TIE Unearthed

We start this conversation reflecting on the question “where are you from”?

If you are a global citizen, you will be able to relate to Tessa’s response.

Tessa Wernink was born in Hong Kong, moved to the Netherlands when she was 10, and has lived in various other Asian countries over the years. She is a social entrepreneur and business activist, facilitator and podcast maker who is addressing social and environmental issues in business.

We then go on to talk about how a phone can be built and made fairly. And what that means.

Tessa talks about Fairphone, the only European phone today, that she co-founded at the start of her activist journey.

After Fairphone Tessa then started to ask how businesses can be more humane and a force for good.

We talk about the Undercover Activist which she then founded.

How people can be more of an activist in the way they work. How they can accelerate projects around social and environmental issues.

And we learn how you can nurture more of an activist culture at a company, turning from theory and great ideas to action.

We reflect on culture, customs, and change.

And then talk about interesting social businesses around the world ranging from environmentally friendly cars, how to approach death undertaking from a more sustainable and ethical point of view, and then an entrepreneur in Hong Kong that is creating fish from a lab.

Tessa finishes on the concept of active hope. Which is such a great way to finish this episode, and this year’s series of the TIE Unearthed Podcast.

Let’s celebrate action. So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and get inspired with Tessa.

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

And if you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter here. http://bit.ly/TIENewsletter

If you want to find out more about Fairphone please click here https://www.fairphone.com/en/), about The Undercover Activist https://www.undercoveractivist.com and about Tessa’s What If We Get It Right podcast: https://www.whatifwegetitright.com

See you again in January of 2023 for more inspiring episodes of TIE Unearthed. Happy holidays!! 

Why is there so much trauma in Iraq? How was the war with ISIS so different to the other wars over the years? What is the reality on the ground for women in Iraq? Today I speak with Asmaa Ibrahim, co-head of Trauma Care and Health at Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights and assistant lecturer at the Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology at the University of Duhok in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq. We start this conversation understanding the history and the background to the country. Asmaa talks about the stories from when the war broke out in 2014. And what she has heard from the people that she helps. Then she explains what she does to help start the healing process. Asmaa tells us one of her favourite techniques that she uses to help people heal from trauma. We hear about how children were militarised and educated under ISIS. And then what she and the Jiyan Foundation are going to do to reintegrate these now young adults back into society. During this conversation Asmaa gives us a brief window into the life in Iraq. We talk about the culture. And she finishes explaining her anguish but also her hope. I was left so reflective after this. Talking to people in other places is so important. Perspective is such an incredible thing, and conversations like this bring us all closer together. There is a lot here. So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and enjoy this conversation with Asmaa. And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe. And if you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter here. http://bit.ly/TIENewsletter

We start this conversation talking about South Korea in 1998.

This was Rick’s first posting when he was in the US army at 22 years of age.

He then found himself skiing and climbing in the alps and sailing in Norway. And afterwards, very quickly got immersed in leadership development.

Rick Wheatley now runs the advisory firm he started in Oslo called Systems7, where he helps leaders break out of the old ways of thinking and helps them see new possibilities that enhance commercial success, while creating the future we need.

We talk about how he got into this space and how he started his leadership development journey.

He talks about the power of taking people to the edge of their mental maps and nudging them off.

We talk about the way our brains are wired. About cognitive bias. And how the challenges we face today impact our ability to lead change.

I ask Rick how we can accelerate the sustainability strategies and performance of companies. And how ESG can be less about a paper drill, and more about action.

His insights in this area are fascinating.

Rick talks about the power of expanding the playing field.

He talks about what a CFO said to him once that was game changing for their teams.

And then we talk about the hot topic of net zero.

There is so much here. He even finishes with some really sound advice for the times we are currently living in.

So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and enjoy this conversation with Rick.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

And if you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter here. http://bit.ly/TIENewsletter

Have you seen the monarch butterfly migration in Mexico?

300 million butterflies arriving in Mexico during day of the dead.

And this is where we start our story talking about my friend Ali Alvarez. Mexican-born, LA-raised, and London-molded.

She started as a professional horse jumper and then went on to build a creative career in advertising and filmmaking.

And while she was juggling work in advertising, and working on her butterfly film, something happened to her that changed everything.

A traumatic head injury from a horse-riding accident one Sunday afternoon where she lost her memory and the ability on her right side to move.

Ali tells us about what happened after that fateful day.

When she got her memory back.

And then what she did from there.

She talks about how she went back to finish the film and how it healed her.

We talk about love, her inspiring family, and the power of being able to be herself and create the life she wanted to create.

She tells us the three things that have kept her together in really challenging times.

And then we finish having a conversation about how we can all make a difference in our own unique way – whatever form that may take.

This is an inspiring story of what happens when someone lives their life with conviction, determination, and love.

So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and enjoy this conversation with Ali.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

And if you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter here. http://bit.ly/TIENewsletter

To find out more about Ali and her work you can click alialvarez.com. 

And to check out the incredible stop frame animation film Ali, Cali Oliver, Bart Yates and Joseph Mann made for TIE in 2010, click here. 

We see the world not as it is, but as we are.

We simply don’t all interact in the world the same way with the information around us. And we all process things differently.

What you see is going to be different to what I see. And that impacts everything.

Particularly when it comes to education and people management.

Today I speak with Sarah Cohen, a People & Culture professional and leader whose experiences in education, technology, and economics have shaped her pragmatic and innovative approaches to developing people and growing organizations.

We talk about her learning challenges growing up, and the fascinating insights that came from that time in her life.

We hear about the fundamental lesson her dad taught her in his last weeks of life. And how that then shaped how she chose to live and work.

She tells us about her time in education and helping other children transcend learning challenges.

And then how you set up the brain to be able to learn and thrive.

What is fascinating is she then took these learnings to the corporate world, where she now works in talent, and is focused on creating a culture of growing people where they thrive.

She talks of the challenges she sees in the corporate world from a talent point of view, but also how the creation of strong personal connections is the answer to a more sustainable business.

There is so much here. All rooted in people, math, and economics. Just the way Sarah likes it.

So grab your favourite beverage. Or throw on those running shoes and here is an inspiring chat with Sarah.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

And if you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter here. http://bit.ly/TIENewsletter

What does it look like to be a mum of two little ones and run the biggest media agency in Australia? How about running a company and using your power to make business stand for more? And what is the impact of feminine energy in business? Today I’m speaking with Laura Nice, Co-CEO of OMD Australia. We talk about why she and Sian Whitnall created the Co-CEO position. We talk about what got her to where she is now. And a key bit of advice about how to progress. On this chat I wanted to understand why she became a Co-CEO and how that role came to be. She talks about how she sees her role in helping to drive sustainability for their clients. And what a human centric organization looks like in her mind. We hear what purpose means for OMD and the part it plays in the business. And the power of vulnerability. Laura then leaves us with an incredible insight to what they are doing at their company, which is a fantastic idea, and something every company should think about doing.  Absolute genius. So grab your favourite beverage. Or throw on those running shoes and here is an inspiring chat with Laura. And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe. And if you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter here. http://bit.ly/TIENewsletter

Have you ever stopped to think of how powerful a challenge can be?

Or how purpose can literally save your life?

This is what we’re going to talk about today.

And we have Catherine Wreford, one of the strongest people I know, to tell us her incredible story.

From staring on Broadway, to running a mortgage company, to nursing school.

And then the unthinkable happened. A brain tumour, the size of her fist.

But, yet again, Catherine demonstrates just what can happen when you put your mind to something.

And that cancer is just a word, and not a sentence.

There is so much here.

I promise you’ll laugh, you’ll get goosebumps, and there may be tears from Cath and me.

But without question you’ll come out realizing just what is possible when you push through adverse situations, put your mind to something, and follow your heart.

And Catherine sums up our conversation perfectly, saying “You need to get out there and live life. If you want to be part of life, you need to do it yourself”.

Words to live by.

So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and enjoy this conversation with Catherine.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

And if you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter here. http://bit.ly/TIENewsletter

A “Whoa” moment.

A reminder of what the reality of a different culture truly feels like.

And a chance to go off grid.

Yes, we are back with the Immersive TIE programme.

And Niall has returned from his experience in Mozambique to tell his tales.

This is a podcast you don’t want to miss.

As most of you know, this was our primary TIE programme for close to 14 years.

It changed people’s lives. It evolved companies. And impacted communities in 24 countries around the world.

But the pandemic had other plans for us, and this had to be put on hold.

Until recently!

Today Niall gives us a window into his experience.

Niall is a Portfolio Manager at Octopus Energy in London, one of the largest investors of renewable energy in Europe. And he holds a Masters in Applied Mathematics and a Doctorate in Quantum Physics.

Let's just say, when he realised there was data to get stuck into - he was SO excited. :-)

This conversation is super revealing.

We hear about how he sees himself differently on return.

And the feelings he knows he must hold onto.

We hear about his reflections on leadership.

Why he applied.

And what came out of the experience – both with regards to the impact on the Marine Megafauna Foundation. But also, on him.

There are incredible learnings here, and it’s fascinating to understand the solutions he came up with.

If you’re thinking of applying for TIE. Thinking of having a TIE programme at your company. Or just keen to better understand how the programme impacts people and companies – don’t miss this one.

And the quote Niall ends on by Anne Frank is a perfect way to sum up this chat - “Whoever is happy will make others happy too’.

So grab that favourite beverage or throw on those running shoes, and enjoy this conversation with Niall.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

And if you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter here. http://bit.ly/TIENewsletter

If you’re keen to see more of his experience, do check out his TIE Instagram at @Niall_and_the_whales.

It’s an election year in Brazil, and as many of you will know, it’s a big one. 

Bolsonaro in power. 

Brazil’s democracy on the rocks. 

And a country extremely impacted by covid, where basic human rights are worse than we’ve ever seen them. 

So I felt it was fitting to speak with my good friend, Ivan Moraes. 

A father, journalist, dreamer, writer, defender of human rights and City councilor in Recife for the socialism and liberty party (PSOL). He’s currently in his second term in the Municipal Chamber of Recife, and will be the candidate for state deputy in the 2022 elections. 

Ivan helps us understand what Brazil is facing right now in this election. 

He explains why he went into politics. 

He talks about the challenges. What his life looks like in the spot light. But also why it’s so important. 

We hear about what gives him hope. 

But also what keeps him up at night. 

And he talks about how everyone can be the change. 

As Siba says, “The world moves, every time you take a step”. 

There are so many learnings and takeaways in this episode. And important insights to what is happening on the ground in Brazil. This is a must listen. 

So grab your favourite beverage. Or throw on those running shoes and here is an inspiring chat with Ivan. 

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe. 

And if you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter here. http://bit.ly/TIENewsletter

A mid-life crisis.

The Atlantic rainforest.

And discovering what sustainability means and looks like.

Today I talk with Binka, co-founder of Iracambi, a Brazilian organisation working to make the conservation of the Atlantic Rainforest more attractive than its destruction.

We talk about what it looks like to save forests and change lives.

We hear about the challenges of the last few years.

But also, how TIE helped to propel Iracambi into huge growth in 2021.

We talk about what’s next with TIE and Iracambi, and we get the inside scoop on Binka’s time at the summit of the Americas, where heads of state and global leaders talked about building a more sustainable future.

Binka also let's us in on what gives her hope. But also what keeps her up at night.

Lots here.

So throw on those running shoes, or grab that favourite beverage, and here is Binka.

And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

And if you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter here. http://bit.ly/TIENewsletter