The Green Collar Pod
Introducing Green Collar - a podcast dedicated to the economy of tomorrow, exploring jobs that have a positive impact on the environment and people’s well being. Come join Kiersten and Aparna as they interview experts to explore different roles that make up the green collar economy, while highlighting ways to make every job a Green Collar job.
Episodes
In this episode, we’re joined by renowned entomologist, ecologist, and author Doug Tallamy to explore how everyday landscapes—from backyards to balconies—can become powerful tools for conservation. Doug shares his career journey, explains why native plants are essential to healthy ecosystems, and introduces the concept of Homegrown National Park, a grassroots effort to restore biodiversity on private land. We discuss the critical r...
In this special year-in-review episode of The Green Collar Pod, co-hosts Aparna and Kiersten reflect on their first full year of podcasting with no guest, just honest conversation, data, and highlights from 22 episodes.
They share listener stats, favorite moments, memorable job titles, and the guest insights that challenged how they think about sustainability, careers, and balance. The episode also spotlights good sustainability ne...
Greg Ross is a senior climate analyst at Cheniere Energy, where he focuses on greenhouse gas measurement, mitigation, and verification across the North American natural gas supply chain. A Houston native now based in Washington, DC, Greg brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise and genuine climate motivation to his work—shaped in part by his background in chemical engineering and liberal arts at the University of Texas...
Today we’re joined by Jillian Hansen, Market Intelligence Lead at US Solar, who shares her journey from aspiring political campaigner to renewable energy expert and distributed generation advocate. Jillian walks listeners through her evolving roles in community solar development, subscriber origination, and now market expansion, while breaking down key industry concepts like distributed generation, non-wires alternatives, and the g...
Today we’re joined by Laurent Canneva, co-founder and CEO of Spare It.
Trained as a pharmacist with a business background, he spent 17 years at Sanofi leading commercial operations across France, Belgium, and the U.S. Five years ago, he made the leap from human health to planetary health, founding Spare-it, a company using data and technology to help organizations cut waste, lower carbon emissions, and drive real sustainability imp...
Today we’re joined by Peyton Ridland, Business Development Lead for FuelCell Energy across the western U.S.
Peyton has dedicated his career to driving decarbonization through clean energy technologies like fuel cells, hydrogen production, and carbon capture. His work bridges technical innovation and commercial strategy—all with a focus on helping both people and the planet thrive.
Connect with Peyton on LinkedIn.
Books mentione...
Welcome back to the Green Color Pod! Today we’re joined by Mahesh Ramanujam, co-founder, president, and CEO of the Global Network for Zero, and former CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council—an internationally recognized leader driving health, equity, and decarbonization in the built environment and beyond.
Connect with Mahesh on LinkedIn.
Books mentioned:
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
Initiatives/Organizations ment...
Forester, author, and social media educator Ethan Tapper joins the podcast to share his unconventional journey into forestry, from wilderness expeditions done for love to becoming a leading voice on ecosystem stewardship. He reflects on the dualities of forestry—how cutting trees or using tools like chainsaws can be acts of regeneration and love—while stressing the importance of communication, responsibility, and hope in caring for...
Norwegian economist Ingrid Eileen Stevens joins us to share her journey from oil & gas to sustainable waste and water management, exploring biogas, circular economy innovations, and how Norway balances oil wealth with climate leadership.
Connect with Ingrid on LinkedIn and learn more about IVAR.
Resources:
- In Good Company - podcast
- Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson - book
- Venomous Lumpsucker by Ned Beau...
Featuring Scott Tew, founder of Trane Technologies’ Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, we talk about growing up on a small farm, translating science into action, embedding sustainability into business strategy, and leading the company’s bold Gigaton Challenge.
Connect with Scott on LinkedIn. Learn more about Trane Technologies.
Resources:
- Books:
- Make Work Matter: How to Create Positive Change in Your Compan...
Featuring Stacy Savage, the "Texas Trash Talker," we talk about the journey from slinging margaritas to lobbying for landmark e-waste legislation, starting her own business, and diving deep into circularity.
Connect with Stacy on LinkedIn.
Stacy's website: Zero Waste Strategies
Resources:
- Books:
- Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough & Michael Braungart
- Certifications:
- TRUE Zero Waste
- LEED
- WELL
- SI...
A conversation with Debi Rednik, Senior Director of Legal and Compliance at Solstice!
Connect with Debi on LinkedIn.
Terms mentioned:
Individuals mentioned and resources:
- Career coach Beth Offenbacker
- TerraCycle snack & candy wrapper box
Featuring Bob Keefe, the Executive Director of E2! We talk the economic impact of IRA, depoliticizing climate action, and advice to future sustainability leaders!
Connect with Bob on LinkedIn.
Resources:
Sarah Fisher from ICF joins us to talk EV charging, fleet electrification, and making clean transportation more accessible. From career advice to range anxiety myths, this episode is packed with real talk and practical insights.
Resources:
- Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)
- EV News Daily - podcast
- Volts - podcast and newsletter
- Green Tech Media
- EV owners group/local meetups
- City and state government programs around EVs
Fa...
Featuring Justin Den Herder, who is not only a structural engineer from TY Lin, but also a professor of Structural Poetics, and a poet!
Connect with Justin on LinkedIn.
Terms mentioned:
- Adaptive reuse - "In architecture, adaptive reuse (also called building reuse) refers to the repurposing of an existing structure for new use."
- Mass timber - "Mass timber is a new category of wood product that can revolutioniz...
There's so much buzz around Episode 9 of Green Collar! We have a fun conversation with Natalie here about the importance of pollinators, recognition days like Bee Day and No Mow May, and even get some insight on how Natalie BEE-came an expert in her field! (Hint: it might be from watching a classic movie about bees).
Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn.
Resources:
- The Bee Movie - available on Apple TV, YouTube TV, Go...
Featuring Dr. Kiran Mohanraj, a serendipitous sustainability pal made by chance on a flight.
He is a pavement engineer who breaks down myths about zero-emission vehicles, pavement-vehicle interaction, and what true sustainability really means—plus drops some solid dad jokes along the way.
Connect with Kiran on LinkedIn.
Terms mentioned:
Resources:
Featuring Veni Mittal, a dear friend and proud volunteer for Etna Community Organization.
We'll talk about how to revitalize vacant parking lots, how to create community centers from scratch, and how to empower yourself and others to make grassroots change.
Terms mentioned:
Resources mentioned:
Featuring Fulya Kocak, one of the first ever LEED accredited professionals a sustainability educator, author, and entrepreneur.
Join us as we chat about ESG, mentorship, navigating periods where "green jobs" aren't plentiful, and anticipating industry trends.
Terms mentioned:
Resources mentioned:
- Fulya's LinkedIn Learning Courses - Note: not all courses on the LinkedIn learning ...
Featuring Gretchen Carey from Republic Services
Join us as we chat about all things community engagement, education, and recycling!
Terms mentioned:
Resources mentioned:
- Mass Recycle - podcast
- Mass Recycle - handbook
- TRUE Waste Advisor - certification via USGBC
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