Walk and Talk with Scott Poynton

Nadene Canning is a facilitator, learning designer, coach, mentor and a very fine human being. She cares about others and has deep experience supporting people to travel their journeys. I had the privilege of meeting Nadene online in January 2024 and in person a month or so later. We got along like a house on fire. We're both fascinated by this notion of regeneration; yes, of soils and Nature, but in our case, most particularly the regeneration of the human spirit. We have committed to exploring the topic in a series of short (around 10 min) podcasts. This is our first episode and we look forward to diving deeper into this exploration with you. If you have comments or questions, do post them and we'll aim to explore as many as we can in future episodes.

Gretha Oost is inspiring. An inventor, an entrepreneur, a community member and a true believer that together, we can make the world a better place. Gretha has built a beautiful initiative called "1million mini missions" to help people to come together to do what they each can do. All on their own, these mini missions are beautiful, but together, they represent a catalyst to inspire social change from the ground up, by focusing on what's possible, that which binds us together, not what divides us. https://www.1mmm.org/

Mark Bjornsgaard is the Founder and CEO of Deep Green which decarbonises commercial and domestic heating. He invests in projects that help make the world a better place. Mark shares some of the lessons he's learned along the way to help new social entrepreneurs make their impact.

In this episode, Scott chats with Andrew Reeves, commercial director of WhatIF Foods. WhatIF Foods is a 'planet-based' food company and a member of the Pond Foundation. Andrew discusses the development of WhatIF Foods as a company, centred around solving the world's 'Nutritional Paradox', where global food systems are far too reliant on very few crops, and food inequality is extremely widespread.

In this episode, Scott discusses with Abdul-Razak (Razak), the Operations Manager for the regenerative Bambara Nut agricultural project in the Northern Region of Ghana. Razak shares the story of his humble upbringing and the journey to his current position, and shares how a regenerative agricultural project can unfold for the project and the people involved.

In this episode, Scott discusses all things ‘Hilary's Kids' with Elizabeth Bashiru (Lizzy). Lizzy leads Pond Foundation's Hilary's Kids initiative in northern Ghana which supports communities and particularly children with learning materials, safe drinking water, community health equipment and opportunities for women entrepreneurship. Lizzy discusses her family, background, and experience which led to her journey to this position.    

In this episode, Scott discusses the process of bringing change in some of the world's largest industries, and within the hearts of the people involved.  He discusses his career and experience finding a path to change, and his understanding of what it means to change. Change happens deep within the human heart, not in the mind. Logical arguments and criticism often have little impact on industry leaders, but impactful change often came from being guided to approach things with their heart and their values.

In this episode, Scott follows up on the work that he has been doing in Ghana to set up a regenerative agricultural supply chain for the Bambara Groundnut, along with Pond Foundation member, WhatIF Foods. He discusses the progress of the project going into the second growing season, the problems he came across, and the achievements of the pilot season. Listen to his earlier episode, "Reflections on Ghana", for an introduction to the project.  

In this solo podcast, Scott discusses climate change and climate action. In the midst of some of the worst European heatwaves on record, he hopes to help answer the question: What can I do to address climate change?

In this solo podcast, Scott details his experiences over the past few months working in Tamale, northern Ghana. He has been working with a Singaporean-based food company called WhatIF Foods on regenerative agricultural practices of the Bambara groundnut. 

Being human brings change and hope. A chat with Tony Rinaudo, The Forest Maker.  In this episode, Tony Rinaudo and Scott discuss hope, humanity, and forest regeneration as they describe their experiences in conservation.

In this podcast, Scott discusses sustainability with Stephanie Lentz, CEO and founder of Scoop Marketplace, a zero-waste grocery store in Seattle. Stephanie tells the story of how she became interested in sustainability and reducing our impact on the planet. She tries to inspire others to take imperfect action, making progress rather than always striving for perfection.

In this podcast, Scott chats to Alex Pastollnigg, the founder of Fair Voyage, a social enterprise based in Zurich. She describes how she transitioned out of the world of finance and banking, and how she is finding her purpose through her work in promoting sustainable and ethical travel. She also shares insights into her new project on Global Healing which explores how the traumas we experience in childhood cast shadows forward into our adult lives

In this podcast, Scott talks to Nigel Majakari, the founder of Ca'lyah, one of The Pond Foundation's founding members. Ca'lyah is a furniture company that was founded to create design and art objects by bringing together award-winning designers and traditional artisans/craftspeople. 

In this podcast, Scott talks to two of the founders of Kijani Forestry, Paul and Beau, about their fantastic project and the impact that they're having. Kijani Forestry is one of My Carbon Zero's project partners who produce sustainable charcoal in Uganda to save old-growth forests and better local livelihoods.

In this podcast, Scott interviews Emma Gallagher, cricket manager at Cricket Victoria. Emma discusses how sport shaped her idea of family, identity, and community in Australia; and how these experiences affected her wellbeing over the course of her life.

In this podcast, Scott talks to Josh Beaumont, a Club and Competitions Specialist at Cricket Victoria. Josh describes how he ended up in his position, and how he works with the sport and the local community.

In this podcast, Scott discusses his experience with Geeta learning to become a forest therapy guide. Geeta also shares her story, explaining how she became a forest therapy guide and the philosophy and practice behind it. 

Ben Page is a Forest Therapy Guide and Trainer with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. He's just published his first book, “Healing Trees,” has Founded a School and thinks deeply about his and all human relationships with the Earth. Scott was inspired to interview Ben after completing his own Forest Therapy Guide training.

In this podcast, Scott addresses his perceptions and actions on climate change, one of the most pressing issues of our time. He discusses how each of us can cope with it and take action as individuals.  We need to combat governmental and corporate inaction on climate change, which can come from each and every one of you.

Natasha Mahendran is an Australian, currently based in Malaysia. She works in Human Rights and International Development and is currently with the Earthworm Foundation on the supply chains of many big companies.

Chris Langwallner is the Founder and CEO of WhatIF Foods - The company addresses the paradoxical existence of hunger, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies and the destruction of our planet – what is known as the Nutritional Paradox. Chris and Scott discuss WhatIF Foods, the Nutritional Paradox, and life in general.

Tina Talbot is a children's author who is based in the UK. Her stories are based around nature and the environment, where she aims to "give nature a voice". In this podcast, Tina describes how she became an author, and why she writes about nature.

Boris Gojanovic is a sports doctor at the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre in Geneva. Boris talks us through his life, his journey to becoming a doctor, and his relationship with wellbeing.

Scott Poynton and Julien Troussier have a conversation about a new community that they have set up, The Pond. Welcome to The Pond, what does The Pond mean to the co-hosts, and what can it do to help you?

Manoj Krishna is the founder of the Human Wisdom Program, based in the UK. The project aims to transform individual lives and make the world a better place, by enabling people to understand themselves and how their minds work, since so many problems first begin in our thinking.

Michael Fischer, a very good friend of mine, is the country manager at the Movember Foundation in Europe. Today, Michael tells us about the Movember Foundation's role as a change-maker, and how they go about making changes to the face of men's health.

Heloise Buckland is co-Founder and CEO of Husk. Husk, working out of Cambodia, improves small farmers' livelihoods by transforming rice husk into biochar products to regenerate soils, increase yields and capture carbon.

Florian Reber, a Swiss-German political scientist, sustainability advisor and climate change specialist left the office and discovered true innovation in climate change on two wheels, riding thousands of kilometres across the Alps and in the US. 

Jacques Nollet is a Senior Exec in a French Tech firm. He works crazy hours and struggles to find time to wind down. Jacques came on the Big Walk in August 2019 and here, in French, shares his impressions of how time in the trees helped him get back to himself.

Alban joined me on the Big Walk across Switzerland in August 2019. There he learned again to slow down, to hear the rain falling on the leaves of trees, to breathe, to marvel at the beauty of the small things. He was reminded that what is essential is invisible to the eye.

Tony Rinaudo is a humble Australian who has changed, for the better, millions of people's lives. He stumbled upon a way to get trees back into the dry, barren landscapes of Sahelian Africa and 20 years on, he’s been responsible for the reforestation of more than 5 millions hectares in Niger alone.

Dr Kat Bruce, is the Founder and CEO of NatureMetrics, mixing the rigour of science with the drive of being a young entrepreneur. Kat shares the story of her journey to science and everything about NatureMetrics’ funky new technology to help protect biodiversity.

John Watkin had a great job and belonged. He was doing what he loved, had great purpose and was well rewarded which included being sponsored to do a study tour to Harvard Business School. Then he was made redundant. John joined me on a Big Walk across Switzerland in August 2018 and here recounts how the ten day walk in the mountains helped cleanse his heart and soul.

Anne-Marie Hunsaker is an inspiring and truly courageous human being deeply connected to Mother Earth. She shares her battle with shame, growing up in a conservative religious community and finding her way after a terrible experience.

Scott Williams discovered the joy of running in his 20s and since then hasn't looked back. He's now run almost 100 marathons and ultra-marathons and here speaks of his philosophy of life and what it means to get to the starting line.

We're failing to end deforestation. Blaming companies isn't working. We need to speak to each other, to work together.

A follow up to the "Broken Boys" Podcast which I did in February, which reminded me of the stories my youngest son, Luca, wrote for some of his school projects. Here are his stories.

Roisin Mortimer, a TFT colleague, completed a Masters of Agro Ecology in 2017. Her thesis explored the role of values in the origination, formulation and implementation of No Deforestation Policies (NDPs). She presented her intriguing findings at TFT HQ a

Robyn Tyner has dedicated his life to supporting young people develop intellectually but also to grow as wonderfully rounded young adults going out into the world. Robyn's commitment to his charges is hugely inspiring and in this podcast, we learn about Robyn's own journey to teaching and a personal philosophy that underpins everything he does.

A personal reflection on the recent tragic shooting in the US and a New York Times Op ED on the subject. Why is it that it's always boys?

A follow-up episode from Global Worming. Sara Moledor and Julien Troussier let me know how the Worm Project in Palestine was going. Using a waste management problem, and a few worms, they are trying to figure out a solution to the soil degradation issue.

Megan O'Malley and Gab Murphy set out on a mission in 2017/18 to walk across 4 SE Asian countries to raise awareness of sustainable fashion - they wanted to know who made their clothes. Listen to their story to hear about all of the great experiences they

Hilary Thompson has dedicated her life to looking behind the products we see on the shelves. She has focused on environmental practices such as no-deforestation, and primarily focuses on labour practices and exploitation issues.

Sarah Mortimer is an early childhood educator in the Punmu community. Sarah bases her teachings to the children in this very remote area in Western Australia around Nature-Pedagogy, a program based around the human connection to nature.

John Deighan is a teacher at the International School of Geneva, who is responsible for bringing guest speakers to the school to talk to the students. These speakers bring great insights and life experiences to share at the school.

In the latest episode of the Poynton, Webb dialogue on all things sustainable the pair discuss: the decision to disband the Indonesian Palm Oil Pledge, IPOP; IOI's decision to abandon their lawsuit against the RSPO, Resolute's decision to keep suing Green

Daniel Klein is the Founder of The Perennial Plate, a documentary series focusing on sustainable food. What I love about The Perennial Plate films is that they don’t judge the people they’re filming. They don’t try to force a message down your throat; they’re gentle. They just show their subjects’ way of life and I believe this is profoundly important, profoundly beautiful in fact.

As part of the Enviva Interview series, here is: Cooee! Podcast: Lauren Killian - "Life entrepreneur"

As part of the Enviva interview series, here is: Cooee! Podcast: Vince Taylor - "Just keep going"