In a new five-part series, Positive News meets leaders who are reshaping business, community and culture by putting purpose into practice
What does success look like when purpose, rather than profit, is the starting point? What is the human experience of turning ideals into action? And what does it really mean to live your values in work and life, especially in an era of purpose fatigue?
Positive News is exploring these questions as part of The Purpose Pioneers, a new five-part podcast series that launches today.
Across five warm and insightful conversations, host Sarah LaBrecque meets people at the forefront of some of the UK’s most inspiring organisations – from the charity leader bringing the joy of play to thousands of excluded disabled children, to the founder who is making coach travel cool again.
Rather than offering a set of instructions or management tips, the podcast focuses on the human experience of turning bold ideas into real-world change. Each episode explores the challenges and rewards of putting purpose into practice, and asks what it means to act on what we care about in our lives.
Throughout the series, the audience hears from leaders who are reshaping business, community and culture by staying true to their values. Representing sectors that range from nature restoration and disability inclusion to transport, ethical finance and consumer goods, the guests include: Steve Micklewright, chief executive of rewilding charity Trees for Life; Stephanie Wheen, founder and CEO of disability-inclusive charity Gympanzees; Keith Bradbury, co-founder of electric coach company Ember; Mark Constantine, co-founder and CEO of ethical cosmetics brand Lush; and Mark Clayton, CEO of values-led bank Triodos.
Each episode is structured around three defining moments in the guest’s journey. The first is the tipping point, when their sense of purpose became impossible to ignore. The second is the spark of joy, when they first saw their work making a tangible difference. The third looks ahead, exploring how they imagine the future of their organisation and its wider impact.
According to LaBrecque, the series grew out of a desire to move beyond abstract conversations about purpose and sustainability, and instead focus on what it actually takes to build something meaningful over time.
While the interviewees operate in very different fields, LaBrecque (above) said clear connections emerged between their stories. Image: Laurie Fletcher / Positive News
“It’s been incredible to meet these five people who have taken what they care about most and turned it into meaningful work,” she said. “Hearing their stories, understanding what drives them, and learning about the people and moments that pushed them to take bold steps has been genuinely inspiring for me.”
While the interviewees operate in very different fields, LaBrecque said clear connections emerged between their stories. “Whether they’re rewilding landscapes, building inclusive communities or reshaping transport, each pioneer is guided by a belief that work can and should be a force for good,” she said. “They’re not focused on growth for its own sake, but on asking better questions about impact, responsibility and the legacy they want to leave behind.”
The launch of The Purpose Pioneers also marks the return of The Positive News Podcast, expanding the publication’s long-running solutions-focused journalism into regular audio and video formats. A previous series, Developing Mental Wealth, won Best Health and Wellbeing Podcast at the Publisher Podcast Awards in 2025.
Whether they’re rewilding landscapes, building inclusive communities or reshaping transport, each pioneer is guided by a belief that work can and should be a force for good
Tom Pattinson, editor of Positive News, said the timing of the new series felt significant. “The launch of our latest podcast series comes at a moment when it feels more important than ever to hear from positive role models who put purpose ahead of greed,” he said. “These are people making conscious choices about how they operate, and showing that success can be built on values as well as ambition.”
He added that the conversations challenge prevailing ideas about work and achievement. “At a time when we are constantly told we need to hustle harder and chase growth at all costs, it’s refreshing to hear from leaders who are focused on solving real local, national and global problems,” Pattinson said. “They’ve achieved a version of success that goes far beyond a strong balance sheet.”
The series is sponsored by Triodos Bank, which is known for financing organisations that deliver social, environmental and cultural benefits, while refusing to fund harmful practices. For Triodos, supporting the podcast aligns with its broader mission to encourage more responsible forms of business.
Zoe Ruthven, director of marketing and communications at Triodos Bank, said the partnership was shaped by a shared sense of urgency. “At a time when we can feel surrounded by unsettling news, many of us are seeking hope and a sense of possibility,” she said. “Spotlighting inspiring individuals and organisations leading with purpose, the series not only informs but empowers.”
Ruthven added that the stories featured in The Purpose Pioneers show that impact is not limited to niche organisations. “The podcast is a reminder that organisations and businesses of any size can help build the fairer, more regenerative future we all want to see,” she said.
Episodes of The Purpose Pioneers will be released weekly from 20 January 2026, with the Positive News Podcast available across all major podcast platforms.
Main image: Give Up Art / Positive News
