Laura Vena, from Blockhead Brigade, joins me from Long Beach, California to talk about helping pit bulls.

She challenges our perception of pit bulls, introducing many common myths and the truth behind those myths.

Throughout our conversation, she pushes us to stop thinking of dogs in “breeds”, but to think of each one as a truly unique individual. Just like us.

Dogs, regardless of breed, have numerous facets to their personality and behavior.  They have things that make them joyous, and things that make them scared.

We cannot predict temperament solely based on breed.  And decisions about pit bulls in shelters, in government, and in housing should not do this either.

TODAY’S SIMPLE IDEA:

HAVE THE FACTS TOP OF MIND.  Lookup the “All Dogs Are Individuals” infographic and memorize some of the facts.  Respectfully share these facts when we have an opportunity.  And point people to Animal Farm Foundation to learn more.

SHOW NOTES:

Including video of the live interview and links to everything we discussed.

https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/27

Season 3 of the For Animals. For Earth. Podcast is launching today!  Here are 3 big changes happening this season:

Detailed show notes at ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/26

Happy New Year! I hope you’re finding 2021 more relaxing and grounded than 2020.

We’ll pick back up with live interviews in mid to late January. In the mean time, I thought it would be nice to pull together a recap of each of our seasons. I enjoyed going back and reviewing all of the content that we’ve covered! Our guests have shared over 90 simple ideas that we can all try in our daily lives to help animals and the earth.

This is the season 2 recap (season 1 is in episode 24). Episodes in season 2 include:

For show notes, which include a list of all of the simple ideas and links to each episode, visit https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/25

Merry Christmas! This episode happens to be coming out on Christmas Eve (which happens to be my favorite day of the year ;-).  I hope you're finding peace, joy, and love this season.

We’ll pick back up with live interviews in the middle of January. In the mean time, I thought it would be nice to pull together a recap of each of our seasons. I enjoyed going back and reviewing all of the content that we’ve covered! Our guests have shared over 90 simple ideas that we can all try in our daily lives to help animals and the earth.

This is the season 1 recap. Episodes in season 1 include:

For show notes, which include a list of all of the simple ideas and links to each episode, visit https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/24

Sustainable, ethical supply chains may not sound like the sexiest topic…  BUT… what if I tell you that we’re talking about the future of shopping?  Now that gets exciting!  And it’s the same thing!

Steve joined me from Portland, Oregon to talk about his new start-up, The Provenance Chain Network.  The Provenance Chain Network is going to change the way we shop, and the way that business is done in the future.

Using a combination of new technologies, such as blockchain and incentive mechanisms, supplier information will become clear, transparent, and honest.  We will look at a product in the store, or online, and know exactly:

We can make our purchase decisions based on the values that are most important to us.  I know many of us try hard to do this already, but it’s a lot of work, and a lot of research.  And usually, we don’t actually know if a brand is lying, or not.  We have to go off of their marketing, the information on their website, and sometimes a phone call.

With the Provenance Chain Network, we will know for sure that the promises a brand makes are true.  And we will know in detail if a product matches our values, or not.  Making the decision to purchase sustainable, ethical products really easy.

This technology benefits consumers and brands, and Steve’s team has also worked on ideas to benefit suppliers who are willing to get on board and share their information.  We can easily see how these pieces coming together will clean up the murkiness of our supply chains.  And everyone will be incentivized, every step of the way, from a seed company to the consumer.  We will all come together to protect people, animals, and the earth.  I can’t wait to see where this is in 20 years!

For show notes and behind the scenes video of our interview, go to https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/23

Jason joins me from Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica to talk about permaculture, ecological impact centers, and living a life of impact.  He owns a farm where he's worked with the local community for years to create a sustainable place that people can come to visit, to live, and to learn.

Jason recently started the Sharing Insights Podcast, through which he's helping people who are connected to ecological impact centers connect.  He's bringing together:

In part 1 (episode 21) Jason shared his journey to Costa Rica and what an ecological impact center is.

In part 2 (episode 22) Jason tells us how we can get involved in ecological impact centers and shares a few different simple ideas for living a more conscious life.

Show notes with links to everything Jason mentions, a video of our live interview, audio from both episodes and full show notes, go to https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/22

Jason joins me from Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica to talk about permaculture, ecological impact centers, and living a life of impact.  He owns a farm where he's worked with the local community for years to create a sustainable place that people can come to visit, to live, and to learn.

Jason recently started the Sharing Insights Podcast, through which he's helping people who are connected to ecological impact centers connect.  He's bringing together:

In part 1 (episode 21) Jason shared his journey to Costa Rica and what an ecological impact center is.

In part 2 (episode 22) Jason tells us how we can get involved in ecological impact centers and shares a few different simple ideas for living a more conscious life.

Show notes with links to everything Jason mentions, a video of our live interview, audio from both episodes and full show notes, go to https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/21

Stephanie Maslow Blackman joins me from Chelsea, New York to talk about making sustainable jewelry.  Stephanie runs Metalicious Jewelry, a hand made collection of heirloom jewelry, that she makes with recycled metals and ethically mined gemstones.

Stephanie and I met this Summer when we exchanged blog posts.  She wrote a post to help us find ethical jewelry when shopping as a consumer.  And I wrote a post about how I use healing crystals for anxiety.  That exchange opened a new can of worms for me.  I could no longer look past where the gemstones in my life come from.

Stephanie helped me begin researching the rough gemstone industry, and that research led me to Nicholas Pearson, who I spoke to in episode 15 about ethically sourcing healing crystals.  And it led me to my conversation today with Stephanie, to really dig into the environmental impact of jewelry.  And specifically, how we can purchase sustainable jewelry, lessening our individual impact on the earth.

Our simple idea for today is to ask questions when we’re purchasing a piece of jewelry. Does the metal come from recycled metal? Was the gemstone ethically mined? And ask for proof. If a jeweler can’t clearly tell us the answer to those questions, move on to one who can. Stephanie says that there are many jewelers out there now who truly make sustainable jewelry, so we can find one.

For today’s show notes, for the audio podcast episode, and for a link to our behind the scenes video interview, go to https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/20

Eco friendly costumes.  Yep!  Did you know there was such a thing?  I didn't.  Until I talked to Katie and Rachel about their costume line, Hijinks Costumes.

Katie and Rachel join me from Los Angeles, California.  They open up about what it takes to start an ethical, sustainability-focused business, and how they did it.  They talk about their mission to create high quality, durable costumes that will be passed down from generation to generation, inspiring creative fun in kids forever.

And they share 6 awesome simple ideas that we can all try in our daily lives to help the earth and animals.  

Simple idea #1: spend a little more when we’re purchasing something new, to invest in a small business that makes sustainability a priority.

For show notes, and to watch, listen or read the interview, visit: http://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/19

Diana Kohne joins me in episode 18 from Northeast Los Angeles to talk about second hand stores and her new community project, Trade Closet.  Trade Closet is a private Facebook group for local women to trade clothing, hand bags, and shoes.  Trade Closet builds the local community through genuine friendships among women.  It cuts down on consumerism, waste, and the carbon impact of shipping long distances.  And, because it’s trading rather than buying, it’s accessible to most anyone.

If you’re interested in starting a Trade Closet in your area after listening, please reach out to Diana.  She would love to talk to you.

Show notes include links of everything we talked about today and the audio-only podcast version as well. You’ll find them at: http://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/18