In this episode of Do Beautiful Things, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful welcomes Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar from the University of Louisville to discuss the powerful connection between urban trees and human health. Together, they explore the groundbreaking Green Heart Louisville Project, a study that examines how increasing urban greenery can positively impact cardiovascular health, particularly in communities heavily burdened by pollution.

Dr. Bhatnagar shares the study's promising initial findings, highlighting how planting trees can reduce inflammation markers and decrease the risk of heart disease in underserved areas. The discussion delves into the meticulous setup of the research and the exciting implications for urban planning and public health.

Whether you're an urban planner, a member of a local community group, or someone looking to make a difference in your own backyard, this episode is filled with valuable information.

Show Notes:

00:00 Investigated heart disease causes, prevention, and global rise.

03:28 Studied pollutants' impact on heart disease risks.

08:03 Experimenting with trees for health in neighborhoods with high levels of pollution.

11:10 Planting trees decreased residents' inflammation and air pollution levels.

14:27 Plant female trees to reduce pollen and the resulting allergies and asthma.

19:27 Ground cover enhances biodiversity, possibly boosting immune resilience.

23:12 Join cleanup: 250 items for America’s 250th.

24:18 Take care, stay informed, see you soon.

Welcome back to "Do Beautiful Things," a podcast by Keep America Beautiful dedicated to inspiring action for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world.

In this episode, we are joined by Lauren Riley, Chief Sustainability Officer at United Airlines, to discuss their innovative approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the significance of sustainable aviation fuels, and how they're engaging consumers through unique and effective communication strategies—like partnering with Sesame Workshop's Oscar the Grouch. We also explore the vital role consumers play in advocating for sustainable practices and policies.

Tune in to learn how corporate leaders and everyday people are making significant strides in sustainability and how you can be a part of the movement. Plus, get the inside scoop on Keep America Beautiful's upcoming Power of Beauty celebration and how you can get involved in the Greatest American Cleanup.

Thank you for joining us on this journey to do beautiful things together!

Show Notes:

00:00 Lauren Riley discusses United Airlines' sustainability award.

05:33 Sesame Workshop made complex climate change digestible.

08:15 Consumer role in sustainable travel and behavior change.

09:40 United passengers can invest in sustainable aviation fuels.

13:37 Proud of generational change towards sustainability leadership.

16:38 See you in the next episode.

Welcome to another episode of Do Beautiful Things™️! Today, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful®, is joined by a special guest who’s making waves in the world of fashion and sustainability. Meet Kate Sanner, the CEO and co-founder of Beni, a browser extension that makes finding secondhand designer deals super easy from your own home.

Kate got hooked on secondhand fashion while living in New York City, surrounded by some of the coolest thrift stores. She was inspired to create Beni to help tackle the massive problem of textile waste—think millions of tons of clothing ending up in landfills every year.

In this episode, Kate shares some amazing insights and practical tips for anyone looking to make more sustainable fashion choices. Whether you’re a thrifting pro or just getting started with resale.

So, get ready to dive into an inspiring chat about how we can all make a positive impact on the planet. Let’s take some simple steps to reduce textile waste and keep doing beautiful things together!

“We have to make the sustainable option the easy, convenient, acceptable one if we want the mainstream audience to participate in it.”— Kate Sanner

Show Notes:

00:00 Grateful for conversation, loves secondhand clothing.

04:47 Fashion and resale industry face supply-demand issue.

06:58 Brands embracing resale to benefit fashion industry.

10:17 Simplifying shopping sustainability with Benny browser extension.

13:05 Fashion industry reframing clothes as valuable assets.

Beni: https://www.joinbeni.com/

America Recycles Day®: america-recycles-day