There's so many wonderful aspects of this conversation. I want to thank Josh O'Neil, who is a Certified Green Project Manager, sustainability advocate and the Founder and Project Lead of "The Litter Club Network" for joining me on SHLTMM. It's not every day that I get to speak with someone in Phuket, Thailand, so this was enjoyable for many reasons. You'll get to know more about Josh's mother, Pattie, who was of Irish descent, one of eleven children and born and raised in New Zealand. My guest, Josh, was the youngest of the family and nine years younger than his sister. He's been a very successful project manager for many years and now he's living by the sea and helping clean up the beaches of Phuket and teaching others how precious the sea is and that it needs to be protected and kept litter free.
Pattie was a strong woman through and through. She learned everything she knew about raising and caring for animals and growing crops from her parents and the land she grew up on.
Because of her experience on the farm plus her ability to drive and operate farm machinery, etc, she was available to help out her country during WWII. This enabled her to be active during the Land Army, in New Zealand. Josh shares how she had a wonderful sense of humor (Irish family roots), taught Josh how to sew, cook, play cards, knit and so much more.
Josh willingly admits that he was a mama's boy and as he says he "hung onto her apron strings."
As Josh was getting ready to move away from home for a new job, he was desperate to share a very personal story with his mother. She'd already survived breast cancer shortly after her was born, but now the cancer was back. She refused chemo and radiation, so Josh was afraid this might me the last time he'd see his mother. Just as he was about to go out the door, he spoke to his mother and revealed what he'd been hiding inside for decades. She was un perplexed and finished his statement before he had a chance to share what he wanted to say. That was just a little bit of the magic of Pattie.
She regularly took care of her neighbors. Whether because of an illness or just in need of company, she was always there to help other. Pattie was also very curious, especially regarding her friends and neighbors in this rural farming area. Josh shares some very funny stories about the phone in his house.
The work that Josh is doing with "The Litter Club Network is so important. He's getting the community involved not only in Phuket, Thailand but also in Malaysia and Singapore.
Here's more about Josh O'Neil:
I'm Josh O'Neil, a Certified Green Project Manager (GPM-b), sustainability advocate, and experienced public speaker & voice coach dedicated to driving meaningful change and environmental stewardship. My expertise lies in engaging communities, organisations, and individuals in sustainable practices through innovative projects, impactful training, and clear, authentic communication.
As the Founder and Project Lead of The Litter Club, I have successfully initiated and managed environmental restoration and waste management programs in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. My work involves fostering community pride and environmental awareness, demonstrating measurable impacts in local sustainability.
With substantial experience in public speaking and leadership roles in organizations such as United Speakers and Toastmasters, I have developed and delivered training programs that empower individuals and teams and foster collaborative, sustainable communities. Coupled with my background in marketing and community engagement, I excel in driving participation and enthusiasm for environmental and sustainability projects.
I’m passionate about creating tangible, lasting change through innovative sustainability initiatives and compelling public engagement. Let's connect to explore how we can collaborate to make meaningful contributions to your sustainability goals and community impact.
Hope you enjoy the listen.
WEBSITE:www.thelitterclub.org
For over 5 years we have been dedicated to environmental conservation, driving positive change through education, action, and innovation.
Our mission is to create awareness about the impact of litter on our environment and oceans while empowering communities to take action.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/josheeonz/&https://www.facebook.com/thelitterclubnetwork/
INSTAGRAM:https://www.instgram.com/josheeonz/&https://www.instgram.com/theltterclubnetwork/
LINKEDIN:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshoneillnz/&https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelitterclubnetwork/
TIKTOK: @joshonz & @thelitterclubnetwork