The ChicoBag Podcast – Redefining Sustainability, One Step at a Time

A Campus That Feeds Students, Not Landfills — with Stephan Classen from Cascadia College
What if your school let students forage for food on campus?
At Cascadia College, that’s not a hypothetical. It’s policy. And it’s part of a bigger story about what happens when you design with nature instead of against it.
Ranked the most sustainable campus grounds in the country every year since 2018, Cascadia College is more than a green space. With 58 acres of restored wetlands and a full ban on synthetic pesticides, the campus has become a living classroom for students, pollinators, and the community.
In this episode, Andy Keller sits down with Stephan Classen to unpack how a former cattle ranch became a nationally recognized model of ecological design — and how any school, facility, or homeowner can follow suit.
What you'll learn
How to reduce pesticides without losing your garden
Why biodiversity boosts mental health
The secret history of lawns (and what to plant instead)
What it means to design “with nature” in architecture
A few surprises about foraging, pollinators, and public space
If you’re curious about campus sustainability, community health, or how to make outdoor spaces more meaningful, this conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiring ideas.
Explore more from Cascadia College:Sustainable Grounds: cascadia.edu/sustainability/groundsWater & Environmental Sciences Program: cascadia.edu/water
About this seriesThe ChicoBag Podcast celebrates 20 years of reusable solutions that replace waste with purpose. We're giving away our biggest prize pack yet to mission-driven businesses and sustainability leaders.
Enter the giveawaychicobag.com/enter-to-win-20-year-anniversary-giveaway-2
Hosted by Andy Keller, Founder of ChicoBag.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edward Humes joins Andy Keller to talk trash — literally. In this episode of the ChicoBag Podcast, they dive deep into the hidden systems that fuel our waste crisis and reveal how garbage connects to climate change, health, inequality, and everyday life.
Humes shares stories and insights from his latest book Total Garbage, revealing how the things we throw away — and the systems that produce them — are quietly driving some of our biggest environmental problems. From the gas stove debate to the rise of microplastics in our food and water, this is an eye-opening look at how waste shapes our world and what we can do about it.
Whether you're a policy nerd, a sustainability advocate, or just wondering what actually happens to your trash, this episode offers practical, thoughtful, and surprisingly hopeful solutions.
Topics include:
Why gas stoves are worse for your health than you think
The environmental cost of driving that no one talks about
How microplastics are showing up in our bodies
What repair cafés, induction stoves, and urban farms have in common
How to rethink your relationship with waste
Connect with Edward Humes:Website: www.edwardhumes.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/edwardhumesInstagram + Threads: @edward_humesX (Twitter): @edwardhumesFacebook: facebook.com/Garbology
Hosted by Andy Keller, Founder of ChicoBag.

Heather White—author, advocate, and founder of OneGreenThing.org—joins Andy Keller on the ChicoBag Podcast to talk about eco anxiety, Gen Z, and the growing connection between mental health and climate change.
They explore how today’s youth are navigating anxiety with action, and why our daily choices matter more than we think. From practical frameworks to hope-driven storytelling, Heather offers a refreshing take on climate communication and what it means to live your values in a fast-moving world.
Whether you’re a parent, business leader, or just someone who cares deeply about the future, this conversation is both eye-opening and affirming.
Topics include:
How climate anxiety shows up in younger generations
Turning anxiety into action without burnout
Small, meaningful habits that create change
Building emotional resilience in an uncertain world
Giveaway Mention (for Podbean or Podcatchers that allow it):We’re also celebrating ChicoBag’s 20-year anniversary with a major giveaway. Enter for a chance to win our biggest sustainable prize pack yet: www.chicobag.com/enter-to-win-20-year-anniversary-giveaway-3
Connect with Heather White:onegreenthing.org | Author of One Green Thing and 60 Days to a Greener Life
Updated Summary (Shorter Version):Author Heather White joins Andy Keller to talk about eco anxiety, Gen Z, and why small actions matter. A candid conversation about resilience, climate hope, and finding your place in the movement for change.

What happens when you blend clean energy, surfing, and intentional living? In this episode, Andy Keller sits down with Tyler Fox — founder of Santa Cruz Waves and owner of Sandbar Solar — to explore how reconnecting with nature can shape a more sustainable future.
Tyler shares what it’s like to live completely off-grid in a 280-square-foot home, and how his time riding giant waves at Mavericks helped prepare him for the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and climate advocacy. From solar savings myths to the power of local action, this conversation is full of grounded insight and real-life inspiration.
In this episode:– What it’s really like to live off-grid– Lessons from surfing Mavericks and navigating change– The truth about solar: leasing vs. owning, hidden costs, and long-term value– How tiny homes, clean power, and community build resilience
If you care about sustainability, solar, or just making better choices in daily life, this episode offers honest, practical insight from someone who’s living it.
Learn more:SantaCruzWaves.com | Sandbar SolarHosted by Andy Keller, Founder of ChicoBagProduced by ChicoBag

Andy Keller, founder of ChicoBag, sits down with Liz Zavodsky and Lauren Watkins from Ecochallenge.org to explore how small daily actions can lead to meaningful, lasting sustainability. Together, they unpack why it’s so hard to change habits, what really motivates people to take action, and how to talk about climate in ways that inspire rather than overwhelm.
They also dive into the Earth Month Ecochallenge, a powerful way to join thousands of people around the world in building better habits for the planet.
Whether you’re just getting started with sustainability or looking to deepen your impact, this episode offers practical insight and real encouragement for creating change—one action at a time.
Learn more and join the challenge at Ecochallenge.org.

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.

Join host Andy Keller on The Chico Bag 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.

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.