Karl and Erum sit down with Gabe Tavas, CEO and co-founder of Symmetry Wood, who is pioneering a revolutionary approach to wood production. Gabe shares his journey from design student to bio-innovator, inspired by his time volunteering in rural Ecuador where he witnessed the devastating impact of plastic waste. His company has developed Pyrus, the first solid wood made primarily from bacterial nanocellulose—specifically, waste from the world's largest kombucha brewery. Instead of logging endangered tropical hardwoods, Symmetry Wood is targeting the high-end guitar industry first, proving that biodesigned materials can meet the most demanding performance standards. Gabe discusses the technical challenges of working with living systems, the importance of starting with niche markets before scaling to mass production, and his vision for fab cities where wood and other materials are manufactured locally from urban waste. This conversation bridges design, biology, and entrepreneurship, offering a glimpse into a future where we can create beautiful, high-performance materials without harming forests or ecosystems.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Links and Resources:
Topics Covered:
biomaterials, wood, lumber, bacterial cellulose, industrial biomanufacturing, biotech, business
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
In this Halloween-themed episode, Veronica Breckenridge from First Bite returns to discuss her eye-opening "Industrial Bio-Manufacturing Graveyard Report." Drawing from her experience scaling companies like Apple and Tesla, Veronica reveals why 80% of bio-manufacturing startups fail—and it's not because of bad science. The conversation explores critical mistakes like targeting commodity markets too early, underestimating downstream processing costs, and the "build it and they will come" mentality that has buried promising ventures. Veronica explains why now is actually the best time to invest in bio-manufacturing, citing decreasing costs (3 million times cheaper in 25 years), rising consumer demand for healthier alternatives to petroleum-based products, and increased government support for domestic manufacturing. She shares tactical advice on patient capital structures, the importance of strategic partnerships over going solo, and why bio-manufacturing is more analogous to hardware scaling than pharmaceutical development. The episode offers valuable lessons for founders, investors, and anyone interested in the future of sustainable manufacturing.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Links and Resources:
Topics Covered:
industrial biomanufacturing, biotech, business, growth stage, graveyard report, halloween
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
Music by: Nihilore
Production by: Amplafy Media
In this episode, we explore how Varda Space Industries is pioneering pharmaceutical manufacturing in microgravity with Chief Strategy Officer Michael Riley and Chief Science Officer Adrian Radocea. The team discusses how removing gravity from the crystallization process enables better drug formulations—creating more stable, bioavailable medicines that don't require refrigeration. From their reusable spacecraft that can manufacture drugs in orbit and return them to Earth, to their vision of making space-based manufacturing routine and "boring," Varda is bridging aerospace engineering and biopharma to solve formulation challenges that have stumped the industry for decades. With $187 million in recent funding and spacecraft currently in orbit, they're transforming science fiction into a manufacturing platform that could expand access to medicines globally.
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Teaser and Introduction
(00:05:00) Meet the Team: From Semiconductors and Global Health to Space Pharma
(00:08:00) Microgravity as a Manufacturing Tool: Physics Over Chemistry
(00:13:00) Which Drugs Benefit Most? Small Molecules to Antibodies
(00:15:00) Bridging Aerospace and Biopharma Cultures
(00:17:00) Current Mission: A Lab (and Soon Factory) in Space
(00:21:00) Surprising Gravity Effects Even at 800 RPM
(00:25:00) Making Space Manufacturing Cost-Effective
(00:29:00) The 10-Year Vision: Routine, Industrial, and "Boring"
(00:31:00) Hiring Across Aerospace and Pharma + Quick Fire Questions
Episode Links:
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Topics Covered:
space biotech, drug development, space research, low earth orbit, microgravity, crystallization
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
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In this episode, Erum and Karl unpack six major reports that define the current state of synthetic biology and the bioeconomy. From investment trends to national security concerns, from manufacturing failures to trillion-dollar opportunities, these reports paint a complex picture of an industry at a critical turning point.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Episode Links:
National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnologies Report
First Bight Ventures to Buy a Manufacturing Graveyard Report
Topics Covered:
natural resources, feedstocks, bioprocessings, biomanufacturing, consumer products and goods, biotech, industry reports
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
In this special 150th episode of Grow Everything, Erum and Karl broadcast live from the BioFab Fair 2025 in London. They explore the innovative world of biology as technology with special guests Elliot Roth and Amanda (from Mothership Materials), discussing community biotech labs, biopunk culture, and sustainable feedstocks for the bioeconomy.
Chapters:
Episode Links:
Topics Covered:
Biofabricate, Biofab Fair, live recording, 150 episodes, biomaterials, textiles, fabrics, furniture, community biotech, biopunk, cultivation, microbes, bioprocessing, biomanufacturing, waste agriculture
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
This episode explores the journey from scientific breakthrough to scalable industrial implementation. Phil Morle — partner at Main Sequence and co‑founder of Pollenizer — explains how strategic off‑takes generate market pull, the reasons nylon recycling advanced faster than PET, and the orchestration techniques required to progress from First-Of-A-Kind (FOAK) to Next-Of-A-Kind (NOAK) facilities. The conversation covers practical aspects of costs, partnership development, policy incentives, and industrial realities, including Phil's pragmatic test: "if it doesn't need a forklift, it's not relevant."
Chapters:
Episode Links:
- Main Sequence Ventures - https://www.mseq.vc/
- Lululemon & Samsara deal - https://corporate.lululemon.com/media/our-stories/2025/lululemon-and-samsara-eco-announce-10-year-plan-to-advance-recycled-material-portfolio)
- Future of Fungi Awards - https://www.futureisfungi.org/
- **Michele Stansfield Episode** - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/messaginglab/episodes/85--Always-Be-Brewing-Continuous-Fermentation-with-Cauldrons-Michele-Stansfield-e2lu3kd
Topics Covered:
venture capital, ecosystem orchestration, biotech, australian business
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
In this episode of Grow Everything, hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez sit down with Dr. Alessandra Zonari, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at OneSkin. Alessandra shares her personal journey from Brazil to biotech, driven by a mission to transform how we think about aging. She explains the science of cellular senescence, the discovery of the groundbreaking OS-1 peptide, and why skin is more than a beauty surface—it’s a window into systemic health and longevity. Listeners will hear candid insights into the challenges of translating biotech discoveries into consumer products, the importance of radical transparency in science communication, and where peptides and personalized skincare fit into the future of the longevity movement. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about synthetic biology, sustainable innovation, and the science of healthy aging
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Welcome to Grow Everything Podcast
(00:00:18) London's Bio Fab Fair Recap
(00:02:34) Biotech's Bottom Line Impact
(00:05:49) Pharma's Path to Consumer Products
(00:08:00) The Accidental Discovery of Splenda
(00:09:26) Meet Dr. Alessandra Zonari
(00:10:54) A Scientist's Personal Mission
(00:13:15) "Zombie Cells" and Skin Aging
(00:16:30) Longevity Science vs. Marketing
(00:18:28) The Hunt for the OS-01 Peptide
(00:21:39) The Five-Year Path to Market
(00:22:49) Science-First Communication
(00:28:21) The Challenge of Going to Market
(00:31:16) Communicating to Beauty vs. Biotech
(00:33:45) The Future: Personalized Peptides
(00:36:24) Why Science Storytelling Fails
(00:38:42) Advice for Scientist-Founders
(00:40:00) Peptide vs. SPF
(00:40:42) Busting the Biggest Aging Myth
(00:41:11) The Future of Personalized Aging
(00:43:33) Why Aging is "Excited"
(00:44:15) Actress or Astronaut
(00:46:17) Peptides as "Cell Messages"
Episode Links:
Topics Covered:
skincare, cellular senescence, peptides, OneSkin, skin health, anti aging
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
What if we could treat debilitating diseases by listening in on the "secret, invisible language" of worms? In this groundbreaking episode, we talk with Dr. Andrea Choe, Co-Founder and CEO of Holoclara, who uncovered a "universal worm language" used for hundreds of millions of years. Dr. Choe reveals how our modern "aggressive hygiene routine" removed the worms we co-evolved with, leading to a rise in allergic and autoimmune diseases. Discover how her team is pioneering a new class of safe, orally available therapies by synthesizing worm-derived molecules that "rebalance" our immune systems and have already blocked disease in animal models. This is a fascinating journey from a fundamental discovery in evolutionary biology to the cutting edge of biotech innovation.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Welcome to Grow Everything Podcast
(00:00:18) NYC Biotech and Climate Week Recap
(00:08:43) Science News: Comets and Octopuses
(00:15:17) Meet Dr. Andrea Choe
(00:15:52) From Researcher to Founder: The Call to Action
(00:17:25) Discovering the Universal "Worm Language"
(00:25:11) Connecting Worm Secretions to Therapeutics
(00:29:49) How Modern Hygiene Created an Immune Imbalance
(00:34:35) Navigating the Hurdles of Natural Medicine
(00:38:50) Holoclara's Mission to Treat Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
(00:42:25) Holoclara's Phase 1 Safety and Trial Results
(00:51:03) Moonshot Vision: A "Worm Atlas" of Molecules
(00:52:28) The Strategy for Patenting Natural Molecules
(00:54:33) Worm Superpowers & Immune Myths
(00:58:25) Reflecting on Nature's Untapped Answers
(01:02:41) Coming Up on Grow Everything
Episode Links:
Newlab Climate Week Event - sign up and get tickets now!
Topics Covered:
immune system, biotherapeutics, worms, evolution, helminthic immunomodulation, medicine, pharmaceuticals
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
In this episode of Grow Everything, hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez talk with Benji Leibowitz, Co-Founder of Pump Science, about what it really means to be “DAO-ing science differently.” From the early days of Molecule DAO to today’s crypto-native platform for funding longevity and nootropics research, Benji explains how decentralized science (DeSci) can rebuild healthcare and biotech from the ground up. By combining bonding curves, tokenized IP, and radical transparency with live-streamed worm and fly experiments, Pump Science is transforming science into an attention game that’s fast, fun, and open to everyone. Tune in to hear how DAO-driven models are unlocking underfunded areas like longevity, attracting crypto investors, and creating a new culture where research is not only transparent but also entertaining.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Welcome to the Grow Everything Podcast
(00:00:49) Proposed U.S. budget cuts to research
(00:01:59) How jargon fuels skepticism in science
(00:02:25) China's bioeconomy surpassing U.S. in biotech investment
(00:04:31) Rising gut imbalance in infants: My Baby Biome study
(00:06:35) Billionaires investing heavily in longevity research
(00:08:21) Wishing for more entertaining "fun" billionaires
(00:10:26) Meet Benji
(00:13:07) Rebuilding healthcare and biotech from scratch (DeSci)
(00:15:15) From tokenizing biotech IP to Pump Science’s new model
(00:18:09) Focusing on longevity to attract crypto investors
(00:23:56) Optimizing experiments with C. elegans worms
(00:27:47) A high-velocity "casino" model backed by real IP
(00:33:18) Launching compound tokens on a bonding curve
(00:36:36) Funding research through small trading fees
(00:40:34) Gamifying research: rewarding top-performing compounds ("King of the Pill")
(00:43:23) Using live streams for trust and funding transparency (DeSci)
(00:46:35) "Fly races" as entertainment and a longevity indicator
(00:48:56) Excitement for performance enhancement and nootropics (Pump Science)
(00:50:14) Rapid-fire guest Q&A
(00:51:32) Advice for newcomers to Pump Science
(00:53:06) Reflecting on the guest's model for funding science
(00:55:31) DeSci’s potential to build a parallel healthcare system
Episode Links:
BioFab Fair - Use promo code: GROW10 for a discount to attend!
Topics Covered:
Decentralized science, DAO, longevity, open science, crypto science
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
In this highlight reel episode of Grow Everything, hosts Erum Azeez and Karl Schmieder dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of decentralized science (DeSci). Featuring expert insights from Albert Anis, Jocelyn Pearl, Michael Fisher, and Laura Minquinin, this episode explores how DeSci is revolutionizing the way research is funded, shared, and governed — far beyond traditional academic systems. You’ll hear how blockchain, bioDAOs, and decentralized funding models are enabling faster, more collaborative innovation across the life sciences. Whether you're a researcher, founder, or biotech enthusiast, this conversation unpacks the tools, values, and infrastructure reshaping the future of scientific discovery. From autonomous agents designing experiments to the Solana-based $BIO token, this episode distills cutting-edge developments into a compelling introduction to the DeSci movement — and why it matters now more than ever.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Episode Links:
BioFab Fair - Use promo code: GROW10 for a discount to attend!
Topics Covered:
biotech beauty, space biotech, skin care, biomanufacturing, longevity, extremophiles
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez sit down with Karen Ingram, Creative Director & Designer at Karen Ingram & Associates, Inc. From her iconic Biogenetic Blooms—Petri dish paintings made with living yeast—to her innovative teaching with BioBuilder and playful experiments like Fallacy Bingo, Karen shows how science and creativity can merge to inspire broader engagement with biotechnology. She shares stories from the early Brooklyn biohacker days, reflects on teaching teenagers to think critically about designing life, and explains how art, games, and design can shape the future of the bioeconomy. This is where art truly meets agar—transforming living microbes into canvases and reimagining the possibilities of biodesign.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Links and Resources:
Drivas lab demonstrates the benefit of genetic testing in critically ill adults
Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN)
BioFab Fair - Use promo code: GROW10 for a discount to attend!
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
Music by: Nihilore
Production by: Amplafy Media
Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez sit down with Dr. Kyle Landry, President and Co-founder of Delavie Sciences, to explore how extremophiles—microbes that survive in the harshest environments on Earth and space—are unlocking new frontiers in skincare and longevity. Kyle shares his unconventional path from food science to biodefense to NASA collaborations, revealing how a microbe that survived 18 months outside the International Space Station became the foundation for a groundbreaking sunscreen ingredient. The conversation dives into longevity science, microbial resilience, the future of skincare as true preventative health, and the entrepreneurial challenge of scaling biotech innovations from test tube to industrial reactors.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Links and Resources:
David Sinclair’s Novel - Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have To
Chapters:
(00:00:00) - Introduction to the episode and the Grow Everything podcast
(00:00:49) - Aging by Biotech NYC event overview
(00:03:35) - Tips on being a great moderator
(00:04:03) - Keys to moderating well: preparation and audience engagement
(00:07:20) - Notable absence of space topics at longevity event
(00:09:40) - Guest introduction: Dr. Kyle Landry and his background
(00:10:13) - Story of how the hosts met Kyle Landry
(00:11:42) - Career journey from food science to skincare
(00:14:27) - Inspiration from space research leading to Delavie Sciences
(00:17:25) - How Delavie’s product works at a molecular level for sun protection and anti-aging
(00:20:43) - Evolution of the space microbe and cultivation on Earth
(00:22:31) - What it means for a microbe to “sit outside the space station”
(00:23:26) - Professional connections with other Grow Everything guests, Chris Mason and Dr. Kate Rubins
(00:24:29) - Potential for Delavie to expand beyond skincare into new industries
(00:26:11) - Lessons from researching extremophiles and challenges of working with new organisms
(00:28:22) - Role in mentoring students and researchers
(00:31:36) - Rethinking health and resilience in biotechnology
(00:33:20) - Exploring the “product versus platform” dilemma in biotech entrepreneurship
(00:34:48) - How Delavie functions as both a technology platform and a product company
(00:36:29) - Corporate partnerships and product applications of Delavie’s ingredients
(00:38:53) - Clarification: using microbial compounds, not live bacteria, in products
(00:39:59) - Importance of protecting the skin microbiome without disrupting it
(00:42:46) - The future of skincare and longevity
(00:45:03) - Quick-fire questions begin
(00:45:19) - Weirdest place to hunt for a microbe
(00:45:31) - Bio-fact most people don’t believe but should
(00:46:48) - Personal skincare non-negotiable
(00:48:20) - Would you rather halt or reverse aging?
(00:48:51) - Weirdest place a sample has been collected
(00:51:14) - Post-interview reflections and discussion
(00:52:54) - Takeaways from the interview and the concept of convergence
(00:54:03) - Conversation on Umami flavor and UV light spectrums
(00:56:00) - Regulatory differences in sunscreen between the US and Europe
(00:58:14) - Announcement of the BioFabricate Fair and listener discount code
Topics Covered:
biotech beauty, space biotech, skin care, biomanufacturing, longevity, extremophiles
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Karl and Erum speak with Richard Traherne of Capgemini Invent and Cambridge Consultants, where they explore the explosive convergence of engineering biology, artificial intelligence, and sustainable innovation. Richard reveals how programmable biology is catalyzing a new industrial revolution—transitioning biotech from niche innovation to foundational infrastructure across sectors like food, fashion, personal care, and manufacturing. From building predictive bio-labs to deploying proprietary large language models for enzyme design, Richard shares how his team is helping companies leap from conceptual curiosity to commercial readiness. The conversation dives into challenges faced by both bio-literate and bio-novice enterprises, the importance of storytelling and regulatory support, and how a truly bio-native design mindset can unlock regenerative, high-performance solutions. This episode is a must-listen for biotech professionals, sustainability strategists, and innovation leaders eager to scale with intention in the emerging bioeconomy.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Links and Resources:
Topics Covered:
biotech consulting, bioengineering, innovation adoption, integration, bio-based, systems biology
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
Music by: Nihilore
Production by: Amplafy Media
In this episode of Grow Everything, Erum sits down with Momo Vuyisich and Guruduth (Guru) Banavar of Viome to explore how decoding the human microbiome could transform the way we understand and treat disease. From the depletion of beneficial gut bacteria to the cutting-edge use of AI in precision health, Momo and Guru share how Viome’s technology turns deep biological insights into actionable, personalized health recommendations. Along the way, they connect the dots between gut science, chronic illness prevention, and the massive opportunity for biomanufacturing to deliver scalable wellness solutions. This is a conversation that blends molecular biology with real-world impact—perfect for anyone intrigued by the intersection of synthetic biology, health tech, and sustainability.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Links and Resources:
Topics Covered:
Gut microbiome, oral and skin microbiome, AI, microbiome testing kit
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
Music by: Nihilore
Production by: Amplafy Media
In this special episode of Grow Everything, hosts Karl and Erum pull back the curtain on their own operations, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the podcast came to life. They discuss the core mission of sharing innovative bioengineering breakthroughs, the challenges of maintaining a weekly podcast, and the team behind it all. From the technical intricacies of biomanufacturing to the strategic communications needed to make those breakthroughs accessible to a wider audience, this episode reflects on the journey, growth, and impact of the Grow Everything platform. With a mix of humor and passion for sustainability, Erum and Karl continue their mission to educate and inspire those working at the cutting edge of synthetic biology and the bioeconomy.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Links and Resources:
Topics Covered:
science communications, podcast creation, podcast origin, biotech messaging, startups
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
Music by: Nihilore
Production by: Amplafy Media
In this episode of Grow Everything, hosts Karl and Erum dive into the world of community biology with Dr. Casey Lardner, Executive Director of Genspace. They explore how this groundbreaking Brooklyn lab is reimagining who gets to participate in science — and how. From radical accessibility and inclusive education to the launch of Gotham Foundry, Casey shares how Genspace is cultivating a culture of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. This is a conversation about science as a shared resource, where artists, bioengineers, and everyday citizens all have a seat at the bench.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Links and Resources:
Topics Covered:
biotech, community biotech, community hub, biomaterials, bio-based ingredients, Genspace
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
Music by: Nihilore
Production by: Amplafy Media
In this thought-provoking episode of Grow Everything, host Karl sits down with Suzanne Lee, founder of Biofabricate and pioneer in the biomaterials revolution, for a conversation that redefines how we think about material innovation. With passion and precision, Suzanne shares her journey from fashion design to biodesign, revealing how her early experiments with growing microbial cellulose led to the launch of a global movement toward sustainable, biology-based materials. They explore how biology and culture are converging, why “natural” doesn’t always mean better, and how collaboration—not competition—is key to transforming industries like fashion, architecture, and consumer goods. If you're curious about the future of sustainable materials, circular design, and how the bioeconomy is taking shape through strategic partnerships and visionary creativity, this is the episode for you.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Links and Resources:
Topics Covered:
biotech beauty, skincare, endocrine disrupting chemicals, endometriosis, consumer biotech, supply chain, manufacturing, clean beauty, product design
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
Music by: Nihilore
Production by: Amplafy Media
In this episode, Karl and Erum sit down with Shelby Newsad, Partner at Compound, to unpack the explosive rise of consumer biotech, biohacking, and radical health optimization. Shelby shares inside stories from Compound’s Biohacker Demo Day, exploring how crypto funding, accessible blood testing, and personal health data are reshaping the future of healthcare. From peptides and proteome sequencing to fire-breathing dragons and continuous glucose monitors, this conversation dives deep into how individuals are reclaiming agency over their biology. If you’re fascinated by the intersection of synthetic biology, longevity, and culture, this is a must-listen.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Links and Resources:
Topics Covered:
biotech beauty, skincare, endocrine disrupting chemicals, endometriosis, consumer biotech, supply chain, manufacturing, clean beauty, product design
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
Music by: Nihilore
Production by: Amplafy Media
Karl and Erum bring on Dr. Alexander Titus, a commissioner on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, to explore the exciting and challenging intersections of biotechnology and policy. Alexander shares his experiences from his unique journey across academia, government, and industry, diving into the role of biosecurity, the potential of synthetic biology, and the emerging convergence of tech and bio. They discuss ambitious projects like de-extincting the woolly mammoth, advances in biodefense, and the impacts of AI on biotech innovation. It’s a conversation that sheds light on how cutting-edge biotech could shape the future and the necessary balance between innovation and ethical responsibility.
\Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Topics Covered: biotech, biosecurity, national security commission on emerging biotechnology, policy
Episode Links:
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / GrowEverything website
Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
Music by: Nihilore
Production by: Amplafy Media
Karl and Erum sit down with Elle Black, a product designer and manufacturing strategist whose journey into the world of skincare, AI, and biology is anything but typical. Elle shares how her background in physical product development led her to dive deep into the supplement and cosmetics industries—spaces rich with opportunity and riddled with misinformation. From decoding the intricacies of INCI labeling to navigating unregulated beauty markets, she unpacks what it really takes to build responsible, scalable consumer products. Whether you're in biotech, product innovation, or sustainability, Elle's perspective on building smarter—from ingredients to algorithms—will resonate.
Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?
Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything
Chapters:
Links and Resources:
Topics Covered:
biotech beauty, skincare, endocrine disrupting chemicals, endometriosis, consumer biotech, supply chain, manufacturing, clean beauty, product design
Have a question or comment? Message us here:
Text or Call (804) 505-5553
Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything
Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
Music by: Nihilore
Production by: Amplafy Media