Essential Ingredients Podcast

In this episode, Justine Reichman interviews Erin Henry, a registered dietician, about navigating midlife changes, hormonal shifts, and how to approach menopause and perimenopause with confidence and support. They discuss strategies for health, community, and empowerment during this transformative stage.

Keywords

midlife health, menopause, perimenopause, hormonal changes, women'...

Join us as we explore the transformative power of food, traditional cooking techniques, and mindful eating with Chef Whitney Aronoff. Discover how to make healthier choices, understand food preparation, and embrace a holistic approach to wellness through food.

Keywords

food sustainability, healthy eating, traditional cooking, mindful eating, wellness, chef tips, food choices, nu...

In this episode of Essential Ingredients, Justine Reichman speaks with Rodrigo Vargas, founder of American Vinegar Works. They explore the journey of creating high-quality craft vinegars, the importance of using first quality alcohol, and the culinary applications of vinegar. Vargas emphasizes the need for consumer awareness regarding food quality and the challenges faced by small businesses in the food industry. The c...

In this episode of Essential Ingredients, Justine Reichman speaks with Hillary Cohen and Sam Luu, co-founders of Everyday Action, a nonprofit dedicated to recovering food from the entertainment industry and redistributing it to those in need. They discuss their journey from working in the entertainment industry to founding Everyday Action, the challenges they faced, and the importance of community and collaboration in ...

In this episode of Essential Ingredients, Justine Reichman speaks with Ralph Bianculli, the founder and CEO of Emerald EcoVations, about the importance of sustainability in the supply chain and the innovative solutions his company provides. Ralph shares his personal journey that led him to create a tree-free, compostable product line, driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the environment and health. The conve...

In this episode of Essential Ingredients, Justine Reichman speaks with Gita, founder of gutBFF, about the importance of gut health and plant diversity in our diets. They discuss Gita's personal journey with health challenges, the role of food in wellness, and the entrepreneurial challenges she faced while launching her product. The conversation also touches on sustainability, consumer trust, and the growing awareness o...

In this episode of Essential Ingredients, Justine Reichman speaks with Thomas Odermatt, founder of Roli Rotisserie, about his journey from Switzerland to the Bay Area as a third-generation butcher. They discuss the importance of local sourcing, quality ingredients, and the impact of health and nutrition on food choices. Thomas shares insights on sustainability in food production, the role of allergens, and the signific...

Summary

In this episode bvc of Essential Ingredients, Justine Reichman speaks with Cindy Anderson, founder of Manny's Choice, about her journey in creating gluten-free products based on European heritage wheat. Cindy shares her personal health challenges, including a battle with breast cancer and gluten intolerance, which inspired her to seek clean, nutritious ingredients. The conversation explores the imp...

Summary

In this episode of Essential Ingredients, host Justine Reichman welcomes Bella, a holistic nutritionist and entrepreneur who has successfully built her brand around matcha and boba. Bella shares her journey from bartending to launching her pop-up shop, Happy Belly, which has now evolved into a platform for teaching others how to start their own food businesses. The conversation dives deep into the ...

"The idea came suddenly one day. I was traveling and had this little Japanese perfume spray in my hand, It's actually aluminum and the inside glass, very little. And I said to myself, that's the concept of bottle I'm going to do. Glass.. Honesty." —Hardy Steinman

We drink water every day, yet most of us never question the container. We accept strange smells, plastic taste, and constant repla...

"The value you get out of Zucca and all the things it can do is far cheaper than what it would take to hire another person or hire an external consultant to do that work." —Karen Huh

Building a CPG product should not feel like juggling spreadsheets at midnight. Teams lose time, money, and clarity when formulas, costs, and decisions are scattered across multiple locations. This conversation confronts that...

 "Stop reaching externally for answers because intuitively, if you really, really sit quietly with yourself and feel, you have all the answers for yourself." —Dr. Jennifer Haley

Our skin reacts long before we slow down enough to notice. Breakouts, inflammation, and chronic issues often point to patterns we normalize every day, from food choices to stress to environmental exposure. This conversation cuts ...

"In an entrepreneurial journey, fear is a constant roadblock. But everything's at risk, and it's this balance between calculated risk while still managing a backup plan." —Leslie Danford

Growth does not come from chasing every opportunity. It comes from making clear choices and standing behind them. This conversation explores what it really takes to build a brand that lasts without losing di...

 "If we can't bring the kids to the kitchen, maybe we can bring the kitchen to the kids." —Carolyn Federman

Food education often gets treated as optional, even though it shapes health, culture, and opportunity from the very start. When kids lack access to hands-on food learning, the gap shows up everywhere from classrooms to hospitals. This conversation explores what changes when education meets practica...

 "It is the most loyal customer segment that exists because people find it so hard to find places that they trust, that when they do and they have a good experience, they keep going back again and again. It's a huge revenue opportunity for restaurants to take advantage of transparency." —Dylan McDonnell

Nothing about dining out should feel like a gamble. In this episode, we talk with Dylan M...

"In general, knowledge is power, and the more equipped we are with the tools we need, the better off we are. At a networking event, there were women who wish they knew about perimenopause, that it can be 10 years, and that it can impact mental health. Now I know, and I want me to tell my generation." —Lauren Tetenbaum

Some moments in life flip a switch and make our bodies feel unfamiliar. A quiet shift sho...

"Sustainability, where you can, is always an important resource to go to first… This earth gives us such precious resources, and it's nice to maintain and take care of the earth as well for your children and children to come." —Ashley Berman 

The most meaningful jewelry isn't bought, it's reborn. It carries stories, fingerprints, and memories that outshine anything new. In a world chasing trends, there's p...

"Learning and seeing what customers respond to and what they like is how your brand grows. It's half me, but then it's how it's received. They help me decide what the rest will be. And it's so fun to co-create with customers in that way." —Xeba Zareie

Some days, the body sends signals that can't be ignored. The bloating that shows up out of nowhere. The foods that once felt safe are suddenly turning into...

"It's hard work being a farmer, and we just don't value it. And we just don't realize… that we're losing them." —Jennifer Grissom

When SNAP and EBT are in flux, local food systems become a lifeline. This episode breaks down how farmers' markets can become emergency food hubs that protect both people and producers.

Jennifer Grissom from Food Access LA shares how her nonprofit expanded market ma...