strategist and author of HOPE – A practical guide for climate optimists.

• Thea Emilie Maubach‑Vindnes — Spokesperson for the media initiative Verdens Beste Nyheter (“The World’s Best News”), and also affiliated with the civil‑society group Changemaker. Verdens beste nyheter

• Anne Beate Hovind — Chair of the Future Library project. This is a century‑long literary/art project where 1,000 trees were planted in Nordmarka, and each year one author contributes a manuscript, to be published in 2114. About the project: https://www.futurelibrary.no/ futurelibrary.no

• Conference reference: Beyond Oil 2025: Changing Climate Futures — An interdisciplinary, international biennial conference hosted by the Centre for Climate and Energy Transformation (CET) at the University of Bergen.

• Conference website: https://www.uib.no/en/cet/173079/beyond-oil-2025-changing-climate-futures

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

Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

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What comes to mind when you hear mining? Pollution? Destruction? Now add the word sustainable — does it feel contradictory?

In this episode, I speak with Donna Kitsos, a Singapore-based expert in global markets, energy, and innovation, about what sustainable mining actually means. With a background in coal trading and a career now focused on climate tech and circular solutions, Donna shares how mining is evolving — and why it’s more important than ever to understand that shift.

🔑 Key Topics

• What “sustainable mining” really means

• How innovation is reshaping extraction and supply chains

• The role of AI, biomining, recycling, and circular systems

• Why collaboration and transparency are key to progress

👤 About Donna Kitsos
Donna has 20+ years in financial/physical commodities, venture, and energy innovation. Today, she works with early-stage technologies that transform mining and sustainability from the ground up.

Learn more: prospectinnovation.com

World Economic Forum’s UpLink Mining Challenge

Donna 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.com or vklavenes.substack.com

Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

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In this episode of Stories for the Future, I’m joined by storyteller, game designer, and creative force Dain Saint — someone who doesn’t just talk about change, but invites people to practice it through immersive storytelling, collaborative world-building, and art.

We recorded this conversation a few months ago, but it feels even more relevant today. Especially in a time of political tension, uncertainty, and fear, we talk about how imagination, empathy, and interactive experiences can help us stay connected — and prepare us for the future we actually want to live in.

Dain also shares insights from his work in journalism, immersive theatre, and game design — including how changing what it means to “win” the game can fundamentally shift how we live and lead.

We talk about:

• What interactive storytelling really is — and why it matters
• The role of empathy in imagining better futures
• Practicing democracy through games (!)
• What it feels like to live through turbulent times in the US
• The difference between truth and honesty
• Why art, play, and participation are vital right now

🔗 Links & Resources:

Learn more about Dain’s work on his website.

Reckless Magic

Connect with me and find more episodes at storiesforthefuture.com

Subscribe to my newsletter on Substack

💬 If this episode spoke to you…

Please consider sharing it with someone you think would enjoy it — and leave a quick rating or review on your podcast platform. It really helps the show reach more thoughtful listeners like you.

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

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What if solving climate change starts with better conversations, not just better tech?

In this episode, I talk with Tessa Hartman, a climate anthropologist and facilitator, about why culture shapes how we perceive and respond to climate challenges. We explore how empathy, social norms, and smart design can unlock new ways of working together – even across deep divides.

🎙️ In this episode:

• What a “climate anthropologist” actually does
• How culture, identity, and worldview shape climate action
• The power of asking why in tough conversations
• UX design meets sustainability – making solutions people actually want to use
• Bridge-building between “opposing” groups
• Lessons from Norway’s first national Citizen Assembly on climate and wealth

🔗 Resources mentioned:

Tessa Hartman on LinkedIn

Klimaantropologen (in Norwegian)

The Future Panel / Citizen Assembly (English site)

Book: Humankind by Rutger Bregman

Climate designer Katie Patrick

Stories for the Future

Veslemøy’s Substack

🙌 If you enjoyed this episode:

Share it with someone who cares about climate, culture, or community.

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple or Spotify – it helps more than you know!

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

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Do you ever feel like you’re too many things at once – curious about everything, yet unsure how it all fits together?

In this episode, I sit down with writer, speaker, and community-builder Charlie Rogers, whose upcoming book Undefinable Life Design offers a much-needed framework for those of us who resist being put in a box.

Charlie shares:

• What it means to live “intentionally beyond conventional labels”
• His framework forundefinable life design
• The power of embracing a semi-professional approach to your many interests
• How to identify your Golden Thread – the through-line that connects everything you love
• The emotional (and practical) work of leaving identities behind
• His wild ultra-marathon and what it taught him about self-trust
• The values that define his community of “undefinables”

Whether you’re a creative generalist, a multi-hyphenate, or just someone with 96 browser tabs open at once, this conversation is your permission to stop choosing and start integrating.

🔗 Resources & Mentions: Charlie’s newsletter & updates on his upcoming book * The Portfolio Collective – where we first connected * Charlie's LinkedIn * Website:* Undefinable Life Design

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 vklavenes.substack.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Thanks to Creative Space for supporting this episode!Visit getcreativespace.com

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In this episode, I sit down with Morgan DeNicola, Executive Director of the DeNicola Family Foundation, to explore how curiosity, humor, and empathy can create bridges across even the most polarized divides.

We talk about her journey from special education into international diplomacy, what it really means to listen, and how she stays grounded while working on everything from orphanages to conservation projects to cross-cultural negotiation.

🔑 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How Morgan transitioned from teaching to global diplomacy
• The overlooked link between classrooms and cross-cultural negotiation
• Why true diplomacy begins with setting your own ego aside
• How to build bridges with people you disagree with — without shrinking yourself
• What it means to truly listen (and why most of us don’t)
• The “swinging pendulum” of mental health in mission-driven work
• Why conservation work can bring unlikely allies together

🛠️ Resources & Mentions:

The deNicola Family Foundation

Elmwood Park Zoo

The Humpty Dumpty Institute

Morgan on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok

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

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In this episode, I’m joined by executive coach and strategic advisor Sylvana Rochet, who works with founders, CXOs, and visionary leaders at companies like Slack, Tesla, Netflix, and Apple. We talk about how to lead through uncertainty without losing your purpose — and yourself.

Sylvana shares:

• What conscious leadership looks like in times of crisis
• How to manage identity shifts during career pivots
• Her “Three Cs” framework for navigating big transitions
• Why emotional intelligence is the most underrated leadership skill

Connect with Sylvana Rochet:

🌐 Website: https://www.elanvital.co/

🎙️ Podcast: Life by Intention Podcast (Listen here)

🔗 LinkedIn: Sylvana Rochet

More from Veslemøy:

💌 Newsletter & blog: vklavenes.substack.com

🌿 Website & podcast hub: storiesforthefuture.com

🎧 This episode was made possible with support from Creative Space – a brilliant community of coaches, creatives, and solopreneurs who inspire and support my work daily.

Mentioned in this episode:

Thanks to Creative Space for supporting this episode!Visit getcreativespace.com

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What happens when climate change itself becomes a censored word?

In this episode, I speak with Tom Schueneman - journalist, blogger, podcaster, and longtime climate communicator behind GlobalWarmingisReal.com.

For more than 20 years, Tom has been on the frontlines of climate communication, documenting how politics, disinformation, and propaganda shape the public’s understanding of science.

📌 Note: This conversation was recorded in May. Since then (now August), U.S. politics have shifted even further—making our discussion even more timely and relevant.

We explore:

• How climate data and language are being censored in the U.S.
• Why defunding science puts lives at risk
• The playbook of disinformation (from tobacco to climate denial)
• Why independent journalism is essential right now
• How to hold on to hope while facing hard truths

👉 Explore more of Tom’s work at GlobalWarmingisReal.com and his Substack.

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

Links referenced in this episode:

• globalwarmingisreal.com
• vklavens.substack.com
• storiesforthefuture.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Thanks to Creative Space for supporting this episode!Visit getcreativespace.com

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🎉 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL!

What if the key to solving the climate crisis isn’t just better tech, but better people leading with courage, compassion, and connection?

To mark five years of Stories for the Future, I’m joined by the brilliant Dina Hestad from cCHANGE, a social enterprise helping people and organizations create deep, lasting, and ethical transformation.

Dina has spent the past two decades working across the globe, from climate negotiations at the UN to field work in the Marshall Islands, uncovering the root causes of our biggest crises.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why traditional approaches to the energy transition are falling short
• The power of values-based leadership and systems change
• What makes the new Energiomstillerne program so timely and unique
• How individuals, no matter their title, can lead powerful transformations

👉 Interested in the program? Learn more about Energiomstillerne here (offered in Norwegian)

✨ Whether you’re in the energy sector, local government, academia, or just deeply passionate about the green shift—this episode will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and ready to rethink your role in the transition.

Connect with Dina on LinkedIn

Learn more about cCHANGE

Listen to episode 93, with Karen O'Brien and Idun Aunde about the Transformational Leadership for Sustainability Program

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

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Welcome back to Stories for the Future! After a rejuvenating summer break, I'm launching the new season with a guest who embodies everything this podcast is about: purpose, impact, and bold reinvention.

Meet Oliver Dauert, founder of Wildya, a venture helping ecopreneurs transform their love for nature into scalable, regenerative impact. Oliver’s journey took him from childhood fascination with nature to eco-anxiety and corporate disillusionment – and ultimately to building one of the most forward-thinking nature-first platforms out there.

In this conversation, we explore:

🌿 Oliver’s personal transformation from a business student in a broken system to an “impact millionaire” in the making

💡 Why business schools fail to prepare leaders for a nature-positive future

🔥 The real traits that set successful ecopreneurs apart (hint: pragmatism beats perfection)

💰 Why money isn’t evil – and how it becomes a tool for regeneration

💔 The emotional toll of working in the climate and biodiversity space – and how Oliver channels grief into motivation

🐾 What it really takes to scale nature impact in a capitalistic world

Whether you're an ecopreneur, solopreneur, or just someone dreaming of a wilder, better world – this episode is for you.

📌 Learn more about Oliver’s work:

Wildya

LinkedIn

📩 Let me know what resonated with you most – connect on LinkedIn or leave a review!

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 on Substack

Mentioned in this episode:

Thanks to Creative Space for supporting this episode!Visit getcreativespace.com

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🔍 Episode Summary:What if job hunting wasn’t the answer?

In this episode, Keith Anderson from Career Alchemy shares how to stop searching and start being found, even in a tough job market. We talk about back-channeling, personal branding, storytelling, and how to build long-term career resilience in an AI-shifting landscape.

🔗 Links & Resources:* 💼 Connect with Keith: Career Alchemy and LinkedIn

📣 Stay Connected:Follow along on Substack or visit the website for tools, reflections, and upcoming 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

Mentioned in this episode:

Thanks to Creative Space for supporting this episode!Visit getcreativespace.com

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What happens when curiosity leads you toward a big change – but your bank account doesn’t agree? In this solo episode, I share a personal story from the early days of starting my own business, and how a surprisingly unglamorous Plan B gave me the freedom to explore a new direction.

You’ll hear why having a buffer matters, how to calculate your minimum viable income, and why your Plan B doesn’t have to be perfect – just practical.

Whether you’re shifting careers, launching something new, or simply testing the waters of change, this episode will help you think through the financial side of creativity and courage.

🔑 In This Episode: Why curiosity alone isn’t enough in a career pivot * The story behind my freelance translator “Plan B” * What a buffer really is – and why it gives you creative oxygen * How to calculate your Minimum Viable Income* * Reframing “the worst-case scenario” to reduce fear * How to create space for learning, growth, and sustainable change

🛠️ Resources Mentioned:* The Quiet Pivot Companion Pack * My Substack

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

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🌍 What This Episode Is AboutIn this episode, we explore the Transformational Leadership for Sustainability (TLFS) program – a unique and powerful approach to leadership that begins not with strategy, but with self-awareness and values. Together with co-founder Karen O’Brien and alumna Idun Aune, we discuss how this values-based program helps people from all walks of life activate their full potential to lead change from the inside out. If you’re looking for a deeper, more integrated way to make a difference, this one’s for you.

🔑 Key Takeaways You matter more than you think – Lasting change starts with who you are, not just what you do * Three spheres of transformation – Practical (actions), Political (systems), Personal (values & beliefs) * TLFS is experiential, not just theoretical – You work on a real-life initiative while practicing in community * Values-based leadership fuels resilience – When your work aligns with your values, energy and impact increase * The personal is not optional – Bringing your whole self to your work creates deeper, systemic change * Meetings can be rituals – Simple shifts in how we meet and check in with each other can create lasting culture change * It's for everyone – TLFS is sector-agnostic and globally relevant – whether you're in business, education, design, or activism * Collective agency matters* – True transformation comes from individuals working together, grounded in shared values

📅 Next TLFS Program Starts: September 2025 3 in-person modules (Oslo area) + weekly peer triads * Themes: Being the Change | Designing Change | Leading Change* * Open to international participants (English-language program) * Hosted in a beautiful nature setting outside Oslo

📚 Links and Resources🔗 TLFS Program Info & Registration

cCHANGE

📘 Karen O’Brien’s Book: You Matter More Than You Think

🌐 Respira – Planet-Centric Design and Strategy

https://www.respira.no

📧 Contact

– Idun Aune on LinkedIn

– Karen O’Brien on LinkedIn

✨ Want More Future-Friendly Content?💌 Substack Newsletter

🎧 Quiet Pivot Companion Pack

🌍 All My Work

Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.

Mentioned in this episode:

Thanks to Creative Space for supporting this episode!Visit getcreativespace.com

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When I left oil and gas – or rather, when the door slammed behind me – I thought I needed a plan immediately. Instead, I discovered something far more valuable: the power of following small sparks of curiosity.

In this episode, I share why curiosity became my compass during one of the foggiest periods of my life, and how it can become yours too.

What I Cover:

• How curiosity literally rewires your brain for learning and adaptation
• Why following random interests feels unproductive but creates the path forward
• The science behind curiosity as a tool for overcoming fear and paralysis
• Simple questions I used (and still use) to identify what truly draws me in

My Key Message: When everything feels uncertain, give yourself permission to not know the whole path. Just get curious about the next step.

Resources Mentioned:

• TED Talk: "How to Find Work You Love"
• The Quiet Pivot Companion Pack with curiosity exercises and spark-discovery tools. Get it as here, or signing up as a paying subscriber to my Substack.

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

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My guest today is Laurel Colless, a sustainability writer, kids' science fantasy novelist, and founder of the Carbon Busters Club, a climate-science adventure program for children.

With over 25 years of experience working in environmental business and journalism across Asia, the US, and Europe, she combines her expertise in sustainability and technology communications with her passion for education and storytelling.

As an Al Gore Climate Reality Leader, Laurel's work spans ESG reporting, stakeholder engagement strategies, and creating new mythologies for today’s youth that reflect the climate challenges of their generation.

🔑 Takeaways How Laurel uses science-fantasy to turn climate anxiety into playful wonder—and real-world action. * The origin story behind her eco-adventure series: boarding school for climate-defenders with sea‑demon villains! * Why kids—and grown-ups—need imaginative narratives* to make sense of climate change. * How her global journey through journalism, sustainability, and folklore informed her fiction and climate teaching.

• LaurelColless.com – Find all her books, background story, and sign-up for her newsletter

For more ways to dive deeper into tomorrow’s stories, check out vklavenes.substack.com and storiesforthefuture.com for essays, tools, and behind‑the‑scenes.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

CS short

Thanks to Creative Space for supporting this episode!Visit getcreativespace.com

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Welcome back to The Quiet Pivot, my mini series for those in-between chapters—the ones where the old outfit doesn’t fit, but the new one isn’t quite tailored yet. In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my own pivotal transition: from a well-paid, intellectually stimulating geophysics career in oil and gas to my current role as a bridge builder for meaningful, sustainable futures.

Episode Highlights:

• The Sandpaper Feeling: I introduce my signature term for that subtle, persistent friction between who you want to be and how your work feels. This isn’t burnout or boredom, but a quiet signal that something’s out of sync.
• Society’s Labels & Black-or-White Thinking: From colleagues who couldn’t understand walking away to outsiders judging my industry, I explore the challenge of moving forward when everyone wants to put you in a box. Is your past a liability, or can it be a launching pad for positive change?
• Reframing the Pivot: Rather than running from my past, I chose to move toward what aligns with my strengths, curiosity, and values. I explain why chasing what energizes you is so much more sustainable than fleeing what drains you.

Resources & Links:

• Read more about the science of fun and access my pivot tools at vklavenes.substack.com
• Explore additional resources at storiesforthefuture.com/pivot

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

Links referenced in this episode:

• vklavnest.substack.com
• storiesforthefuture.com/pivot

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What if the chaos of our times isn’t just something to survive, but a doorway into your own growth? In this week's episode, I talk with Tom Meyers, osteopath, futurist, musician (!), and author of Futurize Yourself and The Future's Effect.

Tom shares how his personal journey - from suicidal burnout to finding a future-focused mission - led him to develop a unique method for helping people reset their nervous systems, reconnect with their inner compass, and thrive through transition. We explore:

• Why your personal “DNA for the future” matters more than any job title
• How stress shows up in the body (and what to do about it)
• The future mindset that helps you adapt without burning out
• Practical tips for calming your nervous system—plus how partners can support each other in the process

Whether you're mid-pivot, feeling overwhelmed, or just craving a more grounded way to face the future, this one's for you.

🔗 Connect with Tom Meyers:

🌍 Website: www.futurizeyourself.com

🌐 Therapy site: https://meyerstom.weebly.com/

🎵 Music project (Fitfull): Search “Fitfull” on your favorite music platform

📱LinkedIn: Tom Meyers

🧰 Want support for your own pivot?

Alongside my new podcast mini-series (released every Monday), I’ve created the Quiet Pivot Companion Pack - a gentle, practical tool to help you reflect, realign, and take the next steps in your own career or identity shift.

💌 Get it as a bonus when you become a paying subscriber at vklavenes.substack.com, or buy it directly here.

🌿 More from me:

Website: www.storiesforthefuture.com

Substack: vklavenes.substack.com

Let me know what resonated, or share your own story. I always love hearing from you.

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

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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.com

Or if you prefer a one-off download instead; go to storiesforthefuture.com/pivot

I 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

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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 about

• Why pricing your work fairly is part of the impact
• What blended value creation actually means (and why you need it)
• How to create ripple effects in complex systems
• The real reason many well-intentioned changemakers burn out - and what to do instead
• How to show up in a chaotic world and still build something that lasts

Whether 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.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Thanks to Creative Space for supporting this episode!Visit getcreativespace.com

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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.com

Takeaways:

• 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

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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.com

For more writing, all podcast updates and behind-the-scenes stuff, go to vklavenes.substack.com

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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.com

Links referenced in this episode:

• time4wellbeing.com
• Reach 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

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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.com

Want 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:

• InRange
• Connect with Noaa on LinkedIn
• Climatebase
• storiesforthefuture.com
• vklavenes.substack.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Creative Space

This episode is supported by Creative Space. Find out more at getcreativespace.com

Creative Space

This episode is supported by Creative Space. Find out more at getcreativespace.com

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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

My 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 LinkedIn
• Beyond Oil Conference
• vklavenes.substack.com

Mentioned in this episode:

getcreativespace.com

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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.com

Takeaways:

• 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.org
• Pepijn van Dijk on LinkedIn
• vklavenes.substack.com
• storiesforthefuture.com

Mentioned in this episode:

CS long

Check out Creative Space at getcreativespace.com

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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.com

In 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 Podcast
• Connect with David: outrageoverload@gmail.com or on LinkedIn

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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.

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Ever wondered why we react the way we do to change, especially when it comes to the big stuff like sustainability and the energy transition?

Well, today we're diving into that very topic with our guest, Gerdien de Vries, an expert in climate psychology from TU Delft.

We’ll explore why some people are all in for new energy solutions while others dig in their heels. We'll break down psychological concepts like cognitive dissonance and social identity, revealing how they shape our responses to new energy projects and technologies.

Plus, we'll discuss how our livelihoods impact our openness to change, making it clear that understanding these dynamics is crucial for fostering real progress.

Takeaways:

• Understanding why we react differently to change is crucial, especially in sustainability contexts.
• Psychological concepts like cognitive dissonance can explain our resistance to necessary changes.
• Social identity plays a big role in how we perceive and accept new energy technologies.
• Communication is key in overcoming public resistance to sustainable energy projects.
• Life events often propel us to change when we otherwise might stick to the status quo.
• Engaging people from diverse backgrounds fosters understanding and can lead to effective climate action.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Gerdien's LinkedIn profile
• TU Delft
• vklavenes.substack.com

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Today's chat is all about the energy transition and how international oil companies are navigating this tricky terrain. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Krista Halttounen, a sustainability researcher and CEO of Halton Ventures, who dives deep into her research on the oil industry's future in a world aiming for lower carbon emissions.

We explore some eye-opening insights from her PhD thesis, focusing on how these companies can adapt and perhaps even thrive amidst the green revolution. Krista shares the challenges, opportunities, and the importance of having those tough conversations—because let’s face it, if we only talk to those who agree with us, we might miss the chance to bridge gaps and spark real change. So grab your favorite drink, kick back, and let’s unravel this complex but super important topic together!

Links referenced in this episode:

• Imperial College London
• Krista's LinkedIn profile
• Join me on Substack!
• Your opportunity to become a supporter

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Today, we're looking into how industry associations like the European Association for Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) can play an important role in connecting the dots in the complex world of energy.

I had a chat with Artem Kotenev, the president of the Oslo chapter of EAGE, who shares his insights on how EAGE is stepping up to bridge gaps between traditional oil and gas expertise and the growing field of renewable energy.

We explore the exciting developments at EAGE, including new courses and conferences aimed at helping members adapt to this rapidly changing landscape.

Links referenced in this episode:

• eage.org
• Connect with Artem on LinkedIn
• EAGE Oslo Chapter on LinkedIn
• storiesforthefuture.com

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My guest in this episode is sustainability expert and author Jenny Morgan, and we discuss the themes of her new book 'Cancel Culture in Climate'. Jenny shares her insights into how cancel culture negatively impacts the climate action movement by promoting fear, silence, and retraction among organizations. She emphasizes the need for positive accountability and collaboration, particularly within the oil and gas sector, to drive meaningful progress. The conversation delves into the nuances of greenwashing, greenhushing, and green recanting, stressing the importance of open, constructive communication over divisive tactics.

00:00 Introduction

02:03 Introducing Today's Guest: Jenny Morgan

04:06 Jenny Morgan's Background and Career

07:50 The Impact of Cancel Culture on Climate Change

11:13 Key Arguments from Jenny's Book

13:42 Challenges in the Oil and Gas Sector

23:48 Symptoms of Cancel Culture

33:50 Finding Common Ground and Moving Forward

40:08 Conclusion and Book Promotion

Takeaways:

• The importance of collaboration over cancellation in addressing climate change is paramount for progress.
• Communication breakdown due to cancel culture can hinder effective climate action and collaboration.
• Greenwashing and green hushing are detrimental to transparency and accountability in sustainability efforts.
• Acknowledge the complexities of organizations working in oil and gas to foster constructive dialogue.
• Finding common ground between stakeholders can lead to innovative solutions for climate issues.
• Accountability should focus on positive outcomes rather than punishment to encourage better practices.

Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn

Find the book here

Storiesforthefuture.com

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My guest in this episode is professor Brad Hayes, a geoscience consultant and adjunct professor at the University of Alberta, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. We dive into the importance of understanding energy security and the need for diverse solutions that respect environmental impacts while ensuring energy access for all.

Takeaways:

• Energy literacy is crucial for understanding the complexities of the energy transition.
• Finding practical solutions requires balancing energy security with environmental impact reduction.
• The energy debate often falls into extreme positions; a middle ground is essential.
• Geoscientists play a vital role in both fossil fuel and renewable energy sectors.
• The energy transition must include diverse voices from all sectors to succeed.

Links referenced in this episode:

• MOOC on Coursera
• storiesforthefuture.com
• Brad on Linkedin
• bigmedia.org

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Navigating the transformation of the energy sector, particularly as fossil fuel giants like Equinor pivot towards renewable energy, is no small task.

This episode dives into the intricacies of this transition, highlighting the role of sustainability professionals who find themselves at the crossroads of environmental responsibility and corporate profitability.

My guest is Natasha Blisson, a seasoned expert in sustainability at Equinor, with a career journey spanning from the French Ministry for Environment to leading a team focused on managing environmental and social risks within Equinor. Her insights reveal the complexities and challenges faced by energy companies as they strive to balance ambitious sustainability goals with the realities of profitability and market pressures.

The conversation touches on the importance of collaboration across sectors—government, industry, and civil society—to create a unified front in the fight against climate change. Natasha emphasizes that true progress will require innovation not just in technology, but also in economic models and regulatory frameworks. This holistic approach is crucial for developing solutions that are both effective and economically viable, paving the way for a sustainable future.

Natasha provides a candid look at the duality of feeling like a change agent while grappling with the frustrations of an industry that has historically relied on fossil fuels.

Takeaways:

• The energy transition requires collaboration between industries, policymakers, and civil society to succeed.
• Equinor's ambitious net-zero goal by 2050 emphasizes the need for sustainable practices in energy.
• The challenge of balancing sustainability and profitability is a constant dilemma.
• Carbon capture and storage technologies are seen as vital for achieving short-term climate goals.
• Understanding the complexities of energy production helps shift perspectives from good versus bad.

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How does a global company steeped in combustion engine technology navigate the energy transition?

This episode dives into the intricacies of communication and innovation at Wärtsilä, a leader in marine and energy solutions. Meet Jane Jünger, who shares her journey from journalism to leading communications in a tech giant, and now to her role at the University of Bergen. We discuss the vital role of collaboration and transparency in engaging employees and the public about sustainable practices, as well as the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in tackling climate change.

Takeaways:

• Communication is crucial in building trust and understanding around new energy technologies.
• Collaboration across different sectors is essential for driving successful energy transitions.
• Innovation should be owned by all employees, not just top management or R&D departments.
• Engaging local communities in discussions about renewable energy is vital for public acceptance.
• Academia and industry must work together to create relevant educational programs for future jobs.
• Diversity in skills and perspectives can lead to more effective problem-solving in energy transition projects.

Wärtsilä

University of Bergen

Jane Jünger

Stories for the Future

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Geoscientists are essential for shaping a sustainable future, and today's conversation dives deep into how they can transition away from traditional fossil fuel industries towards more innovative and environmentally friendly roles.

I chat with Emer Caslin, a business development manager at ICRAG, who shares her journey from the oil and gas sector to exploring geoscience's contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals. We discuss the importance of engaging younger generations in geoscience, emphasizing the need for increased visibility and relevance in schools. Emer highlights the collaborative efforts between geoscientists and social scientists to tackle pressing challenges like climate change and resource management.

Takeaways:

• Geoscientists have a crucial role to play in shaping a sustainable future for humanity.
• Transitioning away from fossil fuel industries is essential for geoscientists to remain relevant.
• Engaging younger generations in geoscience is vital for the future of the field.
• The collaboration between geoscience and social science enhances understanding of environmental issues.
• Mapping geoscience to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals highlights its importance in various sectors.
• Communication skills are increasingly important for geoscientists to convey their impact on society.

Mentioned in this episode:

• ICRAG
• EAGE
• Geoscience in Action
• Emer Caslin on LinkedIn

Storiesforthefuture.com

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Creating optimistic and realistic narratives about the future is essential for inspiring collective action against climate change.

In this episode, we meet Steve Willis, an author and innovator, who discusses his climate fiction novel "Fairhaven," which explores solutions to pressing environmental challenges.

Steve emphasizes the need for large-scale projects to address the climate crisis and highlights the potential for industries traditionally seen as part of the problem, like oil and gas, to contribute to the solution. The conversation delves into the importance of fostering dialogue between the traditional energy sector and renewable solutions, as well as the role of storytelling in shaping a compelling vision for the future.

Takeaways:

• Creating optimistic and realistic narratives about the future can inspire collective action.
• The oil and gas industry must adapt to meet climate challenges and leverage their resources.
• The importance of engaging diverse voices in the dialogue about climate solutions cannot be understated.
• Despair in the face of climate change leads to inaction; hope can ignite progress.
• We need multi-million dollar projects to combat climate change at the necessary scale.
• Fiction can be a powerful tool to visualize and communicate potential climate solutions.

Links referenced in this episode:

• storiesforthefuture.com
• Herculean Climate Solutions
• Fairhaven: A Novel of Climate Optimism
• Fairhaven on Amazon

Get in touch with Steve on LinkedIn

The chart and LinkedIn post mentioned in the episode

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In this episode of 'Stories for the Future,' I reconnect with one of my very first podcast guests, Anders Dræge, an ex-petroleum geophysicist who shifted from a successful career in Norway's state-owned energy company, Equinor, to a new role in the insurance sector.

We discuss Anders' motivations for leaving the oil and gas industry due to environmental concerns, his transition and adaptation to a different field using skills from his previous career, and the current state and future of the energy industry. The episode highlights the importance of transferable skills and adaptability in career transitions, especially in the context of the global energy shift towards sustainability.

Takeaways:

• The guest, Anders, transitioned from a successful career in the oil and gas industry to a new role in insurance, using skills like machine learning to adapt to a different sector.
• Despite changes in the industry, Anders would still choose to leave the oil and gas sector today, highlighting ongoing concerns about environmental impact and the pace of transition to renewables.
• The podcast explores the need for better dialogue between those inside and outside the oil and gas industry, emphasizing the importance of understanding different perspectives and bridging knowledge gaps.
• Universities and educational institutions are suggested as ideal venues for fostering constructive debates and discussions on energy transition, engaging both students and industry professionals.
• The episode touches on the complexity of balancing energy needs with environmental impact, pointing out the nuanced debates about energy shortage versus climate change risks.
• Anders expresses concern about the slow pace of change towards renewable energy, despite technological advancements and increasing global energy consumption driven by new technologies like AI.

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In this episode, we delve into the complexities of the energy sector with Maximilian Haas, a geomechanical engineer at SLB.

We talk about the binary perceptions of the oil and gas industry and the crucial gray areas often missed. Highlighting Max's journey from academia to the energy sector, this episode stresses the need for open-minded dialogue and collaboration in tackling climate and energy challenges.

To learn more about Max, you can connect with him on LinkedIn

For ideas, questions or suggestions about guests, please reach out to me on Storiesforthefuture.com or on LinkedIn

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We kick off the new season with a special episode featuring six different voices from the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) Annual Conference in Oslo.

The episode explores how to foster better understanding and dialogue between professionals in the oil and gas sector and the general public. Key themes include energy transition, sustainability, the role of geoscience, and the importance of collaboration and trust. The episode features soundbites with geoscientists and industry professionals, discussing the dilemmas and challenges in the energy transition.

https://eage.org/

https://www.icrag-centre.org/

https://www.storiesforthefuture.com/

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In season 6, I revisit a topic that is both close to my heart and relevant to my career: how can we encourage dialogue between professionals in the oil and gas industry and those outside of it?

As a professional who transitioned from oil and gas, I often find myself defending my past self, the one who wanted to highlight the positive aspects of the industry that are often overlooked or disregarded by outsiders.

The vision driving this season is that today's oil and gas giants will become tomorrow's green energy pioneers, with all the talented individuals working in the industry leading the energy transition.

My guests will include individuals who are still in the oil and gas industry, those who have transitioned to renewable energy, those with ideas on fostering understanding rather than division, and others who can see shades of gray where most see black and white.

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In order to create the future, we first need to be able to imagine it.

Today, on this last episode of the season, I'm joined by Merlin Bola, an enthusiast in ecology, psychology and storytelling. Merlin's journey began with a deep interest in environmental studies, leading him to some really big questions about life and humanity.

Merlin advocates for the use of imagination as a tool to envision future possibilities, emphasizing the role of storytelling in bringing these concepts to life. His current focus is on integrating these ideas to support initiatives aimed at environmental regeneration. He believes in the power of storytelling to effectively communicate complex environmental challenges and solutions.

This is one of the most philosophical conversations I've had on this podcast, but Merlin also manages make complex ideas easy to understand so that we can make it easier for people to rally around causes that matter.

Merlin Bola on LinkedIn.

Growintoflow

For more information about this podcast and the rest of my work, please visit bycause.co

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My guest today is an expert in climate communication.

Her name is Katherine Duarte, and the reason I fist noticed her, was because she was a fresh breath on my Instagram feed. I noticed that she shared important, serious and very interesting stuff about climate and sustainability, but she did it in a very funny way.

Today we discuss the complex, difficult, but very interesting topic about how to communicate hard issues like climate change.

Katherine has her very own approach where she mixes in humour and relatebility with the hard facts. She has a very interesting career journey behind her, going from academia, via teaching and media, to now helping businesses communicate better about their sustainability initiatives without greenwashing.

Links:

Katherine's LinkedIn profile.

Katherine's Instagram profile greenkathyta

For more information about what I'm up to in my own business, check out Bycause.co

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In this solo episode I share more details around my recent shift in my own career, and why this is so important to me.

I also tell you about my plans for next week and how you can get involved.

You can register for the 5 Day Challenge here.

On November 2nd I am doing an event together with Terra.do. If you are quick, you can still join it here.

More details about my work, can be found at bycause.co

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Meet Jøril Korperud Johnsen, a seasoned leader with 25 years' experience in leadership, innovation, and sustainability. Discover her journey from being the head of sustainability at IKEA Norway to establishing her own company, Fremvekst.

Join us in this conversation where Jøril raises important questions like:

What kind of world could we co-create, if each of us felt more nurtured, more part of rather than disconnected from ourselves, organizations and systemic communities?

What kind of community could we weave together if we were all more present, felt more whole, seen, heard and loved?

How do we reclaim nature within us and around us in our modern urbanized life?

Key Highlights:

• A Female Perspective: Continuing the trend of featuring influential women who are making a mark in their respective fields.
• The Origins: Jøril's background, including her significant contributions at IKEA Norway and her evolution as a fifth-generation citizen of Oslo.
• Transitioning from IKEA: What prompted Jøril to make the leap? The inspirations and challenges faced during her transition.
• Regenerative Leadership with Laura Storm: Delving deeper into her association and learnings from this global network of leaders.
• Identity Beyond Profession: Jøril's take on professional identity, and how she navigated her personal evolution post-IKEA.
• Sustainability - Inside and Out: The growing focus on inner sustainability, its significance, and Jøril's views on the Inner Development Goals.
• The Magic Wand Question: What Jøril would change instantly in the business world, given the chance.
• Additional Resources:
• Learn more about the B Corp Movement
• Inner Development Goals Catalysts: Delve deeper into this transformative approach to personal and professional growth.
• Laura Storm's Regenerative Leaders Network: Understand more about this global initiative and its impact.

Connect with Jøril:

• LinkedIn: Jøril Korperud Johnsen

If you're looking to make a shift in your own career, go ahead and book a chat, and I'll help you in every way that I can!

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In this episode you will meet Holly Lichtenfeld.

Holly has worked on sustainability, the environment, and climate change issues for 20+ years. She has extensive expertise in strategy, business development, and growth combined with a deep understanding of ESG and sustainability. Holly helps climate solutions companies grow and also works with organizations to measure their impact and accelerate their adoption of climate solutions.

If you're one of those people looking to change the direction of your career, I think you should listen closely. Pay attention to the way that Holly engaged in the area she was interested in. She joined networks, associations and kept engaged even before she got a job in that industry. She told people around her what she was interested in, and that finally led her to a position.

Links:

Holly's LinkedIn profile and website.

Bycause.co

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Stories for the future is back! After a long break, we're kicking off the new season with a female confidence boost!

Dr. Maria Evans, experienced mentor, coach and trainer, is here to share with us her mission to empower women to be more confident, helping them land the jobs they deserve and navigate life's challenges.

From discussing the challenges women face in the workplace to the importance of resilience and adaptability in today's uncertain and complex world, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and actionable insights on how to tackle the messiness of life + career.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Portfolio Collective - Where I met Maria, and a brilliant network we're both members of.

Maria's LinkedIn profile

Maria's website

Calmly Confident Course - register ASAP, starts on Oct 2nd!

You can find more information about own recent pivot and focus on helping people with their career transitions at https://bycause.co/career

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Today I will share with you what's in store for 2023, both for this podcast and for another exciting project I am diving into.

Those of you who know me well will recognize my excitement around starting a new project. This time is no different! I have thought about this new topic for a long time, and now I've come to realize that this topic needs a space on it's own. 

Listen and learn about my brand new and exciting sandbox. A lot more to come in the new year! 

For all resources and everything mentioned in the episode, go to Storiesforthefuture.no

There you can also sign up to receive my newsletter and to get noticed every time I release another episode.

Instagram

LinkedIn

Facebook

FT3jCQNvNYQwrs5YnT7p

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Have you ever thought about starting your own podcast? Today's guest might have exactly what you need to make your dream a reality.

Regina Larko is the reason I got Stories for the future off the ground, and with her calm and friendly way of being, she teaches podcasting newbies like me the how, the what, the when and the why related to getting started.

Her podcast #Impact has been on my playlist for years, and I keep getting inspired by all the purpose-driven organizations and individuals she interviews on her show.

For all resources and everything mentioned in the episode, go to Storiesforthefuture.no

There you can also sign up to receive my newsletter and to get noticed every time I release another episode.

Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

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Have you ever wanted to try something new - a new job, a totally different career path or just a small project very different from what you do today? And then your next thought is: “No, I couldn’t. That doesn’t fit with who I am, my professional identity, what people expect from me….” And on and on it goes....

This week's guest is here to tell you that actually, “Yes, you can!”
Alan Tang is the Chief of Staff at The Portfolio Collective, and that is also where I met him. And he is such a great inspiration!

Alan has a background from economics and he had a very comfortable and successful career path laid out in front of him. But at some point he realized that what he was doing didn’t make him happy. So he quit his corporate finance career and became a chef.
Although not working with that anymore, he is very conscious about going after what he is interested in and what aligns with his values.

And that is why Alan inspires me so much. I hope you will feel the same after listening to this episode, and you might end up thinking that a squiggly career path sounds quite attractive.

For all resources and everything mentioned in the episode, go to Storiesforthefuture.no

There you can also sign up to receive my newsletter and to get noticed every time I release another episode.

Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

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Almost by accident Michel Wolfstirn started his career as a mechanical engineer in the oil industry in Norway. Until he completely changed lanes in 2015.
Now he divides his time between his startup SquareRoot and biomimicry / circular economy consulting services.

He is the perfect example of how we can reinvent ourselves and find more alignment between what we do for a living and our own values.

My conversation with Michel is so packed with inspiration for everyone who wants to try another path, and we didn't manage to cover everything in this episode.
If you want to know more about his work, you can get in touch on LinkedIn.

For all resources and everything mentioned in the episode, go to Storiesforthefuture.no

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You have probably heard them, all these words and terms describing what is said to be the future of internet and also really important for how we interact, communicate and earn a living. You have the metaverse, web3, blockchain, crypto currencies, DAOs, wallets...  I could go on and on and on.

If you are anything like me, you sometimes hesitate to ask the questions: But what does this really mean? How does it work? I mean, we don’t want to seem stupid. Or even worse; reveal that we might originate from the stone age and actually can remember a time where we didn’t have an email address! 

You can relax now - I have taken one for the team and started asking all the questions you think might be stupid. They actually aren’t stupid at all. Stay tuned for this episode with Sander Andersen, the first one in what I think will become a mini series about the future of work in the metaverse.

For more links and information about this episode, go to storiesforthefuture.no

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My second guest coming from the Portfolio Collective is Janis Chan. 

Janis’ career path has a lot of similarities to my own. She used to work in oil and gas, with over 15 years in different engineering and management roles. She then had a a number of external factors leading her to take a step back and evaluate what she really wanted to do.

She is now working as a Leadership Coach with people in hyper-growth organizations as well as private clients including Small Business Owners and Senior Managers.

I enjoyed so many things with this conversation, but what really stood out for me is this; 
we should allow ourselves to experiment more and it is always possible to go back without feeling like a failure.
We should not put so much emphasis on what other people think and at the end of the day what matters is that you do what is right for you at that moment in time. Nothing is permanent, and that is ok.

You can find more information on storiesforthefuture.no.

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With two huge transformations happening at the same time, the digital transformation and our society's transition to a more sustainable one, the complexity and interconnectedness of this topic can sometimes overwhelm us.
For instance, most companies are still in the early stages of digital transformation, and many are struggling to understand how to best leverage data. How can we better use data generated from technology and the digital transformation in a way that drives the transition to the future we want?

My guest today is Joanne Thurlow.  With more than 30 years in the tech industry, Joanne Thurlow has extensive knowledge of today's IT industry and innovations enabling digital transformation on a global level. Joanne’s primary focus is on digital business transformation through tech-enabled sustainable solutions. 

I met Joanne through The Portfolio Collective, a fantastic community of portfolio professionals, and I am so happy I found her!

In this episode we mention quite a few resources and and links, and you can find everything on storiesforthefuture.no

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Have you thought about why you work? Of course there are the obvious reasons, like putting food on the table for yourself and your family, and making society work in all its forms.

But is there another reason that we perhaps should add to the list? Like having an impact and changing the world for the better?

This topic is one I am extremely interested in, and that's why I was over the moon happy when I found Roshan Paul.
Roshan is a social entrepreneurship expert and bestselling autor of the book The New Reason to Work: How to Build a Career That Will Change the World.
I this episode he shares his journey from working ten years with Ashoka, to co-founding the Amani Institute and educating people on how to build a career in the social sector.
He also shares the reason for writing the book and the six essential keys that can unlock your dream career in social impact.

For more links and details, go to the show notes at storiesforthefuture.no.

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Welcome to the summer version of Stories for the future - my Summer shorts, and the last one in this series of shorter episodes.

Today I want to share with you a kind of awakening I had related to plant based food. I do not put myself into any category when it comes to food; I am not vegan or vegetarian. Flexetarian would be the closest. My approach to more plant based eating has mainly been to reduce the animal products. More vegetables, less meat etc.

But this summer we had some summer guests who made me start exploring. And the fun I have had in the kitchen this summer as a result of that is worth sharing!

Check out Storiesforthefuture.no for resources and contact information. 

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Welcome to the summer version of Stories for the future - my Summer shorts.

Today I am inspired by my recent travel to the UK. I haven't travelled by plane for more than three years, both due to COVID, but also because I am conscious about my carbon footprint.

But the feeling that I am left with after this short week in a different country is: We need to keep travelling! We need to explore different people, cultures and ways of doing things, and we have so much to learn from each other.

Now I am very eager to learn more about sustainable travel, so if anyone knows someone I should get on as a guest to talk about this, please let me know!

Check out Storiesforthefuture.no for resources and contact information. 

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Welcome to the summer version of Stories for the future - my Summer shorts.

Today I am talking about how clinging to our work identities might slow us down when making (or thinking about making) a career transition.
I have my own vivid memory of this and how it was one of my biggest struggles even after I realized I wanted a change.

I now use my mental image of my work identity being a book I can put up on a shelf and take down whenever I need it. Try it for yourself and see if it opens up new and exciting opportunities!

Check out Storiesforthefuture.no for resources and contact information. 

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Welcome to the summer version of Stories for the future - my Summer shorts.

Today I am talking about how staying comfortable is a habit that is worth breaking, and what an amazing feeling it is when you see that you have managed to stretch your comfort zone.

I take you through my journey of stretching my comfort zone during the last few years, and how looking back makes me realize how much that has made me grow.

Here is the link to the video challenge I mention in this episode, and the reason I am now in the middle of another stretch. Ignite Video Challenge
An amazing experience - highly recommend it!

Visit Storiesforthefuture.no for more links and resources. 

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Are the business schools of today doing enough to educate the leaders we need in the future?
What kind of knowledge do we actually need in order to secure a sustainable future?

Katarína Halušková and Karolina Sobczak from The Academy of Business in Society (ABIS) have been working a lot on these questions and today they are here to share some of their findings.
No doubt there are positive changes on the way, but there are also big gaps that we need to close, sooner rather than later.

And how do you feel about playing a game to explore alternative futures? At ABIS they are also working on something called Scenario Exploration System Workshops where they enable participants to build knowledge and at the same time explore different plausible futures.

Find all the links and contact info at storiesforthefuture.no

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We spend up to 90% of our time indoors, but the spaces we create very often doesn't serve our health and overall wellbeing in the best way.

Do you want to learn more about how you can change this? My first guest this season is interior designer Johanna Winter. She has specialized in biophilic design; a concept used to bring natural elements into our indoor environments.

This conversation and Johanna's practical tips will give you tons of inspiration to change your own surroundings.

For more information about the episode, including all links, go to storiesforthefuture.no

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Finally, Stories for the future is back! And today I will be introducing season 4 along with a new friend: the famous elephant in the room.

When it comes to sustainability and how to create a better future, we often talk about what businesses can do and what we can do as individuals on our "home territory". A part I often feel we forget is what we can do as individuals when it comes to the choices we make in our careers.
And this is what I want to address in season 4.

You will still meet people with stories to inspire you and get you thinking outside the box. But I will also bring on people with an expert view of this subject, alongside the people who have made a transition already.

As I mention at the end: You can find my brand new guide to more impactful work on my website storiesforthefuture.no/guide

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This is a message to tell you that season 4 is just a couple of days away!

Season 3 ended in an unintentional way, with an involuntary break from my side. But with 20 episodes all together I am very pleased with the season and the break marks a natural transition to a new season.

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It's been quiet here for a while. In more than one way.

Today I share with you a short status update and the reason behind the silence. Having temporarily lost the ability to hear, and as a consequence, also to communicate, I have learned the hard way how important our hearing is for all areas of life. 

Alongside my quick update, I share a lovely voice note I got from my dear friend and podcasting mentor, Regina Larko. This friendship and her support is a result of connecting over a common passion for the medium of podcasting. 

You can find links and resources related to this episode at storiesforthefuture.no

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Did you know that in addition to stage fright and the fear of public speaking, the fear of dealing with authority figures is one of the most common social phobias?

Why does it suddenly feel so scary to approach people when you know them to be some kind of authority or celebrity? And how can not knowing them, because you are new to the area they are known for, lead to the most interesting and fascinating experiences?

Being a beginner and the new kid in the playground can have its' perks, and the lack of any reason to feel starstruck, is one of them.

In this episode I share a couple of examples, one of them involving royalty.

Link to original blog post (in Norwegian): Coconut Moments

My home on the web: Storiesforthefuture

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Today I talk about necessity and how I use it to move forward. 

It's a great tool to use to nudge yourself into action - I highly recommend it! 

You know this saying, Necessity is the mother of invention. I think we can elaborate on that and say that Necessity is the mother of action. Necessity is the father of collaboration. It might also be the brother of self discipline. And the sister of moving out of your comfort zone.

This episode is partly to keep you a bit in the loop about what I am working on at the moment and how I use necessity related to that, but also to give you some tools to use for yourself.

Is there a part in your life or in your career that could use some change? Is there room for considering to use necessity as a small nudge to get you to act, to invent, to collaborate or to move out of your comfort zone?

Check out storiesforthefuture.no for more resources.  

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A keyword for this episode and today's guest is collaboration.

I think we can all agree that the times we are in call for more and better collaborations and better ways to leverage all the different skills we all have. How do we match the right skills with the right challenges? And how do you find the right people to collaborate with? These are things we will definitely talk about today. 

Mark Hooley is a marketing and communications specialist, a founder of CollabMaker and a Climate Reality Leader. He is a soon to be dad, who enjoys running marathons, cycling across countries, hiking in the mountains and from last year thanks to the snow in Sweden, cross-country skiing, he is also a life-long Nottingham Forest fan, loves traveling and culture. His workdays are powered by an eclectic music selection and a passion for making a positive difference to the world.

Check out CollabMaker here. And don't just look. Sign up and start collaborating!

CollabMaker on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

The CollabMaker Podcast

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I have a big plan, and I am now using a strategic move to get myself to follow through: I tell you about it!

I did this in order to get myself to launch this podcast and I have done it before by sharing plans in my blog Coconut Moments through the years. I haven't succeeded every time, but I am absolutely sure it improves the odds.

Back in 2016 I watched this TED talk by a man called Scott Dinsmore. The name of the talk was "How to find work you love" and it completely changed the course of everything I was doing. It made me sign up to every course that Scott and his network and movement Live Your Legend, provided, and I am forever grateful for everything I learned from those courses.

In this episode I am sharing with you an idea I have had for almost five years and why I think this is the time to do something about it.

You can find the link to relevant resources mentioned in episode at storiesforthefuture.no

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How can we solve the biggest problems facing humanity and the planet by leveraging the power of businesses to create positive change?
My guest this week has dedicated his time, skills and resources to address this question in the most impactful way possible.

Anders H. Lier  is an international impact investor and a leader in the field of innovation and technology. He has been pioneering early stage impact investing, he is Co-founder of Katapult Group and he is an active angel investor.

We talk about how he has experienced a number of pivotal moments (Coconut moments, as I call them) through his life and career, and how these moments have lead him down new paths. One result being his long involvement with girls' education in India.

We also discuss the power of exponential thinking and how this brings hope to solving some of our biggest problems, especially related to the climate crisis. 

This conversation left me with a great deal of hope and a huge boost of inspiration and I hope you will have the same experience!

You can find all details and links related to this episode at storiesforthefuture.no

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Have you heard about serendipity? And do you know the magic this beautiful word can bring to your life?
Listen and learn!

This word was elected elected Britains most favorite word in 2000, ahead of love, peace AND football! It's also on the list of the 10 most difficult words to translate into Norwegian....

Merriam-Webster defines it like this Serendipity — the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.If you google serendipity + entrepreneurship you get 6,860,000 hits.  And that is not surprising at all, if you look at history. 

Penicillin, X-ray and the microwave are all results of something starting as something completely different than what it ended up as - all because of coincidences and to some degree failures along the way.

I rediscovered my old blog a few weeks ago, and in one of the posts I write about serendipity and how I my path to a large degree has been affected by this phenomenon. I am sure you can see the same in your life if you look for it.

I learned something from this old blog post, and in this week's Behind the scenes, I am sharing this learning with you!

For Norwegian listeners, you can read my blogpost here: https://www.coconutmoments.com/serendipity/

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What are the metrics that really matter for a podcaster?

For many, me included, the download numbers often determine the mood of the day. Or at least my feeling of success or lack of it.
But is this the right metric for me and for my vision for Stories for the future?

Thanks to one of my new favorite podcasts called Mastering the Podcaster Mindset, it dawned on me, how frustrating and dissatisfying these numbers are. Even if they improve and give me a sense of accomplishment in the moment, I will only set my bar higher and in that way I am never satisfied.

So instead of counting downloads I will now set my own personal metrics and keep reminding myself of why I started the podcast in the first place and what I want people to get from it.

You can get the links to all resources mentioned in this episode on my brand new website - check it out here! 

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My guest this week has been right in front of me for a while, and suddenly I realized that what she is talking about and working on is highly relevant to the topics of this podcast.
Efwa Hagström helps sustainability leaders to get buy-in and speed up the action needed to progress positive change.
Efwa is passionate about upskilling leaders with simple communication methods that fast track collaboration, innovation and implementation. She is the founder of Lederhjelpen.no and author of ‘Working Smart in the AI-era’ (Fremtidsrettet Ledelse).
Born in Sweden, she has lived in Germany and Belgium for 10 years, in Norway for 21 years, and is dedicated to help leaders fast-track sustainability - no time to lose!

You will find all links and relevant information to this episode on storiesforthefuture.no

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A few weeks ago I talked about how I use deign thinking to try to design my work life and also try to use that in many parts of my life, I quoted Bill Burnett. «No plan for life survives first contact with reality»

This quote came up and tapped me on the head this week. Like; you said this out loud, now I will show you this in real life.

I had all these plans this week. I was going to do an interview that I was really looking forward to, I was going to record this great solo episode, I had a very important meeting with a local project I am involved with. And so on and so on.

But then Covid came along. No drama there, I am totally ok, but of course Covid puts a few restrictions on life.

So with very limited voice and also a little less energy and obviously not being allowed to go out, I had to postpone everything and make some adjustments.

So now I am doing a little time traveling, using my voice from a year back, and also someone else’s brilliant voice.
This brilliant voice belongs to Danielle Anderson from Step & Stone. She was my very first guest after I changed the language of this podcast to English, and this episode is one of my favorites! The topics we discussed back then; of pivoting, of designing your life, and of allowing yourself to change your mind, are so relevant to what I have been talking about in other episodes lately.

So I hope you enjoy this replay. You can find all the relevant links to things mentioned in the episode at Storiesforthefuture.no

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Imagine you woke up one morning and realized that you would have to build your life back up again, almost from scratch. You would leave the network and safety of your people, most of your family and friends and you would walk away into the unknown - set out on a journey to find your new tribe. And maybe the hardest part - you would have to rediscover who was the real you. What were your values, beliefs and what opinions would you have on all sorts of issues. 

This is hard to imagine for most of us, and I don’t think we reflect much on this on a daily basis: what opinions and beliefs are truly ours, and what is inherited from our family, our friends and our close surroundings. 

Todays guest, Morten Westerheim, has first hand knowledge on building a new tribe and starting over again, as he left a strong network and safe community as an adult. Morten grew up in a very strong and tight Christian community in Norway, and the consequences of leaving this community were many and really life changing.

You can find all the links mentioned in this episode at Storiesforthefuture.no

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For those of us who always work best under pressure, we are now busy doing the planning for this new year, the part we should have done in December of course.
But I always feel so motivated in January, so for me, these first few days are the best for making plans. I have this great new planner - the same as the last four years - it’s blank, empty, clean pages and there are so many opportunities to fill those pages with interesting stuff I want to try out.

So as I am planning, sorting out what I will spend my time on, how many hours a week on the different projects, what my goals will be and what actions I will have to take in order to reach those goals, I start reflecting. And I thought I would share some of those reflections with you.

I am design thinking my way into the new year.

By the way; check out my new website! https://storiesforthefuture.no/

Bill Burnett's TED talk

Book: Designing your life, by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

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Today's guest is Anoushka Nordby from Fjord CleanUP.

Fjord CleanUP is a non-profit environmental organization supporting the restoration and protection of the Inner Oslo Fjord’s natural marine environment. They organize weekly voluntary cleaning events  where they provide volunteers with stand up paddle boards, kayaks, diving equipment and all the gear necessary to clean marine pollution out of the fjord.

Their fun and engaging way of making a change is spreading, and hopefully we can se initiatives like this everywhere with a coastline in the near future. The best thing would of course be if the cleaning was unnecessary, but at the moment we are far away from that.

Fjord CleanUP is on a mission to REDUCE the littering, RESTORE the fjord and to REVITALIZE the ecosystem.  And I suspect they are having quite a bit of fun as well!

Webpage: Fjord CleanUP
Fjord CleanUP on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Article in Aftenposten

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I had some really busy days finalizing a program I did with Startup Norway called Circular Startup Venture Studio. Now I want to tell you about how happy I am that I jumped into this and why!  

This was the first batch of entrepreneurs doing this program, but there will be more, and I really encourage you to pay attention to opportunities like this. Who knows what they can lead to? I learned a ton, challenged myself and  met some really great people.

I will certainly tell you more about it in a later episode as well, so see this as a sneak peak and a nudge to try something out of your normal zone of comfort and habit once in a while. It is so worth it!

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My guest in today's episode is Sam Chevallier.

Sam - or Samuel, is the founder and managing director of Rewild Africa, a company working to enable ecological restoration through storytelling, film, education and experiences.

He is also the reason I discovered the amazing word of biomimicry, which we will talk a lot more about in this episode.

He is also a Climate Reality leader and we first met last summer when I was mentoring a group from South Africa in the first global Climate Reality training.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Rewild Africa

Learn Biomimicry

Rewild on Instagram

Email Sam @ sam@rewild.tv

Books:
Small is beautiful
Thinking like a mountain
Tiny habits

Companies:
Leaf Africa
The Sun Exchange

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I am trying something new! 

In these short "In between and behind the scenes" episodes, I will challenge myself to move a bit out of the familiar structure. I will share more about the podcasting journey with you; the ups and downs, the mistakes and successes, the doubts and the joys. 

And I will also bring you in on the overall goals with the podcast and the decisions I make along the way. 

In this first one I share with you the three main reasons why I choose to make these short, out-of-the-ordinary episodes. 

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Siri Abrahamsen is a public speaker, author and the founder and CEO of the company World of Empathy or Gleding, which is the name in Norwegian. 

She is also the mother of three boys and a really wonderful person, which I am absolutely certain you will agree with me on after listening to this episode.

Her message about how small actions create big impact and how we all need to be seen, heard and included, brings a really important element to the work to create a better future. 

This message and Siri’s work needs to be spread! So if you are listening to this from a very different part of the world and think that this is something you want to learn more about, then please reach out. We need a whole world of empathy!

Siri on Instagram

Gleding on Instagram

Gleding.com

siri@gleding.com

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This is the second part of my conversation with Arjun SriHari.

In this second part he goes into more details about his ideas for what he wants to do next.and we also spend quite some time around his vision for the future and how he thinks we can all have a much bigger impact on how our society evolves.

Arjun is a big advocate for bursting the bubbles and coming together, across the many barriers and divides existing today. He started his career with a strategic communications consultancy - and clear and effective communication is something he values highly.

He has spent 5 years building a rooftop solar company in India with the clear goal of helping speed up the transition to renewable energy in his home country. In this episode he shares the ups and downs of that journey as well as the reason for moving on and stepping away from the company.
He recently finished his MBA in Madrid, Spain, and now he is on the hunt for his next adventure in the Sustainability/Climate Action/Climate Tech space.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Books - The hidden life of trees, Entangled life

Movie - Kiss the ground

Fireside chat on starting a rooftop solar venture in India

Arjun's contact info:

• LinkedIn, Instagram, twitter
• E-mail: srihari.arjun@gmail.com

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Today my guest is Arjun SriHari.

"The only way that we are going to solve this climate crisis is if the world comes together."

Arjun is a big advocate for bursting the bubbles and coming together, across the many barriers and divides existing today. He started his career with a strategic communications consultancy - and clear and effective communication is something he values highly.

He has spent 5 years building a rooftop solar company in India with the clear goal of helping speed up the transition to renewable energy in his home country. In this episode he shares the ups and downs of that journey as well as the reason for moving on and stepping away from the company.
He recently finished his MBA in Madrid, Spain, and now he is on the hunt for his next adventure in the Sustainability/Climate Action/Climate Tech space.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Terra.do
• Climate Changemakers
• CCM Europe LinkedIn Page
• ClimateAction.tech
• Work On Climate

Arjun's contact info:

• LinkedIn, Instagram, twitter
• E-mail: srihari.arjun@gmail.com

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Today my guest is Maria Peltokangas from Corporate Good.

Maria has been working in Sweden, Malaysia, Singapore and Norway in the IT and oil- and gas industry with marketing and communications.

In 2015 she changed direction and has since then dedicated her time and effort to corporate responsibility and sustainability.

She is also a Climate Reality Leader, and she is active in the Nordic network of
The Climate Reality Project.
In addition Maria is a B Leader and can offer guidance and support to companies working with the B Impact Assessment and the B Corp certification process.

Links for more information about initiatives mentioned in this episode

The Climate Reality Project https://www.climaterealityproject.org/

B Corps https://bcorporation.net/

Corporate Good (in Norwegian) https://www.corpgood.com/

Buy the book (in Norwegian) https://www.corpgood.com/bok/

And do not hesitate to contact Maria to learn more about sustainable business or if you would like to get a Climate Reality presentation at your company, school or any other group you are a part of.

Maria's LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariapeltokangas/
Maria's personal Instagram profile https://www.instagram.com/maria_peltokangas/
Corporate Good on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/corpgood_norway/

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Welcome to season 3 of Stories for the future!

This season will focus on creating action. Actions change our beliefs and the time to act is now.You will get to meet people who act, and my goal is that you will get inspired to act yourself. We are 7.8 billion superheroes on this planet and we need everyone to discover their special superpower. With that much superpower I have no doubt that we will be able to turn things around and to create a fantastic future. 

Let's just start. It's game on!

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Season 2 has come to an end. Today I am wrapping up, reflecting on season 2 and why it turned out to be an all female season.

At the end of this short episode, I am giving you a few hints about what's to come in season 3.

If you feel inspired to add something to my reflections or if you have some thoughts about who I should add to my future guest list, please feel free to get in touch!

You can reach me on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.
Or you can always drop me an e-mail at veslemoy@bycause.no

Book recommendation: Mother of Invention, by Katrine Marcal

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In the last episode you got to know Janne Robberstad, artist, designer, teacher and PHD student. We had so much to talk about that I decided to split the episode into two parts. If you haven’t listened to the first part, I recommend you go back and do that first. 

In this part we continue to talk around the topic of how important art and design is for our future. Janne shares how she worked on a really inspiring project for the local library. I will make sure I share some pictures with you. And we spend quite some time on my standard question - that I ask all my guests - what does the future look like for you, what have we accomplished in ten years from now. I thought this was a very interesting question to ask Janne, who is a very creative person with a strong imagination. 

And last but not least we discuss the fine balance between talking and acting and why we should do both.

Mentioned in this episode:
The Global Science Opera

Janne's webpage

GSO Summer School

Janne on Instagram

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Why is creativity, arts and crafts so important for the future? How can we amplify these skills and use them to engage, inspire and learn?

In this episode I have the great pleasure to introduce you to Janne Robberstad. She is an assistant professor and PhD student at the Western Norway University.  She is also a teacher, a visual artist and designer, and a production manager of the Global Science Opera. 

Check out the Global Science Opera and mark their next show in your calendar! 

Janne is currently researching the connection between creativity and sustainability in a design-prosess, and this I think is so important going forward as we will have to redesign basically everything for a sustainable future.

You can have a look at some of Janne's work here.

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"To finally, finally reach the summit is magical! I have no more energy, but is 100% alive and filled with passion. The greatest experiences that demand the most physical and mental effort, will give you the highest reward and joy of life."

These are the words of climate research explorer Carina Ahlqvist, who is my guest on this week’s episode of Stories for the future. She is one of the most experienced Swedish female climbers, climbing higher than 8000 m mountains, collecting samples for NASA and the European Space Agency, as well as being a member of the Explorers Club New York.

When we not only understand, but also perceive ourselves as part of the natural world, respect for the planet comes as a result of the awe that we encounter. 
Carina brings you up an 8000 m mountain, saying that we are all climbers as we have all our own mountain to climb. 

Carina shares her story about making much needed changes in her life after facing a serious burnout, how to cope with stress by being aware of your inner soul and embracing change, and how owning less stuff has made her feel more free. 

One of her favorite quotes says a lot about the way she wants to live her life: 
”Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”.

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There is no doubt for any of us that our children are the future. But what future are we creating for them, and how do we talk to them about the changes happening and what to prepare for as they grow up?

When my guest in this episode presents herself, she does that by starting with what is her main role - "I am primarily a mom", she says. And I very much relate to that priority - nothing is actually more important than to try to create the best possible world and future for our children. For all children, being a parent or not.

Frida Berry Eklund is founder of Our Kids' Climate, a global network of parent-focused climate organizations. She is also spokesperson for the Swedish parent and climate organization Våra barns klimat.
And she is the author of the book, Prata med barn om klimatet: En handbok.
Because when Frida tried to talk to her own children (6 and 9) about the climate, she didn't really find the right words to use. How to communicate the facts without scaring them? Well, she did the research, and now she has written a book about it. And being a communications specialist herself, I can promise you - this is solid stuff!

You can find the book (in Swedish) here: Natur & Kultur or Adlibris.com

To get in touch with Frida: LinkedIn

Our Kids' Climate
Facebook page

Våra Barns Klimat
Facebook page

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How do we communicate the urgency of climate change without causing our listeners to put their heads in the sand in pure panic and denial? Is there a way to create a feeling of agency and a will to do some major changes?

Today my guest is Christina Carlmark. Christina has a business background and has had a long and impressive career with the Nordic telecom company Telia. 

She sees digitalization as a key enabler for a sustainable society, using fewer resources and emitting less greenhouse gases.

During the last years, Christina has worked in a Corporate Sustainability Department in Telia, and going forward she will dedicate her time to paid and volunteer work that takes us to a zero-emission world.

She has gained a lot of experience as a public speaker, and I hope you will get some good insights from our conversation about how to communicate this, a little bit tricky topic of sustainability and climate change. 

If your are interested in learning more about the Climate reality Project mentioned in this episode, you can read about it here.

And do not hesitate to contact Christina to learn more about how you can get a presentation at your company, school or any other group you are a part of.
Christina's LinkedIn profile. 

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How do we lead in times of great change and uncertainty? And how does the business leader find back to the passion and purpose that was once there, but might have gotten lost in the daily hustle of putting out fires and dealing with all the "stuff".

In this week's episode I have the great pleasure of sitting down with Anne Liebel. Anna is a leadership coach, has her own consultancy and also her own podcast. She helps leaders find back to their genius zone, that place where we feel passion and purpose for what we are spending our days working on. Anna believes that great leadership starts with you, and her main focus with her clients lies on their self-leadership and personal development.

She has a background in project management and experience from a number of different industries.

When searching for the stories for the future, leadership is one of those things that I think glues everything together in a way. And I am not only talking about business leadership. As we discuss in this episode we all have to lead, as friends, parents, spouses, citizens. And it is more important than ever that we dare to lead. And in ways that is in alignment with our values and personal strengths.

I highly recommend checking out Anna's podcast: Genius Leadership: Overcoming everything

You can also follow Anna on her website and on LinkedIn.

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What do you know about seaweed? This fantastic resource has so many benefits and areas of use, and after I started reading up on it, I almost can't stop talking about it!

This is also true for my guest on today's episode. Actually this is a real love story and I suspect this is just the beginning of a long and exciting journey.
Today’s guest is Eva Helen Rognskog. She is co-founder and CEO of SATPOS, a company that develops sensors and monitoring systems for ocean data management in the harshest environments at sea.

SATPOS has primarily been working towards the maritime offshore industry, but recently, and at what I would call lightning speed, they started the green transition into a new focus area of scaling up the seaweed industry.

As Eva Helen says, a year ago she hardly knew anything about seaweed. Now SATPOS is doing an amazing job in the field, both in the development of technology for the seaweed farmers, but also with creating awareness and to help scale up the industry.

And what an exciting industry this is! I was quite excited by seaweed before our talk, but what I learnt during this conversation with Eva Helen, made be really enthusiastic! It’s an amazing resource with so many benefits, and I can’t wait to follow this journey further.

Follow Eva Helen and SATPOS on LinkedIn.

The Seaweed for Europe Coalition.

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Did you know that museums in the United States alone produce 12 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide every year? Or that a single museum can produce the same amount of waste as 365 households?
I did not know this, and this might not be your first thought as you wander through some of our finest museums or watch the cultural heritage at the Vatican or the Van Gogh Museum.

Caitlin Southwick is the Founder and Executive Director of Ki Culture, a global organization dedicated to creating actionable steps to make culture heritage a leader towards a sustainable future.
Caitlin is a conservator, and as she says, you can think of her as an art doctor, those who typically work in museums to preserve all the things we like to go and watch. She has worked in so many exciting places around the world, like the Vatican Museum and on Easter Island, but at some point she felt something had to be done about how this sector implemented sustainability in their work.

This has lead to the founding of Ki Culture, the creation of Ki Books (free to download!) and the program Ki Futures.
You will learn more about all this in the episode, and you can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LIkedIn and YouTube.

As they say on their website:
Sustainability is the future. Culture is the key. We are Ki Culture.

Enjoy!

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How can we co-create, work across borders and silos, and use the best in every one of us to create the best possible future? And is it actually possible to enjoy the ride as well?

Anne Bland is Finnish, but she lives in the UK and has done so for many years. She is a speaker, writer, coach and consultant, and she has recently co-founded Future Proof Your Business together with Sue Jackson (whom she met online, and they actually founded the company before they met in person!).
They help purpose-driven businesses and entrepreneurs, who want to make an impact and leave a positive and sustainable legacy for future generations, to become successful and profitable in this rapidly changing world.

Anne is also a Climate Reality Leader, and that is how we got to know about each other.
The Climate Reality Project was founded by Al Gore in 2006 in order to create awareness and spread knowledge about climate change.
Since then Al Gore himself along with a number of other experts has trained more than 30.000 climate reality leaders worldwide in climate science, communication and in how to inspire action in order to solve the climate crisis.

Anne is all about co-creation and collaboration and and I am absolutely sure she means it when she urges us to reach out to her to potentially build new partnerships and fruitful connections.
You can read more about her business on LikendIn, contact her there personally, or write her an e-mail at anne@future-proof-your-business.com

The platform Anne talks about where they have recently won an award is geniusU, well worth to check out, I think!

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If you are an entrepreneur or a business owner you know how important it is to make your business sustainable, in every way. Not only when it comes to making a positive impact and doing something which moves us in the right direction, but also related to making an income that you can live from. In addition to that - if you are going to be able to put in the work that is needed, it is absolutely essential that you like what you are doing.
This is more or less the essence of Stories for the future - how to live a good life and have an interesting job while also taking care of our planet.

That is why I think my conversation with Danielle Anderson from Step & Stone was the perfect start to this season. Also - since I have called this season Connecting Changes, I could not have found a more appropriate guest: Danielle has lived in four different countries, travelled to 75, and she has been through some major transitions in her own life and career.

In this episode we talk a lot about changes and all the steps involved in going through them. Danielle shares experiences from different stages of her life and career, why she left a very lucrative career path in JP Morgan, her work with the organization Climate-KIC and green businesses, and how it has lead to where she is today: running her own company Step & Stone from Nairobi in Kenya. And not the least, we talk about how it is ok to change our minds and pivot in a new direction. Because we are always evolving and we can't expect everything to remain the same through our lives.

As I mention in the episode, Danielle sends out the only newsletter I always read, and I highly recommend checking it out! You can find everything about her and her company at https://stepandstone.co.uk/.

Starting in February Danielle has a brand new program on her site called Simplicity. This is a 10 week accelerator program for entrepreneurs who are trying to make a living doing what they love, without giving up everything else in life. If you are a business owner like that and want to get focused, confident and get customers, you can check out the program here.

And have a look at this page with a lot of really valuable resources for entrepreneurs: https://stepandstone.co.uk/resources/
Highly recommended!

You can also follow Danielle on Instagram.

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Season 2 of Stories for the future is right around the corner! 

I call this season Connecting Changes. The world is changing at lightning's speed, and there is no future in standing still at the platform as the train is leaving. With all the changes and all the challenges we are facing, it is so important that we look out from our own bubbles, cross borders and learn from each other as a global community. And that is why Season 2 will be in English. To reach wider and share more inspiring ideas worldwide.
Welcome to all new listeners! And to my current listeners - I really hope you will tag along as I open the window to the rest of the world!

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I siste episode i denne sesongen får du møte Benjamin Myklebust Rød, sykkelentusiast med god peiling på klima og energi. I dag jobber han i Solenergiklyngen, men karrieren hans spenner fra Siemens Oil&Gas til Miljøstiftelsen ZERO.

Benjamin bor i Tønsberg, sånn som meg, og da jeg traff ham for første gang, jobbet han i Vestfold Klima- og energiforum. Han er også en av dem jeg støtt og stadig dumper borti hos sesongens første gjest, Jorun Cooper Bühler, hos Bare Vare. Men som Benjamin poengterer: vi har aldri snakket sammen i en hel time før slik som i denne episoden. Vi er veldig enige om at dette er en av de store fordelene med podcaster - den unike muligheten til å ta kontakt med folk i og utenfor eget nettverk, uten noen annen grunn enn ønsket om en prat.

Podcasting vet Benjamin en hel del om, han holder nemlig to gående på en gang: En podcast fra Solenergiklyngen og Sykkelpodcasten.
Jeg anbefaler begge to på det varmeste!

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Er du en av dem som har lagt om kostholdet til å bli mer plantebasert i det siste? Det har jeg, og familien har mer eller mindre frivillig blitt med på lasset. Det har åpnet seg en ny verden av smaker og konsistenser, og det er ikke det minste tvil om at det er nyttig med litt inspirasjon for å ikke kjøre seg helt fast i tre retter på "repeat". 

Denne uka snakker jeg med Benedikte Koldingsnes som har kombinert sin interesse for mat og helse, dyrevelferd og miljø for å inspirere oss til å spise mer plantebasert. Nettkurset hennes er gull verdt for sånn som meg! 

Benedikte har startet opp Norges første veganske food truck til stor glede for mange bergensere, og hun driver i dag Vegan Pop up Cafe hvor hun ved siden av food trucken, driver med catering og matkurs.. Og mye mer som vi kommer tilbake til i denne episoden. 

Vi snakker også om det å gå på den berømte smellen, om selvutvikling, om reising og om ikke å alltid følge den opplagte og kanskje forventede ruten som de fleste tar.

Vegan Pop Up Cafe

Nettbutikken

Nettkurs

Project Drawdown, som ble nevnt i episoden

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Har du hørt om mikrohus før? Eller "tiny houses" som de er kjent som rundt om i verden?

Denne trenden, "tiny-house movement", er noe som foreløpig har størst utbredelse i USA, men den brer stadig om seg også i resten av verden ettersom flere og flere ser fordelen ved å nedskalere både hus og antall eiendeler.

I Norge er dette ganske nytt, men interessen er økende. Dagens gjest kan vel likevel kalles en slags pioner i forhold til valg av bolig. Ida Johansson kommer opprinnelig fra Skåne, men havnet i Norge som en følge av eventyrlyst og et ønske om å bo nær skiløypene. Flere tilfeldigheter ledet henne til Tønsberg og etterhvert til Norske Mikrohus da hun skulle finne seg en bolig.

I denne episoden får du lære mer om hvordan det er å bo på 22 kvadratmeter, om hvordan det fører til mer bevissthet i forhold til forbruk og egne eiendeler, og om de store fordelene ved å ha et hus på hjul når livet byr på nye muligheter som krever at man flytter på seg.

Vi snakker også mye om det å jevnlig gjøre opp status med egne verdier og hva man vil. Ida er en stor inspirasjon for mange gjennom sin bruk av sosiale medier, og både hun og katten Teo har blant annet en stor fanskare i Italia!

Instagram
YouTube

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Har du din egen virksomhet med varer, tjenester eller underholdning som du ønsker skal nå ut til flest mulig? Lurer du på hvordan fremtidens handel vil foregå og får litt hetta av tanken på alt som skal til for å konkurrere, både fysisk og på nett? Da burde du plugge i øreproppene og høre på Tarjei Vedå Vangdal i denne episoden.

Tarjei har fått tall og regnskap inn med morsmelka og tok den tradisjonelle ruten til jobb innenfor regnskap og revisjon. Med en genuin interesse for forretningsvirksomhet og forhandlinger, har han startet opp flere selskaper og blant annet drevet sitt eget regnskapsbyrå med stor suksess.

På et tidspunkt ble frustrasjonen for stor over en bransje som etter hans mening sto litt stille, og han byttet ut regnskap og revisjon med netthandel. I dag holder han og kollegaene på å bygge opp skvis.no, en avansert løsning som etterhvert skal gjøre hverdagen enklere for alle som selger varer og tjenester på nett.
Viktige elementer her er samarbeid og bedre logistikk som igjen gjør løsningen mer bærekraftig enn alternativene vi har i dag.

Skvis.no
Tarjei Vedå Vangdals LinkedIn-profil

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Har du opplevd at jobben du hadde plutselig ikke var der lenger? Eller at den retningen du valgte ikke ble akkurat sånn du hadde sett for deg? Kanskje har du vært styrt av andres forventninger og valgt litt på tvers av det du egentlig hadde lyst til? Det er også mulig at du rett og slett har forandret deg eller bare har lyst til å lære noe helt nytt.

Jeg tror mange av oss kunne ha godt av å ta en liten sjekk med oss selv innimellom - hva er det egentlig som driver oss og motiverer oss i den jobben vi gjør, og skulle det ikke vært fint om man av og til bare kunne få mulighet til å prøve seg fram litt?

Linda Jensen og hennes nystartede firma Karriereløft kan hjelpe oss med å ta denne sjekken med oss selv. Hun bruker blant annet "desing thinking" i denne prosessen, som nettopp går ut på å stille de riktige spørsmålene til seg selv, teste, justere, teste igjen....
Jeg lærte veldig mye av denne praten med Linda, også relatert til min egen litt svingete vei i arbeidslivet.

Jeg er sikker på at de fleste kan plukke opp noen gode idéer her, nesten uavhengig av hvilken arbeidssituasjon de befinner seg i.

Du finner Karriereløft på Gründerhuset HI5 ved Tønsberg Torg. Ta turen innom eller sjekk hjemmesiden, Instagram, Facebook eller LiknedIn.

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I 2015 opplevde jeg den krisen som mange over hele verden dessverre har stiftet bekjentskap med den siste tiden: Jeg mistet jobben. Og det er opplevelser, erkjennelser og ny innsikt gjennom disse fem årene som har ledet fram til Stories for the future. Jeg befant meg plutselig i et vakuum. Hva kunne jeg? Hvem kunne ansette meg? Og kanskje viktigst av alt: Hva ønsket jeg selv å drive med? Jeg begynte å prøve meg fram, feilet og prøvde på nytt, og jeg har lært enormt mye underveis - om meg selv, om andre, om samarbeid og nettverk, og om å tørre å være nybegynner. 

Veien har vært både humpete og svingete, men jeg tror nesten jeg helt siden jeg innså at jeg måtte finne en ny retning, har gledet meg til mandager. Akkurat det er en helt enorm gevinst for meg! 

I denne episoden forsøker jeg å gi dere litt av fundamentet for Stories for the future. Hva er motivasjonen bak og hva ønsker jeg å oppnå? 

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Verdens befolkning øker og vi trenger stadig bedre tilgang på bærekraftig og sunn mat. Kan norsk fiskeoppdrett være endel av løsningen? Hvis svaret skal være ja behøver vi å reformere norsk oppdrettsnæring. Dette mener Morten Midtbø som er dagens gjest på Stories for the future, og med sitt selskap Akvareformahar han tatt fatt på oppgaven.

I denne episoden kan du plukke opp ett og annet som du sikkert ikke visste om norsk fiskeoppdrett. Du kan også bli inspirert av en som har gjort et stort karriereskifte, som drives av en stor visjon og som tilbringer mye tid der han aller helst vil være - ved havet.

Morten Midtbø har en ambisjon om å endre måten oppdrettsnæringen drives på i dag. Inntil 2016 jobbet han som geofysiker i oljebransjen før han gikk "all in" på et helt annet felt, nemlig fiskeoppdrett. 
Det begynte med lokal og bærekraftig produksjon av fiskefôr. I dag er han styreformann og medgründer i Akvareforma som vil skape et fullstendig sirkulært oppdrettssystem og ta oss bort fra avhengigheten av soya og fiskemel fra Sør-Amerika.  

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Man kan ofte få inntrykk av at man må være en slags type "overmenneske" for å kunne delta i den akk så store sjauen for å gjøre verden bedre. Du bør vel helst starte noe digert, figurere i de fleste medier og motta heder og ære for gode idéer og hardt arbeid. 
Samtalen min med Heidi Gaustad minner oss på at en fotballkamp aldri vinnes av målscoreren alene. Vi er alle - hver eneste en av oss - en helt avgjørende brikke for at hverdagene vår skal bli gode og verden et bedre sted. 
Om du er den som alltid smiler til kollegaene du møter i korridoren på jobb, den som alltid plukker opp søppel når du er ute og går, den som melder deg som leksehjelp i Røde Kors, eller selvsagt - om du er den som starter en bevegelse - vi er alle viktige deltagere i samfunnet. Det handler om at vi "melder oss på" og ser viktigheten av alle handlingene våre; alle de små og store handlingene som til sammen puffer verden i riktig retning. 
Heidi er en skikkelig sprudlende og engasjert dame fra Bergen som får deg til å få lyst til å sette i gang - med ett eller annet - lite eller stort. 

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I dag er gjesten min Anders Dræge. I likhet med forrige gjest jeg hadde her på podcasten, var Anders en av de aller første jeg tenkte på at da jeg satte opp min ønskegjesteliste. Grunnen til det er at hans historie viser det eksempelet på omstilling som jeg selv savnet da jeg forlot en bransje og famlet rundt etter en ny retning.

For omtrent ett år siden forlot Anders en veldig god karriere som geofysiker i Equinor, ble "ferskingen" i en helt ny bransje og var med det fullstendig klar over at han aldri mer ville få bruk for mye av faget han hadde brukt mange år på å perfeksjonere. Men Anders gjorde dette på en måte som er både inspirerende og motiverende for de som enten må eller ønsker å endre karrierespor.

Hva var grunnen til at han ville gjøre dette skiftet? Hvordan gjorde han det på en smart måte, og hva kan vi lære av det?
Få svarene i dagens episode! I tillegg snakker vi om bærekraftige dansker, løping og gleden over å lære nye ting.

Mer informasjon om episoden finner du på https://bycause.no/om-smart-omstilling-og-gleden-over-a-laere-nye-ting/

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Bare Vare er en emballasjefri og bærekraftig dagligvarebutikk i Tønsberg sentrum. I disse dager feirer eier og daglig leder Jorun Cooper Bühler ett års bursdag for butikken sin som hun åpnet i 2019, og i denne episoden får vi høre om både opp- og nedturene som naturlig følger når man skaper sin egen arbeidsplass.
Vi får høre om frustrasjonen over all plasten som fulgte med etter en vanlig handletur og hvordan dette ledet henne inn på idéen til butikken, om fordelene og ulempene ved å være gründer i småbarnsfasen, om alle de små skrittene som ble til det endelige resultatet, og om hvordan alle typer tønsbergensere og tilreisende har tatt i mot dette nye tilbudet med åpne armer. Og mye mer!

Les mer og finn linker til episoden på https://bycause.no/utfordrer-inngrodd-monstre-og-lar-deg-handle-emballasjefritt/

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Målet med denne podcasten er å skape et rom hvor lytterne kan finne inspirasjon og mot til å se nye muligheter i en verden i lynrask endring. Klimakrise, økonomisk, krise, koronakrise....det kan være lett å miste motet i blant.

Ingen av oss vet hvordan framtiden blir, men jeg tror at historiebøkene om 100 år vil omtale tiden vi lever i som ekstremt viktig, veldig spennende og full av muligheter. Kan vi klare å se det nå - mens vi er midt i denne tiden?
Hvis vi prøver å omfavne gleden og nysgjerrigheten som ligger i forandring, tror jeg at vi kan skape oss liv som blir stadig bedre, veldig meningsfulle og langt fra kjedelige.

Av natur er jeg nysgjerrig, optimistisk og veldig glad i å lære nye ting, og det er disse egenskapene jeg tar med meg når jeg leter etter menneskene, øyeblikkene og historiene som skaper historiene for framtiden. 
Jeg håper du vil være med!