Free, quality education for sustainability in business.
On the fields of his grandparents' farm, a young Chris Caldwell first glimpsed the delicate balance of nature—a revelation that would profoundly shape his life's work. Chris, now a recognised sustainability leader with degrees from Trinity College, London Business School, Yale, and Oxford, is the CEO of United Renewables and serves on several advisory boards, merging technology and climate expertise to drive sustainable development.
In 2022, Caldwell launched the niche podcast video series "Conversations on Climate," initiated to drive urgent action on climate change and renewable energy by providing critical educational tools for current and future decision-makers within business.
Caldwell’s vision was to freely offer a comprehensive, expanding bank of accessible, MBA-level educational resources that would fill critical gaps, fostering informed decisions toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Providing free MBA-level educational content in a trustworthy, recurring format, the series aims to address the most complex and often divisive subject matters facing business leaders. The production team focused on delivering content that stands the test of time and empowers leaders to apply these insights practically, driving transformative changes in their fields.
Our goal was to inspire by featuring renowned thought leaders and global change-makers at the forefront of environmental advocacy and innovation. Due to its positive reception and clear demand, we committed to expanding the series, producing subsequent seasons to continue equipping decision-makers with the knowledge to turn sustainability strategies into impactful actions.
Recognising critical gaps in business education content on sustainability, we set out to create resources specifically tailored for industry decision-makers. We focused on featuring leading figures from industry and academia who could articulate the latest advancements at the intersection of business and sustainability. These guests provided expert insights, ethical leadership, real-world case studies, and global perspectives, offering our audience professional development tips and the most recent research trends.
Production
We committed to producing the podcast series to the highest standards, opting for a long-form treatment to honour the subject matter. While most digital platforms favour short-form content, we chose to prioritise depth and thoroughness to deliver impactful MBA-level educational content. This choice has enabled us to provide discussions that not only inform but also inspire tangible change, distinguishing "Conversations on Climate" as a trusted resource for decision-makers. Each episode was meticulously researched and crafted, using broadcast-quality camera and sound technology and advanced post-production techniques. Our experienced, hand-picked filmmakers adeptly managed diverse and challenging environments to ensure a polished final product.
Promotion
Understanding our niche yet vital role in business sustainability, LinkedIn was central to our audience growth strategy. This platform allowed us to directly engage with professionals and academics interested in our educational content. Starting from zero, we deployed newsletters, posts, teasers and key insights, which effectively built a dedicated, engaged following in the professional sphere.
Our posts have consistently engaged influential figures in business and academia sharing and commenting, further expanding our reach. Our early success on LinkedIn enabled us to attract more influential guests, confident in our ability to offer a sophisticated platform they would be proud to associate with.
While our primary traffic driver was YouTube, where all episodes are available via a dedicated Conversations on Climate channel, we also promoted episodes through short teasers on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, expanding our reach to diverse audiences. The series is additionally accessible on Spotify, Apple Music, and Podbean, ensuring we meet our audience wherever they are.
We actively engaged with academic and student communities, positioning the series beyond just a digital experience by producing special episodes in collaboration with prestigious institutions such as London Business School, Trinity College Dublin, and Yale. These real-world events, featuring panel discussions, lectures, and fireside chats, were not only critical in building the channel but also instrumental in attracting more high-calibre guests.
The growing student audience underscores the channel’s role in fostering the next generation of sustainability leaders.
The overwhelming feedback from listeners and guests alike has validated our approach. Notably, leaders from top institutions and global corporations have praised the series for its depth and real-world applicability, solidifying our influence as a burgeoning channel in the sustainability dialogue. This strategic blend of high-quality content production and targeted promotion has cultivated a knowledgeable and engaged community around "Conversations on Climate."
We've successfully filled a critical educational gap and established a dynamic platform that fosters informed action on environmental issues, with future plans to scale further through new formats and expanded partnerships.
"Conversations on Climate" has successfully emerged as a leading platform for robust discussions on pivotal climate issues, featuring distinguished global academics, business leaders, and change-makers. We have effectively engaged a niche yet influential audience, as evidenced by the calibre of professionals interacting with our content. Enthusiastic participation and discussions among industry heavyweights not only validate the content's relevance but also its impact in shaping actions among leaders capable of driving substantial environmental changes.
Season One surpassed expectations, showcasing our ability to produce standout, long-format content that cuts through digital media's noise. With 50 episodes available and Season Four in development, the podcast demonstrates remarkable scalability and is poised for further growth.
Despite our modest size, the series has significantly penetrated the business sustainability community, amassing over 4.2 million views on YouTube, 21k subscribers, and top 100 rankings in over six countries. On TikTok, we've garnered 3,065 followers and 124.3k likes, further extending our digital footprint.
Our global reach spans six continents, attracting C-suite executives, students, and professionals with free, MBA-level educational content that is both current and credible. We cover all 17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, empowering business decision-makers with actionable insights. Collaborations with esteemed institutions like London Business School, Trinity, and Yale, and the participation of respected guests, underscore our content's exceptional quality.
The enthusiastic engagement from top-tier guests and academic institutions amplifies the influence of this burgeoning channel. Within its domain, "Conversations on Climate" consistently exceeds expectations, proving its impact and authority.
