What if sustainability wasn’t a competitive edge — but the baseline for the entire denim industry? Andrew sits down with sustainability expert Roian Atwood to unpack the urgent challenges and overlooked opportunities shaping denim’s future.

Roian is a seasoned business leader and sustainability practitioner who’s spent over two decades improving the social and environmental performance of products and supply chains. A former global sustainability director for Wrangler and Lee Jeans, he now consults on decarbonization, manufacturing optimization, and conservation biology across the globe.

Together, Andrew and Roian dive deep into how the industry can break down silos, democratize innovation, and replace marketing buzzwords with real progress. Roian shares why collective problem-solving, supply chain accountability, and transparency are critical, and how working together could unlock better outcomes for both the planet and the people making our jeans.

Tune in to hear why the “magic wand” isn’t a fairy tale fix, but a powerful way to reframe sustainability as a shared mission.

Connect with Roian Atwood

Designer and brand consultant Johnny Diamandis joins Andrew Olah to explore what it truly takes to build a fashion brand today. With a globally successful track record designing menswear, accessories, and more for brands like Evisu, Burberry London, Nike, Fake London, and CAT Footwear, Johnny shares candid insights from both industry and academia. The conversation covers the financial realities of launching a brand, storytelling, design leadership, innovation, and what makes a product stand out—plus thoughtful advice for students and emerging designers. His teaching work includes institutions such as the Royal College of Art London, Parsons New York, and currently, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Connect with Johnny Diamandis:
LinkedIn | Website

In this episode, cotton expert Tim North discusses global cotton production, trade dynamics, and government support programs in key countries like the U.S., India, China, and Pakistan. He highlights how subsidies distort markets, why some traditional exporters have become importers, and the challenges facing producers.

The conversation also covers the rise of regenerative and traceable cotton as scalable, sustainable alternatives to organic cotton. Looking ahead, North sees little short-term price movement unless supply issues, especially in Texas, disrupt the market.

Want more of Tim’s insights and expertise? Go knock on the door: https://www.timnorthcotton.com/