Sustainability Defined

We spend a third of our lives on our mattresses, but what's actually in them? In this episode, we dig into the hidden world of the mattress industry: the flame retardants, petroleum-based foams, and PFAS ("forever chemicals") lurking in conventional mattresses, and what happens when millions of them end up in landfills every year, slowly breaking down and releasing toxins for decades? What happens when we sleep on them for years and how do they affect our health? We're joined by Arin Schultz, Chief Growth Officer at Naturepedic, a 20+ year-old family-run company founded by an environmental engineer on a mission to build a safer crib mattress. Arin takes us behind the scenes, from organic latex sourcing to regenerative cotton co-ops in Texas, and helps us cut through the greenwashing to understand what "non-toxic" really means, which certifications (like GOTS, GOLS, and MADE SAFE) actually matter, and how the choices we make about what we sleep on ripple out to human and environmental health. 

Trees do so much more than make our neighborhoods beautiful. In this episode, we explore the surprising science behind why trees are essential for our mental and physical health, our communities, and our climate. In this episode Cecilia and Nethra discuss how spending time in nature can reduce stress and improve focus, why urban forests are critical for cooling cities and protecting public health, and how trees clean our air, store carbon, support biodiversity, and even save billions of dollars through the ecosystem services they provide. Plus, we dive into one of the most fascinating questions in ecology: Can trees communicate? From the "Wood Wide Web" to chemical warning signals and the latest research on tree behavior, we separate myth from science (a little mythbusting moment!) while uncovering the hidden world beneath our feet. After this episode, you may never look at a tree the same way again!  Curious about conservation? Check out organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation, One Tree Planted, American Forests, and The Nature Conservancy to support reforestation and urban forestry efforts. You can also use Ecosia for your everyday searches, contribute to biodiversity science with iNaturalist, or look for local tree planting and stewardship events in your community.

What does clean beauty actually mean and why does the industry still struggle to agree on a definition? In this episode, Nethra and Cecilia sit down with Nour Tayara, co-founder and CEO of Aura Makeup, a vibrant, plastic-free beauty brand born in Mexico City. A former L'Oréal sustainability lead turned engineer-entrepreneur, Nour breaks down why he ditched plastic packaging entirely in favor of aluminum and tin and the surprising trial-and-error that came with building formulas and packaging from scratch. The conversation goes deep on the realities of beauty industry recycling (spoiler: most of what you toss in the bin isn't getting recycled at all), why black plastic is quietly one of the worst offenders (Nethra was shocked), and how Aura became a certified plastic-negative brand through its partnership with Repurpose Global, removing nine times the plastic waste of every product sold. Nour also opens up about redefining "clean" beauty beyond the pale, minimalist aesthetic it's become associated with, sourcing ethics around mica and cruelty-free formulas, and why color and joy are just as much a part of sustainability as ingredients and packaging. If you've ever wondered what happens to your empty makeup containers — or wanted proof that sustainable beauty can also be bold, colorful, and fun — this episode is for you.

We are celebrating a major milestone with episode of 100 of Sustainability Defined! Before diving in, we have a special message for all of our incredible Definers who have been a part of this journey. Thank you for listening, learning, and helping us builld a community dedicated to making sustainability more accessible.  For this special epsiode, we are bringing back the Hot Commodities series joined by Sudheer Kosaraju, Chief Commerical Officer at Once Again Nut Butter. Through Once Again's work in sustainable peanut sourcing and production, we explore the journey behind one of the world's most beloved and nostalgic snacks: peanuts!  From farming and water use to sourcing, processing, and global supply chains, we dig into the complex sustainability challenged behind this everyday commodity. We also explore what responsible business practices look like in agriculture and how consumers can make more sustainable choices at the grocery store.   Join us this epsiode as we answer your burning questions about the peanut supply chain and discuss what it takes to create a more sustainable food system. 

In this episode of Sustainability Defined, we're switching things up! Before diving into one of our classic storytelling-style breakdowns, we sit down with Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), to unpack the world of sustainable supply chains. If you've been following our Hot Commodities series, you know we've become a little obsessed with supply chains, because behind every matcha latte, chocolate bar, banana, or t-shirt is a massive global system shaping emissions, labor, water use, waste, and more. So we realized: we've talked about supply chains constantly…without doing a deep dive into them.  In the first half of this episode, Abe helps us break down what supply chains are, why sustainability and supply chains are inseparable, and how climate change, pandemics, and geopolitical tensions are forcing companies to rethink the way the world moves goods. Then, inspired by ASCM's new docuseries The Chain: How the World Works, we'll take you through the life cycle of a cotton t-shirt, from raw material extraction to landfill, unpacking the environmental and human impacts hidden behind one of the most everyday items in our closets. This episode is part explainer, part documentary breakdown, and part supply chain deep dive, and honestly, one of our favorite conversations we've had on the podcast!      

In this episode of Hot Commodities, we're diving into the sweet, and often bitter world of sugar. From sprawling sugarcane fields to the products lining our grocery store shelves, sugar is one of the most globally traded commodities, deeply embedded in our food systems and daily lives. But behind its ubiquity lies a complex supply chain shaped by labor challenges, environmental pressures, and growing calls for transparency. In this episode of the Hot Commodities series, Cecilia and Nethra unpack the history and global footprint of sugar production, exploring how issues like water use, land intensity, and labor conditions continue to shape the industry today. Then, they sit down with a representative from Fairtrade America to discuss how certification programs are working to improve wages, empower farmers, and create more equitable and sustainable supply chains. Can choosing fair trade sugar actually drive meaningful change? And what responsibility do companies, and consumers, have in reshaping this industry? Tune in for a conversation that goes beyond the sweet surface to uncover the true cost of sugar.

In this episode, Nethra and Cecilia break down the EPA's 2009 Endangerment Finding, the foundation of federal climate regulation in the United States.  As repeal efforts gain attention, this episode explores what the Endagerment Finding is, why it matters, and the legal challenges that could impact the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases.  From the courts to future climate policy, this episode unpacks what's at stake, and what could come next. Tune in to learn how one decision continues to shape the scope of federal climate action today.

Terrorism, corporate pay-offs, open-fire raids, rebranding and scandal....yes, we are talking about bananas. In this episode of our Hot Commodities series, we're peeling back the layers on the world's most popular fruit to reveal a history of corporate empires, political coups, and systematic exploitation that shaped entire nations. From the United Fruit Company's control over "banana republics" to Chiquita's 2007 guilty plea for funding Colombian paramilitaries, we trace how your 60-cent banana became so cheap and who paid the real price. We'll also explore the environmental impacts and supply chain of this fruit and why monoculture farming puts our entire global banana supply at risk. Join us as we follow bananas from tropical plantations through ripening rooms to your grocery store, uncovering the complex supply chain logistics that keep shelves stocked year-round. Fear not!! We also we sit down with Jennie Coleman, the President of Equifruit, to learn how ethical sourcing and Fair Trade practices are working to transform this troubled industry and provide a future for a new wave of banana agriculture. This episode is bananas!! literally and figuratively.

We cut through the noise and jargon to define what ESG actually is and what it isn't. ESG feels like a sea of acyromns and alphabet soup, we help you understand the state of the current landscape and different reporting frameworks. Whether you're new to sustainability reporting or a seasoned professional, join us as Marcy Twete of Veerless helps us breaks down the fundamentals in clear, accessible terms that anyone can understand. We explore how the current administration's policies are reshaping corporate ESG strategies and what companies can expect in the months ahead. From regulatory shifts to stakeholder expectations, Marcy provides insider perspective on the challenges and opportunities organizations face as they balance purpose with performance and practical insights on what businesses should prioritize in 2026 This episode offers the clarity and context you need to understand one of the most debated topics in business today.

In this festive year-end episode, Cecilia and Nethra are mixing it all together, personal updates, podcast reflections, and the sustainability success stories that made us smile this year. From quirky innovations to feel-good climate wins, we're spotlighting the moments that brought a little extra hope to 2025. We also share our favorite tips for sustainable gift-giving, low-waste holiday traditions, and simple ways to keep the season joyful without going overboard. Think of it as your cozy, low-pressure guide to celebrating with intention. Grab a warm drink and join us for a cheerful, reflective Holiday Hodge-Podge to wrap up the year.