Are We There Yet?

How can local systems solve global problems? Will we ever know the true cost of convenience? Can the profound act of caring transform economic systems?

In this episode, PhD researcher Kristi Wiedemann shares with Sonja and Jamie  insights from her work studying local fiber systems in New York, where farmers, makers, and textile producers are experimenting with more regenerative ways of creating clothing and other fiber products. Together, they explore the environmental and social costs of fast fashion, the promise and challenges of regional production, and why care—for land, animals, workers, and consumers—may be one of the most overlooked ingredients in sustainability.

Beyond textiles, the conversation reaches toward larger questions about efficiency, consumption, mental health, and what we lose when speed and convenience become our primary values. From soil-to-soil production systems to the joy people find in making things by hand, a hopeful vision of a future built on quality, connection, and long-term thinking emerges.

What is Are We There Yet??

Are We There Yet? is about recognizing, defining, and building pathways toward a more sustainable working future. How can we collaborate with others in a way that brings authenticity and durability to our projects and relationships? What tools can we leverage to communicate productively towards a shared goal? What can leaders do to shape where we’re going, and how to get there? Hosts Sonja Ernst and Jamie Hardy are two humans on a quest to understand just where we’re headed, in monthly conversations with pioneers, professors, artists, and experts in the fields of science, technology, placemaking, coalition building, AI, and so much more. Whether you're a business leader, a technology enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of how we do things, this podcast is for you.