About The ChicoBag Podcast – Redefining Sustainability, One Step at a Time
Join Andy Keller, founder of ChicoBag and a passionate advocate for sustainability, as he explores the big and small ways we can all contribute to a cleaner, greener future. Whether it’s reducing waste, protecting our oceans, or rethinking the way we consume, The ChicoBag Podcast delivers actionable solutions that inspire positive change.
Through thought-provoking conversations with sustainability leaders, innovators, and changemakers, this podcast equips you with the knowledge and motivation to leave everything better than you found it. Tune in and take your next step toward a more sustainable world.
Listen now and be part of the movement for a brighter, cleaner future.
Great Stories Need Enemies | Kevin Willard | ChicoBag Podcast Ep 31
Most brands point the camera in the wrong place. Their best stories are buried on page 47 of an impact report no one reads.
Andy Keller sits down with Kevin Willard, owner of brand storytelling studio Assembly and a copywriter who has spent two decades helping organizations like American Forest Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, Hyatt, and Jack Daniels find stories that actually move people. They get into why brands are losing ground in the attention economy, what Huckberry and North Face are doing differently, and what to do when virgin material is cheaper than recycled content and you still want to make the right product.
What you'll hear:
Why most brand video gets ignored, and what the top 10% does differently
How Huckberry built a YouTube channel reportedly worth around $450,000 by reallocating ad spend
The story arc every piece of content needs (want, obstacle, overcome)
"Great stories need enemies." For ChicoBag, it's plastic waste. What's yours?
Why decision by committee turns Rocky Road into vanilla
Andy gets vulnerable about the virgin-versus-recycled material problem
AI is sterilizing content. The brands that stay human are the ones that win.
If your brand is rethinking what your promotional products actually say about you, our custom program is built for the brands who care about the answer.
Start here: https://www.chicobag.com/custom-eco-friendly-promotional-products
Connect with Kevin WillardWebsite: https://www.asmblyco.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwillardcreativedirector/
Connect with ChicoBagWebsite: https://www.chicobag.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicoBagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicobagLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicobag
7 May 2026
Turn Your Posts Into Real Donations | Becca Ruiz | ChicoBag Podcast Ep 30
What if posting your morning coffee could fund a mental health organization?
Andy Keller sits down with Becca Ruiz, founder of Post on Purpose (POP), to talk about the gap between brand marketing and real-world impact — and the platform she built to close it. Every post, every tag, every verified action unlocks a real donation from a sponsoring brand. No new apps. No extra steps. Just Instagram doing something that actually matters.
What you'll hear:- Why Becca left corporate sustainability to build something new- The disconnect between impact teams and marketing teams — and why it costs real results- How Post on Purpose turns an Instagram post into a verified donation- The MiMOS Coffee campaign funding mental health resources for Black women- Why participation-based content is outperforming passive scrolling- The move beyond vanity metrics — likes vs. real outcomes- How brands can prove their CSR investments actually worked- Becca's advice: small actions add up more than you think
Connect with Becca RuizWebsite: postonpurpose.coInstagram: @postonpurpose.co
Connect with ChicoBagWebsite: chicobag.comInstagram: @chicobagLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/chicobagFacebook: facebook.com/chicobag
2 Apr 2026
The Whole Village Approach: How Generational Change Happens With Guest Garrison Harward | ChicoBag Podcast Ep 29
In Episode 29 of the ChicoBag Podcast, Andy Keller sits down with Garrison Harward, Executive Director of Andando, to talk about what makes real change last in rural Senegal.
Andando’s “whole village” approach is built around long-term partnership and local ownership, spanning water, health, education, agriculture, literacy, and small business. Andy opens the episode with what that looks like in the real world: 41 market gardens producing over 2 million pounds of food, 16 health clinics serving more than 50,000 people, 21 schools reaching over 8,000 students, 2,700+ microloans, and 100,000+ trees planted.
This conversation gets honest about the difference between short-term aid and long-term ownership, and why the hardest part is not building the project, it’s maintaining it over time. Garrison also shares a powerful story about a community that spent decades trying to access clean water, and what it takes to make solutions stick after the first investment.
Learn more about Andando at https://www.andando.orgMore episodes and the mission behind ChicoBag: https://www.chicobag.com
17 Feb 2026
Plastic-Free Oyster Farming and the Truth About Microfibers | Abby Barrows Ep 28
Microplastics are showing up everywhere, including in the food we eat. In this episode, Andy Keller talks with Abby Barrows, marine debris researcher and co founder of Deer Isle Oyster Co, about what she has learned from years of global microplastics sampling with Adventure Scientists and why plastic is such a complicated part of aquaculture and wild fisheries. Abby gets real about what the data actually shows, why “just recycle” is not a plan, and how we can reduce plastic without falling into perfectionism.
What you’ll hear:• What microplastics are, why microfibers show up in most samples, and how they move through air and water• Why the open ocean and polar regions can act like sinks for microplastics• The hidden plastic problem in oyster farming gear, and what “plastic free aquaculture” could look like• Practical ways to cut plastic that actually add up, from reusables to speaking up for policy change• Why oysters matter for clean water, coastal communities, and the future of food
Connect with ChicoBag
Website: https://www.chicobag.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicoBag
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicobag
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicobag
Connect with Abby Barrows and Deer Isle Oyster Company
Website: https://abbybarrows.com/
Website: https://www.deerisleoysterco.com/
29 Jan 2026
Rebuilding After Wildfire: Resilient, Non-Toxic Homes with Marialyce Pedersen | Ep 28
Marialyce Pedersen has spent decades in recycling and zero waste work, but wildfire changed her life in a personal way. After the Eaton Fire burned down her nearly 100-year-old home in Altadena, she began planning a rebuild focused on resiliency, health, and common sense.
In this episode, Andy Keller and Marialyce dig into what “build back better” can actually look like, from straw bale buildings that survived the Thomas Fire, to the real-world friction of permitting and code adoption, to the uncomfortable truth that many rebuilds still rely on what her colleague Art Ludwig calls “kindling and toxic waste.” It’s a practical conversation about fire resilience, natural building materials, preparedness, and how communities can rebuild smarter instead of repeating the same cycle.
26 Jan 2026
Kurt Hoge on Purposeful Promotion, Not Waste | ChicoBag Podcast Ep 21
Join Andy Keller as he sits down with Kurt Hoag, the founder of Renotype, to explore the world of purposeful promotion. Discover how Kurt's 30 years of experience in marketing have shaped his unique approach to advertising, focusing on meaningful connections rather than fleeting trends. Learn about the common pitfalls in promotional strategies and how to avoid them, while gaining insights into building lasting brand relationships. Whether you're a small business owner or a marketing enthusiast, this episode offers valuable lessons on making impactful promotional choices.
26 Jan 2026
Tabletop Games That Save Lives | Seth Ewing of Operation Tabletop | ChicoBag Podcast Ep 24
In this episode, Andy Keller sits down with Seth Ewing, founder of Operation Tabletop, to talk about how simple, in-person game nights create real connection, restore a sense of purpose, and can help reduce suicide risk among service members and veterans. It’s an honest, practical conversation about loneliness, “earned dopamine” vs. instant gratification, showing up for each other, and why being the one who runs the game can give someone a reason to keep coming back.
26 Jan 2026
Tobie Spears on Be Humanitarian: Microgrants & Volunteer Travel | ChicoBag Podcast Ep 23
Can small dollars create big change? In this episode, Andy sits down with Tobie Spears, founder of Be Humanitarian, to unpack a practical model working right now in Guatemala. From child sponsorship and English classes to tiny seed grants that launch real microbusinesses, Tobie shares what works, what to avoid, and how anyone can get involved as a sponsor, partner, or volunteer traveler. We dive into: Why Guatemala’s malnutrition crisis needs local, concrete solutions How sponsorship tiers cover school, meals, and momentum English classes as a simple unlock for opportunity What 200 dollars can do after basic business training Volunteer travel that blends service with real cultural connection How companies engage teams through purpose and partnership Nonprofit reality checks, hiring lessons, and measuring impact over overhead
26 Jan 2026
How to Fix ‘Trinkets and Trash’ Marketing | Denise Taschereau of Fairware | ChicoBag Podcast Ep 25
Bad merch hurts your brand. Good merch builds loyalty.In this episode, Andy Keller talks with Denise Taschereau, co-founder and CEO of Fairware, about how to move beyond “trinkets and trash” and turn branded products into meaningful, profitable marketing tools. They dig into why intention matters, how to plan ahead to reduce waste, and why doing the right thing isn’t just better for the planet — it’s better for business. What you’ll hear:• Why most promo products miss the mark — and how to fix it• The real ROI of sustainable branded merchandise• How planning ahead cuts emissions and saves money• Why quality beats quantity for cost per impression• Real examples from Ben & Jerry’s, Spotify, and more• The power of thoughtful onboarding kits for employees• How to avoid brand risk and negative impressions• The future of promo: agency, choice, and circularity
2 Oct 2025
PPAI’s Liz Wimbush on Smarter Merch, Brand Risk, and Sustainability | ChicoBag Podcast Ep22
Host Andy Keller interviews Liz Wimbush, Director of Sustainability at PPAI, and they examine purpose-led sourcing and transparency within supply chains to help businesses build trust and reduce waste through intentional merchandise.
23 Sept 2025
How a College Became 100% Pesticide Free and Grew a Food Forest | ChicoBag Podcast Ep8
Stephan Classen of Cascadia College discusses with Andy Keller how the college transformed its grounds into a pesticide-free, foraging-friendly ecosystem, highlighting the impact on mental health and sustainability in this interview.
23 Sept 2025
Total Garbage with Edward Humes | ChicoBag Podcast Episode 7
Author Edward Humes discusses the environmental and economic impacts of our waste system with host Andy Keller, revealing solutions for a cleaner future in this interview.
16 Sept 2025
Eco Anxiety, Legacy, and One Green Thing with Heather White | ChicoBag Podcast Episode 6
Author Heather White discusses eco anxiety and the importance of small actions with host Andy Keller, offering insights into resilience and climate hope in this interview.
16 Sept 2025
Surfing Toward a Solar Future with Tyler Fox | ChicoBag Podcast Episode 5
Surfer and solar advocate Tyler Fox discusses off-grid living and clean energy with host Andy Keller, highlighting the importance of community in creating climate solutions in this interview.
16 Sept 2025
How Small Actions Spark Big Change with Lauren Watkins | ChicoBag Podcast Episode 4
Andy Keller interviews Liz Zavodsky and Lauren Watkins from Ecochallenge.org, who explain how small, consistent actions lead to significant environmental change and promote sustainable habits.
Join host Andy Keller in this episode of the Chico Bag Podcast, where he engages in a compelling conversation with Austin Whitman, CEO of changeclimate.org. They discuss climate labeling and its role in empowering consumers and businesses to make informed, sustainable choices. From understanding the importance of carbon accountability to exploring tangible steps for climate action, the discussion provides valuable insights into how transparency and certification can lead to meaningful climate solutions.Austin shares his expertise on the critical steps companies can take to inventory and mitigate their carbon emissions, revealing how both businesses and individuals can contribute to a sustainable future. Discover the invisible impact of consumer choices and learn simple actions that can make a substantial difference in addressing climate change.
5 Mar 2025
Redefining Sustainability With Jordan Howard (ShftSpace) and Andy Keller (ChicoBag)
Join host Andy Keller on The ChicoBag Podcast as he welcomes Jordan Howard, a distinguished sustainability strategist, speaker, and policy expert, to discuss the journey towards meaningful environmental activism. Jordan shares her insights on the importance of creating lasting change, both at the individual and corporate levels, by engaging with diverse generations and fostering open communication. Explore how businesses can adapt to meet the demands of future generations and the critical role of policy in altering the 'game board' of sustainability. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about making a difference in the world of sustainability.
5 Feb 2025
Unpacking the UN Treaty to End Plastic Pollution with Dr. Marcus Erickson
In this episode of the ChicoBag Podcast, host Andy Keller engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Marcus Erickson, a renowned scientist and advocate for ocean conservation. Together, they explore the intricacies of the United Nations Treaty to End Plastic Pollution and discuss the challenges faced during the recent negotiation sessions in Busan, South Korea. With 170 countries and a multitude of stakeholders involved, the negotiations highlight the complexities and the power struggles between nations striving for a high-ambition treaty and those aiming to stall the process.
Dr. Erickson shares his optimism for the formation of a breakthrough coalition of 120 countries united against plastic pollution, advocating for production caps, design standards, and legally binding measures. This episode delves into the environmental, economic, and health implications of plastic waste while offering actionable solutions for individuals and companies to contribute to a more sustainable world. Tune in to discover the role you can play in reshaping the future and driving meaningful change against the backdrop of global policy efforts.
Who has been a guest on The ChicoBag Podcast – Redefining Sustainability, One Step at a Time
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Liz Wimbush
Stephan Classen
Edward Humes
Heather White
Tyler Fox
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