Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)

What happens when you shrink a leaf down to the size of a pinhead, then blow it up to four feet wide? For photographer Robert Dash, it revealed a hidden world of patterns, and a new way to see how we grow our food. And that’s the idea behind Food Planet Future , a book by Robert Dash, an award-winning photographer, naturalist, and career science educator. Using a scanning electron microscope, he c...

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...

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 g...

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...

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...

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, an...

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 top...

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...

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 ser...

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 Th...

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...

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 sourci...

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 de...

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 confi...

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 biodi...

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...

Gagan Levy discusses his book 'Start Your Own Damn Cult,' exploring how ancient yoga principles can be applied to leadership, business, and building authentic movements. The conversation covers the eight codes derived from the eight limbs of yoga, practical applications for leaders, and the importance of play, integrity, and systemic thinking in creating regenerative impact. Gagan’s shares example...

Jason Schwartze, founder of Moonglade Craft Soda, shares the decades-long journey from a kitchen obsession with perfecting ginger beer to a freshly launched line of certified organic farmers market-inspired craft sodas. He talks about his background as a park ranger and agricultural inspector, how that shaped his passion for regenerative farming and ocean health, and why joining 1% for the Planet...

Discover the inspiring story of Audra Query, founder of Girl Meets Dirt, who transitioned from a Wall Street career to building a seasonally rooted, award-winning preserves business on Orcas Island. This episode explores her journey of intentional living, embracing seasonality, and balancing entrepreneurial ambitions with a meaningful lifestyle. We talk about the benefits of doing things the hard...

Scott Zimmerman, CEO and founder of Loli's Foods, shares the story behind his brand of clean, fresh, and functional sauces, dips, and dressings and why manufacturing locally in Southern California isn't just a values choice, it's a competitive advantage. He discusses how self-manufacturing gave Loli's the control they needed to source the right ingredients and build deep relationships with regiona...

Three Latin-American food brands saw the opportunity to go further, faster, together – so they took it. Stefanie Garcia Turner of Tuyyo, Jocelyn Ramirez of Todo Verde, and Regina Trillo of Nemi share how they met, why they decided to merge their businesses and brands, and what their vision is for the new brand, unified under Tuyyo. The three woman-and-minoroty-owned brands share a mission of...

This is the Steaz comeback story! Hear how the brand founders were brought back into the company to help renew the purpose and passion of the brand, which led to a collaboration with Wild Orchard to launch the first line of Regenerative Organic Certified ® canned teas! We speak with Eric Schnell of Beyond Brands, who was one of the original founders of Steaz, to learn more about the history of Ste...

Gage shares his best practices for attending Natural Products Expo West – the biggest trade show in the United States for the better-for-the-world product industry! Tune in to hear 10 tips for making the most of the show, based on Gage’s ~15 years of experience attending Expo West as a brand, packaging, booth, and campaign designer who’s helped some of the industry most beloved brands stand o...

Holly shares her journey as a nutritional scientist and formulating chemist, and how that experience led her to develop JostArriba, an instant coffee with added brain health and mental well-being benefits. We discuss the nootropic and adaptogen ingredients, like Reishi, Lions Mane, Ashwagandha, and L-Theanine, and how Holly obsessed over not just the functionality of the ingredients, but how the f...

Karl Strovink, CEO of Blue Bottle Coffee, discusses the brand's evolution, its commitment to quality and sustainability, and the innovative approaches being taken to redefine coffee experiences. He highlights the importance of community, the role of creativity in coffee culture, and the challenges posed by climate change. Strovink also shares insights on leadership and the significance of caring i...