In this episode of Sustainable Steps, Tami Koenigs and Jacob Heller dive into the organization that makes what you're hearing possible.

Cari Gehling, with the Gilchrist Foundation, talks about the incredible impact of Jocelyn Gilchrist's legacy on Sioux City and beyond.

Hear the fascinating history of the foundation - born out of the Sioux City livestock industry.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Wild Side: Discover the foundation's work with the Broken Kettle Grasslands, bison herds and native prairie restoration.

• A Lifeline for the Arts: How the foundation supports everything from the Sioux City Symphony to providing free music lessons for local students.

• Responsive Giving: The story behind Jocelyn Gilchrist's anonymous philanthropy and the foundation's "Micro-Grant" program for quick-turnaround community help.

Find out more about the Gilchrist Foundation at: gilchristfoundation.org.

Learn about Goodwill's Job Training and Placement programs at: goodwillgreatplains.org.

The Sustainable Steps podcast is made possible due to a generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation.

Does your business need to wear a smart watch?

In this episode of Sustainable Steps, Tami Koenigs and Jacob Heller talk with Tanner from Praxora Energy, a new Sioux City company that's changing how commercial buildings view their utility bills.

Did you know many businesses can waste up to 30% of the energy they pay for? With monitoring technology like the 'ENEscope,' Praxora can help businesses identify exactly where energy is being used - or abused!

In this episode, we'll learn:

• The Power of Scheduling: How simple shifts in HVAC timing can save money.

• Net-Zero, Step One: Why monitoring is an essential first step before investing in solar power or other major infrastructure projects.

Looking to stop money from "leaking out the back door" and find some great tips you can use at home, too? Give Sustainable Steps a listen today!

Find out more about Praxora Energy at: praxoraenergy.com.

What programs and services does Goodwill of the Great Plains offer? Find out at: goodwillgreatplains.org.

The Sustainable Steps podcast is made possible due to a generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation.

You open the fridge. The "best buy" date on the snack you're craving is today. What do you do?

If you've ever wondered how long your food actually lasts after the date stamped on the package - this episode of Sustainable Steps is for you!

Jacob Heller and Tami Koenig sit down with Jacob Wanderscheid, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Siouxland, to get an inside look at this logistical powerhouse, serving people in 11 counties across Northwest Iowa and Northeast Nebraska.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Food Rescue: How the Food Bank prevents thousands of pounds of waste by "rescuing" perfectly good food.

• Decoding Dates: The truth behind "Sell By," "Best By," and "Use By" labels - and why your nose can be a better judge than the date on the can.

• Innovative Nutrition: From lentil meat substitutes to chickpea mousse and more - learn how the Food Bank uses education and recipes to make healthy staples accessible and delicious.

The Sustainable Steps podcast is made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation.

Stay up to date with the Foodbank of Siouxland at siouxlandfoodbank.org or facebook.com/FoodBankSiouxland.

To learn more about the job training and placement programs offered by Goodwill of the Great Plains, please visit goodwillgreatplains.org.

Don't know if an item is recyclable? There's an app for that!

And it's all thanks to a Sioux Falls company!

Tami & Jake talk with Shannon Dwire from Millennium Recycling about how this single-stream materials recovery facility is working to put an end to "wish-cycling" and get you in the know when it comes to sustainability.

In this episode, we'll learn:

• The Peanut Butter Jar Rule: How clean does it actually have to be before it hits the recycling bin?
• Defining Wish-cycling: What it is and how it makes sustainability harder to achieve?
• Going Green on the Go: How a simple app can help you know what can and can't be recycled!

Find out more about Millennium Recycling by visiting this website: millenniumrecycling.com.

Find out more about Goodwill and its programs by visiting: goodwillgreatplains.org

The Sustainable Steps Podcast is made possible thanks to a generous grant from The Gilchrist Foundation.

Can thrifted finds spark a lifelong love for sustainability?

Jill Risdal thinks so.

This week on the Sustainable Steps podcast, Tami & Jake explore how this Sioux City Family and Consumer Sciences teacher works sustainability into her lesson plans by combining sewing, thrifting and creativity.

The Sustainable Steps podcast is made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation.

Millions of pounds, thousands of trees and hundreds of jobs - at Goodwill the numbers add up!

In this episode of the Sustainable Steps podcast, Tami & Jake dive into the data to break down Goodwill's community impact, from "concert crowd-sized" success stories to "school buses" full of donations.

In this episode you'll discover -

• Preserving Paper: How many trees worth of paper Goodwill's GoodShred recycles each year (think forest!)
• Career Catch: How many thousands of people found economic sustainability thanks to Goodwill's programs in 2025.

Goodwill's Sustainable Steps podcast is made possible through a generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation.

To find out more about Goodwill's recycling efforts and job training programs, please visit goodwillgreatplains.org.

Sustainability is about more than just the environment - it's about the people living on it, too!

Tami & Jake talk with Mitch Kulawik, Work Services Director at Goodwill of the Great Plains, to find out how job training and community supported employment help people grow confidence and sustain their lives.

In this episode of Sustainable Steps, we'll find out:

Career Paths: What careers Goodwill can help you find

Virtual Reality: How virtual reality can help you find a career you'd love - and rule out the ones you don't.

Endless Options: From auto mechanics to knee surgeons, there's a career for everyone!

The Sustainable Steps podcast is made possible through a generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation.

Find out more about Goodwill of the Great Plains at https://www.goodwillgreatplains.org

Your HDMI cable is frayed and your blender has seen better days - but before you throw your old electronics in the trash, did you know you can recycle them?

In this episode of Sustainable Steps, Tami & Jake talk with Ben Esquivel of ERS Electronic Recycling Services, LLC in South Sioux City.

Ben's team specializes in breaking down unwanted tech so components can be reused, repurposed and kept out of the landfill.

In this episode, you'll learn:

- What items are eligible for recycling.

- How much of your old "junk" can actually be reclaimed.

- Why even battery-free devices pose an environmental risk if left to rot in a landfill.

For more information on ERS Electronic Recycling Services, LLC, please visit this website https://ersewaste.com/

Find out more at https://www.goodwillgreatplains.org.

The Sustainable Steps podcast is made possible due to a generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation.