Greening Up My Act: A Sustainable Living Podcast

Hosted by Kat Cox & Tiffany Verbeck

Business Marketing Leisure Science

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Episodes

134

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 30, 2026Episode 12158 min

What Do We Do With All These Pumpkins?

Welcome to our Halloween edition! Explore a fascinating history of pumpkins (Stingy Jack makes an appearance), the best ways to dispose of pumpkins, and more. SOME NEWS: We aren't sure what the future of our show will look like, or if we will be able to continue. While we love doing this, we both need time to focus on other things right now. We may be able to figure out a way to come back in a new form in 2027, but we aren't sure right now. We will let you know! Sources Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management - https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2013/10/Pumpkin-A-Brief-History/ Woodstock History Center - https://www.woodstockhistorycenter.org/articles/2023/10/10/the-historic-pumpkin USDA - https://www.ers.usda.gov/newsroom/trending-topics/pumpkins-background-statistics Boreal.org - https://www.boreal.org/2024/11/01/470980/over-80-of-halloween-pumpkins-are-thrown-away-each-year-heres-what-you-can-do-instead Colorado Gardener - https://www.coloradogardener.com/post/knuckleheads-warty-pumpkins White Hutchinson - https://www.whitehutchinson.com/news/agrinews/2023/november/article105.shtml The Hustle - https://thehustle.co/the-economics-of-pumpkin-patches Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram : @greeningupmyact Facebook : Greening Up My Act Email us with questions : greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

August 20, 2026Episode 12040 min

Should You Live Off the Grid?

Maybe you've dreamed of living off grid with images of walking barefoot through bright green and swimming in streams, but is off-grid living sustainable? Join as we cover off-grid living problems, the downsides of off-grid living, and answer the question: is off grid living actually eco friendly? AND this is our season 10 finale! We'll be back October 1, 2026 with season 11 — covering YOUR requested topics. Can't wait! Sources Wikipedia: Earthships Enel Neal Haddaway on Medium CNET Sunny Simple Living Young NRG Kuby.ca Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram : @greeningupmyact Facebook : Greening Up My Act Email us with questions : greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

August 13, 2026Episode 11951 min

Are Solar Lights Actually Bad for the Environment?

If you have heard negative things about solar power, you might be asking yourself are solar lights eco-friendly, or not? We look at solar lights' environmental impact (from manufacturing to disposal), whether or not you can recycle solar lights, if solar lights cause pollution, and more. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, send your support! Sources Green Home Systems (company): https://greenhomesystems.com/ Home & Gardens: https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/are-solar-lights-eco-friendly International Energy Agency (IEA) on solar PV: https://www.iea.org/reports/solar-pv-global-supply-chains/executive-summary IEA on critical minerals: https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions/executive-summary Renewable Energy Journal: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960148124014757 Conservation Law Foundation: https://www.clf.org/blog/the-truth-about-carbon-footprints/ Kleinman Center for Energy Policy: https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/research/publications/impact-of-solar-lighting-kits-on-the-lives-of-the-poor/ Harvard study in Uganda: https://healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/cleaner-air-changes-more-than-lungs-findings-from-rural-uganda/ Climate Brief’s 16 misleading myths about solar power: https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/factcheck/solar/index.html Solar Magazine: https://solarmagazine.com/sustainable-solar-lighting-for-the-garden/ Forbes, Best Outdoor Solar Lights: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/the-best-outdoor-solar-lights/ Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram : @greeningupmyact Facebook : Greening Up My Act Email us with questions : greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

August 6, 2026Episode 11842 min

Ways to Upcycle Your Outdoor Space (and Still Make It Cute)

Upcycled outdoor furniture is often greener than buying new — and can still be cute as hell. If an upcycled outdoor space on a budget brings up images of shabby pallet couches and crooked DIY tables, never fear. Learn simple improvements that re-use what you already own (or can get from a Buy Nothing group) to create a beautiful, enjoyable outdoor space that you actually want to hang out in. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, send your support! Sources Emily Henderson blog HGTV on DIY Outdoor Furniture Patio Living Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram : @greeningupmyact Facebook : Greening Up My Act Email us with questions : greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

July 30, 2026Episode 11749 min

Can Vertical Gardens Lower Your Cooling Costs?

If it's not data centers raising your energy bills, it's hotter days and months. Enter vertical gardens, also called green walls or living walls. We uncover whether green walls in urban spaces actually cool surface temperatures (you'll be shocked!) and whether adding them to your house could have a serious impact on your monthly bills. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support! Sources Crunchbase Plenty on its chapter 11 bankruptcy Nature-Based Solutions journal Utrecht University Grow a Living Wall: Create Vertical Gardens With Purpose , Shawna Coronado (affiliate link) Lowe’s EWG AGardenPatch.com blog The Spruce Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram : @greeningupmyact Facebook : Greening Up My Act Email us with questions : greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

July 23, 2026Episode 11630 min

Why Your Fear of Bugs Could Be Blocking a Greener Life

You lie awake at night and wonder if you're doing enough to help the future of the planet. But there's something very close to home that you can do to make an immediate impact: overcome your fear of insects. Tune in as we walk you through why insects are important, as well as strategies for how to overcome a fear of bugs. No more screaming or smashing needed. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support! Other Episodes You'll Love Insect Decline: Why You Should Care That Your Windshields Are Clean Sources Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants , Douglas Tallamy (affiliate link) Discover Magazine , Why Are We Afraid of Bugs? How To Podcast , How To Squash Your Fear of Bugs (and Other Phobias) [more helpful] Feel Good Now Podcast (less helpful) Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram : @greeningupmyact Facebook : Greening Up My Act Email us with questions : greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

July 16, 2026Episode 11550 min

4 Ways Insect Decline Might Totally Change Your Future

Bugs are disappearing, which means way more than your windshield being cleaner than it used to be. If this scares you, soothe your panic with us as you learn what you can do to help the bug population, while understanding the link between insect decline and food security. Listen to get these answers: Why are insects disappearing? Why do we need insects? What would happen if insects went instinct? What can we do about it? Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support! Sources NPR: Insect populations drop even without direct human interference Friends of the Mississippi River Penn State Huck Institute of Life Sciences Oklahoma State Extension Huck Institute (again) UC IPM Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram : @greeningupmyact Facebook : Greening Up My Act Email us with questions : greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

July 9, 2026Episode 11446 min

Urban Farms vs. Urban Food Forests — Which Is Better?

Urban farms are all the rage, but there's a different idea that might be even more impactful — food forests. It might sounds like something out of Fern Gully, but food forests offer a real way to increase biodiversity, lower maintenance, and add useful food sources to your community. Join us for this food forest for beginners crash course to walk away with realistic tips for starting small and cheap where you live. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support! Sources Project Food Forest - https://projectfoodforest.org/what-is-a-food-forest/ Permaculture Apprentice - https://permacultureapprentice.com/creating-a-food-forest-step-by-step-guide/ Stanford Report - https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2023/05/food-forests-urban-farms-hold-promise-addressing-numerous-problems Community Food Forests - https://communityfoodforests.com/resources/funding/ Garden Therapy - https://gardentherapy.ca/urban-orchards/ Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram : @greeningupmyact Facebook : Greening Up My Act Email us with questions : greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

July 7, 202643 min

Is Dr. Bronner's Really Sustainable? With Outdoor Minimalist [Crossover]

Welcome to our first ever collab episode! Dr. Bronner's has long been considered the gold standard of sustainable soap. It's a staple in outdoor kits, zero-waste homes, and camping gear lists thanks to its versatility, plant-based ingredients, and reputation for environmental responsibility. But how much of that reputation actually holds up under closer scrutiny? In this collaborative episode with Meg Carney, the host of Outdoor Minimalist , we take a deep dive into one of the most recognizable sustainability brands on the market. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support! Sources Dr. Bronner's: https://www.drbronner.com/ Dr. Bronner's, Leave No Trace Guide to Using Soap Outdoors: https://www.drbronner.com/pages/camping-with-dr-bronners Leave No Trace Seven Principles: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/ Dirty Labs: https://dirtylabs.com/ Camp Suds: https://www.rei.com/product/407166/campsuds-biodegradable-concentrated-soap-2-oz Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram : @greeningupmyact Facebook : Greening Up My Act Email us with questions : greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act

July 2, 2026Episode 11344 min

Are Perennial Vegetables Worth the Money?

Vegetables you only have to plant once? Sounds like a dream come true. Except it might be slightly more complicated than that. Join hosts Tiff and Kat as they take you on a perennial vegetable journey — from good perennial vegetables for beginners to why growing Jerusalem artichokes may not be your next best move. Learn which are easy perennial vegetables to grow, and which you can avoid eye contact with at the seed store. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support! Sources Amy Manning: https://amymanning.substack.com/p/perennial-vegetables-mostly-duds GrowVeg.com: https://www.growveg.com/guides/best-edibles-for-pollinator-gardens/ RuralSprout.com: https://www.ruralsprout.com/perennial-vegetables/ University of California: https://ucanr.edu/blog/napa-master-gardener-column/article/perennial-vegetables-and-herbs Nature.com scientific report: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-09737-1 PLoS One study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7351156/#sec016 Martha Stewart’s blog: https://www.themarthablog.com/2023/04/planting-asparagus-at-my-farm.html Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram : @greeningupmyact Facebook : Greening Up My Act Email us with questions : greeningupmyact@gmail.com YouTube: Greening Up My Act