Going Green with the Sundance Channel

Cable television is such a wasteland of bad programming these days, that when I see something quality, I immediately feel the need to rush to my computer and tell the world. Such was my experience tonight after spending a thought provoking evening with my friend, Bobby Redford's, "The Green" on the Sundance Channel. The Green is a full evening of programming, every Tuesday, presenting content dedicated to "the concept of green living that balances human need with responsible care of the planet".

Bobby hooked me tonight with a documentary called, "Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox" all about an amazing family of soap makers, going back seven generations, that eventually produced the Dr. Bronner that is the subject of the film.

Dr. Bronner, an eccentric, brilliant chemist, prophet, preacher, crappy father, and dedicated soap maker escaped the Nazi's to come to America where he developed the soap the made him famous, "Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap". The product first gained a following with the sixties counter culture and eventually evolved into a multimillion dollar business still run by the Bronners to this day.

What makes this soap business different is the fact that Bronner developed the soap simply as a vehicle to spread his philosophy--that of world peace on "God's Spaceship, planet earth"--Bronner's message (in the beginning) was printed on the labels of each bar of soap the company produced. These days, though very profitable, the Bronner Soap Company has a strict policy limiting even Bronner family members from making any more than five times the salary that the lowest paid employee enjoys.

Think about THAT for a minute.

As I watched the movie tonight, I realized I had just YESTERDAY had my first experience with Dr. Bronner's product--when I received a (lavender) bar as a gift from my friends, Mark and Beth, in the mail. How's that for sychronicity? I love the soap, by the way, it smells delicious and really does leave you with a clean smooth feeling. (Thanks, guys! Are you psychic or something?)

After the movie came "Big Ideas for a Small Planet", a show about businesses that are both profitable and environmentally friendly, a combination that is maybe more practical than you might think.

So, consider tuning in to Sundance on Tuesday nights! And visit the website for lots of fascinating up to the minute information from some surprising sources.

Lastly, snaps to Robert Redford: not just another formerly perfect face, but a guy making a difference for the arts as well as for the planet.