In this conversation, Rifle Hughes shares his extensive experience in the food and beverage industry, discussing his career journey from telecom to consulting. He emphasizes the importance of cross-functional teams and the need for brands to balance passion with professionalism. Rifle also highlights the differences between emerging and established brands, the significance of timing in innovation, and the evolving landscape of trade shows. He advocates for a strategic approach to growth and innovation, urging brands to consider their existing strengths while exploring new opportunities.
In this episode, we sit down with Peter G! Peter Gialantzis, COO of Pod Foods, to talk about how the company is shaking up the world of grocery distribution. Peter breaks down how Pod Foods is making the supply chain simpler for brands, helping them scale in the fast-moving retail world, and why the traditional distributor model just isn’t cutting it anymore. He shares lessons from his career in grocery and explains how Pod Foods is positioning itself as more than just a distributor—it’s a real partner for both brands and retailers. We also get into what makes a brand worth betting on and where Pod Foods is headed next.
Big Swings, Real Vibes: How Brands Break Through
Ed Starr, partner at BMF Media, joins us to talk all things experiential marketing—what works, what wows, and why authenticity beats polish every time. We chat about what worked for Poppy, smart trade show strategy, and how mid-sized CPG brands can punch above their weight by showing up boldly and building real community. Ed brings the heat with sharp insights and future-forward thinking for the health & wellness and broader CPG space.Chapters
00:00 Introduction to BMF and Ed's Journey
03:56 Experiential Marketing and the Poppy Case Study
10:05 The Importance of Client Relationships
14:53 Building a Successful Brand Community
19:56 Taking Risks in Marketing
24:52 Advice for Mid-Sized CPG Brands
29:40 Trade Show Strategies and Best Practices
34:39 The Future of Health and Wellness Marketing
Is SEO Dead? Not Even Close.
Jane Phelps, Founder of Know Agency, joins us to unpack how AI is shaking up the world of SEO — and why it’s actually a huge opportunity. We talk user-generated content, smart strategies for staying visible, and how brands can thrive in the age of AI search. If you're ready to outsmart the algorithm, this one’s for you.
Chapters
00:00Introduction to SEO and AI in Wellness CPG
01:03The Impact of AI on SEO
07:12Jane Phelps: Journey to SEO Expertise
11:53The Evolution of Search Engines and AI
14:36Tactical SEO Hacks for AI
17:44User-Generated Content and Its Role in SEO
19:34Engaging with Brands in the Changing Landscape
21:44Engaging with Brands and Clients
24:48The Importance of SEO in Website Optimization
28:11AI's Impact on SEO and Customer Engagement
32:39Leveraging AI for Content Creation and Strategy
36:18Actionable Insights for Brands
40:17Networking and Future Engagements
In this episode, we hang out with Kyle Koehler, CEO ofWildway, as he shares how he traded spreadsheets for superfood. Kyle takes us on his journey from corporate accounting to launching a regenerative granola brand that’s shaking up the food system. We chat about the wild world of food industry incentives, why playing the long game matters, and how regenerative practices can actually change the game. Kyle also dives into the highs and lows of self-manufacturing, creative ways to raise money, and why food investing shouldn’t try to copy Silicon Valley. If you’re into real talk about building a mission-driven brand, community, and making food better for everyone—this one’s for you.
Neil Murphy, Chief Revenue Officer at Bridg joins us to talk his journey from a minor league baseball player to a leader in retail media. He shares his extensive experience at Walmart, where he helped develop their advertising business, and his current role at Brid, focusing on identity resolution and customer insights. Neil emphasizes the importance of understanding customers, especially for regional grocers, and offers advice for brands looking to enter the retail media landscape.
Ryan Merry, the creative director of El Nacho, shares his journey from hospitality to the world of CPG. He discusses the importance of owning manufacturing, the unique branding inspired by luchador culture, and the strategic pivots that have positioned El Nacho as a competitive player in the snack market. The conversation also covers retail strategies, the role of innovation, and future directions for the brand as it aims to become a lifestyle brand.
Matt Cohen the Founder of Kidfresh meals joins us. He discusses the evolution of Kidfresh, a brand focused on providing healthy food options for kids. He shares insights on the brand's strategic decisions, including their approach to retail partnerships, the importance of packaging redesign, and the role of social media in engaging with consumers. Matt emphasizes the significance of understanding consumer needs and the challenges of maintaining brand loyalty while attracting new customers. He also reflects on the value of trade shows and offers advice for young entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of building a CPG business.
Ryan has a new job! We talk through what else is new and a quick preview of the upcoming season
In this episode, Lewis Goldstein, CEO of Better with Buckwheat, shares his journey from Maine Crisp to rebranding the company. He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in the rebranding process, the importance of understanding market dynamics, and the reception from retailers. Lewis emphasizes the need for simplicity in marketing and the significance of consumer engagement as the brand expands its product offerings.
As Isaac and I continue to deep dive regenerative agriculture we caught up with David Brown who is the Chief Marketing Officer at Alec's Ice Cream. We delve into the concept of creating an emotionally healthy brand and the unique positioning of Alex Ice Cream. Also, the retail and social strategy that the team deploys in this growth stage. A little buyer perspective sprinkled in and finally we end the podcast with a parent corner.
Our first returning guest Ryan Blad comes on to talk through his teams viral video for Sun Warrior. We talk all about how this video came to life and what's next for the video and the brand.
In an effort to continue our deep dive on Regerenerative Agriculture we invited Mary Purdy, from the Nutrient Density Alliance to discuss the importance of connecting regenerative agriculture with nutrient-dense outcomes. We explore the challenges of getting buy-in from various stakeholders, including consumers, farmers, retailers and food industry leaders. It also delves into the need for education and communication to help consumers understand the benefits of nutrient-dense food and the importance of regenerative farming practices.
In this episode, we interview Daniela, the founder of Big Picture Foods, a brand that focuses on regenerative farming and produces olives, peppers, and capers. Daniela explains the traditional slow curing process of olives using salt and how it has been replaced by industrialized methods. She emphasizes the importance of natural fermentation and the use of wild native cultures derived from the soil. The conversation also covers the challenges in the food system, the need for clean ingredient products, and the impact of regenerative agriculture on soil health and carbon sequestration. The sourcing and supply chain of Big Picture Foods are discussed, highlighting the partnerships with small farms and the focus on nutrient density and resilience in the face of climate change. Big Picture Foods is a regenerative food company that focuses on creating clean, healthy, and sustainable products. They are committed to educating consumers about the importance of reading ingredient labels and making informed choices.
We are joined by Alex Temple from Mable Marketplace. Mable is turning itself into a valuable tool for emerging brands and Alex tells us how. Mable is a marketplace technology for distributors and a selling platform for brands in the food and beverage industry. They enable distributors to sell third-party products to their customers without warehousing them, and they enable emerging brands to drop ship products to customers they couldn't otherwise reach. We chat with Alex about how Mabel started as a B2B marketplace connecting emerging brands directly with retailers but pivoted to partnering with distributors to make restocking seamless for buyers. And then how they work with distributors like McLane and help brands get into convenience stores and other retailers. She shares how Mabel's platform provides data sharing, forecasting, and support for brands to scale their businesses.
Marcus Lasky from FDM Sales discusses his background and the role of FDM in the consumer goods industry. He highlights the importance of supply chain and omni-channel strategies in the CPG business, as well as the role of social media in brand marketing. Marcus emphasizes the value of FDM's personal touch and its role as an extension of the brand. He also provides insights on trade shows, including the importance of being memorable and the value of attending category-specific shows. Marcus mentions Pop Daddy as a brand that has gained buzz and success in the industry.
In this episode, Isaac and Ryan are joined by Anthony Corsaro and Kyle Krull, hosts of a ReGen Brands Podcast. They discuss the concept and benefits of regenerative agriculture, the challenges of defining and certifying these products, and the importance of building a supply chain. Brands like Kettle & Fire and Zack's Mighty are highlighted as examples incorporating regenerative principles. The episode also explores the market potential for regenerative products, the connection to nutrient density, and the regulatory challenges of making health claims. Additionally, they discuss the adoption of regenerative practices by retailers, the need for clear messaging, and the relationship between regenerative and organic agriculture. They recommend watching documentaries like 'Kiss the Ground' and 'The Biggest Little Farm' to learn more about regenerative agriculture.
Isaac discusses the social influence scorecard created by him and his team at Socialike. The scorecard focuses on midsize retailers and their ability to help CPG brands. Isaac explains that retailers can be considered influencers, as they already have a social following and a level of trust from consumers. The scoring methodology takes into account factors such as the number of stores, follower count, engagement rate, and the quality of community management. The top five retailers on the scorecard are Green Natural Foods, Kimbertons, Deer Bergs, Harmons, and Fresh Thyme. The conversation concludes with a discussion on personal shopping habits and appreciation for the report.
In this episode, Ryan, Isaac, and guest Mike Scavuzzo from Numerator discuss various trends and challenges in the beverage industry. They dive into the trending category of prebiotic and probiotic soda, highlighting brands like Ollipop and Poppi. They also explore the rise of non-alcoholic beverages and the challenges of merchandising these products. The conversation touches on the synergy between alcohol and non-alcoholic options, the growth of mocktails, and the specialty coffee market. In this conversation, Mike Scavuzzo discusses consumer insights, data collection methodologies, and the value of data for brands. He highlights the importance of understanding consumer behavior and purchase patterns, as well as the challenges smaller brands face in accessing and utilizing data. Mike also shares his experiences working with Red Bull, RX Bar, and Midday Squares, showcasing the success and strategies of these brands. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the role of data in retail decision-making and the impact it can have on brand growth and execution.
Kamal Jarrett from Hillside Harvest discusses his journey in the food industry and the growth of his brand. He highlights the importance of regional collaboration and the impact of events like Naturally New England. Kamal shares his experience in expanding his brand's reach and the challenges and opportunities of marketing Caribbean-inspired products. He emphasizes the need for authenticity and innovation in the industry.
Kamal also discusses the value of social media and the benefits of participating in holiday markets and pop-up events. He provides advice for CPG founders and shares his excitement for Expo West.