Interview with Nasrin Maesha and Shoummo Ahmed, Co-Founders of Green & Beyond Mag

Can you share your journey from a young age that led you to quit your job(s) and found an Eco e-magazine? Looking back at your young self (selves) were there any early signs this would be your passion?

Maesha: Oh, absolutely! Looking back, the signs were always there. As a kid, I was constantly writing, filling notebooks with fictional stories and creating my own little books out of them. I also found a deep sense of solace and inspiration in artistic expression, sensing its power to communicate profound ideas and reflect the beauty of the world. I always felt a pull towards work that was meaningful, and that led me into the development sector early on, even while I was still a student. I spent over seven years working in areas like education and women's empowerment. During that time, I was often drawn to the local crafts and cultural traditions, seeing their inherent connection to community and place. But even then, sitting at my office desk, something always felt "off." I know now it was a yearning for work that allowed me to combine creativity with a sense of freedom, exploration, and holistic living - a path where I could really use my words for a bigger purpose and nurture my own spirit while doing so.

Shoummo: For me, writing has been a passion since my early teenage days. I remember writing poems and lyrics, always fascinated by how words could paint pictures - not just of scenes, but of emotions, cultural stories, and the unique essence of different places and experiences. I cherished early memories of local festivals, music, and art that instilled a deep sense of cultural appreciation. While engineering studies didn't leave much time for creative writing, I'd still find ways to freelance and earn some pocket money. After graduating, I chose not to pursue engineering and instead joined a non-profit in the environmental and development sector. Looking back, I think that my early love for crafting stories and expressing thoughts through words, along with an inherent appreciation for nature, art and culture, definitely pointed me towards this path of inspiring connection and positive impact.

Please share how you came to become passionate about the environment and the havoc being wreaked on it by industries and life choices common in our modern world?

Maesha: My passion for the environment deepened significantly during my time in the development sector. Working closely with marginalized communities in rural areas, I witnessed firsthand how they were suffering from something far greater than just poverty - they were incredibly vulnerable to the climate crisis. Bangladesh, being one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, really brought this reality home. Seeing that direct impact showed me how deeply it affects human well-being, their traditional ways of life, and their cultural identity. This holistic understanding fueled my desire to address these issues, not just by pointing out the havoc, but by discovering and promoting positive solutions and alternative ways of living, traveling, and engaging with culture that uplift both people and planet.

Shoummo: During college, I had started a social media page to raise earthquake awareness in my country, Bangladesh, after the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015. The work and passion I had dedicated to this endeavor, and the positive responses, helped me realize I was actually an environmentalist, and that raising awareness through writing and content creation was what I relished. Later, for my college thesis project, my group and I built a solar car. However, the real turning point for me was the COVID-19 pandemic. It truly opened my eyes and made me realize how fleeting life can be. It prompted a deeper reflection on personal freedom, authentic living, and the interconnectedness of human health and the natural world. I recognized that the "havoc" from modern life choices not only harms the environment but also diminishes our well-being and threatens the very cultural heritage and inspiring places that bring joy and connection. That realization truly ignited my passion to use my writing to highlight these challenges and, more importantly, to promote a harmonious existence through wellness, travel, and the transformative power of art and culture.

When and how did the idea to create Green & Beyond Magazine arise? Where in the process did you decide to quit your job(s) and focus 100% on it? Was this a hard decision?

Maesha: Shoummo and I just clicked when we met. We shared this profound love and compassion for the environment, and we both loved to express our thoughts through writing. It was perfect! We quickly realized we had a shared vision for a lifestyle publication that inspires positive change through personal enrichment and responsible exploration. With my sister, Nawar N. Khan Raeesa, an environmental science graduate and fantastic researcher, also on board as a co-founder, we knew we had everything we needed to start meaningful conversations around the climate crisis, but from a fresh, uplifting perspective. We started constantly educating ourselves, getting involved, and engaging within relevant communities. We wanted to use our skills to raise awareness, share actionable steps, and crucially, highlight the enriching elements of art and culture. Eventually, we realized a digital magazine would be the most perfect way to utilize our skills and resources to amplify our message and bring this holistic vision to life.

Shoummo: We both realized that as writers and creatives, we had the power to make a difference. The idea for Green & Beyond Mag grew organically from our shared desire to work for our planet, but more specifically, to address the "doom and gloom" by offering a positive, aspirational narrative. We saw that while the climate crisis was happening, there wasn't enough focus on how sustainable choices could actually enhance our lives through wellness, travel, and cultural appreciation. So, we decided to use our skills to inspire and educate, creating a platform that fosters connection and inspiration through stories that blend mindful living, our magnificent planet, and the transformative power of art and culture. The decision to focus 100% on it wasn't easy, as leaving stable jobs always comes with its anxieties. However, the conviction that we were building something truly meaningful for the planet and for personal well-being, leveraging the transformative power of creative expression, outweighed those fears. We realized that life's too short not to work for something we believe in, using the skills we have.

Please share your vision for this magazine. Concept, focus of articles, circulation? Who are you trying to reach and what impact are you hoping to have?

Maesha: Our vision for Green & Beyond Mag is to embrace a truly holistic approach to well-being, both for ourselves and for our beautiful planet. We're on a mission to inspire positive action towards a more sustainable world by guiding our audience to nurture their minds and bodies, foster a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, and fall even more in love with the Earth's wonders. We want to shift away from the "doom and gloom" and instead focus on how we can live vibrantly and mindfully, leveraging the incredible power of art and culture as catalysts for change. Our core focus will be on sharing practical ways to travel, eat, practice self-care, and embrace fashion in more earth-friendly ways, all while highlighting how artistic expression and cultural traditions can inspire sustainability and enrich the human experience. We'll feature inspiring stories of individuals, communities, and creative initiatives making a positive impact, framed through the lens of a joyful, sustainable, and culturally rich life.

Shoummo: We're trying to reach everyone who seeks a more harmonious relationship with themselves and the planet! Whether you're a student, an entrepreneur, a job holder, a homemaker, a content creator, a scientist, or an activist - whoever you are, wherever you are in the world, if you're taking steps towards a healthier life and a healthier planet, you have a story to tell. We'll share those stories to inspire a ripple effect of positive actions and a deeper appreciation for our world. Our circulation remains primarily digital, allowing us to connect with a global audience. We want people to understand that living sustainably isn't about deprivation, but about discovering richer, more fulfilling ways to experience life and travel, all while treading lightly on the Earth. And now, crucially, we want to show how art and culture amplify this journey, offering profound ways to connect, heal, and find joy in the world.

What has come easiest for you? What have been the biggest challenges of creating and building an Eco publication. Was there anything unexpected that surprised you?

Maesha: What has come easiest for us is bringing our ideas to life through creativity, especially knowing that we're working towards meaningful positive changes for our planet. There's immense joy in connecting with artists, cultural practitioners, and storytellers who are using their craft to inspire environmental stewardship and personal well-being. We’ve also found it surprisingly easy to discover the innate connection between art, nature, and human flourishing - it’s a natural synergy. The biggest challenge, I'd say, has been consistently maintaining an optimistic outlook in the face of the overwhelming climate crisis, and effectively bridging the diverse fields of environmentalism, wellness, travel, and now art and culture into a cohesive and compelling narrative. It's difficult to convey that sustainability isn't about sacrifice, but about enhancing life quality, and to show how all these elements beautifully intertwine.

Shoummo: For me, the writing itself, working with inspiring stories of people making a difference, and now, connecting with incredible creative minds, has been the most rewarding and, in some ways, the easiest part. The biggest challenge has been navigating the vastness of the climate conversation and ensuring our message of optimism truly resonates without downplaying the severity of the situation. It's a delicate balance. What has been truly unexpected and surprising is the sheer number and diversity of artists and cultural initiatives out there that are already creatively addressing sustainability and well-being. Discovering how powerfully art can cut through noise and touch hearts in a way that data alone often cannot has been incredibly fulfilling and inspiring.

What magazine goals are you working towards in the next year? Next 5 years? Do you think your brand will expand to include events or other directions? IF so what?

Maesha: In the next year, we aim to expand our reach even further, connecting with more unsung heroes, particularly those integrating art and culture into their sustainable practices, and amplifying their stories globally. We also want to explore more diverse storytelling formats to keep our content fresh and engaging, showcasing mindful travel, eco-wellness retreats, and sustainable fashion for travelers, always with an eye on local art and cultural experiences. In the next five years, our vision is for Green & Beyond Mag to be a leading voice in conscious living, a go-to platform for inspiring stories of positive environmental action, personal well-being, and enriching cultural exploration.

Shoummo: We definitely see our brand expanding beyond just the magazine. We’ve already had some incredible opportunities as media partners for events like COP28, and Creatives for Climate Action Thailand (CCAT) Conference, the Regenerative Gala, and many more, which shows the potential for our brand to be involved in real-world initiatives. In the next year, we'd like to delve deeper into partnerships and collaborations, possibly even co-hosting virtual events or webinars that bring our community together for practical discussions and workshops on mindful living, sustainable travel planning, or even virtual art tours. In the next five years, we absolutely envision expanding to include physical events, perhaps curated travel experiences like eco-tours or wellness retreats that incorporate local art and cultural immersion. We'd also love to explore collaborations with art galleries or cultural institutions for eco-themed exhibitions. We’re open to exploring any direction that allows us to further our mission of inspiring hope and action for our planet, ourselves, and its rich cultural heritage.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Maesha: We truly believe that every single action, no matter how small or imperfect, contributes to a larger positive change. We want to encourage everyone to find their own way to contribute, whether it's through sustainable choices, supporting eco-friendly businesses, immersing themselves in mindful travel, or simply appreciating and sharing the power of art and culture. The collective impact of individual choices, amplified by shared experiences and creative expression, is immense.

E+C Bangkok

Shoummo: We're incredibly grateful for the journey we've been on and for every person whose story we've been able to share - especially those who are using their creativity to inspire a better world. It's a challenging but ultimately hopeful path, and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating the efforts of those working towards a healthier planet, a more fulfilling life, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty and richness of global cultures. Thank you for giving us this platform to share our story and our vision.

Links - 

• Website - www.greenandbeyondmag.com/
• Instagram - @greenandbeyondmag
• Facebook - www.facebook.com/greenandbeyondmag
• LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/greenandbeyond/