Monocle Radio’s weekly tour of the most inspiring people, companies and ideas in global business, from startups to heritage brands, covering the best in hospitality, design, fashion and retail.
Magnus Renfrew, co-founder of Art SG, shares the inspiration behind Southeast Asia’s leading international art fair, highlighting Singapore’s emerging art ecosystem and its unique role in attracting global collectors, artists and galleries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We meet former corporate lawyer Alexia Karides, who left the legal briefs behind to launch Ysso, a jewellery brand crafting handmade pieces. Then: we take a peek inside the pages of our latest title, ‘Greece: The Monocle Handbook’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We meet Florian Miguet, the co-founder of Clim8, a French company using smart thermal tech to develop apparel with personalised heating and cooling systems. x See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monocle’s Tomos Lewis meets Toronto-based entrepreneur Mark Bordo, the co-founder and CEO of Vetster. Bordo talks about how telemedicine is reimagining pet care, improving access to leading veterinary support and enabling vets to extend care beyond clinic hours – keeping their four-legged patients wagging their tails. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Colin Waggett, CEO of luxury gym chain Third Space, discusses the company’s expansion model, London’s fitness market and how smart real-estate partnerships contribute to its success. Plus: Monocle’s editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, shares what’s on his radar for 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eric Heerema, CEO and owner of Nyetimber, discusses the brand's journey to becoming a global leader and how it's broadening its reach by exporting to more than 20 countries and expanding its product range. Plus: how the Maldives plans to diversify tourism by targeting new markets and offering a range of accommodation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Co-founder and CEO Emma Lewisham discusses the origin story behind her eponymous skincare brand, an innovative natural line blending efficiency and sustainability. She discusses the company’s focus on circularity and science-based formulations, as well as the challenges of disrupting the competitive beauty industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We discuss the 10-year long development process behind the world’s first inflatable cycle helmet and how Ventete spotted the cultural shift toward active, eco-friendly commuting. Plus: how to stay ahead of trends in 2025 from business to travel and hospitality. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Founder and designer Andrew Flynn talks about the origin for his green-thumbed venture, Potr, a smart line of origami-like plant pots that are self-watering and made from waste-materials. He discusses the product’s design and development, the challenges of its initial market launch and the brand’s impressive expansion into Japan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We discuss how Finland's stability, trust in institutions and exceptional quality of life cultivate an environment that supports a skilled workforce, advanced technology and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Petter Kukacka, founder of the Stockholm-based creative studio, The Great Exhibition, talks about his childhood dream of building an office rollercoaster and the design challenge his audacious project posed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings talks about his latest venture, Powder Mountain, a pristine ski resort in Utah that’s also an outdoor art museum. Plus: we head to an elite business school in Lyon that’s celebrating 40 years of helping entrepreneurs launch their innovative ideas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do you transform a declining neighbourhood into a destination for global art and retail? Craig Robins, the developer of the Miami Design District, talks about Miami Art Week 2024 and the role of art in enhancing wellbeing and uniting communities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
‘Thinking Bigger’ author Sarah Dusek talks about her mission to help women secure capital to create large-scale businesses that make a difference. And: Tim Duggan discusses his new book, ‘Work Backwards’, a powerful guide for reimagining the life-work balance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We meet Nuria Torras, the founder of Lekkid, a Barcelona-based toy brand focused on promoting creativity and imagination in children through educational play. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We meet the co-founder of European Sleeper, a railway company reviving night trains and connecting great cities across the continent. And to ensure we’re travelling in style, we’ll hear from the founder of Tom Àdam, a Berlin-based loungewear brand revered for its PJs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shilpika Gautam talks about her journey from the trading floor to environmental work. She discusses how a transformative – and record-breaking – experience paddleboarding the Ganges catalysed the founding of Opna, a greentech company focused on accelerating climate action. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hear insights from two leaders driving cultural change through the power of music. Monocle’s Tomos Lewis heads to Havana’s Cayo Hueso district to meet a Grammy-winning resident of the Cuban capital who restored a grand 1930s building into an 11-key hotel with Caribbean rhythm at its core. Plus: Mag Rodriguez talks about his new app, Even, a platform tackling the tough times artists face in the streaming era. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
We meet Sarah Bell, founder of Evermore London, a luxury-candle and home-fragrance brand made from sustainable ingredients, nature-inspired scents and fine UK craftsmanship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We explore how heritage and a commitment to artisanal quality builds enduring brands with the founders of two eponymous luxury labels. Luca Faloni reflects on a decade of elevating Italian menswear and Oyuna Tserendorj shares how her Mongolian roots inform the ethos of her cashmere brand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We meet the creator of ‘The Future Flip Book’, a creativity tool designed to spark millions of innovative ideas by allowing users to create combinations that align with their unique goals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We discuss growth strategies from Sweden to South Africa as we meet the CEO of Peak Performance to hear about the importance of bricks-and-mortar retail for building communities. And: why creating meaningful touchpoints with customers in physical retail spaces can help new brands flourish. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Newlane co-founder Dominic Cotton talks about creating a foldable bike helmet for urban commuters. He shares how a London bike ride sparked the idea, challenges of achieving certification and how key partnerships have propelled their growth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We explore innovative solutions for urban living and enhancing quality of life in cities. First, we meet the founder of Urby, a smart development company that blends apartment living with the hospitality flair of boutique hotels. Then: we catch up with Markus Freitag, founder of compact cargo-bike company Flinc, which is reshaping the way that Switzerland rides. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Beyond its fairs, Art Basel wants to stay top of mind with a foray into retail. Monocle’s Sophie Monaghan-Coombs speaks with chief growth officer, Hayley Romer, at the new Art Basel Shop in Paris to see how its pop-up stores reflect its cities in every product. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Deborah Honig, chief customer officer for Samsung Electronics in the UK and Ireland, talks about how the multinational technology giant is harnessing artificial intelligence to elevate its product ecosystem, boost accessibility and empower consumers, all while staying true to the brand’s legacy of innovation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yola Jimenez launched Yola Mezcal to preserve her family’s traditional recipe of the spirit from Oaxaca, Mexico. Today the brand is thriving thanks to her commitment to slow growth, sustainable production and staying true to its original roots. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We meet a New York-based interior designer who champions a traditional approach to craftsmanship and inspiration. And: Monocle’s Nic Monisse talks about the latest patterns in the industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Peter Jüriado and Mathias le Fèvre discuss their collaboration for Stenströms’s 125th anniversary collection, inspired by Scandinavian nature and vintage style. They reflect on blending tradition with modern fashion ahead of the collection’s launch in Stockholm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An episode that’s millennia in the making: we meet the founder of the world’s first de-extinction and species-preservation company, to hear how it’s using ancient DNA to bring back animals including the woolly mammoth and dodo. Plus: do natural diamonds, forged over millions of years, outshine lab-grown gems? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
