May 30, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
TG
Leisure
The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained
Lady Farmer
Start living more sustainably. The Good Dirt podcast explores all aspects of a sustainable lifestyle with healthy soil as the touchpoint and metaphor for the healing of our relationship with the planet. Mother and daughter team Mary & Emma bring you weekly interviews with farmers, artists, authors, and leaders in the regenerative and sustainable living space.
- 313 episodes
- Updated July 17
Episodes313
- TGMay 23, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
228. Adventures of a Bad Naturalist with Paula Whyman
This episode delves into the journey of Paula Whyman, author of Bad Naturalist: One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop. Paula discusses her transformation from a nature enthusiast to a dedicated ecological restorer. The conversation touches on the diverse challenges and rewarding experiences of managing invasive species, the necessity of well-considered ecological interventions, and the intricate balance required to support native plants and wildlife. Through her personal anecdotes and expert insights, Paula illustrates the importance of connecting with nature right where you are and the impact of slow, deliberate efforts in ecological restoration. 00:00 Discovering Nature Close to Home 01:30 Traveling with a Baby: Tips and Experiences 04:19 Gardening Adventures and Native Landscaping 05:29 The Irony of Mowing Less 07:54 Introducing Paula Wyman and Her Book 09:35 Paula Whyman's Journey to Becoming a 'Bad Naturalist' 10:34 Challenges and Rewards of Land Restoration 24:46 The Importance of Native Plants and Ecological Balance 33:55 Invasive Species Statistics 35:09 Tree of Heaven: A Persistent Problem 39:10 Spotted Lantern Fly Invasion 40:15 The Origin and Spread of Tree of Heaven 42:49 Autumn Olive: A Regrettable Introduction 45:45 Challenges with Multiflora Rose 48:20 The Importance of Native Plants 50:13 Creating Habitats for Declining Bird Species 52:07 The Concept of Slow Living 01:00:08 The Good Dirt: Restoring Soil Health 01:01:04 Ongoing Projects and Future Plans 01:03:06 Final Thoughts and Resources Resources: Paula Whyman's Website Bad Naturalist Wilding by Isabella Tree Nature's Best Hope by Doug Tallamy ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 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 Lady Farmer. The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: • Wendy Gray Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- TGMay 16, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Encore: Attainable Sustainability the 80/20 Way with Stephanie Miller
This episode was originally published on May 6, 2022 Learn about individual actions you can take to mitigate climate change and make sustainability attainable for everyone, with Stephanie Miller, author of Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way and founder of Zero Waste in DC. Stephanie left her job as a climate change specialist for the World Bank in order to simplify her own life, confront the disconnect she felt between her life and her work, and to take personal steps toward sustainability. She now empowers others in her community to examine their waste practices and connect with local resources for low-waste living. Stephanie recognizes how paralyzing it can be to think about climate change, and encourages listeners to focus on what she calls the “magic three”: focus on food, ditching plastic, and recycling right, growing more confident and conscious with each choice. The joy and connection that result from low-waste living are paradigm shifting in themselves. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: The 80/20 Way - Perfection is not the answer Sustainability in Food Choices The greenwashing of “plant-based.” Sustainable meat production vs standard industrial CAFO operations The problem of food waste Purge Plastic / Easy Alternatives Recycle Right/ the problem of “Wish-Cycling” The community-building aspect of cultivating a more sustainable lifestyle Finding joy in sustainable living Resources Mentioned: Stephanie’s Book: Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises Connect with Stephanie Miller: Zero Waste in DC Instagram @zerowasteindc Follow Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Original music by John Kingsley, @jkingsley1026 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. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- TGMay 9, 2025 · 1 hr
227. Exploring Nature Based Land Care with Edwina von Gal
This episode delves into the evolving art of ecological gardening and landscaping with Edwina von Gal, founder of the Perfect Earth Project. Edwina shares her journey from traditional landscape design to championing nature-based solutions, recounting her 'aha' moment with chemical-free gardening. The conversation broadens to discuss the cultural shifts in gardening aesthetics and the move towards living lands. Key topics include challenges and strategies for managing meadows and various invasive plants without chemicals, and the importance of community and professional education in ecological landscaping. Edwina also highlights upcoming events and resources offered by the Perfect Earth Project to support ecological land care. 00:00 Introduction to Gardening Philosophy 01:36 Exciting Symposium on Invasive Plants at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture 02:36 Understanding Restorative Landscaping 06:14 Meet Edwina von Gal: Landscape Designer 09:07 The Evolution of Gardening Practices 13:05 Challenges and Realizations in Eco-Friendly Gardening 16:39 Rewilding and Partnering with Nature 29:25 Closing the Loop: Sustainable Gardening Practices 34:48 Sustainable Seaweed Harvesting 35:15 The Importance of Natural Leaf Decomposition 36:23 Understanding Land Succession 37:11 Maintaining Open Spaces 39:10 Managing Invasive Species 39:42 Effective Mugwort Control Techniques 42:39 Event Announcement: Managing Meadows Symposium 46:17 Perfect Earth Project Initiatives 50:58 The Therapeutic Value of Gardening 53:07 Embracing Slow Gardening 55:28 Cultural Expectations and Natural Gardens 59:01 The Future of Sustainable Landscaping The Perfect Earth Project Doug Tallamy Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees by Beth Norcross and Leah Rampy Wilding: Returning Nature to our Farm by Isabella Tree We Are the Ark by Mary Reynolds Bad Naturalist by Paula Whyman Carbon: The Book of LIfe by Paul Hawken ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 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 Lady Farmer. The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: • Wendy Gray Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- TGMay 2, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Encore: The Slow Living Shift- From Striving to Savoring with Fiber Farmer Lisa Mitchell
Fiber farmer Lisa Mitchell encourages listeners to embrace a beginner’s mindset and connect to the earth through handwork and making as she tells us the story of her major life shift, from striving for success as an art therapist in the suburbs,
- TGApr 25, 2025 · 42 min
226 Fashion Revolution Week: A Conversation with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
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 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- TGApr 18, 2025 · 51 min
Encore: The Role of Activism in the Fashion Revolution with Elizabeth Cline
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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- TGApr 11, 2025 · 55 min
225. Redefining Rich with Shannon Hayes: Embracing Slow Living and Life-Serving Economies
What if the life you're already living is richer than you think? Shannon Hayes has spent decades asking — and answering — that question. A farmer, author, chef, and mother running three-generation Sap Bush Hollow Farm in the northern Catskill Mountains of New York, Shannon is the kind of person who makes you feel both deeply seen and quietly challenged. In this conversation, she joins Mary & Emma to talk about her book Redefining Rich — a book both of them listened to on Audible and have been recommending ever since — and the ideas within it that have genuinely changed the way they think about work, money, and what a good life actually looks like. This episode is about more than finances. It's about unlearning the story we've been told about what success is supposed to feel like, and building something more honest in its place — something that honors the soil, the people in your circle, and the quiet, irreplaceable texture of your daily life. Whether you're in the thick of the working-mom juggle, questioning whether your career aligns with your values, or simply trying to figure out what enough looks like for you — this one will stay with you. In this episode, we cover: What Redefining Rich is really about — and why Mary & Emma keep coming back to it The "quality of life statement": what it is, why Shannon and her husband have used it as a compass for every major decision, and why Mary & Emma haven't written theirs down yet (but are inspired to) Non-monetary income: the radical idea that time, autonomy, homegrown food, and childcare reciprocity are all forms of wealth Why employment is actually the most expensive form of income — and how self-employment changes the math entirely The life-serving economy vs. the extractive economy, and what it looks like to build something circular and regenerative Shannon's honest, sometimes painful retrospective on writing Radical Homemakers — the hate mail, the co-opting of her words, the anxiety, and what she learned about letting go once a book is in the world The "trad wife" phenomenon and why Shannon finds it deeply at odds with what she actually wrote Why creatives don't need to reach everybody — just the people who need it next Scarcity mindset vs. abundance mindset, and how that shift changes everything from social media to business Slow living as a practice, not an achievement — and why Shannon says it's something you're always working toward The difference between dirt and soil — and what "the good dirt" means to a lifelong farmer Resources & Links Mentioned: Redefining Rich by Shannon Hayes Radical Homemakers by Shannon Hayes The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer Shannon's blog & farm: theradicalhomemaker.net / sapbushfarmstore.com The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow Podcast — available wherever you listen to podcasts (runs May through summer each year) Patreon: Shannon Hayes (for patronage and ongoing support of her writing) We'd love to hear from you. Did this episode shift the way you think about wealth or work? Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or call 443-459-1950 to leave us a voicemail — tell us what's on your quality of life statement. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 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 Lady Farmer. The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: Wendy Gray Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- TGApr 4, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
Encore: Agroecology, Apples and Sustainable Systems with Horticultural Historian Eliza Greenman
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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- TGMar 28, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
224. Decluttering that Works For You with Dana White of "A Slob Comes Clean"
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.
- TGMar 21, 2025 · 54 min
Encore: Paul Hawken on Carbon, Climate and Connection
Paul Hawken, a renowned environmentalist, writer, entrepreneur, and activist, shares how he views carbon and climate change through a lens of interconnectedness and flow rather than as isolated problems.
- TGMar 14, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
223. Rethinking Carbon: An Enlightening Conversation with Paul Hawken
Repeat guest Paul Hawken discusses his new book, 'Carbon, the Book of Life, and how shifting our perception of carbon can foster a deeper understanding of our relationship with where we live.
- TGMar 7, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
131. Rewilding Our Way Home to Ourselves with Hillarie Maddox of Black Girl Country Living
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.
- TGFeb 28, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
An Ecological Civilization for All with Andrew Schwartz of EcoCiv
What does it mean for humans to live sustainably on the earth? Andrew Schwartz, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of The Institute for Ecological Civilization, a non-profit promoting long-term solutions for the wellbeing of people and the planet, helps us pull apart that question. Andrew is also the Executive Director of the Center for Process Studies and Assistant Professor of Process and Comparative Theology at Claremont School of Theology. In this conversation, we’re talking about funda
- TGFeb 21, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min
145. Reclaiming Our Food from Field to Kitchen with CSA Farmer Mo Moutoux of Moutoux Orchard
Mo Moutoux discusses what a CSA is, how it has evolved over the years to reduce waste while providing a living wage for her family and team members, and the benefits of eating locally for both nutritional value and the environment as a whole.
- TGFeb 14, 2025 · 1 hr
"Lawns into Meadows" with Author Owen Wormser on Regenerative Landscaping
Join Mary and Emma as they learn more about Owen's vision and experience, and how he weaves people and the natural world back together through his work.
- TGFeb 7, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
130. It Starts in the Kitchen: Sustainable Living with Anne-Marie Bonneau of Zero Waste Chef
Our guest today is someone who began her plastic-free journey in her kitchen, and has now become the renowned Zero Waste Chef, Anne-Marie Bonneau! Starting as a Zero Plastic Chef, she took the next step in her sustainability journey and became the Zero Waste Chef working towards producing zero waste in her own kitchen and inspiring others to do the same. She talks about how to shop differently, buy differently, and cook differently to reduce waste in the kitchen!
- TGJan 31, 2025 · 41 min
The History and Folklore of Brigid: Saint, Legend and Lady Farmer with Kathy Spaar | Episode 27 Reprise
Brigid of Kildare: Saint, Legend and Lady Farmer with Kathy Spaar | Episode 27 Reprise
- TGJan 24, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Healing Ourselves, Healing the Earth with Asia Suler, Author of "Mirrors in the Earth"
Asia brings us into the profound ecological history of the Appalachian mountains, the magic and healing potential of the natural world, and the interconnectedness of our healing with the healing of the whole world.
- TGJan 17, 2025 · 54 min
Being Old-Fashioned on Purpose with Jill Winger
Jill Winger shares her passion for living old fashioned on purpose in the midst of homesteading, family life, writing and running an online business.