12 of the Best Podcasts for Active Citizens

Our pick of the best podcasts on conscious living to listen to on your commute, while sipping your morning coffee or when travelling. 

In an age where podcasting has become as popular as instagramming your food, we’ve filtered out our favourite shows on conscious living to help quench your thirst for knowledge in this space. Get inspired by interviews with sustainable fashion pioneers, discussions about the impact of a plant-based diet on the environment, thoughts on mental health in a modern world and honest conversation about women in business with our selection of our favourite podcasts:

The Gurls Talk Podcast

Hosted by supermodel Adwoa Aboah, this show is all about fighting stereotypes around girls and women. In each episode Adwoa talks to a different and inspiring woman about her life and any struggles she has had to overcome – eating disorders, addiction, adoption, loss, trolls and more are discussed. We love it because it’s not only gurl talk but also real talk. 

If you only listen to one episode: Listen to Adwoa in coversation with Ramla Ali about mantras, identity, passion, ‘religion, refugees and fighting stereotypes with every boxing medal’.

Happy Place

Happy Place is hosted by British TV and radio presenter Fearne Cotton and is based on her book HAPPY, sharing the same aim of helping you to find joy daily through advice and experiences shared by experts. 

If you only listen to one episode: Tune in to the conversation between Fearne and Matt Haig, the author Reasons To Stay Alive and Notes on a Nervous Planet, as he shares his experiences with mental-health struggles such as panic attacks, suicide and anxiety, as well as his road to recovery. 

The Minimalists Podcast

After a successful Netflix documentary, The Minimalists continue in their journey to share minimalism around the world with this podcast. Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus discuss living a meaningful life with less ‘stuff’. 

If you only listen to one episode: Listen to ‘Technology’ – in this episode the Minimalists discuss how to approach technology in a more minimal way. Questions like ‘how to minimise your social feeds’ and browsing without missing out on anything meaningful are answered to help you declutter in the digital space. 

Wardrobe Crisis

Wardrobe Crisis is presented by Clare Press, Australian Vogue’s Sustainability Editor-at-Large and author of our December #EcoAgeReads book ’Rise and Resist’, and is an incredible resource for anyone wanting to learn more about sustainable fashion. The podcast tackles everything from circular economy, inclusivity in fashion, modern slavery and plastic pollution interviewing change makers such as Ellen McCarthur, Safia Minney and Baroness Lola Young.

If you only listen to one episode: ‘Baroness Lola Young on Modern Slavery in Fashion’ where Lola Young gets deep into modern slavery and inspires you to be an #activecitizen harnessing your power to drive change.

The Plant Based Podcast

Created and hosted by Vevolution founders Damien Clarkson and Judy Nadel, in partnership with leading plant-based entrepreneur Loui Blake, the pocast explores what it takes to build a sucsessful purpose driven plant-based business. Guests on series 1 of the podcast include the founders of Form, Plenish, Moving Mountains and many more.

If you only listen to one episode: Start with episode 1 and listen to the Vevolution founders Damien and Judy talk about scalling the plant-based economy. 

Conscious Chatter

‘A podcast where what we wear matters’ is another sustainable fashion gem, as host Kestrel Jenkins sits down with industry pioneers to talk about sustainable business, waste, fashion activism and more. Tune in for some really insightful conversation.

If you only listen to one episode: Kersel talks to Impak Finance on ‘What is Blockchain Technology + social impact economy” – how can we solve environmental and social issues while making money in this new world. 

Deliciously Ella : The Podcast

Hosted by Ella and Matt Mills, the duo behind Deliciously Ella’s deli, cookbooks, blog and products (#powercouple) this podcast discusses everything and anything on healthy living. Mental health, demystifying the gut, the importance of exercising and more. 

If you only listen to one episode: ‘Why a vegan diet is the single biggest positive change you can make for the planet, with Joseph Moore at Oxford University’  talks about the incredible impact your meal choices can have on the planet – an eye-opening episode.

If you only listen to one episode: Start with episode 1 and listen to the Vevolution founders Damien and Judy talk about scalling the plant-based economy. 

In Good Company 

A podcast for working women presented by Forbes 30 under 30 Otegha Uwagba is a powerful resource and tool for women navigating the world of business in creative industries and beyond. Expect interviews with inspiring women, practical advice and honest, raw conversations about experiences, managing your finances, freelancing, rude clients and more. Ps.: you can also submit questions that Otegha answers at the end of the podcast.

If you only listen to one episode: Otegha interviews former Senior Editor at Grazia, turned influencer and author, Katherine Ormerond about the realness of social media in ‘Katherine Ormerod. Fake Followers. Real Success.’ 

Talking Tastebuds

Hosted by our very own contributor Venetia Falconer, in each weekly episode of Talking Tastebuds, Venetia talks to a special guest about their life and relationship with food – from their favourite childhood dishes to their death row dinner. Past guests have included Tom Kerridge, The Happy Pear, Ella Mills, Dolly Alderton, Shona Vertue, and Eco-Age contributors Jasmine Hemsley and Melissa Hemsley.

If you only listen to one episode: Venetia Falconer (Interviewed by fellow Eco-Age contributor Melissa Hemsley): The Food Journey – Venetia takes her turn in the hot-seat, discussing her own life with food, including details of her morning routine, and her personal vegan food journey. 

The Chickpeeps

Join hosts, actress Evanna Lynch of the Harry Potter films, and her co-hosts Momoko Hill, Robbie Jarvis and Tylor Starr as they discuss their philosophies, challenges and opinions on living the vegan lifestyle, and listen in as they turn the mic on some of the Animal Rights community’s most inspiring and seasoned activists and try to decipher the best ways of living that is kind to animals, ourselves and Mother Earth.

If you only listen to one episode: Finding your Tribe: The Happy Pear. It’s hard not to lovela anything with the Happy Pair but this whole episode is a delight and inspires inclusivity and empathy through conversations about culture and going against the grain. 

Style With Substance

Style With Substance is a podcast for anyone looking to learn a little more about the fashion industry, using each episode to tackle the many myths and questions that surround sustainability and the wider world of fashion. With the help of industry insider guests, the conversation covers everything from greenwashing to recycling your clothes, thrifting to renting. 

If you only listen to one episode: in a discussion with Riley Studio’s Olivia Dowie, the conversation follows the problem with waste in fashion and how this in turn can be tackled by sustainable production and consideration from both consumer and manufacturer. Learn how best to recycle your unwanted clothes without harming the planet or its people. 

The Vevolution Podcast

Vevolution is heading in to its 4th year of spreading education, inspirational and motivational content through their events, media and a brilliant podcast. 

Since starting in late 2016, Vevolution has been creating inspiring events for the plant-powered generation. Each episode of this podcast will share with you stories and ideas told by plant-based, ethically minded thought leaders from the Vevolution stage.

 If you only listen to one episode: Jack Harries, On the Front Line. Jack is a film-maker and environmentalist and ambassador for WWF, he speaks about this environmental journey the people living on the frontline of climate change.

Read Venetia Falconer’s The Power of a Morning Routine

For more digital inspiration, see our recommendations for the best sustainability apps to download for 2019