#74 Why hiring ex-offenders is good for business and society
What if businesses could help reduce reoffending rates while boosting productivity and unlocking untapped potential?
In this episode, once he gets over the doom and gloom currently ungulfing the planet, Tom chats with Sid Madge, founder of Meee and creator of the Counting on Confidence programme, helping to seriously transform lives through prison rehabilitation.
Sid shares powerful stories from his work in prisons, why mindset shifts are key to breaking cycles, and how businesses can play a vital role in giving ex-offenders a second chance. Plus, he reveals practical tips for companies ready to make a difference.
Tune in to discover:
How rehabilitation benefits individuals, businesses, and society.
Why hiring ex-offenders is a win-win for all.
How businesses can get started with programs that drive impact.
This episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and actionable steps. Ready to rethink what better business means? Hit play now!
🎧 Listen and subscribe for more conversations that challenge the norm.
#BetterBusinessShow #Rehabilitation #SecondChances #BusinessForGood
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# 76 The company changing the way businesses think about packaging
In this episode, I take on one of the most heated debates in the UK right now: airport expansion. With the UK government giving the green light to new runways, we explore the bigger questions beyond carbon emissions. Why is aviation still a lightning rod for controversy? Are we having the wrong debate? And why do we need a smarter, more pragmatic approach to how we manage growth?
Then, I sit down with Andrew Hargest, founder and CEO of SupplyClub, to talk about why packaging needs a radical rethink.
We explore:
🔹 How a side hustle turned into a nationwide business transforming how companies source packaging
🔹 The biggest barriers stopping businesses from making better material choices
🔹 Why packaging isn’t just about materials; it’s about systems, incentives, and accessibility
🔹 What the future holds for the industry – from new materials to the role of digital distribution.
Whether you’re curious about the future of aviation, interested in how smart businesses are solving packaging waste – or just love big, thought-provoking conversations, this episode has something for you.
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#77 Why nobody believes your ESG story (and what to do about it)
Sustainability communication has never been more important – or more challenging. Say too much, and you risk greenwashing accusations. Say too little, and you’re guilty of green-hushing.
So, how should companies talk about ESG, climate action, and social impact in a way that actually resonates?
In this episode, sustainability comms expertHelen Neal joins me to break down the new rules of ESG communication. She's worked with global brands, NGOs, and businesses of all sizes, helping them navigate the tricky balance between transparency, credibility, and engagement.
In this episode, we cover:
Why companies are either saying too much or not enough—and how to fix it.
The shift in ESG, CSR, and why the word ‘climate’ is becoming politically charged.
What makes great sustainability storytelling—and what makes people switch off.
The biggest mistakes brands make when talking about their impact.
If you’re in sustainability, communications, or leadership, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you get your messaging right.
💡 Listen now and make sure to subscribe for more episodes.
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
🔗 Follow us @betterbusinessshow
Here’s the link to Joel Makower’s speech from this week: https://trellis.net/article/sustainability-leaders-advance-holding-back-the-darkness/
“The best sustainability communication isn’t about ESG scores or net-zero roadmaps. It’s about real people, real stories, and real impact.”
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#78 Meet the man who was fired for being a Dad
What happens when businesses forget that their employees are human?
In this episode, we’re talking about workplace culture, parental rights, and why companies are quietly rolling back their commitments to inclusivity and employee well-being.
My guest, Glen Wood, knows firsthand what happens when a company gets it wrong – after being fired for taking paternity leave, he took on the system and became a symbol for workplace reform in Japan where is still known to this day as ‘The Father of Japan’.
Today, he’s sharing what he’s learned about how companies can actually build cultures that work – for their people and their bottom line.
We get into:
The real reason companies are retreating from DEI initiatives
Why treating employees fairly is good business, not just good PR
How leaders can create workplaces where people want to stay and succeed
If you’ve ever felt like work is demanding too much and giving too little, or if you’re a leader looking for ways to do things better – this one’s for you.
“Workplace culture isn’t about flashy mission statements. It’s about how a company treats its people when no one’s watching.”
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#79 Beauty and the bot: How AI is helping L’Oréal make better products, faster
AI is no longer just a buzzword – it’s fast becoming a core part of how businesses operate, innovate, and grow. But with so much hype, where do the real opportunities lie? And how do you separate practical value from overpromise?
In this episode, Tom sits down with Oday Abbosh, Senior Partner at IBM, to unpack how artificial intelligence is being used to genuinely transform business – from product development and customer service to complex challenges like supply chain resilience and material discovery.
We hear how IBM’s partnership with L’Oréal is helping the beauty giant rethink how it formulates new products using generative AI – and what that says about the future of research and innovation. We also dig into how businesses can adopt AI responsibly: with the right data, the right use case, and the right mindset.
Oday offers candid insights into:
The biggest misconceptions about AI in business
How to get started if you’re a small or mid-sized company
Why AI’s environmental footprint matters – and what can be done about it
The role of governance, ethics, and transparency in building trust
Whether you’re just exploring AI or already running pilots, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest reflections on what it takes to make AI work for good.
“One of the biggest misconceptions? That AI is a plug-and-play solution. It’s not. It’s a learning journey – for people, systems, and organisations.”
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