FAIR Talks Podcast

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

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. 

Dignity Made and the Power of Fair Trade | Dignity Made

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.

The Future of Fair Trade | Fair Trade LA

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.

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

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 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 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.

Rooted In Hope: Fair Trade In Palestine | Canaan Palestine

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 canaanpalestine.com

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

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

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

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 purchasingwithpurpose.org

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

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.

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

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

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

In this heartfelt farewell episode, founding host Elisha Chan officially passes the mic to Fair Trade LA’s new Executive Director, Rebecca Dunn. Together, they reflect on the journey of building a thriving fair trade movement in Los Angeles—from Elisha’s early days transforming Fair Trade LA into a national leader, to launching this very podcast, and ultimately making LA the largest Fair Trade City in North America. Rebecca shares her own powerful story—from Kolkata to Antwerpen to Ten Thousand Villages—and the path that brought her full circle back to Fair Trade LA. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Elisha’s next chapter in Haiti, where she’s building a school from the ground up through her nonprofit, Impactful Missions. This episode is filled with laughter, legacy, and a shared passion for justice, community, and sustainability—and it captures the heart of what Fair Trade LA is all about.