“I was the executive director. We work throughout Cuyahoga County to help people reduce waste, compost, recycle,” she said. 

Bickett is now retired, but she wanted to do more for her community.  

“I thought we could put my contacts to use by interviewing the people I learned over the years and bring them on our show and have them talk about what they do and try to grow our local sustainability community,” she said. 

She, along with her daughter's boyfriend, Greg Rotuno, started a podcast. 

“I had the know-how to set it up, and to record it, and to disseminate it with a little bit of help from Diane and figuring out how we were going to do that. And yeah, that's how we got started,” he said. “I'll be chiming in here and there, but I'll also be making sure everyone's levels are good and everything sounds good.” 

The team began producing and recording the podcast called 'Eco Speaks CLE.' 

“We want people to feel that there are things that they can do in their own personal life that can make a difference in our community and on the planet,” she said. 

Bickett said the podcast focuses on highlighting the many pioneers of sustainability.  

“So today, Greg and I are interviewing Dan Brown and Zoe Apisdorf with Russ Belt Riders, and they are a local food waste composting company,” she said. 

She said the podcast also works to change the perception people may have of Cleveland. 

“Cleveland is one of the national leaders when it comes to sustainability efforts," she said. "We've cleaned up our river. We have done a lot of work around climate change and green transportation. We have a very engaged community."

Bickett said the podcast is currently free and available on all streaming services. It’s also available on the podcast’s website.