The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained

Lady Farmer
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The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained

Start living more sustainably. The Good Dirt podcast explores all aspects of a sustainable lifestyle with healthy soil as the touchpoint and metaphor for the healing of our relationship with the planet. Mother and daughter team Mary & Emma bring you weekly interviews with farmers, artists, authors, and leaders in the regenerative and sustainable living space.

  1. 11H AGO

    Decluttering that Works For You with Dana White of "A Slob Comes Clean"

    In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, Mary & Emma discuss the common struggles of clutter and its impact on daily life with special guest Dana K. White, author of 'Decluttering at the Speed of Life.' Dana shares her unique five-step decluttering method tailored for creative minds who often find themselves overwhelmed by clutter. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's personal clutter threshold, the distinction between organizing and decluttering, and the mental freedom gained from consistent decluttering habits. Dana also discusses the emotional challenges tied to sentimentality and inherited items, offering practical, guilt-free strategies for managing household clutter. Tune in to learn actionable steps for creating a more functional and joyful living space. 00:00 Introduction to Creativity and Clutter 01:29 Excitement for Today's Episode 02:06 The Impact of Clutter on Life 05:04 Introducing Dana White 06:12 Dana's Journey to Decluttering 12:26 The No Mess Decluttering Process 17:59 Emotional Challenges of Decluttering 26:48 Finding Your Clutter Threshold 30:53 Sustainable Decluttering Practices 35:08 Maintaining a Functional Home 35:27 The Five-Minute Pickup Strategy 36:06 Understanding Clutter Thresholds 37:12 Effective Decluttering Techniques 38:14 Dealing with Sentimental Items 41:25 The Container Concept 51:16 Sustainability and Slow Living 58:47 Final Thoughts and Reflections ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: • Wendy Gray

    1h 6m

  2. MAR 21

    Paul Hawken on Carbon, Climate and Connection

    This episode was originally aired April 26, 2024 In this conversation with best selling author and activist Paul Hawken, we discuss the reframing of our relationship with nature by moving away from the concept of "othering" ourselves, and more towards the integration of our interconnectedness. Paul speaks of the cultural disconnect, the role of language in shaping our perception of the environment, and how crucial it is to engage directly with the natural world. Hawken's vast experience, including starting the first natural food company (Erewhon) in the U.S. and working with Martin Luther King Jr., as well as his involvement in founding Regeneration and NEXUS, are all a result of a lifetime of pursuing solutions to our climate crisis. He shares how he views carbon and climate change through a lens of interconnectedness and flow rather than as isolated problems. He also talks about his upcoming book, 'Carbon, the Book of Life,' the significance of soil regeneration, societal shifts and the connection between joy and sustainability as well as the power of individual and community action in the face of environmental challenges. 🌿 This episode is sponsored by Neptune’s Harvest Organic Fertilizer. Use code GOODDIRT at checkout for 5% off your order for products from the ocean to set your plants in motion 🌊 Topics Discussed · Opening Reflections: Embracing Nature and Conversations on Disconnection · Insights from Paul Hawken: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and Nature · Organic Food Pioneer · Finding Your Environmental Voice · Exploring the Language of Nature and Indigenous Wisdom · The Power of Language in Healing Our Relationship with the Planet · Redefining Success and the Essence of Soil · The Transformation of Soil and Agriculture · Ultra Processed Food · Soil's Organism and Its Impact on Plant Health · The Haber-Bosch Process · Exploring Soil Acoustics and Its Significance · The Power of Community and Individual Action · Reconnecting with Nature Outside of the Internet · Sensationalism in Media · Indigenous Voices & Decolonizing Our Perspectives · Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future · Joy and Sustainability · Carbon & The Myth of Carbon Neutral · Empowering Actions Through Nexus and Regeneration.org Episode Resources: · Listen to The Good Dirt Podcast “Reimagining Our Place in the Landscape: Eco-Spirituality and Rewilding with Mary DeJong” · Listen to The Good Dirt Podcast “The Urgent Need for Restorative Gardening with Mary Reynolds” · Read “Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation” by Paul Hawken · Read “Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming” by Paul Hawken · Read The Guardian’s Article “Vegetables are losing their nutrients. Can the decline be reversed?” · Read “Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind Food That Isn't Food” by Chris Van Tulleken · InventWood Connect with Paul Hawken: · Website: https://paulhawken.com/ · Climate One Website: https://www.climateone.org/people/paul-hawken · Project Regeneration Website: https://regeneration.org/about/paul-hawken · Instagram @paulhawken: https://www.instagram.com/paulhawken/ · Paul’s Newsletter: https://regeneration.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ebb591cd0ef4ad186dcf2cd3f&id=8f12b90f3e · Nexus: https://regeneration.org/nexus ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: · Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community · Visit Our Website · Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram · Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: · Wendy Gray

    55 min

  3. MAR 14

    Rethinking Carbon: An Enlightening Conversation with Paul Hawken

    In this episode of the Good Dirt Podcast, hosts Emma and Mary return from winter break with a special interview featuring repeat guest Paul Hawken, the acclaimed environmentalist, author, and activist. They discuss Hawken's new book, 'Carbon, the Book of Life,' which explores the multifaceted role of carbon in our universe, challenging the prevailing view of carbon as merely a climatic culprit. Hawken shares his profound insights on the interconnectedness of all life and how shifting our perception of carbon can foster a deeper understanding of our relationship with where we live. Key themes include the limitations of current climate messaging, the emotional and intellectual journey of understanding carbon, and the need for a holistic approach to resolving environmental crises. 📖 Preorder Carbon:The Book of Life → Click here (Available in the U.S. on March 18, 2025) 00:00 Introduction to Carbon and Climate Messaging 01:50 Welcome Back to Good Dirt Podcast 03:56 Introducing Paul Hawken and His New Book 06:29 Paul Hawken on the Inspiration Behind His Work 07:37 The Role of Carbon in Climate Change 12:48 Challenges in Climate Messaging 17:21 The Interconnectedness of Life and Carbon 24:06 Stories of Connection in the Natural World 29:29 Elephant Mourning Rituals 29:45 The Intelligence of Animals 30:20 Understanding Our Place in the World 31:41 The Interconnectedness of Trees 33:33 Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Awareness 35:59 The Role of Science in Rediscovering Nature 46:35 AI and Environmental Impact 54:01 The Importance of Grief and Heartbreak 01:00:48 Final Thoughts and Reflections Books/Articles Bill McKibben/ Global Warming's Terrifying New Math Lawrence Anthony/ The Elephant Whisperer Frans De Waal/ Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? Karen Bakker/ The Sounds of Life Zoe Schlanger/ The LIght Eaters Suzanne Simard/ Finding the Mother Tree Dara McAnulty/ Diary of a Young Naturalist Ed Conway/ Material World 📖 Preorder Carbon: The Book of Life → Click here (Available in the U.S. on March 18, 2025) 🌎 Connect with Paul: 🔗 Website: paulhawken.com 📘 Facebook | 📷 Instagram | 💼 LinkedIn | 🐦 Twitter ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: • Wendy Gray

    1h 5m

  4. MAR 7

    Rewilding Our Way Home to Ourselves with Hillarie Maddox of Black Girl Country Living

    Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on March 3rd, 2023 This week we are talking to writer, creator and self proclaimed life-long learner, Hillarie Maddox, founder of Black Girl, Country Living. Hillarie preaches the idea that slow living in a lifestyle anyone can live, and focuses her encouragement specifically on the BIPOC community. She climbed the big tech corporate ladder, then ditched the city for slow living and finding her love of nature, and she found herself in the process. Topics discussed How Hillarie and her family went from city to rural living What was the new way of being that Hillarie discovered? When you live in an urban environment, many things are made "invisible" A feeling of disconnection might lead to excess consumerism Seeking a slower and more sustainable lifestyle is like peeling an onion How a vision board helped Hillarie and her husband make the shift The shift to slow living does not always mean a move to the country Hillarie speaks to her intention and mission on the land, beginning with gardening Hillarie's gardening experience and desire to share the knowledge Rewilding workshops launching next year, helping particularly bipoc people develop a relationship with nature Hillarie talks about the slow living movement and what that means for people of color  The value of mentors and community in this lifestyle Hillarie's family connection to the original Homesteading Act The changes of agriculture in America in the last century Wendall Berry, The Unsettling of America Hillarie explains what "rewilding" means to her The indigenous people of the region where Hillarie now lives The biggest challenges and rewards of this lifestyle shift for Hillarie's family Connect with Hillarie Maddox Website: Black Girl Country Living Instagram About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. The Good Dirt is a part of the Connectd Podcasts Network. Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well-being.

    1h 11m

  5. FEB 28

    An Ecological Civilization for All with Andrew Schwartz of EcoCiv

    Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 07/22/22. What does it mean for humans to live sustainably on the earth? Andrew Schwartz, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of The Institute for Ecological Civilization, a non-profit promoting long-term solutions for the wellbeing of people and the planet, helps us pull apart that question. Andrew is also the Executive Director of the Center for Process Studies and Assistant Professor of Process and Comparative Theology at Claremont School of Theology. In this conversation, we’re talking about fundamental shifts in many of our most basic assumptions about our relationship with each other and the environment, and the role each of us plays in the way forward towards a worldwide, life-supporting community.   Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, Youtube, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: How Andrew came to his interest in ecology through religion How The Institute for Ecological Civilization came into being Explanation of The Institute for Ecological Civilization and its mission The Centrality of the Human Experience Genesis as a directive for the human role in the web of creation Deep Ecology Are we fighting for human survival or earth's survival? EcoCiv partners and programs Where are the solutions? Does change happen from within the system, outside the system or from the top down? Who is getting it right? Who do we support? Resources Mentioned:  Rose of Sharon Sacred Harp Hymn 254 Don Shiva David Corton Jeremy Lent Ishmael by Daniel Quinn Aspen Institute Philip Clayton John Cobb What is Ecological Civilization by Andrew Schwartz and Philip Clayton Claremont School of Theology Willamette University Water for South Sudan Wellbeing Economy Alliance Connect with Andrew and the Institute for Ecological Civilization: EcoCiv website: https://ecociv.org/ On Instagram @ecociv_ Listen to the EcoCiv Podcast About Lady Farmer: Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout. Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

    1h 3m

  6. FEB 21

    Reclaiming Our Food from Field to Kitchen with CSA Farmer Mo Moutoux of Moutoux Orchard

    Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired in June, 2023 Emma and Mary are back from Emma's wedding, and they are spreading the joy with The Good Dirt. This episode features Maureen "Mo" Moutoux of Moutoux Orchards in Purcellville, VA. Mo has a Masters Degree in Anthropology, and farms with her husband Rob Moutoux, a 3rd generation farmer at Moutoux Orchards. They currently live on the family farmland with their two children, continuing the over 50 year legacy of the Moutoux family. In 2011, they opened their first CSA program, growing vegetables for dozens of family members (including Mary's household), and it has continued to grow each year. Their mission is to feed wholesome and nutrient-dense farm food to their community, because good food comes from good dirt. Mo shares her journey to becoming a farmer and reclaiming food from field to kitchen. She also discusses what a CSA is, how it has evolved over the years to reduce waste while providing a living wage for her family and team members, and the benefits of eating locally for both nutritional value and the environment as a whole. Topics Discussed • Slow Living Consult • Journey to Becoming a Farmer • Anthropology & Farming • Creating a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Program • Investing in Your Local Farmers • Sustainable & Regenerative Growing Methods • How Systems Favor Multinational Corporations over Local Growers • Romanticization of Farm Life vs. Reality of Running an Farm • Commodity Farming vs. Sustainable Farming • Reclaiming Food from Field to Kitchen • The Food Offered in a CSA • The Exploitation Behind the Cost of Affordability at Supermarkets • Removing Guilt Around “Perfect” Sustainable Practices • Food and Livestock Throughout the Seasons • Reducing Waste in a CSA Program • Transparency of Cost  • Pesticides, Choosing Not to Be USDA Organic Certified, and Outsourcing For Specific Products  • Preservation of Soil Throughout Every Harvest • The Economics of Running a Farm • Knowing Your Food Comes From • A Farmer's Good Dirt • Social Justice & Farming • Maintaining Optimism as a Farmer  Episode Resources: • Mo's Interview with "Grounded Women: Stories of Women who Farm" • Moutoux Farm's Whole Diet CSA Membership • Rob and Mo's Story & the History of Moutoux Farm • Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan • Food, Inc. (2008) • Arcadia Center for Sustainable Agriculture • The Rodale Institute • Essex Farm • CSA Directory Connect with Maureen "Mo" Moutoux: • Website: https://www.moutouxorchard.com/ • Instagram: @moutouxorchard ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: • Our Website • Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram • Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC • Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

    1h 16m

  7. FEB 14

    "Lawns into Meadows" with Author Owen Wormser on Regenerative Landscaping

    Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 7/21/23. Did you know that in this country, we have an area totaling the size of Washington State that is mowed lawns? Our guest is Owen Wormser, author of Lawns Into Meadows, who helps to weave people and the natural world back together through his work building regenerative landscapes. In this conversation, we discuss how meadows offer a compelling solution in a world where lawns have an enormous detrimental impact on our ecology and have wreaked havoc on our natural ecosystems. Owen was born and raised off the grid in rural Maine, surrounded by the natural world, with nature being his greatest teacher. Influenced by his study of horticulture, permaculture, organic agriculture, and ecology, Lawns Into Meadows is a how-to guide on growing your own wildflowers and native grasses. Owen offers approachable, simple steps for anyone and everyone to create sustainable and regenerative landscapes, starting with even a few square feet of land.  Topics Discussed • Connection to the Natural World • Building Low-Maintenance Ecologically Focused Landscapes • How Lawns Are Damaging the Planet • Growing Up in Rural Maine & Off the Grid • Living a Simple Life in a World We've Made Difficult • Convenience & Its Impact on Lifestyle • What Counts Toward a Life Full of Satisfaction, Abundance, and Fulfillment? • Applying Academic Knowledge to Real World Practice • Why We Want to Turn Laws into Meadows • What Makes a Meadow a Meadow • Dealing with Home Owner Associations • Humans are Traditionalist • Lawns & Status • Steps to Start & Maintain a Meadow • What to Plant in a Meadow • The Lifelong Learning Process of Healing the Earth • How Stillness Sustains Us • Plants as Our Birthright Episode Resources: •If You Stop Mowing This May, Will Your Lawn Become a Meadow? •Owen Wormser Massachusetts Department of Higher Education •Lawns Into Meadows: Growing a Regenerative Landscape by Owen Wormser •Lawns Into Meadows, 2nd Edition: Growing a Regenerative Landscape by Owen Wormser •The Road Washes Out in Spring: A Poet's Memoir of Living Off the Grid by Baron Wormser •The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Bobbie's Meadow Museum •Listen to The Good Dirt "The Urgent Need for Restorative Gardening with Mary Reynolds" •Listen to The Good Dirt "Seeking the Wisdom of the Earth with Maria Rodale, author of Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden" Connect with Owen Wormser: • Website: Abound Design https://abounddesign.com/ • Instagram: @lawns_into_meadows ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: •Our Website •Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram •Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC •Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

    1h 2m

  8. FEB 7

    It Starts in the Kitchen: Sustainable Living with Anne-Marie Bonneau of Zero Waste Chef

    Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return in the spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 2/24/23. Our guest today is someone who began her plastic-free journey in her kitchen, and has now become the renowned Zero Waste Chef, Anne-Marie Bonneau! Starting as a Zero Plastic Chef, she took the next step in her sustainability journey and became the Zero Waste Chef working towards producing zero waste in her own kitchen and inspiring others to do the same. She talks about how to shop differently, buy differently, and cook differently to reduce waste in the kitchen! Topics Discussed: Hugelkultur Anne Marie’s transition to plastic free Beginning tips for zero waste Zero Waste as a goal Anne Marie’s rhythm with food prep Fighting Food waste The idea of convenience contributing to waste Zero waste can be simple The attention economy informs our perception of what we can do Thneeds (from The Lorax by Dr. Suess) The Good Ancestor Is there hope for conscious consumerism?  Greta Thunberg The slow food movement began in Italy Alton Brown baked beans Connect with Anne-Marie Bonneau Instagram: @zerowastechef Website Anne-Marie's Book, The Zero Waste Chef About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. The Good Dirt is a part of the Connectd Podcasts Network. Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well-being.

    1h 2m
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Start living more sustainably. The Good Dirt podcast explores all aspects of a sustainable lifestyle with healthy soil as the touchpoint and metaphor for the healing of our relationship with the planet. Mother and daughter team Mary & Emma bring you weekly interviews with farmers, artists, authors, and leaders in the regenerative and sustainable living space.

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