Green Champions

Did you know that plastics are as different from each other as paper is from metal? Joseph Klatt, founder of Marble Plastics, dives into the complex world of polymer types and how they impact our efforts to recycle plastic waste.Joseph’s passion for sustainability was sparked by an unlikely source - a college job collecting recycling by bicycle. This hands-on experience ignited his fascination with waste management, leading him to pursue environmental studies. Joseph's career took him from the Ohio EPA, where he developed an innovative business-to-business recycling platform, to the Netherlands, where he joined the open-source Precious Plastic community. There, he gained invaluable insights into small-scale plastic recycling and fostering a grassroots movement. His journey continued in Portugal, training communities worldwide to implement Precious Plastics' recycling technology. Driven by a desire to tackle the plastic crisis head-on, Joseph founded Marble Plastics, creating beautiful, durable goods from 100% recycled plastic sheets. Discover how this green champion transformed his passion into a mission to revolutionize plastic recycling.Episode in a glance- The plastic waste issue and its impact on the environment- Joseph's journey into plastics- Connecting businesses for waste recycling and reuse- The path to developing community at Precious Plastic- How different polymers and their impact on recycling- Marble Plastics and their sustainability workAbout Joseph KlattJoseph Klatt is the founder of Marble Plastics, a company pioneering the creation of beautiful, durable products from 100% recycled plastic sheets. His passion for sustainability was ignited by a college job collecting recycling by bicycle, which led him to study environmental management. After developing a business-to-business recycling platform at the Ohio EPA, Joseph joined the open-source Precious Plastics community in the Netherlands, where he gained expertise in small-scale plastic recycling and fostering mission-driven movements. He then transitioned to Portugal, training communities worldwide to implement Precious Plastics' recycling technology. Driven by a desire to revolutionize plastic recycling and promote circularity, Joseph founded Marble Plastics to transform plastic waste into stunning furniture, countertops, and wall coverings, diverting materials from landfills while creating beautiful, eco-friendly products.Connect with Joseph Klatt, Precious Plastic, and Marble PlasticsPrecious Plastic → https://www.preciousplastic.com/Marble Plastics → https://marbleplastics.com/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/marbleplastics/Send us a message!

Angela Huffman is the President and co-founder of Farm Action, a nonpartisan, farmer-led watchdog that holds government and corporate power accountable in food and agriculture. She's back to talk about sustainability as it relates to agricultural policy and family farms, and what it really takes to push for change in Washington.Angela is the sixth generation on her family's farm up in northwest Ohio. She's really seen firsthand how hard farmers work, how little control they often have over their success, and how corporate consolidation has quietly reshaped the food system over the last forty years. That's the story she carries with her into every letter to Congress, every rally, every petition. It's also what makes her so clear-eyed about the stakes: the average American farmer is around 60 years old, and unless something shifts, a lot of those farms, and a lot of those communities, won't make it to the next generation.Angela walks us through what Farm Action actually does day to day, from tracking shareholder reports and USDA data to running a consolidation data hub that maps every sector of agriculture. She unpacks why so many farmers are pushed into growing commodity crops like corn and soybeans, how contract growers raising chickens for companies like Tyson can be blackballed for simply speaking out, and the years-long fight to restore truth to the "Product of USA" label so consumers finally know where their beef is actually from. And she leaves us with something we can all do about it, whether that's signing up for a newsletter, calling your member of Congress, or voting with your food dollars at the farmers market down the street.Episode in a glance00:10 Meet Angela Huffman & Farm Action01:29 Inside Farm Action's Watchdog Research07:38 What It's Really Like to Be a Farmer Today12:44 Tyson, Contracts & Retaliation Against Farmers15:23 The Product of USA Labeling Win20:35 How You Can Help Fix the Food SystemAbout Angela HuffmanAngela Huffman is the co-founder and president of Farm Action, a national advocacy organization fighting corporate consolidation across the U.S. food and agriculture system. A sixth-generation Ohio farmer with a background in English and public policy from Ohio State, Angela has spent more than 15 years at the intersection of farming, communications, and federal policy, translating on-the-ground realities into pressure that moves lawmakers.Connect with Angela Huffman and her work with Farm ActionAngela on LinkedIn → Angela HuffmanFarm Action → farmaction.usSend us a message!

Angela Huffman is the co-founder and president of Farm Action, a watchdog organization working to dismantle corporate consolidation across the U.S. food supply chain. In this conversation, she unpacks how a handful of corporations came to shape what ends up on America's dinner plates, and what it will take to shift that power back toward farmers, workers, and consumers.Two hundred years ago, Angela's family put down roots on a patch of land in northwest Ohio. Six generations later, she's still there, raising Katahdin sheep between trips to Washington, D.C., where she splits her time lobbying for the very kind of family farm she grew up visiting. Her path wasn't a straight line. It wound through a year teaching English in Japan, where a convenience-store sandwich quietly exposed how broken American food had become. It passed through a volunteer stint gathering signatures for an Ohio animal welfare ballot measure, and a slow-dawning realization that the farmers she loved were getting squeezed, not by the weather, but by the market itself.That realization became Farm Action. With co-founder Joe, Angela built an organization that treats research as the foundation and communication as the lever. The work starts by uncovering how corporate power distorts the food system, then translating it into language the public and policymakers can actually act on. When egg prices spiked during the avian flu, her team dug in and showed that the largest producers had zero outbreaks yet were posting record profits. The narrative shifted. Prices came down.Episode in a glance1:32 Meet Angela Huffman, sixth-generation Ohio farmer with roots 200 years deep2:05 Life on the farm raising Katahdin sheep while balancing policy work3:36 From farm kid to policy advocate: realizing farmers needed a stronger voice4:47 Discovering a different food system in Japan17:03 Co-founding Farm Action: taking on corporate consolidation in agriculture19:14 Volunteering on the 2010 Ohio farm animal welfare ballotAbout Angela HuffmanAngela Huffman is the co-founder and president of Farm Action, a national advocacy organization fighting corporate consolidation across the U.S. food and agriculture system. A sixth-generation Ohio farmer with a background in English and public policy from Ohio State, Angela has spent more than 15 years at the intersection of farming, communications, and federal policy, translating on-the-ground realities into pressure that moves lawmakers.Connect with Angela Huffman and her work with Farm ActionAngela on LinkedIn → Angela HuffmanFarm Action → farmaction.usSend us a message!

Up to a third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted, and up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions are tied to it. The opportunity to fix that sits largely inside professional kitchens, and most of them have no system for even measuring the problem. That is exactly what Andrew Shakman in Leanpath was built to change.Andrew's reframe for kitchens is simple and a little uncomfortable: they are factories. High volume, high complexity, constantly changing menus, and almost none of the process improvement thinking that transformed manufacturing over the last century. No Six Sigma. No statistical process control. Just skilled people running on experience and a deep, quiet anxiety about running out of food. That anxiety, Andrew explains, is where most waste actually comes from. Not negligence, not carelessness, but a system designed to use waste as a buffer against risk. Once you see it that way, the problem starts to look solvable.Leanpath's approach is to make the invisible visible. A camera above a bin, a scale underneath it, and suddenly a kitchen knows not just that food is being wasted, but what, how much, and why. Andrew walks through twenty years of that evolution, from rudimentary touchscreens and USB sticks in 2004 to AI-powered tracking today. He also makes a case that doesn't get made often enough: that frontline kitchen workers are among the most underestimated climate actors in the world. They already understand the value of food. What Leanpath gives them is the data to act on it, and the evidence that their daily choices add up to something impactful.Episode in a glance00:36 Why a Third of All Food Never Gets Eaten02:09 The Management Science Kitchens Are Missing04:51 What Leanpath Actually Does Inside a Kitchen11:32 Touchless Tracking Without Thoughtless Wasting17:48 Why There Are No Bad Actors in Food WasteAbout Andrew ShakmanAndrew Shakman is the co-founder and CEO of Leanpath, the global leader in food waste prevention technology for foodservice operations. With a background spanning theater, film producing, and early internet digital marketing, Andrew brings a distinctly human-centered lens to one of the most consequential environmental challenges of our time. Under his leadership, Leanpath has grown into an enterprise platform used in over 50 countries, helping some of the world's largest food service and hospitality organizations measure, understand, and dramatically reduce the food they waste.Connect with Andrew Shakman and his workAndrew Shakman on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-shakman-3861/Leanpath → leanpath.comSend us a message!

Andrew Shakman is the CEO of Leanpath, a company on a mission to make food waste prevention everyday practice in professional kitchens worldwide. Before any of that, he was a child actor, a film school graduate, and a digital marketer selling Cap'n Crunch on the early internet.Andrew Shakman did not set out to work in sustainability. He set out to tell stories that mattered. What drew him, from early childhood through film school and into his career, was a hunger for meaning and a fascination with how things work. His father was a preventive medicine pioneer writing about food and health in the 1970s, long before the medical world caught up. It took Andrew ten years of running Leanpath to realize he had followed the same instinct into a different field. That kind of slow, earned self-awareness runs all through his story.What makes Andrew's background so interesting is how little of it looks deliberate from the outside. Theater in college. An MFA in film producing. One of the first digital marketing agencies on the early internet, where he happened to land food and beverage clients. Each chapter looks like a detour until Andrew connects the dots himself, and suddenly the whole thing makes sense. By the time he stumbled into food waste, he had already spent years learning how to build things, how to bring people along, and how to make a complex problem feel urgent to someone who has never thought about it before. He calls it baking a four-layer cake: get people to care about food waste, convince them prevention beats composting, show them measurement is the path to prevention, then make the case for automation. Most conversations never made it past the first layer. It turned out those were exactly the skills that problem needed.Episode at a Glance00:54 Why Storytelling Is the Most Powerful Tool for Change03:27 The "Prevention" seed: Growing up in a mission-driven home05:02 From Film School to the Early Internet07:17 How Food Brands Changed Everything12:53 The Four-Layer Cake of Food Waste Analogy19:18 Leadership lessons learned from training "problem horses"About Andrew ShakmanAndrew Shakman is the co-founder and CEO of Leanpath, the global leader in food waste prevention technology for foodservice operations. With a background spanning theater, film producing, and early internet digital marketing, Andrew brings a distinctly human-centered lens to one of the most consequential environmental challenges of our time. Under his leadership, Leanpath has grown into an enterprise platform used in over 50 countries, helping some of the world's largest food service and hospitality organizations measure, understand, and dramatically reduce the food they waste.Connect with Andrew Shakman and his workAndrew Shakman on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-shakman-3861/Leanpath → leanpath.comSend us a message!

Nancy Zavada returns for part two of her Green Champions conversation, this time pulling back the curtain on the actual work behind sustainable events. As president of MeetGreen, Nancy has saved clients $7.8 million in sustainability-driven decisions and cut $2.5 million in aisle carpet alone from a single event last year. This episode is a masterclass in making the business case for doing things better.On a cross-country flight, she ordered tea in economy and got a styrofoam cup, a plastic stir stick, and a sugar packet. On the way back, upgraded to first class, the same tea arrived in a china cup with a silver spoon and a sugar cube. That airline wasn't trying to be sustainable. They were trying to be elegant. Nancy's point is that we've somehow convinced ourselves that sustainability means sacrifice, when the most refined, considered experiences have always been the most efficient.The practical strategies Nancy shares in this episode are the kind that stick. The Clean Plate Club, which turns food waste reduction into a community game at multi-day conferences. The stone-in-a-jar voting system that replaced conference swag with charitable giving. The carbon uncalculator MeetGreen built during COVID to show clients exactly how much emissions they avoided by going virtual. And the emerging Hub and Spoke event model that she believes is the next major shift in how organizations gather. Each idea is grounded in the same philosophy: reduce first, always. Then measure, share the data, and let the numbers do the talking.Episode in a glance02:08 The internal focus group: Balancing logistics with sustainability04:54 Rebranding Green: Why first class is the ultimate sustainability model06:46 The Clean Plate Club: Gamifying food waste at scale14:00 The $7.8M Business Case: Saving money through intentional reduction23:44 The Hub and Spoke: Why the future of gathering is regionalAbout Nancy ZavadaNancy Zavada is the Founder and President of MeetGreen, a firm dedicated to providing sustainable event management and consulting for some of the world's most recognizable brands. With over three decades of experience, Nancy is a recognized leader in the industry, helping organizations reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining high-quality attendee experiences. She is an Oregon native, a lifelong environmentalist, and a passionate mentor to the next generation of green event professionals.Connect with Nancy Zavada and her workEmail → [email protected] → Nancy ZavadaCompany Website → MeetGreenSend us a message!

Nancy Zavada is the founder and president of MeetGreen, a sustainable event agency that has spent over 30 years helping organizations design and deliver events that are both environmentally responsible and genuinely exceptional.Nancy grew up on the Oregon Coast, where recycling wasn't a trend but a way of life. She never set out to start a company. She was simply an event planner who noticed something she couldn't unsee: a single five-day conference for 2,500 people would generate 31,000 styrofoam cups destined straight for the landfill. That moment didn't just bother her. It moved her. She made one different ordering decision, told everyone about it, and never looked back. That's the kind of founder Nancy is. Not the type chasing product market fit, but the type whose values simply outgrew the room she was in.What followed was 32 years of building MeetGreen into a firm that serves clients from 300-person workshops to 60,000-person global conferences across Singapore, Brazil, Denmark, and beyond. Nancy shares the practical wisdom behind her approach: find the champion in every room, lead with education, and always make the business case. She also offers a beautifully simple piece of advice for young sustainability professionals: don't try to take on the world. Pick one thing. Get really good at it. Then pick the next one.Episode in a glance00:10 Meet the Woman Who's Been Greening Events Since Before It Was a Thing03:16 31,000 Styrofoam Cups in One Week: The Moment That Started It All06:03 Before It Was Called Sustainability: Pioneering Green Meetings in 199408:57 Still an Accidental Founder After 32 Years: The MeetGreen Origin Story13:13 How COVID Forced the Events Industry to Finally Catch Up16:15 Pick One Thing, Get Really Good at It, Then Pick the Next OneAbout Nancy ZavadaNancy Zavada is the Founder and President of MeetGreen, a firm dedicated to providing sustainable event management and consulting for some of the world's most recognizable brands. With over three decades of experience, Nancy is a recognized leader in the industry, helping organizations reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining high-quality attendee experiences. She is an Oregon native, a lifelong environmentalist, and a passionate mentor to the next generation of green event professionals.Connect with Nancy Zavada and her workEmail → [email protected] → Nancy ZavadaCompany Website → MeetGreenSend us a message!

Karimah Hudda, founder of Illumine Earth, returns for part two of her conversation with Dominique and Christy. After exploring her roots, Karimah dives into her "champion story." From the mountains of Indonesia to the boardrooms of global giants, she shares the tactical moves and mindset shifts required to rebalance power in global supply chains and lead with purpose. Karimah recounts a powerful story from Aceh, Indonesia, where a simple shift in strategic planning allowed 100 farmers to fundamentally change their relationship with exporters. It’s a vivid reminder that real impact isn’t about doing the work for people, it’s about providing the tools for them to unleash their own potential. Karimah challenges the idea that systems change has to be slow and complicated, offering a refreshing mantra for anyone trying to make a difference: simplify, believe in people, and stay messy.The conversation also tackles the corporate "survival guide" for sustainability leaders. Karimah breaks down her signature framework for driving change without burning out. She explains why you must learn the "language of the business" (because the business won't learn yours) and how to balance personal, enterprise, and industry leadership.Episode in a glance04:56 From guerrilla warriors to expert coffee negotiators08:28 Karimah's mantra: Simplify, believe in people, and stay messy16:47 The challenge of passing the torch in long-term work19:51 The 3 Pillars: Personal, Enterprise, and Industry leadership22:38 Unlearning burnout: Why sustainability leaders must "flourish"About Karimah HuddaKarimah Hudda is the founder of Illumine Earth, a consultancy focused on helping leaders navigate complexity and drive systems change. With over 20 years of experience, she has led sustainability initiatives for global brands, non-profits, and community-based organizations. Karimah is a passionate advocate for equity and has lived, worked, and traveled in nearly 50 countries, bringing a truly global perspective to the fight for a more sustainable and just world.Connect with Karimah Hudda and her workWebsite → illumine.earthLinkedIn → Karimah HuddaSend us a message!

Karimah Hudda, founder of Illumine Earth, has spent two decades working where sustainability, leadership, and global systems meet. She discuss how her multicultural upbringing and work across 50 countries shaped her approach to equity. Karimah shares how she navigates the complexities of power to turn core values into real-world action.Why do we introduce ourselves by our titles instead of our roots? For Karimah Hudda, the journey didn’t start in a boardroom. It started with her grandmother’s courage in a small Indian village. Karimah shares how a legacy of compassion and a belief in "shared humanity" led her from studying microbiology to transforming global supply chains. She takes us behind the scenes of the Fairtrade movement, explaining how simple shifts in equity can change the lives of hundreds of thousands of farmers.But how do you bring that grassroots mission into a massive corporation? Karimah pulls back the curtain on her time at giants like Mondelēz and Nike, revealing the "messy" reality of corporate sustainability. From flying to Zurich weekly to land a global coffee strategy, to using satellites to track the world’s palm oil, she shares what it actually takes to move the needle within a corporate hierarchy.Episode in a glance01:03 More than a title: Who are you really?04:54 Giving up medicine for global impact09:46 Behind the scenes of the Fairtrade movement13:31 Going "In-House": Corporate life at Mondelēz21:07 Using satellites to solve the Palm Oil problem23:45 How to get noticed in the sustainability worldAbout Karimah HuddaKarimah Hudda is the founder of Illumine Earth, a consultancy focused on helping leaders navigate complexity and drive systems change. With over 20 years of experience, she has led sustainability initiatives for global brands, non-profits, and community-based organizations. Karimah is a passionate advocate for equity and has lived, worked, and traveled in nearly 50 countries, bringing a truly global perspective to the fight for a more sustainable and just world.Connect with Karimah Hudda and her workWebsite → illumine.earthLinkedIn → Karimah HuddaSend us a message!

Season 5 is here, and we have some exciting news. Christy Cook is officially joining Green Champions as co-host! You may already know Christy from her previous guest appearance, and now she's here to stay. If you're missing the voice of former co-host Adam Morris, don't worry. You can still catch him on his podcast, People Helping People, on all listening platforms.So who is Christy? She's a sustainability consultant and entrepreneur with over twenty years of experience in corporate sustainability, ESG, and customer success, having worked with major players like Walmart, Sodexo, and the UN Environment Program. She's also been a mentor and trusted sounding board for Dominique behind the scenes for years, so this partnership has been a long time coming.In this intro episode, Dominique and Christy share a little about what makes them tick. Christy's light bulb moment traces back to her time at Emory University, where she got to explore how food systems could create a real sense of place and community on campus and realized sustainability could actually be a career. Dominique's "why" is a little closer to her heart: her family. With relatives living on an island directly impacted by climate change, protecting the planet feels like a personal responsibility, not just a professional one.Together, they bring different lenses to the work. Christy with her big-picture corporate perspective, Dominique with her engineer's instinct for building processes that are replicable and scalable. As they look forward to Season 5, they promise to explore uncharted territory. From the sustainability of our sports stadiums to the hidden figures in our food systems, all while maintaining the heartwarming, real-world storytelling that has defined the first 100 episodes of Green Champions.Episode in a glance00:21 Meet the New Co-Host: Christy Cook01:57 Dominique's Process-Driven Approach04:20 Celebrating 100 Episodes and the Season 5 Roadmap06:10 Finding Our "Why"10:11 The Power of Creativity and Family12:09 What's Coming This SeasonAbout Christy CookChristy Cook is a sustainability consultant and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in corporate sustainability, ESG, and customer success. She has helped some of the world’s largest organizations—including the United Nations Environment Program, Sodexo, and Walmart—take meaningful action. A mentor and advocate, Christy is driven by a deep curiosity about lived experiences and how they can be leveraged to create a more sustainable world.About Dominique HadadDominique Hadad is the founder of Green Scope Consulting and a process-oriented engineer who uses her skills to help government and enterprise clients develop replicable sustainability programs. A winner of the Ohio State University President’s Prize, Dominique is dedicated to making climate action go further through data measurement and strategic program development.Connect with Green ChampionsWebsite → thegreenchampions.comInstagram → @greenchampionspodLinkedIn → Green Champions PodcastLearn more about Green Scope Consulting → Green Scope ConsultingFollow Adam’s Podcast → People Helping People PodcastLearn more about InvestHER Strategies → InvestHER StrategiesSend us a message!

Lauren Koch, Sustainability Senior Program Manager at Mars Veterinary Health, is a passionate advocate for purpose-driven work and a champion for sustainability in the healthcare sector. She delves into her impactful work, sharing how she has successfully navigated the complexities of both human and animal healthcare to create lasting, sustainable change.Lauren gives us an inside look at her passion for driving waste reduction responsible pharmaceutical stewardship, and more, Lauren explains the unique ways biodiversity is addressed in the veterinary world, from creating pollinator gardens at clinics to ensuring the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals to protect local ecosystems.She provides a masterclass in advocating for sustainability within large organizations, detailing projects focused on recycling, waste prevention through reusable sterilization tins, and reducing the carbon footprint of anesthetic gases. Lauren draws fascinating parallels between her current role and her previous work at the OSU Wexner Medical Center, sharing the powerful story of a two-year project to implement reusable sharps containers, a seemingly simple change that diverted 70 tons of waste annually. Finally, Lauren reflects on what keeps her optimistic, highlighting the deep commitment to sustainability at Mars and the power of working for a purpose-driven company.Episode in a glance00:57 Lauren’s Role at Mars Veterinary Health03:03 What is Biodiversity in the Veterinary World?06:19 The Net Zero Journey in Healthcare10:34 A Champion Story The Reusable Sharps Container Project16:41 The Immense Scale of Healthcare Waste21:51 What Keeps Lauren Hopeful and OptimisticAbout Lauren KochLauren Koch is the Sustainability Senior Program Manager at Mars Veterinary Health, where she leads initiatives to create a more sustainable future for pets, people, and the planet. With a diverse background that spans business, public policy, and environmental science, she is a passionate advocate for data-driven strategies and collaborative action. Lauren's journey is a powerful reminder that a career with impact is always within reach if you're willing to ask questions, build relationships, and never stop learning.Connect with Lauren Koch and her work:Lauren Koch LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-koch-oh/Mars Veterinary Health → https://marsveterinary.comMars Veterinary Health Sustainability Report → https://www.marsveterinary.com/media/uploads/2025/01/Mars-Veterinary-Health-2024-Environmental-Sustainability-Report.pdfGreen Building Article → https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283624285_Energy_performance_of_campus_LeedR_buildings_Implications_for_green_building_and_energy_policyHealth Care Without Harm → https://noharm.org/Practice Greenhealth → https://practicegreenhealth.org/Green Columbus → https://www.greencbus.org/FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed) → https://www.olentangywatershed.org/Send us a message!

Lauren Koch, Sustainability Senior Program Manager at Mars Veterinary Health, is a passionate advocate for purpose-driven work and a champion for sustainability in the healthcare sector. Lauren shares the story of how a viewing of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" during a moment of career uncertainty ignited her passion for environmental action. She recounts her decision to return to Ohio State University to pursue a dual Master's degree, where a conversation with the legendary Neil Drobny opened her eyes to the world of sustainability in business. This "aha" moment set her on a path that would combine her business acumen with her deep desire to make a positive impact.She discusses her early work at the OSU Wexner Medical Center, where she began weaving sustainability into her role as an office manager, researching best practices, and building a case for a dedicated sustainability program. This initiative and her volunteer work with local organizations like Green Columbus and FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed) paved the way for her role at Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth. Lauren offers invaluable advice for those looking to break into the sustainability field, emphasizing the power of volunteering, seeking informational interviews, and the importance of "paying it forward." She also explores the complex, and often surprising, parallels between human healthcare and veterinary health, and the universal challenges and strategies for implementing sustainability in a clinical setting.Episode in a glance00:59 An "Inconvenient Truth" and a New Career Path04:09 The GEICO Program That Taught Her About Purpose06:38 From Office Manager to Sustainability Advocate08:41 Advice for Aspiring Sustainability Professionals14:06 Navigating the Safety vs. Sustainability Conversation18:13 The Surprising Similarities Between Human and Animal HealthcareAbout Lauren KochLauren Koch is the Sustainability Senior Program Manager at Mars Veterinary Health, where she leads initiatives to create a more sustainable future for pets, people, and the planet. With a diverse background that spans business, public policy, and environmental science, she is a passionate advocate for data-driven strategies and collaborative action. Lauren's journey is a powerful reminder that a career with impact is always within reach if you're willing to ask questions, build relationships, and never stop learning.Connect with Lauren Koch and her work:Lauren Koch LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-koch-oh/Mars Veterinary Health → https://www.marsveterinary.com/Mars Veterinary Health Sustainability Report → https://www.marsveterinary.com/media/uploads/2025/01/Mars-Veterinary-Health-2024-Environmental-Sustainability-Report.pdfGreen Building article → (PDF) Energy performance of campus Leed® buildings: Implications for green building and energy policyHealth Care Without Harm → https://noharm.org/Practice Greenhealth → https://practicegreenhealth.org/Green Columbus → https://www.greencbus.org/FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed) → https://www.olentangywatershed.org/Send us a message!

Brody Olson, the Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck, is here to prove that "junk removal" is about much more than just a trip to the dump. It's about empathy, community, and finding a second, third, or even fourth life for the items we no longer need. Brody pulls back the curtain on the often-misunderstood world of junk removal. He challenges the very notion of "junk," reframing it as "unwanted items" and revealing the treasure trove of opportunities for reuse, donation, and recycling. Brody shares the origin story of Two Men and a Truck, a humble summer gig that grew into a nationwide franchise, and explains how the demand for junk removal became a natural and necessary extension of their moving services.He offers a window into the deeply human side of the business, discussing how his teams navigate some of life's most stressful moments: death, divorce, and moving, with empathy and grace. Brody details their robust diversion process, a multi-stream system that sends furniture to the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, clothing to Goodwill, and electronics to partners like Columbus Micro. He shares the impressive impact of these efforts, having diverted approximately 40 tons of donatable items in just the last eight months of 2025.Brody also recounts the overwhelming success of their World Cleanup Day event, where a simple 15-second news segment brought a flood of cars, trucks, and trailers lined up to drop off items for free, proving the immense community desire for accessible and responsible disposal options. The conversation also touches on the emotional side of letting go of possessions, from the challenges of hoarder situations to the dwindling sentimentality of modern furniture.Episode in a glance01:02 It's Not "Junk," It's "Unwanted Items":04:47 The Many Paths for Unwanted Items07:34 Partnering with the Furniture Bank11:47 World Cleanup Day An Unexpected Success15:19  The Human Side of Hoarding and Letting GoAbout Brody OlsonBrody Olson is the Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck. With a diverse background in operations and a deep commitment to customer service, he has played a key role in the growth and evolution of the company. Brody's journey is a powerful reminder that a fulfilling career can be found in unexpected places, and that the most valuable lessons are often learned on the front lines.Connect with Brody Olson and his workWebsite → https://twomenandajunktruck.com/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/TMJTColumbus/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/twomenandatruckcolumbus/?hl=enLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/brody-olson-661b48178/Send us a message!

Brody Olson, Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck, may not have dreamed of a career in junk removal, but his journey is a powerful testament to the value of service, adaptability, and finding purpose in unexpected places. Brody shares his story, which began with a love for fishing and hunting and a dream of becoming a park ranger. He recounts his zig-zagging career path, from a brief stint as a biology major to exploring business and leadership, and the various jobs—from McDonald's to a plumber's helper to a custodian—that taught him valuable lessons about hard work and what he truly wanted in a career. He explains how a simple online job application led him to Two Men and a Truck, a role he initially saw as a stepping stone but which quickly became a launchpad for a decade-long career in management.He gives us an inside look at the demanding and often unpredictable world of moving and junk removal, managing a team of 150 employees and a fleet of 50 trucks. Brody discusses the evolution of the company, from a traditional moving service to a one-stop shop that includes junk removal, storage, and even overseas relocation. He shares the valuable lessons he's learned about people, the importance of treating everyone with respect, and the power of giving yourself grace in a world that often feels cluttered. Brody also reflects on the leadership training that shaped his management style, the challenges of holding peers accountable, and the art of staying proactive in a reactive industry.Episode in a glance01:30 A Zig-Zagging Path Through College and Early Jobs02:39 Finding a Career at Two Men and a Truck04:25 The Difference Between Moving and Junk Removal07:14 The Biggest Surprise About People and Their "Junk"14:44 From a Job to a Career The Power of Mentorship18:54 Advice for Finding Your Career PathAbout Brody OlsonBrody Olson is the Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck. With a diverse background in operations and a deep commitment to customer service, he has played a key role in the growth and evolution of the company. Brody's journey is a powerful reminder that a fulfilling career can be found in unexpected places, and that the most valuable lessons are often learned on the front lines.Connect with Brody Olson and his workWebsite → https://twomenandajunktruck.com/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/TMJTColumbus/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/twomenandatruckcolumbus/?hl=enLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/brody-olson-661b48178/Send us a message!

Can a neighborhood thrifting initiative make a dent in the massive problem of fashion waste?Lisa Goldsand, the founder of Circular Thrift, shares her mission to valorize post-consumer textile waste and scale the reuse of clothing and accessories at a hyperlocal level. Through her unique collection bins, swap events, and mobile trike sales, Lisa is revolutionizing the way communities approach sustainable fashion, making it both convenient and enjoyable. Lisa shares her insights on consumer behavior, the challenges faced in the fashion industry, and her innovative strategies for promoting a circular economy. Discover how her local, community-driven approach is paving the way for a more sustainable future in fashion.Episode in a glance-The Birth of Circular Thrift: Early experiments and successes-How Circular Thrift differs from traditional thrifting-Driving Consumer Change: Lisa's approach to positive conversations (in a trike!)-The Circular Thrift Pyramid Explained-The Hyperlocal Advantage: Why neighborhood solutions matter-Expanding the Circular Thrift ModelAbout Lisa GoldsandLisa Goldsand is the founder of Circular Thrift, a convenient clothing pick and drop off service that also does community swap events. She has a unique background, having spent almost 20 years working at Abercrombie & Fitch in various roles related to apparel retail operations. During her corporate career, Lisa gained extensive experience working with garment manufacturers, mills, and factories, giving her an in-depth understanding of the traditional linear supply chain process. After leaving Abercrombie & Fitch, she started Circular Thrift, driven by a desire to address sustainability challenges in the fashion industry while empowering consumers to make a difference through their choices.Learn more about Circular thrift here and catch their next event → https://www.circularthrift.org/Send us a message!

John Seryak, the founder of Go Sustainable Energy, believes that real change in the energy sector starts with listening to the people on the ground. In this episode, he shares the origin story of his company, the evolution of its mission, and the powerful "aha!" moments that drive his team to create a more sustainable and equitable energy future. John offers a refreshingly honest and multifaceted origin story for Go Sustainable Energy, explaining how a desire to "front-load his midlife crisis" and a deep dive into the lives of historical changemakers like Martin Luther King Jr., Jane Goodall, and Albert Einstein inspired him to start his own company at the age of 27. He discusses his vision to create a workplace with purpose, where human connection is valued, and where the work itself contributes to solving critical social and environmental issues.He takes us inside Go Sustainable Energy, explaining how they provide accurate, unbiased information to help clients navigate the complex world of energy efficiency, load management, and distributed generation. John emphasizes the critical role of understanding and engaging all stakeholders, from the C-suite to the often-overlooked facility staff who are the true masters of a building's energy systems. He shares a powerful success story from the Ohio History Connection, where simple, common-sense solutions, championed by the facility staff, led to a staggering 50% reduction in energy use.John reflects on the company's 19-year journey, highlighting the dramatic shifts in technology—from a time when solar and LEDs were science fiction to today's rapidly evolving landscape of EVs and smart grids. He discusses how this has changed the needs of his clients and the focus of his work, and introduces Go's subsidiary, RunnerStone, which provides crucial technical expertise to the policy and regulatory space.Episode in a glance00:42 The Unexpected Origin Story of Go Sustainable04:46 What Go Sustainable Energy Actually Does06:22 The Secret Champions: Facility Staff09:55 The Ohio History Connection13:25 19 Years of Change in the Energy Sector17:04 RunnerStone Bridging Engineering and PolicyAbout John SeryakJohn Seryak is the founder and managing partner of Go Sustainable Energy, where he is reshaping what an energy engineering firm looks like from the inside out. He has built a team of inquisitive engineering talent focused on providing accurate, unbiased guidance on sustainable energy. With a culture built on transparency and shared ownership, John is dedicated to proving that the most effective solutions emerge from a foundation of listening and genuine collaboration.Connect with John and his workWebsite → https://www.gosustainableenergy.com/John’s LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-seryak-59630437/Go Sustainable Energy LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/go-sustainable-energy-llc/Send us a message!

John Seryak, founder of Go Sustainable Energy, believes the biggest hang-ups in sustainable energy aren't about technology or money, they're about listening. In this deeply honest conversation, John explores his journey into the world of sustainable energy, which began not with a grand vision, but with a childhood attempt at a perpetual motion machine (turning a bicycle into a helicopter) and a near-total burnout from mechanical engineering. He shares the story of a pivotal mentor who saved him from quitting, pointing him toward energy as a path to making a real difference.John recounts starting a sustainability club in college, not just out of passion, but as a deliberate "practice run" for entrepreneurship to see if he could build something from scratch. He discusses the crucial, and often uncomfortable, lessons learned after graduation while working in a company where he felt his vision didn't align. This experience led to a profound realization: building a successful company isn't just about the technical work; it's about creating a culture of transparency, shared ownership, and genuine interest in what your colleagues are doing. John pulls back the curtain on the challenges of leadership, the human tendency to create false narratives, and why the most important tool for solving our energy problems might just be the simple act of listening.Episode in a glance02:48 The Perpetual Motion Machine: An Engineer's Origin Story04:19 A Crisis of Purpose 07:20 Starting a Club as an Entrepreneurial Test10:42 The Realization It's About Culture, Not Just Engineering16:53 Go Sustainable's Culture of Sharing the Mic20:20 The Real Barrier to Sustainable Energy Isn't Tech or MoneyAbout John SeryakJohn Seryak is the founder and managing partner of Go Sustainable Energy, where he is reshaping what an energy engineering firm looks like from the inside out. He has built a team of inquisitive engineering talent focused on providing accurate, unbiased guidance on sustainable energy. With a culture built on transparency and shared ownership, John is dedicated to proving that the most effective solutions emerge from a foundation of listening and genuine collaboration.Connect with John and his workWebsite → https://www.gosustainableenergy.com/John’s LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-seryak-59630437/Go Sustainable Energy Linkedin → https://www.linkedin.com/company/go-sustainable-energy-llc/Send us a message!

Danna Lotz, a lifelong educator with 18 years of experience, is now the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). Her story is an example of how a passion for teaching and a commitment to resourcefulness can lead to a career in sustainability, making a lasting impact on students and communities.Danna discusses SWACO's mission to reduce landfill waste and the innovative programs they've developed to engage schools in this effort. She explains the School Recycling Champion Program, which provides free resources, education, and support to schools in Franklin County, helping them establish and improve their recycling programs. She also discusses the School District Consortium, a unique initiative that brings together district leaders to collectively bid for waste and recycling services, and the newly launched Green Team Network, which connects and empowers student environmental clubs across the region.She shares inspiring stories of student-led initiatives, from data-tracking projects to community outreach campaigns, highlighting the creativity and passion of young environmental stewards. Danna also discusses the challenges schools face in implementing recycling programs, from logistical hurdles to the need for ongoing education and stakeholder engagement. She also shares how SWACO's approach to school programming has evolved, emphasizing the importance of dedicated staff, streamlined processes, and strong partnerships. She also discusses SWACO’s new “GreenPrint” initiative, which will focus on hard-to-recycle items like textiles and mattresses, and the expansion of convenience centers for residents.Episode in a glance04:01 Danna's Role at SWACO05:47 The Power of Green Teams07:01 The School Recycling Champion Program13:53 Challenges in School Recycling15:14 The Evolution of SWACO's School Programs19:51 The Role of Schools in Sustainability23:33 SWACO's "GreenPrint" InitiativeAbout Danna LotzDanna Lotz is the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). With 18 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, she brings a deep understanding of the education system and a passion for empowering students to her role. Danna is dedicated to creating engaging and impactful programs that inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.Connect with Danna Lotz and her work:Website → https://www.swaco.org/201/SchoolsApply to be a School Recycling Champion → https://www.swaco.org/324/School-Recycling-Champion-ProgramEmail → [email protected] → https://www.linkedin.com/in/danna-lotz-09aa99327/GreenPrint → https://www.swaco.org/502/Greenprint-For-a-Sustainable-FutureSend us a message!

Danna Lotz, a lifelong educator with 18 years of experience, is now the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). Her story is a powerful example of how a passion for teaching and a commitment to resourcefulness can lead to a career in sustainability, making a lasting impact on students and communities.Danna shares her journey from a small-town upbringing, where collecting bottles and cans with her dad sparked an early interest in recycling, to her 18-year career as an elementary school teacher. She recounts how the practical needs of the classroom led her to embrace upcycling and waste reduction long before it was a formal part of her job description. From turning cereal boxes into book holders to salvaging markers, Danna's classroom was a hub of creative reuse.Her path took a pivotal turn when she discovered SWACO's free landfill tour program. Initially hesitant, she was captivated by the eye-opening experience and the powerful questions it sparked in her students. This annual field trip became a catalyst for countless student-led projects, transforming her classroom into a space for environmental action and problem-solving. Danna discusses her transition from teacher to her current role at SWACO, a move that felt like a "full circle moment," allowing her to leverage her deep understanding of the education system to support schools across the region.Episode in a glance- From Tutoring to Teaching- An Early Spark for Recycling- A Teacher's Path to SWACO- What a Landfill Tour is Like- Bringing a Teacher's Perspective to SWACO- How School Green Teams Get StartedAbout Danna LotzDanna Lotz is the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). With 18 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, she brings a deep understanding of the education system and a passion for empowering students to her role. Danna is dedicated to creating engaging and impactful programs that inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.Connect with Danna Lotz and her workWebsite → https://www.swaco.org/201/SchoolsApply to be a School Recycling Champion → https://www.swaco.org/324/School-Recycling-Champion-ProgramEmail → [email protected] → https://www.linkedin.com/in/danna-lotz-09aa99327/GreenPrint → https://www.swaco.org/502/Greenprint-For-a-Sustainable-FutureSend us a message!

Grab a warm drink and settle in for our special 2025 holiday wrap-up! After releasing an episode every single Tuesday and growing to over 90 episodes, we're taking a moment to celebrate the incredible people and inspiring stories that made this year so memorable.This year took us on an incredible journey, from the mountains of Italy for the NanoValbruna conference to the heart of the Midwest for the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit. We revisit the power of international storytelling with guests like Francesca Cercelletta, who taught us how to make impactful films with just a phone, and Duccio Travaglini, who showed us how to turn "cold data" into "cool data."We also reflect on the amazing collaborations we saw closer to home, from our live panel on waste diversion to the inspiring work of innovators like Shailah Maynard at Sew Valley and Zack Burns, who's sustainably feeding giraffes at the Cincinnati Zoo. Through it all, the beating heart of this season has been community. We discuss how champions like Jamie Richards have created change from within corporations and how the infectious energy of Emily Rials and Susan Swinford from Columbus Food Rescue inspired Adam to become a food rescue volunteer himself.It's a celebration of the people who give us hope and a reminder that we all have a role to play. Thank you for being part of our community this year.Episode in a glance- A Year in Review 90+ Episodes and Counting- Favorite Moments from Italy (NanoValbruna)- Highlights from the Midwest Summit (MRSS)- The Beating Heart of 2025 Community in Action- Adam Gets Inspired to Rescue Food- Looking Ahead to 2026About Dominique Hadad & Adam Morris:Dominique Hadad and Adam Morris are the co-hosts of the Green Champions podcast. Dominique brings her expertise in sustainability, while Adam adds his passion for social impact and entrepreneurship. Together, they explore the diverse ways individuals and organizations are creating a greener future.Episodes we Discussed:Duccio Travaglini - Breaking Climate News With Cool DataFrancesca Cercelletta - Using iPhone Storytelling to Frame the ChangeShailah Maynard - Sew Much More Than FashionJessica Glorius-Dangelo - Sustainable Architecture Begins at the Drafting TableZack Burns - How Hydroponics Feeds Giraffes and Cuts Emissions at the ZooKristan Uhlenbrock – Creating a New Institute at the Denver Museum of Nature & ScienceEmily & Susan – How They Rescued One Million Pounds of FoodJamie Richards - Inside Bansk Beauty’s Regenerative Shea Project in UgandaConnect with Green Champions:Website → https://www.thegreenchampions.com/Instagram → Send us a message!

Duccio Travaglini, Co-founder of Greencome Media, shares his innovative approach to environmental communication and his mission to transform how we discuss climate change. Rather than contributing to climate anxiety through catastrophic messaging, Duccio and his team focus on solution-oriented storytelling that mobilizes people to action. He discusses the importance of finding relatable stories of "normal people" making change and combining these narratives with data in engaging ways - what he calls turning "cold data into cool data."As a moderator at NanoValbruna, Duccio led discussions about regeneration versus sustainability, emphasizing how regeneration takes environmental action to the next level by focusing on community-centered economic systems. He shares insights about measuring success through quality engagement rather than quantity, and emphasizes that sustainability is a journey of continuous learning rather than a demand for perfection.About the Mini SeriesThis is our mini series about NanoValbruna. We are highlighting an international forum that brings scientists, entrepreneurs, professors, professionals, journalists, science communicators, and especially young people to the heart of the Julian Alps to talk about innovation, environment, and regeneration. Enjoy conversations with climate changemakers in Valbruna, Italy.Episode at a glance -The Evolution of Environmental Communication  -Regeneration vs. Sustainability: Moving Beyond Impact Reduction  -Storytelling Strategies: Combining Human Stories with Data  -Quality Over Quantity in Environmental Media  -The Journey Approach to SustainabilityAbout Duccio TravagliniDuccio Travaglini is the Co-founder of Greencome Media, an Italian media platform focused on environmental and climate topics. Currently studying Environmental Economics and Politics, Duccio is pioneering a new approach to climate communication that emphasizes solutions and positive action while maintaining factual accuracy.Connect with Duccio Travaglini and his workInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/greencome_itaTiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@greencome_itaLinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/company/greencome1Newsletter → https://greencome.substack.com/Green Tonic Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/7dgeH02vAlJyz3M6UR34Xq?si=887794e218404d75Send us a message!

Kristan Uhlenbrock, a scientist, writer, and communicator, leads the Institute for Science and Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where she is dedicated to weaving thoughtful science into public conversations and decision-making. Kristan shares the origin story of the Institute for Science and Policy, a unique organization born from a desire to address the growing politicization of science and create a space for nonpartisan, evidence-based dialogue. She describes the institute’s mission to make better decisions as a society by integrating science and evidence into public discourse. Kristan recounts the institute's early days, from its conceptualization in 2018 to navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which ultimately broadened their focus to include public health.She discusses the institute's work in climate change, energy, natural resources, and public health, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and collaboration in tackling these complex, intersectional issues. Kristan details the institute's convening model, which brings together diverse stakeholders to find common ground and develop actionable solutions. She also introduces the new Colorado Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Program, a landmark initiative that will place scientists in the state legislature to provide technical expertise and support evidence-based policymaking. She also discusses her podcast, "Laws of Notion," explaining how it uses the power of storytelling to explore complex societal issues, from the energy transition in coal communities to the water crisis in the West.Episode in a glance- The Origin Story of the Institute- Bridging the Gap Between Science and Decision-Making- The Institute's Focus Areas- Convenings and Collaborative Problem-Solving- The Colorado Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Program- The Power of Storytelling and the "Laws of Notion" PodcastAbout Kristan UhlenbrockKristan Uhlenbrock is a scientist, writer, and communicator who leads the Institute for Science and Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. With a background in marine science and a passion for bridging the gap between science and society, she is dedicated to fostering thoughtful public conversations and evidence-based decision-making. Kristan is also the host of the "Laws of Notion" podcast, where she explores how we can rethink our ideas to create a more sustainable and equitable future.Connect with Kristan Uhlenbrock and her work:Laws of Notion Podcast → https://lawsofnotion.org/Institute for Science and Policy → http://institute.dmns.org/LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuhlenbrock/Send us a message!

Kristan Uhlenbrock, who leads the Institute for Science and Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, is a scientist, writer, and communicator dedicated to bridging the gap between science, policy, and community. Her journey from a free-roaming kid in rural Indiana to a leading voice in public discourse on climate change is a testament to the power of curiosity, connection, and embracing the messiness of it all.Kristan shares her origin story, recounting how a childhood spent exploring the creeks and forests of southeast Indiana nurtured a deep love for nature. She describes her unexpected path into science, from being a "pre-med kid" to discovering her passion for chemistry and marine science, a journey that took her from the heartland to the coasts of Florida. Kristan explains how her academic pursuits evolved from pure research to a fascination with the social and political dimensions of environmental issues, leading her to write op-eds, engage with local leaders, and eventually find her way to the world of science policy in Washington D.C.She offers valuable insights on how to find your voice and engage in public discourse, emphasizing the importance of approaching conversations with humility, curiosity, and a genuine desire to understand different perspectives. Kristan discusses the "messiness" of both science and people, advocating for an embrace of uncertainty and a willingness to learn from failure. She shares her philosophy that being kind to yourself is the first step toward creating positive change in the world.Episode in a glance- A Childhood Rooted in Nature- The Winding Path from Pre-Med to Marine Science- Finding a Voice in Science and Policy- How to Engage with Leaders and Find Your Voice- Embracing the "Messiness" of Science and People- Advice for a Younger Self Be KindAbout Kristan UhlenbrockKristan Uhlenbrock is a scientist, writer, and communicator who leads the Institute for Science and Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. With a background in marine science and a passion for bridging the gap between science and society, she is dedicated to fostering thoughtful public conversations and evidence-based decision-making. Kristan is also the host of the "Laws of Notion" podcast, where she explores how we can rethink our ideas to create a more sustainable and equitable future.Connect with Kristan Uhlenbrock and her workLaws of Notion Podcast → https://lawsofnotion.org/Institute for Science and Policy → http://institute.dmns.org/LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuhlenbrock/Send us a message!

Did you know that Columbus, Ohio generates a staggering one million pounds of food waste per day?But the city taking concrete steps towards sustainability, and Aryeh Alex, its Sustainability Manager, is leading the charge. The city's ambitious Climate Action Plan has already seen success with its weekly recycling program. The new food scrap drop-off program, specifically targeting underserved communities, has collected an astounding 30,000 pounds of food scraps in just six months. Alex discussed the recently launched waste and reuse convenience centers, offering residents a free way to recycle and reuse items like electronics, clothing, and furniture. But perhaps most inspiring is Alex's vision for a circular economy in Columbus, a system that could create a thousand new jobs by transforming discarded materials, such as red solo cups, into valuable resources like marble tiles. The city's dedication to sustainability is not only reducing its environmental footprint but also empowering its residents and fostering a greener future.Episode in a glance- The Columbus's Climate Action Plan- Waste reduction and the concept of a circular economy- The potential for Food Rescue- The success of Food Rescue Columbus- Waste diversion successes in Columbus- The Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers- Aryeh's vision for a thousand circular economy jobsAbout Aryeh AlexAryeh Alex is the Executive Director of Keep Columbus Beautiful and the Sustainability Manager for the City of Columbus, Ohio. In these roles, he leads the city's residential recycling, organic waste, waste reduction, community education, and volunteer litter programs. Aryeh also serves as the Sustainability Coordinator for the Division of Refuse Collection and is a Commissioner of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.Connect with Aryeh Alex & Keep Columbus BeautifulInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/keepcolumbusbeautifuloh/Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@keepcbusbeautifulX/Twitter → https://x.com/kcbcolumbusLinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/company/keep-columbus-beautifulSend us a message!

Joe Tegerdine is the General Manager of North America for Reencle. He is on a mission to make composting accessible, convenient, and impactful. Joe explains the science behind Reencle, a home composter that uses a unique blend of microbes, heat, oxygen, and moisture to emulate a hot composting environment, breaking down 90% of food waste in just 24 hours. He discusses the difference between Reencle’s "unfinished" compost and traditional compost, offering a clear and accessible explanation of the curing process and how to create a nutrient-rich soil amendment for your garden. He shares the impact Reencle is having around the world, with over 300,000 customers in 17 countries, and the company’s plans for future growth, including new products and partnerships. He discusses the company's commitment to research and development, highlighting collaborations with universities like Michigan State and Brigham Young to refine best practices and communicate the science behind their technology.Joe also shares how Reencle is empowering communities, from donating refurbished units to schools for food security programs to partnering with the People's Co-op in Detroit to create a circular food system. He also discusses upcoming innovations, including a wifi-enabled unit, a smaller apartment-sized composter, and a line of Reencle-branded compostable products. Finally, he emphasizes the critical importance of addressing food waste as a key solution to climate change, highlighting the immense impact that composting can have on soil health, carbon sequestration, and global temperatures.Episode in a glance- What is Reencle and How Does It Work?- Unfinished vs. Finished Compost- The Global Impact of Reencle- Overcoming Challenges in a Confusing Market- The Future of Reencle- Food Waste as the Low-Hanging Fruit of SustainabilityAbout Joe TegerdineJoe Tegerdine is the General Manager of North America for Reencle, a company dedicated to making composting accessible and convenient. With a diverse background that spans law, consumer electronics, and marketing, he brings a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on experience to his role. Joe is passionate about finding practical, sustainable solutions that empower individuals to make a positive impact on the environment.Connect with Joe Tegerdine and his workReencle Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/reencle_globalReencle Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/reencleusReencle Website → https://reencle.co/Joe’s LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/joetegerdine/Send us a message!

Joe Tegerdine is the General Manager of North America for Reencle. He shares his unconventional journey from dissecting owl pellets to navigating the complex world of consumer electronics. His story is a testament to the power of following your curiosity, embracing diverse experiences, and finding your unique path to making a positive impact.Joe recounts his childhood in the Pacific Northwest, where a love for nature and a healthy skepticism of extreme environmentalism shaped his worldview. He discusses his unexpected entry into the consumer electronics industry, a path that took him from a brief stint in real estate law to working with global manufacturing giants in Taiwan and navigating the intricate web of FCC regulations in Washington D.C. He shares how this experience gave him a deep understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chains, and the challenges of creating high-quality, long-lasting products.He also shares his early experiences with composting, from messy backyard experiments to the realization that traditional methods weren't a perfect fit for his family's lifestyle. This set the stage for a chance encounter at a trade show in Hong Kong, where he discovered Reencle, a kitchen-to-garden composting solution that would ultimately redefine his career. Joe discusses his initial skepticism, his rigorous testing of the product, and how his passion for its potential led him to join the Reencle team.Episode in a glance- A Childhood Rooted in Nature- An Unexpected Path into Consumer Electronics- The Early Days of Composting- Discovering Reencle in Hong Kong- From Law to Electronics The Regulatory Maze- Advice for Aspiring ProfessionalsAbout Joe TegerdineJoe Tegerdine is the General Manager of North America for Reencle, a company dedicated to making composting accessible and convenient. With a diverse background that spans law, consumer electronics, and marketing, he brings a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on experience to his role. Joe is passionate about finding practical, sustainable solutions that empower individuals to make a positive impact on the environment.Connect with Joe Tegerdine and his workReencle Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/reencle_globalReencle Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/reencleusReencle Website → https://reencle.co/Joe’s LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/joetegerdine/Send us a message!

Jamie Richards, Director of ESG for Bansk Beauty's portfolio including Amika, Eva NYC, and Ethique, explains how sustainability is not just a value but a core business strategy. She details how Bansk’s "Five Goods" ESG framework guides their mission, creating what she calls "extended valuation" for each brand. Jamie shares how this high-level strategy is tailored to the unique identity of each brand—from Amika's deep engagement with the professional stylist community to Eva NYC's focus on accessible sustainability for the mass-market consumer.The heart of the conversation explores Jamie's champion story: a groundbreaking regenerative agriculture project in East Africa. Frustrated by opaque beauty supply chains, Jamie’s team invested their climate transition budget into a direct-trade shea butter source in Uganda. This initiative not only provides a transparent, high-quality ingredient but also creates a dual income stream for the local collective through a carbon insetting model, a practice that directly invests in the company's own value chain. Jamie also discusses her work with Ethique, a brand so sustainable it presents the unique challenge of finding new ways to innovate. She offers practical advice for consumers on how to spot genuinely sustainable products, from looking for robust certifications like B Corp to checking for transparency on a brand's website.Episode in a glance- ESG at Bansk Beauty The Five Goods- Consumer Demand and Brand Strategy- The Regenerative Agriculture Project in East Africa- Measuring Impact From Carbon Sequestration to Social Value- The B Corp Certification Journey- Navigating Greenwashing and Empowering ConsumersAbout Jamie RichardsJamie Richards is the Director of ESG at Bansk Beauty, where she leads the integration of sustainability into the company's core business strategies. With a background in environmental policy and decision-making, she brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge, consumer insights, and business acumen to her role. Jamie is a passionate advocate for creating a more sustainable and ethical beauty industry.Connect with Jamie Richards and her work:LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/richards-jamie/Bansk Beauty Website → https://banskbeauty.com/Amika → http://loveamika.com/Eva NYC → http://evanyc.com/Ethique → https://ethique.com/Send us a message!

Jamie Richards, Director of ESG at Bansk Beauty, home to iconic brands like amika, Eva NYC, and Ethique, shares her journey from a 9-year-old with a "Save the Earth" sign above her bunk bed to a leader in corporate sustainability. Jamie shares her story of discovering her passion for environmentalism and how it led her to study environmental policy and decision-making at Ohio State University. She describes her unique path, from feeling like an outsider in a traditional environmental science program to finding her niche in understanding consumer behavior and the psychology of environmental decision-making. Jamie opens up about reconciling her love for the environment with her self-professed love for "materialistic things," a conflict that ultimately motivated her to change the system from within. Jamie talks about the challenges of navigating a less-traveled career path, the importance of paving your own way, and the value of starting in supply chain to gain a deeper understanding of the business world.She discusses the importance of integrating sustainability into core business strategies, emphasizing the need for data-driven decision-making, lifecycle assessments, and a willingness to explore innovative solutions. She offers valuable advice for aspiring sustainability professionals, encouraging them to be open to unconventional career paths, to embrace their unique perspectives, and to never stop learning.Episode in a glance- Jamie’s Lifelong Passion for the Environment- Environmental Policy and Decision Making- From Product Purchasing to ESG- Learning Curves and Challenges in Sustainable Beauty- Advice for Aspiring Sustainability Professionals- Staying Motivated in a Challenging ClimateAbout Jamie RichardsJamie Richards is the Director of ESG at Bansk Beauty, where she leads the integration of sustainability into the company's core business strategies. With a background in environmental policy and decision-making, she brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge, consumer insights, and business acumen to her role. Jamie is a passionate advocate for creating a more sustainable and ethical beauty industry.Connect with Jamie Richards and her workLinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/richards-jamie/Send us a message!

Nicholas Fox, is the 'Compost King' and founder of Soul and Soil, is on a mission to transform waste into a valuable resource in The Bahamas. He's building a movement from the ground up, proving that even a slow process can create profound change. Nicholas takes us into the daily life of a composter in The Bahamas, where he dodges the midday sun and turns community waste into black gold. He breaks down the science of composting with a brilliant and accessible analogy: baking a cake. By comparing greens and browns to wet and dry ingredients, he demystifies the process, making it feel achievable for anyone, regardless of their environment. He shares the core mission of Soul and Soil—to make composting accessible to all Bahamians through education and hands-on services.Nicholas discusses the unique composting landscape in The Bahamas, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of leading this charge in an island nation. He reflects on the entrepreneurial journey, the periods of doubt, and the powerful moments of validation, like seeing a mother and daughter inspired to start their own compost pile because of his videos. He explains how he navigates a space with little government regulation by focusing on those eager for change and demonstrating the clear value of his services. Nicholas shares his vision for a more connected Caribbean community centered around sustainable practices and leaves listeners with a powerful reminder that making the planet just 1% better through small, consistent actions can lead to incredible growth.Episode in a glance- Composting is Like Baking a Cake- The Mission of Soul and Soil- The Entrepreneurial Journey and the Slow Process of Composting- The Impact of Education and Inspiring a New Generation- Making the Planet 1% Better The Avocado Tree StoryAbout Nicholas FoxNicholas Fox is the founder of Soul and Soil Composting and a passionate permaculture designer from The Bahamas. With a unique background that blends creative writing with a deep-rooted love for the environment, Nicholas is on a mission to tackle food waste and build a more resilient food system in the Caribbean. His work focuses on community-specific solutions, education, and restoring the vital connection between people, soil, and their food.Connect with Nicholas Fox and his workWebsite → https://www.soulandsoilcomposting.com/Personal Socials: TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@dacompostkingX → https://x.com/DaCompostKingInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/dacompostking/?hl=enFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089194027457#Soul and Soil Composting: Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/p/Soul-and-Soil-100076023579996/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/soulandsoil.composting/Emerging Composter Challenge: https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/EmergingComposterChallengeSend us a message!

Nicholas Fox, the self-proclaimed 'Compost King' and founder of Soul and Soil Composting, is a permaculture designer and passionate advocate for turning waste into value in The Bahamas. His journey is a testament to how childhood curiosity and a deep love for one's homeland can blossom into a powerful mission for change. For Nicholas, it was a natural progression. He shares his story, from his grandmothers' self-sufficient farming out of necessity to his mother's simple request to start a backyard garden, which unearthed the critical problem of poor soil quality. This led him down a YouTube rabbit hole, where he discovered the transformative power of composting. Nicholas recounts his early efforts to combat food waste at his university and how his self-taught journey, fueled by free UN documents and a fascination with large-scale composting, shaped his vision.Nicholas provides a unique and vital perspective on the cultural and environmental challenges in The Bahamas, discussing the legacy of colonization, the prevalence of littering, and the local perception of vital forests as mere "bush" to be cleared. He paints a vivid picture of the consequences, from devastating landfill fires to the threat of climate change on the islands' future. He shares how these realities drive his work to re-establish a connection between Bahamians and their land.Episode in a glance- From Legos to Boy Scouts Early Inspirations- Connecting Food Waste, Health, and Hunger- The Bahamian Soil- From Local Piles to National Landfills- Advice to a Younger Self It's Okay to FailAbout Nicholas FoxNicholas Fox is the founder of Soul and Soil Composting and a passionate permaculture designer from The Bahamas. With a unique background that blends creative writing with a deep-rooted love for the environment, Nicholas is on a mission to tackle food waste and build a more resilient food system in the Caribbean. His work focuses on community-specific solutions, education, and restoring the vital connection between people, soil, and their food.Connect with Nicholas Fox and his workWebsite → https://www.soulandsoilcomposting.com/Personal Socials: TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@dacompostkingX → https://x.com/DaCompostKingInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/dacompostking/?hl=enFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089194027457#Soul and Soil Composting: Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/p/Soul-and-Soil-100076023579996/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/soulandsoil.composting/Emerging Composter Challenge: https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/EmergingComposterChallengeSend us a message!

Christy Cook is a seasoned sustainability consultant and entrepreneur, shares her expertise in building scalable and impactful sustainability programs. With over two decades of experience working with global giants like the United Nations, Sodexo, and Walmart, Christy discusses her approach to sustainability, emphasizing the importance of creating nimble, replicable programs that can be tailored to various situations. She shares her personal organizational strategies, highlighting how a structured approach is essential for managing multiple complex projects and maintaining focus on what truly matters. She delves into her work with Walmart and The Consumer Goods Forum, detailing a project aimed at reducing food waste through strategic consumer messaging and in-store merchandising. Christy explains how the "Save Some Dough" campaign not only increased overall bread sales but also enhanced food donation efforts, demonstrating the power of a data-driven approach to sustainability. She also recounts her experience leading the largest food waste prevention plan ever implemented, a 10-year journey with Sodexo and Leanpath that scaled from a small pilot program to a global initiative across tens of thousands of sites. Christy explains how this program utilized technology to measure and track food waste, empowering kitchen staff and driving significant cost savings. She emphasizes the importance of making a strong business case for sustainability, demonstrating how reducing waste can directly benefit a company's bottom line. Christy shares a heartwarming story about her mentees at the SEA Change accelerator program, highlighting the personal fulfillment she finds in empowering others to succeed.Episode at a Glance- Christy's Role in Sustainability and Building Scalable Programs- Reducing Bread Waste at Walmart- The Largest Food Waste Prevention Plan Ever- The Business Case for Sustainability- Mentoring at SEA Change- Building Relationships and Driving ChangeAbout Christy CookChristy Cook is a sustainability consultant and entrepreneur with a passion for creating a more just and sustainable food system. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with some of the world's largest organizations to develop and implement impactful sustainability strategies. Christy's unique blend of operational expertise, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to empowering others makes her a true Green Champion.Connect with Christy Cook and her workLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/christycook/ InvestHER Strategies → https://investherstrategies.com/ 4xi Global Consulting → https://www.4xiconsulting.com/Send us a message!

Christy Cook is a seasoned sustainability consultant and entrepreneur. She shares her inspiring journey from a small farm in Georgia to working with global giants like the United Nations, Sodexo, and Walmart. With over two decades of experience, Christy is a leading voice in corporate sustainability, ESG, and food waste reduction.Christy recounts how her upbringing on a farm, where her family grew and raised their own food, instilled in her a deep connection to food and a respect for resources. She shares how this foundation, combined with an unexpected opportunity at Emory University while working for Sodexo, launched her into the world of sustainability. Christy describes how she and a team of colleagues developed a groundbreaking local and sustainable sourcing program, a framework that is still being used by billion-dollar companies today.She discusses the challenges and triumphs of her career, from navigating the complexities of a large food service company like Sodexo to launching her own consulting firm, InvestHER Strategies, which focuses on supporting women and people of color in business. Christy shares her "secret sauce" for success, emphasizing the importance of listening, understanding operational realities, and finding common ground between corporate goals and the passions of frontline employees. She shares a powerful story of how a simple conversation about food waste with kitchen staff led to unexpected and inspiring community-building initiatives. Christy also reflects on the importance of personal sustainability, the power of community, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the ever-evolving field of sustainability.Episode in a glance- A Childhood on a Georgia Farm- From a Degree to a Career in Sustainability- Understanding Sodexo's Global Reach- From Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship and Consulting- Listening and Bridging the Gap- Navigating a Changing World and Choosing Your ImpactAbout Christy CookChristy Cook is a sustainability consultant and entrepreneur with a passion for creating a more just and sustainable food system. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with some of the world's largest organizations to develop and implement impactful sustainability strategies. Christy's unique blend of operational expertise, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to empowering others makes her a true Green Champion.Connect with Christy Cook and her workLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/christycook/ InvestHER Strategies → https://investherstrategies.com/ 4xi Global Consulting → https://www.4xiconsulting.com/Send us a message!

Bruce Bekkar is a former OB-GYN turned passionate climate advocate. Bruce recounts the "light bulb" moment that ignited his passion for climate action, a powerful article in an alumni newsletter that revealed the devastating impact of global warming on the coastlines he cherished. He discusses his transition from a successful medical practice to full-time climate advocacy, highlighting the power of health professionals as trusted messengers. He shares his research on the impacts of climate change on pregnancy, explaining how heat, air pollution, and other stressors are linked to adverse birth outcomes.He also discusses his paper published in JAMA Network Open, which has helped to solidify pregnancy as a recognized vulnerability in the face of climate change. He also explains the work of ecoAmerica’s Climate for Health program, which provides health professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to become effective climate advocates. Bruce shares a success story from a keynote address in Australia, where a simple QR code on his final slide led to a surge of sign-ups for a local climate action group. He discusses the importance of collaboration across sectors, the need for "climate-smart" healthcare, and the power of reframing the climate crisis as an opportunity for positive change. He also previews the launch of Climate and Health Voices, a new speakers bureau that will connect leading experts with organizations and media outlets seeking to share the climate and health message.Episode in a glance- From OB-GYN to Climate Advocate- The Health Impacts of Climate Change- Climate Change and Pregnancy: A Critical Connection- EcoAmerica's Climate for Health Program- Climate-Smart Healthcare and Empowering AdvocatesAbout Bruce BekkarBruce Bekkar is a former OB-GYN, a passionate climate advocate, and a champion for a healthier, more sustainable future. Through his work with ecoAmerica and the Green Docs podcast, he is empowering health professionals to become leaders in the fight against climate change. Bruce's unique blend of medical expertise, communication skills, and unwavering dedication make him a powerful voice for change.Connect with Bruce Bekkar and his workInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/greendocsdThe climate crisis is not your fault, but it is your problem TED Talk → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPNr0QxhIcYGreen Docs Podcast → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/green-docs/id1677670289Send us a message!

Bruce Bekkar is a former OB-GYN turned climate activist who shares his remarkable journey from delivering babies to advocating for a healthier planet. Through his work with ecoAmerica and as co-host of the Green Docs podcast, he's empowering health professionals to become leaders in the climate movement. Bruce recounts his path into medicine, driven by respect for the physician who delivered him, and his early love for the coast that led to founding San Diego's first Surfrider Foundation chapter. His passion for protecting the environment evolved into a deep concern for the health impacts of climate change, particularly on maternal and infant health, as he discovered how increased heat, air pollution, and other climate-related stressors disproportionately affect pregnant women and developing babies.After transitioning from full-time medical practice to dedicating his life to climate advocacy in 2013, Bruce leverages the power of health professionals as trusted voices in society. His unexpected journey into acting and stand-up comedy has shaped his communication style, allowing him to connect with diverse audiences while delivering serious messages. Bruce reframes the climate crisis as an immediate health crisis, comparing it to cancer that requires decisive treatment rather than mere adaptation, and emphasizes that climate action yields immediate health and economic benefits alongside long-term environmental protection. He offers practical advice for getting involved, from joining workplace green teams to attending local government meetings, promising that taking action will make people feel better and more connected to their community, transforming an overwhelming global problem into a source of personal empowerment and joy.Episode in a Glance- A Love for the Coast and the Surfrider Foundation- The Climate Crisis as a Health Crisis- The Power of a Doctor's Voice- Engaging Busy Health Professionals- Tailoring the Message to Different Audiences- How to Get Involved in Climate ActionAbout Bruce BekkarBruce Bekkar is a former OB-GYN, a passionate climate advocate, and a champion for a healthier, more sustainable future. Through his work with ecoAmerica and the Green Docs podcast, he is empowering health professionals to become leaders in the fight against climate change. Bruce's unique blend of medical expertise, communication skills, and unwavering dedication make him a powerful voice for change.Connect with Bruce Bekkar and his workInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/greendocsdThe climate crisis is not your fault, but it is your problem TED Talk → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPNr0QxhIcYGreen Docs Podcast → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/green-docs/id1677670289Send us a message!

Emily Rials and Susan Swinford, co-directors of Columbus Food Rescue, are at the forefront of the fight against food waste and hunger in Central Ohio. They share their inspiring story of transforming food rescue efforts into a powerful force for community building and social justice.Emily and Susan talks about the operational complexities of managing over 200 weekly food pickups, from coordinating volunteers through a web-based app to navigating the unpredictable world of "popup" rescues involving tons of surplus food. They also introduce Ro's Kitchen, a transformed kitchen named in honor of Roshelle Pate, which turns excess food into nutritious, ready-made meals for those in need.The duo explains the various reasons for food waste, from weather-related event cancellations to supply chain disruptions and equipment failures. They offer practical advice for listeners on how to reduce food waste at home and find local resources like blessing boxes and community fridges. They share insights from their community needs assessments, highlighting the demand for culturally relevant and nutritionally appropriate food, and explain how they work to fill these gaps. They discuss the staggering scale of the food waste problem, noting that they rescue about a million pounds of food annually, a fraction of the nearly million pounds of food that goes to the Franklin County landfill every day. Emily and Susan emphasize the importance of viewing food rescue not just as a service, but as a collaborative effort that builds a stronger, more connected community. They share their vision for a future where everyone has access to the food they need and are empowered to make a difference in their own communities.Episode in a glance- What is a Food Rescue?- Ro's Kitchen: Transforming Food, Nourishing Community- Why Food Gets Wasted- How to Find Food Rescue Resources in Your Community- Legal Protections for Food Donors- Measuring the Impact of Food RescueAbout Emily Rials & Susan SwinfordEmily Rials and Susan Swinford are the co-directors of Columbus Food Rescue, a program of Local Matters. With backgrounds in education and a shared passion for social justice, they are dedicated to building a more equitable and sustainable food system in Columbus.Connect with Emily Rials, Susan Swinford, and Columbus Food RescueWebsite → https://local-matters.org/columbus-food-rescue/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/cbusfoodrescue/?hl=enFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusFoodRescue/Send us a message!

Emily Rials and Susan Swinford are co-directors of Columbus Food Rescue. They share the story of how they came to lead Columbus Food Rescue, a program that connects surplus food with those in need. Susan recounts how she took over the organization in the chaotic early days of the pandemic, while Emily describes how she jumped in to help rebuild the program, making cold calls and navigating a rapidly changing landscape of food donation and distribution. They discuss the importance of their teaching backgrounds in shaping their approach to food rescue, emphasizing the value of empowering volunteers, fostering a sense of community, and asking critical questions about the food system.They also share the deeply personal motivations behind their work, honoring the legacies of friends and family who instilled in them a passion for helping others and a belief in the power of food to connect people. Emily reflects on the profound impact Susan had on her life as a teacher, and they both discuss how their relationship has evolved into a powerful partnership. They describe the day-to-day realities of food rescue, from managing a web-based app that connects volunteers with donors to navigating the logistical challenges of rescuing and distributing large quantities of food.Episode in a glance- How Emily and Susan Found Columbus Food Rescue- The Role of a Teaching Background in Food Rescue- From Teacher and Student to Co-Directors- Navigating the Challenges of Food Rescue- The Personal Motivations Behind Their Work- A Glimpse into the World of Food RescueAbout Emily Rials & Susan Swinford:Emily Rials and Susan Swinford are the co-directors of Columbus Food Rescue, a program of Local Matters. With backgrounds in education and a shared passion for social justice, they are dedicated to building a more equitable and sustainable food system in Columbus.Connect with Emily Rials, Susan Swinford, and Columbus Food Rescue:Website → https://local-matters.org/columbus-food-rescue/Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/cbusfoodrescue/?hl=enFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusFoodRescue/Send us a message!

AJ Boyce, an agriculture conservation practitioner with The Nature Conservancy, explores his work at the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice. AJ explains his role at the world's largest environmental nonprofit, sharing what his day-to-day looks like—from 7 AM calls with farmers about cover crops to managing conservation projects and developing capacity for regenerative agricultural methods. The conversation breaks down misconceptions about farmers, revealing the economic pressures and uncertainties they face while discussing simple but effective conservation techniques like cover crops that reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff.AJ shares his work with BIPOC farming communities, describing himself as an "access advocate and resource Robin Hood," and highlights his success story of organizing Ohio's first-ever Agroforestry Summit, which grew from a simple virtual meeting of 50 people to an in-person event with over 100 participants. He explains why agroforestry, currently practiced on only 1.7% of US farmland, is important for ecosystem benefits and closing agricultural loops, while expressing hope for "increased localization" and integrating people back into landscapes through concepts like "working woods."AJ's key message is that anyone can be a conservationist or environmental advocate, whether through hands-on work, advocacy, or simple actions. It's about finding what capacity and access you have in the moment.Episode at a Glance- AJ's Day-to-Day Work at The Nature Conservancy- Navigating the Challenges of Modern Farming- Building an Inclusive Agricultural Community- Advocating for Underserved Farmers- Shifting the Narrative: Conservation in Marginalized Communities- Hope for the Future of ConservationAbout AJ Boyce:AJ Boyce is an agricultural conservation practitioner with The Nature Conservancy, dedicated to creating a more just and sustainable world. With a background in environmental studies and a passion for community engagement, he works to advance conservation strategies that are both environmentally effective and socially inclusive. AJ's work exemplifies the power of connecting with nature, empowering communities, and advocating for a more equitable future.Connect with AJ Boyce:The Nature Conservancy Ohio → https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/ohio/Columbus Outdoor Afro → https://outdoorafro.org/places/midwest/AJ's Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/homestead_heaux/Send us a message!

AJ Boyce, an agriculture conservation practitioner with The Nature Conservancy, explores his work at the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice. AJ explains his role at the world's largest environmental nonprofit, sharing what his day-to-day looks like—from 7 AM calls with farmers about cover crops to managing conservation projects and developing capacity for regenerative agricultural methods. The conversation breaks down misconceptions about farmers, revealing the economic pressures and uncertainties they face while discussing simple but effective conservation techniques like cover crops that reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff.AJ shares his work with BIPOC farming communities, describing himself as an "access advocate and resource Robin Hood," and highlights his success story of organizing Ohio's first-ever Agroforestry Summit, which grew from a simple virtual meeting of 50 people to an in-person event with over 100 participants. He explains why agroforestry, currently practiced on only 1.7% of US farmland, is important for ecosystem benefits and closing agricultural loops, while expressing hope for "increased localization" and integrating people back into landscapes through concepts like "working woods."AJ's key message is that anyone can be a conservationist or environmental advocate, whether through hands-on work, advocacy, or simple actions. It's about finding what capacity and access you have in the moment.Episode at a Glance- AJ's Day-to-Day Work at The Nature Conservancy- Navigating the Challenges of Modern Farming- Building an Inclusive Agricultural Community- Advocating for Underserved Farmers- Shifting the Narrative: Conservation in Marginalized Communities- Hope for the Future of ConservationAbout AJ BoyceAJ Boyce is an agricultural conservation practitioner with The Nature Conservancy, dedicated to creating a more just and sustainable world. With a background in environmental studies and a passion for community engagement, he works to advance conservation strategies that are both environmentally effective and socially inclusive. AJ's work exemplifies the power of connecting with nature, empowering communities, and advocating for a more equitable future.Connect with AJ Boyce:The Nature Conservancy Ohio → https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/ohio/Columbus Outdoor Afro → https://outdoorafro.org/places/midwest/AJ's Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/homestead_heaux/Send us a message!

Lauren Click is the founder and executive director of Let's Go Compost. She is on a mission to democratize composting across the United States. As a Mercedes-Benz BEVisioneers fellow and the US Compost Council's Young Professional of the Year, she's turning a simple worm bin into a nationwide educational movement.She shares the story of how her organization has scaled from a single school to over 120 schools across 10 states, with plans for even greater expansion. Lauren discusses the challenges and successes of running a climate-focused nonprofit, emphasizing the importance of targeting the right audience and building strong community partnerships. She offers a preview into her free, K-12 curriculum, which uses engaging activities, from Peppa Pig videos to hands-on worm bins, to teach students about soil health, waste management, and environmental justice.Lauren also discusses how growing up and founding her nonprofit in Arizona, a state on the front lines of extreme heat, has shaped her approach and created a unique environment for climate action. She shares critical lessons learned, including the importance of engaging all school staff: from teachers to cafeteria workers and janitors.Episode at a Glance- The Mission and Structure of Let's Go Compost- The Growth and Impact of the Program- Key Lessons for Engaging Schools and Creating Systemic Change- How Arizona's Climate Reality Shapes the Work- A Look Inside the Free K-12 Composting Curriculum- The Future of Let's Go Compost and How to Get InvolvedAbout Lauren ClickLauren Click is the founder and executive director of Let's Go Compost, a nonprofit dedicated to making composting accessible. She is a Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers fellow, a Stanley 1913 Creator Fund recipient, and was named the US Composting Council's 2025 Young Professional of the Year. Lauren's work focuses on eliminating barriers to composting by providing free bins, curriculum, and resources to empower individuals and schools across the country to make a positive environmental impact.Connect with Lauren ClickWebsite →  https://www.letsgocompost.org/Curriculum →http://letsgocompost.org/schoolsLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenclick/Send us a message!

Lauren Click is the award-winning founder and executive director of Let's Go Compost, a nonprofit making composting accessible to all. What started with a failed $500 composting device in a high-rise apartment has blossomed into a national movement, providing free resources to schools and communities across all 50 states.Lauren shares her unexpected journey into the world of waste, which began not in a garden, but in a high-rise apartment in Scottsdale, Arizona. Fueled by frustration with a greenwashed composting gadget, she discovered the simple power of worm composting thanks to her sister in Brooklyn. This newfound hobby of building worm bins from discarded bakery buckets soon connected her with a surprising community: teachers. Realizing the immense need for accessible and affordable composting education in schools, a passion project was born.Lauren recounts the organic growth of Let's Go Compost, from a one-woman operation funded out of pocket to a nationally recognized nonprofit. She details winning the Stanley 1913 Creator Fund and being selected for the prestigious Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers fellowship.Episode in a glance- From Arts and Crafts to a Passion for Waste- The $500 Composting Device that Sparked a Movement- From a Hobby to Connecting with Teachers at Seed Swaps- The Shift from Passion Project to Nonprofit- How Winning the Stanley Creator Fund Changed Everything- The Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers Global FellowshipAbout Lauren ClickLauren Click is the founder and executive director of Let's Go Compost, a nonprofit dedicated to making composting accessible. She is a Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers fellow, a Stanley 1913 Creator Fund recipient, and was named the US Composting Council's 2025 Young Professional of the Year. Lauren's work focuses on eliminating barriers to composting by providing free bins, curriculum, and resources to empower individuals and schools across the country to make a positive environmental impact.Connect with Lauren Click and her workWebsite →  https://www.letsgocompost.org/LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenclick/Send us a message!

Hosts Adam and Dominique kick off Season 4 of Green Champions, celebrating their 73rd episode milestone after over a year of weekly releases. They reflect on their favorite stories from Season 3's collaboration with Green Umbrella and the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit, highlighting guests like Shaila Maynard from SewValley and Zach Burns from the Cincinnati Zoo who built hydroponic systems to grow lettuce for giraffes.They preview Season 4's upcoming diverse lineup, featuring conversations with a major beauty brand reimagining sustainable haircare, a community-led composting pioneer in The Bahamas, an OBGYN turned climate activist exploring health-climate connections, and local food rescue initiatives. They emphasize the podcast's mission to share positive sustainability stories across various industries, providing hope and motivation during challenging times while demonstrating that climate action requires participation from everyone, regardless of background or career.Episode in a glance- Kicking Off Season 4- Adam's Favorite Stories from Season 3- Reflecting on the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit- A Look Ahead at Season 4Send us a message!

The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.ShownotesRecorded live at the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit, leaders from Columbus, Ohio share how they’re building a more circular and equitable approach to waste diversion. Aryeh Alex, Christy Walters, and Marcus Carano dive into practical solutions—from food rescue pilots and mattress recycling to IT reuse and green job creation. Proving that sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste, but about creating opportunities. The conversation highlights how public policy, grassroots engagement, and cross-sector partnerships can align to drive real, lasting impact. Whether you're a city planner, a nonprofit leader, or just sustainability-curious, this episode offers grounded inspiration for making circular systems work in any community.Episode in a glance- City-Led Initiatives: Weekly Recycling and Compost Drop-Offs- Incentivizing Change with GreenSpot- The Role of Technology and Innovation in Waste Diversion- Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers- GreenSpot Spotlight Awards: Celebrating Corporate Sustainability- Smart Columbus and Corporate Engagement- Policy and Equity in Waste Diversion- Diversifying Community EngagementAbout The PanelistsAryeh Alex: Sustainability Manager for the City of Columbus, leading efforts in waste diversion, organics, and circular economy initiatives.Christy Walters: GreenSpot Coordinator, educating and engaging residents, businesses, and community groups in sustainability.Marcus Carano: Leader of Corporate Partnerships and Sustainability at Smart Columbus, fostering innovation and collaboration between the public and private sectors.Connect with the panelists and their workGreenScope Consulting → https://www.greenscopeconsulting.com/City of Columbus Sustainability → https://www.columbus.gov/Government/Mayors-Office/Sustainable-ColumbusGreenSpot → https://www.columbus.gov/Government/Mayors-Office/Sustainable-Columbus/GreenSpotSmart Columbus → https://smartcolumbus.com/SWACO → https://www.swaco.org/Columbus Food Rescue → https://local-matters.org/columbus-food-rescue/Rumpke → https://www.rumpke.com/Green Umbrella → https://greenumbrella.org/Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit → https://www.midwestsustainabilitysummit.org/Send us a message!

The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.ShownotesShelly Douglas is the Executive Director of Green Columbus, who was recently awarded the 2025 Impact Award from the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit. Since her last appearance, Shelly has broken her tree-planting records for the second year in a row, planting 74,000 seedlings in 2024 and expanding her Columbus City Schools program from 4 to 24 schools with over 650 large trees planted. However, this success story takes a sobering turn as Shelly candidly discusses how Trump's executive orders froze $75,000 in federal grant reimbursements, forcing her small nonprofit to slash their Earth Day program from 74,000 to just 14,000 seedlings. Despite these challenges, the community rallied to support Green Columbus, demonstrating the power of local action in the face of federal policy setbacks. Shelly shares her organization's evolution from a scrappy volunteer-driven operation to a more strategic force in urban forestry, complete with their own truck, consolidated nursery operations, and her new role as a Columbus Tree Subcommissioner. The conversation highlights both the tremendous impact that dedicated individuals can have on their communities and the vulnerability of grassroots environmental work to political winds, while showcasing the resilience and innovation required to keep planting trees and building greener, more equitable communities.Episode in a glance- The 2025 Impact Award and Green Columbus's Mission- Increasing Equitable Tree Canopy Coverage- Piloting a New School Planting Program- The Linden Tree Nursery and Community Giveaways- A New Role as Columbus Tree Subcommissioner- The Impact of Trump’s Executive Orders- The Future of Green ColumbusAbout Shelly DouglasShelly Douglas is the Executive Director of Green Columbus, a passionate advocate for community engagement, and a true Green Champion. She is dedicated to building a greener, more resilient Columbus by empowering volunteers, increasing equitable tree canopy coverage, and fostering a sense of community pride.Connect with Shelly Douglas and Green ColumbusWebsite → https://www.greencbus.org/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/greencolumbusInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/green_columbus/Send us a message!

The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.ShownotesCarol Kauffman is the CEO of the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC). Carol traces the OEC's mission back to its 1969 founding after the Cuyahoga River fire and shares her own path into environmental advocacy through a pivotal experience in Cambodia witnessing deforestation's devastating impact. She explains the OEC's multi-level approach to advocacy, working locally, statewide, and federally to advance environmental protection and community empowerment. The conversation covers OEC's work with Power a Clean Future Ohio, their State House advocacy, executive agency engagement, and efforts to protect Lake Erie and improve water quality. Carol discusses navigating environmental advocacy in today's political climate and emphasizes strategic planning, adaptability, and collaboration. She shares a recent major victory: significant energy policy legislation in Ohio that streamlines project approvals at the Power Siting Board and incentivizes utilities to invest in Advanced Transmission Technology.A key focus is the Ohio Business Energy Partnership—an unlikely coalition of environmental groups and business leaders advocating for clean energy policy. Carol explains how this cross-sector alliance drives progress at the state level and offers leadership lessons on sharing credit, building authentic relationships, and taking care of your team. She previews her MRSS panel on the Ohio Business Energy Partnership, hoping to inspire similar collaborations and demonstrate the power of working across traditional divides.Episode in a glance- Carol’s Path to Environmental Advocacy- OEC Initiatives- Challenges Facing Ohio's Environment- A Win for Energy Policy in Ohio- The Ohio Business Energy PartnershipAbout Carol KauffmanCarol Kauffman is CEO of the Ohio Environmental Council. Her background in international aid and development brings a global perspective to advocating for clean air, safe water, and climate justice in Ohio.Connect with Carol KauffmanWebsite → theoec.orgLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-kauffman/Send us a message!

The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.ShownotesKristi Eberhardt is the Head of Sustainable Finance at PNC Bank. She explains how financial institutions are driving sustainable change by making green investments more attractive than traditional ones.Kristi breaks down sustainable finance and how PNC uses financial products to reward environmentally friendly projects. She traces the field's origins to green bonds in 2016 and explains how it's expanded beyond large corporations to include smaller, family-owned, and private businesses. She shares her path into sustainable finance through economic development work and how her son's environmental passion influenced her career direction. Kristi explains PNC's Midwest strategy of tailoring solutions to specific markets and using incentives rather than penalties to drive change. Kristi details how PNC identifies sustainability opportunities by researching client goals, benchmarking against industry peers, and understanding best practices.She discusses PNC's internal Climate Solutions Partner Program that educates employees and builds cross-department collaboration. Data analytics plays a key role in identifying clients with sustainability goals and starting targeted conversations. Kristi also talks about her work with the Greater Cleveland Partnership's Sustainability Leaders Group and the importance of cross-sector collaboration.Episode in a glance- What is Sustainable Finance?- Kristi's Journey into Sustainable Finance- PNC's Role in Midwest Sustainable Finance- PNC's Industry-Agnostic Approach- Data Analytics and Targeted Client Engagement- Kristi's Role with the Greater Cleveland PartnershipAbout Kristi EberhardtKristi Eberhardt is the Head of Sustainable Finance at PNC Bank. She combines capital markets expertise with sustainability passion to help integrate environmental and social factors into financial decisions.Connect with Kristi EberhardtLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-ziegler-eberhardt-a282534/Send us a message!

The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.ShownotesZack Burns is the hydroponics technician at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. He explains how a pilot hydroponics program is cutting food miles, saving water, and connecting with the community.  Zack explains how the zoo's hydroponics program started and why reducing their carbon footprint from animal food was important. He covers the basics of hydroponics—growing plants without soil using nutrient-rich water. The zoo's vertical system sits in two 40-foot shipping containers located off zoo grounds.The lettuce they grow feeds the giraffes in their visitor feeding program, giving people a direct connection to the zoo's sustainability work. Zack talks about the environmental benefits: no transportation emissions from growing food on-site and better protection against supply chain problems. The program fits into the zoo's zero-waste goals by creating compostable plant waste for their bio-digester. Zack mentions other sustainability projects at the zoo, like their large solar canopy and plans to reach net-zero emissions. He emphasizes working with other zoos, including their partnership with Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and how they help other facilities start similar programs. Zack shares his personal path into hydroponics, his love of growing plants, and how rewarding it is to support both animal care and community education.Episode in a glance- The Cincinnati Zoo's Hydroponics Program- Hydroponics 101- Benefits of Growing Food On-Site- Data Collection and Analysis for Sustainability- Zack’s Journey into Hydroponics- Getting Involved in Sustainable AgricultureAbout Zack BurnsZack Burns is the hydroponics technician at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, where he combines his passion for plants with his commitment to sustainability.Connect with Zack Burns and his workCincinnati Zoo Website → https://cincinnatizoo.org/Zack on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-burns-b56919134/Send us a message!

The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.ShownotesSusan VonderHaar is the co-director of the Cincinnati Permaculture Institute and leader of Growing Food Champions. She shares her passion for building local food systems and restoring ecosystems. Susan describes permaculture as a practice, a way of being, and a form of ecological design that marries human creativity with the wisdom of nature. With a background in science, biology, and ecological research, she shares how permaculture provided her with a solutions-oriented approach, shifting her perspective from seeing problems to recognizing opportunities for positive change. She emphasizes the permaculture principle of "the problem is the solution," an assets-based approach to finding answers within the challenges themselves.Susan contrasts permaculture with traditional industrial farming, highlighting the importance of closed-loop systems and building self-sustaining ecosystems. She explains the concept of a food forest, describing it as a garden that mimics the structure and function of a natural forest, incorporating diverse plant species in multiple layers to create a self-maintaining, productive ecosystem. She discusses how the Growing Food Champions initiative empowers communities to reclaim their health and connection to nature through hands-on permaculture projects, planting edible, medicinal, and native plants in food forests and guilds across the Cincinnati area. Susan also shares insights into selecting appropriate plants for different locations and purposes, considering factors like harvest season, growth habits, and the needs of the local ecosystem.Episode in a glance- Permaculture as A Practice, a Way of Being, and a Solution- Permaculture vs. Traditional Farming- Food Forests and Guilds- Growing Food Champions & Building Communities Through Permaculture- Selecting the Right Plants for Your Food ForestAbout Susan VonderHaarSusan VonderHaar is the co-director of the Cincinnati Permaculture Institute and a passionate advocate for creating sustainable and resilient food systems. With a background in science and ecology, she brings a deep understanding of natural systems to her work in permaculture design and education. Susan's leadership in the Growing Food Champions initiative has empowered countless individuals to connect with nature, grow their own food, and build healthier communities.Connect with Susan VonderHaarInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/permaculturecincy/Website → https://cincinnatipermacultureinstitute.org/Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/CincinnatiPermacultureInstitute/Send us a message!

The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.ShownotesSarah Pottle is the co-founder and regional organizer for the Rust Belt Fibershed, a grassroots initiative working to rebuild a regional textile economy rooted in sustainability and care. In this conversation, Sarah shares how the Fibershed is challenging the fast fashion status quo by cultivating a local, circular system for clothing production in the Midwest—one that connects farmers, makers, and consumers in a shared ecosystem of regeneration.She explains the concept of a "fibershed"—similar to a foodshed—as a framework for understanding where our clothing comes from and how it impacts people and the planet. Through this lens, Sarah emphasizes the importance of “cultivating care” at every stage of a garment’s life: from the health of the soil where fiber crops are grown, to the labor conditions of textile workers, to the disposal or reuse of clothing at the end of its cycle.Sarah discusses the environmental and social costs of fast fashion, citing the growing amount of clothing production and the declining rate of clothing use. She emphasizes the importance of caring for the entire lifecycle of a garment, from the sourcing of raw materials and the treatment of workers to the end-of-life disposal and the potential for upcycling, mending, and clothing swaps. She highlights some of the innovative projects emerging within the Rust Belt Fibershed network, including the development of small-scale mills and knitting machines, and discusses the organization’s success in securing funding from the Cleveland Foundation to host annual symposiums, which have drawn hundreds of attendees.Episode in a glance- Sarah Pottle & her work with Rust Belt Fibershed- The Importance of Care in the Textile Supply Chain- Challenges and Solutions in Sustainable Fashion- Sarah's Journey into Sustainable Fashion- Building Community Through Education and Engagement- The Future of Local Fiber Production- Impact and Success Stories of Rust Belt FibershedAbout Sarah PottleSarah Pottle is the co-founder and regional organizer of the Rust Belt Fibershed, a passionate advocate for building a more sustainable and equitable textile industry in the Midwest. With a background in education, she believes in the power of community engagement and hands-on learning to inspire change.Connect with Sarah Pottle and her work with Rust Belt FibershedWebsite → https://rustbeltfibershed.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rustbeltfibershedSend us a message!

The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.ShownotesNathan McKee is a Sustainability Analyst at Trayak, a mission-driven company helping brands create more sustainable packaging, explores the critical role of packaging innovation in fighting climate change He talks about lifecycle assessments (LCAs), circularity metrics, and the complexities of balancing environmental impact with business needs. He explains how they use software solutions and consulting services to help companies achieve their sustainability goals and meet regulatory requirements, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees. He explains what EPR fees are and why they are becoming increasingly important in holding producers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products. He shares his background in environmental studies and how his passion for climate change, sparked by Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth," led him to Trayak.Nathan explains what an LCA is, describing how it analyzes the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to transportation and end-of-life disposal. He shares examples of how companies are using LCAs to make changes to their packaging like right-weighting, incorporating recycled content, and switching from plastic to paper, and discusses how reusable packaging, despite the challenges it presents in terms of increased material usage and transportation, is a critical strategy for building a circular economy. He also discusses the importance of storytelling in effectively communicating complex sustainability information.Episode in a glance- Sustainability Analyst at Trayak- Understanding Trayak's Role in Sustainable Packaging- What is Lifecycle Assessment- Innovations in Sustainable Packaging- Real-World Applications of Sustainable PackagingAbout Nathan McKeeNathan McKee is a sustainability analyst at Trayak, dedicated to helping companies design and manufacture more sustainable packaging. With a background in environmental studies and experience in the manufacturing industry, Nathan brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in creating a circular economy.Connect with Nathan McKee and his workTrayak Website → https://trayak.com/Send us a message!

The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.ShownotesJessica Glorius-Dangelo, is the sustainability manager and project manager at MA Design. She explores how they integrates sustainability into architectural design, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in unlocking funding opportunities.Jessica discusses her journey into architecture, highlighting the influence of her father's building projects and an early college course on sustainable design that sparked her passion for giving back more than we take. She describes her experiences working on co-ops in various firms, including a pivotal experience in Beijing, where she witnessed the impact of poor air quality, further solidifying her commitment to sustainability. Jessica also explains the triple bottom line approach to sustainable design, balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations. She shares her role in leading MA Design’s internal sustainability committee and their goals for benchmarking projects, educating staff, and developing a comprehensive Sustainability Action Plan. Jessica explains how they are working to achieve the AIA 2030 Commitment, aiming for 100% of their new building projects to be carbon neutral by 2030, and how they help clients define their goals and prioritize resource efficiency, health, and wellbeing.Episode in a Glance- Jessica’s Journey into Sustainable Design- Sustainable Design and the Triple Bottom Line- MA Design’s Sustainability Initiatives- The AIA 2030 Commitment- Working with Certification Frameworks (LEED, WELL, Living Future)- Jessica's MRSS Panel: Sustainability, Storytelling, and FundingAbout Jessica Glorius-DangeloJessica Glorius-Dangelo is a sustainability manager and project manager at MA Design, where she champions sustainable design practices and helps clients create environmentally responsible buildings.Connect with Jessica Glorius-Dangelo and her workMA Design website → https://designwithma.com/Jessica’s LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-glorius-dangelo-aia-leed-ap-bd-c-well-ap-lfa-70a79574/MA Design LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/designwithma/posts/Send us a message!