Happy Porch Radio

What have we learned so far this season about the realities of rental and product-as-a-service models, and where does technology really make the difference?In this special mid-season reflection of HappyPorch Radio, hosts Barry O’Kane, Jo Weston and Tandi Tuakli look back at the conversations so far, drawing out the common themes, challenges and opportunities from entrepreneurs, academics and technology providers working at the forefront of circularity.We revisit highlights from:Refulfil – Danai Osmond explained how smart reverse logistics and return flows can unlock circular commerce, reduce waste, and make reuse systems viable at scaleBaboodle – Katie Hanton-Parr explored rental models for children’s products and family life, showing how convenience and flexibility can drive adoption alongside sustainability goalsBlack Winch – Yann Toutant brought insights from circular business strategy and advisory work, highlighting the organisational and financial challenges of scaling circular modelsSupercycle – Ryan At

How to Build Circular Commerce Infrastructure with Bob JansenWhat makes a rental or product-as-a-service (PaaS) business model work, and what role does technology really play in making that happen?In this episode of HappyPorch Radio, we’re joined by Bob Jansen, founder of Firmhouse, a recurring commerce platform enabling subscription, rental and PaaS business models. Bob shares lessons from his journey, from building MVPs as an agency to helping major brands like Philips pilot rental models and now supporting a wide range of circular and subscription businesses across Europe.We explore the operational complexity of rental and PaaS businesses, the ongoing challenge of accessing capital, and why convenience and service are often bigger customer drivers than sustainability alone.✨ In this episode:Bob reflects on the financing challenges that continue to block scale for circular rental modelsWe hear examples of real-world companies using Firmhouse, from kids’ bike subscriptions to coffee and consumablesBob explai

How Tech Enables Circular Innovation – with Patrick HypscherWhat does it really take to build circular business models — and how can technology accelerate that transformation?In this episode of HappyPorch Radio, we’re joined by Patrick Hypscher, a circular business strategist, advisor, and the voice behind Circularity.fm. Patrick brings unique insights from working at the intersection of digital innovation and the circular economy — from launching a software startup to building BlueMovement, a home appliance subscription service inside Bosch Siemens Home Appliances (BSH).We explore the vital role of technology in enabling, scaling, and adapting circular models, particularly product-as-a-service (PaaS). Patrick shares honest reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and how thoughtful use of digital tools can remove friction, support iteration, and accelerate progress.In this episode:Patrick explains why building in-house tech is often unnecessary — and even risky — for early-stage PaaS ventures.We discuss

Welcome back to HappyPorch Radio: the circular economy technology podcast!In this episode our hosts Barry O’Kane and Tandi Tuakli are joined by Katie Hanton-Parr, the visionary founder of Baboodle - a circular rental platform specifically designed for baby equipment.Katie’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and innovation—born out of her own experience as a parent grappling with the challenges of accessing safe, high-quality baby gear without the waste and cost of traditional ownership.Throughout the episode Katie talks about the many layers involved in running a circular rental business in such a sensitive and highly regulated space. From managing rigorous safety and hygiene standards to the complexities of reverse logistics, Katie explains what it takes to keep every item in Baboodle’s inventory reliable and ready for the next family. One of the key themes is repairability: ensuring products can be fixed and maintained rather than discarded, which is vital to the sustainability mission but often t

Welcome back to HappyPorch Radio: the circular economy technology podcast!In this episode our hosts Barry O’Kane and Jo Weston are joined by Yann Toutant, CEO and Co-founder of Black Winch who are the world's exclusive authority in Product-As-A-Service (PaaS) solutions. At the beginning of the conversation Yann explains Black Winch’s work and how they engage, inspire and empower intrapreneurs to achieve their PaaS ambitions by building and scaling their in-house recurring revenue models. Drawing on his experience guiding manufacturers through the transition to outcome-based services, Yann offers a deep dive into both the opportunities and the operational realities of implementing PaaS and discusses the importance of a long-term thinking strategy to make PaaS successful in any business.Yann also highlights key differences between B2B and B2C adoption of as-a-service models and talks about how technology plays a critical role in enabling these models. He outlines the importance of asset tracking, cons

Welcome back to HappyPorch Radio: the circular economy technology podcast!In this episode our hosts Barry O’Kane and Tandi Tuakli are joined by Ryan Atkins, the co-founder and CEO of Supercycle - a circular commerce platform that enables rental and resale natively in Shopify.Ryan explains that scaling circular business models depends on overcoming integration challenges between physical product flows (repair, refurbishment, cleaning) and digital commerce (Shopify, customer experience). In this conversation we learn that while platforms like Supercycle can provide the core technology and integration "pipes," each brand has unique requirements in logistics, customer experience, product flows, and back office systems.Ryan also discusses collaborations with specialist partners, from 3PLs that can handle circular operations to integration and professional services partners that allow brands to tailor and scale their circular offerings. Without this ecosystem of enablers, it would be impossible to support the

Welcome back to HappyPorch Radio: the circular economy technology podcast!Our hosts are joined by Lucy Wishart, lecturer in Circular Economy and Sustainable Transformations at the University of Edinburgh. In this episode they explore how rental models fit into academic, practical, and social aspects of circularity.From the idea of “consumption work” (and how rental reduces it) to what makes circular systems messy by nature, this conversation is packed with insight.Lucy explains how rental plays a key role in circular economy frameworks like the Nine R’s and Product-Service Systems, offering an alternative to ownership-based consumption.The discussion explores both the potential and pitfalls of rental - from shifting consumption habits to labor and logistical challenges. "There’s a distinction between circularity and the circular economy. Circularity can be quite small scale and local… but the circular economy requires more than one product, more than one organisation — it’s collective. It requires us to

Welcome back to HappyPorch Radio: the circular economy technology podcast!In this episode, our hosts Tandi Tuakli and Barry O’Kane had a fascinating conversation with Leah Pollen, a specialist in profitability and circular strategies within the used electronics market, particularly mobile devices. Leah shares deep insights into how the mobile phone industry's leasing and trade-in programs—especially driven by OEMs like Apple and Samsung—created what she calls “accidental circularity.” Leah also explains the business case for phone rental models, including calculations around device depreciation, residual value, repair logistics, and customer return behaviors.One of the biggest barriers Leah identifies is mindset. Many organisations are still entrenched in linear thinking—focusing on sales volume, product obsolescence, and short-term wins. She stresses the importance of redefining what product success looks like in a circular model.Our hosts and Leah draw parallels between mobile phones and other sec

Welcome back to HappyPorch Radio: the circular economy technology podcast!In this special episode our host Barry O’Kane is joined by Charlotte Morley, CEO of thelittleloop, and Ryan Atkins, CEO of Supercycle, to discuss the ripple effects of - ongoing and very fluid - changes to US tariffs and De Minimis import rules on the circular economy in the UK, EU, and US. The conversation, which originated from a passionate exchange on LinkedIn, explores both the opportunities and challenges these potential policy changes present for circularity-focused businesses. The discussion ranges widely from there, covering everything from policy to the importance of smaller, ethical brands to circularity.We discussed how reduced ease of importing low-cost new goods could boost demand for resale and second-hand markets, potentially benefiting the circular economy. While acknowledging the long-term benefits, our guests explained that many small ethical and sustainable brands are already overwhelmed by rising costs, market s

Welcome back to HappyPorch Radio: the circular economy technology podcast! In our first episode of the new season, we sit down with Danai Osmond, founder of Refulfil, a rental commerce and operations consultancy. Danai shares his unique journey—from serving as an army officer to working as a data analyst at Bloomberg, and then joining the net-zero laundry startup Oxwash, where he tackled the challenges of scaling a 24/7 operation.Danai also discusses his transition into his current work exploring different rental business models, including event-based rentals, subscription models, and membership-based systems. Along the way, he shares lessons about operational efficiency, profitability, and maximising inventory utility while keeping customer trust and convenience at the core.This conversation weaves together personal reflection, hard-earned operational insights, and broader thinking about systems change, emotional courage, and the real-world application of circular principles.This podcast is brought to y

Welcome back to HappyPorch Radio: the circular economy technology podcast! We are back with a very exciting new season where our host Barry O’Kane will be joined by two new co-hosts, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise. Jo Weston is a brand builder helping sustainable and circular businesses. Tandi Tuakli is working in fashion and technology and also helping brands create circular business models.This season the focus is on Rental business models & Rental as an approach to circularity. A major theme will be the role of enablers — from tech platforms to logistics providers — that make rental systems viable. We will be talking to various guests and experts on the following topics:Defining Rental, leasing, and subscription-based business models in the circular economy.How Rental can range from short-term rentals to long-term product servitisation.Where are we seeing rental success? (product types, geographies, established products/sectors vs newer approaches, B2C vs B2B)Exploring tech and lo

Welcome back to HappyPorch Radio! We are delighted to share our special episode which is part of Podcasthon - the world’s largest podcast charity initiative that brings together podcasters in over 45 countries and over 1650 podcasts to raise awareness globally for charitable causes. Each participating podcast is dedicating an episode to a cause that truly matters to them, and for us, the choice was clear—the vital role that charities and social enterprises play in the circular economy. In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Cook, CEO of Circular Communities Scotland, an organisation that represents a dynamic network of more than 260 charities and social enterprises dedicated to advancing the circular economy across Scotland. Michael shared invaluable insights into how Circular Communities Scotland supports third-sector organisations in achieving their circularity goals, from facilitating collaboration to advocating for policies that enable sustainable change. He also talk

Welcome to the highly anticipated finale of our mini-series on Happy Porch Radio - "Exploring Circular Tech: Re-commerce in Fashion." In this compelling Episode 3, your hosts Barry O'Kane and Emily Swaddle, alongside a stellar line-up of guests, continue their exploration into the dynamic world of fashion re-commerce. Get ready to dive deep into the transformative impact of technology on the second-hand market, pushing boundaries and fostering a new era of digital thrift.Join us as we traverse the landscape of re-commerce, shedding light on the myriad opportunities it holds while addressing the inevitable challenges that crop up along the way. We’ll talk pricing and quality control, delve into shopping experiences for consumers and sellers alike, and reveal how innovations are shaping a new future for the industry. This episode isn't just about insights - it's an invitation to think differently about fashion, sustainability, and the circular economy.

Welcome to the second episode of our intriguing mini-series on HappyPorch Radio-"Exploring Circular Tech: Re-commerce in Fashion". Your hosts, Barry O'Kane and Emily Swaddle, navigate the fascinating realms of re-commerce in the fashion industry alongside esteemed guests Joe Metcalfe from Thrift+, Jessica Potter from Used and Loved, and Wilson Griffin from Recurate.In this compelling episode, dive into the exploration of different marketplace models, from managed marketplaces like Thrift+ to peer-to-peer platforms like Vinted and eBay. Our hosts and guests untangle the complexities of pricing, underline the critical need for quality control, and shed light on optimising the shopping experience for both buyers and sellers in the re-commerce context.Our guests share their valuable experiences and insights on how technology bolsters re-commerce. Discover the transformative power of software solutions that assist brands in managing resale and creating distinctive listings. Let's also venture into the future lands

Behind the Threads: The Interplay of Tech and Circularity in Fashion Re-commerceWelcome to the first episode of a brand-new mini-series on HappyPorch Radio-"Exploring Circular Tech: Re-commerce in Fashion". We delve deep into the transformative effect of re-commerce within the fashion industry, focusing on the role of software and technology, the digital enablers for circularity, in this sustainable solution. Join hosts Emily Swaddle and Barry O'Kane as they probe into the potential of re-commerce in the circular economy. From reducing waste and promoting sustainable consumption to its impact on the excesses of the fashion industry.The episode features insights from industry experts: Cynthia Power, founder of Molte Volte; Andy Ruben, founder of Trove; Gerrard Fisher and Kristina Bull from QSA Partners; and J.R Siegel of Worldly. Together, we discuss and debate the sustainability of re-commerce and its impact on reducing waste. We don't just want you just to listen; we want you to be part of the story. Yo

We are back with a special season of HappyPorch Radio!Our hosts Barry O’Kane and Emily Swaddle are back and excited to take a deep dive into the role of technology in the dynamic realm of fashion re-commerce. What can you expect from this upcoming 3 episodes special? The role of technology in shaping the second-hand marketplaceUnique challenges and innovative solutions within re-commerceDiverse perspectives on e-commerce's current and potential impact on consumers, brands, and the planetAnd much moreStay tuned, the first episode is coming out in early April.

Welcome to our final, Wrap-Up episode of Season 7! In this episode, we reflect on all the fascinating conversations we’ve had in season 7. We have spoken to a range of consultants, experts, trainers and advisors who help others transition to circular economy practices. We express our gratitude for the diverse and inspiring guests who have shared their insights and experiences in this field, and pull out our favourite themes from the whole season. One central theme that emerged throughout the season is the idea that circularity cannot exist in isolation and requires systemic change. We discuss the complexity of circularity, it can be both transformational and prone to misdirection.  Embracing complexity and understanding context within the system is crucial. Another prominent theme is the evolution of the circular economy over the past few decades. Guests on the show have witnessed changes in how people engage with and access circular economy concepts. This shift is a turning point in history, with various asp

Welcome to episode 16 of HappyPorch Radio! In this, final episode of Season 7 we have a fascinating conversation with Dr.Lynn Wilson, an expert in circular fashion and sustainable design and CEO at Circular Design Synergy (Circular DS). Dr. Lynn talks about the importance of shifting from linear models to circular ones, emphasising that true sustainability lies not just in materials but also in the entire lifecycle of products. She also explains the role of policy advocacy in promoting circular supply chains and the importance of evidence-based approaches in driving policy change, staggering environmental impact of textile waste and the need for policy measures that incentivize sustainable practices. She shares her thoughts about how important it is to approach policy with the mindset that it is with people and not being done to people.. Further in the conversation we discuss the significance of cross-party collaboration, engaging civil society, NGOs, and government to create a critical mass for change by und

Welcome back to HappyPorch radio and our newest episode! In episode 15 we engage in a captivating discussion with Nellie Cohen, the Director of Circular Business Models at Anthesis Group, a leading global sustainability advisory firm and certified B Corp.  Nellie talks about the shift in circularity over the past decade, from merely suggesting the idea to now acknowledging that circular models are happening and businesses need to decide how to engage with them. She also explains the evolutionary moment of synergy between operational providers and technology providers within the Circular Economy. Our conversation describes the shifts from simply recycling to prioritising products with smaller footprints and creating circular systems to maximise product lifespans. We also explore the importance of brands taking an active role in the secondary market experience of their customers and how by ensuring quality and reliability in used products, companies can retain customer loyalty and foster a more sustainable circ

Welcome to another episode of HappyPorch Radio! In episode 14 our hosts engage in a very insightful conversation with Cécile van Oppen, who is the Co-Founder of Copper8, a consultancy that helps build the circular economy.  The conversation explores the shift from circularity as a niche topic to a mainstream strategic focus, as well as the emergence of post-growth strategies and the questioning of traditional growth models.  Cécile talks about Copper8's unique business model emphasising their intentional focus on selected projects aligned with their vision and their investment in research for societal transition. She also explains how their Clients explore post-growth strategies and consider the risks and impacts of continued growth and seek stable-state economic well-being while incorporating environmental and social considerations. Tune in to hear more about the importance of the need to balance technical expertise with the social and human aspects of circularity, embracing the complexity of sustainability