The ReNewy Living Podcast: A Sustainability Podcast

20. Sustainable Home Renovation Design That Puts People First with On Home Ground

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 with The Groundswell Collective

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 with Artist Marina deBris

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 with Trees in Newcastle

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 with Jayne Travers-Drapes from Box Divvy

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? With Woohoo Body

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.

13. Why Fair Trade Matters with Yvie Scott

In this episode, I’m joined by Yvie Scott, fashion entrepreneur and founder of Aware: The Social Design Project. Yvie launched her Fair Trade business to create meaningful change through ethical fashion and social justice. We explore what it means to run a values-driven business, why supporting communities is her passion, and how Fair Trade can inspire meaningful change.
Blogpost and links from this episode are found here: Why Fair Trade Matters
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast simplifies sustainability by helping you confidently take small, meaningful actions that suit your lifestyle - for lasting collective change.
Our podcast encourages a holistic understanding of living lighter and its impact on people and the planet. We aim to inspire action, give practical guidance, encourage critical thinking, and connect you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally and drive collective impact. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and solutions towards positive environmental impact.

12. Balancing Collective Living with Individual Ideas with Sally Maguire from Shepherd's Ground

Living in an intentional eco village such as Shepherd’s Ground has an overarching common goal of living smart and simply. Based on a rural property outside of Maitland NSW it would seem that the challenges of living a lighter footprint lifestyle would be the same for everyone. However, even though there’s the common goal of living sustainably, there’s plenty of scope for residents to individualise what sustainability means to them. 
Sally Maguire, resident of Shepherd’s Groun shares her insights of what it’s like to live in an eco village, also known as a land share community.
Blogpost and links from this episode are found here: Balancing Collective Living with Individual Ideas
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast simplifies sustainability by helping you confidently take small, meaningful actions that suit your lifestyle - for lasting collective change.
Our podcast encourages a holistic understanding of living lighter and its impact on people and the planet. We aim to inspire action, give practical guidance, encourage critical thinking, and connect you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally and drive collective impact. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and solutions towards positive environmental impact.

11. Closing the Loop on Food Waste

Unlike the availability of recycling and general rubbish collections, commercial kitchens face big challenges with their food waste.
David Sivyer is the founder of Feedback Organic, an organisation focused on reducing food waste from food-based businesses. Starting in Newcastle as a grassroots initiative, Feedback Organic aims to create community-inclusive circular food systems that scale.
Blogpost and links from this episode are found here: Closing the Loop on Food Waste
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast simplifies sustainability by helping you confidently take small, meaningful actions that suit your lifestyle - for lasting collective change.
Our podcast encourages a holistic understanding of living lighter and its impact on people and the planet. We aim to inspire action, give practical guidance, encourage critical thinking, and connect you with like-minded communities to help you thrive locally and drive collective impact. Based in Newcastle NSW Australia, we share diverse voices and stories, starting with local issues… and solutions towards positive environmental impact.