Life on the Upcycle Podcast

Today’s episode is all about upcycling. Meriam Webster defines upcycling as “to recycle (something) in such a way that the resulting product is of a higher value than the original item: to create an object of greater value from (a discarded object of lesser value).” In our private Facebook community group Love Earth Big [http://www.facebook.com/groups/loveearthbig] (you can find the link to that group in the show notes), many of you share incredible upcycling projects that you have done at home, including upcycling lamp shades into hanging planters, and upcycling old tires into beautiful outdoor gardens. This community never ceases to amaze and inspire me. On a macro level, companies like Nike have taken the rubber from old shoes and upcycled them into new gymnasium flooring and have turned plastic bags into dry fit clothing. A sector of industry that is rarely discussed in terms of upcycling is the food industry. This episode is devoted to just that, upcycled foods and specifically snacking. Without revealing too much, I’ll introduce you to today’s guest, Shannon Neumann. Shannon is Associate Director of SnackFutures Innovation – Mondelēz International’s innovation and venture hub that plays a critical role in the company’s aggressive global growth agenda. In the SnackFutures model of Invent and Venture, Shannon is thrilled to have the opportunity to align her work with her personal passions for creating and building brands while connecting people from around the world through food. Shannon has been with Mondelēz International for 9 years, and before that she worked with Kraft Foods, Cadbury and Nabisco.  Shannon has held a number of key leadership roles in brand management, global breakthrough innovation and portfolio management across multiple categories including Gum, Candy and Biscuits.  She has led and executed multi-market big bet projects for Mondelez collaborating across boundaries with cross-functional colleagues. Shannon received her undergraduate degree from The University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Exclusive info: CaPao just launched a new product Quinoa Squares! Keep an eye out for this new flavor! Let's Get Social! Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lifeontheupcycle/]@lifeontheupcycle Life on the Upcycle Facebook Page [https://m.facebook.com/lifeontheupcycle/] Life on the Upcycle Facebook Community Page [https://m.facebook.com/groups/loveearthbig] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/capaofruit/]@capaofruit CaPao Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/capaofruit] CaPao Website [https://www.capaofruit.com/] Reports and articles discussed in the episode: Upcycled Food Association, Foundation, and Certification [https://www.upcycledfood.org/]

In this episode, I have an amazing conversation with Meghan Forest Farmer.  We talk about her mission to kick start a garment factory that is utilizing sustainable fabrics and empowering women who are often over looked. In this episode, we will learn about The Bright Factory and Meghan provides amazing tips at the end of the show on how to shop sustainability. Currently the Bright Factory is in their last few days of their kick starter campaign. Please join me in being apart of something incredible by supporter The Bright Factory's Kick Starter at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thebrightfactory/the-bright-factory Meghan Forest Farmer has woven her way through the fashion pipeline over the past 10 years, but currently works as a fashion stylist, both on photo shoot sets, and in the wardrobes of her personal styling closet. After learning of the unfortunate, darker side of the fashion industry, specifically within garment manufacturing, she made sustainability and ethical fashion a mission for her personal and professional life.  In today’s conversation we are going to learn more about Meghan’s incredible story and how she went from working in the world of fashion to the idea for her newest business venture; The Bright Factory. A cut and sew factory in Fort Worth, TX, creating sustainable t-shirts, by the hands of women being given another chance. When she is not on a photoshoot set, or running a business, she enjoys being a goofball with her amazing husband, karaoke and dance parties, and serving her community and church. Won't You Be Social With Us? Instagram @lifeontheupcycle Life on the Upcycle Facebook Page [https://m.facebook.com/lifeontheupcycle/] Life on the Upcycle Facebook Community Page [https://m.facebook.com/groups/loveearthbig] Instagram @thebrightfactory The Bright Factory Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/thebrightfactorytx/] The Bright Factory Website [https://www.thebrightfactory.co/] The Bright Factory TikTok [https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMR7E5PQ5/] The Bright Factory Kick Starter Page [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thebrightfactory/the-bright-factory] Reports and articles discussed in the intro: UNEP Article Link [https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/fashions-tiny-hidden-secret]

In this episode, financial coach, Heather Langford Oynes, explains how applying intentionality and creating a spending plan for our finances can be great for personal peace and the environment. Heather is a wife, mother, and money stewardship coach. Her passion is empowering others to give more, save more & become debt free!  To connect with Heather, visit her community group at CREATED for MORE: A Financial Stewardship Community for Christian Women Facebook Community Page [https://www.facebook.com/groups/651416445712786]. Won't You Be Social With Us? Instagram @lifeontheupcycle Life on the Upcycle Facebook Page [https://m.facebook.com/lifeontheupcycle/] Life on the Upcycle Facebook Community Page [https://m.facebook.com/groups/940733362978561?group_view_referrer=profile_browser] CREATED for MORE: A Financial Stewardship Community for Christian Women Facebook Community Page [https://www.facebook.com/groups/651416445712786]

After a few months hiatus, I'm back and ready to start us off with a Eco-Mindset Challenge. In this episode I explain what an Eco-Mindset means and why understanding "your why" is so important. Don't have a why? No worries! I'll talk you through defining one! Find us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/lifeontheupcycle [http://www.facebook.com/lifeontheupcycle] Join the community @ www.facebook.com/groups/loveearthbig [http://www.facebook.com/groups/loveearthbig] Follow us on Insta @lifeontheupcycle

In this episode, Kristi Soomer, the founder and CEO of Encircled, discusses with me what makes Encircled both ethical and sustainable. During this episode, she gives insight into what a capsule wardrobe looks like (which is a great way to have a sustainable closet if you are busy and short on time) think less laundry and faster morning routines!  Kristi shares her personal experience as a business owner during the pandemic and ended the episode with a challenge that empowers all of us to be the change in the world. Kristi Soomer is the founder and CEO of Encircled, a Canadian-made line of versatile, sustainably made clothing that helps women streamline their wardrobes. Coming from a non-traditional background for a fashion designer, Kristi holds an MBA from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies, with a specialization in Economics, from Western University. Inspired by her love of travel and dislike for checking a bag, Kristi started Encircled in 2012 as a side gig while she was working as a management consultant. Kristi’s first multi-way design - The Chrysalis Cardi - was made on the kitchen floor of her condo using a sewing machine she found on Craigslist. Over the next two years, Kristi immersed herself in fabric research and courses in illustrating and sewing to create a capsule collection of sustainably made basics and multi-way clothing. In 2014, Kristi left her corporate job to open Encircled’s first studio space in Toronto. As CEO of Encircled, Kristi is committed to meeting high ethical and sustainable standards in all aspects of her company, from using fabrics that honor the environment to providing good working conditions and fair wages for her sewers. This is an episode you won't want to miss! Won't You Be Social With Us? Instagram @lifeontheupcycle Life on the Upcycle Facebook Page [https://m.facebook.com/lifeontheupcycle/] Life on the Upcycle Facebook Community Page [https://m.facebook.com/groups/940733362978561?group_view_referrer=profile_browser] Life on the Upcycle Website [http://www.lifeontheupcycle.com/] Instagram @encircled Encircled Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/getencircled/] Encircled Website [https://www.encircled.co/] The Journal Blog [https://www.encircled.ca/blogs/live] Boss and Brave Podcast Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/groups/braveandboss/] Reports and articles discussed in the intro: Savelli, Heidi. "Fashion's Tiny Hidden Secret." UN Environment, 13 Mar. 2019, https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/fashions-tiny-hidden-secret [https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/fashions-tiny-hidden-secret]