Stuart Goldsmith at The Phoenix Garden Covent Garden with Louise Gates

Welcome back to another joyful ramble through London’s green and surprising spaces! In this very special episode of the Do London Differently podcast, co-host Emily Langston is joined by two fantastic guests: climate comedian Stuart Goldsmith and Phoenix Garden manager Louise Gates.

👀 What’s in this episode?
We start in Covent Garden, once a stomping ground for street performer-turned-comedian Stuart Goldsmith, and wind our way to the unexpectedly tranquil Phoenix Garden, tucked behind the bustle of Shaftesbury Avenue. Along the way we chat about:

✨ Climate comedy – what it is, why it matters, and how not to terrify or scold your audience
 🌍 Imperfect climate action, climate confessions, and why your grubby little eco-sins are OK
 🌿 Phoenix Garden’s 41-year history as a biodiversity haven in central London
 🪴 The joy of community gardening and its power to connect people and restore wellbeing
 🐦 Birds, bugs, berries, and bins – we go full urban nature nerd (and we love it)
 📣 How YOU can help protect this vital green space under threat from development

🎧 Highlights & Takeaways
• "Comedy reflects culture – so let’s make the culture greener."
• "Don’t wait to be perfect to take climate action."
• "Volunteering is good for the garden – and even better for the soul."
• “The garden’s existence is a small act of resistance in the heart of the city.”

🌼 Support Phoenix Garden
This unique community garden needs your help to survive and thrive. Please consider donating, volunteering, or simply visiting to enjoy the space.
🔗 www.thephoenixgarden.org
📸 Instagram: @thephoenixgarden

🎤 More from our guests
• Stuart Goldsmith → sign up to his newsletter via his website for more about comedy, climate and communication
• Louise Gates → Catch her at the Phoenix Garden doing everything from event planning to pruning
• Emily Langston → Co-host & ranger with London National Park City

🪕 Also featuring:
 • A visit from Emily’s sister, some very excited birdwatching
 • An Inconvenient Time – Stuart’s climate comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe

💚 About the podcast
Do London Differently explores the wild, green, and surprising sides of city life – meeting the people making London greener, healthier and wilder.

—

📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode if you enjoyed it! Leave a comment with your favourite community garden or your climate confession – we won’t judge 😅

#LondonNationalParkCity #CommunityGardens #ClimateComedy #DoLondonDifferently #UrbanNature #PhoenixGarden #StuartGoldsmith #CoventGarden #Biodiversity #EdinburghFringe #ClimateAction #LondonPodcast