Our four-part series featuring politicians from the municipal, provincial and federal levels proved to be quite popular. Gaining their insights into environmental and sustainability issues was quite valuable and for that reason, today's guest is especially welcome.

In today's episode, Andy chats with Ray Petro, candidate for Brantford city council in Ward 4. Ray is a long time resident of Brantford. Together with his wife Karen they are raising four children and three family dogs. He also lives with his mother Gigi. His parents immigrated to Canada in 1970 for a better life for their family. Ray eventually moved to Brantford in 1999 as part of the opening management team at the Casino where he worked for many years as a Pit Manager.

Ray now operates a thriving real estate business and is a small business owner specializing in skilled trades and services. He is also an active volunteer for many years and can be found dedicating his time within the community.

In this show, they discuss the elements that make up Ray Petro the man, as well as Ray Petro the politician. They explore Ray's vision for the next four years as a member of city council.

As a relative newcomer to municipal politics, Ray also offers some thoughtful and inspiring advice for those considering entering public service themselves.

Join Andy and Ray for this fascinating discussion.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• What inspires Ray and how he manages family, business, volunteer work and public service.
• Why he doesn't really see himself as a 'politician,' and why that matters when serving the community.
• Ray's thoughts on the importance of making choices at home that support the environment, from recycling to supporting initiatives such as community gardens.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Ray's website

The countdown is on to the municipal elections in October here in Ontario. Politics and policy remains an important part of creating a sustainably circular economy. That's why we've dedicated four episodes to featuring local municipal politicians, provincial candidates, leaders of political parties, and non-governmental organizations - people who are in the know and who influence policy and politics.

In today's episode, Andy chats with Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario. Mike is an outspoken advocate for climate action, as well as affordable housing and mental health. He also believes in putting people before politics, and that's why we're happy to have him on the show.

In this show, Andy and Mike discuss what it feels like to be considered one of the most liked politicians in all of modern politics, with some even speaking of him in terms used to describe Ed Broadbent and Tommy Douglas.

They look at the climate crisis, why so many Conservative parties don’t seem to understand the urgency of addressing it, and why they adhere so strongly to an anti-science, pro-fossil fuel perspective.

Mike also offers some sage advice for councillors who want to do more in order to help the environment at the provincial level, such as making better land use planning decisions, increasing housing supply and addressing housing affordability.  

Join Andy and Mike for this fascinating and eye-opening discussion.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• How Mike feels as one of the most liked politicians in all of modern politics.
• Why the Conservatives seem to misunderstand the urgency of addressing the climate change crisis.
• What councilors can do at the provincial level to better help the environment.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Green Party website

Mike's website

Mike's Email

The countdown is on to the municipal elections in October here in Ontario. Politics and policy remains an important part of creating a sustainably circular economy. That's why we've dedicated four episodes to featuring local municipal politicians, provincial candidates, leaders of political parties, and non-governmental organizations - people who are in the know and who influence policy and politics.

In today's episode, Andy is honoured to be joined by the Mayor of the city of Brantford, Ontario, Kevin Davis. A successful lawyer by trade for more than 35 years, Mayor Davis was elected the 50th Mayor of the City of Brantford on October 22, 2018. He's a passionate community activist committed to improving the quality of life for the residents of Brantford.

In this show, Andy and Mayor Davis discuss change and the importance of following through on changes that will make things better for people, no matter how much some may resist the change itself.

They look at some of the lessons that have been learned as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and where we go from here.

Mayor Davis also offers some thoughts on new initiatives and ideas for moving Brantford forward and addressing the climate crisis, as well as the inevitable challenges those will bring.

Join Andy and Mayor Davis for this fascinating and eye-opening discussion.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• The importance of following through on initiatives that will improve people's lives, addressing the challenges and overcoming the doubters.
• Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and where we go from here.
• New initiatives designed to help Brantford address the climate crisis, and eventually reach the ultimate goal: zero carbon.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Mayor Davis' website

Mayor Davis' email

It's currently election season. Ontario provincial elections happened in June, and we're heading into municipal elections in October. While this is in no way a political show, politics and policy is an important part of creating a sustainably circular economy. As a result, the next four episodes will feature local municipal politicians, provincial candidates, leaders of political parties, and then non-governmental organizations - people who are in the know and who influence policy and politics. 

In today's episode, Andy chats with Karleigh Csordas, the Green Party candidate for the Brantford-Brant riding of Ontario. She is a member of the Environmental and Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee and chair of the Green Team Brantford.

The Sustainably Circular podcast was created to dive into the key issues around sustainability and the circular economy so that you can lead others and make small but significant changes to help create a more sustainable world.

In this episode you'll discover:

- How Karleigh found her way into the world of environmental advocacy and sustainability.

- How the Green Party, and Karleigh in particular, will fight for sustainability at the government level.

- What we can do to help make our own community more sustainable and environmentally healthy.

Join Andy and Karleigh for this fascinating and eye-opening discussion.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• Karleigh's path to environmental advocacy and sustainability.
• Specific Green Party policies surrounding sustainability at the government level.
• Things we can do individually to help the fight for sustainability in our community.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Karleigh's website

Sustainably Circular website

Sustainably Circular podcast

Andy's LinkedIn

Zero Waste Shop & Online Refillery Website 

Zero Waste Instagram 

Zero Waste Facebook

The Sustainably Circular podcast was originally created to dive into the key issues around sustainability and the circular economy so that you can lead others and make small but significant changes to help create a more sustainable world.

In today's episode, Andy chats with Shahid Sayeed, COO of The BIG-nano Corporation, a Canadian manufacturer marrying propulsion engineering and material science based in Waterloo, Ontario.

In this episode you'll discover:

- The philosophy that was passed down to Shahid by his father and informed his college and early career.

- Background on The BIG-nano Corporation and it's processes.

- The kinds of challenges BIG-nano and its competitors face when it comes to being part of the sustainable and circular economy.

Join Andy and Shahid for this fascinating and eye-opening discussion.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• How Shahid's college life and early career was shaped by a philosophy passed down by his father.
• Some background on The BIG-nano Corporation and it's products/processes.
• The kinds of challenges being faced by companies like BIG-nano as part of the sustainably circular economy.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Shahid's LinkedIn

The BIG-nano Corporation website

Sustainably Circular website

Sustainably Circular podcast

Andy's LinkedIn

The Sustainably Circular podcast was originally created to dive into the key issues around sustainability and the circular economy so that you can lead others and make small but significant changes to help create a more sustainable world.

In today's episode of The Sustainably Circular podcast, Andy chats with Barry Hunt, President of the Canadian Association of PPE Manufacturers (CAPPEM), President and CEO of Prescientx, and the Vice Chair of the Coalition for Healthcare Acquired Infection Reduction (CHAIR)

In this episode you'll discover:

- Details on the two pillars of Precientx's PPE inventory.

- Barry thoughts on things we should stop doing, and some things we can start doing to help make Canada more self-sufficient.

- Recommendations for taking the first step to implementing a strategy for being circular in your business.

Join Andy and Barry for this fascinating and eye-opening discussion.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• Precientx's primary PPE inventory and it's two main pillars.
• Ways that we can all help make Canada more self-sufficient.
• Recommendations for implementing a circular strategy in your business.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Barry's LinkedIn

Precientx website

Sustainably Circular website

Sustainably Circular podcast

Andy's LinkedIn

In this episode of the Sustainably Circular podcast, Andy offers up a small preview of upcoming episodes and discussions around the circular economy.

As you know, the podcast was originally created to dive into the key issues around sustainability and the circular economy so that you can lead others and make small but significant changes to help create a more sustainable world.

In this episode you'll discover:

- The overall concept of the 'circular economy.'

- Some of the guests Andy hopes to present in upcoming episodes.

- A few of the upcoming topics you can expect to hear about, such as the manufacturing of health care products, electric car batteries, and retail.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• What the term 'circular economy' really means and how we fit in.
• Information on the guests Andy hopes to present in upcoming episodes.
• A few of the upcoming topics that will be covered.
• And so much more…

Resources:

Sustainably Circular podcast

Andy's LinkedIn

The Sustainably Circular podcast was originally created to dive into the key issues around sustainability and the circular economy so that you can lead others and make small but significant changes to help create a more sustainable world.

One of the best ways of doing that is by providing a platform where questions submitted by curious listeners like yourselves can be answered, and that is the subject of today's episode.

Remember, you can always submit your own questions to Andy by emailing your queries to [email protected]. (mailto:[email protected])

In this episode you'll discover:

- How the name 'sustainably circular' came about.

- Some background on the podcast itself and its focus.

- An in depth discussion of linear versus circular economies.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• The derivation of the 'sustainably circular' name.
• An explanation of the podcast's true focus and overall goal.
• Linear versus circular economies and what they mean for you.
• And so much more…

Resources:

Sustainably Circular website

Sustainably Circular podcast

Andy's LinkedIn

In this episode of the Sustainably Circular podcast, Andy Straisfeld talks to Geoffrey D. Calhoun, host of The Successful Screenwriter Podcast, best-selling author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter and founder of WeFixYourScript. 

You'll discover why Geoffrey started WeFixYourScript.

You'll discover why Geoffrey believes governments are reactive rather than proactive.

You'll learn how climate change has been set aside for profit and industrialization. 

You'll discover the intricacies of writing a film, particularly one addressing climate change.

You'll discover why indie filmmaking has recently experienced a recession.

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• How and why does the entertainment business produce cheerful shows during times of tragedy?
• What the future of screenwriting will look like.
• The archetypes you can employ within various story structures.
• The power of being authentic when writing original stories. 
• And so much more…

Resources:

Andy Straisfeld LinkedIn

We Fix Your Script Website

Geoffrey D. Calhoun LinkedIn

In this episode of the Sustainably Circular podcast, Andy Straisfeld talks to Ethan Brown, host of the Sweaty Penguin Podcast.

You'll learn about the origin of the Sweaty Penguin podcast and Ethan's plan for the podcast going into the future.

You'll discover Ethan's inspiration for combining comedy with today's challenges.

You'll discover why mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on the planet.

You'll learn about the most recent and alarming climate change news.

You'll discover 

You don't want to miss this!

What You'll Learn in this Show:

• What motivates Ethan to achieve success?
•  Ethan's primary focus when it comes to climate change.
• Why Ethan was disappointed with the movie "Don't Look Up."
•  How Ethan's approach is different from that of most young environmentalists.
• And so much more…

Resources:

Andy Straisfeld LinkedIn

Sweaty Penguin podcast