“It takes a collective mindset to fix it.” - Anjana Aravind We all feel the weight of climate change from time to time (or daily!) as we try to take in the size of the problem and how to solve it. Now imagine being in it, everyday, as a climate researcher and seeing first hand what’s really going on with our planet.In this episode, Anjana Aravind joins the Curated Consciously podcast to break down the misconceptions about climate change, and how our systems, consumer choices, and the media play vital roles in the health of our planet.Anjana works as a climate researcher for a wind energy consultancy where she studies how large-scale climate phenomena affect client sites, which are mostly focused on the global tropics, and wind farm performance and associated risks. She has previously worked on Antarctic ice shelf modelling at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, worked within the Climate Change Research Center in Germany, and studied the effects of southern ocean warming on global rising sea levels in Sydney, Australia. Anjana’s love for the oceans has led her to work at the National Institute of Oceanography in Goa. Last year, she was the only person of Indian nationality who was selected for a marine research expedition across the Atlantic Ocean organized by the Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany. Aside from her corporate job, she is a columnist for Law & Order, an online academic publication where she posts articles on the relation between socio-economic systems and climate change.In this episode, Anjana and Jazz dive into: Three common misconceptions about climate change. Identifying the many diverse and systemic issues that impact the future of our planet. How we, as individuals, can do our part in tackling climate change. Connect with Anjana on LinkedIn and Instagram, and read her work on Law & Order.Continue the conversation with us on the Conscious Bad Asses Facebook group and follow along at @curatedconsciously.Listen to more Causeartist podcasts here.

Impact India

How To Tackle Climate Change With Anjana Aravind

We all feel the weight of climate change from time to time (or daily!) as we try to take in the size of the problem and how to solve it. Now imagine being in it, everyday, as a climate researcher and seeing first hand what’s really going on with our planet. In this episode, Anjana Aravind joins the Curated Consciously podcast to break down the misconceptions of climate change, and how our systems, consumer choices, and the media play vital roles in the health of our planet.

In episode 31 of the Impact India podcast, I chat with Jitendra and Shivani Sinha, co-founders of SAI Sustainable Agro.SAI Sustainable Agro is a social venture working to improve the livelihoods of tribal and marginalized farmers in Odisha, India, using agroforestry to redevelop degraded land.The goal: to develop a truly inclusive and sustainable business model that uplifts marginalized people and farmers worldwide. Jitendra is a veteran of the agricultural industry in India and a passionate social entrepreneur. His diverse career has included serving as International Chief Technical Advisor to UNDP/GEF and Ministry of Agriculture to the Government of Iran. In 2019, he co-founded SAI-Social Purpose Corporation (SAI-SPC) in America, and has been replicating his agroforestry model across Africa in Uganda, Ghana and South Africa.  In his spare time, he mentors entrepreneurs in resilient agriculture supply chain development across Asia and Africa. Shivani has been working passionately on women and children issues since 1999. She initially worked as Vice Principal of an educational institution before moving working in the NGO sector to focus on healthcare for women and children. She currently leads SAI Sustainable Agro’s initiatives to improve healthcare and education for the tribal communities they work with in Odisha.Prepare for a fully packed episode as Jitendra helps simplify how SAI’s agroforestry model operates, and how their framework continues to support marginalised farmers and be self-sustainable (even during COVID-19).In this episode, Jitendra, Shivani and I dive into: The disconnect between levels of government, nonprofits, and NGOs working with marginalized communities. The need to create sustainable jobs in tribal and marginalized communities that foster localization. Reconnecting city dwellers to where their food comes from and the people who fuel our agriculture system. Connect with Jitendra and Shivani, and learn more about SAI Sustainable Agro, at sai-agro.org and on YouTube and Facebook.

Empowering Tribal Farming Communities through Agroforestry with Sai Sustainable Agro

In episode 31 of the Impact India podcast, I chat with Jitenda and Shivani Sinha, co-founders of SAI Sustainable Agro. SAI Sustainable Agro is a social venture working to improve the livelihoods of tribal and marginalized farmers in Odisha, India, using agroforestry to redevelop degraded land. The goal: to develop a truly inclusive and sustainable business model that uplifts marginalized people and farmers worldwide.

In episode 30 of the Impact India podcast, I welcome back Kriti Tula, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Doodlage. Doodlage is a fashion brand based in New Delhi working with post-production and post-consumer textile waste to curate womens, mens, and accessory collections. During the pandemic, Doodlage has been working to partner with homegrown brands aligned with their upcycling and zero waste values. Their most recent collection Indigo Chronicles was curated with Iro Iro, a zero waste B2B textile brand based in Jaipur. Together, these two leading conscious fashion brands have come together to deepen their efforts to reinvent the fashion supply chain. In this episode, Kriti and I dive into: How Doodlage was able to support their artisans during this uncertain time Pivoting your marketing to connect more meaningfully with your audience when operational priorities are constantly changing What to expect from the Indigo Chronicles collection and future collaborations from Doodlage  To shop the Indigo Chronicles collection, click here. Be sure to follow their journey on Instagram as well @doodlageofficial. A little about the collection: Indigo chronicles tells the story of the vast textile industry of Jaipur through its waste. Indigo is a commonly used natural dye with a distinctive blue hue. No where it is as visible as it is in the lanes of the Pink City: running through the drains, blotted on walls, widely used in fabrics, sarees and tunics flaunted by not just the people in the city but across the country, in rugs, Jaipuri blankets, and Rajasthani turbans. They all narrate the story of arguably the oldest known natural dye.Listen to more Causeartist podcasts here.CauseartistPRO - We’re building a global community of impact founders, impact investors, and impact professionals. Apply HereWe are powered by:Impact Recipe – Software Development for Nonprofits and Social EnterprisesPodcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with Canva

Championing Zero Waste During a Pandemic with Kriti Tula of Doodlage

In episode 30 of the Impact India podcast, I welcome back Kriti Tula, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Doodlage. Doodlage is a fashion brand based in New Delhi working with post-production and post-consumer textile waste to curate womens, mens, and accessory collections.

In episode 29, I sit down with fellow co-founder of Sustainable Travel Network, Kelsey White.Sustainable Travel Network is a community of sustainable travel leaders breaking the silos of the industry and fostering collaboration across the sector.The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on India have been devastating, especially as we have watched our beloved tourism industry crumble before us.​However, as travel begins to open up in India and around the world, this is our opportunity as leaders in travel to create the new normal and a sustainable base for the tourism industry to thrive. As we prepare to open registration for our 2020 Tourism Shala, we wanted to come together again to discuss the current challenges India’s tourism industry is facing, and how STN is focused on collaboration for creating sustainable solutions to rebuild the industry post-pandemic.Listen in as Kelsey and I dive into: The need for diverse voices to be heard during a time of rebuilding The advantage we have right now to build a sustainable industry What to expect from the 2020 Tourism Shala for domestic and international organizations working in India’s tourism industry To learn more about the 2020 Tourism Shala on September 26 & 27, visit www.sustainabletravelnetwork.com/tourismshala or follow along on Instagram @stn.india.Sustainable Travel Network’s ManifestoTourism is a powerful platform for experiential learning and sustainable development. In India, it is also a catalyst for opportunities that can eradicate poverty and preserve culture and heritage, while instilling a need to nurture our earth by connecting its diverse landscapes with citizens, both domestic and global.Tackling injustices and carving new paths of discovery starts with leveraging diverse voices and levels of experience and knowledge from leaders in both rural and urban communities.Ultimately, travel is a learning platform and through Sustainable Travel Network, we are building a community of lifelong learners who are consistently striving to do better. Through virtual and in-person educational experiences, policy creation, and community building, help create the future of travel, where people and the planet are placed first, helping the industry scale sustainably. Listen to more Causeartist podcasts here.CauseartistPRO - We’re building a global community of impact founders, impact investors, and impact professionals. Apply HereWe are powered by:Impact Recipe – Affordable Software Development for Nonprofits and Social EnterprisesPodcast Made with TransistorPodcast cover design Made with Canva

Building a Sustainable Travel Industry Post-Pandemic with Sustainable Travel Network

In episode 29, I sit down with fellow co-founder of Sustainable Travel Network, Kelsey White on building a sustainable travel industry post-pandemic.

In episode 28 of the Impact India podcast, I chat with Pallavi Yadav and Mehak Tariq Beigh of WeAreLabeless, an eco-conscious brand aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals led by the United Nations. Working closely with craftspeople across India, with a focus on employing women, their goal is to help achieve SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production. Pallavi has always been passionate about incorporating sustainability into the fashion industry. She has worked with organizations such as Upasana in Auroville, Doodlage in New Delhi, and also participated in the The Copenhagen Fashion Summit in 2018 as a student candidate from India.Mehak’s main focus is cultivating the human aspect of business. She has worked with INTACH Srinagar and women-led projects in Kashmir, and had the opportunity to showcase her Phirkath collection at Vancouver Fashion Week in September 2018.Through WeAreLabeless, the power duo create womenswear, menswear, and accessories from upcycled and handloom fabrics including handwoven cotton, chanderi, silk and linen.Since COVID-19, WeAreLabeless has focused their production on creating masks from upcycled textiles. So far, they have donated over 500 masks to vulnerable communities across several states in India.In this episode, Pallavi, Mehak, and I dive into: The story behind their brand name. Zero waste production and sourcing handloom fabric from Bihar. The current challenges Indian weavers are facing in connecting with designers. The challenges of sourcing sustainable packaging as a start-up. Connect with WeAreLabeless at wearelabeless.com and on Instagram @wearelabeless.“We need to do more than just make clothing. We need a solution towards the problem.”Listen to more Causeartist podcast here.We are powered by:Impact Recipe – Affordable Software Development for Nonprofits and Social Enterprises

Fashion That Connects People and The Planet with WeAreLabeless

In episode 28 of the Impact India podcast, I chat with Pallavi Yadav and Mehak Tariq Beigh of WeAreLabeless, an eco-conscious brand aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals led by the United Nations. Working closely with craftspeople across India, with a focus on employing women, their goal is to help achieve SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production.

In episode 27 of the Impact India podcast, I chat with Nidhi Lodha of June, a homegrown brand reviving the crafts of Gujarat by making wearable art.Nidhi is a copywriter by profession with a passion for working with textiles and colors. After her short stint in advertising in Mumbai, she returned home to Gujarat to specialize in working with Kutch handwork. This led to the launch of June.June is led by a team of female artisans reviving Kutch handicrafts, native to Gujarat. The team uses vintage and contemporary materials—from old coins and mirrors, to shells and bharat handwork—to create unique and beautiful accessory collections.In this episode, Nidhi and I dive into: The challenges of wearing too many hats in your business  How she ensures her team always has work, by partnering with like-minded brands that her team can also lend their skills to The need to connect more meaningfully with the items we buy How June is supporting the wild elephants of India Connect with Nidhi at studiojune.in and on Instagram.“Creativity needs its own space to breathe.”Listen to more Causeartist podcast here.We are powered by:Impact Recipe – Affordable Software Development for Nonprofits and Social Enterprises

Reviving Kutch Handicrafts with Nidhi Lodha of June

In episode 27 of the Impact India podcast, I chat with Nidhi Lodha of June, a homegrown brand reviving the crafts of Gujarat by making wearable art.

In episode 26 of the Impact India podcast, I chat with Shradha Kochhar, a knitwear designer, textile artist, and the co-founder of LOTA India.Shradha’s work combines sustainability and craftsmanship, and although based in New Delhi, is being recognized globally for her talent. Her latest works were seen at London Fashion Week 2019, which featured her knitted ‘khadi’ fabric, using Kala cotton, and knitted sweaters for the ASHISH AW19 collection.LOTA India is an exploration into the intersection of sustainability, fashion, and visual identity, creating a parallel economy to the mainstream fashion model. LOTA aims to give a new life to the thousands of tonnes of fabric waste that are discarded every hour by the mainstream fashion industry. In this episode, Shradha and I dive into: The history of Kala Cotton and its connection to colonization Changing the beauty standards in South Asia by creating “virtual models”  The connection between mental health and the art of making by hand Connect with Shradha at shoplota.com and on Instagram @shradhakochhar and @lotaindia.--“There is a need to recolonize design and art...and reclaim what works for our country, our land, and our farmers.”--Listen to more Causeartist podcast here.We are powered by:Impact Recipe – Affordable Software Development for Nonprofits and Social Enterprises

Decolonizing Design and Innovating Textiles with Shradha Kochhar of LOTA India

In episode 26 of the Impact India podcast, I chat with Shradha Kochhar, a knitwear designer, textile artist, and the co-founder of LOTA India. Shradha’s work combines sustainability and craftsmanship, and although based in New Delhi, is being recognized globally for her talent. Her latest works were seen at London Fashion Week 2019, which featured her knitted ‘khadi’ fabric, using Kala cotton, and knitted sweaters for the ASHISH AW19 collection.

In episode 25 of the Impact India podcast, I chat with Kush Sharma of Rural Odyssey. This incredible social enterprise promotes sustainable tourism as an additional livelihood opportunity for rural communities, by building community-owned and community-lead tourism models.Kush is a naturalist at heart with a passion for promoting and preserving the Indigenous cultures of India using sustainable tourism as his platform. Kush is a firm believer of learning from native wisdom and nature, and works actively with young children as an Outdoor Educator.Rural Odyssey handpicks culturally rich villages in India and brings the community together to open up their houses for travelers and open a gateway to mutual learning. While travelers get to learn from the native wisdom of various indigenous communities of India, locals get to acquire new skills from the travelers, while generating an additional livelihood for themselves. Aligning his work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Rural Odyssey is using tourism as a tool to connect the rural and urban economies and help in preserving India's rich culture, craft, and ecology.“There are two sides to sustainable tourism: business and ethics”Connecting on our mutual love for experiential education through travel, Kush and I dive into: The need for more knowledge exchange between urban and rural communities The impacts of “Instagram” travelers on vulnerable destinations Why small group travel is best for exploring culturally rich destinations Plus, learn about Rural Odyssey’s incredible geology and astronomy travel programs for youth in India.Connect with Kush at ruralodyssey.com and on Instagram and Facebook.Listen to more Causeartist podcast here.We are powered by:Impact Recipe – Affordable Software Development for Nonprofits and Social Enterprises

How to be a Sustainable Traveller with Kush Sharma of Rural Odyssey

Impact India takes a look at the social impact and start-up scene in India and across South Asia. Host and social entrepreneur, Jazzmine Raine, connects with innovative leaders and founders of travel, fashion, and tech start-ups to share their stories and impact, with a goal of highlighting the future of India.