Shows
Thrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 78 Why the Construction Industry Is Losing the PR Battle and How to Win ItSend us a textDespite building everything around us, construction remains misunderstood by the public and too many leaders are afraid of the spotlight.In this powerful episode, Leanne Tritton, founder of ING Media and Co-Founder of Don't Waste Buildings, reveals why the built environment struggles to tell its own story and what must change. From the fear of unscripted interviews to the missed power of podcasts, this is a call to arms for confident, human storytelling.We explore:• Why traditional PR strategies don’t work in modern media• The hidden opport...2025-07-2849 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 77 Why BIM Never Delivered What It Promised, And How To Fix ItSend us a textBIM was meant to transform construction. So why did it stall?In this episode, Graham Kelly breaks down the real story behind BIM’s rollout. From poor client understanding to bloated consultancy models, learn what went wrong, what’s still worth salvaging, and how new tools like AI could finally unlock the potential BIM was meant to deliver.We discuss:• Why BIM’s promise didn’t match the outcome• What’s useful about the BIM process today• How international markets are doing it better• What AI could fix — and wh...2025-07-2144 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 76 Why Embodied Carbon Matters and How to Reduce It Without Sacrificing PerformanceSend us a textSteel and concrete make up 11% of global emissions, but we’re still designing like that doesn’t matter.Natalie Black shares how her team at Enbee is dramatically cutting embodied carbon through design, detailing, and smarter material choices. This is a clear, honest look at what can be changed now and why the future depends on it.Key topics include:• The real carbon cost of steel and concrete• Why timber matters more than ever• How reuse, not just recycling, transforms carbon maths• Strategies to ditch steel beams...2025-07-1452 min
Dark Fringe RadioThe Zozo Phenomenon with Darren EvansIn this chilling episode of Dark Fringe Radio, we delve deep into one of the most disturbing and mysterious paranormal entities of modern times—Zozo. Our guest, author and paranormal researcher Darren Evans, joins us to discuss his groundbreaking book The Zozo Phenomenon, which documents his terrifying personal experiences with this dark force and the thousands of others who claim to have encountered it.
Is Zozo merely an urban legend tied to the Ouija board, or is it a malevolent intelligence that has haunted generations across the globe? Darren walks us through his initial contact, the psychological and physical toll, an...2025-07-1243 min
Dark Fringe RadioThe Zozo Phenomenon with Darren EvansIn this chilling episode of Dark Fringe Radio, we delve deep into one of the most disturbing and mysterious paranormal entities of modern times—Zozo. Our guest, author and paranormal researcher Darren Evans, joins us to discuss his groundbreaking book The Zozo Phenomenon, which documents his terrifying personal experiences with this dark force and the thousands of others who claim to have encountered it. Is Zozo merely an urban legend tied to the Ouija board, or is it a malevolent intelligence that has haunted generations across the globe? Darren walks us through his initial contact, the psychological and physical toll, an...2025-07-1243 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 75 Why Upgrading Homes Beats Building New, and What We’re Getting WrongSend us a textGovernments love talking about new builds. But what if the real climate and housing solution is already standing?In this eye-opening episode, Anne Harper makes the case for upgrading existing homes and why retrofitting is faster, cheaper, and more scalable than building from scratch. With 80% of 2050’s homes already built, this is a wake-up call for investors, housing providers, and policymakers to stop overlooking what’s right in front of them.We break down: • Why upgrading beats new build on time, carbon, and cost • How institutional capital can unlock...2025-07-0752 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 74 The Science Behind Net Zero Buildings and What Engineers Must KnowSend us a textNet zero isn’t just a goal, it’s a system-wide shift. In this episode, Dr. Anastasia Mylona breaks down the science behind net zero buildings and what it really takes to deliver on their promise.From carbon calculations to human behaviour, this conversation uncovers the critical levers engineers must understand to move from theory to practice.Key topics include: • What makes a building truly net zero • Why systems thinking matters more than ever • The hidden emissions no one talks about • How engineers balance efficienc...2025-06-3056 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 73 Only 16 Percent of Engineers Are Women, It’s Time to Shift the Balance in STEMSend us a textIn this powerful episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren is joined by Alexandra Knight, Founder of Stemazing, engineer, and advocate for diversity in STEM, to explore the reality of gender bias in engineering and the urgent need for change.Alex shares her journey from wallflower to purpose-driven leader, and reveals why, even today, many young girls still don’t know engineering is an option for them.Key topics include:• Why only 16% of engineers in the UK are women — and what we can do about it• The myths that sti...2025-06-231h 03Thrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 72 The Excavator Pollution Problem in Cities: Why Small Machines Are a Big Climate ThreatSend us a textIn this episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren sits down with Mats Bredborg, Head of Customer Cluster at Volvo Construction Equipment, to expose a little-known crisis: the massive pollution caused by small diesel excavators in our cities.With over 5,000 machines in London alone contributing the equivalent emissions of 100,000 cars, Mats breaks down how Volvo Group is tackling this challenge head-on with electrification, innovation, and collaboration.Key topics include:• Why small machines produce disproportionately high emissions• The air quality crisis most people don’t realise is happening• Volvo’s vision f...2025-06-1646 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 71 “Buildings Cause 40% of Global Emissions” — Why No One Is Talking About It!Send us a textIn this episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren sits down with Alice Bond, Policy Manager at the World Green Building Council, to explore the global fight for sustainability in the built environment.From structural engineering to shaping international climate policy, Alice shares her journey into construction and her current work leading climate advocacy and policy initiatives on a global scale. Discover how the WorldGBC is influencing governments, shaping climate commitments, and pushing for the inclusion of sustainable buildings in climate action plans (NDCs).Key topics include:Alice’s ca...2025-06-0922 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 70 Only 13 Staff Run 90 Train Stations: What Construction Can Learn from CopenhagenSend us a textHow digital innovation is transforming construction. In this episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren sits down with Marek Suchocki, a digital specialist and construction industry veteran, to explore how technology is reshaping the future of construction.From the power of digital twins and BIM (Building Information Modelling) to the importance of structured data, Marek shares his journey from site engineer to digital evangelist. Discover how construction professionals at all levels can use digital tools to work smarter, improve project outcomes, and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.Whether...2025-06-0228 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 69 ‘The Future Engineer Will Be a Creative Thinker, Not Just a Calculator’ – The New Role of EngineersSend us a textIn this episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren is joined by James Norman, a structural engineer, author, and educator passionate about shaping the future of the industry. James discusses his transition from working in industry to teaching, highlighting the autonomy and influence he now enjoys in mentoring the next generation of engineers.James dives into the future of structural engineering, sharing insights on the rise of automation in standardised design and the evolving role of engineers to focus more on buildability and creative material experimentation. He also talks about his latest...2025-05-2625 min
British Ecological SocietyJournal of Animal Ecology | Editor Expertise: Professor Darren EvansFor our ‘Editor Expertise’ series, we will be meeting with each of our Senior Editors, who will share the reason they went into animal ecology, their current and future research focus, and their experience working as an editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology. Our aim is to spread awareness of their research area and give you a chance to get to know the editors behind the journal. This month’s guest is Dr Darren Evans, Senior Editor for the Journal of Animal Ecology.
(0:00) – British Ecological Society intro
(0:58) – Podcast introduction
(1:30) – Darren's journey into animal ecology
(15:30) – Darren’s current and future research focus
...2025-05-1553 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 68 What do Engineers Get Wrong About Sustainability? CIBSE President Shares Her Secrets to LeadershipSend us a textIn this episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren sits down with Fiona Cousins the global Chief Operating Officer for Total Design at Arup. Fiona shares her inspiring journey from being one of the few women in engineering during the 1980s to becoming the 2024/2025 president of CIBSE (The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers).Fiona discusses the challenges and opportunities for women in construction, the evolution of career paths in engineering, and the critical importance of situational leadership. She also advocates for sustainable and resilient building designs that not only ensure safety...2025-05-1544 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 67 ‘We’re Sitting on a Giant Thermal Battery’ – Karen Spenley Talks Ground Source Heat PumpsSend us a textThe UK’s untapped thermal battery and ground source heat pumps could transform sustainable heating and cooling for the future. In this episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren sits down with Karen Spenley, the UK Country Manager for Celsius Energy, to discuss the role of geothermal energy in the UK's energy transition. Karen dives into how shallow geothermal systems and ground source heat pumps can significantly reduce energy consumption, decarbonise heating and cooling, and create sustainable solutions for large-scale projects like schools, hospitals, and industrial facilities.Karen also shares insights on th...2025-05-0829 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 66 You Have a Teaspoon of Plastic in Your Brain – Here's How It Got ThereSend us a textIt may sound unbelievable, but this week we’re diving into the shocking reality that you could have a teaspoon of plastic in your brain at any given moment. In this episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren sits down with Chaline Church to explore the powerful connection between building materials and human health. Chaline, a passionate advocate for sustainable design, shares her journey from architecture to pioneering the use of Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certified materials in construction. They dive into the growing need for healthier, non-toxic materials in both commercial and re...2025-05-0130 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 65 28% of Materials Reused in a Real Estate Project: Ground-breaking Construction SustainabilitySend us a textTina Paillet is a leader in sustainable real estate and circular economy practices. In this insightful conversation on the Thrive in Construction Podcast, Tina shares her unique journey from studying architecture to founding a groundbreaking business focused on reusing building materials.Tina discusses her work in the construction and real estate industries, including how she is helping reshape the way we think about demolition and reuse through futures trading of construction materials. She also highlights a successful collaboration with British Land, where 28% of materials from a building strip-out were repurposed, setting...2025-04-2427 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 64 ‘There’s No Such Thing as Waste – Just Resources Waiting to Be Reused’ | What Is A Circular EconomySend us a textSustainability expert and architect Duncan Baker-Brown discusses innovative approaches to sustainable construction and the circular economy on this episode of the Thrive In Construction podcast. Duncan shares insights from his groundbreaking project, the Brighton Waste House, a teaching facility built using 55 tons of discarded materials, which not only meets passive house standards but also serves as a beacon for sustainable design. Duncan explores the impact of construction waste, which accounts for over 60% of the UK's total waste, and the urgent need to rethink how we use and reuse materials in the b...2025-04-1733 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 63 Passivhaus vs Standard Homes: The Hidden Health Benefits ExplainedSend us a textDiscover how Passivhaus is reshaping the standard of affordable housing in the UK and why it's more achievable than many think. In this episode of the Thrive in Construction Podcast, Darren sits down with Emma Osmunden, a trailblazer in sustainable housing, to explore her journey pioneering Passivhaus developments in the UK. With over 15 years of experience, Emma shares how she went from initial scepticism to leading the delivery of some of the country’s first certified Passivhaus social homes. Emma reveals the challenges she faced navigating local government, her creative strategies to...2025-04-1022 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 62 40% of the UK’s Carbon Emissions Come from Construction – Here’s How To Fix ItSend us a textHow to Tackle Greenwashing in Construction with Charlie Martin. In this episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren sits down with Charlie Martin, co-founder of The Responsible Edge podcast and a leading voice in sustainable marketing within the built environment.Charlie shares how organisations can avoid greenwashing through responsible storytelling and practical frameworks. From marketing clumsiness to courageous leadership, he dives deep into the realities of sustainability, green claims policies, and why authenticity matters more than ever in today's construction industry.Charlie also discusses the journey behind launching his podcast...2025-04-0329 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 61 "We Built a House in 7 Days - and It’s Made of Straw!" | Modular Construction ExplainedSend us a textIn this episode of the Thrive in Construction Podcast, we dive deep into the future of sustainable construction with Paul Lynch from EcoCocon - a company leading the charge in modular, bio-based building solutions using straw wall panels.Discover how modular construction is revolutionising the way we build homes — from two-day builds to large-scale developments like social housing and apartment blocks. Paul shares how EcoCocon’s prefabricated straw wall panels are not only fast and efficient but also commercially viable at scale.We explore how offsite construction, pre-assembly, and circ...2025-03-2726 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 60 Inside the Timber Roadmap: How the UK Plans to Build Better, Faster and GreenerSend us a textIn this episode of the Thrive in Construction podcast, Darren is joined by Andrew Carpenter to explore how timber construction can play a vital role in helping the UK achieve its Net Zero targets by 2050. Andrew is Secretary for the UK Government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap Implementation Programme and Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association. He shares expert insights into why the construction industry must rethink its reliance on carbon-heavy materials like concrete and steel and shift towards more sustainable alternatives such as timber. He breaks down the environmental, eco...2025-03-2044 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 59 The Silent Killer: Why Air Quality Matters in Your Home and WorkplaceSend us a textIn this week's episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren is joined by Simon Jones, Air Quality expert. Together, they explore the long-term impact of air pollution, particularly how poor indoor air quality can affect our health, from hidden chemicals to mould. Simon shares his extensive knowledge on the subject, discussing how air pollution is often overlooked and its critical role in creating healthier environments, whether in homes, workplaces, or schools.They also dive into the importance of proper ventilation in the built environment, how we can improve air quality in spaces...2025-03-1355 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 58 Most People Get Leadership Wrong – Here’s What Actually Makes a Great LeaderSend us a textThis week Darren sits down with Stephen Shedletzky, leadership expert and author of Speak Up Culture, to uncover the essential qualities of great leaders, how to foster a culture of open communication, and why decisiveness, compassion, and confidence are must-have traits for leadership success. He also delves into lessons that can be taken from large corporations and utilised in your company to create an environment where employees thrive. Stephen Shedletzky is a leadership speaker, coach, and author of Speak Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up. He has previously w...2025-02-2758 min
Typecast: Boston's New Play PodcastS4E2 - Isabelle Fereshteh Sanatdar Stevens & Brandon ZangMFA Playwriting candidates Isabelle Fereshteh Sanatdar Stevens & Brandon Zang join host Darren Evans to discuss their plays "The Fig Tree and The Phoenix and The Desire to be Reborn" and "The Recursion of a Moth." The plays are being presented in a rep festival at Boston Playwrights' Theatre in February-March 2025.This episode's sponsor: The DeStalker.2025-02-2638 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 57 “Sustainability in Construction Starts with People” – Why Diversity is the Key to InnovationSend us a textWomen in construction sustainability: breaking barriers. In this episode of the Thrive in Construction podcast, Darren sits down with Rebecca Heald, a passionate advocate for women in leadership and sustainable practices within the construction industry. Rebecca shares her journey, the challenges she faced as a woman in leadership, and why diversity and inclusion are essential for a more innovative and sustainable future in construction.They discuss:✅ The barriers women face in construction and leadership roles✅ How inclusive leadership drives better decision-making✅ The link between sustainability and diversity in the in...2025-02-2054 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 56 Part 2 of 2: We’re Throwing Money Down the Drain!” How Wastewater Heat Recovery Saves Energy & CostsSend us a textHow Wastewater Heat Recovery Can Revolutionise Energy Efficiency in Homes & Buildings. Want to slash energy costs and improve sustainability in construction? In this episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren sits down with Cameron Loggenberg, Technical Manager at ShowerSave, to discuss how wastewater heat recovery technology is changing the game.As the UK construction industry pushes towards decarbonisation, innovative solutions like this reduce energy consumption, cut costs, and make homes more affordable to run. Whether you're an architect, developer, or homeowner, this episode is packed with actionable insights!🔥 What you'll lea...2025-02-1318 minThrive In Construction with Darren EvansEp. 55 Part 1 of 2 - How to Slash Your Energy Bills with Waste Water RecoverySend us a textHow waste water heat recovery can save you thousands! In this episode of Thrive in Construction, Darren sits down with Cameron Loggenberg, Technical Manager at ShowerSave, to discuss the game-changing benefits of waste water heat recovery.Cameron explains how this innovative technology can help the average household save between £200 and £300 per year on energy bills. He also dives into how waste water recovery aligns with the Future Homes Standard and integrates with other energy-saving measures like heat pumps.For those working on larger projects, Cameron shares real-world examples of ho...2025-02-0621 min