All Things Sustainable

The 99% Economy: Rethinking Capitalism for a Sustainable Future with Paul Adler

What if the root cause of the climate crisis isn't pollution, or even fossil fuels, but the economic system itself? In this episode, we sit down with Paul Adler, Professor Emeritus at USC Marshall School of Business and author of The 99% Economy, to unpack why recycling and regulations won't cut it when the system powering our economy is the problem. From the shocking truth about how thin our atmosphere really is to why America's WWII economic mobilization might be the best blueprint we have for climate action, we go deep on why profit-first systems are structurally incompatible with sustainability, what big corporations can teach us about socialist planning, and why building a mass collaborative movement matters far more than electing the right leaders. If you've ever felt like recycling your water bottle just isn't enough, this episode will show you why and what actually might be. Equal parts economic theory and wake-up call, this conversation will change the way you see the climate crisis — and your role in it.

Beyond the Playa: VR, Community, and the Future of Sustainable Gathering

Eighty thousand people. Twenty-three square kilometers of the Nevada desert. Eight days. And then, nothing. No trace. This week on All Things Sustainable, we sit down with Athena Demos and Doug Jacobson, the co-founders behind the official virtual Burning Man experience, The BurnerSphere. From the Moop Map to solar-powered sound camps to a bike recycling program that started at a local high school, we dig into how one of the world's most unconventional gatherings has become a laboratory for sustainable innovation. By reimagining how technology can foster shared presence and radical inclusion, Athena and Doug are redefining sustainability and building a blueprint for what value-driven digital spaces can look like. So, can VR become cultural infrastructure for a more sustainable future? Give the episode a listen and let us know your thoughts! Make sure to check out the BurnerSphere at www.burnersphere.com [https://burnersphere.com/] It is completely free. No ticket, no VR headset, no carbon footprint, and no feather boa required.

Better, Not Perfect: Stuart Jenkins on Recycled Foam, Greenwashing, and Building Blumaka

Stuart Jenkins spent four decades in footwear, at companies like Deckers and Hoka, before he walked out of a factory and saw a mountain of discarded foam scraps nearly as tall as the building. That was the moment. In this episode, Stuart breaks down why foam is the shoe industry's dirtiest secret, how he built Blumaka to turn that waste into high-performance insoles and footwear, and what he believes is our best shot at meaningful sustainability. Plus, we discuss greenwashing fatigue, why sustainability departments are often set up to fail, and why the most sustainable product you can make is simply the most durable one. Shop Blumaka and Fleks at: * Blumaka [https://blumaka.com/] * Fleks Footwear [https://fleksfootwear.com/]

Storytelling for the Planet: How Patagonia's Felipe Guzman Balances Business, Activism & Community on Social Media

What if corporate activism could actually feel grassroots? Felipe Guzman, Social Media Lead at Patagonia, shares what it's really like to tell climate stories for one of the world's most mission-driven brands—from creating "Fan Mail" videos based on their own critics to wrestling with when (and how) to speak out on social issues. Felipe opens up about his path from DACA recipient working retail at REI to leading digital strategy at Patagonia, why the company refuses to call itself "sustainable," how Patagonia Action Works connects people with real environmental campaigns, and what went into releasing their brutally honest 2025 Work in Progress report. From boots-on-the-ground organizing in his hometown to navigating the three-second attention span of social media, Felipe reveals why community—not perfection—is what actually moves the needle on climate action. Connect with Patagonia: * Instagram: @patagonia [https://www.instagram.com/patagonia] * Patagonia Action Works: https://www.patagonia.com/actionworks/patagonia.com/actionworks [http://patagonia.com/actionworks] * Patagonia Stories: patagonia.com/stories [http://patagonia.com/stories]

Art, Grief, and Climate Action with USC's First Eco-Chaplain

What if responding to climate change was about creativity, connection, and even pleasure? Allison Agsten, director of USC Annenberg's Center for Climate Journalism and Communication and inaugural Eco-Chaplain, shares how art and storytelling can help us process ecological grief, why intimacy matters more than mass messaging, and how small sustainable choices (like thrifting a pinky ring) can actually feel good. From organizing healing circles for wildfire survivors to carrying rocks through Zoom calls, Allison reveals a refreshingly human approach to climate work that feels nourishing and accesible to all.