Communicate powerfully and persist in spite of rejections

Jul 20

How can we be better communicators so that our important messages actually move people and resonate with our audiences to inspire action?

How can we go beyond reducing single-use plastics in our own lives to affecting greater change in actual waste infrastructures for system change? Kathryn Kellogg, creator of Going Zero Waste, actor, and spokesperson for National Geographic's Planet or Plastic Campaign shares her wisdom with you. Let's dive in.

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This is a conversation on Green Dreamer Podcast with Kaméa Chayne, a show exploring environmental and intersectional sustainability from ideas to life. Subscribe to Green Dreamer on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or any podcast app and let’s learn what it takes to thrive in every sense of the word!

Highlights

[2:06] What got Kathryn into sustainability.

[3:34] Kaméa: "Why are endocrine disruptors and toxic chemicals everywhere in our day-to-day lives, like in normal cleaning products?"

[4:40] What led Kathryn to start Going Zero Waste.

[5:40] Kathryn: "You didn't have to be perfect to make a difference. That was something that really resonated with me, and I wanted to share that with others."

[6:50] Kaméa: "What is something from your experience acting that supports your work in building up the zero waste community?"

[7:56] Kathryn's advice for getting our stories to resonate with our audiences.

[9:05] One of Kathryn's favorite (and weirdest!) eco-friendly simple swaps.

[10:25] Kathryn's greatest personal challenge in building Going Zero Waste.

[11:28] Kaméa: "If you could go back in time to when your blog and social media numbers were fluctuating and you were discouraged, what would you tell yourself?"

[12:30] Kathryn: "When facing rejection, you have to learn how to not take it personally. It's not always about you; it's about other factors."

[13:08] How Kathryn ended up working with National Geographic.

[13:49] Kathryn: "Every day, if you set a goal for yourself, you have to work really, really hard... Showing up is 90% of the battle, but it does take time."

[15:15] Kathryn's thoughts on perfectionism in the zero waste community and sustainability in general.

[15:37] Kathryn: "Not everyone has the same amount of access and we have to know that we are all working for a better future."

[16:31] Kaméa: "What do you think are the roots of moral superiority within sustainability and how do you think it impacts the eco movement?"

[17:17] The importance of not seeing sustainability issues in black and white and why critical thinking is crucial.

[19:20] Kathryn's thoughts on what needs to happen beyond awareness to move the needle forward.

[20:30] What we can do as individuals to inspire policy change and help solve waste infrastructure problems.

References

Keep in Touch

Going Zero Waste

Tips

To follow: Alison Wu

Source of inspiration: "This isn't game over; it's game on." — Paul Hawkin

Health tip: "Drink lots of water. I have a goal of a gallon of water a day."

Green tip: "Start with The Big Four: 1. Say no to straws. 2. Bring your own reusable grocery bag. 3. Bring your own reusable water bottle. 4. Say no to single-use coffee cups."

Element of hope: "There are a lot of people and businesses working for us to have a better planet."

Words of Wisdom: "Question everything."