Walking the Talk: Bernardo Carreira on Building 8000Kicks, the World’s First Hemp Shoe Brand

Walking the Talk: Bernardo Carreira on Building 8000Kicks, the World’s First Hemp Shoe Brand

Author: Sustainable Jungle June 4, 2025 Duration: 33:24
Meet Bernardo Carreira, founder of 8000Kicks—the brand behind the world’s first waterproof hemp sneakers. In this episode, Joy speaks with Bernardo about the personal story behind the company, how he (with the help of his grandmother) launched an innovative hemp footwear brand, and what it takes to build a business rooted in sustainability, ethics, and performance. 8000Kicks is one of Sustainable Jungle’s Top Rated brands—recognized for its use of innovative materials like hemp, strong supply chain transparency, fair labor practices, and commitment to reducing its footprint. Members-only bonus: In the extended bonus segment, we go behind the scenes to discuss the personal challenges of running a mission-led company, how Bernardo balances innovation with business realities (and a grueling workload), and some more killer advice for other sustainability focused entrepreneurs. Stay tuned for details on how to access this exclusive content or register your interest here: https://forms.gle/cJEE2Q1vAxW6yYpdA Important Links See 8000Kicks' Rating: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/brand-ratings/8000kicks/  Visit 8000Kicks (affiliate link): https://www.sustainablejungle.com/8000kicks-brand-rating-and-review/  Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/newsletter Show notes: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/podcast/episode-76/  Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pODntNv5zRY  Find other rated brands: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/brand-directory/  SJ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustainablejungle/  How to Support the Podcast Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen Leave us a review on your favorite platform Share it with someone who cares about conscious consumption Your support helps us keep the conversations going 💚

Tune into The Sustainable Jungle Podcast for conversations that cut through the noise around sustainability. Host Joy McConnochie sits down with founders and leaders from a fascinating array of consumer brands, the ones quietly and not-so-quietly reshaping their industries from the ground up. This isn't about doom and gloom; it's a deep, practical look at the solutions being built right now. Each episode explores the intersection of thoughtful business, scientific innovation, and cultural change, revealing how commerce can be a genuine force for good. You'll hear the real stories behind the products and companies aiming to do better, focusing on tangible ideas and actionable paths forward. The discussions naturally span topics from ethical supply chains and material science to the entrepreneurial spirit driving this shift, all grounded in a genuine mission. For anyone curious about the people building a more responsible future, this podcast offers an essential and hopeful perspective. Sustainable Jungle brings these voices together, creating a space where complex challenges are met with compelling, human-centered dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Sustainable Jungle Podcast
Podcast Episodes
60 · SIMON GRIFFITHS · WHO GIVES A CRAP? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:47
Simon Griffiths is the Co-founder and Head Honcho of Who Gives a Crap, a mission based company that sells “good looking, forest friendly toilet paper, paper towels and tissues direct-to-consumer and donate 50% of [their]…
59 · MEERA JAIN · GREEN HOLIDAYS WITH THE GREEN MUM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:06
Meera Jain is a teacher, a close friend of Sustainable Jungle and The Green Mum! The Green Mum’s Instagram account is an incredibly honest, authentic and non-judgemental space to learn about living a greener life, especi…
58 · GEORGINA WILSON-POWELL · IS IT REALLY GREEN? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:20
Georgina is on a mission to reduce overconsumption by using positive storytelling to shift social attitudes. As the founder of pebble, she has inspired consumer change through her much-loved magazine, events and online c…
57 · CARLEE JACKSON · MINORITIES IN SHARK SCIENCES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:43
Carlee is a co-founder of Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), an organization dedicated to amplifying the minority voices in the field of shark science. Originally from Detroit, MI, she moved to south Florida and receiv…
56 · ALFRED ADJABENG · SCHOOL FARMS IN GHANA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:03
Alfred Adjabeng is the founding executive director of Reach Out to Future Leaders Movement (ROFLM), a community-development-based organisation that is responsible for ensuring that young people are educated, empowered an…
55 · WONG SIEW TE · SAVING SUN BEARS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:11
Dr. (Hon) Wong Siew Te, founded the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in 2008. One of the few Malaysian wildlife biologists who was trained in Taiwan and U.S.A., Wong has been studying and working on the ecological co…
53 · TAMSIN CHISLETT · IN WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW @ ONLOAN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:45
Tamsin is the co-founder of Onloan, a UK based fashion rental company. Having always been passionate about doing something meaningful, Tamsin has had several impactful roles in her career including volunteering for Techn…
52 · JERRY YUDELSON · LESSONS LEARNED: MINDFULNESS & ACTIVISM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:00
Jerry Yudelson is the author of 12 professional books in the field of green building and sustainable design, an arena where he’s known globally as “The Godfather of Green.” As a campus organizer for the very first Earth…