- 19
- Episodes
- 2
- Ratings
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About EnvAns®
The Environmental Answers podcast
- Publisher
- Environmental Answers
- Category
- business
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 11 Apr 2025
- Latest episode
- 17 Dec 2025
Latest episodes
19 episodes in the feed.
17 Dec 2025
Episode 119 : Offshore Wind Works
In this episode, Tiana Elame connects with Liz Burdock, founder, president, and CEO of Oceantic Network, the leading nonprofit organization driving growth and collaboration across the U.S. offshore wind and ocean renewables supply chains.Since launching the Network in 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland, Liz has become one of the most influential voices shaping America’s clean energy transformation. Under her leadership, Oceantic has built the International Partnering Forum (IPF)—a leading, global offshore wind and ocean renewables conference —and created cornerstone initiatives like Supply Chain Connect, the Offshore Wind Market Dashboard, and the Foundation 2 Blade and OSW Ready training programs.Liz brings decades of experience forging public–private partnerships that unite government, industry, academia, and communities to accelerate renewable energy deployment, strengthen the American supply chain, and create good-paying, local jobs.In our conversation, Liz shares insights on:-The evolution of the U.S. offshore wind industry-Building a resilient domestic supply chain for homegrown energy-The power of collaboration and partnership in driving innovation-How offshore wind is an proven asset to managing energy costs.Liz’s leadership has been recognized by the League of Conservation Voters, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and Windpower Monthly, and her perspective has been featured in major outlets including Forbes, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal.When she’s not advancing the future of offshore wind, Liz enjoys cooking for her family, watching hockey, gardening with her dog Finn, and dreaming up new ideas.Tune in for a conversation that captures both the vision and grit it takes to power a secure energy future.
3 Dec 2025
Episode 118: Food As Medicine
In this episode, Tiana Elame, EnvAns podcast host connects with Perri Kramer, a dedicated leader who has spent her entire career working to build healthier, more sustainable food systems. Perri believes that good, high-quality food should bring both joy and well-being—and she has committed her life to making that belief real for communities everywhere.Her journey spans nearly every corner of the food ecosystem:—from grocery stores and restaurants,—to supporting food entrepreneurs,—to transforming school lunch programs,—to working within the charitable food sector to ensure access for all.Perri brings a rare combination of hands-on experience, operational insight, and deep compassion. In our conversation, she shares what she’s learned along the way, what keeps her committed to this work, and what she sees as the most promising opportunities for building a sustainable, resilient food future.If you care about food, community health, or creating systems that actually work for people, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
17 Nov 2025
Episode 117: Harvesting with Cultural Memory
In this episode of EnvAns, we sit down with Brittney Shelby Sessoms — guide, advocate, artisan maker, and cultural storyteller — whose work bridges ancestral wisdom with modern food justice. Known to many as “the youngest Big Ma,” Brittney embodies the spirit of the traditional Black Southern matriarch, grounding her community work in love, legacy, and lived experience.As the founder of Charlotte & Pickens, Brittney explores how Black communities have always sustained themselves through farming, storytelling, textile arts, and communal care. Her work turns cultural preservation into a living practice — one that empowers today’s urban and rural spaces alike to build resilient, self-determined futures. We’ll explore how her creative and agricultural practices weave together heritage and innovation, and how food sovereignty and storytelling can serve as acts of liberation.Join us as Brittney shares how ancestral knowledge, passed down through generations, can shape our collective path toward abundance, justice, and community transformation.Featuring insights from a 2025 Echoing Green Fellow and 2024 VOQAL Fellow, this conversation honors the crossroads of culture, sustainability, and self-determination — right where tradition meets tomorrow.
22 Oct 2025
Episode 116: Keep Powering On
On this episode of the EnvAns Podcast we will get to sit down with Antonia “Toni” Tahia Ginsberg-Klemmt, founder of GismoPower! Toni invented and co-patented the MEGA (Mobile Electricity Generating Appliance), a 6kW plug-in solar carport on wheels for renters. She’s a trilingual “mermaid,” rower, and UC Berkeley graduate in mechanical engineering who holds a physics degree from New College of Florida. She runs the company with her parents, Erika and Achim, to make solar affordable without costly installations. Her innovation won the American-Made Solar Prize, SBIR Phase II grant, and 2025 SXSW Student Innovation Award. She was named a Top 25 Entrepreneur Under 25 by Tampa Bay Business Journal and is going to be featured on season 13 of Entrepreneur’s show “Elevator Pitch”.
22 Oct 2025
Episode 114: A Reuse Rising
In this episode, host Tiana Elame sits down with Crystal Dreisbach, CEO of Upstream, a nonprofit leading the charge to advance a robust and enduring reuse economy. Crystal shares why reuse isn’t just an environmental solution, but also an economic and social imperative—one that saves money, creates jobs, and builds more resilient communities.From her early work founding Don’t Waste Durham to her current leadership at Upstream, Crystal has been at the forefront of transforming policy, infrastructure, and public perception around reuse. She discusses the real costs of extraction and waste, the systems we need to normalize recirculation, and how reuse can power a just transition toward a fair economy.Crystal’s journey is as inspiring as it is practical—her initiatives include developing tech-powered reuse systems, influencing health codes, and even launching the first curbside pickup program for reusables. Recognized nationally for her impact, her story has been featured on PBS, NPR, and Fast Company, and in 2021 she was named Activist of the Year at The Reusies®.Tune in to learn how reuse is rising as a transformative force—and why it’s key to building stronger, more self-sufficient communities.
22 Oct 2025
Episode 115: Future for Leather
On this episode of the EnvAns podcast we’re sitting down with George C. Engelmayr, Jr., PhD, a biomedical engineer whose career path has bridged worlds most of us rarely connect: from cardiac tissue engineering in top university labs to pioneering cultivated meat and leather startups shaping the future of food and materials.George’s story begins with training at Penn State, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied under leading researchers in tissue engineering. From there, his path led through MIT, Penn State, Duke, and Humacyte in North Carolina—before heading west to San Francisco.In the Bay Area, he became a leader in the cultivated foods and biomaterials space—helping build teams at UPSIDE Foods, VitroLabs, and Mission Barns. Now, as the founder of Myodenovo, Vasavance, and Cultivated Biomaterials LLC, he’s bringing to market the world’s first cultivated leather—grown harmlessly from the skin cells of a sanctuary cow named Angel.This conversation will explore not just the science, but the vision of how biotechnology can transform industries while staying rooted in compassion and sustainability.
24 Sept 2025
Episode 113: A Take Over
After 12 incredible episodes featuring conversations with experts and changemakers, host Tiana Elame is stepping in front of the mic to share more about herself and the vision behind EnvAns.This episode is a chance to hear the story behind the podcast: why it was created, how it connects to the mission of EnvAns, and what keeps driving this work forward. Tiana opens up about her journey in the environmental field, her passion for leadership development, and why she believes this podcast is one of the best tools for both established leaders and aspiring leaders in the environmental industry.The goal of EnvAns is simple but powerful: to help professionals gain a well-rounded understanding of today’s most pressing environmental challenges, while also equipping them with insights and inspiration to lead effectively in their organizations and communities.If you’ve been following along, you’ll get a deeper look into the “why” behind EnvAns. And if you’re new here, this is the perfect episode to start with—you’ll leave understanding the bigger picture of what we’re building together.If you made it this far, don’t forget to hit the link or follow button—your support helps amplify the message and bring more voices into this important conversation.
4 Aug 2025
Episode 112 : Recycling Better Defined
In this episode of Environmental Answers, we sit down with Evan Gwynne Davies, CEO and co-creator of Scrapp, a Certified B-Corp that's revolutionizing how we understand waste. What started in a college dorm has evolved into a global platform helping organizations digitize their waste streams and take real action toward a circular economy.Evan shares the journey from sustainable building design to tech entrepreneurship — and how Scrapp is helping businesses, brands, and cities see what they’re throwing away, and more importantly, how to stop.We dive into:♻️ How live data can reshape sustainability strategies📊 Why digitizing waste is key to scalable climate solutions🌱 Evan’s path to founding a purpose-driven company🛠️ The real challenges (and wins) in scaling impact-led startups If you're in sustainability, innovation, or just curious about how data can help solve global problems, this episode is for you.
14 May 2025
Episode 111 : The Mind for it
Join us for a special EnvAns Podcast Live episode during Mental Health Awareness Month as we welcome Rebecca Vidra (she/her), Senior Lecturer of Marine Conservation and Ethics at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.In this powerful and reflective conversation, we explore what it means to engage in environmental work with not just technical skill, but with heart, purpose, and resilience. Titled “The Mind for It,” this episode looks closely at how we navigate the emotional terrain of climate work—the space between hope and despair, action and uncertainty—and how those working on the frontlines of conservation can sustain their mental and emotional well-being.Rebecca shares her perspective on ethical coastal restoration, building equity into environmental decision-making, and why creating space for civil discourse and character development in the classroom is so essential for the next generation of environmental leaders. She also reflects on the personal rituals that keep her grounded, including long walks by the ocean with her daughters, mindful cooking, yoga, and conversations that nourish a sense of resilient hope.This episode is for anyone grappling with the weight of environmental challenges—and wondering how to stay mentally strong and purpose-driven in the work.📅 Don’t miss this timely and honest conversation at the intersection of mental health, ethics, and environmental leadership.
7 May 2025
Episode 110: Access to Sustainable Tourism
Can Travel Be Truly Sustainable? Annie Combs Thinks So.In this episode of EnvAns, we sit down with Annie Combs—environmental scientist, sustainable tourism researcher, and founder of ECPC Travel—to explore how travel can become a force for good. Annie shares how her experiences around the world and research at UCSB’s Bren School led her to create a new framework for tourism that prioritizes both environmental integrity and local community well-being. She also discusses how her AI-driven platform is reshaping the way independent tourism providers are vetted for sustainability and equity. Whether you're a traveler, entrepreneur, or policy thinker, this conversation offers fresh insight into what it really means to move through the world responsibly.
30 Apr 2025
Episode 109 : Food History Matters
On this Episode of the EnvAns Podcast, We’re excited to welcome Andre Taylor to our next conversation — a dynamic historian, scholar, and storyteller whose work beautifully bridges academia, community, and culture.🎓 Andre is a Ph.D. student in American Studies at William & Mary, former oral historian for the university, and past historian of African American history and culture at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.Through his powerful digital humanities project, Black Folk and Our Food, Andre captures oral histories of Black families—while they cook family recipes passed down without pen or paper. It's about more than food—it's about memory, legacy, and identity.He also serves as a dedicated historian for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at both chapter and district levels. Andre is a proud husband and father to twin daughters.
24 Apr 2025
Episode 108 : Food Infrastructure Investments
Elysabeth Alfano is the CEO of VegTech™ Invest, the Advisor to the Plant-based Innovation & Climate ETF, EATV, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Elysabeth is an expert in investing in food systems transformation and speaks internationally on the intersection of investing, sustainability, and our global food supply system. She recently spoke at the U.N. Global Leaders Compact Summit, the United Nations Climate Change Summit, COP27 and COP28, Yale University and several Bloomberg Intelligence events. Elysabeth began her career with Kellogg Company working on Special K and Frosted Mini-Wheats before investing for a small family office. A graduate of Northwestern University and the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Elysabeth consults and advises, through her company Plant Powered Consulting, C-Suite Executives on the sustainable food industry landscape, direction and whitespaces. Lastly, Elysabeth hosts the Plantbased Business Hour, a podcast which features the CEOs and business leaders in the industry. The Plantbased Business Hour is considered “The Gold Standard” for those who want to understand, participate in, and capitalize on the growing Plant-based Innovation sector. She is also the host of Upside & Impact: Investing for Change, distributed on the New York Stock Exchange website platform, ETFCentral.com.
11 Apr 2025
Episode 107 : The Profitable Data
Hazel Horvath is the founder and CEO of Ecolytics, a software platform enabling companies to build data-driven sustainability programs. With a degree in Environment and Sustainability from Duke University and a diverse background in global sustainability analysis—from Washington, DC, to Geneva, Switzerland, and Beijing, China—Hazel has cultivated a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sustainability landscape. Recognizing the complexity businesses face in taking meaningful action on sustainability, Hazel built Ecolytics to provide companies with a comprehensive tool for measuring impact, identifying areas for improvement, and creating data-driven roadmaps for achieving their goals. Ecolytics also helps companies transparently communicate their sustainability progress to stakeholders, including employees, investors, and customers. Ecolytics' clients include small- and medium-sized businesses as well as large corporations, based both in the US and internationally.In addition to leading Ecolytics, Hazel is an active member of the B Local Mid-Atlantic board, supporting the growth of sustainable businesses in her community.
11 Apr 2025
Episode 106: Energy - Where's the Impact?
In our next episode, we're interviewing Jessica J. Auck !Jessica brings nearly 20 years of interdisciplinary experience from fields like archaeology, environmental planning, land use management, and construction compliance. Her expertise spans industries such as transportation, residential real estate, civil works, utilities, and renewable energy.Currently, she is a Sr. Permit Compliance Manager at Avantus a solar developer in the western US.
11 Apr 2025
Episode 105: New Waste Ways
John Starke has a background in engineering and manufacturing, with extensive experience in industrial operations, specializing in product, production, and quality engineering. As the founder of #MyMatR (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mymatr), he aimed to empower individuals to manage their waste more effectively, contributing to a more efficient public disposal system. Outside of work, John is a dedicated bagpiper and an active member of two pipes and drums bands.
11 Apr 2025
Episode 104: Sustainable Returns Playbook
Dear listeners, On this episode of the Environmental Answers Live podcast, we're diving into the world of sustainable investing. Our guest is Heather Beatty, the founder and CEO of ScopeFour Capital, a climate-focused investment firm. Heather brings a wealth of experience to the discussion, having previously held leadership positions at First Eagle Investment Management, TCW, and Thornburg. Notably, she created and co-chaired First Eagle's first Climate Council. Heather is a recognized voice in the field, featured on numerous panels, conferences, and podcasts, including the CFA Society, SACRS, NY Climate Week, and The Sustainable Finance Podcast. Beyond her professional work, Heather is a dedicated philanthropist. She partners with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, presenting on climate investing and helping entrepreneurs integrate sustainability into their business models. If you're looking for guidance on aligning your investments with a sustainable future, don't miss this episode.
11 Apr 2025
Episode 103: Zero Waste Nourishment
Dear listeners, tune in to this episode of the Environmental Answers podcast to hear from Chef Netta, a Food & Nutrition expert with a passion for flavorful, healthy food. Chef Netta specializes in helping local communities build sustainable eating, cooking, and lifestyle habits that optimize performance. After culinary school, Chef Netta earned a Master's Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Meredith College, where she also completed her dietetic training. She's a dedicated Food Justice advocate and works in rural communities to further this cause. Don't miss this insightful episode!
11 Apr 2025
Episode 102: Evidence-Based Sustainability
On this Episode of the Environmental Answers (EnvAns) podcast we will explore evidence-based sustainability by diving into a conversation with Maddie Shiff, Commercial Operations Manager at Polycarbin. Maddie is on a mission to decarbonize the scientific industry through an evidence-based approach to sustainability. With nearly a decade of experience in the sustainability start-up world, she works with scientists to lower the carbon footprint of innovation through closed-loop recycling. Maddie earned her Master of Environmental Management (MEM) from Duke University and her BA in Global Public Health from the University of Virginia.
11 Apr 2025
Episode 101: A New Climate
The Environmental Answers (EnvAns) Podcast is designed for environmental leaders, clean energy innovators, sustainable developers, and anyone who wants to be more informed about the environmental industry.In this episode, we are excited to feature Reba Elliot, an impactful organizational developer. Reba will discuss why organization design and planning is crucial as we navigate "a new climate." While the climate may be changing, there are strategies to build resilience regardless of the weather, place, or time.
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