It's the first episode of Clotheshorse in 2024! And it's another CH first, too: an entire episode about ONE email!Amanda received this email in mid December. It sparked many, many hours of reading, research, and conversations with other members of the community. In the quest to find a response to this message, a lot of other conversations began: Is it greenwashing to say "Small Business Is The Future?"Where is the nuance within slow fashion? How does that nuance influence the way we start conversations outside the slow fashion bubble?Should we tell people to stop buying goods and services altogether?How do the impacts of small businesses compare to those of big businesses?Are all small businesses "good?" What should we do if they are "bad?"Do small businesses get away with bad behavior because they are small?What is degrowth economics? Can it work? Would would it look like IRL?How do creativity and art fit into degrowth?Should makers and sellers stop what they are doing and shift into public service jobs? Why aren't they doing that already?Why are so many Clotheshorse guests also small business owners?What are the challenges of trying to be as ethical as possible within late stage capitalism? How do we make the best choices?Who really makes money from podcasting?How do begin to value art, information, and content as much as we value "stuff?" And what happens if we don't make that change?Yeah, NBD, just some light topics here.Thank you to these awesome members of the community for already sharing their thoughts:  Dani, Christine, Maria, Selina, Kate S., and Kate K. After you have listened, share YOUR thoughts on the email and the other conversations we are having in this episode. Feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] call the Clotheshorse hotline: 717.925.7417You can also join the convo on Instagram, @clotheshorsepodcast. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorse Find this episode's transcript (and so much more) at clotheshorsepodcast.com Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses: ​High Energy Vintage is a fun and funky vintage shop located in Somerville, MA, just a few minutes away from downtown Boston. They offer a highly curated selection of bright and colorful clothing and accessories from the 1940s-1990s for people of all genders. Husband-and-wife duo Wiley & Jessamy handpick each piece for quality and style, with a focus on pieces that transcend trends and will find a home in your closet for many years to come! In addition to clothing, the shop also features a large selection of vintage vinyl and old school video games. Find them on instagram @ highenergyvintage, online at highenergyvintage.com, and at markets in and around Boston. The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at thepewterthimble.com St. Evens is an NYC-based vintage shop that is dedicated to bringing you those special pieces you’ll reach for again and again. More than just a store, St. Evens is dedicated to sharing the stories and history behind the garments. 10% of all sales are donated to a different charitable organization each month.  New vintage is released every Thursday at wearStEvens.com, with previews of new pieces and more brought to you on Instagram at @wear_st.evens. Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, s