The Untangling Circularity Podcast

On this week's episode, we conclude our season on practical circularity with Kaitlyn Allen, sustainability-focused entrepreneur and former founder of Mend It. Kaitlyn joins us for a candid conversation about building a repair economy. We dig into Mend It's attempt to make repair scalable for brands and customers, why a thriving circular economy depends on a thriving repair economy, and wha...

On this week's episode, Kami Bruner, lead of Repair Reuse Washington, joins us to talk about the Reuse Impact Calculator, a first-of-its-kind way to measure the environmental, social, and economic impact of repair, reuse, and sharing work. We dig into why data has been the missing piece for grassroots organizations seeking funding and recognition, how the tool is expanding through a partnershi...

On this week's episode, Ayana Ames, Sustainability R&D Associate at Sew Valley, joins us to talk about SV Shred — their zero waste program turning production scraps into fiber fill, upcycled materials, and experimental fiberboards. We dig into how a Cincinnati nonprofit garment factory is diverting a thousand-plus pounds of textile waste a year, building local partnerships to keep scraps i...

On this week's episode, David Culp, COO of Upcycle Fiber joins us to talk about turning discarded textiles into furniture, insulation, and acoustic panels — no frames, no screws, just compressed fiber. We dig into why "pulling" waste into value-added products works better than pushing recycled material uphill, how AI sorting and traceability are shaping the industry's future, and...

On this week's episode, Robin Atkinson, founder of Upkept, joins us to talk about building an apparel repair platform designed to scale — serving everyday customers and brands alike. We dig into why repair is the low-hanging fruit of the circular economy, how new laws are pushing brands to rethink it, and what keeps her motivated in the hard, slow work of building something new. To learn more...

On this week's episode, we embark on new season on practical circularity. In this first episode of the season, Calley Dawson, founder of FXRY and Second Mark joins us to dig into what circular economy really means, who she's building for, and what success looks like for a values-driven small business. To learn more about the guests featured in this episode, visit: theFXRY.com shopsecondmar...

In this final episode, Vincent Sagisi, host of the Mechanism Podcast, and Andrew Dahlgren of Mechanism, reflect on the biggest themes from their conversations across the textile and soft goods industry this past season. From lifelong learning and worker voice to degrowth and solidarity, they revisit the ideas that challenged business as usual and pointed toward more human-centered systems. It’s a...

In this episode, Vincent Sagisi, host of the Mechanism Podcast, is joined by Nayantara Banerjee, Workforce Development Manager at the Garment Worker Center, to dream big about the future of fashion—and spotlight the real-world models bringing those dreams closer to reality. From her early work with Indigenous weavers in Peru to launching worker-led sewing programs in Los Angeles, Nayantara reflect...

In this episode, Vincent Sagisi, host of the Mechanism Podcast, is joined by Jen Guarino, president and CEO of Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC), to explore ownership, authority, and worker voice in textile manufacturing. From co-ops and ESOPs to ISAIC’s Employee Business Unit (EBU) model, Jen breaks down how factories can share profit, decision-making, and power—without sacrificing...

In this episode, Vincent Sagisi, host of the Mechanism Podcast, is joined by Ngozi Okaro, founder and CEO of Custom Collaborative, to explore the people powering fashion manufacturing. Together, they unpack barriers to entry in the fashion industry, the realities of factory work, and the need for living wages, flexibility, childcare, and true investment in worker potential. Featuring powerful clip...

In this episode, Vincent Sagisi, host of the Mechanism Podcast, is joined by Molly Hemstreet, co-founder of The Industrial Commons, to explore what factory structures look like today—and what they could become. From worker-owned cut-and-sew facilities to home-based stitchers and small-batch nonprofit production models, the conversation redefines “the factory” as an ecosystem shaped by people, infr...

In this season, you'll hear the host of the Mechanism Podcast, Vincent Sagisi, joined by longtime manufacturing leader and educator Deborah Vandermar and Mechanism’s Associate Program Director Andrew Dahlgren to explore a foundational question: What is worker voice—and why does it matter now? Building on Season one’s exploration of people-centered domestic manufacturing ecosystems, this season...

In this special episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast, we sit down with Carmen Gama and Carolina Bedoya of Make Aneew and Katie Capozzi of Debrand to explore the art and operations of remanufacturing. Together, they unpack a limited-edition outerwear drop created from excess and returned inventory donated through Debrand's partnership with Everlane. From condition grading and next-life...

In this final episode of the season, Vincent Sagisi and Andrew Dahlgren, hosts of the Mechanism Podcast, explore how leaders in sustainable textiles define success. From ethical production and zero-waste practices to building community and creating meaningful jobs, guests reveal the values that guide their work: collaboration, creativity, responsibility, and hope. Defining success means more than...

In this episode, Vincent Sagisi and Andrew Dahlgren, hosts of the Mechanism Podcast, explore circular systems in textiles, from recycling cotton and wool to garment repair and design for disassembly. They highlight the people, processes, and innovations keeping materials—and value—out of landfills. To learn more about the guests featured on this episode, visit: Mechanism (mechanism.community) Ever...

In this episode, Andrew Dahlgren and Vincent Sagisi, hosts of the Mechanism Podcast, dive into workforce development in the U.S. textile and soft goods industry. From apprenticeship programs and 360 wraparound services to people-centered manufacturing, hear how innovators are training skilled workers, supporting communities, and rebuilding local industry from the ground up. To learn more about the...

In this episode, Andrew Dahlgren and Vincent Sagisi, hosts of the Mechanism Podcast, explore how U.S. manufacturing is evolving. Hear from innovators in textiles and soft goods as they share how small-batch production, worker-centered practices, and flexible fabrication are reshaping an industry built on skill, craft, and collaboration. To learn more about the guests featured on this episode, visi...

In this season, you'll hear hosts of the Mechanism Podcast, Vincent Sagisi and Andrew Dahlgren, explore the realities and possibilities of soft-goods manufacturing in the U.S. Through conversations with industry leaders, they unpack themes of labor, sustainability and the hidden innovation happening in small business manufacturing nationwide. This episode is a brief introduction to the stories...

On this week's episode, we conclude our season on circular materials with a deep dive into textiles. We spoke with Chana Rosenthal and Lutz Walter about the bigger forces at play when it comes to textile recycling. For more info about our guests, visit: Chana Rosenthal Lutz Walter

On this week's episode, we continue our season on circular materials with a deep dive into textiles. We spoke with Constanza Gomez and Jose Salguero about the feedstock creation that's needed for successful textile recycling. For more information about our guests, visit: Sortile Intradeco Recycled yarns Jose Salguero

On this week's episode, we continue our season on circular materials with a deep dive into textiles. We spoke with Lewis Campbell of the Footwear Collective and their new Pathways Tool. For more information about our guests, visit: The Footwear Collective: https://earthdna.org/home/the-footwear-collective/

On this week's episode, we continue our season on circular materials with a deep dive into textiles. We spoke with Kathleen Rademan of Circ and Katina Boutis of Everlane about Circ's polycotton recycling and Everlane's participation in their Fiber Club. For more information about our guests, visit: Circ ( https://circ.earth/ ) Everlane ( https://www.everlane.com/ )

On this week's episode, we continue our season on circular materials with a deep dive into textiles. We spoke with Sarah Coulter and Eileen Mockus, both of Accelerating Circularity., about their cotton recycling trials. For more information about our guests, visit: Accelerating Circularity

On this week's episode, we continue our season on circular materials with a deep dive into textiles. We spoke with Carmen Gama and Inka Apter, both of EILEEN FISHER Inc., about their closed loop wool recycling pilot. For more information about our guests, visit: Eileenfisher.com

On this week's episode, we continue our season on circular materials with a deep dive into textiles. We spoke with Tricia Carey and Liz Alessi about what material supply chains look like, especially linear vs. circular and how new recycled materials can enter. For more info on our guests, visit: Tricia Carey Liz Alessi