Shows
The Selling Circular PodcastWhy the Circular Movement Isn't Growing: Communication, Clarity & CertificationsGarr Punnett and Jon Strassner delve into the world of podcasting, sustainability, and the challenges of circular economy practices. They reflect on their experiences at conferences, the serendipitous nature of podcasting, and the importance of building relationships within the industry. Jon shares insights from his six years of podcasting, emphasizing the evolution of their discussions from environmental issues to broader societal topics, including gender gaps in leadership and the need for more inclusive design practices. The conversation highlights the significance of vulnerability in sharing ideas and the necessity of open dialogue to foster understanding and collaboration in tackling systemic...
2026-02-031h 05
Once Upon a PlanetMore than Checking a Box: Designing for people and the planetDesigners and architects face a complex matrix of requirements to meet modern requirements for building performance, appearance and overall impact on people and the planet. On this episode, key team members from Rockfon and ROCKWOOL, part of ROCKWOOL Group, discuss strategies and trends to meet these needs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2026-01-211h 05
Once Upon a PlanetBreaking More Dishes with Friends at Greenbuild 2025! Episode 2In this continued episode of Break Some Dishes, Jon ventures to Los Angeles to podcast from the floor of Greenbuild 2025. For a second day, a bunch of different guests stepped into Jon’s podcast booth during the conference to talk about everything from the gender gap in raising capital to bringing better storytelling to climate activism. Great sponsors and wonderful guests made this Greenbuild episode a very special one!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2026-01-141h 27
Once Upon a PlanetBreaking Dishes with Friends at Greenbuild 2025! Episode 1In this episode of Break Some Dishes, Jon ventures to Los Angeles to podcast from the floor of Greenbuild 2025. Eight different guests slipped into Jon’s podcast booth during the conference to talk about everything from the gender gap in raising capital to bringing better story telling to climate activism. Great sponsors and wonderful guests made this Greenbuild episode a very special one!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2026-01-071h 00
We Need to Talk About OscarNot falling too fast, with ‘The Baltimorons’ actress Liz LarsenThis week, actress Liz Larsen joins us to talk about her Indie Spirit nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance in ‘The Baltimorons.’ With decades of stage and screen work behind her, she reflects on what it means to be recognized in this category at this point in her career.Liz shares how she first connected with director Jay Duplass and how the film’s low budget, guerrilla shooting style positively impacted her performance and the atmosphere on set. We also explore one of the trickiest aspects of the role: not falling in love too early with co-star Michael Strass...
2025-12-3018 minWe Need to Talk About OscarNot falling too fast, with ‘The Baltimorons’ actress Liz LarsenThis week, actress Liz Larsen joins us to talk about her Indie Spirit nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance in ‘The Baltimorons.’ With decades of stage and screen work behind her, she reflects on what it means to be recognized in this category at this point in her career.Liz shares how she first connected with director Jay Duplass and how the film’s low budget, guerrilla shooting style positively impacted her performance and the atmosphere on set. We also explore one of the trickiest aspects of the role: not falling in love too early with co-star Michael Strass...
2025-12-3018 min
The Nourish PodcastEpisode 41: “Transforming Pain Into Art: A Journey of Healing” w/ Actor & Writer, Michael StrassnerBook a Coaching Discovery Call w/ Jon: www.JonathanBregel.com/CoachingFree Course "The Filmmakers Wellness Roadmap": www.thenourish.communityWhat does it look like to turn the most painful part of your life into a film screened around the world?Actor and writer Michael Strassner joins us to talk about the real events that inspired his breakout film, The Baltimorons, including his failed suicide attempt, the recovery that followed, and how he eventually found the clarity and distance to turn that experience into a film.We explore:• Why some stories cannot b...
2025-12-0936 min
Once Upon a PlanetThe Final Smash: Women, Design, and the Future We WantFor the season finale of Break Some Dishes, Jon and Verda wrap up a challenging but rewarding season about women; women in design, in leadership, and in the climate movement. Why do women still hold far fewer leadership positions, even as they are earning more college degrees than men? What happens when we define the world through the rigid binaries of masculine versus feminine, and does that framing ultimately limit everyone? In this episode, Jon and Verda revisit some of the season’s most thought-provoking conversations to examine what true equity could look like in design and beyond.
2025-11-1933 min
Once Upon a PlanetClimate Activism and Gender Justice: A Conversation with Ayshka NajibIn the penultimate episode of season six, Jon and Verda have a conversation with Ayshka Najib, who shares her journey from being inspired by the Chipko movement in India to becoming a fervent champion for both climate justice and gender equality. The discussion covers the intersection of climate change and gender issues, the influence of grassroots movements, and recent advancements in global climate policies. Insights on the role of women in environmental activism, the complexities of greening the economy, and the power of individual and collective efforts in driving meaningful change all happen in this jam-packed interview....
2025-10-151h 01
Once Upon a PlanetLess Friction, More Flow — Evolving Design Materials Evaluation & CommunicationLive from the NeoCon show floor in Chicago, Verda and Jon sit down with Kathleen Egan and Paul Shahriari, co-founders of Ecomedes. If you’ve ever struggled to specify sustainable materials, this episode is a must-listen. Ecomedes is changing the game for the architecture and design industry by streamlining product data, certifications, and comparisons into one comprehensive and easy-to-use platform. We explore why the process has been so hard for both designers and manufacturers, challenge ideas about product data, and explore how Ecomedes is making the path to sustainable design more efficient and impactful.This episode was pr...
2025-09-2437 min
Once Upon a PlanetWomen at the Frontlines of Climate JusticeIn this episode, Jon and Verda sit down with Osprey Orielle Lake, founder of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), to explore the connections between women’s rights, climate justice, and the rights of nature. From ecofeminism to alternative worldviews, from frontline defenders to global policy, Osprey shares how women, especially in the Global South are driving climate solutions.This season of Break Some Dishes is presented by Humanscale.References & ResourcesWomen’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) www.wecaninternational.orgThe Story is in Our Bones: How Worl...
2025-09-171h 02
Once Upon a PlanetUnlabeling the Future: Gender, Work & The Climate ChallengeIn this episode, Jon and Verda go live from Chicago, at the Gensler Principal's Retreat to unpack some of the issues shaping the design industry. Amanda Schneider, of ThinkLab, is back and joins us on stage for a three-part conversation on how unspoken norms around gender and power influence who leads, whose needs are prioritized in design, and how inclusive leadership can drive climate resilience. Amanda shares her research in how generational shifts, and specifically the perspective of Generation Z, are reshaping the way we think about work. Together, we reflect on how expectations placed on women at work, at...
2025-08-271h 13
Once Upon a PlanetRethinking the Hero: A Creative Conversation with Ayse BirselIn this episode, we sit down with product designer and creative thinker Ayse Birsel. She is the co-founder of Birsel + Seck, the award-winning design and innovation studio and is known for her work with manufacturers like Herman Miller as well as her bestselling book Design the Life You Love. Ayse has spent her career helping people design with intention: whether it’s a chair, a company, or their own life. We explore her tools to help people tap their creativity and she even guides Jon live on air through her Heroes Exercise that prompts reflection on those who inspire us most. Ays...
2025-08-2056 min
Once Upon a PlanetBeyond the Classroom: Gender, Learning & Leadership at UT ArlingtonIn this episode, Jon travels to the University of Texas School of Architecture at Arlington to talk with professors and students about learning, teaching and mentoring. Does what we teach, and how we teach, truly open doors for everyone in the design profession? Listen in on these multi-perspective conversations that touch on bias, opportunity, and what happens when expectations meet up with reality. Jon also asks: Are we placing different expectations on male and female students — or are we projecting assumptions that don’t hold up? UT Arlington has some answers!This episode of Break Som...
2025-07-2355 min
Once Upon a PlanetThe House By The Sea, Eileen Gray and Other Women History ForgotIn this episode, we sit down with Kyle Bergman, founder of the Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF), to explore House by the Sea — a dreamy new film that revisits Eileen Gray’s iconic E1027 house and the notorious murals by Le Corbusier. We look at how the film uncovers what design history often hides: the stories of women like Gray, Charlotte Perriand, Lily Reich, and Denise Scott Brown — visionaries whose work shaped modern architecture but whose names too often went uncredited. We unpack why these stories matter and what they say about whose voices shape our built environment. Kyle shares wh...
2025-07-1647 min
Once Upon a PlanetBreaking Barriers with architect, designer and trailblazer, Lauren RottetIn this episode, we sit down with Lauren Rottet — the only woman ever elevated to Fellow status by both the AIA and IIDA — to explore her remarkable journey from architect to interior and product designer. As Founding Principal of Rottet Studio, Lauren has led award-winning projects around the world and launched a celebrated furniture line, all while challenging the status quo. We talk mentorship, leadership, and what it takes for women to not only enter the design professions, but to lead them. Plus, Lauren shares the story behind one hotel inspired by a trailblazing woman — and the quote that guides...
2025-06-1837 min
Once Upon a PlanetFrom Products to Planet: Jane Abernethy’s MissionIn this episode of Break Some Dishes, Jon and Verda talk with Jane Abernethy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Humanscale about everything from sustainable products to gender equity in industrial design. Jane shares her journey from industrial designer to sustainability leader, why women’s voices are essential in shaping our built environment, and how bias in design can have lasting consequences. We also dig into circularity, regenerative futures, and how young designers can lead us toward a more inclusive, sustainable world.This season of Break Some Dishes is presented by Humanscale.See Privacy Policy at https://art1...
2025-05-2254 min
Once Upon a PlanetProwl Breaks Barriers: Gender, Design & SustainabilityJon and Verda dive into the intersection of gender, sustainability, and regenerative futures in industrial design. We’re joined by two powerhouse designers, Baillie Mischler, Founder at PROWL, and Lauryn Menard, CEO of GOB. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities for women in industrial design, the systemic gender biases embedded in everyday products, and the urgent need for diverse voices in shaping the future of design. We also discuss what a ‘regenerative future’ means and how companies like PROWL and GOB are pushing the boundaries of sustainability.RESOURCES AND FURTHER READING· Women in...
2025-04-2351 min
Once Upon a PlanetCrunching the Numbers: Women in Design with ThinkLabIn this episode, we sit down with Amanda Schneider, founder of ThinkLab, to explore gender disparities in the architecture and interior design industries. We dive into the numbers—why do women make up 50% of architecture students but only 25% get licensure and even less than 10% are in leadership roles? Does it matter who leads? We discuss systemic barriers, the impact of workplace culture, and what it takes to create a more equitable future. Plus, Amanda shares insights on domestic inequality, generational shifts, and how the industry can drive real change.This season of Break Some Dishes is presented by Hum...
2025-03-1943 min
Once Upon a PlanetBeyond Patriarchy: Indigenous Perspectives for a Sustainable FutureFor this first episode of Season 6 Jon and Verda speak with Keshia DeFreece Lawrence, a Ramapough Lenape Munsee environmental political scientist and Indigenous expert at Harvard Forest, a 4,000-acre living laboratory on traditional Nipmuc land. We explore the concept of Sovereign Science—an approach to environmental stewardship that prioritizes protection, care, and deep relationship with the land, and discuss the rematriation of physical space, the shift from patriarchal land management to matriarchal ecological care and kinship. Keshia shares how Indigenous knowledge challenges and expands Western paradigms of sustainability.This season of Break Some Dishes is presented by Hu...
2025-02-2641 min
Once Upon a PlanetAccidental Activists and Citizen DesignersIn this wrap-up of Season 5, Jon and Verda reflect on the role we all play in shaping a better future. Jon shares his biggest takeaway from his favorite episode, and Verda calls for action, urging designers to embrace activism and leverage their unique influence to drive systemic change. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2024-12-1825 min
Once Upon a PlanetLost Corners: Understanding Climate Migration through Empathy and AdvocacyJon invites fellow Connecticutian Tabitha Sookdeo on the podcast to dig deep on climate migration. It's happening right here within our own borders and we need to understand this multifaceted issue that is impacting all of us. After this episode we hope you will think differently and find empathy for those that have lost their corners of the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2024-11-2055 minOnce Upon a PlanetLessons from Space: What an Astronaut Learned About Life on EarthIn this episode, Jon and Verda speak with veteran NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, who has completed two spaceflights and spent extended time aboard the International Space Station. Nicole shares her insights on how space exploration can help us improve life here on Earth. From working alongside an international team to understanding the challenges we face as a global community, Nicole will get us thinking about “spaceship Earth” and how we are all crewmates together.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2024-10-1640 minOnce Upon a PlanetClimate Complexities with the Queer Brown VeganIsaias Hernandez, AKA the Queer Brown Vegan joins Jon and Verda to examine tackling climate change education thru social media and engaging with fringe communities who often get left behind. Isaias is taking on all the complex issues around climate change and social equity through the eyes of a young activist and a child of immigrants. We often don’t consider the impact climate change has on minorities and marginalized communities, and Isaias is shedding light onto issues like Petromasculinity and Collective Liberation!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://ar...
2024-09-1848 minOnce Upon a PlanetIf You Can't Fly With the Eagles, You Can Soar With the IbisLearn the amazing story of a biologist turned bird aviator! Austrian biologist, Johannes Fritz speaks with Jon and Verda about the Northern Bald Ibis, which was completely extinct in the wild 50 years ago. Through careful re-introduction Fritz began to bring them back. Then, when climate change made their winter migration route unpassable, Fritz began teaching these birds a new migratory route by flying an ultralight to lead them across the Alps and into Southern Italy to winter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2024-08-2149 min
Once Upon a PlanetCan Baya be a playa? You betcha!Jon and Verda discover John Derkach, an architect turned techie, who just might help our industry finally impact climate change. Listen to John’s story of building a tech company with an architects eye. Baya is a workflow tool that will help designers specify green solutions throughout their interiors project, and measure their impact while doing it. Learn more about this amazing technology in episode 63!This episode was recorded in the NeoCon Podcast Studio Powered by SURROUND and Sponsored by SnapCab.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://ar...
2024-07-3134 minOnce Upon a PlanetHe Saved His Community When He Saved Himself—The Story of Domingo MoralesDomingo Morales grew up in public housing in Harlem and sold candy in subways to help his mother pay rent. By 19 he had two kids and no steady income, but then Domingo stumbled upon a chance to work with Green City Force, an non-profit that teaches young people in the projects careers in horticulture, solar installation and other environmental jobs. Today Domingo is teaching communities how to farm thru city wide composting. But he’s done more than show people how to grow food, he’s showing them how to grow their communities. Join Jon and Verda as they lear...
2024-07-1700 min
Once Upon a PlanetDavies Re-Does ItDavies Office was founded in 1948 as a small, family-owned business. Since then, Davies Office has grown to become a nationally recognized leader in green remanufacturing and sustainable office solutions. Host Jon and Verda chat with Bill Davies and Doug Pilgrim about sustainability, and the possibilities that come with upcycling!
Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com.
This episode was produced by Rob Schulte.
Break Some Dishes is presented by Davies Office.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2024-06-0540 min
Once Upon a PlanetOne Man’s Battle with Plastic PollutionArmed with a home-made suction device, David Rivers clears about 250 garbage bags worth of trash from the bayou and its tributaries each week. If you think one person can't make a difference, think again—you'll be as smitten with David as we are!
Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com.
This episode was produced by Rob Schulte.
Break Some Dishes is presented by Davies Office.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2024-05-1544 min
Once Upon a PlanetTake a Seat on the Climate BeatCara Buckley and her team at the New York Times have decided to focus on the optimistic side of climate change. They’ve found people acting out on their own to create individual, yet replicable acts that have saved their own unique communities and ecosystems. Verda and Jon have been inspired by this message, and in this episode get the opportunity to talk with Cara about this work and how it can save our planet.
Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com.
This episode was produced by Rob Schulte.
Break Some Dishes is presented by Davies Office.
See Privacy Poli...
2024-04-1741 min
Once Upon a PlanetGood Neighbors Make Good RebelsKarry King and Martin Schneider found themselves compelled to help their town of La Salle, Illinois after a toxic disaster and chemical fire at the Carus Chemical Plant.
Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com.
This episode was produced by Rob Schulte.
Break Some Dishes is presented by Davies Office.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2024-03-2044 min
The Design BoardBreak Some Dishes Gears Up For Season 5On this week’s episode, host Tiffany Rafii sits down with co-hosts of Break Some Dishes, Jon Strassner and Verda Alexander, for a sneak peek into their upcoming season. Launching on March 20th, the podcast’s fifth season will navigate through topics like circular economy principles, biomimicry, and regenerative agriculture, offering listeners a glimpse into the transformative potential of creativity and innovation in addressing the world's most pressing environmental challenges.The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.
2024-03-1935 min
I Hear Design: the i+s podcastICYMI: All About EC3—The Embodied Carbon in Construction CalculatorIn this "In Case You Missed It" episode of I Hear Design, Chief Content Director Robert Nieminen reviews two recent articles from the i+s website that explore The Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator, better known as EC3. The first is titled, “3 Designers Talk 3 Ways to Utilize EC3,” by Lona Rerick, sustainable design leader and architect at ZGF; Marty Brennan, architect, sustainability leader, light health researcher and mass timber enthusiast at ZGF; and Charlotte Jolly, an interior designer at ZGF,” was published online on January 29th. The second article published on February 28th and titled, “More Experts Sound off on the E...
2024-03-1114 minI Hear Design: the i+s podcastICYMI: All About EC3—The Embodied Carbon in Construction CalculatorIn this "In Case You Missed It" episode of I Hear Design, Chief Content Director Robert Nieminen reviews two recent articles from the i+s website that explore The Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator, better known as EC3. The first is titled, “3 Designers Talk 3 Ways to Utilize EC3,” by Lona Rerick, sustainable design leader and architect at ZGF; Marty Brennan, architect, sustainability leader, light health researcher and mass timber enthusiast at ZGF; and Charlotte Jolly, an interior designer at ZGF,” was published online on January 29th. The second article published on February 28th and titled, “More Experts Sound off on the E...
2024-03-1114 min
Once Upon a PlanetShaping Sustainable Minds: Empowering Young Designers with Lisa TuckerIn this new episode, co-host Verda Alexander sits down with special guest Lisa Tucker, Head of the Department of Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management at Virginia Tech.
Lisa shares her journey from a background in historic preservation to integrating sustainability into interior design education. She discusses her research on the impact of biophilic design in educational spaces and emphasizes the importance of nurturing curiosity and confidence in young designers.
Join us as we explore the role of academia in shaping the next generation of environmentally conscious designers, and challenge conventional design norms to embrace a more sustainable and responsible approach! 🌿
Bre...
2023-08-0920 minOnce Upon a PlanetDesigning with Purpose: Pioneering change with Linda SorrentoIn this episode of Break Some Dishes, Jon Strassner sits down for a one-on-one conversation with Linda Sorrento from mindful MATERIALS.
They share their history of collaboration and how Linda inspired Jon to pursue a career in sustainability. Linda talks about her family's legacy of purpose and her journey into the design field with a focus on research and sustainability.
The episode highlights the importance of curiosity, exploration, and commitment for young designers looking to make a positive impact on the environment and human well-being. It encourages designers to take the next step in the field of sustainable design, leveraging...
2023-07-1915 minOnce Upon a PlanetBreaking the Mold: Interior Design Impact with Jenn ChenIn this episode of Break Some Dishes, co-host Verda Alexander sits down for a conversation with Jenn Chen, Principal Interior Designer at LMN Architects.
They first discuss Jenn's groundbreaking research that has revealed the cyclical nature of interior renovations as it significantly contributes to carbon emissions, rivaling the impact of building structures themselves. Their conversation dives into the need for greater awareness and responsibility within the industry, challenging traditional practices and exploring sustainable alternatives.
Explore the transformative power of interior design through a conversation about the importance of shifting mindsets, embracing reuse and preservation, and considering the lifecycle of materials...
2023-06-2314 min
Experience by DesignJon Strassner and Designing for Sustainable ChangeHere at Experience by Design, you might not be surprised to find that interior design is not our strong suit. We really don’t know what colors go with what motifs, what furniture matters (outside of comfort), how to create flow and space, and anything else that interior designers may consider when going about creating the environments that we inhabit. It turns out that there is much more to interior design and creating environmental experiences that one might assume. The carbon footprint cost of interior design can be high, and interior spaces of offices can be primary con...
2023-06-051h 11Once Upon a PlanetChampioning Change: Trailblazing Sustainable Design with Ken WilsonJoin host Jon Strassner as he engages in a conversation with Ken Wilson, Design Principal at Perkins&Will in Washington D.C. With over two decades of friendship, Jon and Ken delve into Ken's career journey, the evolution of sustainable design, and the critical role of sustainability in shaping the future of the industry.
Ken discusses founding his own design firm that embraced sustainable design early on with clients including Greenpeace, the Environmental Defense Fund, the World Wide Fund for Nature, the United Nations Environment Programme, and Conservation International. Ken's passion for sustainable design extends beyond his professional life. He also...
2023-05-2420 minOnce Upon a PlanetEarth Day: Activate AccordinglyEarth Day: Activate Accordingly
Join Jon and Verda during this special episode for Earth Day 2023 discussing activism!
They look at the history of activism and its importance in creating social change, emphasizing design and activating locally. They also examine influencing large corporations and the government, encouraging people to take action by joining a passionate group, downloading an app, or tweeting. There are many different ways to be an activist, from marching to voting to mobilizing others, find what fits you and activate today.
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2023-04-2140 min
Once Upon a PlanetRoundtable: Climate, Health, and EquityWe are breaking some dishes a little differently with this new roundtable episode discussing climate, health, and equity!
Our panel of roundtable guests talks with Jon Strassner and Verda Alexander about the importance of creating equitable and sustainable designs that are healthy and accessible to everyone. The group emphasizes the need for further education and understanding of green practices and available resources. They also touch on the power of students to influence the future, how to talk about sustainable design in a way that celebrates the client, and materials reuse and reclamation.
Guest lineup includes:
David Cordell, Associate Principal at P...
2023-03-3047 min
Once Upon a PlanetCreating with wonder and rigor.According to Natalie Nixon, more organizations need to have improvisational ways of working. Natalie says, “The future of work is Jazz.” Jazz is a model for new ways to work and optimize creativity. Described as a one-of-a-kind creativity expert, Natalie is the Creative Strategist and CEO at strategy firm, Figure 8 Thinking.
In this episode, Natalie talks with Jon and Verda about the importance of wonder and rigor when it comes to creativity and innovation, the ethics of aesthetics, jazz and improv in the workplace, the responsibility designers hold as the gatekeepers to how we navigate the world, and more.
Break Some...
2023-03-0351 min
Once Upon a PlanetBuilding to better: LIVE from Greenbuild 2022Let's break some dishes with game changers in sustainability LIVE from Greenbuild 2022!
Our guests today talk with Jon and Verda about how they lead and make sustainable change in different ways through biomaterials and carbon capture, water and energy conservation, design accountability, carbon offsets, or resource reuse.
Guest lineup includes:
> Elizabeth Bridges, Co-founder at Sum Studio and OurCarbon
> Alisha McFetridge, Co-founder & CEO at RainStick
> Sean McFetridge, Co-founder & CTO at RainStick
> Ren Decherney, Built Environment Lead at Cradle to Cradle
> Garr Punnett, Chief Impact Officer at Rheaply
> Rebecca Best, EVP Sustainability at Material Bank
Learn more from these change leaders that are c...
2023-02-151h 01
Impact IconsThe Great ConnectorIn today’s episode, Jen talks with Jon Strassner, Chief Sustainability Officer at the American Society of Interior Designers, and co-host of Imagine a Place Productions podcast, Break Some Dishes. This conversation is like overhearing two friends having coffee. Jon shares his tips on how to do business with friends, why sustainability simply isn’t enough, and how we just have to get comfortable being uncomfortable, because like Jon says, if we’re not constantly evolving — what are we doing? Sit back, relax, and enjoy! You can learn more about Jon’s work at ASID at ht...
2023-02-1442 min
Rheaply’s Multi-usiverse Podcast29. Jon Strassner on sustainable interior designWelcome to The Multi-usiverse! Alongside your guide, Garr Punnett, explore worlds of opportunity within the use of physical resources across companies and organizations. In this episode we’re joined by Jon Strassner, Chief Sustainability Officer of the American Society for Interior Designers. Learn about his work in sustainable interior design and solving complex problems through design. Enjoy Episode Twenty-Nine of the Multi-usiverse!
2023-02-0837 min
Once Upon a PlanetNew Year, New Dishes To BreakWe are breaking into the New Year with a twist. Our January episode kicks us off into 2023 where Jon and Verda have an insightful one-on-one conversation with each other. Guided by research, articles, and books the pair have read lately, they discuss different topics to lead us into 2023 including:
- Green technology
- What it means to be in "Goblin Mode"
- Behavior habits and healthcare
- Difficulties in making lasting change
2023 is here, let's get ready to break some dishes!
Break Some Dishes is an Imagine a Place Production, presented by OFS: https://ofs.com/imagine-a-place
See Privacy Policy...
2023-01-2538 min
Once Upon a PlanetSustainability at Sea: LIVE from the Cruise Ship Interiors ExpoThe Cruise Ship Interiors Expo is the world’s only exhibition and conference exclusively dedicated to connecting the cruise design industry - and Break Some Dishes had the unique opportunity to podcast LIVE from the event! In today's episode, you'll hear from:
Jon Ingleton | Executive Editor of Cruise & Ferry Interiors
My Nguyen | Director of Interior Design, Holland America Group
Greg Walton | Founding Partner, Studio Dado
These amazing guests sat down to educate us on the sustainable innovation happening in the cruise industry, as well as the challenges this industry looks to address in the near future.
Break Some Dishes is an...
2022-11-221h 18
Once Upon a PlanetFrom Scientist to Climatist.Our guest today, Akshat Rathi, comes to us with a background in engineering and is a Senior Climate Reporter at Bloomberg, focused on shaping the energy and climate change conversation around the world.
In this episode, Akshat discusses with Jon and Verda the different levers to be pulled to create climate action including policy, business, technology, people, and the media. He talks about technology trends, where the green opportunities lie for large companies, how media and the younger generation are influencing the climate crisis, and more.
Read more from Akshat Rathi on Bloomberg:
https://www.bloomberg.com/authors/AUdOobfNzkQ/akshat-rathi
...
2022-10-1146 min
Once Upon a PlanetHow to raise your climate voice.How can we truly create radical change? Well, according to Jennifer Allyn, it's time to harness the power of the private sector to solve the climate crisis - and it starts with empowering YOU to motivate your company to support climate policy.
Described as a true climate champion, Jennifer Allyn is the Director of Programs and Campaigns at ClimateVoice, an organization working to unlock corporate influence to address the crisis at scale.
In today's episode, Jennifer will explain how we can each begin to raise our climate voices to push our companies to lobby for bold and equitable climate policy...
2022-09-2333 min
Once Upon a PlanetCan a design firm save humanity?For this Break Some Dishes episode, our guest is the Founding Principal and Chief Design Officer of MASS Design Group, Alan Ricks!
MASS stands for Model of Architecture Serving Society and Alan does just that, leading the strategy and design of projects around the globe and advancing the role of design to create a more equitable and just world.
In this episode, Alan, Jon, and Verda come together to discuss the importance of creating a balance in the built environment and the impact of design choices to create change, social justice, and more.
Get to know MASS Design Group: https...
2022-09-0841 min
Once Upon a PlanetLIVE from NeoCon: Part 2 - Deconstructing design for a better tomorrowLIVE from NeoCon part 2 is here! In the last installment of our Live from NeoCon series, we chat with six incredible guests, all with unique backgrounds and experiences, to help us discover new ways of thinking and exploring fresh ideas in the world of design and sustainability.
In today's episode, you'll hear from:
Paul Shahriari | Founder & Chief Innovation Officer | ecomedes
Elizabeth Whelan | Founder and Principal |Elizabeth Whelan Design
David Cordell | Senior Technical Coordinator, Sustainability leader, and Associate Principal | Perkins+Will
Rebekah Matheny | Associate Professor, Department of Design | The Ohio State University
Judd Rosengart | Sr. VP of Sales Uhuru Design | Co-Founder...
2022-08-171h 00
Once Upon a PlanetLIVE from NeoCon: Part 1 - Designing for the future.And we're LIVE! Ok, we decided to do something a little different...during NeoCon we managed to do a series of podcasts LIVE from the OFS showroom in Chicago. These conversations were incredible and we are so excited to finally share them with you! In today's episode, you'll hear from:
Lauren Perich | Senior Designer | Studio O+A
Todd Bracher | Founder & Creative Director | Todd Bracher Studio
Carolyn Clark Beedle | Director Audience Development | One Workplace
These amazing guests sat down to discuss rethinking materials, reimaging the design process, and how the design community just might be the best group to give our...
2022-08-0350 min
Once Upon a PlanetDesign for Good is Good for DesignJohn Cary, currently the President & CEO of Eames Institute, is typically
busy working his magic to bring design to the people. John has been a key
player in the Pro Bono Design movement for a long time, and that doesn’t appear
to be changing anytime soon. Everyone deserves good design. Verda tells us that
interior designers care a lot about people, the problem is that it has
traditionally been for a specific group of people. We want more people to
experience good design, so join us as we talk with John about Public
Architecture, Eames Institute, and more.
See Priv...
2022-07-1547 min
Once Upon a PlanetDon't "Unwaste" our time!The recycling system is broken. Did you know that only 9% of what we put in blue bin programs is actually recycled? Our guest today is on a mission to address this issue.
In today's episode, hear how Ashley Gorrie and her company, Unwasted, are taking a stand to clean up recycling by harnessing the power of design and discarded plastics to create functionally beautiful furniture.
When asked why she's pursuing this Unwasted vision when the road seems so challenging, Ashley said, "it may be the crazy entrepreneur in me who doesn’t know when to stop, but it's also the ri...
2022-06-3035 min
Once Upon a PlanetPlease take a Reseat.Did you know that each year, 17 billion pounds of office furniture ends up in a landfill? This statistic didn't sit well with today's guest, so she decided to do something about it.
Today, we welcome Brandi Susewitz - she's the CEO and Founder of Reseat, the first online marketplace for second-life office furniture, and the first step toward a more sustainable, circular industry.
In this episode, we explore Brandi's journey to launching Reseat (which is inspiring itself!), as well as explore how it might be time to rethink the furniture industry and get serious about developing a truly circular economy.
...
2022-06-0236 min
Once Upon a PlanetCan accountants save the planet?Are you familiar with sustainable finance? ESG investing? Impact accounting? No? That's ok, neither were we - that is until we met Ken Pucker. Ken is the Advisory Director at Berkshire Partners and a Senior Lecturer at the Fletcher School at Tufts University - he is also the former COO of Timberland.
In today's episode, Ken helps pull back the curtain on sustainability reporting, the myth of sustainable fashion, and how accounts just might be the unlikely heroes in giving our world a fighting chance at a more sustainable future.
Read more from Ken Pucker on HBR: https://hbr.org...
2022-05-1247 min
Once Upon a PlanetCan we be friends with plastic?Our guest today is Todd Sims - he's here to help us answer the question:
Can we be friends with plastic?
The answer to this question might not be as easy as we think.
Todd is the former Director of Sustainability and Market Outreach at the American Chemistry Council and is an experienced and passionate advocate in the fields of sustainability and energy efficiency.
In today's episode, he helps guide us through a challenging, nuanced, and important conversation on one of Earth's most troublesome and misused materials - plastic.
Join us as we explore what the future holds for plastics...
2022-04-2933 min
Imagine a PlaceEarth Day in a new way.Earth Day is a time to celebrate, learn, and maybe try something new, So we’ve got a great conversation today and a couple of questions for you too,Today, we brought back two of our favorite podcast pals, The hosts of Break Some Dishes, to boost your Earth Day morale.And what do we cover in this conversation, today?We’ll help you get your mind and your spirit prepped for Earth Day. About Break Some Dishes:Hosted by Verda Alexander and Jon Strassner, Break Some Dishes is a podcast...
2022-04-1823 min
Once Upon a PlanetSea Shells by the Sea Shore...and Concrete.Ginger Krieg Dosier is the co-founder and CEO of Biomason - and they have a goal to help save our Earth, one brick at a time.
Taking inspiration from marine ecosystems, Biomason aims to eliminate the need to emit carbon to produce building materials - developing a way to grow cement bricks and tiles with bacteria in order to replace traditional cement, the production of which, she says, generates more carbon dioxide than all but two countries, China and the United States.
Ginger Krieg Dosier and the Biomason team have a BIG goal and disrupting a billion-dollar building materials industry...
2022-04-1331 min
Once Upon a PlanetWhat's in Your Product?Our guest today is Jeff Frost - he's a material specialist with Brightworks Sustainability and co-founder of mindful MATERIALS collaborative; an industry-led initiative to make it easier for building professionals to select products with health and environmental attributes.
Jeff is recognized as a national subject matter expert on how building material choices affect human health, climate change, and the environment.
In today's episode, we learn from Jeff how healthier materials are a pathway to a healthier planet...and a healthier YOU.
Get to know Jeff Frost and Brightworks Sustainability:
https://brightworks.net/people/jeff-frost/
Learn more about the Mindful MATERIALS m...
2022-03-3034 min
Once Upon a PlanetThe Humanity of HumanscaleToday, we welcome the Founder & CEO of Humanscale, Bob King. During our discussion, Bob reveals how combining sustainable principles with business acumen has led to industry-leading success.
We also explore the problems, complexity, and difficult decisions required to create true progress in sustainability as a manufacturer - including the urgent need for all manufacturers to adopt material transparency and eradicate the use of harmful ingredients...all in an effort to ensure a healthier planet for the future.
To learn more Humanscale, please visit: https://www.humanscale.com/
Break Some Dishes is an Imagine a Place Production, presented by OFS: https...
2022-03-1632 min
Once Upon a PlanetWinter is Not Coming.Porter Fox, author of "The Last Winter,” trekked the world to tell the story of what he’s seen firsthand — a winter that’s shrinking.
Fox is a lifelong skier, so he has a personal interest in cold, snowy weather. But less winter and less snow doesn’t only mean less skiing; it could also spell the end of the natural world as we know it.
In today's episode, Porter Fox explains what he learned by crisscrossing the globe with scientists and adventurers to better understand the scale of this climate catastrophe and how humans might yet have time to respond.
V...
2022-03-0246 min
Once Upon a PlanetA look into the crystal ball for 2022.Season 3 of Break Some Dishes is here and we are so excited to be back! In today's episode, we take look into our crystal ball to see what 2022 has in store in the world of sustainability. We also preview our lineup of incredible guests, as we go deep with people who are trying to upend the status quo and find solutions for our planet.
But that's not all - we are also BREAKING some news today too! We're so excited to announce that Break Some Dishes is now part of Imagine a Place Productions! Through this new partnership with Imagine...
2022-02-1728 minImagine a PlaceIntroducing Imagine a Place Productions!Ok, a few episodes back, we mentioned that we were cooking up some good stuff in the kitchen at Imagine a Place. Well today, we are proud to announce the launch of our own podcast network, Imagine a Place Productions!The goal of Imagine a Place Productions is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives. Our new collection of podcasts gathers industry-leading voices that have the power to inspire and educate through conversation and storytelling.Our first announcement as part of this...
2022-02-1508 min
Once Upon a PlanetSo, A Designer and an Activist Walk into a Bar...Verda and Jon gather up some of their favorite people for a fun presentation at NeoCon, a big furniture/interior design show. These guests represent some of our favorite episodes over the past year, and we had a blast putting them all together in the same room - like a fun, amazing person stew! Listen to this group talk about design through a lens of climate change and unique design perspectives.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2021-12-221h 02
Once Upon a PlanetOur Planet Needs More Heirlooms!Are we filling our landfills with furniture? We are so accustomed to buying cheap furniture because it's easy and accessible, but why aren't we investing in pieces that will last our lifetime and get passed down to the next generation? Should we treat furniture like art, or family heirlooms meant to be passed on, each piece carrying its own recorded history of ownership? Dave Bryant and Judd Rosengart think so, and so do we! Judd and Dave are founders of an amazing concept called Heirloom Design. They want to create a movement that recognizes beautiful design and keeps it out...
2021-11-2141 min
Once Upon a PlanetOur Industry Has a Long Overdue Climate Pledge!!Finally, the interior design profession has come together and created an amazing pledge to impact climate change! This is long overdue, as the potential for interior designers in every segment of the industry is huge! Listen in as Jon and Verda talk with Avi Rajagopal, Editor in Chief of Metropolis Magazine and Gary Wheeler, CEO of ASID as they explain what they want to achieve with this pledge. We are excited, as we see this as a perfect first step to activate our industry to impact change and provide the infrastructure and resources to support everyone in this effort. The...
2021-11-0454 min
Once Upon a PlanetMind Your Materials!In this episode, Jon and Verda talk with Annie Bevan, Executive Director of Mindful Materials. We are all affected by the materials in our built environment. Can Mindful Materials finally be the "Easy Button" to understanding what we're putting in our spaces? Annie thinks so! Mindful Materials is industry owned and led and really wants to be a resource for all designers out there. We need manufacturers to be transparent and work to optimize impacts by reducing harmful effects of product ingredients. Let's start rewarding the manufacturers who are reducing their impacts. Transparency doesn't mean better, it means you understand...
2021-10-1337 min
Once Upon a PlanetMaterial Transparency and Toxicity-Let's Talk About It!Jon and Verda join Jane Abernethy and Annie Bevan in talking about material transparency on a panel with our host, Mortarr CEO Abby Murray. Jane Abernethy is Chief Sustainability Officer for Humanscale and Annie Bevan is the Executive Director of Mindful Materials. Who better to talk about material transparency than these two? Are we paying attention to what goes into product? Some of us are, but many companies still do not know what their suppliers are using in their product. Should we be sitting on furniture and carpet made with mysterious combinations of ingredients? Are we fixing the chemistry of...
2021-09-2357 min
Once Upon a Planet"Corporate Complicity" is a thing folks.This episode of Break Some Dishes finds Verda and Jon talking to an amazing activist by the name of Auden Schendler. Auden has been the Vice President of Sustainability at Aspen Ski Company for over 20 years, and his voice carries an amazing message, actually more than one. We love Auden because he truly offers a unique perspective on tackling climate change. While he began speaking primarily about impacting climate change in a corporate setting, Auden speaks with us about "Corporate Complicity". What are corporations REALLY doing to affect climate change? Are they really doing enough? Are they really just transferring...
2021-09-0350 min
Once Upon a PlanetCan Cofffee Drinkers Save the Planet?Jon and Verda talk with Joey Roth about more than just coffee. Joey is an industrial designer who is focused on vessels, crafted from materials that get better with age. Joey wants to design product that people want to fix rather than replace. How long will it last? How long will it be valuable to us? These are important questions. Joey designs better coffee pods that will compost, not sit in landfills. Joey is trying to incorporate positive change in ritualistic behavior, and Verda wants him to address friction in these special moments. Can Joey do it? Tune in and...
2021-08-2346 min
Once Upon a PlanetWeaving Culture into Environmental ActivisimJon and Verda talk to a textile designer!! Finally, we get to break dishes with Lori Weitzner, renowned textile designer and environmental activist. Lori introduces us to the idea of "cultural sustainability". How can we preserve the old way of making things while bringing it to scale to serve our industry? Lori tells us to understand what is in abundance, and focusing on that material. She's worked all over the globe, and even activated a small village in the Philippines to apply their craft to textiles, and bring that back to their community. This is social activism at it's finest!
...
2021-08-0639 min
Once Upon a PlanetThe Godfather of Hand PrintingThis episode's special guest is Greg Norris. Currently Chief Scientist for the International Living Future Institute and Director of the Sustainability and Health Initiative for Net Positive Enterprise at MIT, Greg Norris is one of the top LCA experts in the country. Amongst his most impressive projects is the creation of "Hand-Printing", where it's not just about choosing to be less bad, but trying to make things better by fixing what we've broken. While we all would love to do this, Greg's program allows large organizations to actually measure their positive impact. Imagine that! Greg has an amazing way of...
2021-07-0946 min
Once Upon a PlanetFrom the Belly of a Fish to the Belly of a CamelIn this episode, Verda and Jon talk to Marcus Erikson an ex Marine and scientist on a journey to understand what happens with all of our plastic. He has tracked it down the Mississippi, to the world's oceans and finally, into the desert, where it is killing camels. Our plastic trash is everywhere, literally. Join us as we talk with someone who is passionate about exposing it's whereabouts. One part depressing, one part fascinating and one part inspirational, this scientist is going to continue to blow the lid off our plastic problem!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...
2021-06-1742 min
Once Upon a PlanetSome Time With DougIn a departure from our usual science lased, data based episodes, where we chat with environmental engineers, scientists and deep subject matter experts, today we get to chat with one of our own kind! Doug Shapiro, Vice President of Research and Insights at OFS will share his own personal insights and those of OFS. Join us in learning how a company like OFS, who makes furniture, can create harmony outside, a wonderful community and beautiful furniture.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2021-05-1945 min
Once Upon a PlanetBreaking Dishes with the Master!Jason McLennan started the International Living Future Institute. He created the Living Building Challenge, followed by the Living Product Challenge, the Living Community Challenge, The Red List, and the Declare Label just to name a few. Oh, and he also has written 7 books, but otherwise he's a bit of a couch potato and needs goals. When he's not creating new green standards, he's running his own architectural firm, McLennan Design, and when he's not doing that, he's breaking dishes with us! And we found out he's pretty damn good at breaking things!!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...
2021-04-2150 min
Once Upon a PlanetThe Evolution of Truth in DesignTodd Bracher and Tina Cheng are industrial designers in Todd Bracher Studio, but they are so much more than that. They are design strategists, game changers and innovators, and they challenge clients to break some damn dishes. With a multi-disciplinary team, they bring science to design. They are philosophic and thoughtful as well, and their science is not without poetry and art. Todd tells us that a tree is truthful design. It is part of it's eco system. A car or a table are opinions, and we tend to agree. Todd and Tina are in search of truthful design and...
2021-03-2341 minImagine a PlaceBad design is bad for the planet.In this episode, we play host to the two entertaining voices of "Break Some Dishes," Verda Alexander and Jon Strassner. Break Some Dishes is a podcast that covers the environmental crises through the lens of creativity and design. They believe that bad design is bad for the planet.
Verda is a thoughtful and talented artist and designer -- She is co-founder of the popular and world-famous interiors practice Studio O+A. Jon is the director of industry partnerships at The American Society for Interior Design. He is a design junky and a big thinker.
Together, they share the most valuable...
2021-03-2029 min
Once Upon a PlanetThe Legacy of TreesBrian Kelly wants to preserve the legacy of our trees. He is a photographer and archivist. Maybe even a tree whisperer? These silent sentinels are hundreds and even thousands of years old and are dying faster than ever before due to human activity and climate change. He is trying to capture their essence as quickly as he can before they are gone. Their legacy is what Gathering Growth, his foundation, plans to leave our children. Photographs of once great trees. We talked to Brian about the wisdom that trees bring to our everyday life. So, the next time you walk...
2021-03-1846 min
Once Upon a PlanetAct Like an Activist!Petrice Jones is a successful actor. In fact, we would say he's officially "made it" in Hollywood. So, now he only needs to sit back and watch the money roll in, right? But Petrice is not that kind of actor. He's an activist, so when he saw something, he did something. Petrice noticed the pile of plastic water bottles that accumulated on set while he worked. So, he set out to change the industry by creating a re-usable water bottle that could be handed out on sets, instead of plastic ones. But why save the movie industry when you can...
2021-03-1050 min
Once Upon a PlanetMango's a Go Go!!Molly Morse is CEO of Mango Materials. She's also an engineer with a PhD. Wanna guess what she's up to? Get a load of Molly- she's making a biodegradable plastic! That's right...a plastic that doesn't last forever in our environment and wind up in our oceans. And as if that isn't amazing enough, she makes it with methane, a greenhouse gas that is even worse than carbon! That's right, she's taking methane out of our environment while she's making a biodegradable plastic. Interested yet? Tune in to episode 16 to hear Molly break some damn dishes. She's a badass.
See...
2021-02-1951 min
Once Upon a PlanetBlooming Algae with Sole!Algae can be a good thing. It produces more oxygen and captures more carbon than all the forests in the world combined. A rise in global temperatures, excess nutrient runoff and human activities create harmful effects of algae blooms which pop up everywhere as a visible reminder to the invisible issue of water pollution. Enter this episode's resident hero, Ryan Hunt. Ryan's company Bloom, makes foam from this algae and is currently working with over 80 brand partners. By the end of 2020 his company had cleaned over 850 million liters of water and 524 million cubic meters of air. Maybe algae blooms aren't...
2021-02-1155 min
Once Upon a PlanetCan MIIR Empower a Better Future?Bryan and Rebecca Pape are co-founders of MIIR, a design forward and generosity driven drinkware company with a social and environmental mission. A certified B Corp and 1% for the planet member, MIIR choses people and planet over the demands of Wall Street. What does that mean? Since 2010, they have partnered with some of the most respected nonprofits in the world to fund long term, sustainable projects in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector. Their coffee mugs and water bottles are beautifully designed and have a social impact! They don't just look good on your counter, they're saving our planet!!
See...
2021-02-0454 min
Once Upon a PlanetWe're officially "Air Heads"Verda is excited to finally talk with someone in the art world! Air Copeland is a surfer, an award winning indie writer, producer and director. He's also worked at 5gyers , an institute focused on ocean plastic pollution. He's now Executive Director at Compound, a community art center in Long Beach, California. He will talk about the power of art to create change and build community. Art has the power to impact the way we see the world, break some dishes and pose the tough questions we need to be asking right now as we face today's challenges to the wellness...
2021-01-2847 min
Once Upon a PlanetDesign From ScrapIn today's episode, Jon and Verda talk with Royce Epstein, with Mohawk Group and Rebekah Matheny, of The Ohio State University. Rebekah is our first educator, and they are educating the new student generation about the value of Life Cycle Focus. Generation Scrap, as they've been dubbed, is teaching us how to design resourcefully. This just may be one of the solutions we need to combat the climate crisis. What sort of treasures can a designer make from materials about to hit the landfill? Rebekah calls this Holistic Sustainability and she wants to spread the word. They're a scrappy duo!
...
2021-01-2258 min
Once Upon a PlanetThe Missing _Ink!Scott Fulbright, founder of Living Ink, has harnessed algae, a byproduct of water pollution, to replace ink made from fossil fuels. The ink isn't green though, it's carbon black and he's solving the climate crisis one algae bloom at a time. This green goop provides us with over half of our oxygen supply and pulls carbon from the air, so why not make ink out of it?
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2021-01-1346 min
Once Upon a PlanetThe Concrete CulpritAmanda Kaminski, founder of Building Product Ecosystems shows us how to maintain a circular economy by giving a new life to hard to salvage building materials like gypsum board. Amanda keeps these hugely prevalent construction materials out of our landfills in an effort to curb the carbon footprint of a building. Concrete has one of the highest carbon footprints of any building material. Amanda is working hard to change this!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2020-12-2338 min
Once Upon a PlanetPandemic PodcastingOur dynamic duo, in an effort to stave off climate catastrophe, decided to celebrate their tenth episode by re-visiting why they think podcasting is important now-why you shouldn't be afraid to shout at the world and say what you feel. We aren't perfect at this right now, but you can't be afraid of mistakes or failure if you want to make an impact. The planet still needs advocates and we think the design industry will be a huge lever in climate control. The problem? Are designers making the changes right now that need to be made? More importantly, is everyone...
2020-12-0831 min
Once Upon a PlanetThe Aesthetics of EthicsJoin us as we talk with Russell Greenberg, founder of RUX Studios. They are a design hub looking to create a better world, one company at a time. With Stickbulb, they are using locally sourced wood from New York City's water towers to create beautiful light fixtures and fix the broken supply chain. Reclaimed wood is a relic! They are also creating conceptual time pieces that deepen our connection with the past, the present and the future.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2020-12-0144 min
Once Upon a PlanetCarbon takes a seat!Jon and Verda break some dishes in episode 8 with Josie Abate, Sustainability Officer at Keilhauer, a gentle, earth kind Canadian furniture company that can design and manufacture elegant, contemporary carbon neutral furniture. What? A carbon neutral chair? You heard that correctly, so tune in to find out how a company like Keilhauer makes beautiful product that helps our planet as well. We'll talk about supply line management, picking good partners and finding ways of removing Red List ingredients from product. Who needs edge banding anyway?
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19...
2020-11-1238 min
Once Upon a PlanetCarbon's New KryptoniteVerda and Jon have a bright, young and energetic person on this episode who's doing some amazing work around the globe right now. Can we break him down? Can he melt our brains with chemistry formulas we haven't thought about since our high school chemistry days? The answer to one of those questions is yes, but there are many more in this episode that go into the new super fuel of the environmental movement-Green Ammonia. This is going to change the way we fuel our ocean fleets. Green Ammonia is a game changer. Why aren't we all talking about this?
...
2020-10-2840 min
Once Upon a PlanetCarbon Has a Hot Body!In our sixth episode, Jon and Verda talk with Lisa Conway, VP of Sustainability for Interface Carpet. Interface, under the leadership of founder Ray Anderson, has led the way in the conversation around embodied carbon. With a new campaign called "Love Carbon", Interface is talking about being carbon neutral and even carbon negative! Can we all start making and using products that take carbon out of the environment? Interface seems to think so!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2020-10-2146 min
Once Upon a PlanetEverybody needs a Lonely WhaleStop sucking with The Lonely Whale Foundation! Jon and Verda get to talk to Dune Ives, NGO trailblazer and CEO of The Lonely Whale Foundation about individual action and corporate responsibility. She walks us through the "Stop Sucking" and "Hydrate Like a Mother" campaigns. We'll talk about hero corporations and her work with The Next Wave initiative. And of course, we'll make Dune tell us the story of "The Lonely Whale".
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2020-10-1437 min
Once Upon a PlanetThe Surfrider Foundation and the "Bag Monster".Break some damn dishes on this episode with Jon, Verda and Chad Nelsen, CEO of Surfrider Foundation. We'll talk about the power that surf communities have in driving legislation. We'll discuss the problem with "localism" and how "Surfonomics" is giving coastal communities the leverage they need to save their coastline environments. Chad is an amazing leader who recognized early that if you love the ocean, you will work to save it! And, are you curious about this "Bag Monster"?
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2020-10-0748 min
Once Upon a PlanetForensic Design is a Thing!In our third episode, Jon and Verda spend some time with Jane Abernethy talking about the toxic ingredients in product that need to be removed, and what this means to your supply chain. Jane is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Humanscale Corporation, and has been a driver in their work achieving the coveted Living Product Challenge Certification, removing Red List ingredients and in creating a Net Positive Impact on our planet. This episode talks about something new-Forensic Design. Is it a thing? Jon and Verda think so!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...
2020-10-0253 min
Once Upon a PlanetTrailerBreak Some Dishes, a podcast by Verda Alexander and Jon Strassner, takes a closer look at some of the environmental crises we face as a global community, and under the lens of creativity and design, talks to outliers who have worked to break some dishes and find solutions. Bad design is bad for the planet. We need to design our way out of our climate crisis! Verda is an artist and designer and Jon is a talker, and together they find those unique people who have found amazing ways to make a difference in saving our planet. We'll talk about...
2020-09-2302 min
Once Upon a PlanetWho said packaging can't be sexy and smart?Bad design is bad for the planet. In today's episode we talk to Oliver Campbell, who runs packaging for DELL Computer. As you can imagine, DELL Computer creates a fair amount of packaging! Oliver has taken on ocean plastic pollution by starting the Next Wave Collaborative, along with the Lonely Whale Foundation and is making packaging from ocean bound plastic. He's also working to use re-captured carbon from India to produce ink for his boxes. Who said packaging wasn't sexy?
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2020-09-2332 min
Once Upon a PlanetOne man's fishing net is another man's skateboard.In our second episode, Verda and Jon talk with David Stover, one of the founders of Bureo, a Ventura, California company that takes discarded fishing nets, cleans them and recycles them into nylon pellets which are then manufactured into products. We'll talk about ghost fishing, and what a calamity that is, we'll also talk about recycling and the inevitable need to use materials that fit into the circular economy. David doesn't blame plastic for our woes, he blames our expectation that we can use plastic without consequence. As David says, "We need to design our way out of this." So...
2020-09-2351 min