Productive Passions

Regenerative Futures: Innovating Sustainable Living

Sustainability Panel:  
Anya Freeman, Founder & CEO Kind Designs KindDesigns
Yasmine Mahhoudieh, Founder & CEO of Yasmine Mahmoudieh Design, https://www.mahmoudieh.com/
Jennifer Koster, Founder & CEO of WerkWell Holdings Co-Founder of LivWell, WerkWell
Max Studennikoff, Founder of the Climate Change Forum (CC Forum), CC Forum
Neal Collins Co-Founder of Latitude, partner at Hamlet Capital, and host of The Regenerative Real Estate Podcast, Latitude
Today’s Takeaways:
Act Now—Don’t Wait for Regulation The time for action is now. We cannot afford to wait for policymakers or regulators to lead the way. Individuals, businesses, and communities must take initiative to build a more sustainable future. No sector can tackle this alone—by aligning policymakers, investors, industry and cultural leaders today, we can scale regenerative solutions far more rapidly.
Solution‑First Mindset Fixating on problems stalls progress. Instead, prioritize real‑world, scalable solutions: pilot eco‑friendly projects, celebrate successes, and inspire broader adoption. You’ll either be the model everyone emulates—or the cautionary tale they avoid.
Redefine Cost: Think Long‑Term, Not Just Upfront Dismantle the myth that “green” automatically means “expensive.” A systems‑based life‑cycle analysis factors in energy, maintenance, and carbon savings—often revealing that sustainable buildings pay for themselves over time. Growing demand has also driven down prices, and investors are increasingly drawn to the higher returns of green assets.
Adopt a Systems‑Based Approach Sustainability is holistic. From sourcing and site preparation through daily operation and eventual reuse, every stage matters. A well‑designed system not only delivers environmental resilience but also ensures economic durability.
Embrace Circular Economies in Construction Move away from “take‑make‑waste.” Reuse existing structures and materials rather than demolishing; minimize site disturbance; and preserve natural water flows. By keeping resources in use longer and reducing waste, we lessen negative community and ecological impacts.
Prioritize Ongoing Education & Public Awareness An informed public is a powerful catalyst. Host community workshops, expert panels, and online forums to demystify sustainable practices. When people understand both the risks of delay and benefits of early action, they’ll demand greener policies—and adopt them in everyday life.
Vote with Your Dollars & Your Voice Every purchase, investment, and ballot shapes the marketplace and the policy landscape. Support green businesses, advocate for stronger sustainability codes, and teach youth the impact of mindful consumption and civic engagement.
Explore & Use Affordable Green Materials Today’s eco‑friendly building options rival—or outperform—traditional alternatives, including:
Hempcrete: Carbon-sequestering, high insulation value
Mycelium Composites (e.g., Myocrete): Biodegradable and fire-resistant
Bio‑cements (e.g., microalgae‑grown concretes) These materials are now cost‑competitive and ready for mainstream construction.(eg Prometheus Materials: https://prometheusmaterials.com/)
Sustainability Is a Smart Investment Green buildings and regenerative infrastructure deliver strong, long‑term ROI and often command higher property values. Institutional investors are increasingly prioritizing these assets as part of their core portfolios.
Capitalize on Emerging Investment Gaps With many governments scaling back funding, private capital must fill the void. Explore green bonds, impact funds, and community financing tools—and encourage local banks or philanthropists to channel resources into high‑impact sustainability projects.
No Perfect Start Date—Begin Today Waiting for ideal conditions only delays impact. Start small—retrofit a building, launch a community garden, or form a solar co‑op. Early wins build credibility, attract partners, and lay the groundwork for larger initiatives.
Build Your “Circle of Genius” Collaboration is the cornerstone of innovation. Bring together people who share your passion but offer diverse skills—engineers, financiers, designers, organizers—and co‑create solutions that none of you could achieve alone.
Design with End‑of‑Life in Mind Every material choice echoes into tomorrow. Prioritize renewable inputs, low‑impact manufacturing, and clear plans for recycling or repurposing at end of life, ensuring resources stay in circulation rather than heading to landfill.
 
CC Forum Global Investment in Sustainable Development XII Global Edition will occur September 28th through October 1 2025 in Zurich. Information on the event, tops, participants and program details as cc-forum.com
 

Build, Lead, Thrive: Women Empowering Women in the Creative Economy

Today’s Takeaways:
Power in DiversityBringing together creatives from different backgrounds sparks fresh perspectives and multiplies impact.
Community-First MindsetAlways design with sustainability in mind: leave something meaningful behind, not just a finished project.
Global SisterhoodWhen women uplift women across borders, they amplify talent, fuel entrepreneurial growth, and expand audiences.
Networking PlaygroundA shared space for artists and administrators to swap knowledge, build relationships, and co-create bigger outcomes.
Own Your AgencyWomen thrive when they feel empowered to say “I can” and see real examples of others doing it too.
Coaching = ConfidenceTrust blossoms between mentors, investors, and entrepreneurs, especially when women guide women through shared challenges.
Boundaries Boost CreativityClear “yes” and “no” lines protect energy and spark innovation plus cut down on frustration.
Embrace the “Stuck” StretchFeeling stuck isn’t failure, it’s the launchpad to what’s next. Lean on allies, ask “Why not?” and notice the little nudges that keep you moving.
Culture of CareRegular check-ins and honest checklists (“How are you, really?”) keep projects and people thriving.
Self-Care as StrategyStepping back to recharge isn’t optional: your best work comes from a healthy mind and body.
Authenticity Always WinsSkip the frills—being genuine connects you faster and deeper with your audience (and your team).
Candor with KindnessSpeak up about red flags, own your concerns, and commit to respectful honesty collaboration soars when walls come down.
Ripple Effect of SupportYour encouragement shapes children, families, and future leaders—often in ways you’ll never even see.
Art + Income = ImpactThere’s nothing wrong with making money from your art—in fact, financial success fuels even greater creative freedom.
Connect with Nexora Group:
Website: https://www.nexoragroup.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nexora_group?igsh=emlhdHM5NWxwemls
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nexora-group/
Find Jennet – https://www.instagram.com/dowamat.tm?igsh=Nzd5MWlldHExMXZh
Find Lesli – https://www.instagram.com/leslirobertson?igsh=N2FldjR6YTczeXh6
Find Ashkhen – https://www.instagram.com/ashkhen_khudaverdian?igsh=am84emZnbzA1aXNr
 
Find Christy:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christytagye/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/productivepassions
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProductivePassions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/productivepassions/
Email: christy@productivepassions.com

Roots of Revolution: Sustainable Farming for a Healthier America

Today’s Takeaways:
General Business TakeawaysInnovation + collaboration disrupts for good.Treat “do-gooding” like a startup. Leverage creativity, research, local partnerships, and unlikely alliances to unlock breakthrough success.
Build win-win supplier partnerships.Treat your vendors as strategic allies: invest in their success (training, fair contracts, shared goals) so they’ll deliver higher-quality, more reliable supply, and you’ll strengthen your own long-term sustainability.
Invest in second-chance talent.In the S. Dallas community, one-third of men are in jail before they are 25, as a result, their opportunities are dramatically diminished.  Hiring formerly incarcerated individuals boosts local household incomes, reduces recidivism, and keeps dollars circulating in the community. 
Co-create with community developers.Before launching a “do-good” initiative, partner with existing nonprofits, block clubs, and faith groups. Listen to residents’ stories, map local assets (ABCD), earn trust, and then bring proof-of-concept to investors and donors.
Validate demand and allies before you launch.Ask: “Is there real market demand for my solution? Who in this community can champion and distribute it?” Securing both customers and local partners is key to a successful start-up–style impact venture.
Disrupt norms to stand out.Examine accepted practices in your sector and ask: “Where can we reduce lead times, boost efficiency, localize production, or leverage different labor models?”
Build in flexibility and resilience.Plan for interruptions—weather events, supply shocks, regulatory shifts - by creating agile processes and contingency buffers.
Champion continuous improvement.Adopt a “we can do better” mindset at every level. Small, relentless tweaks compound into transformational change.
Active listening fuels community empowerment.Soliciting residents’ lived experiences, ideas, and participation ensures solutions are relevant, embraced, and sustained.
Fair pay underpins economic resilience.Ensuring equitable wages for all workers, regardless of background, bolsters spending power and local business growth.
Diverse, boots-on-the-ground teams create lasting change.Beyond vision and ideas, success demands hands-on effort and a coalition of complementary skills from local leaders and youth to academics and policy experts to drive sustained impact.
Other Takeaways
Restorative farming drives multi-dimensional impact.Creates local jobs, supplies seedlings & expertise to farmers, fosters cross-community collaboration, lowers carbon emissions, and strengthens food security.
Food as medicine combats chronic illness.Integrating locally grown, nutrient-dense produce into healthcare strategies helps prevent and manage chronic diseases.
Driving MAHA’s mission through aligned action.Revolutionizing how food is grown, harvested, and sourced to tackle poor diets, minimize environmental toxins, and champion clean-food initiatives via regenerative practices that rebuild soil, reduce chemical reliance, and promote biodiversity.
Embrace climate-smart, regenerative growth.Agriculture contributes to approximately one-third of the greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. Design every project to protect soil, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and buffer against extreme weather. Localizing food systems improves nutrient density and availability while lowering farmers’ risk costs and USDA payouts when crops are destroyed (the 2nd largest part of the USDA budget.)
Honor soil stewardship as timeless wisdom.“A nation that destroys its soil destroys itself” (FDR, 1937). Regenerative farming isn’t a fad—it’s a proven answer to both past and present climate challenges.
Spot hidden resource drain, then fix it.For example, Texas uses 75% of its land for agriculture but imports 95% of the vegetables they eat from California or Mexico, which uses the water from the Colorado River. Up to 79% of the river’s water is used for agriculture, including in desert areas, contributing to water scarcity - the river is literally drying up! But even more striking is that most crops grown from the CO river are not for humans. Nope, it’s for animal feed. The river supplies water to 7 states, parts of N. Mexico, and over 24 Native American tribes. While this seems to be way off of our topic today, you can begin to see why we need to shift the way we’re farming! Other places have figured out how to farm more productively. We too have to make a change! Identify such inefficiencies in your field and pioneer smarter, locally rooted solutions.
Connect with Restorative Farms:
Website: https://www.restorativefarms.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072498973518
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restorative_farms
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restorative-farms/
Find Owen Lynch – olynch@mail.smu.edu
Find Doric Earle – dearle@smu.edu
Find Christy:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christytagye/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/productivepassions
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProductivePassions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/productivepassions/
Email: christy@productivepassions.com

What If? Embracing Curiosity, Connection & Transformation

Today’s Takeaways:
Embrace effortless connections. Notice and nurture those natural, uncomplicated bonds with others that energize you.
Honor your non-linear journey. The detours and unexpected turns often lead to your most rewarding experiences.
Acknowledge early influences. Your formative years leave powerful imprints. Don’t underestimate their role in your story.
Harness the power of slowing down. Quiet your mind intentionally to plant seeds of transformation.
Lean into community. Mutual support uplifts everyone; both giver and receiver benefit when we show up for each other.
Ask “what if.” Opening yourself to unconventional possibilities expands your horizons.
Silence the static. Beware of distractions, others’ opinions, and analysis paralysis that can stall you.
Iterate for impact. Consider refining your work based on how it serves others. Your creation may evolve into unexpected opportunities.
Ride the waves. When things feel overwhelming, break them into small steps; when momentum builds, embrace the flow.
Credit your champions. Name and thank those who support you! Acknowledgment deepens connection and collaboration.
Stay curious and adaptable. Seek new perspectives, admit mistakes, and pivot boldly when needed.
Prioritize self-care. Rest and reflection are where true growth - mental, emotional, and creative really happens.
Find Jake:
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/AxisYogaNC
IG: https://www.instagram.com/AxisYogaNC
Email: axisyogawaynesvillenc@gmail.com
Websites:
– Axis Yoga NC: https://axisyoganc.com/
– Smoky Mountain Yoga & Wellness Festival: https://www.smokymountainyogafest.com
 
Find Christy:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christytagye/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/productivepassions
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProductivePassions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/productivepassions/
Email: christy@productivepassions.com
 
 

Beyond Goodbye: Compassion, Presence & Permission to Feel

Today’s Takeaways:
Regret Is Natural In the heat of conflict we speak and act with what we know in the moment. Acknowledge any regrets, then offer yourself the same compassion you would extend to a friend.
Ask Then Honor There is no one size fits all approach to supporting someone in grief. Simply ask, “What do you need from me right now?” and follow through.
“Soften Yourself” When self-criticism creeps in, counter it with gentle practices like mindful breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or a moment of stillness. Kindness toward yourself is the first step to healing.
Presence Over Perfect Words Sometimes the greatest gift is silence. If words fail you, let your quiet presence speak volumes.
Grief Lives Beyond the Ceremony Memorial services end, but grief does not. Expect waves of emotion over time and honor your own unique timeline.
Permission to Feel Joy Experiencing happiness or laughter does not diminish your love or loss.
 
Find Diane: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianne-mani-psy-d-94a44a49
 
Find Christy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christytagye/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/productivepassions YouTube: @ProductivePassionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/productivepassions/ Email: christy@productivepassions.com

Pioneering Change: Erin Martin’s Fresh Rx Journey to a Healthier Future

Today’s Takeaways:
Success Through Integrity: True success comes from a blend of tenacity, relentless drive, integrity, and ambition. Remember: no one can take your learning away from you.
Trust and Follow Your Passion: Trust in the process—even without knowing the outcome. When you pursue your calling, the Universe often provides, though hard work and challenges remain a constant companion.
Overcoming Skepticism: Don’t let naysayers or those clinging to the status quo hold you back. Pioneering change often means facing pushback and evolving challenges, but each obstacle is a test of your commitment.
Adaptability & Problem-Solving: As you innovate, expect ongoing challenges. Support and funding may change, so continuous problem-solving is key for long-term impact.
Building Trust Through Action: Trust is earned when you consistently “walk the walk” by aligning your words with actions, showing integrity and kindness.
Mindful Communication: Let your passion shine while ensuring your communication is inclusive and respectful, so everyone involved feels heard and valued.
Take the Leap: When you feel stuck, remember Ray Bradbury’s words: “You’ve got to jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down.” Trust in yourself and take that leap.
As for her legacy, Erin reminds us to embrace hope and connection.  Believe that hope and change can lead to a happier life—one that is deeply connected to the earth and to one another.
Find Erin:  Instagram: @expertonaging @freshrxok Facebook: FreshRx Oklahoma, Erin W. Martin TikTok: @foodasmedicine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinwmartin/ Websites: freshrxok.org; erinwmartin.com
Find Christy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christytagye/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/productivepassions YouTube: @ProductivePassionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/productivepassions/ Email: christy@productivepassions.com 

Hungry to Be Healthy: Cultivating Community Change

Today's Takeaways:
Interrupt Hunger’s Mission: Focus on preventing chronic disease, feeding the hungry, and fostering community.
Community Collaboration is Key: Change starts by working together—teaching essential skills like cooking, gardening, and movement while giving back.
A Look at the Past vs. Today: Several generations ago, nearly 40% of produce came from home gardens. Today, ultra-processed foods and additives have changed the nutritional landscape.
Modern Health Challenges: 8 out of 10 leading causes of death are linked to poor nutrition. Approximately 73% of Americans struggle with obesity, 12% face food insecurity, and 30% experience social isolation.
Empowering Through Education: Teaching practical skills, such as gardening, empowers people to provide nutritious food for themselves and their families.
Building Sustainable Community Programs: Successful change involves partnering with schools, local governments, and community organizations (e.g., school and employee gardens).
Bill says, “We're hungry to be healthy” and “Get addicted to helping others.” This best encapsulates the call for a community-driven approach to health and wellness.
Find Bill:website : https://interrupthunger.org/Social Media:@interrupthungerLinkedIn: bjollie
Find Christy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christytagye/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/productivepassions YouTube: @ProductivePassionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/productivepassions/ Email: christy@productivepassions.com

Rebuilding After Disaster: Reinventing Our Cities - and Ourselves - with Jennifer Koster

Today's Takeaways 
In today's compelling episode, we explored the journey of resilience, reinvention, and authentic leadership. Here are the key insights that emerged from our conversation:
Embracing Reinvention and Drive Success often stems from our willingness to adapt and evolve. Our guest demonstrated how maintaining consistent motivation while being open to reinvention can create powerful opportunities for growth.
The Power of Inner Questioning When facing resistance, three critical questions can guide our path forward: Are we forcing something unnecessarily? Do we truly want it? What's our genuine objective? This introspective approach helps align our actions with our authentic desires and goals.
Understanding Our Collective Baggage Everyone carries their own set of experiences, assumptions, and past influences - what our guest calls "baggage" in her upcoming book. Recognizing how these elements shape our interactions and work can lead to more empathetic and effective relationships.
Blueprint for Business Success Successful business outcomes hinge on establishing strong foundations: aligning stakeholder vision, securing meaningful commitment from project owners, and maintaining transparent operations. By investing in comprehensive groundwork upfront, organizations can enhance efficiency, optimize resources, and achieve superior results through clear understanding and shared purpose.
Navigating Rock Bottom When facing our lowest moments, the path forward lies in:
Focusing on immediate, actionable steps
Having the courage to seek help and show vulnerability
Maintaining forward momentum, even with small steps
Characteristics that contribute to her success include a willingness to reinvent herself, a constant driven &  motivated person.
When you sense resistance - when something is just not working out, pay attention to it and go inside yourself to ask three important questions: Am I forcing something that maybe I shouldn’t be? Do I really want it?  What is my objective? 
The struggles in life are present for every person but can lead to inner strength through conviction, determination and resilience.
Her book “The Truth About Baggage” yet to be completed talks about how we all bring baggage to interactions, work we do, the way we live our lives and the importance in recognizing this as we interact with each other. 
In business, to avoid disconnect, laying the groundwork before starting on any project will improve efficiencies, save money, facilitate better outcomes and ensure understanding among stakeholders. This includes understanding the vision and intent of the project “owners”, sharing a commitment to, and understanding of the scope of work with all stakeholders. A commitment from “owners” of any project to be involved with choices. Commit to open book/transparent work. 
Hitting rock bottom happens to most of us…and often more than once. When it happens to move through it is to tap in to the now and asking “what can I do in this moment.”, be willing to ask for help and be vulnerable, get back up, figure it out and start moving forward again.

Fashion Forward: Personalization, Sustainability, and Blazing New Trails with Nathalie Neuilly

Today’s Takeaways:  
Express Yourself with Confidence Fashion isn't about blindly following trends – it's about finding your authentic style. Choose clothes and colors that boost your confidence and reflect your personality. As Nathalie emphasized, when you feel comfortable in what you wear, it shows in how you carry yourself.
Blaze Your Own Trail When venturing into uncharted territory, be discerning about whose advice you take. Traditional wisdom may not apply when you're breaking new ground. Nathalie reminded us that true innovation requires the courage to trust your vision and create your own path, even when there's no roadmap to follow.
Personalization: A Path to Sustainable Business The shift from mass production to personalization represents the future of commerce. This evolving approach exemplifies how customizing products to individual needs not only provides better service but also promotes sustainability. By creating products specifically for each customer, industries can significantly reduce waste from unsold inventory, excess production, and unused or ill-suited items. This transformative model connects regional producers with global markets, reducing carbon emissions from shipping and unnecessary packaging while ensuring each product serves its intended purpose.
The Power of Cultural Heritage Our cultural roots play a significant role in shaping our professional aspirations and choices. Nathalie's insights revealed how the values, traditions, and experiences from our own cultural background can become powerful drivers of our career paths and future endeavors.
Technology's Transformative Power The convergence of industry and technology is reshaping our world in ways we never anticipated. Through Nathalie's perspective, we saw how this intersection is creating new opportunities and challenging traditional business models.
 
Find Natalie:
Instagram: @dressarte
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/natneuilly
Email: contact@dressarteparis.com
Website: dressarteparis.com
YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@trueselfstylist
 
Find Christy:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christytagye/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/productivepassions YouTube: @ProductivePassionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/productivepassions/ 
Email: christy@productivepassions.com 

From Panic to Purpose: Dr. Jeanne Retief's FIGGI Beauty Journey

Today’s Takeaways:
Embrace Your Full Story Our challenges can become part of our strength. This authenticity can create deeper connections with our customers and community.
Be Uniquely You understand your personal operating manual. Success isn't about following others' formulas, but about recognizing and honoring your unique rhythms, triggers, and sources of strength.
Trust Your Timing Rather than rushing into decisions with a "just do it" mentality, consider a more intentional approach moving forward when you have both emotional alignment and a clear vision of success.
Cross-Pollinate Your Experience Sometimes our seemingly unrelated experiences create unexpected competitive edges.
Root Innovation in Heritage Cultural heritage can spark innovation. 
Master Your Domain Don’t underestimate the importance of knowing enough to ask meaningful questions and challenge assumptions when necessary. A balance of humility and expertise.
Define Your Peace Personally define what peace means to you. Let this be the cornerstone of both personal wellness and business decisions.
Turn potential barriers into catalysts for innovation. Entrepreneurship isn't about having a perfect journey, but about transforming our experiences into value for others while staying true to our authentic selves.
Find Jeanne at
Website: www.figgibeauty.com
LinkedIn: dr-jeanne-retief 
Email: Hello@figgibeauty.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jeanne-retief?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BrTzAoH2zTZq6QNf5Dj6cqw%3D%3D
Instagram: figgi.beauty
 
Find Christy: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christytagye/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/productivepassions YouTube: @ProductivePassionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/productivepassions/ 
Email: christy@productivepassions.com