FAIR Talks Podcast

Where does the fair trade movement go from here? To kick off Season 9 of FAIR Talks and celebrate World Fair Trade Month, we're bringing together leaders from Fairtrade America, the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), and Fair Trade USA to explore what's next. From growing the movement without compromising its values to overcoming challenges and strengthening collaboration, this conversation asks what it will take to build a fairer future for everyone.

What does it take to build a global movement for Fair Trade? In this episode, Harriet Lamb shares the story behind decades of advancing Fairtrade around the world, from helping grow the movement into a global force to advocating for farmers, workers, and more ethical supply chains. We discuss the progress that's been made, the challenges that remain, and why Fair Trade is more relevant today than ever.

In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Santiago Halty, Founder & CEO of Senda Athletics, alongside Sian Brown from Fair Trade USA, to explore what it looks like to build a football brand differently. Together, they discuss Santiago’s journey, what Fair Trade certification looks like in practice, the challenge of building an ethical sports brand, and Senda’s launch of the world’s first Fair Trade Certified football cleats as the World Cup kicks off. Plus, find out which professional players will be stepping onto the pitch wearing them.

Learn more about Senda:

• Senda Athletics
• The World’s First and Only Fair Trade Certified Soccer Cleats
• Feature in The Athletic (from The New York Times Company)

In a world full of “ethical” and “sustainable” claims, how do you know what actually makes a brand fair trade? In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Amanda Archila, Executive Director of Fairtrade America, to unpack what fair trade really means, how the Fairtrade system works, and why trust, accountability, and fairer supply chains matter more than ever.

Visit fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.

In this special World Fair Trade Day episode of FAIR Talks, Joan Harper of Fair Trade LA and Katherine Bissell Córdova of Chicago Fair Trade reflect on nearly two decades of building fair trade communities in Los Angeles and Chicago. Together, they discuss how the movement has evolved over the past twenty years, the growth of ethical sourcing and sustainability, the importance of local organizing, and why fair trade continues to be rooted in relationships, community, and collective action.

Learn more about Chicago Fair Trade
Learn more about Fair Trade Towns

In this special 50th episode of FAIR Talks, we sit down with Anthony “Ants” Watt, CEO of Joyya, for a powerful conversation on rethinking poverty, impact, and what it truly takes to create lasting change. Moving beyond traditional ideas of employment as a solution, Joyya’s model highlights the importance of relationships, community, and long-term investment in people’s lives. From education and healthcare to holistic support systems, this episode explores how addressing the deeper, relational roots of poverty can open the door to sustainable transformation. It’s an honest and inspiring conversation about dignity, resilience, and the kind of impact that extends far beyond a single job.

Learn more at joyya.com.

In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Karin Gardner, Vice President of Marketing at Oppy, to explore the stories behind the produce we buy every day, from global supply chains to deeply personal moments that highlight the people who grow, harvest, and pack our food. One story in particular stands out, as a father shares that through Fair Trade premiums he was able to bring warm water into his home for the first time and give his children a warm bath, a powerful reminder that even the smallest choices we make as consumers can ripple into something much bigger. As we reflect on National Farmworker Awareness Week, this conversation invites us to pause, look closer at the food we buy, and truly see the people behind it.

Learn more atoppy.com.

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 about the past, present, and future of the fair trade movement. Felipe shares how growing up in Colombia, in a country shaped by inequality and powerful social movements, influenced the way he thinks about justice, dignity, and economic power, and how those early experiences continue to guide his leadership today. Together, they explore what it really means to see farmers, fishers, and workers as protagonists of change, how fair trade has evolved over the past 25 years, and why community, collaboration, and listening are more essential than ever in a world facing climate shocks, cost-of-living pressures, and fragile supply chains, offering a thoughtful and hopeful look at what the movement’s next chapter could be.

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 coffee companies in the United States, to talk about how a small worker-owned co-op has been reshaping our food system since 1986. Danielle shares her personal journey into this work, the story of Equal Exchange’s roots in solidarity with small farmer co-ops, and what it actually feels like to be inside a cooperative that caps its pay ratio, practices real economic democracy, and has a “Never Sell Out” clause written into its bylaws. Together they explore how long-term relationships with farmers, transparent supply chains, and the idea of the “citizen consumer” invite all of us to see our daily cup of coffee as part of a much bigger story of justice, community, and hope.

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 has sparked a global movement to humanize the fashion industry. Kohl shares the origin story of KNOWN SUPPLY, why transparency is their superpower, and how celebrating the makers behind our clothes creates deeper connection, dignity, and accountability across the supply chain.

They discuss the realities of ethical manufacturing, the loneliness many impact-driven founders face, and why KNOWN SUPPLY believes the future of fashion depends on remembering the people behind every product we buy. This conversation is inspiring, honest, and a must-listen for anyone who cares about fair trade, fashion, and building businesses that put people first.

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 Root Collective, to talk about her journey from a life-changing week in Guatemala to leaving corporate America, building a fair trade shoe company, and now stepping into movement-level leadership. Bethany shares honestly about the realities of running a fair trade brand, the loneliness so many founders feel, and the way friendships and community helped sustain her work years longer than she expected. She and Becca unpack what makes the Fair Trade Federation unique as a holistic verifier and a hub for connection, how FTF supports brands and retailers who want to “do what they say they’re doing,” and her early vision for deeper member support, new partnerships with fair trade towns, and growing the movement in the years ahead. Along the way, Bethany offers her “why I keep going” story, rooted in the future she hopes to create for her sons and her belief that everyday purchasing decisions truly can shift the global story of trade, and the episode includes a heartfelt thank you to outgoing Executive Director Chris Solt for his decade of leadership and the strong foundation he’s left for what comes next.

Learn more at https://www.fairtradefederation.org/.

Becca sits down with Ori Zohar, co-founder of Burlap & Barrel, a public benefit company reimagining how spices move through the world. From cardamom fields in Guatemala to pepper farms in Vietnam, Burlap & Barrel is building a direct trade model that connects smallholder farmers with home cooks and chefs alike, paying farmers far above commodity prices and bringing transparency to an industry that has long operated in the shadows. In this conversation, Ori shares how a friendship, a wild cumin seed, and a simple question, “Can we do this differently?” sparked a global movement for flavor and fairness. Tune in to hear how Burlap & Barrel grew from a suitcase of spices into a million-jar enterprise, what it means to be a legally bound public benefit corporation, and why storytelling might just be the secret ingredient to transforming trade.

Learn more at burlapandbarrel.com.

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 realities of human trafficking and fair trade for the first time. Today, one of the leaders from that trip, Erik, is the founder of Dignity Made, a social enterprise in the Philippines restoring opportunity and dignity to coconut-farming communities. In this episode, we talk about how one encounter grew into a mission to bring dignity, fairness, and lasting opportunity to farming communities in the Philippines.

As a gift to our listeners, use code FTLA15 for 15% off at dignitymade.com.

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 Michelle Chavez, co-founder of The Tote Project. Michelle shares her journey from discovering Fair Trade in college to building a mission-driven brand that empowers survivors of human trafficking and donates 10% of profits to support their healing and career goals. She reflects on what it means to lead Fair Trade LA into its next chapter, including growing business memberships, preparing for the LA28 Olympics, and strengthening partnerships across the city. This conversation is a reminder that every purchase has power and that small, conscious choices can create big change.

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 the U.S.—with purpose at the center. From a smoky garage roast to national shelves, Rod unpacks how BLK & Bold blends business with impact through Fair Trade sourcing, youth empowerment, and bold leadership.

Explore more at https://blkandbold.com and watch this incredible docuseries to learn about how they are taking steps to understand and reduce their carbon footprint.

As a gift to our listeners, use code FTLA20 for 20% off at https://blkandbold.com/ from now until July 13. This applies to a one-time purchase. It cannot be used for subscriptions or returning orders. There is no minimum purchase requirement and it cannot be combined with other discounts.

In this powerful episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Dr. Nasser Abufarha, founder of Canaan Palestine and the Palestine Fair Trade Association, for a conversation that is both timely and timeless. Dr. Abufarha shares how fair trade is sustaining hope and livelihoods in the face of deep challenges.

From planting more than 375,000 olive trees through Canaan’s Trees for Life program to organizing over 2,400 small-scale farmers, he has built a movement rooted in dignity, heritage, and justice. We explore the cultural significance of the olive tree, the resilience of Palestinian farmers, and how trade can become a force for peace.

Take 15% OFF entire site with code: LAFT at https://canaanpalestine.com/

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 Wendy Savage, Patagonia’s Senior Director of Social Impact & Transparency, to explore how the brand grew from piloting just six Fair Trade styles to certifying over 90% of its product line—impacting more than 85,000 workers and distributing over $31 million in Fair Trade premiums. Wendy shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped her passion for ethical sourcing, from growing up in Peru with her activist mother to navigating global supply chains. Together, they unpack how Fair Trade became Patagonia’s first step toward living wages, why the company is openly sharing its model with other brands, and what it means when workers—not corporations—choose how to invest in their futures. Wendy also speaks candidly about industry inaction, the invisible dividend of Fair Trade, and why real change is never “one and done”—it’s forever work.

Learn more at patagonia.com

In this inspiring episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Rebecca Dray, Executive Director of Purchasing With Purpose—a collaborative working to make ethical and impactful purchasing not only possible, but practical. Rebecca shares how everyday decisions, from sourcing catering to buying office supplies, can become powerful tools for change when aligned with values that prioritize people and the planet. From place-based programs in cities like Portland and Chicago to their work around the LA28 Summer Olympics, Purchasing With Purpose is helping institutions and individuals alike shift their spending toward over 90 categories of verified social enterprises. Whether you’re a city official, a business leader, or a conscious consumer, you’ll walk away from this conversation encouraged and equipped to take action—because as Rebecca reminds us, “Absolutely everybody can get involved.”

Learn more at https://www.purchasingwithpurpose.org/

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 FAIR Talks, Becca chats with Neha Gohil, Vice President of Global Sourcing at e.l.f. Beauty, to uncover how one of the most fun, affordable beauty brands is making a bold impact through Fair Trade Certified factories. With over two decades in the industry, Neha shares how e.l.f. is turning ethical sourcing into a competitive edge—from funding parenting workshops in factories to making “just do the right thing” a corporate mantra. If you’ve ever wondered whether big brands can lead with purpose and profit, this episode is your answer.

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 reflects on his 26 years with Fair Trade USA and his passion for the movement’s mission to improve lives and protect the planet. He discusses how Fair Trade certification supports workers and farmers by providing funds for community projects like infrastructure improvements, and shares the evolution of Fair Trade USA’s “Fair Trade for All” approach. Paul talks about his decision to pass the baton to a new generation of leaders while continuing to advocate for Fair Trade through his new book. He also highlights the importance of innovation, particularly through technology like QR codes, in shaping the future of the movement. Finally, Paul shares his optimism about Fair Trade’s role in building a more ethical and sustainable future.

Visit http://fairtradela.org/podcast for show notes and exclusive discounts.