Cultivated Conversations

In this episode, I am honored to welcome Dominique Gilliard to the show. Dominique is the Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do Justice initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church. He is the author of Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores. This book has rocked my world and I think you ALL need to run to the store to buy a copy. In this episode, Dominique breaks down the current climate of Mass Incarceration, what's feeding it, and what we can do to make an impact. See our show notes for all the links Dominique mentions. www.cultivated.fashion

If you've been hanging around Cultivated Conversations for any amount of time, you know welcoming refugees is something I am passionate about! That is why I was so excited to talk to Lauren Thompson, Operations Director at Treetops Collective, about welcoming refugees. Treetops is an awesome organization helping refugee women feel belonging. They also have an awesome social enterprise with awesome welcome gear! In this episode, Lauren helps us understand what a refugee is and why welcoming is so important.

In this episode, I talk with two other Indian adoptive mommas about their journeys through adoption. While all three of us have adopted from India, we each have very different stories. Grab your tissue and get your heart ready, because this is a sacred conversation! Show Notes coming soon at www.Cultivated.Fashion

Join me for the second part of my conversation with Anna Ptak, Ethical Fashion Designer & Adoptee. In this episode, Anna shares her story of adoption and advice for adoptive parents. Show notes at www.cultivated.fashion.

In this episode, I talk to my new friend, Anna Ptak about her work in the fashion industry, why she feels it is important to purchase from and support companies employing "over-comers," and she teaches me a little about fashion forecasting. Anna is an overcomer herself. She mentions it a few times in the show, but does not dive into that part of her story. If you would like to hear more about this part of her story, please check out the wonderful interview Still Being Molly did with her awhile back. For more show notes, check out www.cultivated.fashion.

We couldn't get enough of our conversation with Latoya Tucciarone from Sustainable Home Goods. So, here we go for another week. This week, we are not just talking about justice, but race specifically. Y'all! At one point, Latoya just starts preaching and I might have cried while editing this show. I believe this conversation is going to open some eyes, touch the hearts of women who have been aching to talk about this, and give you some practical steps to move forward in "the good work," as Melissa calls it! For a full list of resources and show notes, check out www.Cultivated.Fasion

On the episode today, sit with us and get to know the incredible owner of Sustainable Home Goods, Latoya Tucciarone! This will be a two part episode. In part 1, we'll be getting to know Latoya and hearing all about her ethical business and family.

We are such good friends, we are not just giving you one holiday shopping guide, but TWO! Today, on the show, we have Sophia from JuJuu. Sophia runs this awesome company in Tulsa specializing on making gifting stress-free! JuJuu connects consumers with social enterprises and socially conscious brands to provide meaningful gifts. On the show, she schools me on giving gifts focused on the recipient, not me, and tells us all the brands we need to know about. We talk a lot about brands located in Tulsa. So, get ready to hear just HOW COOL TULSA is!! If you are not a local listener, this is your opportunity to start planning your vacation to Tulsa. ;) See links to all the brands and resources in our full show notes at www.Cultivated.Fashion

Merry Christmas! It's Cyber Monday and time to get shopping. Oh, wait! Let's make a commitment to shop with purpose this year. We have some great suggestions of ethical shops for you to try! It can be hard to not shop off your family member's list. So, shop their list, but add in a meaningful gift from one of these awesome shops! In this episode, you will get to hear the sweet voice of Kara's daughter, Fini. While she was supposed to be asleep during recording, she was not! At one point she shushes me!! For all show notes, check out www.cultivated.fashion.

Happy Thanksgiving! 'Tis the giving season. So, we have a very wise woman on the show today to tell us her tips on where to give your $$ and time this season. She also explains what we should be looking for in the organizations we want to invest in. Plus, I press her on why it's important that an organization invests in their administration and growing their organization. Why is it a red flag if an organization says 100% of their donations go to their clients? Head to our website for a list of all resources and brands mentioned. www.cultivated.fashion

Y'all!! Get ready to fall in love with Amy Teague and thrifting. Amy is an artist and story teller in Tulsa, OK. In this episode, she shares her love for the story in an antique piece and her addiction to finding a great deal. You will fall in love!! My favorite line from this episode comes from when she found a Kate Spade bag for a few dollars. "Kids! Get in the car before they realize this Kate Spade purse was worth more!"

We're back with my friends, Rebecca and Lauren, talking about clothing swaps! Rebecca describes swaps like going to summer camp with your friends. Just dump all the cute clothes on one bed and let's find the best outfit to meet our camp boyfriend in! Maybe that is not exactly what she said, but you get the point! Free clothes, a great time with friends, and no new purchases. See all the show notes online: http://www.cultivated.fashion/blog/cultivated-conversations-26-clothing-swaps.

Welcome back! Today on the show we have my favorite shop-owner, Lauren, from SoBo Co. Y'all know my LOVE for this shop! You've heard my miracle dress story from Small to Large. I found that dress at Lauren's shop. Lauren and I originally recorded this episode back in the spring, but the timing was all wrong! I wanted her episode to be strategic, because she has a wealth of knowledge. Her gifting and knowledge is really luxury consignment and vintage! So, if you are looking for a new Gucci piece or vintage denim, she has some great advice. See show notes at Cultivated.Fashion! Check out Lauren's Shop in Tulsa, SoBo Co.

Hey ladies! It's me, Kara. Guess who the guest is today? Guess! IT'S ME!! I'm on the show talking about consignment shopping. I LOVE consignment shopping. I literally just went shopping today. In this episode, I share my strategy for shopping consignment. Yes, you read that right. I have a strategy. My love for consignment shops is a little weird, but that's to be expected from me!

It's time to go shopping! In this episode, we talk to Bethany Tran, founder and owner of The Root Collective. The RC has a great ethical list on their website. So, we asked Bethany to come on to tell us all the brands we need to know about to start shopping ethically. You know I love anyone who talks about addressing poverty alleviation through creating jobs and shopping! Bethany brings light to the amazing power women, who control 85% of household spending, have in our daily spending decisions. Check out our website for a list of brands mentioned. www.cultivated.fashion

Today, we welcome Shae aka The Tulsa Tailor. It's week two of our second season! Before we get into strategies for purchasing more ethically, it is so beneficial to know your personal style. No reason to spend money on clothes you'll never wear! LADIES! I thought this conversation was going to go one way, but Shae blew me away with her practical advice on personal style. I think my jaw dropped when she said "They (fast fashion companies) are hoping to confuse you and convince you to buy constantly. You don’t need to buy constantly; you need to buy consistently." You just have to go listen. Her practical advice will convince you that your personal style is important to your everyday life.

All the CHEERS for season two! We are back and ready to help you kick start your ethical wardrobe. In episode 1 , we give you the main reasons why this topic of "ethical purchasing" matters. We start by catching up with our co-hosts about their summers. . Then, we talk about fast fashion, unethical industries, how to begin the journey to purchasing ethically, what ethics we are looking for, and discuss the awesome episodes we have coming up. This episode we give you a few statistics, but mainly just chit chat about the basics of purchasing ethical. We are excited for the fall season. So, make sure to subscribe!

FRIENDS! We are wrapping up our first 10 episodes and first season of the podcast. As we wrap up the season, we want to give you a chance to hear some audio we had to cut from our second episode with Jaclyn from Trove. Melissa asked her a wonderful question about ethical purchasing and terms, but, since the episode was already so long, we had to cut it out. Jaclyn is so knowledgable and straight forward! So, I wanted you to hear her answer. We hope this short episode on a few of the ethical terms helps you make decisions that work for you.

In this episode, Kara interviews Melissa about traveling internationally with your little kids! We talk about hurdles to international travel as a family, strategies, and funny stories.

Y'ALL! We have the coolest wisest guest on the show today! On the show, we talk to Krista Box. Krista is a stylist and advocate with Noonday Collection, one of our favorite brands! In this episode, she tells us about how her family brings adventure into their lives. Specifically, she tells about their annual tradition called "Box Family Wish Day." It is the funnest thing. She also drops tons of grace for us moms on how to handle expectations and rough days. Non-moms, this podcast is for you too! Krista got the idea for "Wish Day" from a group of girlfriends who used to do it all together once a year!

Today we kick off our Family Adventure Series with Shannon Vistisen from Littlest Sidekick Outfitters. Join us as we talk about her amazing company, family camping trips, silly things our kids say, and how to get Patagonia at a great price!

She's back!! Today on the podcast we welcome Melissa back to the show. After a four month hiatus, due to sickness and world travel, she is back and telling us all about how her 2018 has been so far. After she catches us up, she asks me (Kara) about my journey to India to adopt my daughter. Also...I tell a hilarious story about someone comparing their cat's adoption to my daughter's.

Today on the podcast, I am happy to introduce you to one of my great friends, Laura. Laura is a joy bring living in San Antonio, mother of two, and loves shopping. Join us as we talk about 2018 Spring Trends. I put Laura on the spot about how ethical her closet is and I make a shopping confession. As you are starting to learn, I am the biggest rule follower ever. You'll hear just just how hard it was for me to make my latest purchase (roll eyes)! Go to http://www.cultivated.fashion/cultivated-conversations.html for full show notes!

The podcast is back and we have my good friend, Elisabeth, on the show today! Elisabeth is a mom, minimalist, and amateur comedian. I asked her on the show to tell us a little about her journey to minimalism. When life got cloudy and became too much, minimalism became a way for her to make space not only physically, but mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Listen and hear some of her tips for making space in your own life and living for what you value. Show Notes Guest: Elisabeth Bojang Instagram: @elisabethbojang Blog: www.elisabethbojang.com See links for all brands at http://www.cultivated.fashion/blog/cultivated-conversations-episode-4-elisabeth-bojang.

Today on the podcast, I am so excited for you to meet my friend, Lisa Ensor. Lisa is the awesome human behind the instagram account @lizzyloveshealth. On the podcast, we talk about health, getting creative with your style, and valuing yourself with how you dress. "Confidence begets more confidence, valuing yourself begets valuing yourself again. And overtime you take steps in that direction, they’re not just clothes anymore." ~Lisa Ensor, @lizzyloveshealth

Today on the podcast, we welcome our friend and founder of Trove, Jaclyn Dowdle. Jaclyn shares about her beautiful career, work with Noonday Collection, and her journey to starting Trove. She has a wealth of knowledge about ethical fashion and shares with us the energy and compromise it takes to shop ethically.

Welcome to Cultivated Conversations! Get to know Kara and Melissa, the two friends behind Cultivated Conversations. Today, we chat about life, recent purchases, and why purchasing ethically is important to them.