Sustainability Defined

This week on Sustainability Defined, Cecilia and Nethra are bringing the conversation to the Thanksgiving table.  We're breaking down how to talk about the climate crisis with the people we love, tackling eco-guilt and burnout, and navigating hope.  Join us for a chat with Nivi Achanta, the founder of The Soapbox Project , about the power of remaining joyful when approaching sustainability and community in fueling collective action. Tune in for a grounded, honest convo that'll leave you feeling connected and ready to spark change. 

In the hot seat this week - Nick Valenzia, Co-Founder of Leafr. We sat down with Nick to understand the "Green Skills Gap" and what that means in an economy where getting a job in sustainability feels so difficult. How is AI influencing the green jobs market? How is the lack of specialized sustainability professionals holding back global climate goals? What do professionals need to be aware of in order to succeed? What is this gap?  Nethra and Cecilia also explore how Leafr is building the world's largest network of independent sustainability specialists and curating the only rated database of sustainability tools and resources. Nick shares insights on what companies really need to make progress, how Leafr is changing the game for overburdened sustainability teams, and why accessibility and quality assurance are key to scaling impact. This episode is brought to you by Leafr. As a thank you to our Definers, they are offering free consultations until November 30th, 2025. Book time here: https://calendly.com/nick-leafr/leafr-user-interview

Matcha, it's everywhere, from your morning latte to the latest wellness trend. But what does it really take to bring this vibrant green powder from farm to cup, and what can its journey teach us about sustainability? In this week's episode, Nethra and Cecilia peel back the layers of matcha's story tracing its production, supply chain, and booming global consumption. They explore how centuries-old traditions are colliding with modern demand, and why the way we grow and source matcha matters for people, planet, and the future of tea. This episode also features a special interview with Michael Ham, Co-Founder and President of Wild Orchard Tea. Michael shares how Wild Orchard is reimagining the tea industry through regenerative farming building soil health, restoring ecosystems, and proving that sustainability and flavor can go hand in hand. His work offers a powerful glimpse into how a single crop, grown differently, can reshape the future of agriculture.

This week, we're doing a podcast swap with our friends over at Source of Good!  Source of Good is a podcast that goes beyond the label of your favorite products, uncovering all the ingenious ways they're being made better for the planet, people, and our future. In each episode, brands and manufacturers break down how they're tackling sustainability challenges and creating real impact. We're sharing their episode "From Farm to Closet: The Icon by Eileen Fisher," which explores how this timeless piece of clothing is crafted with intention, from regenerative farms to sustainable design practices, showing what it truly means to make fashion better for the world. Tune in to learn how innovation and sustainability intersect to change the way we think about the clothes we wear.

In this episode of Sustainability Defined, we're taking you inside NYC Climate Week 2025, one of the biggest sustainability events of the year. We'll share tips on how to navigate the overwhelming mix of panels, networking sessions, and activations, and give you a sneak peek into the events we'll be attending ourselves! But that's not all. This episode also features a special interview with the founders of the NYC Climate Film Festival, an innovative platform using the power of storytelling to bring climate issues to life. Together, we explore how mass media, film, social platforms, and even viral moments, can shape public opinion, drive corporate accountability, and inspire policymakers to take bold action. Whether you're attending Climate Week in person or following along online, this conversation will leave you with a deeper understanding of how culture and creativity intersect with the climate movement.

Farm to Table — sounds obvious, right? But how did something so seemingly simple become such a radical act? In this week's episode, Nethra and Cecilia unpack the history, philosophy, and misconceptions surrounding the farm-to-table movement — from its roots in counterculture to its current role in shaping sustainable food systems. They explore how industrial agriculture and globalized supply chains have created a deep disconnect between eaters and the land, and why "local" isn't just a buzzword, but a call to reimagine what food can be. This episode also features a special interview with Ariane Daguin, a trailblazer in ethical sourcing and sustainable farming. As the founder of D'Artagnan, Ariane revolutionized the U.S. food industry by introducing organic, free-range, and humanely raised meats to the mainstream market. Her influence laid critical groundwork for today's farm-to-table movement. Now, through her latest venture AOOA Farm, she's championing regenerative agriculture and mentoring the next generation of farmers and chefs with the same passion and purpose. Whether you're a foodie, a farmer, or just curious about where your dinner really comes from, this episode is a must-listen.

Sunscreen usage has risen exponentially over the last decade - and with summer finally here, Cecilia and Nethra are exploring the impacts of sunscreen on our bodies and marine life. How does sunscreen break down in our ecosystems? What is "Reef-Safe"? What are the solutions to the accumulation of sunscreens in our coral reefs and marine habitats? What is the difference between SPF 30 and 50? Definers, tune into this month's episode as we explore these topics and hear from our expert guest Katie Day, Senior Manager of Science and Policy at the The Surfrider Foundation. Special guests include Mike Malterre from Stream2Sea - a sunscreen company that is completely changing the industry and innovated a product to nourish reef ecosystems!

Online shopping is convenient, but at what cost?! In this episode, we explore the massive plastic footprint hidden in your doorstep deliveries, from poly mailers to mixed-material packaging that often ends up in landfills. Cecilia and Nethra break down the environmental toll of e-commerce and spotlight the innovative seaweed-based alternative offered by cleantech startup SWAY. Don't miss our interview with Alyssa Pace, SWAY's Communications Lead, as we dive into how compostable packaging and seaweed/nature based solutions could help reshape the future of sustainable shipping.

Wetlands are the unsung heroes of climate resilience. From flood protection to water filtration, these ecosystems are biodiversity hot spots and are critical for the health of our planet.  In this episode, learn more about what exactly a wetland is and how they are vital. Learn about the world's largest restoration project taking place in the Florida Everglades as we sit down with Dr. Steve Davis, the Chief Science Officer at The Everglades Foundation. The Everglades Foundation has been the driving force behind the biggest environmental restoration project in the world. The project aims to "lubricate" the Everglades with much-needed fresh water to save an ecosystem unlike any other on the planet, ensure continued access to drinking water for more than 9 million Floridians, and prevent yearly outbreaks of blue-green algae that clog Florida waterways with a guacamole-like substance. 

Did you know that airplanes can run on waste cooking oil, municipal solid waste, forestry waste, and even algae in the form of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs)? Well, they can.  Biomimicry, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), and aircrafts inspired by GEESE? Learn about some of the innovations happening right now in the aviation industry and where it's headed in the coming decades. The industry has some ambitious goals of reaching net zero by 2050, running aircrafts on mainly SAFs, using newer lightweight materials to reduce fuel consumption, and even getting aircrafts to fly in the same v-pattern as flocks of geese to lower their carbon footprints. Hosts, Cecilia & Nethra, took field trip to Toulouse, France and attended the Airbus Summit 2025. Learn about their insights from the summit and hear some lightning interviews from a few of the leading experts at Airbus such as: Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer Jonathan Beck, Flight Operations R&T IPT Leader Sue Partridge, Head of Wing of Tomorrow Programme Antjie Bulmann, Direct Air Capture Expert      

Welcome to the first episode of Hot Commodities: Chocolate & Sustainability, a new series from Sustainability Defined! Meet your new hosts, Cecilia and Nethra, as they dive into the environmental and social challenges within the chocolate supply chain. From cacao farming to the final product, they break down the key players, power imbalances, and pressing issues like deforestation, child labor, and climate change. This episode explores the role of women in cacao production, the struggles of smallholder farmers against large corporations, and potential solutions such as agroforestry and ethical sourcing. Cecilia and Nethra aim to unpack the complexities of this "wicked problem" and empower listeners to make more informed choices. You'll also hear from agricultural economist and Former World Cacao President William Guyton, followed by insights from Tony's Chocolonely. Their interviews highlight the need for collaboration, fair trade certifications, and conscious consumer action to build a more sustainable and equitable chocolate industry. Tune in to uncover the bittersweet truth behind your favorite treat!

👋 Big news, Definers! We're thrilled to introduce your NEW podcast hosts, Cecilia Rios & Nethra Rajendran! We are excited to be passing the mic to two incredible voices. In this episode, Jay and Scott join Cecilia and Nethra for a warm welcome and a sneak peek at what's to come with Sustainability Defined.  We are confident they will bring fresh perspectives and a wealth of passion to the table. Get to know them in this special introductory episode as they share their backgrounds, sustainability interests, and the future direction of the show.  Ready to meet your new hosts? Listen now! ----- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen.  Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.    We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors:  Energy  Cities  Natural Environment  Transportation  Business  Policy  Social  Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.   www.sustainabilitydefined.com

This month we are continuing our break and sharing another episode from the Sea Change Podcast! However, stay tuned for next month as we are on track to introduce you to our new hosts. We are so excited to introduce you to them! Find Sea Change on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to listen to the entire "All Gassed Up" series.  About this Series:  Right now in the US, there is a GAS BOOM. A liquified natural gas boom — or LNG. The US produces the most LNG in the world. And the epicenter of this massive expansion? It's here on the Gulf Coast. "All Gassed Up," a three-part special series from the award-winning podcast Sea Change, investigates the global expansion of liquified natural gas, or LNG. Led by co-hosts Carlyle Calhoun and Halle Parker, the series follows the journey of American gas around the world to find out if LNG is the miracle fuel it's claimed to be. If it really can prevent a climate apocalypse. Or is it a carbon bomb waiting to go off?  Episode 1: The Carbon Coast: The story starts in Louisiana — ground zero. We see how the rise of these massive export terminals has transformed one community. Is this big bet on LNG worth it?  --------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen.  Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.    We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors:  Energy  Cities  Natural Environment  Transportation  Business  Policy  Social  Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.   www.sustainabilitydefined.com

Happy New Year, Definers! This month we are continuing our break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member, independent podcast producer and investigative journalist - Jordan Gass-Poore'.  "Hazard NJ" is an NJ Spotlight News podcast that examines serious pollution issues. Season 2 dives deep into the crisis of toxic pollution caused by PFAS, or "forever chemicals," around New Jersey and beyond. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and more. We hope you enjoy it!  As a reminder, we are still doubling donations to the Uproot Project up to the first $500. Email your donation receipt to hosts@sustainabilitydefined.com, and we will double it! — Episode Description:  Hazard NJ: S2, E1: First a Miracle, Then a Curse It was 1938 at a DuPont laboratory in far South Jersey when scientists stumbled upon the chemical that would become known as Teflon. The accidental discovery became a scientific miracle, laying the groundwork for an entirely new class of incredibly durable chemicals that would be used for all sorts of purposes. But that progress came with a toxic hidden cost that has only recently become fully understood. Now, the small town where it all started is on the front lines of a global pollution crisis. Credits:  HAZARD N-J IS AN N-J SPOTLIGHT NEWS PRODUCTION… YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR REPORTING BY HEADING TO N-J SPOTLIGHT NEWS DOT ORG SLASH DONATE.   THE SHOW IS WRITTEN… EDITED… AND HOSTED BY ME… JORDAN GASS-POORE.   MICHAEL SOL WARREN CONTRIBUTED REPORTING. HE ALSO CO WROTE AND PRODUCED ALL EPISODES.   JAMES KRAFT IS THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER WITH N-J SPOTLIGHT NEWS. OUR EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE OF PRODUCTION IS JOE LEE. CHLOE MOTISI IS OUR PRODUCTION MANAGER. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH WAS DONE BY JUDAH DUKE. OUR SOUND DESIGNER AND ENGINEER IS MARK BUSH. MUSIC FOR HAZARD N-J WAS COMPOSED BY NICK PENNINGTON. ARTWORK BY MATTHEW FLEMING. SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SCIENCE HISTORY INSTITUTE IN PHILADELPHIA FOR PROVIDING THE ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW OF DUPONT SCIENTIST ROY PLUNKETT… …ARROW FILMS FOR THE USE OF THE CRAZIES TRAILER… AND THE HAGLEY LIBRARY FOR THE TEFLON RELATED AUDIO CLIPS.

The end of the year is near! It's time for our annual Holiday Hodge Podge episode. This year we summarize some of our favorite podcast and sustainability moments from the year and of all time, Jay and Scott provide personal updates and their favorite sustainability articles of the year, and we give some sustainable holiday gift ideas. We also discuss what's next for the podcast. We hope you all have a great holiday season! ----------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen.  Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.    We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors:  Energy  Cities  Natural Environment  Transportation  Business  Policy  Social  Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.   www.sustainabilitydefined.com

Happy November Definers! This month we are continuing our break and resharing a listener favorite, Episode #52: Feminine Hygiene Products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills of DAME.  Unfortunately, the artificial sensitivities around the topic of this episode - feminine hygiene products - have hindered widespread discussion of the significant environmental and social issues associated with these products. Join us as we investigate the many sustainability issues they affect, from environmental footprints and social acceptance to female genital health and access and equity. If you have been wondering about the latest with DAME, a company that has reimagined period products with more comfortable and sustainable alternatives, in this replay episode we have included some of the latest updates from the company. We hope you enjoy the listen! As a reminder, we are accepting applications from Definers to take over the show. More details are in the September episode. If you are interested in this opportunity, please make sure to apply ASAP as we're starting to review applications! You can email us with your interest and why you should take over at hosts@sustainabilitydefined.com. ------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen.  Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.    We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors:  Energy  Cities  Natural Environment  Transportation  Business  Policy  Social  Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.   www.sustainabilitydefined.com  

This month we are on break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member and environmental journalist - Eva Tesfaye. We hope you enjoy it! Two reminders: —We announced last month Jay and Scott are moving on and accepting applications from Definers to take over the show. More details in last month's episode. You can email us with your interest and why you should take over at hosts@sustainabitydefined.com. —We are still doubling donations to Uproot Project up to the first $500. Email your donation receipt to hosts@sustainabilitydefined.com, and we will double it! Here's a description of Eva's Sea Change podcast episode: Even though New Orleans has water in every direction, it's hard to access. And for a city with increasingly sweltering summers, this irony is painful. This episode talks about the uncomfortable history of Lincoln Beach, how it led to New Orleans not having any public beaches today, and how a community has rallied together to get their beach back. The episode starts in the era of segregation, where if you were Black, the only place to soak up sun and sand was Lincoln Beach. This episode was reported and hosted by Eva Tesfaye. Carlyle Calhoun is the managing producer. This episode was edited by Rosemary Westwood and Carlyle Calhoun with additional editing help from Halle Parker, Tyler Pratt, and Ryan Vasquez. Joseph King voiced WEB Dubois. Garrett Hazelwood is our fact-checker. Our sound designer is Emily Jankowski and our theme music is by Jon Batiste.  Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We're a part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. Sea Change is made possible with major support from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. WWNO's Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Meraux and the Greater New Orleans Foundation. You can reach the Sea Change team at seachange@wwno.org.

Happy September Definers! We've got a bit of a different episode for you all this month as we discuss what is next for Sustainability Defined through the rest of the year and beyond. As we mention in this month's short episode, we are hoping to pass along the show to the next generation of hosts. We hope that the show will afford a few of our Definers the early career opportunities, benefits, and fun that we experienced as we created the show. If you're interested, reach out to us at hosts@sustainabilitydefined.com and convince us that you're the right person to take the show to its next level. ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen.  Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.    We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors:  Energy  Cities  Natural Environment  Transportation  Business  Policy  Social  Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.   www.sustainabilitydefined.com

Fine jewelry is made from precious metals, think gold and silver, and stones, like diamonds or other gemstones. Traditionally these raw materials are mined from deep in the earth's mantle and produced with extensive human labor to create the rings, necklaces, and other jewelry pieces we love to wear. As an industry, this component of our style can create negative effects on both the environment and people. In this episode, we explore the world of sustainable jewelry and how the industry is addressing environmental and ethical challenges.  This episode is sponsored by MiaDonna, an innovative, ethical fine jewelry company. It specializes in designer-style, affordably priced, conflict-free engagement rings and fine jewelry made exclusively from lab-grown diamonds and recycled gold and platinum. MiaDonna is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA, and sells to more than 40 countries worldwide. Our expert interview is with Anna-Mieke Anderson, Founder and CEO of MiaDonna, as well as its charitable foundation, The Greener Diamond. She is an internationally recognized environmental and humanitarian activist and a pioneering visionary in the lab-grown diamond industry. www.miadonna.com ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen.  Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.    We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors:  Energy  Cities  Natural Environment  Transportation  Business  Policy  Social  Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.   www.sustainabilitydefined.com  

Definers, we're back this month with a fun episode around a fan favorite, the avocado! It is estimated that per capita consumption of avocados in the United States has grown by 440% in the last 20 years and around 11 billion pounds of avocados are eaten globally. This has raised many questions about the sustainability of farming, production, and enjoyment of this fruit. In the episode we share a little about how avocados make it from farm to your guacamole and some of the social and environmental implications of our complex food systems. We are joined by Honor Eldridge, Food Systems Expert and Author of "The Avocado Debate," a newly published book that provides insight and perspective on the unseen impacts of one of the world's most popular foods. ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen.  Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.    We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors:  Energy  Cities  Natural Environment  Transportation  Business  Policy  Social  Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.   www.sustainabilitydefined.com