Self Sustainability Episodes

Join me in conversation with one of the founding members of Lammas Eco Village - Tao Wimbush. Tao Paul Wimbush is the co-founder of the Lammas Ecovillage in West Wales. He has a wealth of experience in alternative communities across West Wales – including the anarchic Tipi Valley, and the farm community Brithdir Mawr. He has lived in tipis, yurts and roundhouses, and travelled by horse-drawn wagon. With a background in architecture and carpentry and a passion for social structures, his experi...

In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, host Jeffrey Hart sits down with Sam Goates from Woven in the Bone, a company that creates woven cloth on pedal-powered looms in Scotland. Sam discusses her love-hate relationship with her looms, the challenges of the industry, and the satisfaction she derives from weaving. We also delve into the process of starting a business, the importance of building relationships with customers, and the impact of rejection. Tune in to hear Sam's journe...

In this episode, Vanessa explores the fascinating world of biophilic design and its potential impact on sustainable and ethical practices. We delve into the use of clay, earth materials, and mushroom mycelium as tactile and eco-friendly alternatives. The episode also touches upon the challenges of promoting green alternatives in mainstream industries and the potential positive effects of biophilic design on employee ethics and productivity. Lastly, Vanessa highlights the growing popularity of b...

In this episode, guest Vanessa Champion discusses biophilia and biophilic design, emphasizing the importance of nature connection and its benefits for well-being and the environment. We explore underappreciated biophilic patterns, healthcare benefits, materials, and so much more. Overall, the focus is on improving the built environment for people and the planet through biophilic design. Episode links https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/ BOOK - Designing buildings for people - https://tinyurl...

Ever felt weary in a dull, grey office? Touched a piece of handcrafted wood and felt a strange sense of connection? Wondered why a bottle of earthworm medicine from the 1700s is significant? Our guest, Sally Coulthard, has! A best-selling author and columnist who explores the fascinating world of biophilic design, craft, and curious objects from history. We start by looking into the intriguing territory of biophilic design. Sally throws light on how our built environment impacts us physiologica...

We go beyond the usual chit-chat and really dig deep into how our disconnection from nature is contributing to exploitative practices and how crafting can bring us back in sync with our roots. All the while, we analyze the dominant stories we live by and their role in perpetuating these exploitative practices. Crafting for us, isn't just a hobby, but a powerful tool to reconnect with nature and rewrite the world's narrative. Hear us wax lyrical about the unique connection between our hands and b...

Shannon Berry trained as an architect but I met her as a pole lathe bowl turner. You might know her from BBC's Make It at Market. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001gq6s https://www.shannonberrynature.co.uk/ Episode links Illustration from Amy Charles' Patreon feedback - https://cricketmedia.com/blog/reading/spotlight-on-trina-schart-hyman/ Patreon for podcast support - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Matty Whitaker - https://www.instagram.com/matty.whittaker/ Abundant Earth -...

In this episode, I'm joined by green woodworker John Mullaney. John has carved out the reputation as the shrink pot guy but has many strings to his bow. We discuss his origins & craft in this joyous conversation that will inspire you to get stuck into some learning! This episode link for sharing - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/developing-your-craft-john-mullaney-bs089/ Episode links Craftspeople John's Website - https://johnmullaneywoodcraft.bigcartel.com/ John Mullaney - https:...

Today I'm joined by Clare Nash who describes herself as an "Architect creating dream eco-homes, barn conversions plus environmental and community focused housing schemes" Today we are talking about how to find a work/life balance. Design Your Life Book - https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Clare-Nash/Design-your-life--An-architects-guide-to-achieving-a-worklife-balance/26380240 Bursting with tips, ideas and how-tos on all aspects of designing a working life that suits you and your business, this boo...

Virginia is a qualified architect, project manager, BREEAM AP and ISO14001 Lead Auditor, with a lifelong passion for sustainability. She is the author of SustainABLE: How to Find Success as a Sustainability Professional in a Rapidly Changing World, a practical guide for those that have a passion for sustainability but cannot make an impact. Virginia is also an Assistant Lecturer in Sustainability and Environmental Management at Coventry University. During her previous long career at BRE, Virgin...

Today we talk about mindful spaces and biophilic meditation with Sophie Lacey. Sophie has been running her own freelance copywriting and content writing business for nearly 15 years, working with a variety of lifestyle brands and specialists in placemaking, the built environment, interior design and retail. Her half-Swedish heritage inspires a love of simple design and an affinity with nature and organic materials, colours and textures, while her diploma in meditation teaching gives her a uniqu...

Today I'm joined by Sid Hill. Sid Hill is a multi award-winning horticultural consultant; designer; teacher and researcher. With a passion for permaculture design, ethnobotany and regenerative landscapes. Sharing his work via Youtube, Instagram and Facebook Sid Hill Links https://www.sidhillecogardens.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Sid-Hill-Ecological-Gardens-1023579844372812/ https://www.instagram.com/sidhillecogardens/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUE3d0vLxaUauB0aSeL5CyA Episode links Sus...

Philippa and Taleen return for the concluding part to their 3 part series on their journey and life as sustainable architects. This episode features some top tips for those wanting to bring sustainability into their practice - and how not to burn out while doing it! The Holistic Architect - https://www.instagram.com/the_holistic_architect/ Philippa Birch Wood - https://www.instagram.com/birch.and.wood https://www.chetwoods.com/ ACAN - https://www.architectscan.org/ MAD - Make a difference netwo...

I'm delighted to bring you a conversation with Alex Geldenhuys of New Dawn Traders - When I organised this recording, I thought the focus would be on the climate benefits of sailing vessels over conventional shipping methods. I was delighted to learn of the much deeper level of good this project is doing. By investing in the small producers who are connected to their land and doing best by it, not just for profit, but also for stewardship of this vital resource. New Dawn Traders have created a n...

Emma Pile is a digital artist, based on the outskirts of London, specialising in theatre, exhibitions & events. Last year she built a lovely tiny home with a little help from her Dad. You can see her Tiny House here: https://www.instagram.com/emslittlegreen/ And check out her stunning digital design website: http://www.emmapile.net/ In the podcast we discuss the many questions I have about building my own tiny house. Big topics include: Staying under the trailers max weight Finding a place to...

This week I am incredibly excited to be joined by Bill Browning and Catie Ryan from Terrapin Bright Green to discuss biophilic design. Biophilic design is a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions. Used at both the building and city-scale, it is argued that this idea has health, environmental, and economic benefits for building occupants and urban envi...

In this bytesize episode Karen Ridgewell tells us about the joys and importance of fellowships within the sustainability world. Support the showConnect with me: IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilder Twitter - @JNaturalBuilder Facebook - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder LinkedIn - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder Support this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Support the show and get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I'm joined by Flora Arbuthnott from www.plantsandcolour.co.uk. Having met Flora a few years ago, I was keen for her to be a guest on the podcast. We discuss the many similarities between her practices of creating colour from plants and my practice of building homes, from plants. Flora also goes through the process of extracting some colour from a flower so that you can try it at home. Flora's Bio: I make dyes, inks, and paints out of plants for drawing, painting, printing, and dyeing...

I'm very pleased to welcome Wibbs Coulson of Mandukya Yoga back on the podcast. This time we are talking about breathing, and how you've probably been breathing wrong your entire life! I occasionally feature episodes on what I call the 'sustainability of self' - I see it again and again, that professionals in the sustainability profession burn out. When you see the need to fix the problem as so crucial that the human race depends on it... you tend to forget about your own needs. So with this in...

Patreon support - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability This episode I'm talking with Caz Ingall, who is a willow coffin weaver. We talk, not just of the process of weaving a vessel to bury a loved one, but a lot to do with the disconnection our modern culture has with death and the grief surrounding. About Caz: "I started working with willow more than a decade ago and was immediately hooked on both the craftform and the fact that I could be in control of everything along the journe...

How can we do the work to look after the planet if we don't look after ourselves? This is the question we are asking Faye Blake of Live Intuitively in Building Sustainability Podcast BS39. Many in our industry burn out, because they are so focussed on doing the much needed work in advancing sustainability in the built environment that don't stop to notice whether they have sustainability within themselves. I know this from personal experience and have observed in in many of my colleagues. This...

This episode we are talking with British folk singer, Jay McAllister AKA Beans on Toast. We began talking about "how the arts, music and storytelling could save the world from climate catastrophe." But, I think what came out of the conversation was that of hope, believing in people and celebrating the good in humanity. The conversation covers the role of the artist, how to have hope, great storytellers, inspirational books, socially distanced gigs.... to name but a few topics... and it ends wit...

Something a bit different today. I talk with Wibbs Coulson about how we can look after our bodies to keep us able to build, craft or just stay in good shape! Videos from the podcast Yoga inspired movements for wrists/arms/shoulder health - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDbyFi67fkA Anatomy in motion inspired movement for back pain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_mE9qmTPss Box breathing technique - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG48FfT3Qno Movnat inspired Combo work out - https://www.you...

Show notes available at: http://jeffreythenaturalbuilder.com/natural-builder-question-time-pt2-will-stanwix-bs25 In this episode I talk with Will Stanwix - Co-author of 'The Hempcrete book - Designing and building with hemp lime'. Will is not only a hemp-lime builder, but also a trained building surveyor and now an accomplished earth builder too. This is the second part of a 2 hour conversation between Will and myself. For this, we took turns to ask each other questions and go off on geeky/sil...