The Sustainability Communicator with Mike Hower

Hosted by Mike Hower

Business Marketing

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May 2026

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About the show

Join sustainability communication expert Mike Hower—author of Sustainability Storytelling, former GreenBiz journalist, and advisor to leading global brands—as he explores one of the toughest challenges in corporate sustainability today: how to talk about sustainability in ways that are compelling, credible, and compliant—and fit cultural and reputational context. Through interviews with practitioners and insights from his own work in the field, Mike digs into greenwashing, greenhushing, and the risks and opportunities most sustainability professionals face—but few can talk about out loud.

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28 recent

May 13, 202636 min

Aman Singh has a thing or two to say about influencing without authority

Most sustainability communicators don't have the title, the budget, or the C-suite access to force anyone to do anything. So how do they get things done? That's the question at the center of this conversation with Aman Singh, Director of Global ESG and Sustainability Communications at Kenvue—the company behind Tylenol, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Listerine, and a long list of other household names. Aman has spent her career figuring out how to move organizations from the inside—at Walmart, at Edelman, and now at Kenvue—and her answer isn't what most people expect. It's not about better data, sharper messaging, or more compelling reports. It's about relationships, timing, and learning to speak other people's language before you ask them to speak yours. In this episode, we get into what "influencing without authority" actually looks like in practice, why the old volume-equals-visibility playbook is finished, how to navigate the current era of greenhushing without hiding in fear, and what makes sustainability communicators effective versus annoying. We also talk about our shared career paths—journalism, agencies, consulting—and what it really means to build a purposeful career in a field that didn't exist when most of us started. If sustainability communication is your full-time job or your side hustle, this one's for you. Connect with Aman on LinkedIn Learn more about Kenvue's sustainability story Order Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book about communicating sustainability in businessFollow Mike on LinkedIn to stay updated on his regular insights on sustainability storytellingSubscribe to The Sustainability Story on Substack for more in-depth analysis of sustainability communication challenges and practical advice on how to overcome themGot a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact

January 28, 202632 min

The rule of law and the cost of corporate silence — with Alison Taylor

As the rule of law in the United States comes under strain, many companies have chosen silence. In this episode, Mike Hower sits down with business ethicist and Higher Ground author Alison Taylor to examine what corporate courage actually looks like when legal norms, civil rights, and community safety are being tested. Together, they explore why companies retreat in moments of crisis, the limits of compliance-driven ethics, and the role sustainability and communications leaders can play when speaking up carries real risk. This is a candid conversation about silence, responsibility, and whether business is willing — or able — to stand for the rule of law when it matters most.Connect with Alison Taylor on LinkedIn.Order Alison's book, Higher Ground.Read the American Sustainable Business Network's statement calling for companies to defend the rule of law in America.Register for Sustainability Professionals Against Silence Order Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book about communicating sustainability in businessFollow Mike on LinkedIn to stay updated on his regular insights on sustainability storytellingSubscribe to The Sustainability Story on Substack for more in-depth analysis of sustainability communication challenges and practical advice on how to overcome themGot a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact

August 8, 202531 min

How Chief Sustainability Officers advance sustainability storytelling

In this episode, Mike sits down with Erik Hansen, Chief Sustainability Officer at Workday, to explore how CSOs have evolved into the lead communicators for corporate sustainability. Erik shares insights on building trust through transparency, making the business case for sustainability initiatives, and how companies are increasingly being asked detailed sustainability questions in hundreds of RFPs. The conversation covers practical strategies for working with legal teams on compliant communications, measuring the success of sustainability storytelling, and thinking beyond company silos to advocate for industry-wide change.Connect with Erik Hansen on LinkedIn.Learn more about Workday's sustainability strategy. Order Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book about communicating sustainability in businessFollow Mike on LinkedIn to stay updated on his regular insights on sustainability storytellingSubscribe to The Sustainability Story on Substack for more in-depth analysis of sustainability communication challenges and practical advice on how to overcome themGot a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact

May 14, 202529 min

How HP engages employees on sustainability

In this episode of The Sustainability Communicator, Mike sits down with Alexandra Talleur, an internal communications lead at HP who specializes in sustainability engagement. While companies often focus on external sustainability communication, internal communication frequently receives less attention. Yet effective employee engagement is crucial for implementing sustainability strategies and maintaining talent. Alexandra shares insights on creating meaningful internal sustainability communications, connecting sustainability to employees' roles, and navigating challenges like the "green gap" between stated values and actions. Connect with Alexandra Talleur on LinkedInLearn more about sustainability at HP Order Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book about communicating sustainability in businessFollow Mike on LinkedIn to stay updated on his regular insights on sustainability storytellingSubscribe to The Sustainability Story on Substack for more in-depth analysis of sustainability communication challenges and practical advice on how to overcome themGot a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact

April 9, 202532 min

The peaks and valleys of sustainability communication

In this episode, host Mike Hower sits down with Dan Strechay, a seasoned sustainability communications professional who has worked across private companies, public organizations, and NGOs. They discuss the evolution of sustainability communications, how to navigate difficult topics like palm oil and climate change, and the balance between transparency and greenwashing. Dan shares insights from his career journey and offers practical advice for companies looking to communicate authentically about their sustainability efforts. This conversation, recorded in late 2024, remains relevant as sustainability professionals navigate the changing landscape of reporting requirements and stakeholder expectations. Connect with Dan on LinkedInCheck out the Mars Net Zero Roadmap Order Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book about communicating sustainability in businessFollow Mike on LinkedIn to stay updated on his regular insights on sustainability storytellingSubscribe to The Sustainability Story on Substack for more in-depth analysis of sustainability communication challenges and practical advice on how to overcome themGot a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact

February 20, 202537 min

Sustainability storytellers weigh in from GreenBiz 25

At a time when corporate sustainability faces unprecedented headwinds, last week's GreenBiz25 conference proved that sustainability leaders aren't backing down – they're doubling down on their commitments and getting more strategic about their communication. In this special episode of The Sustainability Communicator, Mike Hower sat down with six sustainability leaders from diverse industries to understand how they're navigating these challenging times. From Aileen Lerch at Allbirds discussing the power of "applied hope," to Elizabeth Eldridge at Kaiser Permanente sharing how they're moving beyond buzzwords to build trust, to Marcella Thompson at CBRE explaining how they're making sustainability visible in the built environment, each conversation revealed how companies are evolving their sustainability storytelling for 2025 and beyond. These candid discussions, recorded live at GreenBiz25 in Phoenix, offer a unique window into how leading companies are balancing compliance, credibility, and compelling narratives in their sustainability communications.Read GreenBiz 25 takeaways: Telling a sustainability story that doesn’t suckFollow the interviewees on LinkedIn:Aileen Lerch, AllbirdsElizabeth Eldridge, Kaiser PermanenteMarcella Thompson, CBREDaniel Pellegrom, LeidosSarah Beaubien, MondelezLearn more about GreenBiz conferences Order Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book about communicating sustainability in businessFollow Mike on LinkedIn to stay updated on his regular insights on sustainability storytellingSubscribe to The Sustainability Story on Substack for more in-depth analysis of sustainability communication challenges and practical advice on how to overcome themGot a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact

February 4, 202528 min

Surviving sustainability reporting season

As corporate sustainability teams shift to focus on regulatory and compliance, more sustainability professionals are spending a lot of time creating sustainability reports. These massive PDFs can sometimes be up to 100 pages or more and take many months to develop. Love them or hate them, sustainability reports are here to stay. And the process can take its toll on the people who create them – both for in house folk and consultants. In this Brain Exchange episode, Mike sits down to talk with Dunia Namugayi, a sustainability reporting expert who has gone through many reporting cycles and can speak to how she maintains personal sustainability through the ups and downs of creating effective reports. Follow Dunia Namugayi on LinkedInRead Mike's Trellis piece about finding personal sustainability in corporate sustainability. Order Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book about communicating sustainability in businessFollow Mike on LinkedIn to stay updated on his regular insights on sustainability storytellingSubscribe to The Sustainability Story on Substack for more in-depth analysis of sustainability communication challenges and practical advice on how to overcome themGot a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact

January 23, 20256 min

Reclaiming the lost corporate sustainability narrative

In this timely Thinking Out Loud episode, host Mike Hower examines the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability as we enter 2025, offering a candid assessment of the shift from the "ESG Golden Age" to today's more complex reality. Drawing from his extensive experience in sustainability communications, Mike presents six key strategies for companies to reclaim their sustainability narrative: acknowledging trade-offs, focusing on material impact, bridging economic and environmental concerns, emphasizing practical solutions, breaking out of echo chambers, and embracing humility about private sector limitations. Despite highlighting significant challenges, including missed emissions targets and record-breaking temperatures, Mike maintains optimism, pointing to strong public support for corporate climate action and advocating for a more mature, honest approach to sustainability communication that balances acknowledging difficulties with maintaining commitment to necessary change.Read 6 strategies for finding corporate sustainability’s lost narrative in 2025Check out the recent Pew poll on climate change sentiments in the U.S. Order Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book about communicating sustainability in businessFollow Mike on LinkedIn to stay updated on his regular insights on sustainability storytellingSubscribe to The Sustainability Story on Substack for more in-depth analysis of sustainability communication challenges and practical advice on how to overcome themGot a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact

December 5, 202435 min

So you want to be a sustainability communicator?

The profession of being a sustainability communicator is relatively new – and seems to be evolving with each passing day. Success in this emerging field requires understanding the intricate goals and objectives of both sustainability and marketing teams, and developing the unique skill of translating between these often disparate organizational functions. In this episode, Mike delves into the field's evolution over the past few decades through the lens of Jessica Appelgren, a remarkable professional with unmatched depth and breadth of experience in sustainability communication.Follow Jessica Appelgren on LinkedIn.Read "AI Can (Mostly) Outperform Human CEOs" on Harvard Business Review Order Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book about communicating sustainability in businessFollow Mike on LinkedIn to stay updated on his regular insights on sustainability storytellingSubscribe to The Sustainability Story on Substack for more in-depth analysis of sustainability communication challenges and practical advice on how to overcome themGot a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact

November 14, 202425 min

What a second Trump term means for corporate sustainability

The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election came as a shock to many in the world of corporate sustainability and beyond. In one night, it seemed like years of progress on social and environmental issues were shattered. With a corrupt, climate-denying convicted criminal with blatant authoritarian ambitions heading to the White House in 2025 – corporate sustainability professionals are feeling disheartened at best and horrified at worst. While we don’t know for sure what will happen, we do know that the strength of our democratic institutions will be put to the test and federal efforts to address the climate crisis will likely be deflated in the coming years. But it’s during times like these that we need to come together most, and on November 8, 2024 we organized an open door Zoom event called “Corporate Sustainability in a Second Trump Term.” In less than 24 hours, we had gathered interest from over 500 sustainability professionals, with more than 350 showing up for the call. During the call, in a series of fire starter chats we heard from Heather Clancy of Trellis, Matt Sekol of Microsoft who also is author of ESG Mindset, Jennifer Allyn of ClimateVoice, Patrick Flynn of Switchboard, and Anne Kelly of Ceres. In this episode of The Sustainability Communicator, we showcase some of the conversations from the call to give sustainability professionals the boost they need during these uncertain times. Order Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book about communicating sustainability in businessFollow Mike on LinkedIn to stay updated on his regular insights on sustainability storytellingSubscribe to The Sustainability Story on Substack for more in-depth analysis of sustainability communication challenges and practical advice on how to overcome themGot a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact