205: Earth Month: Small Steps, Big Impact (Plus a Special Gift for You!) with Mariska Nell

In this episode, I share why Earth Month holds such a special place in my heart, how a bold experiment in 2018 sparked meaningful conversations around waste, and why sustainability doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We explore how small, realistic steps can create real impact, and I also share an exciting Earth Month announcement to help you get started on your journey.

Timestamps to relevant points within the episode, use this format:

[00:00]-Intro

[00:30] Welcome + intro to the solo episode

[01:00] The 2018 “trash suit” story & how Mama Earth Talk started

[01:55] Why Earth Month is so special to me (and a personal connection)

[02:30] Teaser + exciting announcement coming up

[02:50] Why Earth Month can feel overwhelming

[03:30] Sustainability = small, consistent steps

[03:50] 🎉 Announcement: Free access to “Living Lighter” course

[04:20] How to access the course (quick hack explained)

[05:00] What the course includes (modules, videos, habits)

[06:30] Why you only need ONE action—not 150

[06:40] The power of small steps (water bottle example)

[07:30] Biggest lesson: start with what feels easy

[08:50] Practical tips for Earth Month begin

[09:00] Tip #1: Swap one daily habit

[09:30] Tip #2: Let your bin guide you

[10:10] Tip #3: Make it convenient

[10:40] Tip #4: Reduce food waste

[11:00] Tip #5: Change the question

[11:20] Letting go of perfection

[12:00] You are part of something bigger

[12:30] Your Earth Month challenge: one small step

[13:00] Final message: imperfect action matters

Links from the episodes:

Mama Earth Talk Online Course

Key Takeaways:

• Sustainability doesn’t have to be overwhelming, start small and build from there
• Progress over perfection is the key to long-term change
• Your daily habits are the best place to begin your journey
• Awareness (like noticing what’s in your bin) creates powerful change
• Small swaps, done consistently, lead to big impact over time
• You don’t need to do everything, just start with one step.
• The planet needs more people taking imperfect action, not a few doing it perfectly.