Sustainability Defined

What does clean beauty actually mean and why does the industry still struggle to agree on a definition? In this episode, Nethra and Cecilia sit down with Nour Tayara, co-founder and CEO of Aura Makeup, a vibrant, plastic-free beauty brand born in Mexico City. A former L'Oréal sustainability lead turned engineer-entrepreneur, Nour breaks down why he ditched plastic packaging entirely in favor of al...

We are celebrating a major milestone with episode of 100 of Sustainability Defined ! Before diving in, we have a special message for all of our incredible Definers who have been a part of this journey. Thank you for listening, learning, and helping us builld a community dedicated to making sustainability more accessible.  For this special epsiode, we are bringing back the Hot Commodities series jo...

In this episode of Sustainability Defined , we're switching things up! Before diving into one of our classic storytelling-style breakdowns, we sit down with Abe Eshkenazi , CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), to unpack the world of sustainable supply chains. If you've been following our Hot Commodities series, you know we've become a little obsessed with supply chains, becau...

In this episode of Hot Commodities , we're diving into the sweet, and often bitter world of sugar. From sprawling sugarcane fields to the products lining our grocery store shelves, sugar is one of the most globally traded commodities, deeply embedded in our food systems and daily lives. But behind its ubiquity lies a complex supply chain shaped by labor challenges, environmental pressures, and gro...

In this episode, Nethra and Cecilia break down the EPA's 2009 Endangerment Finding, the foundation of federal climate regulation in the United States.  As repeal efforts gain attention, this episode explores what the Endagerment Finding is, why it matters, and the legal challenges that could impact the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases.  From the courts to future climate policy, this ep...

Terrorism, corporate pay-offs, open-fire raids, rebranding and scandal....yes, we are talking about bananas. In this episode of our Hot Commodities series, we're peeling back the layers on the world's most popular fruit to reveal a history of corporate empires, political coups, and systematic exploitation that shaped entire nations. From the United Fruit Company's control over "banana republics" t...

We cut through the noise and jargon to define what ESG actually is and what it isn't. ESG feels like a sea of acyromns and alphabet soup, we help you understand the state of the current landscape and different reporting frameworks. Whether you're new to sustainability reporting or a seasoned professional, join us as Marcy Twete of Veerless helps us breaks down the fundamentals in clear, accessible...

In this festive year-end episode, Cecilia and Nethra are mixing it all together, personal updates, podcast reflections, and the sustainability success stories that made us smile this year. From quirky innovations to feel-good climate wins, we're spotlighting the moments that brought a little extra hope to 2025. We also share our favorite tips for sustainable gift-giving, low-waste holiday traditio...

This week on Sustainability Defined, Cecilia and Nethra are bringing the conversation to the Thanksgiving table.  We're breaking down how to talk about the climate crisis with the people we love, tackling eco-guilt and burnout, and navigating hope.  Join us for a chat with Nivi Achanta, the founder of The Soapbox Project , about the power of remaining joyful when approaching sustainability and com...

In the hot seat this week - Nick Valenzia, Co-Founder of Leafr. We sat down with Nick to understand the "Green Skills Gap" and what that means in an economy where getting a job in sustainability feels so difficult. How is AI influencing the green jobs market? How is the lack of specialized sustainability professionals holding back global climate goals? What do professionals need to be aware of in...

Matcha, it's everywhere, from your morning latte to the latest wellness trend. But what does it really take to bring this vibrant green powder from farm to cup, and what can its journey teach us about sustainability? In this week's episode, Nethra and Cecilia peel back the layers of matcha's story tracing its production, supply chain, and booming global consumption. They explore how centuries-old...

This week, we're doing a podcast swap with our friends over at Source of Good !  Source of Good is a podcast that goes beyond the label of your favorite products, uncovering all the ingenious ways they're being made better for the planet, people, and our future. In each episode, brands and manufacturers break down how they're tackling sustainability challenges and creating real impact. We're shari...

In this episode of Sustainability Defined , we're taking you inside NYC Climate Week 2025 , one of the biggest sustainability events of the year. We'll share tips on how to navigate the overwhelming mix of panels, networking sessions, and activations, and give you a sneak peek into the events we'll be attending ourselves! But that's not all. This episode also features a special interview with the...

Farm to Table — sounds obvious, right? But how did something so seemingly simple become such a radical act? In this week's episode, Nethra and Cecilia unpack the history, philosophy, and misconceptions surrounding the farm-to-table movement — from its roots in counterculture to its current role in shaping sustainable food systems. They explore how industrial agriculture and globalized supply chain...

Sunscreen usage has risen exponentially over the last decade - and with summer finally here,  Cecilia and Nethra are exploring the impacts of sunscreen on our bodies and marine life. How does sunscreen break down in our ecosystems? What is "Reef-Safe"? What are the solutions to the accumulation of sunscreens in our coral reefs and marine habitats? What is the difference between SPF 30 and 50? Defi...

Online shopping is convenient, but at what cost?! In this episode, we explore the massive plastic footprint hidden in your doorstep deliveries, from poly mailers to mixed-material packaging that often ends up in landfills. Cecilia and Nethra break down the environmental toll of e-commerce and spotlight the innovative seaweed-based alternative offered by cleantech startup SWAY. Don't miss our inter...

Wetlands are the unsung heroes of climate resilience. From flood protection to water filtration, these ecosystems are biodiversity hot spots and are critical for the health of our planet.  In this episode, learn more about what exactly a wetland is and how they are vital. Learn about the world's largest restoration project taking place in the Florida Everglades as we sit down with Dr. Steve Davis,...

Did you know that airplanes can run on waste cooking oil, municipal solid waste, forestry waste, and even algae  in the form of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs)? Well, they can.  Biomimicry, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), and aircrafts inspired by GEESE? Learn about some of the innovations happening right now in the aviation industry and where it's headed in the coming decades. The industry h...

Welcome to the first episode of Hot Commodities: Chocolate & Sustainability, a new series from Sustainability Defined! Meet your new hosts, Cecilia and Nethra, as they dive into the environmental and social challenges within the chocolate supply chain. From cacao farming to the final product, they break down the key players, power imbalances, and pressing issues like deforestation, child labor, an...

👋 Big news, Definers! We're thrilled to introduce your NEW podcast hosts, Cecilia Rios & Nethra Rajendran! We are excited to be passing the mic to two incredible voices. In this episode, Jay and Scott join Cecilia and Nethra for a warm welcome and a sneak peek at what's to come with Sustainability Defined.  We are confident they will bring fresh perspectives and a wealth of passion to the table....

This month we are continuing our break and sharing another episode from the Sea Change Podcast! However, stay tuned for next month as we are on track to introduce you to our new hosts. We are so excited to introduce you to them! Find Sea Change on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to listen to the entire "All Gassed Up" series.  About this Series:  Right now in the US, the...

Happy New Year, Definers! This month we are continuing our break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member, independent podcast producer and investigative journalist - Jordan Gass-Poore'.  "Hazard NJ" is an NJ Spotlight News podcast that examines serious pollution issues. Season 2 dives deep into the crisis of toxic pollution caused by PFAS, or "forever chemicals," around New Jer...

The end of the year is near! It's time for our annual Holiday Hodge Podge episode. This year we summarize some of our favorite podcast and sustainability moments from the year and of all time, Jay and Scott provide personal updates and their favorite sustainability articles of the year, and we give some sustainable holiday gift ideas. We also discuss what's next for the podcast. We hope you all ha...

Happy November Definers! This month we are continuing our break and resharing a listener favorite, Episode #52: Feminine Hygiene Products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills of DAME.  Unfortunately, the artificial sensitivities around the topic of this episode - feminine hygiene products - have hindered widespread discussion of the significant environmental and social issues associated with these produ...

This month we are on break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member and environmental journalist - Eva Tesfaye. We hope you enjoy it! Two reminders: —We announced last month Jay and Scott are moving on and accepting applications from Definers to take over the show. More details in last month's episode. You can email us with your interest and why you should take over at hosts@sus...