Sustainable GOAT

The environmental impact of our built environment often flies under the radar, and it's not just about the transportation of materials. It's also the very substances we use to construct our world, along with the layers of code-compliant materials that are frequently anything but sustainable. Enter David Chase, who envisioned a better way.

Rok-On is at the forefront of next-gen building solutions, specializing in fiber cement and structural insulated panels. With a commitment to innovation, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, Rok-On offers a contemporary alternative to conventional building materials. Catering to both residential and commercial sectors, their innovative solutions are not only quicker to install but also built to last, all while minimizing environmental impact. In a nutshell, Rok-On is reshaping the construction industry through intelligent, sustainable choices.

Nuclear power has often been the elephant in the room—its reputation marred by images of explosions, fallout, and environmental degradation. But what if we could flip the script? What if the nuclear waste we've amassed could not only rejuvenate the planet but also improve human well-being?

Enter Edward McGinnis, CEO of Curio, a trailblazing company redefining the energy landscape. With a rich background in U.S. government leadership, McGinnis has transitioned to the private sector to make a lasting impact for future generations.

In our conversation, we delve into the evolution of nuclear energy, explore the untapped potential of nuclear waste as a valuable resource, and discuss Curio's innovative approach to shaping the energy future we all aspire to.

The College of Global Futures at Arizona State University focuses on tackling complex global challenges by integrating sustainability, innovation, and technology. They aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge to navigate a rapidly changing world. The College of Global Futures is part of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, the world’s first comprehensive, university-based approach to ensuring a habitable planet and a future where well-being is attainable for all humankind. The college offers interdisciplinary programs that blend science, engineering, policy, and social science, aiming to create leaders who can think holistically and act meaningfully. It's like a melting pot of ideas and disciplines, all geared towards building a better future.

At the heart of it, Ryan Mores. Ryan is an ASU graduate but also a deeply compassionate human who has been advocating for sustainability for nearly a decade. Working at the city level and now a global platform, Ryan's goals are centered around creating an equitable future for all.

In today's global society, we're all consumers at heart. Yet, behind that consumerism lies a mindset, a worldview that shapes our choices. Ryan Looysen, the visionary CEO of Triwa, is revolutionizing the very fabric of product creation. By placing humanity front and center, Triwa prompts us to don a global lens and question the origins of the products we consume. It challenges us to make more mindful choices as consumers.

Starting a brand has never been more accessible, but what if we could infuse the core DNA of a company with principles of humanity and circular sustainability from the get-go? Instead of a seismic shift, it becomes a journey on a well-trodden path. Ryan and his team at Triwa aren't just walking that path; they're paving it, continually pushing the boundaries of what's achievable.

We are experiencing one of the most exciting, pivotal moments in history. Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz and his team at Synergos Holdings are not only envisioning the future, but they are shaping it. Rooted in the concept of conscious capitalism, their vision for the future begins with powering the world and feeding the world. With humanity at the center of the mission, the brightest minds in the world are creating groundbreaking products that will fundamentally change the system.

While it is increasingly important to focus on innovation and generating solutions in sustainability, finance is at the heart solving those problems. Xero is an accounting software that allows businesses of all sizes to not only manage their finances efficiently, but provide a high level of reporting that allows for organizations to take action towards a more sustainable future. Talking with Dr. Tamara Somers, Director of Sustainability and ESG at Xero, to discuss the relationship between finance and impact, and pulling certain levers can actually move the needle more than we think.

The Impact League, a component of the SailGP championship, completed its second season with the ROCKWOOL Denmark SailGP team as the champions. Jonathan Turner joins the podcast to talk about the heavily contested championship for change, the remarkable story of going from last in the first year to champions in the second, and the lessons that can be adopted outside of the world of sport. With the Impact League beginning to be adopted in corporations and countries, Jonathan and the rest of the ROCKWOOL team have been pioneering what the future can look like, in addition to the sustainable products that ROCKWOOL already produces. This furthers the discussion around the power of sport but also the responsibility of companies to take a stance on what they believe in.

What began as a one-acre dirt lot has turned into a 28-acre, regenerative certified, farm and thriving community ecosystem. They have successfully conveyed a vision over their storied history of giving more than you take, and to act with intention within our food systems, community, and decisions that we make regarding the planet. In conversation with Jonathan Zaidman, we discuss The Ecology Center's approach to growing food, care for the soil, creating a holistic view of farming, and what it means to live in an equitable community.

Events are one of the biggest opportunities right now in sustainability. When most attend an event, they aren't aware of what happens behind the scenes. Sure, offering compostable cups and trying to educate others is helpful, but the real impact comes through the holistic strategies that nobody sees. Alex Baxter, the Sustainability Director from Blue Strike Environmental, dives deep on the podcast as we discuss what the real impact of events are, the opportunity sport has to transform our planet, and our responsibility as fans to see ourselves as a small part of a collective solution. While Blue Strike Environmental is not a household name, they are behind some of the biggest events on the planet including the Indy500, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach, and Big Sur International Marathon.

Golf is often regarded as an exclusive sport that lacked equitable access to both the sport and nature. The growth of the sport of golf has presented a unique opportunity to make a profound impact on planet conservation. While golf courses have faced criticism, they are one of the few remaining green spaces in urban areas, serving as a vital source for connecting people to nature and community. In this episode, Driving the Green shares their innovative systems design thinking that promotes equitable access to both golf and nature. By doing so, we aim to amplify the golf courses' impact on the environment, creating a more circular economy, and providing a gateway for people to experience the natural world.

Elisabetta Rogiani is a true pioneer of the fashion industry, having made a significant impact for decades. With an impressive list of clients that includes iconic figures such as Jane Fonda, Rod Stewart, and Michael Jackson, as well as some of the most influential fitness icons of our time, her success has been hard-earned. Rather than striving to produce more, she has focused on producing less, creating custom-made garments that are designed to endure. Her philosophy is rooted in a deep understanding of the importance of fabric, which serves as the foundation for her work. In this episode, we delve into the crucial concept of sustainability in fashion, the art of textile creation, and the transformative power of wearing garments that are thoughtfully made, uniquely tailored, and exclusively for you.

Shipping may be a common concern, but did you know that the majority of the cost and impact on the environment actually comes from the last-mile delivery? Our guest, Matt Sweeny, CEO and Founder of Skydrop, has been working tirelessly to reshape what that last mile can look like. With their cutting-edge technology and innovative drone delivery products, Skydrop is increasing the efficiency and sustainability of delivery while also saving lives by delivering life-saving devices faster than ever before.

Surfing, from the outside, is seen as one of the most eco-conscious sports on the planet. Most surfers adhere to a minimalist approach, needing nothing more than a surfboard, a wetsuit, and some wax. But the creation of those surfboards often involve shaping foam cores with fiberglass completing the board. Martijn Stiphout and David Dennis, co-founders of Ventana Surfboards & Supplies, bonded over a love for surfing and the desire to improve the process. Together, they produce high end, classically made, hollow wooden surfboards. However, what makes them truly unique is that they are constructed using waste products. The boards don't just ride well, they are works of art that tell meaningful stories.

We have a conversation with Callum Yap, the COO of Okra Solar. Callum shares his insights on the renewable energy industry and how Okra Solar is revolutionizing the way people access and utilize solar power. He talks about his journey in starting the company, the challenges they faced and overcame, and the future of sustainable energy. Join us as we delve into the world of solar energy and learn about Okra Solar's mission to make clean energy accessible to everyone.

Delilah Harvey is a climate content creator, writer, and consultant, creating digital stories around themes of sustainable living & human connection. Using her social platform as an opportunity to create conversation, Delilah uses the power of story to communicate a vision of sustainability that is totally unique. She believes in a version of sustainability where consciousness about people and the planet are deeply interconnected, and that the small actions we make - be it doing something kind for a stranger, or choosing a more sustainable product - have a powerful ripple effect on both communities and climate.

35 million golf balls are lost every year, which equates to a large amount of rubber production. The most traditional way to extend the life of a golf ball is to play with golf balls that you find, or try to not lose them in the first place. Most of these golf balls are dinged up and don't perform as well as a newer golf ball. Tomorrow Golf is a company on a mission to change that narrative. They produce golf balls that are made from a 100% recycled rubber core and can meet the performance of a brand new ball. Lukas Peterstorfer, co-founder of Tomorrow Golf, joins the podcast in a discussion about the sustainability of golf, access to nature, and how golf is turning the corner towards a more sustainable sport.

SkedGo was born out of the need to create smarter ways for people to travel. Shaping the global future of mobility and smart cities, SkedGo provides personalized trip planning, corporate mobility and other mobility-as-a-service technology – for governments, corporations and start-ups. When it comes to journey planning, preference based travel has not been a possiblity for most cities, especially when traveling. To try to make public transportation more useful for the customer and to create a more sustainable future, SkedGo has made it seamless. 

At Bridgetown Mushrooms, they believe that best culinary experiences come from fresh, local, organic ingredients. That is why they have carefully chosen 100% organic ingredients that honor the mushrooms and the earth. They meticulously monitor their processes to ensure the highest level of aesthetic and textural quality; allowing your dining experience to extend well beyond taste. We interview Trevor Huebert, CEO and founder, about the story of Bridgetown and their sustainability mission while providing the highest quality mushrooms on the market.

At Everlastly, they want to make it easy for people like to shop for gifts that are good for life today and for the world of tomorrow. There’s a long road ahead and Everlastly is on a mission to build a more sustainable economy. Many want to purchase sustainable products and reduce their environmental footprint. The problem is, it’s not that easy to understand the true costs of our choices. Everlastly is here to change that. When you make more sustainable choices on your registry, it creates a ripple effect, inspiring your loved ones to consider their own buying habits, and proving to businesses that being sustainable is good for the bottom line. In this episode, we dive in with Nathan Sedlander, Co-Founder and Co-CEO to talk consumer behavior and building solutions for the future.

Rachel Kois is the CEO & Founder of SimpleSwitch.org, an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. (Think “like Amazon” except every one of the 3,000+ products has a positive social or environmental impact.) They aim to shift some of the HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS spent online this year to everyday products and gifts that support orphan care, plant trees, combat climate change, and more. Simple Switch exists to bring ease and convenience to ethical and impactful online shopping, and change the world through positive impact purchasing. Rachel believes deeply in the power of entrepreneurship to solve some of our most serious global problems. We get into some great topics on the podcast and also discuss the journey of entrepreneurship.

Maple water is pure sap from the maple trees. It's a common misconception that all sap is sticky. Maple sap actually looks and feels just like regular water. The main difference is that maple water goes through a natural process that infuses it with plant-powered nutrients. Kate Weiler is the Co-Founder of Drink Simple and was inspired to create this product out of a need to create a hydration solution for athletes. In the process, she found that it also is not only sustainable, but has an even greater impact on the body than ever before. In a world where so many products are full of junk ingredients, Drink Simple is proud to tap refreshment directly from nature to empower a healthy mind, body, and soul.

The E1 Series is the world’s first and only electric powerboat racing series. The series was established to create an exciting, competitive racing platform to promote sustainable electric watercraft and reduce the environmental pressures being placed on the ocean, rivers and lakes. The E1 Series was launched in 2020 by two close friends from the automotive world, Alejandro Agag and Rodi Basso. Alejandro is a groundbreaking pioneer of sustainable motorsport, having created three electric racing series from scratch: Formula E, Extreme E and now the E1 Series. Rodi Basso, who the interview is with, is an entrepreneurial motorsport engineer with a passion for the sea and innovation, with an impressive background in Formula 1 working with Ferrari and Red Bull Racing (as well as time working with NASA).

As typical urban professionals, founders Michael and Lucas loved the idea of moving: new home, new city, new job, new roommates, new furniture. But they didn’t love the reality: The expense and hassle of moving existing furniture that might not match their new place, creating waste by kicking cheap furniture to the curb, or spending free weekends shopping for new furniture. After working together at another Los Angeles based startup, Michael and Lucas realized they had more than moving in common. They shared an entrepreneurial spirit and a belief that they could flip the home furnishings industry on its head in a sustainable fashion that fits the way we live today. That is where Fernish comes in. Fernish provides consumers with the flexibility to have access to premium furniture without contributing to the overall waste cycle. We talk with Kristin Smith, COO of Fernish about the impact that they have as a brand and the future that they are building, shaking up the furniture industry. 

SailGP is a global sailing platform that is not only purpose driven, but featuring some of the best athletes in the world. Their ambition is to be the world's most sustainable and purpose-driven global sports and entertainment platform, believing that sport has the power to change the world. They are a climate positive sport, creating more impact than the footprint that they create. The ultimate goal of the sport is to not only serve as a platform for inspiring positive change, but to serve as an example for other sports to follow suit. Speaking with Fiona Morgan, Director of Purpose and Impact at SailGP, we discuss the platform that she has built, the challenges that we are facing as a planet, and how SailGP is helping to provide a solution. 

Extreme E is the first sport built out of concern for the climate crisis. The series’ goal is to use electric racing to highlight remote environments under threat of climate change issues, and to encourage us all to take positive action to protect our planet’s future.With 30 percent of the planet’s CO2 emissions coming from transport, Extreme E exists to showcase the performance of electric vehicles, using the powerful mix of thrilling sports action, scientific education and storytelling to accelerate their adoption in order to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. Catie Munnings, a Red Bull sponsored and driver for Andretti United, is not only leading the charge on the track, but also for sustainability and women in sport. 

Doing the dirty work is in United By Blue's DNA: they organized their first community cleanup the week they sold their first t-shirt over a decade ago. Years later, they're still hauling old tires, gathering plastic bottles, and picking up the bits of styrofoam that litter our shorelines. United By Blue's dream is to eliminate the need for this mission one day, so our pursuit doesn’t stop at reusable trash bags. They prioritize sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing to lead the charge toward better business practices. They facilitate easy ways for our customers to generate less waste by creating products like reusable utensil kits. And United By Blue builds community through waterway cleanups, determined to spread the idea that if one business can make a difference, so can one person.

Water has been a topic of conversation lately, especially when it comes to agriculture. With water being a finite resource, it needs to be used in a more efficient way in order to support the growing needs of the population. Upterra has been taking a different approach to water. By using biomimicry, they have restructured water so that it performs best in the environment that it is being used. This leads to less water waste, better efficiency, and better yields from crops. In a world that is beginning to see drought at a major scale, this technology ensures that we can produce food in a sustainable way while also improving the quality of the food itself.

Bite started with two questions: Why does toothpaste come in plastic tubes and what exactly are we putting in our bodies when we brush our teeth? At the heart of Bite, they wanted to do better. That means asking themselves, every day, how they can improve. Whether it’s mindlessly tossing out an empty toothpaste tube or glossing over the ingredients list, small daily actions can shape the future of our planet. By uncovering how we can be better to ourselves and to the earth, we are one step closer to a healthier and plastic-free world. 

More than 1 billion plastic toothpaste tubes are thrown out each year, with harsh chemical residues. More than 100 million animals suffer and die in the U.S. every year in cruel chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics tests. Every year, more than 50 Empire State Buildings worth of toothpaste tubes end up in landfills or oceans. 

Lindsay McCormick set out to change that. Starting a world changing business out of a living room definitely wasn't easy, but it was necessary. "Bite was founded on the belief that a brighter smile doesn’t need to come at the expense of our bodies or the environment. Our daily habits matter, and the small changes we make together can add up to something big."

It all started with a road trip. When you have to pack all your gear and four people into a ‘98 Subaru Outback, you realize what’s important to you. It got them thinking: if they had less gear, they'd have more room for adventure. What began as a goal to create high-quality, versatile products, quickly turned into a way of life. Nomadix wanted to own less and do more. That simple, radical idea changed everything. It was the thread that guided them to their most important decisions. Using certified post-consumer recycled materials and swearing off virgin materials was a no-brainer. To Nomadix, there’s no better way to own less than making use of what we already have, and there’s already plenty of plastic waste. Too much. But it isn’t enough. With Nomadix, they've dedicated themselves to making gear to inspire your next adventure, and that will last for every adventure after. Made with the highest quality materials, it’s meticulously designed to replace your separate towels for camping, yoga, beach and travel. Light, packable, versatile, sustainable: some of the many reasons it’s the only towel you need. Now you can start your own journey to own less, do more.

Native to the Peruvian Andes, alpaca fiber is one of the strongest and most sustainable materials in the world. Wuaman is a family run, multi generational, international business that had humble beginnings and a mission to not only improve the community, but create some of the best products in the world. Today, Wuaman manufactures unique, handcrafted apparel and accessories made from alpaca fiber. The artisanship of these handmade pieces are truly special, showcasing the personality and talent of the local Peruvian community that also embroiders many pieces.

From the start, Wuaman products were handmade and included handmade embroidery and crochet designs. To this day, handmade products and handmade designs are their signature. Wuaman's journey led them to create embroidery and crochet workshops in surrounding humble communities. This would not only help textile art remain alive, but also would teach an employable trade to a struggling community and lead them to achieve economic stability. In addition, by manufacturing a high quality good with resilient material (that is also hypoallergenic), the product cycle is much longer than other materials processes.

The ocean is our planet's life support system, and its health is in crisis. We often think that to protect the ocean, you have to be near the ocean. But we all have a direct impact on the cycles of life in the ocean—no matter where we live. The changes we need to make to address the largest threats facing our seas—lowering carbon emissions, reducing plastic and other pollution, protecting our fisheries, safeguarding watersheds, promoting marine protected areas, and fighting for legislation that supports our ocean, waterways, and climate—can happen from anywhere in the world. 

They usually say the best startups happen out of a garage. Well, in this case, it was in a backyard. Thomas Hoffman, founder of Campworks, has held a vision to create a world where people and nature exist as one. A world where we create solutions for people to truly live where they are. Campworks builds fully electric, teardrop campers that are meant to immerse you in the outdoors while still providing all of the amenities that you would expect to have in a luxury home. This is Thomas' story, his vision of the world, and how Campworks is moving the needle to make the world a better place.

Do you ever get the mail and wonder why there is so much junk mail, where it comes from, and how to get rid of it? In this episode, we talk with Jeff Treichel from Paper Karma. Paper Karma is an app on a mission to eliminate junk mail from mailboxes. Every year, there is over 77 billion pieces of junk mail sent out every year. 44% of this ends up in landfills, unopened. We talk about how the global impact of this supply chain, upcoming technologies, and Jeff's early career building the largest daily deal company in Eastern Europe.