Best Fashion Tech Forum Podcasts (2025)

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Weekly podcast – What circular fashion can learn from tech and energy 25:44

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22d ago25:44

25:44

This week: Barry McGeough, group vice president of innovation and strategy at AmeriCo Group, talks with Innovation Forum's Niamh Campbell to discuss why applied innovation will be key to tackling fashion’s waste crisis. From biotech to AI, they discuss how lessons from other industries can help apparel move from talk to tangible action. Plus: At th…

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Monday briefing – The reality of digital product passports: what, how, and why? 17:35

3h ago17:35

17:35

This week: Tara St James, senior director of sustainability at Canadian apparel brand Moose Knuckles, talked with Ian Welsh at the latest apparel conference in Amsterdam discussing the implementation of digital product passports. They discuss the importance of product traceability technology and the regulations brands are looking out for such as th…

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Building trust with smallholders in Indonesia's palm oil sector 20:43

2h ago20:43

20:43

Rob Nicholls, general manager for programmes and projects at palm oil business Musim Mas, and Kaixiang Chin, sustainability manager for Asia at Bunge, talk with Ian Welsh about their long-term collaboration to strengthen the capacity of independent smallholders in Indonesia. They explain how farmer training, regenerative practices and local compost…

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Can microbes make the food system more sustainable? 14:01

6h ago14:01

14:01

This week: Cargill's vice president of global core research and development, Cordell Hardy, talks with Ian Welsh about how fermentation can reshape food production. From zero-calorie sweeteners to plant-based materials and localised protein sources, they discuss how microbes are being used as miniature manufacturing plants. Plus: cocoa shortages dr…

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Building a better recycling system: data, design, and policy 16:56

2h ago16:56

16:56

Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership, talks with Ian Welsh about how data, design, and policy are transforming recycling in the US. From the CIRCLE Act to California’s CalFFlex initiative, they discuss how to scale circular systems, strengthen end markets, and move beyond recycling as the only solution. Stay up-to-date on our podcasts b…

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Weekly podcast – What fuels fashion’s challenges? 38:17

3h ago38:17

38:17

This week: Innovation Forum’s Niamh Campbell talks with Liv Simplicianco, head of policy and research at Fashion Revolution about the findings in the latest What Fuels Fashion? report. And at this week’s Critical Minerals Innovation Forum, Ian Welsh spoke with co-COO of mining sector group ICMM Aidan Davy. Plus: Exxon accused of funding climate den…

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A more accurate way to measure consumer engagement 15:56

15m ago15:56

15:56

Not all consumer attention is created equal—that’s a critical lesson from McKinsey’s recent report on content creation and monetization. On this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, McKinsey Senior Partner Kabir Ahuja speaks with Editorial Director Roberta Fusaro about something called the “attention equation” and how media players can use it to get a …

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Weekly podcast – How can palm oil growers thrive amid climate and market risks? 32:57

14d ago32:57

32:57

This week: In Colombia, Cargill and Solidaridad are partnering to help smallholder palm oil growers build more sustainable and climate-resilient supply chains. Leticia Kawanami and Joel Brounen talk with Ian Welsh about how farmer-led action plans, shared investment, and collaborative data tools are driving measurable progress – and how these lesso…

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Building trust and finance for regenerative supply chains 5:09

20d ago5:09

5:09

Sajeev Mohankumar, senior technical specialist at the FAIRR Initiative, talks with Ian Welsh about the future of food and the urgent need for regenerative agriculture. From farmer inclusion to investor alignment, they unpack how to build resilient, sustainable food systems.By Innovation Forum

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Remanufacturing: Turning old parts into new opportunities 20:05

14d ago20:05

20:05

What if a product’s journey didn’t end after its first use? Remanufacturing—restoring preowned parts to perform like new—is transforming automotives, electronics, and other industries. In this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, Senior Partner Inga Maurer and Editorial Director Roberta Fusaro explore how this practice reduces waste while creating more…

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Risk-proofing agrifood supply chains: demonstrating the business case for regenerative agriculture (audio recording) 47:27

16d ago47:27

47:27

Listen to the recording of an expert-led discussion with Unilever, Nestlé, Klim and Rabobank on how regenerative agriculture can drive ROI and reduce supply chain risk. As pressure mounts to decarbonise agrifood supply chains and meet Scope 3 targets, the case for regenerative agriculture is clearer than ever. Yet many corporate sustainability lead…

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The farmer's perspective: how Ghana's cocoa growers view the potential EUDR delay 16:17

17d ago16:17

16:17

Cocoa farmer and council chairman of Ghana’s Cocoa Abrabopa Association, Pomasi Ismail talks with Innovation Forum's Diana Kim, about how the EU’s deforestation regulation delay has impacted thousands of farmers preparing for compliance. He explains the cost of readiness, the missed opportunities, and why fair prices are key to ending deforestation…

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Navigating complex supply chains through smart traceability 20:54

24d ago20:54

20:54

Florent Bouguin, chief technology officer at OPTEL Group, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about the strategic role of traceability in global, complex supply chains. They discuss how companies can use traceability to ensure regulatory compliance, build trust with consumers and investors, optimize operations, and enhance both top- and bottom-…

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Weekly podcast - Unpacking Extended Producer Responsibility with Amcor’s David Clark 21:12

1M ago21:12

21:12

This week: David Clark, chief sustainability officer at packaging manufacturer Amcor, joins Ian Welsh to discuss the rise of extended producer responsibility (EPR) and how well-designed EPR systems can drive better packaging, fund recycling infrastructure, and accelerate the transition to circularity across global markets. Plus: New Zealand scales …

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Weekly briefing – Carbon credits: a necessary tool or a convenient distraction? 9:10

1M ago9:10

9:10

This week: Once dismissed as greenwashing, carbon markets are now being reframed as a vital part of corporate decarbonization strategies. David Antonioli, former CEO of Verra, explains how integrity standards, market transparency, and long-term thinking could help rebuild trust and ensure carbon credits drive real climate impact. Plus: Innovation F…

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What sets the world’s best leaders apart 9:03

28d ago9:03

9:03

Most leaders set out to be the best—but few make that Mount Everest–like ascent successfully. What do the world’s most iconic CEOs do differently? McKinsey Senior Partners Carolyn Dewar, Kurt Strovink, Scott Keller, and Vik Malhotra break it down in their new book A CEO for All Seasons: Mastering the Cycles of Leadership (Scribner/Simon & Schuster,…

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Weekly podcast – Sustainable palm oil: how buyers and producers can work as true partners 25:53

1M ago25:53

25:53

This week: Rob Nicholls, general manager for programmes and projects at palm oil business Musim Mas, and Kaixiang Chin, sustainability manager for Asia at Bunge, talk with Ian Welsh about their joint "train-the-trainer" model that strengthens local capacity and builds long-term resilience for independent smallholders. Plus: EAT-Lancet warns food sy…

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Building shared value: inside Dôen’s supplier partnership model 8:18

1M ago8:18

8:18

Kristine Kim, senior director of impact and responsible sourcing at Dôen, talks with Innovation Forum’s Niamh Campbell about how the brand builds long-term, trust-based partnerships with suppliers – rooted in accountability, transparency and mutual respect. They discuss how responsible purchasing practices and community investment drive resilience …

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Monday briefing – EUDR and beyond: navigating risks, delays and opportunities 10:17

1M ago10:17

10:17

By Innovation Forum

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Weekly podcast – The $17bn challenge: building a better recycling system 22:19

1M ago22:19

22:19

This week: Keefe Harrison, chief executive of the Recycling Partnership, talks with Ian Welsh about how US recycling can scale through data, design, and new policies such as the Circle Act and EPR laws. They also discuss why fixing the system requires $17bn in investment and how CalFlex is reshaping flexible packaging recycling in California. Plus:…

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Deforestation-free leather: ambition or reality? 14:13

1M ago14:13

14:13

Fernando Bellese, senior director for beef and leather supply chains at WWF, talks with Ian Welsh about how a new deforestation free leather fund aims to scale transparency, improve pasture management and help reintegrate farmers into more tightly-regulated markets. They set out how these steps can safeguard farmer livelihoods in the transition to …

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The promise and potential of rural America 31:28

2M ago31:28

31:28

There is no single definition of “rural America.” It comprises agricultural hubs, manufacturing centers, and fast-growing regions—each a regional archetypes with its own distinct challenges and opportunities. In this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, Senior Partner Nora Gardner joins Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly to discuss these archetype…

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Weekly podcast – Who pays? Sharing the costs and risks of regenerative agriculture 14:24

2M ago14:24

14:24

This week: Sajeev Mohankumar, senior technical specialist at FAIRR Initiative, talks with Ian Welsh about the role of value chain actors in de-risking the transition towards regenerative agriculture. They explore how cost-sharing agreements and off-take contracts can help align environmental goals with economic realities. Plus: Innovation Forum’s N…

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From beans to biodiversity: rethinking coffee’s hidden impacts 24:41

1M ago24:41

24:41

Etelle Higonnet, founder of Coffee Watch, talks with Ian Welsh about the big sustainability challenges in coffee, from deforestation and water stress to poverty incomes and labour rights. They highlight solutions such as agroforestry, better farmer livelihoods and stronger governance to help shift coffee from being a cause of environmental and soci…

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Scaling coastal climate solutions: the potential for blue carbon in net-zero strategies 48:16

1M ago48:16

48:16

Coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes – collectively known as blue carbon – are some of the most efficient natural carbon sinks on the planet, storing carbon up to 10 times faster than terrestrial forests. They also protect coastlines, support fisheries and provide critical habitat for biodiversity. Yet these ecosystems…

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Weekly briefing – The economic case for financing the future of critical minerals 10:58

2M ago10:58

10:58

This week: With the global race to secure sustainable critical mineral supply chains intensifying, financing remains one of the sector’s toughest hurdles. ING’s Tim van Pelt talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh to unpack where the gaps lie in funding critical mineral projects and how companies can navigate the challenges to unlock capital. Plus:…

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Weekly podcast – Traceability is like air traffic control: why companies can't fly blind 26:30

2M ago26:30

26:30

This week: Florent Bouguin, chief technology officer at Optel, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the top and bottom line benefits and opportunities of supply chain traceability, particularly in the context of a shifting regulatory landscape. Plus: Mars, PepsiCo, and ADM unite to boost Polish regenerative farming; CEOs prioritise sustain…

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Breaking silos: what apparel can learn from food and other sectors 8:02

2M ago8:02

8:02

Fashion’s climate and nature strategies are converging – but what does that mean for brands and suppliers? Beth Jensen, chief impact officer at Textile Exchange, reflects on the key takeaways from our recent apparel conference, from cross-industry collaboration to the role of data. In conversation with Innovation Forum's Tanya Richard, she explains…

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Weekly briefing – Beneath the surface: unlocking the climate potential of blue carbon ecosystems 10:37

2M ago10:37

10:37

This week: blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass and salt marshes, can sequester carbon up to ten times faster than terrestrial forests, while also protecting coastlines and supporting biodiversity. Ahead of our webinar, Yihan Wang from Terraformation talks with Innovation Forum's Ellen Atiyah to explain their climate potential, why th…

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Weekly podcast – Why supply chain resilience starts with purchasing practices 12:34

2M ago12:34

12:34

This week: From tariffs to COVID-19, recent shocks have shown that resilient supply chains rely on trust, not transactions. Kristine Kim, senior director for impact and responsible sourcing at US fashion brand DÔEN, talks with Innovation Forum’s Niamh Campbell about how equal partnerships, responsible purchasing and long-term commitments can create…

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Might zero-waste flexible packaging be possible? 19:16

2M ago19:16

19:16

Vidhu Nagpal and Alex Abbott from SmartSolve Industries talk with Ian Welsh about why recycling rates for flexible packaging remain so low, and how new water-soluble, bio-based materials, could provide a breakthrough. They discuss the limits of recycling, the promise of zero-waste packaging technologies, and why rethinking materials at the design s…

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Which tech trends are rising to the top of the business agenda? 35:55

2M ago35:55

35:55

Global competition has intensified, and the demand for energy and computing power is growing exponentially as companies embed AI, robotics, and other technologies into their everyday business processes. McKinsey’s annual outlook on technology trends points to 13 “frontier” trends that can help companies get a handle on these and other challenges. O…

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Monday briefing – Sink or swim: collaboration to tackle scope 3 emissions 8:35

2M ago8:35

8:35

This week: Henkel’s vice president for sustainability, Ulla Hueppe, spoke with Ian Welsh at the recent scope 3 innovation forum about the company’s strategy to cut supply chain emissions. They discuss balancing the costs of change with the risks of inaction and why data quality is the backbone of any credible sustainability strategy. Plus: Innovati…

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Weekly podcast – Could leather go deforestation free? 20:02

3M ago20:02

20:02

This week: WWF's senior director for beef and leather supply chains, Fernando Bellese, talks with Ian Welsh about the launch of the new deforestation free leather fund. They highlight how the fund aims to drive transparency, support farmers and reintegrate producers into stricter markets. Plus: Indonesia’s deforestation puzzle raises accountability…

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From hard lessons to healthy soils: farmers helping farmers in Minnesota 6:20

3M ago6:20

6:20

Alex Udermann and Mark Gutierrez, farmers at the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, join Ian Welsh to share how they and their colleagues across the state are restoring soil, cutting input costs and building resilience. They discuss the power of peer-to-peer mentorship, practical tools for soil health, and why profitability and sustainability can go …

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Monday briefing – Bridging the gap: data, regulation and farmer livelihoods 8:00

3M ago8:00

8:00

This week: Nicole Cramer from the Rainforest Alliance talks with Ian Welsh about how data collection can actually help farmers instead of burdening them. They discuss building farmer-centred data systems, translating information into practical improvements on the farm, and aligning long-standing agricultural programmes with emerging global regulati…

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Weekly podcast – The true cost of your cup of coffee 28:35

3M ago28:35

28:35

This week: Etelle Higgonnet, founder of CoffeeWatch talks with Ian Welsh about the environmental and human costs behind global coffee production. From deforestation and biodiversity loss to pesticide overuse and child labour, they explore how agroforestry, living wages and responsible corporate practices can transform the industry. Plus: UK superma…

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Are farmers finally getting a seat at the table? 7:34

3M ago7:34

7:34

Farmers Jocelyn Schlichting and Carla Schultz share their perspectives on the risks and realities of implementing regenerative practices in the US agriculture sector. In conversation with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh, they discuss why partnerships with food manufacturers and genuine farmer voices are essential to making sustainability work on the g…

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The changing role of the CMO—and what it means for growth 23:07

3M ago23:07

23:07

Chief marketing officers are vital to strategic decision-making, but increasingly, they’re being left out of the discussions that matter most—to the detriment of both customers and growth. “Kelsey and I are on a singular mission to bring CMOs back,” McKinsey Senior Partner Shelley Stewart III said recently, referring to Senior Partner Kelsey Robins…

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Weekly podcast – How can apparel build real resilience in the face of climate risk? 13:45

3M ago13:45

13:45

This week: Beth Jensen, chief impact officer at Textile Exchange talks with Innovation Forum's Tanya Richard about key conversations and takeaways from the recent sustainable apparel and textiles conference in New York. They discuss nature-positive strategies and how brands can better align with farmers and growers. Plus: global plastics treaty tal…

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Reality check: securing cocoa supply through innovation 5:56

3M ago5:56

5:56

At the recent scope 3 innovation forum in Amsterdam, Tilmann Silber, head of net zero at Barry Callebaut talks with Ian Welsh about the current challenges in tropical supply chains. They discuss insights on supply chain resilience, on-farm adaptation strategies and the evolving role of KPIs in proving impact. They explore how brands and suppliers c…

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Monday briefing – Decarbonising critical minerals: tackling energy, access and market volatility 6:23

3M ago6:23

6:23

In this briefing, a snippet from the recent critical minerals webinar with World Resources Institute (WRI), Harmony Gold Mining Company, The Weir Group and Eramet. Reza Rahmaditio, critical minerals project lead at WRI Indonesia, outlines the biggest challenges in decarbonising nickel and other minerals. He discusses energy intensity, remote locati…

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The future of work is agentic 35:02

3M ago35:02

35:02

Think about your org chart. Now imagine it features both your current colleagues—humans, if you’re like most of us—and AI agents. That’s not science fiction; it’s happening. And it’s happening relatively quickly, according to McKinsey Senior Partner Jorge Amar. In this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, originally broadcast on McKinsey Talks Talent, …

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Circular fashion: decoupling growth from new garment production 7:21

3M ago7:21

7:21

At the recent sustainable apparel and textiles conference in New York, Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Danielle Holly spoke with Innovation Forum’s Tanya Richard about how brands can make money without producing more clothes. They share lessons from the foundation’s Fashion ReModel project and examples from H&M and Coach that are proving the business …

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Weekly podcast – Dissolving the problem: zero-waste solutions for flexible packaging 23:44

3M ago23:44

23:44

This week: Vidhu Nagpal, director for flexible packaging, and Alex Abbott, chief revenue officer at SmartSolve Industries, talk with Ian Welsh about why recycling rates for flexible packaging remain stubbornly low and how a zero-waste solution could change the game. And, French bottled water brands face “natural”| label controversy; UK supermarket …

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Weekly briefing – The packaging and packaging waste directive: what it means for your business 12:21

3M ago12:21

12:21

This week: Davide Braghiroli, director for packaging sustainability solutions at Tetra Pak, talks with Ian Welsh about the impact of the European Union’s packaging and packaging waste directive. They highlight how the regulation will change material choices, supply chain transparency and potential opportunities. And, Innovation Forum’s Lia Da Giau …

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Weekly podcast – Why healthy soils mean greater crop yields 18:12

3M ago18:12

18:12

This week: Alex Udermann and Mark Gutierrez, farmers from the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, talk with Ian Welsh about how working on improving soil health improves productivity and farm profitability. They share insights on how healthier soils build resilience and cut inputs. And, carbon markets expert and former CEO of Verra, David Antonioli re…

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How EUDR compliance can create business value 11:11

3M ago11:11

11:11

In the second episode of Innovation Forum’s podcast series on corporate readiness for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), in collaboration with Deloitte & Touche LLP, we explore how companies can go further than ticking compliance boxes and instead use EUDR as a springboard for long-term business strategy. Ian Welsh is joined by John O’Brien, m…

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Monday briefing – Can business growth and emission cuts really go hand in hand? 13:24

4M ago13:24

13:24

This week: Kevin Rabinovitch, chief climate officer at Mars, talks with Ian Welsh about embedding climate targets into core business strategy, decoupling growth from greenhouse gas output, scaling pilots into transformational change and why science should set the pace to net zero. And, Innovation Forum's Hannah Oborne discusses how companies are mo…

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A rancher’s take on the future of agriculture 15:41

4M ago15:41

15:41

This week: North Dakota rancher and UK Channel 5 TV personality Jay Doan joins Ian Welsh to share a frontline perspective on regenerative agriculture and farm resilience. Recorded at the recent Future of Food and Beverage conference in Minneapolis, they talk about why regenerative agriculture is far from a trend, it’s a decades-old practice rooted …