Going Zero

Seth Combs, Alex Viola, & Eric Pasewalk
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Business
  • Weekly

Every week, Seth Combs, Alex Viola, and Eric Pasewalk help leaders navigate the sustainability maze in their workplace and interview leaders who are blazing the trail in sustainability and the quest for zero waste. Covering topics from ESG and Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to the impact of deforestation, food waste, and plastic pollution on our environment, Going Zero is here to help you understand the everchanging world of sustainability.

  1. 1d ago

    From Supergoop! to Super Cans: A conversation with WaterOuai founders Will and Holly Thaggard

    For most of us, water is the ultimate commodity: shelf after shelf of bottles at every grocery store, dispensed at sports fields, offices, schools, and airports. But what if this everyday product, supposedly so pure and essential, was quietly undermining our health and the planet? This question sits at the heart of WaterOuai (WaterOuai.com), a next-generation hydration brand founded by serial entrepreneur Holly Thaggard, known for transforming sunscreen usage with Supergoop!, and her son, Will. Their mission is not just to promote a healthier, cleaner water, but to help us rethink everyday habits, packaging, and the invisible dangers in common choices. From Skin to Sip: A Brand-Building LegacyWaterOuai’s origin story is intertwined with Supergoop!’s success, a brand that turned once-seasonal sunscreen into a daily essential. Thaggard explained, “No one was talking about SPF outside of May, June, or July... The industry treated sun protection as an incredibly seasonal category.” She built Supergoop! on the principle of prevention and daily health, using fun, appealing branding to persuade parents and children alike to embrace sunscreen as much as toothpaste. The strategy for WaterOuai is the same - focus on behavior change through inspiration, not fear. “Inspiring is much stronger than scaring,” said Thaggard. The Spark: A Family’s Stand Against PlasticThe idea for WaterOuai began at the kitchen table, not a corporate boardroom. Thaggard recalled a health expert warning parents: “Don’t let your boys drink from plastic water bottles,” citing concerns over endocrine disruptors, reduced testosterone, and other health issues. Years later, volunteering with her son Will on trail and park clean-ups, they noticed “everything in our plastic bag was plastic water bottles.” This experience prompted hard questions: Why do we accept plastic bottles as the default? What alternatives exist? Will’s research uncovered another unpleasant truth: Even supposedly better aluminum cans leach microplastics, often due to plastic linings sprayed inside the cans. With WaterOuai, the family set out to tackle both health and environmental risks by reinventing water packaging, and the habits around it.

  2. Sep 29

    Profits and Purpose How Climate Startups Win by Fixing Real Problems with Josh Dorfman

    Welcome back to Going Zero, the sustainability podcast for leaders making a real impact. In this episode, hosts Seth Combs and Eric Pasewalk sit down with environmental entrepreneur, author, and media personality, Josh Dorfman, co-founder and CMO of Plantd. With decades of experience spanning sustainable furniture, innovative building materials, and climate-focused media, Josh shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career—from consignment showrooms in Brooklyn to launching Planted, a revolutionary company creating building panels from fast-growing grass. Join us as Josh explains how understanding real consumer and business needs is crucial for scaling climate tech, the importance of moving from ideal-driven to market-driven solutions, and why optimism and practical solutions are key in the fight against climate change. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from around the world and actionable advice anyone can use to make a positive difference—starting with where you bank. Dive in for an enlightening conversation at the intersection of innovation, business, and building a greener future.

  3. May 28

    Behind the Scenes: Sustainability at Music Festivals with Vivian Belzaguy Hunter

    In this episode, we dive into sustainability where the stakes—and the challenges—are at their highest: music festivals and live events. Our guest is Vivian Belzaguy Hunter, a trailblazer in festival sustainability who has transformed waste diversion, environmental protection, and behavioral change across massive, temporary “pop-up cities.” From the chaos behind the scenes to the drive toward zero waste, Vivian shares how small decisions lead to big change, why recycling and composting efforts so often fall short, and how proactive planning can turn festivals into immersive classrooms for sustainability. Hear what sets truly green festivals apart from the rest, how organizers, vendors, and even artists play a pivotal role, and the innovations transforming the industry here and abroad. Whether you run a business, lead a campus, or love live music, discover what our wildest events can teach us about going zero—where change is possible, and sometimes, preferred.

  4. Apr 1

    Redefining Food Service Sustainability in Corporate Dining - A Conversation with David Mesagno & Peter D'Angelo

    Welcome back to Going Zero, the sustainability podcast for leaders making a difference. In this episode, we sit down with two industry powerhouses leading the charge in corporate hospitality and sustainability: David Mesagno, Executive Director, Amenities Services Lead, and Peter D’Angelo, North American Head of Global Hospitality Services. Both guests bring decades of experience on both the client and vendor side of food services, sharing their journeys from the restaurant world to steering sustainability initiatives at two of the world’s largest financial institutions. This conversation dives into how sustainability has evolved from removing styrofoam cups to becoming a baked-in expectation at the corporate level, with clients now demanding innovative solutions from their partners rather than simply checking boxes. David and Peter explore topics like food waste management, single use reduction, the challenges of local sourcing, measuring real impact, and the pivotal role food and amenities play in shaping company culture and recruitment. You’ll also hear insights on partnering with disruptive vendors, piloting new technologies, and the importance of telling your sustainability story to employees. Stay tuned for an open, forward-thinking discussion packed with real-world strategies, lessons learned, and actionable advice for organizations looking to lead on sustainability and redefine the workplace experience.

  5. Jan 21

    Reinventing Waste: How Sourgum Brings Technology and Transparency to Recycling Across America with CEO, Joe Dinardi-Mack

    Welcome to another episode of Going Zero, the podcast where we delve into the people, innovations, and big ideas shaping the journey to zero waste. Today, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of trash—literally—with Joe Dinardi-Mack, co-founder and CEO of Sourgum. As a fourth-generation recycling professional whose family has spent more than a century in the industry, Joe is uniquely equipped to talk about both its storied past and its tech-driven future. Join hosts Seth Combs, and Eric Pasewalk as they unpack Joe’s journey: from growing up around trucks and transfer stations to launching a company that’s redefining how thousands of businesses handle waste and recycling. You’ll hear firsthand how Sourgum is tackling outdated practices, bringing much-needed transparency, efficiency, and sustainability to a notoriously fragmented industry—and what that really means for customers, the environment, and local haulers. Whether you’re curious about why less than 10% of recyclables actually get recycled, frustrated by price opacity and unreliable service, or wondering how new tech and policies are reshaping waste management, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at the real challenges and the transformative solutions in play. If you want to learn how data, empathy, and technology are driving the zero waste movement forward, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

  6. 12/29/2025

    Tackling Food Waste: Food Loops' Zero Waste Mission with Tom Rohr

    In this episode, we dive deep into the world of composting and the circular economy with Tom Rohr, founder of Food Loops in northwest Arkansas. Listen in as Tom Rohr shares his journey from corporate America to sustainability entrepreneurship, reveals the challenges and rewards of tackling food waste at scale, and explains how strategic partnerships are helping to shift entire communities toward a zero-waste future. You'll hear firsthand stories from large-scale events, learn common misconceptions about composting, and get inspired to take action—whether you’re an individual or a multinational company. If you're passionate about closing the loop on waste and building a greener future, this episode delivers actionable insights and true stories of impact. Going Zero is proudly sponsored by Emerald Ecovations, the leader in sustainable solutions for foodservice, janitorial, packaging, and more. For more info, visit EmeraldEcovations.com.

  7. 11/13/2025

    Navigating the Food Service Maze: Sustainability and the Power of Operator-Led Change with Jim Green

    Welcome back to the Going Zero Sustainability podcast! This week, host Seth Combs is joined by industry veteran Jim Green, whose four-decade career has helped shape the modern food service ecosystem. In this episode, Jim Green shares his journey from falling into food service in the 1980s to becoming a key coordinator for change, leading initiatives like the Agora Sustainability Leadership Team and the Optimize Ecosystem Team. Together, they dive deep into the challenges and opportunities facing operators, manufacturers, and the crucial "middleman" network that defines today’s food service landscape. Whether it’s tackling sustainability, driving innovation in supply chains, or empowering community action, you’ll hear insights and stories from the front lines — plus practical advice for anyone looking to make a difference in their workplace or their local environment. Tune in to learn how on-premise food service operators are changing the narrative around sustainability, collaborating across industries, and proving that individual action can create sweeping impact. If you’re passionate about sustainable solutions and curious to hear from those driving real change in food service, this episode is for you!

  8. 10/10/2025

    Smarter Chemistry, Cleaner Water: Carbonet's Solution to Petrochemicals in Wastewater Treatment with Amielle Lake

    Welcome to another episode of Going Zero, the podcast where we dive into real-world solutions to today’s toughest sustainability challenges. Our hosts, Christy Cook, Eric Passwalk, and Seth are joined by Amielle Lake, CEO of Carbonet, a company pioneering innovative chemistry to help industries recover, reuse, and waste less water—while dramatically cutting down on fossil fuel-based chemicals. In this episode, Amielle shares her unique journey from digital marketing to sustainability entrepreneurship, and sheds light on the looming threat of global water scarcity. You’ll hear how Carbonet’s breakthrough technology is helping thousands of manufacturers, municipalities, and oil and gas operations treat wastewater more sustainably and cost-effectively—no environmental premium required. We’ll dig into why water remains an underappreciated resource, the barriers to widespread adoption of new water tech, and the challenges of shaking up a multi-billion dollar chemical “cartel.” Plus, Amielle highlights Carbonet’s real-world impact stories, talks about safety improvements for workers, and discusses her work advancing women's representation in clean tech and investing through the Women’s Equity Lab. Whether you’re a sustainability manager, a CEO, or just curious about how chemistry can help secure the future of our most vital resource, this episode will inspire you to rethink what’s possible—and the role every stakeholder can play in driving change.

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Ratings & Reviews

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About

Every week, Seth Combs, Alex Viola, and Eric Pasewalk help leaders navigate the sustainability maze in their workplace and interview leaders who are blazing the trail in sustainability and the quest for zero waste. Covering topics from ESG and Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to the impact of deforestation, food waste, and plastic pollution on our environment, Going Zero is here to help you understand the everchanging world of sustainability.

Information

  • Creator
    Seth Combs, Alex Viola, & Eric Pasewalk
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Seth Combs, Alex Viola, & Eric Pasewalk
  • Show Website
    Going Zero