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Solve For Nature
Building Greener Buildings w/ Brian Falcon (Alter Eco)
Brian Falcon has always been passionate about sustainable living and design. He is a registered architect in Pennsylvania, and became a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED®AP) in 2004, to focus professionally on sustainability and energy efficiency. In 2008, he founded the Berks/Lancaster Green Building Association to help local, like-minded professionals collectively expand their green building skills at the grass roots level. Most recently, Brian has become a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), as certified through the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS). This program incorporates high performance building science principles and passive house techniques to create the best path to Net Zero and Net Positive Energy buildings.
Alter Eco is a full-service design and build firm that provides architectural, construction management, and sustainable consulting services. Our approach is to seamlessly incorporate leading-edge building science to create cost effective, high-performance homes and small commercial buildings in any style. Experts in green building, our capabilities are well-rounded and include experience building to the ZERH program requirements set forth by the Department of Energy, Passive House Standards as certified through the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS), and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification standards.
Find Brian Falcon and Alter Eco online:
Find me online:
- This Sustainable Life: Solve For Nature Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/solvefornature
- Blog: https://verdantgrowth.blog/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/verdantgrowth
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/VerdantGrowth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realverdantgrowth
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/verdant.growth or http://instagram.com/verdantgrowthofficial
More episodes
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91. Riding the White Bull w/ Jack Ratliff
51:25||Ep. 91Jack Ratliff — retired Navy SEAL, lawyer, and law professor — and the author of Riding the White Bull: The Making of a Navy SEAL. Rather than focusing on the battlefield, Jack's memoir traces the formative years that shaped his character long before elite service began — from a West Texas upbringing to fighting forest fires, to the grueling world of the UDT, the direct precursor to today's SEALs. It's a book about how discipline, identity, and leadership are forged under pressure — written with clarity, reflection, and a dry sense of humor.Find Jack Ratliff and Riding the White Bull: The Making of a Navy SEAL online:Jack Ratliff - HomepageRiding the White Bull: The Making of a Navy SEAL - BookFind me online:This Sustainable Life: Solve For Nature Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/solvefornatureBlog: https://verdantgrowth.blog/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/verdantgrowthBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/verdantgrowth.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realverdantgrowthInstagram: http://instagram.com/verdant.growth or http://instagram.com/verdantgrowthofficial
90. The Hidden Science Behind Habitat Restoration w/ Holly Latteman
50:59||Ep. 90Holly Latteman is an environmental scientist and conservation leader serving as Director of Science and Research at The Dawes Arboretum, where she oversees native seed collection, living collections, and the Advanced Training Program for emerging conservationists. With a background spanning zoology, anthropology, and environmental studies — and research ranging from black vulture behavior to avian ecology and habitat restoration — Holly brings both scientific depth and a passion for making conservation accessible to the public.Find Holly Latteman and The Dawes Arboretum online:Holly Latteman - LinkedInThe Dawes Arboretum - HomepageThe Dawes Arboretum - FacebookFind me online:This Sustainable Life: Solve For Nature Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/solvefornatureBlog: https://verdantgrowth.blog/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/verdantgrowthBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/verdantgrowth.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realverdantgrowthInstagram: http://instagram.com/verdant.growth or http://instagram.com/verdantgrowthofficial
89. The Plastics Paradox w/ Chris DeArmitt
52:15||Ep. 89What if the story we’ve been told about plastic is incomplete—or even backward? In this episode, I sit down with Chris DeArmitt, an independent polymer and environmental scientist, keynote speaker, and founder of the Plastics Research Council. After reading thousands of peer-reviewed studies without funding, Chris has made it his mission to translate complex science into clear, practical guidance. Author of The Plastics Paradox and Shattering the Plastic Illusion, he challenges popular narratives around microplastics, ocean garbage patches, and eco-labels—inviting us to look at the data first and focus on actions that truly reduce environmental harm.Find Chris DeArmitt and The Plastics Paradox online:Chris DeArmitt - LinkedInPlastic Paradox - HomepageThe Plastics Paradox: Facts for a Brighter Future - BookFind me online:This Sustainable Life: Solve For Nature Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/solvefornatureBlog: https://verdantgrowth.blog/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/verdantgrowthBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/verdantgrowth.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realverdantgrowthInstagram: http://instagram.com/verdant.growth or http://instagram.com/verdantgrowthofficial
88. Scaling Regenerative Farming w/ Pat Maher
48:53||Ep. 88Pat Maher is the CEO of Atkins Ranch, the New Zealand-based collective of over 100 family farms producing 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised lamb for premium markets in the U.S. and Canada. Under his leadership, the company champions regenerative agriculture with third-party verification that promotes soil and ecosystem health while strengthening animal welfare and farm viability. Maher focuses on building high standards in regenerative practices and collaborative, respectful relationships with farmers that honor land stewardship and animal care.Find Pat Maher and Atkins Ranch online:Patrick Maher - LinkedInAtkins Ranch - HomepageAtkins Ranch - FacebookAtkins Ranch - InstagramFind me online:This Sustainable Life: Solve For Nature Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/solvefornatureBlog: https://verdantgrowth.blog/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/verdantgrowthBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/verdantgrowth.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realverdantgrowthInstagram: http://instagram.com/verdant.growth or http://instagram.com/verdantgrowthofficial
87. The Way to World Peace w/ Ken Callison
58:17||Ep. 87Ken Callison is an entrepreneur, researcher, and author of the new book The Way to World Peace: An Idea Whose Time Has Come. Written in a moment of rising geopolitical tension, nuclear risk, and environmental instability, the book reframes world peace not as a lofty ideal but as a practical and necessary step for human survival. Ken has spent decades studying humanity’s future, including conducting a nationally published survey on nuclear war later cited by Carl Sagan. In his work, he argues that violence is learned — driven by fear and systems — and therefore can be unlearned. The book also serves as the foundation for A Time for Humanity™, a nonprofit focused on advancing global peace through education and collective action. Today we’ll explore why peace is no longer optional, what’s broken in our current deterrence-based systems, and what it would take to chart a new path forward.Find Ken Callison and The Way to World Peace: An Idea Whose Time Has Come online:Ken Callison - LinkedInA Time for Humanity - HomepageA Time for Humanity - FacebookA Time for Humanity - LinkedInThe Way to World Peace: An Idea Whose Time Has Come - BookFind me online:This Sustainable Life: Solve For Nature Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/solvefornatureBlog: https://verdantgrowth.blog/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/verdantgrowthBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/verdantgrowth.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realverdantgrowthInstagram: http://instagram.com/verdant.growth or http://instagram.com/verdantgrowthofficial
86. The Nature Embedded Mind w/ Julie Brams
01:02:06||Ep. 86Julie Brams is an Earth-centered psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and author of The Nature Embedded Mind: How the Way We Think Can Heal Our Planet and Ourselves. Her work sits at the intersection of psychology, ecology, and social justice, exploring how our deep sense of separation from nature affects both personal well-being and collective health. Drawing from clinical practice, scientific research, and lived experience, Julie challenges Western psychology’s assumptions and invites a new foundation for mental health—one rooted in reconnecting with Earth and remembering that we are not separate from nature, but embedded within it.Find Julie Brams and The Nature Embedded Mind: How the Way We Think Can Heal Our Planet and Ourselves online:Julie Brams - HomepageJulie Brams, LMFT - InstagramThe Nature Embedded Mind: How the Way We Think Can Heal Our Planet and Ourselves - BookFind me online:This Sustainable Life: Solve For Nature Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/solvefornatureBlog: https://verdantgrowth.blog/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/verdantgrowthBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/verdantgrowth.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realverdantgrowthInstagram: http://instagram.com/verdant.growth or http://instagram.com/verdantgrowthofficial
85. Solo Episode: The Start of Solo Content!
13:11||Ep. 85In this solo episode, Eugene steps out from behind the interview mic to reflect on where Solve for Nature has been—and where it’s going next. He shares why sustainability often feels like “suffering,” why that framing misses the point, and how real, lasting change starts with values, not checklists. This episode marks the beginning of a more personal chapter for the podcast—one focused on mindset, meaning, and finding a path to sustainability that actually feels good. If you’ve ever struggled to stay motivated, this one’s for you.Find me online:This Sustainable Life: Solve For Nature Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/solvefornatureBlog: https://verdantgrowth.blog/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/verdantgrowthBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/verdantgrowth.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realverdantgrowthInstagram: http://instagram.com/verdant.growth or http://instagram.com/verdantgrowthofficial
84. 12 Universal Laws of Nature w/ Matthieu Mehuys
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83. ROAM w/ Hillary Rosner
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