DiscoverGreening Up My Act
Greening Up My Act
Claim Ownership

Greening Up My Act

Author: Kat Cox & Tiffany Verbeck

Subscribed: 2Played: 6
Share

Description

For skeptics of sustainable products, learn how to spot greenwashing in the wild. This sustainability podcast is hosted by two marketing writers —  Kat and Tiff — who reveal the sneaky tactics brands use so you can avoid getting tricked by green hooey.

103 Episodes
Reverse
Is organic food a scam? Americans (especially parents!) are pressured to buy organic groceries for supposed health benefits, fear of pesticides, or because they think organic farming practices are better for the environment. But are these claims true? Dig deeper into organic fruits and vegetables, including whether there's any proof to the supposed benefits of organic food. Sources Mayo Clinic - Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious? - https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/n...
Your favorite green living podcast is back with a preview of our sixth (!!!) season. It's been a rough couple of months for a number of reasons (check out our Patreon for a full run-through) but we are coming back in January 2025 with Season 6: Political Action! We'll be talking about: how voting affects green policies how to lobby your U.S. government from the city to the state to the fedswhat green plans the U.S. government has in place (or what they'll be tearing down)h...
Airplanes and passenger jets get a lot of flak for emissions and pollution. But just how much does your flight overseas affect climate change? And what are scientists and the government doing to try and fix it? Find out in this week's episode of your favorite green living podcast. Sources: Kat’s rocket scientist sisterOur World in Data - Sector by sector: where do global greenhouse emissions come from? - https://ourworldindata.org/ghg-emissions-by-sectorThe Commons - How to Fly Sustainably: ...
15-minute cities are a bit of a head-scratcher. On the one hand, hosts Tiff and Kat talk through beautiful examples of real cities becoming more walkable and bikeable. But on the other hand, there are some truly wild 15-minute city conspiracy theories around the topic. Let's get into it! Sources Deloitte: https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/Industries/government-public/perspectives/urban-future-with-a-purpose/15-minute-city.htmlFast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/91119919/how-paris-beca...
This week on your favorite sustainability podcast, Tiffany teaches Kat about bee hotels and whether they're really saving the right bees. Watch out for tarantula hawks and the Wasp Surprise! Sources: UC Davis on ‘beewashing’: https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=30929Scientific journal PLOS One study on bee hotels: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122126 Xerces Society: We should focus on habitat, not honey bees: https://www.xerces.or...
Join two marketing writers as they dig deep into our trash piles, look past the marketing fluff, and discover the truth behind our current solutions to waste. In season 2 of Greening Up My Act, learn answers to questions like: Did I get swindled into buying a reusable Ziploc bag? Does my trash actually get recycled or is that arrow symbol a bunch of green hooey?What's up with this newfangled home composting device called Mill?What the eff is Swedish death cleaning?Hosts Kat and Tiff can...
“What do you want for dinner?” is the worst question ever. Meal planning to the rescue! We know, we know — it's one of those things everyone tells you you should do. But find out why this little tweak is actually worth it, and how it will save you money, time, and sanity. Get tips on how to do it right, plus a free downloadable planner that Tiffany actively uses and swears by. Sources Rutgers: https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/sustainability/fs1332_-reducing-food-waste-at-home_-easy-every...
If you run in certain circles, you may have heard about mushroom coffee. It's purportedly better for the environment and better for you than regular coffee. But will it scratch that morning coffee itch? And how true are those environmental or health claims? Explore this earthy trend with Tiff and Kat in your favorite sustainability podcast. Sources Harvard Health Publishing - https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/mushroom-coffee-worth-a-tasteHealthline - https://www.healthline.com/nutritio...
Some people say we eat a credit card's worth of plastic every week — which is not true. But it still ain't great. In this episode, you'll learn the basics of where microplastics come from, how they may be impacting the environment and ourselves, along with steps to help limit your microplastic exposure. Let's all try not to panic together. For more on plastic recycling, check out our episodes (16 & 17) here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849707/episodes/13220903 Sources CNN: https://www.cnn...
Veganism

Veganism

2025-10-2148:30

There's no denying veganism is better for the environment, and it can be better for your wallet. But there are some caveats, and health considerations. Get some facts this week in our episode on why you might consider going vegan and how to do it. Sources NIH - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9024616/The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/20/vegan-diet-cuts-environmental-damage-climate-heating-emissions-studyBBC - https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200211...
Have you ever heard of “wood milk”? Well, it’s a joke, but a pretty controversial one. Dairy isn’t the only option for your milk these days, much to the chagrin of the USDA and the dairy industry. But there are so many options to choose from, it can make your head spin. What’s the environmentally-friendly choice? And are they more expensive than cow’s milk? Take a bath in some plant-based milk (mylk? melk? milkk?) this week. Sources Wood Milk (fictitious): https://www.drinkwoodmilk.com/ ...
Should you buy produce "in season"? Why? And what does that even mean? How do you find out what's in season? Find out if seasonal produce is better for you or cheaper in this week's episode. Sources Seasonal Food Guide - https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/why-eat-seasonallyAmerican Heart Association - https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/07/12/why-seasonal-eating-can-be-a-healthy-delightClemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center - https://hgic.clemson.edu/the-benefits-of-s...
Eggs have been expensive for a long time! So are backyard chickens the way to reduce your egg costs at the grocery store? And are backyard chicken eggs any good? Find out if raising chickens is worth it, from chicken coop plans to how they get along with kids. Plus, get the scoop on how to decipher between pasture-raised, cage-free, or certified humane eggs when you're at the grocery store. Sources Redditbackyardchickens.comDatabase of ordinances: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ca...
Say "artificial food dyes" and someone will inevitably start screaming about Red 40 (or FD&C Red 40 if they're really obsessive). Are these dyes really poisoning our children? Is natural food coloring better, or might there be unintended environmental consequences? Join us as we look at everything from MAHA to McGill University to get to the bottom of artificial colors. Sources The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/08/white-food-dye-titanium-dioxide-maha/683806/?...
The average American is spending 25% more on groceries than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, so folks are looking for ways to save money. Growing your own vegetables is rewarding, but is it worth the cost? What's the cheapest vegetable to grow? Get tips on deciding what to plant and whether growing your own veg will save you some dough in your favorite sustainability podcast. NOTE: Some of the links below contain affiliate links, which we make a little cash from. Sources: LA F...
Feeling isolated? You're not alone (ironically). Community is probably the solution, but how do you find it or build it today? Let's talk about what community means, how to build it, and why it's not your fault if you feel like it's harder today than it should be. Plus: can community be dangerous? Find out this week on your favorite sustainability and joy podcast! Sources Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-the-wild-things-are/202307/the-importance-of-communityIked...
Traveling is great, but in this economy?! As anti-tourist sentiments heat up abroad, finding ways to enjoy your local area as a tourist destination is a better idea than ever. Get ideas and tips from Tiff and Kat on how to play tourist in your town to increase your local pride and hey, be a more conscientious tourist wherever you go! Sources: NY Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/arts/design/louvre-staff-strikes-tourism.htmlABC News - https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Travel/us-travelers-am...
Trying to buy less shite from Amazon but feel a little... intimidated by mom-and-pops (like, do you have to talk to people)? Tiff and Kat are here to teach you the basics, like what does shop local mean. Buying local is one way to get the stuff you need — and build community along the way. Learn how they managed to cut through the awkwardness, so you can get started in your hometown. Sources LatinoFreeze: https://www.latinofreeze.com/Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougmelville/202...
People around the world are obsessed with coffee. But with climate change threatening coffee-growing ecosystems, will mushroom coffee soon be our only option? Pour yourself a cup of Joe and settle in for a cozy chat about why we love coffee, why it's (probably) good for us, and how to choose your brew a little more sustainably. Sources Drive Research - Coffee Statistics - https://www.driveresearch.com/market-research-company-blog/coffee-survey/Daily Coffee News - https://dailycoff...
Thrifting is on trend again, which is mostly awesome in terms of sustainability. But before you Google "thrift stores near me" to go pop some tags, listen as hosts Tiff and Kat chat about how to thrift responsibly — mostly by avoiding those dang ole thrift hauls. Whether you're headed to a Salvation Army thrift store or a more local second hand store, you'll also want their top tips on how to nab the best finds. Sources Martha Stewart: https://www.marthastewart.com/shopping-tips-thrift-stores...
loading
Comments 
loading