In this episode of Mastering Sustainability, Madeline & Ray sit down with UN photographer and visual storyteller Kiara Worth, whose lens has captured some of the most defining moments in global climate negotiations. From COP conferences to communities on the frontlines of environmental change, Kiara shares what it means to bear witness to both the urgency and the humanity behind sustainability. Together, they explore how images can move policy, inspire action, and remind us of the shared ...

On this episode of Mastering Sustainability, we sit down with Kelvin Okamoto, Ph.D., CEO of Green Bottom Line, Inc., to unpack the complex and often misunderstood world of biodegradability. Kelvin takes us inside the role of ASTM standards in separating science from marketing claims—sharing why rigorous testing is essential to cut through greenwashing and ensure real environmental impact. From clarifying what “biodegradable” truly means to exploring how standards shape policy, industry adopti...

On this episode of Mastering Sustainability, we sit down with Caroline DeLoach, Director of Sustainability at Atlantic Packaging, to explore how a legacy packaging company is rethinking its role in the fight against plastic pollution. Caroline takes us inside her journey of driving change from within a 75-year-old family-owned business—sharing what it means to push for bold innovation in an industry often defined by tradition. From partnering with global brands to scale sustainable packaging ...

On the Season Finale of Mastering Sustainability, we’re thrilled to welcome Nathalie Flores - a powerhouse voice for climate action from the Dominican Republic. In this episode, Nathalie shares her inspiring career journey from public service to the private sector, highlighting what it means to lead with purpose and create lasting environmental impact across borders. From shaping sustainability policy in Latin America to engaging in the critical work of global climate legislation, her perspec...

In this episode of Mastering Sustainability, Maddie & Ray sit down with Martin Wolf, founder of Wolf Sustainability and former Director of Sustainability & Authenticity for Seventh Generation. With over three decades of experience challenging the status quo, Martin shares insights on what it really means to embed sustainability into every business layer, from product formulation to policy advocacy. We discuss the power (and limits) of green chemistry, the importance of transparency, a...

In Episode 8 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome Todd Pooser, founder of the Virtual Commonwealth, a sustainability and social equity investment platform where members agree to self-tax on their sustainable purchases. That money is then used to crowdfund companies with strong sustainability and social equity profiles in which all members become equity partners. In this episode, Todd discusses the ethos behind the platform, the ways that sustainability and social equity are inextricably li...

In Episode 7 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome Margarita Quihuis, a behavioral psychologist at the Peace Innovation Lab at Stanford University. Throughout a fascinating hour, Margarita dissects the psychology behind how we react to the world around us, how your favorite brands motivate you to make unconscious decisions, and the best way to prompt action. Margarita's Links: WTF Is Behavioral Design Margarita's Linkedin & Medium Rory Sutherland's Linkedin Subscribe to The ...

In Episode 6 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome Neil Shackleton, founder of Medoola. This sustainability consultancy aims to transform packaging supply chains and material efficiency to protect brand equity and triple bottom lines. In this episode, Neil takes us through the evolution of LCA’s over time, how businesses can use them to refine their supply chain while increasing their bottom line, and why your sustainability savings may not always be found in the places you’d think to look....

In Episode 5 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome John Duncan, who leads the No Plastic In Nature Initiative for World Wildlife Fund International (WWF). Fresh off INC-5, John takes us to the negotiating table to break down the latest draft of the Global Plastics Treaty and where WWF and the other members of the Business Coalition for the Global Plastics Treaty hope we’re headed. John’s Links Connect with John on Linkedin Learn about the work of the Business Coalition for A Global P...

On Episode 4 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome Alyson Fick, Standards Manager for ASTM International. In this episode, Alyson explains why having a common set of standards is important, how they are established, how they embrace new technologies, and a surprising new Santa Claus standard just in time for the holidays. Alyson's Links: ASTM WebsiteConnect with ASTM and Alyson on Linkedin! ASTM PodcastStandardization News

On Episode 3 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome Ruben Nance, Program Director for the Design Recognition Pathway for the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR). In this episode, Ruben guides us through the sea of acronyms found throughout recycling, talks about how AI is changing the industry, and imagines what the future of recycling could look like. Ruben's Links: Association of Plastic Recyclers Website Connect with Ruben on Linkedin! APR’s Recycled Content Podcast

On Episode 2 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome Ed Shepherd, Senior Global Sustainability Manager for a Circular Economy, at Unilever. In this episode, Ed discusses why businesses need global rules, the importance of public/private sector collaboration, and what must be included in a Global Plastics Treaty to drive real change. Learn more about Unilever’s Sustainability Commitments Ed’s Resources: Connect with Ed on Linkedin! Business Coalition For a Global Plastic Treaty&nbs...

We’re Back! On Episode 1 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome Brandi Parker of Parker Brands. In this episode, Brandi breaks down the evolving role of designers and producers in sustainable packaging, learning about why we must avoid green hushing, and how she’s working with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) to advance How2Recycle’s iconic chasing arrows symbol. Brandi’s Links: Connect with Brandi on Linkedin! Parker Brands Website Zero Waste Creatives Brandi’s Favorite...

On Episode 11 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome Monir Bou Ghanem, Policy Advisor at the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency. In this episode, Monir explains how environmental advocates are at a crossroads for policy, what drives environmental protection in the UAE, and how Abu Dhabi enacted the world’s most successful single-use bag ban. Resources: Abu Dhabi Environment AgencyFollow along on Instagram Connect with Monir on Linkedin!

On Episode 10 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome Shelby Thomas, CEO of the Ocean Rescue Alliance, a marine conservation and restoration nonprofit organization that uses artificial structures to enhance marine environments, build marine habitats, conduct restoration, protect coastlines, and connect communities through art. In this episode, Shelby dives into reef restoration using calcium carbonate, how 1000 mermaids can benefit marine life, and how nature and art co-exist harmoniously on ...

On Episode 9 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome Brad Vogel from the Green Sports Alliance, an organization that inspires professional sports leagues and their governing bodies, colleges, teams, venues, partners, and millions of fans to embrace sustainable practices. In this episode, Brad takes us onto the sidelines to understand the environmental impact of live sporting events, discusses the ways that teams and venues around the world are working to improve, and the role that the fans pl...

On Episode 8 of Mastering Sustainability, we’re sitting down with Jeremy Lang, founder of Lomi, the world's first Smart Waste™ kitchen composter to talk about all things composting. In this conversation, we dig into the dirty side of waste management infrastructure, new technologies that are changing the game, and the opportunity to decentralize a decades-long industry. Reference Links: https://lomi.com https://pelacase.com

On Episode 7 of Mastering Sustainability, we're wading into the nuances of global climate meetings including COP28 with Mike Green, leader of the Climate & Energy Working group at the American Sustainable Business Network and Director of Carbon Markets at Native, A Public Benefit Corporation. Together, we’re breaking these giant conferences and the topics they’ll tackle into bitesized pieces, including the forthcoming Global Plastics Treaty, the impact of the first Global Stocktake, and c...

On Episode 6 of Mastering Sustainability, we're diving into sustainable supply chains with Jamie Mudrick and Sarah Moasser from EcoVadis, an ESG consultancy that helps companies to evaluate and improve the Environmental, Social and Governance aspects of their business. Together, we'll break down these three pivotal metrics, understand what drives corporations to be better, and though the task often seems insurmountable, learn how companies and their suppliers can make incremental improvements...

On Episode 5 of Mastering Sustainability, we welcome Matt Wampler, CEO of Clear Cogs, an AI solution helping restaurants tackle food waste. With years of experience in Food & Beverage, Matt asks us to take a look at the intersection of food waste and sustainability, the pivotal role line-level operators play in believing in and pushing for new technologies, and the need for innovation to be simple to understand and immediate in order to make real change.