Greening Up My Act: A Sustainable Living Podcast

Kat Cox & Tiffany Verbeck
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Weekly

The everyday sustainability podcast that helps you live a little greener, without the guilt trips, jargon, or pressure to be perfect. We're breaking down hundreds of hours of research into what actually makes an impact, and what you can skip. Hosted by current marketer, Kat Cox, and former marketer turned native landscape designer, Tiffany Verbeck, you'll come away feeling like sustainability is doable — through real DIY swaps, native plant tips, and honest call-outs on the brands trying to greenwash their way into your cart.  As our listeners put it, we "cut through the jargon" to make sustainable living "easy to understand and enjoy at the same time." Hit follow and let's dive in.

  1. Aug 20

    Should You Live Off the Grid?

    Maybe you've dreamed of living off grid with images of walking barefoot through bright green and swimming in streams, but is off-grid living sustainable? Join as we cover off-grid living problems, the downsides of off-grid living, and answer the question: is off grid living actually eco friendly?  AND this is our season 10 finale! We'll be back October 1, 2026 with season 11 — covering YOUR requested topics. Can't wait! Sources Wikipedia: EarthshipsEnelNeal Haddaway on MediumCNETSunny Simple LivingYoung NRGKuby.caPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  2. Aug 13

    Are Solar Lights Actually Bad for the Environment?

    If you have heard negative things about solar power, you might be asking yourself are solar lights eco-friendly, or not? We look at solar lights' environmental impact (from manufacturing to disposal), whether or not you can recycle solar lights, if solar lights cause pollution, and more. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, send your support!  Sources Green Home Systems (company): https://greenhomesystems.com/ Home & Gardens: https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/are-solar-lights-eco-friendlyInternational Energy Agency (IEA) on solar PV: https://www.iea.org/reports/solar-pv-global-supply-chains/executive-summary IEA on critical minerals: https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions/executive-summary Renewable Energy Journal: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960148124014757 Conservation Law Foundation: https://www.clf.org/blog/the-truth-about-carbon-footprints/ Kleinman Center for Energy Policy: https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/research/publications/impact-of-solar-lighting-kits-on-the-lives-of-the-poor/ Harvard study in Uganda: https://healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/cleaner-air-changes-more-than-lungs-findings-from-rural-uganda/ Climate Brief’s 16 misleading myths about solar power: https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/factcheck/solar/index.html Solar Magazine: https://solarmagazine.com/sustainable-solar-lighting-for-the-garden/ Forbes, Best Outdoor Solar Lights: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/the-best-outdoor-solar-lights/ Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  3. Aug 6

    Ways to Upcycle Your Outdoor Space (and Still Make It Cute)

    Upcycled outdoor furniture is often greener than buying new — and can still be cute as hell. If an upcycled outdoor space on a budget brings up images of shabby pallet couches and crooked DIY tables, never fear. Learn simple improvements that re-use what you already own (or can get from a Buy Nothing group) to create a beautiful, enjoyable outdoor space that you actually want to hang out in. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, send your support!    Sources Emily Henderson blog HGTV on DIY Outdoor FurniturePatio Living Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  4. Jul 30

    Can Vertical Gardens Lower Your Cooling Costs?

    If it's not data centers raising your energy bills, it's hotter days and months. Enter vertical gardens, also called green walls or living walls. We uncover whether green walls in urban spaces actually cool surface temperatures (you'll be shocked!) and whether adding them to your house could have a serious impact on your monthly bills. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!   Sources CrunchbasePlenty on its chapter 11 bankruptcyNature-Based Solutions journalUtrecht UniversityGrow a Living Wall: Create Vertical Gardens With Purpose, Shawna Coronado (affiliate link)Lowe’sEWGAGardenPatch.com blogThe SprucePatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  5. Jul 23

    Why Your Fear of Bugs Could Be Blocking a Greener Life

    You lie awake at night and wonder if you're doing enough to help the future of the planet. But there's something very close to home that you can do to make an immediate impact: overcome your fear of insects. Tune in as we walk you through why insects are important, as well as strategies for how to overcome a fear of bugs. No more screaming or smashing needed. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!  Other Episodes You'll Love Insect Decline: Why You Should Care That Your Windshields Are CleanSources Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, Douglas Tallamy (affiliate link)Discover Magazine, Why Are We Afraid of Bugs?How To Podcast, How To Squash Your Fear of Bugs (and Other Phobias) [more helpful]Feel Good Now Podcast (less helpful)Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  6. Jul 16

    4 Ways Insect Decline Might Totally Change Your Future

    Bugs are disappearing, which means way more than your windshield being cleaner than it used to be. If this scares you, soothe your panic with us as you learn what you can do to help the bug population, while understanding the link between insect decline and food security. Listen to get these answers: Why are insects disappearing? Why do we need insects?What would happen if insects went instinct? What can we do about it?Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!   Sources NPR: Insect populations drop even without direct human interferenceFriends of the Mississippi RiverPenn State Huck Institute of Life SciencesOklahoma State ExtensionHuck Institute (again)UC IPM Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  7. Jul 9

    Urban Farms vs. Urban Food Forests — Which Is Better?

    Urban farms are all the rage, but there's a different idea that might be even more impactful — food forests. It might sounds like something out of Fern Gully, but food forests offer a real way to increase biodiversity, lower maintenance, and add useful food sources to your community. Join us for this food forest for beginners crash course to walk away with realistic tips for starting small and cheap where you live. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!   Sources Project Food Forest - https://projectfoodforest.org/what-is-a-food-forest/Permaculture Apprentice - https://permacultureapprentice.com/creating-a-food-forest-step-by-step-guide/Stanford Report - https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2023/05/food-forests-urban-farms-hold-promise-addressing-numerous-problemsCommunity Food Forests - https://communityfoodforests.com/resources/funding/Garden Therapy - https://gardentherapy.ca/urban-orchards/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

  8. Jul 7 ·  Bonus

    Is Dr. Bronner's Really Sustainable? With Outdoor Minimalist [Crossover]

    Welcome to our first ever collab episode! Dr. Bronner's has long been considered the gold standard of sustainable soap. It's a staple in outdoor kits, zero-waste homes, and camping gear lists thanks to its versatility, plant-based ingredients, and reputation for environmental responsibility.  But how much of that reputation actually holds up under closer scrutiny? In this collaborative episode with Meg Carney, the host of Outdoor Minimalist, we take a deep dive into one of the most recognizable sustainability brands on the market.  Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!   Sources Dr. Bronner's: https://www.drbronner.com/Dr. Bronner's, Leave No Trace Guide to Using Soap Outdoors: https://www.drbronner.com/pages/camping-with-dr-bronnersLeave No Trace Seven Principles: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/Dirty Labs: https://dirtylabs.com/Camp Suds: https://www.rei.com/product/407166/campsuds-biodegradable-concentrated-soap-2-ozPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram: @greeningupmyact Facebook: Greening Up My Act Email us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

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About

The everyday sustainability podcast that helps you live a little greener, without the guilt trips, jargon, or pressure to be perfect. We're breaking down hundreds of hours of research into what actually makes an impact, and what you can skip. Hosted by current marketer, Kat Cox, and former marketer turned native landscape designer, Tiffany Verbeck, you'll come away feeling like sustainability is doable — through real DIY swaps, native plant tips, and honest call-outs on the brands trying to greenwash their way into your cart.  As our listeners put it, we "cut through the jargon" to make sustainable living "easy to understand and enjoy at the same time." Hit follow and let's dive in.

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