How often does something break that you know could be fixed, but you don’t know how and there are no places to fix it? I remember repair stores all over the place, but the field doesn’t exist any more. We all know about planned obsolescence and how products are designed to break. Now we feel we have to throw things away and replace them (after avoiding buying things when possible,[…] Keep reading →

I found Dr. Trasande quoted in a Washington Post article The health risks from plastics almost nobody knows about: Phthalates, chemicals found in plastics, are linked to an array of problems, especially in pregnancy. He said, “Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are one of the biggest global health threats of our time … And 2 percent of us know about it—but 99 percent of us are affected by it.” The article said that he[…] Keep reading →

It’s been close to a year since I first appeared on the Heritage Foundation’s podcast The Power Hour, hosted by Jack Spencer, who has been a guest on my podcast three times. First, I enjoy Jack’s hosting both as a guest and a listener. I really was laughing as hard as I said when I came on. You’ll hear me share more about how America’s founders, Lincoln, Adam Smith, and[…] Keep reading →

Reading Saabira’s New York Times piece Throwaway Plastic Has Corrupted Us told me she saw more about plastic and its effect on our culture than most. A quote from it: “The social costs of our addiction to disposable plastics are more subtle but significant. Cooking skills have declined. Sit-down family meals are less common. Fast fashion, enabled by synthetic plastic fibers, is encouraging compulsive consumption and waste.” Her tenure at the[…] Keep reading →

Regular readers and listeners to my podcast know Evelyn from her being a guest and my mentioning her. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned Hayden, but both of them took my workshop in sustainability leadership (I recommend you do too). They started a podcast together called Bulk Beans & Bicycles. They posted the first episode a few days ago. Here’s the link to the podcast’s home page and to a[…] Keep reading →

Zach and I got so into our first conversation that we had to take a second one to get to the Spodek Method. Listen for yourself, but I hear Zach working with three motivations: His surfer, outdoors self wants to conserve, protect, and enjoy nature and enable others to do the same by experiencing it. His CEO self wants to deliver what his customers want, despite what they want including[…] Keep reading →

I met Zach at an event I spoke at sponsored by the Young Presidents Organization, whose members tend to be successful in business. The criteria to join require it. I knew the people would be friendly, but suspected they would pollute and deplete more than most without realizing it. Zach plays a leadership role in the local chapter and was one of the organizers for this event so we interacted[…] Keep reading →

Since our fourth recording, Dr. Bob and I spoke at length about what’s driving me and keeping me going beyond where nearly anyone else does on sustainability leadership. We cover in this recording most of that conversation, plus we go in other directions. He shares the commonalities of what he sees in me and my work with the people he’s known and worked with who are also working or worked[…] Keep reading →

This week, I charged my solar panel and battery on my roof for the first time for over 18 months. My building had to do maintenance during which no residents could access the roof. They told us the job would take 5 months, but it took over 18. They also didn’t say exactly when it would start until one day I got an email that said I couldn’t access the[…] Keep reading →