Do Beautiful Things

Jenny Lawson
  • 5.0 (9)
  • NATURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Do Beautiful Things

Welcome to Do Beautiful Things, a podcast hosted by Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. In this podcast we will discuss ending litter, the truth behind recycling, and enhancing communities to create a more sustainable and beautiful future. Our engaging discussions are not just interviews; they are insightful conversations that illuminate the path to a greener tomorrow.

  1. Paterson is Picking Up: How One NJ Mayor is Tackling Litter and Restoring Communities

    3D AGO

    Paterson is Picking Up: How One NJ Mayor is Tackling Litter and Restoring Communities

    In this podcast episode of Do Beautiful Things, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, spotlights the extraordinary impact of local leadership and civic pride in creating cleaner, more vibrant communities. We travel to Paterson, New Jersey—a city leading by example—where Mayor Andre Sayegh shares how Paterson is transforming its approach to litter, waste management, and neighborhood revitalization. Mayor Sayegh joins the conversation to discuss innovative initiatives like weekly neighborhood cleanups, a clean commercial corridor program, and the community’s fight against illegal dumping. Learn how Paterson’s commitment to the Keep America Beautiful Greatest American Cleanup campaign is not just a government effort but a collective movement uniting residents across one of New Jersey’s most diverse cities. Listen in as we uncover the powerful ripple effects of investing in parks, public spaces, and historic restoration, from reducing crime and fires to fostering a sense of shared pride and safety. Mayor Sayegh and Jenny reflect on how even modest improvements can inspire entire communities to take action—proving that when we come together, we can truly do beautiful things. Tune in to hear more inspiring stories, practical solutions, and discover how you can be a part of the Greatest American Cleanup by July 4, 2026, in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Join us as we work together to keep our communities clean, welcoming, and full of possibilities. Quotes: “People may view keeping their community clean as a spectator sport — but it’s not. Everybody has to be in the game.” “Our approach is about the three E's — education, engagement, and enforcement. We want people who live in Paterson to understand the importance of keeping their community clean.” — Mayor Andre Sayegh, Paterson, New Jersey Show Notes: 00:00 "Empowering Communities: A Litter-Free Movement" 06:11 Addressing Nationwide Tire Dumping Issues 09:35 Urban Green Spaces and Community Renewal 11:50 Addressing Urban Heat with Innovations 14:12 New Jersey's Pivotal Revolutionary Role Show Links: Greatest American Cleanup: https://kab.org/greatest-american-cleanup/

    17 min
  2. Building a More Beautiful Future: Pennsylvania’s Role in America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration

    JUL 1

    Building a More Beautiful Future: Pennsylvania’s Role in America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration

    In this episode of Do Beautiful Things, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, highlights the incredible opportunity ahead as the United States approaches its 250th birthday in 2026. Jenny is joined by Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA, who shares her inspiring journey from one of the nation’s youngest female mayors to leading Pennsylvania’s efforts in celebrating this historic milestone. Together, they discuss Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in America’s story, the statewide volunteer projects transforming communities, and how the state is contributing to Keep America Beautiful’s ambitious goal of picking up 25 billion pieces of litter and beautifying 25,000 communities through a partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. Cassandra highlights how public service and intergenerational engagement—from parents to children—are driving these efforts. Programs like Pennsylvania Day, community art initiatives, and the Direct Effect Innovation Challenge are connecting people of all ages to the power and purpose of beautification. Tune in for uplifting stories, practical ways to get involved, and a behind-the-scenes look at how states are preparing for the country’s 250th anniversary—plus, discover why music, volunteerism, and local pride are at the heart of this nationwide movement. To learn more or get involved with the Greatest American Cleanup and other America 250 initiatives, visit kab.org or america250pa.org. Don’t miss this opportunity to help build a cleaner, greener, more beautiful future—listen to the full episode today! Show Notes: 00:00 Celebrating America250: Cleanup & Legacy 03:15 Legacy of Political Inspiration 06:44 "Engaging Youth in Community History" 10:09 Pennsylvania Day Volunteer Initiative 15:25 Nationwide Innovation and Local Initiatives 16:52 Retaining Pennsylvania Talent Challenge 20:30 Public-Private Partnerships: Funding Solutions 23:36 "Optimistic Vision for a Greener Future"

    25 min
  3. Planting Seeds of Service: Lucinda Robb on Family Legacy, Civic Engagement, and the Beauty That Builds Community

    MAY 9

    Planting Seeds of Service: Lucinda Robb on Family Legacy, Civic Engagement, and the Beauty That Builds Community

    In this special Mother’s Day episode of the Do Beautiful Things podcast, host Jenny Lawson—President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful—celebrates the legacy and lasting impact of strong women: mothers, grandmothers, and the generations they inspire. Jenny is joined by Lucinda Robb—writer, educator, and granddaughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson—for a heartfelt conversation about family, service, and civic beauty. Lucinda shares moving stories of her family’s commitment to “paying God’s rent” through acts of service, her grandmother’s visionary environmental work, and how beauty and nature can be powerful tools for building healthier, more connected communities. Together, they explore the inspiration behind Keep America Beautiful’s Greatest American Cleanup, the practical roots of Lady Bird Johnson’s beautification movement, and how engaging children in community action can plant the seeds for a brighter future. From playful recycling games to neighborhood cleanups, this episode offers simple, meaningful ways for everyone to get involved—no matter where they live. Tune in to discover how honoring those who came before us can inspire a life of service, joy, and lasting impact. Quotes: “She (Lady Bird Johnson) talked very often… that she was paying the rent for the space she took up on the planet. You know, she was paying God’s rent. And she really believed that. And I think it motivated her and it also gave her a lot of joy.” - Lucinda Robb, Granddaughter of Lyndon B. and Lady Bird Johnson Show Notes: 00:00 Legacy of Strong Women05:23 Rebuilding Social Capital Together08:18 Grandmother's Selfless Community Service10:45 Depth Beyond Perception15:00 GW Parkway's Beautiful Transformation17:21 Trees Combat Violence20:34 "Teaching Kids Philanthropy"25:39 "Promoting Public Good: A Family Tradition"28:11 "Celebrating Communities and Mother's Day" Show Links: Greatest American Cleanup: https://kab.org/greatest-american-cleanup/Reducing Heart Disease with Trees: https://kab.org/reducing-heart-disease-with-trees-louisville-tree-planting-project-shows-positive-results/Green Heart Louisville: https://greenheartlouisville.com/The Greening Effect - Reducing Gun Violence and Creating Safer Neighborhoods: how-green-spaces-reduce-crime-and-enhance-community-unityGun Violence Reduction Study Analysis: https://www.kibi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/KIB-GreenSpace-Gun-Violence-Reduction-Study.pdfJoin or Die (Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/title/81746809

    29 min
  4. Pollinator Power: How Native Plants Like Oaks and Milkweeds Keep Nature Buzzing

    MAY 1

    Pollinator Power: How Native Plants Like Oaks and Milkweeds Keep Nature Buzzing

    In this episode of Do Beautiful Things, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful®, welcomes renowned ecologist, author, and co-founder of Homegrown National Park, Dr. Doug Tallamy, for an inspiring conversation on the vital role native plants play in restoring our nation’s ecosystems. As planting season blooms across the country, Dr. Tallamy shares his expert advice on how homeowners, renters, and even apartment dwellers can help protect pollinators, support wildlife, and build resilient landscapes—right in their own backyards or on their balconies. He reveals the incredible impact of simple choices—from planting oak trees and milkweed to reducing lawn space and managing light pollution—on the health of birds, insects, and the entire environment. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this episode offers practical, accessible tips that empower everyone to make a difference—no matter where you live. Discover how you can be part of the solution to biodiversity loss, and why planting native is one of the most beautiful things you can do for your community and the planet. Tune in to the full episode to learn more, find out how to choose the right plants for your area, and get inspired to join the Greatest American Cleanup™ initiative and pledge to plant native this spring. Links: Keep America Beautiful: kab.orgGreatest American Cleanup: kab.org/greatestHomegrown National Park: homegrownnationalpark.org Show Notes: 00:00 Plant Native, Beautify America06:26 Insect Specialization on Native Plants 07:29 Plants: Beyond Decoration, Essential Roles 12:23 Urban Gardening and Education 15:42 Reducing Light Pollution for Insects 17:16 Empowering Individual Environmental Actions 20:37 Embrace Native Planting for Change

    22 min
  5. Reel it In for the Reefs: Saving Florida’s Reefs One Cleanup at a Time

    APR 22

    Reel it In for the Reefs: Saving Florida’s Reefs One Cleanup at a Time

    In this episode of “Do Beautiful Things,” host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, shines a spotlight on the extraordinary impact of local action and environmental stewardship along Florida’s vibrant reef-lined coast. Joining Jenny is Anna Bennett, founder of Reel it in for the Reefs, an annual underwater cleanup initiative inspired by her compassion for sea turtles like Bella, a hawksbill rescued from a life-threatening fishing line entanglement. Anna shares how a single act of care ignited South Florida’s largest reef cleanup in history, rallying divers, charter boats, and volunteers to remove hundreds of pounds of fishing line, plastic, and marine debris from vital habitats. Together, Jenny and Anna discuss the preventable dangers marine life face, the power of community-driven change, and how every individual—whether a fisher, diver, or coastal resident—can make a meaningful difference for our oceans and wildlife. As part of the Greatest American Cleanup, Reel it in for the Reefs exemplifies what can happen when people come together to protect the places and creatures they love. Tune in to this inspiring episode to hear Anna’s journey from local diver to community leader, discover tips for responsible fishing and underwater stewardship, and find out how you can support reef cleanups in your area. Episode Links: Keep America Beautiful: https://kab.org/Greatest American Cleanup: https://kab.org/greatest-american-cleanup/Reel it in for the Reefs: https://reelitinforthereefs.org/National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation: https://savetheseaturtle.org/ Show Notes: 00:00 Reel it in for Reefs04:24 Turtles Endangered by Fishing Line07:46 Underwater Reef Cleanup Initiative12:57 Protecting Reefs and Sea Turtles14:00 Responsible Fishing: Reel in Your Line17:14 "Americans Unite for a Greener Future"

    18 min
  6. Trashercize and Education: Innovative Approaches to Litter Cleanup in Tennessee

    APR 18

    Trashercize and Education: Innovative Approaches to Litter Cleanup in Tennessee

    In this episode of Do Beautiful Things, Jenny Lawson talks with Missy Marshall, the Executive Director of Keep Tennessee Beautiful, a Keep America Beautiful state affiliate, to explore the impactful efforts happening across Tennessee in the fight against litter. They discuss the Greatest American Cleanup™️ campaign, innovative programs like Trashercize, and the power of education and community engagement in fostering a cleaner, more sustainable future. Tune in to hear how Tennesseans are uniting to make a real difference, one small action at a time. Show Links Greatest American Cleanup: https://kab.org/greatest-american-cleanup/ Keep America Beautiful: https://kab.org/ Keep Tennessee Beautiful: https://www.keeptnbeautiful.org/ Trashercise: https://www.keeptnbeautiful.org/trashercise Show Notes: 00:00 Unifying Tennessee Through Environmental Stewardship 04:33 Tennessee River Flood Debris Impact 07:29 History of Keep Tennessee Beautiful 11:43 Inspiring Future Leaders Through Education 14:50 Youth Innovation in Environmental Action 18:10 "Keep Tennessee Beautiful Campaign Launch" 22:24 "Leadership Through Active Participation" 25:07 Celebrating to Change Behavior 28:33 "Do Beautiful Things: Inspired Action"

    30 min
  7. NASA's LunaRecycle Challenge: Exploring Space Sustainability

    APR 7

    NASA's LunaRecycle Challenge: Exploring Space Sustainability

    In this thrilling episode of "Do Beautiful Things," hosts Jenny Lawson and Jennifer Edmunson take listeners on a journey beyond our planet, exploring the innovative LunaRecycle Challenge spearheaded by NASA. This groundbreaking competition is set to revolutionize recycling by challenging inventors to design systems that maximize resource utilization during space missions—transforming waste into valuable assets for future exploration. Jenny Lawson, the President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, sits down with Jennifer Edmunson, Acting Program Manager for NASA Centennial Challenges, who brings her expertise in Earth and Planetary Sciences to the table. Together, they delve into the intricacies of sustaining human life on the lunar surface through recycling innovations, tackling unique challenges such as extreme vacuums and thermal swings on the Moon. From the digital designs to hardware prototypes, discover how these lunar projects could inspire and enhance our recycling efforts here on Earth. Could the solutions forged in the vacuum of space lead to more sustainable communities and potentially revolutionize waste management on our own planet? Listen to this podcast episode to find out! Stay tuned for insights into the future of recycling, both in space and in our backyards. To dive even deeper into how innovation is shaping a more sustainable future, visit lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu. Join us on our mission to keep our planet and beyond, clean and vibrant. Show Notes: 00:00 "Lunar Recycling Challenge" 04:44 Lunar Recycling Challenge 07:08 Innovative Food Packaging Recycling Solutions 10:36 "Break the Ice Lunar Challenge" 15:21 Sustainable Off-Planet Living Costs 19:18 NASA's Moon to Mars Strategy 21:24 "Inspiring Space and Earth Cleanup"

    23 min
  8. Breaking Down Barriers: What Holds Us Back from Picking Up Litter?

    MAR 20

    Breaking Down Barriers: What Holds Us Back from Picking Up Litter?

    In this episode of the “Do Beautiful Things podcast,” Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful speaks with Wendy Salomon from The Harris Poll about their latest research on litter—commissioned by Keep America Beautiful. They explore key insights, including why people avoid picking up litter (hint: the ‘gross factor’ tops the list), what motivates people to join cleanup events, and surprising findings on how litter compares to other unpleasant tasks—like cleaning the bathroom. Tune in to discover what drives people to take action and what could encourage even more participation in keeping our communities clean and beautiful. Show Notes: 00:00 "Exploring Litter Responsibility" 03:54 "Strategic Insights for Effective Action" 06:24 Picking Up Litter Mostly Tolerable 10:15 Litter Clean-Up Divide 16:24 Engaging Gen Z in Community 18:12 "Litter Cleanup: A Unifying Act" 22:44 "Motivation Through Community for Gen Z" 26:39 "Preventing and Addressing Littering" 27:21 Litter Responsibility Debate 31:05 Join the Greatest American Cleanup Show Links: The Harris Poll: www.theharrispoll.comKeep America Beautiful: kab.orgGreatest American Cleanup: kab.org/greatest

    32 min
See All (27)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Welcome to Do Beautiful Things, a podcast hosted by Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. In this podcast we will discuss ending litter, the truth behind recycling, and enhancing communities to create a more sustainable and beautiful future. Our engaging discussions are not just interviews; they are insightful conversations that illuminate the path to a greener tomorrow.

Information

  • Creator
    Jenny Lawson
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Keep America Beautiful
  • Show Website
    Do Beautiful Things

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada