Hello. I’m Professor Dr Wayne Visser and in this podcast series, I share my reflections on what it means to be purpose-inspired, whether as an organisation, an individual or even as a whole society. It is really the story of my own exploration over the past 20 years of how business can be a force for good in the world, and how individuals can make a positive difference. I have organized the podcast chronologically, so you join me on the journey and see how key ideas evolve over time. As we go, you will notice the ebb and flow of global trends, the entry and exit of pioneering companies, and the twisting kaleidoscope of responses to the world’s greatest challenges. Over the past 30 years, I have travelled to more than 75 countries and captured my learning in more than 20 books on topics like corporate social responsibility and sustainable business. For each series, I have selected one book that synthesizes the emerging ideas, practices and lessons learned on the journey to being purpose-inspired. And I have tried to make each podcast a bite-size chunk of around 15 or 20 minutes. Some of you will be faithful companions for the entire trip, across multiple series. Others will tag along for a while, dipping in and out according to their interest. All of you are most welcome.In the inaugural series, we begin with my very first book – and one that I am in many ways still the most proud of. The book’s title is Beyond Reasonable Greed: Why Sustainable Business is a Much Better Idea, although I originally wanted to call it Shapeshifting. The reason is because I use a fun wildlife metaphor throughout the book, arguing that companies need to shift from acting like predatory lions to being more like elephants, which are wise, gentle and highly collaborative creatures. We end by exploring two scenarios for the world, called Oases in the Desert and Plains of the Serengeti. In subsequent series, I will share different approaches and ideas that emerged from other books of mine, like Business Frontiers, Making a Difference, The Age of Responsibility, The Quest for Sustainable Business and Sustainable Frontiers. I look forward having you along for the ride. Please do invite your friends to join us – the more the merrier. We are at a crucial time in our history where the problems are urgent, complex and in desperate need of innovative solutions. So the more we can share our ideas and knowledge – and the more we can all be purpose inspired – the better our chances of creating a future in which our children, and the other life we share this planet with, can not only survive, but positively thrive.

The theme of this series is pursuing the frontiers of sustainability by unlocking change. So much of making a successful transition to a more sustainable future (which is by no means certain) depends on letting go. In the episodes that follow, we will explore how we must find ways to let go of an industrial system that has served us well, but is no longer fit for purpose. We will need to let go of old styles of leadership and out-dated models of business, high-impact lifestyles and selfish values. We must learn to let go of cherished ideologies that are causing destruction and beliefs about ways to tackle problems that are failing to resolve crises.

In this episode, we look at unlocking change through transformational leadership. More particularly, the episode covers the following topics:- Why Today’s Crisis of Leadership is Tomorrow’s Opportunity- Seeking a Reformation in Business- Trading in Business Fangs for Tusks- Shifting to Return on Stakeholder Value

In this episode, we continue to explore the process of unlocking change through transformational leadership. In particular, the episode includes the following topics:- Systems Change is a Multi-Player Game- Big Beliefs, Blue Skies, Burning Platforms and Baby Steps- Finding Your Inner Sustainability Superhero

In this episode, we continue to explore the process of unlocking change through transformational leadership. In particular, the episode includes the following topics:- Overcoming the Barriers to Sustainable Change- Seven Ways to Test if Your Leader is Fit for the Future

In this episode, we continue to explore the process of unlocking change through technological innovation. In particular, the episode includes the following topics:- Closing the Loop on Steel- Eco-innovation: Beyond Creating Technology for Technology's Sake

In this episode, we continue to explore the process of unlocking change through corporate transparency. In particular, the episode includes the following topics:- Increasing Importance of Sustainability Ratings- Consolidation of Sustainability Ratings Agencies- Demand for More Transparency by Rating Agencies

In this episode, we continue to explore the process of unlocking change through stakeholder engagement. In particular, the episode includes the following topics:- Value-action Gaps Make Stakeholder Feedback Less Valuable- The Wisdom of the Crowd Can Become the Tragedy of the Commons- The Openness of Open Source is Questionable- Questions Remain About Ratings When the Guardians Are Not Guarded- In Search of the Web 2.0 Savvy Players

In this episode, we continue to explore the process of unlocking change through stakeholder engagement. In particular, the episode includes the following topics:- Convetit Keeps Our Head in the Cloud and Feet on the Ground- Wikirate Strives to Make Companies Clear- Business Accountability in a Fish-Bowl Future

In this episode, we begin to explore the process of unlocking change through social responsibility. In particular, the episode includes the following topics:- The Rise and Fall of CSR- The Ages and Stages of CSR- The Triple Failures of CSR- CSR 1.0 and Burying the Past

In this episode, we continue to explore the process of unlocking change through social responsibility. In particular, the episode includes the following topics:- The Principle of Creativity in CSR 2.0- The Principle of Scalability in CSR 2.0- The Principle of Responsiveness in CSR 2.0- The Principle of Glocality in CSR 2.0

In this episode, we continue to explore the process of unlocking change through social responsibility. In particular, the episode includes the following topics:- The Principle of Circularity in CSR 2.0- Making the Shift to Transformative CSR- Decoding the New DNA of Business

In this episode, we continue to explore the process of unlocking change through social responsibility. In particular, the episode includes the following topics:- First Steps Towards CSR 2.0- Towards Responsible Competitiveness?

Are you fit for the future? Will your product, organisation, community, city or country survive and thrive in 10, 20, 50 or even 100 years? How can we – as individuals, businesses, communities and policy-makers – prepare for the future? How can we maximize our chances of success, not only by being ready, but also by helping to shape the future that we desire? I think it helps to view future-fitness in two ways: in terms of alignment – i.e. fitting, like a jigsaw piece, into the bigger picture of an emerging world; and in terms of agility – i.e. building up the kind of fitness that allows quick reflexes and strong performance in response to future conditions.  In this episode, I cover: - A Test for Future-Fitness- How Web 2.0 is Shaping the Future of Business- Net Value Footprinting and Forensic Impact Analysis

In this episode, I continue to explore the elements of future fitness, covering: - Stakeholder Crowdsourcing and Disruptive Partnerships- Open Sourcing and Wiki-Ratings- Prototyping and Smart Mobbing- App Farming and Plug-and-Play- Future Images: Beyond the Information Age

In this episode, I continue to explore the elements of future fitness, covering: - Future Images: Beyond the Information Age- Sustainable Frontiers Forecasts for the Next 10 Years- To Survive in a Volatile World Businesses Must Build in Resilience

In this epilogue, I finish the season by returning to the big picture. Because sustainability is not just about business, leadership and innovation. And it is certainly not just about surviving the future. It is also about living in a world of abundance and diversity in a way that that brings joy and inspiration. Jean M. Russell calls this Thrivability. I cover:- The Birth and Rebirth of Creation- Recalling and Retelling the Stories of Hope- Relearning the Skill of Listening to Life

Welcome to the Thriving podcast. This short teaser tells you what to expect in the coming episodes, which launched on World Environment Day 2022. Join me, Prof Wayne Visser, for inspiring conversations with leaders in the breakthrough movement to regenerate nature, society and the economy.  We do not indulge in false hope or blind optimism, but we actively focus on innovative solutions and positive tipping points for change. The podcast builds on the foundations of my bestselling book Thriving: The Breakthrough Movement to Regenerate Nature, Society and the Economy. I look forward to having you join the movement for thriving and welcome your suggestions for who I should feature as a guest on the podcast. I will not be posting the episodes on Purpose Inspired, but you can follow the Thriving podcast here, or via your own favourite podcast platform. The first episode, with sustainability legend John Elkington (The science and science fiction of thriving) is already live now. You can also contact me via my website: waynevisser.com. Music credit: Amil Raja

This podcast explores how and why corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR) has failed and how it is evolving. In the podcast, Prof. Dr Wayne Visser reads Chapter 1 from his book, The Age of Responsibility: CSR 2.0 and the New DNA of Business. The podcast is broken into the following sections:- The meaning of responsibility- The failure of CSR- Our global footprint- Our global weather- Our global village- Our global dishonesty- Awkward questions- The ages and stages of CSR

This podcast explores how greed has become institutionalised in business, the economy and society - including in the form of Defensive CSR. In the podcast, Prof. Dr Wayne Visser reads Chapter 2 from his book, The Age of Responsibility: CSR 2.0 and the New DNA of Business. The podcast is broken into the following sections:- Case: Larry McDonald and Lehman Brothers- An unhealthy appetite- Executive greed- Banking greed- Financial market greed- Corporate greed- A personal odyssey into greed- Discovering institutionalised greed- An inSANE economy?- The belly of the beast- Reforming the citadels of greed- Accomplice to the crime?