The Untangling Circularity Podcast

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 thoughtful, hopeful wrap-up that reminds us: treating people with respect isn’t radical — it’s foundational.To learn more about the guests featured on this episode, visit:Mechanism (mechanism.community) The Industrial Commons (www.theindustrialcommons.org)Custom Collaborative (customcollaborative.org)Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC) (isaic.org)Garment Worker Center (garmentworkercenter.org)

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 reflects on skill-building as a pathway to dignity, ownership, and power. The conversation explores cooperative economics, degrowth, land stewardship, and the launch of LA Fashion Renaissance (Renacimiento LA), a worker-owned staffing co-op designed to connect skilled garment workers with ethical manufacturers. It’s a hopeful, grounded look at what a truly people-centered apparel industry could become—and the collective work required to build it.To learn more about the guests featured on this episode, visit:Mechanism (mechanism.community) Garment Worker Center (garmentworkercenter.org)Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) (institute.coop)Sustainable Economies Law Center (https://www.theselc.org/)Renacimiento De La Moda LA (https://www.renacimientolacoop.com/)Everyday Utopia (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Everyday-Utopia/Kristen-R-Ghodsee/9781982190217)Prefigurative Politics (https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=prefigurative-politics-building-tomorrow-today--9781509535903)

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 performance.Through real worker stories and examples from groups like the Democracy at Work Institute, the conversation highlights what it takes to build democratic workplaces that are both equitable and economically sustainable. The big takeaway: when workers understand the business, help shape decisions, and share in the upside, factories become stronger, more resilient, and more human.To learn more about the guests featured on this episode, visit:Mechanism (mechanism.community) Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC) (isaic.org)Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) (institute.coop)

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 clips from garment workers and advocates, the conversation highlights both the harms of piece-rate systems and the joy, pride, and entrepreneurship that emerge when workers are supported. From cooperative ownership and micro-enterprise to sustainable design, visible mending, and policy efforts, this episode asks what it would take to raise the floor for everyone in fashion—and build an industry rooted in dignity, equity, and opportunity.To learn more about the guests featured on this episode, visit:Mechanism (mechanism.community) Custom Collaborative (customcollaborative.org)

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, infrastructure, and collaboration.Together, they examine worker voice, ownership models, automation, space, and the future of textile innovation—from regenerative fibers to circular supply chains. It’s a hopeful, big-picture look at how manufacturing can be rebuilt to prioritize dignity, shared prosperity, and community resilience.To learn more about the guests featured on this episode, visit:Mechanism (mechanism.community) The Industrial Commons (www.theindustrialcommons.org)

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 takes an in-depth look at power, agency, and dignity inside flexible product fabrication—from apparel and automotive interiors to medical supplies and beyond.To learn more about the guests featured on this episode, visit:Mechanism (mechanism.community) https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahvandermarhttps://www.bloomsbury.com/us/beyond-design-9781501366642/

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 logistics to hands-on draping, deconstruction, and one-shot production, the conversation reveals what it truly takes to transform existing garments into one-of-a-kind redesigned pieces.Beyond the technical process, the conversation dives into the tension between scale and craft, the business case for circular systems, and the creative joy of making something new from what already exists. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at collaboration, problem-solving, and the power of remanufacturing to reconnect us to the clothes we wear.Check out Make Aneew (https://www.makeaneew.com/), Debrand (https://debrand.ca/) and shop Make Aneew's newest drop available on 3/11/26 (https://makeaneew.shop/)

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 growth—it’s about making a difference, staying true to your principles, and shaping systems for a better future.To learn more about the guests featured on this episode, visit:Mechanism (mechanism.community) Prairie Underground (https://www.prairieunderground.com/)California Product Stewardship Council (https://www.calpsc.org/)Everywhere Apparel (https://everywhereapparel.com/)Old Flame Mending (https://www.oldflamemending.com/)Sew Valley (https://sewvalley.org/)Fabscrap (https://fabscrap.org/)Magpies and Peacocks (https://magpiesandpeacocks.org/)Wandering Ewe Fibers (https://thewanderingewefibers.com/)Pacific Northwest Fiber Connect (https://www.pnwfiberconnect.org/)Homeboy Threads (https://homeboythreads.com/)

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) Everywhere Apparel (https://everywhereapparel.com/)Wandering Ewe Fibers (https://thewanderingewefibers.com/)Pacific Northwest Fiber Connect (https://www.pnwfiberconnect.org/)Old Flame Mending (https://www.oldflamemending.com/)Fabscrap (https://fabscrap.org/)Homeboy Threads (https://homeboythreads.com/)

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 guests featured on this episode, visit:Mechanism (mechanism.community) Homeboy Threads (https://homeboythreads.com/)Prairie Underground (https://www.prairieunderground.com/)Sew Valley (https://sewvalley.org/)Wandering Ewe Fibers (https://thewanderingewefibers.com/)Pacific Northwest Fiber Connect (https://www.pnwfiberconnect.org/)

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, visit:Mechanism (mechanism.community) Sew Valley (https://sewvalley.org/)Prairie Underground (https://www.prairieunderground.com/)Everywhere Apparel (https://everywhereapparel.com/)Homeboy Threads (https://homeboythreads.com/)Old Flame Mending (https://www.oldflamemending.com/)

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 and ideas that will shape the season ahead.To learn more about the guests featured on this episode, visit:Mechanism (mechanism.community) Sew Valley (https://sewvalley.org/)Prairie Underground (https://www.prairieunderground.com/)Wandering Ewe Fibers (https://thewanderingewefibers.com/)Magpies and Peacocks (https://magpiesandpeacocks.org/)

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:SortileIntradeco 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

On this week's episode, we embark on new season on circular materials with a deep dive into textiles. We spoke with Dana Davis of Dana Davis Consulting and Nikki Player of Reformation about what material sourcing for a clothing brand really looks like, especially when you're incorporating more recycled and recyclable materials. For more info on our guests, visit:Dana Davis Reformation

On this week's episode, we conclude our mini-season in partnership with Maike Gericke of Tiramisu. We spoke with Carrie Shaltz Haslup, Founder of Tabeeze, and Sagi Solomon, CEO & Founder of The Again Company about brand perspectives. For more information about our guests, visit:The Again Co. NotNot Marketplace Tabeeze

On this week's episode, we continue our mini-season in partnership with Maike Gericke of Tiramisu. We spoke with Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael, Co-Founder & CEO of Faircado about meeting people where they are. For more information about our guests, visit:FaircadoInstagramLinkedInTikTok

On this week's episode, we embark on a fun 3-part mini-season in partnership with Maike Gericke of Tiramisu. We spoke with Gavin Fernie-Jones, Founder, Re-Action Collective / One Tree At A Time and Isabel Mack, Founder, Party Kit Network (also a member of Re-Action Collective), about building a movement. For more information about our guests, visit:Re-Action Collective Party Kit Network

On this week's episode, we conclude our journey exploring diverse and successful circular partnerships. We spoke with Scott Henson of Henson Architecture, Dave Bennink of Re-Use Consulting, and Ruth Mandl of CO Adaptive about their unique partnership of shared solutions, all working towards incorporating more deconstruction into the built environment in NYC.To learn more about our guests, visit:Re-Use ConsultingCO AdaptiveHenson Architecture

On this week's episode, we continue our journey exploring diverse and successful circular partnerships. We chatted with Kaitlyn Allen of MendIt and Rebecca Harrison of Old Flame Mending and their development of a Menders Guild.To learn more about our guests, visit:Old Flame MendingMendItGuild website

On this week's episode, we continue our journey exploring diverse and successful circular partnerships. We spoke with Raymond Randall of WM, Jennifer Lake of Goodwill, and Patrik Frisk of Reju about their incredibly dynamic collaboration working to reduce textile waste. To learn more about our guests, visit:Goodwill of the Finger Lakes WM Reju

On this week's episode, we continue our journey exploring diverse and successful circular partnerships. We chatted with Lisa Goldsand and Laura Oldham, both of Circular Thrift, about how they strategically think about the local partnerships for their organization. To learn more about Circular Thrift, visit circularthrift.org Some links and resources that were mentioned in this episode: Electrify Ohio Betsy Franjola OHHGC

On this week's episode, we continue our journey exploring diverse and successful circular partnerships. We spoke with Brian Iezzi of Fibarcode and Professor Max Shtein of the University of Michigan and their partnership developing a circular startup through a university.

On this week's episode, we continue our journey exploring diverse and successful circular partnerships, but with a fun twist! It's us, Laura + Cynthia! Hear more about how and why we started this podcast and what we're building together.

On this week's episode, we start a new season on diverse and successful circular partnerships! We're diving into the world of innovative circular partnerships with Courtney Holm, Founder of A.BCH World, and Alice Payne, Associate Professor at RMIT University. Join us as we explore how A.BCH World, a for-profit sustainable small business, collaborates with RMIT, a leading academic institution, and Country Road, a multi-brand retailer, to create a groundbreaking partnership developing an open-source solution to implementing circular design guidelines.

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we conclude our 3-part mini-season with Dr. Jennifer Russell of Virginia Tech and several of her students from her Circular Economy Analytics course. In today's conversation, we hear directly from more of her students learning about the circular economy in their undergraduate programs and their perspective on the circular economy now that they've finished her course. Have opinions or behaviors changed since learning more about the circular economy? Thank you so much to our listeners! This is our last episode of the year. Going into the holidays, a great present for us would be a 5 star rating and a review! As we learn more about the world of podcasting, we think this can really help us :)

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we continue with our 3-part mini-season speaking directly with Dr. Jennifer Russell of Virginia Tech to hear more about what it's like to teach a circular economy course.

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we begin a 3-part mini-season with Dr. Jennifer Russell of Virginia Tech and several of her students from her Circular Economy Analytics course. In our conversation, we hear directly from students learning about the circular economy in their undergraduate programs and their perspective on the circular economy from what they've learned but also how they experience it in their daily lives.

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we conclude our season diving into Practical Circularity, and focus on circular design, the all encompassing. To learn more about our guests, visit:Day Owl Arper

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we continue diving into Practical Circularity, focusing on materials. To learn more about our guests, visit:Green Matters Natural Dye Co Everywhere

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we continue diving into Practical Circularity, focusing on recycling. To learn more about our guests, visit:TersusRedyoos

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we continue diving into Practical Circularity, focusing on remanufacturing and creative reuse. To learn more about our guests, visit: New York Heartwoods Zero Waste Daniel

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we continue diving into Practical Circularity, focusing on repair direct to consumers. To learn more about our guests, visit: FXRY United Repair Centre

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we continue diving into Practical Circularity, focusing on repair technology and service providers. To learn more about our guests, visit:iFixItCirculo

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we continue diving into Practical Circularity, focusing on rental and the sharing economy. To learn more about our guests, visit: South King Tool LibrarySupercycle

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we continue diving into Practical Circularity, focusing on resale technology and service providers. To learn more about our guests, visit:Ribbn Beni

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we continue diving into Practical Circularity. Today we focus on resale, from varying direct to consumer vantage points. To learn more about our guests, visit: Hudson Resale Ministry of Supply

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we begin our 10-episode dive into Practical Circularity, a season fully dedicated to exploring the nitty gritty of different circular business models. We begin the conversation this week with Nellie Cohen, founder of Baleen. For more information about Nellie's company, visit Baleen.

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we conclude our two-part conversation with Amelia Eleiter of Debrand, continuing our conversation about textile waste solutions and the reality behind today’s circular fashion. For more information about Debrand, visit debrand.ca

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we have part 1 of 2 with Amelia Eleiter of Debrand. In this two-part conversation, we sit down with Amelia to talk about textile waste solutions and the reality behind today’s circular fashion. For more information about Debrand, visit debrand.ca

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we conclude our delightful conversation with The Chris DeRosa of the Fixing Famous People Podcast. You can find Chris @thechrisderosa and @fixingfamouspeople

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we stray a bit from the norm into Laura's favorite place on earth: pop culture. Join us for the first installment of our 2-part conversation with The Chris DeRosa of the Fixing Famous People Podcast. You can find Chris @thechrisderosa and @fixingfamouspeople

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we complete the Circular Journey of What We wear. Today's concluding episode focuses on how we can get involved in circular fashion, locally. To learn more about our guests, visit:nycftc.comsuzmokie.com For more information about this week's coalition sponsor, please visit matoha.com

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we continue the Circular Journey of What We wear. Today we're focusing on legislative trends and themes, with guests from Everlane and Debrand. To learn more about our guests, visit:everlane.comdebrand.ca To learn more about this episode's coalition sponsor, visit nycftc.com

On this week’s episode of The Untangling Circularity Podcast we continue the Circular Journey of What We wear. Today we're focusing on consumer behaviors, with guests from Merry Go Rounds and Recurate. To learn more about our guests, visit:recurate.comshopmerrygorounds.com