In this episode of Sustainably Speaking, host Mia Quinn visits SalonCentric in Chicago to explore how the beauty industry is working to improve sustainability. Mia sits down with Ben Thompson, SalonCentric's sustainability lead, to unpack the surprisingly simple solutions already underway to reduce waste from salons. From a take-back program that helps keep used bottles and foils out of landfills, to a partnership with Green Circle Salons that can recycle up to 95% of a salon's waste, Ben explains how SalonCentric is helping salon owners cut down on waste and build a more sustainable industry. Plus, Ben shares the career advice that drives him, his baking addition, and what Uzbekistan taught him about recycling infrastructure.

In this episode of Sustainably Speaking, host Mia Quinn sits down with Laura Stewart, Executive Director of NAPCOR, to unpack what really happens after you toss a plastic bottle into the recycling bin. Laura shares her ideas for modernizing our plastics recycling system and how the industry now supports nearly 17,000 jobs across the U.S. The two explore how cutting-edge AI and near-infrared technology are modernizing Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and how we can expand curbside recycling access to underserved communities. Plus, Laura busts the frustrating myth that recycling "isn't real,” and shares her vision for achieving a 60% recovery rate in the next decade.

What does the future of American manufacturing look like? In Akron, Ohio, it looks like innovation rooted in legacy. In this episode of Sustainably Speaking, host Mia Quinn sits down with Akron Mayor Shammas Malik to explore how the city is transforming its historic rubber industry into a modern hub for polymers, advanced materials, and sustainable manufacturing.

In this episode of Sustainably Speaking, host Mia Quinn sits down with former Commissioner of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Vaishali Udupa and Jennifer Ronk, a plastics and sustainability expert at Dow, to explore how STEM careers are opening doors far beyond the lab. From supervising drilling crews to leading 10,000 people at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Jennifer and Vaishali share candid stories about leadership, resilience, and the mentors who changed their lives. They unpack why sustainability is "everybody's job," how patents fuel innovation, and why the next generation shouldn't be afraid of AI. Plus, they talk about raising curious kids, safari adventures, and why Zoolander and The Usual Suspects still make the rewatch list.

In this episode of Sustainably Speaking, host Mia Quinn welcomes back Ross Eisenberg, president of America's Plastic Makers, to discuss the "Year of Plastics" and look ahead to 2026. Ross explains how advanced recycling could reshape American manufacturing and spark $48 billion in economic output. Ross debunks the biggest myths about recycling (yes, it works), reveals the invisible technology sorting our trash, and shares why we need a federal definition of manufacturing. Plus, he opens up about his "midlife crisis" shark diving adventure and his newfound love of K-Pop.

In this episode of Sustainably Speaking, host Mia Quinn sits down with Anne Kolton, Chief Sustainability Officer at SK Capital Partners, to explore how private equity is supporting the next wave of innovation in materials, plastics, and manufacturing. From dissolvable packaging to AI-powered manufacturing, Anne shares how breakthrough new technologies are unlocking a new era of sustainability.

What does it take to design a car that’s ready for recycling before it even hits the road? In this episode of Sustainably Speaking, host Mia Quinn talks with Amanda Nummy, Senior Polymer Materials Engineer at Hyundai, about how nature’s ideas are inspiring better vehicle design — and how recycled and bio-based plastics are helping shape the cars of tomorrow. From battery enclosures to biomimicry, Amanda shares how Hyundai is moving closer to its sustainability goals, one part component at a time.

A washed-out road. A forgotten cemetery. And a community working to preserve its history. In this episode of Sustainably Speaking, host Mia Quinn visits St. Louis to see how dedicated volunteers, thoughtful design, and recycled materials helped restore access to Greenwood Cemetery-- one of the oldest African American burial grounds in the country. This episode highlights preserving history, honoring families and building a more sustainable path forward.

What if recycling facilities had better brains? In this episode, recorded live at SXSW, Mia Quinn sits down with leaders from Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, Dow, and Greyparrot to unpack how artificial intelligence is transforming the recycling industry. From sorting technology that sees what humans miss to real-time data that powers better packaging design and policy, this is a conversation about what's working, what's broken—and what's next.

Part 2 of our interview with Rey Banatao and Peter Chauvel of Google X, the Moonshot Factory explores Moonshot thinking— from circular textiles and synthetic biology to bioplastics made from old clothes. They share their wildest Moonshot Madness ideas, why failure is a critical part of the process and what the future of smarter, sustainable materials could look like.