On this episode of The Circle Up Podcast, hosts Sam Wittchen and Candice Lawton explore how repair is becoming a key strategy for a modern circular economy. They examine why repair has become harder than it should be, how the right to repair movement is growing, and what it will take to rebuild a strong repair economy that reduces waste, keeps materials in use, and supports local jobs.

For decades, everyday fixes were part of normal life. People repaired clothing, tuned up small appliances, and kept household items going for years. Over time, products were designed to be harder to repair and easier to replace, a phenomenon known as planned obsolescence. This shift eroded repair culture, generating more waste and fewer opportunities to keep valuable materials circulating in local communities. But cities across the country, including Philadel ...