Episodes

Can you imagine starting every day knowing you're making a tangible impact on climate change through renewable energy solutions? That's the inspiring reality for John McNamara, Chief Operations Officer at Appalachian Renewable Power. John is a force for positive environmental change. His passion for sustainability took him from a career path few would expect into a leadership role in the solar industry. Today, he champions innovative solar projects, such as Ohio's first-ever floating solar ar...

Can a neighborhood thrifting initiative make a dent in the massive problem of fashion waste? Lisa Goldsand, the founder of Circular Thrift, shares her mission to valorize post-consumer textile waste and scale the reuse of clothing and accessories at a hyperlocal level. Through her unique collection bins, swap events, and mobile trike sales, Lisa is revolutionizing the way communities approach sustainable fashion, making it both convenient and enjoyable. Lisa shares her insights on consumer be...

What motivates someone to leave a 20-year corporate career in fashion to spearhead a sustainability revolution? Lisa Goldsand, founder of the hyperlocal service Circular Thrift, shares how we can transform our fashion habits. With insights from her extensive corporate retail experience, she discusses challenges and opportunities within the industry and emphasizes consumer power in driving change. Lisa advocates for buying less, opting for quality pre-owned pieces, and embracing local clothing...

Can sustainability and profit-maximization co-exist in the hotel industry? Grant Behnke, Director at Rockbridge private equity real estate firm discuss his pioneering work in implementing environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices in the hotel sector. Grant shares his journey of establishing a baseline for ESG performance, producing Rockbridge's first-ever ESG report, and advocating for a full-time sustainability role within the company. He dives deep into the challenges and opportu...

How did a fascination with hotels from a young age evolve into a career championing sustainability in the hospitality industry? Grant Behnke, Director of Development & ESG at Rockbridge, shares his unique journey into the hotel industry. Discover the catalyzing experiences that sparked Grant's early interest in the inner workings of hotels and how his commitment to sustainability grew in tandem. Gain insights into the values that have driven Grant's passion for service and his desire to contr...

How do you mobilize an entire city to take action for the environment? Shelly Douglas of Green Columbus shows us how a small but mighty nonprofit can make a big impact through community engagement and planting roots for sustainable change. In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring work of Shelly Douglas, the driving force behind Green Columbus. From organizing the largest volunteer-driven Earth Day event in the country to running a community tree nursery, Shelly shares her passion for ...

Did you know that planting trees can reduce crime, lower rates of asthma, and even cool our cities? Hear the amazing story of how Shelly Douglas is leading the charge to bring more trees to communities in need. In this episode, Dominique Hadad and Adam Morris chat with Shelly Douglas, the Executive Director of Green Columbus, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing tree coverage and environmental education in Columbus, Ohio. Shelly shares her inspiring journey from animal-loving kid...

Adam is the co-host of Green Champions and founder behind People Helping People. This dual venture offers a rich tapestry of inspiration, practical tools, and educational resources tailored for social entrepreneurs aiming to realize positive social change. Beyond his professional endeavors, you can find Adam organizing events with GiveBackHack, the launchpad for social innovation. With an extensive background in technology and innovation, he leverages his expertise to foster social change. Adam ...

Dominique is the co-host of Green Champions and founder of Green Scope Consulting, a company transforming organizations into zero waste operations. When she’s not supporting clients in reaching their sustainability goals, she is also the founder of MOJO, a mobile coffee company with single-serve pour over packets for conscious coffee enthusiasts. Dominique is passionate about demystifying sustainability and she is enthusiastic about battling climate anxiety with success stories from Green Champi...

Green Champions is a podcast by Dominique Hadad and Adam Morris, focusing on environmental change through conversations with individuals making a difference in sustainability. Dominique brings her experience as the sustainability expert, while Adam adds his interest in social impact through social entrepreneurship. The show aims to demystify sustainability, share success stories, and address climate anxiety by presenting accessible, engaging content. We feature guests who have achieved sustainab...