We're comparing passenger train travel between the US and Europe: why does Europe do rail so well? We're overviewing a handful of regional and intercity routes that do train travel well, and pointing out what American communities could learn from - investments, political will, high-speed rail, and much more. We're also discussing scenic routes and trains as part of the trip, rather than simply a means of transportation. I share the triumphant, community-advocated-for Winter Park Express, from...

Virginia Chamlee is an artist, writer, and author of the best-selling book, Big Thrift Energy. She joins us for a conversation on finding your personal style, the best tips for shopping secondhand for furniture and unique homewares, and curating a home that feels truly *you*. Find Virginia on TikTok @virginiachamlee and Instagram @vchamlee Thanks to our sponsor! Get started at $1.49 per meal at EveryPlate.com/podcast and use code 49EcoChic Meet me online - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram +...

We are joined by Katie Gatti of Money With Katie, financial literacy blogger, podcast superstar, and one my favorite people on the internet!! We are discussing today what Katie calls "the hot girl hamster wheel" - the never-ending beauty maintenance that women often feel financially and socially committed to. Today's conversation explores beauty consumerism, female-targeted marketing, and what it means to reject the norms we've never collectively considered optional. Truly one of my favorite...

We're rewinding on one of our most buzzy topics: fast furniture. When did we start thinking of furniture as disposable? Today we're discussing the under-exaggerated problem of fast furniture: cheap, low quality, and mass-produced pieces designed to be dumped. We're breaking down (ha) two iconic fast furniture items, and exploring tips for your next point-of-purchase furniture decision. More for you: Ep 196: Creating Thoughtful Spaces | Amanda Gunawan, OWIU Designs ‘Fast Furniture’ Is...

We're joined by Shannon McNamara of Fluenty Forward for today's profiling of Les Wexner: the billionaire businessman behind *all* the mall brands. Wexner is credited with mainstreaming fast fashion marketing techniques, and targeted consumers through his ownership and acquisition of brands like The Limited, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Abercrombie & Fitch, and many, many more. Wexner also was the primary billionaire client of Jeffrey Epstein, with the Victoria's Secret brand...

In our final episode for 2023, we're reflecting on the "ins" and "outs" for the year: the themes we hope continue strong and those we're happy to see go! Reflecting on how our conversations have shifted this year around conscious consumption, personal climate action, and mental health, today's conversation hopes to refresh and reset as we enter the new year, eco chic. For episode recaps of the year's most loved, most viral eps: EC Wrapped: Best of 2023 The Death of the Third Place And...

The world's biggest climate change conference recently wrapped, and we're excited to speak today about the successes of the historic two weeks! We're joined by Charly Frisk, Director of Climate Action at Time for Better, to discuss the on-the-ground energy in Dubai, the outcomes, and how mainstream media can continue community building around historically exclusive climate events. Thanks to our sponsor! JustThriveHealth.com/ECOCHIC or use code ECOCHIC for 20% off your 90 day supply - try the...

Why is everyone healing their gut? Tina Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Just Thrive, joins us to talk all things gut health: from Big Pharma to modern agriculture. Today’s conversation explores connections from the gut to chronic disease, our moods, and cognitive health. We’re discussing the science behind spore-based probiotics, and how natural remedies and modern medicine can go hand-in-hand for holistic healing. Visit justhrivehealth.com with promo code ECOCHIC for 20% off - try the...

It is less common that ever to be a "regular" - which feels so good to be, because it means you're a stable fixture in a community. If your home and workplace are your first and second places, respectively, what can you call your third place? Today, we're discussing some of the reasons we've seen a rapid decline in third places (is it social media? affordability? the suburban dream??) and better understanding their value in social sustainability. For more: The Power of Walkable Cities Sign...

Data time - we’re revisiting some of our most shared, most loved, + most viral conversations from the year! 2023 was such a special year of growth, learning, + reflection. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to engage in these!!  Total Ethics Fashion | Emma Hakansson, Collective Fashion Justice Imperfect Environmentalism | Megan McSherry Urban Revitalization + Sustainable Development | Alan Sneider We’re Finally De-Influencing Green Jobs + DEI in Sustainability | Kristy Drutman,...

Our Black Friday episode this year is an opportunity for us to indulge in pop culture - we're discussing how some mega-celebrities have made sustainability such a central part of their platforms. It's like a new take on the tabloid classic series, "Celebs, They're Just Like Us!" - we all care about the planet, and it's so cool to see people platforming causes they're passionate about. We're overviewing icons like Jane Fonda and Pamela Anderson, and hopefully giving you an opportunity to loop...

Green jobs are a huge discussion already on the presidential campaign trial - and young people have never been more motivated to secure a job ensure a climate-positive future. We're breaking down what a green job even is, and why we want to invest in them. We're also overviewing the American Climate Corps, a green job training program funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), aimed at upskilling 20,000 young people in its first round. More...

Without even realizing, sustainability can quickly slip from our priority list around the holidays. We're walking through some frameworks to consume more consciously throughout the season, and walking through my sustainable gift guide: from experience-based giving, to thoughtful physical gifts. This episode will hopefully allow us to go into this season, typically overflowing with hyper-consumption, with clear ideas and values driving those purchases. Leave me a voicemail about your...

When we think of fast fashion, we probably think of the online mega-retailers (cough cough, SHEIN). Fast fashion has become such a norm of consumption that we sometimes fail to recognize brands that are employing the same techniques, ignoring the ethical and environmental wrongdoings, to produce obscene amounts and turnover inventory quicker than ever before. Today we're exposing some "secretly" fast fashion brands - places we may shop because we're more comfortable than the brands we...

Actress and comedian Cheryl Hines joins us to share her personal sustainability journey: from humble Florida childhood to stretching every dollar as an aspiring entertainer, sustainability was an unconscious way of life. She shares with us her new brand, Hines + Young, founded with her daughter Kat: an everyday luxury brand, plastic-free and all natural. We discuss how her awareness of environmental issues grew over time and how Hines + Young's partnership with the Waterkeeper Alliance is...

The thrift queen is here!! Macy Eleni (of @blazedandglazed) is a content creator, internet personality, soon-to-be-published author, and the ultimate secondhand fashion superstar. Today we discuss her early exposures to the fashion industry (do you remember Teen Vogue University??), her thrift philosophies, and her upcoming book. We also discuss our qualms with online pressures of hyperconsumption and the ethical implications of "loving fashion." This conversation is chatty, full of laughter,...

Today's ep is peering into my inner thoughts on clean beauty - a topic I was once deeply passionate about, which now feels like a co-opt term that doesn't mean much. I've talking through my personal perspective on the clean beauty marketplace today, as well as why I feel consumers are drawn to purchase these products, even if they themselves aren't totally eco chic. While I am an advocate for sustainable brands, I'm dissolutioned with how many brands are claiming to be such. Greenwashing is...

Oliver English is a filmmaker, photographer, chef & food advocate. He serves as the co-founder and CEO of Common Table Creative, an impact-driven production & hospitality company. Prior to launching Common Table Creative, Oliver led his family company, The Olive Group’s, international restaurant development sector. Today, Oliver joins us for a discussion around how we gather, how we eat, and how our food systems can be fundamentally rethought to support regenerative, planet-conscious...

There's no such thing as free ... not even two day shipping from Amazon. Today we're discussing a consumer norm we very often forget has environmental and supply chain impacts: free shipping and free returns. We discuss the immediate emissions and packaging waste, of course, but also textile waste - where do our return things truly go? Resources: TEDTalk by Arana Mehta, "Where do your online returns go?" Why ‘free’ shipping isn’t free (CNBC) Why your online returns may end up in...

Fall always feels like back-to-school season, no matter what age we're at - perfect time to get organized and learn something new. Today, we're overviewing five nonfiction books I'm excited to read this fall focused on climate, waste, outdoor recreation, and more. Most of the books mentioned on today's episode are very recently released and are receiving great reviews - I tend to gravitate towards memoirs and books with beautiful settings, so today's list reflects books I anticipate to be...

We are rewinding to a conversation with Dr. Samantha Montano all about disaster management, in response to our recent episode on the concept of disaster capitalism. We get into everything you’ve ever wanted to know about living with stronger hurricanes, tornados, heatwaves… and just how we can protect our communities. Dr. Montano and I discuss her interest in disaster recovery in New Orleans immediately following Hurricane Katrina and the Levee Failure. Samantha educates of the phases of...

We've heard that the most sustainable item is the one you already own - but when you *are* acquiring something, around here, we like to shop secondhand first. Even if you're a seasoned thrifter, there are plenty of areas we don't usually think of shopping secondhand. Today's episode will hopefully help us expand our mindsets around shopping pre-loved - from your home to your hobbies, whatever you want is almost certainly already circulating in the marketplace. Mentioned resources: ECO CHIC...

As recovery efforts are underway on the island of Maui, there's been more discussions around the threat of predatory real estate practices - unfortunately, this isn't the only way the rich and powerful can profit off a disaster. We're overviewing today the topic of disaster capitalism, a term coined by Naomi Klein referring to the very real exploitation around crises. We're also zooming in a bit to better understand disaster capitalism in practice through the case study of New Orleans in the...

Kevin Patel is a powerful, eloquent, solutions-oriented environmental youth activist based in Los Angeles. At just 12 years old, he began a peer learning program aimed at solving food injustices within his community of South Central LA. He went on to found the first Mayor's Youth Climate Council, and serves currently on the Los Angeles County Youth Climate Commission. Kevin is Founder and Executive Director for the youth-led climate movement, OneUpAction International. Today we discuss his...