Why conserving pollinators helps preserve not just our agricultural lands, but our National Parks as well. An interview with Dr. Sarah Whipple. In this episode, I chat with my friend and colleague, Dr. Sarah Whipple to discuss her pollinator passions! We discuss her plethora of adventures and studies in National Parks across the country and take a deep dive into her approach to assessing pollinator health in the wake of climate change. We cover some pollinator 101, by discussing what is a...
How promoting sustainable nutrition can mitigate health, environmental and social issues. An interview with Taylor Mayeda. In this episode of Environmentality. I sit down with foodie and food security advocate, Taylor Mayeda, to talk about nutrition, food security and plant-based "meats." Taylor was at Impossible Foods cooking burgers for Bill Gates, working in their marketing division, when the company was first starting out. Since then she has worked for several plant based companies, as ...
How flowers can be grown and curated in an eco-friendly way. An interview with Piper Essick, owner of Petals by Piper, a sustainable floristry company. In this episode, Brendon interviews flower artist and sustainable florist, Piper Essick, to talk about her generational green thumb and how Piper got into floristry. As an environmentalist, Piper approaches floristry from a unique perspective, combining nature and art, sourcing flowers locally for her clients. Piper discusses her desire to so...
How chemistry and soil health play a role in coffee quality. An interview with Sarah Brinkley, Ph.D. candidate and researcher at Texas A & M, working in the Center for Coffee Research and Education. In this episode, Brendon interviews coffee chemistry guru, Sarah Brinkley, to talk about the role chemistry plays in the perception and evaluation of coffee quality. Sarah discusses her sinuous path of interests leading her through vineyards, coffee farms and chemistry labs. She explains how ...
What steps can be done to minimize steps in the supply chain to improve the social responsibility of coffee. An interview with Preston Quillen, owner and head roaster of Bigbee Coffee Roasters in Alabama. In this episode, Brendon interviews Preston Quillen to talk about coffee roasting and his approach to consumer education and community building. Preston first got excited about coffee on a mission trip to Haiti and began his roasting process with a popcorn machine, a smoky apartment and an ...
What the postharvest steps are for coffee once its picked from the tree. An interview with Dr. Irwin Donis-González, assistant professor at UC-Davis, working in the Coffee Center. In this episode, Brendon interviews Dr. Irwin Donis-González to talk about postharvest management, coffee biology and how technology can be used to solve issues in the industry. Irwin shares about his background, growing up in Guatemala and his interests in engineering. He also defines what "postharvest" is and pro...
What the production challenges and innovative solutions are for the coffee industry in Latin America. An interview with Jan Carlo Handtke, owner of Mapache Coffee in El Salvador. In this episode, Brendon interviews Jan Carlo, a coffee farmer, processor and exporter from El Salvador. Jan Carlo and his wife, Sofia, operate Mapache, which produces coffee all over El Salvador through sustainable means. Jan Carlo shares about the biggest issues facing coffee production, particularly in El Salvado...
What the research objectives and challenges are for coffee production worldwide. An interview with Evie Smith, M.Sc., M.Sc. In this episode, Brendon interviews Evie Smith, coffee researcher and instructor at UC Davis, about research she has been conducting in Latin America over the past several years. Evie shares about the biggest issues facing coffee production, particularly in Latin America: coffee leaf rust, a fungal pathogen, and the price crisis. Evie discusses solutions to these proble...
How coffee can be managed and bred for sustainability. A lecture from Brendon Anthony. In this premiere episode of Season 3 of Environmentality., Brendon returns with a lecture on sustainable coffee, which serves as an introduction and primer to a 6-part series on coffee and sustainability. Brendon shares his background, interest and love of coffee, and why he wanted to create the series about this beverage and sustainability. Brendon explains the distinction between the two primary species...
Why tree fruit orchards are being redesigned for improved sustainability. A lecture from Brendon Anthony. In this final episode of Season 2 of Environmentality., Brendon returns with a lecture on the tree fruit industry and the focus of his PhD research, shifting low density peach orchards towards high density plantings (more trees per land area). Brendon provides an overview on the field of horticulture and pomology, while doing some deep dives on some fun botanical facts. He then b...
How recycling nutrients from our plant residues, biosolids and bodies can contribute to a more sustainable future. An interview with Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs. In this episode of Environmentality. I sit down with Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, Full Professor in the Crops and Soil Science Department at Washington State University to discuss nutrient cycling on many scales. We discuss the importance of returning nutrients back into agriculture systems in order to achieve more sustainable pr...
How zoonotic viruses are spreading as a result of ecosystem degradation. An interview with Danielle Carnahan. In this episode of Environmentality. Danielle Carnahan returns to chat with me about the interface between global pandemics and environmental degradation. Danielle is a wildlife conservationist and is the founder of an environmental blog called, "Call to Conserve." Danielle has worked extensively with wildlife around the globe and helps walk me through the connection betw...
What a plethora of international agricultural experiences can teach us about community and the environment. An interview with Sam Becker-Miyadai. In this episode of Environmentality. I sit down with a dear friend and former roommate of mine, Sam Becker-Miyadai. Sam is a marketing specialist, foodie and food systems photographer. In the podcast, Sam shares an anthology of stories and farming experiences from Southern California to Japan, with many other stops in between, like in Mexico ...
How Plant with Purpose is holistically addressing social, economic and environmental needs. An interview with Philippe Lazaro. In this episode of Environmentality. I sit down with Philippe Lazaro, the creative director of Plant with Purpose, a non-profit based in San Diego that engages in holistic development all around the globe. Plant with Purpose embraces agroforestry and agroecological approaches to restore the environment, stimulate local economies and fortify relationships ...
Why trends can be degrading and how the industry can build a sustainable future. An interview with Jia Yee Ni. In this episode of Environmentality. I discuss the fashion industry with Jia Yee Ni, the product/design manager at Kordal Studio in Brooklyn, New York. We chat about the harmful impacts of the "fast fashion" industry, in respect to built obsolescence, negative societal consequences on self-esteem, environmental degradation of particular materials and the social/economic ...
How humans and climate change are influencing alpine lakes and ecology. An interview with Caitlin Charlton. In this episode of Environmentality. I connect with Caitlin Charlton to discuss all things alpine lakes and ecology. In particular, we discuss the impacts of human activity and climate change on these alpine regions, and what solutions, both big and small, that can be taken to mitigate their impacts. Caitlin is a graduate student in the Ecology program at Colorado State Universi...
How a circular urban agricultural system can provide social and environmental benefits. An interview with Aaron Flora. In this episode of Environmentality. I sit down and chat with Aaron Flora, Renewable Farms Founder and CEO, about aquaponics. Aquaponics is an urban agricultural system that combines: aquaculture, the production of aquatic species like tilapia, catfish or shellfish, and hydroponics, the production of plants without soil. We chat about aquaponics as a tool in the toolbo...
How an online platform can revolutionize your shopping habits for a more sustainable planet. An interview with Tara Jafarmadar, CEO of Susty.eco, which is now: Baobab. In this episode of Environmentality. I interview Tara Jafarmadar Mujica, CEO and one of the co-founders at Susty.eco (now Baobab), an online shopping platform that hosts sustainable products and businesses. The goal of Susty? To simplify and enhance the transparency of your shopping habits, by providing you information a...
How Tropic Sport seeks to mitigate coral bleaching and negative human health impacts of chemical sunscreen. An interview with Tony Palmer. In this interview of Environmentality., Tony Palmer, co-founder and CEO of Tropic Sport, joins me to talk about their alternative sunscreen that is formulated with natural compounds to promote healthy reefs and bodies. Warming temperatures and ocean acidification have led to coral bleaching in recent years, but another contributing factor to coral b...
Hey all, this is the official conclusion to Season One's first ten episodes of Environmentality. I hope you have been enjoying it, learning lots and growing in your love for the natural world. I'll be back with Season Two in a few weeks with topics on Sustainable fashion, shopping and coffee! Plus much more! As always feel free to reach out with topics and ideas via Instagram: @brendonanthonyy I will continue to bring you news in the meanwhile, except for next week, as I am off ...