The ReNewy Living Podcast: A Sustainability Podcast

The building and construction industry takes up a huge chunk of the total waste generated in NSW and across Australia, far more than what comes from our everyday household rubbish bins. When a building comes down, so many materials are left behind. But where do they all go?

The good news, there are great solutions for recycling in construction and in this episode, we’re delving a little deeper into one solution.

I’d love you to mee...

When most people think of arborists…they think of chainsaws, wood chippers, and tree removals for “safety reasons” or “potential fire hazard.”

In this episode, I’d love you to meet Sam Hardingham, founder of Newcastle-based business Everyday Arbor. An experienced arborist, Sam is challenging that narrow view of what it means to be an arborist. His goal is to keep as many trees standing in our local environment as possible.

Rather t...

Choosing to knock down and rebuild a house is a big decision. But instead of a standard project home, what happens when you choose a passive house - a design built for comfort, efficiency, and sustainability?

In this episode, I’d love you to meet ReNewy Living community member Jess Bollinger from Lake Macquarie, NSW. Jess works in environmental sustainability for her day job, yet finds most meaning in making everyday choices that m...

In this episode, we’re at the closing of the 2024/ 2025 Lake Macquarie Sustainable Neighbourhoods Waste to Art exhibition. It’s a free, annual event that brings together thought-provoking artworks made entirely from waste by people across the community. Some of the pieces are so refined, it’s hard to believe they began as waste. For many households, waste is what goes in the rubbish or recycling bin. But waste is much broader than ...

In this episode, I’d love you to meet James Felton-Taylor and Annabelle Kater, who run Australian Sustainable Timbers in Dungog NSW.  As native forest managers and timber processors, they’re passionate about showing there’s a better way to work with the bush by rethinking timber production.

This conversation is a great reminder that when you lead with intention and work with the natural lifecycle of the trees, timber production and...

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say the word “activist”? It’s a word that can stir up a lot of feelings — but at its heart, it’s simply about standing up for what you believe in…and doing something about it. 

In this episode, I’d love you to meet Michelle Dado-Millynn, a Dungog-based film producer whose work shines a light on people doing what they believe in most.

This conversation is about what activism can look ...

A community food co-op in the main street of a small regional town can have a massive impact, not just on the reduced environmental impact of locally grown food, but also the value of having access to healthy food, support for local growers and really strong community connections.

I'm having a conversation with Anna Crane from the Dungog Wholefood Co-op. It's an amazing conversation about community, the value of people, the value o...

Let’s talk about plastic. We see it everywhere, even in places it probably shouldn't be. And while we all want to do the right thing by tossing it in the recycling bin, the truth is, plastic recycling is a lot more complex than it seems.

To help untangle that complexity, I’m joined by Jess Hodge co-founder of Resourceful Living.  Jess and her team are tackling the plastic problem head on, by turning unwanted plastic items into func...

In this episode, I’d love you to meet Anna Scobie and Kelly Lees from Newcastle-based business Urban Hum. We’re exploring the role of bees in our local environment and how understanding them connects us with the bigger picture of environmental sustainability. From permaculture principles to planting a tiny forest, and even facing the challenges of varroa mite, we’ll talk about what it means to respond with care and curiosity.

This ...

"Everyday Voices" is where I take the mic into public spaces, striking up real conversations with everyday people about how they live, care for, and tread lighter on the planet.

In this episode I’m talking to Sophie, a high school student who’s showing interest in sustainability and environmental change in government. She shares her early advocacy journey, which will become the building blocks for her continual path for change.

Sta...

While most shopping centres are filled with cloned chain stores, it’s easy to forget that independent grocery shops are out there doing things differently—helping us live more sustainably, eat more mindfully and feel more connected.

In this episode, we sit down with Brent Fairns, owner of Organic Feast in Maitland. More than just a shop, Organic Feast is a vibrant local place that shows what’s possible when community and sustainabi...

When you hear the word decluttering, what comes to mind? For me, my brain jumps straight to the opposite….minimalism, with clean lines, empty shelves and limited colour & texture.

But actually, decluttering isn’t really about that. It’s about living with less and feeling lighter, thinking clearer and living easier.

In this episode, I’d love you to meet Rachel Louise from Raid my Wardrobe. Rachel brings a wealth of life experien...

In this episode, I’d love you to meet Bec Bowie, former owner of the much loved Newcastle cafe, Estabar. 

We’re talking about how values influence the way we shape both our lifestyles and our work to feel more purposeful. This conversation is a great reminder that when you lead with your values, then everything flows with more meaning — and more impact.

A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here at Leading by Values...

Have you heard about the Slow Food Movement? It’s a global movement that believes everyone has the right to good, clean and fair food. 

Helping us understand the movement from a localised perspective, I'd like to introduce you to Amorelle Dempster from Slow Food Hunter Valley. The volunteer-led grassroots organisation helps connect their community with the local farming community, plus make available just simple local and delicious...

Using healthy and sustainable materials in your interior design is an overlooked, yet important element in your daily living. In this episode, I'm chatting with Nadine Samwell from Eco Edition. She helps homeowners with better choices for healthy and sustainable materials for new builds and renovations. And it's all with the aim of making it simpler and easier for you. She helps you understand what sustainable interior design means...

Hello, I’m Mardi Lee and Welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast!

Did you know that right here in Lake Macquarie our local sea turtles are at risk. It's not just something that's happening as part of climate change that you see on the Great Barrier Reef but also here. There are at least three reasons why our sea turtles are being impacted so badly. So what's happening and what can we do about it?

I'm chatting with Tanya Rossiter from ...

Decluttering your home is tough enough, right? Finding the time, energy, and headspace when you're feeling your best is a challenge on its own. But what happens when the responsibility shifts? When a loved one no longer needs their belongings, and suddenly, it’s up to you to sort through it all?

In this episode, I’m chatting with ReNewy Living Community member Rowena from the Central Coast of NSW. She recently navigated the emotion...

Hello, I’m Mardi Lee, and welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast!

Renovating your home is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make sustainable short and long-term choices. Is it possible to create your dream design without a massive environmental footprint? 

That’s exactly what we’re talking about with my guest Natalie Van de Merwe from On Home Ground. Natalie’s an eco architect who specialises ...

Hello, my name's Mardi Lee and Welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast!

Retrofitting your home for energy efficiency can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s less exciting or visible than other reno upgrades. But when it comes to home comfort and savings, it’s what’s on the inside that counts!

The simplest ways to improve your home's efficiency are often best shared by someone who isn’t trying to sell you something. That’s where m...