January is often synonymous with New Year's resolutions, an ideal time to refocus, find inspiration, and start the year with determination. If you haven't had time to listen to all the episodes of La Relève, don't panic—we've got you covered with a recap.
Hosted by Thibault Lamarque, La Relève gives a voice to visionary entrepreneurs and leaders who are shaping the world of tomorrow, demonstrating by example that it is possible to reconcile economic performance with ecological urgency. From carbon-free mobility to food solidarity, here are the best moments from six episodes you shouldn't miss if you want to understand where the world (and your business) is headed in 2026.
A revolution on your plate with Alexandre Panza and Laurent Perlès (La Source)
"We wanted to offer schools that don't look like schools."
Alexandre and Laurent founded La Source, a training organization that is shaking up the restaurant world. Their credo? To give chefs the practical tools they need to cook responsibly: fermentation, anti-waste, plant-based sourcing, etc. Far from theoretical discourse, they roll up their sleeves to train the new generation of gastronomic chefs.
If there's one thing to remember, it'sthis:
Commitment alone is not enough; you need expertise. You don't become a sustainable restaurant just by having good intentions, but by having the right techniques. This is exactly what Castalie advocates Castalie sustainability should raise the bar for quality, not lower it.
The ecology of smiling with Mamadou Dembele (The Impact Story)
"Giving voice to solutions that will make tomorrow a more sustainable world"
Coming from the world of finance, Mamadou Dembele launched The Impact Story media outlet to combat a modern scourge: eco-anxiety. Instead of overwhelming us with the end of the world, he shines a light on those who are repairing it (such as hotels that recycle their soap to save lives).
If there's one thing to remember, it's this:
Ecology must become desirable. Mamadou reminds us that no one wants to join a punitive movement. To get the general public on board, we need to show that the alternative is cooler, more beautiful, and smarter. We share this vision 100%: a Castalie bottle Castalie a table is first and foremost a beautiful design object before it is a militant gesture.
The transformation of a giant with Bris Rocher – Rocher Group
"If a company's raison d'être is honey, then its status as a mission-driven company is royal jelly."
It is rare to hear the head of such a huge family-owned group speak so openly about its transformation. Bris Rocher spoke to Thibault about the journey that has made the Rocher Group the first mission-driven company of such international scope.
If there's one thing to remember,it'sthis:
It's never too late (or too complicated) to pivot. Bris Rocher demonstrates that profitability and environmental mission are not mutually exclusive; they feed off each other. His vision? A company should not seek to be the best in the world, but the best for the world.
Guilt-free indulgence with Camille Azoulai – Funky Veggie
"We wanted to change the world, so we started with breakfast."
Looking back on the infectious energy of Camille Azoulai, co-founder of Funky Veggie, who explained how to make plant-based foods more accessible without resorting to moralizing, but by talking about taste, texture, and enjoyment.
If there's one thing to remember:
Pleasure is the best lever for impact. For Camille, democratization means reaching everyone through supermarket shelves, not just a niche group of insiders. Her goal is to offer alternatives to ultra-processed products (cereals, spreads) to revolutionize everyday breakfasts. It's the same logic that drives us to eliminate plastic bottles one by one: every action counts if it's sustainable.
Radical audacity with Maxime de Rostolan – Sailcoop
"The world is in a bad way because we count badly; we don't count what really matters."
This episode undoubtedly made us want to set sail more than any other. Maxime de Rostolan, serial entrepreneur (Fermes d'Avenir, Blue Bees), came to talk about his crazy gamble with Sailcoop: replacing polluting ferries with passenger sailboats.
If there's one thing to remember, it's this:
Innovation isn't just technological, it's cultural. Maxime brilliantly explains how decarbonizing tourism (which weighs heavily on the CO2 balance) means reinventing our relationship with time. You don't "waste" time sailing across Corsica, you gain an experience. This philosophy resonates strongly with Castalie getting back to basics to consume better.
Want to go further in 2026?
If these summaries have inspired you, subscribe to La Relève on your listening platform. La Relève is available on all listening platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, etc.
