Green Dreamer: Sustainability From Ideas To Life With Eco Pioneers, Revolutionary Thinkers, Leading Creatives

We've been talking so much about plastic pollution, but how exactly is plastic even made to begin with, and what can we learn from that process to better understand its impact on our health? How can we deal with having friends or family members who may not personally support the work we do or believe it can really make a difference?   Sharing her wisdom with us here is Christine Liu, author of the blog and YouTube channel on living more simply and sustainably, Snapshots of Simplicity. She has a degree in industrial and packaging technology from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and currently works at Cisco as a sustainable packaging program manager, where she also co-founded its internal employee organization called the Green Team Network. Let's dive in.   HIGHLIGHTS   [6:32] Christina explains how plastic is actually made. [10:53] Christina's advice for someone working for a company that's not focused on sustainability but wants to be an "intrapraneur" and work as a change maker from wi

How can the ways that we go about storytelling either cause division, fear, and hatred, or inspire harmony, empathy, and connection? And in turn, how does this impact our abilities to realize a more sustainable future more quickly?   Special guest of our Bloom Tuesday episode, environmental journalist and storyteller Janice Cantieri, shares her expertise on this topic with us.   Find the full show notes with references linked at www.GreenDreamer.com/96, subscribe to our weekly newsletter to win monthly giveaways, and share your biggest takeaways with me on Instagram @KameaChayne to let me know you're tuning in. Thanks for bringing your light! x

How may looking at advancement in a linear way (underdeveloped, developing, and developed) limit our ability to learn with an open mind and experience life to the fullest? Why is supporting environmentally and socially conscious tourism so important to sustainable development and the conservation of vital ecosystems, like our rainforests?   Sharing his wisdom with us here is Marco Bollinger, Co-Founder of Lokal Travel, a marketplace for booking eco adventures around the world that support local communities. He's also an award-winning filmmaker and photographer who's photographed Beyoncé and Barack Obama, spent years documenting Lebanon's refugee camps, and danced for 107 hours in a full costume to raise awareness for rainforest conservation. Let's dive in.   HIGHLIGHTS [5:32] Kaméa: "What does what you learned about happiness [in "developing" nations] tell us about these types of categorizations we often put on different countries?"  [8:44] Marco shares a powerful story about listening to two little girls in

What are some key public health and environmental issues stemming from the food and beverage industries that we should know about? How do health concerns sparked by the food industry trap people into states of ill health, making it really hard for people to break free from this cycle?   Sharing her wisdom here is Sarah Pool, former Founder of Pacific Superfood Snacks and the Co-Founder and CEO of Canvas, a healthy beverage company committed to improving individual and global health through functional nutrition and innovative technology applications. Let's dive in.   HIGHLIGHTS [5:05] Sarah explains why so many of our 'health' foods contain unhealthy fillers and gels. [7:45] Sarah: "A group of really passionate people can make a huge difference in the world." [9:32] Sarah explains how Canvas got started. [11:21] Sarah discusses what prebiotics and probiotics are and why they're important. [16:50] The most alarming public health issues sparked by the food and beverage industry to know. [21:52] Insights into lat

How do natural disasters relate to sustainability and vice versa? And how can we urbanize in ways that take into better account the ecosystem's characteristics so our cities can be more resilient against natural events?   Special guest of our Bloom Tuesday episode, Phoebe Loyd of Bare Change, shares her expertise on this topic with us.   Find the full show notes with references linked at www.GreenDreamer.com/93, subscribe to our weekly newsletter to win monthly giveaways, and share your biggest takeaways with me on Instagram @KameaChayne to let us know you're tuning in. Thanks for bringing your light! x

Why should durability be a key factor to take into account when we try to shop more sustainably? How are advertisements set up to potentially manipulate our thinking, and how can we address that ourselves in order to protect our mental health?   Sharing her wisdom here is Tara Button, the Founder of BuyMeOnce, a website which finds the most sustainable and longest-lasting products on the planet. Let's dive in.   HIGHLIGHTS [7:56] How Tara and her team determine which items are the longest-lasting products on the planet to stock.    [16:46] Tara discusses the dangers of advertising and how consumers are constantly manipulated. [19:43] How we can consciously address this problem as individual consumers. [22:10] Kaméa: "Do you think there's a relationship between the accumulation of stuff and our perceived self worth?" [25:22] Tara: "Unless you are enough as you are right now, no money will ever make you happier." [26:19] Kaméa: "When you picture a future where everyone is buying things once, where do you see op

What is biophilic design, and what are the scientifically proven benefits of being close to nature? Given that we're increasingly urbanizing, what can we do to ensure that future plans for urbanization prioritize green spaces, living walls, and rooftop gardens?   Sharing his expertise with us here is Richard Kincaid, Founder of Sagegreenlife, an award-winning living wall company which has installed custom walls all across the country and is dedicated to transforming built environments into happier, more sustainable spaces. Let's dive in.   HIGHLIGHTS [7:33] Kaméa: "What did you learn from the real estate world that can help us accelerate our work in sustainability?" [8:26] Richard: "There is no reason why we have to be in these concrete jungles." [12:44] Kaméa: "What is the process of designing living walls that will thrive in the environments for which you're building them?" [17:08] Kaméa: "What are some benefits we know of in terms of how greenery in urban landscapes affects our individual wellbeing?" [19:1

How are systemic racism and inequality intricately tied to environmental issues? How can we be more mindful of the language we use when we talk about sustainability to not further exclude and divide, but to help unite and include people of diverse backgrounds and circumstances?   Special guest of our Bloom Tuesday episode, Francesca Willow of Ethical Unicorn, shares her expertise on this topic with us.   Find the full show notes with references linked at www.GreenDreamer.com/90, subscribe to our weekly newsletter to win monthly giveaways, and share your biggest takeaways with me on Instagram @KameaChayne to let us know you're tuning in. Thanks for bringing your light! x

Why is it that environmental issues rarely make headlines in mainstream media? What's the importance in providing objective information about sustainability, as opposed to subjective ones?   Georgina Wilson-Powell, the founder of Pebble, a community-focused and mobile-first magazine on a mission to influence consumer change through inspiring advice for sustainable living. Let's dive in.   HIGHLIGHTS [4:46] Georgina's thoughts on why sustainability topics often don't make headlines in mainstream media. [5:01] Georgina: "I was always told that sustainability doesn't sell; it's boring; no one is interested. I just felt in my gut that was wrong..." [17:45] Kaméa: "Why did you decide to emphasize that Pebble Magazine is mobile-first?" [20:25] Georgina shares her greatest piece of guidance on how we can tell more engaging stories when it comes to sustainability. [21:48] Georgina: "We like to say that we're the carrot, not the stick. Because you can't beat people into submission to change their behavior." [26:57] Ge

Why are we wired to be drawn to new things constantly and feel a sense of security (at least in the short term) from the accumulation of more stuff? Why should the psychology of materialism actually make us hopeful about our abilities to work towards a less materialistic and more sustainable future?   Sharing his expertise with us here is Dr. Tim Kasser, a psychology professor at Knox College in Illinois who's written over 100 scientific articles and chapters on materialism, values, ecological sustainability, quality of life, and more. He shared his expertise on the notable documentary, The True Cost, and has also authored five books, including his most recent one, Hypercapitalism.   Let's dive in.   HIGHLIGHTS [10:31] Kaméa: "What influences how materialistic someone is?" [15:49] Tim explains why we may innately want the latest and greatest things. [19:21] Tim discusses the problem with our current social, political, and economic system and how it does everything it can to encourage people to consume. [20:36

Why do we even need to be informed shoppers of skincare and cosmetic products? Shouldn't their safety be regulated by the government or industry already? How can we shop for safer and eco-friendly products?   Special guest of our Bloom Tuesday episode, Marie Arlet of Shea Brand, shares her expertise on this topic with us.   Find the full show notes with references linked at www.GreenDreamer.com/87, subscribe to our weekly newsletter to win monthly giveaways, and share your biggest takeaways with me on Instagram @KameaChayne to let us know you're tuning in. Thanks for bringing your light! x

How does supporting artisans around the world simultaneously help support sustainability? As the holiday season and Black Friday are coming up, what are some things we should keep in mind to help us be able to shop more ethically and sustainably?   Shedding light on these topics and more is Liza Moiseeva, Co-Founder of the leading Fair Trade social enterprise subscription box company GlobeIn. Due to the popularity and great success of the company, they've been able to invest millions of dollars in artisan communities over the past few years alone, helping to alleviate poverty through empowerment.   Let's dive in.   HIGHLIGHTS  [8:20] Kaméa: "How does the consumer know whether the businesses are responsible for ethical production, or if all of the middle men in the supply chain are responsible?" [14:33] Liza on the keys to GlobeIn reaching such a  large audience  to be able to support their artisan communities around the world. [15:37] Kaméa: "How can supporting artisans around the world also support sustainab

How do modern day pressures around body image relate to sustainability? With eco living often focused on the negatives—on what we're not doing enough of and how we're falling short of being perfect—why is it so important to let ourselves feel good about what we do and to reassure ourselves that we're okay... that we're doing enough?   Sharing her wisdom here is Marieke Eyskoot, a sustainable fashion and lifestyle expert, sought-after speaker, consultant, and Co-Founder of the International Fair Fashion Trade Show, MINT. With over 15 years of experience in the field, she was nominated as Amsterdam's Citizen of the Year and recently authored the book, This is a Good Guide.   Let's dive in.   HIGHLIGHTS  [15:11] Kaméa: "How can we support the sustainability and ethical fashion space to grow if there are less dollars left to be pumped into the marketing side of things?" [16:40] Marieke talks about her book, This is a Good Guide.  [20:03] Kaméa: "How do you think we can get over perfectionism and worrying too much

What happens to our clothes after we toss them out, and what can we do to support the secondhand economy to grow to help fashion (and related industries) go circular?   Special guest of our Bloom Tuesday episode, Leah Wise of Style Wise Blog, shares her expertise on this topic with us.   Find the full show notes with references linked at www.GreenDreamer.com/84, subscribe to our weekly newsletter to win monthly giveaways, and share your biggest takeaways with me on Instagram @KameaChayne to let us know you're tuning in. Thanks for bringing your light! x

In this often divided world, what do we need in order to come together so that we can collectively work towards a more sustainable future? Across cultures and language barriers, what are some universal truths about happiness that we can learn and implement?   Sharing her wisdom here is filmmaker and Host of Alison’s Adventures, Alison Teal. With her unique upbringing (like a Tarzan child) and adventurous spirit, she's been named "The Female Indiana Jones" by TIME Magazine and "The Oprah of Adventure" by Huffington Post, and has also been on the Discovery Channel TV show, Naked and Afraid.   Let's dive in.   HIGHLIGHTS  [6:41] Alison talks about what she calls the disease of 'over-there-itis' and how we always want we can't or don't have. [7:23] Kaméa: "What is one of the craziest memories you have from your crazy upbringing and living in the wilderness?" [9:56] Alison: "Stories are the fabric of our world and our culture, so we need to keep sharing them." [10:43] Kaméa: "How do you think your travels have sha

How did our guest today go from being a shark attack survivor to becoming a powerful voice for ocean and shark conservation? What are some things to do with shark conservation that we should know?   Sharing his wisdom here is Mike Coots, who was attacked by a shark at the age of 18, and has since become a professional photographer inspiring people to connect more deeply with sharks and our oceans.   HIGHLIGHTS [4:16] Mike shares the surreal experience of when he lost his leg in a shark attack at age 18. [14:17] How Mike got into photography after the attack. [17:12] What gave Mike the courage to photograph sharks up close for his conservation work, in spite of his earlier attack. [20:55] One thing about shark conservation that most people may not be aware of.   [23:03] The link between shark fin hunting, wealth, and increased auditing by the Chinese government.  [24:32] Mike: "Find your strength and exploit that strength for a good cause."   Thanks for bringing your light! Find the full show notes with links

E-commerce is only increasing. Ever wonder about the environmental impact of buying things from online vs. in person?   Special guest of our Bloom Tuesday episode, Polly Barks of Green Indy Blog, shares her expertise on this topic with us.   Find the full show notes with references linked at www.GreenDreamer.com/81, and follow me on Instagram @KameaChayne where I'll be sharing more of my inspirations, tips, and learning lessons along the way. Thanks for bringing your light! x

What if we can just tweak a few words in our messaging to be able to immediately double, and even triple, the amount of action and change that we inspire? Why should we go from looking at tackling public health, social, and environmental issues as a 'fight,' to simply tapping into our own 'creative geniuses' (as our guest today calls it)?   Katie Patrick, an environmental engineer, software designer, author, YouTube channel and podcast host, media spokesperson, and board member of Good Environmental Choice Australia shares her wisdom with us on this episode.   HIGHLIGHTS [10:55] Why government legislature and enforcement is necessary in order to have access to the information and data needed to drive change. [12:52] Katie discusses the importance of presenting that data in a well-designed, simplified, and even fun way. [16:59] Kaméa: "What was your biggest aha moment while writing your new book, How to Save the World?" [22:45] Kaméa: "Overall, what have you learned from your research in terms of what it takes

Instead of getting people to go against their will and desires to sacrifice things for sustainability, what if we just acknowledge that most of us are selfish, and learn to play into that? How did we even get to our global waste crisis today, and what do we need to do to address this issue on a national and global level?   Tom Szaky, the Founder and CEO of TerraCycle, an innovative company that's becoming a global leader in recycling waste that's traditionally difficult to recycle, shares his wisdom with us here.   HIGHLIGHTS  [9:26] Tom explains why some items have been deemed "un-recyclable" and how TerraCycle manages to recycle them anyway. [12:18] Tom: "Anything that isn't recyclable today, can be. The key is finding other points of value beyond just the material that makes up that object." [15:40] Tom explains why we need to accept the fact that most consumers are selfish and how we can lean into that to create scalable sustainable solutions. [17:30] Tom gives a few examples of how to convince consumers

Why is it so damn difficult to change or solidify environmental policy at a national level? Here, I share what the "Iron Triangle" is in U.S. politics and what we can do as individuals to support systemic change.   Find the full show notes with references linked at www.GreenDreamer.com/78, sign up for our Weekly Newsletter to  be automatically entered to win our monthly giveaways, and follow me on Instagram @KameaChayne where I'll be sharing more of my inspirations, tips, and learning lessons along the way. Thanks for bringing your light! x