The ReNewy Living Podcast: A Sustainable Living Podcast

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...

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

Ever wondered whether community gardens are there just for veggie growing? In this episode, you’ll hear how one local community garden is evolving from a growing food-only garden to becoming a biodiversity haven.

Joining me is Katie Ryan from The Groundswell Collective. Katie’s role at The Shelley Street Community Garden is helping guide the garden from purely food pro...

Newcastle, like much of Australia’s coastline, is known for its golden sand beaches and beautiful ocean swimming. However, once you’re at the beach, you see pieces of rubbish amongst the grains of sand and seaweed. You can’t unsee the problem that you know threatens wildlife and mars the beauty of your beach.

In this episode, I’m speaking with Marina DeBris, a Lake Macquarie artist who creates visual story installations to highligh...

Are you looking to create a garden that's beautiful, low-maintenance and good for the planet? We'll dig into why choosing plants from your local area makes a big difference not just for your garden, but for the natural environment too.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Emma Graham from Trees in Newcastle. They're a non-profit that's been around since 1989 and are dedicated to protecting and promoting native vegetation specific to ...

Do you ever feel frustrated that the traditional large supermarket model isn't working for you anymore? 

In this episode, I'm chatting with Jayne Travers-Drapes, founder of Box Divvy. They're flipping the concept of how we think about fruit and veg shopping by changing the way your purchasing power works. Their un-supermarketing approach is all about supporting local communities and cutting down on food waste. Let's find out about ...

In this episode, I chat with Phoebe and Aaron Breckell, the founders of Woohoo Body. Based in Newcastle, but known across the country, they’ve created a natural deodorant and skincare company that’s making a big difference to the planet, giving you a healthy deodorant that works.

A summary, plus the links from this episode are found here: What Makes Natural Deodorant Great?

The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder ...