Best Sarah Robertson Barnes Podcasts (2025)

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30: Sustainable Gift Wrapping — How to Use What You Have and Cut Holiday Waste 32:36

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6h ago32:36

32:36

Every holiday season, those beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree inevitably results in a giant pile of very fancy garbage in five minutes flat. In this week’s episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, Sarah Robertson-Barnes looks at something most of us keep meaning to do better with next year… gift wrapping. From the confusing rules around what’s…

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29: Sustainable Holidays with Kids — Minimalism, Presence, and Doing Less with Stephanie Seferian 46:14

9d ago46:14

46:14

If the holidays seem to get louder and more overwhelming every year, you’re not imagining it. From endless ads to the pressure to make everything “magical,” it’s easy to get swept into a season that feels more stressful than joyful. And for parents trying to have a more sustainable holiday with kids, the noise can make it hard to stay grounded in w…

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28: Is It Okay to Give Secondhand Gifts? Why Thrifted Gifts Are the Most Eco-Friendly Choice 29:28

10d ago29:28

29:28

Some of the most meaningful gifts we give (and receive) aren’t new. They’re secondhand. And yet… so many of us still hesitate. In this week’s episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, Sarah Robertson-Barnes digs into the cultural stigma around secondhand gifts, why it lingers, and why it’s slowly shifting. This episode explores what makes a gift meani…

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27: Finding Joy in Creative Reuse — Sustainable Crafting for Every Season with Sibia Torres Padilla 36:59

24d ago36:59

36:59

What if the things we already have — the scraps, the leaves, the little bits most people throw away — are exactly where creativity begins? This week, Sarah Robertson-Barnes talks with Sibia Torres Padilla, the artist and author behind @sibster and Charming Woodland Crafts: 50 Fun and Easy Projects Made from Natural and Recycled Materials. Sibia sha…

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26: Holiday Food Waste — Simple Ways to Reduce Waste, Save Money, and Celebrate Sustainably 20:16

24d ago20:16

20:16

Festive food and drink are an important part of celebrating the holidays, but food waste shouldn’t be. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, Sarah Robertson-Barnes shares simple, sustainable ways to reduce food waste, save money, and plan mindful, eco-friendly holiday meals. From meal planning and low-waste hosting tips, to getting kids in…

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25: Redefining Sustainable Living — From Zero Waste to Real-World Resilience with Kristy Halderman 57:11

1M ago57:11

57:11

What happens when your life changes completely — but your commitment to living sustainably stays the same? This week, I’m joined by Kristy Halderman, whose sustainability journey has taken her from Washington, DC to Montana — touching nearly every part of sustainable living along the way. From going all-in on zero waste and launching an oat milk bu…

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24: 5 Sustainable Living Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do Instead) 25:40

1M ago25:40

25:40

Sustainable living isn’t a straight path — it’s a practice that shifts and changes as we do. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about what sustainable living really looks like. I’ve tried just about everything, and while some things worked beautifully (at least for a while), others were total disasters! This episode is a look back at a few of those…

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23: Borrow Before You Buy — Sharing, Renting, and the Circular Economy with LEND-IT.CA 39:42

2M ago39:42

39:42

Do you really need to own everything? From ladders and camping gear to canning supplies and extra tables, so many of the things cluttering our homes only get used once or twice a year. What if borrowing — instead of buying — became our default? For Circular Economy Month, this episode looks at how sharing, renting, and borrowing can strengthen our …

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22: From Refills to Resilience — Simple, Real-Life Sustainable Living with Julie Darrell 56:14

2M ago56:14

56:14

What if stepping into a refill shop for the first time could change the way you see your whole community? This week, I’m joined by Julie Darrell, owner and founder of Bring Your Own Long Beach. Since 2017, Julie has been helping her community cut down on single-use plastics, rethink consumption, and find approachable ways to live more sustainably. …

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21: Zero Waste Halloween — Eco-Friendly Tips for Costumes, Candy, and Pumpkins 22:00

2M ago22:00

22:00

By Sarah Robertson-Barnes

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20: Wildlife Conservation, Birding, and Finding Hope in Nature with Matt Howard 1:07:12

2M ago1:07:12

1:07:12

What if noticing a chickadee, or spending Sunday offline, could change the way you see your neighbourhood — and yourself? This week, I’m joined by Matt Howard, a wildlife biologist, writer, and engaging voice on how we connect with the natural world. Matt has worked everywhere from a tiny island in Alaska to California wind farms, and he now brings…

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19: Slow, Conscious, and Local — Sustainable Travel with Renee de Ronde 51:49

3M ago51:49

51:49

What if travel could be a form of care — for the planet, for ourselves, and for each other? This week, I’m joined by Renee de Ronde, the creator behind Conscious Compass, where she shares slow, nature-led travel experiences rooted in beauty, intention, and connection. We talk about everything from glamping and family road trips to Canadian landscap…

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18: Connecting Communities Through Green Spaces with Carolyn Scotchmer 23:58

3M ago23:58

23:58

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Green spaces strengthen our neighbourhoods, connecting us to nature and to each other. In this episode, I’m joined by Carolyn Scotchmer, Executive Director of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF). Carolyn has spent more than a decade supporting community dev…

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17: How to Raise Eco-Friendly Kids — Sustainable Living Tips for Parents with Talayna Zacharias 49:37

3M ago49:37

49:37

Is it possible to raise kids who care about the planet — without adding more to your already overflowing plate? In this episode, I’m joined by Talayna Zacharias, a sustainability educator and content creator based in Alberta, to talk about what it really means to raise eco-conscious kids in a culture that pushes convenience and consumption. We dig …

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16: Sustainable Living with Kids — How to Save Money and Reduce Waste with Jessica Nakamura 40:55

3M ago40:55

40:55

From cloth diapers and thrifted toys to birthday party overload, this is what sustainable living with small kids actually looks like — the joys, the trade-offs, and what makes it doable. This week, I’m joined by Jessica Nakamura — a local realtor, mom of three (including twin toddlers), and self-described “kinda eco mom.” We sat down in my living r…

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15: The Purposeful You — Sustainable Gardening with Tasha Medve 53:29

4M ago53:29

53:29

Food doesn’t come from the grocery store — it comes from the earth. Sustainable gardening is our most direct connection to nature, and one of the most powerful ways we can take climate action right in our own backyards. This week, I’m joined by Tasha Medve, the gardener and creator behind The Purposeful You. Tasha shares her passion for creating a …

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14: Zero Waste Back to School — Simple Ways to Save Money and Reduce Waste 29:26

4M ago29:26

29:26

Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean a cart full of new stuff. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m sharing how to get your kids ready for school without wasting money — or creating a mountain of waste. From supplies and clothing to tech and litterless lunches, you’ll hear practical tips for: Starting with what you already have before …

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13: Beeswax Wraps 101 — Plastic-Free Food Storage with Hive to Home 1:01:21

4M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

Let your reusables look reused. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m joined by Chelsey Schmuland, the owner and maker behind Hive to Home in Nova Scotia. Chelsey creates beautiful handmade beeswax wraps as a sustainable, renewable alternative to plastic food storage — but that’s just the beginning. She’s also a backyard chicken keeper…

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12: How to Quit Using Amazon — and Why You Should 18:09

4M ago18:09

18:09

We know it’s a problem, we just don’t know how to stop. Here’s how to start... In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m talking about how to quit Amazon — or at least drastically reduce your reliance on it — in a way that’s actually doable. We dig into the real costs of convenience, from environmental harm to the engineered scarcity of Am…

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11: Money, Enoughness, and Community Care with Women’s Personal Finance 1:06:04

5M ago1:06:04

1:06:04

Money choices are climate action too. This week, Regina Moore and Angela Rozmyn from Women’s Personal Finance join me for a thoughtful, honest conversation about the overlap between money, sustainability, and community care. We talk about spending in alignment with your values, why “enoughness” can be such a powerful mindset shift, and how boycotts…

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10: How to Refill in Your Own Containers for a Plastic-Free Pantry 21:14

5M ago21:14

21:14

Bringing your own containers to refill shops, markets, or even cafés is one of the easiest ways to cut down on single‑use packaging. It saves money, keeps your pantry organized, and helps shift the way we think about consumption. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m sharing how to make refilling feel like second nature as a sustainabl…

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9: From the Land, Not a Lab — Skincare, Sustainability, and Self-Care with Rebecca Ogilvie 37:57

5M ago37:57

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This episode is an invitation to slow down — to reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with what truly matters. Sarah sits down with Rebecca Ogilvie, founder of The Detour Co., a sustainable skincare brand rooted in care and connection. Together they explore the quiet magic of routines that nourish rather than extract — from sourcing ingredients…

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8: 5 Easy Plastic-Free Kitchen Swaps for Sustainable Living 16:53

5M ago16:53

16:53

The kitchen is one of the biggest sources of household waste — but it’s also one of the easiest places to start making a change. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, Sarah shares five practical, affordable, and genuinely useful swaps to help you cut down on plastic and reduce waste at home. From ditching paper towels to upgrading your con…

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7: Rethinking Zero Waste and Building Community Care with April Dickinson 48:13

6M ago48:13

48:13

When we talk about sustainability, we often focus on what we’re buying—or not buying. But what if it’s really about something much deeper? In this episode, I’m joined by April Dickinson (@zerowastedork), a thoughtful voice in the zero waste space who thoughtfully challenges the consumer-driven model of sustainability. We talk about the evolution of…

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6: Overwhelmed by Climate Change? Start Here. 20:39

6M ago20:39

20:39

Climate change feels HUGE — and it is. The problem is urgent and complex. And when you start looking for solutions, it can seem like there’s an endless list of things you should be doing. All of them are important, and that can feel completely overwhelming. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple framework I often come back to refocus my efforts: the…

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1: Can You Be Sustainable in the Suburbs? 14:17

6M ago14:17

14:17

Can you really be sustainable in the suburbs? In this inaugural episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, host Sarah Robertson-Barnes shares her personal journey and offers practical, relatable ways to embrace eco-friendly living — even amidst the challenges of suburban life. You’ll hear why sustainable living is about small, manageable shifts (not pe…

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2: What Is Plastic Free July? (And Why Zero Waste Isn't the Goal) 15:18

6M ago15:18

15:18

Plastic Free July isn’t about perfection — it’s about paying attention. In this episode, Sarah discusses where this global movement came from, why it matters, and how small shifts in your everyday habits can help tackle our plastic problem. This challenge is about so much more than giving up plastic straws or bringing a tote bag to the store. Sarah…

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3: From Trash to Treasure: Finding Joy in Upcycling (with @SustainablyAmber) 1:00:01

6M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

How do you turn “trash” into treasure and find joy in the process? In this conversation with Amber (@sustainablyamber), we explore how upcycling, thrifting, and creative reuse can spark climate action and community connection. You’ll hear how Amber got started, why she’s passionate about helping others value materials, and how everyday acts of maki…

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4: How to Do a Household Waste Audit 14:52

6M ago14:52

14:52

What we throw away tells a story. When we take time to look at what’s going into the bin (and why), we can start making more intentional choices, one small shift at a time. This week on Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’ll guide you through how to do a simple waste audit. It’s a great starting point if you’ve ever wondered where to begin with low-waste…

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5: How to Navigate Climate Emotions and Build Community Around You with Jen Knoch 1:05:02

6M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

How do we hold the grief, rage, and love that come with caring deeply about the climate crisis and still keep going? In this conversation, I’m joined by my friend Jen Knoch, a Toronto-based sustainability advocate and the creator of the Climate Emotions Retreat, to explore what it looks like to feel these emotions fully, stay rooted in care, and ta…

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Trailer: Welcome to Sustainable in the Suburbs 1:22

6M ago1:22

1:22

We all care about the planet — but sustainable living can feel overwhelming. Where do you even start? Welcome to Sustainable in the Suburbs, a podcast for eco-curious individuals and busy families who want to reduce waste, live greener, and build a more sustainable home — without the guilt or pressure to do it all perfectly. I’m your host, Sarah Ro…