The ReNewy Living Podcast

23. Sustainable Interior Design is Made to Wear In, Not Out

Using healthy and sustainable materials in your interior design is an overlooked, yet important element in your daily living. In this episode, I'm chatting with Nadine Samwell from Eco Edition. She helps homeowners with better choices for healthy and sustainable materials for new builds and renovations. And it's all with the aim of making it simpler and easier for you. She helps you understand what sustainable interior design means and talks about the myths around sustainable materials and home design.
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Sustainable Interior Design is Made to Wear In, Not Out
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by sharing the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia. 
Our podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place.
Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally.
Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

22. What's Threatening Lake Macquarie's Green Sea Turtles?

Hello, I’m Mardi Lee and Welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast!
Did you know that right here in Lake Macquarie our local sea turtles are at risk. It's not just something that's happening as part of climate change that you see on the Great Barrier Reef but also here. There are at least three reasons why our sea turtles are being impacted so badly. So what's happening and what can we do about it?
I'm chatting with Tanya Rossiter from Hunter Wildlife Rescue which is an organisation that’s spent more than 45 years rescuing and rehabilitating native wildlife. Tania is one of the many volunteers who are advocating for Lake Macquarie's endangered sea turtles. Let's dive in and find out how you can help protect these incredible creatures in our own backyard.
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at What's Threatening Lake Macquarie's Green Sea Turtles?
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by sharing the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia. 
Our podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place.
Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally.
Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

21. Practical Steps to Decluttering after Loss

Decluttering your home is tough enough, right? Finding the time, energy, and headspace when you're feeling your best is a challenge on its own. But what happens when the responsibility shifts? When a loved one no longer needs their belongings, and suddenly, it’s up to you to sort through it all?
In this episode, I’m chatting with ReNewy Living Community member Rowena from the Central Coast of NSW. She recently navigated the emotional and practical challenges of clearing her dad’s estate after his passing. Rowena’s experience offers valuable insights into steps you can take today to make things easier for yourself and your loved ones in the future. Let’s hear her story…
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Practical Steps to Decluttering after Loss
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by sharing the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia. 
Our podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place.
Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally.
Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

20. Sustainable Home Renovation Design That Puts People First

Hello, I’m Mardi Lee, and welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast!
Renovating your home is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make sustainable short and long-term choices. Is it possible to create your dream design without a massive environmental footprint? 
That’s exactly what we’re talking about with my guest Natalie Van de Merwe from On Home Ground. Natalie’s an eco architect who specialises in renovations over new builds to help suburban homeowners create eco-effective homes that work for them and the planet. 
If you’re ready to rethink the way you renovate, enjoy listening to our conversation…
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Sustainable Home Renovation Design that Puts People First
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by sharing the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia. 
Our podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place.
Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally.
Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

19. Easy Wins for a More Energy Efficient Older Home

Hello, my name's Mardi Lee and Welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast!
Retrofitting your home for energy efficiency can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s less exciting or visible than other reno upgrades. But when it comes to home comfort and savings, it’s what’s on the inside that counts!
The simplest ways to improve your home's efficiency are often best shared by someone who isn’t trying to sell you something. That’s where my guest, ReNewy Living community member Gayle from Valentine NSW, comes in. Gayle’s an active member of her local Sustainable Neighbourhoods Group and has a wealth of hands-on experience retrofitting her homes. She’s here to share real, practical advice from her own retrofitting journey. Let’s hear her story...
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Easy Wins for a More Energy Efficient Older Home
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by sharing the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia. 
Our podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place.
Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally.
Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

18. The Community Garden where Veggies meet Biodiversity

Hello, I’m Mardi Lee, and welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast!
Ever wondered whether community gardens are there just for veggie growing? In this episode, you’ll hear how one local community garden is evolving from a growing food-only garden to becoming a biodiversity haven.
Joining me is Katie Ryan from The Groundswell Collective. Katie’s role at The Shelley Street Community Garden is helping guide the garden from purely food production to something more suited to the area. The garden is moving towards building an ecosystem that supports native species, the permaculture principles and the whole community. 
Let’s hear her story to see how the Garden unfolded and continues to grow and change…
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at The Community Garden where Veggies Meet Biodiversity
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by sharing the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia. 
Our podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place.
Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally.
Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

17. From Waste to Wake-up Call: Art that Hits Home

Newcastle, like much of Australia’s coastline, is known for its golden sand beaches and beautiful ocean swimming. However, once you’re at the beach, you see pieces of rubbish amongst the grains of sand and seaweed. You can’t unsee the problem that you know threatens wildlife and mars the beauty of your beach.
In this episode, I’m speaking with Marina DeBris, a Lake Macquarie artist who creates visual story installations to highlight the rubbish problems on our beaches. Over the last decade or so, her solo rubbish-collecting efforts have become a valuable, small-scale commentary about our society and culture. And there’s the minute, non-glitter sparkle of hope - that a change in rubbish responsibility could be possible.
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at From Waste to Wake-Up Call: Art that Hits Home
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by sharing the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia. 
Our podcast encourages a wholistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place.
Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally.
Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

16. How a Native Plant Nursery Protects Local Biodiversity

Are you looking to create a garden that's beautiful, low-maintenance and good for the planet? We'll dig into why choosing plants from your local area makes a big difference not just for your garden, but for the natural environment too.
In this episode, I'm chatting with Emma Graham from Trees in Newcastle. They're a non-profit that's been around since 1989 and are dedicated to protecting and promoting native vegetation specific to the Hunter region.
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here: How a Native Plant Nursery Protects Local Biodiversity
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast helps uncomplicate sustainability by connecting you with local knowledge, practices, and actions that fit your lifestyle—making it easier for everyone to contribute to lasting collective change.
Our podcast encourages an holistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place.
Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally.
Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

15. Flipping the Concept of Supermarket Shopping

Do you ever feel frustrated that the traditional large supermarket model isn't working for you anymore? 
In this episode, I'm chatting with Jayne Travers-Drapes, founder of Box Divvy. They're flipping the concept of how we think about fruit and veg shopping by changing the way your purchasing power works. Their un-supermarketing approach is all about supporting local communities and cutting down on food waste. Let's find out about this fresh approach to eating well and doing good.
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here: Flipping the Concept of Supermarket Shopping
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast helps uncomplicate sustainability by connecting you with local knowledge, practices, and actions that fit your lifestyle—making it easier for everyone to contribute to lasting collective change.
Our podcast encourages an holistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place.
Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally
Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.

14. What Makes Natural Deodorant Great?

In this episode, I chat with Phoebe and Aaron Breckell, the founders of Woohoo Body. Based in Newcastle, but known across the country, they’ve created a natural deodorant and skincare company that’s making a big difference to the planet, giving you a healthy deodorant that works.
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here: What Makes Natural Deodorant Great?
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast helps uncomplicate sustainability by connecting you with local knowledge, practices, and actions that fit your lifestyle—making it easier for everyone to contribute to lasting collective change.
Our podcast encourages an holistic understanding of what living lighter on the planet means. We'd like to see a world where communities, resources, and nature thrive together—where sustainability is a part of everyday life, to ensure fairness and care for people and place.
Each episode encourages critical thinking, inspires action, and connects you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally
Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and the solutions towards a positive environmental impact.