Best Hannah Donovan Podcasts (2025)

1
Saving Swifts: A Brick for the Birds - Hannah Bourne-Taylor - BS133 1:21:26

1M ago1:21:26

1:21:26

Swifts are among the most remarkable birds on Earth — they sleep on the wing, migrate thousands of miles, and return each year to nest in the same tiny holes in our buildings. But as we insulate, repoint, and renovate, those nesting sites are vanishing — and so are the birds. This week, Jeffrey speaks with Hannah Bourne-Taylor — author, activist, a…

1
Circular, Modular, Hemp Construction - Chloe Donovan - BS132 1:09:40

3M ago1:09:40

1:09:40

In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, we are joined by Chloe Donovan, founder of Natural Building Systems. She discuss the exciting potential of hemp and other bio-based materials in construction, how modular systems can reduce waste and speed up building, and the complexities of bringing sustainable solutions to market. Topics co…

1
From Constraints to Creativity: The Art of Sustainable Renovations - Sigi Koko - BS131 47:59

6M ago47:59

47:59

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Sigi Koko, founder of Down to Earth Design, to explore the world of natural renovations. Sigi shares her journey of blending sustainability and health into home retrofits, highlighting the transformative power of materials like clay and hemp in creating spaces that feel alive, healthy, and grounde…

1
Retrofit Naturally with Sigi Koko - BS130 1:14:09

6M ago1:14:09

1:14:09

In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, Sigi Koko of Down to Earth Design shares her deeply personal journey of transforming a historic farmhouse into a fully natural, sustainable home. From retrofitting with hempcrete to creating stunning clay archways, Sigi discusses the challenges, surprises, and joys of renovating a home with na…

1
Earth, Time and Transformation - Becky Little - BS129 1:02:24

7M ago1:02:24

1:02:24

In this episode, we sit down with Becky Little, an artist, builder, and earth enthusiast, who shares her journey from traditional building to her deeply rooted, place-based art. Becky discusses her Orkney project, EarthBound Orkney, which draws on the land’s Neolithic history, combining locally sourced earth materials to create tactile art pieces t…

1
Crafting with Cob: Stories of Clay, Community, and Creativity - Kate Edwards - BS128 1:00:30

7M ago1:00:30

1:00:30

In this episode, we dive into the ancient and evolving craft of earth building with Kate Edwards, a seasoned sculptor and passionate teacher. Join us as Kate shares her journey from art therapy to building with cob, a natural and age-old construction material. Discover how she turns humble mud into beautiful, sustainable homes, all while inspiring …

1
Building community at Lammas Ecovillage - Tao Wimbush - BS127 1:21:55

8M ago1:21:55

1:21:55

Join me in conversation with one of the founding members of Lammas Eco Village - Tao Wimbush. Tao Paul Wimbush is the co-founder of the Lammas Ecovillage in West Wales. He has a wealth of experience in alternative communities across West Wales – including the anarchic Tipi Valley, and the farm community Brithdir Mawr. He has lived in tipis, yurts a…

1
That Roundhouse - Tony Wrench - BS126 1:04:20

8M ago1:04:20

1:04:20

Tony and Faith wanted to live a simple low-impact life, so built a little roundhouse on some land in Wales. Little did they know that the lengthy resulting battle to stay in their home would be part of the beginning of the flagship One Planet Policy. We talk about building the roundhouse, filled with tips and learnings before discussing the legal b…

1
Llamacroft, a bio-based Passivhaus Pt2 - Janna Laan Lomas - BS125 1:07:35

9M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

The second part of my conversation with Janna. In this episode we get into the nitty gritty of airtightness, and how we've come to appreciate its need, while not being 100% happy about the materials needed to achieve it. We talk about the importance of fresh air in your building, how C02 will make us unhealthy and sluggish, plus the best way to get…

1
Llamacroft, a bio-based Passivhaus Pt1 - Janna Laan Lomas - BS124 1:07:58

9M ago1:07:58

1:07:58

In this episode of the Building Sustainability podcast, I am excited to welcome back architect Janna Laan Lomas, who shares her journey of building a sustainable home in Herefordshire alongside her partner, Seb, and her parents. We discuss the unique multi-generational aspect of their project, the thoughtful design considerations that have shaped t…

1
From Funder to Founder 59:20

12M ago59:20

59:20

What does it mean to design your life? In this episode, Denisha Kuhlor, founder and CEO of Stan, shares her journey of embracing uncertainty, taking risks, and redefining her path. Through introspection and experimentation, she discovers the importance of pausing to reflect on one's true desires and the confidence that comes from learning through t…

1
Chalk as a building material - Caroline Nicolay - BS123 1:00:31

1y ago1:00:31

1:00:31

A bonus episode with Archeologist Caroline Nicolay. The conversation explores building sustainable structures with chalk and earth materials, sharing experiences with chalk as a construction material and unique techniques like milk and cheese curd floors. The dialogue dives into experimentation with lime washes, thatching roofs with bracken, and th…

1
Everything Everywhere 49:19

1y ago49:19

49:19

Shyvonne lands in Bali, and things immediately get Very Real. With various challenges and unexpected situations, Shyvonne shares how she chose to embrace the moment and make the most of it: shifting from what was going wrong to embracing the abundance of life and living each day to the fullest. We talk trusting ourselves, what it means to take a ca…

1
Retrofit using Natural Materials Pt2 - Will Stanwix - BS122 1:11:24

1y ago1:11:24

1:11:24

In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, Will Stanix joins me to delve into details of his barn conversion and upcoming clay plaster product. The discussion includes insights on hempcrete applications, clay mixes for roofs, and practical sustainable building practices. We touch on maintaining a raw yet functional look, and incorporat…

1
Make What You Want 56:07

1y ago56:07

56:07

On this episode, Snigdha Sur, founder of The Juggernaut, discusses the decision to raise prices and the challenges faced in a tough funding environment. As a community-driven platform focused on people largely underrepresented in the media space, this was a challenging balancing act. How do you focus on representation while leaving space for critiq…

1
Shifting Your Posture 40:22

1y ago40:22

40:22

In this episode, Cheraé shares a vulnerable moment at a team dinner that could’ve went entirely left. The tension between her current role in venture capital and her previous work building her startup were at a fever pitch and spilled over in a way she did not anticipate. After being gathered by a couple of her closest friends and confidantes, her …

1
Retrofit using Natural Materials - Will Stanwix - BS121 1:05:52

1y ago1:05:52

1:05:52

Join me and special guest Will Stanwix as we uncover the secrets of retrofitting a 300-year-old barn with crushed clay roof tiles for stunning finishes in vibrant hues. Dive deep into the history of a saw pit turned wheelwright's house, exploring artefacts and building techniques from the past. Learn about sustainable construction materials like cl…

1
The past informs the present, the present informs the past - Caroline Nicolay - BS120 1:17:53

1y ago1:17:53

1:17:53

Caroline Nicolay discusses natural building and archaeology. We explore ancient techniques like mineral pigments and casein paints, debunking stereotypes of primitive living. Caroline shares her experiential archaeology journey, transitioning from historical food research to pigments in prehistory. We delve into ancient paint usage, lime in constru…

1
Creating Answers 54:27

1y ago54:27

54:27

In this episode, Mallory Contois, Head of Community at Mercury and Founder of The Old Girls Club, shares her journey of navigating the challenges and pressures of being a woman in tech, from raising a $25 million Series A round for a gaming startup to grappling with the immense responsibility and isolation that came with her role as COO. The conver…

1
Mastering the Pivot 49:03

1y ago49:03

49:03

From sleeping in gym clothes to the profound impact of spiritual journey’s, this episode with Sugar Living CEO Fatima Choice, is a testament to the resilience required to succeed in the startup world. Her transition from Jetpack to Sugar, a community-enhancing tech platform, illustrates the importance of community and connection in both business an…

1
How to Build a Roundhouse Pt2 - Adrian Leaman - BS119 53:45

1+ y ago53:45

53:45

How to Build a Roundhouse - Part 2! Be sure to check out Part 1 first. Episode links Wholewoods - https://wholewoods.co.uk/ Buildcamp - https://www.instagram.com/buildcamp/ Tony Wrench Roundhouse - https://www.thatroundhouse.info/. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_Roundhouse Buglife (invertebrate roofs) - https://www.buglife.org.uk/ Center for an…

1
How to Build a Roundhouse Pt1 - Adrian Leaman - BS118 57:08

1+ y ago57:08

57:08

Adrian Leaman from Wholewoods delves into the world of roundhouses and sustainable building practices. The conversation spans from building advice to foundation methods and the importance of using the right timber species in construction. We also discuss different types of roundhouses, techniques for building ring beams and the practicality and sus…

1
Against All Odds 1:01:20

1+ y ago1:01:20

1:01:20

In this conversation, Cat Middleton, General Partner at The Venture Collective, shares a vulnerable moment when she questions her place in venture capital. She discusses her motivation to make a difference and create a more inclusive environment. While charing her unlikely journey to VC, she addresses imposter syndrome, the fear of failure and succ…

1
Woven in the bone - Sam Goates - BS117 1:11:18

1+ y ago1:11:18

1:11:18

In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, host Jeffrey Hart sits down with Sam Goates from Woven in the Bone, a company that creates woven cloth on pedal-powered looms in Scotland. Sam discusses her love-hate relationship with her looms, the challenges of the industry, and the satisfaction she derives from weaving. We also delve into …

1
The Three Year Insight 46:42

1+ y ago46:42

46:42

Let’s talk navigating career transitions! Han shares her post-acquisition story from where we left off in the last season when her company was acquired. We cover fitting into boxes (or not), taking advice (or not), and going from being a generalist to a specialist in a career transition. We also talk about the importance of approaching learning wit…

1
Land/Clay/Timber - Paloma Gormley - BS116 40:05

1+ y ago40:05

40:05

Paloma Gormley continues our conversation, focusing on the use of clay as a sustainable alternative to lime and cement. We explore the versatility of clay as a material and its use in various forms, such as unfired clay blocks and light earth constructions. We also delve into the challenges and potential solutions of using non-standard construction…

1
Architecture from Ecology - Paloma Gormley - BS115 1:06:50

1+ y ago1:06:50

1:06:50

Architect, Paloma Gormley from Material Cultures joins me to discus the importance of regenerative materials in building design. The conversation explores plant-based materials like hemp and reed, their uses in construction, and their positive impact on wetlands. Paloma also highlights the need for improved working conditions, diversity, and inclus…

1
Shift Happens 55:03

1+ y ago55:03

55:03

Whether intentional or not, shifts are a constant. JZ is a master of the career pivot, and is here to tell us all about it, how she’s (impressively) navigated them to here current role as COO at Charm. But this is It Just Got Real, and so of course, we’re gonna get into it :) We also talk regretful decisions, missed opportunities, the complex exper…

1
1,000 Lives 57:38

1+ y ago57:38

57:38

9 lives isn’t even the beginning of what Karina has lived in her impressive career. From the military to banking to tech to coaching and so much more, throughout it all Karina Cares About The Humans. In this show we get into what it really means to be a “leader”? And how do you unleash potential in others as a manager? Karina brings the goods, smas…

1
Lessons from running a Natural Building company - Julz Baker - BS114 1:17:34

1+ y ago1:17:34

1:17:34

Today I'm joined by natural builder Julz Baker from Unearthed to talk about the lessons he learned from running a natural building company. It's a frank chat about some of the pitfalls that may await new natural building businesses ... and a whole load of tangents and material chat. Episode links Unearthed - https://www.instagram.com/unearthed_buil…

1
Mirth and The Magician 35:47

1+ y ago35:47

35:47

If you identify as: “A ______ and an Artist” – or want to, this show is for you. In this (hilarious) episode we talk to Danielle, someone who isn’t only a tech founder in the Silicon Valley, but also a prolific and extremely funny artist. Highly aware of the unique (and sometimes bizarre) culture of the Bay Area, she’s consistently pranking it with…

1
Joy as an Act of Resistance 54:24

1+ y ago54:24

54:24

With Manushka Magloire. Whether you’re a community builder or appreciate being in community, Manushka's story is one you don’t want to miss. Amidst a loss-of-identity moment, the former Global Director of Social Impact and Community for AFROPUNK takes us through her journey of self-discovery and growth to leaning into her superpowers as a soul-led …

1
Yule Nonsense - Jeffrey Hart & Mike Hill - BS113 1:22:39

1+ y ago1:22:39

1:22:39

Happy solstice everyone! This episode I'm once again joined by Mike Hill for a festive episode. Join us for an eggnog while we give a very lighthearted review of our year and answer listener questions. There are cracker jokes, mince pies and mulled wine - Plus we talk tiny house details, self-care, stoves, hemp insulation, top 5 tools and much more…

1
AI and the Future We (Don’t) Believe In 41:01

1+ y ago41:01

41:01

With Geneviève Patterson. In this episode, we bring on our first (!) guest, Dr. Geneviève Patterson, Han’s co-founder at Trash. Geneviève is an accomplished scientist specializing in computer vision and artificial intelligence. We talk to her about her current (surprising) project and what it’s been like to be on the forefront of inventing a techno…

1
Deciding to End It All 47:23

1+ y ago47:23

47:23

We're back for season 2! In today's new episode, Cheraé talks about continuing to be a founder, even when you're no longer running a company. She describes the winding road for Tastemakers Africa, how the pandemic impacted the business, and navigating changes in her identity since then. Learn about how to support the Fearless Fund.…

1
Biophilic Design Enhancing Well-being and Environment [2of2] - Vanessa Champion - BS112 50:02

1+ y ago50:02

50:02

In this episode, Vanessa explores the fascinating world of biophilic design and its potential impact on sustainable and ethical practices. We delve into the use of clay, earth materials, and mushroom mycelium as tactile and eco-friendly alternatives. The episode also touches upon the challenges of promoting green alternatives in mainstream industri…

1
Biophilic Design Enhancing Well-being and Environment [1of2] - Vanessa Champion - BS 111 58:55

1+ y ago58:55

58:55

In this episode, guest Vanessa Champion discusses biophilia and biophilic design, emphasizing the importance of nature connection and its benefits for well-being and the environment. We explore underappreciated biophilic patterns, healthcare benefits, materials, and so much more. Overall, the focus is on improving the built environment for people a…

1
"It Just Got Real" Returns! 1:24

1+ y ago1:24

1:24

"It Just Got Real" returns next Thursday! Join us for Season 2 of It Just Got Real, a podcast for creative women in business who are carving out their own path in work and life. Join us every Thursday for the realness! Coming soon, wherever you listen to podcasts and now on YouTube.By Hannah Donovan and Cheraé Robinson

1
Cork House [2of2] - Matthew Barnett Howland - BS110 56:25

1+ y ago56:25

56:25

In this episode, we explore the process of constructing a house using a unique block system and the challenges faced along the way. From the use of robotics and CNC machines to the benefits and limitations of cork as a building material, the speaker shares their experience and insights. We also delve into the considerations of a circular economy, f…

1
Cork House [1of2] - Matthew Barnett Howland - BS109 1:04:25

1+ y ago1:04:25

1:04:25

In this episode, our guest, Matthew Barnett Howland, a Director of Research and Development at an architecture firm and Associate Professor, discusses the whole life approach to architecture and environmental sustainability. We delve into the use of cork as the main material in a cork house, exploring its limitations and the decision-making process…

1
FactoryX - Jenny Ford - BS108 1:15:19

1+ y ago1:15:19

1:15:19

Jenny Ford is back to talk about her FactoryX project. It's a Show park/Training space/Materials store and so much more! Episode Links Nettlecombe Craft School Materials in Mind - https://materialsinmind.org/ Tiny Homes Community Bristol - https://www.tinyhousecommunitybristol.org/ Reuse Summit - https://asbp.org.uk/events/2023-reuse-summit LETI ci…

1
Going Circular with Snug Homes - Jenny Ford - BS107 56:28

1+ y ago56:28

56:28

Join us for a spirited chat with Jenny Ford, a leading light in the circular economy movement, who brings a wealth of hands-on experience and innovative insights. What can we learn from her journey in sustainable development, from her masters to her current project with Snug Homes? Buckle up for a fascinating exploration of green construction, from…

1
Joining the Dots: Nature, History & Craft [Pt2] - Sally Coulthard - BS106 52:11

1+ y ago52:11

52:11

Ever felt weary in a dull, grey office? Touched a piece of handcrafted wood and felt a strange sense of connection? Wondered why a bottle of earthworm medicine from the 1700s is significant? Our guest, Sally Coulthard, has! A best-selling author and columnist who explores the fascinating world of biophilic design, craft, and curious objects from hi…

1
Joining the Dots: Nature, History & Craft [Pt1] - Sally Coulthard - BS105 52:44

1+ y ago52:44

52:44

Prepare to be enlightened as we enter the captivating world of sustainability and crafting with best-selling author and countryside expert, Sally Coulthard. Sally breaks the mould with her diverse interests, sharing her journey from her first book about organic living to her exploration of the intersection of people, history, and nature. Let Sally …

1
Why I carve spoons while the world burns - Dave Cockcroft - BS104 1:09:56

1+ y ago1:09:56

1:09:56

We go beyond the usual chit-chat and really dig deep into how our disconnection from nature is contributing to exploitative practices and how crafting can bring us back in sync with our roots. All the while, we analyze the dominant stories we live by and their role in perpetuating these exploitative practices. Crafting for us, isn't just a hobby, b…

1
Designing the Future: Creativity and Innovation in Sustainability - Helen Gordon - BS103 1:08:38

2y ago1:08:38

1:08:38

What if we told you that the journey to sustainability involves more than just recycling and reducing emissions? Prepare to be enthralled as we navigate through transformational narratives of businesses pivoting towards sustainable and regenerative projects. We share the intriguing story of an Oxfordshire project that breathed new life into discard…

1
Building with Purpose: The Straw Bale House Experience - Jo Bolton & Matt Whitaker - BS102 46:02

2y ago46:02

46:02

Are you ready to embark on a journey that blends architectural innovation with environmental sustainability? Come along as I engage in a vibrant discussion with the gifted duo, Jo Bolton and Matt Whitaker of Abundant Earth. We delve into the captivating process of constructing a straw bale house that exists in harmony with its natural surroundings.…

1
Building an Off-Grid Community: Lessons from Abundant Earth - Jo Bolton & Matt Whitaker - BS101 56:58

2y ago56:58

56:58

Ever wondered what it's like to create an intentional community from the ground up? Join us for a heartwarming conversation with Jo Bolton and Matt Whitaker, co founders of Abundant Earth, as they share their journey of building a sustainable, off-grid life for themselves and their families. With experiences ranging from living in cabins on the out…

1
Kickstarting Your Career in Natural Building - Allstar Natural Builders - BS100 1:05:24

2y ago1:05:24

1:05:24

Ready to kickstart your career in natural building and sustainable construction? Join us as we celebrate our 100th episode in the company of Allstar Natural Builders - Becky Little, Julz Baker, Em Appleton, Dylan Walker, and William Stanwix. Learn from these inspiring professionals as they share their experiences, advice, and pathways into this gro…

1
Finding inspiration in Heritage traditions - Peter Kovacs - BS099 1:03:38

2y ago1:03:38

1:03:38

I'm talking with Peter Kovacs about his product design, tool making and taking inspiration from heritage techniques and materials. Peter's Philosophy - "Our tools allow us to create beautiful objects out of raw materials. These tools should serve us as reliable companions, an extension of our body. That was my aim when I made my axes. Perfect ergon…

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