This episode of Sustainably LB is a solo episode. I believe this topic to be of utmost importance this holiday season.  To be honest, this conversation is always important, and these tips extend to all aspects of shopping, not strictly during the crazed overconsumption narrative of the holiday season. I talk about consuming less, shopping local and breaking the wheel of overconsumption. And in this little chat, I will give you a bunch of tips, tricks and alternatives to do just that!

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to hold space with Nicole Daberkow, Designer and Owner of Elsie’s Attic. After working in the creative design space for over a decade, Nicole decided that it was time to trust the universal nudges and shift her career to slow fashion and design. Her love of the sacred nature of sewing and creating unique pieces led her to create her own sustainable fashion brand built upon doing more with what we already have.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to hold space with Tori Cates, Certified Reiki Master and Founder of Satori 23. You might remember Tori from our first interview about her sustainable, witchy fashion brand, Potion 23. Since that interview, Tori and I have formed a beautiful friendship and I have had the privilege to watch her practice of creating magic with her hands evolve from the intentionality and love worked into every piece of Potion 23 to working that same energy a different way through her healing modalities with Satori 23. 

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to hold space with Nadia Estefania, Traditional Healer and Founder of Nadia Estefania Ayahuasca Retreats in Ecuador. From her former life in tech and living the perceived dream in NYC, to leading soul-centered rituals and ceremonies in Ecuador, each step along her path has led her back to her truth and who she knew she was all along.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Joelle Tangen, Designer and Owner of La Jolie Joelle. After learning about the overwhelmingly unsustainable nature of the fashion industry in college, Joelle sought to pave her own way by focusing on sustainability and what that niche is for her. Her love of nature and creating has led her to curate her own fashion line, build upcycled art outside of the realm of clothing and had her creating sustainable drag for Pattie Gonia.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Heather Snowden, Sustainable Fashion Journalist and Editor, Remake Ambassador and Brand Ambassador at Give Your Best UK. Her particular focus in the sustainability realm is human rights. After the first time I met Heather, I was enchanted by her knowledge and the way she spoke with such eloquence when discussing tough issues. To share this knowledge in a way that doesn’t come off as elitist is a gift!

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Maria Corpuz Owner of Bel Merch and Design and Host of Riverside Chats. We cover so much in this episode! From taking the opportunity to turn a flawed system into a space for change to experiencing and learning into parts of your story that you might not have known existed.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Selina Sanders Slow Fashion Clothing Artist and Creator of her namesake brand, Selina Sanders. The entire time Selina was sharing her story and her experience in the fashion industry, I was spellbound. It reminded me that you can always change the narrative and life has a funny way of bringing you right where you need to be.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Jamie Smith Artist, Creator of El Crisol Art and Spanish Teacher. Her inspiration for starting El Crisol came from her experience with injury and looking for the beauty in the unloved and overlooked moments in between what most consider the ideal aspects of life.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to hold space with Lana Rose, Founder of Conscious Concierge. From being a former TV and Ad Executive stepped in hustle culture, to leading a heart-centered practice and way of life. Centered on the individual, Lana uses different modalities to explore the mind, body, soul connection that is left out of the narrative of mainstream medicine.

This episode of Sustainably LB is a solo episode and a little review about the Brand Melville Documentary on HBO MAX titled Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion. In so many ways it is still mind blowing to me to keep having these conversations about the fashion industry with little being done about it and no one really ever being held accountable. But I also understand that what got us here won’t get us there. Overhauling that fashion industry, and the way we treat women, will be our life’s work.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Leah Miles, Community Organizer and Owner of Shipment Vintage. Leah embodies her dedication to community and cultivating connection and accessibility through everything she does. What you see is what you get and there isn’t a facet of Leah that doesn’t shimmer with her authenticity.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to quite literally share space with Rachel Campbell, Owner of Noa Brides. Everything that Rachel does echoes her commitment to ethics and relationships. There isn’t anything that she does that is superficial. These deeply ingrained beliefs are woven into the very fabric of what Noa Brides embodies.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to hold space with Susan Marrufo, Founder of Samarasa Center Student, Retreat Facilitator, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Now, if you listened to the podcast last week, you might remember that I broke my interview with Susan into two parts, this episode is that second part. While both episodes are lovely as stand alone pieces, the two episodes truly build on each other and the first episode is a nice foundation for this second episode.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to hold space with Susan Marrufo, Founder of Samarasa Center Student, Retreat Facilitator, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. Now, it isn’t often that a guest and I will divide straight into the interview, but that is what happened with Susan and me. I view many of my conversations here on the podcast as medicine. But this one, probably because of the topic, feels deeply healing.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to hold space with Sage Evans, environmental consultant, circular fashion and vintage enthusiast. Sage’s conscious awareness of sustainable practices began at an early age. Fostered by her upbringing and curiosity, Sage found herself weaving sustainability into every aspect of her life.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Lindsey Bales writer, content creator and strategist. Lindsey’s curiosity, love of fashion and telling a good story has been ingrained in her since her childhood and her days spent as the fashion editor of her high school paper. Come with us as we reminisce about the early days of fashion blogging, creating our own path, leveraging personal style and navigating the nuances of the fashion industry.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to quite literally share space with Kelli Bello, Owner and Curator of Spearmint Vintage. I broke my interview with Kelli into two parts. In this installment we talk about being inspired by our peers and creating the change you’d like to see by leveraging your community and connections. It truly takes a village and we often forget that inspiration isn’t as far away as we might think it is.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to quite literally share space with Kelli Bello, Owner and Curator of Spearmint Vintage. Curiosity, adventure and the love of the stories history has to impart are traits that have been a part of Kelli for as long as she can remember. These entrenched qualities eventually lead her to curate her own vintage clothing collection, sharing it with the masses through the interwebs and in local pop-ups.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Dani Des Roches Designer and Founder of Picnicwear. Dani has worked in the fashion industry as a designer for over a decade. She has fused her background and knowledge with ethics and intention to create unique pieces for her brand Picnicwear.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Sydney Moore, Model, Stylist, Designer and Creator of 4 Moore. While Sydney is so many things, we touch on a lot of the topics of separateness and the toxicity of this world and the fashion industry. But, as dark as that may sound, this episode is full of hope and compassion.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Student of Yoga, Sex and Death Training, Hatha & Vinyasa Certified Yoga Instructor and my friend, Emily Dean. Emily is a student of life and for her, yoga and the study of it is really a remembering of our true nature.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to chat with Andarge, Host of Take it off: Fashion Podcast. Take it off: Fashion Podcast is a fashion centered production with particular focus on social issues and style with purpose. We talk about accepting the journey, conscious effort, unlearning beauty standards and so much more!

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Victoria Cates Designer, and Creator of Potion23. Potion23 is a woman-owned, slow fashion focused, witchy brand that honors vintage aesthetics through form and fabric. Imbibed with magic, no two creations are alike and crafted to be loved for generations.

Katie Ciolino and Hannah Kleman are the Designers and Co-Owners of reduce. reduce creates one of a kind garments using all recycled or sustainable materials. All the clothing that Katie and Hannah create is lovingly handmade in small, curated batches. By focusing on using recycled materials, reduce aims to keep textiles out of landfills one beautiful piece at a time.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Remake Community Organizer for the state of Florida, Sara Phillips. This interview was enlightening and inspiring as Sara has worked for the Department of State and then shifted gears to pursue greater alignment in her life — a leap worth taking.

Stephani Bayle is a Marketer, Momma, Baddie and my friend. This interview really came from the fact that we all carry a wealth of information inside of us and sometimes I think that we only see one side of our friends. She has so many insights and experience volunteering and integrating serving the community in that capacity is about finding an organization that supports your values.

Graham Stewart is a Dyer, Founder and Executive Vice President at Fibre52. Fibre52 is moving towards sustainable cotton with their eco-conscious dye technology. Their cotton treatment method eliminates harsh chemicals while reducing water and energy usage. Thus, leaving the cotton closer to its natural state, advancing circularity with a recyclable fabric that lasts longer.

Camille Lee is the Owner and Creator of WearEmOutTees. WearEmOutTees transforms pre-loved t-shirts into one-of-a-kind, small batch, graphic tees with original artwork. It is through her brand and her work as a speaker in the community that Camille aims to be a scratch in the record.

Debora Florio is the Founder of Bio Fashion Lab and Remake Community Organizer in Florence, Italy. Remake is a nonprofit global advocacy organization that champions fair pay and climate justice in the fashion industry. Bio Fashion Lab is a beautiful space Debora has created where conscious shopping and education meet.

Kamrin Baker is a multi-hyphenate creative, writer, photographer and content strategist. We chat about authenticity, healing, compassion, community and how to seek joy through pain. I am truly honored that I got the chance to sit with Kamrin and discuss how changing how we operate is a necessity, but so is finding and making space to build networks of care and to really lean into doing what we can with what we have.

Over the past few years there has been an increase in consumers asking: “What is in the products I am purchasing and using? What do these vague labels actually mean? And are these marketing claims actually legitimate?” The rise in this consumer concern? The access to improved chemical testing and the increase in the finding of PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ in many of our everyday-use products specifically period products.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to chat with Jocelyn Redfern, Owner and Creator of Fox & Shrew in Colorado Springs. Fox & Shrew is a sustainable, woman-owned dress shop where everything is handmade in Colorado from vintage cotton fabric, lined in silk and signed by the maker. A true testament to just how unique and special the shop is. We discuss supporting women, centering women, valuing skilled labor. and everything sustainable fashion.

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to hold space with Madeline Reddel. Madeline is a musician and educator who looks to serve the community in ways that are authentic to her. She takes what she already has, physically or otherwise, and pours love into her little corner of the world through considering the greater good. It is so inspiring to talk to individuals that see a need and fill a need. And while having these conversations is so needed, we are not going to get anywhere by conversation alone.

Leigh Neary is the Owner and Curator of exist green, an eco-boutique and zero waste market in Omaha, NE. While we do talk about what we consume, we really looked at sustainability as a way of life. Not only through Leigh’s approach to living a sustainable lifestyle by choosing organic and local, but through her environmental engineering background as well. Sustainability really is how we show up in our daily choices, however small they might appear.

I am so honored to share not only Swap Omaha with these amazing women, but to have them on my team and in my corner. Of course we discuss all things sustainable clothing and keeping clothing in circulation. But we also dive into our favorite designers, what keeps us inspired and why we do the work in the first place. We are stronger together and I am grateful to share this work with them.

This April marks the 10th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse. Rana Plaza was an eight-story building located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It housed five garment factories, many of which made clothing for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. The 2013 collapse killed 1,134 garment workers and prompted the creation of the Bangladesh Accord—which protects over 2 million garment workers and has made 1,600 factories much safer, sparing lives.

Becki Murabito is the Owner & Curator of Drips Foragers Emporium and Partner at Drips Botanical Elements. While we focus on Drips, Becki’s commitment to community and curated vintage and preloved fashion, we really talk about showing up as whole, just as we are. And finding ourselves and standing in that authenticity and decisioning from that space with intention.

Erin Kelly is the Designer and Owner of rinkel clothing supply. rinkel is a small, sustainable clothing brand inspired femininity by the #whomadeyourclothes movement. rinkel is made-to-order, thoughtfully designed and curated, slow fashion using fabrics made of natural fibers and strategically placed patterns to reduce waste.

This episode of Sustainably LB is a solo episode discussing personal style, plus tips to cleaning out your closet and the energy of the clothing we wear. Whether you are a fashion-loving baddie or a creature of comfort, you can curate your personal style in a way that works for you, and it starts with your closet and making space.

While photography is Heather’s passion and trade, it feels so limiting to define her by her photography alone. She is a true creative at heart finding inspiration from the collaborations her career fosters and welcomes the perspective that it brings. Heather has an unmistakable presence which is reflected in her unique sense of style.

Ruthlyss is Lyssie’s outlet for all things sustainable fashion & up-cycled designs. But she doesn’t stop there, a key component to her creating this space is meeting people wherever they are on their sewing journey by getting back to the basics. Lyssie started carving out this inspiring space from her own desire to get back to her creative roots in fashion, design and costumes.

OA Shoppe is a preloved, circular fashion centered business with a unique concept located here in Omaha, NE. Rose’s shop is built on the rent-a-rack model where individuals rent space in the shop per week and essentially curate their racks. And while rack rental is the focus of OA Shoppe, Rose has a passion for community and hosts a variety of events that connect those who share a common interest - preloved fashion.

There is no denying that we, in what is considered the “developed” world, are a culture of overconsumption, materialism, and convenience, with an acute affinity for “othering” and a hyper-focus on fixing people. When people don’t line up with the binary that we hold for ourselves, we start to “other” them or we attempt to “fix” them because we see them as defective.

It isn’t the fear of failure that’s holding most of us back, it’s the fear of success. Yep, that’s right! Not the fear of failure but of achievement. Achievement often implies “work,” yes, there is a lot of showing up and actually doing the work that leads to “success.” But this hyperalert, always-on lifestyle doesn’t feel like a success. And if you’ve lived this life, you can probably relate no matter your generation.

While our conversation is focused on the floral industry, so many of the same exploitive practices show up in the fashion industry as well which was particularly eye opening for me as to how deep the rabbit hole goes. I connected with Holly in our little sustainability corner of Instagram and was immediately inspired by the work she is doing and the wealth of knowledge and compassion that flows through her.

Chris is a Freelance Creative Artist and while he might be known best for his photography, his scope in the arts and fashion space stretch well beyond what he captures from behind the lens of a camera. Honoring where you come from and sharing those stories really fosters that connection and helps us get back to our roots in a way. This multi-hyphenate man is a stylist, an artist, a designer and a photographer currently located in San Antonio, TX.

Maddie is a personal stylist with a sustainable twist and Frugal Fox is the beautiful vehicle for it all. She does branded styling shoots, stylinging sessions, closet cleanouts and audits and sells curated vintage and thrifted pieces. And honestly, that is really just the bare bones of it. Maddie brings a richness to her work, not only to her clients, but to the community and to herself as well. Because when you love doing what you do, it shows!

There are always people who care, who are working towards a future where we are all supported, held and looked after. In this case, that looks like stateside legislation aimed at the fashion industry! The FABRIC Act, federal bill focused on brand's accountability and the Fashion Workers Act, a New York law that would protect creatives and models by holding management companies accountable and creates specific protections for fashion’s creative workforce.

This solo episode focuses on how women are viewed through the lens of their clothing, Policing Women's Bodies and the Worldwide War on Women with a particular focus on Iran and Mahsa Amini’s death. I see what we wear as a beautiful expression and extension of who we are, should we choose to express ourselves in that way and I do not believe that culture or religion place in that. A woman’s expression through her clothing is what she thinks it is, not what anyone else labels it as.

Christine is a Marketing Leader and creator of the Art of Life, Liberty, and Happiness Podcast. Over our years together she has worn many hats, but today we are simply talking about awareness and intention. Oftentimes we get so caught up with the doing that we forget how to simply be. Showing up for ourselves while in the midst of all of it and a gentle reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out.

This episode of Sustainably LB is a solo episode and I will be covering Faux Feminism. All of this information is largely based on an article I wrote for Remake a global advocacy organization fighting for fair pay and climate justice in the clothing and fashion industry. I am so honored to be a Remake Ambassador and have the chance to share this piece with you.

You can’t really talk about the Omaha fashion scene or Omaha Fashion Week without talking about Buf and her influence on it. From teaching herself how to make patterns and construct garments to really finding her stride in her thirties, Buf is proof that there is no recipe for success. That trial and error only adds to the beauty of becoming and that it is never too late to explore something you're passionate about.

Amanda made for boutique owner dream a reality with Albany and Avers in 2018. Albany and Avers is committed to community, hosting a variety of events that connect those who share a common interest - fashion. Amanda understands the importance of reducing our carbon footprint in the apparel industry which pairs perfectly with her love for thrifting and vintage. 

Since Kelly opened Scout’s doors in 2008 there has been a focus on environment and community. As a small, woman-owned business, community is a central part of Kelly’s mission with Scout—hosting events with local organizations across the metro, plus supporting charities by donating clothing, shoes, hats, and bags to those most in need.

She operates out of Omaha, Nebraska, but her reach is vast, touching many corners of the Midwest and well beyond. HART Collective is a beautiful community of fashion lovers and sustainability advocates centered around community and the goal of making sustainable fashion accessible for everyone.