Progress worth celebrating

31 Dec

THREE NEAT THINGS

My fortnightly newsletter - a dose of goodness, productivity hacks, and small business tips. Sign up here!

ISSUE 078 | December 2024

Welcome change-makers!

It's that liminal week between Christmas and New Year's, when calendars lose meaning and time feels delightfully fluid. While we're all floating in this temporal bubble, I'm excited to share some bright spots from 2024.

This issue unpacks my year in numbers (from projects captured to community impact), highlights encouraging news and progress that deserves more attention, and reveals my curated podcast playlist for staying sharp across sustainability, architecture, and business.

Think of it as a gentle reminder that even in small steps, we're moving forward.

Marnie x

This year I captured sustainable design at its finest, photographing:

♦︎ 6 Passivhaus projects

♦︎ 19 high performance residential projects

♦︎ 2 all-electric innovations

And completed:

♦︎ 9 mentoring sessions

♦︎ 143 hours of pro bono work with the launch of Season 2 of Business of Biodiversity

♦︎ $21,060 in donated services

I'm very grateful for another year of working with such amazing clients and documenting projects advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and also supporting our community.

Here's to more impact in 2025!

As we wrap up the year, I want to focus on good news and reporting that highlights the progress being made across the world - stories that often get overlooked in mainstream news as progress is slow and not a daily event.

Two platforms I’ve been turning to for this perspective are:

✨ Fix The News: Dedicated to rebalancing the news by spotlighting solutions, innovation, and hope. Sign up for their free weekly newsletter (there is also a more in depth paid version which I subscribe to), and they also have a fantastic podcast.

✨ The Progress Network: Focused on ideas and actions shaping a better future, they share stories of global progress and offer thoughtful insights (also a newsletter and a podcast).

In a world where doom and gloom dominate the headlines, these platforms remind us that there’s a lot to celebrate and keep on working towards. I'm going to head into the new year with optimism and a focus on the positive!

READ

I’m a big fan of business and economics podcasts - but not the wanky, boring kind! I’m talking about the good, down-to-earth ones that keep things real while offering valuable insights. 🎧✨

To kick off 2025, I’ve updated my list of favorite podcasts that inspire, educate, and help me stay on top of the game. Whether you’re a small business owner, a creative entrepreneur, or just love a good listen, there’s something here for you.

Check out my top picks and start the year with fresh ideas and perspectives!

LISTEN