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.

I think many of us are just starting to realize that our soul has always been in the driver seat if we can just follow the call and remain committed to our most authentic selves. Easier said than done, I know. But there are so many tools and gifts that are just within our grasp if we simply have the courage to change the narrative within and break free from the chains of our conditioning. I hope you enjoy my interview with Nadi as much as I enjoyed our conversation.

Show Notes:

• Self Discovery Leads to Freedom
• Gratitude for All the Steps Along the Path
• Embracing the Inner Knowing
• Connecting to Ancient Practices and Ancestral Roots
• After Ceremony, the Inner Work Continues

Instagram: @nadiecitaa

Links:
https://nadiaestefania.com
Sustainably LB Patreon https://patreon.com/SustainablyLB

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Creative:
Lauren Bates

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

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.

I am so grateful that I got the chance to sit with Joelle and chat about how sustainability manifests in different ways and how we are constantly learning and leveling up in an industry that focuses, almost entirely, on the bottom line.

Show Notes:

• Bridging the gap between runway and wearable
• Working your piece of the sustainability puzzle
• Using your unique gifts to create lasting change
• Finding inspiration in the materials your using / sourcing
• An unlikely connection to sustainable drag and the midwest

Handles:
IG: @lajoliejoelle

Links:
La Jolie Joelle Website
Sustainably LB Patreon

Music:
Ian Aeillo
Creative:
Lauren Bates
Logo:
Meadow Hearn

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! Because, so often, in the sustainable community, these narratives can come off as snooty and entitled.

I am so honored that I got the chance to sit with Heather and talk about the ins and outs of the industry we hold so dear while maintaining the hope that it can do better.

Show Notes:

• The privilege of being able to quit
• We are conditioned to be individualist
• Clothing is a human right
• Giving people the space to change
• There are a lot of people that care

Handles:
Instagram: @hlsnowden

Articles by Heather:
Fashion Supply Chains - Remake
Clothing Poverty - Vogue
Seaweed Fashion - High Snobiety
Ethical Organic Fashion - atmos

Additional Things to Click on:
Environmental Policies in the EU
Give Your Best
Remake Brand Accountability Report
Sustainably LB Patreon

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Creative:
Lauren Bates

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

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. This conversation has been a long time coming and I am so grateful that we finally got to sit and hold space around some many amazing topics. 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.

I hope that you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed our conversation.

Show Notes:

• Turning a flawed system into an opportunity for change
• The connection of what your story means to you
• Finding a job that fits and pays the bill(s)
• The importance, history and art of tradition and culture
• The art of doing nothing

Handles:
Instagram: @belmerch_
@mariaecorpuz

Links:
Bel Merch and Design Website
Sustainably LB Patreon

Music:
Ian Aeillo
Creative:
Lauren Bates
Logo:
Meadow Hearn

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. I mean, I was on the edge of my seat hanging on every word. And it isn’t because she shares things about the industry that I don’t know. But she shared her story in such a way that reminded me that you can always change the narrative and life has a funny way of bringing you right where you need to be. Even if you seemingly lose your way.

I am so honored that I got the chance to sit with Selina and talk about the ins and outs of the industry we hold dear and what really matters in this life.

I hope that you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed our conversation.

Show Notes:

• Change doesn't happen overnight
• Disputing the idea of what fashion and dressing is about
• A clear(er) picture of the result of our choices
• Being an artist, in any capacity, is about sharing your art
• Determining your own measurement of success

Handles:
Instagram:
@selina_sanders

Links:
Selina’s Website
Patterns
YouTube Channel
Domestika Course
Daz-E Thrift Shop
Sustainably LB Patreon
Beth Jones

Music:
Ian Aeillo
Creative:
Lauren Bates
Logo:
Meadow Hearn

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. We cover so much in this episode but we keep coming back to connection and curiosity and embracing the ride while trying to do the best with what we have.

Because in truth everything is connected and inspiration is everywhere. I hope you enjoy my interview with Jamie as much as I enjoyed our conversation.

Show Notes:

• Using art to capture emotions through memories
• Necessity breeds creativity
• Traveling through art
• The emotional effect of both clothing and art
• Unconsciously using clothing to speak to those that are looking for you

Instagram: @el.crisol_art.gallery

Links:
El Crisol Art Gallery
Sustainably LB Patreon

Music:
Ian Aeillo
Creative:
Lauren Bates
Logo:
Meadow Hearn

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, each step along her path has led her to create Conscious Concierge. 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. Connecting her clients to vetted practitioners in environments they can trust.

As I’ve said before, everything is connected and that couldn't be more true than with our body, mind and soul. I think many of us are just starting to realize that we are a soul in a body and that our mind is a precious tool if we can learn to control it. I hope you enjoy my interview with Lana as much as I enjoyed our conversation.

Show Notes:

• Treating the root cause(s), not the symptom(s)
• Strengthening our own voice and then listening to it
• Having the right tools for the moment and situation
• It isn’t profitable for us to be well
• Don’t quiet the messengers

Instagram: @yourconsciousconcierge

Links:
Conscious Concierge Website
Conscious Concierge YouTube Channel
Sustainably LB Patreon

Music:
Ian Aeillo
Creative:
Lauren Bates
Logo:
Meadow Hearn

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. Now, I have read some of the reviews online and, I believe, many of the negative ones completely miss the point. I also believe that people just like to complain into the echo chambers of the internet. So if you do want to watch this documentary, I would encourage you not to read any of those reviews and come to your own conclusion. Now, I do realize that I am sitting here telling you my thoughts about this documentary, but I am going to do my best to remain as neutral as possible as I believe that it is worth the hour and a half of your time.

Show Notes:

• Social media allows teens to tell other teens (and essentially Brandy Melville / the fashion industry) what is trendy
• Fast fashion brands produce around 52 micro-seasons per year
• The (fast) fashion industry needs us to see clothing as disposable
• The fact that it isn’t in your backyard doesn't mean it is not your problem
• The fashion industry is so deplorable and disenfranchises so many that it is kind of hard to narrow the scope

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 and brands just continuing on 'business as usual.' 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. Maybe not yours necessarily, but definitely mine. And I must keep reminding myself that this isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.

Instagram:
@Sustainably_LB

Subscribe:
Sustainably LB Patreon

Links:
The Or Foundation
Remake
How Are Our Clothes Made?
Protecting Farmworkers Stateside
Microplastics in Our Drinking Water

Music:
Ian Aeillo
Creative:
Lauren Bates
Logo:
Meadow Hearn