In this conversation, Gage and Jonas discuss the innovative kitchenware product SAVWA, designed to promote water conservation by capturing and reusing gray water in households. Jonas shares his personal journey of awareness regarding water waste, the challenges faced during product and supply chain development, and the importance of sustainability in the materials design. The conversation also touches on the upcoming Kickstarter campaign for SAVWA, the vision for a future with conscious water us...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 177
In this conversation, Rob Craven, founder of Scale Passion, shares his journey of discovering personal purpose and how it intertwines with business success. He discusses the importance of intentionality in leadership, the evolution of his company, and the significance of writing and reflection in understanding one's purpose. The dialogue emphasizes the need for personal happiness in business and the concept of work-life synergy, advocating for a life where passion and work are seamlessly integra...
Jun 19, 2025•55 min•Ep. 176
In this conversation, David Jacobowitz, founder of Nebula Snacks, shares his journey from a childhood filled with sweets to creating a line of luxurious, sugar-free chocolate bites. He discusses the challenges of managing his health, the experimentation process behind developing his products, and the ways in which customer feedback helps shape his brand and product line. David emphasizes the importance of taste in healthy snacks and the benefits of using natural sweeteners that do not spike bloo...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 175
In this conversation, Jordan Buckner discusses the launch of the Food Bevy Insider Box, a curated quarterly subscription service designed to help CPG industry professionals discover and sample emerging brand’s products. Jordan explains how the products are selected, the importance of community feedback in the selection process, and the customizability of the boxes, including vegan and gluten-free options. Gage and Jordan then discuss trends in the food industry, including the growing demand for ...
Jun 05, 2025•51 min•Ep. 174
In this conversation, Justin Ahrens and Gage discuss the profound impact of design on the human condition, emphasizing the importance of understanding the real problems that design can solve. They explore the shift from a shareholder to a stakeholder economy, the role of data in design, and the significance of design thinking in creating sustainable and measurable impact. Through real-world examples, they illustrate how thoughtful design can enhance everyday experiences and contribute to social ...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 173
In this conversation, Hayley and Stephanie Painter, co-founders of Painterland Sisters , share their journey as fourth-generation organic dairy farmers. They discuss their childhood experiences on the farm, the values instilled in them, and how these experiences shaped their approach to business and agriculture. The sisters emphasize the importance of community, integrity, and creating nutrient-dense products, like their Skyr yogurt. They reflect on the challenges and perceptions faced by farmer...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 172
In this conversation, Matthew Dillon, co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association, discusses the growth and challenges of the organic industry. He highlights the importance of generational shifts in consumer behavior, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, who are increasingly committed to organic products. Dillon emphasizes the need for investment in infrastructure to support domestic organic production and the role of advocacy in shaping policies that benefit the organic sector. The conversatio...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 171
In this conversation, Jen Brush, VP of Innovation and Product at Guayaki, discusses the origins and benefits of Yerba Mate, the evolution of Guayaki's product offerings, and the brand's commitment to sustainability and community. The conversation explores the challenges of navigating the beverage market, building brand loyalty, and the exciting transition to the new brand name, Yerba Madre, which reflects the company's mission and heritage. We touch on the brand’s commitment to shade-grown Yerba...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 170
In this conversation, Vilma Livas, Chief Marketing Officer at Nature's Bakery, discusses the brand's purpose of providing healthier snack options for families and the importance of convenience, taste, and value in their product development process. We touch on the impact of the company's acquisition by Mars and how it has allowed for growth and innovation, particularly with new products like the Oatmeal Crumble and Hearty Bar. Vilma shares insights into her consumer-centric approach to product d...
May 01, 2025•58 min•Ep. 169
In this conversation, Michael Fisher, founder and CEO of Rotten, shares his journey of building a candy brand from scratch with zero experience in the industry. He talks about the initial trap that many startup CEOs fall into, himself included, of chasing the symbols of success instead of focusing on the business fundamentals. Michael then shares his personal connection to candy and the creative process behind building a brand narrative that emotionally resonates with consumers. During the conve...
Apr 24, 2025•57 min•Ep. 168
In this conversation, Dr. Aaron T. Dossey discusses the surprising amount of land clearing around the globe for agriculture and its detrimental effects on the environment, including biodiversity loss and climate change. The solution, according to our guest, is insect protein as a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock because of the efficiency and nutritional benefits of growing insects for food. Dr. Dossey shares his journey into the field of entomophagy, detailing how he transitioned...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 167
In this conversation, RJ Bee , the executive director of Heritage Radio Network , shares the story of how the network was founded and how they transitioned from a local radio station to a diverse podcasting platform focused on food systems storytellers. We discuss the mission-driven initiatives of Heritage Radio Network, like the fellowship program that trains fellows in food storytelling and podcasting, and the importance of community support for the nonprofit. RJ and Gage then discuss the inte...
Apr 09, 2025•51 min•Ep. 166
What’s in a brand name? Everything, according to today’s guest, Karin Hibma Cronan, a renowned brand strategist, and co-founder of Cronan, as we explore the role of questions in the art of naming and branding. Cronan is known for creating iconic brand identities and names that resonate with audiences. Their work has helped shape the success of major corporations, non-profits, and startups alike, making them a trusted partner in the world of strategic design. In our conversation, we discuss how t...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 165
What does it take for a mission-driven brand to thrive in the competitive world of retail? In this episode, we explore the intersection of retail success and mission-driven branding with Alli Ball, the visionary founder and CEO of Food Biz Wiz. Food Biz Wiz is a consulting and coaching company dedicated to helping emerging food brands succeed in the competitive retail market. Known for her impact on the food industry, Alli has empowered countless emerging food brands through her Retail Ready® pr...
Aug 19, 2024•58 min•Ep. 164
Vending machines might be convenient, but they are not exactly known for their nutritious, high-quality snacks, and it’s high time they got an upgrade! Today's guest is Ashley Nickelsen Founder, CEO, and Chief Snack Officer at B.T.R. Nation, a company on a mission to fix our broken food system, one snack at a time. Join us, as we dig into the problem with junk food in America, the reasons behind Ashley’s decision to build a healthier snack company, and what keeps her going in the face of each ne...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 163
While many businesses and individuals are answering the call to be more impact-driven and sustainably conscious, few understand just how damaging their digital footprint is to their endeavors. Today we are joined by Avril Tomlin-Hood, the Founder and CEO of boa - a Vancouver, BC-based media buying agency focused on elevating sustainably-conscious brands. Avril is here to speak about our digital carbon footprints, particularly regarding media and advertising, and how we can band together to decar...
Aug 05, 2024•56 min•Ep. 162
Sustainable aquaculture may just be the long-awaited answer to responsible food consumption, and today's three remarkable guests are here to explain why this is most certainly the case. Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming three seafood brands to the show – Crave Fishbar, Gra-Bar Fresh Seafood, and American Unagi – which are represented by Todd Mitgang, Bart Molin, and Sara Rademaker, respectively. Sara, Bart, and Todd begin with how they became passionate about seafood before explaining the...
Jul 29, 2024•55 min•Ep. 161
Are you worried about the nutritional benefits of the food you eat? Do you lack the energy you need to get through the day, despite healthy eating habits? In this episode, we sit down with Sara Cullen, Founder and CEO of GEM, to discuss why so many people suffer from nutrient deficiencies and how her company delivers delicious, effective, and holistic solutions. GEM is a nutrition company dedicated to transforming human and planetary health through the power of food. It is on a mission to delive...
Jul 19, 2024•59 min•Ep. 160
From Goop by Gwyneth Paltrow to Fenty by Rihanna, Casamigos by George Clooney to Feastables by MrBeast, celebrities are increasingly leveraging their influence to launch products and lifestyle brands. But what makes celebrity brands successful? Today’s guest is an Olympian and entrepreneur with a proven track record of successfully launching, managing, and scaling billion-dollar businesses and brands. When it comes to advising companies and vetting opportunities, Samyr Laine knows what it takes ...
Jul 12, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 159
What if your actions had a ripple effect? Instead of waiting for someone else to be the solution, what if you took charge of your own sphere of influence? Diana Ingles is an Eco-conscious Designer at Rootlebox and she joins the conversation today to discuss her journey to working in sustainable solutions, unpack some of the problems with consumer culture, and explore how we are approaching our work differently as designers. As well as getting an insight into Diana’s work at Rootlebox, you’ll lea...
Jul 05, 2024•44 min•Ep. 158
To stay relevant as a CPG brand, you need to be willing to evolve, and it’s no different in the organic industry. Today, we sit down with Matt McLean, Founder and Chief Uncle of Uncle Matt's Organic, to uncover the journey behind the nation's number-one organic juice brand. Uncle Matt’s Organic has grown from a small family operation to a leader in the organic industry, offering a range of delicious and healthy beverages. In our conversation, Matt shares the origins of his company, the biggest c...
Jun 28, 2024•56 min•Ep. 157
Welcome to this special Climify and Brands For A Better World crossover episode, as we sit in on Eric Benson's conversation with Lauren Choi. We all know about those infamous red cups that flood American streets in a plague of crimson litter. But did you know that these same cups - that are considered unrecyclable by many - are recycled to make sustainable fashion wear? That is the mission of today's inspirational guest, the Climate Entrepreneur and Founder of The New Norm Fabrics, Lauren Choi. ...
Jun 22, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 156
What if frozen food could revolutionize the way we eat, nourish our bodies, and save the planet? In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Drori, the visionary founder of Daily Harvest, to delve into the benefits of sustainably sourced frozen food. Daily Harvest is a plant-based meal delivery service that offers a variety of chef-crafted, pre-portioned, and frozen meals made from organic fruits and vegetables. Join us as Rachel delves into the mission and values driving her company, how frozen fo...
Jun 14, 2024•53 min•Ep. 155
We all know just how difficult it can be to enter the world of CPG, let alone thrive in it. But what may be even harder is knowing when it's time to let go of the brand you've worked tirelessly to build. Today we are joined by the former CEO and Co-Founder of Genius Juice and current Founder and Manager Partner at Genius Dreams, Alex Bayer. In our conversation, Alex walks us through the highs and lows of founding a CPG business, the tightrope of fine margins that the industry forces you to walk,...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 154
Beyond simply being delicious, food can be a means to start conversations, cross cultural divides, and even inspire social change. In this episode of Brands for a Better World, you’ll hear from Alison Cayne, Founder of NYC-based Haven’s Kitchen, about how she combined her passion for cooking with her desire to change people’s lives for the better and turned it into a purpose-driven career. Join us as we delve into the social impacts of our food systems, why home cooking is good for our health, t...
May 31, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 153
America has a major sugar problem, which is evident in the fact that the United States consumes more sugar than any other country in the world! To explain how her company is helping to ease this particular pain point across the country, we are joined today by the Founder and CEO of Planet Bake, Kathrin Henon. Kathrin begins by explaining how her German background and America's diabetes problem combined to inspire her to help solve the sugar problem in the United States. Then, our guest explains ...
May 24, 2024•44 min•Ep. 152
Have you ever found yourself in a grocery store, staring at rows of bland baby food jars and thinking, “There's got to be a better way?” Today, we sit down with David Fullner and Daniel Auld to discuss how their company, Kekoa Foods, is revolutionizing the baby food space. Kekoa Foods specializes in producing organic baby food and aims to provide nutrient-rich, natural, and organic food options that promote healthy infant development. In our conversation, we unpack how trying to find healthy, pa...
May 17, 2024•57 min•Ep. 151
Sun and Swell is a wholesome food brand that’s on a mission to create a healthier and more sustainable food industry. Today we are joined by Sun and Swell’s Co-Founder and CEO, Kate Flynn, who walks us through the power of manifestation and how the practice has helped to transform all aspects of her life. Kate explains how manifestation works, the key components of purpose-driven manifestation, how manifesting helped her overcome many life and business challenges, and the role of masculine and f...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 150
Get ready to unlock the secrets behind one of the most captivating beverages of our time: kombucha! Today, we sit down with Matt Thomas, Founder of Brew Dr., to delve into the world of kombucha brewing. We discuss how his kombucha company originally started as a tea company, the motivation behind launching his kombucha brand, and the shifts that the COVID-19 pandemic prompted in his business approach. Tuning in, you’ll hear about his exciting new SIPJOY product line, what makes kombucha so uniqu...
May 03, 2024•38 min•Ep. 149
What matters more, the product or the brand? As today’s guest Christopher Gavigan explains, the brand and the product should be one and the same and therefore equally important! Christopher is the founder of multiple businesses and initiatives, including The Honest Company and Prima – wellness brands that are centered on health and sustainability – and he joins us today to share his insights as a conscious leader and brand pioneer. After getting to the roots of Christopher’s passion for creating...
Apr 26, 2024•57 min•Ep. 148
