New Podcast Explores Leaders Putting Purpose Over Profit

What does success look like when you put purpose before profit? A new podcast series is sitting down with leaders who've answered that question with their lives.

Positive News launched The Purpose Pioneers today, bringing listeners into warm conversations with five UK changemakers. Host Sarah LaBrecque talks with people reshaping entire industries by staying true to what they believe in.

The guest list spans wildly different fields but shares one thing in common: a refusal to chase growth for its own sake. Steve Micklewright leads Trees for Life, a rewilding charity restoring Scotland's landscapes. Stephanie Wheen founded Gympanzees, bringing the joy of play to thousands of disabled children who'd been excluded. Keith Bradbury is making coach travel cool again with electric company Ember.

The series also features Mark Constantine, who built ethical cosmetics brand Lush, and Mark Clayton, who runs values-led Triodos Bank. Each episode explores three defining moments: when their sense of purpose became impossible to ignore, when they first saw their work making a real difference, and how they imagine their future impact.

LaBrecque says the connections between their stories surprised her. "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 explains.

The podcast grew from a simple desire to move beyond abstract talk about purpose and sustainability. Instead, it focuses on what actually happens when you try to build something meaningful over years and decades.

The Ripple Effect

The timing feels significant. Editor Tom Pattinson notes we're living in an era that constantly tells us to hustle harder and chase endless growth. Hearing from leaders focused on solving real problems instead offers a different vision of achievement.

The series challenges the idea that success only shows up on balance sheets. These pioneers have built organizations that measure impact in restored forests, included children, and responsible banking practices. They've proven you can build something substantial without sacrificing your values.

Triodos Bank sponsors the series, fitting perfectly with their mission to finance organizations delivering social and environmental benefits. Director Zoe Ruthven says the partnership addresses a real need: "At a time when we can feel surrounded by unsettling news, many of us are seeking hope and a sense of possibility."

The podcast marks the return of The Positive News Podcast, which previously won Best Health and Wellbeing Podcast at the Publisher Podcast Awards in 2025. The publication continues expanding its solutions-focused journalism into audio and video formats.

These conversations prove that choosing purpose over profit isn't just idealistic—it's a working blueprint for building organizations that actually matter.