The Brain | Substack

Sustainability isn’t new. We just forgot what common sense looks like.

I’ve written a lot about our need to invest in placemaking and those on-the-ground building communities.

Jan 8 • Helen Brain

I just published my first paid piece of work!

For a teeny amount of money, but it still feels amazing 😊

Oct 3, 2025 • Helen Brain

We stopped trusting businesses. Turns out, they stopped trusting us first.

People are less trusting of all institutions than they used to be. We all know this.

Mar 18 • Helen Brain

A broken promise, a derelict garden, and one stubborn man

A couple of weeks ago I sat down to chat with Kevin, the founder and leader of the YourSpace Community Garden in Sutton, near where I live.

Mar 10 • Helen Brain

Windows for change

How puberty, matrescence and menopause could reshape our world for the better — and what needs to happen for them to actually do so

Mar 5 • Helen Brain

Most Popular

We’ve designed brands to grow forever.

Sep 4, 2025 • Helen Brain

Creating a Better Future, Place by Place

Feb 12, 2025 • Helen Brain

A broken promise, a derelict garden, and one stubborn man

Mar 10 • Helen Brain

We argued about WHERE we work, and ignored HOW we work

Jan 21 • Helen Brain

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