Green Queens Podcast

If you've been hanging out with us for a while, you know we did an amazing Interrail trip last year and haven’t stopped talking about it since. Well, the travel itch is officially back, and it is entirely Cat Jones’s fault.In this episode, we sit down with Cat, the absolute powerhouse founder of Byway; a brilliant travel tech company rewriting the rules of holidays. Think flight-free, multi-stop, gorgeous journeys over land and sea that prove the journey itself can be the absolute best part of the trip. (Goodbye airport chaos, hello dining cars and mountain views! 🏔️🍰)Cat shares how Byway is using smart tech to fix the massive headache of planning flight-free travel, combining dynamic routing with independent, locally owned hotels, and (our personal favourite) an in-trip WhatsApp group that feels like texting your mates when things go a bit sideways.Join us to chat about:Cat’s Top 3 Magical Routes: From waking up to deer on Rannoch Moor to paddling in Lake Bled by breakfast.Traveling with children: How to survive (and actually enjoy!) long train journeys with kidsThe "Package Holiday" Rethink: Why Byway reclaimed the term to protect green travelers.The Real Impact: Ditching short-haul flights and the frustrating politics behind jet fuel tax breaks.Sustainable Travel Leave: The ready-made policy that gets you extra holiday days just for choosing the train. (Yes, really. Go pitch it to your boss immediately!)👉 Check out Byway: https://www.byway.travel/00:00 - Introduction & The Joy of Slow Travel02:47 - Introducing Cat Jones & The Concept of Byway06:38 - The Tech Challenge: Solving Overland Travel Chaos10:56 - The Hybrid Model: Package Protection & WhatsApp Support15:33 - Are Flight Cancellations Shifting the Industry?18:01 - Cat's Top 3 Magical Train Journeys (Slovenia, Swiss Alps, & Scotland)23:58 - Train Travel Pro-Tips for Parents with Kids26:34 - Hard Data: The Climate & Community Impact of Ditching Flights30:15 - What is "Sustainable Travel Leave"?31:13 - The Behind-The-Scenes Startup Story of Byway39:14 - Magic Wand: Fighting Jet Fuel Tax Breaks & Media Bias46:12 - Seed Swapping!#GreenQueens #GreenQueensPodcast #SlowTravel #FlightFree #TrainTravel #SustainableTravel #EcoTravel #TravelByTrain #RailTravel #OverlandTravel #FlightFreeTravel #EuropeanTravel #SleeperTrain #Interrail #ClimateAction #ConsciousTravel #SustainableLiving #GreenTravel #EcoFriendlyTravel #FutureOfTravel #TravelPodcast #PodcastEpisode #ClimatePodcast #TravelTips #AdventureTravel #TravelEurope #TrainJourney #DigitalNomad #SustainableTourism #LowCarbonTravel #TravelInspiration #TravelTok #Byway #GreenQueens #TravelLessFlyLess #ClimateConscious #TravelHacks #FamilyTravel #NatureTravel #MindfulTravel #AlternativeTravel #TravelTechnology

What if the problem isn’t climate inaction, but rather the way we are telling the story? 🌍In this live episode of Green Queens, we sit down with Emily Renshaw-Smith, the Managing Director of Open Planet to go behind the scenes of her team's incredible productions, including the David Attenborough-narrated documentary Ocean, to unpack how storytelling serves as a vital tool for real-world climate impact.From her professional journey through Channel 4 and Comic Relief to her current role leading one of today's most ambitious environmental media initiatives, Emily explains why data alone is insufficient to inspire change. She shares how powerful narratives can shift perspectives, influence global policy, and transform climate anxiety into meaningful action.We also explore Open Planet’s groundbreaking open-source footage library. This platform is designed to provide creators everywhere with access to world-class natural history content, effectively democratising the ability to tell stories that truly matter.Find out more:https://www.openplanetstudios.uk/https://openplanet.org/https://otherhouse.com/south-kensington/00:00 – Welcome to The Other House: Live with the Green Queens02:00 – Reusing & Sourcing03:10 – Introducing Emily Renshaw-Smith: From Comic Relief to Open Planet05:00 – The "Golden Thread": A career in purposeful media07:15 – Data vs. Storytelling: Why we are hardwired for narrative08:45 – The Mission of Open Planet11:20 – Ocean: Baking impact into David Attenborough’s latest film15:30 – Open Source Revolution: Giving away world-class footage17:40 – Individual Acts vs. Systemic Change: The tuna sandwich dilemma19:50 – Fighting the "Slop": Authenticity in the age of AI22:00 – Hopeful Storytelling: Imaging a better future24:30 – The Next Generation: Finding new trusted voices26:40 – Community Narratives: Why local stories cut through30:00 – Short Form Power: Nature doesn't have a bin34:10 – Advice for Creators: Know your audience & entertain first39:30 – The Yogurt Pot: Small acts and final thoughts💚✨ Join the greenest girl gang around—hit subscribe, give us a like, and share with a friend!📆 Join us for new episodes every Friday🎥 Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenQueensPod🫶🏼 Follow us on instagram: @green.queens.pod - https://www.instagram.com/green.queens.pod🎵 Find us on tiktok - Green.queens.podd#GreenQueens #GreenQueensPodcast #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #ClimateStorytelling #Sustainability #Environmentalism #ClimateSolutions #Storytelling #ImpactFilmmaking #EnvironmentalDocumentary #DocumentaryFilmmaking #OceanConservation #MarineConservation #DavidAttenborough #OpenPlanet #HopefulStorytelling #ClimateCommunication #SustainableFuture #MediaForChange

Can you organise a marathon for 60,000 people… without wrecking the planet? 🏃‍♀️🌱In this episode of Green Queens, we go behind the scenes of the London Marathon with Kate Chapman, Head of Sustainability at London Marathon Group, just days before race day. Kate takes us through how one of the world’s biggest sporting events is designed with the planet in mind, and the role sport can play in creating positive impact. From carbon levies to behavioural science, Kate reveals how the marathon achieved “Evergreen” status, the highest global standard for sustainable sport, and what it really takes to get there.Inside this episode:🌍 The marathon’s carbon footprint💡 How “Team Green” nudges runners into better choices, with real perks 👀♻️ Why carbon removal is replacing traditional offsets🚿 The surprisingly powerful role of toilets, queues, and incentives🌆 How sustainability also includes inclusion, accessibility, and communityWhether you are a runner, an event organiser, or simply in need of some positivity, this episode shows how small design choices can drive massive impact.00:00 – Race Week!02:45 – Meet Kate Chapman06:50 – How the London Marathon Evolved10:40 – What Is “Team Green”? (And Why It Works)14:50 – “Evergreen” Status19:10 – Competing (and Collaborating) Globally22:50 – The Biggest Carbon Problem: Travel24:40 – The Mile 11 Forest Experiment 🌳29:10 – Future Tech: Edible Packaging & Refill Systems31:40 – Climate Change vs Race Day Reality35:20 – Carbon Removal vs Offsetting39:30 – Why Sport Changes Behaviour Faster44:50 – Advice for Smaller Events51:30 – Round Up💚✨ Join the greenest girl gang around—hit subscribe, give us a like, and share with a friend!📆 Join us for new episodes every Friday🎥 Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenQueensPod🫶🏼 Follow us on instagram: @green.queens.pod - https://www.instagram.com/green.queens.pod🎵 Find us on tiktok - Green.queens.podd #GreenQueens #GreenQueensPodcast #Podcast #LondonMarathon #SustainableSport #ClimateAction #EcoInnovation #GreenEvents #CarbonRemoval #NetZero #Marathon #RunningCommunity #SustainabilityPodcast #BehaviourChange #EventSustainability

This week on Green Queens, Imogen and Abbie sit down with Dr. Ravina, a GP and women’s health specialist, to unpack the science behind microplastics and what it actually means for your body.After the buzz around  @Netflix  's The Plastic Detox, we wanted answers beyond the headlines. Dr. Ravina breaks down how chemicals like BPA and phthalates can mimic hormones in the body, why fertility conversations need to include men too, and how small, realistic changes can make a meaningful difference.💚 To find out more:https://theonelabs.co/pages/the-labhttps://www.instagram.com/doctor.ravina/0:00 – Welcome to Green Queens!2:45 – Introducing Dr. Ravina4:50 – What are microplastics and where are they hiding?9:30 – The "Plastic Detox" experiment: Science vs. Fiction12:30 – How "Fake Oestrogen" affects your body18:00 – Gut health, Endometriosis, and environmental factors24:00 – The One Fertility supplement story30:45 – Period products: Should we be worried about toxins?34:00 – Male fertility: The 3-month regeneration window39:30 – 3 Achievable swaps you can make TODAY45:00 – One final question!💚✨ Join the greenest girl gang around—hit subscribe, give us a like, and share with a friend!📆 Join us for new episodes every Friday🎥 Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenQueensPod🫶🏼 Follow us on instagram: @green.queens.pod - https://www.instagram.com/green.queens.pod🎵 Find us on tiktok - Green.queens.podd

Secondhand is reshaping the fashion industry.This week, Abbie and Imogen are joined by a very special (and returning) guest, Olivia May. She joins us to delve into the data behind the fashion industry's resale boom. Why are over a third of us hooked on platforms like Vinted and eBay? Is the “French way” of shopping actually better for the planet? And what happens when luxury brands start embracing resale, digital passports, and circular design?In this episode, we cover:👗 The £50B Shift: How secondhand is reshaping the future of retail👗The “Vinted Credit” Effect: Why selling has to be seamless👗 Can AI and tech actually fix fashion?👗 Fast Fashion Fallout in France📝 Check out the full research report here: https://www.occstrategy.com/en/article/fashion-reincarnated/00:00 – The Smoothest Intro Ever & Special Guest Olivia May02:50 – The Resale Boom: 35% of the UK is Now Shopping Secondhand05:12 – Beyond Vinted07:58 – How Brands are adapting09:20 – Higher Liquidity: Is Secondhand Speeding Up Our Consumption?12:40 – Designing for Three Kids: Circularity and Longevity in Luxury20:30 – Digital Product Passports: Scanning Your Clothes for the Future22:45 – Removing Friction: How AI and Image Recognition will Change Selling25:20 – The "Birkin" Effect: Why Secondhand Can Sometimes Cost More28:45 – The French Way: Anti-Fast Fashion Laws and Capsule Wardrobes31:50 – Searching with AI: Using ChatGPT to Find Your Next Blue Linen Shirt35:30 – The Struggle of Stock Images38:40 – Democratising Fashion: Is it Snobbish to Criticise Fast Fashion?43:10 – The Supermarket Shift & The Klarna Conundrum47:00 – Future Forecast: Reaching a $50 Billion Market by 203050:50 – Who are the Losers? The Challenge for Value Price Point Brands54:30 – The Last Thing for the Planet & Final Thoughts💚✨ Join the greenest girl gang around—hit subscribe, give us a like, and share with a friend!📆 Join us for new episodes every Friday🎥 Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenQueensPod🫶🏼 Follow us on instagram: @green.queens.pod - https://www.instagram.com/green.queens.pod🎵 Find us on tiktok - Green.queens.podd#GreenQueensPodcast #SustainableFashion #SecondhandStyle #ResaleRevolution #CircularFashion #VintedFinds #SlowFashion #EcoLiving #FashionIndustry #PreLovedStyle #UKPodcast

This week Abbie and Imogen investigate a very specific life event: Why does turning 30 make you suddenly interested in birds?!A biological clock but for binoculars? We’re joined by wildlife photographer Georgia Barker (@NatureWithGeorgia), who went from “typical Essex girl in Ironappa” (her words..!) to fully-fledged birder, and is now on a mission to rebrand birdwatching.In this episode we discuss:🦅 The “Nigel Thornberry” stereotype vs the Vogue-approved birding glow-up📸 How to start wildlife photography on a budget🌿 Why birdwatching is meditation for people who hate meditating🇬🇧 Why the UK is wildly underrated (yes, even compared to New Zealand)🦆 The “Adult Pokémon” thrill of spotting rare species✨ Why being bad at a hobby is actually the pointFollow Georgia:Instagram & TikTok: @NatureWithGeorgia00:00 – The 30s Survival Guide: From Saggy boobs to Bird Obsession03:45 – The Rebrand of Birding: Moving Past the "Nigel Thornberry" Stigma07:20 – Nature With Georgia: How a "Typical Essex Girl" Found the Wilderness15:10 – The UK is Elite: Why You Don't Need to Travel for Stunning Nature21:00 – Monetising Your Passion: Balancing a 9-5 with Content Creation27:15 – Adult Pokémon: Why Birdwatching is the New Mindful Hiking32:00 – The Beginner’s Toolkit: Apps, Budget Gear, and the Power of Being "Bad"38:45 – Join the Green Group Chat: Final Thoughts and Romania Adventures💚✨ Join the greenest girl gang around—hit subscribe, give us a like, and share with a friend!📆 Join us for new episodes every Friday🎥 Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenQueensPod🫶🏼 Follow us on instagram: @green.queens.pod - https://www.instagram.com/green.queens.pod🎵 Find us on tiktok - Green.queens.podd#GreenQueensPodcast #Birdwatching #Birding #WildlifePhotography #NatureWithGeorgia #Turning30 #MillennialWomen #UKNature #BritishWildlife #RSPB #OutdoorHobbies #Mindfulness #MentalHealthOutdoors #SlowLiving #EcoPodcast #SustainableLiving #NatureLovers #HotGirlWalk #AdultPokemon #WomenWhoBird

This week, we’re breaking down The BRIT Awards 2026 and asking the big question: Can music awards ever really be sustainable?!!With Imogen away, Abbie is joined by radio host and pop culture queen Mary Mandefield for a deep dive into the BRITs’ move to Manchester and what it means for the future of the music industry.The ceremony took place at the brand-new Co-op Live, a venue claiming major sustainability credentials. But is it progress… or PR?We discuss:🌆 Manchester vs London — Is moving The BRITs north a genuine sustainability and industry shift?🌿 Co-op Live’s green tech — Solar panels, rainwater toilets & free public transport for ticket holders👗 Red Carpet Reality — Why aren’t more artists choosing vintage, rental or re-wears?🎤 Industry Pressure — Why speaking about climate still feels “risky” for artistsFrom sustainable fashion to music industry greenwashing, this episode explores the tension between climate ambition and celebrity culture.00:00 – Welcome to Green Queens feat. Mary Mandefield01:14 – The Big Move: Why the Brits Finally Left London03:28 – Inside Co-op Live: Solar Panels & Rainwater Toilets05:55 – The Fashion Debrief: Olivia Dean & Red Carpet Waste11:13 – No Music on a Dead Planet: Climate in Pop Culture13:42 – The Hosting Debate: Was it Too "London-Centric"?16:42 – Gen Z & The Future of Award Show Relevance22:45 – Setting Goals for a Sustainable Brits 202726:30 – The "Call-Out" Culture: Why Perfection is the Enemy30:50 – Wrap Up: Mary’s Next Steps & Joining the Group Chat💚✨ Join the greenest girl gang around—hit subscribe, give us a like, and share with a friend!📆 Join us for new episodes every Friday🎥 Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenQueensPod🫶🏼 Follow us on instagram: @green.queens.pod - https://www.instagram.com/green.queens.pod🎵 Find us on tiktok - Green.queens.podd#GreenQueens #podcast #greenqueenspodcast #TheBrits #Brits2026 #Manchester #CoopLive #SustainableFashion #OliviaDean #MaryMandeville #ClimateAction #NoMusicOnADeadPlanet #EcoFriendly #PopCultureDebrief #AwardsSeason #ImperfectEnvironmentalist #NorthernSoul

The sun is out, and apparently so is the sewage...☀️🤢In this week's episode, Imogen and Abbie dive (not literally, thank god) into the "Fountain of Filth" and the shocking realities exposed in the new Channel 4 docu-drama, Dirty Business. We’re joined by the incredible Sophie Hellyer, surfer, model, and activist, who shares her harrowing personal experience with sewage pollution and why she’s now a literal face of the very confronting London South Bank installation.👀Noteworthy Mentions:💩 Channel 4, Dirty Business - https://www.channel4.com/programmes/dirty-business💩 Surfer's Against Sewage, Live Sewage Map - https://www.sas.org.uk/sewage-map/📝 Sign the petition - https://www.sas.org.uk/water-quality/our-water-quality-campaigns/dirty-business-petition/🎙️ Listen to our episode with SAS - https://youtu.be/Y2ULn172Y7w?si=Qg_XhwZB3fsuGgHk🎙️ Listen to Sojo on Amol Rajan's Radical Podcast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0mxncmp00:00 Sunshine is HERE!02:22 The "Fountain of Filth" on South Bank05:33 Voice Note: Sophie Hellyer’s Story07:25 Reviewing Channel 4’s Dirty Business 08:52 The Systemic Failure of Water Companies13:55 What Surfers Against Sewage are demanding15:00 Why storytelling beats statistics18:40 Recommendation: Sojo’s Josephine Phillips on Radical 21:50 Why consumers aren't to blame22:30 Concluding thoughts💚✨ Join the greenest girl gang around—hit subscribe, give us a like, and share with a friend!📆 Join us for new episodes every Friday🎥 Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenQueensPod🫶🏼 Follow us on instagram: @green.queens.pod - https://www.instagram.com/green.queens.pod🎵 Find us on tiktok - Green.queens.podd#GreenQueens #greenqueenspodcast #GreenQueens #Sustainability #SewageScandal #DirtyBusiness #SurfersAgainst Sewage #SophieHellyer #CleanWater #EnvironmentalPodcast #FastFashion #Sojo #ClimateAction #UKWaterways #ThamesWater #EcoFriendly #ImperfectEnvironmentalist