Shows
The Thriving Workplace Podcast#41 SUSTAINABILITY EXPERT reveals what you need to be doing in your business in 2025 with Dr Aurora Dawn BensonIn this episode, we’re diving into a game-changing approach to sustainability in the workplace—one that doesn’t rely solely on executives or sustainability officers but instead empowers the unsung heroes within an organisation. Our guest, Dr. Aurora Dawn Benton, is the Founder and Chief Change Agent of Astrapto LLC, a company dedicated to making sustainability practical and accessible for those who may not have “sustainability” in their job title but have the power to drive real change.Dr. Benton has worked with global organizations like Hilton, Hard Rock International, and the World Wildlife Fund, helping them engag...2025-03-2439 min
The Art of Badassery#105 The Power of Change: Aurora’s Road to Badassery and Social ImpactClick here to watch the video.
Hey everyone! I'm so excited to share this week's episode of The Art of Badassery with you. I just sat down with the absolutely incredible Aurora Dawn Benton, and wow - I felt like I was talking to my soul sister!
Aurora's story hit me hard on so many levels. While she grew up in a conservative Southern town and I was raised on a small Caribbean island, we both knew what it was like to feel different and navigate tight-knit communities with strong expectations. I couldn't stop nodding as...2025-03-2452 min
Manager on a Mission#21: Doing business while still doing good - with Aurora Dawn BentonI know you listen to this podcast at least in part because you believe everyone should have dignity in their work. But do you also like chocolate? If you’re wondering what those two things have to do with each other you’re going to have to check out this conversation with Dr. Aurora Dawn Benton!Aurora is Founder and Chief Change Agent of Astrapto LLC, which exists to advance positive impact in the workplace. Her passion is to make sustainability practical and approachable for people whose main job is not sustainability, but who have a passion to i...2024-12-2358 min
Top FloorIce Bucket InvestigationAurora Dawn Benton is a sustainability consultant and author of Exponential Impact: Harnessing Human Potential to Drive Sustainability in Organizations. With a diverse career spanning tech, finance, education, and hospitality, Aurora is known for food waste reduction, data-driven sustainability, and workforce engagement strategies. Susan and Aurora talk about rolls, melons, and expensive trash. Episode Highlights: Changing the Hospitality Mindset: Aurora explains how sustainability in food and beverage goes beyond cost-cutting. By reimagining food services, event planners can transform dining from "calories between sessions" into meaningful experiences. Overcoming the BEO Nightmare: Banquet Event Orders...2024-10-2942 minTop FloorIce Bucket InvestigationAurora Dawn Benton is a sustainability consultant and author of Exponential Impact: Harnessing Human Potential to Drive Sustainability in Organizations. With a diverse career spanning tech, finance, education, and hospitality, Aurora is known for food waste reduction, data-driven sustainability, and workforce engagement strategies. Susan and Aurora talk about rolls, melons, and expensive trash. Episode Highlights: Changing the Hospitality Mindset: Aurora explains how sustainability in food and beverage goes beyond cost-cutting. By reimagining food services, event planners can transform dining from "calories between sessions" into meaningful experiences. Overcoming the BEO Nightmare: Banquet Event Orders...2024-10-2942 min
Heartland Newsfeed Radio NetworkPRESS CONFERENCE: IHSA March Madness - Boys BasketballThe Illinois High School Association held press conferences Tuesday for the winners of the four super-sectionals in Class 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A. The winners in each Class are as follows:Class 1A: Meridian High School, Chicago Hope Academy, Aurora Christian School, Winchester High SchoolClass 2A: Phillips Academy High School, Williamsville High School, Benton High School, Byron High SchoolClass 3A: Mt. Carmel High School, Mt. Zion High School, DePaul College Prep, Richwoods High SchoolClass 4A: Normal Community High School, Palatine High School, New Trier High School, Homewood-Flossmoor High School...2024-03-052h 41
AllinfoodzFood waste in meeting and eventsIn this episode, Dr. Aurora Benton, Chief Change Maker of Astrapto LLC, discusses her work with the meeting and events industry to manage and reduce food waste. Given the critical issues surrounding the food waste challenge, Dr. Benton factors that contribute to this phenomenon, and others that can make meetings and events more sustainable. Don't miss this episode's quiz, it's from halfway around the world! 2023-12-0400 min
Eating at a MeetingProlifically Problematic A few weeks ago, on Eating at a Meeting LIVE, I mentioned the research Aurora Dawn Benton is doing on food waste at meetings and events. When chatting with her about the research 🤯, she mentioned they discovered that there are "Prolifically Problematic" food items at EVERY food function. These items tend to be lower-cost, popular items that are often over-ordered and overproduced. 🥯 🥐 🍩 🥫🧀 Join Aurora and Tracy on the next episode of #EatingAtAMeeting to learn what items are "Prolifically Problematic" — FYI this is for EVERY meeting planner and food service company — and how understanding consumption patterns, dietary trends, attend...2023-09-191h 03Eating at a MeetingProlifically Problematic A few weeks ago, on Eating at a Meeting LIVE, I mentioned the research Aurora Dawn Benton is doing on food waste at meetings and events. When chatting with her about the research 🤯, she mentioned they discovered that there are "Prolifically Problematic" food items at EVERY food function. These items tend to be lower-cost, popular items that are often over-ordered and overproduced. 🥯 🥐 🍩 🥫🧀 Join Aurora and Tracy on the next episode of #EatingAtAMeeting to learn what items are "Prolifically Problematic" — FYI this is for EVERY meeting planner and food service company — and how understanding consumption patterns, dietary trends, attend...2023-09-191h 03
Sustainability Stories: Balancing People, Planet and ProfitsS1E25: How Do You Start a Green Team at a Hotel? Explained by Dr. Aurora Dawn Benton Founder, Chief Change Agent at AstraptoDr. Aurora Dawn Benton is the Founder of Astrapto, which offers courses, coaching, and consulting to advance sustainability in hospitality, events, travel, and other service industries. Her passion is to make sustainability practical and positive for anyone passionate about driving positive impact through their organizations and supply change.
A few of the questions we discuss in the episode are:
Where do I begin on Sustainability?
What is the advice to sustainability consultants?
Is there a need for the role of Chief Sustainability Office?
Should hotels take Green Certification? What to consider when taking up any certification?
Wha...2023-01-3032 minEating at a MeetingEmbedding Sustainability into the Event Planning ProcessThe copy/paste approach to BEO, menu and service planning prevents achieving food waste reduction goals, introducing healthy and sustainable options, and capitalizing on other promising trends. Instead, we need to adopt the improv principle of “yes, and”! Opposite of the “we’ve always done it this way” thinking that is too common in foodservice operations and menu planning, Molly Crouch Corporate Director of Sustainability at Sodexo Live! and Dr. Aurora Dawn Benton sustainability consultant and illuminator at Astrapto are going to share how we can use "yes, and" to rethink our approach and uncover opportunities to improve so...2022-08-0257 minEating at a MeetingEmbedding Sustainability into the Event Planning ProcessThe copy/paste approach to BEO, menu and service planning prevents achieving food waste reduction goals, introducing healthy and sustainable options, and capitalizing on other promising trends. Instead, we need to adopt the improv principle of “yes, and”! Opposite of the “we’ve always done it this way” thinking that is too common in foodservice operations and menu planning, Molly Crouch Corporate Director of Sustainability at Sodexo Live! and Dr. Aurora Dawn Benton sustainability consultant and illuminator at Astrapto are going to share how we can use "yes, and" to rethink our approach and uncover opportunities to improve so...2022-08-0257 min
The Real Life BuyerHow Sustainability & Fairtrade in Procurement can make a positive impact for business and our world. With Aurora Dawn Benton.ABOUT THE GUESTAurora Dawn Benton is the Founder of Astrapto which means to illuminate and her mission is to shed light on social and environmental issues in the workplace and supply chains. She is passionate about helping people find practical ways to go from awareness, to impact.Aurora guides organizations in a wide range of sustainability initiatives, including food & beverage sourcing, green cleaning, and materials waste reduction. Today I am delighted to welcome Aurora on to the podcast to discuss how procurement can support and encourage sustainability with suppliers based...2022-07-1948 min