💡 In this episode, we talk about:

• Rashmi's journey pre-Arun Revolution and what led her to leave the corporate world to build a climate solution rooted in equity
• What most menstrual pads are really made of—and why that’s harmful
• The science behind Aruna’s compostable pads and ethical supply chain
• Period cups vs. pads: Pros, cons, and finding what works for you
• How Aruna Revolution is scaling across Canada and beyond
• The surprising challenges (and joys) of innovating in taboo spaces

Plus, don’t miss our fun wrap-up segment, “Spill the Tea,” where Rashmi shares her chai preferences, sustainability rituals, and life mantra.

🔗 Links & Resources

Learn more at: www.arunarevolution.com Follow Rashmi on Instagram: @arunarevolution

In this episode of Chai Break, we dive into the world of regenerative fashion with Aishwarya Lahariya, textile scientist and founder of Jiwya, a 100% plant-based clothing brand based in India. Aishwarya shares how her background in chemistry, sustainability research, and passion for ethical design led her to create a fashion label rooted in zero-waste living, artisan empowerment, and soil-to-soil systems. If you're curious about the real impact of your clothes—from water usage to labor ethics—and want to understand what truly sustainable fashion looks like, this episode is for you.

• The origins of Jiwya
• Aishwarya’s upbringing, chemistry background, and move from the U.S. to India to build her brand
• Why most cotton (even “organic”) is greenwashed—and what truly sustainable sourcing looks like
• What a soil-to-soil ecosystem really is and how Jiwya’s designs biodegrade in just 60 days
• The reality of fast fashion: mass production, clearance culture, and the “Oops we bought too much” problem
• Why ethical pricing still feels "expensive" and how to shift the consumer mindset
• The science behind plant-based dyes that use 1/10th the water of conventional methods—and return nutrients to the soil
• Empowering artisans and preserving textile crafts across 100+ clusters in India
• The challenge of scaling while staying true to values—and what it means to vote with your wallet
• Aishwarya’s thoughts on the future of fashion, the Buy Now documentary, and her work with Nadhi, a women in climate collective

In this inspiring episode of the Chai Break Podcast, I'm joined by Shivani Ramesh—a Strategy & Implementation Analyst at ENGIE Impact, environmental engineer, and passionate sustainability advocate. Shivani takes us on a journey from her roots in India to her career in global decarbonization, offering practical wisdom for anyone grappling with climate anxiety and wondering, “What can I do?”

We explore the power of bite-sized climate action—small, intentional steps we can take in our homes, communities, and careers to contribute to a more sustainable future. Shivani shares powerful stories of grassroots activism in her own family, from organizing neighborhood cleanups in Chennai to local government initiatives in Westchester, NY.

This episode is for anyone who wants to understand how citizen-led action, climate-conscious careers, and community collaboration can drive change, no matter where you live.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why tiny, consistent actions can create large-scale impact
• Shivani’s journey from Rishi Valley School to ENGIE Impact and the spark that started it all
• The importance of civic engagement and how her mother’s clean-up drives led to launching Citizen Matters in India
• How her aunt’s sustainability leadership in Westchester County helped unlock funding for clean energy
• Local NYC tips: how to get involved in composting, community gardens, and more
• Why climate anxiety is real—and how to channel it into purpose
• A behind-the-scenes look at The Soapbox Project, a growing community turning worry into climate action
• How to pivot into a sustainability career or integrate climate-conscious thinking into your current work
• 5 bite-sized actions you can start today to live more sustainably

🔗 Resources mentioned in the episode:

• ENGIE Impact
• Citizen Matters
• The Soapbox Project
• NYC Composting

🎧 Grab your chai and tune in—this is a chaiversation you don’t want to miss.