Essential Ingredients Podcast

Episode Description:

“I don’t have an MBA. I only have a food knowledge background, and that doesn’t make me an expert, either. But I know how to inquire and how to connect. So I have just been digging and grinding through my process, always finding the answers when I need them.” —Seena Chriti    

Snack innovation is more than just creating a product—it's about telling a cultural story throu...

Episode Description:

“We need to think more about the ecosystem, and it’s not always the cheapest way to do stuff. I think we’re just trying to make a difference. And if we can make a living while making a difference, then that’s really important.” —Jason Walker

Regenerative organic farming is more than just a method—it's a revolutionary approach to healing our planet's most critical resourc...

Episode Description:

“Trust that you can do the Math and that you have the tenacity and that nature will give you way more opportunities than you even need.” —Jamiah Hargins 

Imagine a world where water conservation isn't just a choice, but a critical strategy to survival. 

Water isn't just slipping through our fingers—it's vanishing before our eyes. Yet, our current consumption...

Episode Description:

“I want to create a world of mindful foodies. I don't see this as a little project. I see this as something big.” —Janet Irizarry 

Every bite we take is a vote for the planet's future, and our children are the most powerful voters we have. By modeling mindful eating to them, we can transform how future generations understand and respect the journey of their food.

Founder Resource Series

Episode Description:

“My advice for people that are wanting to shift or starting out is to just jump in the water. Once you're there, you're going to figure out how to swim.”  —Sebastian Stahl

A lot of startups crumble within their first year—a stark reminder that dreams alone cannot sustain a business. But the difference between survival and surrender ...

Episode Description:

 “You can over engineer things like a business plan. I think there's no substitute for going out and just trying things— that's the best and fastest way you can learn.” —Ashwin Cheriyan

Modern life often makes it hard to balance convenience, health, and sustainability, leaving many searching for better options. 

Ashwin Cheriyan, Thistle’s co-founder and CEO,...

Founder Resource Series

Episode Description:

“I think consumers and company leaders are becoming more curious as to what the alternatives are and not just following simple workflows and playbooks. The transparency and the ability to educate around the possibilities— the alternative possibilities of manufacturing and ingredients that are available.” —Riana Lynn 

The possibiliti...

Beyond the Basket: The Secret Ingredient to Building a Regenerative Community with Wen-Jay Ying

Episode Description:

“It's having a genuine interest in your consumers, not just a transactional experience— That is the best way to build community.” —Wen-Jay Ying 

Building a thriving community takes more than just a shared interest— it requires genuine connections, a sense of belon...

The Secret Ingredient to Food Biz Success: A Shared Kitchen with a Side of Networking with Djenaba Johnson-Jones

Founder Resource Series

Episode Description:

“I wanted something that I could call my own and not have to answer to anyone. We asked ourselves what we want for our future and we wanted to launch this business.” —Djenaba Johnson-Jones   

Shared kitchen...

Instant Noodles 2.0: Bringing Flavor, Health, and Sustainability to Your Favorite Comfort Food  with Thuong Tan

Episode Description:

“I'm going to create something that I love and my friends’ love— because even on a bad day you have to wake up to run your business.” —Thuong Tan 

Comfort food has the power to transport us, to soothe the soul, and to bring us back to ...

 From Garage to Global: Spilling the Beans on Startup Success with Jon Lambert

Founder Resource Series

Episode Description:

“You can run the best business in the world, but if you as an individual, fail, the entire thing falls to pieces.” —Jon Lambert

In the world of startups, your network can be as valuable, if not more, than your net worth. A strong community can ...

Glow Up Guaranteed: The Chemist-Approved Skincare Routine with Ron Robinson 

Clean Beauty Series

Episode Description:

“Every brand now needs to be an educator as well as a seller.” —Ron Robinson

The beauty industry is undergoing a transformative shift, with consumers demanding more than just surface-level solutions. From the rise of the "skinification" trend to th...

Sea the Difference: Unlocking Seaweed's Potential for Beauty and Beyond with Matthew Perkins

Clean Beauty Series

Episode Description:

“Sometimes, it might feel like you're not making progress, but you might just be missing a critical piece of information. Don't give up unless you un...

Clean Beauty Series 

Episode Description:

“I'm excited to see what gets tested. There is an endless supply on this planet of products or sources that have not been tested yet. And I think there are entrepreneurial companies starting to find the next efficacious ingredient.” —Tamar Kamen

The intersection of food and beauty is redefining the future of skincare, as innovative bra...

Clean Beauty Series 

Episode Description:

“You also need a little bit of luck. You can make decisions, and they can cut both ways— you can make a decision and your brand goes through the roof, and you can make a good decision but it just didn't work and you can't recover from it. So you have to stick around long enough for luck to happen too. You just have to be patient.” —Kelly Kovack

Clean Beauty Series

“What you put ON your body is just as important as what you put INSIDE of your body. ” —Adria Marshall

While we meticulously scrutinize every morsel that enters our bodies, we often overlook the products we slather on our largest organ— our skin. Yet, what if the shampoo we use daily is as crucial to our health as our morning smoothie? It's time to rethink our approach to...

Gut, Food, & Health series

“Your body will tell you what it needs. Be curious about what your body's telling you, you will make the right decision.” —Dr. Edison de Mello 

The health of our gut is intricately tied to the health of our mind. Emerging research reveals just how profoundly our thought patterns can influence digestive function and overall well-being. Hence, mastering the mind-gut ...

“This is the right thing to do. People deserve good, healthy food, especially in a hospital, when we're talking about starting the healing process.” —Andrew Bennett

Hospital food has long been the butt of jokes, but what if it could rival five-star restaurants? Imagine a world where patients look forward to their next meal, not just their next dose of medication. The revolution in hospital c...

Gut, Food, & Health series

“The food that you eat affects everything, including your mental health.” —Dr. Edison de Mello

What if the key to better mental health was as simple as the food on your plate? Emerging research reveals the profound influence of gut health on cognitive function, mood, and emotional resilience. By nourishing the body, we may unlock the path to nourishing...