Today I will be talking about how women are viewed through the lens of their clothing. This episode will largely focus on Policing Women's Bodies and the Worldwide War on Women with a particular focus on Iran and Mahsa Amini’s death.  

I will always be in full support of a woman’s right to choose. Particularly when it comes to her body and her clothing because I see what we wear as a beautiful expression and extension of who we are, should we choose to express ourselves in that way and I do not believe that culture or religion place in that. 

And just a reminder, a woman’s expression through her clothing is what she thinks it is, not what anyone else labels it as.

Show Notes:

4 Ways to Help the Iranian People
(These are based on an Instagram post from @the.wellness.therapist) 

Don't let their deaths be in vain. Let this moment be a lasting movement for change, not a footnote.

1. Repost footage of the protests to all social media platforms
Iranians are asking for help amplifying their voices. Reshare their stories to our platforms. 

2. Use specific hashtags as well as creative hashtags to get the word out
Use these tags when you post:
#mahsaamini #jinaamini #zhinaamini #Mahsa _Amini #iran #iranprotests #opiran 
To further get the story out to those who aren't aware of it, use other popular hashtags.  

3. It is important that the West doesn’t intervene. No war. No western intervention.
Keep your support focused on the Iranian people fighting for their own liberation. They want support from the international community & the atrocities documented.

4. Organize where you live
Speak up. Attend support rallies in your community or host your own. That could be talking about it with your people.

Sources:

CNN - Amini’s Death & Protests
https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/24/middleeast/mahsa-amini-death-iran-internet-un-investigation-intl-hnk/index.html 

Wilson Center
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/reconstructed-lives-women-and-irans-islamic-revolution 

The Borgen Project - Women’s Rights in Iran
https://borgenproject.org/womens-rights-in-iran/ 

NCRI Women’s Committee - Violence Against Women
https://women.ncr-iran.org/2020/11/22/violence-against-women-in-iran/ 

Aljazeera - Arab Spring
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/17/what-is-the-arab-spring-and-how-did-it-start 

Washington Post - History of Women’s Fight for Freedom in Iran
https://www.washingtonpost.com/made-by-history/2022/09/26/iranian-women-uprising-against-oppression-history/ 

Videos of Protests
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/23/iran-hijab-protest-violent-crackdown/ 

Committee to Protect Journalists
https://cpj.org/about/ 

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

Creative:
Lauren Bates

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to sit with a friend of mine, Christine Dart. 
Christine is a Marketing Leader and creator of the Art of Life, Liberty, and Happiness Podcast.  

Over our years together she has worn many hats, but today we are simply talking about awareness and intention. Oftentimes we get so caught up with the doing that we forget how to simply be. Showing up for ourselves while in the midst of all of it and a gentle reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out.

I am so honored that I got the chance to chat with Christine to discuss how we move through life and adding tools to the tool kit to help us along our way.

Show Notes:

• Become intentional about time 
• Forcing yourself to do things is betraying yourself
• Celebrate the small things and how you show up for yourself, especially on the hard days
• Your awareness is the foundation on which you build towards change
• Balancing your self-care with your self-care, it is going to look different every day
• Be there for yourself while you are going through all of it
• It is ok to feel uninspired or unmotivated
• Start where you are

Handles:
@christinebri

Links:
Christine’s Podcast Art of Life, Liberty, and Happiness Podcast
Episode with Life Coach Linal Harris

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

Creative:
Lauren Bates

This episode of Sustainably LB is a solo episode and I will be covering Faux Feminism. 

All of this information is largely based on an article I wrote for Remake a global advocacy organization fighting for fair pay and climate justice in the clothing and fashion industry 

I am a freelance journalist and sustainable fashion advocate, storyteller and activist who seeks progress over perfection. 

My enthusiasm for sustainability, ethics, travel, exploration and community—and how they are interwoven—largely stems from over 20 years of progressive experience in the fashion industry.

I have a deep passion for storytelling and authentic connection that I carry with me into every aspect of my life.

I believe that compassionate service journalism can be used as, and is, a vehicle to educate and support individuals and communities in a way that doesn't come off as elitist—a common problem in the sustainable living conversation. 

I am so honored to be a Remake Ambassador and have the chance to share this piece with you. I hope that you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed writing it and talking about it here with you all. 

Show Notes:

• We’d like to take female empowerment messaging as truth, but it often isn’t 
• Only empowering women that are your consumers, or potential consumers, isn’t empowering women
• Brands are experts in coddling consumers by publicly telling them what they want to hear
• Marketing is a psychological hack, it is the halo effect in action
• Gender inequality has been rampant in the fashion industry since its inception

Handles:
@sustainably_lb

Links:
https://www.sustainablylb.com

The Social Dilemma
Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons 

Remake:
https://remake.world/stories/faux-feminism-the-hypocrisy-of-fashions-feminist-agenda/
Remake Brand Directory 

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

Creative:
Lauren Bates

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to sit with Designer Buf Reynolds.
You can’t really talk about the Omaha fashion scene or Omaha Fashion Week without talking about Buf and her influence on it.

From teaching herself how to make patterns and construct garments to really finding her stride in her thirties, Buf is proof that there is no recipe for success. That trial and error only adds to the beauty of becoming and that it is never too late to explore something you're passionate about.

I am deeply honored that I got the chance to sit with Buf, the low-key catalyst behind Omaha Fashion Week, and discuss where she receives inspiration, how stepping away is a necessary part of coming back refreshed and her return to the runway.

Show Notes:

• Taking time away to refresh yourself is a necessary part of filling your creative well
• The importance of patterns and the artistry of the craft
• A part of the sustainability narrative should be about creating garments that are able to expand and contract with the purchaser
• You’re thinking about fashion on a daily basis, you just might not realize it
• You don’t ever have to take the traditional path, forge you own way

Handles:
@bufreynolds

Links:
http://bufreynolds.com
https://omahafashionweek.com 

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Creative:
Lauren Bates

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

For this episode, I got to sit with Amanda Tjarks Owner and Creator of Albany & Avers. Albany and Avers is a curated boutique located here in Omaha, NE in the Dundee neighborhood. After playing by corporate America’s rules, Amanda decided to take a leap and make her childhood dream a reality.

Albany and Avers is committed to community, hosting a variety of events that connect those who share a common interest - fashion. Amanda understands the importance of reducing our carbon footprint in the apparel industry which pairs perfectly with her love for thrifting and vintage.

Perhaps this dream has been a long time coming but I believe Amanda has  landed exactly where she was meant to be.

Show Notes:

• Intentionality with how and where you shop
• Sizes on the tag mean absolutely nothing
• It takes a village and that looks different for everyone
• Taking small risks towards your goals add up, especially if you are skeptical of taking a big leap
• Getting joy from the joy of others 
• Treating ourselves, our bodies, with compassion instead of shame

Handles:
@albanyandavers

Links:
https://albanyandavers.com

Walt Whitman Poem:
O Me! O Life!

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

Creative:
Lauren Bates

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to sit with Kelly Valentine, Founder and Owner of Scout Dry Goods and Trade and Co-Creator of Swap Omaha. 

Since Kelly opened Scout’s doors in 2008 there has been a focus on environment and community.  

As a small, woman-owned business, community is a central part of Kelly’s mission with Scout. This includes hosting events with local organizations across the metro, plus supporting charities by donating clothing, shoes, hats, and bags to those most in need.

I am so honored that I got the chance to chat with Kelly and discuss the ins and outs of running a business, flowing with the universe and focusing on a solution rather than a problem. 

Show Notes:

Fun fact! Scout Dry Goods and Trade is named after the young girl in Harper Lee's book, "To Kill A Mockingbird."

Key Takeaways:

• One little action can inspire and be the foundation for future actions
• Your existence is happening between your ears, be careful what you tell yourself and what programming you’re buying into
• Looking for a solution to a problem rather than looking at the problem and getting overwhelmed
• Surrendering to the flow of the universe by staying open

First Follower - we all have to start somewhere

Handles:
@scoutdrygoods

Links:
https://ilovescout.com 

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

Creative:
Lauren Bates

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to sit with Samantha Hartong, creator and founder of Hart Collective.

HART Collective is a beautiful community of fashion lovers and sustainability advocates centered around the goal of making sustainable fashion accessible for everyone. She operates out of Omaha, Nebraska, but her reach is vast, touching many corners of the Midwest and well beyond.

The power of community is a crucial piece of Samantha’s mission with HART Collective. This includes hosting events with local organizations who share the same values plus bringing sustainable fashion to those willing to learn and connect.

In addition, HART Collective connects consumers to brands that align with their values, and help small business owners move towards sustainability.

Show Notes:

Questions to ask yourself to help shift your relationship with fashion and consuming (conscious shopping):

• Do I have pieces in my closet that will work with this piece?
• Am I buying this because it is trendy now, or is this a piece I will wear for years to come?
• Is a celebrity, personal style muse or influencer holding sway on this purchasing decision?
• Does this fit into my personal style?

Key Takeaways:

• Being fulfilled and standing up for and in your values
• Honoring Mother Earth, respecting her
• When you know better you can do better
• Voting with you dollars
• The power of community

Handles:
@hartcollective_

Links:
https://hart-collective.com 

Fashion Guild:
https://fashionartscollective.org/about-fg

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

Creative:
Lauren Bates