Up To Some Good Podcast by Claudia Lee: Recent Episodes
Claudia Lee
Up to Some Good is a podcast spotlighting individuals who are using their platforms to bring about a more equitable, sustainable and healthier planet.Listen to change makers from filmmakers to restauranteurs talk about their mission driven ventures and their vision for a better planet and society.
This podcast is reminder that there is always a way to do some good, regardless of who or where you are, or how you begin.
In this episode, I speak to Anne Palermo, CEO and Founder of Aqua Cultured Foods, an alternative protein startup. Aqua Cultured Foods' produces alternative seafood through microbial fermentation technology using mycoprotein, a high-protein fungi. From tuna to calamari, the company has produced alt-seafood that looks and tastes like real seafood. Aqua Cultured Foods' mission is to improve the health of our oceans and curb overfishing by offering a more sustainable alternative. In this episode, Anne and I discuss the taste and nutrient profile of alt-seafood, why alt-seafood can halt marine ecosystem decline, and much more.
Here is a summary of our conversation:
- From a finance career to an alt-seafood startup
- The growth of seafood consumption
- Producing alt-seafood via microbial fermentation
- What does alt-seafood taste like?
- Is alt-seafood healthy?
- Scaling up and seafood lovers
Find our more about Aqua Cultured Foods via their website, or their instagram.
In this episode, I speak to Will Rolph, co-founder of Two Fields Zakros. Two Fields is a small batch olive oil brand on a mission to regenerate nature and uplift local communities in Zakros. Will’s passion for his craft comes through so authentically as he speaks about Two Fields’ backstory, the process of olive harvesting and the beauty of farming in alignment with nature. We also speak about the Two Field’s social regenerative projects and the founder’s commitment to inspire and uplift local communities.
This is a summary of our podcast:
· Why we should not blame farmers for the industrial farming system
· What a regenerative olive oil field looks like
· How commercial farming can harm birds.
· Two Field’s Social Regeneration Projects
· How can we achieve land security?
If you want to find out more about Two Fields, you can checkout their website or instagram.
The two individuals Will thinks are up to some good are:
· Michael Kennard, Founder of Compost Club
· Georgina Webber, Greenside School, London
In this episode, I speak to Ahrum Park and Johnny Drain, co-founders of WNWN Food Labs. The duo launched WNWN in 2020, after connecting over their common interests in fermentation and passion for igniting change in the global food system. WNWN Food Labs is a food tech company committing to making some of the world’s favourite foods more sustainable and future-proof. WNWN’s first product is their cacao free chocolate, a.k.a Alt-Choc. We talk all about how alt-choc tastes, experimenting with fermented foods and how they plan to put alt-choc on supermarket shelves across the UK.
This is a summary of our conversation:
- Why fermentation has endless potential
- How is alt-choc made?
- From bad potatoes to cacao-free chocolate
- The dark side of the cocoa supply chain
- Scaling a chocolate start up
- Marketing cacao-free chocolate to chocolate lovers
If you want to find out more about WNWN, you can checkout their website or instagram. Follow @drjohnnydrain for more exciting news about his various ventures!
Note: WNWN’s first alt-choc product Waim bars are already sold out, but you can sign up to their newsletter to stay in the know about the next time you can purchase them!
In this episode, I speak to Alissa Timoshkina, a mother, Food Writer, author of cookbook Salt & Time, Founder of KinoVino Supper Club and Historian. We discussed the sustainable food values she inherited growing up in Siberia, how food reflects our porous cultural identities and how real food can connect us with ourselves and with nature. For a written summary, head to Up to Some Good's blog.
This is a summary of our conversation:
- Growing up with a sustainable food mindset
-
CookforUkraine Campaign with Olia Hercules
- How food culture reflects our fluid ethnic identities
- KinoVino: A supper club celebrating film and food
- Our individualized, unique relationship with food
- Why you should eat as if you are pregnant
If you want to find out more about Alissa, you can take a look at her website www.alissatimoshkina.com or follow her on instagram @alissatimoshkina.
Please check out this link if you’d like to be involved in the #CookforUkraineCampaign!
In this episode, I speak to Anshu Ahuja and Renée Williams, co-founders of Dabbadrop. Dabbadrop is a plant-based curry delivery service; the curries are delivered in plastic-free tiffin boxes by bikers (imagine a milkman delivering curry)! We talk all about India’s Dabbawala system, how a subscription-based model can reduce waste and Anshu’s heirloom curry recipes.
This is a summary of our conversation:
- The inspiration behind Dabba Drop
- How a subscription based model minimises food waste
- How a zero-emissions food service business works
- Anshu’s heirloom curry recipes
- Working with local suppliers to source quality seasonal produce
Checkout Dabbadrop’s Instagram, or head to their website to try one of their healthy, emission-free plant-based curry meals!
This episode is sponsored by Mission Kitchen.
In this episode, I speak to Amelia Christie-Miller, founder of Bold Bean Co. Bold Bean Co is a jarred beans company with a mission to make the world obsessed with beans by giving us the best of them. We talk all about why beans are so good for our gut health and the planet, why the UK’s national food strategy should include more natural plant-based proteins, and Amelia’s favourite bean dishes. For a written summary, head to Up to Some Good's blog.
This is a summary of our conversation:
- Why we should be obsessed with beans
- Jarred beans vs Tinned Beans
- Why the UK National Food Strategy needs to include more minimally processed whole foods
- Democratising premium sustainable foods
- The next bean trend
- Beans as hangover food
This episode is sponsored by Mission Kitchen.
In this episode, I speak to Chloë Stewart, founder of Nibs Etc, a delicious and nourishing upcycled snacks brand. Chloë speaks about how Nibs etc started as a food blog and evolved into a series of supper clubs and finally, an upcycled snacks business with a stall in London's Borough Market. We talk all about the magic of fruit pulp, challenges of building a small-scale snacks business and zero-waste granola! For a written summary, head to Up to Some Good's blog.
This is a summary of our conversation:
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Discovering the potential of juice pulp
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Launching Nibs etc.
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Zero-waste supper club
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Balancing sustainable packaging and cost-effectiveness
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Getting out of a career rut
In this episode, I speak to Ariana Yuen, Founder of Forested Foods, an agroforestry business helping Ethiopian farmers to grow, process and market forest-based goods. Using honey as an example, Ariana talks about how the business supports, Ethiopian farmers and protects biodiversity in the region. We talk all about Ariana's non-linear career path, Forested's mission, indigenous beekeeping practices, and her favourite ways to eat honey. For a written summary, head to Up to Some Good's blog.
This is a summary of our conversation:
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Navigating a non-linear career path
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Forested Foods’ mission
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Ethiopian Bee keeping practices
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How Forested uplifts farmers’ livelihoods and protects biodiversity
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Why Forested is focusing on wholesale
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Collaborating with LUSH Cosmetics
This episode is sponsored by Mission Kitchen.
This is a short solo episode where I share some main takeaways after recording 30 episodes! It's been such a special journey so far, thank you for joining me as I learn about social impact and sustainability through the lens of individuals I admire! I look forward to continue sharing thought-provoking, high quality content with you!
Links to mentioned platforms:
- @food.unfolded
- @natoora
- @farmerama
- @thatpeggychan
We’ve reached Episode 3-0!!!
For UTSG's 30th episode, I’m honoured to speak to Peggy Chan, Executive Director of Zero Foodprint Asia, Restauranteur and Chef. Having launched two plant-based restaurants in the past, Peggy recently decided to shift her focus to transforming food systems and advocating for climate justice.
We discuss the connection between climate change and food production, inspiring change through food and social media and her new initiative Zero Foodprint Asia! Peggy also shared her ideal meals and favourite plant-based treat.
If you love food, and our planet, you’ll definitely enjoy this podcast 🌏🍎
This is a summary of our conversation:
- Normalising plant based eating in Asia
- Making farming sexy in Hong Kong
- Why food production & consumption requires a systems change
- Making a 1% pledge to support better food systems
- Using different mediums to spark sustainable food conversations
Follow @thatpeggychan or @zero Footprint Asia; find out more at: https://www.zerofoodprintasia.org/
Individuals and Platforms that Peggy thinks are Up to Some Good
- Slow factory
- Atmos
- Dr. Vandana Shiva
- Mark Brand
Other podcast mentions:
- Farmerama Podcast
- Peggy’s go to plant based ice cream: Harmony Dessert HK
In Episode 29, I speak to Ryan and Matt, co-founders of Ethicul, a business that empowers consumers to make more ethical purchases. Ethicul’s three co-founders launched Ethicul to bridge the gap between ethical businesses and individuals who want to consume more consciously. During this episode, we talk about their challenges launching Ethicul as university students, whether it is possible to define an ‘ethical business’, why the UK government should ‘walk the walk’ and much more!
This is a summary of our conversation:
· Launching Ethical as University Students
· What does it mean to be an ‘ethical business’?
· How to spot a greenwashing campaign
· The ‘Ethicul’ shopping experience
· Should good friends do business together?
Follow @ethicul_uk or head to their website: https://www.ethicul.co.uk/ A company that Ryan thinks is Up to Some Good: Yorkshire Gin by Cooper King Gin Distillery @cooperkingdistellery
A company that Matt thinks is Up to Some Good: Harriet’s of Hove Refill Shop @harrietsofhove
Other Podcast mentions:
· Networking Platform: The Good Business Club: https://www.thegoodbusinessclub.com/
· Palm Oil article by Nestle’s Head of Sustainability: https://www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/stories/beneath-surface-palm-oil
*Timestamps:
7:07 Launching Ethical as University Students
13:04 Early entrepreneurship journey and bootstrapping the business
20:07 What does it mean to be an ‘ethical business’?
25:10 We all fall short as environmentalists
33:10 How to spot a greenwashing campaign
40:06 The ‘Ethicul’ shopping experience
46:00 Should good friends do business together
50:55 Enabling one million ethical transactions and more
In Episode 28, I had an amazing conversation with Christina Dean, founder of @getredressed and @thercollective, sustainable fashion advocate and mother of four. We went through so much in an hour, from her experience wearing dumped clothes from landfills for a year, how she encourages conscious consumption by focusing on the beauty of fashion, to how she sometimes enjoys grilling sales about sustainable fashion.
I truly felt Christina’s passion and generosity during our conversation, especially, when she shared how as a dentist, she ‘fell in love with the people of this world’. I hope you’ll enjoy this as much as I did and realise that our fashion is really not about where the items are from or how new they are, it’s about us and how we want to show up in this world.
This is a summary of our conversation:
· How wearing second hand for a year changed her relationship with fashion
· Encouraging conscious consumption with empathy and emotion
· The unattainable label of a ‘good environmentalist’
· Why it’s still important to let your children buy new clothes sometimes
· Why monofibre garments are the best for our planet
Follow @drchristinadean, @getredressed and @thercollective! You can also head to their websites to find out more:
- Redress: https://www.redress.com.hk/
- The R Collective: https://thercollective.com/
A company that Christina thinks is Up to Some Good: @toastale
*Timestamps:
· 3:25 How wearing second hand for a year changed her relationship with fashion
· 7:43 Where do our dumped clothes go?
· 8:20 From Dentistry to Journalism and becoming a sustainable fashion advocate
· 11:47 The challenges of transitioning to fashion & why you should ‘go for it’ if you feel strongly about a cause
· 17:01 Encouraging conscious consumption with empathy and emotion
· 20:33 Top three things to consider before putting them in your wardrobe
· 23:08 Why are the drivers of sustainable fashion different in different regions?
· 28:11 The unattainable label of a ‘good environmentalist’
· 31:56 Meditating for a better planet
· 35:23 Why it’s still important to let your children buy new clothes sometimes
· 38:00 Shopping for sustainable fashion & grilling shop assistants for fun
· 40:15 Why buying mono fiber items is the best thing you can do to support a circular economy
· 42:00 A more sustainable way to clean your clothes
This week, I decided to share some of my personal challenges with Up to Some Good's content and branding, as well as talk about the meaningful cause behind Billie Eilish's Met Gala Dress, and why I admire Ben & Jerry's corporate activism.
If you haven't already, follow Up to Some Good on Twitter (@upto _somegood)!
Links to podcast mentions:
- Range by David Epstein
In Episode 26, I speak to Jenny Costa, Founder of Rubies in the Rubble.
Inspired by her childhood on a Scottish farm and her experience seeing surplus fruit and vegetables go to waste in farmers markets, Jenny decided to launch her condiments brand Rubies in the Rubble. Rubies in the Rubble takes unwanted fresh fruit and vegetables and transforms them into our favourite condiments: from chili mayos and chutneys to ketchup (even Banana flavoured ketchup!)
During the podcast, Jenny shares her challenges and lessons as she scales Rubies from a little stall at a farmers markets to a brand that is stocked in supermarkets chains across the UK. Jenny brings her enthusiasm and excitement about her brand on the podcast; I really enjoyed our conversation and hope you will too!
Listen to our conversation to learn about her journey!
Here is a summary of our conversation:
- Quitting Finance Career to launch Rubies in the Rubble
- Sourcing surplus fruit and vegetables
- The step by step process of producing a conscious condiment
- The double whammy of COVID and Brexit
- ️Balancing the challenges of a new business while doing good
Follow @rubiesintherubble or head to their website: https://rubiesintherubble.com/
An individual that Jenny thinks is Up to Some Good: Paul Polman, ex-CEO of Unilever, Co-founder of IMAGINE (https://imagine.one/)
*Timestamps:
2:48 Growing up on a Scottish Farm
4:54 Quitting Finance Career to launch Rubies in the Rubble
6:31 Food waste’s huge carbon footprint
10:03 The step by step process of producing a conscious condiment
12:37 The double whammy of COVID and Brexit
17:40 Balancing the challenges of a new business while doing good
22:06 what does banana ketchup taste like?
23:19 Using condiments to remind consumers to waste less
26:48 Choosing not to raise funding immediately & Rubies’ humble start
In Part Two of my special two part episode dedicated to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, I speak to Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi, Director and Founder of the ACAA.
Having fled from the Taliban himself in 1999, Dr. Nasimi has firsthand experience of life under Taliban rule. In this short podcast, he discusses life under the Taliban, the ACAA's work and why the British Government's support is critical to Afghanistan.
This is a summary of our conversation:
- How the ACAA is supporting Afghan refugees
- Taliban in 1999 and Taliban in 2021
- How the British Government can support Afghanistan
Donate or Fundraise for ACAA: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/afghancrisisfund
Follow Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi on Instagram (@nooralhaqnasimi) or Twitter (@NooralhaqNasimi)
Find out more about ACAA on their instagram (@acaa_london), Twitter (@A_CAA) or Website (https://acaa.org.uk/)
An organisation that Dr. Nasimi thinks is Up to Some Good: Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (Absolutely agreed!)
This episode is a special two part episode dedicated to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. I speak to representatives of two British NGOs, Afghanaid and the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (ACAA), who are working to support Afghans affected by the escalation of events as the Taliban retake control of the country.
In Part One, I speak to Charles Davy, Managing Director of Afghanaid. Charles shares his experience in Kabul as the Taliban assert control and sheds light on key steps the Government and British public can take to continue offering humanitarian aid during this critical period.
This is a summary of our conversation:
- The buildup to the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul
- What it was like to work in Taliban controlled areas
- The Taliban’s mixed stances on women’s rights and amnesty
- Afghanaid’s Humanitarian assistance in the country
- What can the British Government do to support Afghans?
- What can the British public do to support Afghans?
Donate or Fundraise for Afghanaid: https://www.afghanaid.org.uk/news/conflict-in-afghanistan
Find out more about Afghanaid on their instagram (@afhanaidhq), Twitter (@Afghanaid) or Website (https://www.afghanaid.org.uk/)
An organisation that Charles thinks is Up to Some Good: Afghanaid (I 100% agree with this!)
This is my first solo episode since I’ve launched the podcast! Since discovering Tony’s Chocolonely, I have always wanted to learn more about the cocoa supply chain and actions we can do as consumers to minimise the negative environmental and social impacts of cocoa farming.
Here’s a summary of my short solo episode:
🍫An overview of why cocoa farming is unsustainable
🍫Why cocoa farming is linked to deforestation
🍫The exploitation of farmers and child labour in cocoa supply chains
🍫Key problems identified by the 2020 Cocoa Barometer
🍫How can consumers support more sustainable chocolate production?
Sustainable Chocolate Brands mentioned:
@pumpstreetchocolate, @conspiracychocolate, @tonyschocolonely, @altereco_foods
Links to sources:
- 2020 Cocoa Barometer
- The Chocolate Scorecard 2021
In Episode 23, Founder of LIVIN Farms, Katharina Unger speaks to me about why insects are a sustainable protein source, what it will take to convince more consumers to try eating insects and the best tasting insect she’s tried! LIVIN Farms’ contributes to a more sustainable food system by making insect proteins readily available, both for consumption and industrial uses.
Here is a summary of our conversation
📐What is Social Impact Design?
🥣 Why the current system of animal feed is unsustainable
🐜How can you grow insects with the LIVIN Farms ‘Hive’?
🧹How can insects contribute to waste management?
⭐️Why insects are a very sustainable protein source
Follow @livinfarms or head to their website: https://www.livinfarms.com/
Katharina’s Book Recommendation: Factfulness
A business that Katharina thinks is Up to Some Good: Kern Tec
*Timestamps:
2:00 Passion for social impact
4:43 Living in HK lead to curiosity about the food system
6:03 The appeal of social impact design
8:27 Why the current system of animal feed is unsustainable
11:39 Finding the sweet spot to add value as an industrial designer
13:15 Our experience eating insects
15:12 The average person consumes 500 insects yearly, but how?
16:04 How can you grow insects with the LIVIN Farms ‘Hive’?
19:36 Why using insects as a waste management solution is a win win scenario
24:40 Are there health benefits to consuming insects instead of other proteins?
26:19 Why insects are a very sustainable protein source
29:49 What will it take to convince more people to start eating insects
32:22 How using insects as fishmeal can help to preserve the world’s fish stocks
35:07 Learning and relearning to develop new products
44:25 Using design to solve a climate related challenge for the Masaai Community
In Episode 22, I speak to Kisum Chan, the Co–Founder of Rice Inc. Kisum and his co founders developed Rice Inc to empower smallholder rice farmers in Asia, when they found that 70% of farmers still live in poverty and that most farmers are only paid 5% of the retail price of rice. Rice Inc solves this by providing equipment that helps to reduce waste during harvesting and offering farmers a fairer pay for their rice. Kisum and his team won the prestigious Hult Prize in 2018 for their unique vision!
We talk about Kisum’s challenges as a biomed student entering business competitions, why there is so little fairtrade rice and also the benefits of working with a therapist!
Also, if you’re in London and you love your grains, I’m partnering with Rice Inc to offer the first 20 listeners a 10% discount off Padi Rice! Use my discount code: CLAUDIA10
Here is a summary of our conversation:
🥇Journey to winning the world’s largest social impact competition (The Hult Prize )
🤝Empowering smallholder rice farmers to escape poverty so they can waste less and grow better rice
💭Does ‘fair trade’ rice exist?
📲Discovering the best way to connect with Asian farmers
📚Leveraging your available resources to hone your business idea
Follow @thericeinc or head to their website: https://eatpaddi.com/
Individuals and businesses that Kisum thinks is Up to Some Good
– David Yeung: @greenmonday.david
– Aspire Food Group: https://aspirefg.com/
*Timestamps:
2:40: Journey to winning the world’s largest social impact competition (The Hult Prize )
6:38 How changing your mindset about a challenge is the first step towards contributing good to the world
8:11 Empowering smallholder rice farmers to escape poverty so they can waste less and grow better rice
10:17 How does Rice Inc help farmers reduce wastage during rice farming?
14:16 The financial situation of farmers in Asian regions
17:25 How to identify the right farming communities to work with & conducting on the ground research
24:00 What does a conventional agricultural commodity supply chain look like?
25:48 Does ‘fair trade’ rice exist?
34:22 How does Padi Rice achieve carbon neutrality?
37:10 Exciting trends in the agritech industry
40:05 Discovering the best way to connect with Asian farmers
45:58: Leveraging your available resources to hone your business idea
51:20 Why working with a therapist will always pay dividends in your career and personal life
In Episode 21, I talk to Steph Hon, the Founder of Cadence. Always on-the-go, the inspiration for Cadence came to Steph while she was on a camping trip, when she noticed that many women struggle with packing light and compact. Cadence is Steph’s solution for on-the-go individuals; the capsules are compact, refillable and magnetic and which can hold anything from your supplements to your skincare and jewellery. Made from ocean bound plastic, they’re are also designed to reduce the plastics that harm our oceans.
During our conversation, we discussed the process of engineering the capsules, hiring for culture fit and how she’s been inspired by Formula One as an entrepreneur.
Here is a summary of our conversation:
🏃🏻♀️Journey to launching Cadence
🥽Engineering Cadence Capsules
🏝 Sourcing from at-risk beaches around the world
♻️ How the manufacturing process ensures ‘no plastic is left unused
❌The problem with virgin plastic containers
Follow @keepyourcandence or head to their website to find out more: https://keepyourcadence.com/
I'm partnering with Cadence to offer my listeners 10% off Cadence product. Use my discount code: CLAUDIA10
A business Steph thinks is Up to Some Good: Halfdays (@halfdays), https://www.halfdays.com/
*Timestamps:
4:04 Journey to launching Cadence
7:00 Engineering the capsules and the advantages of being your own target user
8:01 How to hire for culture-fit
13:40 Sourcing plastic from at-risk beaches around the world (Sourcing Partner: Envision Plastics)
15:00 A process that gives new life to plastics and ensures ‘no plastic is left unused’
17:27 The problem with virgin plastic containers in the self–care industry
30:11 The significant amounts of waste in the hospitality industry
33:35 Getting enough sleep means you can be ‘on’ when you need to be
37:41 On Formula One and teamwork
Welcome to Episode 20 of Up to Some Good! In this episode, I speak to Founder and Director of Good Energy, Juliet Davenport. Good Energy is a UK based renewable energy supplier with a mission to power a greener, cleaner world. When Juliet launched renewable energy company in 1999, it was the UK’s first 100% renewable electricity supplier! We talk about the challenges of launching an energy business, why the UK’s weather makes wind energy a popular resource as well as Juliet’s love of Jam filled doughnuts.
Renewables is a subject I am not too familiar with, but Juliet breaks it down and makes it very approachable – I definitely recommend this for listeners who want to understand more about how renewable energy works!
Here is a summary of our conversation:
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🔍Challenges of launching an energy business in the 1990s;
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☀️How wind and solar farms can bring value to the local community
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🔋Potential of renewable energy in Asia
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🏘Working with small households who generate their own power
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🚨Exciting trends in the renewable energy industry
Follow at @goodenergyuk or head to their website to find out more: https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/
A business Juliet thinks is Up to Some Good: Too Good to Go App (@toogoodtogo.uk)
*Timestamps:
3:35 Early stages of Juliet’s career and her journey towards starting Good Energy
4:40 Initiating a consumer led approach to a zero-carbon planet
6:35 Challenges of launching an energy business in the 1990s;
- Key challenges: (1) Gaining licence (2) Buying power from suppliers
9:18 How wind and solar farms can bring value to the local community
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Discounted electricity supply for local communities
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Selling sites back to community – local ownership
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Cross promotions with generators who are also customers
13:00 Why wind power makes up a big part of the Good Energy’s fuel mix (hint: think UK weather!)
14:40 Potential of renewable energy in Asia
16:08 Is renewable energy generation feasible in densely populated cities?
17:10 Working with small households who generate their own power
19:00 Convincing consumers to shift to renewables
20:45 Renewables are close to achieving price parity with traditional energy companies
23:48 Using ‘Guiding Principles’ and having strong internal communications is key to ensure business decisions align with vision
29:30 Greenwashing in the energy industry
32:40 Exciting trends in the renewable energy industry
40:12 Minimising EV driver’s range anxiety by installing more EV charging points
In this episode, I talk to Crystal Lee, co-founder of eco-resort Kapuhala. Kapuhala is an eco-resort with locations in Koh Samui and Sicily (plus a fitness centre in Hong Kong!). Crystal and I discuss what it means to travel sustainably, key elements of an eco-resort and the future of travel post-covid.
Here is a summary of the podcast:
· 🏝What does ‘sustainable travel’ mean?
· ⛰ Building a resort on Sicily’s abandoned land
· 🎒Pandemic travel restrictions create more selective travellers
· 🧐The ethics of charging a higher price for ‘sustainable and organic’ products
· 🥭How serving a seasonal menu reduces food waste in resorts
· 💆🏻♂️Why wellness tourism is an up and coming trend
· 🏃🏻♀️Giving back to the community by organiSing charity races
Follow at @kapuhala.koh.samui @kapuhalasicily, or head to their website: https://www.kapuhala.com/
A business Crystal thinks is Up to Some Good: Mil Mill Hong Kong (https://www.milmill.hk/)
UTSG Promotion Crystal has partnered with UTSG to offer special offers to UTSG listeners - listen to the episode to find out more! Details about prizes and how to enter
The two available offers are:
1) For Europe / UK listeners: 10% discount if you book a stay with Kapuhala Sicily
2) For Hong Kong listeners: 1 free bottle of organic red wine
How to Enter:
1) Leave a review of 'Up to Some Good' on Apple Podcasts
2) Screenshot your review
3) Send your review to uptosomegood.podcast@gmail.com
Results will be announced on June 30th!
This episode features my conversation with Anushka Purohit, CEO and Co-Founder of Breer. Breer is a Hong Kong based beer company that brews beer with surplus bread from bakeries, thus helping to reduce the large amounts of food waste produced in the city.
Currently a final year Engineering student in Hong Kong, Anushka and her co-founders pitched the idea of using surplus bread to brew beer at a social innovation competition and won! With the prize money, they launched Breer.
We talk about the process of launching Breer, how ingrained values in Hong Kong society is a challenge to waste reduction, the difficulties of coming to terms with her new role as an entrepreneur and more!
Here is a summary of the podcast:
🍞How a bakery hangout inspired the team to brew beer with bread
🧮 How local bakeries save money by giving their leftover bread to breer
🍺Creating the beer’s flavour profile based on the specific type of bread
📍Using the Breer app to connect consumers to their mission
🖋Documenting the carbon footprint of Breer
🇭🇰 Challenges specific to reducing food waste in Hong Kong
👩🏻💻Balancing life as a final year student and an entrepreneur
Follow at @breerhk or head to their website: https://www.breer.com.hk/
An individual Anushka thinks is Up to Some Good: David Yeung (@greenmonday.david) Founder of Green Monday (global plant-based platform), Green Common and Omnipork
My guest in Episode 17 is Herman Wong, Co-Founder of Beams Coffee. Beams is an adaptogenic and sustainable coffee brand Herman launched during the pandemic with his sisters Sharon and Chamani Wong. Intrigued by functional medicine and our bodies' amazing self-healing ability, Herman decided to incorporate mushrooms into his favourite drink, coffee. Believing that what is good for our bodies should also be good for the planet, the siblings sourced compostable and biodegradable coffee pods for their blends.
Our conversation covered everything from healthy rituals to the potential of blockchain as a solution to logistics processes. I learnt so much from Herman during the podcast and I hope you will too!
This is a summary of our conversation:
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What is adaptogenic coffee?
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How a health scare inspired the launch of Beams
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Sourcing compostable and biodegradable coffee capsules
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The added costs of a sustainable coffee brand
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Innovative approaches to sustainable coffee farming
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Can blockchain help to verify sustainable operations in the supply chain?
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Applying startup lessons to grow and scale Beams
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An entrepreneur’s internal struggle is often the bigger challenge
If you want to try BEAMS Coffee, head to their website to order or find our where they are available in Hong Kong: https://beamscoffee.com/
Remember to also checkout their beautiful content on Instagram @beams.coffee
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram @UpTo_SomeGood
My guest in Episode 15 is Nicola Fan, an award-winning filmmaker based in Hong Kong. She is currently one of the fifty filmmakers worldwide selected to participate in Werner Herzog’s 2021 Film Accelerator Lab.
Originally a graphic designer working in an advertising firm, Nicola took a leap of faith to pursue a career in film almost a decade ago. Nicola’s first zero-budget documentary ‘Inspire Hope’ shone light on a critical issue of caged homes in Hong Kong, while her 2016 documentary ‘She Objects’ explores the media's influence on young girls in Hong Kong. From short films and documentaries to MVs, Nicola hopes to use the universal language of film to transcend boundaries between people, cultures and places.
Our conversation covered so many aspects, from film’s unique power to create empathy, minimising unconscious biases as a filmmaker to Nicola’s experience with the Wim Hof method.
Here is a summary of our conversation:
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Creating empathy with film
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The leap of faith: Pivoting from a graphic designer to a filmmaker
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The importance of really ‘LISTENING’ as a documentary filmmaker
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Did becoming a filmmaker affect her passion for film?
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Tackling the stigma of mental health through her new short film ‘Daffodil’
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Daily grounding practices and switching between Auto and Manual mode
Follow Nicola on instagram @nicolafan or visit her website https://www.nicola-fan.net/! Also, remember to checkout her recent short film @daffodil.film.
Nicola's selected Up to Some Good platform: Participant Media (@participant)
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram @UpTo_SomeGood
My guest in this episode is Pixie Acia, Soul Cycle Master Instructor, a certified fitness and yoga instructor and the Founder of retreat Surf Sweat Serve. I met Pixie at one of her retreats in El Salvador in 2019 and have always been inspired by her unique ability to tell stories and to empathize. As a believer in the power of movement to transform, Pixie uses fitness to inspire and cultivate community everyday
During our conversation, we talk about how she stays motivated as a fitness instructor, why community is the new currency, how she inspired Soulcycle to stop selling plastic water bottles and much more!
Caveat: Certain parts of the podcast are a little laggy due to bad connection! Also, we may have gotten too excited to talk to each other that we’ve overlapped during certain parts of the conversation, regardless, you will definitely still be inspired by Pixie’s magic.
Here is a summary of our conversation:
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Why dopamine became her drug of choice
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Staying motivated as a fitness instructor
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The importance of malleability and adaptability
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Confronting trauma and shame from her past
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Holding space and cultivating community as a fitness instructor
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The Little Boy and the Starfish: How small things accumulate
Follow Pixie @purposefulpixie, or checkout her website: https://www.pixieacia.com/
I know we can’t travel yet, but when we can, I definitely recommend her retreats. You can find out more via @surfsweatserve or www.surfsweatserve.com
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram@UpTo_SomeGood
In Episode 14, I interview Kayla Wong, Founder of sustainable fashion brand 'Basics for Basics' and soon-to-be launched concept 'Casa of Love'. I’ve always been inspired by how Kayla uses her voice and platform to amplify important topics such as LGBTQ rights and inclusive beauty standards.
We had a very authentic conversation on the steps of Sheung Wan (HK), where we talked about everything from the representation of women in media, her recent digital cover with her partner Elaine Chen-Fernandez, her new concept @casaof.love and much more.
I hope that this conversation will remind you to always stay true to yourself, and in Kayla’s words, "that you can choose to love whoever you want to love."
Here is a summary of our conversation:
- Being role model for LGBTQ youth in Asia
- Showing up authentically on social media
- The sexualization of women in global media
- Everybody plays a role in encouraging inclusive beauty standards
- How everything will align when you focus on yourself
- Little compliments can go a long way
- Remembering your ‘why’ during difficult moments
Follow Kayla on instagram @kaylaiw! Also, remember to checkout her brands @basicsforbasics and @casaof.love!
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram@UpTo_SomeGood
My guest in Episode 13 is Scilla Andreen, a Director, Producer, Emmy nominated costume designer, Founder of IndieFlix and a mother of five. Despite constantly changing gears throughout the day, she inspires me by the way she approaches every task with absolute passion and joy.
Recording the podcast at her Seattle-based home, Scilla also played me her singing bowl right before we ended. Our conversation left me feeling very empowered and excited, and I hope that you will feel the same too!
Scilla experienced first-hand the difficulty distributing films as an indie filmmaker in Hollywood. This motivated her to launch IndieFlix, a streaming platform that pays filmmakers by the number of minutes their films are viewed.
As director and producer, Scilla’s documentaries cover topical and controversial issues from mental health to cyberbullying. Deeply believing in the transformative power of film, her goal is to “affect change within one minute of viewing.” Currently, she’s working on her latest documentary ‘Race’.
Here is a summary of our conversation:
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From Emmy nominated Costume Designer to launching IndieFlix
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IndieFlix’s revenue per minute business model
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Overcoming personal challenges through film and art
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The importance of seeking joy in every task
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Being open to receive and letting the Universe act as your guide
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Being propositioned in Hollywood
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Scaling the impact of a documentary
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Empowering underserved communities through film
Follow @indieflixfoundation or start streaming some of their documentaries on https://www.indieflix.com/foundation!
To find out more about Scilla's upcoming projects, follow her @indieflixceo.
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram@UpTo_SomeGood
In Episode 12, I speak to Oxford based James Talbot and Jake Jones about how and why they launched their baking venture during lockdown. Pobi Bakery is an Oxfordshire (UK) based bakery launched by the couple during lockdown last year. With more time during lockdown, the couple started baking from home and within a few months, decided to launch ‘Pobi Bakery, where they sell everything from traditional bakes to artisan loaves. Coming across their story in an article, I reached out and was lucky enough to be able to podcast with them amidst their busy baking schedule.
James and Jake share their experience launching a business during lockdown, the importance of constantly moving out of your comfort zone and how they use Pobi to support causes they believe in. They also discuss their signature goods and reveal new products they are trying out.
Here is a summary of our conversation:
*Balancing business strategy and staying true to your values
*Selling baked goods at an accessible price range
*Running a bakery that minimizes waste and supports local causes
*Difficulty of finding raw material during COVID
*How change and challenge keeps you creative
*Ensuring the same quality of deliciousness while scaling
*What’s next for Pobi Bakery?
Although unfortunately most of us cannot try their goods yet, you can still give your eyes a treat by browsing through their baked goods on their instagram @pobi_bakery or their website https://www.pobibakery.com/
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram@UpTo_SomeGood
In Episode 11, I interview the founders of Hong Kong Shifts, Cynthia Cheng and Maxime Vanhollebeke. One morning, Maxime walked past his security guard and realized he knew nothing about her life, he invited her for a coffee and asked Cynthia to join. This was the beginning of Hong Kong Shifts, a social impact storytelling project the pair initiated in 2017. The project put the spotlight on shift workers, those helping us discreetly in the background and which we tend to sometimes overlook or take for granted. Cynthia interviews the subjects and writes their stories while Maxime photographs them. As of January 2021, they have featured the stories of over 60 shift workers and their work can be seen around shops and cafes in Hong Kong.
Listen to our podcast to hear about some of their most memorable interactions with shift workers, and the magic of connecting with strangers.
· The eureka moment that led to HK Shifts
· The organic process of interviewing their subjects
· Moving out of your comfort zone to get to know people around you
· How HK shifts collaborates with local NGOs
· Growing together as Founders
· The encounter with a food delivery shift worker
Check out their beautiful photos and stories @hongkongshifts or go on their website to find out more about their projects: https://www.hongkongshifts.com/
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram@UpTo_SomeGood
In this episode I talk to Founder of Good Days activewear Libby Perry about how she navigated launching a sustainable and affordable activewear label during the height of COVID. Libby launched Good Days with a goal to make a high quality, comfortable activewear more accessible, “with the sustainability, almost being the ‘added bonus’”.
We talk about everything from creating ‘tech-packs’, finding a healthy way to move, setting an accessible price point for her activewear to how she balances living a sustainable lifestyle with building a sustainable brand. Here is a summary of our discussion:
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What inspired her to launch Good Days
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The lengthy and exciting process of launching a fashion label – from ideation to product launch
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How a to embody sustainability in all forms, from products to lifestyle
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Finding a type of movement that benefits mind and body
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Conscious consumption & the gap in the market for sustainable ‘basics’
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Setting an accessible price point
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Being transparent & honest about sustainability
Follow @gooddays.activewear or check out their amazing pieces on https://gooddaysactivewear.com/
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram@UpTo_SomeGood
As the co-founder of two conscious brands @my_lacess and @happybaton and a mother of two boys, Natalie shares her journey navigating motherhood and entrepreneurship. During our conversation, we discuss her motivation to build socially conscious brands, being a female entrepreneur in Hong Kong and much more!
Here is a summary of our conversation
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How Lacess began
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The problem of modern slavery
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Motherhood and entrepreneurship
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Playing in a sustainable way with toy subscription services
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Importance of handling criticism as an entrepreneur
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Improved conditions of Chinese manufacturing factories
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Being a female entrepreneur in Hong Kong
For more information, checkout:
@my_lacess, or find out more on:https://mylacess.com/
@happybatonhk, or find out more on:www.happybaton.com.hk
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram@UpTo_SomeGood
In this Episode, I interview Brian Reilly, Founder of MUUSE, a rent and return system of reusable containers launched to minimize single-use plastic waste. During the podcast, we discuss everything from the future of reusable containers, how to start reducing waste in your daily life to the composting system in San Francisco.
Here is a summary of our conversation:
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Launching of MUUSE
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Brian’s background in the renewable energy industry
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MUUSE’s rent and return process
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Future of Reusable containers
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How to start reducing waste in your day-to-day
Follow @MUUSE.IO or @MUUSE.HK, you can also find out more on their website: https://muuse.io
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram@UpTo_SomeGood
In this episode, I interview Raphael De Ry, Founder of @edgar, a zero-waste and bulk grocery store in Hong Kong. We had a great conversation about the rise of bulk grocery shopping in Hong Kong and how COVID has actually benefitted zero-waste stores like Edgar due to demands for more product traceability. Learn more Edgar’s products and find tips to live more sustainably on their website: www.edgar.hk
Here is a summary of our conversation:
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Beginnings of Edgar – from popup to a bulk grocery store
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Working with global and local product suppliers
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Offsetting Edgar’s carbon footprint by buying carbon credit
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COVID’s silver lining: the increased demand for product traceability
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Is the recycling logo on packaging actually manufacturers’ transfer of responsibility to the consumers?
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Should the carrot or stick approach be used in recycling schemes?
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The range of eco-consulting related inquiries
Follow @edgar.hk on Instagram, or find out more on their on https://www.edgar.hk/ | Also, remember to follow us @upto_somegood for regular updates!
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram@UpTo_SomeGood
In this UTSG episode, I interview Chris Brown, Founder of @rethink_event, a 2 day B2B event in Hong Kong designed to help businesses accelerate change towards a more sustainable future. We had a fascinating discussion about HK specific problems related to implementing sustainability to reverse vending machines and of course, what ReThink aims to achieve
Here is a summary of our conversation:
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How ReThink aims to accelerate sustainable change in HK businesses
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How to reframe ’sustainability’ to get more businesses on board
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Whether sustainability initiatives should be from ‘top-down’ or ‘bottom-up
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Who has the bigger responsibility to drive sustainable change - Governments & Corporations or Consumers?
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The Buildup to ReThink 2020 - Who’s involved?
Follow ReThink on Instagram @rethink_event or head to their website to find out about ReThink 2021: https://www.rethinkevents.com/
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram@UpTo_SomeGood
In this Episode, I interview Sonja Debus and Timo Juritsch, founders of @ImpactBerry Coffee, a local coffee brand on a mission to give back, one coffee berry at a time. We discuss how shared value is created in every part of the supply chain, from harvesting to roasting; we also chat about fair trade, how permaculture affects coffee flavour and much more!
Here is a summary of our conversation:
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How a gift of two bags of coffee led to Impact Berry
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The meaning of ‘Sustainability’
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Difference between ‘Farm to Cup’ and Fair Trade
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Giving back to local communities in an effective way
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How coffee harvested from Monoculture and Permaculture farms taste different
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The Carbon footprint of Coffee
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Working with Eco-friendly Packaging
Follow Impact Berry on Instagram @impactberry or head to their website to find out more: https://impactberry.com.hk/
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram @UpTo_SomeGood
In this Episode, I interview Amit and Celine, who founded local bean-to-bar chocolate brand Conspiracy Chocolate together in 2018. Besides diving into their passion for chocolate and the reason behind their exotic flavours, we also discuss the bean to bar process and what an ethical supply chain for a chocolate manufacturer looks like. Maybe listen with a bar of chocolatey goodness in hand as you learn about the challenges and excitement of making chocolate from bean to bar!
Here is a summary of our conversation:
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What does ‘Bean-to-bar’ mean?
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How sourcing chocolate ingredients aids the process of reverse globalization
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Developing an ethical supply chain as a chocolate manufacturer
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Adapting chocolate to each batch of cacao beans
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Balancing being a conscious business and maintaining bottom line
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The challenges and rewards they experienced since launching Conspiracy Chocolate
Follow Conspiracy Chocolate on Instagram or read more about them on their website
Follow Up To Some Good on Instagram @UpTo_SomeGood
In Episode 2, I interview Olivia Cotes-James, founder of social impact period care brand @luuna.naturals. Launched in 2019 with the intention of making clean period care products more accessible to women in Asia, LUÜNA naturals has a goal to ‘make periods better – for our bodies, our planet and our sisters in need.’ During our conversation, we talk about the shocking materials in traditional period care products, menstrual taboos to misogyny in boardrooms.
Here is a summary of our conversation:
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The eureka moment which led her to embark on her journey to drive awareness around more responsible period care products
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How period-care branding and advertising reflects misogyny in boardrooms
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How cultural misconceptions fortifies menstrual taboos
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The balancing act between profit and sticking to social impact business model
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Importance of embracing your menstrual phase
Follow Olivia Cotes-James @olivia.cotes.james
Follow@luuna.naturals or find out more on their website
Follow Up to some Good on Instagram @UpTo_SomeGood
In this episode, I chat with Eco-preneur Bobsy Gaia about his vision to change the world through food. Bobsy is an environmentalist and founder of zero-waste, zero-plastic, plant-based restaurant chain MANA! We talk about:
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Bobsy’s eco-preneurship journey
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Challenges faced as a vegetarian, zero-waste restaurant pioneer
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How you can be a ‘Social Entrepreneur’ and still make money
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Advice for eco-preneurs who are afraid to ‘start’
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How doodling quotes led to many Eureka moments
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Why we should start with diet change if we want to curb climate change
Follow @bobsygaia or @manafastslowgood on Instagram, or find out more on their on http://www.mana.hk/
Follow Up to Some Good on Instagram @UpTo_SomeGood
Get to know Up to Some Good Host Claudia Lee and why she decided to start this podcast in the first ever episode of Up to Some Good.
*Decision to launch Up to Some Good
*Meaning of 'Sustainability'
*Claudia's answers to the three Up to Some Good Questions
Follow us on Instagram (@upto_somegood) for regular updates!