Shape the System

About the Guest Aymeric Maudous is the Co-founder of Lord of the Trees , an Australian-based environmental technology company pioneering drone-assisted reforestation. With over two decades in the environmental sector and a Master’s in Environmental Management from UNSW, Aymeric combines cutting-edge robotics and AI with Indigenous ecological knowledge to regenerate degraded landscapes. His work has taken him from the Daintree Rainforest to Borneo and beyond, where he collaborates with local communities to restore ecosystems and biodiversity at scale. Episode Summary In this episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner talks with Aymeric Maudous, founder of Lord of the Trees, ab...

About the Guest

Grant Gunnison is the Co-founder of Zero Homes, a company tackling the climate crisis by rethinking how single-family homes transition off fossil fuels. Based in Colorado, Grant brings a unique mix of hands-on contracting experience and a background in advanced technology and software. His journey from working in construction to building digital tools for home electrification gives him both credibility and a practical lens on the industry’s challenges. At Zero Homes, he leads efforts to make retrofitting old houses easier, more affordable, and more scalable.

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In this ep...

About the Guest

Chris Hull is the Co-founder of Otus, an education platform built to help schools and teachers understand students more holistically. A former seventh-grade social studies teacher, Chris brings classroom credibility and a deep empathy for the realities of teaching at scale. His career shift was driven by a simple but stubborn problem: with 150 students a year, how can a teacher truly know each child and act on that knowledge? Otus is his answer—uniting data, context and tools to make teaching more effective and sustainable.

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In this episode of...

About the Guest(s)

Nis Benn is the co-founder of Hyme Energy, a Copenhagen-based company pioneering solutions to decarbonise industrial heat at scale. With a background spanning sociology, consulting, political organising, and deep-tech startups, Nis has consistently chased high-leverage, system-level climate solutions — from nuclear innovation to Hyme’s molten-salt heat storage.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner speaks with Nis Benn of Hyme Energy about one of the world’s biggest yet overlooked climate challenges: industrial heat. While most clean-energy discussions focus on electricity, heat accounts for roughl...

About the Guest(s):

Nate Spiteri is the co-founder of Shopfront, a pioneering Australian company focused on revolutionizing the secondhand market space through a tech-driven approach. With a background in banking and a keen interest in impact businesses, Nate transitioned from the financial sector to the startup realm. He played a crucial role as the first hire in a successful alternative credit scoring startup that aimed at assisting people with impaired credit histories. In parallel, Nate explored the world of fashion through his streetwear brand and gained invaluable insights into the e-commerce ecosystem, which ultimately led him...

About the Guest(s):

Nick Hodges is an innovation-driven entrepreneur and the founder of Halcyon, specializing in engineering and developing novel solutions in the energy sector. With a background in business and an aptitude for learning engineering, Nick has combined these skills to address challenges in energy generation, particularly in distributed energy systems. His venture focuses on creating efficient, aesthetically pleasing, shrouded turbines designed for urban environments, with an aim to redefine how wind energy can be harnessed effectively in towns and cities.

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In this engaging episode of Shape the System...

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Heidi Diestal is a fourth-generation turkey farmer at Diestal Family Ranch, based in California. With a rich history in farming, her family has been pivotal in setting standards for organic farming in the United States. Passionate about progressing sustainable agricultural practices, Heidi focuses on integrating regenerative farming methods to enhance the quality and sustainability of food production.

Kristine Root is the Chief Marketing Officer at Regenefied, a certification company based in Denver, Colorado. With a strong background in marketing and sustainability, Kristine is dedicated to measuring the positive impact of regenerative...

About the Guest(s):

Paul Bevan is the founder and CEO of Magic Valley, a pioneering company in the cultivated meat industry. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Paul has been a vegan for over a decade and was vegetarian for 20 years before that. Before founding Magic Valley, he had a diverse career path that included roles in credit and fraud analytics for banks, as well as ventures in operating a mixed martial arts gym and a finance brokerage. His rich background in various industries has uniquely positioned him to drive innovation in the sustainable food sector.

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About the Guest(s):

Raz Razgaitis is the CEO of Flow Water, a company focused on providing clean and trustworthy drinking water solutions across the United States. With a background in tech and a decade spent running early-stage tech companies, Raz shifted his focus to address the systemic issues surrounding tap water quality. Through Flow Water, Raz aims to reduce dependency on single-use plastics and champion the notion that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right. The company, under his leadership, has reached the milestone of achieving 1 billion fills of Flow Water, establishing itself...

About the Guest(s):

Josh Bloomfield is the Founder and CEO of GiveCloud, a remote-first company aiming to transform how nonprofits operate and connect with donors. Based in Ottawa, Canada, currently residing in Florida with family, Josh’s career began immediately post-high school when he ventured into building grant management software for the US government. His experiences range from developing enterprise applications and security to gaining insights into user experience. Josh's vision was initially inspired by his entrepreneurial family, particularly his grandfather and father, who owned and operated a renowned local bakery. He aimed to apply technological ad...

About the Guest(s):

Don Weatherbee is the CEO of Regenexx, a forward-thinking organization focused on innovative precious metals recovery techniques. Transitioning from an accounting background, Don has extensive experience in the mining sector, including coal and oil sands, before joining Regenexx in 2015. His operational expertise coupled with leadership roles has equipped him with the tools to helm Regenexx's ambitious endeavors in sustainable technology and precious metal recycling.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of "Shape the System," host Vincent Turner converses with Don Weatherbee, CEO of Regenexx, unveiling the intricacies of precious...

About the Guest(s):

Hugo Spowers
Hugo Spowers is a pioneer in sustainable auto technology and the founder of Riversimple, a company dedicated to developing hydrogen fuel cell cars. With a background in mechanical engineering and a deep interest in environmental sustainability, he left a career in motor racing to focus on creating a new kind of vehicle that could revolutionize personal mobility. Riversimple aims to create highly efficient, eco-friendly cars through innovative design and business models, setting new standards for the automotive industry.

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In this episode of "Shape the...

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Wayne McIntyre is the CEO and co-founder of Relocalize, a groundbreaking startup focused on transforming the production and distribution of food and beverages. With a robust background in technology startups and leadership roles, Wayne has a unique perspective that blends his personal passion for environmental sustainability with professional expertise. He holds over two decades of experience in diverse markets, having transitioned from a corporate lawyer in the U.S. to a pioneer in decarbonization efforts for food systems.

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In this engaging episode of "Shape the System," host...

About the Guest(s):

Peter Vranes is the co-founder and CEO of Nutromics. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Peter previously took a skincare company from startup to a successful trade sale. Fascinated by health diagnostics, he shifted his focus to medtech. Alongside co-founder Hitesh Mehta, Peter is on a mission to revolutionize health diagnostics and patient outcomes through continuous biosensing technology. Under his leadership, Nutromics has raised $55 million and assembled a team of 60 experts in Melbourne and San Diego.

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In this episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner speaks...

About the Guest(s):

Paul Frasca: Paul Frasca is a co-founder of Sustainable Salons, an organization dedicated to minimizing waste in the beauty industry by turning salon waste into valuable resources. With a background in hairdressing and a keen interest in sustainability inspired by his partner Evelina, Paul has been pivotal in introducing sustainable practices into salons across Australia and New Zealand. Paul is also involved in innovative recycling solutions, such as using human hair for oil spill cleanups and creating fertilizers.

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In this captivating episode of Shape the System, host...

About the Guest(s):

Christa Stelzmuller: Christa Stelzmuller is a prominent technologist and leader currently serving at charity: water, an organization dedicated to bringing clean and safe water to people in developing countries. With a rich background in consulting and startups, particularly in mission-driven enterprises, Christa combines her technical expertise and passion for social impact to drive charity: water's technology and data initiatives. She has been instrumental in integrating innovative technological solutions to enhance both operational efficiency and donor engagement within the organization.

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In this riveting episode of Shape the System...

About the Guest(s):

Dr. Aditya Nagrath is a distinguished individual with a profound background in mathematics and computer science, highlighted by his PhD from the University of Denver. Following his academic ventures, he founded Elephant Head Software, a dynamic contract software engineering firm that rapidly launched over 35 product lines, consisting of 50 applications with an efficient team of engineers. Building on this momentum, Dr. Nagrath spearheaded the innovative math education platform, Elephant Learning, which is designed to empower children's understanding of mathematics as a language.

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In this engaging episode of "Shape...

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Kat Roma Greer is the Artistic Director of Micro Galleries, a global roaming arts initiative that focuses on using art as a tool for positive change in under-resourced communities. With her expertise, Kat leads a team of creative individuals developing small-scale innovative solutions to address both local and global issues through artist residencies, workshops, and the well-known Micro Galleries Live Festival. She is deeply passionate about the intersection of art and social impact, particularly in regions undergoing issues such as climate disruption and unequal resource distribution.

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About the Guest(s):

Ari Tulla is a passionate healthcare entrepreneur focused on delivering better health solutions through technology and data. With his roots firmly planted in Finland, Ari has been a Bay Area resident for over 16 years, dedicating the last 14 to spearheading healthcare companies. His inspiration stemmed from personal challenges, as he and his wife faced a long journey with health issues, eventually leading to the birth of their children through IVF after overcoming obstacles tied to thyroid tumors and autoimmune diseases. Ari's prior ventures include BetterDoctor and Quest Analytics, where he led initiatives to improve...

About the Guest(s):

Howard Pearl is the Chief Executive of Charitable Adult Rides and Services, Inc. (CARS), which operates under the parent nonprofit that has been functioning for 107 years and collaborates exclusively with nonprofits. Known for running the largest vehicle and real estate donation program in the US, CARS serves a broad range of clients, including renowned organizations like the American Red Cross, American Kidney Foundation, and Sierra Club, among many others. With more than 9000 clients, Howard leads CARS on its mission to maximize donations and funnel them back into various charitable causes.

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Duration: 00:56:14

About the Guest(s):

Dejan Nenov is a seasoned technology entrepreneur and software engineer with roots in Sofia, Bulgaria. Having moved to the United States in 1984 and with a background in electrical engineering and computer science, Dejan dove into the startup culture of San Francisco in the early '90s. His entrepreneurial spirit has seen him involved in multiple startups, with notable work experience in Australia with Solution 6 and a continuous engagement with healthcare technology projects. Dejan is currently a co-founder and investor in a healthcare startup, emphasizing the importance of integration in the healthcare industry.

About the Guest(s):

Miles Mufuka Martin is a distinguished entrepreneur from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, dedicated to revolutionizing the way we exchange goods locally. He is the co-founder of Relai, a company designing innovative solutions for physical asset exchange, leveraging his background in sports and technology. Martin's track and field experience has instilled in him a high-risk tolerance, an attribute he brings to the startup landscape.

Episode Summary:

In this gripping episode of "Shape the System," Vincent Turner engages in an enlightening conversation with Miles Mufuka Martin, exploring the transformative concept of "exchange zones"...

About the Guest(s):

Bryce and Brita represent the multi-generational family-owned Lundberg Farms located in Northern California, a cornerstone in the world of sustainable agriculture. Bryce is a third-generation farmer, instrumental in upholding the farm's legacy through innovative organic farming practices. Brita, a fourth-generation farmer, continues to expand the farm's vision of integrating ecological farming strategies. Together, they oversee a team of approximately 400 individuals dedicated to producing a wide array of organic rice products. The Lundberg family has been at the forefront of organic and regenerative farming since 1937 when the farm was established with a commitment to...

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Simon Schillebeeckx is the co-founder of Handprint, a company he started in late 2019 with a mission to generate positive impacts on the planet through deliberate action. Prior to his entrepreneurial journey, Schillebeeckx had an academic background in environmental sustainability. His academic career was dedicated to teaching students and conducting research focused on sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Adopting the scientific concept of "handprint," Schillebeeckx has ventured to create systemic changes in the way companies view and implement sustainability initiatives.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of "Shape the System,"...

About the Guest(s):

Udo Erasmus is a pioneering health and wellness advocate, specializing in the field of fats, oils, and human health. Born in Poland during World War II and raised in Latvia, Udo faced the harsh realities of war from an early age, which propelled him into a lifelong quest for answers to the fundamentals of life, health, and human nature. Erasmus has an impressive background in biochemistry, genetics, biology, and nutrition, and is well-known for developing methods for creating oils with health in mind. At 82 years old, he continues to be an i...

About the Guest(s):

Stephen Brittain is an innovator with a unique journey that started in industrial design and led him to the world of insurance and risk management. With over seven years of experience in the insurance industry, Stephen is still driven by the desire to solve complex systemic problems. His background includes industrial design, focusing on understanding human needs and creating solutions that are fit for purpose. Stephen's expertise lies in bridging the gap between risk and innovative ideas, an endeavor he pursues through Insurtech Gateway, where he is a key figure. Insurtech Gateway is...

About the Guest(s):

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Tony Pan is a driven innovator and entrepreneur at the forefront of energy transformation. As a key figure in Modern Hydrogen, Tony and his team are dedicated to advancing clean, sustainable energy solutions. His passion lies in developing technologies that not only tackle the current energy challenges but also reshape the system for a cleaner future. His latest venture focuses on creating new methodologies for producing hydrogen and valuable byproducts, demonstrating his commitment to innovation and sustainable progress in the energy sector.

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About the Guest(s):
David Goldman is a seasoned professional in the field of environmental conservation, and a representative of the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife in Australia. With a dedication to the preservation of national parks and wildlife, David brings a wealth of insight into biodiversity and land management. Based in Sydney, Australia, his role involves collaborative efforts to expand the reach and protection of natural reserves across the country, aiming to save threatened species and enhance ecological resilience.

Episode Summary:
In this engaging episode of Shape the System, host Vincent interviews David...

About The Guest(s): Chris Rock is a professional hacker and the founder of SEIMonster, a security company that provides penetration testing and security research services. With over 30 years of experience in information security, Chris has worked with major banks and organizations around the world to identify vulnerabilities and improve their security systems.

Summary: Chris Rock, a professional hacker and founder of SEIMonster, discusses the role of information security in government and institutions. He highlights the vulnerabilities in digital systems, such as the birth and deaths registration system, and the potential consequences of security breaches. Chris emphasizes...

About The Guest(s):

Ali Wing is the CEO of Oobli, a company that is revolutionizing the way we consume sugar. With a background in consumer commercial leadership, Ali is passionate about finding innovative solutions to tackle the global health crisis caused by excessive sugar consumption.

Summary:

Ali Wing, CEO of Oobli, discusses the impact of sugar on our bodies and the rise of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. She explains that while sugar is a biological necessity and humans are wired to crave it, our modern food supply has made...

About The Guest(s):

Dr. Mark Gooden is a professor at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. He specializes in antiracist leadership, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in education. Dr. Gooden has conducted extensive research on these topics and has presented to various audiences, including school districts and government agencies.

Summary:

Dr. Mark Gooden discusses the importance of equity in education and the role of leadership in creating equitable systems. He explains that educational equity is achieved when students can learn and thrive in a welcoming and inclusive environment. However, there...

About The Guest(s):

Claudia Guerreiro is a conscious marketing expert and the founder of the Conscious Marketing Movement. She has a background in NGOs and has worked in various countries around the world. Claudia is passionate about helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs and conscious marketers create positive change through their marketing efforts.

Summary:

Claudia Guerreiro discusses the concept of conscious marketing and how it can be used to create positive change in the world. She emphasizes the importance of shifting from profit-driven to purpose-driven marketing and building relationships with customers. Claudia also highlights the...

About The Guest(s):

Stu Adams is the CEO and co-founder of Agronomeye, an agricultural technology company that focuses on providing detailed data and decision-making tools for farmers. With a background in sports journalism, Stu transitioned into the agricultural space through his work with drones and the connections he made with farmers along the way. He is passionate about helping farmers improve their land management practices and navigate the challenges of sustainability in the agricultural industry.

Summary:

In this episode, Stu Adams, CEO and co-founder of Agronomeye, discusses the current state of farming...

About The Guest: Mick Hase is the founder of SEVENTNEENx, an organization that focuses on engaging the business community to take meaningful action with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He is passionate about redefining the definition of business and believes that businesses have the power to solve global challenges and create positive impact.

Summary: Mick Hase, founder of SEVENTNEENx, discusses the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how businesses can align their strategies with these goals. The SDGs were created in 2015 as a global agenda to address major challenges facing the world. Mick explains that the 17...

About The Guest(s):
Kristian Hansen is the founder and CEO of Slo, a sustainable fashion brand that aims to change the fast fashion industry. With a background in the fashion industry, Kristian saw the need for a more sustainable and ethical approach to clothing production and set out to create a brand that focuses on quality, durability, and customization.

Summary:
Kristian Hansen, founder and CEO of Slo, discusses the problems with the fast fashion industry and how his brand is working to change the system. He explains that fast fashion is responsible for a...

About The Guest(s):
Dr. Carl Giordano is an orthopedic surgeon and spine surgeon with a background in chemistry. He is also a nutritional biochemist and has been studying the field of aging and health span for over 20 years. Dr. Giordano is the co-founder of Rebasana, a company that aims to provide comprehensive supplements to help slow down the aging process and maintain cellular identity.
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Summary:
Dr. Carl Giordano discusses the importance of maintaining cellular identity to slow down the aging process. He explains that aging occurs when genes are turned on and off incorrectly in...

In Episode 66 we talk to CEO and President of Humentum, Christine Sow

How do we do global development better? The UN sustainable development goals, which are a key lens for this show, are being actively worked on by literally thousands of for profit, non-profits and other non-governmental organisations but how to enable these organisations to deliver on their objectives

Humentum serves the organisations tackling Global Development firstly by helping them achieve operational excellence, learning from what has worked elsewhere, however understanding that success in one locale won't always translate in another in what t...

In this episode we talk to Pinar Akiskalioglu, founder of TAKK about Personal Care and the impact on us and the environment of the status quo.

An industry that has grown continually since its emergence in the mid 50s the Personal Care market has long thrived on creating new, unnecessary products and selling them by creating confusion and insecurity.  Pinar spent years working inside the industry before deciding to return to her entrepreneurial roots by setting up TAKK.

TAKK is built on a platform of removing microdecisions from our daily lives so we can invest m...

In this episode we talk to CEO & Founder of Love Out Loud about Love and the role it can play in the maximising human potential and happiness. Not love in the romantic sense but as the opposite of fear. We explore the three systems at play in our day to day experience including the nervous system, emotive system and your cognitive function and how these impact our ability as individuals and collectively to be open to new ideas, other people’s experience and personal growth generally.

A fascinating conversation that covers philosophy, change and our sense of se...

In a world of disposable led convenience Caroline and Kelly, as cofounders of Solmates, decided to tackle the problem in a unique and compelling way to try to overcome the constrains and restrictions for a product like sunscreen. We explore how regulation actually drives what options can be used for the packaging that apply to one product (sunscreen) vs another (skincare) and how these somewhat arbitrary constraints required entrepreneurial thinking to circumvent. 

We learn how Kelly’s toddler’s airport meltdown led to a sketch which a design agency used to create a first working product which then...

With massive transformation happening in the utility scale energy generation businesses are starting to be left behind. Unable in a lot of cases to gain energy security for themselves they are limited to playing a passive role in both their own energy resilience as well as the transition to renewables generally.
 

Additionally as the transition and aging infrastructure is disrupted there is an impact of around of $150Bn a year in the US alone.

To enable businesses to have resilient , affordable and renewable energy means helping them to understand the range of energy options a...

**About The Guest(s):**

Amanda is the Head of High Growth Ventures at KPMG, where she leads a team dedicated to working with startups. With a focus on deep tech and climate tech companies, Amanda helps founders navigate the challenges of scaling their businesses and provides them with the necessary support and services.​**Summary:**Amanda discusses the importance of compliance and governance for startups, particularly in the deep tech and climate tech sectors. She emphasizes the need for founders to think about these aspects early on and to outsource them to experts, allowing them to focus on...

The gap between the $300 Bn funding available for research in private and public organisations and where those funds are needed has a massive macro impact on society. Profound Impact, which started initially in helping impact led researchers communicate their value, has now applied machine learning models to the entire universe of grant and funding process to better connect funding available with the individuals and institutions best able to leverage or win those funds.

The process of grant funding is opaque and inefficient which takes away the researcher from the actual work of research, research that drives breakthrough...

Potentially the most contentious interview that we’ve down to date we explore the role propane and natural gas plays in the transition to clean, renewable energy.

As the CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council  Tucker Perkins has decades of experience across the energy sector and helps to put natural gas into context across the energy needs of our modern world.

As we transition to renewable energy there is a segment of the energy mix where energy density is critical (think shipping and logistics) where solar, wind & storage battle to be viable so the cri...

In our latest specialist interview we talk to Ashlee Sang who has spent decades working with impact led founders, companies and non-profits about brand messaging and communications in the context of impact led ventures.

Ashlee takes us through a framework of thinking on how to connect values, actions and messaging so customers or other stakeholders not only understand what you stand for but also what this means for you and you brand specifically.

It's not enough to simply define values but define what you actually mean in terms of your actions, especially where those reach...

In episode 54 we talk to Yellowdig founder Shaunak Roy about education. Our current educational norms are based on constructs dating back to the industrial revolution and more recently post WW2 but the world we live in today, especially the world today's students inhabit, is vastly different. 

How do class rooms, teaches and our educational organisations need to adapt? 

What are the patterns students encounter outside of the classroom and how might these inform how we teach and support students (and indeed each other) to improve learning outcomes

https://www.yellowdig.co/

Seabin burst on to the scene back in 2016 with a innovative bin designed to clean up oceans and waterways, installed in marinas with a video that went globally viral. 5 years on and whilst they have sold bins in over 50 countries globally and cleaned up hundreds of tons of plastics from billions of litres of filtered water the business wasn't itself sustainable, in fact it was in trouble.

In this interview with founder & CEO Pete Ceglinski we talk in detail about the huge pivot they have undertaken from selling Seabins to selling the data they generate. Just a...

In episode 55 we talk to Jan Skjoldhammer, the founder of NoviOcean. Wave power is one of the least progressed forms of renewable energy but there is an infinite amount of wind creating waves and those waves end up useful right along the coast where over 40% of populations live. In a water locked country like Australia that number rises to 80%

The challenge with traditional wave generated power is not enough power and too expensive to build, deploy and maintain.

NoviOcean changes all that with  an array of innovations (which I attempt to describe in an audio i...

Ever wondered about the environmental impact of the shirt (or dress!) on your back? The textile industry is a huge source of environmental impact across chemical, energy, heat and water usage, even before the shirt/dress is made. Cotton, as the dominant natural fibre is one of the biggest offenders which is where Graham Stewart of Fibre52 comes in.

They have pioneered a new approach to this entire process that drastically reduces all these inputs and actually improves the strength and durability of the material produced by as much as 50% leading to longing lasting clothing a...

In 3+ years we have never spoken about cryptocurrencies, but in episode 52 we change all that. We spoke to Winding Tree founder Maksim Izmaylov about travel bookings and decentralised stores of value and record (ie crypto).

What might initially feel like an odd use case turns out to have the potential to shift mainstream adoption of decentralised commerce and financial transactions, ironically by shifting the focus away from the holding and movement of money but instead enabling better, more efficient access to resources (in this case accomodation bookings)

 www.windingtree.com

Shape th...

In our first foray into a fashion related impact led company we talk to Marshall Conley from Slo Jeans about how they are turning the traditional fast, disposable fashion model (business and marketing) on its head.

They have somehow pioneered a model that intersects bespoke, hype and sustainability (you'll have to listen to hear how they did it)

Slo Jeans are at https://slojeans.co/

Mountain of fast fashion clothing

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

More about KPMG Hi...

In our first formal interview under a new format, focused on conversations with impact led specialists, we speak with Jessica Marati Radparvar from reconsidered. She and her team at reconsidered operate at the intersection of strategy and change management, especially as it applies to mid to larger established organisations who are trying to shift to be more impact led.

Reconsidered is at https://www.reconsidered.co/ and their new program is at Sustainability Change Agent Accelerator

About the show

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Gr...

How do you enable and empower the next generation of impact led founders? You have to meet them where they are to help them solve the problems they understand and/or experience first hand by running a global network of impact focused accelerator programs.

The individuals best placed to solve the challenges in their local community are typically furthest from the resources and support we tend to think of for early stage founders. The Watson Institute helps to bridge this gap 

Watson Institute - https://watson.is/

About the show

Shape t...

We completely unpack the retail energy market with a focus on the multi-tenant property market (retail spaces, aged healthcare etc), a cohort who traditionally have had virtually no way to pull levers to either improve their energy mix or energy prices.

We uncover how the high market volatility has decimated some of the options previously available and how the energy grids and business models simply haven't kept up with the seismic shift to renewables.

Finally, someone explains to me (and all of us) what 'the grid' actually is and we get a first look at...

We talk to Subpod founder Saadi Allan about how households hold the key to dealing with a huge amount of our food waste and how community is key to their mission to make composting a part of everyday life.

How dealing with food waste in a decentralised way creates a massive lever avoiding not only food waste itself but also the energy and resources required to achieve centrally.

Saadi talks at length about how community came first and the product itself followed.

Subpod - https://subpod.com.au/

About the show<...

Understand how Giant Leap intersects impact and the high risk funding that is early stage venture investing.

Will Richardson. managing partner of Giant Leap, talks us through  how the changes in the world in the last 5 - 10 years has created a perfect storm for not only impact led ventures but impact lead venture investing.

With a mission of backing mission-driven founders solving the world's most pressing problems Giant Leap  has backed some of the best known founders and companies coming out of Australia on a thesis that investing for impact outperforms

We dive in...

In episode 44 Rob Rastovich joins to talk about how his venture (Thinglogix) is using an array of sensors and the data they produce to understand from river to plate the nature of the food supply which addresses the huge levels of interdependency within the food supply.

How sensors and data across the food supply can transform the way we consume food and avoid wasting it.

We learn how the interdependency starts to transition to a source of network effects that have the potential to transform the way we produce, transport, store and sell food.

In Episode 45 we speak with Marc Champagne of the INvested Podcast, Behind the Human and author of Personal Socrates.

A new format of mini-interview we are testing where we find interesting people who are adjacent to our core founder / venture interview format

Marc is also working with KPMG High Growth Ventures on a mini-series at the intersection of founder performance (and stress) and the investors that back them so we took the. opportunity to talk about the challenges and stress of running early stage companies, the impact of these stressors on the humans and the...

At the intersection of finance and sustainability, you will find Bloom Investing.

The Bloom Impact Fund helps to drive the adoption of investment in the clean energy sector.

Today we chat with Blooms co-founder Camille Socquet-Clerc about empowering people to understand the impact of investing sustainably.

If you want to learn more about our energy systems, the shift we need to meet climate change forecasts head on, and the scale we need to adopt new, clean technologies to see real impact, this is the episode for you.

Follow Bloom I...

In episode 42 we talk to Peter Brennan, one of the four founders of Heaps Normal, a non-alcoholic beer company with a mission to change drinking culture that is now the leading non-alcoholic beer and brand in the space

Whilst there is some discussion around the product (find out just how they managed to brew an alcohol free beer that tastes great!) the super interesting system shaping that is happening here involves brands and how they have the power to change narratives which helps us to rethink our traditional modes of thinking, some of which have been set...

In episode 41 we talk to Rui Peng about plastic and its role in rethinking the materials used in all forms of commercial enterprise from retail fit-outs to moving to furniture. The potential to replace traditional building materials like laminate MDF, particle board with recycled plastics created through new plastic recycling and fabrication techniques that they have spent the last 2 years creating

We uncover a key part of the Critical business model, based on the features of plastic that are typically problematic like how long it takes to degrade, where they actually buy back the product decades later<...

Prateek Joshi of Plutoshift:  How AI can impact the water and energy use in global manufacturing.

In episode 40 we talk to Prateek Joshi about all things data, especially the relationship of data relating to energy, resources, water and chemicals for major manufacturing organisations and their ESG footprint.

We uncover the macro trends simultaneously occurring across the cost of inputs and resources and the explosion of low costs sensors enabling the data to power the types of real-time resource optimisation that Plutoshift is using to enable large manufacturers to save millions of litres of water, tonnes o...

In episode 39 we talk to the CEO of Eden Green

Eden Green Technology is a vertical farming technology company. They build, manage, and license a greenhouse technology platform that increases local access to nutritious produce, and provides a non-interrupted food supply, all through its turnkey urban agricultural model.

Critically they are aligning to the existing supply chain dynamics which are key to actual adoption at scale and rather than tackling the high margin, small volume game they are focused on making the mass markets like lettuce and other greens available more ch...

In episode 38 we head to the suburbs of Newcastle, around 2 hours north of Sydney, Australia, to meet with David Sivyer and learn about how Feedback Organic is taking urban farming to a whole new level by integrating more fully into the restaurants and venues they supply by not only supplying their produce but also taking back the post consumption food waste.

It was a rainy old day under a tin roofed shed with a surprise cameo from one of the urban neighbours, a super fun listen. We hope you enjoy

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In episode 37 we chat with Lottie the founder of Banish about how a simple purchase of a metal straw to try and reduce her plastic use lead to her realising that the entire way we look at sustainability and the part that we play needed to change.

With little to no regulation or rules around what labels companies can make-up and current regulations on how you can package certain products leading to even more waste, the complexity can make it impossible to really know if you are purchasing a truly sustainable product.  

Lottie's mission is t...

In episode 36 we talk to Andrew Wolk of Finding Common Purpose about how after 20 years consulting to and building non-profits he is now focused on how to create alignment between various stakeholders (business, non-profits, politicians, policy makers, school districts and the community itself) to drive better outcomes for the community they all work in and serve.

We talk about how their dashboards can bring together data, insights and benchmarks but this is only half the battle, you've got to bring people to the table through facilitation to effect change.

Finding Common Purpose

http...

In episode 35 we speak with Ronni Kahn AO, founder of OzHarvest. OzHarvest is one of the most well known brands in Australia. They have been tackling food wastage since 2004 in the context of feeding and nourishing people but soon discovered the environmental impact of food wastage also.

Hear how Ronni and the team over at OzHarvest are tackling the problem through four main pillars of Food Rescue, Education, Advocacy and Innovation which all play a critical role in realising their mission to 'Nourish our Country'

Understand the importance of building brand, engaging government to change...

In Episode 34 we chat with Dan McKenna about the challenges of rethinking how & why we build, with sustainability, affordability and community in mind. Dan has been an employee of Nightingale Housing since the first day of operating, having seen the company through all stages of its evolution and myriad of challenging situations.

We learn about how their non-profit approach to housing development has actually improved the quality  of the product (a home & community), about their interesting approach to resales and with over a dozen developments under their belt how supply is the main constraint to amplifying their r...

Join us for episode 33 with Odunayo the COO & Co-founder of PiggyVest, a company set up to help change the way millennials bank, save and think about money in Nigeria. How do you build a brilliant, forward thinking independent banking platform in a country where traditional banking & mobile  infrastructure is still being built out and isn't always accessible to all? Tune in to find out! 

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

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In episode 32, we interview Josh Howard The founder of Single Use Ain't Sexy about his journey from the  world of media to tackling one of the planets greatest challenges, what are we to do about all that plastic that we keep making and usually only using once!? Tune in today to hear about one mans mission to help.

https://www.singleuseaintsexy.com/

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

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Scale up for success. We’re here for that. Duration: 00:52:42

In episode 31 we talk to Kim Anderson of Plant City and hear how the events of the last 18 months (covid etc) turned into a surprising insight that is now at the centre of their plans to scale nationally in the US. Kim takes us through some of the research supporting the 5 different ways that a move to plant based diets are beneficial for not only the planet but you as well. There is a HEAP of links and further reading for this episode but also hearing Kim's personal story and how her son helped her and her family rethink...

In episode 30 we got on stage live at the The Conscious Space event in Sydney and did a live interview with Jimmy Halfcut (I never did get his real last name!), the founder of Halfcut.org

Halfcut are an organisation that through a series of personal and workplaces challenges (such as wearing half a beard as Jimmy has now for 4+ years) are both bringing awareness to the fact we have lost over half the world's rainforests and half of the biodiversity that goes with it.

Their challenges, however, not only raise awareness but the funds...

In episode 29 we talk to the CEO and Cofounder of MPower Financing, who remove the financial barriers to higher education and are now the leaders of student financing in North America. Hear about how their focus and approach are leading to higher mobility and at a macro level are supporting the next game changers and world leaders who would otherwise never see the light of day.

Learn more about MPower Financing at https://www.mpowerfinancing.com/about-us/

Link to the video for Sara Haider, mentioned in the podcast https://youtu.be/wQ0S0pCb5Y4<...

In episode 28 we're talking all about plastic, a lot of plastic. Talking about the origins of plastic, our relationship to it (and how this is out of kilter with how it was originally conceived) and a total rethink of the day to day usage which creates the 100s of millions of tons of waste plastic globally every year.

Mike talks about how community is key to behaviour change and operating at scale and how transparency is dialled up to 11 to change the nature of the relationship between ZeroCo, it's customers and the industry generally.

https...

Welcome to the first episode of Shape The System for 2021 We chat with the founder of Code Like a Girl, Ally Watson about how she tackles inequality in coding by providing girls and women with the confidence, tools, knowledge and support to enter, and flourish, in the world of coding

https://www.codelikeagirl.com/

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

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Scale up for success. We’re here for that.
We navigate founders and their teams to the se...

A quick chat between your host, Vincent and producer, Lucy where we wrap for the year and a quick look ahead to 2021

In episode 26 we have an in depth chat with Andrew Walker about his company AirSeed Technologies and it's singular and incredibly complex mission to restore the planet. AirSeed uses drone technology to distribute and plant seeds in areas suffering from deforestation, fire damage and the effects of global warming to name but a few of the issues flora face today, taking into account scientifically backed information on what needs to be re-planted rather than creating a potentially hazardous monoculture by mass planting a single species.

The AirSeed Technologies team is made up of experienced professionals in engineering...

In episode 25 we chat with the CEO of WorkRestart, Helen Black about  recidivism; what it is, how to pronounce it and most importantly why it is so important to change the current systems for people in contact with the criminal justice system.

Recidivism or reoffending, creates a ripple effect that negatively impacts individuals, their families and their communities. Almost half of the people released from prison in Australia will return to prison within two years, and sadly that percentage only gets higher as years go on.

If you are one of our many international listeners y...

In episode 24 we chat with the founder of Goterra and  Chair of the Insect Protein Association of Australia Olympia Yarger about how she built a company where automation and biology work in tandem to solve complex challenges like managing waste and creating feed security.

See what happens when a company believes that climate change is the crisis of our time and that tackling it means re-imagining what the world could look like tomorrow, and finding a way to change what we do today.

https://goterra.au/

Shape the System is  an independent podcast wit...

In episode 23 we chat with Jason Wilby about his financial services companies Huddle & Open and how they are trying to break the mold of traditional insurance structures with a straightforward mission to make insurance simple for consumers, brands, brokers and insurers, across the world with the highest level of transparency and honesty.

Open as the core technology changes how insurance companies can operate and Huddle, the consumer brand they operate, challenges the role an insurer plays in our day to day life. 

Open

https://beopen.com/

Huddle

https://huddle.c...

In episode 22 we interview Julia and Jordy Kay the founders and creators of Great Wrap, the world’s first certified home compostable & Biodegradable cling wrap (also known as plastic wrap, stretch wrap, glad wrap or saran wrap). We chat about how they came up with the idea and the massive plastic problem, some 150,000 tonnes every year in Australia alone,  across almost every industry it solves. Finally, we get a glimpse of what the future holds as they work to make it completely plant based. 

https://greatwrap.com.au/

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with s...

In episode 21 we chat with Stephen Woodlands, the Founder of an initiative born from a singular vision, to see everyone have access to a safe and stable home.

His company Head Start Homes helps Single Mums, First Nations People and Families in need who are living in community and social housing secure their futures by giving them the tools necessary to buy their own home

Learn more at https://www.headstarthomes.org.au/

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

More...

David Levy is the steward of Mayacamas Sanctuary, the reformation of the Mayacamas Ranch that served as a transformational group retreat and conference centre from 2006. In a world where our problems are global and interdependent, creating spaces for disconnected and remote teams (especially those that are impact focused) to come together has never been more important. 

In parallel the Sanctuary is pioneering a model of incubation and investment in human and ecological focused ventures and founders

https://mayacamasranch.com/

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

In todays episode we chat with Lulu Luchaire the founder of Ondalinda Foundation, a non-profit project that assists indigenous communities throughout Mexico in preserving their cultural heritage and cultivating a new generation of interdisciplinary artists. Part of proceeds from the Ondalinda x Careyes art exhibition go directly to the Huichol (Wixarica), Purépecha, and other indigenous tribes from Mexico - greatly enabling them to invest in basic infrastructure and resources, to educate and raise awareness for their cause, and to achieve sustainability on a long-term basis.

We discuss  the importance of art, community, heritage, sustainability, ritu...

In todays episode we chat with Jay Faires about his journey from founding Mammoth records and being the head of A&R at Atlantic records to his latest venture The Wellness Agency which was born from the idea that Big Food, Big Pharma, and Western medicine are often making us sicker, not better and that there is a moral imperative to push back from these broken systems we have in place to find better alternative solutions that are steeped in science and results and not woo-woo

Coming from a background of working with musicians it wasn't always s...

In episode 17 we chat with Geert Hendrix the CEO and founder of Farmwall an agrifood-tech startup that designs urban farming technology to enhance fresh produce accessibility in cities,

As Urbanisation continues to scale at a faster rate with an ever increasing proportion of people living in towns and cities we have become more and more dependant on supermarkets and other large chains for our food supplies which in turn means larger dependency on mass agriculture and distribution that spans the face of the planet often with very heavy environmental impact, but what if there was a better way...

In episode 16 we interview Dan Adams, Co-founder of Amber Electric about all things renewable energy and learn about the journey of a company that was born in 2017 out of two dreams: moving the world towards 100% renewable energy and using technology to improve people's lives.

We learn about the hugely timely innovation that Amber have established which allows retail customers to get access to the wholesale energy price . Through combination of hardware management, smart metering and electrification Amber customers get both lower bills and greater use of renewables and even help to stablise the grid (at scale). Disclosure, V...

In this episode we chat with Lily Dempster, the creator of an app that helps people to make significant, wide scale changes to their lifestyle in order to effect real time change for the planet. We chat about what happens when information alone isn't sufficient to change peoples behaviour and how she created the platform to help people make significant, informed decisions on everything from food waste, Banking and superannuation, energy and the things you buy 

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

More about KPMG High...

In today's episode we chat with Anika Molesworth who is an agro-ecological scientist and a young farmer. In this episode we discuss the massive changes happening in modern day farming and how innovative and forward thinking farmers are finding a way to flourish through the challenges of climate change, massive drought, financial challenges and supply and demand changes due to population growth.  To quote Anika "The most important topics of social and environmental sustainability can seem daunting and can trigger disengagement. The biggest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. What each of us does...

In episode 13 we chat with Jessica Kung Dreyfus about how we can challenge our approach to design thinking by looking at systems of Architectural Ornament and sacred geometry to reimagine our buildings, art, public spaces and even entire companies. In a post-modern world (we explain that that means in the show!) we have lost the ornament and flourishes that inhabit the edges. 

What did we lose and why does it matter now? How can we re-engage paradigms in the history of art, architecture, and music, and apply them to current design practice to make things more interesting, b...

In episode 12 we chat with Tony Haile about his journey to help change the internet by creating an ad free one, a world with no ads would be blazing fast with no ad technology slowing things down, It would be clean, no clickbait links at the bottom of articles, it would be private, no shadowy trackers selling your data and it would encourage quality—paying for engagement, not clicks and ultimately supporting higher quality journalism the world over

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

More abou...

In episode 11 we chat with Sam Khalil about the challenges involved in changing the way disability housing and services are provided in Australia, how moving it to a customer centric model meant a total rethink in order to provide architecturally designed, resident-centric homes. Casa Capace is a registered provider with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) The homes feature the latest in technology using Apple’s Homekit platform. Features include the option for remote-controlled lighting, blinds, doors, heating and cooling for each room, as required, to assist residents live the life they want no matter their age or level of d...

In Episode 10 we chat with Tom Dawkins the founder of Start Some Good about his mission to inspire communities and companies to be more innovative, purposeful and impactful. Learn about his journey to help build participatory platforms for community-led change and help organisations harness the opportunities of the emerging purpose economy

https://startsomegood.com/

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

More about KPMG High Growth Ventures

Scale up for success. We’re here for that.
We navigate founders and their teams to the s...

In episode 9 we interview Charbel Zeaiter this episode was recorded with a live audience and acted as the launch for Shape The System back in December of 2019, in this episode we explore Charbels personal mission to improve all life and elevate the human experience, in his own words - "We’re connected by one thing: our humanity; the problems we solve, whether digital or analogue, are designed to touch the lives of many people and the planet" we chat about the incredible initiatives being thought up around the globe to help endangered animals, and how his newest venture supports them...

In episode 8 we chat with Simon Doble the founder of SolarBuddy an incredible initiative that helps to educate people about energy poverty whilst solving the problem for those affected by it. Solarbuddy was created as a way to educate and empower the next generation of children globally towards a more sustainable future and make a positive impact on the lives of children living in energy poverty via its innovative solar light school program.  

https://www.solarbuddy.org/

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

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In episode 7 we chat with Dave Trumbull and Will Davies the founders of CarNextDoor Australia’s largest peer to peer car sharing platform about their mission to free people and the planet from the 'one person, one car' mentality 

We chat about the highs and lows involved in helping to change a system for the better and what the journey of creating a sharing economy around the automobile industry has entailed 

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

More about KPMG High Growth Ventures

Sca...

In Episode 6 we interview Annie Crawford, originally a social worker, working in community mental health and sexual assault, Annie moved into human resources before helping to set up a biotechnology start-up in San Francisco, California.

After returning to Australia in 2003, rather than re-enter the paid workforce, Annie decided to work on a new project that was all about “making a difference”.

Annie decided to combine her passion for running and fitness with raising money for a non-profit organisation. And so, the idea for Can Too was born. Five months later, in May 2005, the first Can Too...

In episode 5 we chat with the inspiring Mark Karake about the journey he took after a 15 year career working with start-ups in the Silicon Valley/San Fransisco area to repatriate to Kenya to immerse himself in the exhilarating challenge of changing the African narrative by empowering young innovators to be a part of the digital transformation of Africa, helping local start-ups develop companies and cultivate an ecosystem of high performance, high integrity, and high collaboration.

https://www.impactafrica.network/

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

M...

In episode 4 we chat with the remarkable Carolyn Gargano on how the advertising industry is changing and the journey her career has taken challenging the status quo with honest, empathetic communication. Learn more about her award winning, unique approach to advertising as she talks about the challenges and changes needed to tackle tough subjects such as gun violence & homelessness.

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures

More about KPMG High Growth Ventures

Scale up for success. We’re here for that.
We navigate foun...

Trades For Good was created by three friends and entrepreneurs with a simple question – “when we recycle less than one in five plastic bottles from our bathrooms, why use plastic at all?” We interview the three cofounders who believe that through better design and rethinking items we use every day we can collectively have a lower or better impact. Their first product, a bath soap packaged in a combination re-usable / recyclable aluminium container gives us a taste of how they are rethinking retail.

https://tradesforgood.com/

Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KP...