The Pledgeball Podcast

Pledgeball
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The Pledgeball podcast is what happens when sport, culture and climate action meet. Hosted by our CEO Katie Cross and football YouTube royalty Laurence McKenna, each episode welcomes a new guest to explore the intersection of sport and sustainability, from football clubs and players to creators, campaigners and voices from beyond the sporting world. Together, they dig into practical, realistic actions fans and communities can take, from travel and food to fast fashion and the systems around the game we love. Courtesy of some very special guests, we'll keep you updated on the goings on in the Pledgeball League along the way too. Don't forget, you can help your team by making a pledge at pledgeball.org.  But for now, sit back, relax and listen to these crucial conversations from those who are going above and beyond to Protect Where We Play. 

Episodes

  1. Ep 4: Sustainability at the elite level & The Red Way with Rishi Jain

    1D AGO

    Ep 4: Sustainability at the elite level & The Red Way with Rishi Jain

    This week, hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna explore what sustainability looks like at the very top of the footballing pyramid. How does a global institution like Liverpool FC translate climate action into a strategy that reaches millions of fans worldwide? We are joined by Rishi Jain, Director of Impact at Liverpool, to discuss the responsibilities and opportunities that come with elite-level sport. We take a deep dive into The Red Way, the club’s comprehensive framework for people, planet, and communities and how they are integrating sustainability into the heart of their operations.  Of course, no discussion with Liverpool around sustainability would be complete without a discussion about their famous the Office inspired 'Let's Save the Planet! Team Meeting' viral sketch.  In this episode, we cover: The Power of the Global Game: How a Premier League club leverages its platform to inspire fan action across the world.Inside The Red Way: The practicalities of managing environmental impact at an elite club, from stadium operations to global travel.Leading by Example: Why authenticity is key when a club of Liverpool's scale speaks out on the climate crisis and how 'that' famous Team Meeting became a viral sensation.Plus: Legendary commentator Conor McNamara joins us for an update on the Pledgeball League table. There has been a seismic shift at the summit this week... tune in to hear if your club is part of the shake-up and how you can help them climb the standings.

    28 min
  2. Ep 3: The un-dying shirt, fast fashion & inclusivity with Joana Czutkowna and Julia Cove-Smith

    FEB 9

    Ep 3: The un-dying shirt, fast fashion & inclusivity with Joana Czutkowna and Julia Cove-Smith

    This week, hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna unpick the fabric of the modern game. Literally. We all love copping our club's latest shirt, but have you ever stopped to consider what your kit is actually made of? We are joined by two pioneers in sustainable sportswear: Joana Czutkowna, CEO of 5THREAD, and Julia Cove-Smith, founder of Eleven as One. Together, they discuss the intersection of circular fashion, waste, and inclusivity in sport. We dive into Joana’s fascinating research on textile waste (including the "buried shirt" experiment) and Julia’s mission to rethink football apparel for women, focusing on fit, access, and creating a genuine sense of belonging in the game. In this episode, we cover: Why circularity should be the future for sports brands.How ill-fitting kit excludes women from the sport and drives a "throwaway" culture.Why polyester shirts are essentially wearable plastic bottles that never decompose.Plus: Broadcasting heavyweight Lynsey Hooper drops into the studio to give us the latest update on the Pledgeball League table. It is tight at the top, so tune in to hear which fanbase is currently leading the charge and who needs to step up. Make a nature-friendly pledge for your club at https://pledgeball.org

    36 min
  3. Ep 2: Taking on Fossil Fuels from the Dressing Room with David Wheeler

    FEB 2

    Ep 2: Taking on Fossil Fuels from the Dressing Room with David Wheeler

    We are continuing the series with a player who refused to just "stick to sports." Join hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna as they sit down with former Exeter City, QPR and Wycombe Wanderers star David Wheeler to discuss what it’s like to fight for the climate from inside the professional game. From uncomfortable conversations in the dressing room to challenging the industry's sponsorship choices, David opens up about his career spent advocating for a greener future. We chat about where his passion stems from, the challenges of being a vocal advocate in a high-pressure environment, and what he wants to see change in the beautiful game going forward. Also in this episode: Henry Winter drops in to deliver the latest update on the Pledgeball League table - find out if the title race has shifted.Why football needs to break its ties with fossil fuels to truly protect where we play.Listen until the end to find out how you can win a ticket to the prestigious FSA Awards at the end of the season.Ready to make a difference? Make a pledge for your club today at Pledgeball.org and help Protect Where We Play.

    32 min
  4. Ep 1: Giving Food Waste the Red Card with Lagom Chef

    JAN 26

    Ep 1: Giving Food Waste the Red Card with Lagom Chef

    We are kicking off The Pledgeball Podcast with a guest who is on a mission to fix the way we eat. Join hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna as they sit down with Martyn Odell (aka Lagom Chef) to discuss why the kitchen is one of the biggest battlegrounds for the climate. From rethinking your half-time burger to turning leftovers into a result, Martyn breaks down why sustainable food doesn't have to be boring, or expensive. We chat about the impact of food waste on the planet, the challenges of cooking at scale for a matchday crowd, and why "just enough" is the perfect recipe for success. Also in this episode: Sam Matterface drops in to deliver the latest update on the Pledgeball League table - find out who is currently leading the pack.Why throwing away food is an own goal for you wallet, and the planet.Simple hacks to reduce your waste at home.Ready to make a difference? Make a pledge for your club today at Pledgeball.org and help Protect Where We Play.

    27 min

  5. SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    The Pledgeball Podcast - TRAILER

    COMING SOON: The Pledgeball Podcast A new podcast exploring the intersection of sport and sustainability. Hosted by Pledgeball CEO Katie Cross alongside Laurence McKenna, the show brings together voices from across football and beyond to talk food, fashion, fan power and the practical changes already happening in the game. First up: Martin Odell, aka Lagom Chef. Subscribe now and join us each week as we talk to those who Protect Where We Play.

    1 min

Trailer

About

The Pledgeball podcast is what happens when sport, culture and climate action meet. Hosted by our CEO Katie Cross and football YouTube royalty Laurence McKenna, each episode welcomes a new guest to explore the intersection of sport and sustainability, from football clubs and players to creators, campaigners and voices from beyond the sporting world. Together, they dig into practical, realistic actions fans and communities can take, from travel and food to fast fashion and the systems around the game we love. Courtesy of some very special guests, we'll keep you updated on the goings on in the Pledgeball League along the way too. Don't forget, you can help your team by making a pledge at pledgeball.org.  But for now, sit back, relax and listen to these crucial conversations from those who are going above and beyond to Protect Where We Play. 

Information

  • Creator
    Pledgeball
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Pledgeball Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Pledgeball Podcast