
Advertise on podcast: Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)
Rating
5from
This podcast has
228 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Gage Mitchell of Modern SpeciesExplicit
No
Date created
2021/01/26
Latest episode
2026/11/04
Average duration
57 min.
Release period
12 days
Description
We're bringing you the stories behind the people and products building a more just, healthy, and regenerative future for us all. Tune in weekly and together, we’ll learn about why these better products and brands were created, how they’re helping fix broken systems, and what you can do to support them. My hope is that you’ll discover some new brands to love, and get some sparks of inspiration that will help you live your best life. // Hosted by: Gage Mitchell, Founder of Modern Species, a sustainable brand design agency helping better brands grow to scale their impact.
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Check latest episodes from Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG) podcast
Clean Clothes, Healthy Soil with John Roulac of Coco Clean
2026/11/04
John Roulac shares why he set out to create a laundry detergent with no plastic, no water, and no synthetic dyes or perfumes, and how trial and error led to Coco Clean’s ultra-concentrated, paper-packed powder. We talk about the ingredients that make it work, why “fragrance-free” is not the same as “free and clear,” and why powder is making a comeback. John then looks back on building Nutiva, from selling coconut oil to Costco to suing the DEA over hemp, and how that experience fuels his regenerative agriculture work with farmers from Malawi to Washington State. We wrap up with his advice for entrepreneurs, a few daily health tips, and how he defines a better world.
Key Topics
Developing the formula for plastic-free, no-water laundry detergentFragrance-free vs. “free and clear”The shift from plastic pods and the comeback of powder detergentUsing trial sizes to drive adoptionThe 7% for regeneration pledgeAgroforestry work with small farmersHelping large farmers reduce synthetic inputsChallenges of launching a CPG brand today
Sound Bites
“I read a quote recently, they said, ‘You know what the most regenerative, sustainable, best ingredient there is in the world? It’s a pound of material that you didn’t have to use.’ That you just don’t need.”“We didn’t say free and clear, we said fragrance free, and there’s a big difference.”“Why ship water around in plastic bottles in jugs? Does that make any sense?”“And he says, ‘You really think people want a solid, you know, jar of saturated fat?’ And I said, ‘I do, Jerry.’ And and he was willing to take it in and it sold so well, they just kept buying truckload after truckload.”“They tried to say hemp was the same category as heroin and they passed that rule ten days after nine eleven. That was a fun time.”“They don't need a hand out, they need a hand up, you know, and they're really hardworking. And the farmers that we've trained, they have a really good the ratio of them sticking with it.”“If you have healthy soil, you have healthy plants. If you have healthy plants, you have healthy animals, you have healthy people, you have a healthy environment. It’s all linked in.”“As Ray Archuleta, which I quote in the article I'm working on is ‘Healing the land is the easy part. The challenge is the humans.’”“A better world where we take care of and improve nature, respect nature. And if we respect nature we’re gonna respect people. If we disrespect nature, we’re ultimately disrespecting people too.”
Links
John Roulac https://johnroulac.com/ John Roulac on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnroulac/ John Roulac on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnroulac/ Regenerative Ag: The Good, Bad & Ugly - https://johnroulac.substack.com/p/regenerative-ag-the-good-bad-and Common Ground film - https://commongroundfilm.org/ Kiss the Ground movie - https://kissthegroundmovie.com/ Coco Clean https://www.cococlean.com/ Coco Clean on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cococleanlife Coco Clean on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cococlean/home/ Coco Clean on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@CocoCleanLife Coco Clean on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@cococleanlife
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
More Nutrition, Less Methane with Claire Loudis of Lotus Foods
2026/08/27
Claire Loudis shares rice’s impact on water, climate, and farmer livelihoods, and why Lotus Foods decided to change how rice is grown around the world. We talk about the many benefits of heirloom varietals and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method they’re scaling to grow more rice with less water and lower methane emissions. Claire then shares details on the nature-based practices that go into growing their Regenerative Organic Certified ® (ROC) Basmati Rice, the brand’s commitment to seed sovereignty, and the biggest challenges she sees the food industry facing in the coming years.
Key Topics
The water and climate impacts of riceHeirloom rice and its benefitsThe System of Rice Intensification (SRI) that results in More Crop Per Drop ®Regenerative agriculture practices in rice farmingLaunch of the first ROC Basmati Rice in 2020Seed sovereignty and biodiversity conservationChallenges the food industry is facing
Sound bites
“Rice one of the highest emitting crops, after meat and eggs.”“Heirloom varieties often have better nutrition, flavor, and genetic diversity, so they're naturally hardier, locally adapted, and more resilient to climate disruptions making them a natural fit for regenerative and organic farming practices.”“Ultimately this pilot is to figure out what works, what we can scale, gauge farmer reception, measure yields of course, return on investment for those farmers, and to to work to understand how these practices impact our farmers on the ground, the people actually growing rice.”“Over 75% of plant genetic diversity has been permanently lost.”“The farmer is a is a key piece of hope for me. Their whole job is managing uncertainty and while climate change has made that harder, they remain one of the most innovative and resilient groups of people I know. They're tinkers at heart and always adapting. So I am energized and hopeful because of those people I've met.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Claire Loudis' background
01:14 The importance of heirloom rice and Lotus Foods' mission
03:03 Impact of rice farming on water and climate
04:35 Nutritional and genetic diversity of heirloom rice
09:01 Global rice consumption and cultural factors
13:18 Research on regenerative practices and pilot studies in Thailand
17:18 System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and its benefits
20:44 Farmer-led regenerative practices and community trust
29:15 Innovative regenerative practices observed in Thai farms
42:22 Supporting seed sovereignty and biodiversity through alliances
50:20 Claire Loudis' career path and motivations
55:53 Challenges and hope in the future of food and agriculture
01:00:14 Advice for aspiring changemakers in food sustainability
01:03:26 Personal favorite recipes and books
01:07:13 What a better world means to Claire Loudis
Links
Claire Loudis on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-loudis-1b380538/
Lotus Foods - https://www.lotusfoods.com/
Lotus Foods on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/lotus-foods/
Lotus Foods on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LotusFoods/
Lotus Foods on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lotusfoods/
Lotus Foods on Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lotusfoods/
Lotus Foods on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/LotusFoodsInc
Lotus Foods on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lotusfoods
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Unconventional Approach with Duke Stump from Tractor
2026/08/17
Duke Stump shares the origins of Tractor Beverage Co, what they decided to create organic beverages from recognizable ingredients, and their unique focus on moments and ecosystems rather than trying to fit into categories. Discover how their ‘business as unusual’ philosophy drives innovation, unconventional marketing strategy, community engagement, and positive impact. Learn about the five metrics they focus on in their Organic Impact Tracker, and get details on their impact initiatives like their Tractor Beam publication, Mad Farmer Tour, We The Soil movement, and the Farmhand Foundation. We then wrap up with Duke sharing insights learned from his past work helping build brands like Nike, Seventh Generation, and Lululemon, and how he defines a ‘better world’.
Key Topics
Tractor Beverage Co.’s origins and focusThe ’Business as Unusual’ philosophyEcosystem approach to brandingTractor’s organic impact metricsCommunity engagement and advocacyInnovative product development in beveragesSupporting farmers and soil healthChallenging industry categoriesBrand storytelling and design
Sound Bites
“Why can't beverages be kitchen ingredients? You know, things you actually know and are familiar with.”“Right before COVID is when the founders signed a deal with Chipotle, who remains one of our best, strongest partners to date.”“At Nike, one of the things I learned is if you're competing you've lost the plot.”“Since day one, the only mandate that he gives to my team and I is ‘make it original’.”“Tractor isn't a brand strategy, it's an ecosystem strategy.”“I don't want us to get caught in the trapping of conventional thinking around everything needs to be calibrated around a measurable result.”“When I was at Lululemon, the invisible hand that drove that brand was community.”“The idea of sustainability is so abstract. It's a hard, it can be million things to different people. And so for us, we wanted to ground it in what was real but also meaningful for us.”“One thing I've learned over the years is never bring a playbook, bring a philosophy or principles.”
Chapters
03:00 Introduction to Tractor Beverage and Its Founders
05:47 The Journey of Beverage Innovation
08:56 Product Development and Market Strategy
11:58 The Unique Approach to Marketing and Community Engagement
14:53 Measuring Success Beyond Conventional Metrics
18:00 Commitment to Organic and Sustainable Practices
38:40 The Importance of Certification and Brand Identity
42:06 Supporting Farmers and Soil Health
47:12 Lessons from Iconic Brands
53:07 Curiosity and Following Your Passion
55:54 Seasonal Eating and Local Agriculture
61:01 Influential Books and Their Impact
01:03:09 Creating Conditions for a Better World
Links
Duke Stump on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/duke-stump-b3a58419a/
Tractor Beverage Co. - https://drinktractor.com/
We the Soil - https://www.tractorbeverage.com/wethesoil
Farmhand Foundation - https://www.tractorbeverage.com/farmhand
Organic Impact Tracker - https://www.tractorbeverage.com/impacttracker
Tractor Beverage Co. on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/tractorbeverageco/
Tractor Beverage Co. on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drinktractor/
Tractor Beverage Co. on X - https://x.com/drinktractor
Tractor Beverage Co. on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@drinktractor
Tractor Beverage Co. on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@drinktractor
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Hack for Cutting Sugar with Hank Watt of Nature’s Wild Berry
2026/08/07
Hank Watt shares the inspiring story of how he discovered the miracle berry and turned it into a successful business that was featured on Shark Tank and promoted by Jennifer Garner. Learn how the berry makes sour taste sweeter than sugar, how it helped Hank control his emotional eating, how he and his partner built the business, and future potential of this revolutionary product that can transform taste and improve health.
Key Topics
How Hank learned about the miracle berry and its effectsWhat drove Hank & Juliano to launch the businessChallenges in preserving the berry to scale operationsInnovative freeze-drying process to preserve potencyMarket strategy and word-of-mouth growthFuture applications for the berry
Sound Bites
"I swear, I heard the angels and the chorus singing. I felt the whoosh of the gates. I felt like the sunshine come down on me. Like I I had this transformative experience immediately where I became a believer instantly.”“LA is a type of place where if you're keeping weight off for any period of time, especially a significant amount, people want to know like what's your secret?”“He was like, I've got a couple conditions. We have to keep the berry pure. It has to stay raw. Like we don't need to add anything to it. We need to also figure out how to preserve it because we cannot deal with a cold chain.““The sharks have been phenomenal. The best business decision Juliano and I have ever made.”“Jennifer Garner put a video up on her Instagram… that put us on the map and it made us legit.”“These need to be on every table, kind of like butter, salt, and pepper. You know, it's there if you need it and you want it.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Nature's Wildberry
02:57 The Discovery of the Miracle Berry
05:45 Transformative Experiences with the Berry
09:02 The Locus of Control and Personal Empowerment
11:53 Impact on Health and Diet
14:57 Business Journey and Challenges
17:52 The Berry's Unique Properties and Taste Testing
20:55 Community and Word of Mouth Marketing
24:01 The Decision to Start a Business
26:52 Lessons from Personal Experiences
30:10 The Future of Nature's Wildberry
32:53 The Journey Begins: Overcoming Doubts
35:14 Cracking the Code: Innovation in Preservation
40:27 From Concept to Consumer: The Direct-to-Consumer Shift
48:01 Shark Tank: A Game Changer for Growth
55:02 Future Aspirations: Expanding Horizons
01:00:44 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Patience and Partnership
01:08:12 A Better World: Quality of Life and Compassion
Links
Hank Watt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hankwatt
Nature's Wild Berry - https://natureswildberry.com/
Nature’s Wild Berry on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/natureswildberry
Nature’s Wild Berry on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/natureswildberry
Nature’s Wild Berry on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@natureswildberry
Nature’s Wild Berry on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/natureswildberry
Nature’s Wild Berry on X - https://x.com/natureswildbrry
Nature’s Wild Berry on Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/natureswildberry/
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Purpose-Driven Food System with Les Szabo of Purpose Pledge
2026/07/30
Les Szabo discusses the Purpose Pledge, a holistic framework for companies aiming to operate with integrity and in alignment with their higher purpose. He discusses why the Purpose Pledge was created, how they decided to focus on companies working in food and agriculture, and how they settled on their 10 commitments. The conversation highlights the need for shared standards, systems of support, and collaboration to drive systemic change in business practices. Tune in to hear how Les and the team plan to scale the pledge in the future, and how your brand can join the movement.
Key topics
Purpose Pledge framework and commitmentsImportance of shared standards and transparencyRole of support systems and catalystsFocus on food and agriculture impactBalancing ambition with realism in sustainability goalsCollaborative supply chain transformationMeasuring progress and accountabilityIndustry-specific challenges and opportunities
Sound bites
“Well-intentioned companies highlight where they perform well, but at the same time they ignore parts of the system.”“Our idea is that we have to have a common framework that's a true operational definition of purpose across 10 commitments.”“How are you honoring and serving all of your stakeholders? We we use this term ‘right relationship’, which originates from spiritual and wisdom traditions, and it means to be in integrity with somebody and where it's a true kind of reciprocal relationship.”"The industrial food system is one of the most powerful forces shaping climate change, public health, and social in inequality, often in in ways we fail to see.”“The goal is to have all commitments achieved within that nine-year period. Anybody can go to the site and and it makes those commitments very visible and easy to track.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Purpose Pledge and Dr. Bronner's
04:55 Defining Purpose and the Need for a Common Framework
10:00 Focus on Food and Agriculture: The Rationale
14:46 The Ten Commitments of Purpose Pledge
20:12 Commitment Achievement and Continuous Improvement
25:14 Collaboration and Community in Purpose Pledge
32:16 Challenges in Launching the Purpose Pledge
35:42 Understanding Living Wage and Its Implications
39:20 Navigating the Application Process for Companies
46:18 Eligibility and Commitment Areas for Companies
50:23 Expanding the Purpose Pledge Beyond Food and Agriculture
54:23 Purpose Pledge vs. Giving Pledge: A Comparative Insight
01:02:22 Envisioning a Better World Through Right Relationships
Links
Les Szabo on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/les-szabo-5a214314/
Purpose Pledge - https://purposepledge.org
Purpose Pledge on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/purposepledge/
Purpose Pledge Commitments PDF - https://www.purposepledge.org/s/Purpose-Pledge-10-Commitments-Full-Details-July-2026.pdf
…
LinkedIn post on the Giving Pledge article by Inc.- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7470679564374175744-BHM_/
LinkedIn post on the Purpose Pledge article by Inc. - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7470131248229810177-WTLs/
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Supplements, Soil, & Story with Dr. Jeffrey Burke of Honest Health
2026/07/26
Join us as Dr. Jeffrey Burke, a pioneer in the natural products industry with over 47 years of experience, shares his insights on the evolution of the industry, the power of plants, the beauty of supplements, the importance of regenerative agriculture, and how storytelling can inspire change. Discover practical advice and inspiration for health, sustainability, and building a better world.
Key topics
Evolution of the natural products industry over 47 yearsDr Jeffrey Burke’s journey into health, medicine, radio, podcasting, and moreWhy you should take supplements, even if you have a healthy dietThe regenerative movement and soil healthThe power of storytelling in inspiring change
Sound bites
“I did it because I wanted to be on the side where I could help to teach people an easier way to survive our lives in a healthier manner.”“I was barely even 20 and I was working with Dr. Earl Mindell and he had a radio show. He handed me my first microphone and I just never gave it back.”“A lot of people now look at things saying, you know, when I want to go organic, I want to start putting some good things in my system, and I think the same thing you're going to start seeing with regenerative.”“I think we need to takes supplement because there's things way past the soil that affect our health every day, including air quality, pollution, stress, lack of sleep, obesity, etc that are already wearing tearing on our health from top to bottom.”“We were so focused on the not using chemicals, we did absolutely nothing for our soil. Now we have this regenerative movement where we are actually doing things to rebuild the soil.”"Don't be embarrassed. Embrace your craziness. Embrace your mistakes because there is no such thing as perfection."
Chapters
03:00 Introduction to Jeffrey Burke and His Journey
06:04 The Evolution of the Natural Products Industry
08:57 Transition from Radio to Podcasting
12:00 The Importance of Education in Health
15:03 The Role of Supplements in Modern Health
17:52 The Impact of Regenerative Agriculture
20:53 Challenges Facing the Natural Products Industry
24:01 The Future of Health and Nutrition
26:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
37:36 Investing in Sustainable Agriculture
39:10 The Role of People in Change
42:41 The Power of Storytelling
49:37 Embracing Vulnerability
53:41 Finding Hope in Challenges
01:08:14 Learning from Industry Icons
Links
Dr. Jeffrey Burke & The Honest Health Podcast - https://www.drjeffreyburke.com/
Dr. Jeffrey Burke on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jeffrey-burke-86421931/
Honest Health on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-health-with-jeffrey-burke/id1825645948
Honest Health on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3yMUkj5JbDfRPSLSuW8KKr
Honest Health on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@honesthealthwithJeffreyBurke
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Demand for Regenerative with Christopher Gergen of Regenerative Organic Alliance
2026/07/17
Christopher Gergen shares how his goal of bringing more capital to systems change led him to supporting the regenerative movement in his role as the CEO of the Regenerative Organic Alliance. We talk about the growth of the movement, including the increase in consumer awareness and the in the number of certified brands, as well as all the new data on the benefits of regenerative agriculture. Chris shares how Regenerative Organic Certified® is different from other regenerative certifications, including their role as a Catalyst Partner in the Purpose Pledge. The conversation then shifts into the biggest barriers to growth that the regenerative movement is facing right now, like consumer confusion, lack of a common standard, the cost of farmer’s transitioning, and the cost of regenerative products. We then wrap up with Christopher sharing advice, his favorite regenerative snacks, and what a better world means to him.
Key Topics
Christopher Gergen’s journey to becoming the CEO of the Regenerative Organic AllianceThe growth of the regenerative movementRegenerative organic certification, and how it’s different from other standardsConsumer demand and market trends for regenerative productsData that’s proving the value of a regenerative food system and products Strategies for scaling regenerative agriculture and overcoming barriersAdvice for others wanting to pursue passion and joy in their life and career
Sound bites
“Regenerative organic certification is based on the foundation of organic, and it has three additional pillars of soil health, social fairness, and animal welfare.”“We're almost at 400 ROC® licensees. So within 18 months, we've gone almost double the number, bringing more ROC® products to shelf, which is super exciting!”“Customers are finding ROC® because now it's in almost every category.”“When you have side-by-side comparison, you can just taste the difference in how much more complex the ROC® wine is to the conventional alternative.”“We'd like to be able to go from 22 million acres of regenerative organic certified land to at least 30 million acres in the next three and a half years.”“More consumer awareness, more retail engagement, more brand adoption. And you've got more demand, more supply, more impact, more demand. And therein lies the flywheel, right?”“I ended up co-authoring a book called Life Entrepreneurs that looks at how people have been able to create meaningful impact in the world and meaningful lives for themselves.”“Figure out a way that you can connect your strengths and your passions and go after something that you feel like you can dedicate a lot of time and energy into, but don't lose sight of how you can also create a joyful, meaningful, loving life for yourself.
Chapters
03:00 Introduction to Regenerative Organic Alliance
05:54 Christopher Gergen's Background and Vision
08:48 The Growth of Regenerative Organic Certification
11:56 Consumer Demand and Market Trends
14:45 Nutritional Benefits and Flavor of Regenerative Organic Products
17:59 Understanding Regenerative vs. Organic Standards
21:03 The Future of Regenerative Organic Agriculture
38:41 Supporting Farmers in Transition
45:29 The Purpose Pledge and Supply Chain Integrity
46:05 Driving Demand for Regenerative Organic Products
55:37 Barriers to Transitioning to Regenerative Practices
01:04:11 Vision for a Better World
Links
Christopher Gergen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophergergen/
Regenerative Organic Alliance & Certification - https://regenorganic.org/
Regenerative Organic Alliance on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/regenerative-organic-alliance
Regenerative Organic Alliance on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/regenerativeorganic
Regenerative Organic Alliance on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/regenerativeorganic
Regenerative Organic Alliance on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/regenerativeorganicalliance
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Growth of Regenerative with Evan Harrison of Kiss the Ground
2026/07/08
Evan Harrison shares his journey from working in radio, digital media, and live events to becoming the CEO of Kiss The Ground, a leading nonprofit championing Regeneration and healthy soil as a solution for human and planetary health. We talk about the organization's innovative content strategies, like their three feature-length documentary films, mini docs, 5 with a Farmer reels, 11 with Evan series, shopping guides, and the brand collaborations that help them reach new audiences. Then we dive into the $500,000 in farmer grants they awarded last year and their new research that shows consumer understanding of regenerative agriculture has increased threefold in just 3 years! We wrap up with some fun personal questions, and Evan shares his vision for a better world.
Key Topics
Evan Harrison's career transition from media to environmental activismThe success of Kiss the Ground films and content strategy$500,000 in farmer grants and their impact on land regenerationThe threefold growth in consumer understanding of regenerative agricultureHow $100 is the sweet spot for community donations and how they put that money to workPartnerships with brands and community engagementRising awareness and understanding of regenerative agriculture
Sound Bites
“In the early days of the internet, I was the writer, the producer, held the video camera, did the edit – the whole thing. So content creation from the ground up.”“I'd never heard of regenerative farming. So it was really my daughter that kind of tuned me into it.” “In this instance, the farmer is really the artist, the farmer is the rock star.”“The film that was named after our work, Kiss The Ground, absolutely put our organization on the map.”“We need to meet people where they're at. We need a content approach that can bring new people into the conversation instead of arguing about the details.”“There are now 200 regenerative products on shelves ranging from Costco to independent retailers across the country.”“The $500,000 in grants went across 212 farms, and when we look at their acreage that's being converted very conservatively, it's 73,000 acres."“Your $100 donation will help transition more than 10 acres of land.”“Our inspirational storytelling that reached 20 million people last year and engaged 5 million by engaged.”"Wherever you are, that's the place to be.”
Chapters
03:00 Introduction to Kiss the Ground and Evan Harrison
09:00 Evan's Journey from Media to Regenerative Agriculture
15:06 The Impact of the Kiss the Ground Film
20:50 Content Strategy and Audience Engagement
27:12 Supporting Farmers: Grants and Community Engagement
38:40 Momentum in Regenerative Agriculture
42:43 Partnerships Driving Change
47:27 Innovative Fundraising Strategies
50:49 Personal Reflections and Advice
54:35 Creating a Better World
Links
Evan Harrison on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanharrison/
Kiss The Ground - https://kisstheground.com/
Kiss The Ground on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kisstheground/
Kiss The Ground on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kisstheground/
Kiss The Ground on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kissthegroundCA/
Kiss The Ground on X - https://x.com/kissthegroundCA
Kiss The Ground on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/kisstheground
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Kiss The Ground 2026 Research: https://kisstheground.com/kiss-the-ground-research-2026/
Forbes Article: Regen Grows 3X in 3 Years -https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewwatman/2026/06/18/new-kiss-the-ground-research-consumer-understanding-of-regenerative-agriculture-triples-in-past-three-years/
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Role of Philanthropy with Kate Williams of 1% for the Planet
2026/07/01
What is the role of philanthropy, business, and government in creating long-term impact? Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet, joins us to explores why “either/or” thinking can limit progress, and why the most effective solutions often come from a both/and approach. We talk about how nonprofits are pioneering solutions to problems before there’s a marketplace, how the billionaires bailing on The Giving Pledge are missing the bigger picture, and how the new wave of businesses are deciding that profitability and positive impact can go work together. Kate then tells us about 1% for the Planet, how the membership works, and how the members are giving back and reaping the rewards. Tune in as we discuss how money, power, and responsibility shape the future.
Key Topics
The role of philanthropy in society todayHow philanthropy differs from government actionWhy nonprofits often address problems outside the marketplaceThe “false dichotomy” between investing in businesses and funding nonprofitsThe Giving Pledge and why those bailing on the pledge are missing the bigger pictureWhy nonprofits are often unfairly judged on efficiency and overheadHow business, nonprofits, and government can work together for long-term impactHow 1% for the Planet operates and why its model mattersThe organization’s expanded definition of environmental givingThe connection between climate change, systems thinking, and cooperative action
Sound Bites
“One of the challenges with businesses giving back is that they have to focus on quarterly and yearly financials, not decades or centuries, which are more often the timescale of impact.“Nonprofits are more willing to get in and do a multi-stakeholder ,long-term approach that focuses on global impact and not just any one entity’s challenges.”“In an ideal world, we have both businesses and nonprofits working together either directly or indirectly, and all the systems are oriented towards a thriving future.”“I think the problem with where The Giving Pledge bailers is that they made it into a false dichotomy by saying they’re going to exclude nonprofits to focus on businesses because they think businesses are the ones that build our future.”“Nonprofits are not a nice to have. They play a really critical role in addressing those things for which there is not a marketplace.”“Nonprofits sometimes appear to be held to a higher standard with weird expectations that they can somehow deliver results without paying their staff or having resources to buy computers or whatever the tools of the job are.”“MacKenzie Scott is a great example. She's done her homework, has made some really sizable unrestricted grants, meaning she's trusting those organizations to allocate the resources where they can to have the greatest impact.”“Our amazing members at 1% for the Planet donate 1% of their annual revenues to environmental partners. So they're taking these market-driven resources and placing it in the nonprofit marketplace.”“We're not creating a false dichotomy between the business succeeding in the marketplace and the business contributing to positive outcomes for the future. It's the business saying they go together.”
Chapters
03:00 Intro and Kate Williams introduction
04:04 What philanthropy is for
05:14 Philanthropy vs. government
06:36 What “outside the marketplace” means
08:30 Why time horizons matter
09:39 Nonprofits as innovators in complex systems
10:53 Why business and nonprofit can both matter
12:18 The Giving Pledge and why some are “bailing”
17:19 Nonprofit overhead, efficiency, and unfair standards
21:01 Trusting nonprofits with unrestricted giving
23:34 The role of corporations and impact-driven businesses
25:33 How businesses can use capitalism differently
31:20 Self-funding impact through mission-driven business models
34:29 Why extractive models are a problem
35:29 How 1% for the Planet works
37:34 1% of revenue vs. 1% of profit
39:29 Defining “planet” in the network
40:06 Expanded impact areas at 1% for the Planet
44:37 Individual vs. corporate participation
45:18 Where the network is thriving right now
48:06 Challenges and opportunities for nonprofits
52:13 The wicked problem of climate change
54:13 Advice for following a similar path
55:33 Finding your own path with self-awareness
56:41 Ikigai framework for purpose
58:24 Snack and book recommendations
60:03 Who to interview next
61:12 What a better world means
Links
Kate Williams on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katewilliams87
1% for the Planet - https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/
1% for the Planet on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-percent-for-the-planet/
1% for the Planet on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/1percentftp
1% for the Planet on Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/onepercent
1% for the Planet on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt7Vb_t-ATwvYHTqs4Q2frQ
…
The Giving Pledge - https://www.givingpledge.org/
The Purpose Pledge - https://purposepledge.org/
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Experiments & Feedback with Adam Hiner of Pacha
2026/07/01
Adam Hiner, CEO of Pacha, shares insights on product innovation, sustainable practices, and the journey of building a healthy and regenerative food brand. We talk about the happy accidents and consumer feedback that lead to making new and better products, like their new gluten-free, sourdough buckwheat tortillas! Adam then shares why Pacha joined the Purpose Pledge, the challenges of building a CPG brand (like cashflow), the benefits of self-manufacturing, and why passion is essential for success in this industry. Tune in to get advice from a leader who’s built multiple successful brands while leading with integrity.
Key topics
Product innovation driven by consumer insights and feedbackStrategic experimentation with new productsThe benefits of self manufacturingPurpose-driven business and sustainability commitmentsPurpose Pledge, what it means, and how it worksThe importance of focusing on core SKUs and honing recipesProfitability and cash flow challengesThe importance of passion for successInner peace to bring about world peace
Sound bites
“I pulled a batch of crackers out of the oven and they were floppy like little tortillas. Then I started experimenting with tortillas and just said, yeah, the market really needs a better tortilla right now.”“We had our buckwheat buns, but we rebranded them as English muffins because all of our customers were saying, hey, this isn't a bun, this is an English muffin.”"Our bread tastes like real bread. It doesn't taste like this thing that was modified to try to imitate the texture of white bread.““We've always had a plan to do something more than just be a company that's making money.”“When we saw Purpose Pledge coming forward, felt like it felt like an opportunity to do something that felt maybe more impactful and less just numbers driven.”“It's nice to have really great mentors who have been doing it and have done it before.”“We were really grateful for our DTC channel because we've had so much direct feedback from customers, which we wouldn't have had with just being a retail brand.”“One of the biggest challenges is just financing the company, you know, just keeping the lights on. 30%-50% of my job is just keeping cash coming in.”“Sometimes adding more SKUs does generate more revenue immediately, like if Whole Foods puts out six SKUs versus four, but the trade off is the velocity of all the SKUs is now lower.”“Peace really does start within us and maybe the most impactful thing we can do is to just like to start here and have and find peace with ourselves.”
Chapters
03:00 Introduction to Pacha and Product Evolution
05:57 Innovative Product Development and Consumer Feedback
09:08 Special Releases and Creative Experimentation
11:59 Joining the Purpose Pledge: A Commitment to Impact
14:59 Understanding the Purpose Pledge's Roadmap and Commitments
18:00 Customer Insights: What Consumers Love About Pacha's Products
34:31 The Benefits of Fermentation and Buckwheat
37:07 The Challenges of Regenerative Agriculture
40:02 Navigating the Food Industry: Profitability and Challenges
46:00 The Importance of Focus in Product Development
52:59 Personal Insights and Recommendations for a Better World
Links
Adam Hiner on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/adamhiner
Pacha - https://pachabread.com
Pacha on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/live-pacha/
Pacha on Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/live_pacha/
Pacha on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livepacha
Pacha on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/livepacha
…
Purpose Pledge - https://purposepledge.org/
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Zero Waste, All Flavor with Chanya Punyakumpol of Taan Thai
2026/07/01
Chanya Punyakumpol, co-founder of Taan Thai, shares how a personal frustration when cooking Thai food at home sparked the creation of her brand. Instead of tracking down obscure Thai ingredients only to throw most of them away after one dish, she created perfectly portioned meal kits that contain exactly what you need, eliminating food waste without sacrificing authenticity.
She talks about sourcing real Thai ingredients directly from Thailand and building close relationships with local farms and factories near her production facilities. Chanya also reflects on the growing wave of ethnic foods making their way into mainstream retail, and what it means for communities to see their cuisines represented on grocery store shelves. She wraps up by reflecting on how Naturally Network is a rare space where founders can be honest about their struggles, trade hard-won tips, and remind each other that they're doing better than they think.
Takeaways
Taan Thai was born out of Chanya's frustration with the wasteful experience of cooking Thai food at home in the US.Each kit is precisely portioned for one cooking session with no leftovers ingredients or food waste.Thai holy basil — the essential ingredient in Pad Kra Pao — is seasonal and hard to find in the US, so Chanya sources it directly from Thailand and air dries it to preserve its authentic aroma.The brand sources ingredients from local farms in Thailand and works with certified production facilities, creating a trickle-down economic benefit for local farming communities.Chanya sees the rise of ethnic foods in mainstream retail as one of the most meaningful trends in the CPG industry, both for accessibility and cultural representation.
Sound Bites
"I don't want to throw the leftover coconut milk or leftover lemongrass that I didn't finish and create more food waste.""A lot of restaurants don't use Thai holy basil leaves. They use Italian basil or Thai basil, which is completely different.""We create a trickle-down economy that helps people locally actually get a part of the value we're creating.""I see a lot of different ethnic food coming out and becoming available more in this market. I like it because I get to try different cultures, get to try different kinds of food I've never tried before.""When you get to talk to people who are in the same space as you and being honest about it, we're like, oh, we also struggle on that."
Links:
Chanya LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanya-punyakumpol-110602347/
Taan Thai - https://taanthaifood.com/
Taan Thai on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taanthaifood
Taan Thai on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taanthaifood/
Than Thai on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@taanthaifood
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Naturally Network: www.naturallynetwork.org
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Expanding Capacity with Colleen Kavanagh, CEO of Zego Foods
2026/06/18
Colleen Kavanagh, CEO of Zego, shares how she’s leveraging a $3 Million USDA grant to expand Zego’s capacity and enhance the U.S. gluten-free grain supply chain through the acquisition of a processing facility. She talks about the importance of listening to farmers, explains why Montana oats are the cream of the crop, and shares how she’s helping build the future of purity verified and nutrient dense foods. Discover how her inclusive approach supports U.S. farmers, reduces costs for brands, and promotes a better food future for all.
Key Topics:
Zego Foods and CIVC Montana’s acquisition of a processing facility in MontanaThe expanded capacity and cost reduction for her brand, Zego FoodsHow she’s helping other brands save up to a $1 their retail priceThe importance of listening to farmers and customers before defining services, pricing, and processesSecuring and then re-securing the $3M USDA grants for expansionSupporting U.S. farmers and brands in gluten-free grain processingHow Colleen is using AI to be more confident and efficient in her businessHow the new business model helps Zego Foods lean into its missionZego’s Purity Verified commitment and expansionPartnering with Edacious to measure nutrient density of regenerative grains
Sound bites:
“If we can decrease a brand’s cost by say 25 cents at the mill between co-packing and milling, that saves them a dollar on price point on the shelf.”“We have developed a new way of pricing organic grain so that it is a lower price add-on compared to conventional to really encourage brands to go organic.” “The rug was ripped out from underneath us. So by providing that transparency into what was happening with us on the ground and what it meant for other people, it gave people like OTA and CCOF the information that they needed to then go and tell those stories on our behalf in DC.”“Hulless oats are higher in protein and fiber and iron. Those oats only like to grow in arid climates. So Montana is perfect. We're high, we're dry. We have the right growing season.”“Vertically integrating has been fascinating and I have learned so much by listening. I came into this not knowing very much about farming, milling, equipment, or B2B sales for that matter.”“I just listened to their problems. And that's how I got to learn more and more about just how challenging it is, what we're asking them to do and what we really need to do to support their business if we want them to support ours.”“Zego Foods at its heart is 51 % for-profit company and 49 % advocacy organization.”“We test for about 500 different pesticides, and for mycotoxins, gluten allergens and the big four heavy metals. All of that is traceable.”
Chapters:
03:00 Introduction and Guest Background
05:51 Winning the USDA Grant for Grain Expansion
09:16 Challenges of Growing Gluten-Free and Organic Crops
12:29 Lower Margins and Volume Strategies
15:40 Implementing Vertical Integration in Grain Supply
20:51 Supporting Farmers and Building Relationships
24:27 Dealing with Weather and Supply Risks
33:11 Montana Oats and Impact of Growing Conditions
37:01 Working in Harmony with Nature
46:06 Future of Purity Verification and Industry Data
53:38 Favorite Snacks and Food Innovations
54:03 Life-Changing Books and Learning
61:40 What a Better World Means to Colleen
01:03:28 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
Links:
Colleen Kavanagh on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zegofoods/
Zego Foods - https://zegofoods.com
Zego Foods on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/zego/
Zego Foods on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ZEGOFoods/
Zego Foods on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zegofoods/
Zego Foods on X - https://x.com/ZegoFoods
Zego Foods on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9caEodIwrGchJ8wsSZ4UdA
…
Uncommon Business, Automate to Accelerate Program - https://theuncommonbusiness.co/
Edacious, Nutrient Density and Toxicity Testing - https://www.edacious.com/
…
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Efficacy Without Compromise with Kristin Fracassi and Alecia Nelson of Root & Splendor - Naturally Network Shorts
2026/06/12
Kristin Fracassi, founder & CEO of Root & Splendor, and Alecia Nelson, the COO, share the origin story of a premium non-toxic laundry detergent and stain remover - developed by a mom of four who went down a rabbit hole on natural product ingredients and didn't like what she found. Kristin talks about working with formulation chemists and enzyme scientists, the moment when lab results confirmed her product matched the efficacy of big-name brands, and why full ingredient transparency is a non-negotiable for the brand. Alecia shares what it's like to join a brand she watched grow from the dream stage, and what's on the horizon with a new kitchen product line built to the same uncompromising standards. They wrap up by reflecting on how Naturally Network has opened door after door after door.
Takeaways:
Root & Splendor makes premium, fully non-toxic laundry detergent and stain remover formulated with 100% plant-based ingredients, scented with natural essential oils, and priced at about 33 cents per load.Kristin started the brand as a mom and homesteader, not an entrepreneur, after discovering that many "natural" products still contain harmful ingredientsRoot & Splendor is one of only a few laundry brands to achieve EWG Verified status, a third-party certification from the Environmental Working Group.Five years of R&D with formulation chemists and enzyme scientists resulted in a product that matches the efficacy of major conventional brands without any harmful ingredients.Their packaging delivers an 800% reduction in carbon footprint compared to conventional alternatives.Full ingredient transparency is a core brand commitment with every ingredient is listed on the package along with an explanation of what it does.Kristin describes conscious business as a daily choice because every day brings opportunities to cut corners.Root & Splendor is now expanding into a kitchen product line, holding to the same standards of plant-based formulation, premium efficacy, and sustainable packaging.The brand continues to grow organically through word of mouth from customers who try the product and tell their friends.Winning the Naturally San Diego Pitch Slam was a turning point for the brand, opening doors to other pitch slams, awards, and a deeply supportive network of industry peers.
Sound Bites:
"I was willing to sacrifice efficacy for safety, and then I did a deep dive into the ingredients and learned that a lot of natural ingredients are still not safe.""We formulate for safety and efficacy. Every ingredient is safe for people, pets, the environment, and fabrics.""I had no intention of starting a business, but once I realized we had something truly different, I wanted to bring it to everyone.""There are a million ways to cut corners as a business owner. Every day I choose to stay true to our values and our standards.""The consumer is really smart. They're educated. They know what they're looking for. The greenwashing in this space, it's pretty wild.""There's no reason to sacrifice safety or efficacy. You can have both.""This wasn't developed in a boardroom. This was developed by women, for women.""Don't ever give up on a stain."
Links:
Alecia Nelson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecialnelson/
Kristin Fracassi LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinfracassirootandsplendor/
Root & Splendor Website - https://rootandsplendor.com/
Root & Splendor LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/root-and-splendor/people/
Root & Splendor on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootandsplendor
Root & Splendor on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootandsplendor
…
Naturally Network: www.naturallynetwork.org
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
…
Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Defend Seed Sovereignty with Megan Westgate of Non-GMO Project and Loren Cardeli of A Growing Culture
2026/06/03
This conversation explores the critical issues surrounding seed sovereignty, the threats posed by UPOV, and the collaborative efforts to promote food integrity and indigenous seed saving through the 'Free the Seed' campaign. Megan Westgate of Non-GMO Project and Lauren Cardeli of A Growing Culture talk about how they came to work together on this issue and share insights on the importance of biodiversity, community-led seed libraries, and the power of storytelling in transforming the food system. They then share how you can get involved in the campaign and join their learning journey.
Key Topics:
UPOV treaty and its impact on indigenous seed savingFarmers being put in jail for saving their own seedsThe importance of biodiversity and seed diversityHow Non GMO Project and A Growing Culture came together to build this campaignThe difference between seed vaults/morgues and community-led living seed libraries4 sessions of the Free The Seed learning journeyThe role of storytelling and narrative in food activismStrategies for engaging brands and communities in seed sovereignty
Sound Bites:
“Humans have the ability to imagine the end of the world easier than the end of capitalism.”“[Those kinds of seed libraries are] what I call a seed morgue, because that's where seed goes to die.”“Living seed libraries exist through community mechanisms and community ownership where those seeds are being saved and adapting and growing and living throughout.”"It's illegal to save seed in many countries.""Seed saving is essential for human survival.”“Life is regenerative inherently.”“Think about what does ‘right relationship’ look like for me and for my business.”“Food should nourish life.”“Our national identities are stories, our faiths are stories, our belief systems are stories. That is the power of narrative.”"We shouldn't be scared of them, they should be scared of us. Because the reality is that every dam will be broken by a heavy rain."
Chapters:
03:00 Introduction to Food Integrity and Sovereignty
04:02 Understanding UPOV and Its Impact
12:53 The Importance of Seed Diversity
22:53 The Role of Seed Libraries
33:03 Building Relationships in the Food System
42:57 The Free the Seed Initiative
43:25 Exploring Seed Power and Policy
47:39 Engaging Brands in the Learning Journey
49:08 Challenges and Opportunities in Food Sovereignty
58:05 The Role of Storytelling in Food Integrity
01:04:20 Building Community and Resilience
Links:
Megan Westgate on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganethompson/
Lauren Cardeli on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-cardeli-5754b828/
…
Free The Seed - https://freetheseed.org/
UPOV Convention - https://www.upov.org/
Food Sovereignty Movements - https://foodsovereigntymovement.org/
Seed Libraries and Community Seed Banks - https://seedfreedom.info/seed-libraries/
…
Non-GMO Project - https://www.nongmoproject.org/
Non-GMO Project on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nongmoproject/
Non-GMO Project on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nongmoproject
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A Growing Culture - https://growingculture.org/
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Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
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Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
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Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/
Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork
Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio
Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/
Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio
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The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
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Innovating with Hemp with Val Emanuel and Rebecca Caputo of Rif Care - Naturally Network Shorts
2026/06/03
Val Emanuel and Rebecca Caputo, co-founders of Rif Care, share the story behind their brand, the first period care company to make products from hemp fiber and what it took to build that supply chain from scratch. Val and Rebecca talk about what conscious business really means in the feminine care space, where greenwashing is rampant and efficacy can't be sacrificed for sustainability's sake. They dig into the barriers they pushed through with scouring manufacturers, connecting dots across countries, and even how to deliver their first products themselves. We also zoom out on the broader women's health movement gaining momentum in CPG, and why they believe that when women are healthy, the planet is healthy. They wrap up by reflecting on the Naturally Network minority-owned fellowship and how the cohort they went through didn't just open doors, they became family.
Takeaways:
Rif Care makes period care products out of organic cotton and hemp fiber - pads, period underwear, tampons, and thong panty linersThey were the first company to make period products out of hemp fiber, pioneering a supply chain that didn't exist when they started.The hemp supply chain was built brick by brick, including connecting their manufacturer in one country with a hemp supplier in another just to get their first prototypes made.Hemp proved to be an ideal material — abundant, fast-growing, and sourced from upcycled fiber, making their supply chain both resilient and sustainable.Conscious business for Rif Care means efficacy first — a period product has to actually work and be made with the best materials possible.The period care industry has a significant greenwashing problem, and Rif Care's commitment to transparency is a direct response to that.Val and Rebecca see women's health as one of the most exciting and underserved frontiers in CPG — from PMS to menopause — and actively partner with and amplify other brands in the space.Women still receive only 3% of venture funding, yet Val and Rebecca see enormous opportunity for investors, partners, and brand ambassadors in the women's health space.Through the Naturally Network minority-owned fellowship, Rif Care learned how to build sales decks, talk to retailers, and develop distribution channels that helped them reach and maintain the number one spot at Erewhon.
Sound Bites:
"We're going to walk the walk. We're going to talk the talk.""There were people trying to make hemp feminine care for 10 years and we got a sample in like two weeks. It was completely a paper wall.""I don't drive a truck, you know? We had to learn how to drive a U-Haul to pick up our products and deliver them to distributors.""There's so many more opportunities for companies to fill that gap in women's health.""If women are healthy, the planet is healthy.""The people that we did the Naturally Network Fellowship with are still our best friends. We cry together, we laugh together, and we have kept in touch more than any other accelerator that all of us have ever been in."
Links:
Val Emanuel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valemanuel/
Rebecca Caputo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcaputo/
Rif Care: https://rifcare.com/
Rif Care LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rifcares/
Rif Care on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rifcare/
Rif Care on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rifcare
...
Naturally Network: www.naturallynetwork.org
…
Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/
Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/
Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/
Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/
Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
…
Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/
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Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/
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…
The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Podcast reviews
Read Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG) podcast reviews
Alex B590 2024/05/30
Fantastic
Great show
UiXit 2024/05/05
Sustainability Therapy
In this overwhelming world of eco information, Gage brings the stories of people building brands for good. This is a great way to take what their doin...
Mich200 2024/02/10
Always Interesting, Always Thought-Provoking
I’ve been listening to this podcast for years now, and I always walk away from a show with a new tip or a new wave thinking. Gage is a lovely host and...
Profusionec 2023/02/05
Great for CPG founders
This is an awesome podcast for CPG founders to listen to how others started and grew their businesses.
Love that it goes in depth
Ritz202 2023/02/01
Incredible brands and information
Awesome guests changing the world through CPG. A must listen
Doodlebug4567 2022/11/11
Great listening!
Gage is a great interviewer and provides such insightful content - I highly recommend listening in!
mdchel 2022/08/04
Refreshing, motivating
Let’s continue talking about how to fix this world and minimize our footprint while we’re here. Love the angle. Great listen.
Dustgod420 2021/05/28
Great for leaders in sustainable product development
Always full of insights and a joy to listen to.
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