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Krys Gier
24 Plays1 day ago
Join Alasdair as he talks all things sustainability and greenwashing with Krys Gier, a content creator who provides wonderful advice on things we can ALL do to create a healthier planet!
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Transcript
Introduction to Outdoorsy Educator Podcast
00:00:01
Speaker
Hello and welcome to the Outdoorsy Educator Podcast, where stories become lessons and every journey has something to teach us. Every week I sit down with people from all walks of life to hear their adventures, explore their experiences, and uncover the insights that have shaped them along the way.
00:00:21
Speaker
Whether it's from the outdoors, the classroom, or any other path, each conversation offers a fresh perspective on learning, growth, and what it means to truly connect with the world and the people around us.
Meet Guest Chris Geyer, Sustainability Influencer
00:00:40
Speaker
And on this week's episode of the Outdoorsy Educator podcast, we have Chris Geyer. Chris, how are you today? I'm good. I'm good. Thank you so much for having me on. I'm excited to be here. Of course. I'd love to get into how I came across your Instagram. and But first of all, why don't you tell people a little bit about yourself?
00:00:59
Speaker
Yeah.
Chris Geyer's Career in Sustainability and Wellness
00:01:00
Speaker
So my name is Krystaline Geyer. You can call me Chris for short. at least that's what i always say on the internet. I am a full-time content creator. I talk about sustainability, wellness, routines. You know, I always like to say all things good for your mind, your body, and the planet.
00:01:17
Speaker
I love that. Yeah, i I came across you on Instagram ages ago. And i think about your page quite a bit because as we talked about off the air, I think my my family, we're probably right, we're average. we We try to do our best. We do bits of pieces. We recycle. We try not to be wasteful. But we find looking at labels, all of it quite overwhelming.
00:01:40
Speaker
And we don't really know where to start. And speaking of starting, I'd love to know where your journey started when it comes to being so passionate about sustainability.
Inspiration from Family: Chris's Environmental Passion
00:01:50
Speaker
Oh, yeah. Oh, I love this question. um Because i feel like sustainability is something i fell into, right? So I have to give a lot of credit where credit is due. And that is my mom. My mom was an environmental science teacher growing up. And so...
00:02:06
Speaker
a lot of what I grew up around was were things that like my mom was teaching in her high school classrooms and so I don't think I realized until I got to college and I was around all these other people who were raised you know in various ways with different people and different values that some of the stuff I was doing was like weird to them you know like I grew up and my mom had like a compost in the backyard. We had worms and like that was something I grew up with. And I tried to do that in my, ah when I was in college and my roommates were like, what are you doing? And I was like, a compost. Aren't you? Right. Yeah. What do you mean? You've never heard of a compost. Yeah.
00:02:50
Speaker
ah But, yes, so a lot of it comes from my mom. And then now that I'm an adult, you know, my mom has now ah shifted. She doesn't do environmental science anymore is teaching, but she's still in the science realm for high school students.
00:03:04
Speaker
And i just continued learning more and more as I got older. And that led me to becoming So passionate about it and wanting to educate and share what I was learning and how I tackle sustainability as somebody who, you know, I'll never be zero waster. You know, I always think back to like the articles I used to to read in like 2012 or 2012. It was like somebody's trash for a whole year they could put in one mason jar. I will never be that. you know right I just can't. um But many people don't. And you know I know we were talking off the air that a lot of people don't know where to start. And so that's where I hope to kind of help ab bridge the gap on the internet.
00:03:46
Speaker
I love it.
Understanding Greenwashing: Insights from Chris
00:03:47
Speaker
And speaking of bridging the gap, something I didn't understand and perhaps still don't fully, and maybe our listeners won't, is you use the term greenwashing. And this I find fascinating. I mentioned again off the air that I link this to some food labels I see when it comes to what's actually in the food. But i'd love for you to explain to us what greenwashing actually is Yes. Okay. Greenwashing is a marketing term. And if a brand is greenwashing, it basically means that they are claiming that the brand is more eco-friendly. They're more green, like greenwashing, than they actually are. So it's a lot like food products, like you said. So, you know, you can say food products are x y and Z, but if there's not certifications to back it up, then you know that the food product is not, you know, what it says it is. Right.
00:04:35
Speaker
There are no true eco-friendly or sustainable certifications. There are some by association, depending on what you're looking for. But it's really easy for a brand to say that something is eco-friendly because they there's no law saying you can't say that without a certification, right? Like anyone could say anything they're offering is eco-friendly.
00:04:57
Speaker
And that's just like allowed. And so greenwashing is the marketing term that basically calls out brands for essentially lying marketing-wise to their customers.
00:05:08
Speaker
I was particularly curious about that. um And we won't, I suppose, go too far into this. But I was curious about what things companies can just say with no with nothing to back it up, no consequence. They can just say these things.
00:05:21
Speaker
Or terms that are used that sound like one thing, but actually are kind of another. I was wondering if you might be able to talk about that just a little bit. Oh, my gosh. Yeah. And, you know, it gets overwhelming because there are so many things that a brand could say without having to have any sort of verification on it. So, you know, like organic for food, you know, it's actually organic because they have to have the organic like stamp approval on it. USDA organic. For other things that are not in the food category, you could say something is made with organic cotton or something like that, but really there is no certification to to verify that claim. So that's an example, like organic not in food products is not really regulated. There's also things like, you know, people will see like green products.
00:06:13
Speaker
or eco-friendly or sustainable. All of those terms are not regulated as well. So there are other ones like i will see sometimes like, you know, someone selling something online and it's like, oh, this is an eco-friendly water bottle. And, you know, maybe it's not that eco-friendly. Who knows how it was made? Who knows? was Like, who knows what's actually in that water bottle? Right.
00:06:38
Speaker
Right. i mean, what does that actually mean, being eco-friendly? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, exactly. And I think sometimes for a lot of different companies, the term eco-friendly can mean a lot of different things. You know, there's not like one universal thing or so sliding scale, basically, that says if you do this, you're eco-friendly. And if you do this, you're not eco-friendly. there there Like I said, there is no regulation. So it's very like individualistic when it comes to what brands can say.
00:07:09
Speaker
That's so interesting. and And oddly, speaking of individualistic, i was curious if there was like one moment or maybe there's been several where you've been in a grocery store, a Walmart, a Target, and it kind of hit you how widespread this issue is. I know you've been aware of it growing up, but did you ever see a box or a label or a bag and go, this truly is manipulation or or unbelievable or something like that?
00:07:38
Speaker
Yeah, yes. Okay, so I think that's a great question. Because when a brand is good at marketing, they are good at marketing. I mean, they will get you, you will not think twice about it, you just believe what you're seeing. And I think for me, I didn't really have that moment until I started researching brands that I was continually buying.
00:07:58
Speaker
thinking that they were more eco-friendly, more sustainable brands. And so like I'll go ahead and drop a brand that I'm always surprised by, and that brand is Mrs. Meyers. It's in all of my major grocery stores. I always see people pick it up because it smells good. The packaging has all these like leaves and flowers on it. you know It's based on company's grandmother and how the grandmother was a gardener. So that's why the scents are all these garden-y, earthy scents.
00:08:30
Speaker
But when you actually start to dig into the brand, they really don't have any sort of sustainability initiatives. They don't have much third-party testing as far as like biodegradability when it comes to their cleaning products. And so that was one where I was, I always picked up Mrs. Meyers. And then I did my research and I was like, okay,
00:08:50
Speaker
This brand is totally like it it played me. it it was It was so good at marketing that I believed it. And they they were greenwashing, in my opinion, at least. Yeah, it's and I'm sure this is not uncommon, but we have a bottle of that under our sink. And I think of it quite a bit because it looks like it's one thing and I don't have the depth of knowledge to know if it is or it isn't.
00:09:14
Speaker
But again, it seemed to be pushing one idea when you have to push the idea. Maybe the product isn't being able to speak to speak for itself. Right, right. Yeah. And, you know, I meet people where they're at, right? Like I also have a bottle of Mrs. Myers in my cabinet because I think it smells good. And, you know, I'm going to buy it because I like that seasonal scent that they offer. i'm not going to buy it because this is a more sustainable option. Like if I want a more sustainable option, I'm going to be purchasing another brand, you know, another cleaner.
00:09:46
Speaker
Absolutely. And then if we kind of flip the the the tables a little bit here, away from greenwashing, sustainability.
Defining Sustainability with Chris Geyer
00:09:54
Speaker
I have a very rudimentary understanding of what that would look like. um But how would you define and talk about sustainability in terms of the environment and the products we use?
00:10:06
Speaker
Yeah, I would say sustainability is focused on our actions that are able to benefit planet Earth and not take away the resources. Or if you're taking away resources, you're putting something back into it to help, you know, sustain and regenerate.
00:10:24
Speaker
So that would be my thought on sustainability. i think there's a lot of different avenues within that. you know It's such a big lofty topic. And I think you know we could get into the weeds and talk about all these technical terms of sustainability. But for me, like I said, like I talk all things mind, body, and planet. Those three things are connected. you know If you have good mental health, you're able to dedicate more time into helping the planet health. And if you're outside with...
00:10:53
Speaker
caring about the planet, then you're also able to care about your body and your physical health. So I think these things are all connected and that's how I like to look at sustainability. I really love that you've talked about that because over the last yeah a couple of years, I've really seen the value in space in my home. Like I love things. They do, they just bring me joy. Certain things that you know you can see behind me, I've just got a bookshelf and things on the wall and stuff. And each one of these things takes me back to a place where I got it and it makes me smile. But I've really focused on getting rid of all the stuff that that doesn't hold a particularly fond memory or any memory at all. I i had three drills, i had numerous saws, i didn't need all, I needed one of each. And there was it was so freeing mentally as well as just the space in my garage to get rid of this clutter and all of these things. And it's very interesting because I hadn't realized the connection between the stuff and my mental space.
00:11:56
Speaker
And and you you are bringing that up right now. Yeah, absolutely. Oh
Impact of Consumer Habits on Sustainability
00:12:01
Speaker
my gosh. I'm so glad you mentioned that. like I think this ties back to how individualistic sustainability is. I think we as a society, at least in the U S we have this, you know, thought that every person needs a lawnmower. Every person needs a drill. You need a pair of scissors for each room in the house in case you need to cut something open in that specific room. And i always challenge people to think a little differently just because that's what society tells you.
00:12:30
Speaker
That's not necessarily the truth. Maybe you don't actually need a lawnmower. Maybe you can borrow your neighbor's lawnmower instead when you need to do the lawn. You know, in those cases, like we can really lean on our community and, you know, share really. and not have to have like one of each item in our house. And so i always feel like our space is really connected to clutter. You know, if you have a clear home and you, an organized home, then you have a clear mind and you're able to focus on other things. And sometimes when it comes to like decluttering, sometimes again, like you don't need one of everything you could borrow from your friends and your family and your neighbors. Yeah.
00:13:15
Speaker
Absolutely. And yet you're touching on something that I've done a little bit of, I wouldn't even say research. I've just watched a couple of documentaries and things about how we all or so many of us can fall into a life that is just based around marketing. We've been sold the idea.
00:13:32
Speaker
Usually bigger is better. But even things like 10,000 steps a day, that was a marketing ploy. that wed We'd all agree, let's get walking, that's good for our physical and mental health. Even eating three meals a day, that was, I believe, I don't want to put name on because I don't know, but it was a breakfast company.
00:13:53
Speaker
that marketed the idea that we should be eating three meals a day in order to sell their products. We just accept these things that this is the way society is and this is what we should be doing. But it all comes from people, without being sceptical too much, the people making money off these these ideas.
00:14:10
Speaker
hm Yeah, definitely. yeah Marketing is a huge thing. It plays a factor in every aspect of all of our lives, whether we realize it or not. I know you said the 10,000 steps. that That was all marketing. you know And if you look at the scientific research, it's actually closer to 7,000 steps is really what you should be having every day right ah to keep your physical health in in good shape. But yeah, you're so right. Marketing is everywhere. And so it's important to be aware of marketing. you know Before I got into content creation, worked in advertising. So that was like my bread and butter, which is maybe why I find greenwashing so interesting. um
00:14:51
Speaker
But yeah, I just think a lot of people need to be more aware of like, you know what are the signs to look for? How do I know if something's actually being honest with me or if they're just greenwashing you know or telling me something that's not the full truth of what they're doing? Yeah.
00:15:05
Speaker
Absolutely.
Practical Advice for Sustainable Living
00:15:06
Speaker
And it's funny, I just scribbled down my next question, which was, what little things can we do? What are the small steps that you advise people who talk to you and say, you know I want to make a difference, but I have a job, I have for this, you know I'm busy. What are the little things that we can do as an average consumer to to make a small difference?
00:15:26
Speaker
Yeah. Well, I think the most sustainable thing anyone can do is to just use what you have. And if this goes back to to marketing, wanting to buy things, following trends and seeing what other people have and getting FOMO so you buy it yourself, I think if you can recognize that that is what's happening and that you don't actually need all that extra stuff, you can actually just use what you have. you know Take care of the things you own. If you get a hole in your jeans, maybe you patch it up instead of buying a new pair of jeans. um Same thing with like blankets. If you get a hole in a blanket, maybe you patch it. um Taking care of things like tools, taking care of things like your electronics. You know, electronics are a huge thing. There's this upgrade mentality. Always get the biggest and the best and the newest phone or the newest laptop, iPad, whatever. And that's really not true. You don't need the latest upgrade if your phone still works.
00:16:24
Speaker
you know So taking care of what you have, making it last as long as it possibly can is the most sustainable thing you can do. And that's even saying that there are other, you know and I say this in quotes, sustainable swaps out there for you to buy. And sometimes you don't need that sustainable swap if you already have something that works and does its job. You don't need to throw that away to get something that is considered more sustainable.
00:16:53
Speaker
Absolutely. And it's funny you bring that up because just two weeks ago, my television wouldn't turn on, completely died. And I was like, oh, well, have to buy a new one, which I did because it's a it's pretty much impossible. i don't know if anyone has a television repairman anymore. and that That's generation or two ago, I think, where a man and woman would come around and repair your television And also I Googled the problem it was having and it turned, i forget the term, but it was some kind of backlight board in the television. And even on just Googling around, it said they're only designed to last four or five years.
00:17:31
Speaker
You know they're not built to last any longer. And I hate the fact that I'm taking it to an e-waste place next week, had to buy another one. And it was it was really cheap, which is, of course, in one sense is good, but another of just a i kind of a sad reminder about how disposable these things now are. It's a big television. It was $300. And it in my mind, it should have been a lot more. It was it was a funny kind of transaction replacing this television.
00:18:03
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. That is – it is crazy, really. Yeah, I think, you know, society, we're kind of trained and just used to things being disposable. You know, if you are something breaks, you can just buy another one, especially with things like Amazon. You can overnight ship things, get it same-day shipping, you know, all of these things where I just think, like, you know, people don't think – You know, what's going to happen when I throw this thing away that broke or even come to the conclusion of can I fix what broke? So many people don't even have that thought. And, you know, things like TVs, that's a tricky one. But other things, you know, are fixable. You know, a pair of shoes. You could put a new pair of soles on the bottom of your shoes um and things like that.
00:18:51
Speaker
I always encourage people to, if it breaks, is there a way you can fix it? And sometimes there's not a way for you to fix it and that's fine. But sometimes there is and it's going to be cheaper and you'll be happier because it's cheaper. Absolutely. we I'm thinking again, just I'm kind of going around my own home in my mind and we had our oven repaired um for the for the second time.
00:19:16
Speaker
But the guy did warn us, he said, this will probably be the last time you're going to have to buy another one. They don't last more than 10 to 15 years tops. And it's it's a nice oven. it's you know and it's And it just it just it seems sad to me that they're designed to only last a short period of time, so you have to buy another one. And even the repair guy who would love more of my business, I'm sure, was like, it's just not going to be cost effective to repair this issue again.
00:19:45
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. You know, sometimes you' like you reach a point where it's like, just the pain of it, you know, like the emotional burden of like having to constantly repair things or hope that it turns on that day is enough to be like, Oh, well, let me get a new one.
00:20:01
Speaker
yeah But yeah, no, it's it's cool that um that there are people out there who do repair things like that. And it's kind of a dying art if you think about it. You know, I think of like a shoe cobbler. Like there's really not that many around. And I know we're both in Texas, so I feel like maybe a bit more common here because cowboy boots. Yes, expensive. yeah Yeah, expensive. And people want people to take care of their boots. um But it's definitely like a, you know, a dying art. But I i hope I you know, i always hope that maybe this is something that can come back, especially with things like, you know, AI, which is a whole topic here. But you know, right. um
00:20:44
Speaker
But for people to be like, okay, you know, if if I could focus on a job that's like actually beneficial to other people and like uses my hands to be able to repair things, you know, I could see those coming back at some point.
00:20:57
Speaker
I really hope you're right. And I think you are right. I think I have been guilty, as many of us are, of going, I love the fact that there's a repair place. The shoe, the cobbler, like you said. Yeah. the Even the used bookstore, which Denton has a huge, really great used bookstore. But so many of us go, I wish my town had more of that. I love these things, but then we don't use them.
00:21:20
Speaker
I think it's a trap a lot of us do fall into. Yeah. Yeah, it is a trap. I think a lot of people fall into and i fall into it too. I think sometimes the convenience factor of being able to like buy something and get the immediate gratification of buying it online and getting it shipped to you the next day is, I mean, it makes it so easy. Especially like people with families and children where there's just not extra time to be able to drive across town and go to that repair shop or even just buy it locally. Some people just don't have that luxury and I understand that.
00:21:59
Speaker
But sometimes, you know, it's nice when you can like walk into the local bookstore and support the local bookstore or half price books. Yeah. and be able to buy things secondhand and be able to know that like you're giving something a second life or you're supporting locally rather than like a big corporation. Absolutely. Like something that we we do do, but both my wife and i are in education. We're not exactly wondering what to do with the piles of cash you know floating around our house. But we do go to the farmer's market as often as we can. We'd rather pay, and sometimes we don't pay more, but we'd rather pay a little more for fruits and vegetables from the farmer himself standing there than the big box store. is just It's a tiny thing, but
00:22:44
Speaker
we've got baby steps, right? That's all we, it's what we have to do to start. Yes.
Progress in Sustainability Practices
00:22:48
Speaker
Baby steps, baby steps. Yeah. I mean, sometimes when it comes to starting a sustainability journey, I think a lot of people get overwhelmed and because there's so many aspects to it, you know, like, I mean, we've already talked about so many aspects already that people stop in their tracks, they get overwhelmed and they end up not doing anything. And,
00:23:09
Speaker
I don't feel like people realize there's already doing like going to the farmer's market is already something that is good for the planet inherently because you're supporting local, you're buying seasonally. There are things to this that are a part of sustainability. And even though it may be for you, the term sustainability could be like a big word. Oh, I don't really know what that means. Or like, you know, I always talk to my friends and An example, like I always give. So I talk to my friends and maybe sometimes they'll be like, oh, like I'm not really into sustainability. And I have to to check them a little bit. And I'm like, what do you mean you're not into sustainability? Like we all live on the earth and you like being outside and you like the environment and you enjoy hiking and you enjoy gardening or going to the botanical gardens in your in your city.
00:24:03
Speaker
you're into sustainability you just are too overwhelmed by the one big you know glaring word that you're not allowing yourself to actually sit back and be like you know what actually i do care about the planet and i want to take care of it and i think sometimes when you break it down in a more accessible way people realize that it is important to them but sometimes you know those big words can be a little scary Absolutely. I think it's going to be clear to our audience who are listening to this, you are a positive, you're an upbeat an upbeat person.
00:24:36
Speaker
But I was going to ask you, does this work, just digging into this, you know, seeing what companies do or ah or people do, does it ever get you down? And how do you stay hopeful?
00:24:48
Speaker
Yeah, great question. i do come at it from a very positive aspects because there's been so much progress, like so much progress, even though maybe it doesn't feel like it.
00:25:00
Speaker
And, you know, the big example I always give is plant based milk. You can get so many different kinds of plant-based milk now, but 10 years ago, it was like soy milk or rice milk, and that those were the only options.
00:25:15
Speaker
And that is all based on people caring more and opting for a plant-based option, and therefore companies you know saw where the money was going, and so they then invested and created things like almond milk and oat milk. So there's so much progress, even though that may not be something that like most people would understand as progress, but it is progress. And we're seeing that with like so many other brands, you know, Amazon has launched entirely electric fleets of delivery trucks. And yeah that's a huge step, you know, they are a huge corporation. So there's something to be said for that. But if you look at what they're actually doing, they are trying to make changes. Yeah. And I'm seeing that in a lot of different brands that I've been researching for greenwashing and to see, you know, are they actually sustainable or are they just really good at marketing? And I find that, you know, a few years ago reached researching these brands, I would have been like, oh, total greenwashing.
00:26:12
Speaker
But now when I research them, I'm able to find that they're actually putting steps and effort into making things more sustainable and and more ethical for their practices.
00:26:23
Speaker
And so then I'm starting to find brands that are more in this like weird gray middle ground. But that's progress. even though Absolutely. it takes so long for you to see progress like that. You know, I'm five years into this and it's, I'm just now starting to see a lot of this like work that these brands are putting in. And that is all because people like us care and we choose to, you know, vote with our dollar and support the brands and support the, you know, even sub brands that are more sustainable sustainable.
00:26:58
Speaker
It makes a difference. It does. I love your outlook and your perspective because I think it could beat you down if you didn't look at all the progress that is being made and the good things that are being done. um as As you were talking, I was just thinking a little bit about, I don't know if you've seen it, but Clarkson's Farm.
00:27:16
Speaker
it was a show. I'll try not to. won't go on about too much. Clarkson, Jeremy Clarkson. very famous in the yeah UK, a British television personality, writes for newspapers, yeah a media guy, has been for decades, decades now. um during he owns He lives in London, but owns a farm.
00:27:37
Speaker
And I think he just employed people, it was more of an investment, but he employed people to work the farm so it kind of pay for itself, and that was that. But during COVID, him and his his wife moved to the farm to get out of London during the height of the pandemic, and he truly had his eyes open to what life was like for a farmer. He owned a farm, but he wasn't a farmer. He had no idea about anything. And it's now on its fourth or fifth season, and he has become absolutely passionate about...
00:28:08
Speaker
um you know not importing foods from all over the world when we can grow these foods here. And now he now owns a bar and a restaurant where they only serve food, I think it's a 25 mile radius. Everything has to be grown, even if it's a bit more expensive, has to come from these local farmers. And he is finding people are willing to pay a little bit extra knowing they're directly helping their neighbor.
00:28:32
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. And I'm based in San Antonio and we have some local farms that, you know, have similar programs where you can sign up as a local San Antonio resident to support this farm. And so whatever season, whatever they're able to produce and harvest, be able farm. make a little produce box for you and you can pick it up every week and be able to support one a local farm and two have seasonal fresh produce that was grown in your region and i think that's so cool and i hope to see more of that as it continues absolutely no i couldn't agree more and again i think it's it's a relatively simple step we can make that has great impact on our local community wherever we may be
00:29:18
Speaker
Yeah, definitely. Definitely. I think community is something that people take for granted. And community can be the most impactful way for you to be able to make a difference, right? Even if it's something that feels super small, but we live in a world where like everyone's on the internet. It's easy to like talk to anyone. I mean, we're recording a podcast and we're not even in the same room right now, which is amazing. But I think it allows for people to kind of forget that we also have next door neighbors that can come together. And even if it's just a club where everybody gets together and talks about what's going on in their life, Or if it's, you know, being able to know a friend of a friend who is a farmer or does have a bakery or something where you support local is a huge thing. And i think sometimes social media is amazing, but sometimes also we have to remember there's people right next to us that can help too
00:30:16
Speaker
Absolutely. I could not agree more. As we kind of come around the corner here to the end of recording, I've got three questions I would like to ask you that I have not forewarned you about. The first is success.
Chris's Evolving Definition of Success in Sustainability
00:30:29
Speaker
How is your definition, if indeed it has, your definition of success changed through this journey from perhaps being in college and thinking money, car, whatever it may be, to where you are now?
00:30:43
Speaker
Yeah, success is... always changing really if I really think about it. I think as far as starting a sustainability journey, I went into this thinking I needed to be perfect.
00:30:57
Speaker
I needed to compost everything, recycle everything properly. i needed to buy local produce, only buy organic produce. like I wanted to be like this 100% perfect person. And as I have gotten older, realized that it's not about being perfect. It's about meeting yourself where you're currently at. And being able to do what you can.
00:31:24
Speaker
And that is more than enough. It's more than enough for you to just show up and maybe you can't recycle properly or maybe you're busy and there is not a compost nearby. you know i think those things you have to like be okay with yourself doing or um you know if you needed to buy something from Amazon, for example, and so many of us do. Like that's just what our lifestyle allows for depending on where we're at. If we have a family, if we have kids, like right what we're trying to shop for is not available locally and you have to buy it from a brand like Amazon. And I think just giving yourself grace and and again, meeting yourself where you're at and being okay with that. You have to be okay with not being perfect. And I think for a long time, my perfectionist in me was...
00:32:14
Speaker
Pretty harsh. Pretty harsh. Well, i'm i I love that. Yes, being very comfortable with not being perfect is a great way, a great way to think. ah A book.
00:32:26
Speaker
If I ask you to to think of a book that has been particularly impactful in your life, there might be many, and it might not be, quote unquote, the best book you've ever read, but a book that has been impactful, what would you say?
00:32:40
Speaker
I am a huge reader. I read a lot of fantasy, really. Right. One book I always go back to, and I end up reading it every couple of years, um it's called The Four Agreements.
00:32:53
Speaker
I don't remember the author's name off the top of my head, but that book basically talks about the The four main agreements that if you can adopt these sort of like ideals in your life, you'll be a lot happier with that. And one of those is don't take things personally. And that is something that has sat with me ever since I read the book many, many years ago. And it's still helpful when I read it to this day and I refresh and reread the book. Yeah.
00:33:23
Speaker
you know i It's really easy to someone says something to you and you take it personally. And if you just learn that nothing's personal, you'll be okay and be able to come at any conversation and understand like even though it may be uncomfortable, it's not necessarily like a personal attack on your character or who you are. And that's probably the book that's resonated the most with me throughout my life.
00:33:49
Speaker
I love that what that. I've just scribbled that book down because that sounds like one I need
Dream Conversation: Chris and Jane Goodall
00:33:54
Speaker
to read. My final question for you is, if you could sit down with one person and discuss sustainability and environmentalism and how we can treat the earth better, who would it be and why?
00:34:08
Speaker
Can it be living or dead? It can be living, dead, somebody you know, don't know, famous, not famous, anybody at all. I would love to have a conversation with Jane Goodall. that's I knew as soon as you asked that, that's who it was going to be. Yeah. yeah Yeah. I would love to have a conversation with her. she's just somebody who's lived so much life and has had so much impact that I feel like she'd be somebody you could learn a lot from.
00:34:33
Speaker
i couldn't agree more. Now, Chris, if people want to reach out to you, if they want to find out more about sustainability, ask you questions, where can people find you?
Engage with Chris on Social Media
00:34:44
Speaker
Yeah, um you can find me on Instagram, TikTok, and even YouTube. ah My channel is Krystalyn Geyer, which is just my first and last name.
00:34:53
Speaker
And i talk about all things mind, body, and planet. I try to bridge sustainability with everyday life. So if that is of interest to you, you can always find me there. And if you ever have any questions, I'm always open. You can email me. You can DM me. I try to respond to everything that I can see. So I'm i'm here. I'm a resource for for anybody interested.
00:35:14
Speaker
I love it. with Chris, limp you've been an inspiration over this last 30 minutes. or So thank you so much for your time today. Yeah, of course. Thank you so much for having me.
00:35:26
Speaker
Thank you again to this week's guest and I hope today's episode was as enjoyable for you as it was for me and perhaps even inspired your next adventure. If you did enjoy the show, please be sure to subscribe, leave a review or follow us wherever you get your podcasts. You can find more information at theoutdoorsyeducator.com or follow us on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook. Until next time, thank you so much for listening to The Outdoorsy Educator Podcast.