From Stuck to Starting: How to Move Forward with Your Sustainability Goals
About this episode
In this empowering solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow tackles a challenge familiar to many sustainability professionals: feeling stuck.
Drawing on years of experience, Emma offers a compassionate but practical framework for getting unstuck, starting with self-awareness, small wins, and intentional discomfort.
This is not about fixing everything overnight. It’s about building momentum, one micro-step at a time, and creating a safe space to reflect, be honest, and act, even when the big picture feels too heavy.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I doing enough?” or “Where do I even begin?”, this episode is your invitation to stop spiraling and start experimenting, with courage, clarity, and community.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why starting small is the most powerful way to get unstuck
- How internal blockers, not lack of knowledge, keep us frozen
- The trap of perfectionism and the fear of judgment
- A simple, 3-step personal framework to move forward
- Why micro discomfort leads to macro change
Highlights:
02:00 – Why the sustainability community needs self-reflection more than judgment
05:00 – “Start with micro wins.” Emma breaks down her 3-part unsticking method
08:00 – Reframe fear: Can’t vs. won’t vs. don’t want to
11:00 – You don’t need a big idea, just a small move
13:00 – Emma: “Get out of your comfort zone in a micro way.”
Mia Mottley PM Barbados - Gordian Knot
Speech: Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados at the Opening of the #COP26 World Leaders Summit
Connect with Emma:
Book an enquiry call with Emma
https://calendly.com/emma-lighthouse/20min
Get every episode summarized
Each time Straight Talking Sustainability publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Straight Talking Sustainability
From Collecting Data to Successful Net Zero Strategy – with Louise Rehbinder, CO...
Straight Talking Sustainability
Are you a Lurker?… plus an Update from STS & Lighthouse
Straight Talking Sustainability
The Net Zero Pushback
Straight Talking Sustainability
Turn your Out of Office into a Secret Sustainability Weapon
Straight Talking Sustainability