Sustainability Unplugged

October is Energy Awareness Month, and what better way to celebrate than by pulling back the curtain on the system that powers our lives—the U.S. energy grid. From your morning coffee to your late-night Netflix binge, the grid is the invisible backbone keeping everything running. But how does it actually work? And what challenges lie ahead as demand grows and the world shifts toward cleaner energy?

In this episode, we break down the...

Football season means tailgates, grilling, and lots of fun — but it can also mean mountains of waste. In this episode of Sustainability Unplugged, we break down how to keep the tailgate traditions you love while minimizing your environmental footprint. From reusable cups and compost bins to eco-friendly grilling and carpooling, we share practical tips that make game day greener without sacrificing the party. Whether you’re a die-ha...

What if poetry could help us see the Earth — and ourselves — in a new way? This week, we sit down with author Shannon Jade to talk about her powerful new book, A Song for the Earth. Through poetry and story, Shannon takes us on a journey across Earth’s biomes — from forests and oceans to cityscapes — capturing both the beauty of our planet and the urgency of protecting it. We talk about the inspiration behind her words, the role of...

Back-to-school season doesn’t have to mean wasteful shopping sprees and mountains of plastic packaging. In this episode, we explore practical ways families, students, and teachers can make eco-friendly swaps—from reusing last year’s supplies to choosing quality over quantity, thrifting for treasures, and packing waste-free lunches. We’ll also highlight upcoming eco-events like World Cleanup Day, Car-Free Day, and a local Go Green! ...

We’re kicking off Season 2 with a challenge: Could you fit a week’s worth of trash into a single jar? Every September, people around the world take part in Zero Waste Week, a grassroots campaign started in 2008 by Rachelle Strauss after she witnessed devastating floods in England. Her experience sparked a movement that now spans over 85 countries, encouraging people to rethink what they throw “away.”

In this episode, we dive into th...

It’s a wrap on Season 1! In this special milestone episode, we reflect on what a full year of podcasting has meant to us — from the personal changes we’ve made, to the hilarious moments that made us laugh-cry while editing. We’re diving into our favorite episodes, most surprising lessons (we’re still not over the wipes or EV batteries), and what we’re looking forward to in Season 2. Plus, we’re sharing sweet listener feedback that ...

We’re melting down—literally and figuratively. In this slightly unhinged episode, we dive into the chaos that is climate change. From ancient volcanoes and woolly mammoths to carbon and fast fashion, we unpack how humans went from riding out natural climate shifts to accelerating them with fossil fuel flair.

We break down the science (hello, carbon cycle!), explore the history of global warming (yep, people have been talking about t...

This week, we’re digging into the world of local food systems—because it turns out eating strawberries from down the road might be more revolutionary than you think. From farmers markets to rooftop farms, we’re exploring what it really means to eat local, why it matters for the environment and economy, and how cities are joining the movement in creative ways. Plus, we unpack what "food miles" are, why they’re trickier to ...

Fast food might be quick and cheap, but it comes with a heaping side of packaging waste. In this episode, we unwrap the environmental impact of fast food packaging—from the millions of tons of waste created by global giants like McDonald's to the hidden plastics and PFAs in your favorite takeout. But don’t worry—we’re not just here to bum you out. We’re spotlighting the chains making real progress (hello, Chipotle and A&W!...

Death comes for us all—but what happens after we go is surprisingly full of choices. In this episode, we dig (pun fully intended) into the many ways people exit this earthly realm, from the conventional to the compostable.

We start with the classic: conventional burial. Picture embalming fluid, caskets that outlast your family name, and enough formaldehyde in the ground each year to pickle a city. Then there's cremation—a hot t...

In this episode, we dive deep into our trash—literally. Inspired (we think?) by one of the many podcasts we listen to, we spent a full week tracking everything we threw away. From donut bags and mac & cheese pouches to mystery pillow pieces and fast-food wrappers, no scrap was too small to log.

We weren’t totally prepared for how personal this would get (you’re about to learn a lot about our eating habits), but the experience wa...

Are today’s appliances and electronics built to last—or to fail? In this episode, we break down the trend of shrinking lifespans in products like refrigerators, washing machines, and even cell phones. From the solid, steel-built machines of the 1950s to today’s tech-heavy, plastic-packed gadgets, we examine how cost-cutting, complexity, and consumer expectations have fueled a culture of frequent replacement. Plus, we introduce the ...

Is capitalism the villain or the unexpected hero of the climate story? In this episode, we unpack the complicated world of eco-capitalism — also known as environmental or green capitalism — where companies commodify climate action and profit from "solving" sustainability. From green consumption trends to billion-dollar carbon markets, we explore how businesses are turning climate responsibility into a revenue stream. You&...

We went to a Climate Summit! Climate Action Kansas City puts on a climate summit every 18 months here in Kansas City and we took part in 2025. They covered topics happening locally, nationally and beyond. We heard from 3 panels about ‘Navigating the Energy Transition’, ‘Sustainability of Sustainability’ and (our favorite) ‘Changing the Conversation’ around sustainability. Come along as we walk and talk through how our experience we...

 In this episode, we dig into the origins of the modern environmental movement and then shift to the spark that became Earth Day as we know it today. We explore the powerful ripple effects of that first Earth Day: landmark legislation like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But not all progress stays protected—we’ll also touch on more recent...

This week, we dive into the sustainable side of event spaces—because it’s not just about the music, the game, or the conference keynote anymore. From solar panels on stadium rooftops to food waste being turned into farm animal feed, we explore how venues around the world (and in our own backyard!) are stepping up their green game. We spotlight venues like the Overland Park Convention Center, Allegiant Stadium, CPKC Stadium, and eve...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most common questions out there about electric cars: “Are they like a normal car?” The short answer? Yes... and no. While driving an EV can feel pretty familiar, the bigger picture reveals some key differences between electric and gas-powered vehicles — from price and maintenance to emissions and everyday usability. We also talk about alternatives like hybrids, and why sometimes, the most su...