Sustainability Defined

Nethra Rajendran and Cecilia Rios

Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosts Scott Breen and Jay Siegel explore a new topic each episode with the help of an expert in the field. Each concept falls into one of seven sectors -- Energy, Cities, Natural Environment, Transportation, Business, Policy, and Social -- and is visually represented in a Sustainability Tree found at www.sustainabilitydefined.com.

  1. 5 jun

    A SPECIAL Ep. 100: Hot Commodities: Peanuts (ft. Once Again)

    We are celebrating a major milestone with episode of 100 of Sustainability Defined! Before diving in, we have a special message for all of our incredible Definers who have been a part of this journey. Thank you for listening, learning, and helping us builld a community dedicated to making sustainability more accessible.  For this special epsiode, we are bringing back the Hot Commodities series joined by Sudheer Kosaraju, Chief Commerical Officer at Once Again Nut Butter. Through Once Again's work in sustainable peanut sourcing and production, we explore the journey behind one of the world's most beloved and nostalgic snacks: peanuts!  From farming and water use to sourcing, processing, and global supply chains, we dig into the complex sustainability challenged behind this everyday commodity. We also explore what responsible business practices look like in agriculture and how consumers can make more sustainable choices at the grocery store.   Join us this epsiode as we answer your burning questions about the peanut supply chain and discuss what it takes to create a more sustainable food system.

    1 h 2 min

  2. 8 may

    Ep. 99: Sustainability & Supply Chains (Ft. The Association for Supply Chain Management)

    In this episode of Sustainability Defined, we're switching things up! Before diving into one of our classic storytelling-style breakdowns, we sit down with Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), to unpack the world of sustainable supply chains. If you've been following our Hot Commodities series, you know we've become a little obsessed with supply chains, because behind every matcha latte, chocolate bar, banana, or t-shirt is a massive global system shaping emissions, labor, water use, waste, and more. So we realized: we've talked about supply chains constantly…without doing a deep dive into them.  In the first half of this episode, Abe helps us break down what supply chains are, why sustainability and supply chains are inseparable, and how climate change, pandemics, and geopolitical tensions are forcing companies to rethink the way the world moves goods. Then, inspired by ASCM's new docuseries The Chain: How the World Works, we'll take you through the life cycle of a cotton t-shirt, from raw material extraction to landfill, unpacking the environmental and human impacts hidden behind one of the most everyday items in our closets. This episode is part explainer, part documentary breakdown, and part supply chain deep dive, and honestly, one of our favorite conversations we've had on the podcast!

    1 h 2 min

  3. 10 abr

    Ep. 98: Hot Commodities: Sugar (ft. Fairtrade America)

    In this episode of Hot Commodities, we're diving into the sweet, and often bitter world of sugar. From sprawling sugarcane fields to the products lining our grocery store shelves, sugar is one of the most globally traded commodities, deeply embedded in our food systems and daily lives. But behind its ubiquity lies a complex supply chain shaped by labor challenges, environmental pressures, and growing calls for transparency. In this episode of the Hot Commodities series, Cecilia and Nethra unpack the history and global footprint of sugar production, exploring how issues like water use, land intensity, and labor conditions continue to shape the industry today. Then, they sit down with a representative from Fairtrade America to discuss how certification programs are working to improve wages, empower farmers, and create more equitable and sustainable supply chains. Can choosing fair trade sugar actually drive meaningful change? And what responsibility do companies, and consumers, have in reshaping this industry? Tune in for a conversation that goes beyond the sweet surface to uncover the true cost of sugar.

    1 h 22 min

  4. 20 mar

    Ep. 97: Explained - The 2009 Endangerment Finding

    In this episode, Nethra and Cecilia break down the EPA's 2009 Endangerment Finding, the foundation of federal climate regulation in the United States.  As repeal efforts gain attention, this episode explores what the Endagerment Finding is, why it matters, and the legal challenges that could impact the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases.  From the courts to future climate policy, this episode unpacks what's at stake, and what could come next. Tune in to learn how one decision continues to shape the scope of federal climate action today.

    48 min

  5. 13 feb

    Ep. 96: Hot Commodities: Bananas (ft. Equifruit)

    Terrorism, corporate pay-offs, open-fire raids, rebranding and scandal....yes, we are talking about bananas. In this episode of our Hot Commodities series, we're peeling back the layers on the world's most popular fruit to reveal a history of corporate empires, political coups, and systematic exploitation that shaped entire nations. From the United Fruit Company's control over "banana republics" to Chiquita's 2007 guilty plea for funding Colombian paramilitaries, we trace how your 60-cent banana became so cheap and who paid the real price. We'll also explore the environmental impacts and supply chain of this fruit and why monoculture farming puts our entire global banana supply at risk. Join us as we follow bananas from tropical plantations through ripening rooms to your grocery store, uncovering the complex supply chain logistics that keep shelves stocked year-round. Fear not!! We also we sit down with Jennie Coleman, the President of Equifruit, to learn how ethical sourcing and Fair Trade practices are working to transform this troubled industry and provide a future for a new wave of banana agriculture. This episode is bananas!! literally and figuratively.

    1 h 6 min

  6. 12 ene

    Ep 95: The State of ESG in 2026

    We cut through the noise and jargon to define what ESG actually is and what it isn't. ESG feels like a sea of acyromns and alphabet soup, we help you understand the state of the current landscape and different reporting frameworks. Whether you're new to sustainability reporting or a seasoned professional, join us as Marcy Twete of Veerless helps us breaks down the fundamentals in clear, accessible terms that anyone can understand. We explore how the current administration's policies are reshaping corporate ESG strategies and what companies can expect in the months ahead. From regulatory shifts to stakeholder expectations, Marcy provides insider perspective on the challenges and opportunities organizations face as they balance purpose with performance and practical insights on what businesses should prioritize in 2026 This episode offers the clarity and context you need to understand one of the most debated topics in business today.

    1 h 21 min

  7. 05/12/2025

    Ep 94: 2025 Holiday Hodge Podge

    In this festive year-end episode, Cecilia and Nethra are mixing it all together, personal updates, podcast reflections, and the sustainability success stories that made us smile this year. From quirky innovations to feel-good climate wins, we're spotlighting the moments that brought a little extra hope to 2025. We also share our favorite tips for sustainable gift-giving, low-waste holiday traditions, and simple ways to keep the season joyful without going overboard. Think of it as your cozy, low-pressure guide to celebrating with intention. Grab a warm drink and join us for a cheerful, reflective Holiday Hodge-Podge to wrap up the year.

    46 min

  8. 07/11/2025

    Ep 93: Sustainability at the Thanksgiving Table - Joy, Burnout, and Hope (ft. Soapbox Project)

    This week on Sustainability Defined, Cecilia and Nethra are bringing the conversation to the Thanksgiving table.  We're breaking down how to talk about the climate crisis with the people we love, tackling eco-guilt and burnout, and navigating hope.  Join us for a chat with Nivi Achanta, the founder of The Soapbox Project , about the power of remaining joyful when approaching sustainability and community in fueling collective action. Tune in for a grounded, honest convo that'll leave you feeling connected and ready to spark change.

    1 h 10 min
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Información

Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosts Scott Breen and Jay Siegel explore a new topic each episode with the help of an expert in the field. Each concept falls into one of seven sectors -- Energy, Cities, Natural Environment, Transportation, Business, Policy, and Social -- and is visually represented in a Sustainability Tree found at www.sustainabilitydefined.com.

Ficha técnica

  • Creado por
    Nethra Rajendran and Cecilia Rios
  • Años en activo
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodios
    100
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Sitio web del podcast
    Sustainability Defined

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