This is an ENCORE EPISODE, originally published on July 9, 2021

In this week’s episode, Mary and Emma dive deep into the world of plastic consumption and waste management with Lauren Olson, a Zero Waste Manager at World Centric, exploring the world of compostables and the use of plastic in our daily lives. The discussion covers several aspects of the topic, including the difficulties of “zero-waste," how plastic sneaks into our homes even when we are consciously trying to avoid it, and all the ways in which existing systems make it difficult to create true sustainability in our homes.

Lauren explains the science behind bioplastics, as well as the difference between industrial vs home compostables. She also shares how to determine genuinely compostable products and helps us imagine a cradle to cradle world where waste equals food for the earth, and not the other way around!

Mary and Emma ask the vital questions, what can we do to work through this monumentally large plastic problem, and is it really possible to achieve the ultimate goal of a zero-waste economy? Lauren gives practical tips for individual action, while encouraging all of us to use our voices as paying consumers to demand change from the top down.

1:30 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk about plastic problem solving!

10:30 - World Centric

Let’s get into the episode:

11:30 - Introducing Lauren & the world of World Centric

16:30 - Is zero waste really achievable?

22:00 - Bioplastics

30:00 - Landfills as coffins for waste

35:00 - What can we do?

36:00 - Greenwashing

43:00 - Facing this massive issue

50:00 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?

USE CODE: "thegooddirt" for 10% off online at World Centric. Valid for 30 days.

Things Mentioned:

• World Centric
• The Ecology Center
• Nature Works
• Polystyrene
• BPI
• Compost Manufacturers Alliance (CAM)
• ASTM 6400 or 6868
• Findacomposter.com
• World Centric’s Giving Program

In this episode, Corinna Wood, a visionary teacher of women's wisdom, discusses her thirty year career with herbalism, teaching, and community building--all while embracing an earth-based, woman-centered approach to women's inner growth and healing. Corinna reflects on her early influences in herbal medicine and wise woman ways, her experiences founding the Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference, her contributions to herbal medicine through Red Moon Herbs and her current work supporting women on their own healing journeys.

00:00 Introduction to Radical Self-Care

00:30 Catching Up with Emma

01:13 The Evolution of Air Conditioning

03:08 Reflecting on Hot Summers

05:32 The Impact of Climate Change

05:57 The History of Freezers and Ice

08:20 Appreciating Agricultural Workers

08:56 Introducing Corinna Wood

10:31 Corinna's Journey into Herbal Medicine

17:12 Founding the Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference

23:09 Memorable Moments at the Conference

27:15 The Wise Woman Needs Wheel

29:14 Teaching Tools for Inner Growth

30:04 Introduction to the Wise Woman Needs Wheel

31:55 Seasonal Needs and Human Connection

38:30 Rituals and Herbal Practices

42:59 The Journey of Red Moon Herbs

47:29 Current Programs and Teachings

51:13 Addressing the 'Not Enough' Belief

55:18 Healing Through Earth-Based Practices

01:00:57 Embracing Slow Living and Cycles

01:06:17 Final Thoughts and Resources

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer.

The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray

This episode was originally published on June 23, 2023

Meet Maria Rodale, an author and advocate for organic regenerative farming. An explorer in search of the mysteries of the universe, Maria is the author of "Love Nature Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden", "Organic Manifesto", "Scratch", and is the author of a children's book series called written by the under the pen name "Mrs. Peanuckle". Her book "Love Nature Magic" was featured as a part of the a recent selection for the Lady Farmer book club, so it was truly an honor to get to talk with her on The Good Dirt. Together, Mary, Emma, and Maria discuss her new book, her family legacy in the world of regenerative agriculture, as well as her evolution from a CEO to (in her own words) a “crazy gardener.” Maria is truly a voice for the power and magic of nature and a guide for all of us seeking to rekindle a meaningful connection to the earth.

Maria is the former CEO and Chairman of Rodale Inc, and has served on multiple nonprofit boards including the Rodale Institute, Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project, and the Pennsylvania Federal Reserve Advisory council. She has received awards for her lifetime of service and activism, including the National Audubon Rachel Carson Award and the United Nations Population Fund’s Award for the Health and Dignity of Woman Everywhere.

Topics Discussed

• Growing up on as 3rd Generation Farmer at the Rodale Institute

• The Farming Systems Trial

• Moving Out at 18 to Becoming CEO: Family Loss & Legacy

• The Implosion of the Publishing Industry

• Following Her Nose: How Maria Found Writing

• The Making of "Love Nature Magic"

• What is a Shamanic Journey?

• Dealing with Mugwort in Gardens

• Decolonizing Our Relationship with Nature

• A Garden's Desire to be Wild

• Why the Biggest Changes Come from a Change in Behavior

• Being Open to Hearing Nature's Message

• Changing the Future by Modeling What Could Be Over What Is

• Recovering from a Stroke

•"Regenerative" over "Sustainability"

Episode Resources:

•The Rodale Institute: 75 Years of Organic Agriculture Leadership

•"Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden"

•"Organic Manifesto: How Organic Food Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe"

•"Scratch: Home Cooking for Everyone Made Simple, Fun, and Totally Delicious: A Cookbook"

•Mrs. Peanuckle's Books

•Mindful Bear

•The Good Dirt: "The Urgent Need for Restorative Gardens with Mary Reynolds"

•Fried Dandelion TikTok

Connect with Maria Rodale:

• Website: https://www.mariarodale.com/

• Mrs. Peanuckle Website: https://www.mrspeanuckle.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariarodale/

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

•Our Website

•Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

•JSign up to join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

•Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

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