We're comparing passenger train travel between the US and Europe: why does Europe do rail so well? We're overviewing a handful of regional and intercity routes that do train travel well, and pointing out what American communities could learn from - investments, political will, high-speed rail, and much more. We're also discussing scenic routes and trains as part of the trip, rather than simply a means of transportation. I share the triumphant, community-advocated-for Winter Park Express, from Denver, CO to a nearby ski resort.

Episodes to revisit:

The Death of the Third Place

Urban Revitalization + Sustainable Development | Alan Sneider

Meet me online - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram + @lauraediez on Tiktok. Email me at [email protected].

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Virginia Chamlee is an artist, writer, and author of the best-selling book, Big Thrift Energy. She joins us for a conversation on finding your personal style, the best tips for shopping secondhand for furniture and unique homewares, and curating a home that feels truly *you*.

Find Virginia on TikTok @virginiachamlee and Instagram @vchamlee

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Meet me online - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram + @lauraediez on Tiktok. Email me at [email protected].

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We are joined by Katie Gatti of Money With Katie, financial literacy blogger, podcast superstar, and one my favorite people on the internet!! We are discussing today what Katie calls "the hot girl hamster wheel" - the never-ending beauty maintenance that women often feel financially and socially committed to. Today's conversation explores beauty consumerism, female-targeted marketing, and what it means to reject the norms we've never collectively considered optional. Truly one of my favorite conversations we've ever had on this show!!

Find Katie on MoneyWithKatie.com, The Money with Katie Show, and her new show, Bossy

Read Jessica DeFino's new column, Ask Ugly in The Guardian

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Meet me online - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram + @lauraediez on Tiktok. Email me at [email protected].

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We're rewinding on one of our most buzzy topics: fast furniture. When did we start thinking of furniture as disposable? Today we're discussing the under-exaggerated problem of fast furniture: cheap, low quality, and mass-produced pieces designed to be dumped. We're breaking down (ha) two iconic fast furniture items, and exploring tips for your next point-of-purchase furniture decision.

More for you:

Ep 196: Creating Thoughtful Spaces | Amanda Gunawan, OWIU Designs

‘Fast Furniture’ Is Cheap. And Americans Are Throwing It in the Trash. (NY Times)

Fast furniture: what’s wrong with it and 7 ways to make better choices (for you and the planet) (Heidi Bischoff, 2019)

Ikea keeps price of popular Billy Bookcase the cheapest in Euro zone (Independent UK)

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Meet me online - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram + @lauraediez on Tiktok. Email me at [email protected].

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We're joined by Shannon McNamara of Fluenty Forward for today's profiling of Les Wexner: the billionaire businessman behind *all* the mall brands. Wexner is credited with mainstreaming fast fashion marketing techniques, and targeted consumers through his ownership and acquisition of brands like The Limited, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Abercrombie & Fitch, and many, many more. Wexner also was the primary billionaire client of Jeffrey Epstein, with the Victoria's Secret brand playing a major role in Epstein's story. Wexner is the longest serving CEO of a Fortune 500 company, with 57 years upon his retirement. Today's conversation explores the advent of fast fashion marketing, as well as Wexner and L Brands' impact on the culture of the 1990s and early 2000s.

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Let's connect - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram + @lauraediez on Tiktok. Email me at [email protected].

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In our final episode for 2023, we're reflecting on the "ins" and "outs" for the year: the themes we hope continue strong and those we're happy to see go! Reflecting on how our conversations have shifted this year around conscious consumption, personal climate action, and mental health, today's conversation hopes to refresh and reset as we enter the new year, eco chic.

For episode recaps of the year's most loved, most viral eps:

EC Wrapped: Best of 2023

The Death of the Third Place

And mentioned:

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance is bad for the planet. Couple burns a whopping $70,779 jet fuel in the last three months (Economic Times)

Thanks to our sponsor! JustThriveHealth.com/ECOCHIC or use code ECOCHIC for 20% off your 90 day supply - try the probiotic and Just Calm!!

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Let's connect - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram + @lauraediez on Tiktok. Email me at [email protected].

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The world's biggest climate change conference recently wrapped, and we're excited to speak today about the successes of the historic two weeks! We're joined by Charly Frisk, Director of Climate Action at Time for Better, to discuss the on-the-ground energy in Dubai, the outcomes, and how mainstream media can continue community building around historically exclusive climate events.

Thanks to our sponsor! JustThriveHealth.com/ECOCHIC or use code ECOCHIC for 20% off your 90 day supply - try the probiotic and Just Calm!!

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Let's connect - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram + @lauraediez on Tiktok. Email me at [email protected].

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Why is everyone healing their gut? Tina Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Just Thrive, joins us to talk all things gut health: from Big Pharma to modern agriculture. Today’s conversation explores connections from the gut to chronic disease, our moods, and cognitive health. We’re discussing the science behind spore-based probiotics, and how natural remedies and modern medicine can go hand-in-hand for holistic healing.

Visit justhrivehealth.com with promo code ECOCHIC for 20% off - try the Probiotic and I also love Just Calm!! 

Babbel - get 55% off your Babbel subscription - but only for our listeners - at Babbel.com/ECOCHIC

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Let's connect - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram + @lauraediez on Tiktok. Email me at [email protected].

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It is less common that ever to be a "regular" - which feels so good to be, because it means you're a stable fixture in a community. If your home and workplace are your first and second places, respectively, what can you call your third place? Today, we're discussing some of the reasons we've seen a rapid decline in third places (is it social media? affordability? the suburban dream??) and better understanding their value in social sustainability.

For more:

The Power of Walkable Cities

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Let's connect - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram + @lauraediez on Tiktok. Email me at [email protected].

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Data time - we’re revisiting some of our most shared, most loved, + most viral conversations from the year! 2023 was such a special year of growth, learning, + reflection. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to engage in these!! 

Total Ethics Fashion | Emma Hakansson, Collective Fashion Justice

Imperfect Environmentalism | Megan McSherry

Urban Revitalization + Sustainable Development | Alan Sneider

We’re Finally De-Influencing

Green Jobs + DEI in Sustainability | Kristy Drutman, Brown Girl Green, Green Jobs Board

Everything About the Western Water Crisis, with WesternWaterGirl | Teal Lehto

Finding Community, Plastics Policy, + Sustainable Storytelling | Lauren Bash

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Let's connect - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram + @lauraediez on Tiktok. Email me at [email protected].

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