Episodes
If you’re like me, you might have constantly conflicting feelings about travel On one hand I can’t help but feel a little bit guilty about all the associated impacts. But of course on the other hand there are the benefits of that travel for both the traveler and they places they go to. This usually results in a very confused conscience. So to help clear things up a little, maybe, today I am going to be talking about how to travel sustainably, or as I prefer to call it, travel fairly. To...
Published 05/05/24
Caring about the environment can be quite isolating. The news is rarely cheerful about the state of the planet (despite plenty of good things going on) and that is leading to skyrocketing rates of eco-anxiety even in children as young as five. There is a general sense of apathy is settling in amongst people who are beginning to feel it is too late. It certainly isn't. And I did an episode about that a few weeks ago, so I won't rehash that story. But I want to tackle the isolating part....
Published 04/22/24
Happy Earth Day everyone! It can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people and this year I have decided to make it about sharks. Obviously. I am obviously somewhat obsessed with sharks, but people are so scared of them, sometimes to the point of wanting to cull them all. But sharks are essential for our planet and I am going to explain why and how you can help them in this episode. To help I am joined by my guest co-host Kate, one of the team from Business, but Better, who...
Published 04/21/24
When it comes to being sustainable there is often a lot of b******t we have to wade through in order to find the right way to live AND help the environment. There is honestly a shitload of myths around sustainability and in this episode we are going to be shining a light on the top 10 so that you’ll know what to choose and what to avoid. Some of these were suggested by you on Instagram, so thanks for the assist! In this episode I share: - Why we falsely believe sustainability is more...
Published 04/07/24
It’s Easter time and we are all rushing to the stores to buy pointless, over packaged Easter eggs. While we love the taste of chocolate it’s a sad fact that ever sale further supports forced labour and environmental destruction. I have spoken about this before and received a cease and desist letter from a chocolate company, even though everything I said was all factually correct. This podcast focuses on sustainability and for this episode we are looking at an aspect of sustainability we...
Published 03/24/24
We are back! Thank you for your patience while we sorted out a bit of our workload, but your reward is that this week we are doing one of my favourite episodes. It has taken a lot of research and a lot of reading that made me really quite f*cking angry about the way we do things. Today we are talking about what is actually good for the environment, Plastic glass or aluminium and one of them is the absolute worst and it’s not what you think. And the answer to what we can do may also not be...
Published 03/18/24
There’s something I’ve been seeing a lot of on social media lately. Ecoapathy. Ecoanxiety. There is a growing number of people who are not only angry and apathetic but also saying “what is the point, it’s too late now to prevent climate catastrophe’.This is a mindset that is actually dangerous to the environmental cause, especially since it is actually not too late to fix things and in fact, we kind of already are. So for this episode, while I will be honest about the dire state of things,...
Published 02/19/24
This week we’re going to talk about lawns. They look great, right? They're soft to walk on, I guess they're nice enough to look at. They're great for backyard cricket if you are one of those people. But they're actually pretty shit for the environment. For a long time I’ve been a big advocate for just digging up all lawns, but if you don’t quite understand why I feel this way, this is the episode for you.   In this episode I share: -       The centuries long history of lawns and how they...
Published 02/05/24
I have had enough of trolls and the idea of the perfect environmentalist. I’m sure many of you have seen or experienced random people on the internet tearing down anyone’s attempts at being eco friendly by pointing out other areas where they have failed to do so. There is no such thing as a perfect environmentalist and anyone who claims there is, is either deluded, or using the concept to create negativity and undermine environmental causes. So for this episode we are taking a good hard...
Published 01/22/24
Today we're going to focus on resolutions. I know, nobody keeps resolutions, so let's call them goals. This episode is all about sustainability goals for our personal lives, because yes, we need systemic change to change the world, but we can also do our bit with individual action. Now this is going to cover a whole range of topics and if you can pick up and try even one of them this year you could be reaping the benefits by the end of the year.  In this episode I share:  Exactly where I...
Published 01/14/24
This time, we're tackling the rubbish (literally) world of fast beauty. You know, the kind that's all over your TikTok and Instagram feeds with the weirdest trends and obsession with buying the next greatest foundation. Fast beauty may look pretty on the surface, but there is a massive catch; the real cost of keeping up with these ever-changing trends, to people and planet. I'm having a chat about the not-so-pretty side of fast beauty – from the piles of plastic packaging to the pressure on...
Published 11/29/23
This Christmas, your presence, is present enough... (pass me a bucket). But this sentiment is so true, even if you find the sentence a little vomit inducing. This episode is all about dodging the holiday excess and nailing the art of gifting with a conscience. Chatting how to keep things magical without the environmental baggage. Think less clutter, more memories; less wrapping, more... laughing? We're doing Secret Santa to make life easier, and I'm even going to tell you why your grandma's...
Published 11/08/23
In this episode of "Now, That's What I Call Green," discover the intricate world of sustainable eating. Discover the environmental impacts of popular options like oat milk (which is the best plant milk...?) and the innovative realm of lab-grown meat. I chat the issue of food waste, revealing alarming statistics and practical solutions - because it's one of the easiest things we can do to lessen our impact. Also, ever eaten an insect? Gain insights into the challenges and successes of adopting...
Published 10/27/23
It's a special episode of "Now, That's What I Call Green," because my first guest is one of the superstars of the sustainability world in Aotearoa - Kate Hall (you'll probably know her as Ethically Kate). Join me as we explore Kate's personal journey toward sustainable living, the motivations that fuel her dedication, and the beacon of hope she finds in the midst of environmental crises. We chat how to navigate ethical dilemmas (ethics are subjective after all), and discuss the strange...
Published 10/11/23
Ever given a side-eye to your backyard and considered its hidden eco-potential? In today's episode, I, Brianne West, dig into the unsung narratives of local ecosystems. We're diving into the silent retreat of our six-legged friends and what it means for our environment. From the sprawling concept of rewilding to quirky yet effective ways to boost life in your own patch of green, we'll unpack the big impact of small choices. Tune in, and arm yourself with the know-how to transform your outdoor...
Published 09/28/23
In this special episode of 'Now, That's What I Call Green', I, Brianne West, sift through the environmental pledges of major political parties in the looming Aotearoa New Zealand election. Delving into subjects from climate change responsiveness to renewable energy vows, I'll lay out what each party is pledging—taking it with a grain of salt—for the well-being of our planet. Listen in to shape up as an informed voter and embrace your role as a dedicated kaitiaki (guardian) of our shared...
Published 09/13/23
Ever bought something 'eco-friendly' that turned out to be not so green? In this episode of 'Now, That's What I Call Green,' Brianne West peels back the layers on greenwashing. We dive into its historical roots, from Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring' to modern-day fast fashion. Learn how to spot the top five signs of greenwashing and why it matters more than you think. Whether you're a consumer or a business owner, this episode offers actionable tips to make more informed, sustainable choices....
Published 08/30/23
In this debut episode of "Now, That's What I Call Green", Brianne tackles surprising sustainability myths. Discover the truth behind tree planting, the paper vs. plastic debate, and the misconceptions about "natural" products. Plus, stay tuned for recent eco-news and a practical tip to boost your green journey. Dive in for a non-judgmental, evidence-based exploration of sustainability.
Published 08/16/23