Episodes

  • 226 Fashion Revolution Week: A Conversation with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree

    226 Fashion Revolution Week: A Conversation with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
    Apr 25 2025

    In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, Mary & Emma discuss Fashion Revolution Week and its significance, referencing the Rana Plaza disaster as a catalyst for the movement.

    The episode features Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, who discusses the impact of fast fashion on the environment, her advocacy for slow fashion, and the creation of the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus. Chellie delves into her personal journey from local government to Congress, highlighting her efforts in sustainable and organic farming. The conversation explores bipartisan efforts to address environmental issues, the importance of soil health, and Pingree’s ongoing initiatives to promote sustainable practices in fashion and agriculture.


    00:00 Introduction to Fashion Waste

    01:30 Welcome to the Good Dirt Podcast

    01:35 Fashion Revolution Week

    02:33 Lady Farmer's Journey

    03:49 Introducing Shelly Pingree

    06:40 Shelly Pingree’s Background

    15:08 The Slow Fashion Movement

    22:03 The Role of Congressional Caucuses

    28:30 Bipartisanship in Sustainable Policies

    34:05 Shelly Pingree’s Farm and Regenerative Practices

    37:46 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

    Foxfire

    The Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing

    DC Climate Week-April 28th-May 2nd, 2025


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    🌻 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 Mary & Emma Kingsley

    The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network.



    🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

    • Wendy Gray
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    42 mins
  • Encore: The Role of Activism in the Fashion Revolution with Elizabeth Cline

    Encore: The Role of Activism in the Fashion Revolution with Elizabeth Cline
    Apr 18 2025
    This episode was originally published on April 23, 2021 For updates on Elizabeth Cline's advocacy and policy work since this episode was recorded, go to her website at www.elizabethclinebooks.com Our guest this week is Elizabeth Cline, a New York-based author, journalist, and expert on consumer culture, fast fashion, sustainability and labor rights in the apparel industry. She is the author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, which was published in 2012, and which laid the foundation for the modern global ethical and sustainable fashion movement. Her most recent book, The Conscious Closet, published in 2019, describes how consumers can transform the apparel industry and change the world for the better by making more informed decisions about what they wear every day. In this episode, Elizabeth inspires slow fashion enthusiasts to move beyond the response of merely modifying their purchasing decisions, to come together with other individuals in the wider community to impact policy change through social activism. Elizabeth discusses campaigns such as Pay Up Fashion for direct relief for garment workers that have not been paid by American companies during the pandemic, and the Garment Workers Protection Act that will provide minimum wage for garment workers in California. Elizabeth encourages consumers to embrace their civic right in bringing the malpractices and inequities of the fashion industry to light, holding brands accountable for their unethical practices and therefore affecting real change in this broken system. 1:30 - It’s Fashion Revolution week! 10:00 - Elizabeth introduces herself 11:00 - Has there been much change in the last two decades in the fashion industry? 20:00 - Why are corporations not paying their factories? 28:00 - The problems in your own closet 38:00 - The PayUp Campaign 42:00 - What does The Good Dirt mean to you? 50:00 - How Farmers in West Texas inspired Elizabeth Things Mentioned: Fashion Revolution Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline The Conscious Closet by Elizabeth Cline Lady Farmer Essential Collection Line and Tow Line at Lady Farmer Grace Brian The Twilight of the Ethical Consumer article PayUp Fashion SB 62 - The Garment Worker Protection Act Elizabeth Cline Instagram PayUp Fashion Instagram Greenwashing article for Patagonia Another Tomorrow The ALMANAC 🌻 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
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    52 mins
  • Redefining Rich with Shannon Hayes: Embracing Slow Living and Life-Serving Economies

    Redefining Rich with Shannon Hayes: Embracing Slow Living and Life-Serving Economies
    Apr 11 2025
    This episode delves into the concept of slow living as a continuous practice that requires constant effort and intentionality. Mary & Emma discuss with Shannon Hayes, author of 'Radical Homemakers' and 'Redefining Rich,' about her journey in slow living, holistic farming, and creating a life-serving economy. Hayes shares her experiences of managing a family farm and restaurant, the backlash from her first book, and the importance of a quality of life statement. The conversation also explores how redefining wealth beyond monetary income can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life. 00:00 Introduction to Slow Living 01:37 A Rich Life in the Garden 02:34 Interview with Shannon Hayes 03:49 Defining True Wealth 04:48 Quality of Life Statements 10:32 Non-Monetary Income 15:23 Shannon Hayes' Background 17:36 The Creative Journey 22:51 Legacy Work and Overcoming Resentment 26:58 Reflecting on Radical Homemakers 28:13 Exploring Power Dynamics in Families 29:14 The Impact of Misinterpretation 30:22 Facing Public Perception and Personal Growth 38:06 Navigating Employment and Self-Employment 45:19 Understanding Life-Serving vs. Extractive Economies 49:03 The Concept of Slow Living 50:30 The Good Dirt: Metaphor and Reality 52:47 Where to Find More from Shannon ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 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
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    56 mins
  • Encore: Agroecology, Apples and Sustainable Systems with Horticultural Historian Eliza Greenman

    Encore: Agroecology, Apples and Sustainable Systems with Horticultural Historian Eliza Greenman
    Apr 4 2025
    This episode was originally aired March 25, 2022 Join this "fruitful" and enlightening conversation with tree crops specialist, horticultural historian and agroforestry practitioner Eliza Greenman as she explains the evolution of the apple, horticultural tree crop history and shares her love for fruit exploring. A creator of niche products, Eliza is passionate owner of charcuterie company, HogTree, and is working towards the goal of creating orchard systems that function symbiotically with livestock to replace costly livestock feed. After a time pruning apple trees on an island off the coast of Maine, paired with her time abroad in Germany in apprenticeship with an apple grower and a formative research trip to Asia, the homeland of fruits and nuts, Eliza found her calling and became single- mindedly obsessed with apples. Now she is an advocate for natural wildlife practices and indigenous systems, stressing the importance of eating in season and shying away from global commodities. The conversation includes various types of fruit and nut trees such as pawpaws, mulberry trees, hickory walnuts, acorns, autumn olive and the infamous Bradford Pear, exploring all the ways these beautiful gifts can be nurtured and enjoyed. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Agroforestry Agroecology Permaculture Food Forests Perennials Fruit and Nut Trees Bradford Pear Red Delicious Fire Blight Heart Rot Pollarding Autumn Olive Silvopasture agroforestry Resources Mentioned: US Apple - Lobbying Back River Market “Of New York” Series - Catalog of Fruit Varieties The National Soil Fertility League North American Fruit Explorers - NAFEX John Bunker, Fedco Trees Francis Fenton Silvopasture is the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land. These systems are intensively managed for both forest products and forage, providing both short- and long-term income sources. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/practices/silvopasture.php Guest Info Connect with Eliza at elizaapples.com HogTree charcuterie company Fruit and Fodder Instagram @elizaapples 🌻 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
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • 224. Decluttering that Works For You with Dana White of "A Slob Comes Clean"

    224. Decluttering that Works For You with Dana White of "A Slob Comes Clean"
    Mar 28 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Encore: Paul Hawken on Carbon, Climate and Connection

    Encore: Paul Hawken on Carbon, Climate and Connection
    Mar 21 2025
    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
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    54 mins
  • 223. Rethinking Carbon: An Enlightening Conversation with Paul Hawken

    223. Rethinking Carbon: An Enlightening Conversation with Paul Hawken
    Mar 14 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 131. Rewilding Our Way Home to Ourselves with Hillarie Maddox of Black Girl Country Living

    131. Rewilding Our Way Home to Ourselves with Hillarie Maddox of Black Girl Country Living
    Mar 7 2025
    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.
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    1 hr and 10 mins