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A Sustainable Mind - environment & sustainability podcast

A Sustainable Mind is a podcast created for the earth-conscious individual, ecopreneur, environmental activist, sustainability enthusiast, grassroots organizer, minimalist, conscious consumer and the eco-curious. If you are looking to get inspired, motivated and take ACTION to be the change you want to see in the world you are in the right place. Delivered to you each week, Marjorie Alexander brings you environmental changemakers whose campaigns, companies and projects have changed the planet for the better. Featured guests discuss their relationship with nature early on, their journey to a green career, light-bulb moments, sustainable habits, lessons from launching their projects, and much more. Each episode ends with ACTIONABLE advice and resources for you to hit the ground running!
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A Sustainable Mind - environment & sustainability podcast
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Now displaying: 2021
Dec 30, 2021

Kate Flynn, CEO & Co-Founder of Sun & Swell, has an MBA from Harvard, is a Certified Culinary Nutrition Expert, and has a background in strategy consulting in the retail food industry.

Several years ago, she set out to build a new kind of packaged food company - one that is better for both people and the planet. Sun & Swell uses only healthy, organic, whole foods that are free from harmful ingredients and chemical additives, and is a pioneer in the packaged food industry when it comes to using compostable packaging - one of the very first company’s in the US to sell their foods in compostable packaging.

Kate has met her fair share of challenges along the road to transition her company to fully compostable packaging but remains focused on her goal of disrupting the food industry and pioneering a circular food system.

Special discount for ASM listeners! Use promo code “SustainableFoods25” at https://sunandswellfoods.com.


Today’s Sponsors: 

Novak Hair Studios is Fort Worth’s first zero-waste salon and one of the largest in the nation. With luxury amenities, Green Circle Certified sustainability initiatives, and unparalleled customer experiences, Novak is a leader in the beauty industry. Learn more at https://novakhairstudios.com/eco-friendly.

Tentree is an earth-first sustainable clothing company. Check out their selection of eco-friendly clothing and accessories at https://www.tentree.com/ and use promo code ‘ASM’ for 15% off your first purchase.


In this episode Marjorie and Kate discuss:

  • The many considerations and challenges of compostable packaging in the food industry.
  • Prioritizing non-negotiables in business and how that enabled Sun & Swell to thrive in the niche of organic food sold in compostable packaging.
  • Local waste, recycling, and composting infrastructure and why some composting facilities are tossing your bio-degradable items into the landfill.
  • New opportunities in the food space for eco-conscious entrepreneurs, brands, and consumers.


Resources mentioned in today's episode:

 

Connect with Kate Flynn and Sun & Swell Foods:

  

Connect with Marjorie Alexander:

Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

Dec 16, 2021

Dr. Rosie Spooner is a British Pediatrician who is currently an Education Fellow at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, an NGO working on mainstreaming sustainability practices into planning and delivery of health services. Rosie is a practicing clinician who works alongside medical schools and postgraduate education programs to support the integration of sustainable healthcare into mainstream healthcare teaching. She became more concerned about the connection between the climate emergency and health after a year sailing with her husband on a 12-meter boat for 12,000 miles, crossing the Atlantic twice. On this journey she saw how climate change is already destabilizing the world's natural systems and witnessed the catastrophic effects this can have on human health. She is a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and has campaigned for them to divest from fossil fuel investments and declare a climate emergency.


Today’s Sponsors: 

Brightmark is on a mission to reimagine waste, transforming organic waste into renewable natural gas and creating innovative approaches to plastics renewal. Learn more at Brightmark.com.

Tentree is an earth-first sustainable clothing company. Check out their selection of eco-friendly clothing and accessories at Tentree.com and use promo code ‘ASM’ for 15% off your first purchase.


In this episode Marjorie and Dr. Rosie discuss:

  • How delivering healthcare impacts the environment and what some health professionals are doing to reduce the impacts
  • What role patients and clients play in the sustainability of the healthcare
  • How hygiene and infection control practices impact both sustainability and patient comfortability
  • The complexities of transitioning to more earth-conscious healthcare strategies when product availability and contracts dictate much of the reusable and disposable supplies


Resources mentioned in today's episode:

 

Connect with Dr. Rosie Spooner and the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare:

  

Connect with Marjorie Alexander:

Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

Mar 19, 2021

Since Emellie O’Brien's first days in production, she knew there was a way for the role of sustainability on-set to go beyond basic waste management and recycling. She got her start at the NYU Tisch Film program and not long after graduation she landed her first job as a “Green Steward” with Big Beach Films in 2011. Her early years of dedication to green practices and passion for the environment on-set is what earned her the nickname “Earth Angel” from fellow crew members over the walkie, and to this day is still what production colleagues call her whenever she is on set. By 2013 EOB founded Earth Angel and turned it into a scalable model that has since inspired the entertainment industry and significantly reduced its environmental impact.

Earth Angel has helped films and series avoid 8,500 metric tons of greenhouse gases, divert over 4,800 tons of waste, and donate over 125,000 meals to the local communities. Their client roster includes The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Spielberg's The Post, Emmy-winner The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Lin Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights. Earth Angel is headquartered in New York with offices in Los Angeles and Atlanta.

 

Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

 

In this episode Marjorie and Emellie discuss:

  • What it's like to work on and run a film production with and without sustainability in mind
  • The type of research, stats, and projections that are considered when EA works with a production and what numbers are presented to the client at the end of a project
  • What happens to the materials that are not used up at the end of the production
  • What you should keep in mind when working with a company like Earth Angel and how you can make your production more sustainable on your own
  • How Covid has impacted the film industry and the way EA works with productions

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

 
 
Connect with Emellie and the Earth Angel Team:
 
 
Connect with Marjorie Alexander:

 

Join us for our first live event, M.A.S.S. Eco Summit! It will be 3 days of keynotes, panels, and workshops on your favorite topics in the world of environmental sustainability! Grab your free ticket and learn how to get involved at MASSEcoLive.com

Mar 11, 2021

Benjamin Novak Hudgins is the Co-Founder and CEO of Novak Hair Studios. As a nationally-recognized hairstylist with over 18 years of industry experience, Hudgins uses his expertise to inspire Novak’s 90+ Luxury Solo Artists in two unique locations throughout North Texas. His work has been displayed at New York fashion week, the Mercedes-Benz tent at Swim Week Miami, and on stages and classrooms across the US. He has been the preferred stylist of many contestants in a variety of pageant systems and the go-to beauty pro for high-profile/celebrity clients across the nation.

From Hudgins’ early career in the competitive pageant world, Novak Hair Studios has carried that tradition by proudly serving as an official sponsor of Mrs. Texas America and Mrs. Oklahoma America. Hudgins’ foundation in life and work is to build a better life while actively creating a better and more beautiful planet.

Benjamin’s passion for hair began at a young age when he would steal his sister’s Collection Edition Barbies to style their hair. No longer styling barbies, he can be found at his small Texas ranch aptly named the “Hudgins Honey Bee Ranch” with husband Justin Hudgins and their chickens, ducks, bees, and Scottish Highland cows - Edna, Walter, and baby Otis.

 

Join us for our first live event, M.A.S.S. Eco Summit! It will be 3 days of keynotes, panels, and workshops! Receive event notifications or contact us to get involved at MASSEcoLive.com.

 

In this episode Marjorie and Ben discuss:

  • Why choosing beauty products with sustainable and healthy ingredients is so important
  • How certain ingredients make it into our favorite and previously more healthy and sustainable hair care product lines
  • Sustainable innovation within the haircare industry both in products and in salons
  • His surprising experiences in opening two sustainable salons in North Texas

 

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

 
 
Connect with Ben and the Novak Studios Team:
 
 
Connect with Marjorie Alexander:
Mar 5, 2021

Author/illustrator/Designer Dana Simson is a life-long environmentalist and climate change activist. She and her husband live on the frontline of climate change in a 200-year-old house on an island in the Chesapeake Bay. She keeps a tide clock on the dash of her car and gives the blue crabs and fish the right of way on her commute home. She has been a sought-after speaker and visiting professor on imagination development for the last 20 years. Currently, she is using her skillset to engage and empower people to look at climate change as an opportunity for positive change. Dana has written and illustrated 14 books and worked with many companies internationally to design home decor and many products. She is also the illustrator for the upcoming Green Writers Press children’s picture book; Janey Monarch Seed.


Join us for our first live event, M.A.S.S. Eco Summit! It will be 3 days of keynotes, panels, and workshops! Receive event notifications or contact us to get involved at MASSEcoLive.com.


This episode is brought to you by Brightmark, a leader in plastics renewal technology. Learn more about how Brightmark is reimagining waste and how you can partner with them at Brightmark.com.


In this episode Marjorie and Dana discuss:

  • How illustrated books can have a greater impact on readers openness to the material versus all-text books
  • The changes that she's seen in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem over the last several decades as a result of climate change
  • Does living along the Chesapeake increase residents receptiveness to the concept of climate change and what changes has she seen in the community's mindset over the years
  • Her new book the Come Together Handbook

 

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

 
 
Connect with Dana and get a copy of the Come Together Handbook:
 
 
Connect with Marjorie Alexander:
Feb 26, 2021

Bob Powell's dreams and vision about how we can leave the world a better place are being realized at Brightmark, the company he founded to change the way the world sees and manages its waste. As founder & CEO, Bob looks beyond what we are doing now to create the path for what we will realize many years in the future. Bob is passionate about solving the world’s most complex environmental problems with innovation and optimism. Prior to founding Brightmark in 2016, Bob spent the majority of his career working in the energy industry.

 

Join us for our first live event, M.A.S.S. Eco Summit! It will be 3 days of keynotes, panels, and workshops! Receive event notifications or contact us to get involved at http://MASSEcoLive.com.

 

In this episode Marjorie and Bob discuss:

  • How Brightmark uses all forms of plastic from every type of waste stream and creates circular renewed products
  • How Brightmark turns organic waste into fuel and what responses people have had over the years to this practice
  • What is the difference between methane and CO2 and their impact on the environment
  • Why banning ALL plastics isn't yet part of Bob's overall vision and why

 

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

 
 
Connect with Bob and Brightmark:
 
 
Connect with Marjorie Alexander:
Feb 25, 2021
This week features an additional episode tackling the Texas power grid. I chat with Seth Mansur of RER Energy Group
to get a better understanding of what deregulation means for a power grid, why some Texans are now receiving insanely high energy bills, and what role infrastructure and politics play in the larger picture.
 
Get in touch with Seth at smansur@rerenergygroup.com or check out rerenergygroup.com.
 
This is the first episode I've done of this kind, addressing a current climate event, and I hope to be addressing more just like this as climate events occur.
 
Lastly, if you love ASM then mark your calendars for our very first live online event. M.A.S.S. Eco Live will take place April 30-May 2, 2021, and will feature 3 days of panel discussions, keynote speakers, and workshops! To attend, sponsor, apply to be a panelist, or even to give us a hand with the event please head on over to http://MassEcoLive.com. Hope to see you there.
Feb 19, 2021

Jackie Marks is a sustainability communications professional with a passion for protecting animals and the planet. At the MSC Jackie and her team aim to drive greater consumer awareness of the MSC blue fish label and the important role certified sustainable fisheries play in protecting our ocean.

Jackie is the recipient of the Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) Emerging Leaders Award (June 2019), was a speaker at United Nations World Wildlife Day at UN HQ (February 2019), and has been quoted in Civil Eats, USA Today, and the Associated Press, among others. She holds master’s degrees in International Relations, and Natural Resources & Sustainable Development, and a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies.

 

Join us for our first live event, M.A.S.S. Eco Summit! It will be 3 days of keynotes, panels, and workshops! Receive event notifications or contact us to get involved at http://MASSEcoLive.com.

 

In this episode Marjorie and Jackie discuss:

  • The role the Marine Stewardship Council plays in making sure shoppers have access to safe, healthy, and sustainable seafood products
  • What exactly makes seafood sustainable or not
  • How a cookbook is helping the MSC with its efforts to promote sustainable seafood and healthy eating habits
  • How to take the first step in getting a job in the physical and environmental sciences

 

Are you looking to launch or grow your podcast? Sign up for a free 1-on-1 30-minute strategy session with me at https://asustainablemind.com/podcasting!

 

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

 
 
Connect with the Marine Stewardship Council:
 
 
Connect with Marjorie Alexander:
Feb 11, 2021

Pat Schnettler is an ocean activist and the founder of 12 Tides kelp snack company. Making his start in the traditional seafood industry, he was disheartened by its unsustainable practices and negative impacts, from overfishing and pollution to coastline destruction. Today, Pat is on a mission to show the world how our everyday food and lifestyle choices have the power to positively impact our oceans and the future of our planet.

 

Join us for our first live event, M.A.S.S. Eco Summit! Receive event notifications or contact us to get involved at http://MASSEcoLive.com.

 

In this episode Marjorie and Pat discuss:

  • The habitat impact of the traditional seafood industry and how it contributes to coastline destruction
  • How consumers can be sure the sources of seafood they consume are trustworthy
  • What exactly is sea kelp and how is it different from seaweed?
  • The benefits of growing sea kelp for habitat restoration and as a sustainable food product

 

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

 

Connect with 12tides:
 
 
Connect with Marjorie Alexander:
Feb 10, 2021

In this episode, I will be introducing Season 2 of ASM! We'll chat about some of my favorite and most memorable interviews from season 1, the impact the show has had over the years, upcoming featured guests, how we will be supporting the show moving forward, and I'll be making a big announcement about our first live event!

 

Episodes Mentioned

Tom Szaky of Terra Cycle: https://asustainablemind.com/027

Kathryn Kellogg of Going Zero Waste: https://asustainablemind.com/048

Bea Johnson of Zero Waste Home: https://asustainablemind.com/006

Rob Greenfield of Food Freedom: https://asustainablemind.com/061

Maya van Rossum of the Green Amendment: https://asustainablemind.com/026

Yana (Ma'ikwe) Ludwig, previously of Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, co-founder of Solidarity Collective: https://asustainablemind.com/008

Izolda Trakhtenberg, aka "Earth Lady": https://asustainablemind.com/062

Jordan Figueiredo of Ugly Fruit & Veg Campaign: https://asustainablemind.com/011

 

Links Mentioned

Suggest or apply to be a guest:
https://asustainablemind.com/be-a-guest/

Suggest or apply to be a sponsor:
https://asustainablemind.com/become-a-sponsor/

Support the show: 
https://asustainablemind.com/give

 

Join us for our first live event, MASS Eco Summit! Receive event notifications or contact us to get involved at http://MASSEcoLive.com.

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