Green Dreamer: Seeding change towards collective healing, sustainability, regeneration

With the fashion industry today being extremely wasteful, what are some positive trends we can feel hopeful about? What can we learn from how thredUP was able to revolutionize the experience of second-hand shopping, from it being viewed as unpleasant to fun and desirable?   Erin Wallace, Brand Director of the world's largest secondhand clothing and consignment store thredUP, shares her wisdom with you today.   HIGHLIGHTS: [3:20] Something that shocked Erin about sustainable fashion.  [6:26] Kaméa: "What was your biggest takeaway in terms of what it takes to establish a brand on a national scale?" [7:50] What Erin says has led to the de-stigmatization of thrifting and second-hand clothing for consumers. [10:15] Kaméa: "How do you personally stay organized with all of these different departments you oversee?" [11:27] Erin's thoughts on the key to creating a loyal customer following. [11:57] Kaméa: "What's been essential to thredUP starting from ground zero to establishing itself as the leading secondhand online shop?" [12:49] A few mistakes Erin sees eco and socially-driven brands making that hold them back. [14:22] Erin: "A lot of us care a lot about the environment and sustainability, and we also love the fun of shopping and getting dressed every day. Those don't have to be mutually exclusive." [14:35] Erin's advice for eco-driven entrepreneurs today  [17:12] Kaméa: "What are some of the latest insights into secondhand shopping that have surprised you?" [17:55] Erin: "We really feel like [secondhand shopping] is on the verge of becoming mainstream..." [21:57] Kaméa: "If you were the Brand Director of the entire sustainability movement, what would you focus on to grow it from being a niche to attracting everybody?"   Thanks for bringing your light! Find the full show notes with links and resources at www.greendreamer.com, and share your #1 takeaway from the episode tagging our featured guest and me @KameaChayne to spread the light and to let us know you're tuning in! 

2 things to get excited about? Hear about reverse vending machines and pioneering brands challenging the ways we have been doing things according to status quo.   Find the full show notes with references linked at www.GreenDreamer.com/39, and follow me on Instagram @KameaChayne where I'll be sharing more of my inspirations, tips, and learning lessons along the way. Thanks for bringing your light! x

What are some key issues in the chocolate industry that we need to know about? When things get tough, how can we stay motivated and just keep pulling through? Founder of bean-to-bar chocolate company Madécasse, Tim McCollum, shares his wisdom with us here.   HIGHLIGHTS: [6:44] What inspired Tim to start Madécasse. [7:39] Kaméa: “What was your greatest learning lesson from working in the private sector that you were able to bring to your social enterprise?” [9:42] The key differences between a traditional chocolate supply chain and Madécasse’s Bean-to-Bar supply chain.  [11:19] Tim’s thoughts on what targeting the root cause of poverty through chocolate would look like. [12:49] What we as individuals can do to inspire change from large corporations like Hershey’s. [14:02] Keys to Madécasse’s success in establishing itself within grocery stores and retailers so far. [16:37] Tim: “You better believe in what you’re doing. You will go through these amazing swings of euphoria and crashing down, and what keeps you going is the belief in what you’re doing.” [18:35] Key insights on injustices in the global cocoa industry.  [20:43] Tim’s thoughts on what we need most to help address poverty and support sustainable development in our world today.   Thanks for bringing your light! Find the full show notes with links and resources at www.greendreamer.com, and share your #1 takeaway from the episode tagging our featured guest and me @KameaChayne to spread the light and to let us know you're tuning in!

What’s the latest research on the health and environmental impacts of sunscreen? How was our guest today able to go from being a hesitant business owner (who didn’t even want to do business in the first place) to a thriving entrepreneur, fueling her business with her passion for wellness and the environment?   Visionary, pioneer, and founder of a leading eco sunscreen brand All Good, Caroline Duell, shares her wisdom with us on this episode.   HIGHLIGHTS:   [2:07] What first got Caroline into sustainability. [4:11] What led Caroline on the path to making botanical products. [8:04] Why Caroline was so hesitant to start a business. [8:43] Caroline: “I kept myself in check. I knew that you could have a really good impact as a company grows.” [12:14] Caroline: “The right path is not always what might seem to be the best way to go.” [13:54] Kaméa: “What has been the key to getting All Good’s products distributed and sold in so many major retailers?”  [14:47] What's led All Good to being a leading sunscreen brand.  [15:45] What inspired Caroline to start Safe Sunscreen Council. [18:15] Kaméa: “Do you think it’s more effective to push for policy change or consumer awareness?” [19:39] Caroline shares some of the latest research on how sunscreen can be damaging to our health and that of the environment. [21:48] How we as consumers can make sure the sunscreen we’re buying is safe. [23:06] Kaméa: “How can we as a society become more preventative with environmental issues before it’s too late?   Thanks for bringing your light! Find the full show notes with links and resources at www.greendreamer.com, and share your #1 takeaway from the episode tagging our featured guest and me @KameaChayne to spread the light and to let us know you're tuning in!

How do we recycle properly to ensure that what we toss down the recycling chute actually gets recycled, and not just be 'aspirational recyclers'?   Special guest for this Bloom Tuesday, Jonathan Levy of ZeroWasteGuy.com shares his expert tips and insights with us.   Find the full show notes with references linked at www.GreenDreamer.com/36, and follow me on Instagram @KameaChayne where I'll be sharing more of my inspirations, tips, and learning lessons along the way. Thanks for bringing your light! x

How can we be better communicators so that our important messages actually move people and resonate with our audiences to inspire action? How can we go beyond reducing single-use plastics in our own lives to affecting greater change in actual waste infrastructures for system change? Kathryn Kellogg, creator of GoingZeroWaste.com, actor, and spokesperson for National Geographic's Planet or Plastic Campaign shares her wisdom with you.   HIGHLIGHTS:   [3:34] Kaméa: "Why are endocrine disruptors and toxic chemicals everywhere in our day-to-day lives, like in normal cleaning products?"  [5:40] Kathryn: "You didn't have to be perfect to make a difference. That was something that really resonated with me, and I wanted to share that with others." [6:50] Kaméa: "What's something from your experience acting that supports your work in building up the zero waste community?"  [7:56] Kathryn's advice for getting our stories to resonate with our audiences. [9:05] One of Kathryn's favorite (and weirdest!) eco-friendly simple swaps. [12:30] Kathryn: "When facing rejection, you have to learn how to not take it personally." [13:08] How Kathryn ended up working with National Geographic. [13:49] Kathryn: "Showing up is 90% of the battle." [15:37] Kathryn: "Not everyone has the same amount of access and we have to know that we are all working for a better future."  [16:31] Kaméa: "What do you think are the roots of moral superiority within sustainability?" [20:30] What we can do as individuals to inspire policy change and help solve waste infrastructure problems.   Thanks for bringing your light! Find the full show notes with links and resources at www.greendreamer.com, and share your #1 takeaway from the episode tagging our featured guest and me @KameaChayne to spread the light and to let us know you're tuning in!

What does it take to scale our positive impacts through business? What are millennials craving today, and how can this actually drive conversations and choices related to sustainability? Founder and CEO of United by Blue, Brian Linton, shares his wisdom with you.   HIGHLIGHTS:   [2:57] What made Brian want to dedicate his life to cleaning up our oceans.  [11:06] Brian: "The beauty of the model is that by focusing on the fundamentals of creating a business, we're able to have a longterm, lasting impact." [12:08] What keeps Brian going personally, despite challenges. [12:53] Brian: "What's ultimately going to cure our oceans and waterways is people talking about it, educating their friends, and changing their own behaviors." [14:00] Kaméa: "What has been key to United by Blue's continuous growth and your ability to establish yourself in the sustainability space?" [16:50] Some of the most difficult products to manufacture in a more eco-friendly way.  [20:54] Brian's thoughts on our biggest challenge today in fighting plastic pollution. [21:47] Kaméa: "What's the fastest way to address the issue of single-use plastic?"   Thanks for bringing your light! Find the full show notes with links and resources at www.greendreamer.com, and share your #1 takeaway from the episode tagging our featured guest and me @KameaChayne to spread the light and to let us know you're tuning in!

We're continuing to move the needle forward towards a healthier planet to call home! Here are 2 things to celebrate this week, as well as something we should be mindful of as we continue talking about plastic straws to keep this conversation inclusive and respectful.   Find the full show notes with references and links to our Green Dreamers' projects at www.GreenDreamer.com/33. Thanks for bringing your light! Catch you on Instagram @KameaChayne

What do we need to know about species extinction around the world today and how that impacts us? How can we stay positive and inspired even as we learn about more problems we need to address? Environmental journalist and Editor of Center of Biological Diversity's The Revelator, John Platt, shares his wisdom with you.   HIGHLIGHTS: [3:55] John: "...it's proof that if you're really educated about something and care about it, you can make a difference."  [8:50] Kaméa: "How do you handle it emotionally when you have to dig into problems all the time?" [10:30] John: "...It doesn't all suck. We can make a difference and we are making progress!" [11:25] Advice for someone who feels drained by all of the problems we face.  [16:09] One major sustainability issue that isn't talked about enough and affects all of us. [16:50] John: "Wildlife issues in a lot of ways are actually issues about human society." [21:00] Kaméa: "How does biodiversity loss impact the individual living in urban or suburban areas?" [21:50] The importance of pollination for our food supply.     Thanks for bringing your light! Find the full show notes with links and resources at www.greendreamer.com, and share your #1 takeaway from the episode tagging our featured guest and me @KameaChayne to spread the light and to let us know you're tuning in!

What’s a common struggle specifically for us eco and socially-driven entrepreneurs and creatives that might prevent our passion projects from thriving? Why is it important for us to support large corporations that may have a history of irresponsible practices? Journalist, media strategist, podcast producer and host of Spirit of 608 podcast, Lorraine Sanders, shares her wisdom with us in this episode.     HIGHLIGHTS [4:54] Lorraine: "I really care about where things came from and the story behind them and that brings more meaning to the things in our lives." [5:59] Something Lorraine learned about sustainable fashion that shocked her. [10:21] Lorraine's greatest challenge growing her platform. [12:33] Kaméa: "What are some common mistakes that eco creatives and entrepreneurs make when trying to build out their presence?" [13:06] Lorraine: "A lot of people feel like they can't start building their relationships with the media until everything with the brand is perfect. But if you wait... it's almost too late to gather authentic attention." [15:07] Lorraine on why it's important for business owners to put themselves out there. [17:44] Lorraine: "The common thread of founders that are making it happen is this thing inside of them that tells them they are going to figure it out. It's a matter of how and when, not if." [20:30] Kaméa: "How can we tell a more powerful story about sustainability?" [21:10] Lorraine: "I think we're finally waking up and seeing how major brands who have been vilified are likely to be the ones that truly shift really fundamental, systemic change globally." [22:49] "Don't oversimplify complicated things."      Thanks for bringing your light! Find the full show notes with links and resources at www.greendreamer.com, and share your #1 takeaway from the episode tagging our featured guest and me @KameaChayne to spread the light and to let us know you're tuning in!