Net Podsitive: Regeneration + Resilience

Podsitive Signals | Who Gets Left Out of Sustainability Decisions? As sustainability becomes part of procurement, operations, finance, and everyday business decisions, organizations are defining what they measure and reward. Those choices shape whose interests count. Human impact needs to be built into these systems if it is to influence the decisions that follow. In People Positive: Building the Human Dimension of Sustainability, Gayathri Unnikrishnan offers a way to recognize the people affected by a decision beyond its most visible users or stakeholders. Her People Positive / People Neutral / People Extractive spectrum helps examine whether a decision, condition, or practice creates benefit, maintains the status quo, or shifts burdens onto people. In this conversation with Richard Garrett, Gayathri, founder of Liveable, shares experiences from her career that revealed how easily people can be overlooked in otherwise reasonable design decisions. From maintenance workers to hospital patients, she reflects on who gets considered, whose interests carry weight, and why speaking up shouldn't depend on individual courage. Drawing on her work with the WELL Building Standard, Gayathri examines what we can learn from the way sustainability measures carbon and how those lessons might help us account for human impacts. She also introduces People Positive as a practical resource for assessing those impacts and communicating them to the people who make decisions. The goal isn't to replace our existing systems. It's to make human considerations part of how those systems work, from specifications and purchasing to budgets and operations. Bring one consequential decision you're already making. As you listen, consider who benefits, who bears the burden, and whose experience may be missing. CHAPTERS 00:00 Who Gets Left Out of Sustainability Decisions? 01:54 Two Experiences That Changed Gayathri's Perspective 08:37 Why Speaking Up Shouldn't Require Courage 11:24 Meet Gayathri Unnikrishnan 12:39 What Sustainability Can Learn From Carbon Measurement 15:34 People Positive: Bringing Human Impact Into Decisions 22:14 From Good Intentions to Practical Action 31:31 Who Are We Missing? Your Next Step RESOURCES Podsitive Network https://podsitive.net People Positive: Building the Human Dimension of Sustainability https://bookshop.org/p/books/people-positive-building-the-human-dimension-of-sustainability/cf7d765edfc9d38d Liveable https://makeitliveable.com/ ABOUT PODSITIVE SIGNALS Podsitive Signals is a conversation series from Podsitive Network connecting important ideas and opportunities with the people who can put them into practice. PEOPLE. PLACES. PRODUCTS. ONE REGENERATIVE FUTURE. #PodsitiveSignals #PodsitiveNetwork #PeoplePositive #HumanCenteredDesign #SustainableDesign #BuiltEnvironment

The rapid growth of AI data centers is increasing demand for electricity, bringing new investment to communities while raising difficult questions about affordability, environmental impacts, and who gets to shape the decisions. Michelle Moore believes those decisions should be made with communities, not simply for them. In this episode of Net Podsitive , Richard Garrett speaks with Michelle, CEO of Groundswell and author of Rural Renaissance , about the choices shaping America's energy future and what it takes to build community power. Drawing on her experience in the Obama White House, on the Tennessee Valley Authority Board, and at the U.S. Green Building Council, Michelle examines the relationship between energy infrastructure, economic opportunity, environmental justice, and local decision-making. The conversation moves from the expansion of data centers in places like Memphis to Groundswell's practical work helping families reduce energy costs, repair aging homes, and build community resilience. Michelle also shares the personal experiences behind her work, including memories of her grandmother's uninsulated home in rural Georgia, the influence of faith and service on her leadership, and the importance of making room for the next generation. Along the way, Richard and Michelle explore how communities can recognize the value of their assets, negotiate with developers, and build partnerships that deliver lasting benefits. Chapters 00:00 Who Benefits from the Energy Transition? 02:19 An Energy Transformation We Can Shape 11:03 Beyond Technology: The Human Infrastructure 13:57 Know Your Worth: Communities and Power 16:24 What Happens When Communities Have No Voice? 20:09 From Her Grandmother's Kitchen Table 30:04 Building Community Power with Groundswell 34:47 Show Me: Turning Promises into Progress 40:40 Rural Renaissance Roadshow: Connecting Communities and Solutions 46:14 Servant Leadership in Difficult Times 49:18 Leading Through Resistance and Bias 52:27 The Community Garden: Rose, Thorn, and Bud 56:03 The Next Generation and Finding Renewal Explore the work Groundswell https://groundswell.org Rural Renaissance Roadshow https://ruralrenaissance.com/2026-roadshow/ Podsitive Network https://podsitive.net Net Podsitive is a podcast from Podsitive Network, connecting the people and ideas advancing a healthier, more resilient built environment.

In this conversation, Rochelle Routman shares her journey as a sustainability leader, emphasizing the importance of courage, mentorship, and transparency in driving change. She discusses her experiences in various roles, the challenges faced in the sustainability field, and the significance of community and collaboration among women in leadership. Rochelle highlights the resilience of the Earth and the role of consumer behavior in shaping sustainable practices, while also addressing the political challenges that impact environmental efforts. The discussion concludes with reflections on finding peace in nature and the lessons learned from gardening, symbolizing growth and adaptation. Takeaways Courage is essential for transformative change. A strong connection to the environment can guide career choices. Transparency in products is crucial for sustainability. Women in leadership are making significant impacts in sustainability. Mentorship is a two-way street that benefits both parties. The Earth is resilient and can recover from challenges. Consumer behavior influences corporate sustainability practices. Political challenges can hinder progress in sustainability. Adaptation and resilience are key in the sustainability journey. Finding peace in nature can recharge and inspire action.

In this episode of Net Podsitive, Richard Garrett speaks with Antonio Holguin about the importance of making sustainability accessible and relatable, particularly through storytelling. Antonio shares his personal journey, including his advocacy work and the creation of his children's book, 'The Adventures of the Arroyo Amigos.' They discuss the significance of community initiatives like the Texas Materials Initiative, the power of storytelling in advocacy, and the importance of maintaining optimism in the face of challenges. The conversation emphasizes the need for inclusivity in sustainability discussions and the impact of mentorship and personal growth. Takeaways Sustainability must be made accessible and compelling Storytelling is a powerful tool for advocacy Personal experiences shape our commitment to sustainability Community initiatives can drive significant change Imposter syndrome is common among advocates Meeting people where they are is crucial for effective communication The conversation around sustainability is growing and becoming more inclusive Children's literature can play a role in sustainability education Celebrating small victories helps maintain optimism Big changes often start with small, incremental steps Chapters 00:00 Transforming Eco-Anxiety into Action 01:54 The Journey to Sustainability Advocacy 08:43 Building the Texas Materials Initiative 13:12 The Power of Storytelling in Advocacy 20:41 Creating a Family Legacy through Storytelling 21:13 Bridging Sustainability and Storytelling 23:39 Cultivating Optimism in Advocacy 26:56 The Journey of Advocacy 28:29 Community Engagement and Inclusion 32:07 Hope for Future Generations 34:05 Mentorship and Personal Growth 37:14 Nature as a Source of Inspiration 38:01 The Power of Storytelling in Advocacy Keywords #sustainability #storytelling #eco-anxiety #advocacy #communityimpact #optimism #childrensbooks #materialtransparency #personaljourney

Building a viable mass timber industry takes more than promising technology. It requires businesses willing to invest, partnerships that work, and people who understand the value of long-term relationships. In this episode of Net Podsitive: Regeneration + Resilience , host Richard Garrett speaks with Arnie Didier about the business and human dimensions of sustainable forestry and mass timber construction, drawing on Arnie's work with the International Mass Timber Conference. The conversation explores how collaboration, work ethic, mentorship, and community investment support a growing mass timber market. Arnie and Richard discuss the challenges of building a business in an evolving industry, why complementary leadership skills matter, and how professional relationships create opportunities for innovation. They also consider the connections between forestry, sustainable construction, and the communities whose livelihoods depend on those industries. In this episode The growth of the International Mass Timber Conference Building businesses and partnerships in forestry and mass timber Leadership, mentorship, and long-term relationships Community investment and opportunity in sustainable construction Innovation and the future of mass timber Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Regeneration and Resilience 01:34 The International Mass Timber Conference 08:29 Building a Business in the Forestry Industry 12:13 Work Ethic and Partnerships 20:29 Personal Journey and Commitment to Sustainability 24:30 Building Strong Partnerships for Growth 28:36 The Importance of Relationships in Business 31:35 Fostering Diversity and Inclusion in the Industry 33:36 Navigating Challenges and Opportunities 37:46 Innovations in Sustainable Building 42:07 Mentorship and Community Building Watch and connect 🎥 Watch the original episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7OVc4fZwC8 🌐 Explore Net Podsitive: https://podsitive.net/net-podsitive/ About Net Podsitive Net Podsitive is a podcast from Podsitive Network, connecting the people, places, products, and ideas advancing regeneration and resilience in the built environment. People. Places. Products. One Regenerative Future. #NetPodsitive #MassTimber #RegenerativeDesign