Greening Up My Act: A Sustainable Living Podcast
The everyday sustainability podcast that helps you live a little greener, without the guilt trips, jargon, or pressure to be perfect. We're breaking down hundreds of hours of research into what actually makes an impact, and what you can skip.
Hosted by current marketer, Kat Cox, and former marketer turned native landscape designer, Tiffany Verbeck, you'll come away feeling like sustainability is doable — through real DIY swaps, native plant tips, and honest call-outs on the brands trying to greenwash their way into your cart.
As our listeners put it, we "cut through the jargon" to make sustainable living "easy to understand and enjoy at the same time." Hit follow and let's dive in.
Episodes
134 episodes
Are Trains Greener Than Cars? All Aboard to Find Out!
Ever wonder if passenger trains are actually a sustainable form of transport? Learn all about that in the newest episode of this fun sustainability podcast! Tiffany also covers her disaster of a cross-country Amtrak train trip in 2018 (and how ...
Is It Better to Bike?
How much of an impact can you make on carbon emissions by choosing to ride your bicycle instead of driving? And is it always the best choice? Kat and Tiff put their bike helmets back on to discuss the pros and cons of being a bike commuter (or ...
Is There Such a Thing as "Clean Diesel"?
In our 50th (!!!) episode, Tiffany teaches Kat about the idea of "clean diesel" and how the U.S. government has been pushing it. Does it exist? Is it something you can use to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle? Or is it just a bunch of green ho...
Are Electric Vehicles Worth It?
We're starting off season 5 with a controversial chat about electric vehicles and whether they're worth the switch. Subscribe to our new Patreon to get exclusive content and support the podcast!
Announcement: Our Patreon Is Live!
Hooray! Kat and Tiff are so excited to announce they launched a Patreon. If you're looking to support an independent podcast and you get value from their show, they'd love the support. The cost of one cup of coffee a month gives you a bonus epi...
Lies Your Childhood Told You About Tree Planting Programs
In the final episode of season 4, Kat and Tiff may break your heart a little as we discuss the truth about large-scale tree planting programs. But don't worry -- there's some hope for the forests.Season 5: Travel and Transportati...
What Are You Supposed to Do With Compost?
Where exactly do you put compost? If you're as lost as Tiffany and Kat were, learn 9 easy ways to use compost. Whether you buy compost or make it, your favorite sustainability podcast is here to bring you all the tips on adding it ...
Xeriscaping: The Landscaping of the Future
Xeriscaping literally means "dry-scaping", and it's been popular in desert towns in the U.S. since the 80s and 90s. But it's got a lot of promise for fixing the issues you may have with making an eco-friendly lawn even if cactus isn't your aest...
Are Bee Hotels Worth the Space in Your Garden?
This week on your favorite sustainability podcast, Tiffany teaches Kat about bee hotels and whether they're really saving the right bees. Watch out for tarantula hawks and the Wasp Surprise!Sources:UC Davis on ‘beewashing...
Canning: Is It Just for Trad Wives and Doomsday Preppers?
What do you do when you've grown too many tomatoes? Other than pawning them off on coworkers, you can try canning. But is this home method something anyone can do? Or is it just the realm of doomsday preppers and stay-at-home trad wives? Explor...
Are Biodegradable Pots Any Good?
Are biodegradable flower pots full of greenwashing? It depends. Listen as hosts Tiff and Kat jump over the moon for CowPots (and trip and fall over others). Find out what biodegradable plant pots are made of, how they work, and which ...
Vegetable Gardening: Wasteful or Worth It?
Spring has sprung and gardeners across the U.S. are planting their vegetable gardens. Find out if growing your own tomatoes will reduce your carbon impact and save you money in the latest episode of your favorite green living podcast. ...
Leave the Leaves: Three Cheers for Lazy Gardening!
Word on the street is that leaving your leaves on your lawn -- rather than keeping up with perfect lawn care -- is better for the environment. But is it? Marketing writers Tiff and Kat explore potential greenwashing behind the popular ha...
Hardscaping: Part of a Balanced Landscaping Breakfast
Hardscaping isn't one of those flashy lawn replacement movements that you hear about on Instagram, but it's got some pretty interesting benefits. Listen as Kat and Tiff walk you through this underrated aspect of sustainable landscaping....
Wildflower Lawns for Everyone!
Tiff and Kat take you through the pros and cons of the wildflower lawn movement -- the kinder, gentler alternative to turf lawns that could be a gateway drug to overthrowing your HOA. Explore how to spot greenwashing in the world of wil...
Can I Replace My Lawn With Clover?
Clover lawns are all the rage — but should they be? Hosts Tiff and Kat answer:What eco-friendly claims do folks make about clover yards? Are they true?Why is Reddit so uncomfy?What are the disadvantages of clover l...
Are Lawns Evil? Exploring the No Mow Movement
Is your turf grass destroying the planet — or is it more complicated than that? Welcome to season 4 of your favorite sustainability podcast, where hosts Tiff and Kat head to the Great Outdoors. In this episode, learn about potential gree...
UPDATE: Season 4 Coming February 20
Good news and bad news, friends of Greening Up My Act!The bad news: We had to delay season 4 until February 20.The good news: We have a whole new format which will be easier for us and more fun for you!Tune in Tuesday, February ...
Is Dry Shampoo the Devil?
Have you heard that dry shampoo causes cancer? In our last episode of season 3 (and first of 2024!), Kat and Tiff dig deeper into the savior of every harried working woman to find out if dry shampoo is as bad as you may have heard for your heal...
Bonus Ep: Green New Year's Resolutions
In this bonus episode of your favorite sustainability podcast, Kat and Tiff look back at the past year — and forward to the next year. Learn to set realistic green New Year's resolutions that you both care about and you can accomplish. And just...
Are Reusable Q Tips As Weird As They Sound?
There are an estimated 550 billion cotton swabs thrown out every year. Now that's a statistic! So what's the alternative? In this greenwashing podcast, marketing writers Tiff and Kat examine the company LastObject's LastSwab and LastRound. The ...
Clean Hands and Clean Waterways: Bar Soap vs. Liquid Soap
Washing your hands is probably second nature since the onset of the Plague 2.0, but the big question is: Which soap to use? And if you're interested in living as sustainably as possible, which soap has the least impact on the environment? Join ...
Shampoo Bars vs. "No Poo:" Why You Don't Have to Stop Washing Your Hair
The horribly named "no poo" movement may need marketing help, but solid shampoo companies are making big claims. It's supposed to be "more sustainable shampoo," "plastic-free shampoo," "naked," "clean," or "vegetarian" choices. Are...
Beautycounter: Can Makeup Be Sustainable?
If you find it hard to draw a line between "sustainable" and "non-toxic" products in the greenwashed landscape, marketing writers Tiff and Kat are right there with you. Join them this week as they explore the sustainability of makeup brand Beau...
Is Switching to Natural Deodorant Worth It?
Stinky stories abound about natural deodorant: "It doesn't work. I still smelled like sh*t. My family started to avoid me." You get the picture. Marketing writers Tiffany and Kat cut through the greenwashing so you don't have to wonder if it ac...