The Materialist : A Podcast from At Present
by At Present
An exploration of material culture with At Present Founder Marc Bridge. Marc is a Materialist. He loves things -- the things artists make, the things we sell, the things we make part of our our lives.But he was conflicted.Why do things matter? Why do creative people dedicate their lives to crafting them? What does it mean to obsess about what we buy, wear, and put in our homes. Are we destroying our planet, our children, and ourselves through this obsession? The Materialist Podcast is an exploration of this and so much more. Join us for conversations with the world's best jewelry designers, stylists, influencers, admirers, environmentalists, academics, and a bunch of just interesting people. atpresent.substack.com
Episodes
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The Materialist : Lisa Yamner
Can a machine have taste? Everyone wants to ask Lisa Yamner about taste. She told me so, a little wearily, about four minutes into our conversation. It makes sense. She ran fashion at Google, co-founded The Yes (an early, ahead-of-its-time bet on personalized shopping that Pinterest bought in...
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The Materialist : Deux Amis
Danielle Zdanowski and Devin Zdanowski are husband and wife, business partners, and, before any of that, friends. A year into building a jewelry brand out of their New York apartment, they came on the show to talk about how it started, what they got wrong, and why nobody can predict which piece...
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The Materialist : Erin Sachse Nathan
The designer behind ERINESS talks about getting discovered at 18, finding meaning in ladybugs, balancing creativity with commerce, and building a jewelry brand on her own terms. Erin Sachse Nathan never intended to start a jewelry company. She had been making things for as long as she could...
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The Materialist : Lauren Sherman
Lauren Sherman, of Puck and The Fashion People podcast, knows exactly how the fashion trick works. She understands the margins, the mythology and the machinery that turns a jacket into an object of desire. Amazingly, the trick still works on her. The most recent object to break through her...
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The Materialist : Ivette Stephanopoulos
For this episode of The Materialist, host Marc Bridge sits down with Ivette Stephanopoulos — a 25-year jewelry industry veteran whose career has spanned nearly every corner of the business, from retail and GIA to De Beers, Tiffany, and David Yurman. Recorded on location at the Las Vegas shows,...
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The Materialist : Rob Bates
This episode of The Materialist is a little different. Usually, we talk with designers, tastemakers, collectors, and creators about the objects they love: the jewelry they wear, the pieces they make, the things they choose to bring into their lives. This conversation is about jewelry, but it is…
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The Materialist : Spicy Dan
Marc Bridge and Danielle Meyer, The Dominick Hotel, NYC, March 27, 2026 What happens when a brand is built not from strategy decks or heritage training, but from instinct, speed, and a refusal to wait for permission? In this conversation, Danielle Meyer of Spicy Dan shares how her business has...
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The Materialist : Malaika Crawford
A conversation with Malaika Crawford on flex culture, gatekeeping, and why print still matters. There’s a moment in my conversation with Malaika Crawford—Editorial Director of Hodinkee Magazine, former fashion-world operator (Mel Ottenberg’s assistant in the Rihanna heyday), and current resident...
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The Materialist : Monica Stephenson
Marc Bridge and Monica Stephenson, Anza Gems Worldwide Headquarters, Seattle, WA Monica Stephenson is the kind of guest who makes you see a familiar object—one you might already love—like it’s brand new. In this episode of The Materialist, we sit together in her Seattle office overlooking Lake...
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The Materialist : Randi Molofsky
Marc Bridge and Randi Molofsky, The Peninsula Beverly Hills There are people in the jewelry world who write about it, people who sell it, people who design it—and then there’s Randi Molofsky, whose superpower is weaving all of these worlds together. Randi doesn’t simply work in jewelry. She...
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The Materialist : Jenna Perry
In this episode of The Materialist, Marc Bridge sits down with celebrity colorist Jenna Perry, the artist behind the signature looks of Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and a generation of “It Girls.” Known for transforming hair into a medium of emotion, identity, and self-expression, Jenna shares…
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The Materialist : Brynn Wallner
If you’ve peeked at modern watch culture in the last few years, chances are you’ve felt Brynn Wallner’s impact—whether you realized it or not. She’s the founder of Dimepiece, the platform that reframed watches through a lens that’s stylish, pop-cultural, and—crucially—women-forward. In our...
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The Materialist : Lionheart
From a small town in Denmark to a sun-splashed bench in New York’s Diamond District, sisters Joy and Sarah Haugaard (the minds behind Lionheart) have built a jewelry universe where heritage, handwork, and human connection matter as much as gold and gemstones. In this conversation, we cover the...
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The Materialist : Charlotte Groeneveld
Marc Bridge and Charlotte Groeneveld at the launch dinner for The World of Charlotte Groeneveld, presented by At Present. Raf’s New York, September 9, 2025. Charlotte’s dress is by ALMADA Label, Necklace from At Present. Charlotte Groeneveld—aka The Fashion Guitar—joins me during New York Fashion...
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The Materialist : Sommyyah Awan
Sommyyah Awan and Marc Bridge, Hotel Chelsea, New York City, September 13, 2025 For this episode of The Materialist, recorded during New York Fashion Week, I sat down with Toronto-based content creator, communications strategist, and fashion multihyphenate Sommyyah Awan. Known for her irreverent...
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The Materialist : Ruthie Friedlander
What does it take to translate timeless brands into the digital age—and what happens when you refuse to play by algorithmic rules? This week on The Materialist, I sit down with Ruthie Friedlander, a digital pioneer who has shaped how we see luxury fashion and jewelry online. Ruthie’s story defies...
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The Materialist : Laura Herbert
On Instagram, it looks effortless: the infinity pools in the Maldives, the safari sunsets in South Africa, the couture fit checks against a perfect backdrop. Laura and Nicolas Herbert — known to their hundreds of thousands of followers as @laurandnicolas — seem to embody the ultimate lifestyle:...
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The Materialist : Tiffany Lopinsky
This week on The Materialist, I’m joined by Tiffany Lopinsky — co-founder and president of ShopMy, the platform quietly powering your favorite creators. We cover a lot of ground: the evolution of influencer marketing, why affiliate and subscription revenue might just save the creator economy, and...
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The Materialist : Victoria Gomelsky
Victoria Gomelsky and Marc Bridge Live from the Fabulous Venetian Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. Welcome back to The Materialist. I recorded this special episode live from the jewelry shows in Las Vegas—the annual gathering point for the industry’s global village. Fittingly, I sat down with…
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The Materialist : Alysa Teichman
What do you get when a journalism grad, Dallas native, and self-described jewelry “nepo baby” builds a piercing empire in the middle of a pandemic? You get Wildlike—a brand that’s as much about identity, memory, and reinvention as it is about sparkle. This week on The Materialist, I sit down with...
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The Materialist : Gigi Burris
This week on The Materialist, I sit down with milliner and creative force Gigi Burris, founder of Gigi Burris Millinery and the nonprofit Closely Crafted, which champions artisanal production in the U.S. We talk about how Gigi went from sewing hats as a Parsons student to dressing Rihanna and…
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The Materialist : Sophie Cohen
Marc Bridge and Sophie Cohen (@stylewithsoco), The Hotel Chelsea, May 21, 2025 In today’s episode of The Materialist, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sophie Cohen, a fashion influencer whose authenticity and vibrant style have garnered a dedicated following across social media. Sophie’s…
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The Materialist : Sam Broekema
What does it mean to make something lasting in a world built for speed? In this episode of The Materialist, I sit down with Sam Broekema, Editor in Chief of Only Natural Diamonds, to talk about permanence, disruption, and the enduring power of jewelry. Sam shares his journey from a small town in...
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The Materialist : Cassie Thorpe
Cassie Thorpe doesn’t just talk about luxury fashion—she makes you feel why it matters. In our latest episode of The Materialist, the undisputed queen of Tiny Bag Energy joins me to unpack the emotional logic behind the circus of style. Cassie is incisive, hilarious, and uncommonly generous about...
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The Materialist : Tariro Makoni
Every so often, a guest joins The Materialist who manages to collapse categories: intellect and indulgence, strategy and sparkle, Prada and Gramsci. This week, that guest is Tariro Makoni. Tariro is a strategist, writer, and the voice behind Trademarked, one of the smartest (and funniest)…
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The Materialist : Colin Keane Lynch
This week on The Materialist, I had the joy of sitting down with Colin Keane Lynch, the artist and jeweler behind Keane. His work has been part of At Present’s assortment for years, but this conversation offered the time to slow down, zoom out, and ask how meaning is made—through hands, history,...
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The Materialist : Ali Pew
“You may not have heard of Ali Pew, but you are probably — indirectly — wearing something she told you to,” — Harriet Walker, the fashion editor of The Times of London Ali Pew, stylist, creative director, and creator of the influential newsletter Uniform, joins The Materialist to unpack the power...
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The Materialist : Sally Morrison
In the latest episode of The Materialist, I sit down with the brilliant Sally Morrison, a leading voice in the diamond world who spent decades shaping De Beers' iconic story. Together, we unpack how natural diamonds are evolving amidst the rise of lab-grown alternatives, changing generational...
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The Materialist : Ben Gilbert
In the latest episode of The Materialist, I sit down with my friend Ben Gilbert, co-host of Acquired, to talk about brands, luxury, and the meaning we assign to the things we own. Ben has spent the last decade dissecting the world’s most successful companies, and in light of his recent…
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The Materialist : Fern Mallis
Marc Bridge with Fern Mallis, The Hotel Chelsea, February 10, 2025 In this special New York Fashion Week episode of The Materialist, Marc sits down with the legendary Fern Mallis, the architect of New York Fashion Week and a lifelong champion of independent designers. We discuss the origins of...
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The Materialist : Christina Caruso
Marc Bridge and Christina Caruso, The Carlyle Hotel, January 16, 2025 What does it take to make a career in jewelry—one that spans Sex and the City, Banana Republic, QVC, and a successful independent brand? Designer Christina Caruso joins The Materialist to share her fascinating journey from...
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The Materialist : Heather Hurst
In this episode of The Materialist, host Marc Bridge, Founder + CEO of At Present, sits down with stylist, writer, and content creator Heather Hurst (@Pigmamiii). Heather shares her fascinating journey from a background in public health and lab work to becoming a curator of style and...
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The Materialist : Gabrielle Katz
This week on The Materialist, Superstar publicist and New York IT Girl Gabrielle Katz takes center stage in a lively discussion with At Present Founder Marc Bridge about her journey in fashion PR, the evolving industry, and the joy of being a thoughtful materialist. As the founder of Accent...
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The Materialist : Alexandra Mack
In this episode of The Materialist, host Marc Bridge, founder and CEO of At Present, interviews Alexandra Mack, the visionary founder of Holiday on Madison. Alexandra shares her journey from co-founding the jewelry brand Rebecca de Ravenel to creating a unique holiday retail experience that...
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The Materialist (Live!) : Will Kahn and James Banks Design
In this special live-recorded episode of The Materialist, Marc Bridge sits down with three extraordinary guests at Parcelle in NYC to delve into the artistry and meaning behind jewelry. Adam Shulman and Heidi Nahser Fink, the creative minds behind James Banks Design, share their journey of…
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The Materialist : Mirta de Gisbert
In the latest episode of The Materialist, Marc Bridge sits down with Mirta de Gisbert, a jewelry consultant and gemologist whose life and work are deeply intertwined with the stories behind every piece she encounters. From her multicultural upbringing in Spain and South Africa to her deeply...
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The Materialist : Presley Oldham
In this episode of The Materialist, Marc interviews Presley Oldham, a jewelry designer whose path to creating unique, handcrafted pieces was shaped by his creative upbringing and personal exploration.Presley shares his journey, starting with a childhood in an artistic family—his uncle a fashion...
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The Materialist : Annika Inez
In this episode of The Materialist, I sit down with the remarkable Annika Inez, a jewelry designer who blends Scandinavian minimalism with evocative, sculptural design. Anika takes us through her creative journey—from her early days in Sweden, surrounded by her entrepreneurial family, to her...
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The Materialist : Jalil Johnson
What happens when bold choices meet impeccable taste? In this episode of The Materialist, I chat with Jalil Johnson, At Present’s Stylist in Residence and a true style trailblazer. From the creation of our Bold Collection to his love for jewelry history and a little “bad taste,” Jalil shares his...
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The Materialist : Pamela Love
On a beautiful October afternoon, Marc paid a visit to Pamela Love’s Santa Monica, CA home to chat design, filmmaking, company building, and the joy of 2 year olds. Amidst Halloween decorations (including Frankenstein’s monster in the front yard as seen above), balloons, and lollipops, Pamela...
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The Materialist Meets Jacqui Getz
Fashion is fleeting, style is forever. Jacqui Getz retired after 35 years as a teacher and principal in the New York City Public Schools only to launch a new career as an Instagram influencer (@thedetailsofstyle), personal stylist, and passionate advocate for aging stylishly. We discuss…
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The Materialist Meets Leya Kaufman
At Present Founder + CEO Marc Bridge (“The Materialist”) talked with style editor, jewelry aficionado, and content guru Leya Kaufman about her personal journey, the most meaningful things in her life, and the future of style media. This conversation was recorded during New York Fashion Week on…
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The Materialist meets Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato
Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato are the Founders of Lizzie Fortunato, one of our favorite fashion jewelry brands. These twin-sisters began creating unique jewelry in their dorm room at Duke University and the brand began officially in 2008 when Kathryn, then working as a banker at Goldman Sachs…
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About this show
An exploration of material culture with At Present Founder Marc Bridge. Marc is a Materialist. He loves things -- the things artists make, the things we sell, the things we make part of our our lives.But he was conflicted.Why do things matter? Why do creative people dedicate their lives to crafting them? What does it mean to obsess about what we buy, wear, and put in our homes. Are we destroying our planet, our children, and ourselves through this obsession? The Materialist Podcast is an exploration of this and so much more. Join us for conversations with the world's best jewelry designers, stylists, influencers, admirers, environmentalists, academics, and a bunch of just interesting people.
atpresent.substack.com
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At Present
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