Embracing (re)Generative Leadership With Susan Griffin-Black & Brad Black
In today’s world where capitalism, globalism, and digital innovation reign supreme, sustainability still finds its way to navigate the corporate world on the right path. Corinna Bellizzi sits down with Susan Griffin-Black and Brad Black who share how they pioneered the natural personal care industry through their unique (re)generative leadership approach. They discuss what it is like to run a 30-year-old business without relying on private equity or venture capital but by staying committed to their core vision and values. Susan and Brad also talk about the importance of business transparency, how to integrate AI into your processes ethically, and why DEI must always be at the core of any workplace culture.About Guests:Susan Griffin-Black and Brad Black are the Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of EO Products, makers of EO and Everyone brands. Since 1995, they've pioneered the natural personal care industry, starting by blending essential oils in their San Francisco garage. Their commitment to "business for good" has grown into a family-owned B Corp with zero-waste manufacturing and 91% post-consumer recycled packaging. For 30 years, they've created products that honor people and planet without sacrificing profitability. Their manufacturing facility in Marin County diverts 92% of waste from landfills while running on 100% renewable energy. Under their leadership, EO has remained independent, maintaining control over their values-driven approach to creating high-quality, plant-powered personal care products accessible to all.Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eo-products/Guest Website: https://www.eoproducts.comGuest Social: https://www.instagram.com/eoproducts/https://www.youtube.com/user/EOLovershttps://www.facebook.com/EOProductsShow Notes: Final audio00:02:57 - Upholding The Vision Of EO Products00:11:02 - Being Natural In The Personal Care Environment00:12:37 - Understanding The Business For Good Philosophy00:20:00 - Sticking To Their Core Values00:24:16 - Understanding Corporate Unconditioning00:27:23 - Fostering Inclusivity In EO Products 00:38:17 - How Brands Can Increase Their Longevity00:43:59 - Sustainability, Responsibility, And Leadership00:47:45 - Gaining Traction As A (Re)generative Business00:50:49 - Overcoming The Biggest Sustainable Hurdles00:57:43 - Celebrating 30 Years Of EO Products01:03:07 - Episode Wrap-up And Closing WordsJOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we’ll plant a tree in your honor!🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we’ll plant another tree Follow us on social media:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@circleb.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caremorebebetter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-more-be-better
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1:04:52
Empowering Changemakers: A Conversation With Nick Mucha On 'Tools To Save Our Home Planet'
Changemakers from the grassroots are the most inspiring people out there, but they need the right support to do their job well and make our home planet much better. Nick Mucha, Director of Environmental Issues and Strategy at Patagonia, talks about his latest book that explores how to empower intergenerational activism. Together with Corinna Bellizzi, he explains how to use art in elevating small actions against climate crisis and what it takes to boost skill-based volunteering. Nick also discusses the danger of monetizing public lands and why the smallest communities will be adversely affected by such a decision.About Guest:Nick Mucha is one of the editors of Tools to Save Our Home Planet. He serves as the Environmental Capacity Building Director at Patagonia. In this role, Nick leads Patagonia’s efforts to focus and deliver strategic grantmaking support to Patagonia’s grantee organizations while enhancing the effectiveness and durability of nonprofit partners. His work is born out of a deep appreciation for the vitally important role that nonprofit organizations play in tackling our most vexing environmental, social, and economic issues. Nick has 15 years’ experience leading conservation and community development programs throughout the world. His interest in this work was born while he and his wife served as Peace Corps volunteers in Honduras from 2004-2006. From that experience Nick founded his own organization supporting coastal communities that were grappling with booming surf tourism in southern Nicaragua. After running that organization for 7 years, Nick served as Director of Programs for Save The Waves Coalition with a focus on protecting surf ecosystems worldwide. Nick holds a B.A.in political science from UC Santa Barbara. Outside of work, Nick is usually serving up dad jokes to his three kids or scheming to get in a quick surf, trail run, or weekend adventure off-grid.Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-mucha-95a6964Guest Website: https://www.patagonia.comShow Notes: Raw audio00:03:02 - Nick’s Journey To Environmental Activism00:07:56 - Motivation And Inspirations Behind The Book00:14:03 - Helping Activists Avoid Burnout00:23:26 - Making The Book Fresh And Relevant00:26:32 - Protecting And Supporting Public Lands00:33:07 - Supporting The Noble Mission Of Patagonia00:40:19 - Picking Your Starting Point And Taking Action00:52:54 - Taking Care Of Yourself00:56:57 - Episode Wrap-up And Closing WordsJOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we’ll plant a tree in your honor!🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we’ll plant another tree Follow us on social media:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@circleb.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caremorebebetter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-more-be-better
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51:13
Responsible Sourcing & Plant-Based Energy: A New Brew With Ben Levine of Rasa
Republished with permission from Nutrition Without Compromise and ORLO NutritionGuest: Ben Levine, Co-Founder of Rasa & Clinical HerbalistIn this enlightening episode, we meet Ben Levine, a clinical herbalist and co-founder of Rasa, a sustainable adaptogenic coffee alternative brand. Ben shares his journey from corporate herbal sourcing to founding Rasa, revealing the darker side of the herb trade, the pitfalls of commoditization, and the powerful role of regenerative and responsible sourcing practices.You’ll learn how Rasa supports farmers and wildcrafters through boots-on-the-ground sourcing, why certifications like Fair Trade and Fair for Life aren’t always enough, and how adaptogens like ashwagandha and rhodiola can help combat modern stress. We also explore the future of plant-based nutrition, climate-resilient herbs, and how reconnecting with even a single plant can shift consumer behavior.Topics Covered:[00:01:04] Introduction to Ben Levine and his path from Celestial Seasonings to founding Rasa[00:02:57] Disillusionment with the commercial herb industry & the commodification of plants[00:04:41] The impact of popularity on wildcrafted adaptogens like rhodiola and eleuthero[00:06:21] Visiting ashwagandha farms in India and how Rasa builds sourcing relationships on the ground[00:08:17] Certifications like Fair for Life vs. direct trade: Are labels enough?[00:10:14] How certification programs can be co-opted by corporations[00:13:56] The case for paying more for responsibly sourced coffee and tea alternatives[00:14:26] How Rasa formulations address daily stress with adaptogens[00:15:35] Why ritual matters—building healthy habits into your daily routine[00:18:13] How adaptogens work: Partial cortisol agonists and stress modulation[00:20:32] Adaptogens at altitude: Helping the body acclimate to high elevations[00:23:38] The evolutionary intelligence of plants and why they thrive in extreme climates[00:25:12] The growing disconnect in modern diets: Nature deficit and phytochemical diversity[00:28:05] Coffee vs. herbal alternatives: Water use, land use, and regenerative potential[00:30:03] Fermentation teas, compost brews, and the Jeewamrutha system in India[00:31:01] Why rainwater catchment systems are essential in regions affected by climate variability[00:32:26] How regenerative practices spread farmer-to-farmer[00:33:33] The one action you can take today: Build a relationship with a single plant[00:34:56] Why sourcing matters more than ever—and how you can vote with your dollars[00:35:58] Discount code & final thoughts: Try Rasa and support responsible sourcing🔗 Use code NUTRITION15 at WeAreRasa.com for 15% off your first order.JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we'll plant a tree in your honor! https://caremorebebetter.com🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we'll plant another tree Follow us on social media:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@caremorebebetter TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@caremorebebetterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CareMoreBeBetter/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/caremorebebetter
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37:19
Healing The Soil Through Regenerative Farming With Ric Scalzo
The earth offers a lot of things that make us and the entire planet healthier – we only have to know which things are genuinely good for us. Ric Scalzo joins Corinna Bellizzi to share how he masterfully combines his knowledge with herbal medicine, regenerative farming, and ancient traditions to bring healing to people and the world as a whole. Ric explains why he believes the future of medicine begins with a microbiome of the soil and ourselves, as well as how to grow high-quality crops through regenerative practices while keeping the soil healthy. Ric also shares the many lessons he has learned from founding Gaia Herbs to starting his newest venture Kokora Life.***Get 20% off Kokora products (Care More Be Better will ALSO receive a commission) with the coupon code: CAREMORE20 or just follow this link and the coupon will auto-load in your cart: https://kokoralife.com/discount/CAREMORE20 ***About Guest:Ric Scalzo began his exploration of herbal and naturopathic medicine in 1980, delving into fields such as Naturopathic Herbal Medicine, Eclectic Herbal Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and various diagnostic methods. He earned a master’s degree in Herbal Medicine from the School of Herbal Medicine and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. After several years of medical practice, Ric founded Gaia Herbs in 1987 and grew Gaia to the most respected and successful herbal company in the country. After selling Gaia in 2019, Ric established the Institute of Botanical Research in Arizona and established CR Medicinal Farms, a regenerative organic farm in Costa Rica. These became the stepping stones for his new adventure called Kokora, a herbal products company focused on regenerative organic cultivation with a mission to "create the finest herbal remedies that promote health and vitality for all”. Celebrated for his pioneering work in Herbal Medicine and his dedication to preserving herbal integrity for over four decades, Ric continues to innovate in the field and plays a key role in integrating regenerative agriculture with herbal medicine.Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kokoralifeGuest Website: https://kokoralife.comGuest Social: https://www.instagram.com/kokoralife/https://www.tiktok.com/@kokora.lifehttps://www.facebook.com/kokoraliferegeneratedhttps://www.youtube.com/@KokoraLifeShow Notes: Raw audio00:03:08 - Ric’s Origin Story00:06:44 - Merging Traditional Wisdom With Modern Science00:10:25 - Making Herbal Products Palatable00:14:50 - Nutrition Density In The Soil00:21:03 - Differences Between Regenerative And Organic00:28:09 - Weeds: The First Succession Of Life00:30:58 - How The Regenerative Movement Grows00:39:50 - Growing Your Own Ingredients00:45:10 - Ric’s Five Core Principles00:51:27 - Plants As Teachers00:50:25 - The Story Behind Kokora’s Name01:09:19 - Episode Wrap-up And Closing WordsJOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we’ll plant a tree in your honor!🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we’ll plant another tree Follow us on social media:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@circleb.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caremorebebetter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-more-be-better
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1:03:11
The Blue Plate: How Our Meals Can Combat Climate Chaos | Mark J. Easter
What if your next meal could be a tool for climate action?In this episode of Nutrition Without Compromise, shared here with the permission of ORLO Nutrition, Corinna Bellizzi welcomes ecologist and greenhouse gas accountant Mark J. Easter to explore the connection between the foods we eat and the fight against climate chaos. Mark shares insights from his new book, The Blue Plate: A Food Lover’s Guide to Climate Chaos (Patagonia Press), offering a hopeful path forward through regenerative agriculture, plant-forward diets, and nature-based solutions like shellfish farming and soil restoration.Together, they examine:The personal legacy of farming on the Great Plains and carbon lossWhy shrimp farming is far worse for the environment than you might thinkHow regenerative practices restore soil health and human nutritionThe surprising role of mussels and oysters in carbon drawdownWhat we can learn from indigenous practices and planetary perspective🌱 Tune in and learn how your daily choices at the dinner table can help build a healthier, more resilient planet.Resources & Mentions:The Blue Plate: A Food Lover's Guide to Climate Chaos by Mark J. EasterPatagonia Books: https://www.patagonia.com/shop/books Learn more about Orlo Nutrition: https://OrloNutrition.com (Use code NWC for 10% off)JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE:🌴 Subscribe to our newsletter, and we'll plant a tree in your honor! https://caremorebebetter.com🌲 Subscribe and rate us wherever you listen, and we'll plant another tree Follow us on social media:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@caremorebebetter TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@caremorebebetterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CareMoreBeBetter/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/caremorebebetter
About Care More Be Better: A Podcast For Sustainable Social Impact and Regeneration
Care More Be Better, invites you to care more so we can create a better world together. We amplify the voices of environmentalists, activists, scientists, and leading experts who seek to make the world a better place. We share actionable insights and tools so you can make a measurable difference each day. Over the course of more than 230 episodes, you'll hear from inspired individuals, ecologically responsible entrepreneurs, and conscious companies from diverse communities and backgrounds. Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, on our website, and on most major podcast platforms.Notable guests include: Jean-Michel Cousteau, Paul Hawken, Nina Simons, Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, Captain Liz Clark, Nana Aba Anamoah, Dr. William Li, Miyoko Schinner, John Roulac, Chef Babette Davis, Kelly Reyerson (@glyphosategirl), Starhawk, Donna Grantis and many more. These global change agents and activists create positive impacts and encourage us to think globally while also acting locally. Inspired by Paul Hawken’s aspirational book Regeneration - Ending The Climate Crisis In One Generation, and the late Dr. Wallace J. Nichols' Blue Mind Movement, this show aims to create a realistic roadmap to build a better future. As Paul Hawken simply states: “Global warming is not a science problem. It’s a human problem.” On this journey, you'll become the person you aspire to be by remaining curious, thinking deeply, and listening intently while looking inward. You'll discover your internal wisdom and learn to listen to your inner voice to receive the gifts nature provides fully. Tune in to understand the most important issues that affect us all.Hear experiences from the front lines of social policies and political struggles.Feel enlightened by conversations about health, wellness, and mindfulness.Discover valuable entrepreneurship and business strategies. Hone your communication and leadership skills.Become part of the regeneration nation by expanding your knowledge of agriculture, social systems, and help us build a more circular and just economy. As a community, we aim to evolve our understanding of social impact, sustainability, and regenerative, circular living to create a healthier and more just world. The stories we tell will get you thinking about how to secure the future for the human race and all Earth's inhabitants - from how you can build positive change in your local community, to how you might broaden your reach and impact globally.About Our Host: A natural products industry executive, Corinna Bellizzi helped develop and grow several responsible, sustainable nutrition brands including: Nordic Naturals and ORLO Nutrition. With these achievements and experience, Corinna went back to school to earn her MBA, graduating at the top of her class at Santa Clara University, and is now pursuing her PhD at the intersection of Sustainability, Education and Nutrition at Prescott College. Her colorful career and exceptional experiences fill this show with life-changing conversations and insights you're sure to benefit from. Beyond elevating business ventures and earning massive profits, she exemplifies how to deliver genuine value, achieve bigger things, and pursue significant positive change. Care More Be Better is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, our website and most major podcast platforms. JOIN OUR CIRCLE. BUILD A GREENER FUTURE! https://caremorebebetter.com When you join our email list, we plant a tree with the help of ForestPlanet! Remember, our aim with Care More Be Better is to help you use less, waste less, and live more! Engage with us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok!
Listen to Care More Be Better: A Podcast For Sustainable Social Impact and Regeneration, Uncharted with Hannah Fry and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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