A podcast raising awareness through conversation, information, and mindfulness regarding some of the most important environmental issues of our time. The goal o...
174. Carbon Neutral to Change Climate with Austin Whitman
If you remember, in one of our earliest episodes, episode 23, I spoke with Austin Whitman, to unpack the meaning behind carbon-neutral certifications and what they really mean for consumers, companies, and the planet.Since then, a lot has changed, including the name of the Climate Neutral certification. Climate Neutral has officially rebranded as Change Climate, and in today’s episode, I’m excited to welcome Austin back to talk about what that shift represents and what’s next for their mission.Austin Whitman is co-founder and CEO of The Change Climate Project, a nonprofit with a mission to eliminate carbon emissions by accelerating corporate investments in climate solutions. The organization manages The Climate Label certification, a mark of climate leadership for consumer brands. Austin has spent more than two decades advocating and building solutions for the climate transition across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.In episode 174 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, you’ll get an inside look into how the nonprofit is evolving, what their vision looks like for the next five years, and how the outdoor industry has responded to growing calls for sustainability and climate action. Whether you’re a conscious consumer, a sustainability-minded brand, or just curious about what’s happening behind the scenes in outdoor gear manufacturing, this episode is full of insights on how we can better align our choices with climate action.INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/WEBSITE:https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalistORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/bookLISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976--------------------Change Climate ProjectWebsite: https://www.changeclimate.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechangeclimateproject/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/changeclimate/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChangeClimateProject/
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173. Public Lands Under Attack: What’s Happening and What You Can Do
In this episode, we discuss the ongoing threats to our public lands and the attacks on US environmental protections under the current administration. From the push for fossil fuel extraction to rollbacks of key policies like the Antiquities Act and NEPA, the Trump administration's agenda is having devastating impacts on public lands and the environment. We hear from: Jocelyn Torres, Chief Conservation Officer for the Conservation Lands FoundationLouis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations at Outdoor AllianceTania Lown-Hecht, the Vice President of Communications and Strategy at Outdoor AllianceDo you have questions or potential guests for future episodes covering public lands policy? Submit any information to our Google Form: https://forms.gle/VQW5ZoVcr6nDEd9t8or reach out via email on our website (theoutdoorminimalist.com)Key Topics:The ongoing dismantling of protections for public lands, including national monuments and the Antiquities Act.The shift towards corporate-friendly policies under the Trump administration and the rise of fossil fuel extraction on public lands.The environmental consequences of rapid resource extraction and the increasing threat to ecosystems, wildlife, and local communities.The impact of staffing cuts within federal land management agencies, weakening both recreational management and wildfire response.How public advocacy is making a difference: Over 100,000 letters sent to Congress and restored positions within land management agencies.What you can do to make your voice heard and protect public lands through organizations like Outdoor Alliance and the Conservation Lands Foundation.Resources:Outdoor Alliance: Take ActionConservation Lands FoundationSign up for updates and more at The Outdoor Minimalist NewsletterEpisode Sources:PBS: https://youtu.be/-sDtdCzMIKA?si=VSw4NdskP7Lw1Wl1PBS: https://youtu.be/vYtDOq-EhYU?si=_-JMWFnbLkZsrSLUhttps://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/2/25/press-release-threats-to-rural-recreation-economies-from-poorly-managed-oil-and-gas-developmentnbsp https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/3/6/public-lands-staffing-crisis-worsens-as-more-layoffs-threatened https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/03/republican-plan-privatize-sell-federal-public-lands-west/ https://www.wilderness.org/articles/press-release/map-illustrate-public-lands-reach-trump-energy-dominance https://www.nrdc.org/media/executive-orders-direct-massive-expansion-logging-public-lands https://www.npr.org/2025/03/13/nx-s1-5325959/federal-employees-court-firing https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/3/13/press-release-outdoor-alliance-rallies-120-businesses-brands-organizations-to-correct-public-land-staffing-reductions https://www.conservationlands.org/new_legislation_seeks_to_gut_public_process_on_federal_public_land_management_in_colorado_montana_oregon_and_wyoming
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172. 37.5 Technology’s Science of Sustainable Textiles with Blair Kanis
Sustainability in the outdoor industry has come a long way, but the challenges of waste, microplastic pollution, and textile biodegradability remain an issue many brands struggle to address. That’s where 37.5 Technology comes in. Known for creating high-performance fabrics that enhance comfort and moisture management, 37.5 has also been pushing the boundaries of sustainable textile innovation. One of their latest advancements, the Enhanced Biodegradation Additive (+EB) technology, is designed to accelerate the breakdown of synthetic fibers—helping to combat plastic waste and reduce environmental impact.In episode 172 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I sat down with Blair Kanis from 37.5 Technology to discuss their journey in sustainability, the development of their biodegradation technology, and the challenges of integrating this innovation into the broader textile industry. Blair Kanis is the president and general counsel at Cocona Labs, the creator of 37.5® Technology, and a global leader in sustainable thermoregulation material science. She joined Cocona Labs in 2020 as General Counsel and Director of Sustainability after a decade as an attorney at Kutak Rock LLP, specializing in intellectual property and Corporate Social Responsibility compliance. Active in the sustainability field since 2012, Blair has also taught business and human rights at the University of Denver Law School. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/WEBSITE:https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalistORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/bookLISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976--------------------Cocona LabsWebsite: https://www.thirtysevenfive.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirtysevenfiveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cocona-inc./YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYnXO2QJNaQ-FwYGuNHZ8Uw
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171. Peak Design's Employee-Owned Approach to Sustainability with Peter Dering
If you’re into outdoor adventure, photography, or just well-designed gear, chances are you’ve heard of Peak Design. In episode 171 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, Meg is joined by Peter Dering, CEO and founder of Peak Design, to talk about something that sets them apart: employee ownership. They discuss what that actually means in practice, how it influences everything from product development to sustainability initiatives, and why Peak Design believes this model is the future of ethical business.Peter Dering is the founder and CEO of Peak Design, a San Francisco-based company he started in 2010 making photography, outdoor, and lifestyle carry gear. Since launching Peak Design, Dering has overseen 13 Kickstarter campaigns, raising $40M and proving the validity of crowdfunding as a method to maintain financial and operational independence from outside investors. Growing acutely aware of his company’s increasing carbon footprint, Dering co-founded Climate Neutral (now the Change Climate Project): an independent non-profit organization that enlists private businesses to achieve net-zero carbon emissions through a simplified, four-step process. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/WEBSITE:https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalistORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/bookLISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976--------------------Peak DesignWebsite: https://www.peakdesign.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peakdesignFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/peakdesignltdYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/peakdesignvideoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peakdesignReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/peakdesign/
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170. A Journalist's Guide to Telling Conservation Stories with Sage Marshall
In the outdoor and environmental space, conservation is at the heart of so many discussions, but how those stories are told can make a difference. Whether it’s connecting policy to personal experiences or framing climate change through the lens of recreation, good storytelling has the power to inspire action.Joining me today is journalist and poet Sage Marshall. Sage has built a career covering outdoor recreation and conservation, with a focus on hunting and fishing media. In this episode, we’ll explore what makes a conservation story compelling, how to find and develop relatable figures, and the role that place and personal experience play in shaping narratives. Plus, we’ll discuss how storytelling in outdoor media is evolving and what the future might hold for conservation journalism.Sage Marshall is a poet, essayist, and outdoors journalist from southwest Colorado. He has lived across the U.S. and currently resides in Western Montana, where he explores the rivers and mountains around Missoula with his partner Bela and their adopted bird dog Gunney. He’s a student of many outdoor pursuits, from skiing and backpacking to fly fishing and duck hunting. Marshall is a contributing writer and former editor of Field & Stream. His creative work has been featured in publications such as The Missouri Review, Sport Literate, swamp pink, and elsewhere. Echolocation (Middle Creek Publishing), which weaves the landscapes and ecologies of the American West against themes of violence, adolescence, and beauty, is his debut poetry collection. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/WEBSITE:https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalistORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/bookLISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976--------------------Sage MarshallWebsite: https://www.sagemarshall.com/Book: https://www.sagemarshall.com/echolocationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagemarshall/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagemwrites/
A podcast raising awareness through conversation, information, and mindfulness regarding some of the most important environmental issues of our time. The goal of Outdoor Minimalist is to give outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor companies tools they can use to change their behavior when engaging in outdoor recreation to lower their overall environmental impact.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/
WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalist
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