Advertise on podcast: ContenderCast with Justin Honaman

When Clara Sieg was pregnant with her daughter, she became acutely aware of what she was putting in and on her body. She focused on avoiding toxins and plastics, and there seemed to be thoughtful alternatives in nearly every category - from food to personal care to home cleaning. But when it came to water, things got murky. She couldn't make sense of what was actually in tap water, and the more she learned about bottled water, the more she becamse interested in developing a new better-for-you product. What started as an effort to protect her growing family quickly became an interest in creating something better. That's how Loonen was born. Co-founder Clara Sieg joins Justin to unpack the Loonen story.

Boston-based American Vinegar Works is bringing artisanal vinegar back to the US, reviving a centuries-old fermentation process from the 1820s, transforming it into a modern craft brand that meets growing consumer demand for authentic, clean-label, premium pantry staples. The vinegar market is a $10.8B global industry, and specialty vinegars are among the fastest-growing categories, projected to expand nearly 7% annually. Founder Rodrigo Vargas joins Justin to share how artisanal vinegar is not just a culinary trend, but a growing landscape of consumer demand and what it takes to reimagine a historic American industry in 2026.

Every goal that you're pursuing has two hidden numbers attached to it—a probability of success and a probability of failure. Whether you're trying to start a business, run a marathon, get a promotion, earn a pilot's license, grow a bumper crop of tomatoes, or sign an acting deal, these two percentages are always lurking in the shadows predicting what is going to happen. But most of us never think about them. We assume our odds are unknowable and unchangeable. This dangerous lie leads millions of people to fail at goals where they were perfectly capable of succeeding. You can choose a smarter path. Author Kyle Austin Young joins Justin to discuss his new bestselling book.

PeeSport is America's #1 Pee Bottle Company. They're making life easier and more fun for thousands of people. Their product is fun, useful, and life changing. Thousands of truckers, travelers, clinics, festival-goers, and adventurers trust PeeSport for relief on the go. But they are not just selling pee bottles, they are building something bigger. A brand that makes people laugh, that's all about adventure, and that's going to be as wild as Red Bull one day. Founder Henry Snow joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand!

Introducing the world's first AI-powered, fully automatic safe smart cooking system (www.CookTopSafety.com) and SensorAI – AI innovators specializing in predictive and preventative technology solutions. The CTS focus is on aging in place, multi-family and student housing, IoT connected kitchen and SaaS. Cooktop Safety (CTS) founder and CEO David Eby joins Justin to discuss innovation in tech and AI.

High Level, co-founded by Ashley Parker Angel and Bobby Klebanoff, is revolutionizing the wellness industry with a unique dual-business model. When the worlds of entertainment and medicine come together, something extraordinary happens. Ashley Parker Angel, known for his dynamic stage presence and transformation coaching, and Dr. David Rizik, a global leader in cardiovascular medicine, teamed up to create High Level Science — a line of medical-grade supplements redefining wellness with a foundation in solid science and real-world performance. Their groundbreaking formulations include High Level Heart + Body + Mind, designed to support overall physiological wellness, and High Level Man, a 12-in-1 advanced men's vitality formula crafted to help support energy, endurance, circulation, and overall wellness with clean, science-informed ingredients. Ashley Parker Angel and Bobby Klebanoff join Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand.

From concept to completion, creating the Desert Dwellers Flash Cards has been an enriching and fulfilling experience. These flash cards blend education and fine art, designed to captivate young minds and foster a love for the unique wildlife of the desert. Julie Bonner joins Justin to discuss how to best leverage creative design with consumer products!

Hala Shamas is the Founder and CEO of Sipsy, a discover-driven alcohol retail and e-commerce platform redefining how consumers discover and shop for spirits. With a background in digital growth and brand building, she has scaled Sipsy from a startup concept into a multi-channel business spanning brick-and-mortar retail, nationwide shipping, and tech-enabled e-commerce. Hala blends data-driven strategy with community-led content, using education and storytelling to turn liquor shopping into an experience, not just a transaction. Hala joins Justin to discuss this growing alco-bev retail brand!

Josh Lipinski is the founder of the Breakwater Supply outdoor brand which is a digital-first ecommerce retailer that sells specialized waterproof backpacks, shoes, and other outdoor gear. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Josh worked for over 15 years in tech as a Software Engineer and Senior Manager in the Boston area. He currently leads all day-to-day operations of Breakwater Supply, which involves sourcing and product development, marketing and advertising, logistics, fulfillment, and web development. Josh joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand!

With decades of culinary experience, Chef Calvin Harris is on a mission to transform home cooking. He launched Spiced Up to tackle a common problem: the trade-off between convenience and taste. Chef Calvin understands that busy lives often lead to dining out or ordering in. Yet, he believes that home-cooked meals can be both healthy and incredibly flavorful. That's why he created Spiced Up seasoning blends—making it easy for anyone to whip up delicious, nutritious meals at home. Cooking is Chef Calvin's love language. He's passionate about helping home cooks create amazing meals that bring families together. With Spiced Up, he proves that anyone can cook and that great taste should never be sacrificed for convenience. Chef Calvin joins Justin to uncap this spicy brand!

At Maia, they believe that great yogurt is about more than just flavor—it's about texture. Their commitment to crafting the perfect yogurt results in a thick, creamy consistency that stands out from the rest. Each cup of Maia spends its final hours of production settling into its rich, velvety texture, right in the cup. For the ultimate experience, they recommend enjoying Maia's thick, creamy texture by gently scooping into it rather than stirring. This way, you savor every smooth bite, just as we intended. Founder Hamilton Colwell joins Justin to unpack this delicious yogurt brand!

Founded by bartenders and used behind bars at five-star hotels, stadiums, resorts (and in your home!) Cheeky is a line of badass cocktail mixers designed to unleash your creativity. They believe everyone can be a mixologist with a bit of guidance and access to the best ingredients. So, they source the highest-quality raw materials, make non-alcoholic cocktail mixers to the specifications used in craft cocktail bars, and provide recipes, tips, and tricks on using them in your creations. Founder April Wachtel joins Justin to unpack this "cheeky" brand!

As a mom, business owner and woman on the go, Allyson Mandelbaum was faced with the eternal question, "How can I look cute, but still have dirty hair?" ...And that is how Shady Lady was born. Allyson loves wearing hats but could never find the perfect one. They were either too stiff, too big, had team names, or adorned with cheesy catch phrases. After a lot of unsuccessful searching, she came to only one conclusion: If she couldn't find the hat of her dreams, she had to make it. Designed in Fairfield, CT and available for kids and adults, Shady Lady hats are inspired by fun times with fabulous girlfriends and beach days that turn into cozy nights around the fire pit. At Shady Lady they want you to have fun and not take yourself too seriously because every lady is a little bit shady. Allyson joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing "shady" brand!

An entrepreneur from head to toe, meet Brian Davis! Brian launched Fix-It-Sticks and Hollow Socks…and several others that didn't make it! He is always looking for writers, reviewers, buyers and more to help him spread the word and get socks and tools to customers who will LOVE them. Brian joins Justin to share his entrepreneurship stories – some that worked and some that did not – and the keys to success when taking a new idea from concept to shelf!

Lori Pine, The Joy CEO, an award-winning Corporate VP turned Executive Life Coach and dynamic speaker. After years of working for corporate powerhouses such as Anheuser-Busch, The Coca-Cola Company, and Campbell's Soup Company, Lori now helps ambitious, high-performing women rewrite their old, worn-out story, dream bigger, and thrive. Her innate ability to clarify the problem and quickly assess the situation helps women spend less time swirling and more time living and loving their lives. Because if there's one thing she has learned, it's that joy has a ripple effect. Add it to one area of your life and it will enhance so many more! Lori joins Justin for a "joy-filled" conversation!