The ReNewy Living Podcast: A Sustainability Podcast
If global environmental problems feel overwhelming, you’re in the right place! The ReNewy Living Podcast is an Australian environmental sustainability podcast for eco-minded people who care about the planet and want practical, relatable ways to make a meaningful difference in their homes and communities.
We believe living sustainably is easier when you start where you live. Each episode shares positive stories about people, places and projects leading the way in communities across Australia.
Discover localised ways to live sustainably, with practical ideas to reduce consumption, care for local places and feel connected to a sustainably-minded community for healthier people and a healthier planet.
This podcast exists to make sustainability feel human, hopeful and community-focused. It’s our way of connecting you with a network of people and ideas through authentic stories and local solutions that are achievable and genuinely good to be part of.
Tune in weekly for around 30 minutes of thoughtful, conversational and inspiring episodes that bring you closer to a more intentional, “together we can” approach to sustainable living.
Head to The ReNewy Living Podcast for a summary and links from each episode.
Episodes

Aug 19, 2025
Aug 19, 2025
37 min
When you hear the word decluttering, what comes to mind? For me, my brain jumps straight to the opposite….minimalism, with clean lines, empty shelves and limited colour & texture.
But actually, decluttering isn’t really about that. It’s about living with less and feeling lighter, thinking clearer and living easier.
In this episode, I’d love you to meet Rachel Louise from Raid my Wardrobe. Rachel brings a wealth of life experience in the art of intentional simplifying — where it’s not about having less for the sake of it, but about shifting the focus from quantity to quality, and building a healthier, more mindful relationship with the stuff in our lives.
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Decluttering to Make Space for Simpler Living
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from regional communities across Australia.
Our sustainability 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 sustainable living 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 social and environmental impact.

Aug 11, 2025
Aug 11, 2025
30 min
In this episode, I’d love you to meet Bec Bowie, former owner of the much loved Newcastle cafe, Estabar.
We’re talking about how values influence the way we shape both our lifestyles and our work to feel more purposeful. This conversation is a great reminder that when you lead with your values, then everything flows with more meaning — and more impact.
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Leading by Values for a Purposeful Workplace
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects from regional communities across Australia.
Our sustainability 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 sustainable living 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 social and environmental impact.

Jul 17, 2025
Jul 17, 2025
30 min
Have you heard about the Slow Food Movement? It’s a global movement that believes everyone has the right to good, clean and fair food.
Helping us understand the movement from a localised perspective, I'd like to introduce you to Amorelle Dempster from Slow Food Hunter Valley. The volunteer-led grassroots organisation helps connect their community with the local farming community, plus make available just simple local and delicious food.
A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Connecting Community through Good, Clean & Fair Food
The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living...
The ReNewy Living Podcast celebrates local sustainability by connecting you with the stories of people, places and projects of regional communities in Australia.
Our sustainability 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 sustainable living 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 social and environmental impact.

Jun 29, 2025
Jun 29, 2025
29 min
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.

Jun 18, 2025
Jun 18, 2025
28 min
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.

Jun 10, 2025
Jun 10, 2025
29 min
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.

Jun 3, 2025
Jun 3, 2025
33 min
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.

May 27, 2025
May 27, 2025
27 min
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.

May 20, 2025
May 20, 2025
26 min
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.

May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
45 min
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.







