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62. Carbon Negative and Biodegradable Fashion with Sheep Inc.
What is carbon negative fashion and is it even possible to produce clothes that sequester more carbon than the process of making the garment produces? It might seem too good to be true, but it's not, and I'm thrilled to end 2020 with you guys by introducing what I hope is the future of fashion - carbon negative, 100% biodegradable, permaculture approved clothes.
Edzard van Der Wyck is the founder of Sheep Inc. - a new fashion brand launched in October 2019 that is creating carbon negative, fully traceable, 100% biodegradable, ethically sourced, Merino wool, unisex ZQ certified jumpers. On top of all these fancy and exciting titles, they also work closely with their wool farms to ensure a focus on regenerative farming, land mapping, bio diversity and planting trees with the goal of creating farms that are carbon sinks and producing a naturally carbon negative product. Check out their sweaters and learn more about their journey at www.sheepinc.com
Good to know about merino wool:
- Merino is the world’s naturally technical fibre which is renewable and bio-degradable. It’s natural proteins will completely break down with environmental exposure into organic carbon and return to the environment in years to come.
- Merino wool is a natural and sustainable resource because merino wool continues to grow each year after the annual harvesting of the fleece.
- Merino sheep live on a diet of water and grasses and live outdoors.
- Not all merino wool is ethical and sustainable. Look for certifications like Responsible Wool Standard, ZQ Merino Standard and the Soil Association Organic Standards
I hope you find this to be a super optimistic and encouraging episode to end 2020 with, and I hope to see you back here on Hey Change in the new year! Stay optimistic and please stay in touch! You can always reach me on Instagram: @annetheresegennari
Music and jingles in this episode was written and recorded by Madeleine MacGillivray Wallace
If you like the show, please give it a 5 STAR REVIEW in your podcast app so we can keep reaching more passionate change-makers just like you!
THANK YOU
Website: www.heychangepodcast.com
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/
Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/
Hosted by The Climate Optimist: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/
Music produced by Jackson Whalan
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103. Regeneration Begins Within: Darin Olien on Joy, Health, and Healing the Planet
01:07:52|Do you ever feel the need to go really deep with someone and throw at them life’s biggest, most thought-provoking questions? That’s how I felt when preparing my interview with Darin Olien. And let me tell you - I didn’t hold back!In this episode, we talk about the root cause of so much of today’s chaos and how the path to healing starts by coming back to ourselves. We explore why joy is a radical form of resistance, how forgiveness frees us, and why your inner truth might just be your most powerful tool for change. I’m super excited about this conversation because I have a feeling it will unlock so much. More than anything, this talk is healing, so wherever you are listening to this, do yourself a favor and create the spiritual space to truly receive what you’re about to hear.Who is Darin?You might know him from the Netflix series Down to Earth with Zac Efron, where he, as a co-host and executive producer, traveled the world from Iceland to Australia, spotlighting sustainable living, indigenous knowledge, and how to forge healthier personal and planetary relationships. But he has so much more to him than just this TV show. Darin is a certified exercise physiologist, wellness entrepreneur, and avid “superfood hunter.” Growing up in Minnesota, he overcame early health challenges, which sparked a lifelong passion for holistic wellness. He went on to co-create wellness programs like Shakeology and Ultimate Reset, and co-founded Barùkas, a sustainable superfood company rooted in reforestation.Darin is the author of the New York Times bestseller SuperLife, which explores five key life forces for optimal health, and Fatal Conveniences, which exposes hidden toxins in everyday products — offering simple swaps for a healthier life. As host of The Darin Olien Show and founder of the 121 Tribe health app, he continues to unpack “Fatal Conveniences™” and surface actionable insights for anyone wanting to reclaim wellbeing and reconnect with the natural world.Make sure to listen to the end when a very unexpected guest makes an appearance…Follow Darin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darinolien/SuperLife Website: https://superlife.com/This episode is sponsored by Mill. Click the link for $75 off your Mill purchase: mill.com/heychangepodcast102. What If Whale Poop Could Help Save the Planet?
37:19|In this episode, I sit down with the creators of Positive Polar, a love-passion-science project inviting you to directly participating in restoring our oceans. The mission? Biochemically mimic whales to restore marine ecosystems, sequester carbon, and turn tourism into a force for regeneration.Jenn Bonilla, the President of Positive Pola, brings a PhD from Princeton, Stanford training, and deep expertise in commercializing biotech for environmental impact. Hugo Hinrichsen, its CEO and Founder, is an ex-navy officer and polar helicopter pilot whose ancestors were whalers — and restoring the oceans isn’t just work for him, it’s personal. Speaking with the two of them was so invigorating. Their love for whales and all ocean habitat, their willpower to spearhead new possibilities and match science with passion, and their eagerness to get this story out there so that we can start moving forward with climate optimism today, not tomorrow, was truly infectious. This, dear listener, is climate optimism in action. Let’s dive in.Support Positive Polar: https://wefunder.com/positivepolarLearn more: https://positivepolar.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positivepolarx/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positive-polar/Hugo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-hinrichsen/Jenn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbonilla/101. Hope Dies Last - Stubborn Optimism From Around The World
56:38|What if the most powerful tool we have in facing climate collapse… is refusing to give up? In this episode, I talk with Alan Weisman, journalist and bestselling author of The World Without Us, about his new book Hope Dies Last. We explore stories of stubborn climate optimism from around the world, breakthroughs in energy and food, and why the future is still worth fighting for—even when the odds seem impossible.This isn’t about toxic positivity—it’s real, grounded optimism. And it just might change how you think about hope. Because while hope may not last forever, today is not that day. There is still so much beauty to protect, and being human on this Earth is a gift we still have the chance to reclaim.Get the book, Hope Dies Last: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/624630/hope-dies-last-by-alan-weisman/100. A World Without Waste: The Radical Power of Smart Design
58:34|What if the solution to single-use waste wasn’t more effort, but better design? In today’s episode, I sit down with Mac Sellars from r.World, an award-winning company transforming concerts and sports venues by making the sustainable choice the easiest one. It’s a story of climate optimism, systems change, and the power of rethinking not just what we do, but how we do it.Together, we get into some often-overlooked but important truths about single-use waste, how the system needs radical rethinking — not just incremental improvements — and the spiritual practices that are woven into all of it. If you’re someone who wants to implement more sustainable practices in your workplace or community, or even your home, get ready to be challenged and inspired in all the best ways. Website: https://rworldreuse.com/Subscribe to The Climate Optimist on Substack: https://theclimateoptimist.substack.com/99. The New Face of Climate Denial - Why Your Voice Matters More Than Ever
38:55|A new climate change denial is spreading, and yes, we need to talk about it. So in this episode, I sit down with journalist Samantha Harrington to unpack how climate misinformation is evolving. It’s no longer about denying climate change. Instead, it claims that the solutions don’t work, that clean energy is dangerous, or that the entire climate movement is a form of government control. We break down how this narrative is gaining ground, why outrage is such a powerful tool for spreading misinformation, and how a lack of response — even from left-leaning media — is part of the problem. But this isn’t just a warning. It’s also a call to action... Get ready to be empowered!Other things mentioned:The original article that sparked this conversation: Eight of the top 10 online shows are spreading climate misinformation The 89 Percent ProjectPetro MasculinityAbout Our GuestSamantha Harrington, director of audience experience for Yale Climate Connections, is a journalist, graphic designer, and UX designer with a background in digital media, entrepreneurship, and online community management. Sam is based in Madison, Wisconsin, and is committed to journalism and web design that helps people live safer, healthier, and happier lives.98. From Climate Anxiety to Inner Transformation: The Neuroscience of Change
01:02:04|What if our obsession with certainty is actually making us more stressed? And most importantly, less open to real change? In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and researcher Norman Farb to explore how our brains prioritize the familiar, often at the cost of creativity, well-being, and resilience. We talk about the myth of multitasking, the power of mind wandering, and why slowing down might be the fastest path to clarity.Together, we dive into what it means to be truly receptive—to ourselves, to others, and to the world we hope to change. From "retruthing" our perceptions to cultivating presence in a noisy world, Norman offers both science-backed insight and practical tools for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply curious about how to move forward with more joy and intention. This one’s for anyone who wants to rethink how we relate to stress, uncertainty, and the stories we tell ourselves about what’s possible. If you care about making positive change in the world, click play and make sure to listen to the end!Get Norman Farb's book, Better In Every Sense: https://betterineverysense.com/This episode is sponsored by Mill. Click the link for $75 off your Mill purchase: mill.com/heychangepodcast97. This is Climate Optimism: Redefining Climate Action with Anne Therese Gennari
01:03:39|What does it look like to embrace optimism when forces around you want you to feel overwhelmed, defeated, and in despair? What is climate optimism, and how do we not mistake it for toxic positivity? And what does a healthy relationship to climate grief actually look like?In this bonus episode that was originally shared on Climify Podcast, Eric Benson and I have a deeply human and heart-forward conversation about navigating climate grief, spiritual transformation, and the power of slowing down — especially in our climate actions!I share my journey from climate anxiety and angry activism to grounded, regenerative optimism, and we explore why emotional resilience, imagination, and inner development are essential tools for climate action. We also talk about how to shift from minimizing our footprint to maximizing our unique impact, and the joy that comes with doing climate action your way.Listen to rediscover climate action as an act of hope, healing, and inner transformation —this is climate optimism, how I see it!For more conversations on climate optimism, check out season five of the Climify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6bEYHonFIMnYEIsNb0MyDc?si=c8725e8b6a8341feListen to the Guided Meditation: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/guided-meditation96. What We Can Do - The Art of The Possible with Charlie Sellars
54:20||Season 5In this conversation, Anne Therese Gennari and guest Charlie Sellars explore the journey of sustainability, emphasizing that every job can contribute to climate action. They discuss the importance of maximizing opportunities in sustainability rather than focusing solely on minimizing negative impacts. The dialogue highlights the need for narrative shifts in climate action and the significance of engaging diverse perspectives. Additionally, they explore the balance between individual responsibility and corporate accountability in sustainability efforts. The discussion also touches on the political landscape's impact on climate initiatives and the potential for optimism in the face of challenges. Finally, they envision a future where sustainable practices are the norm and emphasize the need for collective action to achieve this vision.Two climate optimists coming together - this is a conversation you don't want to miss!About our guest:Charlie Sellars is the director of sustainability at Microsoft and, most importantly, the author of the newly released book What We Can Do: A Climate Optimist's Guide to Sustainable Living. His book pulls from his experience at Microsoft to empower people on climate across their Personal, Professional, and Political lives. He helps us realize that all of us are more powerful against climate change than we think, and that while nobody can do everything, everybody can do something - and his book gives pragmatic, data-driven evidence to help direct us to where we can have the most impact across everything we do. Get the book here: https://bit.ly/3Zc5ZpVVisit Charlie’s website: https://www.charliesellars.com/This episode is sponsored by Mill. Click the link for $75 off your Mill purchase: mill.com/heychangepodcastE95. Mental Health & The Climate Crisis
57:32|What are eco-emotions and how are they affecting our everyday lives? What role do they play in our ability to – and desire to – make a difference? And how do we overcome these mental barriers that are keeping us paralyzed and stuck in place?Seeking answers to these questions could be one of the most important topics of our times. Not just for the individual, but also for the world, as it’s a critical step in igniting the curiosity and courage needed to co-create a climate-just future.Tune into this important conversation with three Fierce and Passionate Climate Authors that was recorded during this year's Climate Week in NYC. Tori Tsui, author of It’s Not Just You, Britt Wray, author of Gen Dread, and Anne Therese Gennari, author of The Climate Optimist Handbook shared the latest research on eco-emotions, tools for healing, and how to grow emotional resilience for the days to come.The panel was moderated by environmental educator and creator of the digital media platform QueerBrownVegan, Isaias Hernandez. Get the books!It's Not Just You:https://bit.ly/its-not-just-you-buyThe Climate Optimist Handbook:https://bit.ly/the-climate-optimist-handbook-buyGeneration Dread:Paperback: bit.ly/gdus2023 (available for pre-order, out Oct 2023)Hardcover: bit.ly/gdus2022 (available now)