17: How to Raise Eco-Friendly Kids — Sustainable Living Tips for Parents with Talayna Zacharias
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 into parenting with sustainability at the core, how to model care and connection through small, everyday actions, and why curiosity, nature, and imperfection are essential tools in raising eco-conscious kids. Talayna also walks us through the full 7 R’s of sustainability — and we share a few laughs about when reusing becomes… hoarding.TakeawaysWhat it means to parent with sustainability at the centre of everyday family lifeA deeper look beyond the 3R’s — and how their order helps guide practical choicesUsing mindfulness, gratitude, and curiosity to raise kids who care about the EarthHow to tell the difference between thoughtful reuse and just accumulating clutterWhy embracing imperfection matters — especially in parentingDigital tools to make sustainable living feel more doable for familiesWhether you’re just starting your low-waste journey or looking to deepen your family’s connection to the Earth, this is a practical, grounding conversation that will leave you feeling encouraged and ready to take your next small step.One Small ShiftCreate a “reuse bin” at home so your kids can access repurposed materials for crafts, projects, and creative play — a simple way to normalize secondhand and reduce waste while having fun.Connect with TalaynaInstagramWorkbooks & PrintablesResources10 Tips for Going Zero Waste with KidsHow to Do a Trash Audit with KidsNo Mow May Explained: Skip the Mower, Feed the Bees, and Help the PlanetSupport the showConnect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
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16: Sustainable Living with Kids — How to Save Money and Reduce Waste with Jessica Nakamura
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 room (sharing a mic in a DIY pillow fort) to talk about what sustainable living with kids really looks like in the thick of suburban parenting.Jessica shares the eco-friendly tips and small shifts that have worked for her family — from cloth diapering and gift-free birthdays to secondhand shopping and passing baby "essentials" between friends — and how she’s learned to let go of perfection along the way.We also talk about frugal living, budget-friendly sustainability, the reality of overconsumption, and what it means to lead by example without being the “boring mom.” This one’s full of laughs, honesty, and real talk about raising kids, building community, and living a little greener — even when life is loud, messy, and on a budget.TakeawaysMaking eco-conscious choices with babies, toddlers, and tight budgets.Why cloth diapering can work — and why it’s okay to buy the disposables.Rethinking gift giving, especially for kids' partiesHow to reduce paper towel use without losing your mindThe emotional weight of clutter (and what she’s seen in thrift stores).Why your local Buy Nothing group is a community game-changerSupporting local through real estate and building neighbourhood resilienceOne Small ShiftJessica encourages us to pause before clicking “buy” — and consider borrowing, thrifting, or reaching out to your local library or Buy Nothing group instead.Connect With JessicaThat Mama Realtor - WebsiteThat Mama Realtor - PerksThat Mama Realtor - InstagramResourcesZero Waste Birthday Parties for KidsThrift Shopping for KidsEco-Friendly Gift Ideas for KidsSupport the showConnect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
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15: The Purposeful You — Sustainable Gardening with Tasha Medve
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 “food oasis” at home, her best tips for beginners, and why gardening is about so much more than summer harvests. From fall crops to companion planting, we talk about the joy, the practicality, and the deeper meaning of growing your own food.We also dig into family life: how to get kids involved in gardening, why it matters to raise eco-conscious kids, and how the garden itself can be the best teacher of all.TakeawaysHow gardening connects us to the earth and why it matters now more than ever.Practical tips for beginners, including raised beds, fall planting, vertical growing techniques, and companion planting.How to make gardening fun and age-appropriate for kids.Reframing “failures” in the garden as part of the process.The therapeutic and reflective side of gardening.Small, sustainable shifts families can make at home.One Small ShiftOne of the very first changes Tasha made at home was rethinking single-use disposables like paper towels. By simply moving the paper towels out of sight, she created a habit shift that made low-waste living feel more natural. Stay tuned for us losing our minds over dish cloths!Connect with TashaThe Purposeful You - WebsiteThe Purposeful You - InstagramThe Purposeful Gardner (Book - pre-order now!)DIY Arch - Ideal for Vertical Growing (free printable)ResourcesWest Coast SeedsWhat to Use Instead of Paper Towels: 5 Easy SwapsSupport the showConnect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
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14: Zero Waste Back to School — Simple Ways to Save Money and Reduce Waste
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 buying new.Teaching kids the difference between needs and wants.Shopping secondhand first and making use of community resources.Tips for thrifting with and for your kids.Choosing durable, repairable, and refillable items when you do need to buys.Packing low-waste lunches (and making mornings easier in the process)!We’ll also talk about mindset — how to push back on the marketing pressure that tells us everything “expires” every August, and instead set your family up for a school year that’s lighter on the planet and your wallet.And stick around to the end for this week’s One Small Shift — a simple, doable way to make your child’s school year more sustainable.ResourcesHow to Pack a Zero Waste School Lunch25 Healthy Snacks for Zero Waste LunchesThrift Shopping for KidsHow to Stop Shopping on Amazon (And Why You Should)Support the showConnect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
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13: Beeswax Wraps 101 — Plastic-Free Food Storage with Hive to Home
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, bread baker, waste diversion enthusiast, and all-around eco-nerd in the best possible way.We talk about what inspired her to start Hive to Home, how her wraps are made, creative ways to use them, and why preventing food waste is one of the most powerful climate actions we can take in our own kitchens. Along the way, we also get into composting, connecting with nature, and the joy of using what you already have.TakeawaysSustainable living can start with small, manageable changes.Beeswax wraps are a practical, reusable alternative to plastic food storage.How to use beeswax wraps for food storage and beyond!Understanding food waste’s impact on climate change is crucial — Canadian households waste $1300 worth of food per year, and 63% of it could have been eaten.Food waste prevention tips including meal planning, proper (and plastic free storage), and using food rescue apps to save money and keep food out of the landfill.Composting is a rewarding way to manage scraps and close the loop.Community and shared interests are key to strengthening sustainability efforts.One Small ShiftPause the scroll! Slow down and notice how you feel less overwhelmed, and feel less compelled to consume.Connect with Chelsey @ Hive to HomeHive to Home - ShopHive to Home - InstagramHive to Home - Beeswax Wrap CareResourcesA Beginner’s Guide to a Sustainable Kitchen (use code PODCAST20 to save 20%)Plastic Free July: 31 Easy Swaps to Reduce Plastic Waste10 Zero Waste Kitchen Swaps That Save You Money1000 Hours OutsideSupport the showConnect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
Want to waste less, save more, and make your home a little more eco-friendly? Sustainable in the Suburbs is your go-to podcast for practical, judgment-free tips and real-life stories to help you build sustainable habits that actually stick.Hosted by Sarah Robertson-Barnes — a suburban soccer mum, sustainability educator, and founder of the blog Sustainable in the Suburbs — this weekly show brings doable advice, honest conversations, and actionable ideas to help you waste less, spend smarter, and live more sustainably at home.Because sustainable living doesn’t have to be perfect to matter — and you don’t have to do it all to make a big impact. Start where you are, use what you have, and live a little greener.
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