Jules Pretty
In our online chat in her Southampton studio, we hear from activist, author and creator Denise Baden about the power of positive story. She is Professor of Sustainable Business, and came to realise that teaching business ethics does not make students more ethical. She switched to good role models in story, finding these created a different kind of motivation. “We remember stuff embedded in story,” she says. Also, “It’s more fun!”
She tells of her A Jigsaw to Save the World project, to paint a picture of the good stuff happening. And how it felt to have her writing turned into a play. Do you interfere, or just watch?
Her heroes are Caroline Lucas and Rob Hopkins. Her most recent books are “The Philosopher and the Assassin”, and “Habitat Man.”
She recommends Rob Hopkins’ book, “How to Fall in Love with the Future.”
Her top action: turn to face the sun. Go solar.
For Denise’s books, see Habitat Press: https://habitatpress.com/
See also https://www.dabaden.com/
A Jigsaw to Save the World: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/creative-climate-communication-7300475505529540608
https://www.greenstories.org.uk/
My new book will be supporting this podcast, and will be published in March 2027 by Unbreaking/5m. It’s called "Bamboo and Butterfly: Transformation and Story for Climate and Nature Recovery."