
Sustainability Defined
Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosts Scott Breen and Jay Siegel explore a new topic each episode with the help of an expert in the field. Each concept falls into one of seven sectors -- Energy, Cities, Natural Environment, Transportation, Business, Policy, and Social -- and is visually represented in a Sustainability Tree found at www.sustainabilitydefined.com.
Latest episodes

Dec 16, 2022 • 23min
Bonus Episode: Conversation with David Sandalow (Inaugural Fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University; Zayed Sustainability Prize Selection Committee Member - Energy Category)
We're excited to partner with the Zayed Sustainability Prize to bring you a special pair of episodes focusing on this transformative global award that recognizes organizations and high schools driving impactful sustainability solutions across five distinct categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools. Our first episode in this partnership spotlights David Sandalow, one of the Prize's selection committee members within the energy category. David is the Inaugural Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy and co-Director of the Energy and Environment Concentration at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He's also a former Senior Official at the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Energy. Join us as we learn more about David's areas of expertise and why he views the Prize as so impactful! ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: Energy Cities Natural Environment Transportation Business Policy Social Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means. sustainabilitydefined.com

Dec 2, 2022 • 1h 2min
Ep 70: 2022 Holiday Hodge-Podge
Tis the season for our annual Holiday Hodge-Podge episode! Join Scott and Jay as they share their favorite 2022 Sustainability Defined moments, interesting sustainability articles, work and personal updates, and sustainable gift ideas - PLUS our Instagram holiday gift giveaway and an opportunity for your donation to a certain charity to be matched by Jay and Scott. ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: Energy Cities Natural Environment Transportation Business Policy Social Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means. www.sustainabilitydefined.com

Oct 7, 2022 • 1h 23min
Ep 69: Air Pollution with Molly Rauch & Almeta Cooper (Moms Clean Air Force)
We hope this episode is a breath of fresh air on a critical topic. In 2019, 99% of the world's population lived in places where the World Health Organization air quality guideline levels were not met. Air pollution is widespread and can have tremendous negative impacts on public health and the environment. Listen in as we talk with TWO incredible guests from Moms Clean Air Force: Molly Rauch (Public Health Policy Director) and Almeta Cooper (National Manager, Health Equity). We deep dive with each guest into their experience in public health policy and what specific policy solutions and individual actions can help address air pollution. Moms Clean Air Force was founded in 2011 with a mission to protect children from air pollution and climate change. They envision a safe, stable, and equitable future where all children breathe clean air. We loved talking with Molly and Almeta and learning more about their unique involvement with this influential organization and beyond. We think after this episode you’ll want to buy an air quality monitor and join the fight for everyone to have clean air. ----------------------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: Energy Cities Natural Environment Transportation Business Policy Social Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means. Please go to www.sustainabilitydefined.com for more information. Our website has pages for each episode where there is a player to stream the episode, as well as hyperlinked intro notes.

Sep 2, 2022 • 1h 12min
Ep 68: The "Forever Chemicals": PFAS with Lauren Gropper (Repurpose)
We know, another acronym to remember, but it’s an important one. PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a group of chemicals that have made certain useful products possible (e.g., rain jackets and non-stick pans) but what are their environmental and physiological impacts? In this episode, we dive into the science behind PFAS and its potentially significant harm to the environment and public health. And it’s our favorite for the expert interview–an entrepreneur! We chat with Lauren Gropper, the Founder and CEO of Repurpose, on how she started her plant-based serviceware company and how Repurpose became the first tableware brand to address, eliminate, and replace PFAS in its products. Join us as we dive into the nitty-gritty of PFAS and learn how people can avoid, or at least reduce, further PFAS exposure. ----------------------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: Energy Cities Natural Environment Transportation Business Policy Social Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means. Please go to www.sustainabilitydefined.com for more information. Our website has pages for each episode where there is a player to stream the episode, as well as hyperlinked intro notes.

Apr 29, 2022 • 38min
Atypical Ep 4: Washing Laundry in Cold Water with Todd Cline (Tide)
We often get asked, “What are simple things I can do to act on climate change?” and after hearing this episode we think you’ll agree that one simple thing you can do is use cold water when doing laundry. Are you a Definer who uses hot water when doing laundry? Well, if you use cold water instead, you can reduce your energy use from doing your laundry by 90 percent! The sponsor of this bonus episode, Tide, is leading a behavior change movement to get consumers to switch to energy-saving cold water, while saving money in the process. In fact, Tide has a goal for three out of four loads of laundry in the United States and Canada to be washed in cold instead of hot by 2030. We have loads of fun in our interview with Todd Cline, Senior Director, Head of Sustainability, Procter & Gamble, North America Fabric Care, where you’ll hear how Tide plans to achieve this goal, the impact of reaching the goal, and how Tide has innovated formula to deliver a high performance clean in cold water. We think you’ll get hot once you realize how many people are missing the opportunity to save so much energy and money, and you’ll forever be a cold water laundry champion. ----------------------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: Energy Cities Natural Environment Transportation Business Policy Social Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means. Please go to www.sustainabilitydefined.com for more information. Our website has pages for each episode where there is a player to stream the episode, as well as hyperlinked intro notes.

Apr 8, 2022 • 1h 7min
Ep 67: Sustainable Weddings with Gina Lett-Shrewsberry (Inspirations by Gina)
The bells are ringing and love is in the air! To commemorate Jay getting married in June, we've put together an episode that focuses on what practices can be taken to make weddings more sustainable. Listen in to learn more about the environmental impact of weddings, the leaders in the sustainable wedding space, and how Jay is implementing sustainability into his wedding. In this episode, we speak with Gina Lett-Shrewsberry, the owner of Inspirations by Gina, a full-service floral and event design studio based in California. Gina is a certified Green Wedding Professional and creates “couture floral experiences with an eco-friendly twist.” We hope you'll say "I do" to more sustainable wedding practices. *This episode is the updated version of our podcast that we posted April 1st due to an audio error.* ----------------------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: Energy Cities Natural Environment Transportation Business Policy Social Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means. Please go to www.sustainabilitydefined.com for more information. Our website has pages for each episode where there is a player to stream the episode, as well as hyperlinked intro notes.

Mar 4, 2022 • 1h 5min
Ep 66: Recycled Content with Nick Higgins (Glad)
Have your eyes ever wandered to the bottom of your to-go container and found the words "made of X% recycled content"? Ever wondered what is meant by “recycled content” and how it plays a role in our global recycling systems? Of course you have, you're a Definer! In this info-packed episode, we've partnered with Glad, a leading household waste solutions company that's investing heavily into increasing the recycled content in its products. Tune in to learn more about what recycled content is, how it fits into our recycling systems and what Nick Higgins, VP, Commercial Lead for Glad Brand, has to say about the company's recycled content journey and how Glad is “doing more to waste less.” ----------------------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: Energy Cities Natural Environment Transportation Business Policy Social Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means. Please go to www.sustainabilitydefined.com for more information. Our website has pages for each episode where there is a player to stream the episode, as well as hyperlinked intro notes.

Feb 18, 2022 • 36min
Atypical Ep 3: Energy Management with Lauren Scott (Acuity Brands)
How are businesses and sustainability professionals managing their energy consumption? During this bonus episode, we dive into a recent report compiled by Atrius (part of Acuity Brands) that provides valuable insights into how sustainability professionals across industries are scrutinizing their energy consumption and incorporating tools to better manage their energy use. Join us as we learn how automating data management and other manual processes can increase the efficiency of energy teams looking to further integrate sustainability goals within their businesses. You never know, maybe it will “spark” an interest in new energy management solutions you can implement in your own life and organization! This episode is sponsored by Atrius. Atrius provides solutions for sustainable buildings, streamlined operations, and personal experiences. ----------------------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: Energy Cities Natural Environment Transportation Business Policy Social Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means. Please go to www.sustainabilitydefined.com for more information. Our website has pages for each episode where there is a player to stream the episode, as well as hyperlinked intro notes.

Feb 4, 2022 • 1h 38min
Ep 65: Personal Sustainable Investing with Ken LaRoe (Climate First Bank)
If you've wanted to know how you can use your savings and investments to advance sustainability, this is the episode for you! We highlight the basics of sustainable investing and banking and provide the tools and facts to allow Definers to determine their own individual actions and opinions. Plus, Jay and Scott talk about what they've done right (and not so right) with their own money, as well as how they are investing the podcast's money with sustainability in mind, which includes investing in the pursuits of our listeners. Our expert guest, Ken LaRoe, has started three values-based banks with his most recent being Climate First Bank. Tune in to hear about his entrepreneurial journey and how his bank helps its clients put climate first. ----------------------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: Energy Cities Natural Environment Transportation Business Policy Social Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means. Please go to www.sustainabilitydefined.com for more information. Our website has pages for each episode where there is a player to stream the episode, as well as hyperlinked intro notes.

Jan 7, 2022 • 58min
*UPDATED* Ep 37: Offshore Wind Energy with Benj Sykes (Orsted) and Liz Burdock (Business Network for Offshore Wind)
Happy new year and happy new developments of clean, renewable energy! Can offshore wind energy play a role in our global decarbonization efforts? Listen in as our hosts, Jay and Scott, take a deeper dive into current offshore wind energy market updates, global trends, and new project developments since our original episode in 2018. Prepare to have your mind, blown. ----------------------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: Energy Cities Natural Environment Transportation Business Policy Social Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means. Please go to www.sustainabilitydefined.com for more information. Our website has pages for each episode where there is a player to stream the episode, as well as hyperlinked intro notes.