My Conversation with Madeline Armstrong and Ray Loflin.
I admit it. I love talking about my work, my fields of study, my special interests. And I especially like to explore how behavior design, persuasive tech, and the built environment shape how we live, act, and interact with each other.
Recently, I had the opportunity to apply these passions to the world of sustainability as a guest on the Mastering Sustainability podcast with hosts Madeline Armstrong and Ray Loflin. Our episode, “You Can’t Do a Don’t” (S2-E07), dives into the critical intersection of behavior design and sustainability practices.
Why You Should Listen
If you’re interested in sustainability, behavior change, or how to effectively drive environmental initiatives, this episode offers valuable insights that you won’t want to miss:
- The Behavior Design Framework – Learn about the three essential components of behavior: motivation, ability, and prompts. Understanding this framework can help you design more effective sustainability initiatives and communications.
- Action-Oriented Approaches – As I discuss in the podcast, “Nothing happens until something moves. Nothing happens until someone takes some sort of action or behavior.” We explore practical ways to transform sustainability concepts into actual behavior change.
- Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives – Our conversation bridges multiple disciplines, from behavior design to environmental science to technology. This intersection creates rich territory for innovation and new approaches.
- Practical Applications – Whether you’re a sustainability professional, an environmental advocate, or simply interested in making your own life more sustainable, the episode offers actionable strategies you can implement immediately.
What You’ll Learn
The episode unpacks several key concepts that can transform how you approach sustainability challenges:
- How to frame sustainability messaging positively rather than focusing on prohibitions (hence “You Can’t Do a Don’t”)
- Ways to identify barriers to sustainable behaviors and design effective interventions
- Techniques for making sustainable choices easier and more intuitive
- How the built environment and technology can be designed to naturally encourage sustainable behaviors
- Methods for measuring the effectiveness of behavior change initiatives
How We Connected
I first connected with Madeline and Ray at the Sea Change sessions, where despite being in different tracks (they were in packaging while I presented in placemaking), they recognized how behavior design principles could benefit sustainability initiatives. It was a perfect example of the cross-disciplinary learning that these sessions were designed to foster!
About the Podcast
Mastering Sustainability offers mini masterclasses on various topics under the umbrella of sustainability. Hosted by Okeanos Sustainable Partnerships Manager Madeline Armstrong, who holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Business, and co-host Degradation Innovation Director Ray Loflin, the podcast brings together experts and academics to break down complex topics for emerging sustainability professionals.
Listen Now
You can find our episode on your favorite platform:
I hope you’ll tune in and join the conversation on how behavior design can help us create a more sustainable future!
[Share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out to discuss how behavior design might apply to your sustainability challenges.]
