On this episode Andy talks to his sustainability "sensei", Fiona Wilson, who reveals her journey from selling beer ads in Thatcherite Britain to leading the charge for eco-friendly business practices in the U.S. They dive into the challenges of merging profit with planet-saving initiatives, laugh about printing manifestos on soap bottles, and debate whether saving the world is all about sustainability, civics, or just making sure we remember the orangutans. Andy unsuccessfully attempts to leverage this interview into a private sailing lesson. 

Fiona Wilson is the Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer at the University of New Hampshire.

Links & Notes:

University of New Hampshire Sustainability Institute (UNHSI)

Sustainability Indicator Management & Analysis Platform (SIMAP)

New Hampshire Social Venture Innovation Challenge

UNHSI Fellows Program

Music provided by Sneaky Miles

To learn more about us or read our Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter, go to granitegoodness.com

Instagram:

@sustainableunh

@sneakymiles

@granitegoodness

In this episode of Granite Goodness, Andy chats with Marisa Rafal, the mastermind behind the New Hampshire Toy Library Network, who not only helps kids by lending out toys for free but also turns out to know a lot about brain synapses.

Along the way she psychoanalyzes my imaginary friends from childhood, educates me about Japanese prefecture design, and teaches me the life lessons one can learn from touching shaving cream.

Marisa Rafal is the Founder of the New Hampshire Toy Library Network. 

Links & Notes:

New Hampshire Toy Library Network

Music provided by Sneaky Miles

This episode was recorded in and sponsored by Treeline Outfitters

To learn more about us or read our Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter, go to granitegoodness.com

Instagram:

@nhtoylibrary

@sneakymiles

@treeline_outfitters

@granitegoodness

Facebook:

NH Toy Library

Zack takes us into the wild world of regenerative agriculture, amphibian road-crossing escapades, and the intricacies of creating eco-friendly supply chains—all while sipping chaga tea and planning to record a podcast from a sauna. Listen to Zack for 68 minutes waxing poetic about corporate sustainability, explaining the nutrient density of carrots, and recounting his clandestine nighttime mission to help salamanders navigate New Hampshire's treacherous roads.

Zack Angelini is the Co-founder of Public Good Provisions.

Links & Notes:

Zack Angelini

The Big Night

Music provided by Sneaky Miles

To learn more about us or read our Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter, go to granitegoodness.com

Instagram:

@sneakymiles

@granitegoodness

Anna Yates recounts how early environmentalists, in a bid to save whales from becoming lamp fuel, decided to start using that “black oozy stuff” (oil) instead. 140 years later, Anna has found herself leading modern-day sustainability efforts at Albany International, where she navigates a whirlwind of sustainability reporting, renewable energy innovations, and regulatory challenges—all while maintaining that tantalizing allure of sustainability paperwork. Along the way, they exchange enough compliments to make even the most modest guest blush and explore why New Hampshire might just be the epicenter of solving some of the world's most complex problems.

Anna Yates leads Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability efforts at Albany International Corporation. 

Links & Notes:

Albany International

Fix the News

Music provided by Sneaky Miles

This episode was recorded in and sponsored by Treeline Outfitters

To learn more about us or read our Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter, go to granitegoodness.com

Instagram:

@fix.thenews

@sneakymiles

@treeline_outfitters

@granitegoodness

On this episode of Granite Goodness, Allyson Ryder reveals that trick-or-treating elections in Barrington turned kids into democracy fanatics, causing voter turnout to skyrocket as kids dragged their parents to the polls to vote on the critical issue of Halloween scheduling. Allyson goes on to proudly state her New Hampshire credentials, including her parents' love story that apparently began at the state hospital. Together, we discuss the joyful complexity of activities reliant on civics, from planning elections to eating pine needles alone in the woods. By the end we conclude that everything--even choosing a slice of pizza-- is ultimately about civic engagement.

Allyson Ryder is the Executive Director of New Hampshire Civics. 

Links & Notes:

NH Civics

Ask Jeeves

NOTE-- Andy Soucy was the Band Director at Londonderry High School for many years. I apologize to listeners for not clarifying that! 

Music provided by Sneaky Miles

This episode was recorded in and sponsored by Treeline Outfitters

To learn more about us or read our Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter, go to granitegoodness.com

Instagram:

@NHcivics

@sneakymiles

@treeline_outfitters

@granitegoodness

In the first episode of Granite Goodness, Andy chats with his friend and mentor Ian Grant, a serial entrepreneur and self-described incurable optimist who’s had more career pivots than a ballet dancer. From sloshing water buckets on a horse farm to navigating business competitions at UNH, Ian shares his eclectic journey with the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store. Now, as a special advisor to the African Wildlife Foundation, Ian continues to combine his love for business, adventure, and Lord of the Rings (yes, he had a horse named Strider) to make the world a better place, one innovative idea at a time.

Ian Grant is the Special Advisor to Donor Relations at the African Wildlife Foundation.

Links & Notes:

African Wildlife Foundation

University of New Hampshire Entrepreneurship Center

Music provided by Sneaky Miles

This episode was recorded in and sponsored by Treeline Outfitters

To learn more about us or read our Good News in New Hampshire Newsletter, go to granitegoodness.com

Instagram:

@africanwildlifefoundation

@unhecenter

@sneakymiles

@treeline_outfitters

@granitegoodness