FAIR Talks Podcast

Protagonists of Change: Fair Trade's Next Chapter | FAIR TRADE USA

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 abo...

Never Sell Out: The Equal Exchange Story | EQUAL EXCHANGE

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Know Who Made It: The KNOWN SUPPLY Story | KNOWN SUPPLY

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

From Founder to Federation Leader: Meet the New Executive Director | Fair Trade Federation

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ro...

The Spice of Connection: The Burlap & Barrel Story | Burlap & Barrel

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Becca sits down with Ori Zohar, co-founder of Burlap & Barrel, a public benefit company reimagining how spices move through the world. From cardam...

Dignity Made and the Power of Fair Trade | Dignity Made

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 rea...

Every Purchase Has Power: The Future of Fair Trade | Fair Trade LA

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Mic...

Brewing Bold Impact: The BLK & Bold Story | BLK & Bold

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

Rooted In Hope: Fair Trade In Palestine | Canaan Palestine

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Dr. Nasser Abufarha, founder of Canaan Palestine and the Palestine Fair Trade Association...

Beyond the Label: Patagonia's Fair Trade Revolution | Patagonia

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 W...

Purchasing Power: How We Build A Fairer Future Together | Purchasing with Purpose

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this inspiring episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Rebecca Dray, Executive Director of Purchasing With Purpose—a collaborative working to...

Beauty with Purpose: How e.l.f. is Redefining Ethical Beauty | e.l.f. Beauty

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 F...

Buying into Change: Paul Rice on Fair Trade’s Global Impact

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 r...

Passing the Mic: New Chapter, Shared Vision | Fair Trade LA

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this heartfelt farewell episode, founding host Elisha Chan officially passes the mic to Fair Trade LA’s new Executive Director, Rebecca Dunn. Tog...

Breaking the (Chocolate) Mold: A Fairer Future for Farmers | Moka Origins

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

How Beautyologie Is Building a Different Kind of Beauty Shop | Beautyologie

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

WOO-hoo! We’ve got an exciting episode today - Elisha is chatting with Robin Tolkan-Doyle, founder of fair trade beauty marketplace, Beautyologie. R...

Changing The World One Gift At A Time | Gifts For Good

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Sole Purpose: Fair Trade, Financial Freedom, and the Future of Haiti | Deux Mains

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Elisha chats with Julie Colombino-Billingham, Founder & CEO of Deux Mains. They dive into the contrasting dynamics of nonprofits ...

Lather, Rinse, Regenerate: Dr. Bronner’s Journey to Fair Trade and Farmer Well-being

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The doctor is in! Join Elisha for this insightful conversation with Ryan Zinn, Regenerative Projects Manager at Dr. Bronner’s. He discusses the comp...

How to Build a Resilient Purpose-Driven Company: Making Real Freedom | MadeFree

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Elisha for a conversation with Brad Jeffrey, the co-founder of MadeFree, an ethical fashion accessories brand working to end human trafficking. B...

A Way Out of No Way: Honoring World Refugee Day with Winston Bui

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Elisha for a special episode of the podcast in honor of World Refugee Day, featuring Winston Bui, a refugee of the Vietnam War. Winston recounts ...

Socks That Last: How to Build a Business That Stands the Test of Time | Maggie's Organics

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder what are the keys to building a business (or socks) that lasts? In this episode, Amie Farkas, Head of Supply Chain & Products from Mag...

Building Hope: How a Direct, Fair Trade Model Fosters Mutual Flourishing | Trades of Hope

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trade in your cynicism for some hope in this heartwarming conversation with Gretchen Huijskens, founder and CEO of Trades of Hope. She shares with Eli...

Choosing Fair Trade is a Shoe-in! | The Root Collective

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Making Tea Time Fair Trade: Working with Small-Holder Farmers for Better Tea and a Better World | JusTea

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 the...

All Treats, No Tricks: Tony’s Chocolonely’s Mission to Transform the Chocolate Industry | Tony’s Chocolonely

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Bringing the Ocean to the Starfish: How to Create a Thriving Enterprise for Survivors | Starfish Project

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Keeping the ‘Art’ in Artisan: Elevating Craftsmanship in Fair Trade Products | Matr Boomie

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to another season of the Fair Talks podcast! Today’s guest, Manish Gupta, shares his journey from majoring in chemical engineering to c...

Who Benefits from Fair Trade? A Day in the Life Episode | Impactful Missions

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Sainnatu...

Investing Forward Using Traditional African Values and Fair Trade Practices | Alaffia

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 tra...

Get to Know Us! A Fireside Chat with Fair Trade LA Board Members

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

How Fair Trade Fights Economic Hardship and Fosters Abundance | GOEX Apparel

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Continue learning about fair trade fashion in honor of Fashion Revolution Month! Elisha chats with Jessica Ray, Executive Director at GOEX Apparel, a ...

One Stop Swap: How Sharing Clothing Supports a Circular Fashion Future | Swap Society

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, fou...

How Fair Trade Flowers Bring More Power to Workers | Florecal

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stop and smell the fair trade roses! This week’s conversation goes behind the scenes of Florecal, an established fair trade flower producer. Our gue...

Relationships Built on Trust: Empowering Women Through Fair Trade | Fair Anita

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 enter...

BONUS | Celebrating Five Years of Fair Trade Growth | Elisha Chan

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 worl...

From Soil to Sale: Building a Fair Trade Supply Chain | Gallant International

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Rooted in Love: How to Grow a Healthy Business & Maintain Relationships | The Tote Project

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Friendship, fair trade, and freedom for trafficking survivors?! Yes please! Join us for a conversation with the founders of The Tote Project as they s...

Dressing for Change: Supporting Trafficking Survivors Through Education & Advocacy | Dressember

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How can every-day citizens support human trafficking survivors around the world? This week’s episode shares a place to start. Elisha chats with Blyt...

The Power of Data and Impact Measurement in Fair Trade | Fair Trade USA

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

Investing in the Future: Providing Economic Opportunities to Women for a Better World | Child’s Cup Full

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Elisha chats with Dr. Janette Habashi who shares her journey from growing up in Jerusalem to founding a nonprofit providing refugee a...

Spilling the Tea: How Products with Purpose Build Resilient Communities | Sarilla

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pour yourself a warm beverage and settle in for this conversation with Sara Delaney, founder of Sarilla. She and Elisha discuss Sarilla’s evolution ...

Housing, Wellbeing, and Social Impact | Downtown Women’s Center, Los Angeles

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week Elisha chats with Joe Altepeter and Alexandria Pineda from the Downtown Women’s Center, the only organization in Los Angeles exclusively s...

BONUS | Hong Kong to Haiti: Global Impact Made Personal | Elisha Chan

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for a special bonus episode before our fall season! Listen as our Executive Director and host of this podcast, Elisha share her personal journ...

How Dinosaurs Keep Fair Trade From Extinction | Ten Thousand Villages

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week Elisha talks with Mary Lampmann about the collaboration between Ten Thousand Villages and Jurassic World: Dominion. They discuss the crossov...

How Hand Embroidery Creates Financial Independence for Refugees | Neococo

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are hand embroidery, fashion, refugee resettlement, and women’s empowerment connected? This week’s guest will tell you how! Amrita Thadani shares ...

The Difference Between Fair Trade & Charity | The Little Market

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Doug Lapp, the Artisan Relations and Supply Chain Senior Strategist of The Little Market, shares his journey as a fair trade buyer and building artisa...

Fighting for a Fairer World | Paul Rice

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week Elisha dives into a rich conversation with Paul Rice, founder & CEO at Fair Trade USA. They discuss Paul’s entry into the world of fair tr...

How to Revolutionize Your Closet | Fashion Revolution USA

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you wear clothing, this episode is for you! Elisha talks with Shannon Welch, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Creative Partnerships for Fashi...

Creating a Worker-Led Fashion Future | Garment Worker Center

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Elisha talks to two leaders from the Garment Worker Center in Los Angeles - Nayantara Banerjee (industry research and strategic partnership...

Building Farmer Capacity | Fair Trade USA

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nathalie Marin-Gest, Senior director of producer services at Fair Trade USA, chats with Elisha about her background, journey, and how her work support...

Welcome to the FAIR Talks Podcast!

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our host, Elisha shares a brief introduction to fair trade, who we are at Fair Trade LA, and our work in the City of Los Angeles. Hear how this podcas...