The Textile Nerd Podcast

With international markets in a near constant state of flux, textile companies in the United States are investigating options like onshoring, nearshoring, and reshoring to keep their edge. Sounds great, but how feasible? Lori and Dan convene a panel of supply chain experts that includes TVF Supply Chain leaders Stephanie Shrader, Tabitha Green, and Jamie Sullivan, as well as well-traveled global textile executive and AATCC Chair Courtney Williams to sound off on the challenges and possibilities of a more American-made textile industry.

Meet Russ Hubbard, an Army veteran whose experiences during military training and in the sands of Middle East battlefields spotlighted a lifesaving fabric opportunity. On this edition of The Textile Nerd Podcast, Lori and Dan will explore the origin story of Polar Skin™, a rapid-cooling system that is made here in the U.S. – from fiber to finished product – and achieves stringent Berry compliance standards, while portably and accessibly cooling overheated soldiers, athletes, and more.

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.