Environmentality. with Dr. Brendon Anthony – Details, episodes & analysis

Why conserving pollinators helps preserve not just our agricultural lands, but our National Parks as well. An interview with Dr. Sarah Whipple.

In this episode, I chat with my friend and colleague, Dr. Sarah Whipple to discuss her pollinator passions! We discuss her plethora of adventures and studies in National Parks across the country and take a deep dive into her approach to assessing pollinator health in the wake of climate change.

We cover some pollinator 101, by discussing what is a pollinator and their ecosystem services? What are the differences between indicator and keystone species? We chat about bees, butterflies, beetles, oh my! (also birds, bats, and even bison as pollinators!)

Dr. Whipple and I weigh the pros and cons of managed bees, colony collapse disorder and the growing threat towards other native pollinators. We'll meander through the distinction of managed vs. protected lands and conclude with her PhD research in Yellowstone assessing the  pros and cons of climate change on protected areas in respect to pollinators. 

You can find and connect with her here:
Twitter: @sarahwhipple15
Tiktok: @NPSbuggirl

How promoting sustainable nutrition can mitigate health, environmental and social issues. An interview with Taylor Mayeda.

In this episode of Environmentality. I sit down with foodie and food security advocate, Taylor Mayeda, to talk about nutrition, food security and plant-based "meats." Taylor was at Impossible Foods cooking burgers for Bill Gates, working in their marketing division, when the company was first starting out. Since then she has worked for several plant based companies, as well as a stint with AmeriCorps, where she served as a nutrition educator.

Taylor is passionate about sustainable nutrition, a positive relationship with your body/diet and improving the access to and education about healthy eating. We chat about farming, plant based alternatives and food security. We address some of the issues surrounding "soy" based vegan foods, as well as the idea of nutrition being a luxury and a privilege.

We also talk about lab grown meats, food banks and the legacy of passing down recipes throughout generations. Taylor likes to keep cooking simple and shares some tips for doing so, while eating a plant based diet.

To connect with Taylor, click here.

How recycling nutrients from our plant residues, biosolids and bodies can contribute to a more sustainable future. An interview with Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs. 

In this episode of Environmentality. I sit down with Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, Full Professor in the Crops and Soil Science Department at Washington State University to discuss nutrient cycling on many scales. We discuss the importance of returning nutrients back into agriculture systems in order to achieve more sustainable production systems, along with the potential to use composted bio-solids (human feces) and human bodies in this process.

Dr. Carpenter-Boggs talks about the novelty of human composting, the regulations involved in pioneering the research and the status of this alternative funeral process today. We also chat about the importance of microorganisms in soils, along with many food production systems such as conservation, no-till and rotational agriculture systems. The focus of these agriculture systems being the preservation of soil health and stability.

To learn more about her research, click here.
To connect with Dr. Carpenter-Boggs, click here.

How zoonotic viruses are spreading as a result of ecosystem degradation. An interview with Danielle Carnahan. 

In this episode of Environmentality. Danielle Carnahan returns to chat with me about the interface between global pandemics and environmental degradation. Danielle is a  wildlife conservationist and is the founder of an environmental blog called, "Call to Conserve." Danielle has worked extensively with wildlife around the globe and helps walk me through the connection between our treatment of the natural world and the facilitation of pandemics. We chat about how 60% of the diseases humans experience are vectored from animals, and how we can avoid them.

Danielle and I list off a lot of horrific outbreaks that started as a result of humans coming into contact with animals and ecosystems, unsustainable agriculture, deforestation and habitat destruction. Danielle also chats about one main driver in particular, palm oil production. Danielle offers us advice, both large-scale and everyday, on how to prevent the spread of these diseases and how we can better foster a planet that embodies "One Health."

To learn more about her blog, click here.
To check out her Reels page, click here.  

What a plethora of international agricultural experiences can teach us about community and the environment. An interview with Sam Becker-Miyadai. 

In this episode of Environmentality. I sit down with a dear friend and former roommate of mine, Sam Becker-Miyadai. Sam is a marketing specialist, foodie and food systems photographer. In the podcast, Sam shares an anthology of stories and farming experiences from Southern California to Japan, with many other stops in between, like in Mexico and Cambodia. We chat about the significance of community in agriculture and the intersection of social impact and environmental sustainability.

Sam and I chat about a diversity of food production systems that embrace everything from ancient agroecological practices to modern technological approaches. We discuss how agriculture as a whole needs diversity in all aspects, including biological species, cultures, people and practices.

Sam shares with me how to make mochi, while we discuss our love of frogs and struggle to think of the word "kitchen aid." Overall, we have a great time chatting about the world of agriculture and we end the show with a little "fishbowl"-esque game.

To connect with Sam Becker-Miyadai on LinkedIn, click here.
Instagram: @sambmiyadai__

How Plant with Purpose is holistically addressing social, economic and environmental needs. An interview with Philippe Lazaro. 

In this episode of Environmentality. I sit down with  Philippe Lazaro, the creative director of Plant with Purpose, a non-profit based in San Diego that engages in holistic development all around the globe. Plant with Purpose embraces agroforestry and agroecological approaches to restore the environment, stimulate local economies and fortify relationships in communities through faith-based approaches. Specifically, Plant with Purpose plants millions of trees per year, restores watersheds and establishes "village savings & loans associations" (VSLA), to holistically and sustainably empower people around the world.

Philippe and I chat about his experiences in non-profits, and what brought him to the sustainable development world. We also chat about how social issues, like human trafficking, are rooted in environmental issues, like agricultural collapse. Philippe shares stories of success where communities are being alleviated from poverty, how the organization is collecting this kind of data, and how they are improving their model at Plant with Purpose.

We dive deep into the VSLA model, the ecological benefits of trees, the need for diversity in agricultural production and  the power of watershed restoration.

To learn more about the work being done at Plant with Purpose, or to donate, check out their website here.

To check out Philippe's podcast, Grass Roots, click here.

Why trends can be degrading and how the industry can build a sustainable future. An interview with Jia Yee Ni. 

In this episode of Environmentality. I discuss the fashion industry with  Jia Yee Ni, the product/design manager at Kordal Studio in Brooklyn, New York. We chat about the harmful impacts of the "fast fashion" industry, in respect to built obsolescence, negative societal consequences on self-esteem, environmental degradation of particular materials and the social/economic consequences of cheap textiles flooding low-income nations.

Jia Yee shares her thoughts on thrift shopping, as well as provides tips on the fabrics to avoid and the materials to embrace, in particular the ones that are better for your body and the environment (hint: alpaca!). We chat especially about what Kordal Studio is doing, and how they are combatting trends and trying to design and manufacture clothes that are built to last. Jia Yee introduces a concept known as "cost per wear," which demonstrates the true economic sense of investing in good durable clothes.

To learn more about Jia Yee and the work being done at Kordal Studio, check out their website here.

How humans and climate change are influencing alpine lakes and ecology. An interview with Caitlin Charlton. 

In this episode of Environmentality. I connect with Caitlin Charlton to discuss all things alpine lakes and ecology. In particular, we discuss the impacts of human activity and climate change on these alpine regions, and what solutions, both big and small, that can be taken to mitigate their impacts.

Caitlin is a graduate student in the Ecology program at Colorado State University. In this episode, she discusses in great detail some of the experiments that she and her research lab group are conducting in the Rocky Mountain National Park and beyond. She discusses the impacts of nutrient deposition on alpine lakes and how that can lead to toxicity and eutrophication. She also shares about the impacts of human waste and hikers not following "leave no trace" principles while hiking in the Rockies.

Caitlin and I also chat about lake submarines, Clif bar wrappers, caffeine in human waste and regulations being implemented to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous deposition in alpine lakes.

To learn more about Caitlin and her field work check out her Instagram here: @caitlincharl10
Additional information about her research can be found here.

How a circular urban agricultural system can provide social and environmental benefits. An interview with Aaron Flora. 

In this episode of Environmentality. I sit down and chat with Aaron Flora, Renewable Farms Founder and CEO, about aquaponics. Aquaponics is an urban agricultural system that combines: aquaculture, the production of aquatic species like tilapia, catfish or shellfish, and hydroponics, the production of plants without soil. We chat about aquaponics as a tool in the toolbox for sustainable agriculture and international development, but not a one-size-fits-all solution, as it has some drawbacks. Aaron discusses how in it's appropriate context in urban areas, such as Orange County, aquaponics can and has led to generating local produce for  food insecure areas, along with numerous social benefits.

At the Riverbed Farm, a local mega-aquaponics farm, operated by Aaron and Renewable Farms, there are several after-school, volunteer, internship and employment programs for kids, students, homeless, people with disabilities, veterans and the elderly. The Riverbed Farm in Anaheim, followed by two new farms opening up in Aliso Viejo and Fullerton, in the coming year, will continue to serve both people and planet, by creating a space for people to get married, hold events and interact with nature and farming, while it produces tons of food (both fish and veggies) for local food banks and educational/therapeutic opportunities for all.

Aaron and I also chat about our converging paths, when he took me to Panama as a kid, and then later in college, employed me and taught me about aquaponics. Aaron continues to mentor and train numerous people in OC about this urban ag technology.

To learn more about Renewable Farms and the Riverbed Farm in Anaheim, click here.
Check out their instagram here: @TheRiverbedFarm

If you are interested in learning how to farm aquaponics or applying to work at any of the farms, contact Aaron at: Aaron@renewablefarms.com

 How an online platform can revolutionize your shopping habits for a more sustainable planet. An interview with Tara Jafarmadar, CEO of Susty.eco, which is now: Baobab.

In this episode of Environmentality. I interview Tara Jafarmadar Mujica, CEO and one of the co-founders at Susty.eco (now Baobab), an online shopping platform that hosts sustainable products and businesses. The goal of Susty? To simplify and enhance the transparency of your shopping habits, by providing you information about the social, environmental, health and innovating aspects of the product/business you are supporting/buying from. On the show, we discuss the issue of "fast fashion," built obsolescence, and the need for long-lasting, environmentally friendly products.

Futhermore, Tara addresses the two main issues of our consumption: disposability and a lack of external costs factored into the price of our products. Susty.eco promotes companies that are addressing these two main issues. Finally, I ask, "can we really consume our way to sustainability?" Tune in to hear how Tara beautifully addresses this point and how Susty.eco wants to tackle consumption as a whole.

To check out and shop on Susty.eco, click here.
To connect with Tara, click here.