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© 2025 Business & Society with Senthil Nathan
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Inspiring and thought-provoking conversations with eminent thinkers and sustainability leaders about business in society. Hosted by Senthil Nathan, Chief Executive of Fairtrade Australia New Zealand.
32 Episodes
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This episode of the Business and Society podcast features a conversation with Etelle Higonnet, founder of Coffee Watch, Yale alumna, and renowned environmental activist. The discussion centers on the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and its profound implications for smallholder coffee farmers worldwide. Main Topics Covered EUDR Impact: The episode explains the intent and scope of EUDR, emphasizing how the regulation aims to halt deforestation linked to key commodities—especia...
In this episode, Senthil sits with Professor Nick Bloom of Stanford University to discuss the evolution, research, and future of remote, hybrid, and in-person work. Drawing from global data and his landmark Trip.com study, Nick explains why hybrid models now dominate professional work, how work-from-home trends differ across countries and industries, and their impacts on productivity, innovation, and employee wellbeing. The conversation highlights the importance of coordinated hybrid schedule...
In this episode of the Business and Society podcast, Senthil delves into the complexities of the Indian consumer market with renowned market expert and author Rama Bijapurkar. Drawing from four decades of research, Rama outlines the transformational journey of India's consumer economy—from pre-liberalization austerity to the explosion of choices and rising competition after 1991. The discussion highlights the unique nature of the Indian market, the enduring relevance of kirana (mom-and-pop) s...
Senthil sits with renowned MIT Sloan professor Zeynep Ton, author of The Good Jobs Strategy and The Case for Good Jobs, for a conversation to reveal how investing in frontline employees with fair pay, stable schedules, and meaningful career paths is not just ethical—but a true competitive advantage. Hear compelling stories, research insights, and real-world examples from leading companies like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Mercadona that show how systemic change, not piecemeal fixes, creates bette...
In this episode, Senthil sits with Patrick McGee, author of Apple in China and reporter at the Financial Times, delve into the intricate world of Apple's global supply chain, exploring the company's relationship with China, the role of Foxconn, and the impact of COVID-19 on labor conditions. They discuss how Apple's manufacturing processes have shaped the smartphone market and the ethical dilemmas the company faces in balancing profit with human rights. The conversation highlights the symbiot...
What if working less could actually mean achieving more? The four-day workweek has emerged from pandemic-era workplace experiments as perhaps the most promising innovation in how we structure our professional lives in decades. But misconceptions abound about what this shift really means and whether it's sustainable for businesses beyond a temporary feel-good measure. Professor Juliet Schor, economist and sociologist at Boston College, joins us to share groundbreaking research from hundreds o...
What happens when business schools continue teaching the same shareholder capitalism model that's driving our planet toward environmental collapse and social inequality? Professor Andy Hoffman, holding joint appointments at University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and School for Environment and Sustainability, takes us on a profound journey examining the broken state of business education and its potential for transformation. Business schools were originally conceived to teach commer...
Hidden beneath the glossy surface of our global economy lurks a devastating reality: 40 million people trapped in modern slavery. In this eye-opening conversation, Professor Justine Nolan, Director of the Australian Human Rights Institute, reveals the complex web of exploitation that permeates supply chains across industries. Modern slavery isn't a relic of history—it's a present-day crisis hiding in plain sight. Justine expertly unpacks how today's slavery manifests through psychological co...
We're facing a crisis of overwork that's literally killing us. In this eye-opening conversation, award-winning journalist and author Brigid Schulte reveals how our toxic work culture has made overwork the norm, with devastating consequences for our health, happiness, and productivity. Brigid traces the origins of our overwork epidemic to the 1980s when corporate priorities shifted toward shareholder value above all else. This transformation created what she calls "greedy work" - jobs that de...
In a world where more women are entering the workforce than ever before, why does the gender wage gap persist so stubbornly? Our guests Naomi Cahn and June Carbone, legal scholars and co-authors of "Fair Shake: Women and the Fight to Build a Just Economy," reveal the hidden game being played in workplaces across the globe. The conversation begins with Betty Dukes, a Walmart employee told "people like you don't become managers" - a story that eventually led to the largest class action lawsuit...
Sir John Kay delivers a masterful analysis of how corporations have evolved from their industrial origins to today's knowledge-driven enterprises, revealing profound insights about the changing nature of business success. Drawing on his distinguished career spanning academia, business, and finance, Kay traces the corporate journey from the industrial titans of the Gilded Age through the professionally managed firms of mid-20th century America to today's "hollow corporations" like Apple. His ...
Have you ever wondered why essential goods like baby formula, eggs, and lifesaving medications keep facing shortages? The answer lies in monopoly power—a force reshaping our world in ways both visible and hidden. Matt Stoller, director of Research at the American Economic Liberties Project and author of "Goliath: The Hundred-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy," joins us for a profound exploration of how concentrated economic power threatens not just markets but the systems that ke...
Corporate sustainability is more than just a trend—it's an essential element of modern business strategy. In this episode, we sit down with Tim Mohin, a seasoned leader in climate and sustainability, to navigate the intricate relationship between corporate responsibility and the dynamic market environment. We discuss how today’s corporate leaders must balance shareholder interests, regulatory pressures, and evolving consumer expectations. As Tim shares insights from his extensive exper...
Professor Karthik Ramanna, a prominent authority on business-government relations and sustainable capitalism, joins us to unravel the themes from his compelling book, "The Age of Outrage: How to Lead in a Polarized World." Our conversation touches on his influential role as the inaugural director of Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government's Master of Public Policy program. Discover how his course on managing organizations in polarized times served as a springboard for his book, and how engagi...
Brace yourself for a paradigm shift in how we perceive pricing as we welcome Michel Scholte, co-founder of True Price and Impact Institute. Discover the groundbreaking concept of "True Price" that integrates social and environmental costs into everyday pricing, challenging current market norms. Michel shares his personal journey, deeply influenced by experiences of global poverty and inequality, and argues passionately for consumer-friendly systems that truly reflect the costs of goods and se...
Discover the changing landscape of global supply chains with Peter Goodman, The New York Times' global economic correspondent. He sheds light on the seismic shifts in global supply chains and the vulnerabilities laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions. Uncover how the rise of economic nationalism and elite influence is reshaping trade and labour, turning the promise of liberalised trade on its head. Peter's insights from his book, "How the World Ran Out of Everything: In...
Can business ethics and profitability coexist in harmony? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Professor James O'Toole, author of 17 books and a renowned expert in business ethics and leadership, as we explore the intricate relationship between principled leadership and financial success. Drawing from his acclaimed book, "The Enlightened Capitalists," Professor O'Toole shares stories of influential leaders like Jim Burke of Johnson & Johnson and Bill Gore of Gore-Tex, who hav...
Have you ever wondered how market competition affects societies? Join us as we explore this provocative idea with Professor Allan Fels, a towering figure in the sphere of competition law and regulation in Australia. As the inaugural chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Allan has spent decades challenging powerful institutions to create a fairer market landscape. Together, we unravel his motivations and the broader impacts of competition—beyond mere price reduction, tou...
Discover the untamed expanse of our planet's high seas with Dr. Olive Heffernan, a distinguished science journalist and author, as she navigates through her latest work, "The High Seas: Ambition, Power, and Greed on the Unclaimed Ocean" Dr. Heffernan’s unique perspective, fueled by her upbringing in the coastal town of Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, and her transition from fishery scientist to authoritative voice in science journalism, promises to immerse you in the legal and ecological intricacies ...
Discover why businesses are taking the lead in societal trust, with David Bersoff from the Edelman Trust Institute sharing insights from their latest Trust Barometer Report. You'll learn why companies now outscore governments, media, and NGOs in trust ratings and how they are stepping up to address global challenges where traditional institutions fall short. We tackle the complexities behind these trust metrics and explore the evolving expectations placed on businesses to champion social issu...
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