Katie Hill on Journalism for Change
→ Why is female leadership and independent media important? You as a person, your career, your values, why did you become a journalist?
We need balance; I don’t love the word ‘leadership’ but, as with every area of life, without women’s voices we will only ever get half the picture. Thankfully, I was introduced to the darker side of communications very early in my career – it was a steep learning curve at the time, but I’m so grateful I had it. Authenticity and integrity are really important to me, and I believe independence is the only way to achieve them in the media world. I became a journalist because I wanted to uncover truths and help people – both by sharing unheard stories and by providing unbiased information that isn’t polluted by a capitalist or neoliberal agenda.
→ Why did you both decide to launch My Green Pod? What were its aims? What is your proudest moment?
When Jarvis and I launched My Green Pod, our vision was to build a community that would make sustainable solutions mainstream. That seemed a long way off 15 years ago! It was about sharing real stories about authentic people doing the most incredible things – in the energy sector, arts, business, education – and offering sustainable alternatives to just about everything. Many were creating products with no route to mainstream audiences; they didn’t have the budget to get on supermarket shelves, so most people didn’t even know they existed. And if you don’t know all your options, you can’t make an informed choice.
You can find out all about them on mygreenpod.com, and subscribe to our digital magazine at mygreenpod.com/subscribe (it’s free!).
You can find out all about them on mygreenpod.com, and subscribe to our digital magazine at mygreenpod.com/subscribe (it’s free!).
→Which issue are you most passionate about and why?
Fairness. I’m not sure where it came from, but it has always been really important to me. I can’t bear to see suffering and the power imbalances/inequalities that get us there – whether it’s bullying, cruelty to animals or climate migration caused by the actions of the world’s wealthiest people. All the world’s problems seem to stem from injustice and inequality; if we could fix that, I really believe we’d fix everything.
→ Do you describe yourself as an Eco Entrepreneur or Activist or both?
Neither! For me it’s more about doing what feels right, standing up to injustice and hoping to make a difference along the way.
→ How can people stay informed, address issues, and navigate fake news while staying well and being part of the solution?
Mindless consumption doesn’t end well – and that’s just as true with news and information as it is with physical products. I’m really lucky in that I get to meet some incredible people doing amazing things, and that’s extremely energising. Fear sells but positive stories are out there if you dig a little deeper.
I was recently invited to join the judging panel for NextGenLeaders, a programme from Enactus, and it was incredible to meet some of the school kids leading projects to address problems they’d identified in their own communities. They were real making a real impact and were so committed to their work.
I was recently invited to join the judging panel for NextGenLeaders, a programme from Enactus, and it was incredible to meet some of the school kids leading projects to address problems they’d identified in their own communities. They were real making a real impact and were so committed to their work.
→ Tell us about your wardrobe?
It’s a very mixed bag! I’m lucky in that I work from home in the middle of a national park, but that also means I spend many days in jeans and jumpers and am rarely brave enough to wear white! At the same time, I have a huge weakness for beautiful things, and I love to experience different cultures, so I usually add jewellery brought home from travels in India or Africa. It helps that one of my closest friends, Katie Weiner, is an incredible jewellery designer who upcycles vintage treasures with an Indian twist.
Katie Wears
→ Why do you wear Indilisi and tell us about how you style your favourite piece?
The Indilisi Black Twill Skirt is frankly the world’s best skirt. I wear it with everything – T-shirts, cropped jumpers and belted with dressier tops and sari blouses. It goes just as well with heels as it does with my chunky Grenson boots.
I can’t bear synthetic materials and definitely prioritise fabric quality when I look for clothes; Indilisi is unrivalled in this area. The skirt fabric is thick and luxe but still hangs beautifully. It’s a skirt for life – cost per wear will definitely end up being less than £1!
I can’t bear synthetic materials and definitely prioritise fabric quality when I look for clothes; Indilisi is unrivalled in this area. The skirt fabric is thick and luxe but still hangs beautifully. It’s a skirt for life – cost per wear will definitely end up being less than £1!
→ Which are your favourite books/films on social justice & our natural world?
I’m a huge fan of Naomi Klein and also love the nature writing of Robert McFarlane; the best book I’ve read lately is Tony Juniper’s Just Earth, which brings loads of evidence together to highlight the many ways in which the climate issue is a social justice issue. The subtitle is ‘How a fairer world will save the planet; it builds on the premise of The Spirit Level (another superb book) and it was so refreshing to see someone with Tony’s expertise bring this subject to the fore.
I love classics and feminist works as well; literature was my first passion and I’m increasingly finding that I need it as a way to escape and unwind. We recently went on a family trip to Uganda and stayed at Hemingway Lodge, so that was a real treat for me. It was the wild and very remote site of Ernest Hemingway’s plane crash on the Nile, and pulsing with all sorts of incredible wildlife.
I love classics and feminist works as well; literature was my first passion and I’m increasingly finding that I need it as a way to escape and unwind. We recently went on a family trip to Uganda and stayed at Hemingway Lodge, so that was a real treat for me. It was the wild and very remote site of Ernest Hemingway’s plane crash on the Nile, and pulsing with all sorts of incredible wildlife.
→ How are you staying positive with all thats going on around us?
I am always hopeful. If we lose hope that will really finish us off! Running has helped me a lot and I am hugely energised by my kids and family. At the same time I do think it’s important to feel what’s going on; compassion and empathy can be huge motivators when it comes to effecting positive change.
→ How do you minimise your eco footprint as a family/household?
We’re all vegan and Jarvis and I both drive electric cars. I’d love to grow more produce in the garden, but we get a very comprehensive organic fruit and veg box which is always a joy to receive! We also live in a hugely abundant area for foraging – I love to make things like nettle soup and dandelion fritters. I also fast every Monday, which for me is a great way to recalibrate, address any creeping overconsumption and experience a deep sense of gratitude for everything we have.
We avoid air travel where possible; for the Easter holiday we drove to Portugal with the kids which was a real adventure! It’s a great way to explore Europe and so much easier now the tech has advanced. 10 years ago we had a car that got around 50 miles to a charge and then needed to be plugged in for half an hour; these days it’s a completely different story.
We avoid air travel where possible; for the Easter holiday we drove to Portugal with the kids which was a real adventure! It’s a great way to explore Europe and so much easier now the tech has advanced. 10 years ago we had a car that got around 50 miles to a charge and then needed to be plugged in for half an hour; these days it’s a completely different story.
→ How do we stay in touch with you?