The Samuele Tini Show - where business, innovation, and sustainability converge

Breaking Conservation Myths: Africa’s Innovative Approach | S. 2 E. 1

New Season! After 4 years it is time for a new season and for the first episode we travel to South Africa!  I engaged in a profound conversation with Duncan MacFadyen, Head of Research and Conservation at Oppenheimer Generations. Duncan shares his inspiring journey from growing up in South Africa's conservation areas to leading transformative sustainability initiatives across Africa. Discover groundbreaking projects like Malawi’s innovative approach to sustainable fishing, the empowerment of young African scientists through the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant, and pioneering conservation approaches blending wildlife management with community benefit. This episode explores the intersection of science, community engagement, and sustainable economic opportunities, shedding light on how conservation in Africa can coexist harmoniously with development.

AI, China, and Sustainability: Redefining Global Innovation | S.1 E. 142

Join the host Samuele Tini as we delve deep into China’s sustainability story with Lorne Michaels, Program Director for China at The Conference Board and founder of the groundbreaking Sustainability Directory. From his life-changing meeting with sustainability legend Ray Anderson to witnessing firsthand China’s paradoxical journey toward sustainability leadership, Lorne reveals insights from behind the scenes of one of the world's most complex and powerful economies. Discover how grassroots innovation, massive renewable projects, and intricate policy shifts are shaping the sustainability landscape. Plus, learn about his exciting venture, the Sustainability Directory, designed to revolutionise sustainability learning and implementation. Whether you're an entrepreneur, sustainability professional, or simply curious, this episode will transform how you view China's role in our global sustainability journey.
 

Trillion-Dollar Climate Capital: Funding the Next Wave of Green Tech Innovation | S.1 E. 141

Is climate finance scaling fast enough to solve the crisis?
With $2.1 TRILLION invested in green tech last year, we’re seeing momentum—but is it enough? In this episode, Peter Fusaro, founder of the Wall Street Green Summit, breaks down the latest in sustainable finance, from AI-driven decarbonization to the startup funding gap.
Key topics we explore:
The real cost of AI and why data centers could cripple sustainability efforts
Why carbon markets, methane capture, and green hydrogen are the next big bets
The investment gap—why billions aren’t reaching the climate startups that need them
How investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs can accelerate the transition

Innovating Beyond Plastic: The Future of Bio-Materials | S.1 E. 140

What if the future of design meant products that are functional, beautiful, and compostable? In this episode of The Sustainability Journey, we meet Lauryn Menard, founder of GOB, a design visionary using bio-materials like mycelium to tackle single-use plastics.
Lauryn shares her entrepreneurial story, her passion for education, and her commitment to creating sustainable products that do not compromise on quality. With insights like "Begin with the end – start your designs with their afterlife in mind," this episode dives into the challenges and triumphs of scaling eco-friendly innovation.
 
 

How Wellbeing Economies Can Transform Our Future | S.1 E. 139

How do we shift from an obsession with economic growth to a focus on human and planetary wellbeing? On this episode of The Sustainability Journey, we speak with Lorenzo Fioramonti, former Italian Minister of Education and Academic Director at Nativa Campus.
Lorenzo introduces the concept of a wellbeing economy, where development is measured by its impact on quality of life, not consumption. Drawing from examples like New Zealand’s wellbeing budget, Lorenzo highlights the policies, education reforms, and business innovations needed to create a sustainable and just future.
With thought-provoking insights such as "We need to build an economy that improves quality of life within planetary boundaries," this episode offers a roadmap for change.
 
 

Academia in Action: Biofuels, Freight, and Carbon Capture | S.1 E.138

“Universities aren’t just about research; they’re about finding holistic solutions that include policy, science, and people"
In this episode of The Sustainability Journey, host Samuele Tini welcomes Dr, Valerie Thomas, the Anderson-Interface Chair of Natural Systems and Professor in the H. Milton School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech, to discuss transformative solutions for today’s environmental challenges. Valerie shares her fascinating career journey—from nuclear arms control to spearheading innovations in sustainability.
The conversation dives into:
The slow but impactful energy transition in developed and emerging markets.
The future of freight transportation, biofuels, and carbon capture technologies.
Groundbreaking research on industrial efficiency in paper and semiconductor production.
The crucial role of policies and scaling innovations for real-world impact.
Practical advice for individuals to contribute to sustainability efforts.
Valerie’s expertise bridges academia and actionable solutions, providing valuable insights into balancing new technologies and systemic change. Join us for an engaging exploration of the science, policy, and practices driving a sustainable future.

Farming in the Digital Age: Innovations for Sustainability | S1 E. 137

Digital transformation is the key to building resilience against climate unpredictability.
In this episode, we sit down with Peter Horsten, Chief Growth Officer at AgUnity, to discuss how digital technologies are revolutionising smallholder farming and tackling the challenges of climate change, market access, and compliance with EU deforestation regulations.
Peter shares his inspiring sustainability journey and explains how AgUnity’s solutions are enhancing transparency and resilience in agricultural value chains. From leveraging GPS for deforestation-free compliance to empowering cooperatives through data-driven decisions, Peter illustrates how innovation can create a fairer, more sustainable world.

Entrepreneurship and Storytelling: A Message of Hope | S.1 E .136

“Amid challenges, it is our commonalities, not our conflicts, that define us.” A message of hope for this Christmas season!
In this episode of The Sustainability Journey, we explore the profound connection between entrepreneurship and storytelling with Miles Spencer—author, mentor, and serial entrepreneur. Drawing from his experiences retracing the legendary path of Lawrence of Arabia, Miles shares a unique perspective on finding purpose in both business and storytelling.
Through  tales from the Middle East, Miles reveals how shared cultural narratives can bridge divides and inspire new ways of thinking. “Storytelling is the currency of the future,” he explains, highlighting its crucial role in problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and making knowledge accessible in today’s AI-driven world.

Innovation for Sustainability: Tackling Water Pollution with AI and Robotics | S. 1 E.135

I had the pleasure of speaking with Jacky Zhu, CEO of ORCAUBOAT, a trailblazer in autonomous technology. Jacky shares the incredible journey of developing cleaning robots that tackle both physical and chemical water pollution across lakes, rivers, and oceans.
From being the first Chinese robotics company to join the UN Global Partnership on Marine Litter to inspiring the next generation of young innovators, Jacky’s story showcases the power of technology in creating a sustainable future.
Tune in to hear about:
The innovative use of AI and robotics in water conservation
ORCAUBOAT’s global deployment and customer feedback
The challenges and rewards of leading a sustainable tech company
Advice for young entrepreneurs aiming to make an impact

Biodiversity, Tequila, and B Corp: Building a Sustainable Spirits Brand | S. 1 E .134

In this enlightening episode of The Sustainability Journey, Elise Som, Co-Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer of Altos Planos, shares how she is revolutionising the spirits industry. From local production in Jalisco to supporting biodiversity and achieving B Corp certification, Elise explains how her team prioritises sustainability at every step of the process.
Key Takeaways:
Why biodiversity credits are the future of sustainability.
The role of women and local communities in creating a sustainable value chain.
How B Corp certification opens doors and drives accountability.
💬 "Being B Corp certified is living proof that you are walking the talk." – Elise Som