FAIR Talks Podcast
Government
How do I make a difference in the world? What can I do to help end human trafficking? What are sustainable solutions to ending global poverty? How can I be a part of the solution and not part of the problem? Whether you are trying to be a conscious consumer or start your dream business or nonprofit to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, we’re here to help. The FAIR Talks Podcast educates everyday people for extraordinary change. Together, we’ll be diving into fair trade, sustainability, and working effective solutions to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems. From combatting human trafficking to what coffee to drink, we are going to cover the ‘who, ‘how, and ‘why’ all the topics about the people behind the products we buy every day. You’ll hear from industry experts, social entrepreneurs, and fellow world changers with experience working on the ground from some of the world’s most difficult places. Be inspired with actionable steps and tips to help you make better daily decisions to create extraordinary change. Shownotes: https://www.fairtradela.org/podcast Follow us on social @FairTradeLA
Location:
United States
Description:
How do I make a difference in the world? What can I do to help end human trafficking? What are sustainable solutions to ending global poverty? How can I be a part of the solution and not part of the problem? Whether you are trying to be a conscious consumer or start your dream business or nonprofit to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, we’re here to help. The FAIR Talks Podcast educates everyday people for extraordinary change. Together, we’ll be diving into fair trade, sustainability, and working effective solutions to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems. From combatting human trafficking to what coffee to drink, we are going to cover the ‘who, ‘how, and ‘why’ all the topics about the people behind the products we buy every day. You’ll hear from industry experts, social entrepreneurs, and fellow world changers with experience working on the ground from some of the world’s most difficult places. Be inspired with actionable steps and tips to help you make better daily decisions to create extraordinary change. Shownotes: https://www.fairtradela.org/podcast Follow us on social @FairTradeLA
Language:
English
Website:
https://fairtradela.podbean.com
Episodes
Choosing Fair Trade is a Shoe-in! | The Root Collective
4/3/2024
Put on your dancing shoes–we’ve got a special treat for you today! Bethany Tran of the Root Collective walks us through the process of making fair trade shoes, from how the soles are developed to sourcing their materials. She also shares why the company made the switch to pre-orders for their shoes and how they incorporated pre-loved shoes into their overall business model. Finally, Bethany and Elisha highlight challenges facing small fair trade brands in a tough economy and share practical ways customers can support their favorite companies.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:49:39
Making Tea Time Fair Trade: Working with Small-Holder Farmers for Better Tea and a Better World | JusTea
11/8/2023
Calling all tea-lovers! We’ve got a flavor-packed episode for you today. Elisha is joined by Paul Bain, founder and CEO of JusTea, to talk about their fair trade partnerships with small-holder Kenyan tea farmers. Paul describes how they were able to set up tea cottages after working to enact legislative change in Kenya and why they’ve worked with women’s cooperatives right from the start of the business. He also shares a surprising fact about where tea comes from and why purple tea is so rare. Finally, Paul talks about why getting JusTea fair-trade certified was so important to the foundation of their business.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:47:45
All Treats, No Tricks: Tony’s Chocolonely’s Mission to Transform the Chocolate Industry | Tony’s Chocolonely
10/25/2023
We’ve got a sweet treat for you today! Hear from Abby Noel Davison at Tony’s Chocolonely about the company’s fair trade chocolate journey. She shares with Elisha how storytelling and raising awareness about human rights issues in the chocolate industry is baked into their branding and production decisions. They also talk about how addressing child labor directly and compassionately with producer groups leads to stronger supply chain relationships. Finally, Noel shares some encouraging and systemic changes that have happened in the West African cocoa industry in the last 20 years.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:47:52
Bringing the Ocean to the Starfish: How to Create a Thriving Enterprise for Survivors | Starfish Project
10/4/2023
In this episode, Elisha talks with Jenny McGee about her journey from a small town in Indiana to launching a nonprofit to support survivors of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. She talks about the importance of developing survivor leadership in all areas of their business, not just production, to foster a different future for themselves. Jenny also shares how the Starfish Project builds a culture of trust across cultural differences and emphasizes the need for a team-oriented mindset that prioritizes each person’s gifts over their educational backgrounds.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:43:51
Keeping the ‘Art’ in Artisan: Elevating Craftsmanship in Fair Trade Products | Matr Boomie
9/20/2023
Welcome back to another season of the Fair Talks podcast! Today’s guest, Manish Gupta, shares his journey from majoring in chemical engineering to co-founding a powerhouse global fair trade brand - Matr Boomie. He tells Elisha about the companies’ commitment to partnering with at-risk communities and how those artisan groups have evolved since working with fair trade. They dissect the importance of quality control, why emphasizing artisan’s artistry matters for high-quality products, and how to bring that same quality into every aspect of a fair trade business. Finally, Manish shares just how transformative self-confidence can be for their artisan partners.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:55:48
Who Benefits from Fair Trade? A Day in the Life Episode | Impactful Missions
6/7/2023
Ever wondered what a typical day is like for someone who benefits from a fair trade enterprise? Join Elisha for a special episode with Daniel Sainnatus, a local leader in Haiti working to foster change. He shares how education has impacted what he believes is possible and the lessons he’s learned from starting a business, while also highlighting the ways that fair trade businesses have given him opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be available to him. He describes what an average day in a local village is like and the challenges of finding water, electricity, and other basic needs. Finally, Daniel and Elisha discuss why it’s so important for him to stay in Haiti and bring change to his village.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:01:03:21
Investing Forward Using Traditional African Values and Fair Trade Practices | Alaffia
5/17/2023
Enjoy this insightful conversation with Olowo-n’djo Tchala, founder and CEO of Alaffia! He shares with Elisha the process of how he started fair trade cooperatives to support farmers & makers to employ their vast knowledge to create excellent products while protecting the power of collective bargaining. He shares the process of bringing traditional African values and knowledge to fair trade and why it’s important to consider the production structure of our goods, not just the materials. Learn how implementing an ‘investment forward’ strategy creates a more stable community future. Finally, he shares the challenges and opportunities for adapting policies and certification standards shaped by Western belief systems into local community contexts and the impact of adapting key elements of a community-centered model so that more people can gather under the fair trade umbrella.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:57:22
Get to Know Us! A Fireside Chat with Fair Trade LA Board Members
5/3/2023
We are pulling back the curtains to give you a behind-the-scenes look at running Fair Trade LA! In this intimate episode, Elisha chats with four Fair Trade LA board members about their paths towards fair trade. They share creative tips for finding like-minded folks passionate about social & environmental justice in your local community and how to build a fair trade community from the ground up. Plus, hear step by step tips for creating and promoting events and how to share sobering information with infectious enthusiasm. Our board members offer resources for starting a fair trade campaign, how our nonprofit is structured, why we fundraise, and where donation dollars go to make the most impact for a better world.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:48:13
How Fair Trade Fights Economic Hardship and Fosters Abundance | GOEX Apparel
4/19/2023
Continue learning about fair trade fashion in honor of Fashion Revolution Month! Elisha chats with Jessica Ray, Executive Director at GOEX Apparel, a fair trade apparel manufacturer in Haiti, about her journey from high-end luxury retail to ethical fashion. Jessica shares how the fair trade community fosters an abundance mindset and specific lessons the fair trade world can apply to scale our businesses and impact. She details how GOEX Apparel has transformed from its early days into a factory that employs over 77 people full-time while reducing the carbon footprint of their fabric. Both Jessica and Elisha share their experiences building businesses in Haiti and the importance of investing in and prioritizing holistic wellbeing in the workplace.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:54:55
One Stop Swap: How Sharing Clothing Supports a Circular Fashion Future | Swap Society
4/5/2023
This week we’re diving into the world of sustainable fashion! Join Elisha as she learns about the power of clothing swaps from Nicole Robertson, founder of Swap Society. Nicole shares the pitfalls of fast fashion, what it actually means to ‘swap clothing’, and why she believes it’s a game changer for your closet. She shares some practical tips for hosting your own clothing swap and envisions what the future of conscious fashion might become.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:44:14
How Fair Trade Flowers Bring More Power to Workers | Florecal
3/22/2023
Stop and smell the fair trade roses! This week’s conversation goes behind the scenes of Florecal, an established fair trade flower producer. Our guest, Jaime, shares why Florecal’s location in Ecuador is perfectly situated for growing flowers and how the government works with producers to create a healthy, equitable working environment. He describes the different kinds of programs that support their employee’s holistic wellbeing and how shifting mindsets helped their employees embrace fair trade practices. Finally, Jaime gives profound examples showcasing why fair trade is a vehicle for social wellbeing.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:33:23
Relationships Built on Trust: Empowering Women Through Fair Trade | Fair Anita
3/8/2023
How can fair trade economically empower women and communities? In so many ways! Join Elisha as she chats with Joy McBrien, founder of the social enterprise Fair Anita, about her path towards entrepreneurship and the powerhouse women she met along the way. Joy shares the sobering connection between financial insecurity and domestic abuse, how Fair Anita incorporates women’s empowerment into their business model & reporting structures, and the importance of centering their makers in the design process. Finally, Joy also shares how joining a network like the Fair Trade Federation helped her business thrive and grow.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:43:27
BONUS | Celebrating Five Years of Fair Trade Growth | Elisha Chan
3/1/2023
It’s time for a bonus episode! Join us as we reflect on the last five years of the fair trade movement, both here in Los Angeles and around the world. Elisha shares some incredible highlights from Fair Trade LA’s five-year report and the growth of consumer demand for fairly made products. Plus, stay tuned to the end of the episode for a big announcement about Fair Trade LA’s future projects!
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:18:56
From Soil to Sale: Building a Fair Trade Supply Chain | Gallant International
12/14/2022
From managing a travel agency to building a global fair trade business, this week’s guest will inspire and empower you to build a better world! Vik Giri from Gallant International shares why he chose to invest the profits from his family business in scaling their fair trade impact and how consumer demand for ethical & organic products directly impacts fair wages for producers. Specializing in certified organic & regenerative organic cotton products made in Fair Trade Certified™ factories in India, he highlights why investing in people and ethical supply chain practices is one of the best ways to strengthen a business. He gives insight into how fair trade businesses were able to treat their workers better and experience less disruption during the pandemic.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:59:27
Rooted in Love: How to Grow a Healthy Business & Maintain Relationships | The Tote Project
11/30/2022
Friendship, fair trade, and freedom for trafficking survivors?! Yes please! Join us for a conversation with the founders of The Tote Project as they share their journey to launching an anti-trafficking business while maintaining a strong friendship. Fay and Michelle share how they’ve grown their business on fair trade principles, streamlined how they educate customers about human trafficking, and how they keep going on tough days. Finally, they share poignant advice for running a business with a friend and staying flexible through life’s challenges and transitions.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:49:38
Dressing for Change: Supporting Trafficking Survivors Through Education & Advocacy | Dressember
11/9/2022
How can every-day citizens support human trafficking survivors around the world? This week’s episode shares a place to start. Elisha chats with Blythe Hill, the founder of the Dressember movement to raise awareness and funding for anti-trafficking programs across the world. They dive into Dressember’s history, the four foundational pillars of their anti-trafficking work, and why effective solutions must be survivor-led. Finally, Blythe shares tangible actions that anyone can take to support healing and security for trafficking survivors.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:38:44
The Power of Data and Impact Measurement in Fair Trade | Fair Trade USA
10/26/2022
Have you ever wondered how fair trade programs measure their success and impact? If so, join Elisha and this week’s guest on a deep dive into data analytics, key performance indicators, and robust measurement systems. Andrea Bassetti, Impact Research and Analysis Manager at Fair Trade USA guides us through the definition of greenwashing and how to avoid the companies’ engaging in these practices, what makes the Fair Trade certification stand out, and one qualitative data point from a recent study that surprised their team. Finally, Andrea shares the importance of data transparency to drive meaningful change for both consumers and certification bodies.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:35:47
Investing in the Future: Providing Economic Opportunities to Women for a Better World | Child’s Cup Full
10/12/2022
In this episode, Elisha chats with Dr. Janette Habashi who shares her journey from growing up in Jerusalem to founding a nonprofit providing refugee and low-income artisans training and job opportunities to create lasting economic growth for Palestinian women. She shares some joys and challenges in creating a worker training program and shipping products around the world, and why it’s important for the artisans to feel a strong sense of ownership in the production process. Finally, Dr. Habashi names one simple act every citizen can do that has far-reaching effects.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:36:43
Spilling the Tea: How Products with Purpose Build Resilient Communities | Sarilla
9/28/2022
Pour yourself a warm beverage and settle in for this conversation with Sara Delaney, founder of Sarilla. She and Elisha discuss Sarilla’s evolution from equipping social service workers to provide healing & resiliency training models drawn from Rwandan culture to the development of the social impact business and why they chose tea over coffee as their hero product. Sara shares why loose leaf tea is better quality and better for the environment. Their conversation ends with the ways product certifications like fair trade or women-owned can help consumers make decisions and build trust with a brand.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:51:41
Housing, Wellbeing, and Social Impact | Downtown Women’s Center, Los Angeles
9/14/2022
This week Elisha chats with Joe Altepeter and Alexandria Pineda from the Downtown Women’s Center, the only organization in Los Angeles exclusively serving and empowering women experiencing homelessness. Learn more about this incredible organization from its audacious inception to their vision to see every woman housed and on a path to personal stability. Alex shares her journey from bartending and serving in the Air Force to her current role as lead trainer in the transitional jobs program and head of production for the MADE By DWC home and gift collection. Joe explains how the social enterprise arm of the DWC invests time and money back into the local economy. Their conversation highlights the ways COVID, race, class, and gender disproportionately affect BIPOC women’s opportunities for safe housing, and how housing is a prescription for health.
Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.
Duration:00:54:26