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The Pledgeball Podcast

The Pledgeball Podcast

By: Pledgeball
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The Pledgeball podcast is what happens when sport, culture and climate action meet.


Hosted by our CEO Katie Cross and football YouTube royalty Laurence McKenna, each episode welcomes a new guest to explore the intersection of sport and sustainability, from football clubs and players to creators, campaigners and voices from beyond the sporting world. Together, they dig into practical, realistic actions fans and communities can take, from travel and food to fast fashion and the systems around the game we love.


Courtesy of some very special guests, we'll keep you updated on the goings on in the Pledgeball League along the way too. Don't forget, you can help your team by making a pledge at pledgeball.org.


But for now, sit back, relax and listen to these crucial conversations from those who are going above and beyond to Protect Where We Play.

© 2026 The Pledgeball Podcast
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Episodes
  • Ep 5: The season finale, lessons learned & looking back with Laurence McKenna
    Feb 23 2026

    This week, we are shaking things up for the season finale. Host Katie Cross turns the microphone on her usual co-host, Laurence McKenna, to explore the man behind the mic.

    Why does sustainability matter to him? What initially drove him to join the Pledgeball project? Laurence opens up about his personal connection to the cause and what he has taken away from his time in the studio.

    Together, Katie and Laurence also take a trip down memory lane, looking back at the incredible roster of guests they have spoken to this season. From the realities of fast fashion to elite-level club strategy, they break down their biggest learnings and the key takeaways from every single conversation.

    Plus: Broadcaster Ben Haines drops into the studio to deliver the final, highly anticipated Pledgeball League table update of the season. The battle at the summit has been fierce. Tune in to find out exactly how your club is getting on.

    Make a pledge for your club: https://pledgeball.org

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    34 mins
  • Ep 4: Sustainability at the elite level & The Red Way with Rishi Jain
    Feb 16 2026

    This week, hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna explore what sustainability looks like at the very top of the footballing pyramid.

    How does a global institution like Liverpool FC translate climate action into a strategy that reaches millions of fans worldwide? We are joined by Rishi Jain, Director of Impact at Liverpool, to discuss the responsibilities and opportunities that come with elite-level sport. We take a deep dive into The Red Way, the club’s comprehensive framework for people, planet, and communities and how they are integrating sustainability into the heart of their operations.

    Of course, no discussion with Liverpool around sustainability would be complete without a discussion about their famous the Office inspired 'Let's Save the Planet! Team Meeting' viral sketch.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • The Power of the Global Game: How a Premier League club leverages its platform to inspire fan action across the world.
    • Inside The Red Way: The practicalities of managing environmental impact at an elite club, from stadium operations to global travel.
    • Leading by Example: Why authenticity is key when a club of Liverpool's scale speaks out on the climate crisis and how 'that' famous Team Meeting became a viral sensation.

    Plus: Legendary commentator Conor McNamara joins us for an update on the Pledgeball League table. There has been a seismic shift at the summit this week... tune in to hear if your club is part of the shake-up and how you can help them climb the standings.

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    28 mins
  • Ep 3: The un-dying shirt, fast fashion & inclusivity with Joana Czutkowna and Julia Cove-Smith
    Feb 9 2026

    This week, hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna unpick the fabric of the modern game. Literally.

    We all love copping our club's latest shirt, but have you ever stopped to consider what your kit is actually made of?

    We are joined by two pioneers in sustainable sportswear: Joana Czutkowna, CEO of 5THREAD, and Julia Cove-Smith, founder of Eleven as One.

    Together, they discuss the intersection of circular fashion, waste, and inclusivity in sport. We dive into Joana’s fascinating research on textile waste (including the "buried shirt" experiment) and Julia’s mission to rethink football apparel for women, focusing on fit, access, and creating a genuine sense of belonging in the game.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • Why circularity should be the future for sports brands.
    • How ill-fitting kit excludes women from the sport and drives a "throwaway" culture.
    • Why polyester shirts are essentially wearable plastic bottles that never decompose.

    Plus: Broadcasting heavyweight Lynsey Hooper drops into the studio to give us the latest update on the Pledgeball League table. It is tight at the top, so tune in to hear which fanbase is currently leading the charge and who needs to step up.

    Make a nature-friendly pledge for your club at https://pledgeball.org

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    36 mins
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