Care More Be Better: Circular Living To Benefit People and Planet | a circle b podcast

Environmentalist Jon Waterman visited Alaska and beyond for more than four decades to see first-hand the severe situation of the Arctic climate crisis. He recorded his findings and experiences in his book, Into The Thaw, stressing that there is still hope in saving our warming planet. Jon sits down with Corinna Bellizzi to discuss what must be done to save the Arctic, where global warming happens four times faster than anywhere else on Earth. He also reveals how the climate crisis in this northern region adversely affects not only the wildlife but also the Inuit people, who have called Alaska and the Arctic home for many centuries.

About Guest:

Jon Waterman has worked as a director of a small press, an editor, a naturalist, a park ranger, a wilderness guide, a photographer, and a filmmaker. Among his many publications, Jon’s work has often appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Men’s Journal, Adventure, Climbing, and Sailing World. His 17 books include In the Shadow of Denali, Kayaking the Vermilion Sea, and Running Dry; he is a frequent grantee of the National Geographic Society. By taking risks and tackling difficult issues, his work transcends traditional outdoor yarns and has garnered numerous awards, including a Literary Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts, three Best Adventure Book Awards from the Banff Book Festival, a National Park Service Special Achievement Award, and the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award. He lives in Carbondale, Colorado.

Guest Website: https://jonathanwaterman.com/

Guest Social: 

https://www.instagram.com/waterman_jonathan/

https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.waterman.96

JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:

🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we'll plant a tree in your honor! https://circleb.co

🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we'll plant another tree

🌳 Shop our cause-before-commerce store and support earth-first charities through our partnership with 1% For The Planet.

Follow us on social media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter and https://tiktok.com/@circleb.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CareMore.BeBetter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter

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

The future of food can only be secured through the adoption of sustainable renewable practices. Tim Crews, PhD, Chief Scientists at the Land Institute, joins Corinna Bellizzi to discuss how the principles of agroecology can turn such a dream into reality. He explores agroecology’s overlapping concepts with other practices such as permaculture and emphasizes the urgent need to reduce energy use in most farming methods today. Dr. Tim also breaks down the many benefits of perennial crop farming, particularly its efficient water use, and the production of grain crops like Kernza.

About Guest:

Tim Crews is the Chief Scientist and Director of The Land Institute’s International Initiative. The Land Institute is a non-profit agricultural research organization based in Salina, Kansas dedicated to developing agroecosystems that capture key functions of natural ecosystems through the integration of perenniality and diversity. Tim has been fascinated for most of his life with how we can improve our food producing ecosystems—agriculture—by studying how people grew food before the fossil fuel era, and also how natural ecosystems function. Tim studied agroecology at UC Santa Cruz, ecosystem ecology in Graduate Studies at Cornell University and in a post-doc at Stanford. Before coming to The Land Institute, he developed an agroecology program at Prescott College in Arizona.

Guest LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-crews-2080a015/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-land-institute/

Guest Website: 

https://landinstitute.org/our-work/new-roots-international/

https://kernza.org

Guest Social: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-land-institute/

https://www.instagram.com/thelandinstitute/

https://www.facebook.com/TheLandInstitute

Additional Resources Mentioned:

• ARTICLE: Wheat On Repeat: A tantalizing new breed of climate-friendly crops never need replanting
• EPISODE: Regenerative Agriculture with Tom Newmark
• EPISODE: How Regeneration Can Change the Future of Farming & Wine Making with Carlo Mondavi
• EPISODE: How Regenerative Farming Can Solve The Climate Chaos with Mark Easter
• EPISODE: How Permaculture and Regeneration Can Lead to a Better World with Starhawk
• EPISODE: How Animal Sanctuaries Can Survive Severe Weather & Flooding with Helbard Alkhassadeh

BOOK: The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture by Wendell Berry

In this episode of Care More Be Better, host Corinna Bellizzi dives deep into local politics and community activism with John Lewis, a city council candidate in Scotts Valley, California. John shares his vision for the future of Scotts Valley, touching on pressing local issues like rising housing costs, the need for a town center, and the importance of personal agency in shaping our communities. This conversation is packed with insights on the challenges and rewards of running for office and what it means to be a “YIMBY” (Yes In My Backyard) advocate.

Key Topics Covered:

[00:00:26] Introduction to Care More Be Better and guest John Lewis.

[00:00:46] John’s background: Engineering expertise and community issues in Scotts Valley.

[00:02:21] Community engagement and motivation to run for city council.

[00:03:48] The need for a town center in Scotts Valley and why previous efforts stalled.

[00:06:37] Environmental and infrastructural challenges: From airport to town center.

[00:10:12] Essential traits and qualifications for running for local office.

[00:13:00] How city council can directly impact community well-being.

[00:18:55] Defining NIMBY vs. YIMBY and John’s endorsement from Santa Cruz YIMBY.

[00:26:04] Why John isn’t accepting political donations.

[00:28:42] The importance of local elections and civic engagement.

Call to Action: If you’re a Scotts Valley resident, consider voting for John Lewis to support local development that fosters community and sustainability. For resources on how to get involved, visit our website at CircleB.co.

Connect with John Lewis:

website: https://www.johnlewissvcity.com/

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-lewis-44784516/

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnLewisSVCity

🌱 Join Our Community: When you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll plant a tree in your honor in partnership with Forest Planet. Every action counts toward creating a greener, better world.

JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:

🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we'll plant a tree in your honor! https://circleb.co

🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we'll plant another tree

🌳 Shop our cause-before-commerce store and support earth-first charities through our partnership with 1% For The Planet.

Follow us on social media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter and https://tiktok.com/@circleb.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CareMore.BeBetter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter

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

Growing regenerative foods is indeed a noble cause that benefits both the planet and people, but making it a sustainable reality is also an overwhelming challenge. Farmers who depend on regenerative practices tend to not get a fair return on investment, and consumer awareness about this matter is almost non-existent. Ali Cox, Founder of Noble West, has dedicated herself to educating the public regarding the realities of regenerative farming and the plight of the farmers right now. Together with Corinna Bellizzi, she emphasizes how buyers can make informed food choices based on their core values and contribute to the mission of growing food responsibly. Ali also presents the benefits of hydroponics, seasonal eating, and regional eating, as well as the dangers of using non-sustainable food packaging.

About Guest:

Ali Cox is an agriculture and food ingredient marketing visionary and founder of Noble West, an award-winning marketing consultancy that specializes in the entire agricultural ecosystem. From fresh produce and nuts to dairy and agTech, Noble West works in all aspects of agriculture.

As a fifth generation farmer, Cox returned home to California’s Central Valley in 2007 with the singular goal of making world-class marketing services available to the abundance of farmers and growers in the area. A fierce advocate for farmers, Ali’s blend of a deep personal connection to the land and business acumen has made her a highly sought after strategist by her clients. With an eye on the future of farming and the climate crisis, Cox regularly consults with her clients on upcycling, regenerative water use, and hydroponic & organic farming practices.

Cox was a walk-on rower at the University of San Diego and went on to win a Silver Medal in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. A Turlock native, she is a graduate of Turlock Senior High School and University of San Diego where she majored in Communications and minored in business. She happily purchased her childhood home where she resides with husband Tony and their two sons.

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicox/

Guest Website: https://wearenoblewest.com

Guest Social: https://www.instagram.com/alicox.ceo/

Additional Resources Mentioned:

How Regenerative Farming Can Solve Climate Chaos with Mark Easter

Biggby Coffee episode (in production now, no link or final title yet)

From Flood to Feast: How Regenerative Organic Farming Yields More Crop Per Drop

How Regeneration Can Change the Future of Farming and Wine Making with Carlo Mondavi

How Permaculture and Regeneration Can Lead to a better World with Starhawk

JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:

🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we'll plant a tree in your honor! https://circleb.co

🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we'll plant another tree

🌳 Shop our cause-before-commerce store and support earth-first charities through our partnership with 1% For The Planet.

Follow us on social media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter and https://tiktok.com/@circleb.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CareMore.BeBetter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter

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

In this interview episode (originally published in 2022), we explore how approval voting could change the political landscape in America with Aaron Hamlin, Executive Director of The Center for Election Science. Aaron shares his journey from political intrigue in grad school to advocating for a voting method that lets voters express a broader range of candidate preferences. Approval voting, a simple yet impactful system, allows people to vote for as many candidates as they approve of, with the candidate receiving the most votes winning. By tackling vote splitting and enabling voters to support multiple candidates, approval voting seeks to foster representation and discourage extremist candidates.

Aaron offers insights into the success of approval voting in Fargo, St. Louis, and upcoming initiatives in Seattle, as well as the broader potential for state and even national adoption. We discuss how this system can reduce polarization, give voters more genuine choices, and improve political continuity by enabling policies that reflect broader support.

Key Highlights:

• What is Approval Voting? Aaron breaks down the mechanics of approval voting, explaining how it differs from the "choose one" voting system and ranked-choice voting.
• Real-World Success Stories: Approval voting has seen success in Fargo and St. Louis, with campaigns expanding to other cities and states.
• How Approval Voting Reduces Vote Splitting & Extremism: By letting voters support multiple candidates, approval voting helps prevent extremist candidates from capitalizing on vote splitting, a common pitfall in primary elections.
• The Road to National Adoption: Aaron shares the Center for Election Science's roadmap to implementing approval voting on a national scale, allowing states to decide how their electoral votes are assigned.

Take Action

Listeners inspired by this episode can learn more and join local chapters to advocate for approval voting through The Center for Election Science. Visit ElectionScience.org to take action, join the community, and get updates on campaign progress across the country.

Tune in to rethink what it means to vote for a better democracy, where every vote is valued, and every voice matters!

JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:

🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we'll plant a tree in your honor! https://circleb.co

🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we'll plant another tree

🌳 Shop our cause-before-commerce store and support earth-first charities through our partnership with 1% For The Planet.

Follow us on social media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter and https://tiktok.com/@circleb.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CareMore.BeBetter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter

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

The coffee industry is indeed one of the most thriving in the world, but it has a darker and rarely discussed aspect: the plight of its farmers. They constantly face low commodity prices and get little to no support, making them highly exploited by middlemen and at risk of climate change. Bob Fish and Michelle Fish share what they are doing to salvage the coffee industry through their business, Biggby Coffee. Joining Corinna Bellizzi, the couple shares how their direct-buying model guarantees coffee farmers fair prices and helps promote regenerative farming practices. Bob and Michelle also emphasize the importance of building emotional connections between consumers and producers through their Full Circle Program.

Message From Bob:

My name is Bob Fish. My wife Michelle and I are on a journey to discover and unite us with the lands and the people that make this unbelievably great and natural product that we all love. We will examine and verify that what we are consuming is being produced in a humane, sustainable, and quality matter. We invite you to be right there with us as we meet the families and learn their names and their stories. Together, we will explore what it means to be on our ”One BIGG Island in Space”… oneness without boundaries.

About Guests:

Michelle Fish began her life as part of a family that lived in many places in the United States and Europe. By the age of 17, when she started college at Michigan State University, she had moved 13 times. She put herself through MSU by working at a local family style pancake house restaurant. By the time she graduated, she was the General Manger of that restaurant and two years later, after helping them grow from one to four locations, she owned the third one. Michelle took a year off and created with co-founder Mike McFall the concept BIGGBY COFFEE. They started with one location in 1995, added a second in 1997, and started franchising in 1999. Today, they are 100% franchised and have 408 units open in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Idaho.

Bob Fish and his wife Michelle are travelling the world in search of coffee farms and farmers that are taking exceptional care of their people and the planet. Their goal is that 50% of the 2,000,000 pounds of coffee that BIGGBY COFFEE sells in a year will be farm direct by 2013. The couple tells the stories of those farmers and their journeys in a blog: ONEBIGGISLANDINSPACE.com

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biggbybob/

Guest Website: 

https://www.biggby.com/

https://www.onebiggislandinspace.com/

Guest Social: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_guvQGVUpo

https://www.facebook.com/BiggbyCoffee.Bhappy

https://www.instagram.com/biggbycoffee/

JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:

🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we'll plant a tree in your honor! https://circleb.co

🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we'll plant another tree

🌳 Shop our cause-before-commerce store and support earth-first charities through our partnership with 1% For The Planet.

Follow us on social media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter and https://tiktok.com/@circleb.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CareMore.BeBetter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter

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

Watch the presentation and review slides including data on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/dfXCZTiYM28

• Introduction to the Earth First Health First School Lunch Guide
• The project aims to help parents pack eco-friendly and healthy lunches for their kids.
• Findings from a Parent Survey
• Survey included 25 parents and focused on current lunch packing habits, including food types, packaging, and participation in school lunch programs.
• 56% of parents do not participate in school-provided lunch programs, and 60% are packing lunch for two or more children.
• 72% of parents pack at least one fruit or vegetable daily, with leftovers packed at least once a week by 40% of respondents.
• Challenges Identified
• High use of pre-packaged and processed foods, which increases waste and costs more per serving.
• Concerns about packaging waste—28% of parents use pre-packaged snacks, and many still use single-use plastics.
• Environmental Impact of Food Packaging
• Discussion on how long common food packaging takes to decompose (e.g., plastic bags, chip bags).
• Importance of reducing the reliance on single-use plastics, both for health and environmental reasons.
• Health Effects of Processed Foods
• The connection between processed foods and health issues, including obesity, hyperactivity, and early onset of puberty.
• The WHO classification of processed meats as a Group 1 carcinogen linked to cancer risks.
• Practical Solutions for Eco-Friendly and Nutritious School Lunches
• Tips to involve children in meal planning and preparation to increase the likelihood they’ll eat healthier meals.
• The importance of reducing processed meats and focusing on whole, plant-based foods.
• Recommendations to buy local, in-season produce, reduce packaging waste, and compost food scraps.
• Three Steps to Building a Healthier, Eco-Friendly Lunch:

1. Start with fresh fruits and vegetables: Aim for three servings in each lunch.
2. Reduce or eliminate highly processed foods: Focus on whole, unprocessed options.
3. Use reusable containers: Cut down on pre-packaged snacks and single-use plastics.

• Eat for the Earth: A community organization promoting plant-based diets. https://eatfortheearth.org
• Foodprint.org: A resource for understanding the environmental impact of food choices. https://foodprint.org
• Vox & University of California: Educational video on the carbon footprint of various foods.

• Simple shifts, like reducing processed meat and using reusable containers, can make a big difference for both the health of your child and the environment.
• Involving your kids in food preparation can increase their acceptance of healthier, plant-based options.

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode, and reach out with questions or comments.

Contact Us:

• Email: [email protected]

JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:

🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we'll plant a tree in your honor! https://circleb.co

🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we'll plant another tree

🌳 Shop our cause-before-commerce store and support earth-first charities through our partnership with 1% For The Planet.

Follow us on social media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter and https://tiktok.com/@circleb.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CareMore.BeBetter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter

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

Despite the undeniable impact of climate change everywhere in the world, from the scorching weather to deadly hurricanes, many people still turn a blind eye to this devastating reality. Therefore, the PBS show “Weathered” employs engaging climate storytelling to raise awareness about the urgent need to take action against extreme weather changes. Corinna Bellizzi sits down with Trip Jennings and Maiya May, the show’s director and host, respectively, to discuss how they combine the realities of climate science with real-life community stories and nature-based solutions. They talk about the importance of acknowledging climate risks as soon as possible and what it takes to effectively mitigate them. Trip and Maya also delve into their production experiences to provide a glimpse of what’s happening behind the cameras just to deliver authentic climate stories to their viewers.

This episode was originally published July 7, 2021 as episode 24. It is re-shared today with a new intro by the host as she reflects on an upcoming episode featuring the co-founders of Biggby Coffee, Bob & Michelle Fish. This episode offers a great primer and context to the coffee issue in advance of that upcoming episode, which will be released on 10/23/2024.

Host: Corinna Bellizzi

Guest: Mokhtar Alkhanshali, CEO & Founder of Port of Mokha,

In this episode, Corinna Bellizzi is joined by Mokhtar Alkhanshali, a Yemeni-American entrepreneur, historian, and coffee innovator, to discuss the fascinating journey of coffee from Yemen’s highlands to high-end coffee shops worldwide. Together, they explore the deep connections between coffee, social impact, and sustainability.

• The Origins of Coffee in Yemen: Mokhtar shares the historical roots of coffee, which began in Yemen centuries ago, including the rise of the city of Mocha as the coffee trade center. He connects this rich history to the present and the coffee his company sources.
• Mokhtar’s Personal Journey: From law school to community organizing, Mokhtar’s path took a surprising turn toward coffee, rooted in his desire to uplift coffee farmers and create a sustainable business model in Yemen.
• Challenges in Yemen: Mokhtar recounts his harrowing experience bringing Yemeni coffee to market amidst Yemen's civil war. From dodging bombs to navigating civil unrest, his perseverance led to Port of Mokha’s success.
• The Importance of Sustainability in Coffee: Mokhtar emphasizes the need for fair pay for coffee farmers and describes his vertically integrated business model. By working directly with Yemeni farmers, he ensures that they receive fair wages, which is critical to the long-term sustainability of their communities.
• The Different Coffee "Waves": Mokhtar explains the evolution of coffee culture through the first, second, and third waves, noting the rise of specialty coffee and how consumers are becoming more conscious of origin, processing, and flavor.
• Coffee Processing Methods: A deep dive into how different processing techniques (natural versus washed) impact flavor profiles, and why Mokhtar's naturally processed Yemeni coffee has unique and complex flavors, often compared to fine wine.
• Taste Test: Corinna shares her experience tasting two different Port of Mokha coffees, highlighting how coffee tasting can be as nuanced as wine tasting. Mokhtar explains the difference between light and dark roasts and how each processing method brings out distinct flavors.

JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:

🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we'll plant a tree in your honor! https://circleb.co

🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we'll plant another tree

🌳 Shop our cause-before-commerce store and support earth-first charities through our partnership with 1% For The Planet.

Follow us on social media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter and https://tiktok.com/@circleb.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CareMore.BeBetter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter

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

George Thompson, author of The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself, overcame anxiety and confusion by learning how to let go through kung fu, tai chi, and meditation. In this conversation with Corinna Bellizzi, he shares simple yet effective practices anyone can easily try to finally experience self-discovery and self-actualization. He explains how losing oneself can help you understand your purpose on this planet and recreate that unique connection with nature. George also emphasizes the power of silence and collective action in building a much better and way brighter tomorrow.

About Guest:

George Thompson is a filmmaker, Daoist communicator, and Tai Chi instructor who transformed his life through the ancient practices of Kung Fu and Tai Chi in China. Now, with 245k+ YouTube subscribers and a 19-person team, George shares insights on balanced living. His upcoming film, The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself, set in Scotland's wilderness, explores self-discovery and the impact of our narratives on life and the planet. Through humor and vulnerability, George inspires audiences to find inner peace and embrace the interconnectedness of all things.

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgethompsonuk/ 

Guest Website: 

https://losingyourself.org/ 

https://www.taoistwellness.online/free-course 

https://www.wayfinder.academy/newsletter 

Guest Social: 

https://www.youtube.com/c/GeorgeThompson1 

https://www.instagram.com/george.thompson._/ 

https://www.facebook.com/georgethompson.uk 

Additional Resources Mentioned:

TRAILER for "The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself"

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's Flow Meditation

Join the Care More. Be Better. Community! (Social Links Below)

Website: https://www.caremorebebetter.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCveJg5mSfeTf0l4otrxgUfg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CareMore.BeBetter/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/caremorebebettr 

Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/club/care-more-be-better 

Support Care More. Be Better: A Social Impact + Sustainability Podcast

Care More. Be Better. is not backed by any company. We answer only to our collective conscience. As a listener, reader, and subscriber you are part of this pod and this community and we are honored to have your support. If you can, please help finance the show (https://www.caremorebebetter.com/donate). Thank you, now and always, for your support as we get this thing started!