“There are a lot of no's… you just keep knocking, and you will eventually find the people that believe in what you're doing and not where you are in that exact moment.” —Lisette Howard “There's a lot of flash-in-the-pan products out there that hit the market fast as all they're gone… It’s really important to know your end game right when you start.” —Katy Tucker Feeding our little ones can be a constant battle— between picky palates, busy schedules, and the overwhelming options on grocery shelve...
Jan 21, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 25
Gut, Food, & Health series Episode Description: “Your taste buds have a different agenda than your mind and your gut. They're not connected in congruence all the time. So what tastes good in your mouth, is not necessarily what your gut or your brain needs.” —Dr. Edison de Mello Your gut is the gateway to your overall health and well-being. Did you know that the gut-brain connection can significantly influence your mood, cognitive function, and immune system? Maintaining a balanced gut microb...
Jan 16, 2025•23 min•Season 9Ep. 24
“There are ups and downs through all of that. You have to be prepared for those days when things don't feel like they're moving ahead. And you have to bring the same type of passion, the same drive on either type of day.” —John Thorp “You're never trying to get a yes out of anyone you're talking to when you are an early founder; you are trying to get a not, no… If it's getting bad feedback, fix it immediately and go right back. You have the ability to change someone's mind after they've made an ...
Jan 14, 2025•40 min•Season 9Ep. 23
Episode Description: “You can't live out your best life and fulfill your passions… if you don't feel good.”—Meredith Mann Perimenopause can be a time of profound hormonal shifts, often accompanied by challenges like fatigue, mood swings, and weight fluctuations. What if the key to navigating this transition lies in the power of protein? Meredith Mann, the founder and CEO of The Peachie Spoon , is a holistic nutrition expert and former personal trainer who has dedicated her career to empowering w...
Jan 07, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 22
"The secret to success is the art and science of growing vegetables online to high-performing academic standards. So we are transforming both the lens of public education and personal eating outcomes." —Stephen Ritz Imagine a classroom where students don't just read about science but experience it firsthand by growing their own food. This isn't some futuristic fantasy— it's the reality created by the Green Bronx Machine , a pioneering program that is transforming public education one school at a...
Dec 31, 2024•15 min•Season 9Ep. 21
“Transparency and authenticity are the new currency. If you don't figure that out, you won't be able to get the purchases because consumers today want to understand what the brand is about … They want to see the humans behind the brand.” -Jake Karls Transparency and authenticity are the new currency in today's business landscape. Consumers crave genuine connections with the brands they support, valuing honesty and vulnerability over polished perfection. In a world saturated with noise, the brand...
Dec 24, 2024•14 min•Season 9Ep. 20
“Our mission is to raise healthy animals, to get a healthy product by having healthy soil.” —Mandy Schmidt Healthy soil leads to healthy animals, which in turn lead to nutrient-dense, sustainable food. This cyclical relationship holds the key to a more resilient food system. Mandy Schmidt is a 5th generation rancher at Marin Coast Ranch, where she and her family have been raising grass-fed livestock for over 30 years. Committed to regenerative agriculture, Mandy prioritizes land stewardship and ...
Dec 17, 2024•32 min•Season 9Ep. 19
“It's not that capitalism is out to destroy the environment. It's basically there to make money. And so, if you can replace the mechanism by which it makes money with something that is beneficial for the environment, it'll continue to do that.” —Scott “Scotty Claus” Martin Christmas trees are a beloved tradition, but the environmental impact of cutting down millions of trees each year is undeniable. But what if there was a way to enjoy the festive spirit of a Christmas tree without the waste? Th...
Dec 10, 2024•29 min•Season 9Ep. 18
“A job is a give and take. You give your time, you build momentum, and you build value in the community; but then you also receive financial remuneration. But this is about cooking as well, and the healing component of kitchens.” —Kate Rogers “It's not just for a job, it's for the future. These kids are thinking long-term, which is something that is hard to see in the youth.” —Nelson German “Just one thing going right can change your life.” —Michael Bauer For many young adults facing hardship, t...
Dec 03, 2024•37 min•Season 9Ep. 17
“It is challenging to stand out there and pitch your idea to total strangers. But as you do it, you realize you can do it, and you get better at it the longer you do it.” —Monica O’Neil “Not only in the business, it's extended to our life. I'm now driving an electric car, and we're now both composting, which we weren't before. The little, tiny bits we're doing with this are starting to eat into our lives.” —Cindy Estes The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it also generates an...
Nov 26, 2024•25 min•Season 9Ep. 16
Cha Cha Cha Changes Mini Series Episode Description: Part of the success of an entrepreneur is owning your story and taking control of that journey. So you have to put yourself out there.” —Gita Vellanki Menopause can be a challenging transition for many women, marked by a range of uncomfortable symptoms that can significantly impact daily life. While often overlooked, finding natural solutions to manage these changes is crucial for maintaining overall health and wellbeing. Functional nutrition ...
Nov 21, 2024•39 min•Season 9Ep. 15
Holiday Gifting Series Episode Description: “If you're passionate about something, go for it. It's just lots of ups and downs, and you just gotta ride that wave.” —Staci Inspektor “We want to give back to the community that inspires us and has allowed us to do what we do.” —Nikki Reed Elevating the every day with sustainable style - that's the new frontier of eco-conscious living. Thoughtfully designed textiles are proving that being kind to the planet doesn't have to sacrifice an ounce of sophi...
Nov 19, 2024•22 min•Season 9Ep. 14
Cha Cha Cha Changes Mini Series Episode Description: “Seaweed is an essential ingredient.” —Sachi Singh Seaweed may be one of the most overlooked superfoods on the planet. This nutrient-dense aquatic plant is a true powerhouse, packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds that can work wonders for our health. Yet, many of us relegate seaweed to the occasional sushi roll or salad garnish, failing to recognize its full potential. Led by its Founder, Sachi Singh, Rootless...
Nov 14, 2024•32 min•Season 9Ep. 13
“People want to know where your food comes from. Why shouldn't people know where your building materials come from?” —Gregory Wilson Many of the building materials we use in our homes and workplaces can pose serious health risks. From toxic chemicals like formaldehyde to hazardous plastics, these materials can negatively impact indoor air quality and overall well-being. Therefore, it's time to rethink the foundations of construction and seek out sustainable, plant-based alternatives that priorit...
Nov 12, 2024•34 min•Season 9Ep. 12
Cha Cha Cha Changes Mini Series Episode Description: “We need to know what we're doing so that we can support women to feel their best and live long lives.” —Dr. Anjali Dsouza Welcome to the Cha Cha Cha Changes Mini Series, a special limited exploration of menopause and the essential ingredients for navigating this transformative life stage! Menopause and perimenopause are significant life transitions that impact women's health in profound ways. From changes in mood and cognition to increased ri...
Nov 07, 2024•29 min•Season 9Ep. 11
“What a lot of people don't quite understand about plant-based meat is that you have to understand the industry that you are replacing.” —Christie Lagally The plant-based meat industry is at a pivotal moment, with innovative companies harnessing the power of technology to transform the way we think about sustainable protein. By seamlessly combining cutting-edge manufacturing processes and high-quality products, these visionaries are paving the way for a future where plant-based alternatives are ...
Nov 05, 2024•43 min•Season 9Ep. 10
“For something that you eat every day or consume every day, shouldn't it be the best quality ingredients that you can possibly have?” —Adrienne Lufkin For something we consume on a daily basis, the food we choose should be of the highest quality possible. Granola has long been a breakfast staple, but many store-bought varieties are packed with added sugars and artificial ingredients. It’s time to shift to a granola that’s good for us. Adrienne Lufkin, the Founder of Struesli , brings a unique pe...
Oct 29, 2024•27 min•Season 9Ep. 9
“If your soil is nutritious, all those micronutrients are now being born into your food.”—Caryl Levine “There's no standing still. You're moving forward or you're moving backwards. To regenerate is to actually restore or bring to health, or bring to life, the living systems that sustain us.” —Ken Lee Rice is the staple food for over half the world's population, providing essential nutrients and sustaining livelihoods. Yet, the true potential of this ancient grain remains largely untapped. From h...
Oct 22, 2024•36 min•Season 9Ep. 8
Series: World Food Day Episode Description: “If you have healthy soil then you have a healthy system.” —Lily Verdone Our agricultural lands are the beating heart of our communities, tended to by the hardworking hands of farmers and ranchers. Safeguarding these vital landscapes is not just an environmental imperative, but a moral obligation— a promise we make to those who came before us, and a gift we must pass on to generations yet to come. As Lily Verdone settles into her third year as CEO of t...
Oct 15, 2024•30 min•Season 9Ep. 7
“They know they're going to get taken care of when they come to school. That's one of the most important things that we can do, and then they're ready to learn.” —Laura La Vacca Food and nutrition are often overlooked as the most important part of a child's day, despite their crucial role in fueling young minds and bodies. Yet, while schools play a vital part in ensuring students have access to healthy, nourishing meals, the integration of food education into the curriculum remains a challenge. ...
Oct 08, 2024•27 min•Season 9Ep. 6
Series: Edible SchoolYards Episode Description: “It's harder for adults to try new things. So when we build those habits with kids, they can disseminate that and spread that joy to their family members— it's really, really powerful.” —Charlotte Steele Food education is a powerful tool for supporting kids' holistic development. By providing access to fresh ingredients, teaching cooking skills, and connecting food to culture, we can empower the next generation to make informed, nourishing choices ...
Oct 01, 2024•31 min•Season 9Ep. 5
Series: Edible Schoolyards Episode Description: “School meals are part of the education day.” —Betsy Rosenbluth For far too long, the school lunchroom has been the butt of jokes and the source of dread for students and parents alike. Mention the words "cafeteria food" and visions of limp, gray mystery meat and rock-hard tater tots immediately come to mind. This pervasive stigma has reduced the lunchroom to a place where kids simply have to get through the meal as quickly as possible before rushi...
Sep 24, 2024•30 min•Season 9Ep. 4
Series: Labor Day Special Episode 2 Episode Description: “If we were smart as a country, we would look at all of these immigrants that are new citizens of the United States, and look at all of these food production methods and skills that they bring. We would have better food security by including the immigrant farmers in the decision-making on how food production is going to be developed for the future is hitting us really hard with climate change.” —Rosalinda Guillen Farming is the backbone of...
Sep 17, 2024•33 min•Season 9Ep. 3
Series: Labor Day Special Episode Episode Description: “Suffering doesn't have to be part of the food we eat. Workers feed every family in this country, and it is only fair that everyone, everywhere should do something to make sure that farm workers have the same ability to feed their families with dignity and respect. And it doesn't take much. It takes for us to have these conversations.” —Gerardo Reyes Chávez The food we consume is often built upon the backs of a vulnerable workforce strugglin...
Sep 10, 2024•27 min•Season 9Ep. 2
“I wanted to share a look at what's to come in the biggest and the best season of essential ingredients yet!” —Justine Reichman The wait is over! Season 9 of Essential Ingredients is finally here, and it's the most impactful and eye-opening season yet, and we can't wait to share it with you! This season, we're pulling out all the stops to bring you the most captivating, thought-provoking, and downright inspiring stories from the frontlines of the food revolution. Get ready to meet the visionary ...
Sep 03, 2024•11 min•Season 9Ep. 1
“It's been a journey. Our conversations this season have been incredibly inspiring, and they've left me hopeful for the future of food… Thank you for a great season!” —Justine Reichman What an incredible ride this season has been! To our devoted listeners, your unwavering support and engagement have fueled our mission from the very start. And to our esteemed guests, your willingness to share your personal journeys, innovative ideas, and visionary perspectives has been truly inspiring. Together, ...
Aug 27, 2024•16 min•Season 8Ep. 35
“The flavor and the taste of our regions, as soon as you start industrializing it… it strips the flavor of the grain. It might be good as a crop that will bring in money, but it's not going to have that same soulful value that the type of flour that is stone-milled.” —Jennifer Lapidus From the farmers who nurture the grains, to the millers who coax out their complex flavors, to the bakers who transform these flours into loaves that nourish the soul, these artisans play a crucial role in preservi...
Aug 20, 2024•21 min•Season 8Ep. 34
“I traded my life in WallStreet for the world of WellStreet, and I became an entrepreneur.” —Shizu Okusa The wellness industry has experienced a remarkable transformation in recent years, as consumers increasingly seek natural, holistic solutions to address their health and well-being. This shift reflects a broader societal trend towards a more integrative understanding of health, one that recognizes the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and environment. As this intersection continues to evo...
Aug 13, 2024•32 min•Season 8Ep. 33
“The individual decision is the difference maker.” —Becky Selengut Our local markets and farms are brimming with a diverse array of ingredients. Yet, many of us pass them by because of their peculiar appearance or because we may be unsure of how to incorporate them into our cooking. But, by moving past our assumptions of how food should look like and embracing the unique qualities of these “ugly” and “misunderstood” vegetables, we can unlock a world of delicious, nutritious possibilities and tra...
Aug 06, 2024•34 min•Season 8Ep. 32
“Everything in the world is about how you're connecting to other people.” —Wade Johnson From the women farmers cultivating coffee beans in remote regions to the baristas crafting specialty drinks in bustling cafes, coffee brings people together. But more than an everyday beverage, coffee also offers cultural and economic significance. It provides livelihoods for millions while fueling creative and business endeavors. However, coffee production faces growing threats from climate change and fluctu...
Jul 30, 2024•31 min•Season 8Ep. 31
