Season 4 Episodes

Lauren Koch, Sustainability Senior Program Manager at Mars Veterinary Health, is a passionate advocate for purpose-driven work and a champion for sustainability in the healthcare sector. She delves into her impactful work, sharing how she has successfully navigated the complexities of both human and animal healthcare to create lasting, sustainable change. Lauren gives us an inside look at her passion for driving waste reduction responsible pharmaceutical stewardship, and more, Lauren explains th...

Lauren Koch, Sustainability Senior Program Manager at Mars Veterinary Health, is a passionate advocate for purpose-driven work and a champion for sustainability in the healthcare sector. Lauren shares the story of how a viewing of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" during a moment of career uncertainty ignited her passion for environmental action. She recounts her decision to return to Ohio State University to pursue a dual Master's degree, where a conversation with the legendary Neil Drobny open...

Brody Olson, the Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck, is here to prove that "junk removal" is about much more than just a trip to the dump. It's about empathy, community, and finding a second, third, or even fourth life for the items we no longer need. Brody pulls back the curtain on the often-misunderstood world of junk removal. He challenges the very notion of "junk," reframing it as "unwanted items" and revealing the treasure trove of opportunities for reuse, donation, an...

Brody Olson, Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck, may not have dreamed of a career in junk removal, but his journey is a powerful testament to the value of service, adaptability, and finding purpose in unexpected places. Brody shares his story, which began with a love for fishing and hunting and a dream of becoming a park ranger. He recounts his zig-zagging career path, from a brief stint as a biology major to exploring business and leadership, and the various jobs—from McDonal...

John Seryak, the founder of Go Sustainable Energy, believes that real change in the energy sector starts with listening to the people on the ground. In this episode, he shares the origin story of his company, the evolution of its mission, and the powerful "aha!" moments that drive his team to create a more sustainable and equitable energy future. John offers a refreshingly honest and multifaceted origin story for Go Sustainable Energy, explaining how a desire to "front-load his midlife crisis" a...

John Seryak, founder of Go Sustainable Energy, believes the biggest hang-ups in sustainable energy aren't about technology or money, they're about listening. In this deeply honest conversation, John explores his journey into the world of sustainable energy, which began not with a grand vision, but with a childhood attempt at a perpetual motion machine (turning a bicycle into a helicopter) and a near-total burnout from mechanical engineering. He shares the story of a pivotal mentor who saved him ...

Danna Lotz, a lifelong educator with 18 years of experience, is now the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). Her story is an example of how a passion for teaching and a commitment to resourcefulness can lead to a career in sustainability, making a lasting impact on students and communities. Danna discusses SWACO's mission to reduce landfill waste and the innovative programs they've developed to engage schools in this effort. She explains the School ...

Danna Lotz, a lifelong educator with 18 years of experience, is now the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). Her story is a powerful example of how a passion for teaching and a commitment to resourcefulness can lead to a career in sustainability, making a lasting impact on students and communities. Danna shares her journey from a small-town upbringing, where collecting bottles and cans with her dad sparked an early interest in recycling, to her 18-y...

Grab a warm drink and settle in for our special 2025 holiday wrap-up! After releasing an episode every single Tuesday and growing to over 90 episodes, we're taking a moment to celebrate the incredible people and inspiring stories that made this year so memorable. This year took us on an incredible journey, from the mountains of Italy for the NanoValbruna conference to the heart of the Midwest for the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit. We revisit the power of international storytelling with ...

Kristan Uhlenbrock, a scientist, writer, and communicator, leads the Institute for Science and Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where she is dedicated to weaving thoughtful science into public conversations and decision-making. Kristan shares the origin story of the Institute for Science and Policy, a unique organization born from a desire to address the growing politicization of science and create a space for nonpartisan, evidence-based dialogue. She describes the institute’s mi...

Kristan Uhlenbrock, who leads the Institute for Science and Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, is a scientist, writer, and communicator dedicated to bridging the gap between science, policy, and community. Her journey from a free-roaming kid in rural Indiana to a leading voice in public discourse on climate change is a testament to the power of curiosity, connection, and embracing the messiness of it all. Kristan shares her origin story, recounting how a childhood spent exploring t...

Joe Tegerdine is the General Manager of North America for Reencle. He is on a mission to make composting accessible, convenient, and impactful. Joe explains the science behind Reencle, a home composter that uses a unique blend of microbes, heat, oxygen, and moisture to emulate a hot composting environment, breaking down 90% of food waste in just 24 hours. He discusses the difference between Reencle’s "unfinished" compost and traditional compost, offering a clear and accessible explanation of the...

Joe Tegerdine is the General Manager of North America for Reencle. He shares his unconventional journey from dissecting owl pellets to navigating the complex world of consumer electronics. His story is a testament to the power of following your curiosity, embracing diverse experiences, and finding your unique path to making a positive impact. Joe recounts his childhood in the Pacific Northwest, where a love for nature and a healthy skepticism of extreme environmentalism shaped his worldview. He ...

Jamie Richards, Director of ESG for Bansk Beauty's portfolio including Amika, Eva NYC, and Ethique, explains how sustainability is not just a value but a core business strategy. She details how Bansk’s "Five Goods" ESG framework guides their mission, creating what she calls "extended valuation" for each brand. Jamie shares how this high-level strategy is tailored to the unique identity of each brand—from Amika's deep engagement with the professional stylist community to Eva NYC's focus on acc...

Jamie Richards, Director of ESG at Bansk Beauty, home to iconic brands like amika, Eva NYC, and Ethique, shares her journey from a 9-year-old with a "Save the Earth" sign above her bunk bed to a leader in corporate sustainability. Jamie shares her story of discovering her passion for environmentalism and how it led her to study environmental policy and decision-making at Ohio State University. She describes her unique path, from feeling like an outsider in a traditional environmental science pro...

Nicholas Fox, is the 'Compost King' and founder of Soul and Soil, is on a mission to transform waste into a valuable resource in The Bahamas. He's building a movement from the ground up, proving that even a slow process can create profound change. Nicholas takes us into the daily life of a composter in The Bahamas, where he dodges the midday sun and turns community waste into black gold. He breaks down the science of composting with a brilliant and accessible analogy: baking a cake. By compar...

Nicholas Fox, the self-proclaimed 'Compost King' and founder of Soul and Soil Composting, is a permaculture designer and passionate advocate for turning waste into value in The Bahamas. His journey is a testament to how childhood curiosity and a deep love for one's homeland can blossom into a powerful mission for change. For Nicholas, it was a natural progression. He shares his story, from his grandmothers' self-sufficient farming out of necessity to his mother's simple request to start a bac...

Christy Cook is a seasoned sustainability consultant and entrepreneur, shares her expertise in building scalable and impactful sustainability programs. With over two decades of experience working with global giants like the United Nations, Sodexo, and Walmart, Christy discusses her approach to sustainability, emphasizing the importance of creating nimble, replicable programs that can be tailored to various situations. She shares her personal organizational strategies, highlighting how a structur...

Christy Cook is a seasoned sustainability consultant and entrepreneur. She shares her inspiring journey from a small farm in Georgia to working with global giants like the United Nations, Sodexo, and Walmart. With over two decades of experience, Christy is a leading voice in corporate sustainability, ESG, and food waste reduction. Christy recounts how her upbringing on a farm, where her family grew and raised their own food, instilled in her a deep connection to food and a respect for resources....

Bruce Bekkar is a former OB-GYN turned passionate climate advocate. Bruce recounts the "light bulb" moment that ignited his passion for climate action, a powerful article in an alumni newsletter that revealed the devastating impact of global warming on the coastlines he cherished. He discusses his transition from a successful medical practice to full-time climate advocacy, highlighting the power of health professionals as trusted messengers. He shares his research on the impacts of climate ch...

Bruce Bekkar is a former OB-GYN turned climate activist who shares his remarkable journey from delivering babies to advocating for a healthier planet. Through his work with ecoAmerica and as co-host of the Green Docs podcast, he's empowering health professionals to become leaders in the climate movement. Bruce recounts his path into medicine, driven by respect for the physician who delivered him, and his early love for the coast that led to founding San Diego's first Surfrider Foundation chapter...

Emily Rials and Susan Swinford, co-directors of Columbus Food Rescue, are at the forefront of the fight against food waste and hunger in Central Ohio. They share their inspiring story of transforming food rescue efforts into a powerful force for community building and social justice. Emily and Susan talks about the operational complexities of managing over 200 weekly food pickups, from coordinating volunteers through a web-based app to navigating the unpredictable world of "popup" rescues involv...

Emily Rials and Susan Swinford are co-directors of Columbus Food Rescue. They share the story of how they came to lead Columbus Food Rescue, a program that connects surplus food with those in need. Susan recounts how she took over the organization in the chaotic early days of the pandemic, while Emily describes how she jumped in to help rebuild the program, making cold calls and navigating a rapidly changing landscape of food donation and distribution. They discuss the importance of their teachi...

AJ Boyce, an agriculture conservation practitioner with The Nature Conservancy, explores his work at the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice. AJ explains his role at the world's largest environmental nonprofit, sharing what his day-to-day looks like—from 7 AM calls with farmers about cover crops to managing conservation projects and developing capacity for regenerative agricultural methods. The conversation breaks down misconceptions about farmers, revealing the econo...