Dr. Carole Keim welcomes entrepreneur and innovator Miki Agrawal to The Baby Manual for a thought-provoking conversation about sustainability, parenting, and how caring for our children can also mean caring for the planet they will inherit. Best known for founding Thinx and TUSHY, Miki shares the inspiration behind her newest venture, HIRO Diapers, and explains how becoming a mother led her to rethink one of the biggest sources of household waste: disposable diapers. Together, Dr. Keim and Miki explore how innovation, nature, and practical parenting solutions can work hand in hand.

Miki explains the environmental challenges posed by disposable diapers and introduces the science behind HIRO Diapers, which pair reduced-plastic diapers with beneficial fungi designed to help accelerate biodegradation in landfills. She also discusses postpartum products, elimination communication, and ways families can make environmentally conscious choices without sacrificing convenience. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Keim and Miki encourage parents to remember that even small, thoughtful actions can add up to meaningful change for future generations.

Key Moments

00:00 – Why diapers deserve their own episode
Dr. Keim explains why she dedicated an entire episode to diapers and reviews disposable diapers, cloth diapers, and elimination communication before introducing today's guest.

12:59 – Meet Miki Agrawal and her entrepreneurial journey
Miki shares her background, from founding WILD, THINX, and TUSHY to becoming inspired by motherhood to rethink disposable diapers.

17:47 – The environmental impact of disposable diapers
Learn why billions of diapers end up in landfills, how long they last, and what motivated Miki to look for a better solution.

19:55 – The idea behind HIRO Diapers
Miki describes the inspiration that led her to fungi-based diaper technology and the years of research behind the product.

23:42 – How the fungi system works
Discover how the fungal pouch is designed to activate after disposal, why it stays separate from the baby, and the safety considerations behind it.

26:21 – Supporting parents beyond diapers
Dr. Keim and Miki discuss postpartum recovery, period underwear, bidets, and products that can make the postpartum period more comfortable.

27:40 – Elimination communication and using fewer diapers
The conversation explores early potty awareness, reducing diaper use, and balancing convenience with sustainability.

30:10 – Building an eco-conscious parenting community
Miki explains HIRO's broader mission of educating parents about elimination communication, non-toxic living, and environmentally conscious parenting.

31:00 – Small choices can make a big difference
The discussion turns to plastic pollution, ecosystem health, and how everyday parenting decisions can contribute to meaningful environmental change.

37:10 – Where parents can learn more
Miki shares where families can find HIRO Diapers, follow the company's work, and connect with her mission online.

About Miki Agrawal:

Miki Agrawal is the creative force behind acclaimed social enterprises TUSHY (the modern bidet brand), THINX (period-proof underwear), and WILD (NYC’s first gluten-free pizza concept), collectively valued at over $250 million. Miki is the author of best-selling books "DO COOL SH*T" and "DISRUPT-HER”.

Her next company, HIRO, is a revolutionary nature-based start-up harnessing ancient technology - fungi - to help solve the global plastic crisis. Their first product is a baby diaper that is designed to return to the earth with the help of friendly fungi. (They chose diapers to launch with because they’re the #1 household plastic waste item that takes 400+ years to decompose in a landfill - and each baby uses ~6,000 diapers in their lifetime. Wild, right?) HIRO Diapers’ mission is to return to the earth with the help of little HIRO Myco-pods that you add in during the diaper change. They’re soft, safe, unbleached (the only one!), high-performing, and ready to change the game. Check out HiroDiapers.com to learn more.

Recognized as one of Fast Company's "Most Creative People," a "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum, and named one of INC's "Most Impressive Women Entrepreneurs," Miki brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the stage as a keynote speaker. Her authentic talks have been validated by audiences at MindValley, EO, and Capitalism.com, who have voted for her as the #1 best speaker among hundreds of speakers.

Miki's compelling presentations delve into her 20+ years of entrepreneurial adventures, from boldly inventing products in traditionally taboo categories to creatively launching and scaling them exponentially. She openly shares her authentic revelations, embracing the colorful journey that defines her.

When you experience Miki on stage, you'll witness more than a speaker; she's a dynamic, truth-telling performer delivering an unforgettable one-woman show. Combining her captivating presence with her profound insights into innovation and creative marketing, Miki's presentations have the power to drive any company towards innovative transformation. For more, go to mikiagrawal.com/speaking

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Resources discussed in this episode:

 

Check out all of Dr Carole Keim's must-haves and essentials for your little one: https://www.amazon.com/shop/drcarolekeim

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Contact Dr. Carole Keim, MD

Linktree linktr.ee/drkeim

Tiktok @dr.keim

Instagram DoctorAtYourDoor

Website CaroleKeim.com

 

Contact Miki Agrawal:

Website: MikiAgrawal.com

LinkedIn: MikiAgrawal

Instagram: MikiAgrawal

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Amazon

Shop Dr. Keim’s must-have baby and toddler items: https://www.amazon.com/shop/drcarolekeim.

FullScript Vitamins

Use this link to get 10% off and free shipping for orders over $50.

HIRO Diapers

Use code DRCAROLEKEIM for a discount at checkout. Click here.


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