Beaming Green
Hosted by Jeremy Melder
A podcast that puts eco-living at the heart of your life. Each episode we showcase sustainability superheroes who share their knowledge and tips that you can implement immediately to experience the joy of living simply and sustainably every day.
All episodes
Best episodes
Seasons
Top 10 Beaming Green Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Beaming Green episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Beaming Green for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Beaming Green episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
06/23/21 • 37 min
In this episode I speak with Matthew Harris about his first book, The Way of the Courageous Vulnerable – How to Find Meaning and Purpose From the 7 Stages of the Hero’s Journey in your daily life. The book centres on the hero's journey, the underlying template in stories from all around the world, as a way for people to understand and achieve their purpose in life.
"The book brings a hopeful message, enabling one to more easily bear and even value the hard times. It is an approach that teaches patience, humility and the 'long view'. Matthew explains the steps in detail and shows how they have applied in his own life, which has involved a journey often marked by depression, illness and poverty. This enables the reader to see how the stages can apply in their own lives. The book includes exercises and questions at the end of each chapter to help you apply the'journey' to your own life." (Review by H Smart)
The hero's journey is a subject I'm really passionate about and I enjoyed hearing Matthew's take on:
- the creative process of writing this book from a place of vulnerability, initially expressed in a collection of his personal Facebook posts
- how he transformed obstacles, like depression, into opportunities and inspiration for the hero's journey and the book
- the unsung everyday heroes, like his Mum, who have inspired him
- the importance of eldership acknowledgement culturally in Australia and the role elders can play in holding space for young people
- the feminine version of the hero's journey, as something more internal and how both genders experience the masculine and feminine expressions of the hero's journey
- Matthew's future plans for workshops, seminars and retreats on this topic.
I really enjoyed my discussion with Matthew, and I hope you enjoy this interview and reading his new book.
The book is available: www.courageousjourney.com.au or via Amazon for E -book
Go to Beaming Green to see more info about the author.
05/26/21 • 44 min
I heard Karen Lee Downes in an online interview a few months ago where she shared some of the work that her organisation — the Flourish Initiative, together with and Femme Q, were doing around bridging the gap between the masculine and feminine energies in the workplace. This subject appealed to me because I believe there needs to be more of a balance between the masculine and feminine in many spheres, especially around our current paradigm of plundering and pillaging people and the planet to make a profit.
In this episode, I speak with Karen about the work her and her partners are doing to bridge the gender gap and how we can create a better world for future generations and the planet.
During the interview we speak about her experience:
- working in Bangladesh and India in the Hunger Project for women
- being a student of Anthroposophy (works of Rudolf Steiner)
- starting out in Australia and how her and her sister set up a multimillion dollar essential oil business (In Essence) with distribution in five countries
- working in the UK with some of the biggest male-dominated mining organisations to create conscious-leadership programs
- taking 1,600 leaders from a leading airline to uncover a collective experience of "burn out"
- with her father that inspired her to do the work she does.
We covered a great deal more during the interview. If you have the inclination and are able to travel, I highly recommend the Femme Q course. If you can't travel, you can do it online as well.
Bio -
Karen Downes - Social entrepreneur, Spiritual Activist, Business Consultant and Facilitator (Australia / UK / Costa Rica)
Currently projects Costa Rica | Lead for Deep Collaboration | FemmeQ
Over her 35-year career Karen has built successful companies, supported civil society organisations to transform entrenched cultural norms, worked with global business leaders, designing and delivering culture change and development programmes around the world. Karen began her career as an alternative healthcare practitioner and a student of Anthroposophy. Over the course of time she has translated spiritual practices, principles of healing and systemic change into everyday life and business. Back in the 80s & 90s she built a multi-million dollar business in alternative health care, from kitchen table-top to a exporting training programmes and product to 5 countries. At the same time working on the ground in India and Bangladesh to transform the subjugation and marginalisation of women, seen as the key to end the chronic persistence of hunger. In 2002 she moved to London, developing and leading transformational programmes and retreats. She is the founder of The Flourish Initiative a consulting and advisory service to business, co-founder of FemmeQ: Feminine Intelligence, is a member of Gender Equality in Catalyst2030 and Lead for Deep Collaboration in Bounce Beyond. Her commitment is to catalyse the necessary shift from the current system of domination to partnership and to embed the feminine principle that has been missing, into all aspects of leadership, to create a flourishing future for all.
Websites:
https://www.theflourishinitiative.com
https://femmeq.org
https://www.costaricaregenerativa.org
06/09/21 • 28 min
RiverTracks is a new Northern Rivers venture, inspired by the very successful BackTrack program that Bernie Shakeshaft created in Armidale, New South Wales to keep young boys 'alive, out of jail and get them back on track'.
Like BackTrack, RiverTracks will take an innovative approach to working with young people, 13-16 years giving them the skills and support so they can reach their full potential and have a positive impact in the communities they live in.
Despite limited government funding (5%), BackTrack is recognised across Australia and has an 87 per cent success rate of participants gaining full-time employment, training or education. The Tweed Valley community members who have established RiverTracks want to emulate the same community sponsored model to support their new program for young men.
RiverTracks will begin its local offering with a program that will run 1-2 days per week targeting disengaged young men in the Murwillumbah area. the program will connect them to a safe, supportive and inclusive community of mentors and peers who offer opportunities, including animal therapy, practical education and work skills development. The program will partner with training providers and focus on collaborative relationship building with participants to co-create the program.
In this interview I speak with a member of the RiverTracks team Roland Fraval, who talks about how:
- the idea for the local project came about after local youth worker and co-founder, Ahri Tallon found out about the BackTrack program from a young fellow in living in residential care who said it was the best thing he'd ever done
- the program is an early intervention program targeting young people that have disengaged from school and who are at risk of entering the juvenile justice system
- one in four young people are dealing with a mental health issue and one in five are disengaged from school in some way and 28,000 are homeless or sleeping rough
- successful the BackTrack venture has been, reducing severe psychological distress by half in young participants, reducing suicide ideation by 40%, resulting in a 70% drop in school suspensions and increasing school attendances by 66% and lowering drug use
- beneficial animal training and therapy has been in the BackTrack program with dogs and how the local arm will use equine therapy to create similar outcomes
- they want to ground the project within the local community and have already attracted support and interest from many local community members and some high-profile local businesses, including the Scouts, the Rural Fire Service, the Surf Lifesaving club, as well as the Murwillumbah bike shop
- the program aims to be a social enterprise that creates real-world opportunities for young people to do things that interest them and make money in the process
- the program will start with young men 13-16 and expand out to other age groups and girls once it gets more established
- you can contribute to their fundraiser or through donating your time to skills like grant writing, cooking, mentoring etc.
Visit RiverTracks website for more information.
To contribute financially or in kind to their fundraiser to get RiverTracks started click link here
Be inspired by the success of the BackTrack project through this inspiring documentary about the program https://backtrackboys.com.
Circular Economy Villages
Beaming Green
10/16/20 • 50 min
In this episode I speak with skilled planners and strategic engineers, Nilmini De Silva and Steven Liaros, who have more than 25 years local government and consulting experience. They share their vision of pioneering "Circular Economy Villages" (CEVs) in Australia . A CEV lowers living costs, covering the basic needs of residents, including water, food, energy and shelter. CEVs also integrate sustainable and innovative ideas and infrastructure, reinventing how 'residents and entrepreneurs' live and work together.
The couple have spent the past few years travelling Australia in their motor home and connecting with communities and councils to get important feedback that will inform their vision of sustainable, affordable and connected living.
In this interview they share:
- what their research findings on CEVs are, including anecdotal and academic research from Steven's PHD
- which local councils support the idea and are interested in developing it further e.g. Bellingen Council
- what the master plan of a CEV could look and how it might work
- how CEVs save on commute time
- what shared community amenities will be available, such as electric vehicles, entertainment rooms, pool, gyms etc
- how shared spaces like community gardens and meeting places create connection and enhance mental health
- what E changers are
- how CEVs offer nomads a home and a place in a community for as long as they want.
For more information about CEVs and Nilmini and Steven's vision, visit the links below.
Want to learn more click on the following links:
Link to Fifth Estate Article: Circular economy village Life: Pipedream or solution to all our woes
Social Media & Websites:
FB Page: Circular Economy Villages
Publication on Medium: Ecoliving Journeys
Steven’s PhD: Circular Economy Villages: Local Nodes in a Globally Networked City
Living a rich and purposeful life - EP 3
Beaming Green
05/09/23 • 34 min
In this the final episode of three with Stephen Armytage, he discusses what it means to live a rich and purposeful life. Stephen explains that his goal in sharing this course, and his overall mission, is to leave the world in a better shape than he found it. He reveals the secret to achieving this is coming from a place of abundance and connection.
Stephen believes that living a rich and purposeful life means being the best husband, father, son, and community member possible, together with acknowledging the enrichment that this creates.
Stephen discusses the common misconception that people who have a good start in life don't struggle and are happy. He says that everyone starts somewhere, and we all have different starting places. He understands that some people don't believe they have the power, permission, or deserve to live this way. Stephen emphasises that improving yourself is possible, regardless of your starting point.
To learn more about how to live an abundant and fulfilling life retreat, beginning May 31st, 2023, head to LARPL to register or sign up to the mailing list to hear about future events. You may also want to check out Gymea Eco Retreat, the stunning spot in Northern NSW where Stephen is holding the retreat. I'll be attending and hope to see you there for what promises to be a powerful and transformative five-day experience.
Living a rich and purposeful life - EP 2
Beaming Green
05/04/23 • 44 min
In episode two of Beaming Green, we learn about the next chapter in Stephen Armytage's journey towards Living a Rich and Purposeful Life (LARPL). Stephen shares what brought on his self-described 'spectacular midlife crisis', which was a growing discomfort about the direction in which the world was heading, particularly around how humans were treating the earth.
While working in high-level government consulting, Stephen talks about his need to explore further, or dig deeper into himself to feel his own authenticity. This led him to embark on his own version of the hero's journey to become a sustainable man, father, husband, and community member, which involved spending six months traveling around Australia with his wife and two kids, living in a small camper trailer. On this trip he connected more deeply with his family and learned how to live an abundant, enriched life with minimal impact on the environment.
This prompted his decision to move to Northern NSW and some of the challenges and choices he and his family needed to make to be more sustainably authentic.
Stephen reveals how from that space he and his family manifested the perfect place to live and work at Gymea Eco Retreat where they were able to further develop and explore their connectivity with the land, themselves and their wonderful community.
We also delve a little deeper into his passion for LARPL and what to expect at his upcoming retreat starting on the 31st of May 2023.
Living Well, Dying Well - with Hermione Elliot
Beaming Green
08/04/21 • 53 min
In this week’s episode I am excited to welcome guest presenter Andia Cally. Together, we interview Hermione Elliot, who shares her wisdom and wealth of experience and knowledge on a subject that eventually impacts us all—death. Based in the UK, Hermione is an End of Life Doula and the Director of Living Well, Dying Well, an organisation that pioneered (and continues to offer) the only certified end of life training in the UK, since 2009.
It was a rich and very rewarding conversation. Hermione’s compassion, experience and insight around the importance of preparing for, and creating, a positive end-of-life experience was humbling.
We touched on many topics, including that:
- the role of a End of Life Doula is to create a calm, comforting, safe and loving space to help the dying person and their family let go
- death itself is brief and much of their work is around supporting the preparation for death and what comes after
- for the dying it is often important to tie up loose ends and let go of attachments to things and people
- every death is unique and often reflects how a person has lived
- end of life can be harder for the ones being left behind than the one dying
- we can rehearse for death by regularly ‘stopping to listen to the whispering of [our] soul’ rather than waiting for deathbed regrets
- death is a human, rather than a medical event, which is why hospitals and institutions don’t do death well
- the end of life is treated differently in various cultures
- death and permanent brain injury can affect people at any age, so it’s worth creating an advanced health care directive a.s.a.p
- Covid-19 has made people more aware of the importance of having loved ones with you as you die
- every person that does their training is doing a public service as they normalise and expand the conversation around death
- including children in the conversations and experiences of death will help them to face the inevitable in the future
- healing rituals, like washing the body of a loved one, or bringing them home for a few days can be very healing.
Death is a challenging topic for many of us, including me. I hope that like me, you find this interview enriching and feel reassured that it is possible to die well.
Bio of Hermione Elliot
After a career in nursing, midwifery, palliative care, training, health coaching and mentorship, Hermione brought all her interests and experience together to develop the End of Life Doula Training in 2009. She established Living Well, Dying Well as a not-for-profit organisation to further this work. She is passionate about engaging with people from all walks of life, encouraging them to become more informed and confident about being with death and dying – recognising it not as something to be feared, but as a natural and normal part of life.
Links to training and information
Home | Living Well Dying Well – End of Life Doula Training (lwdwtraining.uk)
Home End of Life Doula UK – Death Doula in the community (eol-doula.uk)
Healthy homes better for people & the planet
Beaming Green
09/18/20 • 25 min
Michael Leung - Architect from Balanced Earth
Michael Leung has had a passion for architecture since the age of sixteen, when he started working in an architectural firm in the UK. He then went on to university to study architecture.
Michael became a UK registered architect in March 2000. He has 30 years experience in architecture and project management.
For 8 years, his primary focus was property development and project management for commercial, residential and hospitality projects in Australia and the South Pacific.
During this phase he started Lausanne Property's Sydney office and headed up Andrew Forrest's Private Minderoo Property Group in Perth building over $300m of projects.
Michael has worked at prominent architectural practices like TP Bennett, KSS in London and Hassell Architects in Sydney designing and delivering a variety of interesting and exciting commercial projects.
He has also run his own design and building businesses for many years and completed a variety of quality design projects over the years.
Michael has been involved in commercial, residential and hospitality projects in Australia, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands and Vanuatu. He has worked alongside high profile clients and prominent hotel brands, including building Andrew Forrest’s Minderoo Property Group, Paspaley Projects, GHM hotels, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt, Alila Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International and Malmaison Hotels. Many of these projects have won design awards and been published. (Listed below in Awards)
Michael brings leadership and design experience with a wealth of construction delivery knowledge to all his projects. He has recently delivered major projects like the international award winning Musters Residences; The Indian Ocean Suites MBA award winning; The Baynton Residences; Minderoo Homestead all in WA, Further afield The Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, The Rottnest Island and Ningaloo reef resort design projects have taken his work and experience to new levels.
Michael now prefers designing and building more healthy and sustainable homes with their team at Balanced Earth and has set up home and business in Byron Bay.
Balanced Earth have won awards for designs of Skyfarm, Goninan Hemp houses, Cape Byron Steiner School as well as many other unique residential projects.
Balanced Earth provide end to end project management from the design of your project to the build.
Please click on the links to visit the websites of Michael's and Balanced Earth for examples of their work.
For more information on this episode please visit the Beaming Green website
02/16/21 • 32 min
Farmers' markets promote individual health, environmental health and healthy communities. These weekly markets support local farmers, stimulating local economies and building direct relationships between the growers and buyers.
They offer a place where the consumer can ask questions about how their food is grown, creating consumer trust and encouraging sustainable farming practices that reduce exposure to toxic fertilisers and pesticides. Consumers are guaranteed fresh, locally grown, (often organic) seasonal produce that is low in food miles, has minimal packaging and is highly nutritious. The environment also benefits, with consumers bringing their own bags or baskets, cutting down on unnecessary single-use plastic bags. It's also a great place to connect with friends and family, listen to music and let the kids play.
Murwillumbah Farmers' Market springs into life every Wednesday morning from 7.00 – 11.00am, allowing consumers to purchase super fresh, seasonal local produce from small family farmers and artisanal local producers. Situated at the Murwillumbah Showgrounds, visitors can enjoy stunning views to Wollumbin (Mt Warning) and the surrounding Caldera.
In this episode Sue Beckinsale, the Manager of the Murwillumbah Farmers Market chats about the market's humble beginnings 10 years ago and its transformation into a wonderful gathering place for surrounding villagers to catch up with family and friends over a cuppa and delicious food, while relaxing to beautiful music local music. April 2021 marks the market's 10-year anniversary and Sue reflects on how the market has expanded into a rich offering of local fruit, vegies, meat, dairy and much more, becoming a destination for locals and tourists to enjoy.
In this episode Sue talks about:
- what makes the market such a special destination
- why its important to shop locally and support our farmers and artisans
- how markets are a special weekly community event
- why our local market is thriving, attracting 1500 visitors each week
- what is planned for the upcoming celebrations for the 10-year anniversary
- why they are hosting a stall welcoming our new residents to the 2484 on the 24th of March 2021
- how these markets support local environments by reducing the number of kilometres our food travels from the farm gate to plate.
Wanting to find out more about the Murwillumbah Farmers Market?
Their website is https://murwillumbahfarmersmarket.com.au
Social media click on the following links Facebook or Instagram
07/20/21 • 54 min
To mark Plastic Free July, we go a little deeper and look at waste and recycling in New South Wales, Australia and beyond. I speak with Justin Bonsey who works in the waste industry.
Justin is the Strategic Lead of Resource Recovery at the Southern Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC), overseeing regional projects on infrastructure planning, waste data, regulatory reform and circular economy markets and has a long history working in various waste and recovery sectors.
Justin isn't one to stand still and is passionate about finding waste solutions, having co-founded Responsible Runners and Responsible Cafes.
In this interview, Justin speaks about how:
- helping a friend in Northern Thailand sparked his interest in how to live more sustainably
- his experience of seeing a lot of waste while running on Bondi Beach gave him the idea for Responsible Runners, encouraging runners and walkers to pick up any litter they see on Sydney's beaches
- he campaigned with Boomerang Alliance to introduce the container refund scheme in NSW
- the impact of banning exported plastic waste and tyre waste to South East Asia meant local authorities had to find another, more sustainable solution
- in NSW glass is being recycled and used for building roads
- consumers not knowing what is and isn't recyclable can contaminate a whole truckload of waste
- the Responsible Cafes movement grew from 800—5000 cafes in a couple of months after the ABC's War on Waste aired.
I really enjoyed the discussion with Justin and was grateful that he gave some of his time and shared his considerable expertise on a Sunday, proving how committed he is to reducing our waste consumption.
Bio of Justin Bonsey
Justin Bonsey is Strategic Lead, Resource Recovery at the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC), overseeing regional projects on infrastructure planning, waste data, regulatory reform, and circular economy markets. Formerly a Boomerang Alliance campaigner for container deposits and bans on single-use plastics, he co-founded sustainability initiatives Responsible Cafes and Responsible Runners to address litter and marine debris, and help businesses improve their sustainability practices.
Links:
Responsible Runners Facebook
Responsible Cafe's
Justin Bonsey Interview Transcript
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does Beaming Green have?
Beaming Green currently has 35 episodes available.
What topics does Beaming Green cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Society & Culture, Thrive, Mental Health, Podcasts and Sustainability.
What is the most popular episode on Beaming Green?
The episode title 'Living Well, Dying Well - with Hermione Elliot' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Beaming Green?
The average episode length on Beaming Green is 40 minutes.
How often are episodes of Beaming Green released?
Episodes of Beaming Green are typically released every 13 days, 22 hours.
When was the first episode of Beaming Green?
The first episode of Beaming Green was released on Aug 6, 2020.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ