In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with Dylan Coates and Stephen Vaughan from Hobie Eyewear to talk about one of the most innovative sustainability stories in the fishing industry.

Hobie Eyewear is transforming waste into value by upcycling leftover plastic from Hobie kayak manufacturing into their best-selling Hobie Hull sunglasses. The process is simple but brilliant: grind down kayak manufacturing scraps into pellets, then mold them into durable, floatable sunglass frames. The result? A product anglers love that also keeps plastic out of landfills.

Beyond innovation, Hobie Eyewear is proving that sustainability and business success go hand-in-hand. Their Hull sunglasses are the #1 seller on their site, showing that anglers are demanding more sustainable products. Plus, Hobie gives back by donating a portion of proceeds to the Fish America Foundation and organizing lake cleanups. Even the packaging is designed with more sustainable paper-based materials.

If you’re curious about how brands can turn "squandered corporate assets" into sustainable innovations that resonate with customers, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with New York Times Best-Selling writer Monte Burke, author of Lords of the Fly and his latest book, Rivers Always Reach the Sea. Monte shares unforgettable stories of fishing with icons like Captain Steve Huff, Lefty Kreh, Andy Mill, and Yvon Chouinard, while reflecting on the deep connection between storytelling, fly fishing, and conservation.

We talk Atlantic Salmon, wild adventures in Patagonia, and how the written word can inspire action to protect the fish and the places we love. If you're passionate about fly fishing, legendary anglers, and using your voice for the planet — you don’t want to miss this one.

Topics Covered:

• Behind the scenes of Rivers Always Reach the Sea
• Fishing with Captain Steve Huff, Lefty Kreh, Andy Mill and Yvon Chouinard
• The plight of Atlantic Salmon
• Why storytelling is vital for conservation
• Fishing in Patagonia
• And more...

This episode is brought to you by: Emerger Strategies and A New Earth Project, the sustainability initiative of Atlantic Packaging.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host Rick Crawford sits down with Ali Wines, founder of Uncommon Ground Communications and former Executive Director of Protect Our Winters Canada, to explore the critical role of storytelling in sustainability and climate communications.

Ali shares her inspiring journey from practicing law to becoming a leading voice in climate action and communications. We discuss how authentic, transparent, and data-driven storytelling helps brands build trust, avoid greenwashing, and connect with a growing community of values-driven anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.

We also touch on emerging green marketing regulations in Canada, and how outdoor brands can leverage storytelling to align with customer values and drive meaningful change.

Whether you're a sustainability professional, marketer, or outdoor industry leader, this episode offers actionable insights on how to communicate your brand’s environmental impact with clarity and confidence.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• Why storytelling is a powerful tool in sustainability communications
• How to avoid greenwashing with transparency and data
• What new greenwashing regulations in Canada mean for your brand
• Why outdoor brands must engage values-driven consumers

This episode is brought to you by: Emerger Strategies and A New Earth Project, the sustainability initiative of Atlantic Packaging.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

In this special episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with filmmaker, fisheries biologist, and master storyteller Josh “Bones” Murphy. You might recognize his powerful work in Artifishal, Purple Mountains, and The Scale of Hope—films that challenge the status quo and advocate for a deeper connection between people and planet.

We explore how stories help us make sense of the world, Josh’s evolution as a filmmaker at Liars and Thieves, and the inspirations behind his new nonprofit, Land & Sea for All—an organization committed to championing impact storytelling and amplifying individual and community voices to drive meaningful change.

This episode is dedicated to "the great connector" and friend to so many, Jeff Lee.

🎧 Tune in to hear how storytelling can protect wild places, inspire action, and ultimately, help shape a more sustainable and just future.

This episode is brought to you by: Emerger Strategies and A New Earth Project, the sustainability initiative of Atlantic Packaging.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

In this special bonus episode of The Sustainable Angler, host Rick Crawford is joined by James Pollack, attorney at Marten Law, to unpack the rapidly evolving world of sustainability regulations. From PFAS restrictions and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws to SEC and California's climate-related disclosures and the crackdown on green marketing claims, this episode offers a high-level overview of the regulatory forces reshaping business.

Whether you're a brand selling into retail, a sustainability professional, or simply trying to keep up with the shifting legal landscape, this episode is your go-to guide for what’s happening now—and what’s coming next.

Tune in to learn:

• Why PFAS is becoming the new plastic—and what bans mean for your products
• How EPR laws are pushing brands to take ownership of packaging and waste
• What California's climate disclosure rules mean for companies of all sizes
• How to avoid the legal risks of greenwashing

Stay ahead of the curve. Stay compliant. And most importantly—stay sustainable.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

In Part 4 of The Rise of Sustainability Regulations series, host Rick Crawford sits down with environmental lawyer James Pollack of Marten Law to explore one of the most high-stakes topics in sustainability today: green marketing claims.

With regulators, retailers, and consumers cracking down on greenwashing, how can brands in the fishing and outdoor industries talk about their sustainability efforts without getting into legal trouble?

In this episode, we cover:

• What counts as greenwashing under U.S. law
• How the FTC’s Green Guides can help brands
• What retailers expect from supplier marketing claims
• Best practices for making credible, compliant, and substantiated sustainability claims

Whether you're a marketing leader, sustainability professional, or business owner, this episode offers critical insights into staying transparent, trustworthy, and competitive in a changing regulatory landscape.

Also, be sure to check out Emerger Strategies’ new Sustainability Sales & Marketing Services help outdoor and fishing brands turn credible sustainability performance into powerful, compliant marketing that drives revenue and builds trust. We translate technical data into clear, compelling messaging that meets retailer requirements and avoids greenwashing. From strategy to storytelling, we make sustainability sell. 

🎧 Tune in now and avoid the legal pitfalls of greenwashing—while still telling your brand’s sustainability story with impact.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, we continue our Rise of Sustainability Regulations series with a timely conversation on climate-related disclosures featuring James Pollack, environmental attorney at Marten Law.

With new regulations like the SEC’s climate disclosure rule and California’s SB 253, SB 261, and AB 1305 taking effect, brands in the fishing and outdoor industries are under growing pressure to measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions. But what does that actually mean for your business?

James breaks down:

• What these new climate disclosure laws require
• Who is affected — and when compliance deadlines hit
• The business risks of inaction
• How transparency can become a competitive advantage
• What small and mid-sized companies can do now to prepare

If your company sells into big-box retailers or wants to stay ahead of regulatory, investor, and consumer expectations, this episode is a must-listen.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

In Part 2 of our special series The Rise of Sustainability Regulations, host Rick Crawford is joined by environmental attorney James Pollack of Marten Law to unpack one of the most important—and misunderstood—emerging policies in the outdoor industry: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging and Textiles.

With states like California, Oregon, Maine, and Colorado rolling out EPR for Packaging laws, fishing and outdoor brands are now being held accountable for the environmental impact of their packaging. In this episode, James shares how he helps top outdoor gear, apparel, and footwear companies navigate this evolving regulatory landscape to:

 ✅ Stay compliant with EPR laws
 ✅ Reduce packaging-related fees and waste
 ✅ Future-proof their business in a climate-conscious market

If your brand sells to major retailers, wants to lower regulatory risk, or is trying to meet rising consumer and investor expectations—this episode is a must-listen.

Protect your brand. Protect the places you love.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

#EPR #ExtendedProducerResponsibility #SustainablePackaging #SustainableAngler #FishingIndustry #OutdoorIndustry #GreenMarketing #MartenLaw #ClimateRegulations #SustainabilityPodcast #ConservationBusiness #SustainableBusiness

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

Welcome to a special 4-part series of The Sustainable Angler, where we tackle the most pressing sustainability regulations shaping the fishing and outdoor industries.

Over the next four weeks, I’ll be joined by James Pollack, environmental and regulatory lawyer at Marten Law, to unpack what brands need to know about PFAS (forever chemicals), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and climate regulations.

At Emerger Strategies, I help brands reduce costs, enhance reputation, and increase customer loyalty by measuring and improving sustainability performance. But here’s the thing: sustainability isn’t just good for business—it’s essential for managing regulatory risk. That’s why this series is a must-listen for any fishing and outdoor brand navigating the complex world of compliance.

James works directly with outdoor gear, apparel, and footwear companies—helping them understand and comply with regulations around material inputs, emerging contaminants, green marketing claims, and climate impacts. His insights are a game-changer for brands looking to stay ahead of the curve.

In this first episode, we dive deep into PFAS (forever chemicals):
✅ What they are and why they matter
✅ How PFAS regulations impact fishing and outdoor products like waders, wading boots, rain jackets, and fluorocarbon fishing line
✅ How PFAS is found in our drinking water
✅ What brands and retailers can do to manage chemicals of concern like PFAS
…and much more.

If you’re a fishing or outdoor brand navigating sustainability and compliance—or just passionate about protecting the wild places we love—this series is for you.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

In this powerful episode of The Sustainable Angler, we're diving deep into a topic close to my heart: America’s public lands. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend countless days camping, hiking, and fly fishing on these wild, beautiful landscapes. Public lands connect us with nature, fuel our $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, and offer a spiritual refuge that’s becoming increasingly rare. But right now, they’re under serious threat.

Some lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina, are proposing to sell off our public lands to balance the federal budget, putting our shared natural heritage—and the communities that depend on it—at risk.

To unpack this critical issue, I’m joined by Land Tawney, longtime conservation leader, public lands advocate, and leader behind American Hunters and Anglers Action Network. We talk about how Land got into conservation, the spiritual and economic value of public lands, their role in protecting clean air and water, and why they must remain in public hands. We also explore the history of the American conservation movement, the mounting threats to public lands today, and how you can make your voice heard.

Land also shares the Top 5 most effective ways to make your voice heard with lawmakers, based on his 25 years in conservation:

1. Have a 1-on-1 conversation and tell your story.
2. Call your Senators and elected officials and tell them to keep public lands in public hands.
3. Comment and message your elected officials on social media with that same message.
4. Send an email, especially using easy tools and petitions from groups like Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
5. Talk to your friends and family—your voice carries more power than you think.

Side note: If you are a brand that wants to support keeping public lands in public hands, I highly recommend joining Brands for Public Lands, an initiative from The Conservation Alliance that currently has 60+ members, including Patagonia, Meat Eater, and Emerger Strategies. Sign sign up to join Brands for Public Lands. 

This episode is a call to action. If you care about wild places, clean water, healthy communities, or just love spending time outdoors—you don’t want to miss it.

To listen to previous episodes of The Sustainable Angler, visit emergerstrategies.com/podcast, and if you like what you’re hearing, an absolutely free way to show your support is by leaving it a five-star rating and revi

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.