PODCAST · education
Sustainability Defined
by Nethra Rajendran and Cecilia Rios
Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosts Scott Breen and Jay Siegel explore a new topic each episode with the help of an expert in the field. Each concept falls into one of seven sectors -- Energy, Cities, Natural Environment, Transportation, Business, Policy, and Social -- and is visually represented in a Sustainability Tree found at www.sustainabilitydefined.com.
Episodes
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Ep. 103: Mattresses & Forever Chemicals (ft. Naturepedic)
We spend a third of our lives on our mattresses, but what's actually in them? In this episode, we dig into the hidden world of the mattress industry: the flame retardants, petroleum-based foams, and PFAS ("forever chemicals") lurking in conventional mattresses, and what happens when millions of...
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Ep. 102: The Power of Trees
Trees do so much more than make our neighborhoods beautiful. In this episode, we explore the surprising science behind why trees are essential for our mental and physical health, our communities, and our climate. In this episode Cecilia and Nethra discuss how spending time in nature can reduce...
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Ep. 101: Plastic Free Beauty (ft. AORA Makeup)
What does clean beauty actually mean and why does the industry still struggle to agree on a definition? In this episode, Nethra and Cecilia sit down with Nour Tayara, co-founder and CEO of Aura Makeup, a vibrant, plastic-free beauty brand born in Mexico City. A former L'Oréal sustainability lead...
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A SPECIAL Ep. 100: Hot Commodities: Peanuts (ft. Once Again)
We are celebrating a major milestone with episode of 100 of Sustainability Defined! Before diving in, we have a special message for all of our incredible Definers who have been a part of this journey. Thank you for listening, learning, and helping us builld a community dedicated to making...
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Ep. 99: Sustainability & Supply Chains (Ft. The Association for Supply Chain Management)
In this episode of Sustainability Defined, we're switching things up! Before diving into one of our classic storytelling-style breakdowns, we sit down with Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), to unpack the world of sustainable supply chains. If you've been...
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Ep. 98: Hot Commodities: Sugar (ft. Fairtrade America)
In this episode of Hot Commodities, we're diving into the sweet, and often bitter world of sugar. From sprawling sugarcane fields to the products lining our grocery store shelves, sugar is one of the most globally traded commodities, deeply embedded in our food systems and daily lives. But behind...
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Ep. 97: Explained - The 2009 Endangerment Finding
In this episode, Nethra and Cecilia break down the EPA's 2009 Endangerment Finding, the foundation of federal climate regulation in the United States. As repeal efforts gain attention, this episode explores what the Endagerment Finding is, why it matters, and the legal challenges that could…
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Ep. 96: Hot Commodities: Bananas (ft. Equifruit)
Terrorism, corporate pay-offs, open-fire raids, rebranding and scandal....yes, we are talking about bananas. In this episode of our Hot Commodities series, we're peeling back the layers on the world's most popular fruit to reveal a history of corporate empires, political coups, and systematic...
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Ep 95: The State of ESG in 2026
We cut through the noise and jargon to define what ESG actually is and what it isn't. ESG feels like a sea of acyromns and alphabet soup, we help you understand the state of the current landscape and different reporting frameworks. Whether you're new to sustainability reporting or a seasoned...
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Ep 94: 2025 Holiday Hodge Podge
In this festive year-end episode, Cecilia and Nethra are mixing it all together, personal updates, podcast reflections, and the sustainability success stories that made us smile this year. From quirky innovations to feel-good climate wins, we're spotlighting the moments that brought a little…
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Ep 93: Sustainability at the Thanksgiving Table - Joy, Burnout, and Hope (ft. Soapbox Project)
This week on Sustainability Defined, Cecilia and Nethra are bringing the conversation to the Thanksgiving table. We're breaking down how to talk about the climate crisis with the people we love, tackling eco-guilt and burnout, and navigating hope. Join us for a chat with Nivi Achanta, the founder...
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Atypical Ep. 11: The Green Skills Gap (ft. Leafr)
In the hot seat this week - Nick Valenzia, Co-Founder of Leafr. We sat down with Nick to understand the "Green Skills Gap" and what that means in an economy where getting a job in sustainability feels so difficult. How is AI influencing the green jobs market? How is the lack of specialized...
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Ep 92: Hot Commodities: Matcha (ft. Wild Orchard Tea)
Matcha, it's everywhere, from your morning latte to the latest wellness trend. But what does it really take to bring this vibrant green powder from farm to cup, and what can its journey teach us about sustainability? In this week's episode, Nethra and Cecilia peel back the layers of matcha's…
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Episode from Source of Good Podcast: "From Farm to Closet: The Icon Coat by Eileen Fisher"
This week, we're doing a podcast swap with our friends over at Source of Good! Source of Good is a podcast that goes beyond the label of your favorite products, uncovering all the ingenious ways they're being made better for the planet, people, and our future. In each episode, brands and...
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Ep. 91: Navigating NYC Climate Week (ft. Climate Film Fest)
In this episode of Sustainability Defined, we're taking you inside NYC Climate Week 2025, one of the biggest sustainability events of the year. We'll share tips on how to navigate the overwhelming mix of panels, networking sessions, and activations, and give you a sneak peek into the events we'll...
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Ep. 90: The Farm to Table Movement (with Chef Ariane Daguin)
Farm to Table — sounds obvious, right? But how did something so seemingly simple become such a radical act? In this week's episode, Nethra and Cecilia unpack the history, philosophy, and misconceptions surrounding the farm-to-table movement — from its roots in counterculture to its current role…
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Ep. 89: Sunscreen 101: Reef-safe, SPF, Myths and Impact on Marine Life (ft. Surfrider Foundation)
Sunscreen usage has risen exponentially over the last decade - and with summer finally here, Cecilia and Nethra are exploring the impacts of sunscreen on our bodies and marine life. How does sunscreen break down in our ecosystems? What is "Reef-Safe"? What are the solutions to the accumulation of...
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Ep. 88: The Plastic Trail of Your Online Order - and the Seaweed Alternative
Online shopping is convenient, but at what cost?! In this episode, we explore the massive plastic footprint hidden in your doorstep deliveries, from poly mailers to mixed-material packaging that often ends up in landfills. Cecilia and Nethra break down the environmental toll of e-commerce and...
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Ep 87: Wetlands & The World's Largest Restoration Project
Wetlands are the unsung heroes of climate resilience. From flood protection to water filtration, these ecosystems are biodiversity hot spots and are critical for the health of our planet. In this episode, learn more about what exactly a wetland is and how they are vital. Learn about the world's...
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Atypical Ep. 10: Innovations in Sustainable Aviation - Insights from the Airbus Summit
Did you know that airplanes can run on waste cooking oil, municipal solid waste, forestry waste, and even algae in the form of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs)? Well, they can. Biomimicry, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), and aircrafts inspired by GEESE? Learn about some of the innovations...
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Ep 86: Hot Commodities: Chocolate & Sustainability (ft. Tony's Chocolonely)
Welcome to the first episode of Hot Commodities: Chocolate & Sustainability, a new series from Sustainability Defined! Meet your new hosts, Cecilia and Nethra, as they dive into the environmental and social challenges within the chocolate supply chain. From cacao farming to the final product…
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Atypical Ep. 9: Meet Your New Hosts!
👋 Big news, Definers! We're thrilled to introduce your NEW podcast hosts, Cecilia Rios & Nethra Rajendran! We are excited to be passing the mic to two incredible voices. In this episode, Jay and Scott join Cecilia and Nethra for a warm welcome and a sneak peek at what's to come with…
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Episode from Sea Change Podcast: "All Gassed Up: Part 1: The Carbon Coast"
This month we are continuing our break and sharing another episode from the Sea Change Podcast! However, stay tuned for next month as we are on track to introduce you to our new hosts. We are so excited to introduce you to them! Find Sea Change on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your...
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Episode from Hazard NJ Podcast: "First a Miracle, Then a Curse"
Happy New Year, Definers! This month we are continuing our break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member, independent podcast producer and investigative journalist - Jordan Gass-Poore'. "Hazard NJ" is an NJ Spotlight News podcast that examines serious pollution issues. Season…
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Ep. 85: 2024 Holiday Hodge Podge
The end of the year is near! It's time for our annual Holiday Hodge Podge episode. This year we summarize some of our favorite podcast and sustainability moments from the year and of all time, Jay and Scott provide personal updates and their favorite sustainability articles of the year, and we…
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*UPDATED* Ep. 52: Feminine Hygiene Products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills (DAME)
Happy November Definers! This month we are continuing our break and resharing a listener favorite, Episode #52: Feminine Hygiene Products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills of DAME. Unfortunately, the artificial sensitivities around the topic of this episode - feminine hygiene products - have…
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Episode from Sea Change Podcast: "Bringing Back The Beach"
This month we are on break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member and environmental journalist - Eva Tesfaye. We hope you enjoy it! Two reminders: —We announced last month Jay and Scott are moving on and accepting applications from Definers to take over the show. More details...
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Atypical Ep. 8: Jay and Scott are Moving On…You Can Take Over!
Happy September Definers! We've got a bit of a different episode for you all this month as we discuss what is next for Sustainability Defined through the rest of the year and beyond. As we mention in this month's short episode, we are hoping to pass along the show to the next generation of hosts....
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Ep 84: Sustainable Jewelry with Anna-Mieke Anderson (MiaDonna)
Fine jewelry is made from precious metals, think gold and silver, and stones, like diamonds or other gemstones. Traditionally these raw materials are mined from deep in the earth's mantle and produced with extensive human labor to create the rings, necklaces, and other jewelry pieces we love to...
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Ep. 83 Avocado Sustainability with Honor Eldridge (Author of "The Avocado Debate")
Definers, we're back this month with a fun episode around a fan favorite, the avocado! It is estimated that per capita consumption of avocados in the United States has grown by 440% in the last 20 years and around 11 billion pounds of avocados are eaten globally. This has raised many questions...
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Ep 82: Forest Management with Chris Reeves (P&G) and Amy Clark Eagle (Forest Stewardship Council U.S.)
Definers, did you know that forests cover one third of land globally and house some of the earth's most precious natural resources? In this month's episode, we're discussing forest management and how organizations are working to maintain and enhance the economic, social, and environmental value…
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Ep. 81: Resiliency in Residential Real Estate with Becky Becker (Equity Residential) and Lindsay Brugger (Urban Land Institute)
Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and scorching summers are putting a strain on residential real estate. Research on nearly 200 climate events from 2000 to 2019 from The World Economic Forum found that the global costs associated with climate change have cost around $2.8 trillion, when...
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Atypical Ep 7: Responsible Beauty
Happy April Definers! We're back this month with a special bonus episode about P&G Responsible Beauty, sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). Through Responsible Beauty, P&G has committed to being a positive force for beauty in the world as they work to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and...
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Ep 80: Carbon Removal with Ben Rubin (Carbon Business Council)
Since many of our current decarbonization and greenhouse gas reduction pathways aren't making progress at the needed scale, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change( IPCC) found that carbon removal is now "essential" to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Many cite carbon...
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Atypical Ep 6: The Uproot Project
We're back this month with a special atypical episode featuring The Uproot Project! The Uproot Project is a network for and by environmental journalists of color. The organization is working to address the need for more journalists of color in newsrooms covering environmental topics. During the...
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Ep 79: 2023 Holiday Hodge-Podge
Happy December Definers! It is time again for our annual Holiday Hodge Podge episode. Tune in to hear the Sustainability Defined Team's favorite podcast moments from the year and interesting sustainability articles, meet our Research & Operations Director, Taylor, and hear Scott and Jay's...
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Ep 78: Invasive Species with Leigh Greenwood (The Nature Conservancy)
Invasive species are known to cause harm to the environment, economies, and even human health. Managing these species has become of major concern globally, as invasive species are one of the top factors that contribute to biodiversity loss. In fact, a 2023 United Nations global assessment report...
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Ep. 77 Human Rights in Supply Chains with Aruna Kashyap (Human Rights Watch) and Alex Silberman (U.S. Department of Labor)
Business supply chains are complex, diverse, and have a lot of stakeholders. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 450 million people work in supply chain-related jobs. In this month's new episode, we break down the landscape of global supply chains and the...
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Ep 76: Rare Earths with Scott Dunn (Noveon Magnetics)
This month we are talking all about rare earths, the role they play in today's society and the efforts to improve their sustainability. While you may not be familiar with the 17 rare earth elements, the chances are very high that if you're reading this right now, rare earths are actually a common...
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Ep 75: The Energy Grid with Kristina Skierka (Power for All)
Our July episode is all about the energy grid! We discuss how electric grids work, the conditions of grids around the world, and emerging trends and policies that can improve grid sustainability and resiliency. We are joined in the episode by Kristina Skierka, CEO at Power for All. Power for All…
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Ep 74: Transparency with Dan Saccardi (Ceres) & Kathy Mulvey (Union of Concerned Scientists)
We are back this month with an episode on transparency. Historically, businesses have kept a lot of information guarded, but when it comes to sustainability, more companies are using transparency to make decisions, gain trust, and engage with their consumers, investors, and other key…
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Atypical Ep 5: STAFFER Podcast Episode with Mike Boots (Breakthrough Energy and Gates Ventures)
We're taking this month off, but we still have new content for you in the form of an episode of one of our favorite podcasts–STAFFER. STAFFER is a weekly podcast with former staffers sharing their stories of working on the Hill hosted by Jim Papa of Global Strategy Group. This episode features an...
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Bonus Episode: Georgetown University's Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management (MS-ESM) Program
This new bonus episode introduces our Definers to the Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management Program, or MS-ESM program at Georgetown University. The MS-ESM program is a full-time, 11-month interdisciplinary program held on-campus in Washington, D.C. Over the 11 month time...
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Ep 73: Water Conservation with Ashley Fill (Procter & Gamble)
This episode is on water conservation and #sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). Water is Earth's most abundant natural resource, as more than 71% of the Earth's surface is water. However, freshwater that can be used by humans is only a small percentage of this available water. Because of this we...
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Bonus Episode: Yale's Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Certificate Program
We know Definers are always hungry for ways to maximize their impact within sustainability, so we're excited to focus today's bonus episode on Yale's Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Program. Yale's Financing and Deploying Clean Energy (FDCE) online certificate program trains and connects...
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Ep 72: Biodiversity with Dr. Paula Ehrlich (E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation)
Biodiversity underpins many things we rely on (think food, water, and oxygen). In fact, half of the world's GDP is dependent on natural resources. This means that about $44 trillion of economic value across the globe relies on nature and its interconnectedness. So... something worth paying...
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Ep 71: Water & Agriculture with Ashwin Madgavkar (Ceres Imaging)
From the carrots you're munching on to the chocolate in your grande extra-whip double-mocha latte (no judgment), agricultural water use underpins most everything we eat on a daily basis. In fact, agriculture on average accounts for 70% of all freshwater withdrawals globally - enough to cover the...
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Bonus Episode: Conversation with David Sandalow (Inaugural Fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University; Zayed Sustainability Prize Selection Committee Member - Energy Category)
We're excited to partner with the Zayed Sustainability Prize to bring you a special pair of episodes focusing on this transformative global award that recognizes organizations and high schools driving impactful sustainability solutions across five distinct categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water...
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Ep 70: 2022 Holiday Hodge-Podge
Tis the season for our annual Holiday Hodge-Podge episode! Join Scott and Jay as they share their favorite 2022 Sustainability Defined moments, interesting sustainability articles, work and personal updates, and sustainable gift ideas - PLUS our Instagram holiday gift giveaway and an opportunity...
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Ep 69: Air Pollution with Molly Rauch & Almeta Cooper (Moms Clean Air Force)
We hope this episode is a breath of fresh air on a critical topic. In 2019, 99% of the world's population lived in places where the World Health Organization air quality guideline levels were not met. Air pollution is widespread and can have tremendous negative impacts on public health and the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosts Scott Breen and Jay Siegel explore a new topic each episode with the help of an expert in the field. Each concept falls into one of seven sectors -- Energy, Cities, Natural Environment, Transportation, Business, Policy, and Social -- and is visually represented in a Sustainability Tree found at www.sustainabilitydefined.com.
HOSTED BY
Nethra Rajendran and Cecilia Rios
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Sustainability Defined have?
Sustainability Defined currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Sustainability Defined about?
Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosts Scott Breen and Jay Siegel explore a new topic each episode with the help of an expert in the field. Each concept falls into one of seven sectors -- Energy, Cities, Natural Environment,...
How often does Sustainability Defined release new episodes?
Sustainability Defined has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Sustainability Defined?
You can listen to Sustainability Defined on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Sustainability Defined?
Sustainability Defined is created and hosted by Nethra Rajendran and Cecilia Rios.
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