Shows
Second NatureAre the Kids Alright? Raising a Sustainable Generation-> Short Survey: Tell us what you think of Second NatureWhether you're a parent, an auntie, a coach, a godfather — there's a lot to think about when it comes to raising a more sustainable generation. How can we raise young people to take better care of the planet than the generations before them? For our last episode of season 3, we're looking into the future to see to see how younger generations are thinking about climate change. And from plant-based eating to civic engagement, we’re finding out how folks are raising kids...
2025-06-2544 min
Second NatureYour Local Library is Fighting Climate Change-> 🚨 Tell your U.S. reps not to cut federal funding for public libraries.-> Short Survey: Tell us what you think of Second NatureLibraries are icons of the sharing economy. When we borrow books, media, and tools from the library, we save ourselves from needing to buy new stuff. But did you know that libraries are also community hubs for climate resilience? From heatwaves to hurricanes, thousands of people have used libraries as free spaces to escape the elements and find respite. In this community episode, we're everything that our listeners get from...
2025-06-1820 min
Second NatureMicroplastics: How Do They Get Into Our Bodies? And What We Can Do About It?Microplastics seem to be everywhere, inside and outside our bodies. These micro and nano particles are shedding from our clothes, our tires, food packaging — basically anywhere there's plastic. People, animals, and plants are consuming these microplastics, thereby complicating the issue and contributing to health problems. But what health issues? And how do we avoid them? The science is still a work in progress, but today, we're finding out what we know so far. We’re going to find out from an actual scientist what we know and don’t know about the health implications of microplastics and what we...
2025-06-1141 min
Second NatureHow We’re Coping With Climate AnxietyNOTE: An early version of this audio has an error around 4:50. If you hear that error, it's likely because your podcast player downloaded the first version. Please re-download the episode to hear the correct version! And forgive us, as we're merely human beans 🫘 . Is climate news stressing you out? Same. We're experiencing funding cuts to environmental agencies, while climate disasters like heatwaves and storms persist, and wildlife and environmental protections are at risk. It's a tough time to be an environmentalist, and all this stress and sadness can lead to climate anxiety (aka eco-anxiety).If you...
2025-06-0414 min
Second NatureWe Need to Talk About AI🔗 TAKE ACTION: Stop State AI Regulation Ban in the "One Big Beautiful Bill" ActWhen you ask ChatGPT to write a cover letter, make your grocery list, or edit an image, what's actually happening in the real world? As AI gets bigger by the day, it's requiring more and more energy, water, and land in communities around the world. Tech companies are investing billions of dollars in data centers and technologies to power AI, but are they also investing in sustainable and equitable resources to keep it going?Today, we’re going to take a...
2025-05-2836 min
Second NatureConnection and Resilience Through Local FoodFarmers market season is upon us! As we've started seeing spring crops here at markets in the Northern Hemisphere, we're thinking about the power of locally grown food. As our food supply chains have gone global — we’ve gained more access to nutritious foods in areas where they may be hard to grow — but we’ve lost touch with seasonality and the source of our food. And we’ve lost touch with plenty of foods altogether. Locally grown food not only gives us more nutrients, but done right, it can bring biodiversity to local land, build climate resilience...
2025-05-2140 min
Second NatureConscious Chatter: A Scientific Lens on the Links Between Fast Fashion, Toxicity, & MicroplasticsMicroplastics are seemingly everywhere, even our clothes. From production through wash days, synthetic fabrics are shedding microplastics into the air and water. It's a big issue that's going to take shifts from manufacturing to our own homes, and we wanted to start tackling this big discussion with the help of our friends at the podcast, Conscious Chatter. Earlier this year, host Kestrel Jenkins spoke with Dana Zhaxylykova. Dana is an environmental scientist and microplastics researcher, who's originally from Kazakhstan and currently based in Germany. She uses Instagram to share practical and actionable tips about microplastics through a sc...
2025-05-0750 min
Second NatureIs the Patriarchy Fueling Climate Change?The climate crisis has a way of making hard things even harder — and that includes gender disparities. From their professional lives to their personal lives, climate change has left many women vastly under-resourced and at risk, all while taking on the heavy toll of caring for their families and communities through climate mitigation and resilience. In this episode, we hear how the climate gender gap is affecting our community, talk to WOCAN founder Jeannette Gurung about how women continue to work through vast climate inequities around the world, and we hear from Commons' founder and CEO Sanchali Se...
2025-04-3034 min
Second NatureWhy Don't We Fix Things Anymore?Planned obsolescence and perceived obsolescence have us in a disposable consumption cycle. But it hasn't always been this way. When and why did we stop thinking things were worth fixing?In this episode, we get a history lesson in planned obsolescence, visit Adrienne Ferre, who is helping run a Makers Hub in LA, complete with a tool library and repair cafes. And we catch up on Right to Repair legislation with Commons' founder and CEO Sanchali Seth Pal. 🌎 See photos of our contributors and find further reading in the full show notes.📞 We'd lo...
2025-04-2340 min
Second NatureCan We Overcome Overconsumption?This episode originally aired on June 12, 2024. Becoming more conscious consumers is a pivotal step in building a more sustainable economy, but how do we deconsume in a consumerist world? When we buy less, we save money, cut down on clutter, and lower our emissions. This collective shift has another big impact — helping us to steer the economy away from disposable products, unsustainable resource use, and dangerous supply chains.On this episode of Second Nature, we hear listeners' take on overconsumption and their tips for deconsumption. We also chat with cli...
2025-04-1630 min
Second NatureHarvesting Hope in Community GardensHelp us win a Webby! It only takes a minute to vote. Vote here!Often on urban lots, behind chain link fences, adorned with hand-painted signs, plots burgeoning with fruits, vegetables, and flowers, flanked by compost piles — the humble community garden feels like a salve for so much that ails us. On this Community Voices episode, we're going from Los Angeles to Brazil to hear how community gardens have brought people much more than fresh fruits and vegetables. With food prices on the rise and so many of us losing touch with the...
2025-04-0917 min
Second NatureWhat Actually Happens to Your Clothing Donations?The secondhand clothing market isn't equipped for textile recycling. So when your donated clothes don't sell, where do they end up?With the rise of overconsumption and fast fashion, clothes have piled up in thrift stores, landfills, and incinerators around the world. Countries like Ghana and Chile are dealing with fashion waste from countries like the U.S., UK, and China, and the impacts are vast. Mountains of clothes lead to fires, polluted waterways, dying ocean life, and lost livelihoods. So how do we stop the cycle? How can we donate with purpose and dignity, a...
2025-04-0237 min
Second NatureCan We Have Ethical Consumption Under Capitalism?In a capitalist society, value is measured in dollars and cents. But the resources we take from planet Earth can't be repaid in any kind of financial currency, and we're already paying the price for the debt we owe. So the question on many people's minds is "Can we even have ethical consumption under capitalism?" In this episode, we find out that despite having differing opinions on the answer to that question, we often agree on the solutions for what comes next.Listen to hear how our community answers the title quest...
2025-03-2635 min
Second NatureHere's What's Coming Up in Season 3!Feeling bummed out by climate setbacks? Or maybe you're outright angry? We're here for you. With 40% of Americans starting to align their money with their views, it's clear that we're ready to push back on recent climate challenges.In season 3 of Second Nature, we're balancing hope and action — from company boycotts to community gardens. With the help of community voices from around the world, top-tier experts, and a dose of history and data, we'll give you all the motivation and inspiration you need to take climate action that matters. Subscribe so y...
2025-03-1203 min
Second NatureHow to Grow a Little Food in the Big CityThis episode originally aired on June 4, 2024. We're about to break ground on season three, the soil outside is warming up and we're ready to get our hands in the dirt. So we wanted to revisit this episode as we prep our gardens for spring.Stoops, balconies, and windowsills are ripe for growing food. Today, we're riding out the ripple effect that urban gardening can have on our lives and the planet.Second Nature is your community for practical, sustainable living. On this episode, we're getting inspiration and practical tips to start small...
2025-03-0536 min
Second NatureThe Prime Effect: How Amazon Has Us Hooked on ConvenienceThis episode originally aired on July 9, 2024. As more and more people are boycotting big brands like Amazon, we thought it was the perfect time to bring back this episode about how ditching convenience culture can actually make us more sustainable citizens.Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our use of Amazon has skyrockted, making the company the second biggest U.S. parcel carrier after the US Postal Service. Amazon has become the poster child for convenience culture, but the time we save for the sake of convenience is putting us in f...
2025-02-2638 min
Second NatureThe Cure for Fast FashionThis episode originally aired on May 29, 2024. As we're prepping for season 3, we're revisiting this episode in honor of our February Collective Challenge in the Commons app: Boycott Fast Fashion. Join us!Fast fashion is cheap, but the low cost to customers comes at a high cost to garment workers, communities, and the environment. So, how do we break free from the fast fashion cycle?Second Nature is your community for practical, sustainable living. On this episode, we're commiserating with listeners over the allure of fast fashion and getting real tips to break...
2025-02-1938 min
We Need to ActSeason 2 | Ep. 15 - Community, behavior change and communication with Katelan CunninghamWhat power does the community have in helping us make informed decisions and change behaviors? How can we make our message more relevant to people and inspire action?In today's episode, we have Katelan Cunningham, a climate communicator driven by the power of community. She's also the host of the Second Nature podcast and Director of Content at Commons, a sustainable lifestyle app.Please give us your support by...Tune in and subscribe to the We Need to Act podcast via Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Support our show by joining our...
2025-02-1220 minSecond NatureCall for Submissions: Contribute to Season 3!We're excited to hear from your for season 3! Fill out this form to start your submission to Second Nature: https://j09c5.app.link/e/KfZvWw9izPbAfter you fill out the form, you'll receive questions based on the topics you chose, with details about how to submit your audio.At the end of this call for submissions, you heard the voices of listeners Jordan Webb, Cindy, and Artie Sadahiro.
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2024-12-2303 min
Second NatureSkip the Greenwashing: What to Look for in Sustainable FashionWhen you’re trying to live more sustainably, fashion can be hard to navigate. The industry is ripe with greenwashing that masks exploitative practices for people and planet. But sustainable fashion is an expansive, exciting world of circularity, repair, and trustworthy, responsible brands.On this episode (our season 2 finale!), we’re coming face-to-face with the cost conversation when it comes to sustainable fashion, getting real about overconsumption, envisioning a practical future for the industry with fashion expert Samata Pattinson, and finding out what sustainable fashion means to you. Plus, we’re talking to Commons’ Carbon S...
2024-11-2743 min
Second NatureBuy Less, Eat More: How to Reduce Food WasteA third of the food we produce goes to waste, and a shocking amount of that waste happens in our own homes. The good news is that fighting food waste is easy with a few life hacks up your sleeve. And even better, it'll save you money too. In this episode, we hear what types of food our community struggles with and get their tips to curb the waste. We're asking plastic-free, low-waste chef Anne-Marie Bonneau about her recipes and tips to eat our food before it becomes waste. We're also reckoning with the amount of...
2024-11-2039 min
Second NatureThe Beef with Beef: How It’s Affecting Our Bodies and the PlanetWe’re eating way too much meat. An unsustainable, unhealthy amount of meat. If you’re looking for one way to drastically improve your health and carbon footprint — plant-based eating is it. But even if you’re not going fully plant-based, reducing your meat intake is a huge step in the right direction. In this episode, we hear how our community has noticed a difference in their health since eating more plant-based, how much of an emissions impact we can make by eating fewer hamburgers, and we’re talking to Professor and Nutrition Scientist Christopher Gardner about...
2024-11-1340 min
Second NatureBuy Nothing Groups Put Community Over CorporationsWhen we need or want something, our first thought is often, "Where can I buy it?" But what if our first thought was: "I wonder if my neighbors have it?" Buy Nothing groups and free groups are community-rooted solutions for overconsumption and how much overconsumption costs us and the planet. Whether you're looking for empty plastic containers for a craft or you want to give away an old Kindle you don't use, these groups are a great way to realize the resources and generosity of our neighbors. On this Community Voices episode of Second Nature, we...
2024-11-0617 min
Second NatureCan We Vote Our Way Out of the Climate Crisis?Government seems to move slower than the pace of climate change, so do our votes for climate candidates and policies actually make a difference? In this episode, we're connecting the dots between climate and policy and hearing from people around the world about how their governments’ policies are affecting their lives and their regions. We're also catching up with HEATED editor-in-chief Emily Atkin to hear how climate reporting has changed over the past couple of presidential terms and how she keeps her head above water after a decade of reporting on climate. We'll also talk to Co...
2024-10-2342 min
Second NatureLearning to Love Plant-Based CheesePlant-based cheese is better than ever, but can we expand our expectations of cheese to ease our reliance on Big Dairy?Cheese is delicious. Even aspiring vegans find cheese hard to quit. But making dairy cheese is not only rough on the planet — the dairy cows’ lives aren’t great either. In this episode, we’re getting the full picture of the impact of dairy cheese, including the United States’ decades-long surplus cycle with the cheese industry and how it’s connected to Pizza Hut’s Summer of Cheese. We’re chatting with famed vegan...
2024-10-1634 min
Second NatureSustainable Gifting is Easier (and Cheaper) Than You ThinkGifting isn't easy for everyone, and it certainly isn't cheap. On top of that, unwanted gifts can be wasteful and lead to piles of returns or trash. But becoming a more sustainable, low-waste gifter will make you a better gifter and save you money!In this episode, we give you dozens of great gift ideas from our community, and all of them are backed by the research of leading Dr. Julian Givi. We'll also talk about the carbon (and waste impact) of big holidays like Christmas. If you want more gift ideas, we've got you...
2024-10-0935 min
Second NatureCommunity Voices: How We’re Coping With Climate AnxietyWhether it's from a catastrophic storm, a brutal heat wave, or dying coral reefs, we're all dealing with the effects of climate change. All that stress and sadness can lead to climate anxiety (aka eco-anxiety). If you've felt anxious about the state of our climate, you're not alone. In our first-ever Community Voices episode of Second Nature, we're focusing all on you, our listeners, to hear various ways to cope with climate anxiety through nature, community, and gratitude.If you're looking for more resources to help with climate anxiety, we highly recommend this list from...
2024-10-0213 min
Second NatureRipple Effects: How to Convince Your People to Live More SustainablyCan you convince others to take climate action without being a nag? When you do what you can live sustainably, there inevitably comes a time when you want to spread the gospel and share your practice with others. It's a fantastic way to expand your low-carbon impact, but how do you communicate with people in a way that they'll actually be receptive to?On this episode, you’ll hear: Unique ways that our listeners are sharing their climate practices with people in their lives. A way to invoke action for anyone who cares about climate. Alyssa Barbe...
2024-09-2529 min
Second NatureShould We Have Kids in a Climate Crisis?There are a lot of factors that go into the decision to have kids. Creeping up on that list is climate change. In the first episode of season 2, we’re diving into this tough topic with the help of community stories, data, and professional research from Dr. Jade Sasser. On this episode, you’ll hear: How the climate crisis has impacted our community’s choice to have (or not have) kids. How population growth affects the climate crisis. The emissions of babies.How to talk to your family about how the climate crisis is affecting your decision. ...
2024-09-1834 minSecond NatureSeason 2 of Second Nature is Coming Soon!Trying to live more sustainably? Looking for motivation to keep at it? If you’re looking for personal stories, practical tips for sustainable living, a weekly dose of climate optimism, or you just want to feel in community with others, this is the show for you.Every Wednesday, hear how listeners around the world take action every to combat climate change and create the kind of world they want to live in. We'll get expert answers to your burning climate questions and calculate the potential carbon impact of collective action.Subscribe so you don't miss an...
2024-09-0402 minSecond NatureWe Want to Hear From You for Season 2!Thanks so much for being part of the Second Nature community. We can’t wait to hear from you! Fill out this form to start your submission to Second Nature: https://j09c5.app.link/kOYGSJD7XLbAfter you fill out the form, you'll receive questions based on the topics you chose, with details about how to submit your audio. At the end of this call for submissions, you heard the voices of listeners Mac Hansen, Rozalia, Rachel Sirwatka, Jonathan Cheng, Amea Wadsworth, and Larisa Jitaru.
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2024-08-1102 min
Second NatureMy biggest obstacle to plant-based eating? My family.We heard from listeners that one of the top barriers to eating plant-based is who we eat with. So much of our food is rooted in culture and tradition, and breaking from the norms of our social circles may create some dinner table friction. But we’re here to help!On this episode, you’ll hear: Listeners share how they’re family reacted when they started eating plant-based. Tried and true advice on how to eat in harmony with meat eaters. How Isaias Hernandez’s family reacted when he became vegan and what his vision...
2024-07-1731 min
Second NatureThe Prime Effect: How Amazon Has Us Hooked on ConvenienceSince the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our use of Amazon has skyrockted, making the company the second biggest U.S. parcel carrier after the US Postal Service. Amazon has become the poster child for convenience culture, but the time we save for the sake of convenience is putting us in financial and carbon debt. In this episode, we're grappling with our fraught relationship with our Amazon Prime subscriptions and getting practical tips to break free from convenience culture and start shopping more sustainably. On this episode, you'll hear:Listeners share their...
2024-07-1037 min
Second NatureEvery Job Can Be a Green JobTired of working 9-5 at a job or a company that's not focused on sustainability? We've got good news. You don't need a sustainability degree to get a green job. There are green jobs out there for any skillset, and in this episode, we're going to help you find them. On this episode, you'll hear:How listeners are adapting their job into a green job, or starting fresh in a new industry. Kristy Drutman (aka browngirlgreen), the co-founder of the Green Jobs Board talk about hiring, representation, and resources in the green jobs spaceT...
2024-07-0332 min
Second NatureComposting Is for EveryoneComposting is one of the easiest climate actions and there are so many ways to do it! On this episode, you'll get a straightforward explanation of how composting works and all the inspiration and guidance you need to start composting — no matter where you live. Listen in to hear:Listeners' firsthand advice for composting in any living situationYour composting questions answered by Dr. Sheridan Ross of Compton Community GardenThe carbon impact of composting our food wasteIf you want to get personalized recommendations for composting in your area, try the Composting action in the Commons app.🌎 To see p...
2024-06-1935 min
Second NatureCan We Overcome Overconsumption?Becoming more conscious consumers is a pivotal step in building a more sustainable economy, but how do we deconsume in a consumerist world? When we buy less, we save money, cut down on clutter, and lower our emissions. This collective shift has another big impact — helping us to steer the economy away from disposable products, unsustainable resource use, and dangerous supply chains. On this episode of Second Nature, we hear listeners' take on overconsumption and their tips for deconsumption. We also chat with climate activist and educator Lauren Bash about Buy Nothing groups, Repair Cafes, and her ow...
2024-06-1229 min
Second NatureHow to Grow a Little Food in the Big CityStoops, balconies, and windowsills are ripe for growing food. Today, we're riding out the ripple effect that urban gardening can have on our lives and the planet.Second Nature is your community for practical, sustainable living. On this episode, we're getting inspiration and practical tips to start small, fruitful home gardens in urban spaces. We're also talking about the carbon footprint of home gardens and realizing the ripple effect that growing our own food can have on our lives and the environment.🌎 To see photos of our contributors and their gardens as...
2024-06-0535 min
Second NatureThe Cure for Fast FashionFast fashion is cheap, but the low cost to customers comes at a high cost to garment workers, communities, and the environment. So, how do we break free from the fast fashion cycle?Second Nature is your community for practical, sustainable living. On this episode, we're commiserating with listeners over the allure of fast fashion and getting real tips to break free from it. Plus, we're doing the math on the impact of buying less fast fashion and talking to Kestrel Jenkins (journalist and host of Conscious Chatter) about the human cost of fast fashion.
2024-05-2936 min
Second NatureDoes it Really Matter If I Eat Less Meat?Plant-based eating is one of the most impactful climate actions we can take, but changing our diets can be overwhelming. How can we get started and stick with it?Second Nature is your community for practical, sustainable living. On this episode, we're hearing from listeners about how they've started adding more plants to their plates, finding inspiration in delicious recipes, and getting motivated by the carbon impact of collective action. On this episode, you'll hear:Motivation and practical tips from listeners across the plant-forward spectrum: flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans.An interview with foo...
2024-05-2228 min
Second NatureWelcome to Second NatureCan we live sustainably in an unsustainable world? Second Nature is a new podcast from Commons exploring how sustainable choices impact our lives and the planet. Every week, hear how listeners around the world take action every to combat climate change and create the kind of world they want to live in. We'll get expert answers to your burning climate questions and calculate the potential carbon impact of collective action.Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
2024-04-2201 min
How To Citizen with BaratundeFeeding Ourselves Our Way (with Chef José Andrés)Baratunde learns about mutual aid and local, distributed approaches to feeding ourselves during this time of crisis. José Andrés, chef, humanitarian, and founder of World Central Kitchen, speaks about the power of food to build community, and his belief that we can indeed feed ourselves with dignity in this moment if we have the political will to do so. Two representatives of the LA Community Fridge movement tell us about how neighbors are feeding neighbors and learning more about each other in the process. While COVID has exposed the fragility of so many systems including how we...
2020-09-1050 min