The Sustainable Angler

Latest Episodes:

EP 93. Fly Fishing, Music, Art, & Sustainability | Inside Soul Fly Lodge & Soul Fly Charleston with Alec "Griz" Griswold Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a fly fishing lodge co-founder decides the community needs more than just great water and great guides? You get Soul Fly Co. — and an event that might just change how the fly fishing world thinks about gathering.

In this episode, host and Emerger Strategies founder, Rick Crawford, sits down with Alec "Griz" Griswold, co-founder of Soul Fly Co. and Soul Fly Lodge. Griz, alongside partners Kitri and Kyle Schaefer, is building something genuinely different: live music events designed specifically for the fly fishing community — events that celebrate the culture, protect the resource, and bring people together in a meaningful way.

We cover how Griz got into the lodge business, the sustainability steps Soul Fly Lodge has taken on their journey, and a deep dive into Soul Fly Charleston — a fly fishing, music, and art event taking place May 16th at The Refinery in Charleston, SC, with proceeds benefiting Charleston Waterkeeper.

Emerger Strategies recently partnered with Soul Fly Co. to develop a comprehensive Sustainable Event Plan for Soul Fly Charleston, establishing a framework to measure and improve the event's environmental and community impact — including ambitious goals around zero waste, local sourcing, and community engagement.

If you care about the future of fly fishing, the places we fish, and the communities built around them, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

How Griz, Kitry, & Kyle built Soul Fly Lodge and why sustainability became a priority
The origin story of Soul Fly Co. and its live music + fly fishing events
How Soul Fly Lodge is measuring and improving its sustainability performance
What goes into a Sustainable Event Plan — and why it matters
Soul Fly Charleston's zero waste and community impact goals
How to support Charleston Waterkeeper by attending May 16th

Learn more: soulflyco.com | Follow Soul Fly Co. on Instagram Get tickets to Soul Fly Charleston: May 16 · The Refinery · Charleston, SC

Sponsors:

This episode is brought you by: A New Earth Project, the sustainability initiative of Atlantic Packaging, Emerger Strategies, and Ecolytics (don't forget to mention The Sustainable Angler for a discount off your first year's subscription!)

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

EP 92. How B-Corp Certification & Sustainability Data Can Transform Your Fishing Brand | Hazel Horvath of Ecolytics Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

What does it actually take for a fishing or outdoor brand to become B-Corp certified — and how do you prove your sustainability claims without greenwashing? In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host and Emerger Strategies Founder, Rick Crawford, is joined by Hazel Horvath, Founder and CEO of Ecolytics, a software platform built to solve one of the biggest challenges facing brands today: sustainability data management.

Hazel breaks down how Ecolytics helps companies streamline the B-Corp certification process by organizing and substantiating the data that certifications require — making it easier, faster, and more credible. They also dig into why major retailers are now holding brands accountable for measuring & improving sustainability performance, and what that means for the fishing and outdoor industry.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What B-Corp certification really means and why it matters for fishing and outdoor brands
How sustainability data software like Ecolytics helps eliminate greenwashing risk
Why retailers are demanding measurable sustainability metrics from the brands they carry
How anglers can use certifications like 1% for the Planet and B-Corp to make smarter, more values-aligned purchasing decisions
How The Sustainable Angler, Ecolytics, and Emerger Strategies have partnered to help brands pursue B-Corp certification more efficiently

Special Offer: If your brand is ready to pursue B-Corp certification, reach out to Rick Crawford directly or mention The Sustainable Angler for a discount off your first year's Ecolytics subscription.

Whether you're a brand trying to back up your sustainability story with real data, or an angler who wants your gear purchases to mean something — this episode is for you.

Sponsors:

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

EP 91. Why Public Lands Advocacy Matters for Anglers and Outdoor Brands | Keith Shattenkirk of Patagonia Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host and Emerger Strategies Founder, Rick Crawford, sits down with Keith Shattenkirk, Program Officer for Healthy Lands & Waters at Patagonia. Keith shares the fascinating story of how he transitioned from a career in finance to working on the frontlines of conservation for one of the most influential outdoor companies in the world.

They dive into some of the biggest conservation challenges facing anglers and outdoor enthusiasts today—including ongoing threats to America’s public lands like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. We discuss why these places matter not just for recreation, but also for the small businesses and the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy that supports our public lands.

The conversation also explores the power of advocacy—why contacting your elected officials about our public lands matters now more than ever—and how the outdoor industry can play a meaningful role in protecting the landscapes and waters that sustain it.

Keith also explains why outdoor brands should consider joining The Conservation Alliance, a coalition of companies working together to fund and support grassroots conservation efforts across North America.

Finally, Keith shares what gives him hope for the future of our lands, waters, and fisheries—and why anglers are uniquely positioned to be some of the most powerful voices for conservation.

Take Action: Visit Patagonia Action Works to advocate for our public lands.

If you care about wild fish, public lands, and the future of outdoor recreation, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Sponsors:

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

EP 90. There’s No Such Thing as a Green Product (Only Greener Ones) | Al Iannuzzi on Sustainable Product Strategy Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host and Emerger Strategies Founder, Rick Crawford, sits down with sustainability pioneer, author, and veteran Al Iannuzzi, to discuss what it really takes to build greener products—and why making improvements is only half the battle.

Al, author of Greener Products: The Making & Marketing of Sustainable Brands, shares insights from decades of experience helping companies design, improve, and market more sustainable products. We explore the three pillars of his work:

The business case for greener products
How to actually make greener products
How to market them with credibility and confidence

One of the biggest takeaways? There’s no such thing as a “green” product—only greener ones. Sustainability is about continuous improvement, not perfection.

Al explains why the number one thing brands can do today is understand the full lifecycle impact of their products—from raw material extraction and ethical sourcing to end-of-life. For fishing and outdoor brands especially, this lifecycle lens is essential.

We also discuss:

Why communicating your sustainability improvements is just as important as making them
How market leaders like Walmart and REI have driven major change by asking brands to measure and improve performance
Why proactive brands need an “emerging issues process” to stay ahead of future regulations
How circular economy thinking is reshaping product design
Why CEOs shouldn’t let the perfect get in the way of the good

Al also shares a personal story about how fishing—and the legacy of Jacques Cousteau—inspired his lifelong appreciation for God’s beautiful world and his career in sustainability.

If you’re a brand leader, sustainability professional, or outdoor industry executive looking to turn sustainability into a strategic advantage—not just a compliance exercise—this episode is packed with practical wisdom.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to build greener products, communicate your progress effectively, and embrace sustainability as the journey it truly is.

Sponsors:

This episode is brought you you by: A New Earth Project, the sustainability initiative of Atlantic Packaging, Emerger Strategies, and Ecolytics (don't forget to mention The Sustainable Angler for a discount off your first year's subscription!)

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

EP 89. Waste Audits, Public Lands, PFAS & Avoiding Greenwashing with Meg Careny Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

What if one simple habit after your next camping or fishing trip could dramatically reduce your environmental impact?

In this powerful episode of The Sustainable Angler, host and Emerger Strategies Founder, Rick Crawford, sits down with Meg Carney, founder of The Outdoor Minimalist, to explore practical, honest, and hopeful solutions for protecting the places we love. Meg shares how conducting a personal waste audit after your outdoor adventures can uncover hidden waste and help you make smarter, lower-impact choices moving forward.

We also dive into urgent threats facing our public lands—including a proposed copper sulfide mine at the headwaters of the Boundary Waters. This is an action moment. Listeners are encouraged to contact their Senators and oppose HJ Res 140,the bill that would undo the 20-year mining ban near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

ACTION ALERT! Call your Senators TODAY (2/9/26)! Save the Boundary Waters has an excellent call script which takes less than a minute to protect our public lands and waters!

From there, the conversation turns to PFAS in the outdoor industry, highlighting brands working to eliminate these harmful “forever chemicals,” and a candid discussion about greenwashing—how to spot it, avoid it, and build real trust. Rick explains how tools like REI’s Product Impact Standards can guide brands toward transparency and authentic sustainability, and Meg shares the red flags she looks for—like missing sustainability pages or reports.

We close on a hopeful note: what’s giving Meg optimism about the future of outdoor stewardship, responsible brands, and a more sustainable industry.

If you care about clean water, honest sustainability, and protecting wild places for future generations, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How to conduct a simple waste audit after your next outdoor trip
Why the Boundary Waters mining proposal matters—and how to take action
The truth about PFAS in outdoor gear and who’s leading change
How to recognize and avoid greenwashing in the outdoor industry
Practical tools brands can use to build authentic sustainability
Reasons for hope in the future of conservation and outdoor recreation

Take Action:
Call your U.S. Senators today and urge them to oppose HJ Res 140 to protect the Boundary Waters.

Connect with Meg Carney:
The Outdoor Minimalist

Subscribe & Follow:
Follow The Sustainable Angler for conversations at the intersection of conservation, responsible business, and the future of the outdoors.

Sponsors:

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

EP 88. Making the Business Case for Sustainability with Bob Willard Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, host and Emerger Strategies Founder, Rick Crawford, is joined by sustainability expert, author, and speaker Bob Willard, one of the world’s leading voices on making the business case for sustainability.

Bob shares his journey from the corporate world into sustainability leadership and unpacks key insights from his book, The Sustainability Advantage. We dive into how sustainability drives real business value—from reducing operating expenses and attracting and retaining top talent to what may be the most overlooked benefit of all: risk avoidance.

We also explore how brands can use cost–benefit analysis to evaluate sustainability projects, and Bob walks through his open-source tools, including the Basic Sustainability Assessment Tool, Advanced Sustainability Assessment Tool, the Future-Fit Business Benchmark, and the role of B Corps, where Bob serves as an advisor.

Along the way, we swap sustainability success stories, discuss the most underestimated advantages of sustainability, why sustainability feels so overwhelming for so many businesses, and—importantly—what gives Bob hope for the future.

If you’re a fishing or outdoor brand trying to cut through the noise, reduce risk, and build a stronger, more resilient business, this conversation will give you clarity, confidence, and practical next steps.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

Bridging the Gap Between Nature-Based Solutions and Business: A Special Collaborative Episode with Dr. Elizabeth Fly of The Nature Conservancy & Conversing with Nature Podcast Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

In this special crossover episode, we dive into some of the most essential—and urgent—topics facing our coasts and our communities. We kick things off with climate change and ocean acidification before breaking down what nature-based solutions really are, including real-world examples like living shorelines and how businesses can be part of the climate solution by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.

Dr. Elizabeth Fly, Director of Resilience & Ocean Conservation at The Nature Conservancy and host of the podcast Conversing with Nature, shares insights on ecosystem resilience and the climate impacts already reshaping South Carolina’s coast. We discuss sea level rise, stronger hurricanes, heavier rainfall, droughts, urban heat, and what these changes mean for the places we love.

We also explore sustainable business, the Fly Fishing Climate Alliance, and Emerger Strategies’ newest service: Nature Strategy & Science-Based Targets for Nature. Elizabeth and I talk through the growing challenges tied to South Carolina’s rapid population growth and the urgent need for long-term planning. And finally, she takes us inside some of her fascinating climate research and the work happening on the ground to build a more resilient future.

This episode was an absolute blast to record and is packed with valuable takeaways for conservationists, business leaders, anglers, and anyone who cares about the future of our coastal communities.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

EP 86. Protecting Public Lands & Nature with Paul Hendricks from The Conservation Alliance Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

This is a special episode of The Sustainable Angler because Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and I’ve been reflecting on what I’m most grateful for this year. Nature is right at the top of that list. Over the past year, I’ve been inspired by books like Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Carbon by Paul Hawken, and my wife and I have made a point to get our kids outside—camping, hiking, fishing, and surfing. Experiencing the healing power of nature has made me even more concerned about what’s happening to America’s public lands and even more proud that Emerger Strategies is a member of The Conservation Alliance, which helps protect them.

That’s why I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Paul Hendricks, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance. In this episode, we discuss:

Paul’s sustainability journey through Patagonia and Rivian
The history and mission of The Conservation Alliance
How the Brands for Public Lands coalition has grown to 150+ companies
Why the Roadless Rule is essential for protecting wild places
The ecological importance of removing the Snake River Dams
How 1% for the Planet and The Conservation Alliance act as force multipliers for conservation
Why brands need a nature strategy in today’s changing world
What gives Paul hope for the future of public lands and biodiversity

And before we get started, I just want to say thank you. I’m truly grateful that you take the time to listen to this podcast. I hope these conversations inspire you to take action for nature. If you’re enjoying the show, a quick, free way to support it is by leaving a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

If you care about conservation, sustainability, public lands, or building a brighter future for nature, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

EP 85. Fighting for the ACE Basin: Stopping the Methane Megaproject with Belvin Olasov Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with Belvin Olasov, Director of the Charleston Climate Coalition, a grassroots organization of passionate Lowcountry citizens working to accelerate local climate solutions through creativity, compassion, and community action.

We dive deep into the Coalition’s incredible work — from developing Climate Action Plans for the Town of James Island and Charleston County, to building rain gardens, planting native species, and advocating for better transportation infrastructure like safer bike lanes downtown.

But the heart of this conversation focuses on a critical environmental fight: stopping Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper’s proposed methane gas plant on the Edisto River, and the dangerous pipeline route planned through the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge — one of the largest undeveloped wetland ecosystems left on the Atlantic coast.

Belvin explains how this outdated, $2 billion fossil fuel project threatens wildlife like the red-cockaded woodpecker, bald eagle, wood stork, loggerhead turtle, and shortnose sturgeon, while locking South Carolina into decades of greenhouse gas emissions — all paid for by you, the ratepayer.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone who loves South Carolina’s wild places, believes in clean energy, and wants to make a difference.

Take action: Visit www.charlestonclimatecoalition.org/dominion-energy
to sign the petition and help protect the ACE Basin from this destructive project.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

EP 84. Action Is the Antidote to Despair: Charlotte Ward on Climate Hope Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

In this inspiring episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with Charlotte Ward, Communications and Media Manager at Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) — the “best lobbyists money can’t buy.”

Charlotte shares how CCL empowers everyday citizens to meet with members of Congress, build bipartisan support for climate solutions, and advance policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions — including clean energy permitting reform and the Fix Our Forests Act.

We dive into the power of storytelling in driving climate action, why “action is the antidote to despair,” and how spending time in nature can help us recharge and stay hopeful in the fight against climate change. Charlotte also shares how switching to an electric vehicle (EV) and installing solar panels has helped her family save money and lower their carbon footprint, plus practical tips for writing a powerful letter to the editor that can influence local and national conversations.

Charlotte also highlights an exciting opportunity to get involved: CCL’s Fall Virtual Conference taking place November 14–15, 2025, followed by Virtual Lobby Week (Nov. 17–21) — a chance for anyone to take meaningful climate action from anywhere in the country.

If you care about climate solutions, sustainability, and protecting the places you love, this episode will remind you that your story — and your voice — matter.

🎧 Tune in and learn how ordinary people are creating extraordinary impact at www.emergerstrategies.com/podcast

Special thanks to Charlotte for all she does and to CCL for providing the resources to train citizens to take climate action! Thanks for listening!

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

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