Double Take Podcast

Today I’m sitting down with Sofia Jiang, the founder of SOFSET, a workwear brand made for the women entering the corporate world who want to look polished, professional, and still like themselves. Sofia grew up in New York City, went to Georgetown, and started her career in investment banking at Morgan Stanley. But after realizing banking wasn’t the life she wanted to build, she left to pursue sta...

In this episode, Lauren speaks with Rogers Healy about his career across real estate, venture capital, entrepreneurship, and investing. The conversation explores Rogers’s transition from real estate into venture capital, including the role COVID played in prompting him to reassess what he wanted his next chapter to look like. He discusses what draws him to startups, the traits he looks for in foun...

In this episode, I sit down with Denise Lambertson, founder and managing partner of Constellation Capital, a venture fund investing in early-stage consumer brands in the health and wellness space. Denise’s path into venture capital was anything but traditional. She began her career building LMS, a celebrity and influencer marketing agency that connected high-profile talent with emerging brands thr...

In this episode, I sit down with Holly Thaggard, founder of Supergoop! and a leading force behind the transformation of the suncare industry. What began as a mission to raise awareness around skin cancer has evolved into a category-defining brand, backed by a ~$700M investment from Blackstone’s Growth fund. We talk through Holly’s journey from identifying whitespace in a stagnant, highly seasonal...

In this episode, I sit down with Jacqueline Tatelman, the Co-Founder and CEO of STATE Bags, to explore her journey with social entrepreneurship. Founded in 2013 alongside her husband Scott, STATE Bags was born out of their firsthand experience running a nonprofit summer camp for New York City youth. Since its inception, the brand has grown from a one-for-one backpack company into a global lifestyl...

In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Chantal Bacon, founder of Moon Juice, to explore her remarkable journey of healing her own autoimmune condition and pioneering the use of adaptogens in modern supplements and skincare. Founded in 2011 in Venice, California as a local juice bar, Moon Juice has grown to be one of the wellness industry's most beloved brands. Known for its “cult-like followi...

What does it look like to build a wellness company without cutting corners on quality, science, or values? In this episode, Lauren Stenger sits down with Shahab Elmi, co-founder of Cymbiotika, to unpack the philosophy, science, and discipline behind one of the fastest-growing and most trusted supplement brands. Shahab shares how a personal health wake-up call shifted his priorities, and ultimately...

Dr. James Gordon is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist who has spent nearly five decades challenging the way we think about mental and emotional suffering. After growing skeptical of traditional psychiatry’s one-size-fits-all solutions, he pioneered a mind body approach that blends science, self-care, and community support, a model now used everywhere from U.S. medical schools to regions affected by w...

In this episode, Lauren speaks with Mike Mauzé , Co-Founder and General Partner of VMG Partners, a San Francisco–based private equity firm investing in category-defining consumer and tech brands like Spindrift, [solidcore], Sun Bum, and Drunk Elephant. Since its founding in 2005, VMG has completed more than sixty investments and recently closed Fund VI at $1 billion, marking its largest fund to da...

In this episode, Jeni Britton founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Floura, shares her entrepreneurial journey from questioning rules as a kid to building companies that merge creativity, resilience, and purpose. She explains how thinking of ice cream as scent, story, and art helped her stand out, why creativity is really about doing more with less, and how constraints fuel innovation. Jeni al...

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Rachel Hirsch, the founder of Wellness Growth Ventures, to explore the intersection of wellness and finance. Rachel shares her unique journey from Wall Street to wellness investing, and how she found a way to combine two passions that once seemed worlds apart. Rachel talks about her daily routines, wellness habits, and how writing helps her clarify ideas and...

In this interview, Cedar, the CEO of The Good Patch, discusses the company's journey, the benefits and workings of wellness patches, and her personal career path from the fashion industry to the wellness industry. The Good Patch offers wearable wellness patches that deliver sustained benefits through the skin using premium, tested ingredients. Cedar shares her typical day managing the company,...

Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Developing of GreenWorks, Clorox’s first eco-friendly product line How sustainability became a business strategy rather than just a corporate responsibility. Fair Trade USA & Ethical Supply Chains: The win-win-win model—helping farmers, businesses, and consumers make ethical choices. Real stories of partnerships with Whole Foods, West Elm, and others to supp...

Brian Nicholson and Lauren Stenger discuss... The unique experience growing up as an identical twin and the evolution of that relationship throughout time Insights on how being a twin impacted his personality, social interactions, and even his professional life, particularly in their family business, Red Jacket Orchards The history of Red Jacket Orchards, founded by his grandparents in 1958. His p...

In this episode, Dr. Rakow and Lauren discuss... Dr. Rakow's background and his lifelong fascination with nature. The biophilia hypothesis and the innate connection humans have with the natural world. The nature-deficit disorder and the consequences arising from young people's disconnection from nature. Phytoncides and how inhaling these compounds through our noses can reduce stress and bo...

Episode Summary: Heesun discusses her discovery of entrepreneurship at Stanford, emphasizing the importance of exploring various areas and being open to unexpected opportunities. She reflects on her role at BASES (Business Association of Stanford Entrepreneurial Students) and the valuable connections she made in Silicon Valley. The conversation delves into Heesun's dedication to supporting fem...

Tune in to hear an insightful conversation with Matthew Hassett, the founder of Loftie, a revolutionary sleep company recognized in the Times Best Inventions of 2023. • Matt reveals the company's genesis in addressing the evolving challenges of excessive screen time and disrupted sleep patterns. • He then discusses the basics of good sleep and the impact of technology on our circadian rhythms....

Dr. Kruzan and Lauren Stenger discuss Dr. Kruzan's main research focuses within the mental health space of non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents. They also discuss... Maintaining her own mental health and staying inspired when working with vulnerable patients. The potential benefits and risks of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence with mental health interventions. One of Dr. Kruzan's...

Today I had the honor of speaking with Dr. Mark Manary, a professor at WashU, a pediatrician, and the founder of Project Peanut Butter. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Manary's journey with developing a peanut butter-based therapy for malnourished children in Sub-Saharan Africa, how we can maintain an advocacy mindset, and the future of agriculture & nutrition in developing countries.

Kent Yoshimura & Lauren Stenger discuss how the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship have created an uber successful, multifaceted career for Kent. Topics discussed:  Kent’s creativity as a kid  How Neuro was started, during a time where supplements were the “Wild West” Initial lessons learned: Finding a healthy ratio between energy and focus  Kent’s journey with children book illus...

In today's episode, Lauren Stenger and Kate Stenger sit down with Mrs. Kara Goldin to learn about her journey with Hint Water. They discuss Kara's entrepreneurial mindset as a teenager, the birth of Hint, her favorite "failure", and the episode ends with some amazing advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Check out Hint: https://www.drinkhint.com, Double Take (doubletakepodcast.io) (2) Double Take Pod...

Today's episode features our friend Willow Woodward. She recently released her new album Hideaway with nine beautiful songs she wrote. She's only seventeen years old, but she is a radiant role model to those around her. In this episode, we talk about her journey with music, life at boarding school, and so much more. Follow Willow's singing  journey ... Instagram: @willowwoodwardoffical Listen...

Ken Falke is a 21-year combat veteran of the U.S. Navy. He is the founder and CEO of Boulder Crest, an organization that focuses on helping veterans overcome their trauma and struggles. Boulder Crest focuses on teaching PTG (Post Traumatic Growth), and his program has helped thousands of veterans. Additionally, he is the author of Struggle Well, a self-help book that teaches on how to embrace one'...

Amelia and Perry Allen are teenage sisters who co-run Very Perry Jewelry. In this episode, we discuss the creation of their business, managing VPJ while at boarding school and college, and advice for aspiring creators.  Check out Very Perry Jewelry:  www.shopveryperry.com / Instagram: @veryperryjewelry Double Take Instagram:  @listen.doubletake 

Maia Mae Billman, a junior at FSU, is the creator of MM Designs. In this episode, we chat about her journey from the pre-med route to where she is now- a business owner! She speaks on the heart of MM Designs and the passion that has driven her retail company. Check out MM Designs: https://www.mmdesigns.life/ Double Take Instagram: @listen.doubletake