FAIR Talks Podcast

What does it take to build a global movement for Fair Trade? In this episode, Harriet Lamb shares the story behind decades of advancing Fairtrade around the world, from helping grow the movement into a global force to advocating for farmers, workers, and more ethical supply chains. We discuss the progress that's been made, the challenges that remain, and why Fair Trade is more relevant today than...

In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Santiago Halty, Founder & CEO of Senda Athletics, alongside Sian Brown from Fair Trade USA, to explore what it looks like to build a football brand differently. Together, they discuss Santiago’s journey, what Fair Trade certification looks like in practice, the challenge of building an ethical sports brand, and Senda’s launch of the world’s f...

In a world full of “ethical” and “sustainable” claims, how do you know what actually makes a brand fair trade? In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Amanda Archila, Executive Director of Fairtrade America, to unpack what fair trade really means, how the Fairtrade system works, and why trust, accountability, and fairer supply chains matter more than ever. Visit fairtradela.org/podcast...

In this special World Fair Trade Day episode of FAIR Talks, Joan Harper of Fair Trade LA and Katherine Bissell Córdova of Chicago Fair Trade reflect on nearly two decades of building fair trade communities in Los Angeles and Chicago. Together, they discuss how the movement has evolved over the past twenty years, the growth of ethical sourcing and sustainability, the importance of local organizing,...

In this special 50th episode of FAIR Talks, we sit down with Anthony “Ants” Watt, CEO of Joyya, for a powerful conversation on rethinking poverty, impact, and what it truly takes to create lasting change. Moving beyond traditional ideas of employment as a solution, Joyya’s model highlights the importance of relationships, community, and long-term investment in people’s lives. From education and he...

In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Karin Gardner, Vice President of Marketing at Oppy, to explore the stories behind the produce we buy every day, from global supply chains to deeply personal moments that highlight the people who grow, harvest, and pack our food. One story in particular stands out, as a father shares that through Fair Trade premiums he was able to bring warm water...

In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Felipe Arango, the new CEO of Fair Trade USA, for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation about the past, present, and future of the fair trade movement. Felipe shares how growing up in Colombia, in a country shaped by inequality and powerful social movements, influenced the way he thinks about justice, dignity, and economic power, and how t...

In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Danielle Robidoux, an organizer and worker-owner at Equal Exchange, one of the original fair trade coffee companies in the United States, to talk about how a small worker-owned co-op has been reshaping our food system since 1986. Danielle shares her personal journey into this work, the story of Equal Exchange’s roots in solidarity with small farm...

In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Kohl Crecelius, co-founder and CEO of KNOWN SUPPLY, to explore how a simple, handwritten signature has sparked a global movement to humanize the fashion industry. Kohl shares the origin story of KNOWN SUPPLY, why transparency is their superpower, and how celebrating the makers behind our clothes creates deeper connection, dignity, and accountabil...

In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Bethany Tran, the new Executive Director of the Fair Trade Federation and former founder of The Root Collective, to talk about her journey from a life-changing week in Guatemala to leaving corporate America, building a fair trade shoe company, and now stepping into movement-level leadership. Bethany shares honestly about the realities of running...

Becca sits down with Ori Zohar, co-founder of Burlap & Barrel, a public benefit company reimagining how spices move through the world. From cardamom fields in Guatemala to pepper farms in Vietnam, Burlap & Barrel is building a direct trade model that connects smallholder farmers with home cooks and chefs alike, paying farmers far above commodity prices and bringing transparency to an indus...

We’re kicking off Season 7 of FAIR Talks with a story that comes full circle. Twenty years ago, a university service trip introduced me to the realities of human trafficking and fair trade for the first time. Today, one of the leaders from that trip, Erik, is the founder of Dignity Made, a social enterprise in the Philippines restoring opportunity and dignity to coconut-farming communities. In thi...

In this bonus episode of FAIR Talks, Executive Director Rebecca Dunn sits down with longtime Fair Trade advocate and new Fair Trade LA Board Chair Michelle Chavez, co-founder of The Tote Project. Michelle shares her journey from discovering Fair Trade in college to building a mission-driven brand that empowers survivors of human trafficking and donates 10% of profits to support their healing and c...

Rod Johnson, co-founder of BLK & Bold, joins FAIR Talks to share how he and partner Pernell Cezar built the largest Black-owned coffee brand in the U.S.—with purpose at the center. From a smoky garage roast to national shelves, Rod unpacks how BLK & Bold blends business with impact through Fair Trade sourcing, youth empowerment, and bold leadership. Explore more at blkandbold.com and watch...

In this powerful episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Dr. Nasser Abufarha, founder of Canaan Palestine and the Palestine Fair Trade Association, for a conversation that is both timely and timeless. Dr. Abufarha shares how fair trade is sustaining hope and livelihoods in the face of deep challenges. From planting more than 375,000 olive trees through Canaan’s Trees for Life program to organi...

What does it really take to embed Fair Trade into the DNA of a global brand—and why does it matter? In this powerful episode, Becca sits down with Wendy Savage, Patagonia’s Senior Director of Social Impact & Transparency, to explore how the brand grew from piloting just six Fair Trade styles to certifying over 90% of its product line—impacting more than 85,000 workers and distributing over $31...

In this inspiring episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Rebecca Dray, Executive Director of Purchasing With Purpose—a collaborative working to make ethical and impactful purchasing not only possible, but practical. Rebecca shares how everyday decisions, from sourcing catering to buying office supplies, can become powerful tools for change when aligned with values that prioritize people and t...

What if your favorite lip gloss could help fund a summer camp, support mental health programs, or empower women around the world? In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca chats with Neha Gohil, Vice President of Global Sourcing at e.l.f. Beauty, to uncover how one of the most fun, affordable beauty brands is making a bold impact through Fair Trade Certified factories. With over two decades in the indu...

Join Becca for a fascinating conversation with Paul Rice, founder of Fair Trade USA and author of Every Purchase Matters. In this episode, Paul Rice reflects on his 26 years with Fair Trade USA and his passion for the movement’s mission to improve lives and protect the planet. He discusses how Fair Trade certification supports workers and farmers by providing funds for community projects like infr...

In this heartfelt farewell episode, founding host Elisha Chan officially passes the mic to Fair Trade LA’s new Executive Director, Rebecca Dunn. Together, they reflect on the journey of building a thriving fair trade movement in Los Angeles—from Elisha’s early days transforming Fair Trade LA into a national leader, to launching this very podcast, and ultimately making LA the largest Fair Trade Cit...

Get ready for a delicious deep dive into the world of chocolate and coffee with Jeff Abella of Moka Origins ! Jeff shares how his time living in cocoa and coffee-growing communities opened his eyes to the harsh economic realities farmers face—despite producing two of the world’s most consumed commodities. He explains why he and his team were compelled to rethink the traditional supply chain, ultim...

WOO-hoo! We’ve got an exciting episode today - Elisha is chatting with Robin Tolkan-Doyle, founder of fair trade beauty marketplace, Beautyologie . Robin shares her journey from beauty journalism and public relations to starting an online marketplace as a hub for inspiration and knowledge for fair trade in the beauty industry. She highlights her new product line, World of Oil (WOO), created as a s...

In this episode, Elisha chats with Laura Hertz, Co-Founder & CEO of Gifts For Good , a company on a mission to reinvent the $100 billion corporate gifting industry. From working with over 80 nonprofits and social enterprises to creating a new software called GIFTforward to minimize waste, they are transforming the industry and the world for the better. They discuss how a line item in a corpora...

In this episode, Elisha chats with Julie Colombino-Billingham, Founder & CEO of Deux Mains . They dive into the contrasting dynamics of nonprofits versus social enterprises and how each strives to create lasting change. Julie shares insights into the unique challenges of running a fair-trade business, such as competing against large companies with misleading "sustainable" claims and overcoming...

The doctor is in! Join Elisha for this insightful conversation with Ryan Zinn, Regenerative Projects Manager at Dr. Bronner’s . He discusses the company’s pioneering efforts in the early days of the business to ensure their products cared for people and the planet, and shares what he’s learned helping farmers incorporate fair trade and organic practices into their agricultural rhythms. Ryan also s...