Season 5 is here, and we have some exciting news. Christy Cook is officially joining Green Champions as co-host! You may already know Christy from her previous guest appearance, and now she's here to stay. If you're missing the voice of former co-host Adam Morris, don't worry. You can still catch him on his podcast, People Helping People, on all listening platforms.

So who is Christy? She's a sustainability consultant and entrepreneur with over twenty years of experience in corporate sustainability, ESG, and customer success, having worked with major players like Walmart, Sodexo, and the UN Environment Program. She's also been a mentor and trusted sounding board for Dominique behind the scenes for years, so this partnership has been a long time coming.

In this intro episode, Dominique and Christy share a little about what makes them tick. Christy's light bulb moment traces back to her time at Emory University, where she got to explore how food systems could create a real sense of place and community on campus and realized sustainability could actually be a career. Dominique's "why" is a little closer to her heart: her family. With relatives living on an island directly impacted by climate change, protecting the planet feels like a personal responsibility, not just a professional one.

Together, they bring different lenses to the work. Christy with her big-picture corporate perspective, Dominique with her engineer's instinct for building processes that are replicable and scalable. As they look forward to Season 5, they promise to explore uncharted territory. From the sustainability of our sports stadiums to the hidden figures in our food systems, all while maintaining the heartwarming, real-world storytelling that has defined the first 100 episodes of Green Champions.

Episode in a glance

00:21 Meet the New Co-Host: Christy Cook
01:57 Dominique's Process-Driven Approach
04:20 Celebrating 100 Episodes and the Season 5 Roadmap
06:10 Finding Our "Why"
10:11 The Power of Creativity and Family
12:09 What's Coming This Season

About Christy Cook

Christy Cook is a sustainability consultant and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in corporate sustainability, ESG, and customer success. She has helped some of the world’s largest organizations—including the United Nations Environment Program, Sodexo, and Walmart—take meaningful action. A mentor and advocate, Christy is driven by a deep curiosity about lived experiences and how they can be leveraged to create a more sustainable world.

About Dominique Hadad

Dominique Hadad is the founder of Green Scope Consulting and a process-oriented engineer who uses her skills to help government and enterprise clients develop replicable sustainability programs. A winner of the Ohio State University President’s Prize, Dominique is dedicated to making climate action go further through data measurement and strategic program development.

Connect with Green Champions

Website → thegreenchampions.com

Instagram → @greenchampionspod

LinkedIn → Green Champions Podcast

Learn more about Green Scope Consulting → Green Scope Consulting

Follow Adam’s Podcast → People Helping People Podcast

Learn more about InvestHER Strategies → InvestHER Strategies

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Lauren Koch, Sustainability Senior Program Manager at Mars Veterinary Health, is a passionate advocate for purpose-driven work and a champion for sustainability in the healthcare sector. She delves into her impactful work, sharing how she has successfully navigated the complexities of both human and animal healthcare to create lasting, sustainable change.

Lauren gives us an inside look at her passion for driving waste reduction responsible pharmaceutical stewardship, and more, Lauren explains the unique ways biodiversity is addressed in the veterinary world, from creating pollinator gardens at clinics to ensuring the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals to protect local ecosystems.

She provides a masterclass in advocating for sustainability within large organizations, detailing projects focused on recycling, waste prevention through reusable sterilization tins, and reducing the carbon footprint of anesthetic gases. Lauren draws fascinating parallels between her current role and her previous work at the OSU Wexner Medical Center, sharing the powerful story of a two-year project to implement reusable sharps containers, a seemingly simple change that diverted 70 tons of waste annually. Finally, Lauren reflects on what keeps her optimistic, highlighting the deep commitment to sustainability at Mars and the power of working for a purpose-driven company.

Episode in a glance

00:57 Lauren’s Role at Mars Veterinary Health
03:03 What is Biodiversity in the Veterinary World?
06:19 The Net Zero Journey in Healthcare
10:34 A Champion Story The Reusable Sharps Container Project
16:41 The Immense Scale of Healthcare Waste
21:51 What Keeps Lauren Hopeful and Optimistic

About Lauren Koch

Lauren Koch is the Sustainability Senior Program Manager at Mars Veterinary Health, where she leads initiatives to create a more sustainable future for pets, people, and the planet. With a diverse background that spans business, public policy, and environmental science, she is a passionate advocate for data-driven strategies and collaborative action. Lauren's journey is a powerful reminder that a career with impact is always within reach if you're willing to ask questions, build relationships, and never stop learning.

Connect with Lauren Koch and her work:

Lauren Koch LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-koch-oh/

Mars Veterinary Health → https://marsveterinary.com

Mars Veterinary Health Sustainability Report → https://www.marsveterinary.com/media/uploads/2025/01/Mars-Veterinary-Health-2024-Environmental-Sustainability-Report.pdf

Green Building Article → https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283624285_Energy_performance_of_campus_LeedR_buildings_Implications_for_green_building_and_energy_policy

Health Care Without Harm → https://noharm.org/

Practice Greenhealth → https://practicegreenhealth.org/

Green Columbus → https://www.greencbus.org/

FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed) → https://www.olentangywatershed.org/

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Lauren Koch, Sustainability Senior Program Manager at Mars Veterinary Health, is a passionate advocate for purpose-driven work and a champion for sustainability in the healthcare sector. Lauren shares the story of how a viewing of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" during a moment of career uncertainty ignited her passion for environmental action. She recounts her decision to return to Ohio State University to pursue a dual Master's degree, where a conversation with the legendary Neil Drobny opened her eyes to the world of sustainability in business. This "aha" moment set her on a path that would combine her business acumen with her deep desire to make a positive impact.

She discusses her early work at the OSU Wexner Medical Center, where she began weaving sustainability into her role as an office manager, researching best practices, and building a case for a dedicated sustainability program. This initiative and her volunteer work with local organizations like Green Columbus and FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed) paved the way for her role at Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth. Lauren offers invaluable advice for those looking to break into the sustainability field, emphasizing the power of volunteering, seeking informational interviews, and the importance of "paying it forward." She also explores the complex, and often surprising, parallels between human healthcare and veterinary health, and the universal challenges and strategies for implementing sustainability in a clinical setting.

Episode in a glance

00:59 An "Inconvenient Truth" and a New Career Path
04:09 The GEICO Program That Taught Her About Purpose
06:38 From Office Manager to Sustainability Advocate
08:41 Advice for Aspiring Sustainability Professionals
14:06 Navigating the Safety vs. Sustainability Conversation
18:13 The Surprising Similarities Between Human and Animal Healthcare

About Lauren Koch

Lauren Koch is the Sustainability Senior Program Manager at Mars Veterinary Health, where she leads initiatives to create a more sustainable future for pets, people, and the planet. With a diverse background that spans business, public policy, and environmental science, she is a passionate advocate for data-driven strategies and collaborative action. Lauren's journey is a powerful reminder that a career with impact is always within reach if you're willing to ask questions, build relationships, and never stop learning.

Connect with Lauren Koch and her work:

Lauren Koch LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-koch-oh/

Mars Veterinary Health → https://www.marsveterinary.com/

Mars Veterinary Health Sustainability Report → https://www.marsveterinary.com/media/uploads/2025/01/Mars-Veterinary-Health-2024-Environmental-Sustainability-Report.pdf

Green Building article → (PDF) Energy performance of campus Leed® buildings: Implications for green building and energy policy

Health Care Without Harm → https://noharm.org/

Practice Greenhealth → https://practicegreenhealth.org/

Green Columbus → https://www.greencbus.org/

FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed) → https://www.olentangywatershed.or

Send us a message!

Brody Olson, the Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck, is here to prove that "junk removal" is about much more than just a trip to the dump. It's about empathy, community, and finding a second, third, or even fourth life for the items we no longer need. Brody pulls back the curtain on the often-misunderstood world of junk removal. He challenges the very notion of "junk," reframing it as "unwanted items" and revealing the treasure trove of opportunities for reuse, donation, and recycling. Brody shares the origin story of Two Men and a Truck, a humble summer gig that grew into a nationwide franchise, and explains how the demand for junk removal became a natural and necessary extension of their moving services.

He offers a window into the deeply human side of the business, discussing how his teams navigate some of life's most stressful moments: death, divorce, and moving, with empathy and grace. Brody details their robust diversion process, a multi-stream system that sends furniture to the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, clothing to Goodwill, and electronics to partners like Columbus Micro. He shares the impressive impact of these efforts, having diverted approximately 40 tons of donatable items in just the last eight months of 2025.

Brody also recounts the overwhelming success of their World Cleanup Day event, where a simple 15-second news segment brought a flood of cars, trucks, and trailers lined up to drop off items for free, proving the immense community desire for accessible and responsible disposal options. The conversation also touches on the emotional side of letting go of possessions, from the challenges of hoarder situations to the dwindling sentimentality of modern furniture.

Episode in a glance

01:02 It's Not "Junk," It's "Unwanted Items":
04:47 The Many Paths for Unwanted Items
07:34 Partnering with the Furniture Bank
11:47 World Cleanup Day An Unexpected Success
15:19  The Human Side of Hoarding and Letting Go

About Brody Olson

Brody Olson is the Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck. With a diverse background in operations and a deep commitment to customer service, he has played a key role in the growth and evolution of the company. Brody's journey is a powerful reminder that a fulfilling career can be found in unexpected places, and that the most valuable lessons are often learned on the front lines.

Connect with Brody Olson and his work

Website → https://twomenandajunktruck.com/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/TMJTColumbus/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/twomenandatruckcolumbus/?hl=en

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/brody-olson-661b48178/

Send us a message!

Brody Olson, Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck, may not have dreamed of a career in junk removal, but his journey is a powerful testament to the value of service, adaptability, and finding purpose in unexpected places. Brody shares his story, which began with a love for fishing and hunting and a dream of becoming a park ranger. He recounts his zig-zagging career path, from a brief stint as a biology major to exploring business and leadership, and the various jobs—from McDonald's to a plumber's helper to a custodian—that taught him valuable lessons about hard work and what he truly wanted in a career. He explains how a simple online job application led him to Two Men and a Truck, a role he initially saw as a stepping stone but which quickly became a launchpad for a decade-long career in management.

He gives us an inside look at the demanding and often unpredictable world of moving and junk removal, managing a team of 150 employees and a fleet of 50 trucks. Brody discusses the evolution of the company, from a traditional moving service to a one-stop shop that includes junk removal, storage, and even overseas relocation. He shares the valuable lessons he's learned about people, the importance of treating everyone with respect, and the power of giving yourself grace in a world that often feels cluttered. Brody also reflects on the leadership training that shaped his management style, the challenges of holding peers accountable, and the art of staying proactive in a reactive industry.

Episode in a glance

01:30 A Zig-Zagging Path Through College and Early Jobs
02:39 Finding a Career at Two Men and a Truck
04:25 The Difference Between Moving and Junk Removal
07:14 The Biggest Surprise About People and Their "Junk"
14:44 From a Job to a Career The Power of Mentorship
18:54 Advice for Finding Your Career Path

About Brody Olson

Brody Olson is the Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck. With a diverse background in operations and a deep commitment to customer service, he has played a key role in the growth and evolution of the company. Brody's journey is a powerful reminder that a fulfilling career can be found in unexpected places, and that the most valuable lessons are often learned on the front lines.

Connect with Brody Olson and his work

Website → https://twomenandajunktruck.com/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/TMJTColumbus/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/twomenandatruckcolumbus/?hl=en

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/brody-olson-661b48178/

Send us a message!

Can a neighborhood thrifting initiative make a dent in the massive problem of fashion waste?

Lisa Goldsand, the founder of Circular Thrift, shares her mission to valorize post-consumer textile waste and scale the reuse of clothing and accessories at a hyperlocal level. Through her unique collection bins, swap events, and mobile trike sales, Lisa is revolutionizing the way communities approach sustainable fashion, making it both convenient and enjoyable. Lisa shares her insights on consumer behavior, the challenges faced in the fashion industry, and her innovative strategies for promoting a circular economy. Discover how her local, community-driven approach is paving the way for a more sustainable future in fashion.

Episode in a glance

-The Birth of Circular Thrift: Early experiments and successes
-How Circular Thrift differs from traditional thrifting
-Driving Consumer Change: Lisa's approach to positive conversations (in a trike!)
-The Circular Thrift Pyramid Explained
-The Hyperlocal Advantage: Why neighborhood solutions matter
-Expanding the Circular Thrift Model

About Lisa Goldsand

Lisa Goldsand is the founder of Circular Thrift, a convenient clothing pick and drop off service that also does community swap events. She has a unique background, having spent almost 20 years working at Abercrombie & Fitch in various roles related to apparel retail operations. During her corporate career, Lisa gained extensive experience working with garment manufacturers, mills, and factories, giving her an in-depth understanding of the traditional linear supply chain process. After leaving Abercrombie & Fitch, she started Circular Thrift, driven by a desire to address sustainability challenges in the fashion industry while empowering consumers to make a difference through their choices.

Learn more about Circular thrift here and catch their next event → https://www.circularthrift.org/

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John Seryak, the founder of Go Sustainable Energy, believes that real change in the energy sector starts with listening to the people on the ground. In this episode, he shares the origin story of his company, the evolution of its mission, and the powerful "aha!" moments that drive his team to create a more sustainable and equitable energy future. John offers a refreshingly honest and multifaceted origin story for Go Sustainable Energy, explaining how a desire to "front-load his midlife crisis" and a deep dive into the lives of historical changemakers like Martin Luther King Jr., Jane Goodall, and Albert Einstein inspired him to start his own company at the age of 27. He discusses his vision to create a workplace with purpose, where human connection is valued, and where the work itself contributes to solving critical social and environmental issues.

He takes us inside Go Sustainable Energy, explaining how they provide accurate, unbiased information to help clients navigate the complex world of energy efficiency, load management, and distributed generation. John emphasizes the critical role of understanding and engaging all stakeholders, from the C-suite to the often-overlooked facility staff who are the true masters of a building's energy systems. He shares a powerful success story from the Ohio History Connection, where simple, common-sense solutions, championed by the facility staff, led to a staggering 50% reduction in energy use.

John reflects on the company's 19-year journey, highlighting the dramatic shifts in technology—from a time when solar and LEDs were science fiction to today's rapidly evolving landscape of EVs and smart grids. He discusses how this has changed the needs of his clients and the focus of his work, and introduces Go's subsidiary, RunnerStone, which provides crucial technical expertise to the policy and regulatory space.

Episode in a glance

00:42 The Unexpected Origin Story of Go Sustainable
04:46 What Go Sustainable Energy Actually Does
06:22 The Secret Champions: Facility Staff
09:55 The Ohio History Connection
13:25 19 Years of Change in the Energy Sector
17:04 RunnerStone Bridging Engineering and Policy

About John Seryak

John Seryak is the founder and managing partner of Go Sustainable Energy, where he is reshaping what an energy engineering firm looks like from the inside out. He has built a team of inquisitive engineering talent focused on providing accurate, unbiased guidance on sustainable energy. With a culture built on transparency and shared ownership, John is dedicated to proving that the most effective solutions emerge from a foundation of listening and genuine collaboration.

Connect with John and his work

• Website → https://www.gosustainableenergy.com/
• John’s LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-seryak-59630437/
• Go Sustainable Energy LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/go-sustainable-energy-llc/

Send us a message!

John Seryak, founder of Go Sustainable Energy, believes the biggest hang-ups in sustainable energy aren't about technology or money, they're about listening. In this deeply honest conversation, John explores his journey into the world of sustainable energy, which began not with a grand vision, but with a childhood attempt at a perpetual motion machine (turning a bicycle into a helicopter) and a near-total burnout from mechanical engineering. He shares the story of a pivotal mentor who saved him from quitting, pointing him toward energy as a path to making a real difference.

John recounts starting a sustainability club in college, not just out of passion, but as a deliberate "practice run" for entrepreneurship to see if he could build something from scratch. He discusses the crucial, and often uncomfortable, lessons learned after graduation while working in a company where he felt his vision didn't align. This experience led to a profound realization: building a successful company isn't just about the technical work; it's about creating a culture of transparency, shared ownership, and genuine interest in what your colleagues are doing. John pulls back the curtain on the challenges of leadership, the human tendency to create false narratives, and why the most important tool for solving our energy problems might just be the simple act of listening.

Episode in a glance

02:48 The Perpetual Motion Machine: An Engineer's Origin Story
04:19 A Crisis of Purpose 
07:20 Starting a Club as an Entrepreneurial Test
10:42 The Realization It's About Culture, Not Just Engineering
16:53 Go Sustainable's Culture of Sharing the Mic
20:20 The Real Barrier to Sustainable Energy Isn't Tech or Money

About John Seryak

John Seryak is the founder and managing partner of Go Sustainable Energy, where he is reshaping what an energy engineering firm looks like from the inside out. He has built a team of inquisitive engineering talent focused on providing accurate, unbiased guidance on sustainable energy. With a culture built on transparency and shared ownership, John is dedicated to proving that the most effective solutions emerge from a foundation of listening and genuine collaboration.

Connect with John and his work

• Website → https://www.gosustainableenergy.com/
• John’s LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-seryak-59630437/
• Go Sustainable Energy Linkedin → https://www.linkedin.com/company/go-sustainable-energy-llc/

Send us a message!

Danna Lotz, a lifelong educator with 18 years of experience, is now the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). Her story is an example of how a passion for teaching and a commitment to resourcefulness can lead to a career in sustainability, making a lasting impact on students and communities.

Danna discusses SWACO's mission to reduce landfill waste and the innovative programs they've developed to engage schools in this effort. She explains the School Recycling Champion Program, which provides free resources, education, and support to schools in Franklin County, helping them establish and improve their recycling programs. She also discusses the School District Consortium, a unique initiative that brings together district leaders to collectively bid for waste and recycling services, and the newly launched Green Team Network, which connects and empowers student environmental clubs across the region.

She shares inspiring stories of student-led initiatives, from data-tracking projects to community outreach campaigns, highlighting the creativity and passion of young environmental stewards. Danna also discusses the challenges schools face in implementing recycling programs, from logistical hurdles to the need for ongoing education and stakeholder engagement. She also shares how SWACO's approach to school programming has evolved, emphasizing the importance of dedicated staff, streamlined processes, and strong partnerships. She also discusses SWACO’s new “GreenPrint” initiative, which will focus on hard-to-recycle items like textiles and mattresses, and the expansion of convenience centers for residents.

Episode in a glance

04:01 Danna's Role at SWACO
05:47 The Power of Green Teams
07:01 The School Recycling Champion Program
13:53 Challenges in School Recycling
15:14 The Evolution of SWACO's School Programs
19:51 The Role of Schools in Sustainability
23:33 SWACO's "GreenPrint" Initiative

About Danna Lotz

Danna Lotz is the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). With 18 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, she brings a deep understanding of the education system and a passion for empowering students to her role. Danna is dedicated to creating engaging and impactful programs that inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Connect with Danna Lotz and her work:

• Website → https://www.swaco.org/201/Schools
• Apply to be a School Recycling Champion → https://www.swaco.org/324/School-Recycling-Champion-Program
• Email → [email protected]
• LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/danna-lotz-09aa99327/
• GreenPrint → https://www.swaco.org/502/Greenprint-For-a-Sustainable-Future

Send us a message!

Danna Lotz, a lifelong educator with 18 years of experience, is now the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). Her story is a powerful example of how a passion for teaching and a commitment to resourcefulness can lead to a career in sustainability, making a lasting impact on students and communities.

Danna shares her journey from a small-town upbringing, where collecting bottles and cans with her dad sparked an early interest in recycling, to her 18-year career as an elementary school teacher. She recounts how the practical needs of the classroom led her to embrace upcycling and waste reduction long before it was a formal part of her job description. From turning cereal boxes into book holders to salvaging markers, Danna's classroom was a hub of creative reuse.

Her path took a pivotal turn when she discovered SWACO's free landfill tour program. Initially hesitant, she was captivated by the eye-opening experience and the powerful questions it sparked in her students. This annual field trip became a catalyst for countless student-led projects, transforming her classroom into a space for environmental action and problem-solving. Danna discusses her transition from teacher to her current role at SWACO, a move that felt like a "full circle moment," allowing her to leverage her deep understanding of the education system to support schools across the region.

Episode in a glance

- From Tutoring to Teaching
- An Early Spark for Recycling
- A Teacher's Path to SWACO
- What a Landfill Tour is Like
- Bringing a Teacher's Perspective to SWACO
- How School Green Teams Get Started

About Danna Lotz

Danna Lotz is the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). With 18 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, she brings a deep understanding of the education system and a passion for empowering students to her role. Danna is dedicated to creating engaging and impactful programs that inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Connect with Danna Lotz and her work

Website → https://www.swaco.org/201/Schools

Apply to be a School Recycling Champion → https://www.swaco.org/324/School-Recycling-Champion-Program

Email → [email protected]

LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/danna-lotz-09aa99327/

GreenPrint → https://www.swaco.org/502/Greenprint-For-a-Sustainable-Future

Send us a message!