The ReNewy Living Podcast: A Sustainability Podcast

In this episode, I’d love you to meet Rhi Mitchell, a proud Mununjali woman, marine scientist, and founder of Saltwater Sistas, and based in Coffs Harbour along coastal NSW. Rhi combines wellbeing, leadership and science to inspire change and protect our oceans and environment for future generations. In our chat, we talk about how caring for Country starts with understanding our connection to the land and water…and how that connection influences our wellbeing. We’ll also explore the rhythms of nature and how they guide us to treading a little lighter on the planet. A summary, plus the links and photos of the pieces discussed in this episode are found here at Looking after the Ocean to Look after the Earth. The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... If global environmental problems feel overwhelming, you’re in the right place! The ReNewy Living Podcast is an Australian environmental sustainability podcast for eco-minded people who care about the planet and want practical, relatable ways to make a meaningful difference in their homes and communities. We believe living sustainably is easier when you start where you live. Each episode shares positive stories about people, places and projects leading the way in communities across Australia.  Discover localised ways to live sustainably, with practical ideas to reduce consumption, care for local places and feel connected to a sustainably-minded community for healthier people and a healthier planet. This podcast exists to make sustainability feel human, hopeful and community-focused. It’s our way of connecting you with a network of people and ideas through authentic stories and local solutions that are achievable and genuinely good to be part of. Tune in weekly for around 30 minutes of thoughtful, conversational and inspiring episodes that bring you closer to a more intentional, “together we can” approach to sustainable living.

We’ve become so used to having flowers available year-round, that we rarely stop to think about where they come from, or what happens to the packaging and the presentation waste. In this episode, I’d love you to meet Bec Humphris, florist and founder of Sydney-based florist Not Just a Pretty Flower. Her business exists to inspire and nurture reconnection to nature. She’s a proud member of the Sustainable Floristry Network and applies sustainable floristry design and principles in her work.  This conversation is about the importance of collaboration and good communication across every part of a business. And how that shared care, passion and collaboration… positively impacts the joy that flowers bring to all of your senses. We’ll also explore what choosing better, more sustainable flowers really means. You’ll find out that there’s so much more to floristry than a pretty flower on the table. A summary, plus the links and photos of the pieces discussed in this episode are found here at When Sustainable Floristry Means a Return to Simplicity The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... If global environmental problems feel overwhelming, you’re in the right place! The ReNewy Living Podcast is an Australian environmental sustainability podcast for eco-minded people who care about the planet and want practical, relatable ways to make a meaningful difference in their homes and communities. We believe living sustainably is easier when you start where you live. Each episode shares positive stories about people, places and projects leading the way in communities across Australia.  Discover localised ways to live sustainably, with practical ideas to reduce consumption, care for local places and feel connected to a sustainably-minded community for healthier people and a healthier planet. This podcast exists to make sustainability feel human, hopeful and community-focused. It’s our way of connecting you with a network of people and ideas through authentic stories and local solutions that are achievable and genuinely good to be part of. Tune in weekly for around 30 minutes of thoughtful, conversational and inspiring episodes that bring you closer to a more intentional, “together we can” approach to sustainable living.

The building and construction industry takes up a huge chunk of the total waste generated in NSW and across Australia, far more than what comes from our everyday household rubbish bins. When a building comes down, so many materials are left behind. But where do they all go? The good news, there are great solutions for recycling in construction and in this episode, we’re delving a little deeper into one solution. I’d love you to meet Shaun Oldfield from Coastal Recycled Building on the Central Coast of NSW. After an unexpected career shift from hotel management to recycled building supplies, Shaun loves being part of a team that’s passionate about showing the value in giving building and construction materials a second life.  In our conversation, we chat about the community who uses recycled materials, how sustainable living can begin with something as simple as a personal hobby, and why there’s so much potential in looking at waste differently. A summary, plus the links and photos of the pieces discussed in this episode are found here at When a Recycled Timber Yard is Built with Kindness. The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

When most people think of arborists…they think of chainsaws, wood chippers, and tree removals for “safety reasons” or “potential fire hazard.” In this episode, I’d love you to meet Sam Hardingham, founder of Newcastle-based business Everyday Arbor. An experienced arborist, Sam is challenging that narrow view of what it means to be an arborist. His goal is to keep as many trees standing in our local environment as possible. Rather than chasing profit by saying yes to every tree removal request, Sam is putting trees first. We talk about the role trees play in our neighbourhoods, the risks versus the benefits they bring, and how their presence connects us to the bigger picture of balancing urbanisation with environmental sustainability. This episode is a reminder that trees come with issues and risks in suburbia, but should these risks outweigh the benefits of trees? A summary, plus the links and photos of the pieces discussed in this episode are found here at Is there such a thing as an ethical tree arborist? The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

Choosing to knock down and rebuild a house is a big decision. But instead of a standard project home, what happens when you choose a passive house - a design built for comfort, efficiency, and sustainability? In this episode, I’d love you to meet ReNewy Living community member Jess Bollinger from Lake Macquarie, NSW. Jess works in environmental sustainability for her day job, yet finds most meaning in making everyday choices that matter—for her family, her place, and her community. We talk about her family’s journey to live lighter on the planet, what sustainable housing in a temperate climate means to her, and how her decision to build a passive house offers ideas and inspiration for your own lasting impact. A summary, plus the links and photos of the pieces discussed in this episode are found here at Choosing to Build a Passive House Standard Home The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

In this episode, we’re at the closing of the 2024/ 2025 Lake Macquarie Sustainable Neighbourhoods Waste to Art exhibition. It’s a free, annual event that brings together thought-provoking artworks made entirely from waste by people across the community. Some of the pieces are so refined, it’s hard to believe they began as waste. For many households, waste is what goes in the rubbish or recycling bin. But waste is much broader than that. It can be surplus materials, duplicates, or offcuts. Even something brand new that just isn’t needed anymore.  That’s the beauty of this exhibition. It helps you see waste differently. You’ll hear from the two people’s choice award winners about their works along with the volunteer organiser behind the exhibition, and people who came along to the closing event. A summary, plus the links and photos of the pieces discussed in this episode are found here at Seeing Waste Differently The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

In this episode, I’d love you to meet James Felton-Taylor and Annabelle Kater, who run Australian Sustainable Timbers in Dungog NSW.  As native forest managers and timber processors, they’re passionate about showing there’s a better way to work with the bush by rethinking timber production. This conversation is a great reminder that when you lead with intention and work with the natural lifecycle of the trees, timber production and environmental care don’t have to be at odds. They can grow together in a way that respects both people and the planet. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Shifting the Culture of Forestry in Australia The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say the word “activist”? It’s a word that can stir up a lot of feelings — but at its heart, it’s simply about standing up for what you believe in…and doing something about it.  In this episode, I’d love you to meet Michelle Dado-Millynn, a Dungog-based film producer whose work shines a light on people doing what they believe in most. This conversation is about what activism can look like for all of us… how it exists on a continuum and how this film can be the impetus for grassroots change in your own community. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at How a Ripple Sparks the Power of Activism The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from regional communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

A community food co-op in the main street of a small regional town can have a massive impact, not just on the reduced environmental impact of locally grown food, but also the value of having access to healthy food, support for local growers and really strong community connections. I'm having a conversation with Anna Crane from the Dungog Wholefood Co-op. It's an amazing conversation about community, the value of people, the value of local foods and how a community food co-op operates. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at How a Community Food Co-op Offers Fair Food for All The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from regional communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

Let’s talk about plastic. We see it everywhere, even in places it probably shouldn't be. And while we all want to do the right thing by tossing it in the recycling bin, the truth is, plastic recycling is a lot more complex than it seems. To help untangle that complexity, I’m joined by Jess Hodge co-founder of Resourceful Living.  Jess and her team are tackling the plastic problem head on, by turning unwanted plastic items into functional products, all made locally in Kurri Kurri NSW Australia. Jess brings honesty, passion and deep knowledge to this conversation, along with practical solutions that actually make sense. So if you’ve ever wondered what type of plastic is which, where it really ends up, or how we can give waste a second life through circular economy principles — you’re in the right place. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Giving Plastic Waste a Second Life Through Recycling The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from regional communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

In this episode, I’d love you to meet Anna Scobie and Kelly Lees from Newcastle-based business Urban Hum. We’re exploring the role of bees in our local environment and how understanding them connects us with the bigger picture of environmental sustainability. From permaculture principles to planting a tiny forest, and even facing the challenges of varroa mite, we’ll talk about what it means to respond with care and curiosity. This episode is a reminder that living sustainably isn’t just about action — it’s about rhythm. It’s about learning from nature, working with the seasons and staying open to what some of the smallest creatures can teach us about a more connected and resilient future. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at What Bees Teach Us About Seasons, Place and Collective Actions The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from regional communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

"Everyday Voices" is where I take the mic into public spaces, striking up real conversations with everyday people about how they live, care for, and tread lighter on the planet. In this episode I’m talking to Sophie, a high school student who’s showing interest in sustainability and environmental change in government. She shares her early advocacy journey, which will become the building blocks for her continual path for change. Stay tuned after our chat for a short reflection on my own journey — and how we can all become more informed citizens. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Everyday Voices: A Young Persons Environmental Journey The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from regional communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

While most shopping centres are filled with cloned chain stores, it’s easy to forget that independent grocery shops are out there doing things differently—helping us live more sustainably, eat more mindfully and feel more connected. In this episode, we sit down with Brent Fairns, owner of Organic Feast in Maitland. More than just a shop, Organic Feast is a vibrant local place that shows what’s possible when community and sustainability come together. From certified organic produce to in-house cafe meals, this is a business made with intention. It’s a colourful antidote to the fast, bland world of modern retail. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Escaping Supermarket Sameness thrugh Local & Organic Food The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from regional communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

When you hear the word decluttering, what comes to mind? For me, my brain jumps straight to the opposite….minimalism, with clean lines, empty shelves and limited colour & texture. But actually, decluttering isn’t really about that. It’s about living with less and feeling lighter, thinking clearer and living easier. In this episode, I’d love you to meet Rachel Louise from Raid my Wardrobe. Rachel brings a wealth of life experience in the art of intentional simplifying — where it’s not about having less for the sake of it, but about shifting the focus from quantity to quality, and building a healthier, more mindful relationship with the stuff in our lives. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Decluttering to Make Space for Simpler Living The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from regional communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

In this episode, I’d love you to meet Bec Bowie, former owner of the much loved Newcastle cafe, Estabar.  We’re talking about how values influence the way we shape both our lifestyles and our work to feel more purposeful. This conversation is a great reminder that when you lead with your values, then everything flows with more meaning — and more impact. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Leading by Values for a Purposeful Workplace The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from regional communities across Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

Have you heard about the Slow Food Movement? It’s a global movement that believes everyone has the right to good, clean and fair food.  Helping us understand the movement from a localised perspective, I'd like to introduce you to Amorelle Dempster from Slow Food Hunter Valley. The volunteer-led grassroots organisation helps connect their community with the local farming community, plus make available just simple local and delicious food. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Connecting Community through Good, Clean & Fair Food The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia.  Our sustainability podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainable living is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive social and environmental impact.

Using healthy and sustainable materials in your interior design is an overlooked, yet important element in your daily living. In this episode, I'm chatting with Nadine Samwell from Eco Edition. She helps homeowners with better choices for healthy and sustainable materials for new builds and renovations. And it's all with the aim of making it simpler and easier for you. She helps you understand what sustainable interior design means and talks about the myths around sustainable materials and home design. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Sustainable Interior Design is Made to Wear In, Not Out The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by sharing the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia.  Our podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

Hello, I’m Mardi Lee and Welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast! Did you know that right here in Lake Macquarie our local sea turtles are at risk. It's not just something that's happening as part of climate change that you see on the Great Barrier Reef but also here. There are at least three reasons why our sea turtles are being impacted so badly. So what's happening and what can we do about it? I'm chatting with Tanya Rossiter from Hunter Wildlife Rescue which is an organisation that’s spent more than 45 years rescuing and rehabilitating native wildlife. Tania is one of the many volunteers who are advocating for Lake Macquarie's endangered sea turtles. Let's dive in and find out how you can help protect these incredible creatures in our own backyard. A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at What's Threatening Lake Macquarie's Green Sea Turtles? The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by sharing the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia.  Our podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

Decluttering your home is tough enough, right? Finding the time, energy, and headspace when you're feeling your best is a challenge on its own. But what happens when the responsibility shifts? When a loved one no longer needs their belongings, and suddenly, it’s up to you to sort through it all? In this episode, I’m chatting with ReNewy Living Community member Rowena from the Central Coast of NSW. She recently navigated the emotional and practical challenges of clearing her dad’s estate after his passing. Rowena’s experience offers valuable insights into steps you can take today to make things easier for yourself and your loved ones in the future. Let’s hear her story… A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Practical Steps to Decluttering after Loss The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by sharing the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia.  Our podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

Hello, I’m Mardi Lee, and welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast! Renovating your home is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make sustainable short and long-term choices. Is it possible to create your dream design without a massive environmental footprint?  That’s exactly what we’re talking about with my guest Natalie Van de Merwe from On Home Ground. Natalie’s an eco architect who specialises in renovations over new builds to help suburban homeowners create eco-effective homes that work for them and the planet.  If you’re ready to rethink the way you renovate, enjoy listening to our conversation… A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Sustainable Home Renovation Design that Puts People First The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by sharing the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia.  Our podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place. Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.