A Sustainable Mind - environment & sustainability podcast

Katelyn Armbruster is the Program Manager for Rob & Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service within the Global Futures Lab at Arizona State University. In this role, she leads sustainability education, outreach, and engagement for a number of initiatives and projects including the Sustainability Solutions Festival, Sustainability Solutions Science Fair, Sustainable Earth, and the Sustainable Earth Small Business Awards   Today’s Sponsor: Wondrium offers documentaries, series, lessons, how-to's, and more, on any topic you can imagine. Watch on any device and on the go! To get your free trial go to Wondrium.com/ASM   In this episode Marjorie and Katelyn discuss: Growing up exposed to multiple cultures around the world with seemingly opposite relationships to the environment and how that impacts the adult you become The importance of sustainability education for all ages and what makes some material more accessible or beneficial for learners than others How Sustainable Earth is tapping businesses, research professionals, and young people for new and exciting resources that other businesses and young people can learn from   Resources mentioned in today's episode: Sustainable Earth’s Educator Awards (coming soon): https://sustainable-earth.org/activities/ Sustainable Earth’s Small Business Awards (applications close July 1, 2022): https://sustainable-earth.org/small-business-awards/ Plant You, planet-based chef on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantyou/ The Garbage Queen on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegarbagequeen?lang=en How Not to Die, book by Dr. Michael Gregor: https://nutritionfacts.org/book/how-not-to-die/   Connect with Katelyn Armbruster and the Sustainable Earth Team: Website: https://sustainable-earth.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sust_earth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sust_earth Katelyn’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelynarmbruster/ Sustainable Earth’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sustainable-earth/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6zhnLJ9QOZosSPruoIuqUw   Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com   Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

Fedia Kourbatov is 23 years old and the founder of Baba Bags, a reusable bag social enterprise. Fedia founded Baba Bags in his college dorm room 2 years ago at the University of Oklahoma. Baba Bags' mission is to eliminate single-use plastic bag usage and give back to impactful nonprofits. In 2 years they have saved an estimated 50,000 single-use plastic bags from being used! Baba Bags currently are handmade, come with a lifetime warranty and come in 2 colors. Their green & white bag is partnered with Action Against Hunger and their orange & white bag is partnered with the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Each time the respective color is purchased Baba Bags donates to the partnered charity!   Today’s Sponsor: Wondrium offers documentaries, series, lessons, how-to's, and more, on any topic you can imagine. Watch on any device and on the go! To get your free trial go to Wondrium.com/ASM   In this episode Marjorie and Fedi discuss: Starting a business with a social goal as part of its primary mission. The personal history behind the design of the Baba Bag and the people behind the handmade bags. The future of gamification as an earth-friendly habit-building tool. Valuable advice for any entrepreneur. Resources mentioned in today's episode: How I Built This Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297 Sooner Innovation Fund - ********https://www.ou.edu/entrepreneurship/sooner-innovation-fund National Pediatric Cancer Foundation - ****https://nationalpcf.org/ Action Against Hunger - ****https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/ SCORE Mentorship program - https://www.score.org/find-mentor Evernote - https://evernote.com/ OpenIDEO - https://www.openideo.com/ Start Something That Matters by the founder of TOMS Shoes, Blake Mycoskie - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/201230/start-something-that-matters-by-blake-mycoskie/ Connect with Fedi and the Baba Bag Team: Website: https://www.baba-bags.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsbababags/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsbababags/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/itsbababags Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com   Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

The Grandad Company is a closed-loop upcycling brand whose mission is to breathe life into reclaimed vintage menswear for a new unisex generation. Rooted by the love and admiration for Grandads, founder and designer Jess Grech adopted her philosophy and core values from her stylish grandad. The brand uses her Grandad's un-wanted items and combines them with vintage clothing her Grandad would wear, to create a limited edition item that could never be made again. Today’s Sponsor: Wondrium offers documentaries, series, lessons, how-to's, and more, on any topic you can imagine. To get your free trial and check out their new documentary Solving for Zero go to Wondrium.com/ASM. In this episode Marjorie and Jess discuss: How Jess’ childhood and relationship with her grandfather inspired her to start a recycled clothing company. How Jess comes up with her design ideas and creates one-of-a-kind recycled fashion pieces. Sustainable business and the importance of creating opportunity in an ever-changing market. Resources mentioned in today's episode: Bethany Williams Bepple Pub Facebook Group The Sustainable Handbook The Fashion Business Manual Connect with Jess and The Grandad Company: Website: https://thegrandadcompany.com/.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegrandadcompany/ Depop: https://www.depop.com/thegrandadcompany/ Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com

After finding out that over 165 million single-use cups end up in landfills every day, Vince Dickson and Megan Williams went looking for a reusable alternative that was convenient and easy to carry around all day, every day. They couldn't find one so they created HUNU, a reusable cup that folds down small enough to fit into even the tightest pockets.  Today’s Sponsor: Wondrium offers documentaries, series, lessons, how-to's, and more, on any topic you can imagine. Watch on any device and on the go! To get your free trial go to Wondrium.com/ASM In this episode Marjorie and Vince discuss: Consciousness about personal environmental impact and what determines a person’s choices about things like reusables. What led to Vince and Megan coming up with the design for the HUNU cup and what features make it unique. The important role that usability, portability, and aesthetics play in popularizing reusables. Resources mentioned in today's episode: EcoAge Sustainable business experts: https://eco-age.com/ Good on You sustainable clothing: https://goodonyou.eco/ Sea Shepherd: https://www.seashepherdglobal.org/ Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari: https://amzn.to/3r0A1vM Connect with Vince and the HUNU Team: Website: wearehunu.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearehunu/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_aYKhyT7Acmx5ZjJ3JFyg Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com   Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

Proud hippie, eco-warrior, thought leader and renowned retailer Jarvis advises brands including Natwest, HSBC, Deloitte, Citrix, the Parliament Trust, House of Lords’ group Peers4Planet. His magazine GREEN was published with National Geographic from 2008, then The Guardian in 2010, evolving into the world's biggest ethical lifestyle magazine My Green Pod magazine from 2013. Jarvis launched the P.E.A. (People Environment Achievement) Awards which is the UK’s leading sustainability awards and honours individuals and teams for their contribution towards sustainability. Jarvis' online eco-conscious store www.mygreenpod.com leads the field in ethical shopping and in the next decade Jarvis’ intent is to provide an ethical alternative to Amazon, with real purpose and proper values.    Today’s Sponsor:  Wondrium offers documentaries, series, lessons, how-to's, and more, on any topic you can imagine. Watch on any device and on the go! To get your free trial go to Wondrium.com/ASM   In this episode Marjorie and Jarvis discuss: The experience that caused Jarvis to commit his life to the environment and ‘business for good’  My Green Pod’s early partnerships with Nat Geo and the Guardian in the UK and the impact Jarvis and his team are hoping the site will have on the community in the coming years Why the term consumer is problematic and more empowering frames of reference for purchasing essential and non-essential products Our shifting relationship with nature and how that impacts our awareness, attention, and treatment of the environment.   Resources mentioned in today's episode: Kriya Yoga: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriya_Yoga Octopus Energy: https://octopus.energy/ Project Drawdown: https://drawdown.org/  Nature TV: https://www.mygreenpod.com/naturetv   Connect with My Green Pod & Nature TV: Website: https://www.mygreenpod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mygreenpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mygreenpod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mygreenpod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarvis-smith-09201b10/    Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com   Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

Trash Academy, a project of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Environmental Justice department, is an intergenerational collaboration of young people, seasoned activists, artists, non-profits, local government, and concerned citizens of diverse backgrounds. These interventions are geared to complicate and deepen people’s understanding of litter, consumption, and waste and shift attitudes from passive acceptance to proactive responses to the waste stream. Collectively, they design projects that add surprising and interesting elements to the urban landscape using fun group activities and games, teach-ins, workshops, and three Trash Mobiles providing on-site art and creativity studios at neighborhood events and locales. Today’s Sponsors:  Climate Talks is a new podcast exploring sustainability and the ways that we communicate about the climate. Catch season 1 now as host Sophia Li interviews climate optimists, investigating the steps we can take to work towards a more sustainable future. https://pod.link/1592523204 In this episode Marjorie and Ron discuss: Some of the challenges with waste in Philadelphia and how Trash Academy is educating people of all ages about the true impact of waste in our communities How the Trash Mobile and other activities use concepts like gamification to have a lasting impact that traditional PSAs and non-interactive signage have not been able to accomplish How parents can help their children better understand the concept of trash Good first steps for how to get involved in issues you care about in your own community Resources mentioned in today's episode: Vanessa Nakate - read her UN profile here: https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/vanessa-nakate/ Vanessa’s organization: Youth for Future Africa: https://www.facebook.com/YOUTH-for-Future-Africa-112041190182345/ Archive.org, is a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more Silent Spring by Rachel Carson: http://www.rachelcarson.org/SilentSpring.aspx   Connect with Trash Academy: Website: https://www.trashacademy.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trash.academy/   Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com   Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

Noah Hyams is a serial entrepreneur who started VEGPRENEUR to create a global community of entrepreneurs and investors building sustainable, plant-based businesses. Through VEGPRENEUR, Noah has interviewed and brought together founders, investors, and thought-leaders in the plant-based space. Most recently Noah was featured on Bloomberg Radio where he talked about the state of the plant-based economy. Noah is also an active startup advisor and has been invited to speak/mentor in entrepreneurship programs at New York University, the City University of New York, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Today’s Sponsors:  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. Climate Talks is a new podcast exploring sustainability and the ways that we communicate about the climate. Catch season 1 now as host Sophia Li interviews climate optimists, investigating the steps we can take to work towards a more sustainable future. https://pod.link/1592523204 In this episode Marjorie and Noah discuss: Some of the major challenges for plant-based businesses and how to overcome them The status of the plant-based economy and opportunities for growth in the coming years Invaluable advice for entrepreneurs in any space, especially during covid-19 Resources mentioned in today's episode: Vegpreneur.org and their newsletter with monthly investment opportunities  Bolt Threads mushroom leather partnership with Adidas Impact Snacks, snacks with edible wrappers NutritionFacts.org VeganCheatSheet.org Disclosure, by Earthling Ed    Connect with Noah Hyams: Website: https://www.vegpreneur.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vegpreneur Twitter: https://twitter.com/vegpreneur Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vegpreneur/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahhyams/    Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com   Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

Pallavi Pande started Dtocs three years ago with three things in mind, sustainability, community, and usability. Dtocs offers a line of compostable tableware from naturally fallen palm leaves from farms where she has personal relationships with the owners and farmers. Pallavi is also a woman of color and a mother of two young Dtocs brand ambassadors. She is hoping that Dtocs can be an elegant, sturdy, and affordable solution for a plastic-free world. Use the promo code DTOCS10 for 10% off any order at www.Dtocs.com!   Today’s Sponsors:  Climate Talks is a new podcast exploring sustainability and the ways that we communicate about the climate. Catch season 1 now as host Sophia Li interviews climate optimists, investigating the steps we can take to work towards a more sustainable future. https://pod.link/1592523204 In this episode Marjorie and Pallavi discuss: Raising eco-conscious children The wide range of uses and the durability of palm leaf products How palm leaves are grown and retrieved and the process they undergo to be made into reusable flatware and tableware The impact that Dtocs is having in the community where the leaves are harvested Resources mentioned in today's episode: Julia Butterfly Hill, activist and author of The Legacy of Luna Business Wars podcast Mamavation Book: Atomic Habits   Connect with Pallavi Pande: Website: https://Dtocs.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/DtocsL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/57414687/admin/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dtocsplates Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dtocsplates/    Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com   Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

Seth Mansur is a longtime sustainability advocate and Marine Corps veteran, and over the last decade, he has developed a deep understanding of a multitude of energy management solutions. Seth's work serves the energy needs of Commercial, Industrial, and Non-Profit Organizations and his primary objective is to help organizations take a proactive approach to evaluating and taking action on their energy needs.    Today’s Sponsor:  Climate Talks is a new podcast exploring sustainability and the ways that we communicate about the climate. Catch season one now as host Sophia Li interviews climate optimists, investigating the steps we can take to work towards a more sustainable future. Listen here: https://pod.link/1592523204 In this episode Marjorie and Seth discuss: What exactly is energy management, why does it matter, and how does it differ between residential to commercial buildings Why are energy bills so difficult to read! The role of energy audits and energy monitors and determining if your situation would benefit from these tools What peak energy means and why it’s so expensive Community choice aggregation or deregulated energy options What the energy grid of the future could look like and what happens to energy monopolies when a majority of users switch to renewables Resources mentioned in today's episode: Ecovillage Findhorn in Scotland Station A - the first AI-powered clean energy marketplace Seth’s mentor Dr. John Gerber, Professor of Sustainable Food and Farming at the University of Massachusetts William McDonough, founder of Cradle to Cradle design Book: Cradle to Cradle: Remaking The Way We Make Things Solar Ready Vets program   Connect with Seth Mansur: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmansur/    Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com   Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

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: Financing the Circular Economy Report from the Ellen Macarthur Foundation  The Waste-free World book    Kiss the Ground documentary Regrained Pulp Pantry Imperfect Foods To Good to Go app   Connect with Kate Flynn and Sun & Swell Foods: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunandswellfoods/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunandswellfoods LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-flynn-15187726/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sunandswellfoods/_created/    Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com   Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

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: SustainableHealthcare.org (https://sustainablehealthcare.org.uk/) Health Care Without Harm ChoosingWisely.org The Planetary Health Report Card Outrage + Optimism with Christiana Figueres   Connect with Dr. Rosie Spooner and the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare: Website: http://sustainablehealthcare.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentreforSustainableHealthcare/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusHealthcare Twitter: https://twitter.com/spooner_rosie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-spooner-37581218a/    Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com   Interested in sponsoring or supporting A Sustainable Mind? Visit our sponsorship page at ASustainableMind.com/sponsor!

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: Hot Take Podcast and Newsletter: https://www.hottakepod.com/ Green Production Guide: https://www.greenproductionguide.com/ The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us Earther: https://earther.gizmodo.com/ The Book on Awakening:      Connect with Emellie and the Earth Angel Team: Website: https://www.earthangel.nyc/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/earthangelsets Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EarthAngelsets/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/earthangelsets LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earth-angel-sustainable-production-services-llc     Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com   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. 

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: Green Circle Salons: https://greencirclesalons.com/     Connect with Ben and the Novak Studios Team: Website: http://novakstudios.com/ Dallas/Fort Worth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Novakfortworth/ Dallas/Fort Worth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/novakfortworth Burleson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/novakburleson/ Burleson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovakBurleson/     Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com

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: Beasts of a Southern Wild film trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvqZzSMIZa0 Paul Hawken https://paulhawken.com/ Project Drawdown https://drawdown.org/ Climate Action Network https://climatenetwork.org/ Chesapeake Bay Foundation https://www.cbf.org/ Surfrider https://www.surfrider.org/ 350.org https://350.org/ Earth Justice https://earthjustice.org/ Sierra Club https://www.sierraclub.org/ Oceana https://oceana.org/ Repair.org https://www.repair.org/ Slow Food https://www.slowfood.com/ Eat Wild http://www.eatwild.com/ Planned Parenthood https://www.plannedparenthood.org/ Southern Poverty Law Center https://www.splcenter.org/ Habitat for Humanity https://www.habitat.org/     Connect with Dana and get a copy of the Come Together Handbook: Website: danasimson.com Personal FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/dana.simsonorth Artist FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/danasimson Dana's Art Gallery, Chesapeake East Company: https://www.facebook.com/Danasimsonart Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaSimsonArt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danasimsonart/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/danasimson/     Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com

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: Ellen MacArthur Foundation https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/ The World in Data https://ourworldindata.org/ The Uninhabited Earth by David Wallace-Wells https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/586541/the-uninhabitable-earth-by-david-wallace-wells/     Connect with Bob and Brightmark: Website: https://www.brightmark.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobpowelllinkedin/ Bob's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobpowell_/ Brightmark's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Brightmark/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightmarkenergy Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Brightmark Bob's Twitter: https://twitter.com/bobpowell_ Brightmark's Twitter: https://twitter.com/brightmarke     Connect with Marjorie Alexander: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asustainablemind/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainableMind Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asustainablemind/ Website: http://www.asustainablemind.com