Send us a text In this episode of the Reconnected Podcast , Luke Abbott sits down with serial entrepreneur Jordan Buckner to unpack the wild, inspiring ride from his early ventures like Chopbox and Tea Squares to building Foodbevy—a platform helping food & beverage founders navigate the chaos of CPG. Jordan gets real about what worked, what flopped, and the panic attack that forced him to hit pause and rethink everything. From scrappy kitchen startups to pitching major retailers with DIY pac...
Jun 25, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Send us a text In this deeply inspiring episode of The Reconnected Podcast , Luke Abbott sits down with Kathryn Shah, co-founder of Spring & Mulberry, for a raw conversation about building a purpose-driven brand from personal transformation. Kathryn shares how her battle with cancer became the catalyst for reimagining sweetness—ushering in a new era of refined-sugar-free indulgence. From her high-powered days at Unilever, LVMH, and Pantone to launching Spring & Mulberry with a bold visio...
Jun 18, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Send us a text In this enlightening episode of the Reconnected Podcast, Luke Abbott sits down with Angela Marturano, Co-Founder and President of Orchid Holistic Search, a values aligned executive search firm in natural products, and a true connector in the natural products industry. From her early days selling craft beer to launching a boutique recruiting firm during the 2008 crash, Angela shares her unconventional journey into purpose-driven hiring. Broadcasting from her regenerative farm in Co...
Apr 30, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Send us a text In this episode of The Reconnected Podcast , host Luke Abbott sits down with Alyssa Vescio, SVP of Merchandising, Sourcing and Product Development , at Whole Foods Market, for a deeply human and inspiring conversation. Alyssa shares her remarkable journey from working in stores at age 16 to leading merchandising across grocery, wellness, beauty, and more at the nation’s top natural retailer. She opens up about personal growth, embracing discomfort, and the power of unlocking colle...
Apr 16, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Send us a text Reconnected Podcast: Episode with Bryan Reed In this episode, Luke Abbott sits down with Bryan Reed, Sr. Director of Grocery & Wellness at Mother's Market, to discuss his 25+ year journey in the natural foods industry—from bagging groceries at 15 to leading strategy at one of the most respected natural food retailers. Key topics covered: 🎧 Career Journey: Bryan’s path from Henry’s and Jimbo’s to Mother’s Market. 🎧 Industry Evolution: How natural food retail has changed over ...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Send us a text In this episode, Luke Abbott sits down with Alex Malamatinas, Founder and Managing Partner of Melitas Ventures, the go-to VC firm for better-for-you consumer brands. With a background in finance and a lifelong connection to CPG, Alex shares how he transitioned from investing in large public companies to backing innovative early-stage brands like Dose, Abbot’s Butcher, and Dream Pops. Key topics covered: ⭐ From Finance to CPG Venture Capital: How Alex’s experience at Morgan Stanley...
Feb 26, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Send us a text Dive into the world of brand strategy and channel marketing with Steve Gaither, Founder of Architect CPG, a Brand strategy and outsourced CMO company. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Steve has helped brands like Real Good Foods, Smith Foods, and Mush achieve market success. Key discussion points include: Steve’s approach to understanding the 4Cs (company, category, competition, consumer) and leveraging data-driven decision-making. Tactics for TikTok, Amazon, DTC,...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Send us a text In this episode, Luke reconnects with Jeremy Isenberg, President of Chex Finer Foods , a third-generation family business serving retailers from the Northeast to Florida. With 23 years in the company, Jeremy shares insights into preserving a family legacy while navigating the ever-changing food industry. Key discussion points include: How Jeremy’s grandfather and father shaped the values of Checks Fine Art Foods. The art of fostering trusted relationships with customers and suppli...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Send us a text Join us as Luke sits down with Dave Hirschkop , the award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Dave’s Gourmet, who revolutionized the hot sauce and pasta sauce industries. From creating the iconic Insanity Sauce to building an internationally recognized brand, Dave’s story is one of creativity, resilience, and innovation. Key topics covered in this episode include: Dave’s unique approach to building a profitable business without outside investment. How stunts like live scorpions at...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 20
Send us a text Reconnected Podcast with Frank Schuck Join Luke Abbott as he sits down with Frank Schuck, a Grocery Merchandiser at PCC, the nation's largest food co-op. Frank shares his journey from the specialty food stores of New York City to leading roles at Whole Foods and beyond. In this episode, Frank talks about: How and where his passion for cheese and specialty foods born. The transformation he has been through, and how he adopted a plant-based diet. The evolution of natural and organic...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Send us a text Tune in to the Reconnected Podcast , hosted by Luke Abbott with Dan Altschuler, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Unovis Asset Management , as he shares his journey as an impact investor focused on transforming food systems. In this episode, they dive deep into the journeys of entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers. Dan’s professional journey began in banking in Mexico, where he worked with large food corporations. Later, he managed a logistics firm, gaining experience with C...
Oct 08, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Send us a text Tune in to the Reconnected Podcast, where Luke Abbott sits down with Justin Jackson , the COO of Jimbo's —one of the leading Markets in the Natural Space! Starting at just 10 years old, Justin began his career path in a small grocery store in Boston, eventually moving into specialty food retail during his late teens. Today, Justin is focused on refreshing the brand, optimizing operations, and building a solid merchant team. Under his leadership, Jimbo's is not just staying ahead o...
Aug 21, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Send us a text In this episode of Reconnected, host Luke Abbott sits with Jenny Eu, founder of Three Trees Foods, a leading brand in plant-based milk. Jenny shares her entrepreneurial journey, starting at farmers' markets and bootstrapping her way into a national brand. Inspired by her grandmother's independence and love for nature, as well as her father's seamless blend of work and personal life, Jenny developed a deep passion for clean, nourishing foods. As a mother of two, she has been leadin...
Aug 07, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Send us a text In this episode, Luke Abbott is joined by Dwight Richmond , Director of the Center Store at Town & Country Markets, who has 30 years of experience in the grocery retail industry. Dwight's career in the food industry began fresh out of college, working in grocery stores, and progressed through roles at Freshfields (later Whole Foods), Dean and DeLuca, K Foods, and eventually leading him to Town and Country Markets, where he currently oversees a team and their private label prog...
Jul 17, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Send us a text Welcome to the Reconnected Podcast with your host, Luke Abbott. In this episode, Luke is joined by one of his best friend and earliest clients, Kerry Song, a fellow vegan entrepreneur and founder of Abbot's. Abbot’s Butcher crafts delicious, whole-food, plant-based products available in over 4,000 locations nationwide. Luke and Kerry share their personal journeys in the food industry, highlighting their commitment to sustainability, supply chain transparency, and prioritizing cust...
Jun 26, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Send us a text Welcome to the Reconnected Podcast with your host, Luke Abbott. In this episode, Luke is joined by an experienced food industry professional and long-time friend, Rich Gillmore, the VP of Center Store at Gelson's. Rich is bringing 37+ years of retail experience from Gelson's, southern california specialty grocer and supermarket chain VONS. Tune in as Luke and Rich share personal experiences and reflect on the challenges they've faced through their professional career....
Jun 12, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Send us a text Welcome to the Reconnected Podcast with your host, Luke Abbott. In this episode, Luke sits down with Nicolas Mindel , co-founder of Amberstone, to explore his fascinating journey through the realms of finance, investment, and the consumer products industry. Amberstone is an investment firm that supports entrepreneurs and focuses on scaling brand-first consumer product companies into nationally recognized category leaders. Nick and Luke discuss the intricacies of building strong re...
May 29, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 12
Send us a text Welcome to the Reconnected Podcast with your host, Luke Abbott. In this episode, Luke is joined by Ron Selders, President of the Fresh Division at UNFI, as they delve into the current state of distribution and Ron's extensive experience spanning 28 years with Tony’s Fine Foods and UNFI. Ron brings a wealth of knowledge and insights from his journey within the industry, from entry-level roles to his current position as President of Fresh food distribution at UNFI. Together, Luke an...
May 15, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 11
Send us a text In this episode, Luke is joined by Brian Scott, president of Gourmet Foods International, as they delve into the food industry's intricate world of supply chain management. From his roots in Omaha, Nebraska, to his current role as president of Gourmet Foods International, Brian's journey epitomizes the essence of leadership, growth, and innovation in the ever-evolving food supply chain. They discussed the importance of reconnecting supply chains for improved transparency and opera...
May 01, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Send us a text In this episode of the Reconnected Podcast, Luke Abbott sits down with Ari Raz, a trailblazer in the CPG entrepreneurship world. With a passion for innovation and a knack for identifying market gaps, Ari shares his fascinating journey from selling caramel-covered lollipops in middle school to founding Once Upon a Farm, the fastest-growing kids' brand in the US. His venture into the baby food industry, propelled by a desire to provide high-quality, fresh options for parents, demons...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 9
Send us a text In this fascinating episode of the Reconnected Podcast, host Luke Abbott sits down with Steve Black, a giant in the grocery industry, whose journey from a passionate 12-year-old grocery clerk to a seasoned executive has reshaped the way we think about retail. With a career that spans over four decades, Steve has left his mark at notable companies such as Sunflower, Henry's, Sprouts, and Lucky's, climbing the ladder from a store manager to the President and COO at Rouses Markets, a...
Apr 03, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Send us a text In this episode of the Reconnected Podcast, host Luke Abbott sits down with Robert Johnson, Category Manager at New Seasons Market, known for its dedication to local and organic products in the Pacific Northwest. Robert shares his journey from selling candy as a young entrepreneur to a key figure in retail. Robert reflects on personal growth and the influence of mentors, discusses overcoming introversion, building trust in his team, and advancing from the freight crew to Category ...
Mar 20, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Send us a text In a recent episode of the Reconnected Podcast, host Luke Abbott welcomes Kenny Hausmann. Kenny shares his journey to a significant leadership role, underpinned by a personal mission to enhance access to healthy foods in communities. Kenny and Luke dive into the essence of building trust and meaningful relationships in the business world, stressing the importance of humility and purpose in leadership. Through anecdotes of career progression, and life lessons learned from family, K...
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Send us a text In this episode of the Reconnected Podcast, host Luke Abbott and guest Alex Bayer delve into the realms of supply chain authenticity, personal growth, and the hurdles faced by small brands in the CPG industry. Their conversation, rich with anecdotes from both Luke and Alex's diverse experiences, spans topics from embracing vulnerability in business to overcoming entrepreneurial challenges. The episode not only highlights theirs personal journeys but also touches on issues like com...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Send us a text In this Reconnected Podcast episode, we explore Jonathan Lawrence's journey from a family vitamin store to his pivotal role in Fresh Thyme's growth. Starting from the humble beginnings of stocking shelves in his family's grocery store, to his current position as a VP of Center Store at Fresh Thyme Market, his story is a testament to dedication and passion in the food retail industry. Jonathan shares insights on balancing family and work, food trade shows, and the significance of i...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Send us a text In this "Reconnected" podcast episode, Monica shares her career journey from finance to the food industry, driven by her passion for culinary arts and healthy eating. Her story is one of courage and adaptability, reflecting her Polish immigrant roots and a relentless pursuit of personal growth. Highlights of the conversation include Monica's unique perspective on the natural foods industry, insights from her experience at Whole Foods, where she spent over 14 years and her recent c...
Jan 10, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Send us a text Tune into the latest episode of the "Reconnected" podcast, where host Luke Abbott and industry veteran Wade Yenny delve into the intricacies of the supply chain world. With over 20 years of experience, Wade offers invaluable insights into the grocery industry, from humble beginnings in the restaurant business to leading major grocery chains. Discover how mentorship shaped his career, the role of resilience in overcoming challenges, and the evolution of his leadership style. Wade's...
Dec 20, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Send us a text In this engaging episode of our podcast, we reconnect with the "father of natural", Jimbo, a pivotal figure in natural markets across America. Jimbo and Luke delve into topics like aligning supply chain practices with core values, the importance of business integrity and supporting local farmers and emerging brands. They also share personal stories of overcoming challenges in starting a natural food store, the resilience required in the face of obstacles, navigating distribution c...
Dec 06, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 1
