Hunt Gather Nurture

Why do most beverage brands fail? In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Larkai and Monte Burrow, founders of Blackleaf Organic Vodka, to break down what it actually takes to build a brand in one of the most competitive categories in CPG. This isn’t a highlight reel. We get into:  The biggest mistakes they made early on   Why great products don’t sell themselves   What “entrepreneurship is a conta...

In this episode, Jason Burke sits down with MLB All-Star Justin Turner and Kourtney Turner to talk about life outside of baseball, building businesses, investing with intention, and using your platform to create meaningful impact. This isn’t just a conversation about sports. It’s about identity. Justin and Kourtney share what it’s really like to move from professional athletics into entrepreneursh...

Retail deductions are one of the biggest hidden profit drains in CPG. In this episode, Jason Burke sits down with Komal Devjani to break down deductions management, revenue recovery, chargebacks, trade spend disputes, and how brands can improve cash flow through better financial processes. Learn common mistakes founders make, how to distinguish valid vs. disputable deductions, why remittance state...

In this conversation, I sit down with Sam Nebel, co-founder of Good Wipes, to unpack his journey from identifying a simple everyday need to building a bold, disruptive CPG brand. Sam opens up about the realities of fundraising, the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and the long-term mindset required to grow a consumer product company. His candid stories and practical insights make this...

In this episode, I sit down with investor and CPG veteran Melissa Facchina to explore her path from working in her dad's juice manufacturing business to founding Siddhi Capital and becoming a leading voice in the consumer packaged goods space. Melissa shares how hands-on operational experience shaped her investing philosophy and why strong founder–investor relationships matter more than ever....

In this conversation, Jason Burke interviews Mike Fata, an accomplished entrepreneur and investor, discussing his journey from being a 300-pound teenager to a successful business leader. They explore the importance of health and wellness in entrepreneurship, the investor's perspective on business growth, and the intricacies of valuation and pitch decks. Mike shares valuable insights on how to...

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and one of the sharpest minds in the space — Denise Lambertson, founder of Constellation Capital. Denise shares how she went from being Madonna’s executive assistant to pioneering celebrity equity deals and eventually launching her own CPG venture fund. We talk about: her one-of-a-kind path into investing how she thinks about product, marketing,...

This episode is everything I wish more founders knew about fundraising—from why net sales matter more than gross to how valuations are actually shaped (spoiler: it’s not just about your revenue multiple). We talk about the mindset it takes to build a brand that lasts, how to stay focused when the market is noisy, and why so many founders get stuck chasing exits instead of building businesses. Whet...

Fundraising in 2025 feels different than it used to. It is harder, slower, and less forgiving than in years past. In this episode, I sit down with Steve Young—an experienced operator, investor, and partner at Manna Tree—to have an honest conversation about what is really happening in the investment landscape right now. We cover: Why the bar for raising money has become significantly higher What ac...

My candid conversation with VC Andy Whitman — why he turned me down, what I learned, and what you need to know before pitching your brand to an investor. We get into the mistakes founders make, how investors actually think about valuation, and why the best time to raise money is when you don’t need it.

After an intense Olympic lifting session at CrossFit Boston, Melissa Urban sat down with her original co-founder and came up with a plan. The idea was simple: “What if we just did this squeaky clean, paleo-based 30-day thing and eliminated everything from our diet that didn’t fit this protocol?” And just like that, Melissa handed over her Thin Mints to a friend and they started that day. The resul...

Dr. Will Cole shares his journey from pioneering telehealth in functional medicine to becoming a bestselling author and podcast host. He dives into the secrets of publishing a book, building a loyal podcast following, and balancing work with family life—all while staying true to your passion. Tune in for practical advice on health, writing, and making an impact.

Brad Ebenhoeh, co-founder of Accountfully, envisioned a new type of accounting firm that would one day revolutionize the industry. By zeroing in on bookkeeping and providing valuable services to small businesses, Brad and his crew flipped the traditional accounting model on its head and hit it big. What was their secret? Nailing product-market fit Finding the perfect timing and really tuning in to...

Gervase left her corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship and become a life coach. But it all started with a sudden realization that led her to make a drastic change and open herself up to receive the love and support she needed from her spouse. In today’s episode, Gervase makes the case for increasing our tolerance for discomfort. She also explores the delicate balance between masculine and femin...

Stephen's life has been a journey of pursuing various creative projects and interests, not limited by fear of failure or societal norms. His philosophy? Chase what brings you joy, live your truth, and take risks. From designing for brands to supporting his son's snowboarding talent, Stephen's story is a testament to the power of embracing uncertainty and making conscious trade-offs...

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, also known as Dr. B, always knew that a holistic path to wellness was more complex than rigid dietary labels. As a result, his approach to diet and health is refreshingly unconventional. Eschewing strict dietary restrictions, he advocates for the joy of eating, the importance of variety, and the power of whole foods. But the conversation doesn’t stop there. Dr. B opened up abo...

Carrie Morey, a renowned baker and entrepreneur, started her culinary journey with no inkling of the phenomenal success that lie ahead. Born into a family where good food was a staple, Carrie transformed her mother's beloved biscuit recipe into an enterprising business venture, Callie’s Biscuits. Her secret recipe for success? Balancing the roles of a dedicated mother and a passionate entrepr...

Todd McCullough got his start as a college football player. Little did he know, his future held something even greater: becoming the founder of T Mac Fitness. His path to entrepreneurship was not a straight line, but a journey filled with twists and turns that ultimately led him to realize the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual health. In his quest for balance, Todd has learned how to sl...

Marissa Allen, co-founder of Cookie Society, has always navigated the highs and lows of building a successful bakery brand alongside her family.  In this episode, she takes us through the process of opening several brick-and-mortar shops, and shares the unique challenges and victories that have come as a result. Marissa offers a candid look at: how she handles setting boundaries navigating negativ...

The first time Helen Leland made a smoothie, she had no idea that it would change the course of her life. After discovering the power of healthy eating, Helen started Blender Bombs, a brand dedicated to smoothie-based nutrition. The secret to her success? Embracing her role as an influencer and leveraging her reach on social media to share her journey and promote her products. Her unique blend of...

In this episode, host Jason Burke shares his journey of building a thriving nationwide consumer brand, raising over $20M in funding, and achieving an 8-figure revenue milestone on Amazon, all while navigating the challenges of parenthood. He discusses his experiences of overcoming feelings of inferiority, learning to ask for what he believes he deserves, and finding balance between work and family...