All Things Sustainable

What if the root cause of the climate crisis isn't pollution, or even fossil fuels, but the economic system itself? In this episode, we sit down with Paul Adler, Professor Emeritus at USC Marshall School of Business and author of The 99% Economy, to unpack why recycling and regulations won't cut it when the system powering our economy is the problem. From the shocking truth about how thin our atmosphere really is to why America's WWII economic mobilization might be the best blueprint we have for climate action, we go deep on why profit-first systems are structurally incompatible with sustainability, what big corporations can teach us about socialist planning, and why building a mass collaborative movement matters far more than electing the right leaders. If you've ever felt like recycling your water bottle just isn't enough, this episode will show you why and what actually might be. Equal parts economic theory and wake-up call, this conversation will change the way you see the climate crisis — and your role in it.

Eighty thousand people. Twenty-three square kilometers of the Nevada desert. Eight days. And then, nothing. No trace. This week on All Things Sustainable, we sit down with Athena Demos and Doug Jacobson, the co-founders behind the official virtual Burning Man experience, The BurnerSphere. From the Moop Map to solar-powered sound camps to a bike recycling program that started at a local high school, we dig into how one of the world's most unconventional gatherings has become a laboratory for sustainable innovation. By reimagining how technology can foster shared presence and radical inclusion, Athena and Doug are redefining sustainability and building a blueprint for what value-driven digital spaces can look like. So, can VR become cultural infrastructure for a more sustainable future? Give the episode a listen and let us know your thoughts!Make sure to check out the BurnerSphere at www.burnersphere.comIt is completely free. No ticket, no VR headset, no carbon footprint, and no feather boa required.

Stuart Jenkins spent four decades in footwear, at companies like Deckers and Hoka, before he walked out of a factory and saw a mountain of discarded foam scraps nearly as tall as the building. That was the moment. In this episode, Stuart breaks down why foam is the shoe industry's dirtiest secret, how he built Blumaka to turn that waste into high-performance insoles and footwear, and what he believes is our best shot at meaningful sustainability. Plus, we discuss greenwashing fatigue, why sustainability departments are often set up to fail, and why the most sustainable product you can make is simply the most durable one.Shop Blumaka and Fleks at:BlumakaFleks Footwear

What if corporate activism could actually feel grassroots? Felipe Guzman, Social Media Lead at Patagonia, shares what it's really like to tell climate stories for one of the world's most mission-driven brands—from creating "Fan Mail" videos based on their own critics to wrestling with when (and how) to speak out on social issues. Felipe opens up about his path from DACA recipient working retail at REI to leading digital strategy at Patagonia, why the company refuses to call itself "sustainable," how Patagonia Action Works connects people with real environmental campaigns, and what went into releasing their brutally honest 2025 Work in Progress report. From boots-on-the-ground organizing in his hometown to navigating the three-second attention span of social media, Felipe reveals why community—not perfection—is what actually moves the needle on climate action.Connect with Patagonia:Instagram: @patagoniaPatagonia Action Works: patagonia.com/actionworksPatagonia Stories: patagonia.com/stories

What if responding to climate change was about creativity, connection, and even pleasure? Allison Agsten, director of USC Annenberg's Center for Climate Journalism and Communication and inaugural Eco-Chaplain, shares how art and storytelling can help us process ecological grief, why intimacy matters more than mass messaging, and how small sustainable choices (like thrifting a pinky ring) can actually feel good. From organizing healing circles for wildfire survivors to carrying rocks through Zoom calls, Allison reveals a refreshingly human approach to climate work that feels nourishing and accesible to all.

Sustainability is trendy, but is it profitable? Dr. Misha Kouzeh has spent her career trying to prove it is. After a shocking realization during her time at Coca-Cola changed everything, she went on to advise organizations like Unilever and the World Health Organization on purpose-driven marketing that actually works. Now, as the founder of Tech Makes History and a TEDx speaker, she's dismantling the biggest myths in sustainable business. Can profit and planet coexist? Is greenwashing unavoidable? Do you need millions of followers to make a difference? And what is up with AI-powered influencers? In this episode, Dr. Kouzeh tackles these questions and reveals what separates performative sustainability from the real deal and how digital storytelling can help. Plus, we explore B Corp certification, how companies like Patagonia and Warby Parker prove sustainability scales, and the surprising truth about influencer activism.Check out Dr. Misha Kouzeh's podcast, Social Media for Social Impact, or follow her on LinkedIn.

In a world facing urgent environmental and social challenges, how are people, communities, and brands rising to meet the moment?Welcome to All Things Sustainable, the show that bridges human stories and sustainable innovation.I’m your host, Nadia, and each episode I sit down with the builders, thinkers, and changemakers who are reimagining what a sustainable future can look like — and what it takes to get there.From global brands walking the talk to grassroots innovators creating solutions in their own communities, we’ll explore the real work, the creative thinking, and the collaboration behind lasting change.Because sustainability isn’t just about technology or policy — it’s about people, purpose, and the stories that move us.Join me, and together, we’ll uncover the pathways shaping a cleaner, greener, and more just world. Give the show a listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your podcasts — and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. I’ll meet you there.