Advertise on podcast: Retail and Social: Exploring The Connection

Returning guest Jane Phelps! Jane Phelps, an expert in SEO and AI search. She shares insights on how brands can optimize for AI search results, the importance of structure and trusted sources, and the evolving landscape of digital marketing in the age of AI.

Knicks win! In this episode, we catch up with lifelong New York Knicks fan and Marketing superstar Nick Jezarian, After Isaac and Nick bask in the glory of a Knicks championship, Nick shares his extensive experience in media and branding, offering insights on how small brands can leverage modern media tools, craft compelling stories, and build a distinctive voice to stand out in a fragmented advertising landscape. We also discuss leadership, team culture, and the importance of storytelling in marketing.

Brent Sisco the former President of Dumpling Daughter joins us to share how Dumpling Daughter went from three restaurants to 5,000 grocery doors nationwide — and what it really takes to build a frozen CPG brand from scratch. A few topics we covered: How COVID pivot turned a restaurant group into a CPG brand, the brutal realities of cold chain logistics, when to graduate from DSD distributors to national players like KeHE and UNFI, and how to think about Pop-Up Grocer, influencer spend, and social ROI as a growing brand.

George Milton and Erin Link, co-founders (and real-life couple) of Yellowbird Foods, joined us to share the story behind one of the most recognizable hot sauce brands on shelves today. What started as a kitchen passion project turned into a brand now sitting in nearly 18,000 retail doors across the US. In this episode: How George and Erin built Yellowbird from the ground up as a couple, and what actually makes it workWhy Austin was the right place at the right time The "business moves at the speed of trust" philosophy and why George hired his best friend of 30 years as his first sales guyWhen and why George stepped back from the CEO role How Yellowbird thinks about food service as a brand marketing channel, not just a revenue streamGeorge's ongoing experiment with cutting out alcohol — and why he thinks it doesn't have to be a big dealFind Yellowbird at yellowbirdfoods.com and follow George on LinkedIn and his Substack, Gross to Net.

John Waller shares his journey through the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, highlighting his experiences from mentorship to starting his own brand, Humble Nut Butter. He discusses the challenges of navigating the CPG landscape, including working with distributors and the decision to shut down his business. John reflects on the lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey and offers valuable advice for aspiring founders. He also touches on his current role at Lunr Capital and the importance of community engagement. Lastly John and Ryan discuss all things MN and Minneapolis, in light of recent events.

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 ThroughEd 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.