Brody Olson, Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck, may not have dreamed of a career in junk removal, but his journey is a powerful testament to the value of service, adaptability, and finding purpose in unexpected places. Brody shares his story, which began with a love for fishing and hunting and a dream of becoming a park ranger. He recounts his zig-zagging career path, from a brief stint as a biology major to exploring business and leadership, and the various jobs—from McDonald's to a plumber's helper to a custodian—that taught him valuable lessons about hard work and what he truly wanted in a career. He explains how a simple online job application led him to Two Men and a Truck, a role he initially saw as a stepping stone but which quickly became a launchpad for a decade-long career in management.

He gives us an inside look at the demanding and often unpredictable world of moving and junk removal, managing a team of 150 employees and a fleet of 50 trucks. Brody discusses the evolution of the company, from a traditional moving service to a one-stop shop that includes junk removal, storage, and even overseas relocation. He shares the valuable lessons he's learned about people, the importance of treating everyone with respect, and the power of giving yourself grace in a world that often feels cluttered. Brody also reflects on the leadership training that shaped his management style, the challenges of holding peers accountable, and the art of staying proactive in a reactive industry.

Episode in a glance

01:30 A Zig-Zagging Path Through College and Early Jobs
02:39 Finding a Career at Two Men and a Truck
04:25 The Difference Between Moving and Junk Removal
07:14 The Biggest Surprise About People and Their "Junk"
14:44 From a Job to a Career The Power of Mentorship
18:54 Advice for Finding Your Career Path

About Brody Olson

Brody Olson is the Sales Development Manager at Two Men and a Junk Truck. With a diverse background in operations and a deep commitment to customer service, he has played a key role in the growth and evolution of the company. Brody's journey is a powerful reminder that a fulfilling career can be found in unexpected places, and that the most valuable lessons are often learned on the front lines.

Connect with Brody Olson and his work

Website → https://twomenandajunktruck.com/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/TMJTColumbus/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/twomenandatruckcolumbus/?hl=en

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/brody-olson-661b48178/

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Can a neighborhood thrifting initiative make a dent in the massive problem of fashion waste?

Lisa Goldsand, the founder of Circular Thrift, shares her mission to valorize post-consumer textile waste and scale the reuse of clothing and accessories at a hyperlocal level. Through her unique collection bins, swap events, and mobile trike sales, Lisa is revolutionizing the way communities approach sustainable fashion, making it both convenient and enjoyable. Lisa shares her insights on consumer behavior, the challenges faced in the fashion industry, and her innovative strategies for promoting a circular economy. Discover how her local, community-driven approach is paving the way for a more sustainable future in fashion.

Episode in a glance

-The Birth of Circular Thrift: Early experiments and successes
-How Circular Thrift differs from traditional thrifting
-Driving Consumer Change: Lisa's approach to positive conversations (in a trike!)
-The Circular Thrift Pyramid Explained
-The Hyperlocal Advantage: Why neighborhood solutions matter
-Expanding the Circular Thrift Model

About Lisa Goldsand

Lisa Goldsand is the founder of Circular Thrift, a convenient clothing pick and drop off service that also does community swap events. She has a unique background, having spent almost 20 years working at Abercrombie & Fitch in various roles related to apparel retail operations. During her corporate career, Lisa gained extensive experience working with garment manufacturers, mills, and factories, giving her an in-depth understanding of the traditional linear supply chain process. After leaving Abercrombie & Fitch, she started Circular Thrift, driven by a desire to address sustainability challenges in the fashion industry while empowering consumers to make a difference through their choices.

Learn more about Circular thrift here and catch their next event → https://www.circularthrift.org/

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John Seryak, the founder of Go Sustainable Energy, believes that real change in the energy sector starts with listening to the people on the ground. In this episode, he shares the origin story of his company, the evolution of its mission, and the powerful "aha!" moments that drive his team to create a more sustainable and equitable energy future. John offers a refreshingly honest and multifaceted origin story for Go Sustainable Energy, explaining how a desire to "front-load his midlife crisis" and a deep dive into the lives of historical changemakers like Martin Luther King Jr., Jane Goodall, and Albert Einstein inspired him to start his own company at the age of 27. He discusses his vision to create a workplace with purpose, where human connection is valued, and where the work itself contributes to solving critical social and environmental issues.

He takes us inside Go Sustainable Energy, explaining how they provide accurate, unbiased information to help clients navigate the complex world of energy efficiency, load management, and distributed generation. John emphasizes the critical role of understanding and engaging all stakeholders, from the C-suite to the often-overlooked facility staff who are the true masters of a building's energy systems. He shares a powerful success story from the Ohio History Connection, where simple, common-sense solutions, championed by the facility staff, led to a staggering 50% reduction in energy use.

John reflects on the company's 19-year journey, highlighting the dramatic shifts in technology—from a time when solar and LEDs were science fiction to today's rapidly evolving landscape of EVs and smart grids. He discusses how this has changed the needs of his clients and the focus of his work, and introduces Go's subsidiary, RunnerStone, which provides crucial technical expertise to the policy and regulatory space.

Episode in a glance

00:42 The Unexpected Origin Story of Go Sustainable
04:46 What Go Sustainable Energy Actually Does
06:22 The Secret Champions: Facility Staff
09:55 The Ohio History Connection
13:25 19 Years of Change in the Energy Sector
17:04 RunnerStone Bridging Engineering and Policy

About John Seryak

John Seryak is the founder and managing partner of Go Sustainable Energy, where he is reshaping what an energy engineering firm looks like from the inside out. He has built a team of inquisitive engineering talent focused on providing accurate, unbiased guidance on sustainable energy. With a culture built on transparency and shared ownership, John is dedicated to proving that the most effective solutions emerge from a foundation of listening and genuine collaboration.

Connect with John and his work

• Website → https://www.gosustainableenergy.com/
• John’s LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-seryak-59630437/
• Go Sustainable Energy LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/go-sustainable-energy-llc/

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John Seryak, founder of Go Sustainable Energy, believes the biggest hang-ups in sustainable energy aren't about technology or money, they're about listening. In this deeply honest conversation, John explores his journey into the world of sustainable energy, which began not with a grand vision, but with a childhood attempt at a perpetual motion machine (turning a bicycle into a helicopter) and a near-total burnout from mechanical engineering. He shares the story of a pivotal mentor who saved him from quitting, pointing him toward energy as a path to making a real difference.

John recounts starting a sustainability club in college, not just out of passion, but as a deliberate "practice run" for entrepreneurship to see if he could build something from scratch. He discusses the crucial, and often uncomfortable, lessons learned after graduation while working in a company where he felt his vision didn't align. This experience led to a profound realization: building a successful company isn't just about the technical work; it's about creating a culture of transparency, shared ownership, and genuine interest in what your colleagues are doing. John pulls back the curtain on the challenges of leadership, the human tendency to create false narratives, and why the most important tool for solving our energy problems might just be the simple act of listening.

Episode in a glance

02:48 The Perpetual Motion Machine: An Engineer's Origin Story
04:19 A Crisis of Purpose
07:20 Starting a Club as an Entrepreneurial Test
10:42 The Realization It's About Culture, Not Just Engineering
16:53 Go Sustainable's Culture of Sharing the Mic
20:20 The Real Barrier to Sustainable Energy Isn't Tech or Money

About John Seryak

John Seryak is the founder and managing partner of Go Sustainable Energy, where he is reshaping what an energy engineering firm looks like from the inside out. He has built a team of inquisitive engineering talent focused on providing accurate, unbiased guidance on sustainable energy. With a culture built on transparency and shared ownership, John is dedicated to proving that the most effective solutions emerge from a foundation of listening and genuine collaboration.

Connect with John and his work

• Website → https://www.gosustainableenergy.com/
• John’s LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-seryak-59630437/
• Go Sustainable Energy Linkedin → https://www.linkedin.com/company/go-sustainable-energy-llc/

Send us a message!

Danna Lotz, a lifelong educator with 18 years of experience, is now the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). Her story is an example of how a passion for teaching and a commitment to resourcefulness can lead to a career in sustainability, making a lasting impact on students and communities.

Danna discusses SWACO's mission to reduce landfill waste and the innovative programs they've developed to engage schools in this effort. She explains the School Recycling Champion Program, which provides free resources, education, and support to schools in Franklin County, helping them establish and improve their recycling programs. She also discusses the School District Consortium, a unique initiative that brings together district leaders to collectively bid for waste and recycling services, and the newly launched Green Team Network, which connects and empowers student environmental clubs across the region.

She shares inspiring stories of student-led initiatives, from data-tracking projects to community outreach campaigns, highlighting the creativity and passion of young environmental stewards. Danna also discusses the challenges schools face in implementing recycling programs, from logistical hurdles to the need for ongoing education and stakeholder engagement. She also shares how SWACO's approach to school programming has evolved, emphasizing the importance of dedicated staff, streamlined processes, and strong partnerships. She also discusses SWACO’s new “GreenPrint” initiative, which will focus on hard-to-recycle items like textiles and mattresses, and the expansion of convenience centers for residents.

Episode in a glance

04:01 Danna's Role at SWACO
05:47 The Power of Green Teams
07:01 The School Recycling Champion Program
13:53 Challenges in School Recycling
15:14 The Evolution of SWACO's School Programs
19:51 The Role of Schools in Sustainability
23:33 SWACO's "GreenPrint" Initiative

About Danna Lotz

Danna Lotz is the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). With 18 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, she brings a deep understanding of the education system and a passion for empowering students to her role. Danna is dedicated to creating engaging and impactful programs that inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Connect with Danna Lotz and her work:

• Website → https://www.swaco.org/201/Schools
• Apply to be a School Recycling Champion → https://www.swaco.org/324/School-Recycling-Champion-Program
• Email → schools@swaco.org
• LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/danna-lotz-09aa99327/
• GreenPrint → https://www.swaco.org/502/Greenprint-For-a-Sustainable-Future

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Danna Lotz, a lifelong educator with 18 years of experience, is now the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). Her story is a powerful example of how a passion for teaching and a commitment to resourcefulness can lead to a career in sustainability, making a lasting impact on students and communities.

Danna shares her journey from a small-town upbringing, where collecting bottles and cans with her dad sparked an early interest in recycling, to her 18-year career as an elementary school teacher. She recounts how the practical needs of the classroom led her to embrace upcycling and waste reduction long before it was a formal part of her job description. From turning cereal boxes into book holders to salvaging markers, Danna's classroom was a hub of creative reuse.

Her path took a pivotal turn when she discovered SWACO's free landfill tour program. Initially hesitant, she was captivated by the eye-opening experience and the powerful questions it sparked in her students. This annual field trip became a catalyst for countless student-led projects, transforming her classroom into a space for environmental action and problem-solving. Danna discusses her transition from teacher to her current role at SWACO, a move that felt like a "full circle moment," allowing her to leverage her deep understanding of the education system to support schools across the region.

Episode in a glance

- From Tutoring to Teaching
- An Early Spark for Recycling
- A Teacher's Path to SWACO
- What a Landfill Tour is Like
- Bringing a Teacher's Perspective to SWACO
- How School Green Teams Get Started

About Danna Lotz

Danna Lotz is the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). With 18 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, she brings a deep understanding of the education system and a passion for empowering students to her role. Danna is dedicated to creating engaging and impactful programs that inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Connect with Danna Lotz and her work

Website → https://www.swaco.org/201/Schools

Apply to be a School Recycling Champion → https://www.swaco.org/324/School-Recycling-Champion-Program

Email → schools@swaco.org

LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/danna-lotz-09aa99327/

GreenPrint → https://www.swaco.org/502/Greenprint-For-a-Sustainable-Future

Send us a message!

Grab a warm drink and settle in for our special 2025 holiday wrap-up! After releasing an episode every single Tuesday and growing to over 90 episodes, we're taking a moment to celebrate the incredible people and inspiring stories that made this year so memorable.

This year took us on an incredible journey, from the mountains of Italy for the NanoValbruna conference to the heart of the Midwest for the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit. We revisit the power of international storytelling with guests like Francesca Cercelletta, who taught us how to make impactful films with just a phone, and Duccio Travaglini, who showed us how to turn "cold data" into "cool data."

We also reflect on the amazing collaborations we saw closer to home, from our live panel on waste diversion to the inspiring work of innovators like Shailah Maynard at Sew Valley and Zack Burns, who's sustainably feeding giraffes at the Cincinnati Zoo. Through it all, the beating heart of this season has been community. We discuss how champions like Jamie Richards have created change from within corporations and how the infectious energy of Emily Rials and Susan Swinford from Columbus Food Rescue inspired Adam to become a food rescue volunteer himself.

It's a celebration of the people who give us hope and a reminder that we all have a role to play. Thank you for being part of our community this year.

Episode in a glance

- A Year in Review 90+ Episodes and Counting
- Favorite Moments from Italy (NanoValbruna)
- Highlights from the Midwest Summit (MRSS)
- The Beating Heart of 2025 Community in Action
- Adam Gets Inspired to Rescue Food
- Looking Ahead to 2026

About Dominique Hadad & Adam Morris:

Dominique Hadad and Adam Morris are the co-hosts of the Green Champions podcast. Dominique brings her expertise in sustainability, while Adam adds his passion for social impact and entrepreneurship. Together, they explore the diverse ways individuals and organizations are creating a greener future.

Episodes we Discussed:

• Duccio Travaglini - Breaking Climate News With Cool Data
• Francesca Cercelletta - Using iPhone Storytelling to Frame the Change
• Shailah Maynard - Sew Much More Than Fashion
• Jessica Glorius-Dangelo - Sustainable Architecture Begins at the Drafting Table
• Zack Burns - How Hydroponics Feeds Giraffes and Cuts Emissions at the Zoo
• Kristan Uhlenbrock – Creating a New Institute at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
• Emily & Susan – How They Rescued One Million Pounds of Food
• Jamie Richards - Inside Bansk Beauty’s Regenerative Shea Project in Uganda

Connect with Green Champions:

Website → https://www.thegreenchampions.com/

Instagram →

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Duccio Travaglini, Co-founder of Greencome Media, shares his innovative approach to environmental communication and his mission to transform how we discuss climate change. Rather than contributing to climate anxiety through catastrophic messaging, Duccio and his team focus on solution-oriented storytelling that mobilizes people to action. He discusses the importance of finding relatable stories of "normal people" making change and combining these narratives with data in engaging ways - what he calls turning "cold data into cool data."

As a moderator at NanoValbruna, Duccio led discussions about regeneration versus sustainability, emphasizing how regeneration takes environmental action to the next level by focusing on community-centered economic systems. He shares insights about measuring success through quality engagement rather than quantity, and emphasizes that sustainability is a journey of continuous learning rather than a demand for perfection.

About the Mini Series

This is our mini series about NanoValbruna. We are highlighting an international forum that brings scientists, entrepreneurs, professors, professionals, journalists, science communicators, and especially young people to the heart of the Julian Alps to talk about innovation, environment, and regeneration. Enjoy conversations with climate changemakers in Valbruna, Italy.

Episode at a glance

-The Evolution of Environmental Communication
-Regeneration vs. Sustainability: Moving Beyond Impact Reduction
-Storytelling Strategies: Combining Human Stories with Data
-Quality Over Quantity in Environmental Media
-The Journey Approach to Sustainability

About Duccio Travaglini

Duccio Travaglini is the Co-founder of Greencome Media, an Italian media platform focused on environmental and climate topics. Currently studying Environmental Economics and Politics, Duccio is pioneering a new approach to climate communication that emphasizes solutions and positive action while maintaining factual accuracy.

Connect with Duccio Travaglini and his work

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/greencome_ita

Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@greencome_ita

LinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/company/greencome1

Newsletter → https://greencome.substack.com/

Green Tonic Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/7dgeH02vAlJyz3M6UR34Xq?si=887794e218404d75

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