Success in the sustainability sector begins with a solid grasp of the science. But that’s only the first step.
Some other steps: telling a good story, negotiating tough conversations and converting skeptics, to list three. These skills are especially relevant today, with the core mission under attack from seemingly every side.
To help you navigate this challenging, ahem, environment, we’ve assembled a lineup of podcasts both useful and compelling that focus on the human side of the work.
If you’re looking for a front-row seat to real climate action…
Ah, the Holy Grail. Bloomberg’s award-winning reporter Akshat Rathi wants to help us all find it, Talking to those in hot pursuit of net zero — from the venture capitalist making cleantech investments to the co-founder of a carbon removal firm — each episode offers insights into tactics that are moving us closer to the goal. One of iHeart’s top climate podcasts, “Zero” is a go-to for policy pros and business leaders who want to know where real climate action is happening — and what’s holding it back.
Gateway episode: No. 95 — The sleek, fuel-saving airplanes coated with synthetic shark skin
If you want to explore all corners of sustainability (even beer) …
This engaging podcast methodically addresses the state of sustainability, one product or concept at a time. With more than 12,000 downloads per month, each episode features a guest’s unpacking of a subject covered by sustainability’s wide (and we do mean wide) umbrella: rare earth elements, sustainable investing, invasive species, feminine hygiene products, climate anxiety and, yes, beer. Suffice it to say, there’s something for everyone. One glowing review noted that the podcast “excels at simplifying complex topics” and praised the “hosts’ strong rapport and engaging delivery.”
Gateway episode: No. 52 — Feminine hygiene products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills (DAME)
If you’re a true crime junkie …
Described as “fascinating” by The New Yorker, this investigative podcast looks at the forces that fuel climate change denial. A combination of deep reporting and gripping storytelling sheds light on topics that are lesser known than they ought to be. In one episode, “Drilled” explains how fossil fuel giants such as ExxonMobil and Shell, supported by powerful PR firms, systematically manufactured doubt about climate science. In others, they reveal how industry-funded lawsuits and smear campaigns are used to silence environmental advocates. Urgent and eye-opening, “Drilled” is essential listening for anyone looking to understand why any progress on the climate is so hard won.
Gateway episode: No. 21 — In El Salvador a cold case murder has become a weapon for silencing environmental activists
If you want to flex your emotional muscles at work …
Leading sustainability efforts can be messy — but empathy can give you a powerful edge. The host, brand strategist Maria Ross, makes the business case for compassion, showing how emotional intelligence fuels better decisions and stronger collaboration. The podcast dives into a broad range of topics, from inclusive workplace design to navigating DEI-related shifts to thinking about human-centered resilience. “Empathy isn’t about being soft,” Ross says. “It’s about connection … and understanding where others are coming from, so we can make better decisions.” This well-reviewed podcast is an important listen for anyone dealing with stakeholder tension and the human side of systems change.
Gateway episode: No. 245 — Tamsen Webster: Say what they can’t unhear: Communicating for lasting change
If you presume to lead …
Empathy doesn’t always look like a heart-to-heart. Sometimes it’s a pause in the meeting. A moment of perspective-taking before firing off a Slack message. A willingness to sit with discomfort instead of steamrolling it. “Lead With That” explores these quieter moments of power with insight and nuance. Hosted by Ren Washington and Allison Barr of the Center for Creative Leadership, the podcast unpacks current events and workplace challenges to ask: how do we lead in ways that center humanity? From navigating social division to building trust during organizational change, this show brings emotional intelligence into the real world of work.
Gateway episode: Navigating tough conversations
If you want to build trust …
The Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast
Being a compassionate leader doesn’t mean lowering your standards. It means raising your awareness. On this podcast, hosts Darryl Brown and Laurel Donnellan spotlight leaders who don’t check their values at the door — from startup founders to nonprofit CEOs — and instead build cultures of care and accountability. A recent episode with Asahi Pompey, President of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, touches on exactly that: how to stay grounded in empathy while navigating high-stakes environments. Conversations are warm but real — less “inspo,” more insight.
Gateway episode: No. 67 – Leading with Heart and Purpose: 2024 Awards Honoree Geoffrey Roche
If you’re the kind of person who thinks of what to say five minutes too late…
We’ve all been there: the high-stakes moment when your brain blanks and there are no words. Hosted by Stanford lecturer Matt Abrahams, “Think Fast, Talk Smart” is designed for exactly that kind of moment. Focused on real-time communication, the podcast explores how to think clearly, listen with intention and respond with empathy — especially when it counts. Whether it’s navigating awkward questions or practicing active listening, each episode is rooted in research and made for people who care about connecting well.
Gateway episode: No. 214 – From Crisis to Clarity: Simplicity, Feedback, and the Art of Being Heard
