Rooted: The Human Side Of Sustainability Leadership

Liv Cropper
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Is this the hardest job on the planet? Every day, sustainability leaders are expected to influence without authority, balance commercial priorities with climate ambition, and keep moving forward through uncertainty. It's meaningful work, but it can also feel overwhelming and emotionally demanding. You don't have to navigate it alone. Hosted by transformational coach and former sustainability leader Liv Cropper, Rooted is the podcast for thoughtful sustainability leaders and ESG professionals navigating complex careers with purpose. If you care as much about how you lead as the impact you create, you'll feel right at home here.  Each episode features Chief Sustainability Officers and sustainability directors driving change within some of the world's largest organisations, including KPMG, Arriva, Wickes and Sage, alongside founders and experts, all sharing practical lessons from leading change. These conversations explore creating impact, building meaningful careers, leadership, resilience, burnout, wellbeing and the realities of organisational change.  Whether you're looking for practical leadership insights, fresh perspectives or simply reassurance that others are facing the same challenges, Rooted will leave you feeling more connected, more confident and better equipped to lead. New episodes every three weeks. Follow Rooted wherever you listen to podcasts. Here’s what listeners are saying about Rooted: “I’m thoroughly enjoying this podcast” “ Very insightful. Great to hear about the people behind the role rather than just about what they do.” “Great, lovely pace and very genuine conversation” “I love them! Liv has a wonderful way of relaxing her guests and encouraging conversations.” 

  1. 4d ago

    After 40 Years on the Environmental Frontline: Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England, on Sustainable Leadership and What it takes to Keep Going

    What does it take to keep going when the problem you're trying to solve is enormous, progress feels painfully slow, and the political tide can suddenly turn against you? In this episode of Rooted: The Human Side of Sustainability Leadership, I’m joined by Tony Juniper CBE, one of the UK’s best-known environmental leaders and Chair of Natural England. Tony has spent more than 40 years working at the forefront of environmental campaigning, nature conservation and climate policy. He has led organisations including Friends of the Earth, advised governments, businesses and charities, written more than a dozen books, and played a significant role in the campaign that led to the UK’s Climate Change Act. But this conversation isn’t really about Tony’s CV or the technical detail of environmental policy. It’s about what it feels like to spend a career working on a problem that can sometimes seem almost impossibly large. Tony talks about where his passion for nature and activism began, including the childhood experience that first showed him what it felt like to see somewhere he loved destroyed. He reflects on the fury that came with that experience, and how he learned to turn that emotion into action. We talk about his proudest professional achievement: the campaign for the Climate Change Act, and what it felt like to see an idea developed through the Big Ask campaign become legislation that helped lock in long-term political commitment. We also get into the harder parts of sustainability leadership. Tony talks candidly about the sadness and frustration he feels when environmental progress stalls, the rise of misinformation and climate backlash, and the current downturn in sustainability as a boardroom priority. So how does he keep going? Tony shares some fascinating reflections on the difference between effort and impact, arguing that the quality of our effort matters more than the number of hours we put in. He talks about the role of nature in restoring his energy and helping him think, and how walking, birdwatching and getting away from a computer can actually help him do better work. We also explore one of the most important skills he has developed over four decades: learning to spot where he can make the biggest difference. Sometimes that opportunity is on the global stage or in Parliament. Sometimes, he says, it is in the “boring plumbing” inside an organisation that makes change stick. And finally, we talk about what comes next. Tony explains why retirement isn’t really part of his thinking, why he sees time as something to use for useful things, and why none of the different stages of his career were actually planned. This is a conversation about determination, purpose, energy, perspective and staying in the work for the long haul. In this episode, we explore: Where Tony’s lifelong connection with nature and environmental activism came from The childhood experience that sparked his determination to protect the natural world His proudest achievement: the campaign that led to the UK Climate Change Act Why lasting change often depends on changing the “nuts and bolts” of how organisations work What it feels like when sustainability loses political and corporate momentum Dealing with frustration, sadness and misinformation without losing sight of the bigger goal Why shouting louder isn’t necessarily the answer when trying to persuade people How Tony identifies the opportunities where he can make the biggest difference Why the quality of your effort can matter more than the number of hours you work How walking and spending time in nature helps Tony think and recharge What a 40-year career in environmental leadership has taught him about persistence, impact and the future Tony speaks in a personal capacity in this conversation. To join my email community, or to schedule a 30 minute free discovery call to chat about one-to-one coaching, please visit my website www.yellowbencoaching.com Thankyou so much for listening Liv 💛

    After 40 Years on the Environmental Frontline: Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England, on Sustainable Leadership and What it takes to Keep Going

  2. Oct 20

    When purpose goes into overdrive: Liv Cropper on sustainability, burnout and finding what’s next

    What happens when the thing that gives your career meaning also becomes the thing that burns you out? For the first episode of Series 2 of Rooted: The Human Side of Sustainability Leadership, I’m doing something a little different. I’m turning the tables and handing over the interviewer’s seat to my good friend and former Lloyds colleague Matteo Deidda, Global Net Zero Lead at Tide. This is a conversation about my own sustainability career, but really it’s a conversation about the human side of purpose-driven work. I’ve interviewed lots of sustainability leaders about the roots of their careers, and Matteo starts by asking me a question I’ve asked many guests myself: what brought you into sustainability?My answer surprised me a little. It wasn’t a lifelong love of nature or a childhood passion for environmental campaigning. When I look back, the thread running through my career is much more about problem-solving and a strong desire to make things better. We talk about how that instinct took me from business improvement and programme management into corporate sustainability, and how Brexit was an unexpected turning point that sparked a much stronger sense of purpose. Finding sustainability gave me what felt like the biggest problem in the world to throw myself at. And I really did throw myself at it. That sense of purpose was powerful, but it also came at a cost. I talk openly about burnout, and about the realisation I’ve had since that this is not my problem to solve. I can contribute to something much bigger than me without carrying the whole thing on my shoulders. In some ways, learning to value small wins and individual impact has given me a much more sustainable way of approaching purpose-driven work. We also talk about what happened after burnout, including the messy middle of career transition, changing professional identity and working out what came next. Matteo asks me what it was like to move from being “Liv from Lloyds” into something new, and how I’ve built a new chapter around coaching and helping sustainability leaders. One of the things I’ve learned through that process is the importance of really knowing yourself. Understanding what motivates you, what drains you, what you need and where your own patterns can take you is just as important as knowing what you want to achieve. And perhaps the biggest transition of all has been learning that meaningful impact doesn’t always have to mean doing something enormous. Sometimes a small change in one person’s life can be enough. In this episode we discuss:• The roots of my career in sustainability• Why problem-solving, rather than a lifelong passion for nature, was the thread running through my career• How Brexit became a turning point in my journey towards sustainability• Purpose, passion and the drive to make a difference• How a strong sense of purpose contributed to burnout• Learning that you don’t have to solve the whole problem yourself• The value of small wins and making a difference one person at a time• Navigating career transition after burnout• Losing and rebuilding your professional identity• Moving from corporate sustainability leadership into coaching• The importance of deep self-awareness in your career and leadership• Finding a more sustainable way to do purposeful work• What I’ve learned from helping other sustainability leaders navigate their own challenges If you’re a sustainability professional or leader who cares deeply about the work but sometimes wonders whether you’re carrying too much of it, I hope there’s something here for you. As always, I’d love to hear what resonates with you after listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit subscribe, post a review, and share it with someone who might enjoy the conversation. Thanks for listening! From Liv 💛

    When purpose goes into overdrive: Liv Cropper on sustainability, burnout and finding what’s next

  3. Season 2, Episode 1 Trailer

    Welcome to Rooted Series 2: New Guests, New Perspectives & A Fresh Look

    Rooted: The Human Side of Sustainability Leadership is back for Series 2. After a summer break, we're back with a new look, a fresh line-up of guests and some exciting changes to the podcast. For Series 2, I'm broadening the scope of Rooted a little. Alongside sustainability leaders, I'll be bringing you conversations with experts from different fields who have valuable wisdom to share with the sustainability profession, as well as some very special guests. We'll be kicking things off by turning the tables. In the first full episode of Series 2, I'll be the one answering the questions, as my good friend Matteo Deidda, Net Zero Lead at Tide, interviews me about my own story, career and experience of sustainability leadership. I'm really excited about this series. I hope you enjoy it. Sustainability leadership The human side of sustainability Career stories and experiences in sustainability New perspectives for thoughtful sustainability professionals Leadership, personal stories and lessons from different fields Broadening the sustainability conversation Challenging yourself to be braver

    Welcome to Rooted Series 2: New Guests, New Perspectives & A Fresh Look

  4. Sep 1

    Sustainability is about evolution, not endless cycles with Katherine Rolfe, Director of Corporate Sustainability, Wickes

    What keeps experienced sustainability leaders hopeful when the world around them keeps changing? In this episode of Rooted: The Human Side of Sustainability Leadership, I'm joined by Katherine Rolfe, Director of Corporate Sustainability at Wickes. With more than 25 years' experience spanning consultancy, Heathrow Airport and retail, Katherine has seen political priorities shift, new legislation emerge, ESG rise to prominence and public attention move from one issue to the next. But rather than seeing these as endless cycles, Katherine offers a different perspective. She sees them as evolution. Throughout our conversation, we explore how sustainability leadership has changed over the last two decades, why maintaining perspective matters, and how focusing on the influence we have today can create ripple effects we may never even see. One of the things that struck me most was Katherine's curiosity. As a child, she remembers watching Newsround stories about acid rain, the ozone layer and rainforest destruction. While others might have become campaigners or activists, Katherine simply wanted to understand. That curiosity eventually led her into environmental management and corporate sustainability, helping businesses become part of the solution from within. We also talk about something I think many sustainability professionals will recognise: balancing passion with commercial credibility. Early in her career, Katherine felt she needed to dial down the environmentalist in herself in order to be taken seriously in business. Today, she sees things differently. She believes sustainability leaders have an important responsibility to speak with conviction, because if they aren't prepared to champion these issues, who will? Another highlight of our conversation is Katherine's story about the unexpected power of influence. One presentation sparked an idea that eventually became a project tackling wildlife trafficking using artificial intelligence. It reinforced her belief that meaningful change often begins with a single conversation, and that some of our greatest impact comes from connecting with people outside the sustainability profession who bring completely different skills, experiences and ways of thinking. We also explore why sustainability communities are so valuable. They're places to learn, recharge and connect with others who understand the challenges of the role. But Katherine believes we shouldn't stay in that echo chamber for too long. The real work happens when we take those ideas back into our organisations, building relationships and influencing colleagues who may see the world very differently. Whether you're working in corporate sustainability, ESG, environmental management, or you're simply interested in leading positive change within organisations, this conversation is a reminder that progress doesn't always happen in straight lines. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is keep showing up, stay curious, maintain perspective and trust that our influence extends further than we realise. In this episode we discuss:• Why Katherine sees sustainability as an evolution rather than a series of endless cycles• Staying hopeful and maintaining perspective during changing political and commercial priorities• How childhood curiosity about climate change and environmental issues shaped her career• Building a career in corporate sustainability and environmental management• The influence of teachers and careers advisers in shaping career choices• Why one conversation can create unexpected ripple effects• Working within businesses to create meaningful change• Connecting with people outside the sustainability community to achieve greater impact• Balancing commercial credibility with authentic passion for sustainability• Why sustainability leaders shouldn't feel they have to hide their enthusiasm• Leading change through influence, relationships and practical action• What keeps Katherine optimistic after more than 25 years in sustainability About Katherine RolfeKatherine Rolfe is Director of Corporate Sustainability at Wickes. She has more than 25 years' experience in sustainability and environmental management across consultancy, aviation and retail, helping organisations integrate sustainability into strategy, operations and decision making. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Rooted: The Human Side of Sustainability Leadership for honest conversations about leadership, careers, burnout, purpose and what it really feels like to create change from within organisations.

    Sustainability is about evolution, not endless cycles with Katherine Rolfe, Director of Corporate Sustainability, Wickes

  5. Jul 28

    How curiosity can transform a career... and a business, with Andrew Bowley, Principal at Bowley FI

    For almost four decades, Andrew Bowley has built his career in investment banking, holding executive and non-executive roles across the globe. He shaped sustainability strategies at Nomura and Wells Fargo, before stepping into a new chapter earlier this year with a portfolio career through his advisory business, BowleyFI (Finance with Impact).In this episode of Rooted: the human side of sustainability leadership, Andrew reflects on what it really takes to create lasting change inside large organisations and why curiosity has been the thread running through his entire career.We explore how a deep fascination with understanding how things work led him from developing financial products and building new businesses through to creating sustainability strategies. Rather than treating sustainability as a separate department, Andrew shares why he believes it has to become part of every commercial conversation if organisations are going to transform. Alongside the strategic discussion, we also have a very honest conversation about the pressures that many ambitious leaders carry. Andrew talks openly about the anxiety that has fuelled his success, the temptation to respond by simply working harder, and the importance of recognising when healthy challenge begins to tip into something more damaging.We also reflect on his experiences working through moments such as Black Monday and the 2008 financial crisis, what those periods taught him about perspective, and why today's sustainability leaders should keep their eyes firmly on the bigger picture.If you've ever wondered whether you're pushing yourself because you're growing or because you're trying to prove something, I think you'll find plenty to reflect on in this conversation.In this episode we discuss:• Andrew's journey from investment banking into sustainability leadership• Why curiosity and problem solving have shaped every stage of his career• Building sustainability into the fabric of a business rather than treating it as a standalone function• The difference between healthy challenge and destructive pressure• Anxiety, perfectionism and the hidden drivers behind high performance• Lessons from leading through financial crises and organisational change• Why sustainability leaders need to think bigger, stay hopeful and keep learning As always, I'd love to hear what resonates with you after listening. You can connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit subscribe, post a review, and share this episode with your friends. I'd also love you to join my Rooted email community, where I share regular insights about the human side of sustainability leadership - click here to join.Have any questions? You can find me on LinkedIn or Instagram.Interested in one-to-one coaching with me? Check out www.yellowbenchcoaching.com to book a  discovery call.Thanks for listening! From Liv 💛

    How curiosity can transform a career... and a business, with Andrew Bowley, Principal at Bowley FI

  6. Jul 13

    Systems thinking, courageous leadership & making a bigger impact, with Janet Greenwood, former Global Lead for Sustainable Infrastructure at KPMG

    What if the biggest impact you could make wasn't creating a better PowerPoint deck, but asking whether you're solving the right problem in the first place? In this episode of Rooted: The Human Side of Sustainability Leadership, I sit down with Janet Greenwood, former Global Lead for Sustainable Infrastructure at KPMG and Times Consultant of the Year 2024, to explore systems thinking, courageous leadership and making a bigger impact. We discuss challenging ingrained ways of working, leading with integrity when faced with difficult decisions, trusting your instincts, developing self-awareness and embracing creativity in the next chapter of your career. Whether you're a sustainability leader, engineer or senior professional navigating complex change, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about leadership, influence and seeing the bigger picture.You can connect with Janet on LinkedIn.If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit subscribe, post a review, and share this episode with your friends. I'd also love you to join my Rooted email community, where I share regular insights from my yellow bench - click here to join.Have any questions? You can find me on LinkedIn or Instagram.Interested in one-to-one coaching with me? Check out my website to book a free discovery call.Thanks for listening! From Liv 💛

    Systems thinking, courageous leadership & making a bigger impact, with Janet Greenwood, former Global Lead for Sustainable Infrastructure at KPMG

  7. Jun 29

    Feel the fear. Trust your gut. Do it anyway, with Hannah Leggatt, Director of Environment & Sustainability at The Clancy Group

    This one's about ignoring the naysayers, feeling the fear, and doing it anyway. Hannah Leggatt, Director of Environment & Sustainability at The Clancy Group, joins me on my yellow bench to share the lessons she's learned over a 17-year environmental and sustainability career in construction and major infrastructure programmes. We talk about about career courage, authentic leadership and the power of backing yourself. We explore career pivots, self-belief, overcoming imposter syndrome, finding your voice and why being yourself at work is far less exhausting than trying to perform. A must-listen for sustainability professionals, environmental leaders and anyone ready to take the next step in their career with confidence. You can connect with Hannah on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit subscribe, post a review, and share this episode with your friends. I'd also love you to join my Rooted email community, where I share regular insights about the human side of sustainability leadership - click here to join.Have any questions? You can find me on LinkedIn or Instagram. Interested in one-to-one coaching with me? Check out my website to book a free discovery call. Thanks for listening!  From Liv 💛

    Feel the fear. Trust your gut. Do it anyway, with Hannah Leggatt, Director of Environment & Sustainability at The Clancy Group

  8. Jun 8

    Martin Wayman - Director of Sustainability at Arriva

    This one's all about career pauses, both intentional and unintentional. Martin shares the lessons he learned following redundancy (essential listening for anyone going through something similar), and the ambitions he has for his next role, as he becomes Arriva’s first ever director of sustainability.   We’re exploring the moments Martin's most proud of over 20 years in sustainability, and the difference between the impact he made in his early career, working on visible projects you could easily explain to your friends, and the legacy he now seeks to leave in any organisation he works with through embedding sustainability into the very fabric of the organisation. Whilst it’s not necessarily work that’s as fun to talk about in the pub, it’s Martin’s formula for a deeply satisfying career.  This conversation also takes us into the workings of our minds - how that inner critic and inner doubt can sometimes get noisy, and the benefit of working out how to amplify that inner coach that’s ready to cheer us on, if only we’d listen.  You can connect with Martin on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit subscribe, post a review, and share this episode with your friends. I'd also love you to join my Rooted email community, where I share regular insights about the human side of sustainability leadership - click here to join. Have any questions? You can find me on LinkedIn or Instagram. Interested in one-to-one coaching with me? Check out my website to book a  free discovery call. Thanks for listening!  From Liv 💛

    Martin Wayman - Director of Sustainability at Arriva
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Is this the hardest job on the planet? Every day, sustainability leaders are expected to influence without authority, balance commercial priorities with climate ambition, and keep moving forward through uncertainty. It's meaningful work, but it can also feel overwhelming and emotionally demanding. You don't have to navigate it alone. Hosted by transformational coach and former sustainability leader Liv Cropper, Rooted is the podcast for thoughtful sustainability leaders and ESG professionals navigating complex careers with purpose. If you care as much about how you lead as the impact you create, you'll feel right at home here.  Each episode features Chief Sustainability Officers and sustainability directors driving change within some of the world's largest organisations, including KPMG, Arriva, Wickes and Sage, alongside founders and experts, all sharing practical lessons from leading change. These conversations explore creating impact, building meaningful careers, leadership, resilience, burnout, wellbeing and the realities of organisational change.  Whether you're looking for practical leadership insights, fresh perspectives or simply reassurance that others are facing the same challenges, Rooted will leave you feeling more connected, more confident and better equipped to lead. New episodes every three weeks. Follow Rooted wherever you listen to podcasts. Here’s what listeners are saying about Rooted: “I’m thoroughly enjoying this podcast” “ Very insightful. Great to hear about the people behind the role rather than just about what they do.” “Great, lovely pace and very genuine conversation” “I love them! Liv has a wonderful way of relaxing her guests and encouraging conversations.” 

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