What does it truly mean to live with intention—from the food we eat, to the candles we burn, to how we heal our inner child? This week on The Big Silence, Karena sits down with sustainable living expert and “EcoBabe” Monica Richards for an eye-opening, heart-filling conversation about how sustainability is more than composting—it's a lifestyle of reverence, joy, and healing. Monica shares her journey from a farm girl in Michigan to a TV host, interior designer, and now powerful advocate for the planet and our mental wellness. From practical eco-hacks to personal stories of spiritual alchemy and boundary-setting, this episode is packed with accessible shifts you can make today to live a cleaner, more conscious life—from the inside out.
What does sustainability have to do with your self-worth and mental health?
Monica doesn’t just talk eco-living—she lives it through purpose, resilience, and healing. In this conversation, we explore how your outer world reflects your inner work—and why it all starts with intention.
(00:03:29) Starting Small with Sustainability: The All-or-Nothing Myth
● Sustainability is not about perfection—it’s about intention.
● Monica explains why the “cancel culture” in the eco-space is actually hurting the movement.
Simple first steps: Start with one drawer, one habit, one food scrap bin.
How petitions, composting apps, and even your shampoo bar can make a major impact.
(00:08:29) Building a Passion-Driven Life: Career, Risk & Freedom
● Monica opens up about struggling with finances and not always being understood by family.
● Why aligning your purpose with impact is worth every risk.
● The truth about entrepreneurship: sleepless nights, inner healing, and never really “clocking out.”
● Why Monica’s word for the year is “freedom”—and how she’s manifesting it.
(00:12:23) From Scarcity to Sovereignty: Inner Child Work & Alchemy Healing
● How Monica overcame a "play small" mindset around money and worth.
● A deep dive into her practice of alchemy—healing trauma through gratitude, trust, and love.
● A triggering moment with a stranger becomes a portal to growth.
● The unexpected power of talking to your inner child using a favorite childhood photo.
(00:27:12) Sustainable Interior Design & What’s Hiding In Your Home
● The toxic truth about candles, plastics, and your indoor air.
● Top 3 home changes Monica notices immediately (and how you can fix them).
● Favorite low-waste, clean beauty and personal care brands.
● How shampoo and conditioner bars can eliminate plastic and elevate your hair game.
(00:37:10) The Mental Health of Consumption & Conscious Media Detoxing
● How digital overload affects our energy and mental health.
● Monica shares why being selective about what you consume (including the news!) is self-care.
● What it means to create from your “inner space.”
Final takeaway: Everything you create begins inside. Go inward, connect with your inner child, and start healing.
Thanks for the support from our partners, including:
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Guest Info:
Website: ecobabe.co
Instagram: @theecobabe
Resources:
Order: The Big Silence Memoir audiobook
Sustainability & Composting Tools
● Compost NYC App – Drop-off locations for food scraps across NYC
● MakeSoil.org – Connect with local composters and farmers worldwide
● Seafood Watch – Sustainable seafood guide by the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Clean Beauty & Eco Products
● Caudalie – Clean skincare with refillable packaging
● Hear Me Raw – Plant-powered face masks, made in NYC
● Beautycounter – High-performance clean beauty products
● Jane Iredale – Pioneering mineral makeup with eco-friendly packaging
● Ethique – Plastic-free, vegan shampoo & conditioner bars
