Next Up Podcast

DRAFTWhat happens when a Food & Nutrition Officer spends 25 years inside one of the largest school districts in America — and refuses to settle for "good enough"? You get Angie Kasselakis, RDN, SHRM-SCP — and a school meal program feeding 156,000 kids a day across 360+ schools in Miami-Dade County. In this episode, Marlon Gordon sits down with Angie Kasselakis, Food & Nutrition Officer at...

Sponsored by Red Gold Tomatoes, this special live episode of the Next Up Podcast was filmed at the NxtGen Masterclass in Orlando, FL, bringing together school nutrition leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals to talk about the future of K-12 foodservice. From branding and marketing to product innovation and student engagement, the conversation dives into new ideas helping school meal pr...

What happens when a retired school nutrition director decides to build the software she always wished she had? You get Health-e Pro — a USDA-approved menu planning platform with over 5,000 recipes, 20,000 products, and a team of dietitians and food service professionals building technology from the inside out. In this episode, Marlon Gordon sits down with Kadon Simmons (Head of Growth) and Kim Col...

In this episode of The Next Up Podcast, host Marlon Gordon sits down with Samantha Bourque from National Food Group and Zee Zees for a powerful conversation about food insecurity, corporate social responsibility, and how purpose-driven work can create real change in communities across the country. From Samantha’s journey through the Detroit Lions, ESPN, and Ford Motor Company to her current role l...

This conversation features members of the GENYOUth National Youth Council discussing the importance of student engagement in school meal programs. They explore the mission of GENYOUth, the stigmas surrounding school meals, and the need for improvements in meal options and cafeteria experiences. The students emphasize the significance of time and space during lunch, the impact of breakfast on perfo...

In this episode of The Next Up Podcast, host Marlon Gordon sits down with Tara Sharpe, K-12 Segment Director for Zee Zees® (National Food Group), for an in-depth conversation about branding, innovation, and what it truly takes to succeed in school foodservice. From why K-12 is the “PhD of foodservice” to how strong branding directly increases student participation, Tara shares real-world examples...

In this episode of Next Up, we’re joined by Darlene Lopez and Megan Martinson from Eagle Mountain–Saginaw ISD for a powerful look at how food, culture, and education intersect inside today’s school nutrition programs. They share their personal journeys into the nutrition world and raise an important question: What inspires someone to choose school nutrition as a career—and how do we bring more peo...

In this episode of Next Up, the team from Garland ISD—Craig Hempel, Jennifer Miller, and Chef Kevin Jenkins—breaksdown how they transformed one of Texas’s largest districts into a model for freshly prepared, student-centered school meals. Their story immediately raises a powerful question: How can a district this size pull off scratch cooking at this scale? They share how their “Freshly Prepared”...

In this episode of Next Up, we sit down with Shannon Almand- the Director of Child Nutrition Services for Quitman ISD whose journey into child nutrition proves how powerful purpose-driven work can be. Shannon shares how she transformed her district’s meal program through scratch cooking, innovative service models, and a strong commitment to student wellness. She explains why scratch cooking matter...

This conversation explores the vital work of Action for Healthy Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health programming in schools across the United States. The discussion highlights the personal journeys of the speakers, the importance of school nutrition, the impact of the Healthy Meals Incentives initiative, and the challenges faced in child health today. The speakers emphasize...

***A little bit of technical difficulties couldn't stop us from a great conversation and tons of laughs. Make sure you stick around for the bloopers!***We’re kicking off Season 6 with an inspiring, laugh-filled, and eye-opening conversation recorded live in Washington, D.C.! Host Marlon joins Bettina Applewhite, Nichole Taylor, and Stacey Williamson — three powerhouse women whose careers span...

How can school cafeterias spark innovation, build community, and change the way students see nutrition? In this episode of the Next Up Podcast, we're live at Ignite 2025 and leaders in school nutrition share stories of creativity and passion that are transforming mealtime in schools. The conversation sponsored by AmTab, explores hydroponic gardens, charcuterie-style bento boxes, culturally inspire...

Welcome to the debut of the Next Up Podcast Live at the NxtGen Masterclass—where creativity, purpose, and school nutrition collide. Marlon is joined by a panel of powerhouse guests like Melissa Santell, DJ Bonoan, Jamie Ouverson, and Cassie Tucker, this episode kicks off the NxtGen Masterclass- two days of sessions on how to elevate your storytelling, marketing, and photography game in the K-12 Nu...

How can we make school lunch cool again? What strategies actually boost student participation in school meal programs? In this episode sponsored by Multiteria, school nutrition leaders Marcus Shelton and Anji Branch share how they’re transforming the cafeteria experience through creativity, innovation, and strong community relationships. Plus, we’re joined by a special guest from Multiteria—Region...

In this episode, Tom Ferris shares his journey from a soccer-loving youth to a successful career in the food service industry. He discusses his early experiences in hospitality, his transition to food brokerage, and his current role at ES Foods. The conversation also delves into the importance of fitness and health, especially as life becomes busier with family and work commitments. Tom emphasizes...

In this episode of the Next Up Podcast, produced by NxtGen Network, host Marlon Gordon welcomes guests Jenna Kaczmarski and Shani Hall to discuss the importance of innovation in school nutrition. The conversation revolves around the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative and its impact on school meal programs. They delve into the significance of the Trailblazer Awards, administrative reviews, and how...

Join Marlon as he chats with Tara Sharpe and Kristine Buyers at the Zee Zees HQ in Michigan. The trio discusses Zee Zees' innovative approach to school nutrition that combines fun branding, product development, and tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of School Meal Programs. Learn how Zee Zees is committed to creating engaging products that not only adhere to nutritional standards but...

In this episode, Marlon sits down with Joe Guadagnino who shares his journey from the fast food industry to leading Cool School Prime, a program that enhances the K-12 food service experience through reward points and rebates. The discussion highlights the importance of nutrition in schools, the evolution of school meals, and the power of collaboration in the K-12 space. Joe emphasizes the signifi...

Discover the inside scoop on Butterball in this episode of the NextUp Podcast! Marlon dives into a fascinating conversation with Dr. Alice Johnson and Frank Samuelson from Butterball, uncovering the company's dedication to animal care & wellbeing, food safety, and cutting-edge turkey products. Learn about their transparent auditing practices, the role of antibiotics in turkey farming, and...

In this conversation, Manish Singh, Director of Foodservices at LA Unified School District and Marlon discuss the evolution of food services within the Los Angeles Unified School District. Manish speaks about the transition to a 100% Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) district, innovative programs like farm-to-table, and the introduction of food trucks. He emphasizes the importance of creating...

From studying psychology to stepping into the classroom as a teacher and now launching her entrepreneurial journey with Kamps4Kids, Sarah Johansen's story is a testament to passion and purpose. In this episode of the Next Up Podcast, she dives into the power of relationships in shaping childhood development, how technology is transforming education, and why giving kids the chance to try new activi...

Join Dr. Raul Serrano and Marlon for a captivating episode where they discuss how one conversation can change lives. They reflect on their high school days and decisions that shaped their paths. Dr. Serrano, a father, husband, author, and chiropractor, shares a turning point in his career. This episode explores the power of genuine conversations and their lasting impact on individuals and communit...

How is school nutrition evolving to meet the needs of students and communities? In this episode of the NextUp Podcast, we sit down with Mallory Reeves, Senior Administrator for Orange County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services, to uncover the stories and strategies behind modern school meal programs. Mallory shares her journey and emphasizes the power of collaboration in driving innovation....

In this episode, Souha Alameddine, Nate Dudek, Bren Yamaguchi, Christine Yi, and Marlon Gordon talk about how technology shapes Child Nutrition. They discuss how AI and digital tools can help influence the real strength of the industry, its people, and the sense of community they create. While AI can’t replace that, Gaia prioritizes AI and its ability to support it, allowing staff to focus more on...

Cristhel Just joins us for this episode and shares her personal journey of transformation, from growing up with limited resources in Costa Rica to finding success in corporate America which included a marketing leadership role at Coca-Cola where she was the Global Marketing Operations Sr Manager. Crystal also talks about the pivotal moment that led her to leave her corporate job and pursue a caree...