Let's Give A Damn — Episode 275: Ed Begley Jr.

Date: February 7, 2025
Host: Nick Laparra
Guest: Ed Begley Jr.

Episode Overview

This episode features legendary actor and environmental activist Ed Begley Jr., best known for his prolific career in television and film, as well as his decades-long commitment to sustainable living and environmental advocacy. Nick and Ed dive into practical climate action, the evolution of Ed’s eco-friendly lifestyle, the challenges and hope in climate activism, and how everyday choices can make a real difference—no matter your age or background.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Showcasing Ed Begley Jr.’s practical approach to environmentalism: From everyday habits to sustainable homebuilding.
• Inspiring listeners to integrate eco-conscious choices at every life stage.
• Highlighting the power of consumer choices, personal responsibility, and the need for systemic change.
• Demonstrating that giving a damn is not bound by age or profession—anyone can be part of the solution.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Climate Crisis Hits Home in LA (05:06–07:29)

• Impact of wildfires in LA: Ed expresses sympathy for those affected, recognizing the predicted consequences of climate change.
  • "This is something we feared might happen with climate change and now it’s here and there’s no joy in being right about it." — Ed Begley Jr. (05:44)
• Building for resilience: Ed shares how his house, built of steel with a 10,000-gallon underground rainwater tank and fire suppression systems, reflects intentional design for safety as well as sustainability.
  • "I think we should build out of less combustible materials than sticks... build more homes out of light gauge steel." (06:38)

2. Brief Nod to Acting Career (09:12–11:17)

• Ed's favorite roles: Stan Sitwell on Arrested Development and Maria Bamford’s dad in Lady Dynamite, plus long stints on St. Elsewhere and recent film, Strange Darling.
  • "Stanzitwell is indeed one of my favorite characters. Mitch Hurwitz is a genius... How lucky am I to have worked with them?" (09:59)

3. The Roots of Eco-Conscious Living (12:43–18:25)

• Influence of upbringing: Ed grew up with a conservative father who believed in conserving resources—a value he extends to his environmentalism.
  • “My dad was a conservative that liked to conserve... I was raised knowing you had to turn off the lights and turn off the water and save string and save tinfoil, and that's what people did.” (12:45)
• The three pillars of change:
  • Personal action
  • Corporate responsibility
  • Good legislation
  • “You can't do it with just personal action... you gotta influence the other. You go and testify before the Air Resources Board…. and then activism is connected with good legislation and corporate responsibility.” (13:31)
• Post-1970s progress: Air and water in LA have improved through combined effort, but vulnerable communities near freeways and ports are still at risk.
  • “In Los Angeles... we have a fraction of the smog in most places now.” (17:16)

4. Staying Hopeful and Motivated (18:25–22:31)

• Refusing to quit: Ed emphasizes persistence in the face of discouragement.
  • “I'm not a quitter and I don't want to quit on this one. This is the climate issue. Something you don't want to sit this one out.” (19:48)
• Talking across divides: If climate talk is unwelcome, Ed reframes the issues—clean air, energy savings, national security—to meet people where they are.
  • “If their door is closed to me, talking about climate change... I come around the side door and knock.” (20:21)
• Efficiency first: Before investing in renewables, make homes and offices energy efficient.
  • "You reduce your demand first, then instead of buying 6 or 8 kilowatts of solar panels, you need 4 or 5." (21:09)

5. Inside Ed Begley Jr.'s Home (22:31–30:20)

• Step-by-step approach: Ed started small—composting in a rented apartment—and gradually upgraded as means allowed.
  • “I did it at a rate that was financially sustainable. And that's the key, you pick the low hanging fruit first and do what you can, home or apartment.” (23:16)
• Current home features:
  • 9kW of rooftop solar
  • 12-inch thick walls, insulated passive solar design
  • 10,000-gallon rainwater tank (irrigation & fire safety)
  • Fire-resistant steel frame
  • Zoned high-efficiency heating/cooling
  • Graywater system
  • On-site vegetable garden & composting—Ed’s simple compost tip:
    • “Half brown and half green... keep it wet, but not soaking wet. You'll have perfect compost every time.” (28:30)
  • Pro tip: Use a shovel of horse manure to inoculate new bins.

6. How to Start Small (30:20–32:10)

• Message for young/aspiring changemakers: Don’t be daunted by Ed’s current lifestyle. Start where you are—composting, using responsible products, changing what you can.
  • “Do what you can. You might not be able to have 12-inch thick walls... but you can compost.” (30:37)

7. Ed’s Earth-Friendly Products (32:10–34:38)

• From DIY to business: Ed developed non-toxic cleaning products after decades using homemade formulas (vinegar, baking soda).
  • “The cleaning products... have to perform well. And I’m going to say something that’s going to be heresy—any good environmental cleaner... they clean very, very well.” (32:48)
• Product lineup: Pet stain & odor remover, floor cleaner, and more, available online.
  BegleysBest.com
  • “They work better than any toxic cleaner I've ever used.” (33:10)

8. The Power of Peer Pressure & Everyday Voting (34:38–39:34)

• Leading by example: Ed’s neighbors and fans frequently cite his influence. His appeal: start with affordable steps, build from there.
  • "You don't run up to the top of Mount Everest... Not everybody's going to make it to the top, but you do what you can and that's what people need to do." (36:49)
• Everyday consumer choices matter: "You get to vote every day of the week in the supermarket aisles and the showroom floors and the appliance stores. That's your vote. You're voting with your dollars." (39:13)
• Systemic change still needed: Personal action, corporate responsibility, and good policy must align.

9. Final Reflections (41:25–end)

• Ed’s guiding maxim:

  "Live simply so that others may simply live." (41:25)

• Appreciation from Nick:
  • “Incredible, Ed. You’re incredible. Thank you for spending some time with me. And I hope we can do it again sometime.” (41:34)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "This is something we feared might happen with climate change and now it's here and there's no joy in being right about it." — Ed Begley Jr. (05:44)
• "My dad was a conservative that liked to conserve... I was raised knowing you had to turn off the lights and turn off the water and save string and save tinfoil, and that's what people did." — Ed Begley Jr. (12:45)
• "You can't do it with just one. You can't do it with just personal action... activism is connected with good legislation and corporate responsibility." — Ed Begley Jr. (13:31)
• “If their door is closed to me, talking about climate change... I come around the side door and knock.” — Ed Begley Jr. (20:21)
• "Half brown and half green... keep it wet, but not soaking wet. You'll have perfect compost every time." — Ed Begley Jr. (28:30)
• "You get to vote every day of the week in the supermarket aisles and the showroom floors and the appliance stores. That's your vote. You're voting with your dollars." — Ed Begley Jr. (39:13)
• "Live simply so that others may simply live." — Ed Begley Jr. (41:25)

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Ed’s cleaning products: BegleysBest.com (also found on Amazon and Walmart).
• Memoir: To the Temple of Tranquility... and Step on It! (2023, available at bookstores and Bookshop.org).
• Video house tour: (Link provided in show notes by Nick)
• Peer Pressure Book: Under the Influence by Robert Frank

Tone and Style

• Warm, humorous, practical: Ed’s matter-of-fact optimism, lifelong learning, and commitment to “walk the walk.”
• Grounded in everyday action: Repeated encouragement to start small and stay consistent.
• Non-partisan, invitational: Emphasizing solutions that cross ideological and generational divides.

Useful for Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In:

This episode distills years of hands-on eco-living into accessible advice, practical wisdom, and inspiring stories. Whether you own a home, rent, or just want to leave the world better than you found it, Ed and Nick’s conversation offers both hope and a call to action—emphasizing that it’s never too soon (or too late) to start giving a damn.

For full links and more, check the show notes at letsgivadam.com.