The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained

Start living more sustainably. The Good Dirt podcast explores all aspects of a sustainable lifestyle with healthy soil as the touchpoint and metaphor for the healing of our relationship with the planet. Mother and daughter team Mary & Emma bring you weekly interviews with farmers, artists, authors, and leaders in the regenerative and sustainable living space.

Home & Garden
How To
Society & Culture
126
139. Creating Circularity in Construction with ...
Reshape what the construction industry looks like with sustainable deconstruction, whole house salvage, and building material donations.
52 min
127
Planning a "Sustainable" Wedding: A Peek Into O...
Mary and Emma Discuss Low Waste & Sustainability Goals for Emma’s Wedding
34 min
128
138. The Urgent Need for Restorative Gardening ...
From Gardeners to Guardians, Mary Reynolds discusses the harmful effects of pesticides, herbicides, GMO’s and fossil fuels.
73 min
129
137. Food for Our Future: Urban Agriculture an...
Gail Taylor from Three Part Harmony Farm discusses her sustainable urban vegetable operation in northeast DC, Afroecology and The Black Dirt Farm Collective
63 min
130
136. Humanity as a Geologic Force with Michael ...
Generation Anthropocene is a science podcast that explores planetary change. So, what is the Anthropocene? "The Anthropocene is a statement: Humanity is a geologic force, reshaping the earth’s surface. We are on par with ice ages and tectonic plates. But who, or what, is really in control? What are the limits of our power as a species, or as a society? How did we get here, and what are the forces that will shape this humbling and awe-inspiring new geologic age?” (genanhtro.com)
63 min
131
135. Seeking Solutions to Waste in the School ...
The school supply industry is filling our oceans and landfills with megatons of TRASH and consumers CAN choose to refuse, thanks to the paradigm shifting innovations of people like these two creative and passionate entrepreneurs. This was another great conversation where our guests really tell it like it is.
77 min
132
Planning a "Sustainable" Wedding: A Peek Into O...
Mary and Emma Discuss Low Waste & Sustainability Goals for Emma’s Wedding
29 min
133
134. Sustainable Fashion Meets Style and Innova...
Combining style, design and technology since it was founded in Montreal in 2012, Frank And Oak offers collections of sustainable, durable clothing and accessories for men and women that are thoughtfully designed and well suited to the lifestyles of its customers. Inspired by responsible thinking and with an eye to the future, Frank And Oak believes that dressing with intention can inspire a more conscious lifestyle for all. They strive to Inspire Better Living through thoughtfully designed products that care about you and the planet. Above all, they believe in helping communities to build a diverse and inclusive world that enriches our society, sustainably.
55 min
134
133. Eco-Textiles and Sustainable Sheets: Bett...
Listen to hear why eco-textiles are so important, and what to look for when looking to purchase textiles for your home. With its proprietary technologies, ettitude offers sustainable bedding, bath essentials, apparel and a variety of textiles made with CleanBamboo.
55 min
135
132. The Power of Flour: The Many Benefits of L...
Have you ever wondered where the ingredients for your bread come from...like really wondered? Well, PhD Heather Coiner has the answers for you. Acclaimed plant physiological ecologist, and founder of Common Grain Alliance, Heather and her team are working to connect the whole ecosystem behind the bread products on your shelf from the farmers to the bakers, she is making striving for a more connected grain economy in the Mid-Atlantic.
56 min
136
131. Rewilding Our Way Home to Ourselves with H...
This week we are talking to writer, creator and self proclaimed life-long learner, Hillarie Maddox, founder of Black Girl, Country Living. Hillarie preaches the idea that slow living in a lifestyle anyone can live, and focuses her encouragement specifically on the BIPOC community. She climbed the big tech corporate ladder, then ditched the city for slow living and finding her love of nature, and she found herself in the process.
77 min
137
130. It Starts in the Kitchen: Sustainable Livi...
Our guest today is someone who began her plastic-free journey in her kitchen, and has now become the renowned Zero Waste Chef, Anne-Marie Bonneau! Starting as a Zero Plastic Chef, she took the next step in her sustainability journey and became the Zero Waste Chef working towards producing zero waste in her own kitchen and inspiring others to do the same. She talks about how to shop differently, buy differently, and cook differently to reduce waste in the kitchen!
62 min
138
129. Foraging & Feasting: Food, Medicine, and H...
Dina Falconi, herbalist, teacher, and author, of Feasting and Foraging talks about her journey towards leading a meaningful, spiritual, and healthy life. She talks about her experiences with finding natural medicine through food. Specializing in permaculture and herbal healing, Dina talks about how we can make changes in our everyday lives to improve our physical, mental, and spiritual health.
64 min
139
128. Futuresteading with Jade Miles of Black Ba...
Ever dream about moving to a Homestead? In today's episode, we're talking to Jade Miles of Black Barn Farm. Jade is the author of FUTURESTEADING, a practical and inspirational guide to living in a way that values tomorrow and the host of a podcast by the same name. Futuresteading is grounded in a slower, simpler, steadier existence as the first step – one that’s healthier for humans and the planet. In addition, Jade runs Black Barn Farm with her husband and their three children, inspired by their belief in building a localized fair food system.
59 min
140
127. Discovering the Roots of Good Health with...
Today's discussion is with Lauren Haynes, founder of Wooden Spoon Herbs, a company providing products and education to help you build your routine of herbal support. Lauren's goal is to make earth-grown, time-tested herbal formulas accessible for the health of ourselves and our planet. In this conversation, we discuss Lauren's background in Appalachia and her education as an herbalist, the challenges of regulations around herbal products, educating consumers about product use, and the role of herbalism in healing the broken relationship between humans and earth.
59 min
141
BONUS: The History and Folklore of Brigid: Sain...
Brigid of Kildare: Saint, Legend and Lady Farmer with Kathy Spaar | Episode 27 Reprise
41 min
142
126. No Fluff: The Inside Info On Wool Insulati...
Looking for a natural insulation option? Look no further than the world's oldest...wool! In today's episode, Mary & Emma chat with Andrew Legge, founder of Havelock Wool to discuss wool insulation, how it differs from more conventional insulation methods, and why you might want to consider it for your tiny home, van conversion, or even full home renovation!
68 min
143
125. How Smokey the Bear Changed America: The I...
Today's guest is Kyle Lybarger, a forester and conservationist from north Alabama. His passion is identifying, protecting, and managing the overlooked grassland ecosystems in his region and educating the public about the environmental value and climate benefits of these native plants. Most people don't realize that so many of our forested areas were once actually native grasslands that were maintained by the grazing of native animal life and the management practices of the native people. In this conversation, Kyle also explains the importance of fire in land management, both the naturally occurring fires and those that indigenous people practiced to sustain local food systems. Tune in to hear Kyle's take on Smokey the Bear, rewilding and the "no-mow" movement, how our domestic landscape has shifted here in the United States and what we can all do to reinvigorate our land and secure our food system.
69 min
144
124. Exploring Real Life Environmentalism with ...
Today's episode is with Julia Blandford, host of the Seeking Sustainability Podcast. Join us for this fun and refreshing conversation with one of the younger voices within our community.
62 min
145
Reprise: Little Christmas and a Story for Epiph...
In this episode, Mary and Emma discuss the meaning of January 6th as the Feast of Epiphany, and Mary tells the Legend of Old Befana.
16 min
146
123. Year End Review: Mary and Emma Look Back a...
Tune in as Mary and Emma each discuss and review their picks for the most impactful episodes from 2022. 
25 min
147
Slow Holiday: A Winter Reflection and Music
Tune in for this special winter episode, featuring a holiday reflection and a favorite traditional song, sent to you with love from Mary and Emma. Happy Holidays everyone! 
11 min
148
122. Creating Sustainable Art in a Consumer Cul...
Our guest today is Christa Norman, a fine artist whose photographic medium is cyanotype. Her work reflects seasons and explores seasons of the human experience. Christa creates floral artwork with flowers grown in her own garden and conceptual collections inspired by her personal life seasons. 
53 min
149
121. Eliminating the Idea of Waste: Everything ...
Our discussion today is with Mary Ellen Dowd, a Communications Associate at TerraCycle, Inc. TerraCycle is an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions, creating and operating first-of-their-kind platforms in recycling, recycled materials, and reuse. Across 21 countries, TerraCycle is on a mission to rethink waste and develop practical solutions for today’s complex waste challenges. The company engages an expansive multi-stakeholder community across a wide range of accessible programs, from Fortune 500 companies to schools and individuals, and has raised over $44 million for schools and nonprofits since its founding more than 15 years ago.
46 min
150
120. Food Waste Solutions: How Home Composting ...
Our guest today is Jeremy Lang of Pela, the company that started with a product that you hold every day - the world’s first compostable phone case. Jeremy had the courage to spend years experimenting with new materials to try and find an alternative to plastic that could be used in everyday products.
58 min