'Breaking the Silence' with Paula Downey

In this episode of 'Climate Politics 2026', CCA’s Dr Diana Collett interviews researcher and nature-connection teacher Dr Nadine Andrews.Nadine is a social scientist and systems-thinking practitioner with the Scottish Government using systems thinking and our interconnectedness to interpret life. She also works more broadly as a mindfulness, Qi Gong and nature-connection teacher, based in Edinburgh Scotland.With a focus on deep personal adaptation, she aims to help people live in deeper connection and harmony with nature, addressing root causes of the climate and nature crises and contributing towards a life-friendly world.💡 Call to ActionNadine’s dedication to building resilience and adapting to collapse brings a challenge for us all. She asks us:How might you better understand your own reactions to difficult climate responses?🔗 LinksConnect with Nadine on LinkedInVia her website exploring 'life-friendly practices'Read her work in academic journals and publications: 🎤 Want to learn more about the CCA?Explore climate coaching and its role in shaping policy by joining the Climate Coaching Alliance and subscribing to the  @ClimateCoachingAlliance on Youtube today!Find Dr Diana Collett on LinkedInExplore the CCA Political Pod#ClimateLeadership #Adaptability #ClimateAction #ClimatePolitics #climatechange #mindfulness #systemsthinking #interconnected CreditsGuest: Dr Nadine Andrews Interviewer: Dr Diana CollettEditors: Jo Peters and Amel SedaouiDesign: Rachel Hitch

In this episode of 'Climate Politics 2026', CCA's Lydia Stevens interviews author, podcast host and founder of ’Women Emerging’ Julia Middleton. In this interview. Julia shares how rethinking leadership and generational gaps in knowledge can transform our approaches to climate action. In 2024, Julia founded ‘Women Emerging’ with the mission of reframing leading so that more women choose to lead, in ways that resonate with them. This has evolved to a global community, particularly focussing on women in the Global South.  Previously, Julia was Founder and Chief Executive of Common Purpose, which she grew to become one of the biggest leadership development organisations, globally. 💡Call to ActionJulia’s current work centres around (fill this in - you know her better than I!). She says that: “none of us can do anything important unless we feel out of our depth”. How might this be useful for you? What can you do that is out of your depth?🔗 LinksConnect with Julia on LinkedIn!Explore ‘Women Emerging’:On LinkedInOn InstagramVia their website: womenemerging.org🎤 Want to learn more about the CCA?Explore climate coaching and its role in shaping policy by joining the Climate Coaching Alliance and subscribing to the  ⁨@ClimateCoachingAlliance⁩ on Youtube: Find Lydia Stevens on LinkedInExplore the CCA Political Pod!#TakingThePulse #ClimateCoachingAlliance #ClimateLeadership #ClimateAction #ClimatePolitics #climatechange #youngpeople #leadershipdevelopment #womenemerging #womenempowerment #CommonPurposeCreditsGuest: Julia Middleton Interviewer: Lydia StevensEditors: Jo Peters and Amel SedaouiDesign: Rachel Hitch

In this episode of 'Climate Politics 2026', CCA's Dr Diana Collett interviews environmental conservation leader and policy advisor Craig Wilkins. In this interview. Jamie shares how mindfulness, coaching, and inner work can transform outer systems. Craig is co-director of the Murray Darling Conservation Alliance, a national body of conservation groups campaigning for the bold changes needed in Australia’s largest river system to regenerate healthy water ways and bring communities together. Previously, he was the Executive Officer of the Conservation Council of South Australia, the state’s peak environmental body.  He speaks from his broad experience in public health, social services, environmental change and state level politics, where he was a researcher for the Greens Member for seven years. 💡Call to ActionCraig’s current work centres around supporting communities to make the bold adaptations necessary to manage  extreme climate change. His work is particularly urgent for South Australia which is the driest state in the driest inhabited continent in the world Throughout this interview notice how Craig is applying the principles of adaptability to come up with new ways of operating. He asks us: 'How can you bring a focus on adaptation into your work? ’🔗 Links Connect with Craig: On LinkedInDirectly, via email: [email protected]🎤 Want to learn more about the CCA?Explore climate coaching and its role in shaping policy by joining the Climate Coaching Alliance! Subscribe to the @ClimateCoachingAlliance on Youtube:Find Dr Diana Collett on Linkedin Explore the CCA Political Pod#ClimateLeadership #Adaptability #ClimateAction #ClimatePolitics #climatechange #conservationCreditsGuest: Craig Wilkins Interviewer: Dr Diana CollettEditors: Jo Peters and Amel SedaouiDesign: Rachel Hitch

In this episode of 'Climate Politics 2026', Lydia Stevens interviews executive coach, author and co-founder of the CCA Dr Josie McLean.Together with Alison Whybrow and Eve Turner, Josie co-founded the Climate Coaching Alliance. Her work spans speaking, executive coaching, team coaching, organisational development, and systemic change facilitation. With a PhD in Organisational Sustainability, Josie helps leaders to navigate climate complexity through Living Systems frameworks. She delivers bespoke leadership programs that draw on systems thinking and adaptive leadership principles to align personal values with organisational goals.  She works with organisations evolving adaptive cultures to shape sustainable organisations, communities, and planet. She is a keynote speaker, author and facilitator.💡 Call to ActionJosie asks us: 'Was I too bold? Did I go too far?’ Are you bold enough to offer coaching to one of your local politicians? If not, what will it take?🔗 LinksConnect with JosieVia her websiteOn LinkedInRead her workClimate Coaching Alliance book: 'Ecological and Climate Conscious Coaching - A companion Guide to Evolving Coaching Practice'. Co-edited by Dr Josie McLean with Alison Whybrow, Eve Turner, and Peter Hawkins Big Little Shifts: A Practitioner's Guide to Complexity for Organisational Change and Adaptation Purposeful Cultures: A Practical Self-Leadership Guide🎤 Want to learn more about the CCA?Explore climate coaching and its role in shaping policy by joining the Climate Coaching Alliance and subscribing to the CCA on YoutubeFind Lydia Stevens On LinkedIn Via her websiteExplore the CCA Political Pod:Credits: Guest: Dr Josie McLeanInterviewer: Lydia StevensEditors: Jo Peters and Amel SedaouiThumbnail: Rachel Hitch

In this episode of 'Climate Politics 2026', CCA's Dr Diana Collett interviews strategist, author and host Paula Downey. Paula is co-creator of CultureWork, a repertoire of living-system inspired processes and practices that support cultural innovation by re-imagining how people meet, organise and change. She writes and speaks about how a living-systems lens can transform organisational life and inspire us to work together in new ways to address the urgent issues of our times.  💡 Call to ActionIn this interview, Paula shares how coaching can help us answer the bigger questions and find solutions together by 'breaking the silence' of inaction and indecision.Following Paula’s example, when and where can you be brave and speak Truth?🔗 LinksConnect with Paula!On Linkedin: Via her websiteLearn more about Culturework ...On Youtube Via their essays Via the Climate Action Sprint Read the first chapter of 'Working the way life works' 🎤 Want to learn more about the CCA?Explore climate coaching and its role in shaping policy by joining the Climate Coaching Alliance and subscribing to the  @ClimateCoachingAlliance on YoutubeFind Dr Diana Collett on LinkedIn:Explore the CCA Political Pod and join today!#climateleadership  #climateaction  #coachingforchange #climatechange #climatepolitics CreditsGuest: Paula DowneyInterviewer: Dr Diana CollettEditors: Jo Peters and Amel SedaouiDesign: Rachel Hitch

In this episode of 'Climate Politics 2026', CCA's Lydia Stevens interviews writer and policy advisor Jamie Bristow. In this interview. Jamie shares how mindfulness, coaching, and inner work can transform outer systems. 💡 Call to ActionJamie Bristow works at the intersection of inner & outer transformation, resilience and sustainability. His goal is to make mindfulness and compassion training serious matters of public policy and catalysts for a healthier political process. He asks us to think about how our inner world affects how we show up for what is important. Have you ever considered how your inner state shapes your climate action?🔗 LinksConnect with Jamie: On LinkedinVia his websiteLearn more about his work as ...Ex-Director of The Mindfulness Initiative Strategic Advisor at Inner Development GoalsHonorary Researcher at Lancaster Environment CentreCo-founder of the Life Itself Sensemaking StudioRead his work:Reconnection: Meeting the Climate Crisis Inside OutThe System Within: Addressing the inner dimension of sustainability and systems transformation.The System Within, ReconnectionMindfulness in Westminster🎤 Want to learn more about the CCA?Explore climate coaching and its role in shaping policy by joining the Climate Coaching Alliance and subscribing to the CCA on YoutubeFind Lydia Stevens on LinkedInExplore the CCA Political Pod#MindfulSystemsChange #ClimateLeadership #InnerWorkForImpact#MindfulLeadership #ClimateAction #CoachingForChange #Polycrisis@JamieBristow @InnerDevGoals @ClimateCoachingAlliance.CreditsGuest: Jamie BristowInterviewer: Lydia StevensEditors: Jo Peters and Amel SedaouiDesign: Rachel Hitch

In this episode of 'Climate Politics 2026', CCA Political Pod's Lydia Stevens interviews sustainability leader, small holder, and author Jane Davidson. In this interview, Jane shares how her values formed in Welsh governance now strengthens her worldview and efforts to pursue a sustainable future prioritsing empathy and human connection.💡 Call to ActionJane is on a mission to mainstream sustainability. Her know-how and passion were forged as a Welsh Government minister and she carries this through her work as a small holder and patron, prioritising empathy and wellbeing. She challenges us to think:How might you hold the oldest person you love and the youngest person you love in how you live and the decisions you make every day?🔗 LinksFind Jane Davidson:On LinkedInOn her websiteRead #FutureGen: Letters from a Small CountryFind out more about:Wellbeing Project: Empowering Kenyans Through Justice herePlacing Nature on the Board here Wales Net Zero 2035 hereGarden Organic hereChartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management here🎤 Want to learn more about the CCA?Explore climate coaching and its role in shaping policy by joining the Climate Coaching Alliance and subscribing to the CCA on YoutubeFind Lydia Stevens on LinkedInExplore the CCA Political Pod #ClimateJustice #Sustainability #TakingthePulse #ClimateCoachingAlliance  #Futuregen #Love #Welshgovernment #Cymru #JaneDavidson #WellbeingCreditsGuest: Jane DavidsonInterviewer: Lydia StevensEditors: Jo Peters and Amel SedaouiDesign: Rachel Hitch

In the first episode of 'Climate Politics 2026', CCA Political Pod's co-founder Dr Diana Collett interviews conservation leader, climate activist, and author Rituraj Phukan. In this interview, Rituraj shares how his work now strengthens grassroots empowerment, emphasising the critical role of young people and local communities in driving climate justice.Find out how to inspire young people and leaders to tackle the deeper causes of climate change. How does his approach resonate with you? CreditsGuest: Rituraj PhukanInterviewer: Diana CollettEditors: Jo Peters and Amel SedaouiDesign: Rachel Hitch 💡 Call to ActionRituraj emphasises that true climate justice starts with grassroots ownership, where communities not only demand solutions but become the drivers of change.He challenges coaches to ask:“How do we localise the language of climate justice - terms like ‘just transition,’ ‘loss and damage,’ and ‘climate justice’ - so communities can own, understand, and act on these concepts?”Reflect: How can you can contribute to climate justice in your community?🔗 LinksFind Rituraj Phukan on LinkedInRead his work Climate Justice 101: Empowering Community Leadership or Everyday Climate Action: A Handbook for Gen ZSupport his work:As Managing Editor & Publisher at Mahabahu Mirror As Secretary & Convenor at Mahabahu Climate ForumAs Director at Healthy Climate InitiativeFind Dr Diana Collett on LinkedIn Explore the CCA Political Pod 🎤 Want to learn more?Explore climate coaching and its role in shaping policy by joining the Climate Coaching Alliance and subscribing to the CCA on Youtube#ClimateJustice #GrassrootsActivism #TakingthePulse #ClimateCoachingAlliance  #MahabahuClimateForum

Welcome to Taking the Pulse – Climate Politics 2026. It only takes a minute to take someone’s pulse. These are short interviews with thought leaders who inspire change. What pulse will you take from them?