AND is the Future - Making Businesses Sustainable AND Profitable

How do we make the impossible possible? Renowned explorer Bertrand Piccard of Climate Impulse is doing just that! He and his partner Raphaël Dinelli will fly around the world in a hydrogen powered plane. This is not just an aviation project; it is a human, scientific and environmental adventure. As 

Bertrand puts it, “If you dream and achieve nothing, you’re a dreamer. When you make the impossible possible, that’s when you become an...

According to Erica Nemser, the CEO of Ardent, “Hard things are hard, but not impossible.” Meet the entrepreneur who is making carbon capture for the “hard to abate” industries a reality! 

As Erica says, if everyone in these industries could snap on Ardent’s membrane carbon capture solution, “that’s a third of global emissions of CO₂. We would reach all of our goals almost immediately.” In this episode, Ilham and Erica have a fascina...

How is one mother and entrepreneur empowering 100 million mothers around the world? Meet Yvon Bock, the Founder and CEO of Hegen, a company that sells baby bottles and breastfeeding products . She has a fascinating story about how she went from a career in sales to becoming a stay at home mom to founding one of the fastest growing companies focused in Singapore. She took the lessons she learned from having her own children and appl...

For some inspiring summer listening we are re-sharing some of our favorite episodes on the power of science and chemistry. This is a special episode on chemistry AND cooking with Christophe Lavelle, an expert in molecular gastronomy. And stay tuned for our next season featuring our customers and partners starting in September! 

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Chemistry is everywhere and cooking is no exception! In this podcast, Ilham joins Christophe Lav...

For some inspiring summer listening we are re-sharing some of our favorite episodes on the power of science and chemistry. This is a special musical episode with Nuno Maulide, a brilliant chemist AND award winning pianist. Enjoy this discussion about the link between music and science, and his beautiful performance of Bach, Mozart, Chopin and more. And stay tuned for our next season featuring our customers and partners starting in ...

*This episode was originally released in March 2022*

For some inspiring summer listening, we are re-sharing some of our favorite episodes on the power of science and chemistry. This is the VERY FIRST episode we released. Stay tuned for our next season featuring our customers and partners starting in September!

In this episode, first released in March 2022, Ilham sits down with Nobel prize-winning scientists Professor Steven Chu and P...

What is the recipe for an effective and successful partnership? Jean Oelwang, the CEO of Virgin Unite, and one of the foremost experts on partnerships, explains! She and Ilham have a lively discussion about celebrating friction in partnerships, embracing the disruptive detours in one’s career, why we need dyslexic thinking in business, how Virgin Unite is making a big impact in the world, and so much more. 

Timestamps

• 1:35 - Insp...

How can we use the tools of the marketplace and business to solve the problems that lead to poverty? That’s where patient capital comes in. Jacqueline Novogratz, the CEO of Acumen, explains how her venture capital fund’s long term investments, which prioritize social progress along with financial returns, have positively impacted 650 million people across the globe. She and Ilham discuss the most inspiring companies Acumen has inve...

How can space launches become sustainable? Orbex is making it possible! Phil Chambers, CEO of Orbex sits down with Ilham to talk about how his company is building the most advanced, low carbon, micro launch vehicles in the world. They discuss the Orbex Prime rocket which will launch later this year; their creation of the first bio-friendly fuel launch system that slashes emissions more than 90%; how to build a company culture; his ...

You may know Eric Goens for his many hit shows in Belgium such as Conclave, but did you know his passion is Antarctica? In this episode, Eric talks about his masterpiece, a documentary called 2050 that takes us on an expedition to Princess Elizabeth Station. Ilham and Eric have a fascinating discussion about experiencing the beauty of Antarctica, seeing the effects of climate change there, and how businesses can play a big role. As...

According to top business leader and philanthropist Dr. Mo Ibrahim, “You have to be profitable in your business, but you also have to try to do good as well.” Dr. Ibrahim implemented this belief by making all his employees business partners or shareholders within the companies he ran. As he would say, “Either we succeed together or we fail together!” Ilham sits down with Dr. Ibrahim for a fascinating discussion about what it means ...

We appreciate the fabulous response to AND is the future and wanted to re-share one of our favorite episodes from Season One, especially for our new listeners. This episode features Paul Polman, one of the foremost sustainable businesses leaders.

Is the world better off because your business is in it? Paul Polman speaks with Ilham about what it takes to build a Net Positive company; how leaders can unlock a company’s soul...

Nadir Godrej syas that to make a difference in the world, you “have to make a good case for the mind AND heart” – and poetry is a great way to do this! As both a sustainable business leader AND a poet, he believes in the power of words to move people. Ilham and Nadir have a great discussion about his interest in poetry, what it takes to create a sustainable business, empathy and kindness in leadership, and much more. 

Nadir Godrej i...

According to Nobel Prize laureate Jean-Marie Lehn, chemistry isn’t just part of the solution to humanity's biggest challenges: it is the solution! That’s because chemistry can create solutions that do not yet exist. Ilham and Professor Lehn have a fascinating conversation about chemistry and creativity, failure and serendipity in science, and how companies play a crucial role in bringing scientific solutions into the world.

Imagine. Be the change. Inspire - these are the words that Anousheh Ansari had made into a badge for her spacesuit as she became the first Iranian woman to fly into space! They are also the principles that led her to become a successful, sustainable CEO. Anousheh and Ilham have a fascinating conversation about the importance of having big dreams and reaching for the stars, why we need more women in STEM, and what it takes to become...

So how does it feel to be part of one of the most sustainable sports? Great, according to Formula E champion, Stoffel Vandoorne! As he explains, Formula E, the driving competition for electric cars, is “really a championship that is on the rise, that is pushing sustainability, electrification and bringing that racing to the cities as well.” 

Stoffel gives an inspiring account of how he prepares physically and mentally for a race, wh...

According to Siddharth Chatterjee, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, "the world needs to unite" to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, "and this is where the role of the private sector becomes absolutely mission critical." Ilham speaks with Siddharth about his incredible work with the United Nations to improve the lives of children, ensure equality for women and girls, promote health and w...

It all started when Helen Sharman heard a radio advertisement that said they were looking for an astronaut, no experience required. She applied, beat out 13,000 applicants, and became the first British person to travel to space! Ilham speaks with Helen about her incredible journey from a young chemist to becoming an astronaut; how she had to believe not only in herself but also her team; her love of chemistry and science; and the d...

According to Andrew Liveris, effective leaders can’t ignore the disruptive era we’re living in; they have got to embrace it. Ilham and Andrew have a fascinating conversation about disruption AND sustainable leadership, exploring the threat of short-termism, the need for inclusive capitalism, and the importance of purposeful leaders.

Timestamps

02:03 - Growing up in an ethnic family unit
08:19 - Chemistry is part of the ...