The Positively Green Podcast

Today on the podcast we have Amrita Saigal, the founder of Kudos. Amrita is extremely passionate about creating sustainable alternatives that perform just as well, if not better, than their non-sustainable counterparts and, as an MIT-trained engineer and material scientist, she has taken this passion to make a real difference. Kudos is the first disposable diaper on the market lined with 100% cotton touching baby's skin. Not plastic or harshly processed bamboo. Why cotton? It's naturally soft, sustainable, and the #1 doctor-recommended material for rash and eczema. The cotton used in Kudos diapers is 100% U.S.-sourced and cleaned with a breakthrough process that utilizes zero chemicals, water, or process heat.   In this episode, we chat about: What sets Kudos apart from other sustainable diapers Greenwashing in the diaper industry Being on Shark Tank and getting funded!! Emergency C-sections and post-partum recovery What's next for Kudos Be sure to check out Kudos at their website here and use discount code GREEN10 to save 10% on your first order!  

This episode is all about love potions from the garden.  Our guests Chris Young and Susan Ottaviano, better known as the 2 Green Witches, believe that all plants are magical. Their new book, The Green Witch's Guide to Magical Plants & Flowers (6/6/23 Skyhorse Publishing) shares how to bring more love and contentment into your life using flowers, plants and other elements of nature. Unlock the secrets hiding in your garden by transforming everyday flowers, fruits, and plants into bath salts, herbal infusions, soaps, sachets, tinctures, and more.  You'll hear about:  Love Potions Food for the Soul  Magical Mindfulness and  Plant Magic Tune in!  

Kelsey is back on the podcast for a fun heart-to-heart with Jill Winger of The Prairie Homestead, one of the foremost homesteading websites since 2010. Jill is a powerhouse in the homesteading community, sharing her love of living off the land with all her readers and listeners. Her practical and authentic teaching style and storytelling have won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of homesteaders across social media and through the top-ranked Old Fashioned on Purpose podcast and the best-selling Prairie Homestead Cookbook. In this episode, we have an honest chat all about: Kids on the farm - the good, bad, and the ugly Finding a sustainable balance between parenting and homesteading Running a business (or multiple businesses!) with your spouse How to focus on what you love about homestead instead of “doing it all” Jill's new book Old Fashioned On Purpose (now a Top New Release!) Jill and her family also run Genuine Beef Company, which ships grass-finished beef nationwide, as well as the Chugwater Soda Fountain. She has been featured in Urban Farm, Farm & Ranch Living, COWGIRL magazine, Woman's Day, HuffPost, the Wall Street Journal, Wyoming PBS, People, and Buzzfeed. She resides on the Wyoming prairie with her husband, three children, and more farm animals than she can count.  

On this episode of PGP, we're talking about Gear Hugger with founder Checo Diaz. Like most people, Checo was relying on old-fashioned, toxic lubricants for his tune-ups and to keep his gear in prime condition. He realized there was a disconnect between his love for nature and how he and many other outdoor lovers were inadvertently introducing petroleum and toxic chemicals into the ecosystem through their gear. Checo realized he could create a solution and set out to introduce a better, cleaner plant-powered way to keep his gear going longer while taking petroleum and harmful chemicals out of the equation. His family had been in the industrial lubricant business for 70 years, and he decided to make it his mission to expand his family's legacy and create a more sustainable, eco-friendly future.  

Motherhood is a very personal and powerful experience and yet many mothers find themselves receiving advice on how to parent differently or better.  We may get it from books, online or from a random stranger on the street--some of it is wanted, most of it is unwanted. One of the things that does warrant more conversation is the transition from being childless to all of a sudden being responsible for another person's life and well being.  In this episode, Suzette talks with Annie Chensoff, a mama, partner, school garden educator, doula and herbalist.  One of Annie's greatest passions in life is connecting with others in the shared joy and love for the natural world; she has done this through designing, building and teaching in gardens for people of all ages for the past 15 years. Annie is the founder and co-director of Partum Gardens, a weekly garden gathering that supports birthing bodies and their families through earth connection, education and community.

In part 2 of the 2023 PGP wellness series, we're talking all about self care with Carrie Stone, licensed massage therapist. Suzette and Carrie share easy self-care tips that we can do in our everyday lives.  This episode is about so much more than a spa date! You don't want to miss what these two are talking about, including how self-care is often closer than you think.

Guess who is on today's special Earth Day episode?  Tune in to find out!  We're talking all about our favorite things for Earth Day! This is an episode full of tips for making Earth Day everyday from grocery shopping to our favorite apps that help with making decisions about what you buy.  We don't shy away from calling out who and what are really responsible for the climate crisis (Hint: Just 100 corporations). Join Kelsey and Suzette for our favorite things for this Earth Day special Positively Green Podcast episode. In this episode you'll hear: ▪️Suzette's tips for being earth friendly around the house  ▪️Kelsey's go-to apps for baby clothes and toys ▪️Secrets for making your laundry room low waste ▪️How everyday activities can be earth friendly with small shifts ▪️Ways to find out what your local representatives think about climate change Tune in at the link in our bio!

  On this episode of the Positively Green Podcast, we're talking about infant circumcision. To circumcise or not to circumcise? That is the question that a lot of new parents face when they have a little boy. In some cultures, it's a given that boys will be intact until a certain age, while in others, they do it at birth. In a lot of other cultures, keeping the penis the way that it came into the world is just fine. Tora Spigner is a labor and delivery nurse and nursing professor at Los Medanos College. She received her Masters of Science in Nursing from San Francisco State University, her MLS (Master of Liberal Studies in Interdisciplinary Technology, with a concentration in Public and Health Administration) from Eastern Michigan University and her BS in Medical Technology from Michigan State University.  She has worked in labor and delivery for 25 years, the last 17 years at Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley, CA. She also has her own doula practice, Mother's Love Doula, started in 1996. She teaches at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, CA as an adjunct professor in maternity nursing as a lecturer. 

On this episode of PGP, you'll meet Alicia Long, Founder and CEO of Nutr, a sustainable wellness brand that is changing the way we consume milk.    As a wellness sustainability leader, Alicia has many insights to share and a lot of credibility in the field.    You'll hear about Nutr , the patent-pending Nutr Machine – a signature product that makes nut and plant-based milks at the push of a button.  If you are a fan of plant based milks, or want to try dairy alternatives, listen in.  You don't want to miss this episode!

Tambra Raye Stevenson is the founder of WANDA, Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics and Agriculture, a pipeline and platform for women and girls as "food sheroes" in Africa and the African diaspora, who lead building better food systems for healthier communities. As a champion for making foods of the African diaspora for health and identity, Tambra is also the founder of NATIVSOL Kitchen, which provides Pan-African nutrition education.   In this episode you will hear: -Exciting food news and policy changes ahead -Tips for making your meals more nutritious -Why drinking water is good for your gut    Tambra is championing an inclusive food system and preserving the nutrition and food of the African diaspora. She is passionate about expanding access to healthy food and nutrition services and serves on several committees and boards working toward comprehensive nutrition policy reform including The Agriculture Secretary appointed her to serve on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board.    Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, NPR's All Things Considered, Forbes, and numerous other places- too many to mention here. Also, she was featured in the recent award-winning "Food for the People" exhibit curated by the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum.   Listen in to hear more about Tambra Raye Stevenson and her exciting work!

This episode is all about sexual and reproductive health, and the 4th trimester.  Listen in to hear Dr. Williams's recommendations about how to have a healthy sex life, plan for pregnancy, and care for yourself once the baby arrives.  You won't want to miss this episode!  Tune in!  Dr. Amanda P. Williams, MD, MPH, FACOG is the Medical Director at Mahmee, a maternal healthcare company dedicated to improving health equity and empowering all families with wraparound care during the pregnancy and postpartum period.    --

On this episode of the Positively Green Podcast, meet Chad Massura and Jules Giuliano from @rosysoil, the first Earth Positive soil company.  Hear about how their soil is good for your plants and good for the planet.  Listen in!

In this episode, you will hear Suzette and guest Carrie Stone talk about everyday self care.   Carrie Stone is a private practice massage therapist based in Northern California, where she was born and raised. For the last 21 years, Carrie has grown her massage practice from a few clients way back in 2001 to providing over 13,000 massages to date. Not only that, she is owner of MassageLogic - a massage staffing company which has provided onsite massage services for Slack, Marqeta, Planet Labs, Segment, Airtable, and other technology companies in the Bay Area, New York, and Colorado. Carrie is at her best when she is listening to and helping her clients navigate physical and emotional challenges by developing and supporting new wellness strategies.

On the second half of this thought provoking episode of the Positvely Green Podcast, meet Chris Walker, who describes himself as an “old white guy who questions everything”.  Raised in the Santa Clara Valley before it was Silicon Valley–Chris grew up in an agricultural context, working summers drying grapes with his grandfather in Coachella Valley.    You will hear Chris' thoughts about: - How narratives shape our reality and how we might challenge them - Questioning standards for products and food - Resources and recommendations for additional learning   As a young man, he traveled to Jamaica and volunteered supporting small farmer cooperatives, working for the Social Action Centre in Halfway Tree compiling all of the sugar cane records of the sugar cane cooperative movement of 1970s and 80s Jamaica. Returning to the US, he studied agronomy and pomology at UC Davis, and was involved in the Organic Agriculture movement of 1980's California.   He has lived and worked in Mexico, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates, where he has resided for the past ten years.

On the first half of this thought provoking episode of the Positvely Green Podcast, meet Chris Walker, who describes himself as an “old white guy who questions everything”.  Raised in the Santa Clara Valley before it was Silicon Valley–Chris grew up in an agricultural context, working summers drying grapes with his grandfather in Coachella Valley.    You will hear Chris' thoughts about: - How narratives shape our reality and how we might challenge them - Questioning standards for products and food - Resources and recommendations for additional learning   As a young man, he traveled to Jamaica and volunteered supporting small farmer cooperatives, working for the Social Action Centre in Halfway Tree compiling all of the sugar cane records of the sugar cane cooperative movement of 1970s and 80s Jamaica. Returning to the US, he studied agronomy and pomology at UC Davis, and was involved in the Organic Agriculture movement of 1980's California.   He has lived and worked in Mexico, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates, where he has resided for the past ten years.

Addie Fisher is a sustainable lifestyle content creator and the founding editor of Old World New, where she shares tips to live sustainably for people of all backgrounds. Her goal is to provide free access to knowledge that makes living sustainably accessible to underrepresented communities, especially communities of color - all in an entertaining manner. Addie also often shares aspects of her culture as an African American woman, whether that's celebrating Juneteenth and Kwanzaa or sharing her family's history, in hopes to enlighten, educate, and spread the joy she finds in her heritage. In this episode you'll hear Addie's:  - Perspectives on greenwashing  - Tips for sustainable living  - Reasons for learning about local policies Listen in and leave a review!

Addie Fisher is a sustainable lifestyle content creator and the founding editor of Old World New, where she shares tips to live sustainably for people of all backgrounds. Her goal is to provide free access to knowledge that makes living sustainably accessible to underrepresented communities, especially communities of color - all in an entertaining manner. Addie also often shares aspects of her culture as an African American woman, whether that's celebrating Juneteenth and Kwanzaa or sharing her family's history, in hopes to enlighten, educate, and spread the joy she finds in her heritage. In this episode you'll hear Addie's:  - Perspectives on greenwashing  - Tips for sustainable living  - Reasons for learning about local policies Listen in and leave a review!

Concerned with the planet's plastic pollution problem, Anne-Marie Bonneau, the Zero Waste Chef,  went plastic-free in 2011 and for her zero waste was the next logical step.  Anne-Marie describes herself as someone who is not a huge consumer and who is conscious about her purchases. In this episode you will learn: How to keep your kitchen low waste Ways to decrease waste when grocery shopping How kitchen scraps can be turned in to food   Tune in to learn more from the @zerowastechef

Each of us plays a role in reducing our waste and we must go beyond recycling.  In this Earth Day episode, Suzette gives her reflections on the meaning of this holiday and offers quick tips for minimizing waste in your everyday life.  Tune in to learn about: -shopping trip hacks -materials to use and avoid -energy foods for health and wellness

Leah Lee Burnett is the founder and CEO of Growing Food Growing People in St. Louis, MO. whose mission is to Grow food and people through healthy food accessibility and reconnecting to the soil. She is an Urban Farmer and has been growing food for the last six years. A Social Justice advocate at heart.  Growing up in the city of St. Louis, there is little access to healthy food, the black community,  where the only options are processed and convenience snacks and food that have little to no nutritional value. She took it upon herself to find a solution and start growing food for her family and community. She deeply understands the power in the soil and her non profit, Growing Food Growing People introduces community members to wellness through innovation. She loves growing food and knows that it's bigger than food, it's the soil, the art, the music.

Dr. Anna O'Malley,  is an Integrative Family and Community Medicine physician and founder of Natura Institute of Ecology and Medicine, in the Commonweal Garden, who on a daily basis bears witness to the limiting challenges of the medical or “disease manage-ment” system.  She has done a lot of research on anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, foods, how to most effectively cleanse and detoxify the body, and preparing foods for maximum nutrition. In this episode we talk about: The remarkable ability of human beings to heal, to be well, and feel vitality Our capacity to recover from difficulties, to “spring back” and The circumstances and self-care practices that are strongly supportive to well being

Leah Penniman, mother, farmer, ordained spiritual teacher, and author co-founded Soul Fire Farm, an 80-acre farm in New York, with the mission of reclaiming the inherent right to belong to the earth and have agency in the food system for Black and Brown people.  She has led thousands through farmer training, on her 80-acre farm in New York and internationally in Mexico, Haiti, and Ghana, building solidarity with different communities to strengthen local food systems.  Leah's book “Farming While Black” is a love song for the earth and her peoples.  During this episode, we hear Leah's stories about: How she first was called to become a farmer  Hope for the future of our planet Her approach to planning and planting How legislation has actively decreased land access to Black and Brown people What land back practice can look like You'll also learn about Suzette, and how growing up Haitian in the San Francisco Bay Area inspired her lifelong planting and cooking journey. 

We are back on the Positively Green Podcast to talk all about everything you need to know for your 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This is a no-nonsense episode full of down-to-earth experience and insight for all our soon-to-be mamas out there. Suzette and I don't shy away from topics like sex while pregnant, circumcision, itchy breasts - and all the other glorious pregnancy symptoms mamas face as they finish out the last months of their pregnancy.   In this episode we discuss: What has sex been like during the 2nd and 3rd trimester To circumcise or not to circumcise with homebirth Why the 20-week ultrasound is important for homebirth What other gestational diabetes testing options are out there - Fresh Test or monitoring daily yourself with Precision Xtra Alternative sources of care like chiropractic and cranial sacral therapy What's it like to get Covid while pregnant? Common symptoms during the 2nd and 3rd trimester and natural solutions Great resources for your 2nd and 3rd trimester Common 2nd and 3rd Trimester symptoms and natural solutions: Leg Cramps - taking Liquid IV or Concentrace and Magnesium supplements Heartburn - Tum's naturals because there's no food dye. Fluid retention - wearing Compression socks and switching to a silicone wedding ring Pelvic and low back discomfort - wearing a Maternity belt for support and always sitting on my birth ball. Get your body in the water if you can! Utilize walking and the Spinning Babies stretches (link below). Scratchy skin (tummy and breasts) - Earth Mama's belly oil. Reduce your showering down to once every two days instead of every day (especially in a winter climate). Applying lotion at night before bed. Breasts increasing in size - be sure to get comfortable bras that don't restrict your ribcage because your diaphragm will put unnecessary pressure on your pelvic floor if your ribs can't expand. I love True Body bras and Kindred Bravely's nursing bras for comfort even before the baby arrives. Numbness and tingling in hands and arms - (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) this issue especially kept me up at night. I found what worked best to be regular chiropractic care, cranial-sacral therapy, and wearing a wrist brace. The best resources for your 2nd and 3rd trimester: Your birth team! Rely on your OB, midwife, and doula to help you navigate questions and knowledge, it's their job. Books: Nursing Your Baby by Karen Pryor  Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way Nobody Told Me That: The First Six Weeks Shop secondhand at Goodwill for maternity clothes as you get bigger. I simply sized up to a L with tops and leggings. BabyList for your baby registry. Have your baby shower before 30 weeks if you can. You are generally more comfortable!! Use Facebook marketplace for the higher-priced baby items and save on getting them secondhand. Exercise: Spinning Babies stretches Walking Prenatal yoga 

To kick off season 4 of the podcast we have on the queen of the coop herself - Lisa Steele of Fresh Eggs Daily. Lisa has been raising chickens naturally for over a decade on her Fresh Eggs Daily Blog and shares with us all about how you can get started with your first backyard flock. We love her down-to-earth advice on using herbs and natural means to care for your hens. Lisa was and continues to be incredibly generous with her knowledge and insight on chicken care so be sure to tune in! With an audience of nearly a million followers that spans the globe, 5th generation chicken keeper and "eggspert" Lisa Steele is well-recognized as the creative force behind Fresh Eggs Daily®, the most popular destination for natural poultry-keeping advice on the internet, and one of the most influential players in the backyard chicken keeping community. Carrying on her time-honored family tradition (she grew up across the street from her grandparents chicken farm in Massachusetts), Lisa is also a Maine Master Gardener, avid DIYer, and accomplished "coop to kitchen" cook using fresh eggs from her coop and fresh produce and herbs from her gardens on the farm in central Maine she shares with her husband, their corgi, tuxedo cat, and a mixed flock of nearly two dozen chickens, ducks, and geese. With more than 130,000 copies of her six books in print, making her one of the most popular top-selling poultry authors of all time, Lisa is currently working on her seventh - an egg cookbook titled The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook which will be published by the Harper Horizon division of HarperCollins in February 2022. Preorder the cookbook at this link! Episode topics: How to process chicken manure for compost What does raising chickens naturally mean? What does it look like in practice? How to raise and maintain a healthy flock Beginner chicken keeping tips Winter chicken care tips What to do with leftover plastic feed bags? Lisa's favorite herbs she grows for her chickens Lisa's favorite chicken breed Lisa's Brewer's Yeast + Garlic Supplement for hens and ducks To have or not to have roosters? What to do with all those eggs? Lisa's new cookbook The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook Stay in touch with Lisa on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and her website. Learn more about Green Willow Homestead's A-frame Mobile Chicken Tractor Build Plans

Today we are chatting about all things non-toxic and sustainable home renovation and remodeling. We have Lisa Tharp, an eco-minded award-winning designer, on the show. She founded Lisa Tharp Design, an international design firm known for its clean-lined artistic blend of the classic with the modern, a hand-crafted custom furniture line, and industry leadership in design practices that support the wellness of people and our planet.  Lisa is committed to the idea of a healthy house after her own health challenges were traced back to toxic building materials in previous work environments. She has spent over ten years incorporating healthy building principles into her own design work. She partnered with ECOS Paints because they are a leader in non-toxic, eco-friendly, VOC-free paints that are odor-free. ECOS has been trusted by The Louvre, The Harvard Office of Sustainability, Google Office, as well as Westminster Abbey.   In this episode we chat about: Lisa's journey into sustainably-minded home remodeling What chemicals consumers need to be concerned about when remodeling their homes How to incorporate the elements of nature into home renovation Top tips for listeners who want to tackle their next house project with a sustainable and non-toxic mindset What sets ECOS Paints apart from others in the industry Resources Mentioned: Prescriptions for a Healthy House by Paula Baker-Laporte A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander Chairish.com - secondhand shopping WELL Certified Homes The Story of Stuff Video Shop Kelsey's handcrafted cocktail bitters by clicking here

We've got some exciting news!  The PGP family is growing. Kelsey's having a baby! Getting through your first trimester can be such a challenge. From morning sickness to fatigue to sleeping issues - your body is going through so many changes as you grow a human. We are sharing tips and tricks on how to get through those first trimester symptoms. We also are going to share the go-to resources that helped us learn and understand the changes our bodies are going through. Resources Mentioned: SmartyPants Prenatal (the proper form of folate) Cod Liver Oil with Butter Oil (wonderful source of DHA, Vitamin D, and Vitamin A) Desiccated Liver (lots of vitamins and minerals) Digestion GB (to help with protein and fat digestion) Magnesium (to help with sleep issues) Zetox Collagen for smoothies Morning Ease Ginger Lemon Drops from Traditional Medicinals Ava bracelet The Bump App The Bloom Method One Strong Mama Pelvic Floor Training Books + Podcasts Birth without Fear by January Harshe. She's had six babies with all different kinds of birth. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care by Sally Fallon (take info with a grain of salt some anti-science stuff) Montessori Baby by Simone Davies, Junnifa Uzodik  Mindful Birthing, by Nancy Bardacke DIAH Podcast Motherly Podcast Maintenance Phase Podcast Birthing Courses Mindfulness-based Childbirth and Parenting Mama Natural Birth Course Shop our sponsor, The Earthling Co and get 15% off your first order here!

Wouldn't be great if we could give ourselves a bit of a break as we strive for sustainability in our everyday lives? That's why we had Lauren Gropper, the founder of Repurpose, on the Positively Green Podcast. Repurpose is one of the leading brands in compostable single-use tableware - meaning you can plan your next BBQ with a clean conscience! Topics discussed: Lauren's journey to founding Repurpose How their compostable tableware is made How Repurpose single-use tableware breaks down in landfills and backyard composting systems Repurpose accessibility and price point compared to leading single-use brands The most important aspects of founding a sustainable company. Shop Repurpose here! Shop our sponsor, The Earthling Co and get 15% off your first order here!

The woes of composting your food waste are many. From the odor to messiness, trying to compost at home can be extremely challenging, especially if you don't have composting service or a backyard to finish your compost. That's why we had Jeremy Lang, the founder of Pela and Lomi, on the Positively Green Podcast. In this episode, we learn all about Lomi - the countertop composter that turns your food waste into compost in a matter of hours. No mess and no smell - just finished compost at the push of a button! Jeremy Lang is the Founder and Vice President of Sustainability at Pela. Pela is best known for their biodegradable phone cases and more recently, their countertop composter - Lomi. Pela makes everyday products without everyday waste that educate and inspire a global community of people who are committed to making a positive impact on our planet. As a Certified B Corporation, Climate Neutral Certified, and a member of 1% For The Planet, Pela is on a mission to eliminate 1 billion pounds of waste from the global waste stream and continues to research and develop the most innovative products to create a waste-free future.  In this episode we discuss: The story behind the Pela phone case and why Jeremy cares about waste What makes Pela different from other biodegradable plastics? What is Lomi and how does it turn food waste into compost on your kitchen counter?! What does maintenance look like for Lomi? What will it take to create a truly circular economy? Want to preorder your own Lomi? For $50 you can reserve your Lomi at this link before they are sold out! Shop our sponsor, The Earthling Co and get 15% off your first order here!

It's that time of year again! Back to school shopping. In this episode, Suzette will share her eco-friendly back-to-school shopping tips, adapted from an article written by Jennifer Aiken. In this episode you'll learn about: Shopping for school supplies Buying eco-friendly clothes Packing a plastic-free lunch Yummy alternatives to packaged snacks Resources mentioned: Recycled Pencils Colored Pencil Highlighters Non-toxic Crayons Bento Boxes Recycled Parchment Paper Stasher Bags It's easy to get the classroom list and run to the store, but before heading out, take inventory of what you already have.  You likely have some of the supplies already. Get your kids involved and help them take part in this practice.  Most kids are aware of climate change and want us adults to help them understand how they can be proactive.  Back-to-school shopping is a great way to get started.

In this episode, we are sharing six wellness tips to slow your mind, strengthen your body, and tend to your spirit for the refreshing season of Spring. We discuss: How to grow your own sprouts right on your kitchen counter The importance of a "sit spot" to help calm your mind and connect with nature Incorporating tinctures into your self-care routine Easy tips for smart food shopping and eating healthy  How to do a simple parasite cleanse  Using herbs and flowers for a DIY spa experience  Resources mentioned: Sprouting Tower Shop Kelsey's favorite tinctures Salt Fat Acid Heat Cookbook by Samin Nosrat Organic food-grade Diatomaceous Earth Shop our sponsors: Hey Pretty Frank Savvy Rest Mattress

Nate Dewart is a Senior Project Manager at an energy consulting firm in the San Francisco Bay Area.  We chat about climate action, policy creation, and intersectionality. In this episode, we discuss: How you can advocate for better environmental standards in your home and community About home appliance efficiency standards and the impacts on the environment How legislation, policy shifts, regulatory action are solutions Some important, behind-the-scenes work on market transformation How everyday people like you can make a difference locally and nationally and participate in the biggest opportunities for legislation to make lasting changes for the environment Resources that can help you get started or continue the fight for better climate policies: NRDC – Natural Resources Defense Council @nrdc_org ASAP- Appliance Standards Awareness Project www.appliance-standards.org Sunrise Movement @sunrisemvmt Liberation in a Generation https://www.liberationinageneration.org Join us on this episode to hear more about the amazing work going on to support innovation in climate action and how you can get involved!

Ashanti Williams is a Black female farmer, raised and nurtured by activists and land stewards of the Carolinas and the Bronx. She is passionate about working and learning alongside animals in an effort to create sustainable farm systems that are accessible to Black people. The access to safe learning environments around raising animals as a person of color has not been readily available to her which propelled her to work towards creating them with the Blackyard Farm Cooperative. The Blackyard Farm Cooperative was created by five young Black and Latinx farmers/entrepreneurs in the Bronx working together to build a supportive community for Black farmers and creatives. In their words: It's no coincidence that the people in this country who are most affected by food insecurity have the least access and control of the production of our food. This needs to change. It is crucial that we have autonomy over our food system. The Blackyard Farm Cooperative is dedicated to disrupting the racist and exclusionary spaces that prevent Black farmers from connecting to the land and healing. In this episode we discuss: Why Farm internships and apprenticeships can be challenging places for young farmers of color The power of rest and recovery Recognizing and honoring ancestors The creation of the Blackyard Farm What Blackyard Farm hopes to accomplish Individualism vs collectivism What allies and advocates can do to support BIPOC farmers Ashanti's favorite livestock to work with Donate to the Blackyard Farm Collective

Suzette teaches us all about vermicomposting. Landfilling garbage is becoming less and less popular, especially as we are learning about how individuals can help curb climate change.  (And large corporations are most responsible, but we can also put our minds on small steps that we can take too.)   Most of us think of paper, plastic, and yard waste as garbage, but food waste is a huge percentage of the total waste stream.   Did you know that food waste contributes to greenhouse gases?  And that by composting with worms, you can efficiently process food waste and turn it into nutrient-dense food for your garden. Have you been thinking about using worms for composting?  Maybe a little curious about how to do it? In this episode you'll learn about: The value of composting with worms How to get worms and keep them strong How using worms to compost your food waste is a non-violence practice Proper maintenance and upkeep of a worm bin How to get started at low or no cost The secret to breeding worms Vermicomposting can be a fun way to transform your kitchen waste into nutrient-rich food for your garden and plants.  It's also really satisfying to know that you can do your part to process food and decrease greenhouse gases in our environment. 

Suzette asks Kelsey all her most pressing chicken-keeping questions in this episode. Kelsey is a self-appointed crazy chicken lady and shares all of her chicken knowledge with Suzette and our listeners. We talk about: How Kelsey got started with chickens What are some of the misconceptions and myths about chicken keeping What Kelsey's daily chicken routine looks like  What are the housing requirements for chickens? How Kelsey built a chicken tractor and why she loves it How do you deal with chicken poop? Why chicken necropsies are so important What are the medical supplies you need to have on hand for chickens? How to care for a broody hen and let her hatch chicks Resources mentioned: The Mobile Chicken Tractor Build Plans VetRX Corid The top five herbs Kelsey uses in winter to help her hens out Diatomaceous earth healthy jelly Special thanks to our sponsor SavvyRest!

Youth programs are places where children and young adults find support and camaraderie, often looking to leaders of those programs as mentors and coaches.  Sometimes those leaders have been through their own struggles and trauma and use their experiences to guide youth toward better habits and outcomes. One such person is Curtis Lee whose harrowing story about trauma, prison, loss and leadership have made him work with nature as a way of healing trauma, teaching kids about their connection to the larger world, and conservation of our natural spaces. Curtis Junior Lee was born in 1966 in Fresno, California and has been an Oaklander since 1970. He was 1st runner-up for the 2015-2016 Jason Guinto Award, annually given to the top after-school coordinator working within Oakland Unified School District. He formerly served on OUSD Continued Quality Improvement Leadership Team and trained other coordinators within the city on how to improve the quality of their afterschool programs. Additionally, he served as the Aftercare  Director for Northern Light Middle School 2016-2017 school year and then went on to become its Physical Education instructor, Athletic Director, and Aftercare Director until the spring of 2020. He is currently the Program Manager for Higherground Neighborhood Development Corporation's Outdoor Adventure/Distance Learning Hub. In this episode we discuss: Curtis' story of being a youth community activist How a series of decisions on one night, led to a life-altering event Where prison time strengthened his connection to nature His approach to calling out and healing personal and community trauma How nature connections help at-risk youth recognize their role in conservation How spending time in prison is only part of his story

In this episode, we have guest Sandrine Malary. Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Sandrine Malary is part of a new generation of Haitian artists who maintain close ties to their motherland and its culture. She has a degree in Psychology from the George Washington University, which she uses to relate to her community and to parent. She is a mother of 4 children. Two home-birthed in Ayiti and two in Oakland, CA. With self-sustenance as a life approach, Sandrine has homeschooled her kids, built a home garden, and created home-based online businesses as an artist and educator. Keeping her roots strong, she dances Haitian folklore, teaches Kreyol and her art is very inspired by Vodou. Much of her focus is to uplift, not just Ayiti, but women, black people, and our planet. Sandrine advocates for green, sustainable living with a focus on health and wellness. You can often find her walking local trails with her group “Sistas on the Trail”, creating therapeutic copper jewelry for www.houseofalouba.com, or working on her upcoming vegan cookbook. In this episode we discuss: Sandrine's journey of coming to America from Haiti The gardening and harvesting she does in her own backyard Her journey into veganism and how she supplements Sandrine and Suzette's home birth stories and tips for those interesting in a home birth

To honor Black America's farming legacy during Black History Month, on this episode we have guest, Mina Wilson. Mina is a community activist and public health professional who shares with us her family's legacy from their arrival in America as enslaved peoples to today. We'll be talking about family history, farming, interdependence, food sovereignty, and liberation.   Show notes: Visiting and honoring the places of our ancestors Leaning on family - both immediate and extended- and recognizing the power of collective thinking over individual thinking Black legacy and recognizing the work and humanity of the enslaved as they built the wealth of our nation The distinction in language between “salves” and “enslaved” and why it's crucial when we talk about our history How we must recognize and dismantle the policies still in place that uphold racism in America Oliver North and guns for drugs How the construct of slavery is still present in modern America Allyship vs accompliceship When we talk about farming, why we must acknowledge and honor the enslaved How can land access and ownership can be a way forward for allyship and accompliceship How the mortgage industry truly started Cross-generational consciousness and why it's crucial “If we don't acknowledge the truth individually and collectively - there is no hope for us” -Mina Wilson

In the winter we can all feel a bit "blah" so for this episode we are sharing six winter wellness tips for health and vitality. Suzette and Kelsey go through all six tips and provide actionable info to help give your winter blues a lift! Show Notes: What is dry brushing and how does it benefit your health What we can learn from the seasonal fluctuations of nature How to do self-massage to release myofascial tension and relax Why grocery shopping and eating can be considered a practice of non-violence Why your gratitude journaling isn't working and how you may be doing it wrong How exercising observation helps calm your mind and why it's *NOT* meditation Resources Mentioned: BIPOC owned beauty brand Gilded marble dry brush Fare-trade certified  Faire Dry Brush ​Liba back and neck massager for tigger point therapy Special thanks to our sponsor SavvyRest. Savvy Rest offers GOTS-certified organic mattresses that are completely customizable. Choose between Soft, Medium, and Firm layers of Dunlop and/or Talalay latex to create a comfortable mattress that is made just for you.  Be sure to visit Savvy Rest and use discount code POSITIVELYGREEN to save 20% on all Savvy Rest products.

Season 3 has launched with a warm welcome to our new cohost Suzette @reducereusesuze. Suzette Chaumette is a public health researcher, gardener, and community activist who is on a lifelong plastic-free journey. She'll be sharing tips and tricks with you for reducing plastic in your home, office, and garden. In this season premiere, we get to know Suzette through: her background in biological sciences and public health her values around intersectionality and sustainable living how she found her way to gardening and permaculture her work towards a more equitable future in food and community building Kelsey and Suzette are looking forward to continuing to share our green living journey with our listeners. Together, we're a pair of sustainable living women who believe in the ethical treatment of people and the earth, the positive power of collaboration and communication, and how we as conscious consumers can be a force for good. Ultimately we believe in the right for all of us to live healthy and abundant lives. With every episode of the Positively Green Podcast, we hope to educate and empower you to live a green life you'll love. Everyone give Suzette a warm welcome! Special thanks to our sponsor, Savvy Rest. Savvy Rest offers GOTS-certified organic mattresses that are completely customizable. Choose between Soft, Medium, and Firm layers of Dunlop and/or Talalay latex to create a comfortable mattress that is made just for you.  Be sure to visit Savvy Rest and use discount code POSITIVELYGREEN to save 20% on all Savvy Rest products.

We're about to take a break from new podcast episodes for a while, so we wanted to have an informal chat about some life updates, what's new with us, and what we've been up to! Plus, hear all about our halotherapy (salt room) experience! We recently visited the Salt Room Lake Country and had an awesome time. It's a holistic and natural treatment that can help with allergies, respiratory conditions, dermatitis, sinus infections, and more. And be sure to check out our sponsor, OSEA! Use code POSITIVELYGREEN10 for $10 off your first purchase of $50+. Thanks for listening! Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to stay up to date with all of the latest episodes. You can also follow along with us on Instagram @positivelygreenpodcast.

As the demand for eco-friendly and sustainable items rises, more and more zero waste and bulk shops are opening to meet that need! Our guest for this episode is Jenna Meier, the owner of The Glass Pantry, a newly-opened zero waste and bulk store located in the Walkers Point neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI. Her goal is to make your sustainability journey a little bit easier by offering pantry staples, household cleaners, and personal care products in a package-free way. The Glass Pantry offers organic, locally-made products in bulk; allowing you to stock up on everything you need, without producing all the trash.  Topics Covered: Jenna's background and what inspired her to open a zero waste shop The biggest obstacles she faced on her sustainable-living journey What sourcing looks like for a bulk shop and some hurdles Jenna encountered while opening What to typically expect when shopping at a bulk store and what products The Glass Pantry offers How bulk stores can be vigilant to avoid mixing bins for those with food allergies Tips for making the most of your grocery store visits if you don't live near a zero-waste store Advice if you want to open a zero-waste bulk shop of your own! Resources Mentioned: Savvy Rest Organic Mattress Rasa Adaptogenic Coffee Substitute Website www.glasspantrymilwaukee.com Facebook @glasspantrymilwaukee Instagram @glasspantrymilwaukee Address: 1039 S. 5th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204 And be sure to check out our sponsor, OSEA! Use code POSITIVELYGREEN10 for $10 off your first purchase of $50+.

Do you ever feel like you're on an island when it comes to caring about sustainability? Do you wish you could get involved with a local group that also shares that passion? You can! Please welcome our guest Laura Loucks, Volunteer Coordinator with the Waukesha County Green Team, as we learn about green teams and building a community effort around sustainable living. Topics Covered: Laura's background and how she became involved with the Waukesha County Green Team What a “green team” is and initiatives they are involved with spearheading Opportunities to volunteer and get involved with the team Tips for working with your local government to push sustainability efforts Common obstacles the team faces when it comes to making changes Steps you can take if you want to start your own local green team! Resources Mentioned: Modern Fertility test Waste Not Compost and Compost Crusader services Wisconsin Women in Sustainability Group Get involved with the Waukesha Green Team: Website: waukeshacountygreenteam.org Podcast: GreenCast Facebook: @WaukeshaCountyGreenTeam Instagram: @wcgtgreencast Volunteer: Sign up here Shop: “One Simple Act” Cards And be sure to check out our sponsor, OSEA! Use code POSITIVELYGREEN10 for $10 off your first purchase of $50+. Thanks for listening! Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to stay up to date with all of the latest episodes. You can also follow along with us on Instagram @positivelygreenpodcast.

We're having an important conversation today about the intersection of race and agriculture, the glaring issues within the clean food movement, and how regenerative agriculture keeps getting it wrong with Chris Newman. Chris is the co-founder of Sylvanaqua Farms, which is based in the D.C. region. They raise forest-raised pork, grass-fed beef, and pastured chicken and eggs. Chris offers a unique perspective on regenerative agriculture and where mainstream regenerative ag gets it wrong. A member of the Choptico Band of Piscataway Indians, Chris places a heavy emphasis on the indigenous ethics, values, and knowledge serving as the (often unacknowledged) foundation of the modern permaculture movement, and the decolonized worldview necessary to ensure the sustainable stewardship of natural resources. An engineer and technologist by trade, he also accepts and explores the potential of modern scientific innovation to address the gaps left by ecosystem farming in solving a sustainability problem wherein timeliness is a factor. Topics Covered: Chris' farming journey and how Sylvanaqua Farms came to be Common issues with small farming practices for farmers, consumers, ecosystems, and the food system in general What “democratizing agriculture” means and how it's different than the model most small farms are using today The issue with the notion that all beef should be grass-fed and grass-finished or that all livestock must be farmed regeneratively for its entire life The presence of environmental racism, inequality, and what it means to be “Thunberged” Books and resources to learn more about environmental racism Why conscious consumers can't just “zero waste” their way into a climate-change-free future What we can do to be an active part of an environmentally-sound future Chris' vision for the future of Sylvanaqua Farms   Resources Mentioned: Preorder The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee Chris' “Grass-Fed Cows Won't Die for Our Sins” essay Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer You can follow Chris @sylvanaquafarms on Instagram and visit their website www.sylvanaqua.com. If you're feeling generous, you can send money to @sylvanaquafarms on Venmo. Thanks for listening! Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to stay up to date with all of the latest episodes. You can also follow along with us on Instagram @positivelygreenpodcast.

We're heading to the polls and chatting all about voting today! We interview Nathaniel Stinnett, founder of the Environmental Voter Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that aims to significantly increase voter demand for environmental leadership by identifying inactive environmentalists and then turning them into consistent activists and voters. Resources mentioned: Quinta MKE CSA box Grassway Organics Kelsey's Holistic Home eBook (code positivelygreen for 15% off) Topics covered in this episode: How the Environmental Voter Project got started The effect of COVID-19 on voter turnout this year Why does environmental policy always sit lowest on the voting totem poll? How EVP actually identifies, engages, and mobilizes inactive voters and the challenges that come with that Pressing environmental issues that exist right now Results that EVP has seen from their efforts Volunteer or get involved here Make a donation here Sign the Environmental Voter Pledge Thanks for listening! Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to stay up to date with all of the latest episodes. You can also follow along with us on Instagram @positivelygreenpodcast.

We have another awesome lady boss guest on the Positively Green Podcast today! We chat with the CEO of Plaine Products, Lindsey McCoy. They are a natural, refillable, zero waste body care brand that you will LOVE. Get an inside scoop of what it's like running a sustainable business and learn how they have helped divert over 100,000 plastic bottles from landfills to date! Topics covered in this episode: How Plaine Products got started and what they offer Why are plastic shampoo bottles a problem in the first place – can't they just be recycled? Why is refillable better? The main hurdles when it comes to getting consumers thinking in a more circular mindset Challenges with maintaining a sustainable business model Does online shopping have a higher carbon footprint? The reality of plastics and microplastics in the ocean What Plaine has planned for the future You can use the code POSITIVELYGREEN for 20% off your Plaine Products order at checkout! Click here to shop. Need help switching to natural cosmetics and skincare? Book your green beauty consultation with Becca here: https://organicallybecca.com/consult

Please welcome Ratih Sutrisno, the Communications & Outreach Coordinator at Transition US, the national hub representing the Transition Movement in the United States. This is a grassroots movement and method of communities coming together to reimagine and rebuild our world. It's based on fostering a deeper connection and acting locally to become self-sufficient and build community resilience. In this episode, we chat about: What are transition towns? The core principles of the Transition Network and how it went from a local movement to a global initiative Tangible benefits that towns and communities have experienced by implementing these principles Common obstacles when getting started and how to overcome them Steps to get started in your own community! Grab the 10 Stories of Transition in the US book to learn more and see some success stories.   Connect with the Transition Network: International Website https://transitionnetwork.org National Hub https://www.transitionus.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TransitionUS/ Donate to the Community Resilience Stimulus Fund: https://www.transitionus.org/stimulus   And be sure to check out our sponsor, OSEA! Use code POSITIVELYGREEN10 for $10 off your first purchase of $50+.

Please welcome back Roberta Donaldson from Millennial Cat Mom! This episode has gone to the dogs. As in, we're talking all about holistic and sustainable dog care today.  Topics Covered: The problem with conventional dog kibble, how it's made, and how it affects health What label splitting is and why it's so deceiving on an ingredient list Raw feeding and why it's so beneficial for dogs and akin to their wild carnivore diet Why most vets advise against “grain-free” diets; should we actually be concerned about DCM in dogs? Better kibble and raw food alternatives How to get started with raw feeding and supplementation (and why it doesn't have to break the bank) Natural treats, eco-friendly toys, and supplies Holistic flea and tick remedies Resources Mentioned: Click & Grow Smart Garden Dr. Karen Becker's TED Talk Dr. Susan Thixton from the Truth About Pet Food Pet Fooled documentary Grabbies compostable poo bags Earth Animal flea and tick products EarthHero dog toys (Beco bones) Dogs Naturally Magazine Raw Feeding Community University of Helsinki study Better Dog Food Brands to Check Out: Kibble: Farmina, Open Farm, Zignature, Stella & Chewy's Raw: Answers, Primal, Steve's, OC Raw, Northwest Naturals, The Honest Kitchen

Grab a glass of (natural) wine and join us for a virtual happy hour! We have special guest Allie Kruse, owner of Nonfiction Natural Wines in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She drops some major knowledge about all things natural, organic, low-intervention wine. Topics Covered: What does “natural” wine even mean and what additives are typically found in conventional wines Debunking the myth of sulfites causing headaches Common misconceptions about natural wines Do different regions of the world tend to produce more natural wines? What to look for on wine labels and why just opting for “organic” shouldn't necessarily be the first priority! A look at different terminology used: Organic, made with organic grapes, natural, low-intervention, dry-farmed, biodynamic, etc. Resources Mentioned: Thrive Market Kelsey's Holistic Home eBook (coupon code positivelygreen) Importers to look for: Jenny & Francois, Zev Rovine, José Pastor Selections, Fifi's Wines, Louis/Dressner, Kermit Lynch, Selection Massale, Percy Selections, Scuola di Vino, Amy Atwood Selections, SelectioNaturel You can visit Nonfiction Natural Wines at 800 E. Potter Avenue in Bay View, Milwaukee. Or go to www.nonfictionwine.com to learn more or order ahead for pickup. Follow Allie on Instagram @nonfictionwine. Cheers!

As more and more of us are working remotely and practicing social distancing as the coronavirus hits the US, we thought it would be helpful to share nine simple ways you can make your home a healthier and safer environment. We hope these tips bring you peace of mind and give you a sense of control during this scary time! According to the EPA, the average American indoor environment is 2 to 5 times more polluted than the outdoor air. The EPA also stated that the worst air pollution in our nation is right inside our own homes and workplaces and that 50% of all illness is connected to the indoor air quality. Crazy! Thankfully there are many easy ways to help improve this, which we address in today's episode: Show Notes: 9-ish simple tips for having a greener home environment Why it's so important to have good indoor air quality Typical chemicals and pollutants that lurk in our homes and their health effects Different types of air purifiers and filters Best houseplants for clean air Why you might want to ditch your beloved candles How cookware might be affecting your air quality Best practices for bringing new furniture into your home and how to be more conscious about it Resources Mentioned: Microsoft Climate Pledge Episode 19 EMF Radiation with Daniel DeBaun Pesticide Action Network for pesticide drift Stink Documentary Blog post: Is Your Himalayan Salt Lamp Legit? Blog post: Common Tap Water Contaminants & What to Look For in a Water Filter Blog post: A Complete Guide to Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly Kitchen Supplies Products Mentioned: No Tox Dish Soap Block Accustar Radon Test Boston Fern  So Well Made Salt Lamps Dyson Air Purifier Ozone Generator Welch Candle Co. Beeswax Candles Bluecorn Natural Beeswax Candles Lodge Brand Cast Iron Pure Effect 3-stage water filter

We're back for Season 2, hooray! Today we're taking a look at where the top U.S. emissions came from in 2019, and the top six ways you can mindfully live a more eco-friendly and sustainable life in 2020. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Local Harvest for CSA boxes, farmer's markets, etc. Petition for Trader Joes to reduce its plastic packaging Petition #1 to get Amazon to reduce the use of plastic Petition #2 to stop Amazon from using plastic altogether  Carbon180 Carbonfund.org And be sure to check out our sponsor, OSEA! Use code POSITIVELYGREEN10 for $10 off your first purchase of $50+. REFERENCES: Rhodium Group 2019 Emissions Emissions Gap Report Global Carbon Project Climate News 2019 Coal Emissions

We can hardly believe it's been a year since we launched the Positively Green Podcast. Launching this sustainable and holistic living podcast has been such a joy. We both love seeing your sustainable swaps, hearing what episodes have inspired you to change your habits, and creating content that can hopefully make a positive impact as we curb climate change.    In this episode we discuss: How we felt about each of the episodes we created What episodes are our personal favorites and why What's next for both of us When you can expect Season 2 to air!   To grab Kelsey's ebook The Holistic Home and learn how to live sustainably room by room in your own home, click here. To book a consult with Becca and learn more about the process, click here.