In today’s world where capitalism, globalism, and digital innovation reign supreme, sustainability still finds its way to navigate the corporate world on the right path. Corinna Bellizzi sits down with Susan Griffin-Black and Brad Black who share how they pioneered the natural personal care industry through their unique (re)generative leadership approach. They discuss what it is like to run a 30-year-old business without relying on private equity or venture capital but by staying committed to their core vision and values. Susan and Brad also talk about the importance of business transparency, how to integrate AI into your processes ethically, and why DEI must always be at the core of any workplace culture.

About Guests:

Susan Griffin-Black and Brad Black are the Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of EO Products, makers of EO and Everyone brands. Since 1995, they've pioneered the natural personal care industry, starting by blending essential oils in their San Francisco garage. Their commitment to "business for good" has grown into a family-owned B Corp with zero-waste manufacturing and 91% post-consumer recycled packaging. For 30 years, they've created products that honor people and planet without sacrificing profitability. Their manufacturing facility in Marin County diverts 92% of waste from landfills while running on 100% renewable energy. Under their leadership, EO has remained independent, maintaining control over their values-driven approach to creating high-quality, plant-powered personal care products accessible to all.

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eo-products/

Guest Website: https://www.eoproducts.com

Guest Social: 

https://www.instagram.com/eoproducts/

https://www.youtube.com/user/EOLovers

https://www.facebook.com/EOProducts

Show Notes: Final audio

00:02:57 - Upholding The Vision Of EO Products

00:11:02 - Being Natural In The Personal Care Environment

00:12:37 - Understanding The Business For Good Philosophy

00:20:00 - Sticking To Their Core Values

00:24:16 - Understanding Corporate Unconditioning

00:27:23 - Fostering Inclusivity In EO Products 

00:38:17 - How Brands Can Increase Their Longevity

00:43:59 - Sustainability, Responsibility, And Leadership

00:47:45 - Gaining Traction As A (Re)generative Business

00:50:49 - Overcoming The Biggest Sustainable Hurdles

00:57:43 - Celebrating 30 Years Of EO Products

01:03:07 - Episode Wrap-up And Closing Words

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Changemakers from the grassroots are the most inspiring people out there, but they need the right support to do their job well and make our home planet much better. Nick Mucha, Director of Environmental Issues and Strategy at Patagonia, talks about his latest book that explores how to empower intergenerational activism. Together with Corinna Bellizzi, he explains how to use art in elevating small actions against climate crisis and what it takes to boost skill-based volunteering. Nick also discusses the danger of monetizing public lands and why the smallest communities will be adversely affected by such a decision.

About Guest:

Nick Mucha is one of the editors of Tools to Save Our Home Planet. He serves as the Environmental Capacity Building Director at Patagonia. In this role, Nick leads Patagonia’s efforts to focus and deliver strategic grantmaking support to Patagonia’s grantee organizations while enhancing the effectiveness and durability of nonprofit partners. His work is born out of a deep appreciation for the vitally important role that nonprofit organizations play in tackling our most vexing environmental, social, and economic issues. Nick has 15 years’ experience leading conservation and community development programs throughout the world. His interest in this work was born while he and his wife served as Peace Corps volunteers in Honduras from 2004-2006. From that experience Nick founded his own organization supporting coastal communities that were grappling with booming surf tourism in southern Nicaragua. After running that organization for 7 years, Nick served as Director of Programs for Save The Waves Coalition with a focus on protecting surf ecosystems worldwide. Nick holds a B.A.in political science from UC Santa Barbara. Outside of work, Nick is usually serving up dad jokes to his three kids or scheming to get in a quick surf, trail run, or weekend adventure off-grid.

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-mucha-95a6964

Guest Website: https://www.patagonia.com

Show Notes: Raw audio

00:03:02 - Nick’s Journey To Environmental Activism

00:07:56 - Motivation And Inspirations Behind The Book

00:14:03 - Helping Activists Avoid Burnout

00:23:26 - Making The Book Fresh And Relevant

00:26:32 - Protecting And Supporting Public Lands

00:33:07 - Supporting The Noble Mission Of Patagonia

00:40:19 - Picking Your Starting Point And Taking Action

00:52:54 - Taking Care Of Yourself

00:56:57 - Episode Wrap-up And Closing Words

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Republished with permission from Nutrition Without Compromise and ORLO Nutrition

Guest: Ben Levine, Co-Founder of Rasa & Clinical Herbalist

In this enlightening episode, we meet Ben Levine, a clinical herbalist and co-founder of Rasa, a sustainable adaptogenic coffee alternative brand. Ben shares his journey from corporate herbal sourcing to founding Rasa, revealing the darker side of the herb trade, the pitfalls of commoditization, and the powerful role of regenerative and responsible sourcing practices.

You’ll learn how Rasa supports farmers and wildcrafters through boots-on-the-ground sourcing, why certifications like Fair Trade and Fair for Life aren’t always enough, and how adaptogens like ashwagandha and rhodiola can help combat modern stress. We also explore the future of plant-based nutrition, climate-resilient herbs, and how reconnecting with even a single plant can shift consumer behavior.

Topics Covered:

[00:01:04] Introduction to Ben Levine and his path from Celestial Seasonings to founding Rasa

[00:02:57] Disillusionment with the commercial herb industry & the commodification of plants

[00:04:41] The impact of popularity on wildcrafted adaptogens like rhodiola and eleuthero

[00:06:21] Visiting ashwagandha farms in India and how Rasa builds sourcing relationships on the ground

[00:08:17] Certifications like Fair for Life vs. direct trade: Are labels enough?

[00:10:14] How certification programs can be co-opted by corporations

[00:13:56] The case for paying more for responsibly sourced coffee and tea alternatives

[00:14:26] How Rasa formulations address daily stress with adaptogens

[00:15:35] Why ritual matters—building healthy habits into your daily routine

[00:18:13] How adaptogens work: Partial cortisol agonists and stress modulation

[00:20:32] Adaptogens at altitude: Helping the body acclimate to high elevations

[00:23:38] The evolutionary intelligence of plants and why they thrive in extreme climates

[00:25:12] The growing disconnect in modern diets: Nature deficit and phytochemical diversity

[00:28:05] Coffee vs. herbal alternatives: Water use, land use, and regenerative potential

[00:30:03] Fermentation teas, compost brews, and the Jeewamrutha system in India

[00:31:01] Why rainwater catchment systems are essential in regions affected by climate variability

[00:32:26] How regenerative practices spread farmer-to-farmer

[00:33:33] The one action you can take today: Build a relationship with a single plant

[00:34:56] Why sourcing matters more than ever—and how you can vote with your dollars

[00:35:58] Discount code & final thoughts: Try Rasa and support responsible sourcing

🔗 Use code NUTRITION15 at WeAreRasa.com for 15% off your first order.

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The earth offers a lot of things that make us and the entire planet healthier – we only have to know which things are genuinely good for us. Ric Scalzo joins Corinna Bellizzi to share how he masterfully combines his knowledge with herbal medicine, regenerative farming, and ancient traditions to bring healing to people and the world as a whole. Ric explains why he believes the future of medicine begins with a microbiome of the soil and ourselves, as well as how to grow high-quality crops through regenerative practices while keeping the soil healthy. Ric also shares the many lessons he has learned from founding Gaia Herbs to starting his newest venture Kokora Life.

***Get 20% off Kokora products (Care More Be Better will ALSO receive a commission) with the coupon code: CAREMORE20 or just follow this link and the coupon will auto-load in your cart: https://kokoralife.com/discount/CAREMORE20 ***

About Guest:

Ric Scalzo began his exploration of herbal and naturopathic medicine in 1980, delving into fields such as Naturopathic Herbal Medicine, Eclectic Herbal Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and various diagnostic methods. He earned a master’s degree in Herbal Medicine from the School of Herbal Medicine and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. After several years of medical practice, Ric founded Gaia Herbs in 1987 and grew Gaia to the most respected and successful herbal company in the country. After selling Gaia in 2019, Ric established the Institute of Botanical Research in Arizona and established CR Medicinal Farms, a regenerative organic farm in Costa Rica. These became the stepping stones for his new adventure called Kokora, a herbal products company focused on regenerative organic cultivation with a mission to "create the finest herbal remedies that promote health and vitality for all”. Celebrated for his pioneering work in Herbal Medicine and his dedication to preserving herbal integrity for over four decades, Ric continues to innovate in the field and plays a key role in integrating regenerative agriculture with herbal medicine.

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kokoralife

Guest Website: https://kokoralife.com

Guest Social: 

https://www.instagram.com/kokoralife/

https://www.tiktok.com/@kokora.life

https://www.facebook.com/kokoraliferegenerated

https://www.youtube.com/@KokoraLife

Show Notes: Raw audio

00:03:08 - Ric’s Origin Story

00:06:44 - Merging Traditional Wisdom With Modern Science

00:10:25 - Making Herbal Products Palatable

00:14:50 - Nutrition Density In The Soil

00:21:03 - Differences Between Regenerative And Organic

00:28:09 - Weeds: The First Succession Of Life

00:30:58 - How The Regenerative Movement Grows

00:39:50 - Growing Your Own Ingredients

00:45:10 - Ric’s Five Core Principles

00:51:27 - Plants As Teachers

00:50:25 - The Story Behind Kokora’s Name

01:09:19 - Episode Wrap-up And Closing Words

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What if your next meal could be a tool for climate action?

In this episode of Nutrition Without Compromise, shared here with the permission of ORLO Nutrition, Corinna Bellizzi welcomes ecologist and greenhouse gas accountant Mark J. Easter to explore the connection between the foods we eat and the fight against climate chaos. Mark shares insights from his new book, The Blue Plate: A Food Lover’s Guide to Climate Chaos (Patagonia Press), offering a hopeful path forward through regenerative agriculture, plant-forward diets, and nature-based solutions like shellfish farming and soil restoration.

Together, they examine:

• The personal legacy of farming on the Great Plains and carbon loss
• Why shrimp farming is far worse for the environment than you might think
• How regenerative practices restore soil health and human nutrition
• The surprising role of mussels and oysters in carbon drawdown
• What we can learn from indigenous practices and planetary perspective

🌱 Tune in and learn how your daily choices at the dinner table can help build a healthier, more resilient planet.

Resources & Mentions:

• The Blue Plate: A Food Lover's Guide to Climate Chaos by Mark J. Easter
• Patagonia Books: https://www.patagonia.com/shop/books
• Learn more about Orlo Nutrition: https://OrloNutrition.com (Use code NWC for 10% off)

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If we can be more conscious about our food consumption, building a more sustainable world is certainly achievable. Corinna Bellizzi chats with Ben Kelly of Better Origin Ingredients about what it takes to create a sustainable nutrition ingredient supply. He shares the environmental benefits of using algae-based Omega-3s, particularly in ending illegal fishing, saving fish populations, and replacing fish oil. They discuss the complexities of global supply chains, as well as how to handle trade wars and tensions happening all around the world. Ben also talks about his philosophy of running a business focusing on social impact, employee well-being, and community service.

About Guest:

An entrepreneurial-minded leader and connector, Ben has spent the past 15+ years in business development and leadership roles in the dietary supplement and food ingredient industry. He holds his B.A. (Honors) from the University of New Brunswick and his M.P.A from the University of Saskatchewan. Ben’s partner Katie, their two daughters and two dogs make their home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Ben began his professional career in business development with POS Bio-Sciences (a global leader in contract R&D services). While at POS, Ben Co-Founded Algarithm, with Dr. Udaya Wanasundara building on his interest in lipids, childhood nutrition and sustainability. In 2021 the business was acquired by Mara Renewables Corp., creating a fully integrated ingredient organization. In 2024 Ben left Algarithm and joined Virun as their Vice President of Business Development, moving one step closer to the consumer. He also took on a new role as CEO of a new B2B ingredient organization - Better Origin Ingredients in April 2025.

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-k-4b326460/

Guest Website: https://www.betterorigin.ca/

Guest Social: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-origin-ingredients/

Show Notes: Raw audio | Final FV

00:03:28 - Ben Kelly And Better Origin [00:03:32]

00:07:11 - Saving Fishes Through Algae Oil  [00:06:47]

00:12:37 - Understanding The Impact Of Illegal Fishing  [00:11:52]

00:24:17 - How To Significant Improve Supply Chains  [00:22:58]

00:28:24 - Working Opportunities With Better Origin Ingredients  [00:26:54]

00:31:19 - How Ingredients Will Be Sourced In The Future  [00:29:39]

00:40:21 - More Clarity In The Food Ingredient Industry  [00:37:52]

00:47:11 - How Consumers Can Push For Change  [00:43:48]

00:50:38 - Episode Wrap-up And Closing Words  [00:46:29]

JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-more-be-better

In this eye-opening bonus episode, originally aired on Nutrition Without Compromise, host Corinna Bellizzi interviews Kelly Ryerson—better known as Glyphosate Girl. Together, they expose the hidden toxicity of glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup), its role in chronic illness, microbiome destruction, and environmental collapse. Kelly shares her personal health journey, dives into courtroom dramas from the Monsanto trials, and offers practical tips to reduce glyphosate exposure through conscious food choices.

Kelly is also featured in Common Ground, the award-winning documentary on regenerative agriculture—a powerful sequel to Kiss the Ground—now streaming on Amazon. She appears alongside notable voices like Rosario Dawson, Laura Dern, Jason Momoa, Ian Somerhalder, and Woody Harrelson, helping drive awareness of regenerative solutions for our health and the planet.

Topics Covered:

• Why glyphosate is an endocrine disruptor and probable carcinogen
• How it affects soil health and the human microbiome
• GMO crops, superweeds, and the rise of pesticide-resistant agriculture
• Food labeling confusion: Organic vs Non-GMO
• Environmental justice and glyphosate runoff
• How to reduce exposure at home, and what to buy organic
• The connection between glyphosate and global fishery collapse

Resources & Links:

• GlyphosateFacts.com – Kelly’s information hub
• @GlyphosateGirl on Instagram
• Watch Common Ground on Amazon Prime
• The New Fish – Simen Saetre
• Rodale Institute
• Mendocino Grain Project

About Our Guest:

Kelly Ryerson (Glyphosate Girl) is an independent journalist, speaker, and advocate who bridges the worlds of agriculture, policy, and chronic illness. She has contributed to documentaries—including Common Ground, where she appears alongside Rosario Dawson, Laura Dern, Jason Momoa, and Woody Harrelson—co-hosts a daily show on CHDtv, and serves as an ambassador for the Rodale Institute.

JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:

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Thousands of children across the country will sleep tonight without a comfortable bed. This unfortunate situation deprives them of proper rest, which leads to a pretty unhealthy lifestyle and mental disposition. Luke Mickelson is on a mission to put an end to this problem through Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), the largest bed-building charity in the world. In this conversation with Corinna Bellizzi, he shares how they help children secure a safe and comfortable place to lay their heads every single night. Luke explains how they take advantage of community involvement to boost their bed-building efforts and significantly reduce costs. He also discusses how to make non-profit fundraising efforts more effective, why founders should master the art of storytelling, and what it takes to avoid the dreaded mission creep.

About Guest:

Luke Mickelson, a farm kid from Kimberly, Idaho, has always been passionate about community service. A lifelong athlete and youth coach, he developed strong leadership and people skills that fueled his love for business and philanthropy. In 2012, he founded Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a nonprofit that builds beds for children in need. Under his leadership, SHP has grown to over 400 chapters across 46 states and four countries, helping 80,000+ children annually. Featured on Returning the Favor with Mike Rowe, NBC, CNN, and more, Luke’s “humans helping humans” philosophy has earned national recognition. Through keynote speeches, media appearances, and podcasting, he continues to inspire others to act on their own Tiny Moments.

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shpbeds

Guest Website: https://shpbeds.org/

Guest Social: 

https://www.instagram.com/shpbeds/

https://www.youtube.com/@SHPbeds

https://www.facebook.com/SHPbeds/

Additional Resources Mentioned:

Returning The Favor with Mike Rowe - Sleep In Heavenly Peace

Annenberg Alchemy Fundamentals

Show Notes:

• 00:02:57 - Luke Mickelson On Building Beds For Children
• 00:16:34 - Encouraging Community Involvement
• 00:27:11 - Making Your Mission The Center Of Fundraisers
• 00:33:54 - Board Vs Executive Leaders And The Power Of Storytelling
• 00:45:00 - Managing The Organization’s Continuous Growth
• 00:52:25 - How To Raise Awareness And Spread The Word
• 00:54:41 - Closing Words And Episode Wrap-up

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Happy Earth Day 2025! In her second guest appearance on Whole Earth Radio, Corinna Bellizzi focuses primarily on her work with the sustainable microalgae brand, ORLO NUTRITION. Corinna is also the host of CARE MORE BE BETTER, which we touched on towards the end of the discussion - below are some links so you can see and hear for yourself what we were talking about!

Thank you for caring about our world every day. Together we really can make a difference.

http://www.orlonutrition.com

http://www.caremorebebetter.com

ESSENTIAL EPISODES - CLIMATE ACTIVISM & YOU

Donna Grantis, Activism Through Music, including her song which features clips of my interview with Tseporah Berman:  https://caremorebebetter.com/creating-a-spark-in-climate-activism-through-music-with-donna-grantis/

Listen to the episode that inspired Donna Grantis, featuring Tzeporah Berman of Stand.Earth & The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty: https://caremorebebetter.com/stand-up-with-the-earth-fighting-against-fossil-fuels-and-climate-change-with-tzeporah-berman-founder-of-standearth-and-fossilfueltreatyorg

Paul Hawken On Why Carbon Is The Solution To Climate Crisis https://caremorebebetter.com/paul-hawken-on-why-carbon-is-the-solution-to-climate-crisis

Book Review: Carbon: The Book of Life: https://caremorebebetter.com/why-paul-hawkens-carbon-the-book-of-life-is-essential-reading-for-climate-advocates

Corinna Bellizzi dives deep into Carbon: The Book of Life, the latest work by renowned environmentalist Paul Hawken, a 6-time NYT bestselling author.

Josh Tickell, Filmmaker behind Kiss The Ground & Common Ground (both are available streaming on Amazon Prime on Earth Day): https://caremorebebetter.com/pushing-regenerative-agriculture-to-the-mainstream-with-josh-tickell

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Today’s divisive society and political climate have been changing the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion or DEI. Instead of bringing people together regardless of social status, age, belief, or skin color, it is slowly becoming a cuss word used to demean and hurt. HR/DEI practitioner Natalie Norfus utilizes her years of problem-solving experience to address this pushback that currently hurts growth, accessibility, and opportunity in every workplace. Joining Corinna Bellizzi, she explains how DEI, despite not having a one-size-fits-all model, is crucial in dismantling the white supremacy culture. Natalie also discusses how the lack of a clear definition for DEI has led to its weaponization and how company leaders can commit to shutting down such advances.