FUTUREVVORLD is proud to present our inaugural audio series Progress Over Perfection, an ever-evolving podcast that explores Earth-friendlier projects and environmental responsibility in fashion, footwear, design, and culture.

In this week’s latest episode, FUTUREVVORLD Co-founder Daniel Navetta and Executive Editor Bob Marshall dive into “The Future of Materials” with Material Innovation Initiative CEO and Co-founder Nicole Rawling, and Bolt Threads Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder David Breslauer and Director of Corporate Responsibility Libby Sommer. The Progress Over Perfection hosts and the expert guests discuss the sustainable innovations and efforts in the materials space including bio-based leathers and various animal-free or plant-based alternatives.

Nicole Rawling leads the Material Innovation Initiative, a nonprofit that works on supporting next-gen materials over animals as an option for sustainable alternatives in the fashion, automotive, home goods industry. Rawling recognizes the progress that’s needed in order to meet the ideal position of being fully sustainable, circular, biodegradable, and compostable. It takes time to reach these innovations but the industry is certainly moving in a direction of great potential. “Animal-based materials are restricted by biology. You have what get from a cow, and that hasn’t changed in thousands of years,” Rawling says when discussing the exciting trajectory of next-gen materials. “With these new technologies, there’s huge potential to actually expand beyond what we currently have.”

As we’ve covered in the past, Bolt Threads is a materials innovation company and one of the leaders in creating next-gen materials for today and the future. It’s mushroom-based alternative leather Mylo has been adopted by adidas, designer Stella McCartney, lululemon, and the Kering luxury group. “We look to take innovation from what nature has evolved over billions of years to deliver new bio-based, better-for-the-planet materials for your consumer apparel and personal hair product,” said Breslauer.

Sit back and enjoy Episode 3: The Future of Materials of Progress Over Perfection.

Remember, we have a long way to go, but we can go further together.

You can listen above, as well as on Apple, Spotify, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.