Episode Summary: In this powerful and moving episode, we welcome storyteller and social entrepreneur Carl Gough, founder of the Nexus project. Carl shares his deeply personal journey through grief, identity loss, and rediscovery during the lockdown, and how storytelling became his way back to meaning, connection, and agency.

Through bonfire tales, barefoot performances, and a growing international presence, Carl has developed a unique approach to storytelling as a tool for emotional resilience and climate engagement. He explains how myths and folktales offer vital breathing room in a media-saturated world, and how the act of sharing stories, rather than drowning in despair, can rekindle a sense of purpose.

We also explore:

• The alchemy between storyteller and audience
• How stories can help us reclaim agency in the face of climate paralysis
• Why grief, when acknowledged, can become a doorway to action
• The origins and power of the Nexus storytelling project
• The challenges of translating a deeply emotional in-person workshop into an online space

Listen in for a timely reminder that we are not too small to make a difference—and that the stories we choose to tell ourselves shape the world we live in.

Update:

Since we recorded this episode, Carl Gough has taken on a new role promoting the protection and restoration of seagrass—a crucial marine habitat—to help safeguard our ocean environments.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Carl’s performance storytelling website: https://storytelling.wales

TEDx Talk: What if stories could change the climate? – Carl Gough at TEDx Nantymoel

Beyond the Border Festival (Wales International Storytelling Festival)

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Featuring Carbon Almanac Contributors Steve Heatherington, Tania Marien, Rob Slate and Leekei Tang.

From a beautiful valley in Wales, UK, Steve is a Podcast Coach, Producer and Alpaca Shepherd. Steve is fascinated by the ideas of regeneration beyond sustainability and is still a biologist at heart.

From Riverside, California, Tania is an independent environmental education professional and hosts and produces The Talaterra Podcast.

Rob is from Birmingham in the UK, he is an orthodontist, triathlete, coach and podcaster.

Leekei is a fashion business founder, a business coach, an international development expert, and podcaster from Paris, France.

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For more information on the project and to order your copy of the Carbon Almanac (one of Amazon best-selling books of the year!), visit thecarbonalmanac.org

Want to join in the conversation?

Visit thecarbonalmanac.org/podcasts and send us a voice message on this episode or any other climate-related ideas and perspectives.

Don’t Take Our Word For It, Look It Up!

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The CarbonSessions Podcast is produced and edited by Leekei Tang, Steve Heatherington and Rob Slater.

In this episode of CarbonSessions, we welcome Beth Norcross and Leah Rampy—educators, spiritual leaders, and nature advocates—who co-authored Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees, a deeply reflective guide to reconnecting with the natural world.

Rooted in ecology, theology, and lived experience, their book invites us to see trees not just as beautiful beings, but as teachers, companions, and mirrors of our own spiritual lives.

Through stories, reflections, and accessible practices, Beth and Leah offer a path back to wonder, attention, and a renewed sense of belonging within the living world.

🌳 In this episode, we explore:

• Childhood memories that sparked lifelong reverence for trees
• How trees model resilience, community, and mutual care
• The meaning of stewardship
• Simple, powerful practices to connect with nature—even in busy lives
• Lessons trees offer us about grief, healing, and wholeness
• How to reawaken wonder and attention in a distracted world
• The power of collaborative authorship and collective wisdom
• A vision of a future shaped by interconnection, not extraction

This is a soulful conversation at the intersection of ecology, spirituality, and action—reminding us that learning from trees can guide us toward more grounded, generous, and hopeful lives.

To connect with:

• Beth Norcross: https://www.bethnorcross.com/
• Leah Rampy: https://www.leahmoranrampy.com/
• The Center for Spirituality in Nature: https://www.centerforspiritualityinnature.org/

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For more information on the project and to order your copy of the Carbon Almanac (one of Amazon best-selling books of the year!), visit thecarbonalmanac.org

Want to join in the conversation?

Visit thecarbonalmanac.org/podcasts and send us a voice message on this episode or any other climate-related ideas and perspectives.

Don’t Take Our Word For It, Look It Up!

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Featuring Carbon Almanac Contributors Leekei Tang, Brian Tormey, Olabanji Stephen, Jenn Swanson, and Kristina Horning

Leekei is a fashion business business coach, an international development expert, and podcaster from Paris, France.

Brian is a Real Estate Title Insurance Professional and Goat Farmer in the US.

Olabanji is from Lagos Nigeria. He’s a Creative Director and visual designer that helps brands gain clarity, deliver meaningful experiences and build tribes through Design & Strategy. He founded Jorney - a community designed to help people stay productive, accountable, and do their best work.

From Langley in British Columbia, Canada, Jenn is a Minister, Coach, Writer, and community Connector, helping people help themselves.

Kristina is currently in Prague (that it is where she is originally from) and her base is US.

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The CarbonSessions Podcast is produced and edited by Leekei Tang, Steve Heatherington, and Rob Slater.

In this thought-provoking episode of Carbon Sessions, we have the privilege of hosting Nathan Havey, filmmaker and passionate advocate for sustainable business practices.

Nathan takes us behind the scenes of his visionary documentary "Beyond Zero," which chronicles Interface's revolutionary journey towards sustainability under the visionary leadership of Ray Anderson.

This wide-ranging conversation delves deep into the transformative power of storytelling in the business world, exploring how narrative can inspire change in ways that facts and figures alone cannot.

Nathan shares his unique insights on the challenges and triumphs of creating and distributing documentaries that showcase positive business stories, offering a fresh perspective on how we view corporate sustainability efforts.

The discussion expands beyond filmmaking to explore the evolving concept of stakeholder capitalism, with Nathan breaking down its five key elements and how they can reshape our approach to business.

From learning from nature's regenerative designs to addressing systemic discrimination, this episode offers a comprehensive look at how companies can drive positive change while maintaining profitability.

Whether you're a seasoned business leader, a sustainability professional, or simply someone interested in how companies can make a meaningful difference in the world, this episode provides valuable insights, practical advice, and inspiring examples of how businesses can lead the charge towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

Join us for a conversation that challenges conventional thinking and offers a roadmap for positive change in the corporate world.

To find out more about Beyond Zero, visit https://beyondzerofilm.com/

To request Beyond Zero on Netflix, ask https://help.netflix.com/en/titlerequest

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Featuring Carbon Almanac Contributors Leekei Tang and Brian Tormey.

Leekei is a fashion business founder, a business coach, an international development expert, and podcaster from Paris, France.

Brian is a Real Estate Title Insurance Professional and Goat Farmer in the US.

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For more information on the project and to order your copy of the Carbon Almanac (one of Amazon best-selling books of the year!), visit thecarbonalmanac.org

Want to join in the conversation?

Visit thecarbonalmanac.org/podcasts and send us a voice message on this episode or any other climate-related ideas and perspectives.

Don’t Take Our Word For It, Look It Up!

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The CarbonSessions Podcast is produced and edited by Leekei Tang, Steve Heatherington and Rob Slater.