Rooted By Arpitharai

Arpitharai

Rooted by Arpitharai Stories from below the surface. This podcast explores the quiet, often unseen forces shaping a more conscious fashion world. Hosted by fashion designer and storyteller Arpitha Rai, each episode features voices behind the seams—from upcyclers and fiber innovators to educators, artisans, and media changemakers. We uncover the roots of circular fashion, ethical systems, heritage, and creative resilience. For those drawn to stories that nourish slow fashion and mindful making—you're home. 🌱 New episodes every Sunday.

  1. May 17

    The Real Problem With Upcycling | Soumya Kalluri on Sustainable Fashion

    In this part of the conversation with Soumya Kalluri,We move beyond awareness into the realities of working with textile waste every day.From the challenges of upcycling and scalabilityto fairness, systems, and what impact truly means —This conversation explores sustainability beyond aesthetics.Soumya shares what it takes to work with discarded garments.why circularity is more complex than it sounds,and what the fashion industry urgently needs to rethink.This is not a conversation about perfection.It’s about responsibility, systems, and intentional change.Part 2 of our conversation on Rooted by Arpitharai.Part 1 video link: https://youtu.be/PtkxLpMTRtc#RootedByArpitharai #CircularFashion #SustainableFashion #TextileWaste #consciousliving This video explores the nuances of upcycling, emphasizing that it's a personalized process rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. It highlights the growing recognition of waste as a valuable resource and the distinct approaches of traditional versus upcycled factories. We also touch on the current state of plant-based vegan handbags and the challenges in making them affordable for a more conscious consumer, all within the broader context of sustainable fashion and ethical fashion. circular fashion, textile waste management, sustainable fashion podcast, slow fashion india, conscious fashion, fashion waste, sustainability in fashion industry, rooted by arpitharai, upcycling fashion, circular economy fashion

    23 min
  2. Apr 19

    Building a Healthier Culture Through Food & Lifestyle | Dr. Achyuthan Eswar

    What does it take to move from individual habits… to collective change? In this episode of Rooted by Arpitharai, I continue my conversation with Dr. Achyuthan Eswar — a Yoga and Naturopathy physician and co-founder of PHC Lifestyle Clinic and Sampoorna Ahara. In our previous conversation, we explored his personal journey and philosophy around lifestyle medicine. In this episode, we widen the lens. We talk about building systems that support healthier living — making nutritious food accessible, working with corporate environments, and addressing the realities of stress, irregular routines, and modern lifestyles. This conversation also touches on something larger — the connection between what we eat and the health of our planet. We explore: • Building PHC Lifestyle Clinic and the need for lifestyle-focused healthcare • Sampoorna Ahara and making whole food plant-based eating accessible • Challenges people face while changing habits • Health in corporate environments and simple daily practices • The link between food choices and climate responsibility • Reflections on the future of health culture in India This is not just about food. It’s about awareness, systems, and the small shifts that ripple outward. — If this conversation resonates, I’d love to hear your reflections in the comments. Links mentioned in the video: Becoming vegan: https://amzn.to/4dSdScl Nourish: https://amzn.to/4vEiWY4 Dr. Naveen Kini: https://drnaveenkini.com/ Dr. Anuja Pethe: https://dranujapethe.com/ Connect with Dr. Eswar: Sampoornaahara: https://sampoornaahara.com/  Dr. Eswar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doc.eswar/ Sampoornaahara Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sampoornaahara/  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ lifestyle medicine india, plant based diet india, holistic health india, preventive healthcare, corporate wellness, healthy habits for busy people, mindful living india, sustainable living india, climate and food, conscious eating, wellness podcast india, arpitharai podcast, rooted by arpitharai, simple health habits, work life balance health

    26 min
  3. Apr 5

    Healing Begins at Home: Rethinking Health, Habits & Responsibility | Dr. Achyuthan Eswar

    There are moments in life that quietly change the direction we take. In this episode of Rooted by Arpitharai, I sit down with Dr. Achyuthan Eswar — a Yoga and Naturopathy physician and co-founder of PHC Lifestyle Clinic and Sampoorna Ahara. We begin with a deeply personal story — how his grandparents reversed diabetes, hypertension, and obesity in just ten days through lifestyle changes — and how that moment shaped his path. From there, this conversation gently opens up into what it really means to take responsibility for our own health. Not through extremes… but through simple, consistent daily choices. We talk about:• Lifestyle as medicine• Balancing ancient wisdom and modern science• What “Be Your Own Doc” really means• The connection between everyday habits and long-term health• And how even our clothing choices can play a role in how we feel This is not a conversation about quick fixes.It’s about slowing down… observing… and reconnecting with the basics. Part two of this conversation will explore his work, impact, and the larger systems he’s building. — If something in this conversation resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Links mentioned in the video: Hata Yoga Pradipika Book: https://amzn.to/4tn6JoK Sampoornaahara: https://sampoornaahara.com/  Dr.Eswar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doc.eswar/ Sampoornaahara Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sampoornaahara/  More places to find me: • Instagram ➭ https://www.instagram.com/arpitharai  • Youtube ➭ https://www.youtube.com/arpitharai  • Linkedin ➭ https://www.linkedin.com/in/arpitharai/  • FaceBook ➭ https://www.facebook.com/arpitharais • YT Podcast ➭ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz0-BTwEJ-0qoQsl_8M3WM7nI4oyM_9JA&si=rcAy_0bu8b49ZlhM • Apple ➭ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rooted-by-arpitharai/ • Spotify ➭ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/arpitharais

    33 min
  4. Feb 15

    Upcycling: The First Thought Before Tossing Anything

    People often ask me, “Why not just buy new? Isn’t it easier?”And I understand that question — I used to think the same way. In this Rooted Reflection, I talk about why upcycling feels different to me. Not as a rule or restriction, but as a choice that slowly started making sense — emotionally, environmentally, and practically. Every time we upcycle a garment, we save water, energy, and chemicals that would otherwise go into producing something new. We keep clothes from ending up in landfills simply because they feel outdated or forgotten. But beyond the impact numbers, there’s something quieter that happens. Upcycling brings a slow, deeply satisfying kind of joy.The joy of pausing. Of looking at what already exists. Of allowing a garment to evolve instead of discarding it. I also share the philosophy behind Second Time by Arpitharai — an upcycled clothing brand where I work with preloved garments from people’s own wardrobes, helping them find a new form without erasing their story. This episode is not about doing more.It’s about seeing differently. And about choosing care — for our clothes, our planet, and ourselves. If this reflection resonates, I’d love for you to listen, sit with it, and maybe look at your wardrobe a little differently today. 0:00 - 0:33 Do we think what else can our old garment can be? 0:33 - 1:14 What if your first thought be Upcycling? 1:14 - 1:26 Intro 1:24 - 2:01 How many new lives can I give this old fabric? 2:01 - 2:23 Garments can transform into new products 2:20 - 2:47 It’s not always perfect 2:47 - 3:56 My daughter doesn’t want to buy new clothes 3:56 - 4:46 It’s ok to buy new and let go of old 4:46 - 6:10 Why go through all this? 6:10 - 6:46 My Brand ‘Second Time’ 6:42 - 7:24 Buying new will reduce on it’s own 7:24 - 7:52 Noticing possibilities everywhere 7:52 - 8:20 What’s one thing that you see only as old or unused? 8:20 - 8:43 Let’s take these thoughts forward

    9 min

About

Rooted by Arpitharai Stories from below the surface. This podcast explores the quiet, often unseen forces shaping a more conscious fashion world. Hosted by fashion designer and storyteller Arpitha Rai, each episode features voices behind the seams—from upcyclers and fiber innovators to educators, artisans, and media changemakers. We uncover the roots of circular fashion, ethical systems, heritage, and creative resilience. For those drawn to stories that nourish slow fashion and mindful making—you're home. 🌱 New episodes every Sunday.