What does “sustainability” actually mean today—and why does the word itself seem more controversial than ever?

In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain Forum, host Russ Shumaker sits down with supply chain and sustainability expert Scott Case to unpack the evolving role of sustainability in modern business. Drawing from experience as Vice advising the White House, the World Bank, and Fortune 500 companies, Scott offers a candid “state of the union” on sustainability—why the term has become polarizing, and why the underlying business practices are more critical than ever.

Together, they explore how leading companies are moving beyond buzzwords to focus on what really matters: reducing waste, increasing efficiency, building resilient supply chains, and unlocking new revenue streams through circularity. From “cash in the trash” to resale-driven business models, this conversation highlights how sustainability—when done right—is not a cost center, but a strategic advantage.

You’ll also hear practical insights on:

• Why sustainability should be embedded across teams—not siloed
• How to communicate sustainability in a way that resonates with executives and customers
• The hidden risks of treating sustainability as a compliance exercise
• Why culture and cross-functional collaboration are the real drivers of impact

Whether you're a CSR leader, supply chain executive, or business strategist, this episode will challenge how you think about sustainability—and show you how to turn it into a lever for growth, innovation, and long-term value.

Recorded live at the 2026 Storehouse Project Breakfast. Speakers include:

• Jim Inglis and Joi McPherson, whose home was devastated during Hurricane Helene
• Joe Klink, who explains why and how ProVia has partnered with World Vision for 20+ years
• Billy Bastek, EVP of Merchandising at the Home Depot
• Ben Barras, who explains the easy, value and impact of product donations.
• Paul Hylbert, Vice Chair of Kodiak Building Partners, who shares his experience visiting a disaster zone in the U.S. one year after Hurricane Helene

What happens when product is donated to World Vision?

In this special live episode—recorded during Design & Construction Week at the Storehouse Project Breakfast—we sit down with Lindsey Barnett, one of our disaster relief partners, to unpack how donated product has helped restore more than 400 homes in the area around Swannanoa, North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.

Lindsey shares how World Vision mobilized building materials, coordinated local partnerships, and moved from immediate response to long-term rebuilding. We explore what it takes to match donated product to real community needs, how logistics and trust make or break disaster response, and why corporate partnerships are essential in moments like this.

Supply chain leaders are under pressure to cut costs, adopt AI, and prove their ESG commitments—all without breaking the trust of partners or consumers. In this episode, Dr. Robert Handfield and Ben Barras join Russ Shumaker to unpack how AI can realistically support planning and decision-making (not just headcount reduction), why tariff stress-testing and scenario planning matter more than ever, and how brands can turn surplus and returns into meaningful impact through reverse logistics partnerships with nonprofits like World Vision. The conversation dives into ethical apparel, transparency, and what it takes to build long-term, trust-driven relationships across the supply chain—from manufacturers and 3PLs to NGOs serving people at the very end of the value chain.

What happens when a retailer builds every decision around the customer and backs it up with a disciplined, data‑informed operating model? In this episode of Sustainable Supply Chain Forum, Home Depot legend Jim Inglis reflects on the culture, leadership, and merchandising principles that powered the company’s rise from regional chain to industry giant. He shares stories from the early days, why “bleeding orange” culture still matters, and how store operations, inventory strategy, and vendor partnerships all connect back to serving the customer better. Listeners will gain practical insight into just‑in‑case vs. just‑in‑time inventory, the role of trust between merchants and suppliers, and what today’s retail leaders can learn from Home Depot’s playbook in an era of constant disruption.

Retailers are under pressure to cut waste, protect margins, and hit aggressive sustainability targets—and the answer may be hiding in their returns, trade‑ins, and donations programs. In this episode of Supply Chain Forum, Rich Bulger explains how circular logistics can turn post‑purchase chaos into a strategic advantage, sharing real‑world examples from major brands that are reclaiming value, reducing landfill, and creating new customer experiences from what used to be pure cost centers. Listeners will learn where most retailers leave money on the table today, what data and partners you actually need to stand up a circular model, and how to get started without disrupting your existing supply chain operations.

What if surplus inventory could protect your brand, outperform liquidation, and change lives? Host Russ Shumaker introduces a new B2B podcast where operators and executives share real playbooks for turning excess into impact. Expect practical conversations on disposition vs. liquidation, tariff-trapped SKUs, disaster-relief logistics, and ESG reporting.

Subscribe now and get ready for weekly, operator-level insights that boost margins, reduce risk, and deliver humanitarian impact.