Reboot Business

In this episode, Julien Devaureix speaks with Nora Bateson, filmmaker, writer, and president of theInternational Bateson Institute. Together they explore how to navigate today’s complex world through systems thinking, relational approaches, and Nora’s concept of warm data. Drawing from her book Combining, Nora shares why solutions can’t be isolated, how identity and intergenerational living shape our future, and why cultivating an ecology of communication is key to creating authentic hope and thriving life.Episode timestamps00:00 Introduction & Nora’s background; perceiving interdependencies in living systems04:14 The “meadow” metaphor and the relational nature of complexity16:59 Problems of reductionism in education and society34:25 Excerpts from Combining: the idea of combining vs. combined43:26 Rethinking problems and solutions; cultivating an ecology of communication54:02 Double binds, transcontextual issues, and aiming for possibility & vitality01:00:50 Warm data and the lost art of intergenerational living01:06::06 False hope vs. real hope; culture and unexpected change01:10:05 The role of art, weirdness, and creativity in shaping the future01:15:23 Closing poem Mama Now: reflections on parenting, integrity, and uncertaintyHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, Julien speaks with Steffen Müller, head of Salesforce's Sustainability & Transformation Advisory team, about how companies can align technology, data, and AI with their ecological goals. From carbon accounting to AI’s environmental impact, they explore how sustainability is becoming a core business strategy—not just a compliance issue.Episode timestamps00:00 Introduction – The shifting context for business and Stefan Müller’s journey02:50 Why some companies are backpedaling on sustainability—and why others are not05:30 Corporate ecological transition: Where are we really?07:30 Finance and nature: Understanding the $7 trillion gap09:20 Geopolitical contrasts: US, EU, and China in the sustainability race12:30 Beyond carbon: Measuring waste, water, and biodiversity impact15:00 Tackling Scope 3: From spend-based data to real supplier metrics18:15 Ensuring data integrity: Verification, auditability, and trust22:00 AI’s footprint: The hidden environmental cost of artificial intelligence27:30 Designing sustainable AI: Small models, smart principles, and market influence32:00 AI for good: Empowering farmers, NGOs, and regenerative practices34:20 The rise of the “sustainability technologist” and evolving team structures36:40 From dashboards to decisions: Embedding sustainability in business systems40:10 Case study: Manufacturing, CRM integration, and incentivizing low-impact choices44:30 Regenerative business: Tech as a tool—if used with intent47:50 The reboot button: Rethinking the concept of “we”51:30 Closing thoughts and a call for integrity-driven transformationHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, Julien speaks with Alexandra Palt, recently appointed President of WWF France. Alexandra shares her unique journey from human rights lawyer to Chief Sustainability Officer at L'Oreal, where she drove ambitious transformation, to leading France's largest environmental NGO. The conversation explores the challenges of driving sustainability from within large corporations, the structural hurdles faced when profit and sustainability collide, insights from her experience navigating the "sustainability hype" and backlash, and her research on ethical leadership and the virtues necessary for leaders today. Alexandra also discusses the role of NGOs like WWF, the importance of local action and cooperation, and identifies the awareness of sustainable value chains as an underrated solution for businesses. This episode offers a profound look at navigating complex environmental and social challenges and redefining impact.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"Reboot Business" podcast host Julian Devaureix interviews Otto Scharmer, a senior lecturer at MIT and creator of Theory U, about navigating the current radical transformation of the business world due to social, energy, and environmental demands. Scharmer discusses systems thinking as a way to understand interconnected global crises like ecological damage, socioeconomic inequality, and mental health issues, emphasizing that these are symptoms of deeper disconnects. He introduces Theory U as a framework and set of tools for achieving organizational and societal change by shifting consciousness and enabling systems to see and sense themselves more fully. The conversation highlights the power of attention as crucial for individuals and leaders to intentionally shape the future and move from reactive patterns to co-creative action, advocating for personal awareness practices, deep listening in small groups, and aligning work with purpose to foster widespread change starting at the individual level.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, Julien is sitting down with Paul Hawken—visionary thinker, entrepreneur, author and founder of Project Drawdown. A leading, pioneering voice in the regeneration movement, Paul challenges the way we approach climate, biodiversity, and corporate responsibility. Not only doing less harm is not enough—businesses must actively do good. But to truly transform, we need more than new solutions; we need a fundamental, ontological shift in how we see the world and our role within it. His latest book, Carbon: The Book of Life, reminds us that all life-supporting systems are deeply interconnected.Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on rethinking business, reimagining our relationship with the planet, and moving beyond sustainability toward true regeneration.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.