Plastic is in our oceans, our food, our homes — and increasingly, our bodies.

Australian environmental advocate and Plastic Country filmmaker Kal Glanznig set out to investigate Australia's plastic crisis, from polluted coastlines and wildlife to fossil fuels and government policy. Then the investigation became personal: Kal tested his own body and discovered high levels of phthalates.

In this episode of Confessions of a Mermaid, we unpack what plastic is actually made of, the thousands of chemicals used to make plastics, microplastics and human health, and why Kal says plastic has become the fossil fuel industry's "Plan B."

We also ask a bigger question: after decades of recycling, reusable bags and individual plastic-free swaps, why is plastic production still growing?

We talk about:

• What Kal found when he tested his body for plastic chemicals

• Phthalates, microplastics and plastic additives

• The "spaghetti bolognese" analogy that explains how chemicals can leach from plastic

• Why "BPA-free" doesn't necessarily mean problem solved

• Why recycling alone won't solve the plastic crisis

• Why plastic is becoming fossil fuel's "Plan B"

• Australia's voluntary packaging targets and producer responsibility

• The baby sea turtle that passed plastic for eight days

• The Global Plastics Treaty

• Individual action vs. systemic change

• Why contacting your elected representatives actually matters

• "Stubborn optimism" and why hope lies in action

Kal's ultimate vision? To make himself redundant — to help build a world where we no longer need activists fighting this hard to keep plastic out of our oceans, wildlife and bodies.

Plastic Country is available to watch free online.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU5e90uGo5A

Less doom. More truth. More solutions. More beautiful world.

Plastic is in our blood, organs and tissues. But what is it actually doing to us?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Leonardo Trasande, pediatrician, environmental health researcher, professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and author of Sicker, Fatter, Poorer, to separate what we know from what we're still trying to understand about plastics and human health.

We unpack the difference between microplastics themselves and the chemicals associated with plastic—including phthalates, bisphenols and PFAS—and what the research suggests about hormones, metabolism, fertility, pregnancy and children's development.

We get into some big questions: Can tiny exposures really matter? Can chemical exposure affect our ability to maintain a healthy weight? What does "BPA-free" actually mean? Are bioplastics safer? Can you sweat microplastics out in a sauna? And if plastic exposure is now so widespread, how much power do our individual choices really have?

Leo also gives me a rapid-fire plastic audit of everyday items—from takeaway containers and water bottles to dishwashers, canned food, silicone and polyester—and shares the changes he has made in his own home.

Most importantly, this conversation isn't about being afraid of everything around us. Leo explains why reducing certain exposures can make a measurable difference, where to focus first, and why he remains hopeful that both individual action and systemic change can shift where we're headed.

We cover:
• Microplastics vs. plastic-associated chemicals
• Endocrine disruptors and low-dose exposure
• Fertility and reproductive development
• PFAS, metabolism and weight
• Pregnancy and children's development
• The hidden health costs of plastic
• Why BPA-free doesn't necessarily mean bisphenol-free
• "Regrettable substitution" and chemical whack-a-mole
• Bioplastics and supposedly safer alternatives
• The biggest plastic exposures to reduce at home
• Whether sauna can help remove plastics
• What Leo recommends for parents
• Why regulation needs to change
• And where Leo sees real reason for hope

A science-heavy conversation that ultimately left me feeling surprisingly hopeful.

What are our clothes actually made of — and what happens before they reach our skin?

In this episode of Beautiful World, Kathryn sits down with Deanna Mansell, founder and designer of New Zealand clothing brand DEA, whose journey into natural clothing began with her own experience of severe eczema and topical steroid withdrawal.

After discovering how sensitive her skin was to conventional fabrics, dyes and textile treatments, Deanna spent years experimenting with organic cotton, plant dyes and traditional textile processes — eventually taking those experiments from her kitchen stove in New Zealand to large-scale manufacturing in India.

Together, Kathryn and Deanna explore the hidden side of the fashion industry: chemical dyes and fabric treatments, synthetic fibres and microplastics, garment-worker exposure, greenwashing, organic cotton, natural dyes and the true human and environmental cost of cheap clothing.

They also explore a more beautiful possibility: clothing made in deeper relationship with plants, soil, craftsmanship and the people who make it.

In this episode:

• Deanna's experience with eczema and topical steroid withdrawal

• Why clothing became part of her healing journey

• The hidden processing behind conventional textiles

• Why "natural" doesn't necessarily mean non-toxic

• Organic cotton, bleaching, dyes and fabric finishes

• The environmental and human cost of textile dyeing

• Plastic clothing and microplastic pollution

• Greenwashing in sustainable and activewear fashion

• What to look for when buying healthier clothing

• Deanna's journey from kitchen-stove experiments to manufacturing in India

• The ancient art and beauty of botanical dyes

• Eucalyptus, madder, annatto and other plant pigments

• Clothing, colour, plants and Rudolf Steiner's ideas

• Why your underwear may be the best place to start

Deanna's message is refreshingly achievable: you don't need to throw out your wardrobe or become perfect overnight. Start by reading your labels, understanding what sits closest to your skin and making more conscious choices as things need replacing.

Because what we wear connects us to a much bigger ecosystem — from soil, to fibre, to maker, to body, and eventually back to the earth.

Connect with Deanna Mansell
Website: www.dealoves.co.nz
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dea_lovesethical

Connect with Plastic Free Mermaid
Instagram: www.instagram.com/plasticfreemermaid

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ABOUT BEAUTIFUL WORLD

Beautiful World explores practical solutions for a healthier planet and healthier people.

Hosted by environmental advocate Kathryn Nelson, each episode features scientists, innovators, farmers, entrepreneurs and changemakers working to restore our ecosystems while improving human wellbeing.

From regenerative agriculture and clean energy to healthy homes, biodiversity and community resilience, these conversations focus on what is actually working—and how we can all be part of creating a more beautiful world.