Gluten Free Unwrapped

On this episode of Gluten-Free Unwrapped , I’m diving into the story of Chef Alina Eisenhauer. She started as a professional pastry chef and bakery owner who competed on multiple Food Network shows, including Cupcake Wars . Chef Alina's career took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's, an autoimmune thyroid disorder, and felt her world crashing in. As a prolific baker, it was...

On this episode of Gluten-Free Unwrapped , I’m chatting with Kerry Brown, co-founder of Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R., a line of nutrient-dense baking mixes designed for people following restrictive and restorative diets like the autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet. Kerry shares her personal health journey, including challenges with Type 1 diabetes, thyroid issues, and autoimmune conditions, and how discovering...

Colin O’Neal, president of Gluten Free & More , joins us to share his journey with celiac disease and the challenges of growing a print publication in today's modern era. Diagnosed over 30 years ago, Colin reflects on growing up feeling unwell, the one food he avoided for decades, and how better gluten-free options have changed his diet today. We also dive into his creative background as an ar...

On today's episode of Gluten Free Unwrapped, you'll hear the story of Dr. Liia Ramachandra, the founder of Epilynx, an emerging skincare and beauty brand designed to be gluten-free, allergen-free, and free from the top 14 allergens. Dr. Liia’s personal experiences with psoriasis and gluten sensitivity, as well as her unique background as a pharmacist, inspired her to create safe, non-toxic, and ef...

Jules Shepard is a pioneer in the gluten-free world. As the founder of GF Jules, she’s sold over a million pounds of allergen-free flour and baking mixes while championing celiac advocacy long before “gluten-free” was a household term. She was instrumental in shaping the FDA’s gluten-free labeling laws and has spent years empowering home bakers and food businesses through her cookbooks, products,...

When KC faced open-heart surgery in 2016, her perspective on health shifted dramatically. Recovery pushed her to overhaul her diet, which eventually sparked a passion for baking cookies that everyone could enjoy—regardless of dietary restrictions. By 2020, KC had transitioned from classroom teacher to baking entrepreneur, launching KC Sunshine's Cookies. In this episode, we discuss: How KC made th...

For most families, a cruise is about relaxation and indulgence. For Maureen Basye, a family cruise with her 4-year-old son was a wake-up call. Her son struggled to find safe food onboard, and while no one got sick, the stress of constantly worrying about meals made it hard for her family to fully enjoy the vacation. Maureen knew gluten-free families deserved better—that’s when the idea for Celiac...

In this episode, you'll hear the inspiring stories of Kendra Williams and Kari Bastyr—two leading ladies in the gluten-detection dog space. Both have celiac disease and rely on gluten-detection dogs, but their paths crossed in a way that changed the field forever. In 2020, Kari saw a video Kendra posted of her dog training with loose flour and sent a DM on Instagram, warning that Kendra’s method w...

Karen Hertz’s journey began with a health scare. As a young mom facing melanoma and thyroid cancer, her doctors recommended an anti-inflammatory diet—which meant giving up gluten. For Karen, a longtime craft beer lover who worked at Coors for over a decade, going gluten-free wasn’t just a diet change—it meant giving up beer and part of the lifestyle she loved. That challenge sparked inspiration. K...

Seaton and Jill Smith’s celiac journey began in 1990 when their young son was diagnosed with celiac disease. Soon after, they discovered they had celiac disease too. With gluten-free options nearly nonexistent, the family leaned on a local support group for help—but they didn’t stop there. Their experience inspired GF Harvest, the first certified gluten-free oats made using strict purity protocol...

When Mari Fassett first started whipping up snack mixes as a kid, she never imagined it would turn into a business. What began as something she shared with friends and family eventually became Marimix — a certified gluten-free, whole-grain, plant-based snack that’s equal parts sweet and savory. But Mari’s story isn’t just about creating a crave-worthy snack. In 2017, she survived a serious brain a...

When Lorissa Link set out to make snacks for her family, she wasn’t just creating another jerky stick — she was rewriting the rules for an entire category. After her son’s food allergy diagnosis and a scary reaction at a birthday party, Lorissa realized the shelves were missing safe, delicious, certified allergen-free snacks. Drawing on her family’s roots in the jerky business, she launched LK Sna...

When Abby Helman Kelly discovered in her 30s that she was gluten intolerant, she found herself in the same frustrating maze many of us know too well—mysterious symptoms, confusing labels, and endless trial-and-error eating. After a naturopath suggested cutting gluten and dairy, Abby’s stubborn eczema cleared up, and she felt better than ever. Later, an egg allergy entered the picture, giving her a...

In this episode, talk with Trish Thomas, the co-founder of Every Body Eat, a snack brand built on the belief that everyone deserves to feel included at the table, no matter their dietary restrictions. Trish’s journey began after a personal health transformation—dealing with weight gain, hair loss, and extreme fatigue following her first pregnancy. She was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and,...

When Karissa Francis couldn’t find safe snacks to meet her family’s dietary needs, she did what so many of us only dream of — she rolled up her sleeves and started baking her own. With the help of her husband, Josh — who brought years of baking industry experience to the table — the couple set out to create treats their whole family could safely enjoy. In this episode of Gluten Free Unwrapped , yo...

When Jason Elmore got his celiac diagnosis, he faced the same crushing realization so many of us in the celiac community know all too well: dining out had become incredibly complicated and scary. But instead of resigning himself to a life of packed lunches and sad salads, Jason did something extraordinary—he built the solution we all desperately needed: Find Me Gluten Free. What began as Jason's p...

In this episode, you'll meet Alex Murphy, the CEO behind BFree—the gluten-free bread brand that's actually changing how we think about gluten-free carbs. And trust me, that's no small feat. Alex has been with BFree since day one, and she's turned it into one of the fastest-growing gluten-free brands in the world. But here's what makes her different: she's obsessed with making gluten-free bread tha...

In this episode of Gluten Free Unwrapped , I’m joined by Lorraine Fagela , the inspiring baker and founder of Hand & Heart Gluten Free — known for her amazing gluten-free baking mixes, sweet treats, and a cozy gluten-free bakery & café in Saco, Maine. Lorraine's journey began in 2012, when she developed a mysterious rash and a range of symptoms that she eventually traced back to gluten and...

In this episode of Gluten Free Unwrapped , I sit down with Todd Goldstein, the founder of Whoa Dough, a delicious gluten-free cookie dough snack brand that’s become a favorite in the gluten-free and celiac communities. Todd shares the deeply personal story behind his brand — from his childhood spent in his family’s restaurant, to years of unexplained illness, to finally being diagnosed with celiac...

On this episode of Gluten Free Unwrapped , I’m joined by Vanessa Phillips, the founder of Feel Good Foods—the beloved gluten-free brand known for its potstickers, egg rolls, pizza bagels, and other comfort-food classics. Vanessa opens up about her personal journey with celiac disease and how years of struggling with her health ultimately inspired her to reimagine what delicious gluten-free food co...

In this episode of Gluten Free Unwrapped , you’ll meet Jereann Zann, the inspiring mom and founder behind Little GF Chefs—a brand on a mission to empower kids with celiac disease and food allergies through joyful, hands-on baking experiences. Jereann’s journey began with her daughter, Sophia, who was diagnosed with gluten and dairy allergies at a young age. Watching her daughter grapple with food...

In this episode, you’ll meet Chef Jennifer Scism, a long-time foodie with a passion for cooking. When she lost her corporate job in the early 90s, she enrolled in The French Culinary Institute and worked in a variety of restaurants in New York City, including her own, and even competed on Iron Chef. After years of the daily grind, Chef Jennifer sought out a quieter life in Maine. It didn’t take lo...

When Jessica Mindell’s husband discovered he was gluten intolerant, she started baking him a special oat-based granola—one he loved so much, he encouraged her to turn it into a business. What began in her home kitchen became the first oat-based gluten-free granola brand, built from the ground up with nothing but grit, self-funding, and a whole lot of heart. In this episode, Jessica shares how she...

In this episode of Gluten Free Unwrapped, Jenny Finke speaks with Marshall Rader, who co-founded The GFB. When Marshall and his brother, Elliott, embarked on the gluten-free diet over a decade ago, they quickly realized how few nutritious and tasty gluten-free options existed, especially in the protein bar space. That’s when they decided to take matters into their own hands and create The GFB. Thi...

In this episode of Gluten Free Unwrapped, Jenny Finke speaks with Suzie Carpenter, the founder of Savor by Suzie. While Savor by Suzie is now famous for its irresistibly crunchy, gluten- and grain-free pretzels, Suzie’s path here was anything but simple. In 2000, when her daughter Kelly was diagnosed with autism, celiac disease, and more than twenty-five food intolerances, Suzie and her daughter f...