25: Redefining Sustainable Living — From Zero Waste to Real-World Resilience with Kristy Halderman Artwork

Sustainable in the Suburbs

Want to waste less, save money, and make your home a little more eco-friendly? Sustainable in the Suburbs is your go-to podcast for practical, judgment-free tips and real-life stories to help you build sustainable habits that actually stick.

Hosted by Sarah Robertson-Barnes — a suburban soccer mum, sustainability educator, and founder of the blog Sustainable in the Suburbs — this weekly show brings doable advice, honest conversations, and actionable ideas to help you waste less, spend smarter, and live more sustainably at home.

Because sustainable living doesn’t have to be perfect to matter — and you don’t have to do it all to make a big impact.

Start where you are, use what you have, and live a little greener.

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Sustainable in the Suburbs

25: Redefining Sustainable Living — From Zero Waste to Real-World Resilience with Kristy Halderman

November 04, 2025 • Sarah Robertson-Barnes • Episode 25

What happens when your life changes completely — but your commitment to living sustainably stays the same?

This week, I’m joined by Kristy Halderman, whose sustainability journey has taken her from Washington, DC to Montana — touching nearly every part of sustainable living along the way. From going all-in on zero waste and launching an oat milk business, to working in sustainable investing, and now community-based environmental advocacy, Kristy’s story is a reminder that our definition of sustainability can — and should — evolve over time.

We talk about what it’s like to live your values in a place where sustainability isn’t the norm, why accessibility matters more than perfection, and how to keep showing up even when conditions aren’t ideal. Kristy also shares her love of trails, her unexpected passion for beavers, and how journaling helps her stay grounded through eco-anxiety and change.

This conversation is honest, funny, and deeply relatable — a reminder that sustainable living doesn’t always look the same everywhere, and that progress still counts, even when it’s quiet.

Takeaways

Sustainable living looks different everywhere — and that’s okay
Access, infrastructure, and community support all shape what’s possible
Low waste is both a personal practice and a systemic issue
Building a sustainable business brings lessons in balance and resilience
Money and sustainability are linked — but real change depends on the systems behind them
Advocacy takes many forms — from finance to trail work to quiet persistence
Beavers remind us that resilience and ecosystem health go hand in hand
Caring for your mental health is part of being a climate advocate

One Small Shift

Go analog. Step away from your screens, pick up a pen, and spend a few minutes journaling — about what’s heavy, what’s working, or what you want to focus on next. Writing by hand can be grounding and clarifying, helping you slow down, ease eco-anxiety, and reconnect with what matters most.

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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

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