In Episode 96 of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah interviews Josephina Oji,

Global Director of Impact, Sustainability, and Transformation.

They explore leadership, sustainability in sport, and the value of an outsider perspective in the sports industry.

Josephina shares her “squiggly career” journey. She moved from law, human rights, and government policy into global sports strategy. Along the way, she worked in diplomacy, criminal justice reform, and health equity.

As a result, she developed a unique perspective on how sport can create real impact.

Governance, Sustainability, and Strategy

During the conversation, Josephina explains why sport is both influential and fragmented. Governance structures are complex. Sustainability strategies are still evolving. Long-term planning often remains limited.

However, she believes this challenge also creates opportunity.

Josephina argues that social and environmental responsibility should not be seen solely as compliance. Instead, it can become a competitive advantage. When done well, it opens new markets, strengthens community trust, and creates lasting value.

The Future of Sport

The episode explores several important themes. These include golf’s transformation, emerging markets, fan behavior, gender equity, and sustainability storytelling.

Josephina also reflects on leadership and representation in sport. She discusses navigating the industry as a young Black woman and explains why building allies and strategic partnerships matters.

Meanwhile, the conversation also touches on artificial intelligence, the future of legal careers, and the importance of inspiring the next generation of athletes.

Ultimately, the discussion shows how sport can become a powerful platform for global change.

Timestamps

00:00 Josephina Oji: The Outsider Advantage in Sport, Sustainability, Leadership, and Impact
00:37 The Outsider Advantage in Sport: Governance, Trust, & Strategy
04:24 Podcast Intro + Who Is Josephina?
08:47 Soft Power & Equity in Diplomacy and Pandemic Response
10:35 Leaving Government: Consulting and the Business Case for Impact
18:36 Will AI Replace Lawyers? Upskilling & Ethics
25:36 Why Sport Hired Her: Golf’s Governance Gap & DEI
31:18 Outsider Blind Spots, Barriers, & Leadership Challenges
38:17 Building Trust in Sport Through Expertise & Strategy
45:41 Allies in the Room: Influence & Advocacy
46:14 Why Sport Feels “Immature” & Why That Creates Opportunity
50:32 Fan Behavior, Storytelling, & Breaking Down Silos
01:02:15 Representation, Tiger Woods, & the Next Generation
01:06:04 Why Equal Pay Still Lags in Elite Sport
01:13:39 Lightning Round
01:21:27 AI, Legacy, & Sport as a Vehicle for Change

If this conversation moved you or gave you perspective, consider supporting the show.

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Listen now and walk away with insight, not just opinion. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who values leadership, purpose, or creative risk.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, TuneIn,  Podchaser, & more.

Watch the full interview on YouTube + Spotify 

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The episode explores why sport can’t fake purpose, how storytelling connects fans to values, and what it takes to turn corporate talk into measurable action. They discuss bold moves by clubs like Liverpool FC, the shift from philanthropy to shared value, and why data shows purpose-driven brands outperform their peers.

Radha doesn’t shy away from hard truths. She calls out systemic issues in the industry, from performative sustainability to gender inequality, and offers grounded, practical advice for sports executives who want to lead with integrity and impact.

Timestamps

00:00 How Storytelling Drives Purpose in Sport – With Radha Balani of Think Beyond

01:30 The Role of Sports Beyond Results and Revenue

04:26 The Power of Storytelling in Sports

10:07 Translating Purpose into Action

30:01 The Impact of Purpose on Performance

30:22 From Philanthropy to Shared Value

32:00 Data Supporting Purpose-Driven Companies

33:49 Challenges in the Sports Industry 35:37 Addressing Inequality in Women’s Sports

44:00 The Role of Athletes in Social Change

48:26 Advice for CEOs and GMs

50:08 Inconvenient Truths in the Industry 52:23 Lightning Round Q&A

55:59 Closing Thoughts

With her trademark mix of honesty, logic, and warmth, Radha gives listeners a clear view of what the future of sport could—and should—look like.

In this episode:

• Why values-led brands outperform

• Sport’s role in solving real-world problems

• Performance vs. purpose — a false choice?

• How to translate purpose into strategy, not just PR

• Think Beyond’s real-world examples with major sports brands

• What sport gets wrong about climate, sustainability, and impact

Perfect for:
Leaders, coaches, partners, athletes, and sports professionals who want real talk on strategy, impact, and the future of sport.

Listen now and walk away with insight, not just opinion. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who values leadership, purpose, or creative risk.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, TuneIn,  Podchaser, & more.

Watch the full interview on YouTube + Spotify 

Fuel Our Mission

Support the show

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Lee breaks down the complex sustainability challenges and offers strategies for making eco-friendly practices part of any organization’s DNA. Whether you’re part of the sports industry or leading a business, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on aligning operations with environmental stewardship while staying profitable.

Key Moments:

• [03:00] – Lee discusses how sports organizations can leverage their fan base to promote sustainability.
• [06:30] – Transparency is key: Lee explains why being open about sustainability efforts builds trust.
• [09:00] – Lee shares the long-term business benefits of sustainability, like attracting talent and profitability.
• [12:00] – How sustainability drives innovation and creates opportunities for growth and engagement.
• [16:00] – Lee dives into circular economy principles and their role in reducing waste and improving supply chains.
• [22:00] – Tips on measuring sustainability performance and engaging communities in eco-friendly practices.
• [37:40] – Supporting Indigenous communities through sustainable practices in sports.
  [54:11] – Lee highlights the crucial role of sports in tackling climate change.

Main Takeaways:

• Sustainability is critical for long-term success.
• Sports organizations have a unique platform to mobilize communities and drive meaningful change.
• Transparency, innovation, and ethical sourcing are essential to a successful sustainability strategy.
• Embracing the circular economy can reduce waste and unlock new opportunities.
• Sports play a crucial role in addressing the global climate change challenge.

Lee Stewart is offering signed copies of his book to a few lucky listeners. To enter, please leave a review for this episode.

Tune in to hear Lee’s insights on transforming sustainability from a challenge into an opportunity for growth and success!

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Support the show

The post Building Sustainability: Lee Stewart’s Business Strategy Blueprint appeared first on Pre-Zero Sports Talk | Sports, Leadership & Clean Progress from Sweden.

This captivating Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode explores SailGP‘s groundbreaking initiatives to revolutionize the sport while prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity.

Despite not hailing from a sailing background, Fiona’s determination and passion shine through as she shares her journey of joining SailGP and shaping its vision for a more sustainable future.

Discover how SailGP sets new standards for sports leagues worldwide by providing opportunities for female athletes through its Women’s Pathway, implementing sustainable logistics practices, and championing environmental stewardship.

Fiona delves into SailGP’s pioneering strategies, including remote broadcasting, separate podiums for racing and sustainability, and remote umpiring and coaching.

Throughout the conversation, Fiona reveals her challenges as a woman entering a male-dominated sport and the broader impact of SailGP’s sustainability efforts, which have attracted investments from notable figures like F1 star Sebastien Vettel.

She emphasizes the need to rebrand sustainability to make it more approachable and engaging for broader audiences.

From sharing her favourite moments in SailGP to advocating for more outstanding education on climate change and environmental issues, Fiona’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond SailGP.

Tune in to learn how Fiona’s optimism, determination, and innovative thinking drive SailGP’s mission to redefine sailing and pave the way for a more sustainable future in sports.

The post In Conversation with SailGP: Racing Towards a Sustainable Future appeared first on Pre-Zero Sports Talk | Sports, Leadership & Clean Progress from Sweden.

In this groundbreaking episode, we are privileged to engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Jon Wyatt, the Sport & Sustainability Director of the International Hockey Federation(FIH). Join us for our first-ever interview with an international sporting governing body as we uncover FIH’s remarkable sustainability journey.

In this enlightening discussion, Jon shares his insights into FIH’s sustainability strategy, offering a comprehensive understanding of their challenges and initiatives to reduce hockey’s environmental footprint.

Discover how FIH is revolutionising the world of artificial turf, making it more eco-friendly while maintaining high-performance standards. Jon explains their use of renewable materials, including plastic derived from sugar cane, and their dedication to reducing water usage.

Throughout the episode, we explore the intricacies of measuring the carbon footprint within teams and throughout the season. Jon provides valuable insights into the complexities and accessibility of this process, shedding light on its significance for driving sustainable change in hockey.

As we delve into the topic, Jon explains the safety considerations surrounding plastic grass turf and the steps FIH has taken to address potential risks associated with its manufacturing. Gain a deeper understanding of the measures in place to ensure the well-being of players and the environment.

Join us as we highlight the numerous benefits of embracing sustainability for athletes and teams. Jon shares inspiring examples of initiatives that foster sustainable behaviours on and off the field, empowering athletes to become passionate sustainability ambassadors within their communities.

We also explore FIH’s governance role in driving sustainable change and its collaborations with international sporting bodies and stakeholders. Discover the importance of sustainable policies, regulations, and guidelines in securing the long-term sustainability of hockey.

Prepare to be inspired as we unveil FIH’s remarkable journey towards a greener future in hockey. Throughout this episode, Jon’s expertise and dedication shine, providing a unique perspective on how FIH is making a measurable impact on reducing hockey’s environmental footprint.

Join us on this captivating exploration of FIH’s sustainability endeavours and discover how they shape this beloved sport’s sustainable landscape. It’s time to witness the strategies, achievements, and ongoing efforts driving sustainable change in hockey.

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Philippe is a two-time Canadian Olympian (2014, 2018) in freestyle/mogul skiing, with an impressive career spanning over twelve years on the Canadian team.
As our first-ever Olympic athlete and coach on our Podcast, Philippe’s journey from his early aspirations as a young skier to becoming an Olympic athlete has been nothing short of remarkable.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including multiple injuries, Philippe’s exceptional talent and determination have propelled him to heights. Alongside his athletic pursuits, he has also developed a keen interest in the impact of climate change on sports, particularly in the mountains he calls home.

This newfound passion led Philippe to join athlete advocacy groups and actively participate in organisations such as Protect Our Winters Canada and EcoAthletes, where he works to raise awareness and promote sustainability in sports. Additionally, Philippe is a Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission member, further emphasising his dedication to positively impacting on and off the slopes.

Throughout our conversation, we explored the profound impact of climate change on the world of sports and the influential role of athlete activism in driving sustainability.

Philippe shared his insights on the practical challenges athletes face in the wake of climate change and the inspiring initiatives athletes undertake to raise awareness and enact positive change. We discussed the crucial role of fans in boosting sustainable practices within the sports industry and the challenges and opportunities faced by athletes and teams in addressing the environmental impact and navigating governing restrictions.

Moreover, Philippe highlighted the involvement of fossil fuel companies in the sports industry. He emphasised the potential for a more sustainable future. He expressed his admiration for Protect Our Winters, an organisation he is a part of, which advocates for sustainability at the government and corporate levels.

Philippe underscored the power of passionate individuals coming together to protect the environment and secure the future of sports.

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