Welcome to another week of Shaken Not Burned! 

After more than 80 episodes, it’s time to cut to the core.

At the heart of Shaken Not Burned is sustainability literacy. But not in the sense of teaching acronyms or repeating headlines. What we mean is something bigger: the skills to understand how systems really work – and how to change them.

The same skills that help you spot greenwash or untangle climate policy are the ones we all need to face today’s challenges: misinformation, polarisation, geopolitical shocks, even the cracks in democratic norms.

Here’s the thing: we don’t need more theories telling us where we should be. We need the how. How do we move from brilliant ideas and elegant frameworks to action that actually changes things?

Over the summer, Felicia has been pulling together insight from systems thinking, behavioural science, polycentric governance and other strands of thought into what we’re calling an operational architecture.

The goal is simple: to take frameworks and theories that exist and see how we can make them usable and practical. It’s still evolving, but we think it’s a promising way to get from theory to action. If you’re interested in kicking the tires with us, do get in touch by replying to this email.

And at its core is power. Not power as something distant or elite, but power as agency. Knowing where you stand, what you can influence, and how your actions ripple through the system. That shift – from paralysis to agency – is the foundation for resilience and change.

This season we’ll be exploring how people are already doing it. Different approaches, different products, different ways of thinking – but all rooted in action, not theory.

Whether you’re running a business, allocating capital, or simply trying to build a better future, Season 5 is about finding your leverage points and learning how change actually happens.

We’ll be back in your ears soon. Until then, keep your curiosity sharp and your coffee strong.

Giulia & Felicia
Shaken Not Burned

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