The Green Collar Pod

To celebrate the upcoming Earth day and more than a year of podcasting, Green Collar presents a special episode! 

In this special role-reversal, the hosts become the hosted when a dear friend, Max Kriegsfeld, takes over the mic to interview us. What follows? A candid, occasionally chaotic, fun (and funny?) chat. The vibe is joining three pals for coffee to chat about a passion project.

We span from childhood recycling squads (global ...

Happy episode 30, Pod People! We hope you enjoy this conversation with Dr Maria Juenger. 

Dr Juenger studied and teaches about the materials that literally hold our built environment together, with an emphasis on chemical issues in cement-based materials. She's a professor at UT Austin (hook 'em!) and also the current present of the American Concrete Institute, where she helps to guide how industry uses the most commo...

In this episode, we’re joined by Michael — a sustainability leader working at the intersection of construction, materials, and the built environment. Michael shares how his career evolved from an early interest in sustainable design to leading efforts that tackle one of the industry’s biggest challenges: reducing embodied carbon in buildings.

We talk about why the materials we use in construction matter, how the industry is beginnin...

In this episode, we’re joined by Olivia Amyette, founder and CEO of Infinite Energy Advisors and the Solar Knowledge Institute. Olivia shares her remarkable journey: from launching a solar company at just 20 years old, to building Georgia’s only DOL-approved registered apprenticeship for solar construction and expanding access to affordable energy across the Southeast.

We talk workforce development, navigating solar in rural communi...

In this episode, we’re joined by Christy Cannon, an energy industry expert with 25 years of experience navigating electric markets, energy management, and building technology. Christy shares her career journey: from helping guide Texas through electric deregulation to building energy programs from the ground up and now working on energy automation at Yardi.

We also talk mentorship, career pivots, and why sustainability isn’t a niche...

In this episode, we’re joined by Lindsey Machamer, Division Manager for Park Development at the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, to explore how sustainability, resilience, and equity show up in the design and delivery of public spaces. Lindsey shares her career journey from civil engineering to municipal leadership, offering an inside look at how cities like Austin use tools such as LEED, SITES, and Envision to shape parks, ...

In this episode, we’re joined by Annise Maguire, an environmental attorney turned sustainability and ESG strategist, to explore a career shaped by environmental justice, global impact, and bold pivots. Annise walks us through her journey from environmental litigation and transactional law to ESG advisory roles across NGOs, Fortune 500 companies, and global law firms, and ultimately to founding GLISS—the Global Incubator for Sustain...

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...