Scaling Sustainability

Seth Cysewski

Scaling Sustainability is an archived interview podcast exploring how sustainability actually shows up inside real businesses — from strategy and operations to product, culture, and growth. Hosted by Seth Cysewski, the series features in-depth conversations with founders, operators, and industry leaders working at the intersection of sustainability and business performance. Episodes focus on practical decision-making, tradeoffs, and lessons learned — moving beyond theory to what works in practice. Originally published from 2020–2023, Scaling Sustainability remains available as a resource for business leaders, operators, and anyone interested in how organizations approach sustainability in the real world.

  1. 03/23/2023

    Getting Plastic Out of Our Daily Routines with Lindsay McCormick of BITE (Episode 56)

    Your daily hygiene routine has more to do with the future of our planet than you may think. Around the world, 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes are discarded each year, enough to fill 50 Empire State Buildings. And since most tubes are made of mixed materials, typically plastic and aluminum, they are incredibly difficult to recycle and often wind up in landfills. The design has changed very little since the invention of the first toothpaste tube in 1856, but that's starting to change. Lindsay McCormick is the founder and CEO of Bite, makers of plastic-free, cruelty-free products on a mission to become the world's most sustainable personal care company. Lindsay has built a multimillion-dollar company aimed at getting plastic out of our daily routines with her first product being viral toothpaste tablets in 2018. Since then, Bite has created an entirely plastic-free oral care set and most recently, released the first ever 100% plastic-free deodorant with compostable refills and its plastic-free and pump-free body balm. During this episode, Lindsay and I had an insightful conversation about the challenges she faces as a pioneer in her industry and her advice for new founders seeking to make a change. Resources mentioned in today's episode: https://bitetoothpastebits.com/ https://bitetoothpastebits.com/blogs/blog Connect with Lindsay McCormick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-mccormick-39188521/ https://www.instagram.com/heylindsaymc Visit Coolperx® home page: www.coolperx.com Reach out to Coolperx®: Phone: +1 (855) 429-0455 Email: hello@coolperx.com Support Coolperx®'s podcast by subscribing and reviewing! Music is considered "royalty-free" and discovered on Audio Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2022 Coolperx®. All Rights Reserved.

    37 min

  2. 03/09/2023

    Green Amendments and Environmental Rights with Maya K. van Rossum (Episode 55)

    Several states have recently enacted—or are considering enacting—constitutional amendments that protect our right to live in a healthy environment. Such policies ensure that in every action the government takes, the protection of our world is prioritized. Yet, in conversations about our fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech and religion, the right to a stable climate and access to clean water and air are often overlooked. Veteran environmentalist Maya K. van Rossum proposes raising environmental rights to the highest constitutional standing is critical to ensuring essential climate justice. She is the founder of Green Amendments for The Generations, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the passage of environmental legislation in every state constitution across our nation and at the federal level when the time is right. Green Amendments–a term coined and defined by Maya in her 2017 award-winning book–recognize and protect environmental rights on par with other inalienable civic and political freedoms. She has also served as the leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network for over 30 years, a regional advocacy organization that works throughout the four states of the Delaware River watershed and at the national level using advocacy, science, and litigation to protect the Delaware River and its tributaries. In this episode, Maya and I discuss the specific language written into Green Amendments that make them so powerful, and what an environmental right at the federal level might look like for the U.S. Resources mentioned in today's episode: https://forthegenerations.org/ https://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/ The Green Amendment: Securing Our Right to A Healthy Environment https://www.amazon.com/Green-Amendment-Securing-Healthy-Environment/dp/1633310213 Connect with Maya van Rossum: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-van-rossum-21803114/ https://twitter.com/MayaKvanRossum Visit Coolperx® home page: www.coolperx.com Reach out to Coolperx®: Phone: +1 (855) 429-0455 Email: hello@coolperx.com Support Coolperx®'s podcast by subscribing and reviewing! Music is considered "royalty-free" and discovered on Audio Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2022 Coolperx®. All Rights Reserved.

    46 min

  3. 02/23/2023

    The Unsolved Problems of Sustainable Cement Production with Ian Riley (Episode 54)

    The road to decarbonization hasn't been an easy one for the cement industry. The sector, which produces about 4 billion metric tons of the world's most common building material, simultaneously puts almost 4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year, or about 7% of the world's total emissions. But, thanks to leaders like Ian Riley, movement is happening. In 2019, Ian joined the World Cement Association as CEO, leading the organization's key mission of sustainability, innovation and internationalization to face the challenges associated with creating a sustainable cement industry. He is responsible for motivating members to improve product selection, use new technologies and drive innovation to find approaches for less energy-intensive and more sustainable cement production. Ian is passionate about reducing the industry's GHG emissions so as to accelerate the response to climate change and achieve full decarbonization by 2050. During this episode, Ian and I had an insightful conversation about some of the unsolved problems that are standing in the way of more sustainable cement production. Resources mentioned in today's episode: https://www.worldcement.com/ Connect with Ian Riley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ipriley/ Visit Coolperx® home page: www.coolperx.com Reach out to Coolperx®: Phone: +1 (855) 429-0455 Email: hello@coolperx.com Support Coolperx®'s podcast by subscribing and reviewing! Music is considered "royalty-free" and discovered on Audio Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2022 Coolperx®. All Rights Reserved.

    38 min

  4. 02/09/2023

    The Architecture Industry and Sustainability with Kevin Deabler (Episode 53)

    Sustainability is a word that's becoming increasingly familiar across every single market sector. Little by little, the importance of caring for the planet is permeating society and becoming a way of life. And with the relentless expansion of cities across the nation, the need to preserve natural resources has now seeped into the architectural industry. But, architecture presents a unique challenge in the field of sustainability, as construction projects typically consume large amounts of materials and produce tons of waste. One of the architectural companies trying to solve this problem by focusing on sustainable design is RODE Architects. Kevin Deabler, the LEED-accredited co-founder, owner, and principal of RODE Architects, uses a conscious approach to energy and ecological conservation in the design of the buil environment. With a background in environmental design, Kevin is helping shape the architecture of the future by infusing sustainability into his work. His approach focuses on minimizing non-renewable resource consumption, enhancing the natural environment and eliminating the use of toxic materials. In this episode, Kevin and I discuss how we can take LEED certification to the next level in order to really help move the needle on climate change. Resources mentioned in today's episode: https://www.rodearchitects.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rodearchitects/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/rodearchitects/ https://twitter.com/RODEArchitects https://www.facebook.com/RODEArchitects Connect with Kevin Deabler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevind4/ Visit Coolperx® home page: www.coolperx.com Reach out to Coolperx®: Phone: +1 (855) 429-0455 Email: hello@coolperx.com Support Coolperx®'s podcast by subscribing and reviewing! Music is considered "royalty-free" and discovered on Audio Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2022 Coolperx®. All Rights Reserved.

    36 min

  5. 01/26/2023

    How Sustainability and Profitability Can Coexist with Brennan Spellacy (Episode 52)

    Corporate commitments to carbon neutrality have yet to slow down, as more and more business leaders race to align their strategic priorities with pressure from the public for urgent climate action. Companies are now trying to decarbonize their operations while simultaneously compensating for unavoidable emissions. However, many well-intended but misinformed businesses often fall victim to carbon management solutions that don't have much of an impact. That's where Patch comes in, as the most effective and responsible way for organizations to access carbon credit projects. The Co-founder and CEO of Patch, Brennan Spellacy has figured out how businesses can make bold, impactful climate action a reality with every transaction — with just four simple lines of code. Backed by some of the world's most visionary investors, Patch is making it easier for companies to do the right thing, giving us a real chance to mitigate the climate crisis. The platform is helping businesses of all sizes offset emissions by backing the right carbon removal projects. In this episode, Brennan and I discuss the opportunities for sustainability and profitability to coexist, and how companies can actually gain a competitive advantage by mitigating their environmental impact. Resources mentioned in today's episode: https://www.patch.io/ Connect with Brennan Spellacy: https://bspellacy.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bspellacy/ Visit Coolperx® home page: www.coolperx.com Reach out to Coolperx®: Phone: +1 (855) 429-0455 Email: hello@coolperx.com Support Coolperx®'s podcast by subscribing and reviewing! Music is considered "royalty-free" and discovered on Audio Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2022 Coolperx®. All Rights Reserved.

    35 min

  6. 01/12/2023

    Revolutionizing Omega-3 Industry with Corinna Bellizzi (Episode 51)

    Omega-3 is easily the most popular supplement in America. Recent studies have found that roughly 8% of adults—or about 19 million people—take some kind of omega-3 fatty acid supplement. But, the harvesting of fish for these supplements is having a ripple effect on our oceans. Omega-3 supplements come from fish in the critical layer of the ocean biosphere that are essential for preserving ecosystem dynamics. With no signs of slowing down, the industry risks permanently damaging our marine ecosystems and impacting the ocean's resiliency to climate change. Corinna Bellizzi is taking the lead in changing the tide as she hopes to prevent yet another human-caused environmental imbalance. Corinna is a natural products industry specialist who has earned a reputation for leading the development and growth of responsible brands like Nordic Naturals. Given her concern for the future health of both people and the planet, she shifted her focus from fish-sourced to algae-sourced omegas in 2016. Today, she leads Örlö Nutrition, a brand that is cultivating the world's first carbon-negative omega-3 supplement. During this episode, Corinna and I had an insightful conversation about the importance of extracting less and supplying more when it comes to our oceans, and the potential that algae has to revolutionize the omega-3 industry. Resources mentioned in today's episode: Orlo Nutrition: https://orlonutrition.com/ - Discount code: "SUSTAIN10" Care More Be Better: https://caremorebebetter.com/ Nutrition Without Compromise: https://link.chtbl.com/NutritionWithoutCompromise Inside this vertical farm, carbon-neutral algae grows under glowing pink lights: https://www.fastcompany.com/90790596/inside-this-vertical-farm-carbon-neutral-algae-grows-under-glowing-pink-lights Environmental Impacts of Large-Scale Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) Production in Hellisheidi Geothermal Park Iceland: Life Cycle Assessment: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10126-022-10162-8 Connect with Corinna Bellizzi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbellizzi/ Visit Coolperx® home page: www.coolperx.com Reach out to Coolperx®: Phone: +1 (855) 429-0455 Email: hello@coolperx.com Support Coolperx®'s podcast by subscribing and reviewing! Music is considered "royalty-free" and discovered on Audio Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2022 Coolperx®. All Rights Reserved.

    57 min

  7. 11/10/2022

    Sustainability in The Sports Industry with Kristen Fulmer (Episode 50)

    Across all industries, the future is being dictated by a focus on sustainability - and sports are no exception. Just last year, the Tokyo Olympics set out to raise awareness about the role that sports play in sustainability. Podiums were made from recycled plastic, athletes' beds were made with cardboard, and even the medals were made using recycled electronic devices. Although this is a step in the right direction, the sports industry as a whole continues to have a significant impact on the environment, from the construction of venues to the travel of competitors and spectators. Sustainability expert Kristen Fulmer has made it her mission to transform the future of sustainable sports. After years of practicing sustainability in the international real estate industry, she identified the vastly impactful and largely unexplored potential to fuse sport and sustainability. Kristen realized that sport is a universal language, an opportunity to find commonalities, and a tool to facilitate tough conversations. She founded Recipric in 2019 to help sports organizations seeking support with enacting positive environmental and social change. In this episode, Kristen and I discuss the economic opportunities for embedding sustainability into sports and the potential challenges associated with doing so. Resources mentioned in today's episode: https://www.recipric.com/ https://www.fgr.co.uk/ Connect with Kristen Fulmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenfulmer/ Visit Coolperx® home page: www.coolperx.com Reach out to Coolperx®: Phone: 1 (855) 429-0455 email: hello@coolperx.com Support Coolperx®'s podcast by subscribing and reviewing! Music is considered "royalty-free" and discovered on Audio Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2022 Coolperx®. All Rights Reserved.

    35 min

  8. 10/27/2022

    Climate Intervention and Geoengineering with Wake Smith (Episode 49)

    Public discourse around climate change widely focuses on reaching net zero emissions. Yet, some propose that even after we reach net zero, temperatures will continue to warm, sea levels will continue to rise, and climate disasters will continue to occur. There are currently a number of proposed ideas that go beyond net zero by pulling carbon out of the atmosphere or artificially cooling the planet, known collectively as geoengineering. While geoengineering methods don't invalidate the need to decarbonize now and fast, given the dangerous trajectory of global heating, reaching net zero emissions may only be the beginning, not the end, of our fight against climate change. Wake Smith argues that future generations may be forced to take such dire actions to combat climate change and, if so, they deserve to inherit research done now to understand the potential feasibility and consequences of geoengineering. As a lecturer at Yale University, Wake teaches a world-leading undergraduate course on climate intervention, the syllabus of which forms the basis of his book, Pandora's Toolbox. He is also a Senior Research Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard Kennedy School, writing scholarly articles on the aeronautics, costs, and governance of solar geoengineering. In this episode, Wake and I discuss the current climate intervention landscape and the future possibilities that geoengineering offers. Resources mentioned in today's episode: Pandora's Toolbox: The Hopes and Hazards of Climate Intervention https://www.amazon.com/Pandoras-Toolbox-Hazards-Climate-Intervention/dp/1316518434 Connect with Wake Smith: https://www.wakesmith.earth/ Visit Coolperx® home page: www.coolperx.com Reach out to Coolperx®: Phone: 1 (855) 429-0455 email: hello@coolperx.com Support Coolperx®'s podcast by subscribing and reviewing! Music is considered "royalty-free" and discovered on Audio Blocks. Technical Podcast Support by: Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co. © 2022 Coolperx®. All Rights Reserved.

    43 min
See All (56)

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Scaling Sustainability is an archived interview podcast exploring how sustainability actually shows up inside real businesses — from strategy and operations to product, culture, and growth. Hosted by Seth Cysewski, the series features in-depth conversations with founders, operators, and industry leaders working at the intersection of sustainability and business performance. Episodes focus on practical decision-making, tradeoffs, and lessons learned — moving beyond theory to what works in practice. Originally published from 2020–2023, Scaling Sustainability remains available as a resource for business leaders, operators, and anyone interested in how organizations approach sustainability in the real world.

Information

  • Creator
    Seth Cysewski
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2023
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cysewski Ventures LLC. All Rights Reserved.