The Textile Nerd Podcast

And the winner is… all of us nerds! On this special edition, Lori and Dan will present the first-ever "Nerdies" to the top guests, topics, and moments of the inaugural 50 episodes of The Textile Nerd Podcast. It's been a great ride of sharing knowledge and exploring textile curiosities so far. Here's to the next 50 episodes!

The global logistics, sourcing, and shipping environment might be the most talked about – and kvetched over – corner of the textile universe today. Lori and Dan convene a supply chain roundtable to discuss challenges that go beyond the "t-word" (tariffs) and impact companies large and small, domestic and international. TVF Supply Chain Director Stephanie Shrader, Senior Sourcing Manager Tabitha Green, and Sourcing Manager Jamie Sullivan weigh in.

Logistics is the lifeblood of textiles. As with so many corners of the industry we love, the journey leading professionals to choose logistics is not linear. Lori and Dan will introduce you to TVF Global Trade and Logistics Manager Laura Martin – who once worked on a season of The Real World – to talk about challenges and opportunities she and the textile universe face.

Which methods come to mind when joining fabric pieces? Sewing? Adhesives? How about fabric WELDING? Miller Weldmaster is a global fabric welding powerhouse based in rural Ohio that has been on the forefront of welding technology for decades. Lori and Dan will explore the depths and future of this process with Jason Damis, North American sales manager at Miller Weldmaster.

At the intersection of textile nerdery, industry-tested information, and accessible learning lies a free tool we're proud to be part of: the TVF Resource Center. On this edition of The Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan talk about how the Resource Center was born, how Lori helped build it, and how it provides a solid, easy-to-digest foundation for learning more about fabric in all forms.

Timothy Mitchell has a gift. The Practical Printer, as he's known, is renowned for making complex printing processes and terminology more easy to understand. On this edition of The Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan will discuss the skill and learning abilities necessary to bring clarity to printing.

More than four decades working with textiles coupled with even more time adventuring on trails, skies, tracks, and slopes helps Robert Hinsch understand high-performance fabrics on a deeper level than almost anyone. Lori and Dan will comprehensively examine the durable and adversity-tested characteristics built into the fabrics relied upon by the fierce, fit, and fearless.

In a world full of influential fashion figures, be more like Zoë Hong. That's one impression Lori and Dan came away with during this wide-ranging discussion with one of YouTube's most engaging fashion educators and innovators. Zoë Hong has dedicated her career to all facets of fashion, instructing, and learning, and she'll share her journey, wit, and wisdom.

What is a gray back fabric in the print media world? The answer lies in the intersection between printability and sustainability, and the result is a European-borne innovation. Lori and Dan sit down with Georg+Otto Friedrich Digital Printing Business Unit Director Hendrik Igler to discuss the market demands and the development story of these fabrics that are crisply-printable and recyclable after their first life.

The pantheon of memorable holiday commercials is extensive, and one car company's ad campaign still stands out year-after-year: Lexus bows. But what's the story behind the elegant accoutrement? Turns out, an innovative print services provider in Los Angeles has been bringing the bows to life for years. Lori and Dan will take you behind the scenes with A3 Visual Director of Operations Mario Soto.

In a companion to our "Why Do Trade Shows Matter?" episode, we welcome Erica Roudabush and Blake Theademan to Podcast Row of Advanced Textiles Expo 2025 to talk about their impressions based on their varying years of attendence at the industrial fabrics industry's flagship show. Blake and Erica are colleagues of Lori and Dan, and they'll also relay their textile industry origin stories.

What better place to answer the question "why do trade shows matter" than the floor of one of the most well-known textile trade shows around? Lori and Dan talk with Robert Hinsch from podcast row at Advanced Textiles Expo 2025 in Indianapolis. Robert is an esteemed colleague and vice president of business development at TVF with more than 40 years of industry experience and he weighs in on the evolution of attending and showcasing fabrics at tradeshows.

Sometimes a job or project doesn't quite go as we drew it up, and we escape to tell the tale. Fashion professor and influencer Zoe Hong (of ZoeHong.com fame) and two veterans of the TVF Print Media Sales Team, Danny Jimenez and Leif Kristensen, join Lori and Dan on the Textile Nerd Podcast to discuss their fabric horror stories. Join in the conversation and let us know about your own hair-raising tales.  

Some 5 million tons of medical fabric waste is created globally every year. That number sounds daunting, but brilliant minds in health care and textiles are focusing every day on solutions. Lori and Dan will welcome back Dr. Holly Morris to the Textile Nerd Podcast, a surgeon, educator, and medical textile waste researcher who will discuss the helpers, the hinderers, and the hope to curb this growing issue.

Some people have a knack for building industry connections, and in textiles, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone working harder to bring the community together more than Devin Steele. On this edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan talk with Devin, whose eTextileCommunications.com publication is billed as "The Voice of the U.S. Textile Industry."

Fabric is all around us in both the physical sense and in pop culture and the entertainment we consume. This edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast will go off the beaten path and cover a few of Lori and Dan's favorite moments in TV and movies (Seinfeld, anyone?) where fabric is the focus. Did we miss any of your favorites?

Tradeshow season is whipping into a frenzy, and we're in the middle of all the action. On this edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan will talk with two stars of the TVF Print Media Sales Team, Danny Jimenez and Leif Kristensen, about what they're looking forward to on the show floors and what's hot among the printshops and manufacturers making booths sparkle. Join us for a live broadcast of the podcast from the show floor of the Advanced Textiles Association Expo 2025 in Indianapolis.

The cutting-edge combination of modern medicine and modern textiles includes technology like bioscaffolds, which require researchers with an almost unheard of medical, medicinal, and technical knowledge base. On this edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan will introduce you to Dr. Holly Morris, a pediatric hand surgeon who possesses a textile and engineering background shared by few, if anyone else.

The world of medical textiles is vast and exacting. From the safety and efficacy demands to the evolving needs and technologies, opportunities for advancements are ripe for the picking with the right knowledge. On this edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan will explore the myriad of medical textile uses -- some seen, some unseen -- with TVF colleague Travis Conlon, a voracious learner with experience in the medical device, healthcare, and textile fields.

Two of the biggest issues facing the textile industry are the wave of upcoming retirements and the need for next-generation education. Young professionals and students sit at this important intersection, and Lori and Dan wanted to talk with a student who plans to blend textile expertise in with his dental career ambitions. North Carolina State University Wilson College of Textiles undergraduate Bryson Proctor joins the Textile Nerd Podcast to discuss his journey.

We adore natural fiber fabrics for their imperfect perfection. The factors that get them from field to finished product are numerous. Lori and Dan wanted to hear more, so they brought TVF Apparel & Home Décor Program Director Brian Vieweg on to the Textile Nerd  Podcast to give us a taste of what he's learned about cottons, lines, and more in his over 30-year career that includes dyeing, finishing, product development, and executive leadership experience.

There's more at stake for textile designers, makers, and manufacturers to execute the right fit than meets the eye. So much is on the line, an experienced and innovative pattern maven, Julia Watts of PatternRoom.com, has developed an entire business around perfecting the fit and helping others nail it the first time. Lori and Dan discuss the often overlooked world of pattern making on this edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast.

The spectre of so-called "forever chemicals," or PFAS, looms over a significant portion of the textile industry. Lori and Dan will take a closer look with our colleague, TVF Global Trade & Logistics Manager Laura Martin, who joins us for an overview of some challenges and considerations for everyone from mills to manufacturers.

Rachal McCarthy is a new-age leader in an old-school industry. On this edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast, the second-generation president of NTI Global in New York talks with Lori and Dan about the key place communications play in leadership in a world where the lines between on-site vs. off-site, high-tech vs. low-tech, and confidence vs. training are increasingly blurry.

Guest after guest on the Textile Nerd Podcast brings up sustainability as a primary industry concern and opportunity. It's such a pervasive topic of discussion, Lori and Dan captured three expert perspectives on this vast subject: pediatric hand surgeon and medical sustainability scholar Dr. Holly Morris, Gaston College Textile Technology Center Executive Director Jasmine Cox, and PatternRoom.com founder and CEO Julia Watts.

Let's face it, the textile printing process can be pretty bland. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, the cofounder of an innovative print studio believes more creativity could be injected into every facet of textile printing. Lori and Dan welcome back Western Sensibility CEO Kathryn Sanders to explore why and how creativity can be baked in every step of the way to elevate projects.

Access is everything for print media professionals. Third-generation textile printer Kathryn Sanders, founder and CEO of print studio Western Sensibility, hips us to a philosophy she calls the "Democratization of Design." This concept, as Lori and Dan find out, involves access by creatives to printers and technology to move thier designs from drawing board to substrate.

In the ever-evolving textile ecosystem, industry-focused education remains a critical piece of the puzzle. In the United States, issues including supply chain, sustainability, and onshoring/nearshoring remain top of mind for educators working to teach and skill-up the next generation of textile nerds. On the Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan will talk with Jasmine Cox, executive director of Gaston College's Textile Technology Center about solutions, successes, and fabric's future forces.

Does polyester get a bad wrap in the fashion, apparel, and movie world? If you ask longtime textile print maven and Hollywood costume printer Steven Moreno of MY Prints, the answer is an emphatic "yes." Lori, and Dan explore a concept Steven raised during our behind-the-scenes in Tinseltown episode that we'll call Polyester Prejudice, deepening a discussion on the need for additional education on the polyester options of today.

Bringing any fabric to market takes a dizzying number of people along the way... especially for a newly-developed material. From fiber-to-fruition, textiles will be put through the paces until they're ready to find their end use. On this episode of The Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori, and Dan travel along the production chain and bring in TVF Senior Sales Consultant Chris Russo to illuminate and salute the many hands behind every yard.

As new textiles evolve faster than we can measure, modeling, testing, and quality control are increasingly going 3D to keep pace. One of the great minds on the forefront of this technology is GORE-TEX Fabrics Digital Business Process Specialist Christina Rapa. Lori and Dan explore how this technology - very different from 3D printing - is already changing the game for several key facets of the textile industry.

The principles of employee ownership can apply to so many facets of textiles. Along with the financial benefits, it also involves concepts like constant improvement, leading from where you are, and an ownership mindset. In this edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan will discuss their experience as employee owners and how it applies to fabric.

The term expert witness often evokes high-pressure courtroom scenes and "gotchya" moments for ne'er-do-wells. In the case of the textile industry, an expert witness could also be a knowledgeable, experienced voice to protect the integrity of creatives and innovators. One such expert, Frances Harder of Fashion for Profit, will discuss with Lori and Dan how this legally-critical role plays out and discusses her decades of global experiences that have enriched her vibrant career in fabric.

The textile industry's history and influence goes back centuries, but during the last 50 years, the company that brings you this podcast has imprinted its own mark on the ancient craft. As TVF winds down its golden anniversary year, Lori and Dan take a few moments to reflect on their company's journey, employee ownership, and a few key events along the way that have turned a humble, two-man operation into a globally-known textile business.

There's no question our industry's knowledge centers are changing. As the waves of experienced members of the workforce continue to clock out for the last time, the Textile Nerd Podcast will explore some strategies to cultivate and become the next generation to drive fabrics forward. Lori and Dan turn to material and textile scientist Dr. Apurba Banerjee of Standard Textile about networking, knowledge transfer, and mentorship.

Climb into our time machine as we peek into the future of textiles. The frontier is vast and the experts we talk with always have thoughts on where the industry – from fibers to finishes – is headed. Lori and Dan will offer their expert-informed thoughts on what's next for substrates, sustainability, and beyond.

Happy Anniversary, Nerds! The Textile Nerd Podcast turns one, and Lori and Dan have the highlights, storylines, and curiosities from our engaging experts! We've explored the depths of the industry we love along with you, so let's honor and celebrate our first 12 months of many. From Hollywood intrigue to fiber origins and futures to textile technique breakdowns and more, it's time to celebrate the first anniversary of the Textile Nerd Podcast.

Often known as an affordable workhorse that will eventually get thrown away, vinyl is usually only thought about when it rips. On the latest edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan will break out the crystal ball with industry big wig Robert Hinsch to examine what could be for the too-often-taken-for-granted material. Could new scrim or coating concoctions be on the horizon for venerable vinyl? Join Lori and Dan as they ponder what's possible with vinyl.

As the scales of globalization continue to rebalance textiles and the supply chain, the Textile Nerd Podcast will once again talk with Courtney Williams of textile innovator, brrrº, about the international economic ecosystem. Her insights from working more than two decades in fabric in markets including Asia, Europe, and the United States illuminate challenges and opportunities. Join Lori, Dan, and Courtney as they explore the landscape in a wide-ranging fashion without wasting your time.

What does circularity mean to you? More imporantly, are there textile-to-textile life cycles out there that could be feasible and scalable? The newest edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast picks the globally-experienced mind of brrrº Vice President of Operations & Product Development Courtney Williams. Lori, Dan will explore everything from mushroom leather to home compost as 3D printing filament and more with the textile veteran who has worked in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

There's no visual platform as scrutinized as a movie or show made in Hollywood. Costume design, especially, has to look the part and function as one with the characters. In the newest edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan connect with MY Prints Co-Owner Steven Moreno, a film and TV industry go-to for exceptional fabric printing collaborations to pull back the curtain on printed fabrics in the limelight.

Can true sustainability be achieved in today's global, far-flung logistical and manufacturing landscape? The second part of our series on sustainability will again call on the expertise of TVF's Samantha Marion, Georg+Otto Friedrich's Lothar Vorbeck, and Epson America's Timothy Check to weigh in on sustainability and how it affects the fabric world. We're easy to listen to and love giving industry experts a platform to get nerdy.

Your Textile Nerd countdown is on… THREE textile industry heavy-hitters. TWO big editions. ONE critical topic. Join Lori and Dan on the newest edition of the podcast to tackle sustainability in the first of two episodes with TVF's Samantha Marion, Georg+Otto Friedrich's Lothar Vorbeck, and Epson America's Timothy Check. Download, listen when its convenient, and learn something without wasting your time.

The print media fabric universe is vast… More vast than we typically acknowledge. Adding even more complexity is ensuring that printers and inks jive with the substrate. On the newest edition of the Texile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan turn to two pros with decades of print media prowess for a focused discussion on why attention at the front end of a project means more success along the way.

Not to be confused with finishes, although the terms are often interchanged, coatings are a super power for fabrics in their own right. On the new edition of the Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan will examine this all-star of additives. TVF Vice President of Business Development Robert Hinsch will handle the overview of common coatings and their benefits. Download, listen when its convenient, and learn something without wasting your time.

Fabric finishing offers clear plusses (enhancing look and performance, of course) and even a few minuses (potential in some cases to reduce a material's strength). While finishes may not be a magic bullet, they do add incredible value and stretch the possibilities of textiles when used correctly. Our latest episode of the Textile Nerd Podcast examines the basics of finishing. Join Lori, Dan, and textile knowledge center Robert Hinsch (TVF vice president of business development) for an overview of fabric finishing that will make you think and won't waste your time.

Baloney slicer might be the most whimsical of nicknames for fabric slitting methods, but it's far from the only way to convert a roll of fabric. Our latest episode of the Textile Nerd Podcast examines slitting technology of every stripe. Join Lori, Dan, and textile guru Robert Hinsch (TVF vice president of business development) for an in-depth conversation that cuts to the chase and won't waste your time.

Laminating textiles adds major value to the end-use. In this episode of The Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan are joined by special guest Robert Hinsch (TVF vice president of business development) to explore this value-added service that enhances durability and structural integrity, boosts versatility, and more.

The first episode of the Textile Nerd Podcast from TVF focuses on a 100-year-old set of quality guidelines that still wields influence on fabric quality control standards today. Lori and Dan bring on savvy textile industry veteran Robert Hinsch to illuminate the Worth Street Rules.