Did you know that if everyone in the United States tied their annual consumption of plastic bags together in a giant chain, the chain would reach around the Earth’s equator 776 times!? In our inaugural podcast, Annie speaks with Rose Timmer, a community activist from one of the United States’ poorest cities who successfully banned plastic bags. Way to go, Rose!
In this podcast, Annie also has a conversation with one of the environmental community’s favorite entrepreneurs, Andy Keller, founder of Chico Bags. Hear about what inspired Andy to start his company, why the plastic bag industry sued him and why making money and making a difference aren’t always mutually exclusive.

The Good Stuff — Episode 1: Take THAT, Plastic Bags!

The Good Stuff is the (mostly) monthly podcast of The Story of Stuff Project (www.storyofstuff.org). Annie Leonard's conversations on the Good Stuff highlight people who are rolling up their sleeves and making positive changes in their communities - right now. Whether they are entrepreneurs, community leaders, or neighborhood kids, these inspiring individuals prove that anyone can make a difference and by joining together we magnify our power to accomplish remarkable things.

Personal Journals

Society & Culture

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Stiv Wilson was in the middle of the ocean, hundreds of miles from land when he decided to quit his job to devote himself to putting a stop to plastic pollution.
In Episode 18 of the Good Stuff, Annie sits down with Stiv Wilson from 5 Gyres and takes a close look at plastic pollution in our oceans, lakes, and rivers. Annie wraps this episode with a call from Story of Stuff staffer Allison Cook -- from the middle of the North Atlantic!  Allison joined Stiv on a research expedition to witness the firsthand impacts of our throw-away culture.
Sit back and listen: it’s The Good Stuff.

The Good Stuff — Episode 18: Sailing Past Plastic

Want to share more Stuff, but don’t know where to start? 
In Episode 17 of The Good Stuff Annie sits down with sharing champion and legal rebel Janelle Orsi. Their conversation reminds us all what’s so great about sharing – whether it’s new friends, a smaller environmental footprint, or supporting a just economy – and just how easy it is to do. 
Ready to share more and buy less? Have a listen, and start sharing!

The Good Stuff — Episode 17: Start Sharing (Part 2 with Janelle Orsi)

In a world where too many of us are weighed down by ever-increasing piles, drawers, and closets full of Stuff, sharing provides a deceptively simple solution. In this episode, Annie interviews Adam Werbach, founder of yerdle.com, about the sharing economy. Just imagine how radically different it would be if when you needed something, you could first turn to our community instead of turning to the marketplace?

The Good Stuff — Episode 16: All About Sharing (Part 1 with Adam Werbach)

“The best antidote to worrying about a problem is getting involved in trying to fix it. The same is true for our kids.”
In the context of climate change, it’s all about moving towards a clean energy economy that is kid safe and climate safe.
For Episode 15 of The Good Stuff, Annie sits down with Lisa Hoyos, co-founder of Climate Parents, to discuss how parents can approach the tough topic of climate change with their kids and gear up to take action.

The Good Stuff — Episode 15: Kids, Parents and Climate

Meet Alex Freid and Amira Odeh. These two young people saw something amiss in how their communities related to Stuff and decided to do something about it. From eliminating waste during dorm move-out season to putting a stop to bottled water sales, here are two great examples of what it looks like to take action for "better" instead of "more."

The Good Stuff — Episode 1: Take THAT, Plastic Bags!

Download our free app to listen on your phone