Best Conscious Life & Style LLC Podcasts (2025)

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110) "Sustainability is Not Just a Buzzword" | LIVE Panel Recording 53:42

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4M ago53:42

53:42

I'm so excited to be bringing you this special edition episode featuring the recording of our LIVE panel discussion in Chicago with Chicago Fair Trade and 3 of their business members. This was such a fun event to uncover the powerful stories behind these purpose-driven founders in Chicago and what ethically-made and sustainably-made mean in practic…

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109) How this Founder is Creating Solutions, Not Just More Stuff with Karen Poirier of Embrago 46:11

7M ago46:11

46:11

Fashion is rarely focused on fixing real problems for real people. But what if slow fashion did things differently? The thoughtfulness and attention to quality that is embedded into the slow fashion movement can be harnessed to make genuinely better products that make these options a no-brainer IF brands understand the true needs of their customer.…

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108) Inside the Decline of Sweater Quality — and What to Look for in a Durable Knit with Mari Medina 42:07

7M ago42:07

42:07

The declining quality of sweaters has been a big discussion in the past year, but is a reality we've been witnessing for the past couple of decades. But what exactly is so much worse about today's sweaters and what has been going on behind the scenes that's made them so bad? And importantly, how can brands do better? What should we be looking for i…

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107) The State of Circular Fashion with Cynthia Power 41:10

8M ago41:10

41:10

What is the state of circular fashion today? There has been a LOT happening with circularity in textiles in recent years, which is exciting but also means that it can be tough to keep up with and to discern what the most promising signs of progress actually are. So in today's episode, you'll hear from Cynthia Power about the state of circular fashi…

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106) Behind the Greenwashing of "Artisan-Made", the Art of Collaboration, and Sustaining Yourself as a Creative with Anjali Purohit 37:30

8M ago37:30

37:30

When you hear the term artisan-made, what do you think of? Do you assume that it means ethically made? Do you assume it's a certain aesthetic? Is it old-fashioned or contemporary? In today's episode, Elizabeth is speaking with Anjali Purohit, founder and creative director of the home and fashion textiles brand Studio Variously to unpack and demysti…

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105) The Blueprint for a Successful Circular Fashion Program 50:05

9M ago50:05

50:05

Is it possible to truly balance financial and environmental sustainability in circularity? This week's guest not only believes that it's possible to do both, but has proven it by architecting one of fashion’s most impactful resale programs, Worn Wear (at Patagonia). In this episode, she's sharing her lessons learned on everything from the type of r…

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104) How to Find & Build Slow Fashion Community 1:02:23

9M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

If you've been feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, or isolated on your sustainable fashion journey, it may be a sign to lean into community. In this episode, get tangible tips and encouragement to find or cultivate your own slow fashion community. The second part of this episode features a replay of Elizabeth's interview on the Ecommerce Maven Podcas…

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103) Where Does Slow Fashion Go From Here? 48:06

10M ago48:06

48:06

After what's been referred to as a "slow fashion recession", what's next for the movement? How can we come back stronger and make slow fashion so irresistible, that it becomes inevitable? Those are big questions, but that's what we're exploring in this podcast episode! I'd love to hear your thoughts & ideas on this too — find me at @consciousstyle …

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102) Leveraging Your Slow Fashion Skills To Make Money Beyond Products 37:16

1+ y ago37:16

37:16

For our first-ever Conscious Fashion Collective Membership panel discussion, we discussed a topic that is often taboo in the slow fashion space — money! We believe that financial sustainability is essential for creating a more just, and sustainable, fashion ecosystem with thriving businesses that care about people and the planet. 💰 WE DISCUSSED: Ta…

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101) Demystifying Financial Sustainability in Slow Fashion 51:20

1+ y ago51:20

51:20

Financial sustainability is essential for creating a more just, and sustainable, fashion ecosystem with thriving businesses that care about people and the planet. But how do you go about actually making money in this space, especially when you care about not overproducing? Money-making is a topic that is all-too-often taboo in the slow fashion spac…

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5 Key Pillars for a Net Positive Fashion Industry with Holly Syrett of Global Fashion Agenda (Bonus) 50:33

1+ y ago50:33

50:33

How can fashion take action right now for a net positive future? From climate and biodiversity to worker livelihoods and fair wages to overconsumption and textile waste, the gaps between where we need to be and where we are right now feel… vast. But in this episode, we're discussing ways that fashion act right now — like tomorrow — on 5 key pillars…

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100) What Would a Better Future for Fashion Look Like? 36:19

2y ago36:19

36:19

We have reached the 100th episode of the podcast! For the past 100 episodes, at the end of each episode we have asked our guests the same question: What would a better future for fashion look like, to you? This question is important, because it sums up exactly why the podcast exists in the first place — to unpack exactly what it will take to cultiv…

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99) 10 Lessons Learned From 100 Episodes 49:20

2y ago49:20

49:20

As you might have noticed, we are just one episode away from the 100th episode of the podcast! We're starting the celebrations early and changing up the usual format with this episode. Instead of interviewing a guest, this week we’re sharing 10 lessons we’ve learned from 100 episodes of the podcast that features interviews with some of the most ins…

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98) Should Resale Sites Ban Fast Fashion? 38:21

2y ago38:21

38:21

Is it green... or just greenwashing? This week, we’re sharing a recap of a few Green or Greenwashing topics we covered this season! Green or Greenwashing is a segment on the podcast where we evaluate if a certain sustainability measure is more green or whether it veers into more of the greenwashing territory. These Green or Greenwashing segments we…

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97) Overlooked Policy Opportunities for Sustainable Fashion with Kenya Wiley 47:07

2y ago47:07

47:07

Policy is an important lever in creating a better, more sustainable, and equitable fashion system. But if we only focus on policy that explicitly talks about the fashion industry and sustainability, we may be missing some opportunities. In today's episode, I'm chatting with fashion policy expert Kenya Wiley. Kenya is sharing behind the scenes on th…

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96) Unpacking Climate Emotions with Isaias Hernandez of Queer Brown Vegan 57:27

2y ago57:27

57:27

After learning about climate emotions, and seeing climate doomism proliferated in the media, Stella knew she wanted to have Isaias on the show to unpack this and understand how it's connected to the fashion industry. In this episode, Isaias Hernandez (who you might also know as @queerbrownvegan on social media) unpacks the complexity of climate emo…

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95) Carbon Offsetting: Green or Greenwashing? 34:53

2y ago34:53

34:53

Carbon neutral. Net zero. Carbon positive. You may have been seeing more and more claims like these lately from companies, including fashion brands. But in today's Green or Greenwashing episode, we’re diving deeper, beyond the surface of these claims, to see if they really can be trusted. Many of these carbon neutrality claims are asserted based on…

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94) Can Slow Fashion Businesses Scale Without Encouraging Overconsumption? With Mahdiyyah Muhammad 49:04

2y ago49:04

49:04

How can we reimagine the traditional role of fashion designers in a world filled with fashion waste? And how can we rethink our primary role as consumers in a way that allows us to become contributors to collective well-being instead? It’s no secret that we live in a world with far too much clothing. If we are to work towards a more sustainable fas…

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93) What If Fashion Put Workers First? 24:46

2y ago24:46

24:46

What if fashion brands put garment workers first? What if a fashion brand set the prices they pay to their suppliers based on ensuring workers were making a living wage, rather than negotiating the prices as low as possible to maximize profits? This is part of implementing more responsible purchasing practices — purchasing practices meaning not how…

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92) From Extractive to Regenerative Fashion: Slow Growth, Climate Beneficial Textiles, and Cooperative Models with Laura Sansone of New York Textile Lab 41:17

2y ago41:17

41:17

What if designers could go all the way back to the source of the fibers their garments are made from? Many of fashion’s favorite fibers — and our favorite garments — begin on farms. From cotton to wool, hemp, and linen. But, often, designers are so far removed from the places where these fibers are produced. Bringing designers back to the source wo…

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91) Behind the Scenes: Fast Fashion Designer to Slow Fashion Founder with Dani Des Roches of Picnicwear 57:36

2y ago57:36

57:36

What is it like to work as a designer for a fast fashion brand? And what is it like to build your own sustainability minded small fashion brand, from circular design practices to figuring out your pricing? That's what we're getting a glimpse into in this episode with Dani Des Roches, designer and founder of the upcycled brand Picnicwear, recognizab…

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90) Rethinking The Traditional Supply Chain with Ria Ana Sejpal of LilaBare 59:33

2y ago59:33

59:33

What is the process like to create a regenerative conscious fashion label? What does it mean to create long-term partnerships in a localized supply chain that are beneficial for people? Or to make clothes that are beneficial for the earth? In this episode, Stella interviews the founder of slow fashion brand LilaBare, Ria Ana Sejpal, about building …

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89) Will Return Fees Reduce Overconsumption? 19:03

2y ago19:03

19:03

Fashion's returns are a massive waste and emissions issue. In fact, 23 million returned garments were sent to a landfill or incinerated last year in the UK, and returns caused 750,000 tons of CO2 emissions just in the UK fashion industry alone, according to The Institute of Positive Fashion's report: Solving Fashion's Products Returns. Generous fre…

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88) What Is Regenerative Fashion? with Safia Minney 41:42

2y ago41:42

41:42

It's time for an urgent shift in fashion. And not just towards a path of doing less bad, but of bringing positive change. Not just less harmful fashion. Not even just more sustainable fashion. But building a regenerative fashion future. Recently I read the book Regenerative Fashion: A Nature Based Approach to Fibres, Livelihoods, and Leadership*, b…

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87) Is It Possible to Overconsume Secondhand Fashion? 24:18

2y ago24:18

24:18

Overconsumption is a major problem in the fashion industry. And secondhand is often advocated for as a solution. But is it possible to overconsume secondhand fashion as well? This is a loaded question that comes with nuance and obviously, lots of opinions... which makes it perfect for a segment for our Green or Greenwashing series — we love to cove…

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86) Holding The Fashion Industry Accountable with Journalist Sophie Benson 47:38

2y ago47:38

47:38

Fashion industry players — like big brands and their billionaire owners — have to be held accountable for their impact on our environment and on the people involved with making their clothes. Independent journalists can play a crucial role in this accountability, since they can provide a critical outsider's look on what's happening in the industry,…

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85) A People's History of Clothing | Sofi Thanhauser 54:57

2y ago54:57

54:57

When we talk about sustainable and ethical fashion, we often think about the future — at least I do: we ask every guest that comes onto this show what a better future for fashion looks like to them! But I also see immense value in looking to the past. To see where we came from so we understand how we got here and what solutions could actually be ef…

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84) How I Built a Career in Sustainable Fashion 29:42

2y ago29:42

29:42

Want to work in sustainable fashion but not sure how to begin or how to transition from what you do now? Or maybe you work in sustainable fashion now, but you're ready for a bit of a change. In this episode, I'm sharing my sustainable fashion career and entrepreneurial journey and the lessons I learned along the way. FIND JOBS IN SUSTAINABLE FASHIO…

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83) What Is Circular Fashion Design? | Carmen Gama of EILEEN FISHER 53:10

2y ago53:10

53:10

Fashion has a major waste crisis. Circularity — along with slowing down production — can be an antidote, if done right. But what does real circular fashion look like in practice? What would it look like to have a true systems approach to circular design and circular fashion? Today Stella is interviewing Carmen Gama, the Director of Circular Design …

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82) Rana Plaza 10 Years Later: What's Changed and What Hasn't? | Ayesha Barenblat of Remake 48:32

2y ago48:32

48:32

Elizabeth speaks with Ayesha Barenblat, CEO of the global advocacy nonprofit organization Remake about the 10th Anniversary of the Rana Plaza Factory Collapse in Bangladesh to discuss what has changed in fashion since — and what has not. They talk about the impact of the Bangladesh Accord on Fire & Building Safety, what's next for the Accord 10 yea…

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81) How We Can Expand The Sustainable Fashion Conversation | Samata Pattinson, RCGD Global 57:02

2+ y ago57:02

57:02

How can we make sustainable fashion more culturally and politically relevant? Fashion's environmental and social impact often gets overlooked by the climate movement and by governments, though this is slowly starting to change. Similarly, the conversations around sustainable fashion don't often feel aligned with mainstream media and culture. But th…

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80) Where Does Fashion Stand On Climate Progress? | Rachel & Erdene of Stand.Earth 47:58

2+ y ago47:58

47:58

The fashion industry has an outsized carbon footprint. But many fashion brands have been making promising statements about their carbon emissions reduction or carbon neutrality goals. How does the actual progress and supply chain action match up to these goals, though? It can, frankly, be difficult to discern. But in today's episode, we're going to…

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79) The Role of Fashion Legislation | Elizabeth Cline 49:25

2+ y ago49:25

49:25

In recent years, there's been an exciting increase in sustainable fashion legislation and reforms working to clean up this industry — from garment worker protections against wage theft to supply chain due diligence to greenwashing enforcement. In today's episode, Stella interviews author, educator and activist Elizabeth Cline to dive into all thing…

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78) How To Dress For Your Best Self | Shakaila Forbes-Bell 49:53

2+ y ago49:53

49:53

Right now, are you dressing for the person you are, the person you were, or the person you want to be? Not even sure how to answer that question? Today's guest — fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell — is breaking it all down for us. Shakaila wrote the book Big Dress Energy and in this episode she's talking about how you can harness your own bi…

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77) What Is Democratizing Fashion Truly About? | Natalie Shehata 55:41

2+ y ago55:41

55:41

How can we cultivate our authentic personal style in a trend-focused, overconsumption-driven world? What would it mean to truly democratize fashion — as in not the fast fashion co-opted use of the term, but genuine style democracy? And how can fashion move beyond using diversity as a buzzword to create a holistically inclusive and intersectional su…

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76) Getting Off The Fashion Trend-Mill | Nina Gbor 54:31

2+ y ago54:31

54:31

Have you ever felt like you're stuck on a fashion trend-mill? That the process of getting dressed is more frustrating than it is creative or joyful? That you're unsure what to wear so you just default to what's trending? I've been there! But in this episode, Nina Gbor of Eco Styles is sharing: The process of self knowledge when it comes to personal…

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75) How Fashion Trends Are Really Formed | Mandy Lee 1:01:15

2+ y ago1:01:15

1:01:15

In this episode, Stella Hertantyo interviews fashion analyst and trend forecaster Mandy Lee (who you might know as @oldloserinbrooklyn on social media) to explore: + Fashion trends and the trend cycle, + The role of trend forecasters, + What microtrends and niche trends are, + How to find amazing secondhand gems, + The dynamic between following tre…

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74) What A Responsible Closet Clean-Out Looks Like — Plus Personal Style Tips | Sophie Strauss 1:00:04

2+ y ago1:00:04

1:00:04

Sustainably-minded stylist Sophie Strauss shares advice on how to do a responsible closet audit. Plus Sophie and I discuss: What even is personal style in the first place? Do you need to have a go-to personal uniform? Can we (and should we) still participate in trends if we're dressing for our personal style? How can we balance experimentation with…

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73) How To Uncover Your Soul Style | Kerry Wilde 51:03

2+ y ago51:03

51:03

You've heard of personal style, but what about soul style? In this interview with soul stylist Kerry Wilde, we're exploring topics like: What embodiment is and how it relates to what we wear How we can determine our soul style and start dressing for our soul style The interconnections between beauty, body image, and the fashion industry Hit play to…

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Season 5 Sneak Peek! Theme, Topics, and Announcements 8:40

2+ y ago8:40

8:40

This is your sneak peak into Season 5 of the Conscious Style Podcast! Hit subscribe so that you don't miss any of the upcoming episodes. *** LINKS MENTIONED: Newsletter: The Conscious Edit Event: Intro To Visible Mending Virtual Workshop *use code "podcast" for 50% off tickets to the workshop! Career Interview with Fashion Psychologists Career Inte…

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72) What's Driving Overconsumption in Fashion? 52:55

2+ y ago52:55

52:55

In this special short series, Conscious Questions, Stella and Elizabeth dive into some of the most talked about and ask questions in the sustainable fashion space. Today, we're talking about a big one: overconsumption. There were 100 billion items of clothing produced in 2014, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. But that was before the ris…

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71) Is Sustainable Fashion Always More Expensive? 44:49

2+ y ago44:49

44:49

Is slow fashion always more expensive? Do you really have to spend more money to be part of the slow fashion movement? What goes into the price of a responsibly made garment? And are expensive, luxury fashion brands more sustainable or ethical? There is a lot to unpack in part 4 of our Conscious Question Series, so hit play and dive in! ***** READ …

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70) How Can We Talk About Slow Fashion With Our Friends? 39:56

2+ y ago39:56

39:56

So you've learned about the issues in the fashion industry, become passionate about slow fashion, and want your friends and family to join the movement too. But how do you talk to your friends or family or anyone in your life about slow fashion without feeling like you're sounding judgmental or critical? It's a tough balance — but in today's episod…

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69) What's The Deal With Fast Fashion Resale Programs? 38:34

2+ y ago38:34

38:34

In this Conscious Question episode, Stella and I dive into if fast fashion resale programs are really circular or just greenwashing (and why we think so), how can we tell if a fashion brand's resale program is a genuinely sustainable effort, and what some red flags are to look out for. Hit play to dive in! *** ARTICLE VERSION: https://www.conscious…

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68) Can Fast Fashion Brands Ever Be Sustainable? 47:40

2+ y ago47:40

47:40

Can fast fashion brands ever be sustainable? If someone is going to buy from fast fashion, is it better to shop from these conscious or eco-capsule collections? And what is the deal with fast fashion's sustainability ambassadors? Should minor improvements from Big Fashion brands still be celebrated since these brands have such a large impact, footp…

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67) Tips For Spotting Greenwashing | with Milos Vranes of Green Eco Dream 51:46

2+ y ago51:46

51:46

The more the sustainability market grows, the more we see greenwashing. Greenwashing is basically, when a company puts forth a false or exaggerated impression or completely misleading impression about how their products or their practices are environmentally friendly. We know fast fashion brands are notorious for greenwashing. But today's episode w…

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66) Defashioning and Creating A Pluriverse of Clothing Systems | with Fashion Act Now 1:03:17

2+ y ago1:03:17

1:03:17

Can Big Fashion — fashion with a capital F — ever exist without exploitation of the planet and the humans and other living beings on it? The more we dive into Fashion's perils, and how deep rooted these issues are, the more unlikely this seems. In this episode, four members of Fashion Act Now — Sara Arnold, Sandra Niessen, Sam Weir, and Cindi Clark…

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65) Will Slowing Down Fashion Hurt Garment Workers? | with Mousumi Sarangi of Fair Wear Foundation 42:46

2+ y ago42:46

42:46

We know that we need to dramatically slow down fashion. And this season of the podcast has been dedicated to exploring just how we might do that. But what happens to the people who make our clothes? Stella Hertantyo is back in the host seat to explore this topic with Mousumi Sarangi, Fair Wear Foundation's Country Manager in India and the Regional …

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64) How Journalists Can Shift The Sustainable Fashion Conversation | with Jasmin Malik Chua of Sourcing Journal 44:17

3y ago44:17

44:17

Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing and Labor Editor at Sourcing Journal, joins us to discuss the role that journalists can play a role in sorting out the greenwashing and moving the needle forward on the sustainable fashion conversation. Jasmin also shares how the narrative around sustainability in fashion has shifted dramatically in recent years, if recy…

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Bonus: It's OK To Grow Slow 41:48

3y ago41:48

41:48

Know that it's okay to grow slow — in fact in might even be better for you or your business in the long term. Here's why. *This was a last minute episode so we didn't have time to put together the transcript before publishing as we normally do! Please contact us if you would like a transcription of this episode. CONNECT WITH CONSCIOUS STYLE: Websit…