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Conscious Chatter

Kestrel Jenkinsconsciouschatter.com
The first global sustainable fashion podcast, Conscious Chatter opens the door to conversations about our clothing + the layers of stories, meaning and potential impact connected to what we wear. Hosted by Kestrel Jenkins, Conscious Chatter tackles nuanced topics that intersect with sustainability, fashion, systems of oppression, health, and wellbeing through a curiosity-driven lens. Through deep dive monthly themes, the focus is on making the conversation more circular.
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Episodes

S03 Episode 121 | NEST + BUILDING A NEW HANDWORKER ECONOMY

In episode 121, Kestrel welcomes Rebecca van Bergen, the founder and executive director of Nest, to the show. A nonprofit that is building a new handworker economy, Nest is dedicated to generating global workforce inclusivity, improving women's wellbeing beyond factories, and preserving cultural traditions. "Most consumers are completely unaware of this, but production is leaving the 4 wall factory. Anywhere between 20-60% of current garment manufacturing leaves the factory at some point, whethe...

Jul 05, 201836 minSeason 3Ep. 121

S03 Episode 120 | THR3EFOLD, SOURCING ETHICAL FACTORIES + LOOKING BEYOND TRANSPARENCY

In episode 120, Kestrel welcomes Jessica Kelly, the founder of Thr3efold, to the show. A platform that helps connect brands to ethical factories around the world, Thr3efold also hosts Deadstock District, a private portal to sell your fabric liability and source dead stock. "I keep digging deeper because sometimes people will be like, 'oh well, this brand doesn't talk about their factories so we should question their ethics' - maybe, but maybe not. It doesn't necessarily mean there's something th...

Jun 26, 201840 minSeason 3Ep. 120

S03 Episode 119 | STATE OF FASHION + SEARCHING FOR THE NEW LUXURY

In episode 119, Kestrel welcomes José Teunissen, the Dean of the School of Design and Technology at London College of Fashion, and a Professor of Fashion Theory, to the show. José is also the curator of State Of Fashion 2018 | searching for the new luxury , an exhibition that recently opened in Arnhem, Netherlands, and runs through July 22nd, 2018. "Primarily, I also think this time period will be - it's a paradigm shift, probably a big paradigm shift - maybe it's only the start of it, but I thi...

Jun 19, 201836 minSeason 3Ep. 119

S03 Episode 118 | FIBERSHED + REGENERATIVE TEXTILE SYSTEMS

In episode 118, Kestrel welcomes Rebecca Burgess, the founder of Fibershed, to the show. A globally recognized project, Fibershed is working to address and educate the public on the environmental, economic and social benefits of de-centralizing the textile supply chain. "What are we doing? What is our consumption doing to other people's cultures?" -Rebecca Burgess, founder of Fibershed In this episode, Rebecca shares more on her exceptional and unexpected path into working in the textile industr...

Jun 12, 201859 minSeason 3Ep. 118

S03 Episode 117 | INDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS + THE IDENTITY OF PRODUCTS

In episode 117, Kestrel welcomes Juan Diego Gerscovich, the cofounder of Industry of All Nations, to the show. A design and development office that was founded in 2010, IOAN has a commitment to rethink methods of production for consumer goods. "Every maker that we work with, we want to give them the chance, to let them express - via the product - their life." -Juan Diego Gerscovich, cofounder of IOAN In this episode, Juan shares insight into his early years, growing up in Argentina with parents ...

Jun 06, 201829 minSeason 3Ep. 117

S03 Episode 116 | MARA HOFFMAN ROUND 2, AN UPDATE ON SUSTAINABILITY, GROWTH + EVOLUTION

In episode 116, Kestrel welcomes Mara Hoffman back to the show, for an update on where the company is - when it comes to sustainability - almost 2 years later. The first time Mara came to the show ( in episode 18 ), the company was just beginning to shift Mara Hoffman over toward a more sustainable direction. In this chat, we get a chance to understand the evolution of the company over the last couple years, in their efforts to tackle their supply chain and fabrications, with a sustainability le...

May 29, 201837 minSeason 3Ep. 116

S03 Episode 115 | OLORI + THE DIVINE RIGHT OF QUEENS

In episode 115, Kestrel welcomes Tomide Awe, the founder of Olori, to the show. A handbag line that incorporates traditional African textiles into modern designs, Olori was built with an intention to help women become actively involved in solving women-interest issues, especially with regard to education. "It's not about just donating money - we are not a charity organization, this is not a charitable affair for us. We are on a mission to build this network of future empowered women, and we want...

May 22, 201830 minSeason 3Ep. 115

S03 Episode 114 | MODERN MACRAME

In episode 114, Kestrel welcomes Emily Katz, the founder of Modern Macrame, to the show. An artist, designer, business owner, and teacher, Emily also just released her new book Modern Macrame , which showcases 33 stylish projects for your handmade home. "For the most part, if you're interested in craft and you have some knowledge of it, it's pretty easy to pick up. And, I think that because there's this low entry, it creates a lot of relaxation for people. In this hectic world that we live in wh...

May 15, 201852 minSeason 3Ep. 114

S03 Episode 113 | RESONANCE + CONNECTING ART WITH COMMERCE

In episode 113, Kestrel welcomes Lawrence Lenihan, the CEO of Resonance, to the show. A venture operating company, Resonance partners with brands to enable them to build a fashion business that is as beautiful as their creative vision. "WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE RETHINKING. THIS WHOLE INDUSTRY WAS BUILT ON THE IDEA THAT YOU MAKE MANY - LOTS AND LOTS - BIG RUNS ... WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE. RATHER THAN HAVING FEWER STYLES OVER MORE AND MORE UNITS, OUR WHOLE ARCHITECTURE IS: HO...

May 08, 201837 minSeason 3Ep. 113

S03 Episode 112 | NEO•THREAD, ONE-OF-A-KIND GEMS + COOL GIRLS CARE

In episode 112, Kestrel welcomes Sarah Holley Gonzales, the owner + creator of neo•thread, to the show. An Albuquerque-based brand, neo•thread is dedicated to transforming discarded clothing into fresh, one-of-a-kind pieces. "It was actually my Dad that taught me how to sew when I was little. And, even greater than how to work a machine, he taught me how to find beauty in the resources available - specifically, things that people would discard." -Sarah Holley Gonzales, founder of neo•thread In t...

May 02, 201830 minSeason 3Ep. 112

S03 Episode 111 | ADITI MAYER, ADIMAY + REVOLUTION WASHING

In episode 111, Kestrel welcomes Aditi Mayer, the creative behind ADIMAY, to the show. Aditi explores the crossroads of artistic expression and social action on ADIMAY , and has a focus on style, sustainability, and social politics. "I think the way we look at sustainable fashion now - it's been a response. So, sustainable fashion exists because the industry is inherently broken, and we could argue that fast fashion has profited off the normalization of exploitation. As we go forward, I think if...

Apr 24, 201836 minSeason 3Ep. 111

S03 Episode 110 | BUY GOOD FEEL GOOD + ELEVATING ACCESS FOR SHOPPERS AND BRANDS

In episode 110, Kestrel welcomes Rafik Riad, the founder of the Buy Good Feel Good Expo, to the show. Canada's only show bringing together socially- and environmentally-driven businesses, Buy Good Feel Good aspires to make ethical consumption the norm, inspiring all businesses to operate for the common good. "Social enterprises so far are not playing the role they can play towards eradicating poverty, promoting social justice and advancing environmental stewardship. " -Rafik Riad, founder of the...

Apr 18, 201838 minSeason 3Ep. 110

S03 Episode 109 | FINERY + MAKING USE OF THE WARDROBE YOU ALREADY HAVE

In episode 109, Kestrel welcomes actor and model Brooklyn Decker, and former ABC & CNN anchor Whitney Casey to show. The cofounders of FINERY , Brooklyn + Whitney have built the world’s first wardrobe operating system that reinvents how women view and interact with their closets, and style themselves. "Women will spend more money on their clothing than their education [in their lifetime]." -Brooklyn Decker, cofounder of Finery In this episode, Brooklyn and Whitney share a bit about how they ...

Apr 11, 201841 minSeason 3Ep. 109

S03 Episode 108 | G-STAR RAW + THE MOST SUSTAINABLE JEANS EVER

In episode 108, Kestrel welcomes two key players at G-Star RAW to the show - Adriana Galijasevic, their Denim and Sustainability Expert, as well as Frouke Bruinsma, corporate responsibility director at G-Star RAW. A condition for doing business at G-Star RAW today, sustainability has been formally built into the company's framework since 2006. "SUSTAINABILITY HAS BEEN A CONDITION FOR DOING BUSINESS AND IT'S A CONSTANT WORK IN PROGRESS, SO WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE NEXT SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION...

Apr 03, 201831 minSeason 3Ep. 108

S03 Episode 107 | SHOP GOOD + INTENTIONS FOR WELLNESS

In episode 107, Kestrel welcomes Leah Kirpalani, a certified holistic health coach & the founder of Shop Good, to the show. An online platform as well as freestanding store in San Diego, Shop Good offers clean beauty products for the ultimate healthy lifestyle. "We absorb 65% of what we put on our body." -Leah Kirpalani, founder of Shop Good In this episode, Leah shares stories from her past experiences with a chronic illness that led her into exploring holistic health and natural beauty pro...

Mar 27, 201840 minSeason 3Ep. 107

S03 Episode 106 | CRAFTIVISTS + THE ART OF GENTLE PROTEST

In episode 106, Kestrel welcomes Sarah Corbett, founder of the Craftivist Collective, to the show. An inclusive group of people committed to using thoughtful, beautiful crafted works to help themselves and encourage others be the positive change they wish to see in the world, the Craftivist Collective has built a global movement. Sarah recently released a new book, called How To Be A Craftivist: The Art Of Gentle Protest. "It's about intriguing people in to open their hearts and minds about an i...

Mar 21, 201851 minSeason 3Ep. 106

S03 Episode 105 | THE CORDES FOUNDATION + SUPPLY CHAIN STORIES

In episode 105, Kestrel welcomes Steph Cordes, the Vice Chair of the Cordes Foundation, to the show. Having worked with Conde Nast and luxury fashion brands in the past, Steph now works to advance the Cordes Foundation 's ethical fashion and sustainable supply chain initiatives. "I think my biggest takeaway was that minimum wage isn't a living wage, because they [garment workers she met in Sri Lanka] technically are paid minimum wage but that's not a living wage. They aren't able to have enough ...

Mar 13, 201830 minSeason 3Ep. 105

S02 Episode 104 | WOOLN + GRANDMAS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN

In episode 104, Kestrel welcomes Margaux Rousseau, the Cofounder of WOOLN, to the show. A company that brings together talented New York grandmothers and curious shoppers, WOOLN has a supply chain of senior knitters in New York, who lovingly hand-knit each piece in their collection. "We have this community of older ladies who sometimes are a bit lonely, they usually stay home, and with WOOLN, they get together, they are part of a project, they have this feeling of belonging. You know, they are a...

Mar 06, 201832 minSeason 2Ep. 104

S02 Episode 103 | WHAT IS BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY + THE SOCIAL IMPACT ECONOMY

In episode 103, Kestrel welcomes Paul Allard, the Founder and President of impak Finance, to the show. With the use of fintech, impak Finance has the intention of helping develop a positive social impact economy. They successfully launched the impak Coin ICO last summer, which is the 1st legal cryptocurrency in North America. "We're in 2018 - the real economy should all be about the social impact economy - focusing on trying to solve environmental and social issues, while doing money." -Paul All...

Feb 28, 201836 minSeason 2Ep. 103

S02 Episode 102 | MELANIN & SUSTAINABLE STYLE + ETHICAL FASHION AS A PRIVILEGED WHITE GIRL THING

In episode 102, Kestrel welcomes Dominique Drakeford, the founder of Melanin & Sustainable Style, to the show. A platform that is bringing melanin to the forefront of sustainable fashion, beauty and living, MelaninASS is helping to give the ethical industry an authentic and culturally relevant voice. "This whole community is about 'let's talk about what's wrong' - we talk about what's wrong from an environmental point of view, we talk about fast fashion and we point fingers at H&M and we...

Feb 21, 201841 minSeason 2Ep. 102

S02 Episode 101 | BECKY EARLEY + CIRCULAR DESIGN

In episode 101, Kestrel welcomes trailblazing print textile designer Becky Earley to the show. A designer, researcher, educator and facilitator for circular textiles, Becky is also a key part of the research consortium work for Mistra Future Fashion, as well as the UE Horizon 2020 project Trash2Cash. "The job and role of the designer is changing radically - you're not just bringing a product to the shop floor anymore - you have to know so much more now about what will happen next." -Becky Earley...

Feb 14, 201842 minSeason 2Ep. 101

S02 Episode 100 | NADINE FARAG, ONE WHO DRESSES + PERSONAL STYLE AS SUSTAINABILITY

In episode 100, Kestrel welcomes Nadine Farag, the writer behind One Who Dresses, to the show. A website where she slowly explores the question of 'what is style,' One Who Dresses is a digital space dedicated to understanding the intricacies of personal style. Nadine is also known for her sustainable fashion writing for Man Repeller. "Personal style is an extension of our being. It's another way to understand and articulate who we are in the world." -Nadine Farag of One Who Dresses Throughout th...

Feb 07, 201844 minSeason 2Ep. 100

S02 Episode 99 | PROCLAIM + THE NUDE REVOLUTION

In episode 99, Kestrel welcomes Shobha Philips, the CEO and founder of Proclaim, to the show. An ethically-made and inclusively-designed bra collection, Proclaim is expanding the definition of nude by celebrating real women. "I think that lingerie should be marketed to the women that wear it - celebrating women's bodies of all types, all skin colors, letting women see themselves represented in these images, and feel like they are included and that they are beautiful." -Shobha Philips, CEO + Foun...

Jan 30, 201823 minSeason 2Ep. 99

S02 Episode 98 | SILKROLL, FASHION + THE SHARING ECONOMY

In episode 98, Kestrel welcomes Janet Wu and Erin Wold, the cofounders of SilkRoll, to the show. The ultimate community to trade and discover high quality fashion from style-mates around the world without spending an extra penny, SilkRoll's vision is to build the world’s largest shared closet. "The way that the resale space works is that our clothes depreciate really fast in second hand ... the minute you buy something from the retail store, pop the tag, wear it once, and the next day you try to...

Jan 23, 201838 minSeason 2Ep. 98

S02 Episode 97 | THE ZIRAN + XIANG YUN SHA SILK

In episode 97, Kestrel welcomes Kelly Wang Shanahan, the founder of The Ziran, to the show. A Los Angeles-based label which offers a new line of luxury silks, The Ziran's mission is to weave tradition into the modern world, leading a new generation to live the Ziran way: natural, spontaneous, and free. "Fashion is important and it's not only a physical reflection of how you perceive yourself, but also how you want to be perceived. Otherwise we would walk out of the house naked every day. So, eve...

Jan 17, 201829 minSeason 2Ep. 97

S02 Episode 96 | BANGS SHOES, OPPORTUNITIES OVER THINGS + KIVA

In episode 96, Kestrel welcomes Hannah Davis, the founder of BANGS shoes, to the show. A footwear company with a social mission and a partnership with Kiva, BANGS believes that "your adventure can help others find theirs". "I want to provide people opportunities vs things." -Hannah of Bangs Shoes Throughout this episode, Hannah shares more insight into her experience manufacturing abroad, and the realities about where it's possible to actually produce vulcanized shoes. In addition, she expands f...

Jan 10, 201837 minSeason 2Ep. 96

S02 Episode 95 | RECESS CITY, A NEW YEAR + ETHICAL INTENTIONS

In episode 94, Kestrel welcomes Anna Lisa Grieve, the co-creator of Recess City, to the show. A lifestyle and travel blog, Recess City is a project by Anna Lisa and her husband Porter. Since September 2017, they have been traveling the world, living in hotels and showcasing ethical fashion brands along the way. "People suddenly realized that their food came from somewhere and that it mattered how it was made, and I think the same thing is happening in the world of fashion now. And, people are no...

Jan 02, 201842 minSeason 2Ep. 95

S02 Episode 94 | ZANNI, PERFORMANCE FABRIC + DESIGNING TO LAST

In episode 94, Kestrel welcomes Suzanne Lewis, the founder & designer of Zanni to the show. By reinventing the classic little black dress, Zanni uses technical performance fabrics and manufactures in Los Angeles to create what they call, "dresses for whatever." "As much as people made fun of the athleisure trend when it came out, I think what we're seeing is that everyone wants to be comfortable, and people want balance. They don't want to have to have one outfit for each activity of the day...

Dec 26, 201729 minSeason 2Ep. 94

S02 Episode 93 | COYUCHI + THEIR CIRCULAR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

In episode 93, Kestrel welcomes Eileen Mockus, the CEO of Coyuchi, and Margot Lyons, Coyuchi’s Sustainability + Production Manager to the show. A home textile company that is committed to using minimally processed organic & natural fibers, Coyuchi also has a human commitment to the hands that touch each product. "We do sense that the customer is looking for newness, and this allows them to have that newness but at the same time, gives us the ability to take that product back and do something...

Dec 19, 201730 minSeason 2Ep. 93

S02 Episode 92 | THE ACCIDENTAL ICON ON FASHION, IDENTITY + PERFORMATIVE STYLE

In episode 92, Kestrel welcomes Lyn Slater, the woman behind Accidental Icon, to the show. A cultural influencer, professor, model, writer, content creator and speaker, Lyn has been featured in Women’s Wear Daily, Refinery29, WhoWhatWear, and more. She shares the true story of how she got the name Accidental Icon , and how it wasn't as much of an accidental story as the press has led us to think. "She is the woman who ... does not consume garments, she lives her life in them and dresses honestly...

Dec 12, 201749 minSeason 2Ep. 92
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