The Indisposable Podcast®

We all know that single-use plastic pollution harms marine life, so what better place to model throw-away free concessions than America’s aquariums? In this episode we talk with Aimee David, the Ocean Conservation Policy Director for Monterey Bay Aquarium, a co-creator of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, and visionary advocate for throw-away free venues and policy. Aimee shares the story of...

Vending machines - the place where you get stale, single serve, plastic-packaged snacks when you have nowhere else to turn, right? Not so fast! Slow food meets convenience for reuse on-the-go in this episode, where we talk with Chloe Vichot, a New York City food ecopreneur and the co-founder of Fresh Bowl - the world’s first vending machine for fresh, local, healthy, throw-away-free meals. Learn a...

In this episode, we get real with Stiv Wilson, an unparalleled advocate currently serving as Campaigns Director for the Story of Stuff Project, director of The Story of Plastic, and as a founding member of the Break Free From Plastic global steering committee. Stiv shares about unique vantage point on the evolution of plastic movement strategy - from some big early wins like banning microbeads in...

With the hard work of TerraCycle and brands large and small around the world, the Loop store - https://loopstore.com/ - is now live for residents of Paris and the Mid-Atlantic United States. Loop is a global circular shopping platform designed to eliminate the idea of waste by transforming the products and packaging of everyday items from single-use to durable, multi-use, feature-packed designs. W...

What does sustainability look like on the road and across the globe as touring musicians? We asked Rising Appalachia, a tremendously talented and soulful band rooted in southern music tradition with their own modern twist. Its founding sisters, Leah and Chloe Smith from New Orleans incorporate world and urban influences with both timely and timeless lyrics to remind us of our shared humanity and r...

What if we didn’t need plastic bottles and toxic ingredients to take care of our hair and skin? This is the premise behind Samudra Skin & Sea, a wild seaweed skincare brand that also cares for the ocean. Shilpi is a friendly force of nature, and in this episode she shares about the pleasures and challenges of running a values-driven business, about how she leverages the Samudra brand to minimi...

When you live on a tiny island, the reality that waste has nowhere to go becomes very real. And when you live in a small community where everyone knows each other, banding together to find creative solutions to the challenges of waste management can lead to some pretty amazing solutions. Listen in for some great insights into the creative power of both limits and community with eco-artist and Zero...

We are all influencers - whether we are famous celebrities like this week’s guest or leaders in our local communities, friend groups, and workplaces. In this episode, we talk to Masters of Sex star Caitlin Fitzgerald about how she brings her values and activism into her work as an actress. Caitlin shares the story of her personal journey toward living her throw-away-free values in her every day li...

Think compostables are healthier than other packaging solutions? You may want to check out Mind the Store’s report on PFAS chemicals at top grocery chain for a disturbing reality check on these chemicals in compostables and other food packaging. And is it a coincidence that Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s made bold commitments to reduce PFAS chemicals in their products the same week this report came...

Remember when people used to smoke in restaurants? On airplanes!? How we used to make ashtrays in art class!? And how once upon a time that was all considered normal? And are you old enough to remember life before fast-food drive throughs? That now ubiquitous part of American culture that results in billions of pieces of packaging waste each year did not even exist 50 years ago. What can we learn...

Kate Nelson, aka the Plastic Free Mermaid, has been living without disposable plastics for over ten years. After an aha encounter with ocean plastics on a research vessel, Kate has explored just about every avenue of action to address our global plastic pollution crisis, from dressing up as mermaids for policy meetings to working with groups like San Diego Coast Keepers, Surfrider Foundation, and...

Plastic pollution harms human communities just as much as it harms the environment, and this harm falls disproportionately on communities of color here in the US and around the world. That’s why engaging those in ‘front-line communities’ - those most directly impacted by plastic pollution, is an essential part of any justice oriented movement. Learn all about best practices for environmental justi...

On January 22nd, 2019, the city of Berkeley, CA made national history by unanimously voting for an ordinance that Mayor Jesse Arreguin called “the most ambitious, comprehensive legislation to reduce throw-away foodware in the United States.” The Disposable-Free Berkeley Ordinance will require reusable dishware for dining onsite, compostable packaging & flatware for to-go orders, & a 25 cen...

UPSTREAM is pleased as punch to be Introducing a new podcast uplifting solutions to plastic pollution! Each episode features interviews with UPSTREAM heroes - activists, alchemists, strategists, innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders and other champions of the movement to end plastic pollution (and other needless waste, because it’s all connected, after all). We are focusing less on detailin...