The Selling Circular Podcast

What happens when the people trying to save the world can't save themselves? In this deeply personal episode, executive coach Laurie McGinley reveals a startling truth: 62% of sustainability professionals report signs of burnout. Drawing from her own experience of having a stroke at 31 while being a perfectly healthy D1 athlete, Laurie challenges everything we think we know about careers, success,...

In this conversation, Eric Davis discusses Pretred, a company focused on creating sustainable products from recycled tires. He shares insights on the resilience of their products, the challenges of transitioning from an idea to a viable business model, and the importance of government partnerships in funding circular economy initiatives. The discussion also covers the diverse customer base for the...

In this episode, we explore Sacni Leon's remarkable 15-year journey at Logitech and her unexpected path into the circular economy. Her simple question - "Why are all these products coming back?" - sparked a transformation that would reshape how the company handles returns and reverse logistics. The conversation highlights key themes including the power of asking obvious questions, the unexpected c...

In this conversation, Joe Macleod discusses the importance of consumer off-boarding experiences and the emotional connections we have with products. He explores the historical context of consumption, the emotional grip of consumerism, and the responsibilities of both consumers and providers at the end of a product's life cycle. The discussion also touches on the role of brand equity, the future of...

In this conversation, Julia discusses the potential of seaweed as a sustainable alternative to plastic, sharing her personal journey and the importance of designing for a circular economy. The discussion covers the challenges of adopting seaweed solutions, the packaging ecosystem, and the role of advocacy in raising consumer awareness. Julia also highlights the regulatory landscape surrounding bio...

In this conversation, the founders of Common Object Studio discuss their journey in sustainable design, focusing on their case study with Okaterra. They explore the challenges and triumphs of creating furniture that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally responsible. The discussion delves into the importance of materials, supply chains, and the need for transparency in sustain...

Garr Punnett and Emily Rogers discuss the evolution of Reath, a company focused on the circular economy and open data standards. They explore the challenges and opportunities in the sustainability sector, including the importance of consumer behavior, the impact of legislation, and the need for collaboration among businesses. Emily shares insights from her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the...

Supply chain expert and author Deborah Dull joins Garr Punnett and Sabira Lakhani for a candid conversation about the practical realities of building circular supply chains. Fresh off publishing her comprehensive guide to circular supply chain maturity models and a business novel co-written with AI, Deborah cuts through the sustainability rhetoric to focus on what actually works.

In this conversation, Sabira Lakhani and Garr Punnett discuss the Heritage Group and its venture capital arm, HG Ventures, focusing on their approach to investing in the circular economy. They explore the challenges and opportunities within this space, emphasizing the importance of relationships, storytelling, and transparency in venture capital. The discussion also highlights the need for innovat...

Garr Punnett and Sabira Lakhani chat with Nicole Bassett, a pioneer in the circular economy and founder of The Renewal Workshop. They discuss the evolution of sustainable fashion, the challenges of scaling circular solutions, and the importance of collaboration in creating effective business models. Nicole shares her journey from Patagonia to founding the Renewal Workshop, the impact of her work o...

In this conversation, Preston Poag Jr. from Mohawk Industries discusses the challenges and opportunities in recycling flooring materials within the context of the circular economy. The discussion covers the differences between commercial and residential recycling, the importance of education and communication in promoting recycling programs, and the impact of policy on sustainability initiatives....

In this episode, Garr Punnett and Sabira Lakhani interview Erada Olieta, founder of the Chip Bag Project, which transforms unrecyclable Mylar chip bags into essential products for people experiencing homelessness. The conversation explores the innovative solutions Erada has developed, the challenges of scaling her organization, and the importance of corporate partnerships. Erada shares her journey...

In this episode of Selling Circular, Sabira Lakhani, Garr Punnett, and Theo Zizka discuss the intricacies of the circular economy, focusing on Community Forklift's operations. Theo shares his unique journey into the resale space, the challenges of managing online sales, and the importance of sustainability in packaging. The conversation delves into pricing strategies, the unpredictability of inven...

In this episode of Selling Circular, host Garr Punnett and guests Sabira Lakhani and Nancy Rhodes discuss the intersection of technology, sustainability, and fashion. They explore how Alternew, a B2B2C AI-enabled marketplace, connects brands, consumers, and tailors to reduce returns and enhance customer loyalty. The conversation delves into the challenges of fast fashion, the importance of tailori...

In this episode, Garr Punnett and Sabira Lakhani engage with Lia Kiam from Visia to discuss the innovative approaches using AI for the circular economy, particularly in recycling. They explore the challenges faced by recycling operators, including safety concerns related to hazardous materials like lithium-ion batteries, and the role of technology in enhancing operational efficiency. The conversat...

In this episode of Selling Circular, Sabira Lakhani and Garr Punnett engage in a deep conversation with Wilma Rodrigues, a pioneer in India's waste management sector. They discuss the evolution of Saahas Zero Waste, the challenges of decentralized waste management, and the importance of regulatory frameworks. Wilma shares insights on the innovative approaches to textile waste management and the fu...

The conversation reflects on the recent Circularity conference, discussing the evolution of the event, the importance of community and networking, and the challenges of communication in sustainability. Key themes include the grouping of events under Trellis Impact, the significance of serendipitous connections, and insights from notable speakers. The discussion also touches on the discomfort compa...

In this conversation, Garr Punnett and Peter discuss Peter's career journey from finance to the circular economy, highlighting his experiences at REI and Trove. They explore the challenges and opportunities in building sustainable business models, the importance of circularity in retail, and the innovative technologies being developed at Tersys to support these efforts. In this conversation, Peter...

In this conversation, Nic Esposito, co-founder of Unless Kids, discusses the innovative approach to transforming children's toy consumption through a circular economy model. The discussion covers the journey of Unless Kids, the importance of customer discovery, funding strategies, and the challenges of logistics in a sustainable business. Nic emphasizes the need for affordability and accessibility...

Garr Punnett and Sabira Lakhani engage with Shannon Goodman, co-founder of the Lifecycle Building Center, to discuss the critical role of nonprofits in the circular economy, particularly in material reuse. They explore the challenges and opportunities within the reuse industry, emphasizing the importance of community building, collaboration, and workforce development. The conversation highlights t...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Andrew from Doors Unhinged as we explore the fascinating intersection of sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship in commercial construction. Discover how one company is challenging industry norms, reducing waste, and paving the way for a greener future—all while navigating the complexities of procurement, risk, and scalability. This episode is pa...

In this episode, Sabira & Garr discuss the upcoming Circularity 2025 event and engage in a deep conversation with Teresa Giovannoli, founder of Little Squiggle, about her journey in creating a circular toy company. They explore the challenges of communicating circularity, the importance of design in sustainability, financial projections for circular products, and the need for consumer engageme...

Join Garr Punnett, Sabira Lakhani, and Joseph Klatt in this insightful episode exploring the intersection of sustainability, design, and entrepreneurship. Joseph Klatt, founder of Marble Plastics, shares his journey from leading global initiatives with Precious Plastic to creating innovative recycled plastic materials for furniture and building applications. Discover how Marble Plastics transforms...

In this podcast episode, hosts Sabira Lakhani and Garr Punnett speak with Avi, editor-in-chief of Metropolis Magazine, about circular economy principles in architecture and design. Avi discusses Metropolis's longstanding commitment to sustainability, dating back to the 1980s, and highlights their recent initiative, "Seven Proposals for a Circular Built Environment." He emphasizes that circular eco...

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Jocelyn Quarrell, Co-Founder of Bold Reuse, as she unveils how her company is transforming the $200B food service industry—one reusable cup at a time. Discover how Bold Reuse pivoted from B2C to B2B, partnered with giants like Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, and Starbucks, and convinced NFL stadiums to adopt closed-loop systems that save $10,000+ annually. Learn the g...