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The Thing About Cotton

Podcast by The International Cotton Association

English

Business

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About The Thing About Cotton

NEW EPISODES EVERY FEW WEEKS, SUBSCRIBE TO LISTEN Brought to you by the International Cotton Association (ICA), join various hosts from the ICA’s Women in Cotton initiative and their guests as they explore the anatomy of the cotton value chain and bring awareness to the industry through highlighting female leaders and achievement. The views in this podcast belong to the individuals featured and do not in any way represent the views of the ICA.

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14 episodes

episode 13: When Policy Meets Reality: Women Shaping Regenerative Cotton artwork

13: When Policy Meets Reality: Women Shaping Regenerative Cotton

In this episode of The Thing About Cotton, we explore what it really takes to make regenerative cotton production a reality: from global policy frameworks to the lived experiences of farmers on the ground. As the industry pushes toward more sustainable practices, a key challenge remains: how do we bridge the gap between ambition and implementation? We begin with Tacko Ndiaye from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Year of the Woman Farmer (2026) – a global initiative focused on increasing recognition, investment, and support for women across agricultural systems. We discuss the structural barriers women farmers face and what needs to change to unlock their full potential.   Learn more about the FAO initiative here:  https://www.fao.org/woman-farmer-2026/home/en [https://www.fao.org/woman-farmer-2026/home/en] We then move from policy to practice, hearing directly from Ms. Vaijayanti Gokhale, a regenerative cotton farmer in Maharashtra, India. Her experience highlights the realities of transitioning to more sustainable methods – from rising costs and climate pressures to rebuilding soil health. Together, these perspectives underline a critical truth: a successful regenerative transition depends on the alignment of policy, market forces, and farmer realities - and on properly valuing both cotton and the people who produce it.

28 Apr 2026 - 19 min
episode 11: The Future of Natural Fibres – Dalena White, Make The Label Count artwork

11: The Future of Natural Fibres – Dalena White, Make The Label Count

Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of fashion, textiles, and sustainability with someone who’s seen it all — from the design studio to the factory floor, and now all the way to the global stage. Our guest, Dalena, has more than 20 years of experience in clothing design, textile manufacturing, merchandising, and fashion retail sourcing. She started out on the board of a clothing factory, before stepping into the wool industry in 2008, where she helped shape brand development for South African Merino wool — everything from styling and textile innovation to retail partnerships. Fast forward to 2016, and Dalena took on a global leadership role as Secretary General of the International Wool Textile Organisation, based in Brussels. That’s the world’s authority on wool standards, representing 26 countries and every stage of the wool pipeline. But that’s not all. Dalena is also co-spokesperson of the Make the Label Count initiative — where she and her team navigate the tricky world of European legislation, shining a spotlight on the real, science-backed data that proves natural fibres are truly sustainable choices. With her incredible background across fashion, manufacturing, and international trade, Dalena brings a unique perspective on the challenges — and the huge opportunities — facing the cotton industry today. So buckle up, this is going to be an in-depth, inspiring conversation about sustainability, innovation, and the future of natural fibres.

26 Aug 2025 - 46 min
episode 10: Alison Ward, CEO of CottonConnect artwork

10: Alison Ward, CEO of CottonConnect

This episode looks at the transformative role of cotton in global livelihoods, particularly focusing on women's empowerment in agriculture. It explores the challenges faced by women in cotton farming, the impact of climate change, and the importance of sustainable practices. As CEO of CottonConnect, Alison shares insights from her journey – via cocoa – through to the cotton industry, the initiatives of CottonConnect, and the significant improvements seen through programs focusing on women in cotton. She emphasises the importance of sustainability investments having commercial value, critical to enabling brands and retailers to manage risk in their raw material sourcing. The conversation highlights the need for systemic change and the potential of regenerative farming to create a more sustainable future for cotton production.

2 Jul 2025 - 48 min
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En fantastisk app med et enormt stort udvalg af spændende podcasts. Podimo formår virkelig at lave godt indhold, der takler de lidt mere svære emner. At der så også er lydbøger oveni til en billig pris, gør at det er blevet min favorit app.
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