Authors
Renee is a graduate of FIDM, and has held jobs in several industries such as apparel manufacturing, retail, professional office work, and even hospitality! Her creative outlook, wide variety of experiences, and desire to notice the beauty around us make her a great addition to the Goodness Exchange team!
Renee Laroche-Rheaume
Outreach Coordinator & Writer
Renee’s welcoming presence and desire to notice the beauty in the world around us makes her an excellent addition to the GE team, where she writes articles on topics in art and culture, and works to connect with our community as our Outreach Coordinator.
Hi there, I’m Renee, the Goodness Exchange's Outreach coordinator!
Starting from a young age, my curiosity about the world has been fueled by empathy, art, and culture. I have earned several scholarships in my youth in recognition of my vocal talents, creative writing, and moral compass.
After high school, I went on to earn my Associate of Arts degree for Apparel Design from FIDM in Los Angeles, where I gained the technical knowledge and creative inspiration to pursue a career in design.
I have combined my passion for timeless style, my ability to recognize value, my artistic eye, and organizational skills to build an e-commerce business. Since 2013, I have personally curated and styled vintage fashion for my Eco-friendly online store, Spotlight Vintage. My work with Spotlight Vintage and the Northwest Nightmares Film festival have been both a creative outlet and a great training ground for building an online following, a knowledge base I have brought with me to grow our community at the Goodness Exchange.
In addition to my many creative endeavors such as fashion illustration, learning to play the ukulele, and seasonal window painting, I am an active member of the arts community in Saint Albans, VT. I also love connecting one-on-one with local patrons by working charitable events and bartending in the taproom at 14th Star Brewing Company. My high level of empathy makes me an expert communicator and gives me the ability to instantly engage and connect with others.
If you find yourself at a dinner party with Renee, ask her about her favorite films or her tastiest concoctions in the kitchen!
Author's Articles
10 min read
Crafting Second Chances: The Story of the People’s Pottery Project
People’s Pottery Project creates opportunities for healing, community, and employment for those who have experienced incarceration.
10 min read
Turning Stinky Invasive Seaweed into Hurricane-Proof Homes
Every morning at dawn, beachcombers along the North American coastlines are raking up forty tons of the smelly, invasive seaweed known as sargassum. This insane amount of seaweed is a burden to most, but one man saw it as a resource, and what he did with it is inspiring a whole new wave of innovation around the world.
5 min read
How to Make Your Next Holiday Tradition a Sweet One!
From decorating gingerbread houses to hiding fake fruit, we’re celebrating the warm fuzzy feelings that accompany holiday traditions. Let’s unwrap the secret to spreading cheer!
7 min read
These Tiny Wooden Robots are a Future Forest Falling From the Sky!
Get ready to discover your new favorite (well, maybe second favorite) corkscrew! The best scientific breakthroughs are often inspired by nature, and today we’re exploring a game-changing innovation that was inspired by nature, for nature. Prepare to be wowed as we propel ourselves deep into the origins of a new self-seeding robot that is tackling deforestation from the sky above!
9 min read
Best Friend or Bully? The Power of Positive Self-Talk
Talking to yourself. Is it a sign of intelligence? Does it make you appear insane? Maybe a little of both. We’re breaking down fact from fiction about the different types of self-talk, and uncovering why the words we say to ourselves hold such immense power around our personal happiness.
11 min read
Monsters You Must See: The Bulgarian Kukeri Dance Away Evil
Why are people in Bulgaria dressing up in elaborate fur costumes and dancing through the streets at night in the dead of winter? Join us as we explore the wild, strange, and awesome tradition of Kukeri, and learn what it means to gather for the greater good—whether you are superstitious or not!
18 min read/watch
Feathers, Puddles, and Bugs: The Science Behind Iridescence in Nature
If you’ve ever scratched your head wondering why the shimmering plumage of a peacock is so mesmerizing, or became hypnotized by the colors in a dragonflies wings and wished you knew why, you’re in luck! Read on as we discover the mystifying physics behind one of nature’s most beautiful visual tricks.
5 min read
Ferrets: History’s Most Helpful Cable Guys
You may think of them as a stinky pet, but ferrets are truly talented critters! Read on to see what sets them apart from other mammals, and how they have been helping us humans out of tight spots for over 2000 years!
Do As The Aussies Do, Lose the Shoes!
What’s the deal with Australians being barefoot all the time? Dip your toes into the history behind a cultural tradition that began just after WWII and remains prevalent to this day. You may just walk away feeling relaxed, with a newfound appreciation for your own feet!
Feeling Embarrassed is Actually Good for You!
Why do we feel embarrassed? The red face, the hot burning humiliation…what is the purpose of embarrassment (besides making us want to crawl into a hole)? Let’s explore why evolution cemented this social emotion into our lives, and learn how to use it productively.
5 min read
Tokyo’s “Do-Nothing Guy” Shows Us the Power In Being Present for Others
Would you rent a guy to do absolutely nothing? In a society where productivity is praised, can someone make a living by just being around? Today we’re introducing Shoji Morimoto, Tokyo’s “Do-Nothing Guy”, who gets paid to simply show up. He’s enriching the lives of others without hardly saying a word, and his approach to making a career out of his seemingly useless talent is brilliant. Here’s why.
Take Your Backyard from Wasteland to Wildlife Wonderland in 365 Days
Many of us count on nature for inspiration, wellness, and wonder. But what are we giving back to it? Meet the nature enthusiast who built an entire living pond in his backyard to attract local wildlife. And in turn, discover for yourself how quickly, and beautifully, things can get wild.
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