Fair Trade practices put people and the planet first. Beautyologie.com founder Robin Tolkan-Doyle talks about fair trade and sustainably-sourced beauty products, points out harmful ingredients to avoid, and identifies the key product categories for a non-toxic beauty routine.  She also shares her love of secondhand and fair trade clothing, what’s inspiring her right now, and what makes her feel optimistic about the future. 

Robin Tolkan-Doyle is a 25-year beauty industry veteran with successes as a writer, editor, public relations/media expert, and entrepreneur. Following a bucket list trip to India, Robin witnessed firsthand how Western consumerism impacts developing nations – and decided she didn’t want to perpetuate this cycle any longer. She fueled her passion for beauty, love of traveling and exploring global cultures, an unparalleled ability to cultivate relationships, and media savvy to found Beautyologie.com, an online beauty marketplace catering to consumers who want their dollars to make a difference.

Use promo code SWAP20 to get 20% off anything on Beautyologie.com.

For show notes visit: https://www.swapsociety.co/pages/podcast

Gary Anderson is an American architect, urban planner, and the designer of the recycling symbol. In 1970, at the age of 23, Gary won a design contest that sought a symbol to identify products that were made from recycled materials and/or were recyclable. Today, Gary’s now iconic design is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. 

In this episode, Gary shares the influences behind his design including the emerging consciousness of environmentalism and the first Earth Day,   Bauhaus, Buckminster Fuller, MC Escher, The Möbius Strip, paper processing and the printing press, Ron Cobb’s Ecology Symbol, the Woolmark logo, and more. He also talks about the evolution of the symbol and an encounter with it that struck him more than when he learned he had won the competition. 

For show notes visit: https://www.swapsociety.co/pages/podcast

“My power lies within my dollar, how I spend it, how I spend my time, where I shop, how I shop, what I put on my body. I can make those personal decisions every single day, and so that’s where I choose to put my effort.”

This episode features former fashion publicist turned secondhand fashion influencer and author of “From #Selfie to Selfless” Kristen Perino-Merjanian. She creates positive content on Instagram @selfietoselfless that encourages others to have fun styling secondhand clothes. Kristen reflects that she may not be able to change the fashion executives, but she can control her own purchases and inspire others to embrace ethical fashion. Kristen talks about her personal and professional transformation, shares her passion for secondhand, and debunks common myths about thrifting.

For show notes visit: https://www.swapsociety.co/pages/podcast

Joanne Brasch, PhD, is a textiles lecturer and Special Project Manager for the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC), an NGO specializing in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Dr. Brasch also holds two appointments with the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). 

In this episode, Dr. Brash outlines SB 707, a first-of-its-kind EPR textile recycling and repair program that has been introduced in California. SB 707 would require producers to implement an end-to-end system that would reduce textile waste going to landfills and promote a circular economy in the state. Dr. Brasch also shares tips for reducing textile waste at home and what not to put in your recycling bin. Plus, she shares our favorite fashion love story to date! 

For show notes visit: https://www.swapsociety.co/pages/podcast

While designing costumes for television & film, Jillian Clark began to reflect on the impacts large film productions had on the environment. After becoming disillusioned with the wasteful practices of the industry and costume's reliance on fast fashion brands, Jillian founded Roboro in 2017. Six years later, Roboro has grown from an upcycling retailer to a dynamic sustainable textile waste management company and a leading partner in LA city’s pioneering pilot programs to manage the city’s growing textile waste problem. Jillian still works as a costume designer and stylist and now approaches each project with a more mindful and sustainable approach.

In this episode, Jillian discusses the massive textile waste problem, shares the ways she incorporates sustainability into her costume design, and talks about they way TV and film influences fashion trends. She also shares what’s inspiring her right now, and what makes her feel optimistic about the future. 

For show notes visit: https://www.swapsociety.co/pages/podcast

From designing for Levi's to launching her own denim brand, Deco Denim Founder Sarah Mattes dishes about all things denim. Sarah shares tips for taking care of your denim so it lasts for many years, including how to wash jeans. She also talks about what it’s like to work as a fashion designer for a major denim brand, the environmental impact of denim, the challenges of creating an ethical and sustainable fashion brand, and her mission to inspire others to embrace slow fashion.

For show notes visit: https://www.swapsociety.co/pages/podcast

Plastic pollution has created a lot of ocean pollution, and it has wreaked havoc on The Great Lakes too. Michigan-based artist of "The Trashy Collection" and sustainability educator Hannah Tizedes turns the trash she finds while doing beach cleanups into works of art. Hannah uses her art as a tool to raise awareness and educate others about the plastic waste crisis in the Midwest and beyond. In this episode, she shares sustainable living tips, easy ways to reduce waste, and how to limit microplastic pollution at home. Hannah also talks about her love of secondhand clothes and furniture, her local Buy Nothing group, and how getting involved with her local community keeps her feeling optimistic about the future.

For show notes visit: https://www.swapsociety.co/pages/podcast

Miles Lewis is an artist, educator, community organizer, and director of the Valley Art Workshop. His murals monumentalize environmental systems with the hopes of transforming culture and the way we think about the world around us. Miles talks about the connection between his art and environmentalism including his experience with zero waste, native plants, soil health and more. He also shares his unique perspective on the climate crisis, what's inspiring him, and what makes him feel hopeful about the future. Miles’ partners include Tree People, 11:11 Projects, Kiss the Ground, and the Theodore Payne Foundation.

For show notes visit: https://www.swapsociety.co/pages/podcast