The 5Cs

Why Your Children Can't Afford Your Life. The fifth episode in a new six part series. The Rock Tumbler:  How Different Minds Create Breakthrough Thinking.

With special guest Josh Harrison, of the Center for the Study of the Force Majeure  and Leaf Island.

Key Highlights

-First generation where children can't expect parents' economic stability

 -Bell Labs spent 30% on basic research—gave us transistors, rockets, modern tech

 -Venture capital now demands 10x returns with no room for experimentation

 -Michael Milken's LBOs destroyed bidirectional company-employee relationships

 -Quarterly thinking...

The fourth episode in a new six part series. The Rock Tumbler:  How Different Minds Create Breakthrough Thinking. When Your Name Disappears and that's a HUGE success.

With special guest Josh Harrison, of the Center for the Study of the Force Majeure.

Key Highlights

-Sava River master plan survived a war between two countries

 -Local teams adopted the methodology independently—now 40% of Danube's fresh water

 -Netherlands housing crisis: flipped the maps upside down, solved the unsolvable

 -Plan killed by politics, resurrected 5 years later—without the artists' names

-"...

What is a Happy Crab? The third episode in a new six part series. The Rock Tumbler:  How Different Minds Create Breakthrough Thinking.

With special guest Josh Harrison, of the Center for the Study of the Force Majeure.

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

...

Three Fatal Assumptions. The second episode in a new six part series. The Rock Tumbler:  How Different Minds Create Breakthrough Thinking. With special guest Josh Harrison, of the Center for the Study of the Force Majeure.  

Key HIghlights:

-The Moral Foundations of Capitalism: Revisiting Adam Smith

-The Modern Market: From Transparency to Information Arbitrage

-Environmental Blind Spots in Economic Theory

-The Role of Art and Artists in Social Change

-Actionable Strategies for Change

Ready to benchmark your leadership impact? Take this 5-minute Ste...

Artists through History. The first episode in a new six part series. The Rock Tumbler:  How Different Minds Create Breakthrough Thinking.

With special guest Josh Harrison, of the Center for the Study of the Force Majeure.  

Key HIghlights:

1. Artists as Integrated Problem-Solvers: Lessons from History 

Historically, artists weren’t isolated creatives—they were embedded in the fabric of their communities, solving real problems and serving societal needs.

2. The Renaissance Model: Patronage, Collaboration, and Adaptability

Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were not lone geniuses—they were mast...

If you missed the previous three episodes, go here 

This is Part Four of Four -- A deep dive of Richard David Hames’ essay, “Beyond The Cracked Mirror: The Psychic Contract of a Dying Paradigm"

Key highlights:

The Cracked Mirror: Seeing Ourselves in the System

Sacred Innocence: The Trap of Moral Superiority

The Hunger to Punish: Why Righteousness Can Backfire

The Davos Smear: When Solutions Mirror the Problem

Holmes’s Invitation: Five Commitments for Real Change

Action Steps for Business Leaders

Conclus...

If you missed the previous two episodes, go here 

This is Part Three of Four  -- A deep dive of Richard David Hames’ essay, “Beyond The Cracked Mirror: The Psychic Contract of a Dying Paradigm"

Key highlights:

1. The Psychic Contract: The Illusion of Change Without Real Change

2. Truth as Territory: The Fragmentation of Reality

3. The Masculine Shell: Power, Vulnerability, and Leadership

Because Doing Better Starts with Seeing Clearly

Ready to benchmark your leadership impact? Take this 5-minute Stewardship Quiz and get a personalized report showin...

Continuing oue deep dive into the work of Richard David Hames, using his essay "The Mirror Cracks: Donald Trump and the American Psyche” as a lens to examine the foundational patterns driving both climate crisis and the broader malaise of modern capitalism, the episodes looks at the final three of Richard's six insights.  

-The Epistemological Break

-The Civilization Crisis

-Nature as a Resource

You may also find this 2018 talk illuminating

Key Takeaways for Leaders:

Are we defending comfortable but flawed realities in our sustainability efforts?

How...

Let’s face it: the world is on fire—sometimes literally. The systems that built our prosperity are now threatening our future. As host  Charlene Norman puts it, “You cannot build regenerative systems on extractive foundations. You cannot create sustainable solutions using the same logic that created the crisis.”

This episode isn’t about bashing the U.S. or any one leader. It’s about recognizing the global export of American-style capitalism and its consequences. If you’re leading a business, you’re not just a bystander—you’re a participant. The question is: are you perpetuating these patterns, or ar...

Business leaders and executives know exactly what power and dominance are.  That is the goal behind every scaling move for market share, for revenue and for profit.  It works until it doesn't.  There is a race in the geo political landscape that will suffer the exact same fate.  The pursuit of energy.  
Whether fossil fuel or clean tech, both will indeed scale. Both will work, until they don't.  Because both are EXTRACXTIVE.  Both do nothing for planetary health.  So, why are we doing them?  Power and Dominance.  And who will win that race? 

Tune in for the better...

Business leaders and executives are no strangers to tough decisions, but what happens when the stakes are nothing less than the future of our planet? 

Host Charlene Norman presents a masterclass in leadership under uncertainty. She weaves together the urgency of the climate crisis, the fragility of democracy, and the overwhelming complexity of our times. Drawing on insights from sustainability leader Richard Threlfall and climate architect Christiana Figueres, she challenges us to rethink not just what we do, but what we value. You can find the countdown clock here.

Key HIghlights

-The Climate C...

Host Charlene Norman explores the premise that while this podcast has helped build a bridge between business and the planet, the world on both sides of that bridge is shifting.  And super fast. The question is no longer just how to get across the bridge , but what to do when the ground itself is unstable and the river is rising.

She identifies four critical “gaps” that business leaders must now confront:

In other words, the real work now lies in the messy, uncertain territory beyond: 

Facing grief, repair...

Host Charlene Norman unpacks the key themes of the past podcasts and explores what it truly takes to drive transformation in the face of climate change and entrenched business systems. Spoiler: it’s not about quick wins or clever marketing. It’s about trust, courage, and a willingness to play the long game.

What gets covered

-Trust is Infrastructure: Rebuilding What We Broke

-Market Forces: Not Natural Laws, But Human Constructions

-Design for the Margins: Why Inclusion Benefits Everyone

-Time Horizons: Aligning Business with Planetary Timelines

-Putting It A...

A reflection of the podcast learnings of the last nearly four years.  With host Charlene Norman

Covering these key highlights

-The Myth of the Success Story

-The Decades-Long Timeline of Real Change

-Individual vs. Systemic Change: The Paradox at the Heart of Transformation

-A Realistic Timeline: The Five Stages of Transformation

-Asking Better Questions Together

Ready to benchmark your leadership impact? Take this 5-minute Stewardship Quiz and get a personalized report showing exactly where you rank - plus actionable strategies to elevate yo...

In the first episode, host Charlene Norman of Good Stewardship; Lasting Impact took a brutally honest look at the in between stage we are all living through -- the messy middle.  In the second episode, she began sharing the thoughts of Ernesto van Peborgh founder of the Seva Institute and prolific writer on Substack as a case study we can all learn from. In the third episode, she showed how the problems we face are not just personal or organizational—they are systemic. The “multi-polar traps” of complexity theory are everywhere and yes, they can be debilitating.  

In this...

In the first episode, host Charlene Norman of Good Stewardship; Lasting Impact took a brutally honest look at the in between stage we are all living through -- the messy middle.  In the second episode, she began sharing the thoughts of Ernesto van Peborgh founder of the Seva Institute and prolific writer on Substack as a case study we can all learn from. In this episode, she weaves through how the problems we face are not just personal or organizational—they are systemic. The “multi-polar traps” of complexity theory are everywhere and yes, they can be debilitating.

Key Hig...

In the first episode, host Charlene Norman of Good Stewardship; Lasting Impact took a brutally honest look at the in between stage we are all living through -- the messy middle.  In this episode, she begins sharing the thoughts of Ernesto van Peborgh founder of the Seva Institute and prolific writer on Substack as a case study we can all learn from.

Key observations we can make 

-Recognize the Hollowing of Success

-Understand the True Cost of Power

-Embrace the Descent: Leaving the Comfort Zone

-Move Beyond Material Divestment to...

There is some degree of burnout in the lives of those trying to make a better world. Host Charlene Norman of Good Stewardship; Lasting Impact takes a brutally honest look at the in between stage we are all living through.   This first episode looks closely at the messy middle 

Key Highlights

-The Myth of the Overnight Transformation

-Why the Messy Middle Matters—Now More Than Ever

-The Real Costs of Change: What Success Stories Don’t Tell You

-Actionable Strategies for Surviving (and Thriving) in the Messy Middle

-Emb...

The final episode looks behind one of the most persistent—and misunderstood—mantras in business: “The market demands higher returns.” 

With host Charlene Norman of Good Stewardship; Lasting impact

This episode focuses entirely on Taking Back Control: Building Businesses for the Long Term

Key Highlights

The market isn’t a single, unified force. It’s a collection of actors—investors, shareholders, analysts, customers—each with their own interests and time horizons.  This means you have agency. You can choose which investors and stakeholders to engage with. It also means short-term pressure is not inevitable...

The look behind one of the most persistent—and misunderstood—mantras in business: “The market demands higher returns.” 

With host Charlene Norman of Good Stewardship; Lasting impact

This episode is all about Following the Money.  Who or What Exactly is  Making the Demands?

Key Highlights:

-The Real Drivers Behind “Market Demands”

-Private Equity & Venture Capital: The Clock is Ticking

-The Short-Term Trap: How Investor Pressure Shapes Decisions

-Activist Investors: The Loud Minority

-Executive Compensation: When Leaders Think Like Traders

-Making Better Trade-Offs: A F...

A new series into one of the most persistent—and misunderstood—mantras in business: “The market demands higher returns.” 

With host Charlene Norman of Good Stewardship; Lasting impact

If you’re a business leader, executive, or anyone who’s ever sat through a board meeting where this phrase was uttered (likely with a dramatic sigh and a PowerPoint slide), you know how powerful and paralyzing it can be. But what if the “market” isn’t the all-powerful, faceless force we’ve been led to believe? What if the real drivers are far more specific, and the consequences of f...

The fascinating (and sometimes sneaky) history of marketing’s role in climate change. 

With John Gorman of Cachet and Medium fame. In this final episode, John introduces his “four C’s” framework—Clarity, Consistency, Compassion, and Channels. A smarter, trust-building alternative to fear-based messaging. With wit and wisdom, the episode challenges business leaders to ditch shame tactics and embrace communication that empowers, connects, and inspires real change. 

Because saving the planet shouldn’t require a guilt trip. Just a better message.

Ready to benchmark your leadership impact? Take this 5-minute St...

The fascinating (and sometimes sneaky) history of marketing’s role in climate change. With John Gorman of Cachet and Medium fame.  We do a deep dive into the long-term consequences of shame-based marketing. We’ll go deep into the nuances of shame-based marketing, its psychological fallout, and—most importantly—how to build trust and community in a fractured world.

This episode is a masterclass for business leaders and executives who want to understand not just what works in marketing, but why it works (or doesn’t), and how these strategies shape our society—especially in the context of climate ch...

The fascinating (and sometimes sneaky) history of marketing’s role in climate change. With John Gorman of Cachet and Medium fame, we delve into the art—and occasional trickery—of automotive advertising. John unpacks the origins of “Truck Month,” revealing how clever timing and aggressive tactics turned pickups into profit powerhouses. The conversation takes a witty detour into shame-based marketing, exploring how brands manipulate emotions to drive sales, sometimes at the cost of trust. With sharp insights and a dash of humor, we challenge business leaders to rethink profit-driven strategies and imagine a more ethical, sustainable approach to marketing.

Key i...

The fascinating (and sometimes sneaky) history of marketing’s role in climate change. With John Gorman of Cachet and Medium fame, we unpack how campaigns like “litter bug” and the infamous crying Native American ad cleverly shifted blame from corporations to consumers, turning shame into a business strategy. With wit and insight, John challenges business leaders to rethink responsibility—asking what might have happened if industry, not individuals, had been held accountable from the start. A must-listen for executives ready to lead real change.

Key Highlights

-The Birth of "Litter Bug"

-Corporate Maneuvering

-Ic...

The Do-Better Revolution: From Broken Systems to Universal Design

The final in this three part series with guest Kim Scofield of Blonde Bad Wolf, we complete the discussion about fixing the structural issues behind why messages about climate, sustainability and all things green are not landing. And end with a game changing use of AI to immediately see and feel the easy, inexpensive and highly effective ways we can we put in place.

Ready to benchmark your leadership impact? Take this 5-minute Stewardship Quiz and get a personalized report showing exactly where y...

It's Not Them, It's Your Structure: Simple Fixes That Change Everything

The second in a three part series with guest Kim Scofield of Blonde Bad Wolf, we discuss the structursl issues driving the reasons why messages about climate, sustainability and all things green are not landing. And provide easy, inexpensive and highly effective ways we can we put in place to make messaging more effective.

Ready to benchmark your leadership impact? Take this 5-minute Stewardship Quiz and get a personalized report showing exactly where you rank - plus actionable strategies to elevate your performance.<...

The Right-Handed World: Why Your Climate Message Isn't Landing

The first in a three part series with guest Kim Scofield of Blonde Bad Wolf, we discuss the reasons why messages about climate, sustainability and all things green are not landing and easy, inexpensive and highly effective ways we can we put in place to make messaging more effective.

Ready to benchmark your leadership impact? Take this 5-minute Stewardship Quiz and get a personalized report showing exactly where you rank - plus actionable strategies to elevate your performance.

The 5Cs Podcast c...

Want to start leveraging climate data as a strategic asset?  Lean in because the winners will be those who adapt first and best to the new climate realities.

Key Takeaway:

If your business touches Canada—or relies on North American infrastructure, supply chains, or markets—climate change is already reshaping your operating environment. The impacts are not theoretical or distant; they’re here, now, and accelerating.

Charlene shows the tangible relevance the statistics have on a business.  From the ripple effects, to understanding the science to sector specific impacts and opportunities

She ends...

Why Most Climate Conversations Fail (And How to Fix Them)

This episode we break down the art and science of productive climate conversations—drawing on real-world experience, psychological insight, and actionable strategies you can use with your teams, customers, board members, and partners.

Key Insight:
Most climate conversations fail because we lead with data, fear, or confrontation—expecting people to abandon their frameworks and adopt ours. That’s not how human psychology or organizational change works.

Takeaways:

1. Start with Shared Values, Not Scientific Data

2. Acknowledge and Build on Existi...

The 5Cs is taking a wee break

Nope, we're not rolling in the grass, dancing on the beach, or even swimming in the ocean. We've officially hit the pause button – giving you time to breathe and us time to plot world domination. (Kidding! Sort of.)

Plot twist: We're actually busier than a golden retriever at a tennis ball factory!

Behind the scenes, we're recording like mad scientists preparing for Year Four. YEAR FOUR, people! Who knew talking about the little beast called Climate Change and its love affair with Business would keep us go...

Host Charlene Norman is recovering from hand surgery this month. To help ease her guilt in NOT being able to produce a new episode and to answer the questions about the 5Cs origin story, she has pulled out the original first four episodes.  Listen in as she candidly admits her mistakes, discusses why she got into it and then decide for yourself if the podcast has morphed apppropriately.

In this the final episode of the series, she looks at the progress made over the last sixty years.

Key Highlights

-The Generational Backdrop: 1950s–1970s<...

Host Charlene Norman is recovering from hand surgery this month. To help ease her guilt in NOT being able to produce a new episode and to answer the questions about the 5Cs origin story, she has pulled out the original first four episodes.  Listen in as she candidly admits her mistakes, discusses why she got into it and then decide for yourself if the podcast has morphed apppropriately.

In this the third episode in the series, she continues to search for who is to blame.

Key Highlights

-Who Are the Boomers, the Joneses, a...

Host Charlene Norman is recovering from hand surgery this month. To help ease her guilt in NOT being able to produce a new episode and to answer the questions about the 5Cs origin story, she has pulled out the original first four episodes.  Listen in as she candidly admits her mistakes, discusses why she got into it and then decide for yourself if the podcast has morphed apppropriately.

In this the second episode in the series, she begins with a look at who to blame

Key Highlights

Generational Lessons: From the Greatest Generation t...

Host Charlene Norman is recovering from hand surgery this month.  To help ease her guilt in NOT being able to produce a new episode and to answer the questions about the 5Cs origin story, she has pulled out the original first four episodes.  Listen in as she candidly admits her mistakes, discusses why she got into it and then decide for yourself if the podcast has morphed apppropriately.

The original premise was about reimagining capitalism so that profit and compassion can not only coexist but thrive together.  This requires four pillars:

1. Environmental Accountability

2. Res...

Climate change. For many business leaders and executives, the term conjures images of melting glaciers, dire scientific reports, and a sense of overwhelming scale. It’s easy to feel that the problem is too big, too abstract, and too far removed from our daily lives. But what if there's a different way? 

The host, Charlene Norman, of Good Stewardship; Lasting Impact explores how personal experience and storytelling might transform the way we approach climate change. Here are the main themes covered in this episode.

1. Make Climate Change Personal: Start with Your Own Weather Diary

2...

This is the final of the series:  Unpacking Climate Change: The Science, the Myths, and the Urgency of Action.  

With guest Thomas Schueneman of Global Warming is Real. Listen to Tom here, and sign up for his newsletter here.

The Key Takeaways:

Triple Bottom Line:

It’s time to think beyond profit. Tom and I discussed the importance of considering people and the planet alongside financial performance. It’s not just good ethics; it’s good business.

Circular Economy:

Imagine leasing washing machines instead of selling them. When the...

This is the third episode of the series:  Unpacking Climate Change: The Science, the Myths, and the Urgency of Action.  

With guest Thomas Schueneman of Global Warming is Real. Listen to Tom here, and sign up for his newsletter here.

Thus far, we have covered the original scientific research reports and how they were co-opted to initiate the trend towards the misinformation and false narratives we see today.  We’ve also examined how the mixed messaging and confusing communications have successfully numbed the average consumer and business leader.  And today, we jump into equally provocative topics...

This is the second episode of the series:  Unpacking Climate Change: The Science, the Myths, and the Urgency of Action.  

With guest Thomas Schueneman of Global Warming is Real. Listen to Tom here, and sign up for his newsletter here.

You are very likely no stranger to the buzzwords “climate change,” “sustainability,” and “corporate responsibility.” But let’s be honest—between quarterly reports, board meetings, and the daily grind, it’s easy to relegate climate change to the “someday” pile. In the latest episode we tackle the real, often uncomfortable truths about climate change, and—more importantly—how clari...

This is the first episode of the new series:  Unpacking Climate Change: The Science, the Myths, and the Urgency of Action.  With guest Thomas Schueneman of Global Warming is Real. Listen to Tom here, and sign up for his newsletter here.

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or a topic reserved for scientists and activists. It’s a business reality, a leadership challenge, and—let’s be honest—a bit of a headache for anyone who likes their summers mild and their supply chains predictable. We break down the complexities of climate change, debunk persistent myths, and...