Jeff Garner: Toxic Fashion—The Silent Killer in Your Wardrobe

SuperLife with Darin Olien

In this explosive episode of the SuperLife podcast, Darin reconnects with fashion renegade and sustainability pioneer Jeff Garner, director of the groundbreaking documentary Let Them Be Naked. Together, they unpack the dark truth behind modern clothing—what it's really made of, how it affects your body, and why even "organic" tags can be misleading.

Jeff reveals the little-known history of synthetic fabrics, how the fashion industry was hijacked by petroleum-based chemicals, and what big brands don’t want you to know about dyes, phthalates, and PFAS. He shares the uphill battle to fund and distribute his film, the emotional catalyst behind it—his mother’s passing—and how the chemical war being waged on our skin is hiding in plain sight.

If you’ve ever worn wrinkle-free, water-wicking, or stretchy clothing… this episode will change how you see your wardrobe forever.

What You’ll Learn:

00:00 – How clothing chemicals absorb through your skin 02:00 – The overlooked toxicity of synthetic dyes and fabrics 06:00 – How Jeff risked his own farm to finish the film 08:45 – The heartbreaking personal story that inspired Let Them Be Naked 12:10 – Victoria’s Secret, class-action coverups, and the PR spin machine 16:30 – Why even natural-looking clothes aren’t always what they seem 18:50 – The shocking lack of regulation in the fashion industry 22:40 – Why hemp, alpaca, and natural dyes are the future of fashion 27:00 – Hidden history: how chemical warfare birthed fast fashion 31:00 – The environmental impact of the textile industry 34:10 – What consumers can do now to protect themselves 37:40 – How the fashion industry manipulates greenwashing narratives 41:00 – The terrifying science of long-term bioaccumulation from clothing 46:00 – The surprising origin of yoga pants and synthetic stretchwear 50:30 – The big solution: policy, public awareness, and conscious choices

Sponsors:

• Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off

• Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com.

Find More from Jeff Garner:

📽️ Watch the film: LetThemBeNaked.com 📖 Book: Let Them Be Naked 👕 Shop Prophetik: prophetik.com 📸 Instagram: @prophetik

Darin Olien:

📲 Instagram | @darinolien 🎙️ Podcast | Superlife 🌐 Website | superlife.com 📚 Book | Fatal Conveniences

Key Takeaway:

“If you’re not questioning what’s touching your skin every day, you’re ignoring one of the biggest sources of toxic exposure in your life.”